@@Hesseishere Thank you, I thought so myself, lol! After all it was just a joke. I don’t really steal ppls food right?!….. There are wild eatable plants all over the trails if I was starving that bad. I like to get wild mushrooms and wild onion etc and mix with my food. It’s not the only thing I eat. It’s a filler right? No one I know eats raw onions wild or not. Yet, most of us cook with it! So you get my point….
@@josephspruill1212 sometimes it is hard to tell if the wild food is edible or toxic. It takes effort to learn it and sometimes the wild food only grow for a certain time periods of the year.
I like footprints/groundsheets not just to protect/prolong my tent floor but to keep the bottom of my tent clean. I don't like packing a tent with a muddy bottom which has happened in some of the environments I've had to settle for a camp. I can roll or fold the dirty side of a footprint in on itself to keep the mud or dirt contained and strap to outside of my pack while being able to pack my tent inside of my pack without the extra dirt.
I used my rain fly in scotland with constant downpour and it kept my backpack completely dry. Bonus: you can lay your backpack onto your rainfly inside the tent vestibule to keep it dry in case a puddle forms. So I would say it is an essential item. The outside fabric might look soaked, but the membrane will not let any moisture through.
I did a thruhike in Scotland, it was raining for four days. The rainfly I used (it had a drawstring, so it was possible to tie it very closely to my backpack) kept everything dry. Was very glad that our instructors (I was underage at that time) insisted we brought such a piece of kit. Maybe it depends on the kind of rainfly you use?
@@lizzaangelis3308 Plastic pack liners definitely can be useful, but the major downside to them is they guarantee the external fabric of your pack will wet out, which can a lot of weight (multiple ounces, even up to a pound). Which one is better just depends on the expected weather, duration of the hike, and your specific gear setup.
@@breck1637 "but the major downside to them is they guarantee the external fabric of your pack will wet out," Pack covers tend to function as a channel for water between your rainshell and your pack cover. That, and your pack straps will wet out as well.
@@wisenber Pack straps will wet out either way. And yes, some pack covers have that issue. There’s a reason I said whichever is better for you depends on a variety of factors lol
No battery bank is a terrible decision in my opinion, considering you are using your phone for navigation. All it takes is inadvertently hitting a button on your phone like the flashlight and it runs itself out of juice. At least carry a 5000 for Murphy’s law
I have a small power bank that has a solar panel, backup flashlight, and backup button compass. It weighs a little but the multifunctionality if it may be worth it.
@@mikeymo4 i also carry a small pocket atlas if the us and waterproof maps of my county and state abd a compass. The phone also has lots of offline documents on its sd card.
There are really small battery packs that fit in your pocket. They only provide 1 full charge, but that's enough to do what you'd need to do. Also, turning down screen brightness, and turning off Bluetooth and Wifi will go a long way for battery life. You won't even be using Bluetooth and Wifi anyway, so it's wasted energy for the phone to continuously broadcast ping messages. Bluetooth is particularly power consuming. Probably more than screen brightness.
I always carry a light weight rescue space blanket rather than a footprint because it basically does the same thing and I've used them dozens of times when I've found others in need of warmth or rain protection. I've even used them to sling broken bones. It also works as a rain cover for my pack and is actually water proof not just resistant. I have never used solar or charging pack because the only electronics that go with me are my Garmin Montana 700i (which is turned off unless I need it for an emergency) and my Garmin watch. NO CELL PHONE! I carry a compass and a paper topo map
One good reason to have a footprint is for a fly first pitch setup. Makes setting up in a downpour less stressful when you know your inner tent will be dry and cozy!
I'm keeping my multi tool. I keep my Gerber multi tool in my pocket everyday, whether I am working, running errands, traveling, fishing, camping, hiking, etcetera. I don't notice it or the weight because it is literally part of my everday apparel.
I wear a Leatherman Skeletool everyday and a tactical style flashlight, so I feel much the same. Everyone should carry what they want and just live their lives.
Same. I have the Gerver Dime and it's so hand for every day even. Little knife, tiny tweezers, scissors, I use it all the time. And on a trip my friends consistently ask to borrow it. Takes up like no space or weight to me.
Same for my pistol. I've carried for 20 years. It's not added weight (I'm also not a little bitch who can't handle it). I don't go anywhere without one, including backpacking.
I wrote the original comment two months ago and now, after my last camping/backpacking trip, I can't find my multi tool! It's been gone for weeks and I don't know how many times I have reached for it to use the knife, the pliers, the can opener, or one of the screwdrivers. It is driving me up the wall! I guess I will be handing over $60-$120 to Gerber or Leatherman in the near future.
I now use a very thin, cheap shower curtain liner as a footprint. Alaska is all roots,talus and scree, and the ground is ALWAYS wet when it is not frozen as it rains or snows more often than it does not.
I guess backpacking in British weather is different A footprint protects from sitting water of sodden ground A pack cover protects the backpack from getting soaked and I don’t have to bring a wet bag into my dry tent I still use a dedicated 80 lt liner A single solar panel weights less than 200g and recharges a 5000mah power pack easily and I never need to worry about running dry My iPhone 13 gives me 1 1/2 days with the phone on airplane mode I can go for 5 days with no concern
Agree, I have a big Angus and unfortunately the floor of the tent has many micro scruffs and holes in from not using a groundsheet….it’s a $600 tent and after only 6 months the floor is looking worse for wear!!
In 'British weather' you'll struggle to get much out of a solar charger. My iPhone 11 still gives me 4 days minimum in mainly Airplane mode - sounds to me like yours must be faulty. I only backpack in Britain and have yet to buy/use a footprint. Never had a problem in 40 years and often camp on seriously sodden ground. The only time I got a hole in my groundsheet was when I accidentally set fire to it. Just carry an instant repair patch if you're worried.
Footprints do protect against water soaking through for sure. A pack cover helps but it has a large hole at the back and that can let water in. The trash bag can provide a much smaller hole and be oriented where rain water won’t get in and is usually lighter and cheaper. Also most don’t bring their pack into their tent. Honestly I just turn my phone off and usually rely on one paper map . So therefore my battery will last a very long time without need for recharging
Crazy how short your battery is in airplane mode. This is why I said goodbye to my first iPhone ( 12 ) Even my old Sony from 2017 could hold longer than the brand new iPhone. Pretty pathetic battery usage.
While I agree that the weight is not ideal, and I am open to smaller/lighter alternatives (others in the comments mentioned the Leatherman Squirt…which seems to be out of production 😡), having my Leatherman literally saved my skin when my hands became almost useless after spending minutes trying to undo my frozen boot laces after a winter hike on Mount Nantai here in Japan. My fingers had lost all strength and feeling due to the cold, and getting my boots off was the last thing I needed to do so I could get inside the tent and get warmed up. With all of the dexterity in my fingers gone due to the cold, I remembered that I had a Leatherman, so I used the pliers to untie my frozen boot laces since my finger tips couldn’t. Having a Leatherman allowed me to get out of my snow and ice covered boots and leave them in the vestibule, and kept me from getting frostbite from having to dick around with my frozen laces in the freezing cold. Until I acquire a lighter alternative, my Leatherman Wave is part of my essential gear.
I had a Wave for almost 11 years I think, switched to the Charge for a couple. Now I carry the Skeletool every day, can't make myself go back to the bigger multitools.
I've heard the Leatherman Squirt is discontinued (so, it's not just out of stock). Rumor is that it was costing Leatherman too much to support the warranty for the Squirt. I'd love for them to bring it back but with a short warranty. I think people abusing the Squirt for far too heavy duty things and breaking it is the problem. I've been trying out a Gerber Dime as a replacement. Still prefer the Squirt (aside from the Dime having a way better bottle opener) but it's definitely sufficient as a replacement and is still available.
Gerber makes a very small multi tool called the "Gerber Dime" its been in my pack load out now for 5 yrs. I won't go trail without it. And it cost less than $ 20.00
Recommendation for NO footprint/ground cloth - obviously Eric is not regularly tenting in the desert or other harsh conditions, where the ground and plants destroys tent bottoms and gear. 2-4 oz, small price to take care of gear.
@@davemoosehead when using tyvek or polycryo, about 1x year. Fabric footprints have lasted me over 7 years now, with a few patched holes and tears. Tent floors still look new.
Less than 5 ounces for my tent's foot print which was free because I used the vinyl sheet "wrap" from the big screen TV I bought a few years ago that I cut down to my tent's floor size. Yep, it looks "beat up" after a couple years packing into the Sierra (often lotsa embedded small protruding rock at campsite surfaces, especially at altitude !!!) but it still works well, is light weight and folds up a bit smaller than Tyvek (an excellent ground cloth material but it's a bit pricey). I agree with all of the other weight saving suggestions.
My perspective on battery banks - I hike the Pinhoti Trail here in Alabama. In many places this trail isn't blazed very well or not at all. So I use the Far Out app to make sure I'm still on the trail. Using Far Out drains my pnone battery pretty quickly. So I've got to carry a good battery bank to keep my phone operating. I just got back from a 93 mile hike on the Pinhoti and used 2 battery banks.
A multitool kit is really practical if you are fishing while hiking though. Not only is it for preparing the fish but its easier to remove hooks and one can fix certain fishing lures that may get damaged.
I agree that you don’t need a lot of extra clothes. You should bring one extra set of clothes though. I think this is a safety item. Having a pair to get wet during the day and a pair to keep dry for the night is the best approach I have found in my experience
Yep, this saved me during a backcountry trip through Iceland. If I hadn't of packed a spare set of wool base layers I more than likely would have gotten hypothermia after crossing a river in freezing rain. I get being as light as possible, but an extra 8 oz isn't going to ruin your trip.
This ginger beard guy guide is contradicting himself one video yet another. In the winter camping video, he stated that sleeping with dirty, sweaty used clothes will get us cold. A fresh and new set of clothes needed to be sleeping in. Although, he hasn't washed his alpacca base layer for a couple weeks to date. Murrica, yeah!
6:33 there is a difference between smelling ‘nice’ and smelling horrible. I don’t think anyone feels the need to smell nice, but for their own and others benefit somewhat neutral is imo a decent goal.
A Nalgene is great in the winter. You can put hot water in it and use it for additional heat in your sleeping bag or in your parka. Also, having some small pliers (LEATHERMAN Squirt, Gerber dime) is great for repairs. Trying to put stitches through several layers of webbing in order to repair a shoulder strap or a hip belt is a lot easier using pliers to pull the needle through.
The point about the solar panel and powerbank is interesting but don't forget that most people will want to make a snapshot every now and then. Camera usage can drain your battery pretty quickly, especially if it's an old battery. And I would not go hiking with at least one powerbank as an emergency backup energy source even if it's a 2.000 mA one. Being able to make a few phone calls can be a life saver.
Funny thing with a lot of gear is, you never really need it until you do. You stop carrying something and suddenly it would be really useful. For an extra bit of weight, I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Light weight alternatives absolutely, but I'd still rather have the gear and not need it. The big 2 are the multi tool and the charger. People forget things, if they forget to power save or put it in airplane mode and it dies and they need help, suddenly they dont have that lifeline to reach out for help. The multi tool has plenty of stuff you'll likely never use out in the sticks but the example of using a knife blade as a screwdriver is how blade tips break and people get cut. Its not the intended purpose of a knife. A regular knife can get a lot done, but if that one knife fails for ant reason, you've lost your ability to complete all the tasks you were using it for. That little extra weight isnt enough of a difference to justify leaving things behind. Stuff like the rain fly for the pack, if it doesnt actually work, then yeah, theres really no point it bringing it if it cant complete the task it was designed for. If you can get a lighter version of something that still functions properly, do that, but dont leave useful items behind.
Bingo. I'd rather carry my pistol and not need it than stumble upon a pissed off momma bear with her cubs or worse, my daughter stumble upon them as she's playing around. The arrogance and snobbery of ultra lighters is annoying. Personal preferences don't make one "a better backpacker". I sure as shit won't go on a trip without a battery bank, either. The shit talking I've seen over....2 lbs? Pathetic. If you can't handle an extra few ounces for a tool, maybe they should try the gym instead.
