Backpacking gear you should NOT buy

👇OTHER GEAR I USE

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Backpacking gear you don't need to take and should probably stop taking until you can afford it or have the gear you actually need.

[DonP_is_lostagain]

Backpack cover: For rain I use my poncho to cover my back. For hiking in the desert, the cover keeps the dust out/off.
Pump: I use it because I'm lazy
Chair: I'm 69, and thanks to a military career, my knees are mostly shot, I broke my neck once and it's full of whiplash, I cracked my spine 3 times, and I'm a it overweight. A sitpad is great if you've got a handy log or rock you can use it on, but getting up off the ground is too hard nowadays, so, I'll keep dragging my ultralight chair with me.
Sandals/Camp shoes: needed for when I take my sock off and want my shoes to dry out.
All that said, I do agree that I don't NEED any of those things, but I take them because they make my experience better.

[GSKEVER]

I like footprints not for puncture protection - but more for keeping my tent bottom free of dirt, sap and forest funk. It’s much easier to fold up a dirty footprint and keep the mess contained than a tent bottom. Also, Tyvek and Polycro are negligible weights. Even for car camping tents I throw down a big tarp.

[blackboots]

Anyone that says they don’t need a camp chair doesn’t have my knees and back. 😂

[MarkVicars]

As an older backpacker, my chair and crocs are now non-negotiable. There have been many treks where just the thought of getting into camp and slipping on my crocs and kicking back in my chair has kept me going. But, you are correct, none of the items you listed are absolutely necessary to enjoy a trip...you'll just enjoy it a little less. ;-)

[mr.ultrafino]

I don't see any reason to buy 100 dollar footprint. That being said, the 8 dollar sheet of TYVEK is one of the most versatile pieces of gear I carry.

[daisiesndirt]

the pack cover is still lighter than carrying all the rain that soaks into your backpack ;)

[ohwell-]

A chair is a must for me. I'm in my 60's and have been hiking for over 50 years. Not a measly 10 years....such a newbie.
I enjoy my comfortable 16 oz chair after a 25 miler.

[tomatoomelette]

I backpack a lot in the Sierras and I do bring a tyvek ground sheet to help against abrasion on the granite

[outdoorslifesurvivecraft]

The honesty of your videos is excellent. There's a lot of people out there that think to do it, you have to have the absolute best of high-end ultralight equipment. Is it nice? Sure. Is it necessary? No.

[whogotgame]

Thank you for the prayers Dan ! I’m in Asheville NC. And things are slowly getting better, but there are still so many in remote areas around Asheville that need all the help we can get !

[chuckynikki]

These items are luxuries. Unless you're going ultra light I personally believe having a luxury item or two is a must. They make the hike, and or camp more enjoyable. The tricky part is one or two, not all of the luxury items. The one item I wouldn't necessarily call a luxury is camp shoes. At least on a longer backpacking trip. Shoes fall apart for one. Something like crocs can be hiked in if need be. They also work great for creek crossings. Then there are blisters. Crocs, or something similar hit that blister in a different spot. This can sometimes help the pain, save the injury, and save the hike too. If the shoes are soaked at camp. Keeping them on sucks too.

[carlwalker]

I subscribed because of this video. So direct and honest. Thank you

[Iscontagious]

Thanks, Dan, for the shout-out. Still without power from Milton. 3 hours in line to get a can of gas for the generator. Gas stations only open for 5 hours then closed for the rest of day. Keep praying for us we need them.

[whopostedthis]

Footprints… I use one in the UK, where it rains almost continuously, as it allows me to take out my inner (from my Hilleberg) and keep the floor and rest dry so I can pack it separately from the flysheet. If I don’t use a footprint then the floor of the inner is much wetter and it’s more of a pain to put the inner back in. It’s not essential but it makes life easier.

[DDF]

My famous well regarded ultralight trekking pole tent had a dozen pin-holes in the floor within a few weeks of careful use, clearing the ground every time. I'll still at least carry a polycro footprint thank you very much

[SmokeytheJeep]

I own a two-pound chair, but didn’t bring it on my last trip. After spending two miserable days crouching my no-longer-young body over the rain-soaked ground, I promised I’d never leave without it again.

[mattpalermo]

Backpack cover is essential for rainy bikepacking or commuting, just for spray splatter from back wheel.

[Bscott-]

Fun video as always. You're looking healthier than I've seen in some time. Keep it up man. Glad you're better.

[LaPulgaM]

I bought the Zpump for my thru hike of the Colorado Trail this year, and loved it. My friend and I used it pretty much every night, she had a Nemo Tensor regular and I had a new Nemo Tensor All season in regular wide and it had no problem pumping up both sleeping pads.
USB C, same as my phone, so bringing one cable was perf.

[TKHOTSHOTU]

Have to admit on some of these items. My pack is 23 pounds fully loaded with food and water AND air pump AND camp chair AND I'm keeping it this way. hahahaha It is also WAY easier to shake a footprint free from dirt than a tent. Or you can place the footprint sideways as a method to put gear in the vestibule and keep it dry and free from massive amounts of dirt.