Walmart Backpacking Gear List and Post-Hike Review (plus Alternative Ways To Save $$$)

I recently went on a 3 day backpacking trip in the Sipsey Wilderness and picked up all my gear at Walmarts along the way. Some of it was great, some of it was terrible.

00:00 Hey Y'all
00:39 Tent (Ozark Trail 1p Backpacking Tent)
01:46 Weight
02:50 Condensation
03:33 The Tent Sabotaged Itself
05:12 Backpack (Slumberjack 65L)
05:49 Pros
06:55 Cons
07:42 Pack Liner
08:12 Sleeping Bag (Firefly! Youth Mummy)
09:29 Sleeping Pad (Ozark Trail Foam Sleeping Pad)
10:59 Stove (Ozark Trail 4 Piece Stove Kit)
13:32 Food Pot (18oz Stainless Steel Cup), Bandana and Plastic Spoon
15:05 Water Filter (Sawyer Squeeze w/ Smart Water Bottles)
15:38 Food Bag (Outdoor Products 20L Dry Bag and 550 Paracord)
16:27 Hiking Clothes
18:02 Sleeping Clothes
19:21 Socks (Avia Synthetic)
19:48 Shoes (Garbage)
20:58 Rainwear (Frogg Togg UL)
21:44 Headlamp (Mossy Oak 300 Lumen Rechargeable Motion Sensor)
22:56 Trekking Poles (Ozark Trail Carbon Fiber)
23:43 Knife
24:16 Weight, Price and Alternative Ways To Save Money

* I do NOT accept anything from gear companies. I do not do paid reviews. I do not have any sponsors. All opinions are my own, based on my experiences. I do not plan to ever incorporate sponsorships on this channel in an effort to remain 100% impartial. If I were to accept gear in exchange for a review I would disclose it per FTC regulations.

Disclosure: There are Amazon Affiliate links in my gear lists and possibly in product links in this video description. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases (doesn't only have to be backpacking gear).

Amazon Affiliate Page: www.DixieAZ.com

WAYS TO SUPPORT THIS CHANNEL & ADVENTURES:

(You can pledge as low as a $1/month to support my upcoming hikes.)

(Purchase an item from my gear wish list. Some of the items may require contacting me for shipping details. See address below.)

*Buy My Book

*ONE-TIME CONTRIBUTION:
-Bitcoin (BTC) Wallet: 1PLcRstR4bamTYKpwd9Nzus75WjfjMY6gG

Contact information:
twitter: @homemadeWL
Instagram: homemadewanderlust
PO Box 4192 Opelika, AL 36803

[finleycly]

You know you're dedicated to helping folks when you say "Unfortunately, it didn't rain on my backpacking trip." LOL

[TheMidnightModder]

I love that backpacking has become mainstream enough that this is even possible. This is so cool!

[FrankstaPasta]

oh my god i love that you included your whole outfit, sunglasses and everything, not just the gear.

[kdavis]

Miss Dixie, I have to tell you that you remain my absolute favorite thru hiker and will always hold a place in my heart as the one who made me realize I could combine hiking and camping and answered all the questions no matter how awkward with grace and dignity. I am finally leaving for my AT Nobo in Spring of 2023 and you are a wonderful resource and an incredibly sweet person. Thank you for the inspiration Dixie. The funny part is the algorithm put your AT and PCT documentaries in my feed for the longest time but I didn't watch at first because I was just that intimidated thinking I could never be that athletic again. I got a surgically implanted lumbar spinal stimulation device and I could get back out on trail after almost 6 years off trail because of issues. When I realized I was getting a second chance at an active life I finally dared to watch the videos of that sweet southern girl that hikes the really long trails. She was modest and sweet and explained to me that I could in fact hike long trails too and I started to believe her. She answered all the questions I couldn't bring myself to ask anyone and kept me motivated as I recovered from surgical complications and slowly started to work my way up to ever longer day hikes again. It took me 3 years to work my way up to it, but I managed my first 9 mile day on trail ever the other week and will have my first double digit mileage day here very soon. You literally changed my lifefor the better even though I never met you. You encouraged me to take a chance with this surgery and it was a huge risk of permanent damage if the wrong things happened at the right time during surgery or recovery. That device they sewed onto my spine is the only reason I can hike as far as I can today and the only treatment option that gave me a chance to hike the AT at all. Not that long ago things weren't looking very good for my future but you have this way about you that encourages folks to never give up. To face our fears. You are the most influential stranger of my entire life and "thank you" seems like such a small pittance in exchange for what I got back in my life because you believe in people you've never even met. I was sure the good days were long gone for me and before I found your content I was sure I could never do what you've done on the long trails. Please don't EVER stop being who you are and the way you are. You save lives girl and you don't even know it. I vicariously lived through you on your hikes when things were the worst and couldn't have looked more dark and gloomy and simply all over for me.

