I like my old army ruck. Trusted medium Alice rucksack. Back doesn’t sweat, easy to use, bombproof.

@@Isheian I sell you mine I’m over it

couldn't agree more used a 35l fast-packing backpack and hated it; shoulders, hips and back all hurt. Whenever I use a Osprey I get so much comport and support that it makes makes the extra weight so worth while and I get life time warranty!

This is 100% true. My pack will hold 65 pounds like a dream if I want to. When it carries 25-30 (my typical base weight) it feels like it weighs less than a fart. I bought my wife a super expensive ultralight pack like Dan’s because I was trying to help her go lighter in all areas and she actually hated how it carried 20lbs. She now has a 4lb ruck that carries all her ultralight equipment and loves it.... plus it has organization like hip pockets 😂

@@harrisilvester9300 Which Osprey do you use?

Thank YOU for the insight, and for your service, sir.

Next id say is a good puffy coat and a packable rain coat. Both pack so small and I never worry about the weather now. I just put both in the pack and I know I'll be warm and dry at camp no matter what.

Just started rebuying new kit after 12 years out of the fusiliers. I'm training to walk from lands end to John O'Groats. I did not mess around with my bed system. I did get the amazon Chinese cook pot however.

​@@benjaminclemens755 You and I are 100% in agreement there; those are the exact things I would recommend next for higher-end purchase (i.e. light and compact versions, such as offerings from Arc'Teryx, Patagonia, TNF, etc...). But you can always start off with a budget puffy and rain jacket, you'll just have to carry some more ounces and take up more real estate in the pack. You definitely don't need $220 boots, a $250 pack, $80 BP stove, $140 trekking poles or $600 in Gore-tex outerwear and merino wool base-layer to get started; but a beginner could get that impression from watching UKposts or reading the industry magazines.

@@nicksshitbro hi..can someone find out if Dan takes a gun when backpacking? many thanks.

Exactly, Dan missed the point completely with this item

Stuff sacks work well for packs without organization built in

I'm glad you like it because I bought the eja a few months ago and haven't had the chance to use it because I'm still in lockdown (in Sydney). I've only used it walking around the block.

I just take the approach of buying anything and everything I think might improve my experience and give away all but the select items that are the best fit for me.

@@nicolelee2205 Hopefully you're able to use it properly soon. I got it last year (my first backpack) and I've taken it on a few camps plus a five day 84mile hike, zero complaints from me!

I have moved on from organized backpacks. My only reason is for weight reduction. When I did use them they worked great. I put my gear in the same dedicated pocket each time. Now I love being super light and there is no going back.

I am pondering trying this method. I think it would help!

I've punctured enough sleeping pads to make a foldable mat worth it under an air mat.

I use the same, love it

X2 for that pillow. I’ve had a klymit that leaked after only 3 trips. Sea to summit is excellent

@The Metamodern did you even read the comment? It has a thick, soft fabric shell on top so it doesn't feel like sleeping on pool toy

I got mine for free with my spark sleeping bag and I love it. Really awesome option.

@The Metamodern blow them up less. I also use the Sea to Summit and love it at about 3/4 inflation. i hate it when its fully inflated.

My problem is goose down which leaves me with duck that isn't as warm.

I've noticed I start sniffing & coughing with down now too.

When I was in scouts there were down snobs but in reality these folks just convinced kids to buy super expensive bags and be maybe marginally warmer. Spent nights in 8 degree f in my synthetic bag and I was tosty.

down is useless

I was born and raised in the Gulf South, so I refuse to use anything that won't work if the humidity gets too high. I'm super fortunate that I'm very petite, so my Big Agnes Petite Length synthetic bag only weighs 3 lbs and packs super small. I love it so much.

For the prospective of seeing the stars and especially shooting stars is why I also hammock almost all the time. My hiking buddies think I’m hammock mad, but now they’ve all got hammocks too 😂

I am a hammock guy who has gone back to ground because of my daughter. When she gets older we shall see.... like the poster of this video after going back to ground it does have some advantages. I have plenty of gear and she loves lounging in hammocks when i have them hanging at the house, wonder which she will choose for herself?

I agree with you on hammock camping...Been in a hammock for 3 years now and will never go back to a tent...I only missed about 10 weekends last year that I wasn't on a trail for 1 to 3 days so for me the advantages for a hammock outweigh the tent by miles...

