Great Gear I Wouldn't Buy Again
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- Having tested a lot of gear in 2024 I've learned what I love and don't love. Some items I've had good experiences with for many many days of backpacking, but I wouldn't buy again after finding a better solution for my needs.
Gear From This Video ⬇️:
Nemo Tensor Trail: geni.us/Tensor...
Nemo Tensor All-Season: geni.us/Tensor...
Flextail Zero Pump: geni.us/Flexta...
Flextail Tiny Pump 2X: geni.us/Flexta...
Nemo Fillo: geni.us/Fillo-...
Zenbivy Soft Top Pillow: geni.us/Zenbiv...
REI Flash Air 50: geni.us/REI-Fl...
REI Flash 55: geni.us/REI-Fl...
MSR Hubba Hubba LT 1: geni.us/MSR-Hu...
Hill Zero Scout 1P Camo: geni.us/HillZe...
Durston Gear X-Dome 1: geni.us/Dursto...
🏔️SHOP MY ETSY STORE - Backpacking Food Bags & Accessory Bags: geni.us/BCE-Et...
🥾 GET THE BEST BACKPACKING PLANNING & NAVIGATION TOOL - OnX BACKCOUNTRY · 70% Off With Code FIRSTYEAR70 | geni.us/OnX-Ba...
🌲JOIN ME ON PATREON: / backcountryexposure 🌲
ZOLEO Satellite Communication: geni.us/ZOLEO-...
** Get FREE Activation with code BACKCOUNTRYEXPOSURE **
🔥SHOP MY FAVORITE GEAR🔥
BACKPACKS:
Outdoor Vitals CS40 Backpack: geni.us/CS40-B...
REI FLASH 55: geni.us/REI-Fl...
TENTS:
Tarptent Dipole 1 DW: geni.us/Dipole...
Nemo Dragonfly 2P: geni.us/Nemo-D...
Hill Zero Scout: geni.us/HillZe...
SLEEPING BAGS:
Zenbivy Light Bed: geni.us/Light-...
UGQ Outdoor Bandit Quilt: geni.us/UGQ-Ba...
MH Bishop Pass Sleeping Bag: geni.us/MH-Bis...
Sea To Summit Ascent Down: geni.us/S2S-As...
SLEEPING PADS:
Zenbivy Ultralight Pad: geni.us/Zenbiv...
Nemo Tensor All Season: geni.us/Tensor...
Kilos Gear AeroCloud Elite: geni.us/Aerocl...
COOKING GEAR:
Fire Maple Petrel G3 Pot: geni.us/FM-Pet...
Toaks 750ml Pot: geni.us/Toaks-750
Toaks Long Handle Spoon: geni.us/Toaks-...
Fire Maple Green Peak II Stove: geni.us/FireMa...
OUTERWEAR/LAYERS:
Squak Grid Fleece Hoodie: geni.us/Squak-... (EXPOSURE15 Save 15%)
Outdoor Vitals Altitude Sun Hoodie: geni.us/Altitu...
Outdoor Vitals Vario jacket: geni.us/Vario-...
Outdoor Vitals Tushar Rain Jacket: geni.us/Tushar...
FOOD:
Pinnacle Foods Freeze Dried Meals: geni.us/Pinnac...
Peak Refuel Meals: geni.us/Peak-R...
MISC:
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter: geni.us/Sawyer...
CNOC Vecto Water Bag: geni.us/CNOC-V...
Squak Slim 32oz Water Bottle: geni.us/Squak-...
MY CAMERA EQUIPMENT I USE 📸:
Sony A7C: geni.us/Sony-A...
Sony 20-70mm F4 Lens: geni.us/Sony-2...
DJI Wireless Mic: geni.us/DJI-MIC
Carbon Fiber Tripod: geni.us/AokaCa...
Rode VideoMicro: geni.us/RODE-V...
DJI OSMO Pocket 3: geni.us/DJI-OS...
SHOP THESE GREAT OUTDOOR RETAILERS:
REI: geni.us/REI-Co-op
UGQ Outdoor: geni.us/UGQ-Ou...
Pinnacle Foods Freeze Dried Meals: geni.us/Pinnac...
Peak Refuel Meals: geni.us/Peak-R...
Backcountry: geni.us/BACKCO...
Garage Grown Gear: geni.us/Garage...
