Justin, I was so excited to hear that you're trying the Flicker UL hybrid sleeping bag/quilt! I absolutely LOVE my Flicker as I trust the Feathered Friend brand more than most others. 😉 I also have the Frogg Toggs Poncho and love it too! Good to know about the In Reach Messenger! I was looking at the In Reach Mini 2 but $400 is a big much to spend when I already have a Handie Talkie for HAM radio.
@@AdventureswithWillem If you mean, "How do I like them?" the answer is I prefer them to the vertical baffles by a wide margin! I don't know that I will ever go back to vertical baffles. I'm a side sleeper so I got the wide Flicker. It has 950 fill with excellent loft and the material is so soft and luxurious that I feel pampered in the wilderness backpacking trips. I can also use it sitting in my camp chair while fixing dinner and stay warm. I just leave the footbox open and zip it up about half way. I've been buying sleeping bags and jackets from Feathered Friend for 30 years and have never been disappointed. I'd still be using my Penguin if I hadn't decided to go UL and found the Flicker. Couldn't be happier. 😁
@@AdventureswithWillem I've been in below freezing temps with my Flicker and have not had that problem. Maybe it's just me but there are no issues like that yet and I've had it going on the 3rd season.
I've head bloody and blistery foot problems for years. Mostly inspired by you I'm into my first hiking season with Hoka shoes now and I simply walk blister and blood free on foamy clouds Thank you sooo much! I've been unsucessfully trying different things for years and the feet were the only thing holding me back.
I rigged a neat water carrying system on my pack: I use 2 Onewind ridgeline pouches fitted kind of horizontally on my rib cage, hanging above my hip belt (front hooked on shoulder straps, rear on the pack; A soft Platypus 1 litre fits easily in there, carries and balances great, easy reach. Bonus: on hot days with frequent water sources, it acts as a potent heat sink to help cooling.
I love the feathered friends flicker sleeping bag. I use mostly in quilt mode and works great for two reason for myself. One they are certified hypoallergenic which is great cause normally I can’t use down gear. And two I back pack with my dog and it helps the both of us feel like we are at home cause he likes to sleep under my top blanket at home.
I've been super impressed with my Lightheart Gear rain jacket. Weighs about 6oz in an XXL. Its made from silnylon and definitely not breathable, but ultra waterproof and has generous pit-zips for ventilation.
Versalite is good. Visp is better. (For serious cold rain, Outdry never wets out, so it can breathe in heavy rain, when most WPBs wet out). As you say, Frogg Toggs gets the job done. Bonus: FT is great for MYOG mods, such as pit zips, or front zipper for poncho.
At 6:53 to the right on the AZT and down a little ways are a ton of flat places to camp. This is my favorite area. Hit me up sometime when you are out here and I will get you to some cool places in the areas you have been going.
We camped there for the second time at the end of march. It was so muddy and wet it was hard to find a good spot to put my tent up. Ended up alright though. Love it.
You ate my goto guy for backpacking videos. (Sorry Dan). Wow. You spent a lot of $ to do this video. I owned the Tiger-wall UL2. Loved the room but it needed sooo much space to pitch. Sold it. Now only use my North Face O2. Sadly, it's discontinued. The Ghost Whisper jacket has far too many stitch lines. Every one is a cold line. I have the Decathlon and am very happy with it. Especially the price. My DIY bags have Climashield and SOL reflective blanket on the bottom it doesn't compress like down. Also, I put the zipper on the top, center. So much better than on the side. I really don't understand why manufacturers still put zippers on the side. Thanks Justin.
Not surprised at your review of the Moab's. I found them to be pretty lacking in cushioning out of the box so they've been modified by ditching the inner inserts and installing gel and foam inserts as replacements While that helps, they are now 'going to town' shoes and not hikers...
The Atom pack custom is actually my choice that I'm gonna be using next year on my pct hike its one of my fave packs, plus I'm a brit in canada and love that it's a British pack it's held up well in nova scotia
XTherm on the PCT: NoBo desert nights are cold, the snowy Sierra can be cold, and Washington could be cold. But it's probably overkill beyond the Sierra and through Oregon.
Been using the new nxt xtherm with a western mountaineering Apache.(sleeping bag is overkill for the summer but i wanted to use just one bag for everything. Super impressed buy the performance.
Amazed that you still have the OR ActiveIce sun gloves so intact. Seams on my pair ripped in less than one season. I still use them but I had to cut the tips off.
