I would say the only mistake you can make when going backpacking is to not go. Get out there and 100% make every one of these mistakes. That's the best way to learn.
Even more, or at least as important as the sleeping bag is the sleeping mat. The warmest sleeping bag won’t keep you warm below zero is you use a flimsy foam mat. The ground is so much more dense than the air and will suck the heat out of your body much faster than the air will. I heard one guy say, that every time you add a layer on top of you, add two below you. I think that makes a lot of sense.
All great advice! For your pillow, glue a 2-3" wide elastic strap (amazon) on both sides so you can wrap around your sleeping pad. This works really well! Shoe-goo works great to glue the strap on. This has saved me a LOT of misery. Also , when camping in really cold temps, get a synthetic quilt to go over your sleeping bag. This will not only add 5 or 10 degrees of warmth, but it will prevent condensation building up and freezing on your expensive down bag. The synthetic quilt can handle the moisture. Bought mine at Enlightened Equipment and I camped in -18C and was sure glad I bought it. It also has strips that go around your sleeping pad so it doesn't fall off at night. Really great.
Cut the bottom of an old T-shirt, about 8 inches from the bottom. Slip it over your sleeping pad, and put your pillow under it. It will stay in place all night. P.S. I really hate it when I'm fully tucked, hood fully zipped/cinched tight, and I later feel overheated and struggle to get it back open -- borderline panic attack when that happens.
Glad I'm not the only one suffering the sleeping bag claustrophobia when too hot, in fact I'd rather wake up a bit too cold than have those awful panics to get out.
The ground plastic that people use on their tents are sticking out beyond the tent. This causes water to get under the tent when it is raining. I also put leaves on the ground next to the tent and pile them up to the fly. This will add extra protection to the tent during rainstorms. Might be hard to do in a desert environment however.
Scoop leaves under the groundsheet before you pitch the tent over it, its cushioning/insulation for you but it also creates a slope that water can't run up at the edges.
Great tips Can I just say that the pillow inside hood is perfectly fine for: 1) Pillows that are small enough to easily fit while still cinching hood 2) warm weather camping where comfort is not tied directly to heat retention of the bag itself
very true. I sleep with my pillow in the hood all the time when I don't need all the extra warmth. And some sleeping bags have larger hoods that give just enough room for a pillow.
@@BackpackingTV Might wanna look up the Sea to Summit pillow lock system, connectors on the pad and pillow to lock them together. I don't have them but it seems like a smart thing.
Great tip from Kyle Hates Hiking that I use all the time. To keep your pillow from sliding around on the pad, take a jacket or shirt you're not wearing and slip it torso side down over the pillow and sleeping pad. Will not move all night--works like a charm!!
My 2 cents on the top straps if the backpack to the shoulders. It is not a mistake to have the top straps a little bit loose. It depends highly on what brand and model of backpack you have, and your own body build. Having the top part of the pack closer to the shoulder is to a degree true, but having it too close will limit shoulder movement and thus push down on your shoulders on a long hike, which ultimately gives me back aches. This is because more of the backpack weight will be transfered to the back. What you want is a distribution of most of the backpack weight carried on the hip strap an the least on the the shoulders, for example a 70-30% distribution in favor ofvmore weight on the hips. In my experience of 15 years mountaineering and hiking you want to focus that shoulder straps fit nicely and comfortably so that they stay put, don't move too much to cause friction on the shoulders. The straps from backpack to shoulder can be tightened to the point that they are taught at a n angle of 45 to 0 degree level to the shoulders. Any lower/downwards slanting straps, and you will be more significant ing feel the pull of the backpack on your shoulders, which will fatigue the shoulders on a long hike/climb. You want enough slack in the shoulder to have your arm move freely, even above shoulder height, without being feeled pinched in the shoulder. My experience is that that's ideal. I agree having the shoulder straps too loose is also not ideal as this will cause the shoulder straps to strap moving on the shoulder, which increases friction and risks of skin irritation and shoulder complaints after or during a long hike/climb.
As someone who works in the outdoor industry and is a regular backpacker I 100% agree. Everything else in the video hit the nail on the head but the last part was the only thing I saw to be a little off. When getting trained in fitting packs for other people, yanking those load lifter straps all the way was one of the most common mistakes made. I'll also add that the shoulder straps should be flush with your shoulders and back so everything is properly supported.
Agree 100%. I have a Hyperlite Junction 3400…had it pretty tight and it was killing my traps. Passed a couple on the trail, chatted a minute, and noticed his pack was loose enough so that the top wasn’t touching his back. Adjusted mine by copying him and it made a huge difference. The weight was mostly distributed to my hips.
Wanted to comment the same thing! I was always taught to tighten them according to how much the bag is full, whether im going up or downhill and of course just my body!
Right? That’s the key to a great night sleep. Another hack is sheeting the top of the pad with a tshirt and tucking the pillow in. Works like a dream. Not great for the shirt long term but works in a pinch.
I’ve made the mistake of not pulling the fly guy line out taught enough before! I had moisture in the tent and got a beating in the wind. At the time, I thought it was my tent…not realizing it was my fault. Nice tip to share! Thank you!
Loved the adjusting your pack part! Many peeps don't get what all the straps are about...Chest, shoulders, waist straps... ALL make your trip more comfortable! Learn how to use them to your advantage so your trip is more comfortable. EX ...loosen shoulders up hill. so the center of gravity is on your hips then tighten down hill so the load is placed on our hips again down hill.
Oh my gosh, it starts at 2:35. The little pillow starts escaping. And, I am having the same reaction to it like those babies when they hear paper rip. Thank you so much. I haven't laughed like this in a while. And, I really needed it. ❤️
I always carry a large / long stocking cap with me when I go out. Great for keeping your head warm while you sleep and you can roll it down over your eyes and nose and keep them covered a lot more comfortably than with the bag's hood. It also works great for keeping food packs hot while they're rehydrating. Lot of sleeping bags have baffles that help trap body heat before it can escape though the hood. You can use lots of things as a substitute though. I like to carry a super thin and light / breathable sheet with me. Helps keep the inside of my bag cleaner / dryer and can act similar to the baffle as far as preventing warm air from just getting squirted out the hood hole. I tried pillows in the past, but never found one worth carrying. I will usually have a down jacket with me, which works great as a pillow. Spare clothes also work well.
