Pack Like a 1930s Hobo: The Lightweight Hobo Streamliner

Discover the fascinating world of The 1930s Hobo Streamliner, a minimalist traveler of the classic era, with a lightweight kit of vintage gear. Learn how hobos mastered the art of traveling light, carrying essential cooking, eating, and personal hygiene items in their pockets. Join us as we explore the ingenious solutions that made life on the road both practical and efficient for these resilient wanderers.

[asmith]

Once again you present the most astonishing collection of gear and I remain stunned that such items are no longer produced. That cook set? My god I'd pay big money to have that in titanium! And the little lantern is just plain cool!

[ulyuhkk]

The collapsing lantern design is genius! Sad no one makes these anymore, what a great design

[angieconley]

I just absolutely love this Hobo series you’re doing. I have learned so much more than my dad ever talked about. He lived the hobo life until he met and married my mom. Then they settled here in Ohio to start and raise a family. I used to sit and hang on his every word. He was so incredibly intelligent and interesting. He was born in 1917 and lived until 2003, one day after my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. Mom gave birth to a dozen children. Dad had 2 from a previous marriage and Mom had 1 from a previous marriage. They lived through the Dustbowl. They both taught me so much about survival. I wish they were still around sometimes so that I could learn more. I have so many questions. I should have paid more attention to what they were trying to teach me. Thank you for answering a lot of those questions.

Have a wonderful day 😊

[craigeckhoff]

50 of 74 years a hobo. Your videos are so spot on. I would love a story line "day in the life of a hobo" video. Like walking down tracks near some boxcars. Then smelling coffee brewing. A hello can I come aboard to another hobo cooking tin can coffee. A sit down with the other hobo offering you a tin can of coffee. You offering some tea bags. The old rule " if you take something from the pot put something in the pot . A little chatting " where you been, is there some work there, and do cops or locals mess with you ? " Then maybe walking towards town seeing a marker, knock on a farmers' door offering chop some wood for a bowl of beans. The owner has you do some fence mending and hoeing also. You get a nice plate of simple but filling food, a night in the barn. Next day the farmer gives you a sandwich and some coins to help you on your way. Then continuing to walk into town while wondering if you can get maybe work for a week so you can send home to the family.

[alancranford]

From the 1980's until I retired from the military in 2010 I did something similar--had enough stuff in my pockets to survive 72 hours or more. One cargo pocket contained a small toilet kit. The other cargo pocket had a small survival kit. I made use of both when I got separated from my gear on more than one occasion. There was enough stuff to keep me looking neat and pretty and provide a hot beverage and an energy bar or two--and if I could take the time, go fishing, snare a small mammal, gather wild edible plants, and make a shelter.

Thanks for this presentation. Brings back memories. I wasn't a hobo, but I tried passing on similar knowledge to younger soldiers. Mostly, it didn't take.

[hooXpoo]

I can't understand why no one ever made copies of this wonderful cook kit.

[pasjeihobby]

This cooking set blowed my mind. What a beautifull piece of design.

[KennethMacRae-wd]

Hundred year old camping gadgets. Thanks for showing me.

[TemplarX]

Best dressed hobo ever. What a hobo gentleman.

[mataleo]

I like the hat and coat, and that pocket lantern is genius. I feel like things were so much better made back then. Everything in the video is made to last a lifetime. Most gear today seems to be intentionally designed to need replacing after some time.

[andrewpalmer]

That is a very dapper look Mr. Hobo! 😂. Another terrific show.

[jamesstuart]

The Upton Cookset is brilliant. Ebay here I come...😊

[michaelwaller]

I love your period videos with the extra effort to make them as authentic as possible.

[sambarnard]

In the late 20s-early 30s, my grandpa hoboed from Atlanta to the Western US looking for work. We recently found his letters toy grandma who stayed home while he was looking for work. I love these videos. Thanks, James. Great job.

[al-upes]

Always a great educational video. You have an awesome collection of hobo era items that aren’t displayed or discussed elsewhere in a concise video.

[tenchraven]

The cook kit is awesome, and I would actually buy new gear if someone brought that back to the market. Titanium would be lighter, but I'd prefer stainless for heat resistance. Plenty of room in there for a match case and the like, and one of the pans would become a bowl for a chip fire. Same for the pocket candle lantern- I need to find one. Again, the more things change, the more the kit stays the same. I've pointed this out before, adjusting for technology, this is almost one to one with what a lot of your viewers are probably carrying every day. Only thing missing from that outfit is a good stout walking stick.

[inthewebnotoftheweb]

I'm just thankful that this channel wasn't around fifteen or so years ago.
That's when I moved out of the city and got a little piece of land, paradise to me coming from a major city.
If I would have seen this stuff, I might have gone missing on a hobo walkabout...
I feel the itch just watching these videos, I've been quietly looking for little things for my hobo survival pack, just for fun.
I've thought alot about getting an Old-timey outfit also, just for fun...
I found a brand new pair of vintage brown corduroy pants, I thought they might be cool, would like to find a matching vest and cool hat, but idk....

[jeremigaezki]

Great video. It always amazes me when you show those nifty little gadgets like pocket lamp. The ingenuity of those vintage devices is simply incredible.

[josephkerley]

Some of the gear was ingenious! Eminently compatible with today's gear.

[Old-Dog-Max]

Very impressive! You look more dapper with each outfit. I'm kinda lovin the hat. Very stylish. Sure beats a heavy pack on your back.