Thanks for you insights Justin, some of us just like the structure of a traditional tent better than the UL options. Out in the desert my friends prefer cowboy camping, but I always still bring a tent because I sleep better in them. Also not sure if 15 miles in shoes you have never wore before is a good indicator of their worth.
Good question and something I missed mentioning in the video! The website Halfway Anywhere does yearly surveys of PCT and CDT hikers and this is the results of the 2023 survey. www.halfwayanywhere.com/trails/pacific-crest-trail/pct-hiker-survey-2023/ I also updated the video description.
The AZT is brutal . I completed it on May 20th with a start date of March 22nd. I used the REI flash pack you did a video on, it survived and for the most part was a comfortable pack. That being said though I will likely never use it again. I didn't like that the hip belt wouldn't fold up and it was difficult to get into my zpacks single pole tent.
I have lots of big miles on my Moab's and no issues. I use super feet inserts. To be honest until I started doing long distance thru hikes, I never had an issue with my footwear. If I don't size up at least one shoe size things go bad. When they go on sale at REI they go for under 80 dollars and I load up. I own the Duplex and Tiger Wall and I like them both. For thru hiking it's the Duplex for a wet weekend in the Whites it's the Tiger Wall. If you do own a Duplex, I highly recommend you spend some time on UA-cam and learn some hacks that improve performance, its does make a difference. I think the big difference between the weekend hiker and the long-distance hiking is the toll it takes on your body, especially when your pulling big days weeks and months on end.On a weekend hike you can pretty much bring anything you want. I am older and going UL is not an option. I own way to much overpriced gear to shave oz. If I was younger, I probably would not care and go with standard gear you can purchase at REI. I was surprised of the pack; I have never even heard of them. I thought it would be a ULA. I thought the stove would be a BRS. I love Zpacks backpacks because of the Arc and the air between my back and the pack.
Because it`s so very warm, what you can do with the xtherm NXT in not especially cold conditions, is let more air out. Have just enough so your hip is just clear of the ground. Hip sticks out the most. That means lots of give and super cushy. With a cooler pad you're a little cold when you do that. The Xtherm has insulation to spare. If you're back sleeping it`s more contoured. I`ll also put any spare cloths under the top end to get some curve going. Usually in the pack liner. A 4mm bit of closed cell foam stops it all sliding about. The wide xtherm of course.
I am never buying another pack anymore as Atom Packs. They are absolutely awesome! I now have the daypack, backpack and both sizes of Fanny packs. All are the bomb.
I'm looking at getting my first pack and was originally looking at the Durston Kakwa 55 (Waiting on restock for the Ultra200x version), but this is the first time I've heard of Atom Packs and definitely has peaked my interest. If you had to compare the two, which pack would be preferred?
Justin, I've had the Snowpeak Giga stove for years, and it's worked well for me on my son's Scout outings. The trick I've found is to not crank it full blast for boiling water. It is more efficient to use lower flames that come just to the edge of the pot. It takes a little longer, but it saves fuel. Its only downside is that it's no Soto Windmaster... in moderate wi ds, it needs a wind block.
@@JustinOutdoors do you have a recommendation for a 60~70l bp? Id prefer wp. And lightweight. (Besides hmg) Going from a mhw ozonic 70. For yearly west coast trail and other coastal hikes. Thanks for your reviews!
I had the Moab years ago and they didn't work well for me. Shoes are probably the most frustrating for new hikers since feet are so different. I had to basically trial and error shoes until I found what worked for me.
ThanksJustin for sharing your experience. It would be nice to have a more complete feedback on the MO. And a comparison with the Arc haul ultra 60 l from Zpacks (lighter with an adjustable back but also comfortable?)
Some good points. Dynyma is great but to save some money look for tarps/tents made from Silpoly fabric. The Decathlon jacket is good but they need to use Hydrophobic down and ripstop fabric and make the baffles bigger. For stoves, a good inbuilt wind guard is essential, saves fuel.
You did a review on the zoleo and said it was the best thing ever, and a lot cheaper than the Garmin? I have a zoleo and I love it. So what's better the zoleo or the new lightweight Garmin?
I can probably guess why Moab hiking shoes are highly rated. Trail runners wear out fast. And having to burn through 5 pairs probably isn't going to get a high ranking for you. There is also toe-box sizing. The Speedgoats (and wide pair) did not fit my feet and shoes like the new Altra timps are well cushioned while fitting my feet. The speedgoats are far from the only cushioned shoe now. Tread pattern wear, the Moabs are a tank in this regard despite the Vbram outsole that is on every shoe now.