@@Swearengen1980 exactly. I know it's likely not going to be needed, but I don't leave my house without mine on my hip. Because that one time you need it and don't have it could be the last time you need anything. Same goes with other equipment. I have the mentality of redundancy. I want things that serve double purpose and overlapping purpose. If it weighs a little extra, so be it, I'll be covered when someone with a dead phone and broken knife isn't.
@@xMrBlack I'm the same way, but I'm from the south, raised by traditional country folk. I've met very few backpackers/hikers that weren't city slickers and can't fathom the need for a gun or knife. I've been in a few situations with people and animals that I sure a shit needed my firearm. One time was ON a trail. A couple boar were chasing does off in the woods and stopped when they saw us. We weren't running, so guess who they decided to come after instead? A few bluff charges and they kept getting closer and closer. The last time, dropped one maybe 20 feet from me and the other ran. Then once my parents moved onto a mountain in East Tennessee, bear come right up to the back door. I explore those mountains with the kid and had to upgrade to a 10mm after the boar incident.
Some of this advice is slightly dangerous. Please bring a battery bank with you for anything over two days, especially if you’re hiking solo. Your phone may not last as long as he claims, even in airplane mode, depending on the size/age of your phone battery, and offline maps can really drain the battery if, say, the trail isn’t as clear as you thought it would be. A satellite device can lose battery quickly if you’re using it to communicate about a potentially critical situation, and a power bank can help with that as well. Don’t pack your fears, but don’t be an idiot just to save weight. Survival/safety > 8 oz.
There is no reason to bring electronics. An LED flashlight running on AAA cells and a set of extra cells will last you longer than your food. Paper maps don't need batteries. The idea of backpacking is to leave civilization--including your phone--behind.
totally agree! I was just hiking solo in the dolomites, without backup battery for my phone would be dangerous, as it helps navigate and communicate, crucially important. also rain cover, weather isnt accurate most of the time, my rain cover helped prevent my expensive camera gears from getting wet in heavy rains/snow on mountain top.
I’ve got the BIG Nalgene for my swig rig and it’s great. It’s the lightweight version and it’s so much easier filtering water into it. Never getting rid of it!
I have a leatherman squirt that lives in my ditty bag…depending on what activities you do and how long you are away from civilisation I think it’s essential….I’ve used the file to rough up a surface to apply appoxy and also used the screwdriver on hiking poles….I may not take my full size leatherman but a full size multi tool is a must for the car or general life 👌🏻
I like having a rainfly on my backpack when using airports as it conceals straps hanging off the bag and expensive gear, like a tent, that may be strapped to the outside of your pack. Then I go over the pack with some cling film.
The problem people have, since the age of social media, is that they become obsessed with their kit and gadgets. When i was young and strong i would carry equipment 'just in case' but in reality very rarely used. Now I'm 65 i have dumped lots of items and find i don't miss them. Gone are my axe or machete, folding saw, spare knife, water proof coat' backpack cover, tarp, maps & compass, folding wood stove, walking poles, ferro rod, gps device, groundsheet/footprint and various pots and a plate. I now use a poncho which keeps me and my kit dry and also doubles as a tarp. My phone replaces my maps & gps etc. Doing this has made a huge difference to the distance i can cover daily and has enhanced my pleasure greatly. I hike/camp for the pleasure of being in nature and i don't need gadgets to do that. Good video. 👍👍
I'm using the genuine MSR footprint with my 2016 Hubba Hubba nx2, the floor is still looking in excellent shape and I have taken this thing up to the Indian Himalayas, pitched on very gravelly surfaces.
I use polycro the same way, the stuff you use on windows to do cheap insulation. Only fun is trying to put it down or pack it up in wind! I hear Tyvek is REALLY noisy....
Re rainfly, yes use a pack liner, but I still find it useful, especially in snow or when temperatures are going to drop below freezing. Re multitool, no need for a big one but a small one like my Gerber Dime is a necessity. I have used the scissors and plier function far more than the knife. Re extra clothes, I like to sleep clean so I do carry an extra set. In the summer, that might just be extra underwear and t-shirt. In winter, it might be more. But having a clean, dry set of clothes to change into and sleep in is gold. Also, when I go on trail maintenance trips, the day clothes just get filthy dirty with dust, dirt, sap, sweat, etc. Having camp clothes is just nice after I sponge myself off of dust, dirt, sweat, bug repellent, and sun block goop.
100% agree with all of these. Started backpacking later in life and just don’t have it in me to carry extra weight. Heaviest I’ve been is 28 lbs for 2 weeks with everything including food and water.
A multitool is unneeded until it is valuable. Mine has repaired snow shoes, broke into a car, placed medical stitches and weights near the same as a pocket knife.
Great video! I love the levity and succinct explanations! The two other reasons for a footprint: 1) keep the tent clean. I like to have a polycryo sheet under the tent so that it can catch all the gunk and stay on the outside of the pack. 2) Some freestanding tents are designed so that you can pitch rainfly first with the footprint, then attach the inner. Very useful when raining.
Never had a footprint - if I were going to carry an *extra tarp* in addition to a tent, it'd be so I could set it up _overhead_ as additional rain cover or to enable setting up the tent in the rain without getting it full of water - and now I've *ditched the **_tent_* in favour of a tarp and a hammock. Never used a "waterproof" pack cover, because they don't even *_look_* effective against rain. Waterproof liners (even just a large plastic garbage bag) are vastly superior. Bought a solar panel thinking "cool, I can charge my batteries". Tested it at home on a nice sunny day and discovered I could charge a single 3000mAh 18650 battery in about a day's decent sunlight. I then compared the weight of the solar panel with that of an 18650 battery and determined that it would be lighter and less bulky to carry a few extra 18650 batteries (my mini powerbank, flashlight and headlamp all use 18650 batteries) - and I also wouldn't be at the mercy of how much sunlight is available. Deodorant's just silly when camping, never even considered there would be people who thought it necessary, or even a "good idea", anywhere outside "civilisation". Most deodorants are full of contaminants and chemical crap that you don't want washing off your body into a river or lake, anyway. Only extra clothes I carry are additional warm clothes for when the temperature drops of a night, extra pair of underwear and 2 pairs of socks. I'll change into warm dry clothes for the night, put on my damp hiking clothes the next day (hopefully they've dried a little overnight). Only thing in that lot I found remotely useful was the pocket tool - I've had to do repairs to my gear a couple of times where the pliers and screwdrivers came in handy. Even then, I wouldn't argue that it was an essential every time.
Mostly agree. I like a footprint because it helps keep things cleaner when you pack up in the morning. I usually bring a 10k power bank for anything more than an overnighter just for my own piece of mind. Also a flashlight along with my headlamp for the same reason. I will bring a fixed blade Mora knife for buttoning and a Silky saw if I plan on a serious camp fire. Otherwise just a simple small Victorinox that's always in my food bag. Not a fan of Nalgene unless it's cold out so I can fill it with hot water and sleep with it. Camp chair is a must have for all trips; that's an extra pound I'm always willing to carry.
I agree with your sight of solar panels, except when I carry a camera and/or HF radio and the like for days. But in that case, you need a really big and thus heavy one, because the power output stated in the ads is always Sahara at noon 🙂. Biodegradable soap is indeed biodegradable, but the question is: How long does that take? Biodegradable means, it can be degraded by bacteria, and that takes a lot of time. Meanwhile, it is as harmful to organisms as conventional soap.
Solar charging is so helpful. What if you become detained in the wilderness because of an emergency? Recharging cell phones and headlamps is very important. And the multi-tool this fellow is discarding... What features does this tool have? Many have useful items like saws for processing wood, awls for drilling holes, cutting blades, etc. But I'm very pleased that you don't mind stinking in exchange for not carrying deodorant. I recommend a basic survival course for this gentleman.
I have to agree to a sense. Meaning it’s an emergency product. As a non emergency it’s pretty crap because it needs a sunny open sky with the panels facing the direction. But there are those cases where people got stranded for a long time so I would say some of his throw out things can be reduced. Smaller panel can charge a power bank. Small multitool will be lighterb
This is more a question of power budget management. If you're reliant on electronics and your storage is insufficient to last the duration, then maybe solar makes sense, but it's a very slow charge vs the weight and awkward size. I used to carry solar but the extra stress of power management really distracts one from enjoying the experience. I carry a 200% power budget for my headlamp, and other than my watch all other electronics typically stay off until they're needed. I have to agree with Eric that solar is great for some things, but for trips any less than a 5 days it's unnecessarily cumbersome. My personal backup plan is my inReach (only turned on briefly to send updates to my family or in an emergency) and a good old fashioned map.
Great advise. Even though people are extremely different, the ultralight backpacking concept works. Nothing worse than getting out there and realising that you are carrying waaaay toooo many kilos! Don't wash in river systems though!😢 Get some water, move well away from the system and then wash your stuff. General rule of thumb is 10 mtrs or "more". Congratulations on your break away new routine with work. One time i carried toooo much on a through hike of 5 days in Peru. Even my wife carried way less than me. Yes the others were cold after dark and i wasn't bit they just snuggled together and i was left to my warm self! 😅😂
My groundsheet helps keep my tent clean. After a trip, I clean and check all my gear. It's much easier to clean dirt off the groundsheet than the tent.
Great video. 8:10. Hyperbole. Leatherman Wave+ is the most popular multi tool ever … and it’s 8 oz. That a far cry from the 1 lb mentioned here. And there are much, much lighter versions out there, too. You may not need a multi tool, but “it weighs almost a pound” is definitely not one of the reasons. Not wanting to stink isn’t just for others. I don’t enjoy stinking. Taking a small quick dry towel and a few oz of deodorant makes me feel TONS better. Clothes are something I am still dialing in. When I go light, I need extras. When I bring extras, I seem not to need them.
Along with clothing I would add food to the list, I never eat everything I bring (particularly snacks). By the way, you can buy an "ultralite" Nalgene that weighs about half as much as the one(s) you use.
I always have a knife and also a gerber dime in my pack. It’s fairly light, TINY and gives me some extra functions. Mostly the pliers and the little tweezers they come with.
Agree with most of this list - with two exceptions: Footprint - I use polycryo because it keeps my tent clean & therefore my other gear because I don't pack up a dirty tent. The polycryo packs up very small in a small bag. Solar Panel - I would have agreed with not using one, until recently. I now have a 3 oz 10 W (more like 5W) panel paired with a 3 oz 5000 mAh bank. This kept my SLR, InReach, watch, phone and MP3 player all topped off over an 8 day trip -- and I ended with a nearly fully charged bank. This was better than taking a much heavier battery bank. A bit of a hassle to arrange the panel and battery on my pack when hiking, but I have worked it out to be very manageable.
@@olivern4784I have a 5v, 10 w lexada from Amazon. It is more like 5w. It takes at least 6 hours to charge the newer 5000 mAh bank. For some reason, it doesn't work with my two older (& larger) battery banks.
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Can you do without multitool? Sure, but that special occasion when you need to repair zipper, or gas stove, or puncture empty gas canister, then it will be priceless...
I really like power banks. I use it for phone, headlamp, flextail pump, Garmin, etc. I only bring a solar panel if I'm doing Basecamp style camping (I just let it fill up the bank during the day) or if it's a longer trip in a sunny area and I won't be able to recharge much. They do decently strapped to packs. I found a 3 or 5 oz one on Amazon that works well enough.
@@HardwareReacts I tried the Sunyima one on Amazon and it worked well. I probably spent 3000 or so mAh per day and left it out for 5 or 6 hours each day and it recharged fully. The area was in full desert sun for a few of those hours, but in partial shade for a lot of it. I think if you hook it up to a battery and get an hour or two a day in strong sun, it's enough to sustain moderate electronics usage.
My footprint is built for my tent and you can setup your rainfly with the footprint and poles. That then allows you to setup your tent under the fly during a downpour to keep it dry (same works as a tarp with a hammock). Some things are heavy but I have tried to go without and it makes a miserable trip like a camp chair. But I have started doing the single set of clothes and two pair of underwear that I wash.
