I can listen to her for hours. Common sense driven by experience…her advice is good for all levels of hikers. We can argue with some of her choices but she considers most angles and is researches topics very well. Well worth the watch.
dixie, i love you so much. so many hiking videos are about SOLO TRIP IN HARD WEATHER! or GEAR I HATE NOW or WHAT YOU'RE DOING WRONG and you are so much about gracious friendly advice and i love that you revisit concepts to reevaluate. you just talk straight to us and you're not clickbaity. thank you. and may your new year be full of blessings.
Bear spray vs hornet best. On my thru hikes, I’ve😅 encountered some sketchy humans yet never in so much pain as to when we crossed and offended a yellow jacket nest.
Thanks, great video. I would suggest Costco's Cascade Mountain Tech trecking poles. Best deal out there. They are $30 for a pair of carbon fiber 8oz poles. They are rated for the PCT as 4th best and that at $60 instead of 30. I even got mine on sale for $23 at costco and bought multiple pairs for self and family. Now Coscto needs a deal w/ ULA and Big Agnes!
Hi Dixie.. I was watching how you kept your feet warm in the shoes you wore, as opposed to heavy duty hiking boots, and were your feet dry? And apart from the issue of weight, why did you choose shoes over boots? Thanks, Steve.
Hey Dixie...on the subject of trekking poles, I bought mine (Outdoor Products) at Walmart about 5 years ago for $14.95. They have locking mechanisms for length, cork hand grips with adjustable straps, rubber "booties" on the bottom of the poles for hard surfaces which can be removed for non rocky areas, lightweight (compared them to my girlfriends "high end" poles and they weighed the same) AND they come with a little "basket" near the bottom of the poles for trekking in the snow! I have used them with no problems and I would definitely recommend them! Great video!
Great video. Two suggestions for the "food" section. The Humangear Gobites Duo spoon and fork combo is bomb proof and light. Also I am in agreement with Andrew Skurka and don't do a traditional bear hang any more. Unless I am required to use a bear canister I use an Ursack in bear country. For gloves I have a pair of windproof and insulated mittens from Decathlon. You can flip back the "mitt" and you then have fingerless gloves. A thin pair of Merino liners make this a very warm combination. For rain gear I prefer a poncho. Because it can act as a pack cover as well as keep me dry. Keeping your stuff dry inside of the pack is great but the pack itself, unless it's made out of a waterproof material, The pack itself will absorb water and can easily gain well over a pound in water weight, especially if you have well padded hip belt and shoulder straps. Those completely act like sponges.
Something you might add to your cold trips, and I started using this year is a Buff. They are great around the neck and like base layers, help a lot at personal temperature regulation, and t add protection from teens and single digits of wind, you can pull it up on the chin also.
I think she might just not have remembered to mention it because they're so ubiquitous. I bought my first Buff several years ago after Dixie was raving about how they're basically indispensable.
I have my merino buff on my lap right now. Heat went out in the house just when the snow storm hit so it was chilly in here. Had on my buff and down vest. Thankfully heating company came and fixed it today.
Great video, thanks for the rundown! One of the unspoken lessons here is also to recognize that sometimes a fresh hiker just needs to get out there and hike in order to work out what works for them.
Dixie, one of the BEST features of the Flycreek UL2 was the ability to pitch it using just the footprint & rainfly. Spead out footprint, install poles in grommets, drape rainfly over poles and secure to footprint with the plastic snap buckles. You can the pitch your tent under the erected fly & poles. Great in a sudden mountain rainstorm, or if bugs aren't a concern and you don't want to bother with the tent body. But you have to pony up for the footprint to realize the benefits.
To avoid the expense and weight of the footprint, there's another option for bad weather if you are willing to crawl on your Fly Creek. Leave the fly attached except for one of the front corners. To pitch, lay the tent flat, assemble and slide the pole under the fly, insert its ends into the grommets, GENTLY crawl under the fly to attach the clips, attach the last corner of the fly, and stake down as needed.
FYI, polycryo (or polycro) comes in different varieties. The really light stuff (usually 0.7 mil) is used for window insulation, and will protect against water and provide some insulation (not much - it mainly insulates windows by preventing drafts), but it's VERY fragile stuff and will tear easily. Painter's drop cloth polycro sheeting is usually 1.5 or 2 mil, and will stand up to a lot more abuse and insulate more, but will also be about as heavy as Tyvek, maybe heavier. Tyvek is great against water, but provides only slight insulation benefits. It is however, pretty darn durable, and after being broken in, folds just like any lightweight cloth. Plus, it has the added benefit of being white, meaning you can use a sharpie and make your groundsheet do double duty as multiple signs ("hiker to town" "hiker to trail", etc etc - just fold it so the sign you want is visible). Bottom line, poly and Tyvek are both already very lightweight and do the footprint job well, but the only way to really save more weight (you're not saving much) is to trade in on durability. I'd go with 1.5 mil poly if you don't like Tyvek. Personally, I have a roll of Tyvek in my DIY box, and until I use that up I'm not using anything else. It does a great job and one sheet lasts multiple seasons.