I would advise Against the Platypus Quickdraw filter as it only offers a 3 log reduction-99.9%- in cyst removal-Giardia and Cryptosporidium. The Sawyer Squeeze for example has a 6 log reduction -99.9999%- which is drastically better and will reduce your chances of getting sick especially on a through hike where you are filtering many hundreds of gallons over the 4-6 months on trail.
You'd think it wouldn't be the highest rated if even a few people were getting sick from using it while on the PCT. I think it's important to look at the math in the context of risk tolerance and real world scenarios.
@@JustinOutdoorsof course. Context is important as well as weighing the risk. I take the PCT surveys with a grain of salt also as many people spending lots of money on through hiking gear will be biased towards their purchase choices.
I’d guess that a majority of respondents are doing their 1st ever thru hike and are likely inexperienced as well. They’ve also likely never tried any other gear.
@@JustinOutdoors You are provided a platypus soft bottle with this filter. It has a special threaded opening. If you puncture or lose this bag your filter will not work with another bottle, so it’s pretty risky to take in an off-road or backpacking scenario. Instructions were also confusing so I had to watch a UA-cam tutorial
Can’t seem to justify spending almost $500 on a puffy jacket like that. Almost identical jacket can be had from closer to $100. Yes, I know, quality can vary a bit and there’s the manufacturing considerations, however, with the world as crazy as it is, this is one area you can save some serious money without sacrificing much.
Enlightened Equipment makes a versatile model called the "Convert". It's a full-zip option that can go full bag to flat open blanket, or an in-between quilt with a footbox. Been very happy with mine.
Very interesting to see a review of the top rated gear items for the PCT. A bit surprised to see a non US brand for the backpack although I know Atom Packs are getting popular outside the UK and Europe. I’m about to try their Atom 30L model on a 500km hike here in France. The Mo seems pretty awesome too, just overkill for my current use. You didn’t really mention anything about the Darn Tough socks, how were they? I like mine, although I haven’t put on enough km to really say. I went from the Altra Lonepeak 6 to the Timp 5 recently but haven’t really tried them yet. Although the Lonepeak are hands down the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever tried, I have plantar fasciitis and it lacks cushioning. I love my Montbell Versalite rain jacket, very breathable, and I sweat A LOT. Yes, pit zips are great. I haven’t had any issue with it, but I have to admit I’m just a bit skeptical with the durability. I’ll see. One last thing: although stretching seems like a good idea after a day hiking, I favor self massages with a cork ball. The reason is that stretching adds more micro muscle tears to muscles that already had plenty during the day. Runners these days tend to avoid stretching after trainings for that reason. Anyway, always nice to see your videos Justin !
How did the horizontal baffles go? everything that i have had, that uses horizontal baffles, being a side sleeper by the morning the down has migrated to the sides.
I love seeing my local trails when you visit Arizona. I've been backpacking in the Mazatzals recently and immediately recognized the area. Truly one of the hidden gems of the state.
I think it would be more useful to review the most common pct gear rather than highest rated. There is a big disconnect between the two. I was confused to see the items on the highest rated list because when I hiked the pct the year before, I rarely ever saw anyone using a majority of the things on that list. But the items on the most common list from the survey are a very accurate picture of what you'd actually see on the trail.
I debated which way to go but decided on top rated because I found the gear a little more interesting/unique. I think I might also do the most common but I will have to try not and soap box a bit about how people still need to find what works for them and see what is out there. I think there is a bit of a snowball effect with the monkey see monkey do of gear choices.
I am a diehard Merrell Moab fan. Its all I wear and I've never had anything more than a tiny toe blister caused by my toenail. Wide shoe one size too big.
I think Lone Peaks were the most popular shoe on the PCT in 2023. But I don't think zero drop is for everyone. There is no science supporting the claims Altra has for zero drop (probably why they now make a shoe with drop).
@@JustinOutdoors I think the science behind it it trying to get your foot back to a natural position, just like all the bare foot shoes out there. I were Moabs for disc golf because there rugged and you don't have to wear them for a long time.