I somehow managed to get 2 holes in my brand new $120 Marmot tent the second time i took it out. After that i vowed to never go without a footprint again.. but im poor and cant afford to buy a nice tent or a new tent whenever something happens so i have to take precautions... i cant imagine the stress i would have constantly tryin to not rip/break a 400-plus dollar tent.
10:37 I got rid of all of my Nalgene bottles a few years ago when I knew I wouldn’t be hiking for a while, but now that I’m wanting to get back to cold-weather pursuits again (backcountry xc skiing, mountaineering, and snowshoeing) I’m really at a loss as to how to do it without a Nalgene. The wide mouth is a lot less likely to freeze shut, they’re way easier to fill from a pot of snow melt, and plastic won’t stick to my lips like metal would in very cold conditions. Looks like I’ll have to get a couple Nalgene bottles.
If you go back to the nalegenes: you can also add boiling water to them n stick it in your sleeping bag before sleep to heat it up and make it extra cozy!
I still swear by the rain cover. If you have a DCF pack or other material that doesn't retain water then you can ditch it. Otherwise for 2 or 3 oz you can save yourself a pound or two in water weight that you would be carrying through a saturated fabric pack. For light showers it's all you need. Trash bags are bad for pack liners, I even hate using them as trash bags. They pretty much never survive a whole trip and are extremely easy to rip. I personally prefer RAD bags because they're much more durable (but I understand not everyone will get one) or turkey bags, even though those are a little small. I also hear that trash compactor liners are a good alternative.
Agreed with both points! I use a 55L Coghlan’s bag as a pack liner and I love it. I first tried a contractor bag, and that is actually heavier than the Coghlan’s bag, which is way more durable than a disposable bag, anyway.
I use a trash compactor bag... definitely more durable than a trash bag but still maintain the good qualities of a cheap disposable bag. I roll up an extra one and wrap it in a rubber band as a back up... ive never had to use it though... just an idea
I switched from a tent to a tarp and bug net and had an improvement on my comfort. My light but bigass 12 x 12 tarp can do whatever I need it to do for less bulk and weight. It particularly helped with foot room. I was always caddy corner in my tent and my feet still got wet. Now, I have footroom gallore.
@@LiseWrigley I don't want false security in bear country. I want at least three other armed men and watch shifts. I'm not brave enough for anything less. Things that can eat me scare the shit out of me.
If you use a free standing tent like a Hubba Hubba the footprint is great when you are putting the tent up as you use it to brace the poles before putting the tent over the frame.It also adds protection on sodden ground. Like a ton of the UK hikers commenting below, I like a rainfly for my pack - maybe British/Scottish rain is just wetter - or maybe we know how to fit a rainfly properly ; ). I also probably carry a few more pairs of underwear and socks but that's down to personal preference. But all good advice - well maybe except for that unhealthy attachment to Nalgene's : ))
This may be an unpopular opinion but I say ditch the tent and bring the groundsheet and a tarp just in case. This summer I've spent 95% of nights cowboy camping and it's been awesome
Its only an unpopular opinion as an absolute statement. What's great in drier climates just isn't in wetter ones. Not trying to wake up with bites on my eyelids ever again.
@Millie.1965 permethrin on clothes and out side of my quilt helps a lot ....wearing wind pants or leggings while sleeping helps too... if the skeeters are really bad then a headnet and a hat with a bill and wearing gloves helps ... I've found once the sun is down for an hour most of the skeeters go away so choosing to hike a bit after dark can help potentially.
I have only few things in a small back pack. It only has things like my cigarette lighter, flint or striker, spindle and bow for fire making, easy carrying, easy replacement. I have a pair of pruning shears to easily cut 1 inch thick X 3 foot long branches for a quick shelter. Got rid of that expensive time piece that gets damaged or lost the first couple of days out or doesn’t work when you ultimately need it. Of course I carry a knife on my side for whatever practical purposes it may have, and it has many. I don’t use the gadgets, they’re expensive, collectively heavy and the longer you have them, the more impractical they become. All of those fancy stoves that eventually run out of propane, the propane bottles that could easily be replaced with bio fuel, (sticks of wood,) pots and pans. Even those fancy gps devices and gimmicks will usually be shed in an extended period out in the field. I also don’t need that favourite music device that ultimately becomes a paperweight that runs out of batteries over time and gets to be just one more thing to carry and keep up with.
I think that's fine that you ditch the isobutane stoves, but there are many protected or sensitive areas where regulations ask you not to use biofuel cooking and only allow isobutane/propane fuel. I think it's really cool that you are able to backpack in areas that allow you to use biofuel, but for many it's unfortunately not an option.
I switched to hammocks years ago and will never look back, but I find a plain 3m tarp is a terribly useful multi-purpose thing to have along. My first time out with a hammock, I strung the tarp up and and both I and my gear stayed bone dry the entire night, despite an absolutely torrential storm. And as a bonus, my dog could hang out beneath it as well without her tracking in mud.
I’m starting to use merino wool shirts, underwear, and socks. They’re anti-microbial and don’t hold odor so you can wear them for multiple days. Merino wool also keeps you cool in warm weather and warm in cool weather, even when it gets wet.
The "Merino keeps you cool in warm weather" is very subjective. I love merino wool, I wear it, some of my hunting gear is merino wool. But I'll get heat stroke if I wear it above 65 degrees.
When it comes to rain and conditions the important part is call it Hypothermia isn’t worth it I called a trip earlier this year. We were set up for rain but not a monsoon and the weather was 35-40 in the morning
I started at 40 and kick myself for buying a 15 degree sleeping bag, when I really only needed a 45 degree quilt considering when I normally hit the trail and where I’m located. That could have saved me a ton of weight. I’ve also gone to a trekking pole tent instead of free standing, and I have learned I don’t need near as much food as I thought, and I have also changed the types of foods I take when I’m going out for a few days. Lots of freeze dried snacks, making chia bombs and placing in snack bags for breakfast instead of heavy bars. I also switched from Skratch labs hydration to LMNT just because they weigh 50% less at least.
But you are always carrying your phone anyway so in most cases it's just added volume. A map is great to have though and fun to use, the design is very human.
Depends. I used to carry a whole stack of maps (UK, Scandinavia) on long multi-week treks and still often found I was missing a map or had trouble navigating when getting close to the edge of a map. Now I can store a whole country worth of topographic maps on a tiny memory card. My plans often change during a trip and I am now much more flexible in finding alternative routes when needed for example because of bad weather, missing bridges, resupply etc. It also saves a lot of money. But yes it does mean carrying a power bank and a backup phone in case of breakdowns.
I hike every day for a living, roughly 5-10 miles a day. I do a lot of electrical/mechanical work, but even when I’m hiking for fun I still carry a leatherman. We’re all rough on our gear, and if you’re on a longer trip, it’s more of a “when” and not an “if” it breaks. It’s a few extra ounces, but it’s worth it. Trust me, having a multi tool has saved me from having to turn around or book it to the next town feeling miserable.
footprint - it helps a lot to set up a tent during rain (I fix the footprint, put up the frame, rainfly and then the inner part). Deodorant. I usually take a small 20g sample. Multitool. SOG powerlitre weighs 130g, has a lot of necessary features for minor repairs and a very good player. Repair a tent pole, sew a backpack strap (stretch a needle) etc, and even a corkscrew (sometimes you can buy a bottle of wine in villages along the way). It also has a very small knife, but sometimes I take a Benchmade Bugout with me (additional 55g). Thank for video 🙂👍
Good stuff, Eric. For our Cirque of the Towers 5 day hike, I only brought 2 pairs of socks, instead of 3 as I usually do. It was a wet week, so a 3rd pair of socks would have been nice.
Not ditching the battery bank. Heavy into video prediction and photography. Cameras need recharged. Plus the Leatherman wave is staying in my pocket. #EDC
Same. I shoot a lot of 4K video for posterity, and for sharing with senior citizen family members that would never get to see these beautiful backcountry places otherwise. For really short hikes I can get away without it, but the ones closer to a week definitely need it.
Agree, even the solar charger is important. It's personal, for me it's recording and editing sounds with a field recorder and tablet combined on 30 day hiking trips.
I agree with your list...especially the deodorant! Instead of a big Leatherman, I bring a Leatherman Squirt Ps4. Only 2.5 inches and weighs next to nothing. I've ended up using the pliers or scissors on almost every long trip (works as a pot holder too).
I've got the Gerber Dime and carry it daily. It's soooo handy, fits in my little bag. And it has consistently been used on every trip I've gone on by me and or friends. It's awesome. I love it.
Great choice - I go even lighter with Leatherman's Style PS - those pliers and scissors are a must! But that's because I prefer a separate blade, and the best I've found (by far) as the lightweight option is the humble Opinel £6 - decent 3" blade in a practical steel, comfy handle, bladespine is an awesome striker for my ferro rod, only 25g. If your in a damp environment go for the Inox/Walnut version.
Mostly agree with the things he said. I have done enough trail repairs of gear with a multitool (broken packs, broken stoves, water filters, zippers on tents) so if you have gear that could need repair by a screwdriver or pliers a lighter simpler multitool can be valuable to have along in your group but not everyone needs one. With regards to the battery pack/solar charger, I agree on the solar panels. They aren't very efficient so usually not worth the weight. I have gone away, personally, from battery powered flashlights and the like to rechargeables and for that reason I carry a smallish 10,000mAh battery pack that can charge my phone about 3 times. This way my flashlight/plasma lighter combo, my phone, my flextail 2, my satellite communicator, etc can all be charged if necessary. I am more environmentally friendly this way and secure that my tools will stay functional. Pants. He says he only does the one pair but he must have never torn out the backside of a pair of pants or other critical failure. I always bring a second pair beyond the ones I'm hiking in even if it is just a pair of shorts just in case. I can always put my base layer under the shorts to stay warm if I need to but this lets me avoid potential embarrassment. Oh, the pack cover. He must be using it wrong. Mine have always kept my gear dry and keeping my pack from getting soaked saves a ton of weight as water is heavy. My son and I got caught in a significant rain event in the Wallowas in Oregon and my gear stayed dry. I use my pack cover to protect my pack at night because the vestibule on my tent is too small to protect it. The real truth of what to carry comes down to what risks are you willing to take, what comfort are you willing to sacrifice, and how much weight are you comfortable carrying.
Here's something I don't bring any more that has lightened my backpack. When I first moved to Colorado and started backpacking I used to bring whole cans of Campbell's Chunky Soup. I would halfway open the top and put the can in the fire until the soup bubbled out the top. That was my indication that my soup was ready. My soup of choice was chicken corn chowder. I thought I was so clever because I didn't have to carry the weight of the soup back out because I ate it, I would only have to carry the empty cans, it was totally justified. 🤪 When I finally moved away from this practice, I shaved pounds off my backpack. Pounds!
Excellent video - one of your best, Eric. (And that's saying something!) I would also add that having accurate weather forecasts with night and day temps, rain predictions, etc helps gear planning a lot, and tells you what you can leave out.
Great advice, much of which I learned the hard way! Never bought/used a footprint in my life. You pack your fears. +1 for the 'trashbag' pack liner. It actually saves weight because it has enabled me to ditch the sleeping stuff sacks (Pad and quilt) which weigh more. Solar Panels are generally carried as a weighty virtue-signalling option. Fine if that matters to you - I couldn't care less. Totally, totally agree about the electricals. You don't need a charger for a 3-5 day hike. Live the outdoors, don't export the city. Re the multitool - I disagree, but only slightly. I carry a (bladeless) Leatherman Style PS - weight 47g (or under 2oz) - which gives me the tools I find useful to me: scissors, decent pliers, tweezers, not much else - in conjunction with a separate knife, the Opinel #6 weighing 25g (just under 1 oz), which I suspect is lighter than your knife and I'm sure is much, much better as well. Full backpacking toolkit which takes care of my cooking, fishing and personal needs at 72g (or 2.5oz).