I think the versatility & convenience is a toss-up. With a hammock, I can camp on uneven ground, rocky ground, wet ground -- I don't need a flat spot. But if you're relying on Guthooks, you learn to take the locations of camp areas with a pinch of salt. (I add notes wherever I see good hammock spots.) The big downside is that if I'm hiking with a groundling, we may not find a good spot for both of us. I can sleep on the ground; she can't rig her tent in a tree. So I sleep on the ground if I must.

Are quilts good in the summer?

In South Texas when we go I just use a swagman roll lol

Can confirm. I live in a rainforest and the humidity with no rain is enough to make everything damp even in the summer. Down is very difficult to use here

Meh, they wash down in DWR now. I’ve never had issues with anything new.

@@zzzgoodnight2883 DWR down doesn't take a soaking and still takes hours in dryer.

A soaking? Never had issues with that. Most of my bags have waters resistant or proof shells. In conjunction with a waterproof sack and you’re set.

@@zzzgoodnight2883 Right, soaking. I mentioned using

The problem is that it's so BIG so for backpackers is difficult to carry :(

Use the thermarest pillow bag your clothes and down jacket. Gave the pillow away years ago

@@stevevanderpoel7738 buy, buy, buy, buy. no think

While I can make due with a pad on the ground, I actually sleep better in my hammock than in my bed. I think people get turned off by the learning curve involved. It definitely was difficult to figure out the right gear for it, but I love it now!

Same! Plus, I think he downplays the importance of still keeping you warm when it does get wet. On a long hike, it seems to always eventually get wet no matter how careful you are. And just like how not all down is created equal, it's even more the case with synthetic. So I don't think a blanket statement about synthetic is really fair, especially when his example is a cheap synthetic bag that he compares to the 'Cadillac' of down bags. If he were to buy a $600 synthetic bag, I think he'd eat his words about warmth and weight.... well.... ok, not entirely. Down would probably still be superior in most conditions but the difference would be minimal. And, yeah, it's not even an option for people like us that are allergic to down.

Who's EE? It's a phone ISP over here in the UK!

EE refers to Enlightened Equipment, a company based in Minnesota in the USA.

I really like my Carinthia 6... but most buy the Carinthia 4 version military sleeping bag... synthetic compact and well made for the military.

Have you tried Duck down? is cheaper and maybe you're only allergic to goose?

P.S. I do also have Sea To Summit compressible pillow, & it's great, but it doesn't pack down to half the size of a Coke can. 😉

Yeah I’ve mine to be very comfortable. My old stand by pillow is the thermarest pillow, but the trekology supports my neck much better.

I have two Sea to Summit pillows. Super comfortable… but testing these on my bed at home ( not in a real camping scenario) they lasted about 20 days before they got a slow leak. I am done with S2S pillows until they get their quality up. Testing out a Nemo air pillow with foam and it has been my go to for about a year . I use it at home and camping. Love it

if you fix the side sleeping, you'll fix a lot of the pain

​@@BriLea63 wdym fix? is side sleeping not the right way to sleep or something?

not everyone has $300 to spend on a backpack for some fancy pockets

@@Kurtis11266 fair. you're probably better off with the $375 backpack with no fancy Pocket that is the recommended option in the video. 😊

@@gpettoohflorentini7903 or a cheaper one that does the same job?

@@Kurtis11266 totally get it. there is that option too. I would just say you get what you pay for. Friends of mine bought a cheap option from Walmart for our fist backpacking trip and the seams ripped on the bag, a zipper pulled off the rail and he head hot spots from where the frame rubbed against his hips and shoulders. I have had the Atmos 65 for 5yrs and so far nothing has failed and it is comfortable going long distance and it came with a 2yr warranty. I'm sure there are cheaper options out there but you may end up having to replace it. I always say, buy once cry once. Good luck man!

@@gpettoohflorentini7903 Very good point and I didn't mean to get hostile, just not many people can afford that expensive of a backpack.

Correct. The tent vs hammock debate will go on forever. I for one get giddy when I can sleep in my hammock set up. With the right thermal system, a hammock wins for me hands down. Especially in sketchy terrain.