It seems to me one could just use 1 sleeping bag year around and increase or decrease layers you put on yourself sleeping inside the bag. Things like warmer base layers and stocking caps while you sleep on colder nights. It’s been a while since I’ve needed this but I remember being warm with those old cotton bags from the 90s. Am I missing something?
Most common misstake I see people do is not trying your equipment at home. Train to put it up and take it down, even in darkness if possible. Cheking so everything is functional, clean (a dirty tent or clothes will more likely leak in water).
For sure. Before spending a night miles away from civilisation, be sure your setup actually works at home - if it doesnt, no biggy, just head back inside and iterate.
Stop wearing clothes in your bag in the cold. Underwear at most. Thermal linings work just need a minute. Carry a spare liner always. Use a compress pillow. Air pillows are junk and aren’t comfortable. Also mini hot water bottle with felt thermal cover!
Good topic, good examples. I spent an August night at 8,000 feet above Kennedy Meadows in a 30 F. rated Western Mountaineering Megalite. With ALL my clothes on and the hood cinched down to a blowhole I made it through a 25 F. night OK - JUST. As soon as i got home I sent it to WM to get "overstuffed" to 20 F. loft. The high standards of WM made the original bag do at least a 30 F. night. Thank God. I've used that overstuffed bg for going on 8 years now and (with the right insulated clothes) down to 15 F. comfortably.
I think the comment regarding just putting something between your feet and the ground if your feet dangle off the end of the pad is an important one. Especially with the UL crowd, there are a lot of recommendations to get the shorter pads to save weight because the bottom your legs don't really need the cushion in the way that the upper body and hips do. Of course, lets be honest, a lot of recommendations regarding sleep - regardless of the source - kind of assume "laboratory conditions" where the person is sleeping on his back all night and never moves an inch. For us side sleepers - some of whom would choke to death if we slept on our backs - a lot of us are rotating 180 degrees every hour or so and by morning that pad is actually running up the side of the tent. 🤣 That kind of leads to something about the useless nature of some of the hiking tech. Don't worry about mainstreaming the idea of developing a tacky surface for the underside of the sleep pad so that it remains in place throughout the night. Just focus on putting straps on the inflatable pillows so we can't snake our arms under them, which a LOT of people do. 🤣 Take care.
Another observation. Backpack adjustments are important as you pointed out, but backpack fitting is far more important. I see many that do not have the torso length dialed in and have many aches as a result. Also, many do not have the pack settled on the hips properly or the hip belts tightened enough. This puts way too much weight on the shoulders and doesn’t keep the pack in synch with your body. Balance and posture are both thrown off when the pack is not adjusted properly.
What recommendations do you have for side sleepers? I'm not claustrophobic, but how well can you sleep on your side in a mummy bag? Thanks for all the tips too!!
I have the same bag for winter ( U.K.) camping. I love the dual zips when sitting up. Trying to persuade my wife to get the womens bag as it can be joined together. The ability to clip a quilt on top to boost the temp range even further is great feature too.
You showed it, but you really didn't mention that the places where you velcro the fly to the pole is also where the tie out line is attached to the outside of the pole. So if you do the velcro and use the guy line you are effectively anchoring the pole and the inner tent against heavy wind.
Definitely do not close the vents when it's raining. I closed mine, thinking it would prevent water from going in, but it did the opposite. Water went along the strap and through the mesh and inside.
Thank you so much for the tips! I remember clearly that stormy night, my rain fly lifted by the wind and I had to put it back on in the rain and wind. Big lesson. Tighten the rain fly on the pole!
I’d add packing things you will need out on the trail in an accessible spot. I normally have rain pants and a shell shoved into the large mesh pocket of my pack, trowel and TP somewhere easily accessible, and bear spray, GPS, quick snack or bar and a knife where I can reach with my pack on.
Awesome vid, I'm new to this but am finding it to be extremely fun, relaxing and rejuvenating. One thing I was thinking about concerning the pillow sliding around, maybe just using some adhesive Velcro strips to fasten it to the pad. That's what I was planning on doing for my next trip, just thought I'd share (also, if that's a bad idea please let me know) thanks!
Figure out how to pitch your tent in the rain without getting the inside wet. With some tents this means throwing the fly over the inner or putting up the fly first and then erecting the inner inside of it. Either way practice it on a nice day in the park before you actually need to set up camp in a downpour.
Mouth taping to prevent mouth breathing means on really cold nights the sleeping bag hood in be cinched tight leaving just the nose outside. This also prevents breathing really cold air directly into the mouth which can result in a sore throat in the morning.
I work with Scouts and I see 2 mistakes made very often. And not just with Scouts, any inexperienced camper. 1. If you don’t have a custom footprint, letting the footprint peek out from under the tent. A disaster in the making when it rains. 2. Not inserting stakes at the proper angle to the tent or to the ground. First is the proper angle to the tent. It should be in the middle of the angle. Of course, if it is just a grommet in the tent body itself this is hard to mess up, but one on a guy line should come directly off the corner. Even in the tent body itself, the corner should be pulled directly out from the tent. Second is the angle in the ground. Two schools of thought. Probably the most common is at a 90 degree angle to the tent guyline. Second is at a 90 degree angle into the ground. Most of us are lazy and don’t get either one correct. Of course, this is most important when winds are high or the ground is soft. It is surprising how much holding power even a titanium shepherd’s hook stake has when it is inserted properly. Very helpful video. Keep up the good work.
Fellow scout leader here. Yep in summer when the ground sheet is outside the tent, and it’s going to rain overnight, we let the tent flood as a learning experience. The next day is pioneering and build a washing line to dry all their gear out. You can tell them till you blue in the face, nothing like learning by doing, and the whole campsite learns at the same time. Lol
Thanks Eric for another helpful video! Wondering where you shot this one? Beautiful landscape! We just came back from burro packing 135 miles on the Tahoe Rim Trail! Can't carry our own gear but our burros git 'er done for us and we still get to hit the trails.