@@acemastermatt I've dived into the scientific literature and the only evidence for zero drop shoes helping is when they are mixed in with other shoes. The studies were done on runners, but runners who used a mix of shoes with different drops were injured less than those who used a shoe with only one size of drop (which had equal rates of injury). The studies suggest that "cross training" your feet is the best way to prevent injuries and foot issues, regardless of drop. I think the benefit with barefoot shoes has more to do with the cushion and lack of arch support than the zero drop (anecdotally). Not bracing your foot with arch support and cushion strengthens your foot, which helps it perform better under stress. All that being said, I am not a foot scientist or have any credentials when it comes to this sort of thing. Just a nerd with a couple unrelated science degrees. haha
Pretty interesting to see what the top rated gear is, especially in the context of the PCT. I use hoodless down sleeping bag that comes to a decently narrow point at the neck, and it unzips fully, so when it's a bit colder out I use it as a sleeping bag but when it's hot out I use it like a quilt. Not exactly using it as intended haha but I appreciate the versatility.
![[UA] Team Vitality проти NAVI | IEM Cologne 2024](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/wttO1zVRTC0/mqdefault.jpg)
👇 GEAR FROM THE VIDEO 👇
The Mo Pack: geni.us/TheMo
Flicker UL Sleeping Bag: geni.us/Flicker-UL
Tiger Wall Tent: geni.us/TigerWall2P
Xtherm Sleeping Pad: geni.us/xtherm
BigSky Pillow: geni.us/DreamSleeper
Pillow Patches: geni.us/DCF-Patch
InReach Mini 2: geni.us/InReachMini2
Fenix Watch: geni.us/FenixWatch
Gigapower Stove: geni.us/GigaPower
Quickdraw Filter: geni.us/PlatyQuickDraw
Versalite Rain Jacket: geni.us/VersaliteJacket
Moab Shoes: geni.us/MoabShoes
Darn Tough Socks: geni.us/DarnTough-Socks
Ghost Whisperer UL Jacket: geni.us/GhostWhispererUL
👇 ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS 👇
Plex Solo Tent: geni.us/PlexSolo
X-Mid Pro 2+ Tent: geni.us/XmidPro2Plus
Offset Trio Tent: geni.us/OffsetTrio
Ultra 3R Sleeping Pad: geni.us/Ultra3R
Ultra 5R Sleeping Pad: geni.us/Exped5R
Helix Sleeping Pad: geni.us/HelixSleepingPad
Zenbivy Sleeping Pad: geni.us/ZenbivyULmattress
InReach Messenger: geni.us/InReachMessenger
Speedgoat Shoes: geni.us/HokaSpeedgoat
Frogg Toggs Rain Gear: geni.us/FroggToggsUL
Trek 100 Down Jacket (M): geni.us/Trek100DownJacketM
rek 100 Down Jacket (W): geni.us/Trekk100DownJacketW
Uniqlo Down Jacket (M): geni.us/UniqloDownJacketM
Uniqlo Down Jacket (W): geni.us/UniqloDownJacketW
Why don’t you do a video where you use affordable hiking items. It’s not feasible for everyone to buy a jacket for $250 or a $600 tent.
@@adventurebythemile I have lots :)
You never mentioned your hiking staff. Round, padded grip staffs are much more versatile than poles.
Where did you get your list? Fine work as always, J Money G. Hike on, brother!
Atom Packs getting a shout out, big up the UK! Love my Mo
Justin, I was so excited to hear that you're trying the Flicker UL hybrid sleeping bag/quilt! I absolutely LOVE my Flicker as I trust the Feathered Friend brand more than most others. 😉 I also have the Frogg Toggs Poncho and love it too! Good to know about the In Reach Messenger! I was looking at the In Reach Mini 2 but $400 is a big much to spend when I already have a Handie Talkie for HAM radio.
How do the horizontal baffles go.
@@AdventureswithWillem If you mean, "How do I like them?" the answer is I prefer them to the vertical baffles by a wide margin! I don't know that I will ever go back to vertical baffles. I'm a side sleeper so I got the wide Flicker. It has 950 fill with excellent loft and the material is so soft and luxurious that I feel pampered in the wilderness backpacking trips. I can also use it sitting in my camp chair while fixing dinner and stay warm. I just leave the footbox open and zip it up about half way. I've been buying sleeping bags and jackets from Feathered Friend for 30 years and have never been disappointed. I'd still be using my Penguin if I hadn't decided to go UL and found the Flicker. Couldn't be happier. 😁
@debbilermond1553 it's just I have found with the quilts that I have owned, the down in horizontal baffles seem to always fall to the sides .