Amazon: geni.us/Amazon...
🔥🔥 Check out my website for more reviews and written content! 🔥🔥
www.backcountry...
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE & HOW I GET GEAR SHARED ON THIS CHANNEL
Many of the links in my video descriptions are affiliate links. As an Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases within the cookie window. By shopping using the above links, you are supporting the work I put into creating content on this channel. This has no additional cost to you.
Gear shared on this channel may be purchased with my own money, provided by the brand for testing for free, or part of a sponsored brand deal. My honest thoughts and opinions always drive my approach to reviews on products. Thank you for supporting my channel and content.
#backpacking #camping #outdoors #backpackinggear #campinggear #hiking
Gear From This Video ⬇️:
- Nemo Tensor Trail: geni.us/Tensor-Trail-REI
- Nemo Tensor All-Season: geni.us/Tensor-All-Season-REI
- Flextail Zero Pump: geni.us/Flextail-ZeroPump-Amzn
- Flextail Tiny Pump 2X: geni.us/Flextail-TinyPump2X
- Nemo Fillo: geni.us/Fillo-Pillow
- Zenbivy Soft Top Pillow: geni.us/Zenbivy-SoftTopPillow
- REI Flash Air 50: geni.us/REI-FlashAir50-Men
- REI Flash 55: geni.us/REI-Flash55
- MSR Hubba Hubba LT 1: geni.us/MSR-HubbaHubba-LT1
- Hill Zero Scout 1P Camo: geni.us/HillZero-Scout1P-CAMO
- Durston Gear X-Dome 1: geni.us/Durston-X-Dome-1
🏔️SHOP MY ETSY STORE - Backpacking Food Bags & Accessory Bags: geni.us/BCE-Etsy-Store
I like my Flextail Zero Pump all in all. Mainly because it has an easily replaceable battery (I hate products with built in difficult to replace batteries, as you will get maybe 5-7 years before the whole thing needs to be junked). I do wish they had used a higher grade of aluminum and coated the threads as they are rather crusty (a bit of beeswax fixed that though).
As for your issue, I would strongly suspect the battery is at fault. Batteries are known to weaken as they are cycled (drained and charged), in addition to having decreased run times.
😊That's why I watch you!!! Appreciate your honesty and opinions!! Thank you!!
You’re welcome. Thanks for watching!
About time someone talked about the X2 pump over the Mini. That light feature on it is brilliant and also means that it's one other item that you don't need to take. As for the pillow, and air pillow can be bought very cheaply so I paired up a Trekology air pillow with a travel memory foam pillow. It's been great for me and about half the price of the Zenbivy.
@@PokerMuppet that’s a good solution for sure. Thanks for the tip.
You're analysis of the Nemo Fillo is spot on. It easily is the most comfortable pillow I have used, BUT it doesn't have enough height for side sleepers. I put a piece of shock cord on my Fillo to hold it on the pad and I shove my jacket underneath it for more height. I have a Zenbivy pillow coming for Christmas this year I am sooo excited.
I have the fillow, and haven’t had any problems with it so far. Out on trail I haven’t had any problems with it, but I really love it for travel. When I travel, especially when I have a window seat on a plane, I bring the fillow to sleep comfortably against the wall. You need to find the right fill amount, but it this definitely has reduce my neck pains from sleeping on a plane.
Plus secret, if you have a d-bag who’s being aggressive about the arm rest, you and comfortably rest you arms on the pillow and now even be on the rest
You're a gear comparison master! I appreciate your insight.
Ha ha ha I try.
FLEXTAIL ZERO PUMP - I agree - I bought mine because I remembered times I rolled into camp and recall being tired and somewhat out of breath, so an air pump seemed like a good idea. UNFORTUNATELY, it's really noisy, it's one more thing to pack, to keep charged and though it's just over an ounce or so, it's still not as light as blowing it up myself (not to mention it's about $50 and the prospect of it wearing down doesn't help!)
Hmm. I’m loving the Flextail zero. 1. It’s actually less weight than the pump sack. 2. It lasts an extraordinary amount of time 3. It is multi purpose if you use a twig stove. It brings up the ease and efficiency of the wood burner to just as quick as gas 99.99% of the time (and you get really good at firestarting) I have only one complaint and that’s it’s colour. Black can be hard to find. Solved though by putting a wrap of yellow electrical tape around it. As for the “accusation” of drop in efficiency. Likely the battery but if you’re handy, take it apart and carefully inspect the fan blades. Clean it.