While I have no use for a solar panel, it's funny you call that a virtue signaling option. I consider the ultra lightweight snobbery, such as how he starts off that to be a better hiker that you should adhere to his personal opinions to be far worse. No one virtue signals worse than ultra lighters.
Agree on most things except the solar panel. I see a lot of people in the comments who also dont like solar panels but my thought process is since I do use technology like audio field recorders for my profession, I do need a consistent power source. I've found that my solar panel is lighter than most power banks and the peace of mind of not running out of a charge is nice. Yes, its not charging the devices as quickly, but I also dont have to worry about rationing power either. It is dependent on your situation and i support those who want to go technology free, but idk if we should say it isnt applicable In my case, I bought a cheap $30 solar panel from harbor freight and it's capable of charging up my go pro about 15% in 10 minutes or so. Passively charging devices throughout the day is just fine even if the solar panel isn't working at 100% efficiency.
I agree about the solar panels. The smaller ones attached directly to a battery bank don't work at all, while the larger ones only put out enough power when they're perpendicular to direct sunlight. And that's just not gonna happen when they're dangling vertically off your neck. What I do is pack a small power bank with a light onboard, so it can do double duty. I disagree about the multitool. There are plenty of smaller & lighter ones on the market than a big ol' Gerber. I have an ancient Leatherman Fuse that's gotten me out of a ton of tight spots over the years. And it only weighs six ounces.
I think you missed a key benefit of a 4oz footprint. If it's made for the tent like my big agnes. It allows for poles and rainfly to be set up first in order to set up the tent underneath. Keeping in the inside of the tent dry if it's raining. I would agree with the rest of your list though for sure.... well, except for the Nalgene bottle lol
Your list of unneeded items is excellent, I see many hikers carrying these unnecessary items. Here's a couple of thoughts on weaning off some of these items. Ground cloth: There are times when a ground cloth might be helpful, such as protecting the tent floor on rock or grit/sand. Open up a lawn and leaf bag for length and spread it under the floor, the bag weighs an ounce of less, protect from abrasion for a short trip, and can still be used later as a makeshift poncho, pack raincover (while hiking, resting, or seting up camp), or entry mat for a dry space for gear or shoes. Hygiene: Smelling too nice just attracts big and animal visitors. But a quick scrub is ready with a gallon freezr bag, get the accordion bottom, or a 10 liter folding bucket (S2S, 1 ounce, smaller than a pack of cards). The bucket keeps your dirty water with sunscreen, bug repellant, etc., away from clean wster sources (200 feet/65 m). Also, y bucket has come in handy for dowsing a cook fire I might use and smouldering abandoned campfires I come across in the morning-I put out lots of abandoned fires! Good for letting goscial silt settle in water before filtering, too, and collecting berries, firewood, pinecones for decorating, or even strapping a bag of chips to your pack. Multitool: The only time I carry mine is when I'm volunteering on a trail project. I mostly use my 2.25" blade Gerber LST (1.5 oz/44 g) for everything else. Lastly, the biggest power drain on a phone is the screen. So, try to not use the phone unless absolutely necessary as well as keeping it on airplane mode. Again, thanks for covering this so well!
Very timely - off on my first multi day hike soon and my “add to shopping basket” habit is out of control…. So a cost saving as well as weight saving to be had.
This is all decent advice, for a day tripper. If you're at any risk of getting lost, or deep bush wacking with a non zero chance of winding up in a self rescue/survival situation, you're gonna need an extra set of dry clothes in a water tight bag, a fairly serious knife, a fairly heafty multi-tool, and a LOT of socks. Trench foot ain't just for the trenches.
I use a olsolar panel when backpacking with the family because we will go out for a week or two and our jobs let us work anywhere as long as we have cell service. I have sat on the dunes of lake michigan working all morning with just the wavesas my soundtrack. Our packs are heavy because of the extras but it is so worth it to be able to go wherever i want and still work and get paid.
Good list, thank you. I have learned I dont need a multi tool, and I can get by on fewer clothes. But I do still tend to take too much food. I read somewhere that we tend to pack our fears. So if you are afraid of getting cold, or of being hungry, then according to that theory you will carry too many clothes and too much food.
Map and compass are essential for me. I'm not prepared to rely solely on my phone. I'm also not prepared to ditch the ground sheet (footprint). I usually just pitch a tarp, so I want something under me. And in my area, flat, smooth, verdant pastures can be hard to find.
Use a bag liner, preferably the contractor bags, people have been doing this for decades. I tried one of those bag rain flies once and everything in my bag was damp or wet. Never again,.
I'm keeping my tent footprint. It has no real weight and it's already packed up in my tent bag. I'm not risking running out of charge on my phone and not being able to contact accommodation to make a booking. My phone has loads of functions but they only work if they have power. I've never bothered with a solar power panel or a multitool so I've no need to ditch what I don't have. A cover for my backpack? Not heavy and I'm keeping it.
Power packs - I suppose so, unless you want to document your trip with a GoPro/drone. I also appreciate a footprint to keep my tent floor clean. Outside of that - I agree!
i tend to carry a small solar panel, its actually about the size of one section of that one you have and its very basic, no cover etc, usb cord straight into the back.. mid sized powerbank also.. main uses for this is my steripen, torch and mobile.. i also carry 3 spare batteries for my mobile and a very small clip on battery charger.. my mobile is a samsung xcover5, reason to use this is that the battery is removable and it receives GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS and its IP68 dust/water resistant on its own.. recently though i have found that a combination of that model and also "alpine quest pro" nav app the battery life has been better than my previous xcover4 and nav app so with the extra 3 batteries i can easily go 5 days without external charging...
I carry a tyvek groundsheet, not just to protect my tent and keep it clean but also for being able to cowboy camp with my inflatable sleeping pad or sleep in shelters. Here in Germany you often have to deal with moist ground and dirty shelter floors and the tyvek sheet is a great item to deal with that
I never used a footprint. Useless waste of space in my pack. Never needed a battery bank. Never needed a pack rain cover. Never needed solar panels. Never needed a multitool. I bring one change of clothes. This guy is on point.
Absolutely agree about the solar panel, never got much use out of mine and only brought it out once on a trip. Footprint I will always bring as I'm really careful with my tents. And I like the rainfly, although you're probably right about a pack liner being better too.
I use solar regularly, but I basecamp rather than through hike, I agree for through hikers it makes little sense because solar hates being moved around, doesn't charge well on a pack.
Once I realized that my phone could make it three days in airplane mode (and powered off at night) on one charge... that was a wrap on bringing a heavy solar charger.
I have definitely found tent footprints to be pretty useless. Haven't used one in years, noticed no wear on my tent floor. You don't need it lol. As far as waterproofing, I ditched my pack cover and switched to a roll top waterproof pack liner from osprey which works awesome. Going on its third year and has yet to leak.
I could ditch a lot of equipment but my Leatherman and full sized knife are absolutely NO GO! I couldn't count how many times multi tool saved me from going crazy, it's part of EDC, don't even bother with weight
Replace the normal tent foot print with a small piece of tyvek. Just wash it twice so its more pliable. Pick a heavy ply contractor bag instead of the normal kitchen trash bag. Have to disagree regarding not taking a battery bank. You never know how long you might be out in the event of an emergency. If you are using a ZOLEO, you can’t put your iPhone into airplane mode or you lose ZOLEO connection, so it will run you battery down. Small bottle of Dr. Bronner’s is great - personal soap and can be used for laundry. My go to knife is a very small Swiss Army knife with scissors, Knife, tweezers, and finger nail clippers (Victorinox Nail Clip 580). As for clothes, what I hike in and what I sleep in and only two pair of socks.
7:18 Im kinda against this I mean yea you dont need a really big multi tool but a small one can work, A friend of mine backpacked across Honduras and in many situations he was the only person with a multi tool that could fix things, He had a Leatherman squirt a tiny little thing lol, He said in some cases it was painfull to work with but it got every situation fixed that needed fixing.
You can go 8 days on a pair of underpants. Day 1 wear like normal, then back to front, then inside out, then back to front again, then swap with someone and repeat the process.
I would never ditch a powerbank!!! (Mobile phone is essential for taking photos & vids, maps, payments, music and anything else you can think of). A 20,000mAh Li-Ion powerbank & cables are the first items packed in my loadout!👍👍👍
I've already ditched most everything you covered, but a power bank is a must for me. I live in Utah. It's very rare if I ever have a cell signal when I'm backpacking, and I do use my phone in airplane mode for navigating. Just remember that devices with rechargeable Lithium batteries lose power in the cold. In Utah, it gets cold at night. Even though I sleep with my phone and InReach (turned off completely) in the foot box of my quilt, they still lose a considerable amount of power overnight. Having no way to charge a device, coupled with no cell service, on very remote trails is a recipe for trouble. I'd rather carry the weight of a power bank.
Tent ground cloth... I *_never_* go into back country without a 7'x'7 or so tarp. It's a critical piece of survival gear. It can be used as an emergency blanket, rain shelter, windbreaker, shade provider, rain water gatherer, signal flag, etc. Given how light and small it packs up (can be bungeed to the outside of a backpack), not carrying one is foolhardy in my opinion.
Don’t buy food everyone hangs their food for free every night
Are you a bear?
😂😂😂 best comment
@@Hesseishere Thank you, I thought so myself, lol! After all it was just a joke. I don’t really steal ppls food right?!….. There are wild eatable plants all over the trails if I was starving that bad. I like to get wild mushrooms and wild onion etc and mix with my food. It’s not the only thing I eat. It’s a filler right? No one I know eats raw onions wild or not. Yet, most of us cook with it! So you get my point….
@@billsmith6884 my sister calls me teddy bear so maybe lol
@@josephspruill1212 sometimes it is hard to tell if the wild food is edible or toxic. It takes effort to learn it and sometimes the wild food only grow for a certain time periods of the year.
I like footprints/groundsheets not just to protect/prolong my tent floor but to keep the bottom of my tent clean. I don't like packing a tent with a muddy bottom which has happened in some of the environments I've had to settle for a camp. I can roll or fold the dirty side of a footprint in on itself to keep the mud or dirt contained and strap to outside of my pack while being able to pack my tent inside of my pack without the extra dirt.
A footprint is also good if you're using a tarp, so long as you find one that's light enough and fits your ground plan.
Yea I paid $600 for a tent, a $10-20 groundsheet is worth the price to protect my 10 denier tent
If you think packing a tent with a muddy bottom is bad, you should try hiking with one.
Is this a metaphor for diarrhea in your pants? lol@@jericho86
I use a ground sheet for my sleeping mat to prevent the sleeping bag from getting wet/dirty when not using a tent.
I used my rain fly in scotland with constant downpour and it kept my backpack completely dry. Bonus: you can lay your backpack onto your rainfly inside the tent vestibule to keep it dry in case a puddle forms. So I would say it is an essential item. The outside fabric might look soaked, but the membrane will not let any moisture through.
I did a thruhike in Scotland, it was raining for four days. The rainfly I used (it had a drawstring, so it was possible to tie it very closely to my backpack) kept everything dry. Was very glad that our instructors (I was underage at that time) insisted we brought such a piece of kit. Maybe it depends on the kind of rainfly you use?
Actually I hear a lot of hikers are using the trash bag tactics over the pack rain flies because they are lighter and have a less chance of leaking
@@lizzaangelis3308 Plastic pack liners definitely can be useful, but the major downside to them is they guarantee the external fabric of your pack will wet out, which can a lot of weight (multiple ounces, even up to a pound). Which one is better just depends on the expected weather, duration of the hike, and your specific gear setup.
@@breck1637 "but the major downside to them is they guarantee the external fabric of your pack will wet out,"
Pack covers tend to function as a channel for water between your rainshell and your pack cover.
That, and your pack straps will wet out as well.
@@wisenber Pack straps will wet out either way. And yes, some pack covers have that issue. There’s a reason I said whichever is better for you depends on a variety of factors lol
Bro, you just convinced me to buy a footprint
Get a thermal tarp so it can reflect warmth back.
@@jenbrazell7301 It's hot for 9 months out of the year where I live. What's the opposite of a thermal tarp?
