Don’t Buy The WRONG Gear! Get This Stuff First

If you are a beginner backpacker this is the gear you should consider getting first.

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[jimihenrik]

About the shoes: Many people make it sound like the decision is between heavy, durable (leather) hiking boots and trail runners. BUT: There are plenty of lightweight hiking shoes, that are waterproof, have good stability and grip and only weight a fraction more than a typical trail runners. I often see people refer to light hiking shoes as trailrunners. But there is a huge difference. Typically, Trailrunners are running shoes with more grip. They are usually very breathable, and well cushioned. Hiking shoes on the other hand are often waterproof, have a stiffer sole, more support and a more durable outer material.

[MaDeuce]

I really appreciate when reputable channels put out a "if doing this, buy this" list, such as this. I get that it may reduce their views elsewhere (when doing your own research), but it saves SO MUCH time and effort.

[SummitSeeker]

Where’s the respect for the beloved Thermarest Z Lite Sol? I love this item! It has many many uses! I’ve cut mine in half (36”, 7.2oz) and use it as a seat cushion, a protective matt to unload all my gear onto as I start to set up my tent, an entryway matt in my vestibule, a wind shield for my stove, and a protective and warmth enhancing layer to put under my Thermarest NeoAir Xlite 25” wide pad. I’m not a chair kinda guy. It’s heavier and less utilitarian than the Z Sol. A chair needs level ground under it. Lastly, I highly recommend a wider pad than the traditional 20” width. Going to 25” made a huge difference in improving my nights sleep! Great video! So many good options available today.

[KevinRStrauss]

I love this video because, after 25-years of backpacking, I disagree with almost every recommendation made. And, I love this channel! It just goes to show, we each have our preferences and it can take time to learn your own. I've used a CCF sleeping pad (as shown) since the start and I sleep great on it! I want to try a 1/8" pad next! (Note: I am a 3-season backpacker.) I feel super cozy and comfortable in a sleeping bag. Granted, I have not yet tried a quilt. My perfect pillow is my pull-over fleece folded nicely. Anything bigger and my neck hurts the next morning. Even at home, I often sleep with NO pillow or just a 1" thick piece of foam (from JoAnn Fabrics) in a pillow case. For a backpack, I'd purchase the lightest pack I could find (<2lbs) that fit my gear AND had a proper hip belt to carry the load. A proper fitting torso length is important so the hip belt is in the correct place. Finally, the last trip I used "real" hiking boots was in 2001 when I was 3-weeks, off-trail, on the northern slopes of Alaska (ANWR). The boots were key. However, since then, I've only hiked on trails and significantly reduced my pack weight (by 66%) so it's been trail runners ever since and I never want to go back (unless the trip truly warrants it, e.g. snow travel or off-trail). This comment is already too long but I recently helped outfit a friend (small stature female) with very UL gear, like what I use, and she's loving the simplicity and lightweight setup. FYI, her shelter is the SMD Gatewood Cape. Not bad for a newbie! ☮❤🤝

[dansmith]

I believe this is the best channel on YouTube. It is so informative. Steven tells it like it is. I’m so glad I found this channel. Keep up the good work.

[jaguar]

100% correct on that nemo pillow! I bought one 9 years ago for camping and have used one every single night since- at home and camping

[TravelingAnvil]

Man back pack sizing is the truth! I'm 6'2 with a 16 inch torso. Getting a small bag changed my life dramatically for the better.

[memathews]

I agree with your if someone is a "committed" beginning backpacker. But a first-time backpacker should rent backpack, tent, pad, and maybe sleeping bag for at least their first three overnight trips and be sure to try different equipment each time. Air pads have advanced loads and offer a great sleep, but the corrugated foam pad is still good in an area where lots of cushiony debris covers the forest floor. In my life, boots are preferred for snow, winter rains (days-long here in the PNW), and off-trail forest activities, but a simple on-trail hike is so much easier with trail runners of some sort. Gaiters are essential in snow and rain to keep lower legs and feet nicely dry. Lastly, I still prefer a sleeping bag, it feels like a big coat and turns with me, but maybe that's just years of experience.

[juliettehotel]

As you alluded, saving weight on your feet can be much more significant than saving weight in your pack. I was once on the trail to the top of Half Dome. I wasn’t far from the trailhead when someone in hiking boots commented on my featherweight barefoot shoes. They said, “You will NEVER make the summit in those shoes.” I told them that unlike them, I had already been to the summit and was almost back at the car.

[fairwind]

I went for years downing people that hiked with pillows, then in tried the fillo, and don’t leave home without it. But the one that changed me the most and made a hypocrite out of me, is a camp chair! Yes I said it “ I’m one of those guys that carry’s a chair” there’s nothing better after a long hike then sitting down by the fire to eat sitting in a chair. Don’t knock it till you try it!