If you are in Europe, Czech Republic, hammock (apart from sleeping under the stars) is usually the only allowed way how to sleep in mountains (protected areas), since ground shelters with a floor (=tent) are forbidden

I can't think of a time where I've never brought my hammock

@@goringo_ Yep, I think the hammock is a neat little loophole in some areas. I love my hammock a lot for shorter trips where I expect good weather, pretty light and compact. A big factor is that it's cheap though, I think if I had money to throw around for a tent that is competitive in weight and size, I might prefer that.

Yeah? They're great

We were camping in spring overseas and it was cold and rainy, and it started really pouring. The waterproofing in the tent floor failed at a corner. I woke up in the middle of the night and the bottom third of my bag was in a good inch+ of water. My feet and legs were wet, and I was terrified of freezing to death, but my synthetic bag kept me warm until morning, and even though i woke up a lot, I did manage to get sleep.

Also 90% of people will never need a proper down bag. Its expensive and to be honest quite bad for the environment and for the animals. :/

@@Internetprolet1312 Synthetics are just as bad for the environment. Put it in the wash and millions upon millions of plastic microfibres will be released, and these are now being found in the human body. You can get ethically certified down.

Indeed. Sleeping in humid conditions (east coast) and keeping the sleeping bag packed during treks (obviously) will greatly wreck the performance of a dawn sleeping bag. Most east cost use cases are better suited with synthetic sleeping bags.

What sleeping bag is this?

@@sacura605 It’s the Nemo Azura comes in different comfort rating. I believe there’s a new version that just came out could be more improved.

Thanks for the tip. A lot of us are allergic to down!

Chain store rectangular synthetic bags are a world different than any bag made by a legit outdoor gear company.

​@@fixerupperer yeah idk why he compared Walmart brand sleeping bags to a top of the line down bag. seems a bit unfair. I've got a Berghaus synthetic bag and it's warm as anything

That is a great multi season sleep setup, I do the same when winter camping, I've had nights get below zero F and still stayed comfy and warm.

Get a Mystery Ranch and anything you get will be amazing omg

😂

Lol 😂 Me - still likes my little inflatable pillow for now. 😊

Just send that hammock and Trekology my way. Love that pillow! 😆 I totally agree, what works for one, does NOT work for all. If that were the case, we’d only have one style and color of everything. How boring…

Agreed on the backpack... use/reuse resealable bags for organization instead.

Lol

I always keep my first aid kit in the most external pocket for easiest access - upper brain pocket, lower front zippered pocket, even in the mesh shove-it pocket. Things I’m most likely to need quick access to but that aren’t as critical as first aid go either in the lower brain pocket or the top of the main pocket - raingear, down jacket, hat & gloves, etc. Food & stove go below that, then it’s layers, sleeping pad, tent, sleeping bag (in its own compartment), etc. In winter most gear is bigger and heavier so I can just use a larger pack with a very similar layout so everything is easy to pack and remember.

It’s a great pad!

Dont make your scouts go buy down bags. Weight is not as big of a concern for most of them and depending where you live temps might not either. I stayed warm no problem in Maryland with synthetic 4 season bags even down into the teens

Great pillow.

I agree. Foldable pad makes a huge impact in cold camping when paired under my thermarest basecamp

But isnt the fokdable pad not warmer? Sorry never camped in cold weather, no experience at all. I like it comfy and warm when i sleep. When i went camping and slept on those foldable pads in around 10°C, i wasnt cold. When i slept on the air ones inside a house where it was 18°C, i couldnt stop shaking because i was so so SO cold. It felt as if the air underneath me was sucking up my warmth. Now i am considering to go camping where it is colder and not so sure what to do. Any advice for a lady who gets cold very easely?

@@xristinarose2409 If you believe the ratings from the companies themselves, the high quality inflatable pads ($100-250 range) are the warmer than foam pads...but combining them with folding foam pads is even warmer. Not all air pads are equal and I do think some aren't designed to reflect your heat back as well. Thermarest brand is what I have experience with. They are small, light and warm, but the downside is price and they are kind of noisy, at least the two I've had which is why his Big Agnes suggestion intrigues me.

@@caseyhayes4590 thank you for the answer. I should give it a try, maybe it is indeed the quality that plays a big part, not sure. And i dont mind some noice lol i sleep across a bar/cafe with open windows in the summer without problems so sound is not an issue for me 😊 thanks for sharing your experience 💪

I really love using a thinlight 1/8 Gossamer Gear pad as a lounge pad during the day and under my NeoAir at night. Worked great for me on the PCT! Only 3oz too so I don't feel as bad about carrying 2 pads

🙌🔥

Do you wish you would have gone with the Medium over the small size pillow? 4oz more, but I have wide shoulders and side sleeper, thinking I'd like the extra bit in there to get a little taller if I needed.