@@AdventureswithWillem I've been in below freezing temps with my Flicker and have not had that problem. Maybe it's just me but there are no issues like that yet and I've had it going on the 3rd season.
Thanks Halfway Anywhere for doing the PCT Surveys!
www.halfwayanywhere.com/trails/pacific-crest-trail/pct-hiker-survey-2023/
I've head bloody and blistery foot problems for years. Mostly inspired by you I'm into my first hiking season with Hoka shoes now and I simply walk blister and blood free on foamy clouds Thank you sooo much! I've been unsucessfully trying different things for years and the feet were the only thing holding me back.
I rigged a neat water carrying system on my pack: I use 2 Onewind ridgeline pouches fitted kind of horizontally on my rib cage, hanging above my hip belt (front hooked on shoulder straps, rear on the pack; A soft Platypus 1 litre fits easily in there, carries and balances great, easy reach. Bonus: on hot days with frequent water sources, it acts as a potent heat sink to help cooling.
I love the feathered friends flicker sleeping bag. I use mostly in quilt mode and works great for two reason for myself. One they are certified hypoallergenic which is great cause normally I can’t use down gear. And two I back pack with my dog and it helps the both of us feel like we are at home cause he likes to sleep under my top blanket at home.
Absolutely brilliant presentation man, professional work! 👏👏
I've been super impressed with my Lightheart Gear rain jacket.
Weighs about 6oz in an XXL.
Its made from silnylon and definitely not breathable, but ultra waterproof and has generous pit-zips for ventilation.
Barnhardt is a steady climb and can seem like a slog but Hawaiian Mist and Big Kahuna (when flowing) are worth seeing.
Versalite is good. Visp is better.
(For serious cold rain, Outdry never wets out, so it can breathe in heavy rain, when most WPBs wet out).
As you say, Frogg Toggs gets the job done.
Bonus: FT is great for MYOG mods, such as pit zips, or front zipper for poncho.
At 6:53 to the right on the AZT and down a little ways are a ton of flat places to camp. This is my favorite area. Hit me up sometime when you are out here and I will get you to some cool places in the areas you have been going.
I stayed at the 'seep' camp about half a mile from that junction and it instantly became one of my favorite spots as well.
We camped there for the second time at the end of march. It was so muddy and wet it was hard to find a good spot to put my tent up. Ended up alright though. Love it.
You ate my goto guy for backpacking videos. (Sorry Dan). Wow. You spent a lot of $ to do this video. I owned the Tiger-wall UL2. Loved the room but it needed sooo much space to pitch. Sold it. Now only use my North Face O2. Sadly, it's discontinued. The Ghost Whisper jacket has far too many stitch lines. Every one is a cold line. I have the Decathlon and am very happy with it. Especially the price. My DIY bags have Climashield and SOL reflective blanket on the bottom it doesn't compress like down. Also, I put the zipper on the top, center. So much better than on the side. I really don't understand why manufacturers still put zippers on the side. Thanks Justin.
Not surprised at your review of the Moab's. I found them to be pretty lacking in cushioning out of the box so they've been modified by ditching the inner inserts and installing gel and foam inserts as replacements While that helps, they are now 'going to town' shoes and not hikers...
The Atom pack custom is actually my choice that I'm gonna be using next year on my pct hike its one of my fave packs, plus I'm a brit in canada and love that it's a British pack it's held up well in nova scotia
Nice gear Justin, but I'm not so sure about those maroon pants. I haven't seen those on anyone's PCT gear list, lol.😁😁😁
The ghost whisper UL can be found for $125 in the US. I've got two from a Columbia outlet, one with a hood one without for $125 each
Wow! 70% off is an insane deal - especially if there are more of the common sizes available.
@@JustinOutdoors they have men's and women's from S to XXL available
Was it the Columbia brand or the Mountain Hardwear one?
@@chrisgardner1047 They are Mountain Hardware. If anyone is interested I got them at the Columbia outlet in Castle Rock, Colorado.
XTherm on the PCT: NoBo desert nights are cold, the snowy Sierra can be cold, and Washington could be cold. But it's probably overkill beyond the Sierra and through Oregon.
That was my first canister stove, but eventually settled on an Amicus. The Giga stove jets shoot out and not up...less efficient
For rain just use a lightweight poncho
Been using the new nxt xtherm with a western mountaineering Apache.(sleeping bag is overkill for the summer but i wanted to use just one bag for everything. Super impressed buy the performance.