[snowymatrix]

I never get tired of hearing you say for my britches! 😁

[Mike___Kilo]

I love your accent. I could listen to you talk about anything all day long!

[one]

I did a similar Walmart gear only trip last year. 4 days, 3 nights. I only went to one Walmart for everything I used. Literally bought it all on my way to the trail. Do to lack of selection I bought the 2 person backpacking tent. It was on sale for $15.00. Found that same pack in the hunting section. Went with the Stanley cook pot which included those tiny little green cups. Used a Stanley cook stove. Coldest night dipped into the high 40's so opted for 2 small fleece blankets, a mylar emergency blanket and got that same closed cell foam pad for I think $10.00. I put down the pad, then space blanket, then fleece blanket. Other fleece over me and I was fine. I sleep warm anyway. The pack held up really well and I occasionally still use it for areas I might be bushwhacking through. The tent did really well also. I did spray it with a water repellent. I've since found aluminum poles that fit it perfectly. Really lightened up that 2P tent. For stakes I just used sticks. I still take that tent out when my wife and I take our dog with us which is always. I sleep in it with the dog and she sleeps in the duplex. I'm not a fan of Walmart but if that was my only option, I could definitely enjoy the outdoors on a pretty tight budget. I didn't do the Walmart clothing or shoes. I did use those same trekking poles. They were fine but there are better options for the price out there. All in all, I can't complain about the things I used on that trip. I think I spent around $150.00 for everything including food for the trip. Prices were a lot better a year ago.

[kcstafford]

I'm USMC pack man have my hard core gear but teaching others.to enjoy
is hard first a lady now her teenagers
you have helped me (us) so much thanks a ton...

[jimdandy]

You say "hey Y'all" we in the UK say "Hiya". This is one of the best videos that you have done in my opinion. Anyone with a limited budget can enjoy the great outdoors. Would love to see more shakedowns on good v bad budget equipment.
So many new to hiking may be put off by the high end.
I really loved this video Dixie.

[brooklynbound]

Never underestimate the power of Ozark Trail.

[cepquatro]

Hey, I just wanted to say I watched Dixie to main 2 years ago, I planned for months to take my hike in 22 but early last year I started having health panic attacks witch included a fixation on hospital accessibility. After 6 months of that I desided there was no way I could make the hike. I however did overcome my problems but to late. I had no savings, had not been able to prepare almost all besides the 100s of hours of videos I watch, many yours. 3 weeks ago late April my dad called me up and said, hey I really think you should hike this year. And so we talked and he offered me a small but also very enabling weekly budget if I could make the rest work, after a long week of juggling my finances and life I settled on may 15th. I am starting my hike the 15th and I'm scared and exited and everything in between. None of it would have happened without your videos.

[oldgettingolderhopefully]

I usually carry a 3" piece of copper tubing (with a bit of duct tape) to fix broken tent poles. If you have access to a handy-man/plumber type character, they will have stuff like that lying around. I understand that serious backpackers don't carry anything that they use less than four times a day, but I sleep better knowing that a broken tent pole is a minor inconvenience rather than an emergency.

[tailgunnerhikes]

This is helpful not for my gear, but because I have a friend who wants to go with me but has absolutely no gear and limited budget. We can use my tent, stove and filter, but pack and sleeping system he needs his own.

[roadbiker]

I find that most people will only plan to overnight for two or three days so this video is perfect for the weekender.

[CathyGoes]

I used to buy those Ozark Trail tents for car camping. Had a heck of a storm roll through one night. Me and my friend were sitting there holding the poles up as the whole tent was flexing in and out. Nothing broke and we just laughed about that crazy night later. Going to WalMart and heading out is a perfectly legitimate way for people to get their feet wet so long as the weather is warm.

[bmwohl]

Dear Dixie, I loved this video. I’ve been backpacking since I was 10 years old in 1957. I am planning to do a “longest surviving gear” hike this summer. I will use my 1969 Kelly Mountaineer/ A4 backpack, my Svea 123 stove, a 35ish year old Camp 7 bag, an ensolite pad, a Marmot Burrow 1 person Goretex tent, an Olympus XA film camera and an AA cell incandescent flashlight. I do have camp cups and plates to take that have been along for at least 50 years. :)

[arthurleslie]

Now that you’ve done the budget end, I think it would be interesting to hear what you would purchase if money wasn’t an issue and you could have anything you wanted from any country to use.

I continue to enjoy your videos even though I rarely comment. Plus, you have the added benefit of being a great little Southern gal like the ones I’ve been around all my life. (Which has been a while.)

[robertclark]

I live in California and was taught years ago not to cook in my vestibule as it would make my tent smell like food and this attract animals. I see Dixie cook in her vestibule all the time. I'd like to hear what people think about this.

[KimberlyGreen]

I kinda like that you came out of the experience with a few items you actually enjoy having. Silver lining.

[lincolnlu]

I'm not being condescending, but it's so cool hearing your southern accent talking about outdoor gear and backpacking.