@@DeerUNIT42 I also own the medium and find it too large for backpacking. I use it for my car camping trips. I too am a side/stomach sleeper and the small is decent enough for me for backpacking. Gl on your search!

You make look at hammock that can be used as tent also. there is several brands out there. So you get the best of both world.

@@monlonlabe5016 Thanks for the suggestion. A quick search provided some interesting examples. Definitely something to look into. This also reminded me that I have seen a kayak tent. The inflatable kayak works as the base of a tent. For hikers, you could navigate streams or cross lakes with it. I imagine in the snow you could use it as a sled. I can't imagine it would be light. A quick search didn't get any results.

I’m never wrong! Ever! I’m always right! 😂😂

@@DanBecker lol 😂 😂🙏🏽🤦🏻‍♀️😅🏞️🏕️🌳

Me: calls Kyle O’Grady 🤣🤣

@@DanBecker I have somehow hiked well over a thousand miles of section hikes on the Appalachian Trail over the past 18 years with three frameless, pocketless, zipperless ultralight backpacks, two of which were closeouts, on sale, the third, current one, is a bit more robust, a CDT from ULA Gear. I have two hip belt pockets on that one, which I use for 1) snacks, and 2) #2 stuff 😁. Tbh, though all three packs had big mesh pockets on the back, and side pockets with drawstring closures. Three silnylon ditty bags inside keep my 1)extra clothing, 2) warm-up clothing, and 3) medical kit/repair kit, and fire starter kit organized. Of course, I have a food bag, which also holds my cookset, as well. The packs hold their shape with a closed cell Wal-Mart pad inserted vertically, which I unroll, then stuff my gear into. The pad is usable as a floor mat under my hammock (on top of an old tent silnylon footprint), a sit pad, or when I need hunker down in a storm, a marginally comfortable sleeping pad on a shelter floor. For a pillow, I simply pull a knit shirt over my bag of warm-up clothing, which I carry anyway, so zero weight penalty, there. I improvise, whenever possible, to save weight, which earned me the trail name, Tinker. I was planning to hik the last 270 miles of AT later this month, but just found out that the little toe I stubbed last week is broken. Oh, well! 😕

I love mine too. Great bag, I love the bottom compartment the most so my fire cooking and water purification tools are separate from my tent bag etc

😂 if I had to choose a hammock… A bridge hammock would certainly be it! It is definitely the most comfortable in my opinion! You made a great choice!

I've done a lot of hiking in Washington State. There's only a handful of places I have to take my tent.

😮🙌🔥

I totally agree with you!

I know this is really late (7mo lol!) but I just bought a Mountain Hardware Eco AF sleeping bag and it's really great! Probably the most sustainable bag, plus it has a really great temp rating for its weight

Why is the down industry controversial?

Hyper light doesn’t make a sleeping bag lmfao, I own a northrim 4400 though. It’s worth the money as a climber.

🤔 good point!! 😂

I’ll look into it! Thanks for the tip!

Weight isn’t worth to me. The helinox is a good weight to comfort ratio, but the skyline stool itself is four ounces heavier, and unfortunately big agnes focuses on the rigidity.

@@zacharylaschober stool? I said Chair. And rigidity is great. Better chance it won't break on me. Nothing worse then carrying Deadweight because something broke.

@@Z0MB13Redfield know you said chair, mentioned the stool cause I knew the weight off the top of my head, hence “the stool itself is” as a point of reference. Having tested a number of chairs and beaten em around, unexpected failure is not something I would worry about unlike say an air pad.

1 lb 12 oz. No thanks. The REI flexlite air is the only other chair in the same class as the Helinox. Trekking pole chairs are starting to come out that will be even lighter though.

Or knee pads...I hate kneeling or seating on the ground.

No one else is bothered by "Went through many women"?

@@ericstone413 bothered? No 😂 more bothered that he littered by leaving the bag in the woods

He probably has 200 nights of backpacking by now.

Thanks so much!!! Very cool you’re in New Zealand. I’d love to hike there!!