Awesome video, love the info
8:13 The rocks match your pants!😁
Amazed that you still have the OR ActiveIce sun gloves so intact. Seams on my pair ripped in less than one season. I still use them but I had to cut the tips off.
I rotate through 2 pairs!
Outch
Thanks for you insights Justin, some of us just like the structure of a traditional tent better than the UL options. Out in the desert my friends prefer cowboy camping, but I always still bring a tent because I sleep better in them. Also not sure if 15 miles in shoes you have never wore before is a good indicator of their worth.
Thx for the video Justin Indoors!
Outchh
Have you had the chance to try out the new RAB ultrasphere pads? Trust your opinion on sleeping pads :)
Nope! Rab hasn't been that interested in getting gear looked at and it can be tough to get in Canada.
Nice gear review, but how did you select these items as the top rated PCT Thru-Hiking Gear?
Good question and something I missed mentioning in the video! The website Halfway Anywhere does yearly surveys of PCT and CDT hikers and this is the results of the 2023 survey. www.halfwayanywhere.com/trails/pacific-crest-trail/pct-hiker-survey-2023/
I also updated the video description.
Swear by them Merral Moabs. Won't get anything else from now on. go for size larger on boots.
Are those Mo packs ever in stock?
What an odd bunch of thru-hiking gear?
It's all sponsorships. He's actively removing my comments calling him out for it lmao. Or he shadowbanned me lmao.
@@Putzinatorwe read you loud and clear at least when you're through hiking the subsection 💀
Justin, you're at the top of my list with your honest and highly valuable gear recommendations, however, please don't sing anymore! 😂
Stretching routine video coming soon?
Probably not. I have shown it in at least a dozen videos before
Great video! But who wears Merrel’s🤔
Dude you change gear more than me, and I thought I was a gear junkie
Huh? Thru hikers with hiking boots? Since when?
Moabs are the most uncomfortable shoe I've ever worn.
Does anyone know what staff he uses?
The AZT is brutal . I completed it on May 20th with a start date of March 22nd. I used the REI flash pack you did a video on, it survived and for the most part was a comfortable pack. That being said though I will likely never use it again. I didn't like that the hip belt wouldn't fold up and it was difficult to get into my zpacks single pole tent.
What's your hiking stick type/brand?
I have lots of big miles on my Moab's and no issues. I use super feet inserts. To be honest until I started doing long distance thru hikes, I never had an issue with my footwear. If I don't size up at least one shoe size things go bad. When they go on sale at REI they go for under 80 dollars and I load up. I own the Duplex and Tiger Wall and I like them both. For thru hiking it's the Duplex for a wet weekend in the Whites it's the Tiger Wall. If you do own a Duplex, I highly recommend you spend some time on UA-cam and learn some hacks that improve performance, its does make a difference. I think the big difference between the weekend hiker and the long-distance hiking is the toll it takes on your body, especially when your pulling big days weeks and months on end.On a weekend hike you can pretty much bring anything you want. I am older and going UL is not an option. I own way to much overpriced gear to shave oz. If I was younger, I probably would not care and go with standard gear you can purchase at REI. I was surprised of the pack; I have never even heard of them. I thought it would be a ULA. I thought the stove would be a BRS. I love Zpacks backpacks because of the Arc and the air between my back and the pack.
Because it`s so very warm, what you can do with the xtherm NXT in not especially cold conditions, is let more air out. Have just enough so your hip is just clear of the ground. Hip sticks out the most. That means lots of give and super cushy. With a cooler pad you're a little cold when you do that. The Xtherm has insulation to spare. If you're back sleeping it`s more contoured. I`ll also put any spare cloths under the top end to get some curve going. Usually in the pack liner. A 4mm bit of closed cell foam stops it all sliding about. The wide xtherm of course.
This is so subjective. Specially shoes. They're personal just like underwear.
"How many times do you use the word 'through hiking' in your videos?"
Justin: Yes
I am never buying another pack anymore as Atom Packs. They are absolutely awesome! I now have the daypack, backpack and both sizes of Fanny packs. All are the bomb.
I'm looking at getting my first pack and was originally looking at the Durston Kakwa 55 (Waiting on restock for the Ultra200x version), but this is the first time I've heard of Atom Packs and definitely has peaked my interest. If you had to compare the two, which pack would be preferred?
