Cheap Camping Gear for Beginners - Full Backpacking Kit Under $50

It's possible to buy everything you need for camping, backpacking, and hiking for under $50! I purchased a tent, backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and all the other gear I needed as cheap as possible. This video shows how I used thrift stores and Walmart to buy the best used outdoor gear for a beginner!

I put this kit together to show that anyone can get into camping and you don't need a lot of money to get started.

[JohnVianneyPatron]

As an experienced backpacker, with several very significant pieces of kit, I am thoroughly impressed with the ingenuity you've shown in putting this kit together. The important point is that we encourage as many people, who can, to then get out onto the trail and have fun. As they progress through the hobby they will likely outgrow their first pieces of kit, so keeping initial cost low for people who are not yet sure about the hobby is a great idea. Good luck with your channel!

[daveb]

I have been camping for years and this is probably the most true to reality getting into backpacking cheap video. So many people are like "you need this" or "you need that". To be honest, I recommend people try out day hikes before trying out backpacking and that is even cheaper.

[OtherThanIntendedPurpose]

as someone who has spent a good portion of my 53 years in the woods, both casually, as a trooper in the ARMY, hunting, and training for survival situations, there are a few things I would add to a minimalist kit, but for the most part, I would say you did a pretty good job here. I will say that no one should head out to the woods without some form of decent knife. a fixed blade is best but a quality folder can do a lot of the stuff you will need. and a compass and map are also critical. more important than any single piece of gear is the skills to use them. something I repeat in almost every video I make and to anyone I am helping with skills is "practice with YOUR gear, the best gear in the world can not save you if you don't know how to use it. "

[tandilion]

The whole pack for under $50, now that is something I can afford! Looks like I'll have to go camping soon!

[d.l.]

Finally! Someone speaking the truth about budget backpacking! No need to go ultralight. Well done mate!

[jc]

What a refreshing video. After watching 100’s of videos about backpacking I had decided I just cannot afford it. You’ve changed my mind.

[wallytaggart]

Great job! Beginner backpackers need not worry about weight...more than likely a beginner isn't hiking a lot of miles and will have all day to make it to their camp and take as many breaks as needed. love that you cook on a fire!

[Oldsparkey]

You did a marvelous job on locating camping gear at a savings. The Kelty external frame backpacks have advantages the others do not have. One is the ability to adjust the width between the shoulder straps. They also offer lots of ventilation to your back. To me they symbolize backpacking as the traditional backpack. I have enjoyed the ones I have had over the last 60 plus years.

[Nothandlecraziness]

I’m planning my first camping. I watched your entire video and I like it. You keep everything real. No drama. No fancy unnecessary things. I enjoy it a lot.
I notice that you haven’t uploaded for a long time. I just want to let you know your video is very helpful. Thank you so much. 😊

[duvessa]

This is refreshing. Thank you for showing that you can just get out there and DO IT.

[betacarotene]

The foam pad is a good tip! A lot of casual campers likely don't know this.

[zakartv]

I have budget and expensive gear. I like to adjust my kit constantly to learn what I like or challenge myself. This is one of the best budget videos on YouTube, should have many more views. Got my sub for sure brother.

[mitchelltreadwell]

Lake&Trail makes a 2-person tent that I've seen on sale at Meijer for $25, that is both far lighter (3.4lbs) and more durable (kept me warm and dry in blizzards, thunderstorms, etc) than you'd expect from a budget u at the supermarket. Personally, my own camping kit is even cheaper than this, but that's largely because I've been able to get stuff for free (on he side of the road, after yard sales, etc)

[joannekeefe]

That was absolutely awesome! Awesome! I did look at thrift stores for the ultra light kind of hiking clothes everyone wears like you said and way way too expensive. I did find a down packable puffy coat for $4.40!. I found a LL bean ultra light wind jacket $4.00! I found a lightweight 80 % merino wool sweater $1.00! A Columbia fleece for $4.99! I already have a rain coat. Its a French army I got at a military surplus for ten dollars. Its great! I got a down sleeping bag for $4.99! That was a big score! Its rip stop with ykk zippers. But someone ripped the tag off so I don't know what brand it is. I found an original boy scouts of America cook kit for $3.00! Not much luck yet with a tent as you said that one being hard. But they did over the one person backpacking tent at Walmart. Its like $ 27.00. Comes seam sealed. I might just grab that because backpacking season is almost here! Awesome video!

[mrmicro]

This deserves more views. I am rewatchng in the off season.

[nicolereadstarot]

This is one of the better videos I have seen. I was mainly here to see how little I could camp with

[dylandualsport]

This was a fantastic video! Not only have you been camping fpr 15 years you have been making and editing videos even longer and it really shows! Great work buddy. And thanks for the tips I need to look at the goodwill for a tent. I plan on sleeping outside and locking my bike in the car 😂

[PlayaSinNombre]

Nice job on this video. One thing I would add is, if you are going to buy used gear, test it out in the back yard before you head out into the wilds. You don’t want to be 5 or 10 miles from anywhere, an find out your tent leaks.

[Batwin]

Those throwback camping pics where too cute 🥰

[paulblart]

Very impressed this high quality of a video came out of this small of a channel!