I agree. I go with Tyvek for the simple reason that the first piece I used is still going. I'm not a thru-hiker, so maybe this is not so crucial, but for general backpacking, a bit more substantial protection often comes in handy, especially with an inflatable mattress.
@@oldgettingolderhopefully6997 Personally, I think the durability plays an even bigger factor in long hikes, especially when resupplies are fewer and further between. As with most gear, it's a balancing act between weight and durability (and cost). As the old adage goes, cheap, durable, light - pick 2 cuz you can't have all three. In this case, their all pretty cheap and light and Tyvek is also durable. I just think the durability trade off is nowhere near the weight benefit with this one.
3 years ago I was rocking a 3.75 lb pack....now I use the Zpacks Nero 38 and it makes hiking so much more fun. No need to have 1/5th of your base weight in your pack alone.
Yup! After simply choosing what to leave behind, I usually tell people who are trying to shave weight that the first place to look is for a new pack, but don't bother with REI or any big store. Look to Z or HMG, or ULA, etc etc. Most people can shed 2-3 pounds right there. When I was a kid, I used my 70L mountaineering pack for ALL my backpacking because I couldn't afford multiple packs - of course, back then the lightest packs available were still 3.5 lbs or more. I think my mountaineering pack was about 5.5 lbs empty...
@@backpacker3421 if I remember correctly Dixie had a trail family member on the AT that was toting a 75 to 100 lb pack. She joked that you couldn't see him if you were hiking behind him....just a pair of legs...lol.
I'm looking for a backpack which fits my needs. My current one is 2.2kg but so comfy, I can carry a 20kg load with ease. I'd love to have a lighter one since my normal load is about 10kg with food and water. But I won't replace the comfort. Even though I'm searching, I think I'll have to hike the CDT next year with a 2.2kg model.
I've also had very good experiences with Anker power banks. I have 10k one (Astro E3) from ~2012 and have since retired that one to urban usage, but I've picked up two more Powercore 10k banks and prefer carrying two banks rather than one for a couple reasons. Last I checked, the Powercore 20100 weighs 356g and two Powercore 10000s weigh 354g. Add in the little carrying bag and the 20k might win by a couple of grams, but it's really close. Note that the Powercore PD banks are a trap unless you need the higher output. They are significantly heavier for the same capacity. The same thing applies to the Powercore Lite, Slim, Redux and + models. Two power banks also allow me to have a much better feel for how much power I have left and makes it easier to make sure I'm reserving enough power for the more critical needs. Finally, if I were to have a power bank fail, it's nice that I likely only lose part of my power. You might take another look at the 20k+10k setup that you ran for awhile. On a related note, we got a stark reminder this last fall that electronics can and will fail on the trail. Carrying redundancy and/or alternatives when reasonable is a good idea. I thankfully haven't had a power bank fail yet, but we had the lamp burn out on a Steripen (UV light water purification) midway through our last trip. I'm estimating it was about 20% through its expected life so it was a surprise to have it fail. As a group of 5 on that trip, we had planned redundancy built in so we all fell back on a MSR pump filter that a friend was using. Two or three liters later, the handle on the pump snapped off. We had a fuel reserve for boiling water and most of us had a small emergency supply of chemical treatment as well so we were not at risk, but it was a sobering reminder that a cascade of failures can change the complexion of a trip in a hurry.
Sensible advice as always. Gear is a journey, not a destination and all of us who hike learn something every time we go out. Otherwise it would just be walking! Thanks Dixie.
I have the Enigma and it's awesome, but if you're concerned about transitioning to a quilt (it's an easy switch, but I get it), you can get the Convert from Enlightened Equipment. It's very similar to the Enigma, but zips fully out to a full quilt (no foot box) and all the way up to a full sleeping bag. That's what I use for winter (the -10 degree version) so I can zip all the way in when it's really drafty.
Correction: Just went through my gear. My 3-season quilt is the Revelation, not the Enigma. Fairly similar quilts though. You can't really go wrong with EE gear.