Justin, I've had the Snowpeak Giga stove for years, and it's worked well for me on my son's Scout outings. The trick I've found is to not crank it full blast for boiling water. It is more efficient to use lower flames that come just to the edge of the pot. It takes a little longer, but it saves fuel. Its only downside is that it's no Soto Windmaster... in moderate wi ds, it needs a wind block.
The mo pack, is it waterproof? Dyneema?
Do you get a kickback if i use the links?
It doesn't have taped seams, so not waterproof. Atom packs doesn't have an affiliate program, so no kickback if you use the link.
@@JustinOutdoors do you have a recommendation for a 60~70l bp? Id prefer wp. And lightweight. (Besides hmg)
Going from a mhw ozonic 70. For yearly west coast trail and other coastal hikes.
Thanks for your reviews!
Always good. Thanks.
Hey Justin, thanks for the awesome content. When you use the inreach messenger, what's your strategy for attaching it to your pack?
This thumbnail goes so hard ⚡️
I had the Moab years ago and they didn't work well for me. Shoes are probably the most frustrating for new hikers since feet are so different. I had to basically trial and error shoes until I found what worked for me.
ThanksJustin for sharing your experience. It would be nice to have a more complete feedback on the MO. And a comparison with the Arc haul ultra 60 l from Zpacks (lighter with an adjustable back but also comfortable?)
Look its a Canuk invading the US!
Just call me Sir Isaac Brock
Some good points. Dynyma is great but to save some money look for tarps/tents made from Silpoly fabric. The Decathlon jacket is good but they need to use Hydrophobic down and ripstop fabric and make the baffles bigger. For stoves, a good inbuilt wind guard is essential, saves fuel.
I love my ul flicker wides. I get alot of versatility out of them.
I have the 1.0 version of the GigPower and love it. There was a titanium version when I bought mine, but I got the steel version.
You did a review on the zoleo and said it was the best thing ever, and a lot cheaper than the Garmin? I have a zoleo and I love it. So what's better the zoleo or the new lightweight Garmin?
I think you're mistaking me for someone else
If there's anything I've learned from Justin's gear reviews it's those pants must be really good because they're the only ones he wears 😄
Great seeing an Atom Packs Pack on your channel. I just completed 96 miles over 4 days on the West Highland Way with a custom Atom+ and it was great.
Yahoo for Atom Packs!!!! I love my Atom + backpack!!!!!!
hahahaha #trailmadness
Merrells are for dayhikes imo, not for backpacking.
"ive done this with a broken heart." Well you're in the right place if thats the case mate. The mountains heal.
I can probably guess why Moab hiking shoes are highly rated.
Trail runners wear out fast. And having to burn through 5 pairs probably isn't going to get a high ranking for you.
There is also toe-box sizing. The Speedgoats (and wide pair) did not fit my feet and shoes like the new Altra timps are well cushioned while fitting my feet. The speedgoats are far from the only cushioned shoe now. Tread pattern wear, the Moabs are a tank in this regard despite the Vbram outsole that is on every shoe now.
Can you please share the name of your sun glasses?
I would advise Against the Platypus Quickdraw filter as it only offers a 3 log reduction-99.9%- in cyst removal-Giardia and Cryptosporidium. The Sawyer Squeeze for example has a 6 log reduction -99.9999%- which is drastically better and will reduce your chances of getting sick especially on a through hike where you are filtering many hundreds of gallons over the 4-6 months on trail.
You'd think it wouldn't be the highest rated if even a few people were getting sick from using it while on the PCT. I think it's important to look at the math in the context of risk tolerance and real world scenarios.
@@JustinOutdoorsof course. Context is important as well as weighing the risk. I take the PCT surveys with a grain of salt also as many people spending lots of money on through hiking gear will be biased towards their purchase choices.
I’d guess that a majority of respondents are doing their 1st ever thru hike and are likely inexperienced as well. They’ve also likely never tried any other gear.
@@JustinOutdoors You are provided a platypus soft bottle with this filter. It has a special threaded opening. If you puncture or lose this bag your filter will not work with another bottle, so it’s pretty risky to take in an off-road or backpacking scenario. Instructions were also confusing so I had to watch a UA-cam tutorial
@@seasoldier3902 It will work with any standard threaded bottle like a Dasani or smartwater bottle.
Can’t seem to justify spending almost $500 on a puffy jacket like that. Almost identical jacket can be had from closer to $100. Yes, I know, quality can vary a bit and there’s the manufacturing considerations, however, with the world as crazy as it is, this is one area you can save some serious money without sacrificing much.