So far I've learned that every backpacking enthusiast and guide is a back sleeper haha. I can't for the life of me sleep on my back. I have to sleep on my chest in an oversized rectangular bag because I'm 6'3" 240lbs. This is good information though! Thank you for the video!
haha, I hear ya, but I'm actually not much of a back sleeper myself. It does make it more challenging on really cold nights when I need to cinch that puppy up!
Trekology pillows come with a strap to attach to your pad. Also agree with the diy Velcro comment for those strapless pillows. Good restorative sleep makes a huge difference. ⛺️ 😴 💤 🇨🇦❤️
Yes. I hate the strap. Hiking tech gone awry. It was a solid idea, but too many of us need to realize just how often we snake our arm under that pillow to sleep. And it was only moderately successful aside from that, in my limited experience.
i dont use a sleeping bag.. i got a big fluffy blanket .. its huge and light wieght.. so far works great down to - 18 c.... cozy and warm..also i have about 2 feet of leaves and straw underneath me er um and some more blankets .. making a suitable "bedding" to lay on is prolly most important
Great information, Eric - not just for beginners, but also reminders for seasoned backpackers. I thought you may have mentioned using a ground cloth as well, but I guess that's a bit more optional. Nice job, as always!
Great video thx EXCEPT you lifted your pack incorrectly at the end! Most packs of quality build have a durable center lift loop, use that to lift and position only with one of the straps. Lifting a full pack by the shoulder straps as you did will damage/wear your straps out quickly.
I wish I never Purchased a sleeping bag put out but North Face called The One Bag. I already knew the huge zipper was going to be a problem but what can I saw. I am a newby.
@@BackpackingTV was mine too. I've got my Durstan xmid 1P. I'm deciding on my next 2 person to replace the Copper Spur. There's not enough stakes in the world to hold down an empty tent in a storm.
Great video. I’m really getting into backpacking myself so these tips help me. I do very short distance backpacking but I’d love to try thru-hiking here and there. Would rather be prepared! Thanks for your tips! ❤
Pillow: Whether you use a store-bought pillow or a stuff sack with clothes in it, here's how to keep it from sliding around and out from under your head. Put adhesive velcro on the pillow and on the air mattress. Now it'll stay put all night long.
As ever, very good stuff. At the risk of being "that girl", to add: after putting on a pack, tighten going from bottom to top: waistbelt first (across the hip bone while raising your shoulders), then shoulder straps, then load lifters. Military types rucking heavy loads will consciously swap this order during the day, but for us ordinary mortals: bottom to top.
Question I can’t get answered: In a mummy bag, are you meant to move around (turn) inside them with the hood staying down on the pad? Or is the whole bag meant to turn with you, with the hood moving sideways to stay behind your head? I cannot figure this out. I think I just might hate mummy bags 😢
I myself would not recommend zipping your sleeping bag all the way up, once when I was homeless, a guy came up on my camp and I struggled to get out of my sleeping bag fast, he wasn't looking for any trouble, he was just passing by. Ever since th enough I've never zipped myself in. you never know what or who may come up on you while you're sleeping.
One thing I see people doing extremely often is they wear the same clothes they hiked in, to bed. I live in the Pacific Northwest and invariably you will get wet, whether it's from dew on the brush, sweat or actual rain. Have a shirt and leggings (thin thermal underwear works great) that are dedicated for sleeping. This gives you a good, DRY bottom layer, so you are not fighting with colder wet clothing.
I've begun scrolling through the comments, I feel I must point out that the video was not titled. "EVERY possible mistake you might make while backpacking/camping."
Wear a beanie or balaclava with the hood. Pull it over your nose tip and you can breathe, keep your bag cleaner from hair and skin oil and breath moisture and stay warm. It also warms the air before you inhale if you pull the beanie over your mouth. You will not suffocate (I'm 69.)
To keep the bag cleaner, longer, I just use a cheap $8 silky liner from Walmart. Slip into that before slipping into the bag and you can go a long time without having to wash that bag, which almost all of us secretly suspect will go sideways and ruin it.
It looks like I can't even make most of these mistakes since I don't use a sleeping bag, tent or pack with a lot of straps. I use insulated hoods with my sleeping quilt when it's cold enough to need one. My hammock and tarp are usually ventilated enough and I don't need an extra stake for my head. Unless I need to carry skis, crampons or other stuff outside of a pack, I avoid packs with all of those straps on them. Simpler equipment helps avoid all of the mistakes mentioned in the video.
@@wisenber Why am I not surprised that an ad hominem attack hitched to not only an illogical statement but a demonstrably false one as well is apparently your rhetorical ceiling? Take care.
@@cobbler88 Ironic of a troll such as yourself to bring up ad hominem or falsity. I suppose that brings meaning to your troll life. Nice predictable projection though.
Another big mistake is having that big gap between your shoulders and straps like the one you have there..the pack is not properly fitted sir.. as always another great video.. keep ‘em coming
It's true. Unfortunately I had massively changed my pack fitting for a separate video and hadn't readjusted it. That gap made me cringe when I saw the footage. Oh well.
@@BackpackingTV hell I’ve never even been backpacking. I’m no one to be point at faults lol.. I just watch all of you vids that I love by the way.. not many places to go on Texas and I work 6 days week and it takes half a day to get anywhere here. So no point in driveway somewhere like like big bend for an over nighter.. your living the life man..hopefully one day I’ll get to go camping.. couldn’t imagine seeing the views you get to see..
@@eddieserna5494 Don't let your life get away on you. One day you may wake up old and decrepit having well served "the man". The corporation does not care about you nor does a big stack of money care about you.
You cinching up that far makes me feel claustrophobic, just watching you!! A hoodie or a stocking wool cap would be my choice if I was caught in that situation.
I know, it's intense. I don't sleep like that unless it's all the way down at the temperature limit and I'm really trying to stay warm. Otherwise if it's just cool out, stocking cap works great!
If you neglect the warmth of whatever is under your sleeping bag, you will not be warm or comfortable no matter how much money you throw at your sleeping bag. Buy the best insulated inflatable you can. Note! insulated inflatable, because an uninsulated airbed will not keep you warm on those nights when you need to snug yourself into that hood and shoulder baffle all zipped and draw corded to the max. It will be money well spent, believe me.
It's true, I didn't talk about the importance of sleeping mattresses/pads and how they relate to the warmth of sleeping bags. But I definitely agree about getting a high quality insulated inflatable! It makes a huge difference!