+1 for ULA packs. I have the Catalyst (slightly larger than the Ohm but otherwise very similar). I lovelovelove that pack. It's the only pack I use anymore. Nearly as light as the HMG or Zpacks, but MUCH more durable and more comfortable, IMO. I also agree that limiting your pack capacity is a VERY good idea. TBH, if you can't fit it in 40 liters, you probably don't need it unless you're going into some seriously sketchy terrain and need extra gear - though for winter camping, an extra 10L or so is good for the extra room your sleeping bag will take up (that's why I have the Catalyst instead of the Ohm - one pack for year round fun).
... Dixie's your video's are always a great watch ... Started watching from the beginning of the AT and enjoy them all ... watching you put in the work to not only hike crazy long trails but video them as well .You create inspiration for SO many and good sense information for those starting out on a thru hike for the first time ... Gear choices first come from a personal budget until experience comes into play ,, sometimes the cheap and basic get the job done ,but the trail and time will dictate that ... Your written works as well are impressive and the personal touches to some to reach into themselves ,,Remembering a young lady so inspired by one of your slogans of inner strength ,, she had it tattooed on her arm .... and that was early in your hiking program .. In trail talks,, I don't know anyone that doesn't know of Dixie ,,Homemade Wanderlust ,, and not have anything but positive things to bring up ... .. I can't imagine what a thru hiker learns about themself but after all you have done ,,I would guess the self talk would be an Oscar winner .. To reflect back on what gear choices might be swapped can be a fun afternoon but you did it with what you had ,, and did it well .. All along the way has been a blast to watch this southern girl tame the trails ,even swamps,, and some very rugged mountains and always finish with a smile ... .... Looking forward for what's to come ......Stay Safe and God Bless .....
I don't know when I've seen a more informative video with simple delivery. No dang music or special effects, which aren't needed on informative videos but too often get them. Thank you for this excellent video.
Really nice to go down memory lane, so to speak, with you. As far as the "quality" of the video(s) back then, it was just fine. In fact, although lacking the better equipment and the expertise of Aaron, the videos of your AT thru hike are some really good screen time. I've watched the movie(your whole hike in one video) a bunch of times, and it warms my heart and gets me excited about hiking each time. Today's video is a really good one. Thank you for it.
Umbrella ☂ is a must for me. Unshaded ☀️ trail, desert 🌵 as well as rain 🌧 make the UV umbrella I carry an absolute must. The difference between being able to hike or not under these circumstances.
I really appreciate your comment about 2 liters of water being too much. I also carried 2 liters in a platypus type bladder and after my section hike realized that at least on the south part of the trail, there is literally water everywhere.
Lots of excellent recommendations here IMO, but note that what rating you need on the quilt/sleeping bag varies a lot from person to person. I was perfectly happy with a 30 degree bag on the AT, but that's obviously not for everyone and it really depends on personal preferences. For me a foam pad can work in a tent, but not at all on a wooden shelter floor. I've friends though that was happy (I assume) with a foam pad in shelters so again it's very different from person to person. I started with a metal spoon, but switched to a plastic one when I found a really light one. IMO a long (metal) spoon is super useful if you prepare meals in the packaging (like the freeze dried ones), but I used mostly cheaper stuff like Raman noodles and cooked them in the pot and then a small plastic spoon was all I needed.
Excellent advice re: hiking poles- cork handles to prevent blisters/hot spots, adjustable/collapsible, etc. And with some cheap off-brand/box store sporting goods department poles, it's very difficult if not impossible to get the adjusters to hold tightly enough to prevent dangerous collapse under pressure, especially for larger folks and/or the added weight of a pack. TEST the darn things before buying something too cheap and not being able to return them! :D Since they are safety gear as well as comfort, and perhaps part of a tent/shelter system, definitely best to assure quality vs. "cheapest possible"! :D LOVE your well-organized and detailed product reviews and other videos! :D Thanks for keeping it REAL! :D
A couple of years ago we watched one of your videos in which you mentioned Lone Peak 4.5 trail runners. Since I have had foot problems as in my feet hurt a lot from to much standing or walking. I checked out a pair at rei and wore them out of the store. I guess my feet needed the wide toe box and the 0 drop. Thank you so much for helping my hiking and just general life. After 3 years I just about have wore out that first pair. I have two more in reserve. Other than dress shoes its all I wear. Thanks for your videos.