@@michaelzero3626 a thermal tarp flipped upside down 😂
Don't buy one, make one from Tyvek! Excellent.
No battery bank is a terrible decision in my opinion, considering you are using your phone for navigation. All it takes is inadvertently hitting a button on your phone like the flashlight and it runs itself out of juice. At least carry a 5000 for Murphy’s law
I have a small power bank that has a solar panel, backup flashlight, and backup button compass. It weighs a little but the multifunctionality if it may be worth it.
Weak.
paper map weighs an ounce. ditch the damn phone.
@@mikeymo4 i also carry a small pocket atlas if the us and waterproof maps of my county and state abd a compass. The phone also has lots of offline documents on its sd card.
There are really small battery packs that fit in your pocket. They only provide 1 full charge, but that's enough to do what you'd need to do.
Also, turning down screen brightness, and turning off Bluetooth and Wifi will go a long way for battery life. You won't even be using Bluetooth and Wifi anyway, so it's wasted energy for the phone to continuously broadcast ping messages.
Bluetooth is particularly power consuming. Probably more than screen brightness.
I always carry a light weight rescue space blanket rather than a footprint because it basically does the same thing and I've used them dozens of times when I've found others in need of warmth or rain protection. I've even used them to sling broken bones. It also works as a rain cover for my pack and is actually water proof not just resistant. I have never used solar or charging pack because the only electronics that go with me are my Garmin Montana 700i (which is turned off unless I need it for an emergency) and my Garmin watch. NO CELL PHONE! I carry a compass and a paper topo map
One good reason to have a footprint is for a fly first pitch setup. Makes setting up in a downpour less stressful when you know your inner tent will be dry and cozy!
I'm keeping my multi tool. I keep my Gerber multi tool in my pocket everyday, whether I am working, running errands, traveling, fishing, camping, hiking, etcetera. I don't notice it or the weight because it is literally part of my everday apparel.
I wear a Leatherman Skeletool everyday and a tactical style flashlight, so I feel much the same. Everyone should carry what they want and just live their lives.
Same. I have the Gerver Dime and it's so hand for every day even. Little knife, tiny tweezers, scissors, I use it all the time. And on a trip my friends consistently ask to borrow it. Takes up like no space or weight to me.
Same for my pistol. I've carried for 20 years. It's not added weight (I'm also not a little bitch who can't handle it). I don't go anywhere without one, including backpacking.
I wrote the original comment two months ago and now, after my last camping/backpacking trip, I can't find my multi tool! It's been gone for weeks and I don't know how many times I have reached for it to use the knife, the pliers, the can opener, or one of the screwdrivers. It is driving me up the wall! I guess I will be handing over $60-$120 to Gerber or Leatherman in the near future.
@@michaeldriggers7681 I lost mine on vacation, drive me nuts. Had another one delivered to the house the day I got home.
I now use a very thin, cheap shower curtain liner as a footprint. Alaska is all roots,talus and scree, and the ground is ALWAYS wet when it is not frozen as it rains or snows more often than it does not.
I guess backpacking in British weather is different
A footprint protects from sitting water of sodden ground
A pack cover protects the backpack from getting soaked and I don’t have to bring a wet bag into my dry tent
I still use a dedicated 80 lt liner
A single solar panel weights less than 200g and recharges a 5000mah power pack easily and I never need to worry about running dry
My iPhone 13 gives me 1 1/2 days with the phone on airplane mode
I can go for 5 days with no concern
Agree, I have a big Angus and unfortunately the floor of the tent has many micro scruffs and holes in from not using a groundsheet….it’s a $600 tent and after only 6 months the floor is looking worse for wear!!
In 'British weather' you'll struggle to get much out of a solar charger.
My iPhone 11 still gives me 4 days minimum in mainly Airplane mode - sounds to me like yours must be faulty.
I only backpack in Britain and have yet to buy/use a footprint. Never had a problem in 40 years and often camp on seriously sodden ground. The only time I got a hole in my groundsheet was when I accidentally set fire to it. Just carry an instant repair patch if you're worried.
Footprints do protect against water soaking through for sure.
A pack cover helps but it has a large hole at the back and that can let water in. The trash bag can provide a much smaller hole and be oriented where rain water won’t get in and is usually lighter and cheaper. Also most don’t bring their pack into their tent.
Honestly I just turn my phone off and usually rely on one paper map . So therefore my battery will last a very long time without need for recharging
And different to tropical jungle I live in.
Crazy how short your battery is in airplane mode. This is why I said goodbye to my first iPhone ( 12 )
Even my old Sony from 2017 could hold longer than the brand new iPhone. Pretty pathetic battery usage.
While I agree that the weight is not ideal, and I am open to smaller/lighter alternatives (others in the comments mentioned the Leatherman Squirt…which seems to be out of production 😡), having my Leatherman literally saved my skin when my hands became almost useless after spending minutes trying to undo my frozen boot laces after a winter hike on Mount Nantai here in Japan. My fingers had lost all strength and feeling due to the cold, and getting my boots off was the last thing I needed to do so I could get inside the tent and get warmed up. With all of the dexterity in my fingers gone due to the cold, I remembered that I had a Leatherman, so I used the pliers to untie my frozen boot laces since my finger tips couldn’t.
Having a Leatherman allowed me to get out of my snow and ice covered boots and leave them in the vestibule, and kept me from getting frostbite from having to dick around with my frozen laces in the freezing cold.
Until I acquire a lighter alternative, my Leatherman Wave is part of my essential gear.
I had a Wave for almost 11 years I think, switched to the Charge for a couple. Now I carry the Skeletool every day, can't make myself go back to the bigger multitools.
I've heard the Leatherman Squirt is discontinued (so, it's not just out of stock). Rumor is that it was costing Leatherman too much to support the warranty for the Squirt. I'd love for them to bring it back but with a short warranty. I think people abusing the Squirt for far too heavy duty things and breaking it is the problem.
I've been trying out a Gerber Dime as a replacement. Still prefer the Squirt (aside from the Dime having a way better bottle opener) but it's definitely sufficient as a replacement and is still available.
Gerber makes a very small multi tool called the "Gerber Dime" its been in my pack load out now for 5 yrs. I won't go trail without it. And it cost less than
$ 20.00
Check out the leatherman skeletool super light and thin with just the necessities.
@caseyjones3319 my Gerber dime is the best tool ever!
Recommendation for NO footprint/ground cloth - obviously Eric is not regularly tenting in the desert or other harsh conditions, where the ground and plants destroys tent bottoms and gear. 2-4 oz, small price to take care of gear.
Yeah everywhere I camp there is a high chance of my tent floor getting damaged so I always use a footprint.
Why not pressure the money grabbing tent designers/makers to fit a decent strength tent floor in the first place😡😡!!
How often do you have to replace your footprint?
@@davemoosehead when using tyvek or polycryo, about 1x year. Fabric footprints have lasted me over 7 years now, with a few patched holes and tears. Tent floors still look new.
Less than 5 ounces for my tent's foot print which was free because I used the vinyl sheet "wrap" from the big screen TV I bought a few years ago that I cut down to my tent's floor size. Yep, it looks "beat up" after a couple years packing into the Sierra (often lotsa embedded small protruding rock at campsite surfaces, especially at altitude !!!) but it still works well, is light weight and folds up a bit smaller than Tyvek (an excellent ground cloth material but it's a bit pricey). I agree with all of the other weight saving suggestions.
My perspective on battery banks - I hike the Pinhoti Trail here in Alabama. In many places this trail isn't blazed very well or not at all. So I use the Far Out app to make sure I'm still on the trail. Using Far Out drains my pnone battery pretty quickly. So I've got to carry a good battery bank to keep my phone operating. I just got back from a 93 mile hike on the Pinhoti and used 2 battery banks.
A multitool kit is really practical if you are fishing while hiking though. Not only is it for preparing the fish but its easier to remove hooks and one can fix certain fishing lures that may get damaged.
I agree that you don’t need a lot of extra clothes. You should bring one extra set of clothes though. I think this is a safety item. Having a pair to get wet during the day and a pair to keep dry for the night is the best approach I have found in my experience
Yep, this saved me during a backcountry trip through Iceland.
If I hadn't of packed a spare set of wool base layers I more than likely would have gotten hypothermia after crossing a river in freezing rain.
I get being as light as possible, but an extra 8 oz isn't going to ruin your trip.
This ginger beard guy guide is contradicting himself one video yet another. In the winter camping video, he stated that sleeping with dirty, sweaty used clothes will get us cold. A fresh and new set of clothes needed to be sleeping in. Although, he hasn't washed his alpacca base layer for a couple weeks to date. Murrica, yeah!
6:33 there is a difference between smelling ‘nice’ and smelling horrible. I don’t think anyone feels the need to smell nice, but for their own and others benefit somewhat neutral is imo a decent goal.
A Nalgene is great in the winter. You can put hot water in it and use it for additional heat in your sleeping bag or in your parka. Also, having some small pliers (LEATHERMAN Squirt, Gerber dime) is great for repairs. Trying to put stitches through several layers of webbing in order to repair a shoulder strap or a hip belt is a lot easier using pliers to pull the needle through.
The point about the solar panel and powerbank is interesting but don't forget that most people will want to make a snapshot every now and then. Camera usage can drain your battery pretty quickly, especially if it's an old battery. And I would not go hiking with at least one powerbank as an emergency backup energy source even if it's a 2.000 mA one. Being able to make a few phone calls can be a life saver.
Funny thing with a lot of gear is, you never really need it until you do. You stop carrying something and suddenly it would be really useful. For an extra bit of weight, I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Light weight alternatives absolutely, but I'd still rather have the gear and not need it. The big 2 are the multi tool and the charger. People forget things, if they forget to power save or put it in airplane mode and it dies and they need help, suddenly they dont have that lifeline to reach out for help. The multi tool has plenty of stuff you'll likely never use out in the sticks but the example of using a knife blade as a screwdriver is how blade tips break and people get cut. Its not the intended purpose of a knife. A regular knife can get a lot done, but if that one knife fails for ant reason, you've lost your ability to complete all the tasks you were using it for. That little extra weight isnt enough of a difference to justify leaving things behind. Stuff like the rain fly for the pack, if it doesnt actually work, then yeah, theres really no point it bringing it if it cant complete the task it was designed for. If you can get a lighter version of something that still functions properly, do that, but dont leave useful items behind.
Bingo. I'd rather carry my pistol and not need it than stumble upon a pissed off momma bear with her cubs or worse, my daughter stumble upon them as she's playing around. The arrogance and snobbery of ultra lighters is annoying. Personal preferences don't make one "a better backpacker". I sure as shit won't go on a trip without a battery bank, either. The shit talking I've seen over....2 lbs? Pathetic. If you can't handle an extra few ounces for a tool, maybe they should try the gym instead.
@@Swearengen1980 exactly. I know it's likely not going to be needed, but I don't leave my house without mine on my hip. Because that one time you need it and don't have it could be the last time you need anything. Same goes with other equipment. I have the mentality of redundancy. I want things that serve double purpose and overlapping purpose. If it weighs a little extra, so be it, I'll be covered when someone with a dead phone and broken knife isn't.
@@xMrBlack I'm the same way, but I'm from the south, raised by traditional country folk. I've met very few backpackers/hikers that weren't city slickers and can't fathom the need for a gun or knife. I've been in a few situations with people and animals that I sure a shit needed my firearm. One time was ON a trail. A couple boar were chasing does off in the woods and stopped when they saw us. We weren't running, so guess who they decided to come after instead? A few bluff charges and they kept getting closer and closer. The last time, dropped one maybe 20 feet from me and the other ran. Then once my parents moved onto a mountain in East Tennessee, bear come right up to the back door. I explore those mountains with the kid and had to upgrade to a 10mm after the boar incident.
Some of this advice is slightly dangerous. Please bring a battery bank with you for anything over two days, especially if you’re hiking solo.
Your phone may not last as long as he claims, even in airplane mode, depending on the size/age of your phone battery, and offline maps can really drain the battery if, say, the trail isn’t as clear as you thought it would be.