You've overtightened your load lifter straps and completely deformed your shoulder straps so they're no longer running properly over your shoulders. The big gap where your shoulder straps are no longer contacting the back of your shoulders means weight is unevenly distributed primarily onto the front of your shoulders which will quickly become sore.
Where do you push out the most heat? Your eyes. And having a lack of tenting around the incoming air and outflowing air, causes lung distress. And by tenting I mean a voluminous bubble with ONE low flat open air point, for co2 to go to, and incoming air, to get a slight body temperature raised increase, before inhale. Smaller pocket, easier heating. Full tent air pocket to heat incoming? A failure. More volume, worse effect to the lungs due to the lack of utilizing your body heat to its fullest potential. The other issues you cover are minimal in the full aspect. I hope they get that learning. But it still falls dramatically short of the full situational awareness. For me, most fail to consider one of the simplest "stay warm" easy solutions. A two liter bottle of just hot to the hand water temperature. No where near boiling. You fill that, put it in a wrapped towel beside your chest with you under cover or within your bag? You will never be forced to wake in six hours due to the strains on your lungs and temperature balancing.
It can be claustrophobic but it beats freezing all night. You do get used to it. I sometimes sleep with a small knife inside the bag in case I need to get out fast, no time to faff with the string pulls. Elastic pulls are best for me, gives some stretch to get a hand out.
you must not backpack in the desert much. It's how I often have to "stake" out my tent when there's no soil to drive a tent stake into. This tent won't be affected by it.
@@BackpackingTV Actually I have backpacked quite alot for the past 35 plus years and have never met anyone who would set out a stake with the rocks rubbing on the tent wall on purpose, but you know whats best so happy camping
I find for cold camping - - putting the pillow under the mattress helps lock it in place without compromizing the hood space... but there just are no great solutions I have found yet
Me. “My word… what else could these backpacker UA-camrs come up with regarding sleeping in a tent?” 5:40 in… Oh shoot! I’ve been sleeping on my pillow wrong!
Why do I get the sense that a lot of the people here commenting on how they wear three layers of clothing when trying to sleep never actually camp in cold weather? Rather, they try to get by using a 50-degree bag in the shoulder seasons when overnights might unexpectedly dip into the 30s and 40s? Just as there is a huge gap between the number of UL hiking channels and the number of people watching them who actually need to have cause to cut their toothbrushes in half and repurpose SmartWater bottles, I'm thinking there's a similar chasm between the number of people who discuss shoulder season or winter camping and the 95% who would never venture into the wilderness at all if they thought it might be below 55 degrees that night. 🤣 But at least those are points more relevant to some degree to your average camper/hiker. The UL stuff really starts to feel like a bit of a scam after a bit, although I don't think most of it is intended as such. At the least, people who have yet to figure out what kind of hiker/camper they are end up convinced to make a lot of costly gear mistakes because of them.
I would say the only mistake you can make when going backpacking is to not go. Get out there and 100% make every one of these mistakes. That's the best way to learn.
We all make mistakes. I'm still making em. I totally agree with you!
I'd have to add the stipulation that you do so relatively safely and live through it.
I learn something new everytime I go.
Not true. The best mistakes to learn from are others. Don't make mistakes where you can help it.
Right on bro … epic wisdom.
Even more, or at least as important as the sleeping bag is the sleeping mat.
The warmest sleeping bag won’t keep you warm below zero is you use a flimsy foam mat. The ground is so much more dense than the air and will suck the heat out of your body much faster than the air will.
I heard one guy say, that every time you add a layer on top of you, add two below you. I think that makes a lot of sense.
Yeah, whole separate video needed just on misconceptions of sleeping pads/mats.
All great advice! For your pillow, glue a 2-3" wide elastic strap (amazon) on both sides so you can wrap around your sleeping pad. This works really well! Shoe-goo works great to glue the strap on. This has saved me a LOT of misery. Also , when camping in really cold temps, get a synthetic quilt to go over your sleeping bag. This will not only add 5 or 10 degrees of warmth, but it will prevent condensation building up and freezing on your expensive down bag. The synthetic quilt can handle the moisture. Bought mine at Enlightened Equipment and I camped in -18C and was sure glad I bought it. It also has strips that go around your sleeping pad so it doesn't fall off at night. Really great.
Cut the bottom of an old T-shirt, about 8 inches from the bottom. Slip it over your sleeping pad, and put your pillow under it. It will stay in place all night. P.S. I really hate it when I'm fully tucked, hood fully zipped/cinched tight, and I later feel overheated and struggle to get it back open -- borderline panic attack when that happens.
Glad I'm not the only one suffering the sleeping bag claustrophobia when too hot, in fact I'd rather wake up a bit too cold than have those awful panics to get out.
The ground plastic that people use on their tents are sticking out beyond the tent. This causes water to get under the tent when it is raining. I also put leaves on the ground next to the tent and pile them up to the fly. This will add extra protection to the tent during rainstorms. Might be hard to do in a desert environment however.
Scoop leaves under the groundsheet before you pitch the tent over it, its cushioning/insulation for you but it also creates a slope that water can't run up at the edges.
@@OldNavajoTricks
This also provides additional insulation from the ground which can help on really cold nights.
@@stephentuck6607 Avoid the temptation to put fresh fern/bracken underneath though, gives you a proper headache when crushed 👍
Great tips
Can I just say that the pillow inside hood is perfectly fine for: 1) Pillows that are small enough to easily fit while still cinching hood 2) warm weather camping where comfort is not tied directly to heat retention of the bag itself
very true. I sleep with my pillow in the hood all the time when I don't need all the extra warmth. And some sleeping bags have larger hoods that give just enough room for a pillow.
@@BackpackingTV Might wanna look up the Sea to Summit pillow lock system, connectors on the pad and pillow to lock them together. I don't have them but it seems like a smart thing.
Great tip from Kyle Hates Hiking that I use all the time. To keep your pillow from sliding around on the pad, take a jacket or shirt you're not wearing and slip it torso side down over the pillow and sleeping pad. Will not move all night--works like a charm!!