Enlightened Equipment makes a versatile model called the "Convert". It's a full-zip option that can go full bag to flat open blanket, or an in-between quilt with a footbox. Been very happy with mine.
Very interesting subject, why so many people use certain gear
The pack looks way to small for your torso length.
Which trekkingpole is He using? Looks great!
Very interesting to see a review of the top rated gear items for the PCT. A bit surprised to see a non US brand for the backpack although I know Atom Packs are getting popular outside the UK and Europe. I’m about to try their Atom 30L model on a 500km hike here in France. The Mo seems pretty awesome too, just overkill for my current use.
You didn’t really mention anything about the Darn Tough socks, how were they? I like mine, although I haven’t put on enough km to really say. I went from the Altra Lonepeak 6 to the Timp 5 recently but haven’t really tried them yet. Although the Lonepeak are hands down the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever tried, I have plantar fasciitis and it lacks cushioning.
I love my Montbell Versalite rain jacket, very breathable, and I sweat A LOT. Yes, pit zips are great. I haven’t had any issue with it, but I have to admit I’m just a bit skeptical with the durability. I’ll see.
One last thing: although stretching seems like a good idea after a day hiking, I favor self massages with a cork ball. The reason is that stretching adds more micro muscle tears to muscles that already had plenty during the day. Runners these days tend to avoid stretching after trainings for that reason.
Anyway, always nice to see your videos Justin !
How did the horizontal baffles go? everything that i have had, that uses horizontal baffles, being a side sleeper by the morning the down has migrated to the sides.
Love my Atom Pack and Flicker!
Purple pants
I find staying warm is a great motivator for not rolling around when sleeping.
If you have a warmer pad you can use a lighter sleeping bag.
I love seeing my local trails when you visit Arizona. I've been backpacking in the Mazatzals recently and immediately recognized the area. Truly one of the hidden gems of the state.
I think it would be more useful to review the most common pct gear rather than highest rated. There is a big disconnect between the two. I was confused to see the items on the highest rated list because when I hiked the pct the year before, I rarely ever saw anyone using a majority of the things on that list. But the items on the most common list from the survey are a very accurate picture of what you'd actually see on the trail.
I debated which way to go but decided on top rated because I found the gear a little more interesting/unique. I think I might also do the most common but I will have to try not and soap box a bit about how people still need to find what works for them and see what is out there. I think there is a bit of a snowball effect with the monkey see monkey do of gear choices.
@@JustinOutdoors good point, thats probably a lot of the reason why the most common things are the most common.
I am a diehard Merrell Moab fan. Its all I wear and I've never had anything more than a tiny toe blister caused by my toenail. Wide shoe one size too big.
That voting ballot box was rigged…like the Biden election 😂🤐
Weird every thru hiker including myself are rocking some kind of zero drop, wide toe box shows like altras
I think Lone Peaks were the most popular shoe on the PCT in 2023. But I don't think zero drop is for everyone. There is no science supporting the claims Altra has for zero drop (probably why they now make a shoe with drop).
@@JustinOutdoors I think the science behind it it trying to get your foot back to a natural position, just like all the bare foot shoes out there. I were Moabs for disc golf because there rugged and you don't have to wear them for a long time.
@@acemastermatt I've dived into the scientific literature and the only evidence for zero drop shoes helping is when they are mixed in with other shoes. The studies were done on runners, but runners who used a mix of shoes with different drops were injured less than those who used a shoe with only one size of drop (which had equal rates of injury). The studies suggest that "cross training" your feet is the best way to prevent injuries and foot issues, regardless of drop.
I think the benefit with barefoot shoes has more to do with the cushion and lack of arch support than the zero drop (anecdotally). Not bracing your foot with arch support and cushion strengthens your foot, which helps it perform better under stress.
All that being said, I am not a foot scientist or have any credentials when it comes to this sort of thing. Just a nerd with a couple unrelated science degrees. haha
@@JustinOutdoors nice my man great info. You live in Arizona
I don't get that down jacket. Those narrow baffles seem counter productive. And the price!
Pretty interesting to see what the top rated gear is, especially in the context of the PCT.
I use hoodless down sleeping bag that comes to a decently narrow point at the neck, and it unzips fully, so when it's a bit colder out I use it as a sleeping bag but when it's hot out I use it like a quilt. Not exactly using it as intended haha but I appreciate the versatility.
that stove is very bad at both fuel efficiency and boil time