Thanks for the side by side of other options too.
☺️☺️
I have the Nemo fillo and I am a dedicated side sleeper and find it very comfy. I have smaller shoulders than the presenter though so that might
help.
The larger one would kink my neck for sure.
I like that little pump. Don't let a rock get in it!!!! G 3:04 ets the job done. I top off my sleeping pad with a manual breath or two. I got tiny pump and the bigger pump with the battery charger. I still got to top it off to get it as firm as I like.
First! I am glad to see your opinion on all of these gear items. I am really glad you mentioned the Hubba Hubba. I think MSR has fallen off in quality (customer service and product quality). I have the Hubba Hubba 1 UL tent and have recently broken a pole. I have emailed them 3 times over the past 3 weeks with no response. I now have a useless tent, that I really enjoyed using. I really expected more from such a big brand. Anyways, rant over. I love the channel and all the hard work you do! Thanks again for the work and the great food bags! I really enjoy the zippered design over my roll top food bag.
Dang that’s a bummer! I likewise had issues with getting timely response from Cascade Designs when I had issues with me QuickDraw filter. They did eventually get to me, but it took a while. Hope they help you out!
Thanks for the support and watching!
I still prefer the blow-in pump sacks . No charging to nurture and it’s quicker with less noise.😊
Still love my Tarptent Rainbow!😊
the zero pump was a waste of money - the cost, the power or lack of, and the company's response to my inquiry of the problem of a brand new used twice zero pump that couldn't inflate my mattress was less than stellar. I will never ever buy another Flextail product. I have three different models but the zero pump was the greatest disappointment I ever experienced as a "brand new sent from the company itself". Before the Zero I had nothing but praise, after the Zero and the company's response to my investment in their product, never again. just my 2 cents and I'm sure they don't care.
Interesting camo tent option. Though I am primarily a hammock camper
I was just about to buy a Flash 55 when they stopped selling it. Now they have the new version but don't tell you what the changes are. Have they upgraded? Stayed pretty much the same? Or made it a less appealing option. Have you seen one and if so what are your thoughts.
@@Mr7h21 my understanding is it now just has a PFAS free fabric. Otherwise it’s the same
I put that Flex Zero pump right in the trash! Complete waste of money! The on off button would get stuck and it lacked power. I might try the pillow you mentioned. Thank you for the review.
I bought the Zero Pump as an early supporter. Used it once. It's OK but I'd rather not rely on a tech tool. So as you do, I am using the bag. I have the old (non-adjustable) REI Flash 45 and the 55L packs. I want to drop a couple pounds but haven't found a lighter pack that fits and tides as well. That said I'm usually carrying about 22 pounds at the trailhead. If you can recommend an ultralight framed pack in the 1.4 pound range, please LMK. Great that you are willing to share the not optimal experience gear. Might save your viewers some $. Thanks
Your hunch about the Zero Pump’s decreased performance and output is correct….the battery. The same happened to me. The rechargeable battery lost its ability to fully charge decreasing its ability to power the pump effectively. Contact Flextail and explain the situation. They made it right for me.
I may do that. Mine is an early early model when it was first released, and as I noted in the video it’s been used a ton!
I’ve bought a new replacement battery. Now the darn thing thermo throttles apparently.
I mean I’ve gotten my money back, but I’d like to just use the pump
Hey. Are you still using cumulus tenequa 700? Are you happy with the size or is it too roomy? It looks very wide
@@ThisguyLeftthechat I looooooove that bag for my cold weather trips. I absolutely recommend it.
I'd pick up the Flextail if it were $15. It would give me an excuse to make use of my Fenix HM50R V2.0 headlamp which uses the same 16340 battery. I've been switching out from using lithium polymer powered devices. Once they swell or die the device is pretty much useless. I switched to 14500 lithium battery (AA sized) powered devices for backpacking. My Wurkkos HD10 headlamp, Weltool T1 Pro TAC flashlight, and Ledlenser ML4 Warm camp light are all 14500 battery powered.
Oh another thing, I have the original Flextail with the light. I stopped using it because it has really bad PWM flicker. So when I'm filming with it on, the footage looks like a strobe light is on. I don't know if they improved the light in the next version.