I have some long sleeved T-shirt fishing shirts that are made of polyester and are stretchy. They have a dark woodland camo pattern and I picked it because dark colours have more UV absorbancy than light and white colours. Unlike cotton, they don't absorb moisture so they dry much faster than cotton and are less stinky in hot conditions from BO. I also have some buffs that are also stretchy thin synthetic material and long enough so you can pull them up in a balaclava type setup that also covers your nose and head and still keeps your neck covered. The buffs, with a brimmed hat and sunglasses, keeps almost all of your face covered so you don't need to use much, if any, sunscreen. The shirts are also available in a polo neck design. Oh, yeah, I used the buffs without incident during mask mandates. The shirts and buffs are summer weight but I have ridden with the buffs during winter when the temps were less that 5℃ without freezing my throat and neck.
This is such a great video! Everyone's gear choices will change over time. It's a good reminder to never be 'married' to the gear you have as you progress in your experience or encounter different conditions. And also that we shouldn't hold others (or ourselves) accountable for bad choices they may have made previously. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the vid. I know I'm late to watching this but I recently came back to watching your channel and didn't know about the updates on the quilt. I guess I was forcing myself to be blissfully unaware of the changes in price and fill. I prefer synthetic over down, (for the security in case of getting wet) that just wasn't an option when they first came out, not to mention they were easily almost 3 times the price (years ago when they first came out the ones that had the ratings I was looking for cost in the $580 range), which was a jaw dropper that made me dismiss the idea for years. Now I think I might get one. 😆
Thank you for this video Dixie! It's nice to see how your experience and available gear have evolved over the years. Would love to see an update on your gear picks for the PCT as well!
Nice! Love the gear videos. Just a note regarding the wall chargers, make sure you get one with a high output. It will make the difference between you 20.000 powerbank charging in 20h or 4h 😉.
I really appreciate your reviews. I think you are saving many of us money in the long run by sharing gear which works for you and pointing out improvements in what you carry over your earlier choices. I too have an EE Revelation and an EE Torrid. Kept me toasty at Thanksgiving camping in the high Sierras in Northern California! Thanks to input through your videos. I do a lot of boat and canoe camping too, and feel more secure in synthetic rather than down (but still want to keep everything dry).
Always glad to see another video. I’ll be hiking the AT 2022 and your videos were a big part of my research. I’m only using a few pieces of this gear/your current gear, but your experience was super helpful in every decision I’ve made.
I always like using large ziplock bags for my sleeping clothes(top/bottom/socks). Keeps them separate so I can find them easily, and they will for sure be dry in there.
I started the PCT with $30 Trekology poles. Function wise they were perfectly fine however I went through 2 pairs, each lasted about 400 miles before the tips cracked and fell off. So overall I think cheap poles are great, but for a thru hike the more expensive ones are worth it for the durability. My Lekis got me the last ~1200 miles and are still in great shape!
I used inexpensive Mountainsmith trekking poles that came as a bonus for free with another pack that I got. They worked fine on the CT for me in 2018. I think the model is called Pinnacle.
Speaking of Trekking Poles - I started out with Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Poles in Carbon Fiber and Aluminum I ordered off Amazon. They have the cork handles and quick adjustable locks. I first had the Carbon Fiber (44.99) and they lasted 3 years, I broke one of the poles. Then I went with the Aluminum which now cost 29.99 but are on sale for 22.99. I never had them collapsed on me so I would highly recommend them. I kept my aluminum for walking around town or at the public track. Last year I bought a pair of the Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Women's which are aluminum. These are my preferred trekking poles because they have a 15 degree corrective angle which provides better grip and easier on the wrists. They are 139.00 but I had store credit and also had a dividend check which really knocked down the price. I am glad you are still doing your hikes. As always I like the gear reviews.
Thank you for this update. The AT is unique. I am amazed at how much I can still learn from your experience and I have been hiking for five decades plus. What you have to share on base layers and sleep wear and the difference is especially important. And still have few differences on choices on water filtering and carries because of the environment and climate I hike in. I have all the zones of the CDT except Chihuahua desert of Southern New Mexico within 100 miles of me.
Thank you so much for this review. I’m going to pick up the gloves for a trip in February- perfect timing! I’ve hiked almost 200 miles (half that on the PCT) with the cascade mountain tech trekking poles and haven’t had any problems. I’ve splurged on several other items but for carbon fiber poles with cork grips, they’re a great deal and have worked well enough that I haven’t felt the need to upgrade. They’re $45 right now on Amazon but a bit cheaper at Costco if that’s an option.