My 2 cents on the top straps if the backpack to the shoulders. It is not a mistake to have the top straps a little bit loose. It depends highly on what brand and model of backpack you have, and your own body build. Having the top part of the pack closer to the shoulder is to a degree true, but having it too close will limit shoulder movement and thus push down on your shoulders on a long hike, which ultimately gives me back aches. This is because more of the backpack weight will be transfered to the back. What you want is a distribution of most of the backpack weight carried on the hip strap an the least on the the shoulders, for example a 70-30% distribution in favor ofvmore weight on the hips. In my experience of 15 years mountaineering and hiking you want to focus that shoulder straps fit nicely and comfortably so that they stay put, don't move too much to cause friction on the shoulders. The straps from backpack to shoulder can be tightened to the point that they are taught at a n angle of 45 to 0 degree level to the shoulders. Any lower/downwards slanting straps, and you will be more significant ing feel the pull of the backpack on your shoulders, which will fatigue the shoulders on a long hike/climb. You want enough slack in the shoulder to have your arm move freely, even above shoulder height, without being feeled pinched in the shoulder. My experience is that that's ideal. I agree having the shoulder straps too loose is also not ideal as this will cause the shoulder straps to strap moving on the shoulder, which increases friction and risks of skin irritation and shoulder complaints after or during a long hike/climb.
As someone who works in the outdoor industry and is a regular backpacker I 100% agree. Everything else in the video hit the nail on the head but the last part was the only thing I saw to be a little off. When getting trained in fitting packs for other people, yanking those load lifter straps all the way was one of the most common mistakes made. I'll also add that the shoulder straps should be flush with your shoulders and back so everything is properly supported.
Agree 100%. I have a Hyperlite Junction 3400…had it pretty tight and it was killing my traps. Passed a couple on the trail, chatted a minute, and noticed his pack was loose enough so that the top wasn’t touching his back. Adjusted mine by copying him and it made a huge difference. The weight was mostly distributed to my hips.
Wanted to comment the same thing! I was always taught to tighten them according to how much the bag is full, whether im going up or downhill and of course just my body!
And wear a balaclava if you're getting close to your bag's temp limit. And heavy wool socks just for sleep or emergencies.
those things help massively!
Or at least a beanie hat. Makes a big difference.
Great video Eric. I appreciate that these are actual technique tips and not just 'buy more gear.'
Absolutely! Glad to help.
Put a Velcro strip on the sleep pad and one on the underside of the pillow. Will always keep your pillow in the same spot
Right? That’s the key to a great night sleep. Another hack is sheeting the top of the pad with a tshirt and tucking the pillow in. Works like a dream. Not great for the shirt long term but works in a pinch.
For sure! That's a great way around the slippery pillow problem!
Now that's a pro-tip!
I’ve made the mistake of not pulling the fly guy line out taught enough before! I had moisture in the tent and got a beating in the wind. At the time, I thought it was my tent…not realizing it was my fault. Nice tip to share! Thank you!
Loved the adjusting your pack part! Many peeps don't get what all the straps are about...Chest, shoulders, waist straps... ALL make your trip more comfortable! Learn how to use them to your advantage so your trip is more comfortable. EX ...loosen shoulders up hill. so the center of gravity is on your hips then tighten down hill so the load is placed on our hips again down hill.
Oh my gosh, it starts at 2:35. The little pillow starts escaping.
And, I am having the same reaction to it like those babies when they hear paper rip.
Thank you so much. I haven't laughed like this in a while. And, I really needed it. ❤️
I always carry a large / long stocking cap with me when I go out. Great for keeping your head warm while you sleep and you can roll it down over your eyes and nose and keep them covered a lot more comfortably than with the bag's hood. It also works great for keeping food packs hot while they're rehydrating.
Lot of sleeping bags have baffles that help trap body heat before it can escape though the hood. You can use lots of things as a substitute though. I like to carry a super thin and light / breathable sheet with me. Helps keep the inside of my bag cleaner / dryer and can act similar to the baffle as far as preventing warm air from just getting squirted out the hood hole.
I tried pillows in the past, but never found one worth carrying. I will usually have a down jacket with me, which works great as a pillow. Spare clothes also work well.
It seems to me one could just use 1 sleeping bag year around and increase or decrease layers you put on yourself sleeping inside the bag. Things like warmer base layers and stocking caps while you sleep on colder nights. It’s been a while since I’ve needed this but I remember being warm with those old cotton bags from the 90s. Am I missing something?
Most common misstake I see people do is not trying your equipment at home. Train to put it up and take it down, even in darkness if possible. Cheking so everything is functional, clean (a dirty tent or clothes will more likely leak in water).
Caught out in a storm. You had better get it right.
For sure. Before spending a night miles away from civilisation, be sure your setup actually works at home - if it doesnt, no biggy, just head back inside and iterate.
Stop wearing clothes in your bag in the cold. Underwear at most. Thermal linings work just need a minute. Carry a spare liner always. Use a compress pillow. Air pillows are junk and aren’t comfortable. Also mini hot water bottle with felt thermal cover!
Good topic, good examples.
I spent an August night at 8,000 feet above Kennedy Meadows in a 30 F. rated Western Mountaineering Megalite. With ALL my clothes on and the hood cinched down to a blowhole I made it through a 25 F. night OK - JUST. As soon as i got home I sent it to WM to get "overstuffed" to 20 F. loft. The high standards of WM made the original bag do at least a 30 F. night. Thank God. I've used that overstuffed bg for going on 8 years now and (with the right insulated clothes) down to 15 F. comfortably.
Overstuffing! Most people don't know about that!
I love Mystery Ranch! I’m still using my Dana Designs Terraplane X from 1996!
I think the comment regarding just putting something between your feet and the ground if your feet dangle off the end of the pad is an important one. Especially with the UL crowd, there are a lot of recommendations to get the shorter pads to save weight because the bottom your legs don't really need the cushion in the way that the upper body and hips do.
Of course, lets be honest, a lot of recommendations regarding sleep - regardless of the source - kind of assume "laboratory conditions" where the person is sleeping on his back all night and never moves an inch. For us side sleepers - some of whom would choke to death if we slept on our backs - a lot of us are rotating 180 degrees every hour or so and by morning that pad is actually running up the side of the tent. 🤣
That kind of leads to something about the useless nature of some of the hiking tech. Don't worry about mainstreaming the idea of developing a tacky surface for the underside of the sleep pad so that it remains in place throughout the night. Just focus on putting straps on the inflatable pillows so we can't snake our arms under them, which a LOT of people do. 🤣
Take care.