A satellite device can lose battery quickly if you’re using it to communicate about a potentially critical situation, and a power bank can help with that as well.
Don’t pack your fears, but don’t be an idiot just to save weight.
Survival/safety > 8 oz.
I was waiting for someone to say this
Also many if not most ul flashlights are rechargeable
Remember, a lot of these hikers think nothing can ever go wrong, and if it does, someone else will have what they need.
There is no reason to bring electronics. An LED flashlight running on AAA cells and a set of extra cells will last you longer than your food. Paper maps don't need batteries. The idea of backpacking is to leave civilization--including your phone--behind.
totally agree! I was just hiking solo in the dolomites, without backup battery for my phone would be dangerous, as it helps navigate and communicate, crucially important. also rain cover, weather isnt accurate most of the time, my rain cover helped prevent my expensive camera gears from getting wet in heavy rains/snow on mountain top.
I just bought a Nalgene bottle because I like it and bonus: it drives the other hikers crazy 😂
The backcountry hottie
Nalgenes are great and also very durable, unlike those water bottles that are more trendy to carry.
I dream of hiking the AT someday, surrounded by ultra-lighters….pull out my Army canteen with its steel cup and watch their heads explode. 😂
I’ve got the BIG Nalgene for my swig rig and it’s great. It’s the lightweight version and it’s so much easier filtering water into it. Never getting rid of it!
My stainless steel Klean Kanteen has the same effect!🤣
I have a leatherman squirt that lives in my ditty bag…depending on what activities you do and how long you are away from civilisation I think it’s essential….I’ve used the file to rough up a surface to apply appoxy and also used the screwdriver on hiking poles….I may not take my full size leatherman but a full size multi tool is a must for the car or general life 👌🏻
The pliers are also great for picking up pots
Agree 100% ,beside -using a knife as a screwdriver is just stupid 😬
I like having a rainfly on my backpack when using airports as it conceals straps hanging off the bag and expensive gear, like a tent, that may be strapped to the outside of your pack. Then I go over the pack with some cling film.
The problem people have, since the age of social media, is that they become obsessed with their kit and gadgets.
When i was young and strong i would carry equipment 'just in case' but in reality very rarely used.
Now I'm 65 i have dumped lots of items and find i don't miss them.
Gone are my axe or machete, folding saw, spare knife, water proof coat' backpack cover, tarp, maps & compass, folding wood stove, walking poles, ferro rod, gps device, groundsheet/footprint and various pots and a plate.
I now use a poncho which keeps me and my kit dry and also doubles as a tarp. My phone replaces my maps & gps etc.
Doing this has made a huge difference to the distance i can cover daily and has enhanced my pleasure greatly.
I hike/camp for the pleasure of being in nature and i don't need gadgets to do that.
Good video. 👍👍
I still get your list, it is like mine. Little skill needed. Kind regards
My tent has lasted more than ten years, the original Hubba Hubba 2 person, one door, I use foot prints all the time esp in the southwest
I'm using the genuine MSR footprint with my 2016 Hubba Hubba nx2, the floor is still looking in excellent shape and I have taken this thing up to the Indian Himalayas, pitched on very gravelly surfaces.
Tyvek makes a great tent ground cloth / footprint. It can be cut to fit, it is very light weight and is extremely durable. I used it for many years.
Yes I have a ground cloth I made for sleeping under a tarp and it has served well as a mini-footprint for my tent.
I use polycro the same way, the stuff you use on windows to do cheap insulation. Only fun is trying to put it down or pack it up in wind! I hear Tyvek is REALLY noisy....
It is what I use for ground cloth, also.
Kite tyvek is lighter and soft. I got some from a kite supply company.
I am hoping the weather is good and the mosquitoes are absent sometime this summer. I would like to cowboy camp using tyvek.
Re rainfly, yes use a pack liner, but I still find it useful, especially in snow or when temperatures are going to drop below freezing.
Re multitool, no need for a big one but a small one like my Gerber Dime is a necessity. I have used the scissors and plier function far more than the knife.
Re extra clothes, I like to sleep clean so I do carry an extra set. In the summer, that might just be extra underwear and t-shirt. In winter, it might be more. But having a clean, dry set of clothes to change into and sleep in is gold. Also, when I go on trail maintenance trips, the day clothes just get filthy dirty with dust, dirt, sap, sweat, etc. Having camp clothes is just nice after I sponge myself off of dust, dirt, sweat, bug repellent, and sun block goop.
I use pliers all the time when we heat food on the grill or a fire, I never go camping without:)
100% agree with all of these. Started backpacking later in life and just don’t have it in me to carry extra weight. Heaviest I’ve been is 28 lbs for 2 weeks with everything including food and water.
A multitool is unneeded until it is valuable.
Mine has repaired snow shoes, broke into a car, placed medical stitches and weights near the same as a pocket knife.
Great video! I love the levity and succinct explanations!
The two other reasons for a footprint: 1) keep the tent clean. I like to have a polycryo sheet under the tent so that it can catch all the gunk and stay on the outside of the pack. 2) Some freestanding tents are designed so that you can pitch rainfly first with the footprint, then attach the inner. Very useful when raining.
Never had a footprint - if I were going to carry an *extra tarp* in addition to a tent, it'd be so I could set it up _overhead_ as additional rain cover or to enable setting up the tent in the rain without getting it full of water - and now I've *ditched the **_tent_* in favour of a tarp and a hammock.
Never used a "waterproof" pack cover, because they don't even *_look_* effective against rain. Waterproof liners (even just a large plastic garbage bag) are vastly superior.
Bought a solar panel thinking "cool, I can charge my batteries". Tested it at home on a nice sunny day and discovered I could charge a single 3000mAh 18650 battery in about a day's decent sunlight. I then compared the weight of the solar panel with that of an 18650 battery and determined that it would be lighter and less bulky to carry a few extra 18650 batteries (my mini powerbank, flashlight and headlamp all use 18650 batteries) - and I also wouldn't be at the mercy of how much sunlight is available.
Deodorant's just silly when camping, never even considered there would be people who thought it necessary, or even a "good idea", anywhere outside "civilisation". Most deodorants are full of contaminants and chemical crap that you don't want washing off your body into a river or lake, anyway.
Only extra clothes I carry are additional warm clothes for when the temperature drops of a night, extra pair of underwear and 2 pairs of socks. I'll change into warm dry clothes for the night, put on my damp hiking clothes the next day (hopefully they've dried a little overnight).
Only thing in that lot I found remotely useful was the pocket tool - I've had to do repairs to my gear a couple of times where the pliers and screwdrivers came in handy. Even then, I wouldn't argue that it was an essential every time.
Mostly agree. I like a footprint because it helps keep things cleaner when you pack up in the morning. I usually bring a 10k power bank for anything more than an overnighter just for my own piece of mind. Also a flashlight along with my headlamp for the same reason. I will bring a fixed blade Mora knife for buttoning and a Silky saw if I plan on a serious camp fire. Otherwise just a simple small Victorinox that's always in my food bag. Not a fan of Nalgene unless it's cold out so I can fill it with hot water and sleep with it. Camp chair is a must have for all trips; that's an extra pound I'm always willing to carry.
Baton
@@douglasconrad8969 Auto correct strikes again.
..batoning a Mora is a fantasy .. if you plan on this ,get a sturdy blade or hand axe ,, Mora's are made for cutting summer sausage ...
..older opaque nalgene for the Win .. nothing out there compares ..
@@rockytopwrangler2069 I have the heavier duty what they call "bushcraft" model and I have no problems. For $25 it gets the job done.
I agree with your sight of solar panels, except when I carry a camera and/or HF radio and the like for days. But in that case, you need a really big and thus heavy one, because the power output stated in the ads is always Sahara at noon 🙂. Biodegradable soap is indeed biodegradable, but the question is: How long does that take? Biodegradable means, it can be degraded by bacteria, and that takes a lot of time. Meanwhile, it is as harmful to organisms as conventional soap.
Solar charging is so helpful. What if you become detained in the wilderness because of an emergency? Recharging cell phones and headlamps is very important. And the multi-tool this fellow is discarding... What features does this tool have? Many have useful items like saws for processing wood, awls for drilling holes, cutting blades, etc. But I'm very pleased that you don't mind stinking in exchange for not carrying deodorant. I recommend a basic survival course for this gentleman.
I have to agree to a sense. Meaning it’s an emergency product. As a non emergency it’s pretty crap because it needs a sunny open sky with the panels facing the direction. But there are those cases where people got stranded for a long time so I would say some of his throw out things can be reduced.
Smaller panel can charge a power bank. Small multitool will be lighterb
This is more a question of power budget management.
If you're reliant on electronics and your storage is insufficient to last the duration, then maybe solar makes sense, but it's a very slow charge vs the weight and awkward size. I used to carry solar but the extra stress of power management really distracts one from enjoying the experience.
I carry a 200% power budget for my headlamp, and other than my watch all other electronics typically stay off until they're needed.
I have to agree with Eric that solar is great for some things, but for trips any less than a 5 days it's unnecessarily cumbersome.
My personal backup plan is my inReach (only turned on briefly to send updates to my family or in an emergency) and a good old fashioned map.
Great advise. Even though people are extremely different, the ultralight backpacking concept works. Nothing worse than getting out there and realising that you are carrying waaaay toooo many kilos!
Don't wash in river systems though!😢
Get some water, move well away from the system and then wash your stuff.
General rule of thumb is 10 mtrs or "more".
Congratulations on your break away new routine with work.
One time i carried toooo much on a through hike of 5 days in Peru.
Even my wife carried way less than me. Yes the others were cold after dark and i wasn't bit they just snuggled together and i was left to my warm self! 😅😂
He doesn’t need a tent footprint because he gets all his tents for free to demo. Must be nice…
For the pack cover (rain fly), i use a poncho. I keep it handy and when it starts raining i throw it on keeping me and my oack bone dry. Pro tip.
My groundsheet helps keep my tent clean. After a trip, I clean and check all my gear. It's much easier to clean dirt off the groundsheet than the tent.
Great video.
8:10. Hyperbole. Leatherman Wave+ is the most popular multi tool ever … and it’s 8 oz. That a far cry from the 1 lb mentioned here. And there are much, much lighter versions out there, too. You may not need a multi tool, but “it weighs almost a pound” is definitely not one of the reasons.
Not wanting to stink isn’t just for others. I don’t enjoy stinking. Taking a small quick dry towel and a few oz of deodorant makes me feel TONS better.
Clothes are something I am still dialing in. When I go light, I need extras. When I bring extras, I seem not to need them.
Along with clothing I would add food to the list, I never eat everything I bring (particularly snacks). By the way, you can buy an "ultralite" Nalgene that weighs about half as much as the one(s) you use.
Regular 1L Nalgene 178g (6.25oz),
Ultralite 1L Nalgene 103g (3.625oz).
I always have a knife and also a gerber dime in my pack. It’s fairly light, TINY and gives me some extra functions. Mostly the pliers and the little tweezers they come with.
Agree with most of this list - with two exceptions:
Footprint - I use polycryo because it keeps my tent clean & therefore my other gear because I don't pack up a dirty tent. The polycryo packs up very small in a small bag.
Solar Panel - I would have agreed with not using one, until recently. I now have a 3 oz 10 W (more like 5W) panel paired with a 3 oz 5000 mAh bank. This kept my SLR, InReach, watch, phone and MP3 player all topped off over an 8 day trip -- and I ended with a nearly fully charged bank. This was better than taking a much heavier battery bank. A bit of a hassle to arrange the panel and battery on my pack when hiking, but I have worked it out to be very manageable.
What solar panel are you using?
@@olivern4784I have a 5v, 10 w lexada from Amazon. It is more like 5w. It takes at least 6 hours to charge the newer 5000 mAh bank. For some reason, it doesn't work with my two older (& larger) battery banks.
Can you do without multitool? Sure, but that special occasion when you need to repair zipper, or gas stove, or puncture empty gas canister, then it will be priceless...
Footprint or ground sheet saves your air mattress as sleeping on a flat mattress after a few days sux.