[M.C.DoWell]

Thank you for being honest with your picks and realizing we can't afford the best stuff. We have to make compromises

[NikhilShahi]

The Paria Down Pillow is the most comfortable IMO. One side has down and the other has an opening to stuff in your down jacket or other clothes. Truly excellent.

[andrewworkman]

The content of this video is organized extremely well and flows seamlessly with to the point information while remaining engaging. Well done, and thank you for the gear recommendations!

[siberx]

Great video, and great suggestions. Definitely agree on the pillows, they're not expensive, they're tiny and light, and make a massive difference. I wasted years suffering poor sleep camping largely because I didn't have a good inflatable pillow with a comfortable fabric/foam layer, and now I won't go camping without it.

I'm more of a boots guy myself, but that might be due to the typical conditions in the Pacific Northwest where rain is likely, and even if it doesn't rain you will definitely be trodding through a fair number of muddy areas or streams on most hikes.

Personally I'm quite comfortable in a sleeping bag despite being a side sleeper and a tosser, they're simpler to set up than quilts, and less likely to leave you with an errant limb out in the cold if you flip the wrong way. Definitely agree on closed-cell sleeping pads; these were obsolete the minute the "self-inflating" (not really) air pads became available in the 70s/80s, and the newer options since then have only left closed-cell pads further behind. I'm definitely glad the trend of 3/4 length pads has mostly gone by the wayside; those things were always a dumb idea, and sacrificed an immense amount of sleep comfort for a uselessly negligible reduction in weight and volume.

You didn't mention your usual inclusion of a chair here (probably because you know you say it all the time), but I'd also like to emphasize that the new wave of lightweight camp chairs have revolutionized my trips as well. When I was younger we never had or brought chairs because there simply weren't any practical options you could realistically take backpacking (and the "light" options were functionally no more comfortable than simply sitting on a log), but spending a few pounds of your weight budget on a modern synthetic fabric and aluminum pole marvel to dramatically increase your comfort at camp is absolutely worthwhile.

[jaguarsolo]

I live in the desert southwest I use a footprint, a foam pad all to protect my air pad. I certainly dont need them for insulation. Only for protection from the cactus needles. Yes it us extra weight. Yes it maybe over kill. Yes in your environment I would not carry them. I do wear synthetics but here in the desert wearing wet cotton shirts during the day can be refreshing but at 107 it will be dry in no time. Love your show.❤

[cheostian]

I watch your video and I am like... After many mistakes ended up with that pad, yup, after sleeping bag ended up with quilt, yup, after hiking shoes now I wear trail runners, yup. Adjustable backpacks, now, yup (mostly due to kids growing in size one year to the next)

What else to cover.
1-I'd argue if your going with more than 2 people (and even less) a gravity water filter is really nice and actually doesn't use much more space or weight then the other options.
2-Skip nalgene bottles (which everyone thinks they need early) and go for a regular bottle of water you'd get at the gas station/corner store.
3-Purchase one good set of layered clothing off the start and a spare pair of underwear and socks and hold off before investing in more than that for clothing before you see if you really need more.

4-Tune your tent/hammock choice to the most likely type of camping you'll be doing. I almost exclusively do canoe tripping with my wife, which means all my tent locations are right beside the water. This means more condensation in the air, which means pretty much double walled tents are the way to go otherwise your gear gets soaked from condensation on the inner walls. Also your not sure if your tent will be setup on soil or a large rock from one site to the next, so my tents need to be free standing. However, for other campers, maybe if you'll always have good soil, you won't need a free standing. Or if you sleep alone with lots of trees around, hammock's may work, or if your in dryer climates, maybe you don't need a full double wall.

However, if your not sure and you were forced to choose just one, a double walled, free standing, tent can be used potentially at a small weight cost anywhere just about (except perhaps in a ravine with no flat area for a tent).

5-Finally, ignore all flashlights/ lamps and just get a decent headlight before considering anything more.

[ethancris]

Recently found this channel, I'm looking forward to begin backpacking myself, appreciate all the content, don't think I've ever been this early to a vid before!

[arnoldestrada]

I would recommend Decathlon Trek 100 Easyfit backpack. Comes in 50L or 70L. Easiest to adjust and you don't even need to take it off. $100 for 50L and $130 for 70L.

[DJunclepaulnd]

I own the Nemo 4.2. With a cumulus 350 + quilt. Very comfortable to 0°c . I have a emergency foil to assist if needed. Very happy.

[FordPrefect]

I bought the Nemo Filo pillow on your recommendation a few months ago and took it with me on a two week camp this summer. Of all the pillows I've used it's definitely the best so I've been recommending it to anyone else who'll listen.