Another observation.
Backpack adjustments are important as you pointed out, but backpack fitting is far more important. I see many that do not have the torso length dialed in and have many aches as a result.
Also, many do not have the pack settled on the hips properly or the hip belts tightened enough. This puts way too much weight on the shoulders and doesn’t keep the pack in synch with your body. Balance and posture are both thrown off when the pack is not adjusted properly.
Thanks for your points John, I totally agree! Some people's pack fittings make me cringe. It makes a huge difference!
What recommendations do you have for side sleepers? I'm not claustrophobic, but how well can you sleep on your side in a mummy bag? Thanks for all the tips too!!
I have the same bag for winter ( U.K.) camping. I love the dual zips when sitting up. Trying to persuade my wife to get the womens bag as it can be joined together. The ability to clip a quilt on top to boost the temp range even further is great feature too.
You showed it, but you really didn't mention that the places where you velcro the fly to the pole is also where the tie out line is attached to the outside of the pole. So if you do the velcro and use the guy line you are effectively anchoring the pole and the inner tent against heavy wind.
well said! Yes, it's true. And in tandem it works very well!
Definitely do not close the vents when it's raining. I closed mine, thinking it would prevent water from going in, but it did the opposite. Water went along the strap and through the mesh and inside.
Thank you so much for the tips! I remember clearly that stormy night, my rain fly lifted by the wind and I had to put it back on in the rain and wind. Big lesson. Tighten the rain fly on the pole!
We've all been there!
I’d add packing things you will need out on the trail in an accessible spot. I normally have rain pants and a shell shoved into the large mesh pocket of my pack, trowel and TP somewhere easily accessible, and bear spray, GPS, quick snack or bar and a knife where I can reach with my pack on.
jimmythefish,
A knife i consider indispensable.
A firearm Also. . . .
How should the waist straps sit? Around the hip bones or on the top edge of the hip bones?
Love this was done with a Copper Spur tent, personalized for me haha!
Just for you Danny!
Awesome vid, I'm new to this but am finding it to be extremely fun, relaxing and rejuvenating. One thing I was thinking about concerning the pillow sliding around, maybe just using some adhesive Velcro strips to fasten it to the pad. That's what I was planning on doing for my next trip, just thought I'd share (also, if that's a bad idea please let me know) thanks!
Super cool of you not to mention Dan Becker by name when listing these rookie mistakes.
heyo! Zing!
OMG
Figure out how to pitch your tent in the rain without getting the inside wet. With some tents this means throwing the fly over the inner or putting up the fly first and then erecting the inner inside of it. Either way practice it on a nice day in the park before you actually need to set up camp in a downpour.
Mouth taping to prevent mouth breathing means on really cold nights the sleeping bag hood in be cinched tight leaving just the nose outside. This also prevents breathing really cold air directly into the mouth which can result in a sore throat in the morning.
I work with Scouts and I see 2 mistakes made very often. And not just with Scouts, any inexperienced camper.
1. If you don’t have a custom footprint, letting the footprint peek out from under the tent. A disaster in the making when it rains.
2. Not inserting stakes at the proper angle to the tent or to the ground. First is the proper angle to the tent. It should be in the middle of the angle. Of course, if it is just a grommet in the tent body itself this is hard to mess up, but one on a guy line should come directly off the corner. Even in the tent body itself, the corner should be pulled directly out from the tent.
Second is the angle in the ground. Two schools of thought. Probably the most common is at a 90 degree angle to the tent guyline. Second is at a 90 degree angle into the ground. Most of us are lazy and don’t get either one correct.
Of course, this is most important when winds are high or the ground is soft. It is surprising how much holding power even a titanium shepherd’s hook stake has when it is inserted properly.
Very helpful video. Keep up the good work.
You must be all the rage at the parties
Fellow scout leader here. Yep in summer when the ground sheet is outside the tent, and it’s going to rain overnight, we let the tent flood as a learning experience. The next day is pioneering and build a washing line to dry all their gear out.
You can tell them till you blue in the face, nothing like learning by doing, and the whole campsite learns at the same time. Lol
been there done that! Yeah that's a big mistake!
Thanks Eric for another helpful video! Wondering where you shot this one? Beautiful landscape!
We just came back from burro packing 135 miles on the Tahoe Rim Trail! Can't carry our own gear but our burros git 'er done for us and we still get to hit the trails.
This was shot in the Sedona region. It's a stunning place!
The way his little pillow lightly fell off the sleeping pad. Lol
So far I've learned that every backpacking enthusiast and guide is a back sleeper haha. I can't for the life of me sleep on my back. I have to sleep on my chest in an oversized rectangular bag because I'm 6'3" 240lbs. This is good information though! Thank you for the video!
haha, I hear ya, but I'm actually not much of a back sleeper myself. It does make it more challenging on really cold nights when I need to cinch that puppy up!
Trekology pillows come with a strap to attach to your pad. Also agree with the diy Velcro comment for those strapless pillows. Good restorative sleep makes a huge difference. ⛺️ 😴 💤 🇨🇦❤️
I didn't know about Trekology. But yes, velcro or the pillow-lock attachments from Sea to Summit will really help!
The trekology Is my favorite pillow
Yes. I hate the strap. Hiking tech gone awry.
It was a solid idea, but too many of us need to realize just how often we snake our arm under that pillow to sleep. And it was only moderately successful aside from that, in my limited experience.
Hi Eric, what’s the brand of your trucker hat? Thanks Bro!
tie out guys makes for a less flappy tent which is quieter and easier to sleep
How is the Ascent AcII sleeping bag of Sea to summit? Didn’t found a lot of others with the double zipper function …
i dont use a sleeping bag.. i got a big fluffy blanket .. its huge and light wieght.. so far works great down to - 18 c.... cozy and warm..also i have about 2 feet of leaves and straw underneath me er um and some more blankets .. making a suitable "bedding" to lay on is prolly most important
Very good video. Thanks. First time I've seen a backpack with double sternum straps!