As always you motivate me to hike. You also were the very first person and video I watched to learn how to section hike. I’ve been section hiking for 2-3 years now and am still using my original hiking poles from Amazon. They are cascade mountain trekking poles and run around $45. Carbon fiber. Cork handles ( of which the AT took a hunk out of on my last day, just a simple slip and a chunk came off but still working great without issues) they are adjustable, never slip on adjusting. The have adjusting locks, not twist locks. I’ve used them on an 8 day section of the AT, two different Ozark Trail hikes, smaller day hikes and nearly every day in the winter on my property walking about my yard of snow or mud. Love the stability. Love Dixie and Love hiking. Waiting to recover from surgery to get back out there. Sincerely, (Slow but Steady) aka Steady
I love to have a cup too! However, after burning myself a few times from grabbing the flexible collapsible cup too aggressively, I personally recommend a hard plastic cup. Thank you for the tip on a backpack. I’ve been afraid to switch to a UL backpack because my back is old and hunched, but I swear the Ospreys are getting even heavier these days. Yea, Farm to Feet is one of my favorite socks too. Great video as always.
Thank you so much for sharing this all. Your channel has been a huge inspiration to get out & on trail. Did my first backpacking trip last year & am planning multiple ones this year. Your videos made me feel much safer going out & knowledgeable even as a beginner.
I like using a sawyer with a CNOC bag w/coupler so I can use it either to squeeze out water or as a gravity feed. However, I almost always have one of my kids hiking with me so I would filter for all of us. If I were to go by myself I think I would consider doing the smart water bottle w/ sawyer. Since I have 1 or more kids with me I would also bring two extra platypus type bags just so when I get water at camp I could get up to 5 L at once so I wouldn’t have to hike back uphill to get water in the morning! If I have all 3 kids, I take a fold up 2 gal jug.
I camp with a canoe or a motorcycle, so backpackers may not like this approach. Foot prints for a tent benefit the tent company much more than the camper. Tent floors will develop leaks, inevitably. A foot print (1) delays the first hole in the tent floor, but (2) does not stop water from entering your tent.. Tent floors will leak (let in water directly) through ground water entering through holes, or from outside flooding or puddles entering directly. Also, tent floors are not water proof - they are only highly water resistant. Water can seep right on through, particularly at pressure points where weight is applied to the floor. I think that it is more important to protect the camper than it is to try to protect a tent floor. To do that, I buy an inexpensive piece of visqueen plastic, and make a “bathtub” for the tent. An example would be a tent floor 2’X8’. I get one, single integral piece at least 1’ longer and 1’ wider than the tent floor. In this example the plastic is 9’X3’. I fold up a 6” wide cuff on all four sides, fold the corners in and secure them with duct tape. This bathtub, inside the tent, is waterproof. Even when water leeks or seeps in through the floor, the camper and gear dies not get wet from that. If a bathtub gets punctured (so far, none of mine have, but there’s always a first time) a couple of pieces of duct tape (inside and outside) fixes that. In my experience, this has always kept water out of my tents, always. It folds and rolls and fits inside my tent bags. Probably won’t fit into every tent bag along with a tent. But size and weight are generally only a bit more than a footprint. And, way less expensive and way more water proof. Courtesy of Half Vast Flying
Thank you Dixie. I think your frankness about decisions, good and bad, (I've watched about 10 of your vids now) gives your videos a lot of value (and humanity). I hear you went to the UP recently (but didn't bump into Dan Becker...or his weather)--I'll look for that one. I'm intrigued by how many adverse weather shots I've seen in your videos, and how you dealt with all of that. Anyway, thanks--very useful. Incidentally, was planning on doing EXACTLY the same thing with the XLite small pad (got the idea from watching Matt Shafter cut his pads in half)--appreciate seeing that in practice.
Just a note on power outlet/USB chargers: get one that has high output. USB chargers are not all the same. A high-output charger (e.g. 40W or above) will charge your phone in a fraction of the time as a slower, lower output charger.
You are awesome! Thank you for being an inspiration to so many. I commented once about the contractor bag and didn't realize that you were using trash compacter bags. I feel bad for ever saying anything... I was wrong also. Keep doin what you do! Thank you so much for your valuable content!
Thanks Dixie for a great video. The glove idea sounds great and I'll have to try it. I do use the Platypus Gravity Works 2L and I like it. I tend to drink a lot of water on trail, and like the large capacity bladder. Also getting into camp. I can get my dirty water bag filled and set up my tent, etc., while the water is filtered. The extra weight doesn't bother me, but than I don't carry a whole bunch of camera equipment either.