I really like power banks. I use it for phone, headlamp, flextail pump, Garmin, etc. I only bring a solar panel if I'm doing Basecamp style camping (I just let it fill up the bank during the day) or if it's a longer trip in a sunny area and I won't be able to recharge much. They do decently strapped to packs. I found a 3 or 5 oz one on Amazon that works well enough.
Can you recommend a solar panel? How long did it take to charge things?
@@HardwareReacts I tried the Sunyima one on Amazon and it worked well. I probably spent 3000 or so mAh per day and left it out for 5 or 6 hours each day and it recharged fully. The area was in full desert sun for a few of those hours, but in partial shade for a lot of it. I think if you hook it up to a battery and get an hour or two a day in strong sun, it's enough to sustain moderate electronics usage.
My footprint is built for my tent and you can setup your rainfly with the footprint and poles. That then allows you to setup your tent under the fly during a downpour to keep it dry (same works as a tarp with a hammock). Some things are heavy but I have tried to go without and it makes a miserable trip like a camp chair. But I have started doing the single set of clothes and two pair of underwear that I wash.
I somehow managed to get 2 holes in my brand new $120 Marmot tent the second time i took it out. After that i vowed to never go without a footprint again.. but im poor and cant afford to buy a nice tent or a new tent whenever something happens so i have to take precautions... i cant imagine the stress i would have constantly tryin to not rip/break a 400-plus dollar tent.
10:37 I got rid of all of my Nalgene bottles a few years ago when I knew I wouldn’t be hiking for a while, but now that I’m wanting to get back to cold-weather pursuits again (backcountry xc skiing, mountaineering, and snowshoeing) I’m really at a loss as to how to do it without a Nalgene. The wide mouth is a lot less likely to freeze shut, they’re way easier to fill from a pot of snow melt, and plastic won’t stick to my lips like metal would in very cold conditions. Looks like I’ll have to get a couple Nalgene bottles.
If you go back to the nalegenes: you can also add boiling water to them n stick it in your sleeping bag before sleep to heat it up and make it extra cozy!
I will never let go of my Nalgene they’re worth the weight to me 😎
I still swear by the rain cover. If you have a DCF pack or other material that doesn't retain water then you can ditch it. Otherwise for 2 or 3 oz you can save yourself a pound or two in water weight that you would be carrying through a saturated fabric pack. For light showers it's all you need.
Trash bags are bad for pack liners, I even hate using them as trash bags. They pretty much never survive a whole trip and are extremely easy to rip. I personally prefer RAD bags because they're much more durable (but I understand not everyone will get one) or turkey bags, even though those are a little small. I also hear that trash compactor liners are a good alternative.
Agreed with both points! I use a 55L Coghlan’s bag as a pack liner and I love it. I first tried a contractor bag, and that is actually heavier than the Coghlan’s bag, which is way more durable than a disposable bag, anyway.
I use a trash compactor bag... definitely more durable than a trash bag but still maintain the good qualities of a cheap disposable bag. I roll up an extra one and wrap it in a rubber band as a back up... ive never had to use it though... just an idea
You can use a cheap rain poncho and a trash bag. Together both are lighter than the liner and massively cheaper
@@lizzaangelis3308 rain cover is like 3oz. I think I'll be alright. Esp since I don't like rain ponchos to begin with.
I switched from a tent to a tarp and bug net and had an improvement on my comfort. My light but bigass 12 x 12 tarp can do whatever I need it to do for less bulk and weight. It particularly helped with foot room. I was always caddy corner in my tent and my feet still got wet. Now, I have footroom gallore.
I live in bear country. And mosquitos. A tent gives at least a false sense of security.
@@LiseWrigley I don't want false security in bear country. I want at least three other armed men and watch shifts. I'm not brave enough for anything less. Things that can eat me scare the shit out of me.
If you use a free standing tent like a Hubba Hubba the footprint is great when you are putting the tent up as you use it to brace the poles before putting the tent over the frame.It also adds protection on sodden ground. Like a ton of the UK hikers commenting below, I like a rainfly for my pack - maybe British/Scottish rain is just wetter - or maybe we know how to fit a rainfly properly ; ). I also probably carry a few more pairs of underwear and socks but that's down to personal preference. But all good advice - well maybe except for that unhealthy attachment to Nalgene's : ))
This may be an unpopular opinion but I say ditch the tent and bring the groundsheet and a tarp just in case. This summer I've spent 95% of nights cowboy camping and it's been awesome
Its only an unpopular opinion as an absolute statement. What's great in drier climates just isn't in wetter ones. Not trying to wake up with bites on my eyelids ever again.
What do you to avoid/deter insects?
@Millie.1965 permethrin on clothes and out side of my quilt helps a lot ....wearing wind pants or leggings while sleeping helps too... if the skeeters are really bad then a headnet and a hat with a bill and wearing gloves helps ... I've found once the sun is down for an hour most of the skeeters go away so choosing to hike a bit after dark can help potentially.
@@sirsir108 Interesting. Thanks for letting me know!
I have only few things in a small back pack.
It only has things like my cigarette lighter, flint or striker, spindle and bow for fire making, easy carrying, easy replacement.
I have a pair of pruning shears to easily cut 1 inch thick X 3 foot long branches for a quick shelter.
Got rid of that expensive time piece that gets damaged or lost the first couple of days out or doesn’t work when you ultimately need it.
Of course I carry a knife on my side for whatever practical purposes it may have, and it has many.
I don’t use the gadgets, they’re expensive, collectively heavy and the longer you have them, the more impractical they become.
All of those fancy stoves that eventually run out of propane, the propane bottles that could easily be replaced with bio fuel, (sticks of wood,) pots and pans.
Even those fancy gps devices and gimmicks will usually be shed in an extended period out in the field.
I also don’t need that favourite music device that ultimately becomes a paperweight that runs out of batteries over time and gets to be just one more thing to carry and keep up with.
I think that's fine that you ditch the isobutane stoves, but there are many protected or sensitive areas where regulations ask you not to use biofuel cooking and only allow isobutane/propane fuel. I think it's really cool that you are able to backpack in areas that allow you to use biofuel, but for many it's unfortunately not an option.
I switched to hammocks years ago and will never look back, but I find a plain 3m tarp is a terribly useful multi-purpose thing to have along. My first time out with a hammock, I strung the tarp up and and both I and my gear stayed bone dry the entire night, despite an absolutely torrential storm. And as a bonus, my dog could hang out beneath it as well without her tracking in mud.
I’m starting to use merino wool shirts, underwear, and socks. They’re anti-microbial and don’t hold odor so you can wear them for multiple days. Merino wool also keeps you cool in warm weather and warm in cool weather, even when it gets wet.
The "Merino keeps you cool in warm weather" is very subjective. I love merino wool, I wear it, some of my hunting gear is merino wool. But I'll get heat stroke if I wear it above 65 degrees.
When it comes to rain and conditions the important part is call it
Hypothermia isn’t worth it
I called a trip earlier this year. We were set up for rain but not a monsoon and the weather was 35-40 in the morning
Just so you know some of us started hikng at 40 and are starting to shed weight at 46 LOL
I'm restarting at 62...
I started at 40 and kick myself for buying a 15 degree sleeping bag, when I really only needed a 45 degree quilt considering when I normally hit the trail and where I’m located. That could have saved me a ton of weight. I’ve also gone to a trekking pole tent instead of free standing, and I have learned I don’t need near as much food as I thought, and I have also changed the types of foods I take when I’m going out for a few days. Lots of freeze dried snacks, making chia bombs and placing in snack bags for breakfast instead of heavy bars. I also switched from Skratch labs hydration to LMNT just because they weigh 50% less at least.
54 👍🏻
48 here and just starting.
Clothing tip was really helpful I dropped about 8 lbs, thank you. Although now I'm having trouble even justifying a rain coat.
A paper map weighs far less than a phone, and it never runs out of juice.
Different use case. I use the phone to show me exactly where I am, and I use the map/compass to navigate and plan routes.
But you are always carrying your phone anyway so in most cases it's just added volume. A map is great to have though and fun to use, the design is very human.
Amen. The apps are convenient, but they are much too small.
I still can’t figure out the zoom feature on my paper map 😢
Depends. I used to carry a whole stack of maps (UK, Scandinavia) on long multi-week treks and still often found I was missing a map or had trouble navigating when getting close to the edge of a map. Now I can store a whole country worth of topographic maps on a tiny memory card. My plans often change during a trip and I am now much more flexible in finding alternative routes when needed for example because of bad weather, missing bridges, resupply etc. It also saves a lot of money. But yes it does mean carrying a power bank and a backup phone in case of breakdowns.
I hike every day for a living, roughly 5-10 miles a day. I do a lot of electrical/mechanical work, but even when I’m hiking for fun I still carry a leatherman. We’re all rough on our gear, and if you’re on a longer trip, it’s more of a “when” and not an “if” it breaks. It’s a few extra ounces, but it’s worth it. Trust me, having a multi tool has saved me from having to turn around or book it to the next town feeling miserable.
footprint - it helps a lot to set up a tent during rain (I fix the footprint, put up the frame, rainfly and then the inner part). Deodorant. I usually take a small 20g sample. Multitool. SOG powerlitre weighs 130g, has a lot of necessary features for minor repairs and a very good player. Repair a tent pole, sew a backpack strap (stretch a needle) etc, and even a corkscrew (sometimes you can buy a bottle of wine in villages along the way). It also has a very small knife, but sometimes I take a Benchmade Bugout with me (additional 55g). Thank for video 🙂👍
Good stuff, Eric. For our Cirque of the Towers 5 day hike, I only brought 2 pairs of socks, instead of 3 as I usually do. It was a wet week, so a 3rd pair of socks would have been nice.
Having a printed copy of the map can also be a lifesaver so you don't have to use your phone so much!
Not ditching the battery bank. Heavy into video prediction and photography. Cameras need recharged. Plus the Leatherman wave is staying in my pocket. #EDC
Same. I shoot a lot of 4K video for posterity, and for sharing with senior citizen family members that would never get to see these beautiful backcountry places otherwise. For really short hikes I can get away without it, but the ones closer to a week definitely need it.
Agree, even the solar charger is important. It's personal, for me it's recording and editing sounds with a field recorder and tablet combined on 30 day hiking trips.
I agree with your list...especially the deodorant! Instead of a big Leatherman, I bring a Leatherman Squirt Ps4. Only 2.5 inches and weighs next to nothing. I've ended up using the pliers or scissors on almost every long trip (works as a pot holder too).
Pliers and a flat bladed screwdriver seem to really come in handy. I'm looking at the Gerber Dime.
I've got the Gerber Dime and carry it daily. It's soooo handy, fits in my little bag. And it has consistently been used on every trip I've gone on by me and or friends. It's awesome. I love it.
I just ordered one! @@katherinelangford981
Great choice - I go even lighter with Leatherman's Style PS - those pliers and scissors are a must! But that's because I prefer a separate blade, and the best I've found (by far) as the lightweight option is the humble Opinel £6 - decent 3" blade in a practical steel, comfy handle, bladespine is an awesome striker for my ferro rod, only 25g. If your in a damp environment go for the Inox/Walnut version.
Just took delivery of a Gerber Dime. Nice combination of essential tools/blades for the price/weight. @@davids9549
Mostly agree with the things he said. I have done enough trail repairs of gear with a multitool (broken packs, broken stoves, water filters, zippers on tents) so if you have gear that could need repair by a screwdriver or pliers a lighter simpler multitool can be valuable to have along in your group but not everyone needs one.
With regards to the battery pack/solar charger, I agree on the solar panels. They aren't very efficient so usually not worth the weight. I have gone away, personally, from battery powered flashlights and the like to rechargeables and for that reason I carry a smallish 10,000mAh battery pack that can charge my phone about 3 times. This way my flashlight/plasma lighter combo, my phone, my flextail 2, my satellite communicator, etc can all be charged if necessary. I am more environmentally friendly this way and secure that my tools will stay functional.