Thanks! Yeah it's a very interesting design and I love it!
It really depends on what kind of pillow u got and how big your hood is... to put the pillow inside
Great information, Eric - not just for beginners, but also reminders for seasoned backpackers. I thought you may have mentioned using a ground cloth as well, but I guess that's a bit more optional. Nice job, as always!
Not just for newbies! And yeah, on the ground cloth, that may be controversial to some but I almost never use one!
I like when people use a ground sheet that sticks out past their fly or tarp coverage area. That always cracks me up.
@@ThomasKinzer Yea...that's a good one!
Great video thx EXCEPT you lifted your pack incorrectly at the end! Most packs of quality build have a durable center lift loop, use that to lift and position only with one of the straps. Lifting a full pack by the shoulder straps as you did will damage/wear your straps out quickly.
Why they not building a pillow into the sleeping bags?
I wish I never Purchased a sleeping bag put out but North Face called The One Bag. I already knew the huge zipper was going to be a problem but what can I saw. I am a newby.
that squeaky mattress would drive me insane lol
My heart sheds a tear everytime I see a Copper Spur since mine blew away one day.
oh no! That''s rough! It's my favorite tent.
@@BackpackingTV was mine too. I've got my Durstan xmid 1P. I'm deciding on my next 2 person to replace the Copper Spur. There's not enough stakes in the world to hold down an empty tent in a storm.
This was super helpful. Definitely making these mistakes.
Glad I could help!
Great video. I’m really getting into backpacking myself so these tips help me. I do very short distance backpacking but I’d love to try thru-hiking here and there. Would rather be prepared! Thanks for your tips! ❤
Where’d you get those pouches for your shoulder straps??
Pillow: Whether you use a store-bought pillow or a stuff sack with clothes in it, here's how to keep it from sliding around and out from under your head. Put adhesive velcro on the pillow and on the air mattress. Now it'll stay put all night long.
It's true! Solid recommendation.
As ever, very good stuff. At the risk of being "that girl", to add: after putting on a pack, tighten going from bottom to top: waistbelt first (across the hip bone while raising your shoulders), then shoulder straps, then load lifters.
Military types rucking heavy loads will consciously swap this order during the day, but for us ordinary mortals: bottom to top.
Nice Kirsten! Thats a good point!
Question I can’t get answered: In a mummy bag, are you meant to move around (turn) inside them with the hood staying down on the pad? Or is the whole bag meant to turn with you, with the hood moving sideways to stay behind your head? I cannot figure this out. I think I just might hate mummy bags 😢
The whole bag turns.
Great question. I’m a toss and turn side sleeper.
Thanks for your valuable advice!
I myself would not recommend zipping your sleeping bag all the way up, once when I was homeless, a guy came up on my camp and I struggled to get out of my sleeping bag fast, he wasn't looking for any trouble, he was just passing by. Ever since th enough I've never zipped myself in. you never know what or who may come up on you while you're sleeping.
One thing I see people doing extremely often is they wear the same clothes they hiked in, to bed. I live in the Pacific Northwest and invariably you will get wet, whether it's from dew on the brush, sweat or actual rain. Have a shirt and leggings (thin thermal underwear works great) that are dedicated for sleeping. This gives you a good, DRY bottom layer, so you are not fighting with colder wet clothing.
this is an excellent point!
What are your shades?
I've begun scrolling through the comments, I feel I must point out that the video was not titled. "EVERY possible mistake you might make while backpacking/camping."
Awesome tips thanks!! Feel a little bit guilty that I have done some of these 😬
We've all done em. It's okay!
What is the brand of your bag.
Love the content man. Mystery ranch pack may have to be on my Christmas list..
Thanks Eric! You won't be disappointed if you get one.
Wear a beanie or balaclava with the hood. Pull it over your nose tip and you can breathe, keep your bag cleaner from hair and skin oil and breath moisture and stay warm. It also warms the air before you inhale if you pull the beanie over your mouth. You will not suffocate (I'm 69.)
To keep the bag cleaner, longer, I just use a cheap $8 silky liner from Walmart. Slip into that before slipping into the bag and you can go a long time without having to wash that bag, which almost all of us secretly suspect will go sideways and ruin it.
Hi there! That backpack looks great! What is it? (The link in the description doesn’t work outside the U.S.)
It's the Mystery Ranch Bridger 65 L, it's a great pack!
It looks like I can't even make most of these mistakes since I don't use a sleeping bag, tent or pack with a lot of straps.
I use insulated hoods with my sleeping quilt when it's cold enough to need one. My hammock and tarp are usually ventilated enough and I don't need an extra stake for my head. Unless I need to carry skis, crampons or other stuff outside of a pack, I avoid packs with all of those straps on them.
Simpler equipment helps avoid all of the mistakes mentioned in the video.
Well thank God it didn't prevent you from watching an apparently irrelevant video, then commenting on how irrelevant it was to you.
@@cobbler88 At least the video flushed out trolls such as yourself. It's hard to be less relevant than a troll.
@@wisenber Why am I not surprised that an ad hominem attack hitched to not only an illogical statement but a demonstrably false one as well is apparently your rhetorical ceiling?
Take care.
@@cobbler88 Ironic of a troll such as yourself to bring up ad hominem or falsity. I suppose that brings meaning to your troll life. Nice predictable projection though.
Good video thanks. What pack is that in this video?
Could be wrong, but it looks like the Mystery Ranch Bridger 65. It's the one I hope to buy some day...
Yep! It's the Mystery Ranch Bridger 65. She's sweet. Link in the description if you're interested.
Another big mistake is having that big gap between your shoulders and straps like the one you have there..the pack is not properly fitted sir.. as always another great video.. keep ‘em coming
It's true. Unfortunately I had massively changed my pack fitting for a separate video and hadn't readjusted it. That gap made me cringe when I saw the footage. Oh well.
@@BackpackingTV hell I’ve never even been backpacking. I’m no one to be point at faults lol.. I just watch all of you vids that I love by the way.. not many places to go on Texas and I work 6 days week and it takes half a day to get anywhere here. So no point in driveway somewhere like like big bend for an over nighter.. your living the life man..hopefully one day I’ll get to go camping.. couldn’t imagine seeing the views you get to see..