I wish the flash 55 came in other colors....I despise that yellow color lol
@@BrittanyLabrador it does come in a green color.
I bought one slightly used on offerup last year. It's grey. Maybe you can find some now that others are getting new packs and sell their old packs. I got lucky since it was only used twice with less than 6 days in use total.
IMO, buying backpacking tents should always be like buying running shoes: never buy the newest, "best" version at full retail price, but instead, opt for the best of the previous year models. You'll have way more reviews to go off of to help your purchase decision, and on top of that, they're deeply discounted. For instance, for 2025, Nemo is basically making a couple of near-negligible changes to the Dagger tent, and so it'll still be over $500 for the newest version, whereas you can get the 2024 model for almost $200 off right now. It's a no-brainer.
That’s smart advice.
I think the battery of the pump is over. After 400+ pads to inflate and the strong load to the battery, it is really weak. A new battery and this thing runs linke new.
My Flextail Zero pump only worked twice, and I left my pump sack at home to save weight. Don't risk it.
hä ? I like that pump a lot !
The Flextail turned out to be a Flex-Fail 😅
As an office guy I'm looking forward to my 400th pad inflation in 2045! 😂😂
Push back on your Flextail comments. The Zero Pump is lighter by a few oz than the Flextail 2X. I noticed you have used 400 times! What were your realistic expectations? I use the Fextail 2X and have not had any of the issues in comments below. Mine has been very reliable, recharges easily, etc. If I used 400 times I would expect some issues. Therefore, even if you toss after 400 uses that equates to maybe 1 cent per use. Go figure.
Seems that every "better" option is from the same company. So you do this to avoid anger from the manufacturer?
Nope, not that at all.
I didn’t necessarily need to even give alternatives to the items, but did to show what I would choose. It just so happens that within the items I chose there were better options from the same brand.
Hi Devin, i had a curiosity question. How rich would you be if you got a dollar for every time he who must not be named, ju$[!>¤^?doors was mentioned in the comments.
@@needtokeepwalking ha ha ha! Funny enough I think I get mentioned in his comments on his videos than he does in my videos.
@BackcountryExposure That I believe is an indicator of respect to you, it is well deserved.
Wait, it's 3 pm here in Australia. Shouldn't you be in bed.
I agree with most of these, but I do still love my Zero Pump lol
@@TheRealStove it’s still a great piece of gear, I just wouldn’t buy it again. 😁
@BackcountryExposure Totally fair lol Btw, you may have some hair or something stuck in the fan if it is slowing down. That happened to mine, but I was able to get the hair out and it’s back to normal. Just a thought! Anyway, keep up the good work! It’s channels like yours that made my first trip go off without a hitch years ago. I felt like a pro before I even got out there, so thank you for what you do! Cheers!
I stuck with my lungs or a pump sack to inflate inflatables. No exceptions!
Always carry less weight. Try to get by with less.
👍🏻
I agree! Ounces turn into pounds and pounds turn into pain!
Exactly! No need for any pump or any pump sack! The best pump is a “zero” (; I it’s all hype! If your lungs have taken 1000s of deep breaths all day to get you to camp, then you can totally take 20-25 more deep breaths - no rushing, no getting out of breath - to blow up a sleep pad! No batteries needed, no pump sack to spring a leak, just using the two OG “pump sacks” you had factory-installed from birth. I’ve used Neoairs since the first iteration and never had problems with mould - it really is a marketing myth!
The flextail zero pump is easily the most overhyped piece of gear. It’s expensive, heavy and just sucks. The first one I purchased didn’t work, when I turned it on it made the most awful high pitched noise then shut off. They are awful, and I’m tired of all these UA-camrs saying they’re great…
I have one. It's definitely not heavy. And I wouldn't exactly say it's expensive. I've had no problem with mine to be honest. I'm glad I purchased it.
@ It’s 1.2oz without the battery (deceptive marketing?) and more like 2oz with. There are now much lighter options (8-9 grams) that are cheaper, made in the US and actually work out of the box (i.e. PadPal, Alpenblow).
@@bobbillybobason mine works great.
Mine works great, as well. I love it on my 10cm -40 Mammut mat. Takes forever using the built in foam pump.
Love mine!