I use a hammock. But, for warmer months I use a top quilt made from a 6 1/2 ft piece of polar fleece from Jo Ann fabrics. Trimmed it to width and sewed a foot box in it. I believe I have $7 in it. Not the most compressible, but I love it. As far as the food bag is concerned, I wood highly recommend spending a Cuban fiber bag. They are worth the money. I don't know if mice cannot chew a hole in it or if it is tough enough that they go to an easier target. I have said more than once, "I have a $50 food bag. You have a $20 food bag with a hole chewed in it. Spork = bad spoon / terrible fork. The Torrid jacket is awesome, but delicate. Dixie is a Gem.
I use to use that thermarest BUT I now use the Sea-to-summit Ether-light and it is LIFE CHANGING!! I am a side sleeper and this is amazing! It has a built in bag to blow it up for connivence ..added the pillow and boyyy.I had no idea how comfortable you could be.I just would never go back....also I find a quilt is a much better option..saves weight and space... great info video as always ...
I have Cascade Mountain Tech trekking poles. They were $35 at the time, and are about $45 now, for the carbon fiber cork version. (The aluminum ones are only $20.) I haven’t done a through hike with them, but have had them for 3 years, and several hundred miles They are still going strong. If someone handed you these, and a pair of Black Diamonds anyone would correctly guess which was the more expensive pair, but you would probably think they were $20-30 cheaper. Not a third of the price.
I just posted about those very same poles. They’ve become my second hands. Don’t go anywhere without them. Agree fully on your review. Can’t tell the difference between more expensive ones.
I believe this is the only time I mean the second time I’ve made a comment I can’t believe I’ve been with you for 6 1/2 years. Awesome job and awesome content. Stay safe Dixie
For decent quality cheap gear Decathlon takes a bit of beating, I just took their £30 synthetic trekking hooded jacket to Scotland for 10 days it’s no frills but worked well even at sub zero temperatures and let’s face it for £30 if it gets damaged it’s replaceable
Decathlon is a large multi sport store all over in Europe. They are now available online in the USA. So probably this jacket can be purchased online and the items are already within the USA so arriving in a timely way. I'd actually purchased a fanny pack in Italy at a Decathlon for 2 euro about 3 dollars. It made thru half of the PCT, but at that price I had a back-up 😀.
I LOVE decathlon. I think what I like most is that they have three tiers of price for most things, which as a student getting into sport was so helpful. And now as I'm older, I've got the money to pay a little more than say £5 for a daypack etc. But decathlon still serves me well.
Recommend people consider a heavier duty emergency blanket as a groundsheet, especially for their shoulder season setup. An S.O.L. heavy duty weighs 8 ounces in a 5 x 8 piece, costs about $15, is quite puncture resistant, and folds up tightly. Hopefully you'll never use it for its intended purpose, but if you or someone else is in trouble at least you've got it.
I like the REI goretex mittens for rain/wind protection. Almost as light as the Zpacks/EE versions, but Goretex still beats those for water and wind protection.
I absolutely love the nuance in his video in regard to weight saving, where you might choose to carry a bit more for comfort/practicality's sake and what you can easily do without. All too often, recommendations are along the lines of "if you can save the weight without great bodily harm, you should".
4 pairs of socks. Love it. I started with 3 pairs and added another. Such as difference starting with dry feet. After months of rain I wound up with a poncho over my pack. However I could see the liner being useful around places the pack might be totally submerged such as fords.
Dixie thank you for all the videos and info this past year. Happy New Year too and all the Family. may it be safe and Prosperous .say hello too Mom Dad Montana Fancy and everybody. safe safe and warm.
I use umbrellas on day hikes because, well, I can, and because I'm not real fond of hoods or hats. I usually carry the black $3 Walmart umbrella because, well, I'm cheap, but i learned on one day hike in an absolute downpour that your hair still gets wet because the fabric weave is not real tight and the drops start splattering thru the umbrella. So now I would suggest investing in an umbrella that is advertised as being waterproof, or get Scotchgard or some waterproof treatment for any umbrella you use hiking for a dryer experience.
Thank you, Dixie. This info is wonderful. I’ve followed you since that first AT hike and it is fascinating to not only see your evolution, but how equipment has evolved, too. 👍⛺️. 🥾. Can’t wait to get back on those trails. 🥰
Jessica, Congrats An excellent presentation And you present yourself wonderfully Been following you a long time now Amazing to see how you have grown Keep up the good work Best of luck to you
I kinda feel like having multiple 10,000 mAh packs is better than carrying a single 20K or 30K one, because it gives you more flexibility to carry less for shorter hikes, charge one while using another (maybe charge one in the hotel room while charging your phone with another while out at dinner in town), and two separate units with two wall warts will probably charge faster than one big one. I doubt two 10K units weighs much more than one 20K unit and they're probably easier to pack.