@@eddieserna5494 Don't let your life get away on you. One day you may wake up old and decrepit having well served "the man". The corporation does not care about you nor does a big stack of money care about you.
You cinching up that far makes me feel claustrophobic, just watching you!! A hoodie or a stocking wool cap would be my choice if I was caught in that situation.
I know, it's intense. I don't sleep like that unless it's all the way down at the temperature limit and I'm really trying to stay warm. Otherwise if it's just cool out, stocking cap works great!
One beginner mistake I see is referring to a toque as a ‘stocking cap’. 😫
Just pretend your sleeping bag is a jacket or something
Very informative, thank you
Put your pillow inside a TShirt and that under or sleeping bag. So the pillow doesn’t go away.
If you neglect the warmth of whatever is under your sleeping bag, you will not be warm or comfortable no matter how much money you throw at your sleeping bag. Buy the best insulated inflatable you can. Note! insulated inflatable, because an uninsulated airbed will not keep you warm on those nights when you need to snug yourself into that hood and shoulder baffle all zipped and draw corded to the max. It will be money well spent, believe me.
Amen!
It's true, I didn't talk about the importance of sleeping mattresses/pads and how they relate to the warmth of sleeping bags. But I definitely agree about getting a high quality insulated inflatable! It makes a huge difference!
tip: if really cold, like -5 c/23 F and lower, have inflatable+good pad. and put pad on top of inflatable.
greetings from 🇫🇮.
You've overtightened your load lifter straps and completely deformed your shoulder straps so they're no longer running properly over your shoulders. The big gap where your shoulder straps are no longer contacting the back of your shoulders means weight is unevenly distributed primarily onto the front of your shoulders which will quickly become sore.
Not checking the angle of the ground where you pitch your tent! Never fun to sleep with you head downhill.
ugh, so true! Very overlooked aspect!
Most obvious choice would be Krazy Kayak!
Great tips! Thank you!
you're welcome!
Is that 15 oC or oF?
Funny… my bag has a pouch for the pillow inside the hood.. and it’s big enough to fit your head
maybe I just have a really big head
I expected you to cover the chest baffle
whoa, I feel like an insider. Why unlisted? =D
O7 chosen one
Yeah honestly I have no clue how you got to watch this before it was live! Maybe I just like ya!
Not really a thing when you use a quilt and trekking pole tent 👀
this is true. You probably have a hole other set of issues to worry about.
Where do you push out the most heat? Your eyes. And having a lack of tenting around the incoming air and outflowing air, causes lung distress. And by tenting I mean a voluminous bubble with ONE low flat open air point, for co2 to go to, and incoming air, to get a slight body temperature raised increase, before inhale. Smaller pocket, easier heating. Full tent air pocket to heat incoming? A failure. More volume, worse effect to the lungs due to the lack of utilizing your body heat to its fullest potential.
The other issues you cover are minimal in the full aspect. I hope they get that learning. But it still falls dramatically short of the full situational awareness.
For me, most fail to consider one of the simplest "stay warm" easy solutions. A two liter bottle of just hot to the hand water temperature. No where near boiling. You fill that, put it in a wrapped towel beside your chest with you under cover or within your bag? You will never be forced to wake in six hours due to the strains on your lungs and temperature balancing.
What if lightnin strikez ??????
🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔
Camp warZ ep 5
The Lightnin Strikes Back ?
🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯
Thanks for the video. Personally I could never sleep in a death cocoon like that😝
It can be claustrophobic but it beats freezing all night. You do get used to it. I sometimes sleep with a small knife inside the bag in case I need to get out fast, no time to faff with the string pulls. Elastic pulls are best for me, gives some stretch to get a hand out.
I was thinking the exact same thing
Death cocoon lol
Velcro the pillow down to the sleeping pad,
Guilty of “yard sale.” 😉🤣
We've all been there!
When it’s cold I retreat into the depths of the bag
It's so tempting, but it's not the best way to breath!
that tent wont last one trip with those 2 big rocks rubbin and pokin the inner wall next to that guy out.....
you must not backpack in the desert much. It's how I often have to "stake" out my tent when there's no soil to drive a tent stake into. This tent won't be affected by it.
@@BackpackingTV Actually I have backpacked quite alot for the past 35 plus years and have never met anyone who would set out a stake with the rocks rubbing on the tent wall on purpose, but you know whats best so happy camping
Using shoulder straps is more science than this... You can make a special video on how to use them properly
This is not the definitive shoulder strap video, but yes! I'll make more videos covering that.
You can also tighten those straps too tight. And it is not nice either if your shoulders hurt. 45 degree angle may be about ok.
U missed up to pick up ur tent.
🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯
I don't camp but I learned things here.
Glad to hear it!
I find for cold camping - - putting the pillow under the mattress helps lock it in place without compromizing the hood space... but there just are no great solutions I have found yet
Me. “My word… what else could these backpacker UA-camrs come up with regarding sleeping in a tent?”
5:40 in… Oh shoot! I’ve been sleeping on my pillow wrong!
Why do I get the sense that a lot of the people here commenting on how they wear three layers of clothing when trying to sleep never actually camp in cold weather? Rather, they try to get by using a 50-degree bag in the shoulder seasons when overnights might unexpectedly dip into the 30s and 40s?
Just as there is a huge gap between the number of UL hiking channels and the number of people watching them who actually need to have cause to cut their toothbrushes in half and repurpose SmartWater bottles, I'm thinking there's a similar chasm between the number of people who discuss shoulder season or winter camping and the 95% who would never venture into the wilderness at all if they thought it might be below 55 degrees that night. 🤣
But at least those are points more relevant to some degree to your average camper/hiker. The UL stuff really starts to feel like a bit of a scam after a bit, although I don't think most of it is intended as such. At the least, people who have yet to figure out what kind of hiker/camper they are end up convinced to make a lot of costly gear mistakes because of them.
Kenny!!
why do I always get this vibe that you're telling me I'm doing it wrong...
haha, you're doing great Mr Alien.
Nice video
I'd possibly just take a warmer bag
If you got one, great! Otherwise, this is about maximizing what bag you have.
My greatest internal debate: chest strap ye or ne