Pants. He says he only does the one pair but he must have never torn out the backside of a pair of pants or other critical failure. I always bring a second pair beyond the ones I'm hiking in even if it is just a pair of shorts just in case. I can always put my base layer under the shorts to stay warm if I need to but this lets me avoid potential embarrassment.
Oh, the pack cover. He must be using it wrong. Mine have always kept my gear dry and keeping my pack from getting soaked saves a ton of weight as water is heavy. My son and I got caught in a significant rain event in the Wallowas in Oregon and my gear stayed dry. I use my pack cover to protect my pack at night because the vestibule on my tent is too small to protect it.
The real truth of what to carry comes down to what risks are you willing to take, what comfort are you willing to sacrifice, and how much weight are you comfortable carrying.
Here's something I don't bring any more that has lightened my backpack. When I first moved to Colorado and started backpacking I used to bring whole cans of Campbell's Chunky Soup. I would halfway open the top and put the can in the fire until the soup bubbled out the top. That was my indication that my soup was ready. My soup of choice was chicken corn chowder. I thought I was so clever because I didn't have to carry the weight of the soup back out because I ate it, I would only have to carry the empty cans, it was totally justified. 🤪
When I finally moved away from this practice, I shaved pounds off my backpack. Pounds!
You are probably heathier too. Campbells canned soups have several nasty ingredients.
Excellent video - one of your best, Eric. (And that's saying something!) I would also add that having accurate weather forecasts with night and day temps, rain predictions, etc helps gear planning a lot, and tells you what you can leave out.
Great advice, much of which I learned the hard way!
Never bought/used a footprint in my life. You pack your fears.
+1 for the 'trashbag' pack liner. It actually saves weight because it has enabled me to ditch the sleeping stuff sacks (Pad and quilt) which weigh more.
Solar Panels are generally carried as a weighty virtue-signalling option. Fine if that matters to you - I couldn't care less.
Totally, totally agree about the electricals. You don't need a charger for a 3-5 day hike. Live the outdoors, don't export the city.
Re the multitool - I disagree, but only slightly. I carry a (bladeless) Leatherman Style PS - weight 47g (or under 2oz) - which gives me the tools I find useful to me: scissors, decent pliers, tweezers, not much else - in conjunction with a separate knife, the Opinel #6 weighing 25g (just under 1 oz), which I suspect is lighter than your knife and I'm sure is much, much better as well. Full backpacking toolkit which takes care of my cooking, fishing and personal needs at 72g (or 2.5oz).
While I have no use for a solar panel, it's funny you call that a virtue signaling option. I consider the ultra lightweight snobbery, such as how he starts off that to be a better hiker that you should adhere to his personal opinions to be far worse. No one virtue signals worse than ultra lighters.
@@Swearengen1980 I'm an ultralighter and i don't care what anyone uses or does not use on their hike
Agree on most things except the solar panel. I see a lot of people in the comments who also dont like solar panels but my thought process is since I do use technology like audio field recorders for my profession, I do need a consistent power source. I've found that my solar panel is lighter than most power banks and the peace of mind of not running out of a charge is nice. Yes, its not charging the devices as quickly, but I also dont have to worry about rationing power either. It is dependent on your situation and i support those who want to go technology free, but idk if we should say it isnt applicable
In my case, I bought a cheap $30 solar panel from harbor freight and it's capable of charging up my go pro about 15% in 10 minutes or so. Passively charging devices throughout the day is just fine even if the solar panel isn't working at 100% efficiency.
I agree about the solar panels. The smaller ones attached directly to a battery bank don't work at all, while the larger ones only put out enough power when they're perpendicular to direct sunlight. And that's just not gonna happen when they're dangling vertically off your neck. What I do is pack a small power bank with a light onboard, so it can do double duty.
I disagree about the multitool. There are plenty of smaller & lighter ones on the market than a big ol' Gerber. I have an ancient Leatherman Fuse that's gotten me out of a ton of tight spots over the years. And it only weighs six ounces.
I think you missed a key benefit of a 4oz footprint. If it's made for the tent like my big agnes. It allows for poles and rainfly to be set up first in order to set up the tent underneath. Keeping in the inside of the tent dry if it's raining.
I would agree with the rest of your list though for sure.... well, except for the Nalgene bottle lol
Your list of unneeded items is excellent, I see many hikers carrying these unnecessary items. Here's a couple of thoughts on weaning off some of these items.
Ground cloth: There are times when a ground cloth might be helpful, such as protecting the tent floor on rock or grit/sand. Open up a lawn and leaf bag for length and spread it under the floor, the bag weighs an ounce of less, protect from abrasion for a short trip, and can still be used later as a makeshift poncho, pack raincover (while hiking, resting, or seting up camp), or entry mat for a dry space for gear or shoes.
Hygiene: Smelling too nice just attracts big and animal visitors. But a quick scrub is ready with a gallon freezr bag, get the accordion bottom, or a 10 liter folding bucket (S2S, 1 ounce, smaller than a pack of cards). The bucket keeps your dirty water with sunscreen, bug repellant, etc., away from clean wster sources (200 feet/65 m). Also, y bucket has come in handy for dowsing a cook fire I might use and smouldering abandoned campfires I come across in the morning-I put out lots of abandoned fires! Good for letting goscial silt settle in water before filtering, too, and collecting berries, firewood, pinecones for decorating, or even strapping a bag of chips to your pack.
Multitool: The only time I carry mine is when I'm volunteering on a trail project. I mostly use my 2.25" blade Gerber LST (1.5 oz/44 g) for everything else.
Lastly, the biggest power drain on a phone is the screen. So, try to not use the phone unless absolutely necessary as well as keeping it on airplane mode.
Again, thanks for covering this so well!
Very timely - off on my first multi day hike soon and my “add to shopping basket” habit is out of control…. So a cost saving as well as weight saving to be had.
Good tips for newbies, once you’ve done one trip you should have figured out already what to bring, more importantly what not to bring
This is all decent advice, for a day tripper. If you're at any risk of getting lost, or deep bush wacking with a non zero chance of winding up in a self rescue/survival situation, you're gonna need an extra set of dry clothes in a water tight bag, a fairly serious knife, a fairly heafty multi-tool, and a LOT of socks. Trench foot ain't just for the trenches.
I use a olsolar panel when backpacking with the family because we will go out for a week or two and our jobs let us work anywhere as long as we have cell service. I have sat on the dunes of lake michigan working all morning with just the wavesas my soundtrack. Our packs are heavy because of the extras but it is so worth it to be able to go wherever i want and still work and get paid.
Good list, thank you. I have learned I dont need a multi tool, and I can get by on fewer clothes. But I do still tend to take too much food. I read somewhere that we tend to pack our fears. So if you are afraid of getting cold, or of being hungry, then according to that theory you will carry too many clothes and too much food.
Map and compass are essential for me. I'm not prepared to rely solely on my phone.
I'm also not prepared to ditch the ground sheet (footprint). I usually just pitch a tarp, so I want something under me. And in my area, flat, smooth, verdant pastures can be hard to find.
Use a bag liner, preferably the contractor bags, people have been doing this for decades. I tried one of those bag rain flies once and everything in my bag was damp or wet. Never again,.
I'm keeping my tent footprint. It has no real weight and it's already packed up in my tent bag. I'm not risking running out of charge on my phone and not being able to contact accommodation to make a booking. My phone has loads of functions but they only work if they have power. I've never bothered with a solar power panel or a multitool so I've no need to ditch what I don't have. A cover for my backpack? Not heavy and I'm keeping it.
I used to put my stuff in a trashbag in my pack when i was in scouts. I also used trash bags as ponchos a couple times.
Power packs - I suppose so, unless you want to document your trip with a GoPro/drone. I also appreciate a footprint to keep my tent floor clean. Outside of that - I agree!
i tend to carry a small solar panel, its actually about the size of one section of that one you have and its very basic, no cover etc, usb cord straight into the back.. mid sized powerbank also.. main uses for this is my steripen, torch and mobile.. i also carry 3 spare batteries for my mobile and a very small clip on battery charger.. my mobile is a samsung xcover5, reason to use this is that the battery is removable and it receives GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS and its IP68 dust/water resistant on its own..
recently though i have found that a combination of that model and also "alpine quest pro" nav app the battery life has been better than my previous xcover4 and nav app so with the extra 3 batteries i can easily go 5 days without external charging...
I carry a tyvek groundsheet, not just to protect my tent and keep it clean but also for being able to cowboy camp with my inflatable sleeping pad or sleep in shelters. Here in Germany you often have to deal with moist ground and dirty shelter floors and the tyvek sheet is a great item to deal with that
If you carry some kind of comms for POTA or SOTA (HAM Radio) for extended time in the wilderness then yes you need something for power.
I never used a footprint. Useless waste of space in my pack. Never needed a battery bank. Never needed a pack rain cover. Never needed solar panels. Never needed a multitool. I bring one change of clothes. This guy is on point.
Absolutely agree about the solar panel, never got much use out of mine and only brought it out once on a trip. Footprint I will always bring as I'm really careful with my tents. And I like the rainfly, although you're probably right about a pack liner being better too.
I use solar regularly, but I basecamp rather than through hike, I agree for through hikers it makes little sense because solar hates being moved around, doesn't charge well on a pack.
Once I realized that my phone could make it three days in airplane mode (and powered off at night) on one charge... that was a wrap on bringing a heavy solar charger.
I have definitely found tent footprints to be pretty useless. Haven't used one in years, noticed no wear on my tent floor. You don't need it lol. As far as waterproofing, I ditched my pack cover and switched to a roll top waterproof pack liner from osprey which works awesome. Going on its third year and has yet to leak.
Excellent video, thanks for not pushing product and telling it like it is 👍
I could ditch a lot of equipment but my Leatherman and full sized knife are absolutely NO GO! I couldn't count how many times multi tool saved me from going crazy, it's part of EDC, don't even bother with weight
Replace the normal tent foot print with a small piece of tyvek. Just wash it twice so its more pliable. Pick a heavy ply contractor bag instead of the normal kitchen trash bag. Have to disagree regarding not taking a battery bank. You never know how long you might be out in the event of an emergency. If you are using a ZOLEO, you can’t put your iPhone into airplane mode or you lose ZOLEO connection, so it will run you battery down. Small bottle of Dr. Bronner’s is great - personal soap and can be used for laundry. My go to knife is a very small Swiss Army knife with scissors, Knife, tweezers, and finger nail clippers (Victorinox Nail Clip 580). As for clothes, what I hike in and what I sleep in and only two pair of socks.
7:18 Im kinda against this I mean yea you dont need a really big multi tool but a small one can work, A friend of mine backpacked across Honduras and in many situations he was the only person with a multi tool that could fix things, He had a Leatherman squirt a tiny little thing lol, He said in some cases it was painfull to work with but it got every situation fixed that needed fixing.
You can go 8 days on a pair of underpants. Day 1 wear like normal, then back to front, then inside out, then back to front again, then swap with someone and repeat the process.
I would never ditch a powerbank!!! (Mobile phone is essential for taking photos & vids, maps, payments, music and anything else you can think of). A 20,000mAh Li-Ion powerbank & cables are the first items packed in my loadout!👍👍👍
I've already ditched most everything you covered, but a power bank is a must for me. I live in Utah. It's very rare if I ever have a cell signal when I'm backpacking, and I do use my phone in airplane mode for navigating. Just remember that devices with rechargeable Lithium batteries lose power in the cold. In Utah, it gets cold at night. Even though I sleep with my phone and InReach (turned off completely) in the foot box of my quilt, they still lose a considerable amount of power overnight. Having no way to charge a device, coupled with no cell service, on very remote trails is a recipe for trouble. I'd rather carry the weight of a power bank.
large bag in the rucksack as rain cover which can also be used as a garbage bag, but not at the same time.
Tent ground cloth...
I *_never_* go into back country without a 7'x'7 or so tarp. It's a critical piece of survival gear. It can be used as an emergency blanket, rain shelter, windbreaker, shade provider, rain water gatherer, signal flag, etc. Given how light and small it packs up (can be bungeed to the outside of a backpack), not carrying one is foolhardy in my opinion.