Dixie, have you looked at the ZenBivy sleep system? I'm a side sleeper so a mummy bag is out. I didn't like the cold drafts that came with my first quilt while tossing and turning. The ZenBivy is the perfect hybrid of the two. I've been using the ZenBivy for 3 years now and absolutely love it. They make a synthetic version in addition to down and they also offer a lite version. I've got the 25° and 10° down lite versions. I love that as long as you stay with same length & style, you can keep the same fitted sheet and just swap out the quilts. My ZenBivy is my favorite piece of gear; I love snuggling into it after a long day on trail. ❤
I have the osprey 65 liter and when I weighed it before my trip I was shocked that it was 5 pounds empty. I think of all my gear this will be the next to upgrade. As for cheaper poles I’m sure they work fine for most but my first set I used once and then my friend took them on a hike and broke them. Not exactly sure what happened as I wasn’t there but just to be careful with them. Also on the long trail after it splits with the AT the terrain gets rough and we saw many broken poles so if anyone is doing that I would recommend a good sturdy pole as well so that doesn’t happen to you. :)
I'm so happy you went back to update your review. This is great! For clothing, I'm finding an alternate to shorts and long sleeves is short sleeves and long pants. Long pants for ticks (with permetheren)... Met many people with Lyme's last year 2021 :/
I have a RAVPower 15K power bank that I like because I can plug up to three things into it and plug it into the wall, and in the morning all of those three things AND the power bank are all charged. It also supports QC 3.0 which Anker seems to be allergic to (few of their banks support it).
I have the Sawyer mini and what I did was pick up a 3 litre hydration bag for dirty water and just stick the Sawyer on the end of the tube. Gives the same exact benefits of an expensive gravity setup and the flexibility to use the Sawyer with a bottle or it’s own bag or even the straw but then when I get to camp add the 3 l bag in a tree for hands free water processing. I always carry a separate water bottle for clean water though so that could be an issue for someone wanting to keep things super light.
Using trekking poles around where I go the lever locks always catch on brush and release or break. I spend most my hikes looking at range land conditions and invasive plants.
One thing I'll add from my experience with headlamps - I have had some name brand ones that disappointingly didn't last very long. One in particular was only used a few times over several years and then had the on switch fail completely. I just purchased a pair of rechargeable headlamps on Amazon (from China of course) which weigh 2 oz each., have a lower and brighter setting for both the center LED and the side LED mode, a red mode, and a flashing red mode. And the pair of them cost only $15 including the recharging cords. Can't report yet on high long they'll hold a charge (although the reviews sounded decent), or how long they'll last. But considering the experiences I've had so far with the well-known-brand $35-60 ones, it doesn't seem that more money and a name necessarily gets you a better product. I'll see what happens.
I can listen to her for hours. Common sense driven by experience…her advice is good for all levels of hikers. We can argue with some of her choices but she considers most angles and is researches topics very well. Well worth the watch.
dixie, i love you so much.
so many hiking videos are about SOLO TRIP IN HARD WEATHER! or GEAR I HATE NOW or WHAT YOU'RE DOING WRONG and you are so much about gracious friendly advice and i love that you revisit concepts to reevaluate.
you just talk straight to us and you're not clickbaity.
thank you.
and may your new year be full of blessings.
Bear spray vs hornet best. On my thru hikes, I’ve😅 encountered some sketchy humans yet never in so much pain as to when we crossed and offended a yellow jacket nest.
"Negative" titles get more clicks. While her videos are informational, that's just smart marketing lol.
Thanks, great video. I would suggest Costco's Cascade Mountain Tech trecking poles. Best deal out there. They are $30 for a pair of carbon fiber 8oz poles. They are rated for the PCT as 4th best and that at $60 instead of 30. I even got mine on sale for $23 at costco and bought multiple pairs for self and family. Now Coscto needs a deal w/ ULA and Big Agnes!
Hi Dixie.. I was watching how you kept your feet warm in the shoes you wore, as opposed to heavy duty hiking boots, and were your feet dry? And apart from the issue of weight, why did you choose shoes over boots? Thanks, Steve.
Hey Dixie...on the subject of trekking poles, I bought mine (Outdoor Products) at Walmart about 5 years ago for $14.95. They have locking mechanisms for length, cork hand grips with adjustable straps, rubber "booties" on the bottom of the poles for hard surfaces which can be removed for non rocky areas, lightweight (compared them to my girlfriends "high end" poles and they weighed the same) AND they come with a little "basket" near the bottom of the poles for trekking in the snow! I have used them with no problems and I would definitely recommend them!
Great video!
Great video. Two suggestions for the "food" section. The Humangear Gobites Duo spoon and fork combo is bomb proof and light. Also I am in agreement with Andrew Skurka and don't do a traditional bear hang any more. Unless I am required to use a bear canister I use an Ursack in bear country.
For gloves I have a pair of windproof and insulated mittens from Decathlon. You can flip back the "mitt" and you then have fingerless gloves. A thin pair of Merino liners make this a very warm combination. For rain gear I prefer a poncho. Because it can act as a pack cover as well as keep me dry. Keeping your stuff dry inside of the pack is great but the pack itself, unless it's made out of a waterproof material, The pack itself will absorb water and can easily gain well over a pound in water weight, especially if you have well padded hip belt and shoulder straps. Those completely act like sponges.
Something you might add to your cold trips, and I started using this year is a Buff. They are great around the neck and like base layers, help a lot at personal temperature regulation, and t
add protection from teens and single digits of wind, you can pull it up on the chin also.
Get the longer ones and you can wear it as a balaclava
I think she might just not have remembered to mention it because they're so ubiquitous. I bought my first Buff several years ago after Dixie was raving about how they're basically indispensable.
@@neemancallender9092
I where one on my head sometimes.
Get a proper one made of wool (e.g. merino wool). Unbelievably nice!
I have my merino buff on my lap right now. Heat went out in the house just when the snow storm hit so it was chilly in here. Had on my buff and down vest. Thankfully heating company came and fixed it today.
Great video, thanks for the rundown! One of the unspoken lessons here is also to recognize that sometimes a fresh hiker just needs to get out there and hike in order to work out what works for them.
100%
Dixie, one of the BEST features of the Flycreek UL2 was the ability to pitch it using just the footprint & rainfly. Spead out footprint, install poles in grommets, drape rainfly over poles and secure to footprint with the plastic snap buckles. You can the pitch your tent under the erected fly & poles. Great in a sudden mountain rainstorm, or if bugs aren't a concern and you don't want to bother with the tent body. But you have to pony up for the footprint to realize the benefits.
To avoid the expense and weight of the footprint, there's another option for bad weather if you are willing to crawl on your Fly Creek. Leave the fly attached except for one of the front corners. To pitch, lay the tent flat, assemble and slide the pole under the fly, insert its ends into the grommets, GENTLY crawl under the fly to attach the clips, attach the last corner of the fly, and stake down as needed.
FYI, polycryo (or polycro) comes in different varieties. The really light stuff (usually 0.7 mil) is used for window insulation, and will protect against water and provide some insulation (not much - it mainly insulates windows by preventing drafts), but it's VERY fragile stuff and will tear easily. Painter's drop cloth polycro sheeting is usually 1.5 or 2 mil, and will stand up to a lot more abuse and insulate more, but will also be about as heavy as Tyvek, maybe heavier. Tyvek is great against water, but provides only slight insulation benefits. It is however, pretty darn durable, and after being broken in, folds just like any lightweight cloth. Plus, it has the added benefit of being white, meaning you can use a sharpie and make your groundsheet do double duty as multiple signs ("hiker to town" "hiker to trail", etc etc - just fold it so the sign you want is visible).
Bottom line, poly and Tyvek are both already very lightweight and do the footprint job well, but the only way to really save more weight (you're not saving much) is to trade in on durability. I'd go with 1.5 mil poly if you don't like Tyvek. Personally, I have a roll of Tyvek in my DIY box, and until I use that up I'm not using anything else. It does a great job and one sheet lasts multiple seasons.
I agree. I go with Tyvek for the simple reason that the first piece I used is still going. I'm not a thru-hiker, so maybe this is not so crucial, but for general backpacking, a bit more substantial protection often comes in handy, especially with an inflatable mattress.
@@oldgettingolderhopefully6997 Personally, I think the durability plays an even bigger factor in long hikes, especially when resupplies are fewer and further between. As with most gear, it's a balancing act between weight and durability (and cost). As the old adage goes, cheap, durable, light - pick 2 cuz you can't have all three. In this case, their all pretty cheap and light and Tyvek is also durable. I just think the durability trade off is nowhere near the weight benefit with this one.
@@backpacker3421 so are you saying youd' rather go with polycro?
Thanks man. You just saved me hours of you tubing.
3 years ago I was rocking a 3.75 lb pack....now I use the Zpacks Nero 38 and it makes hiking so much more fun. No need to have 1/5th of your base weight in your pack alone.
Yup! After simply choosing what to leave behind, I usually tell people who are trying to shave weight that the first place to look is for a new pack, but don't bother with REI or any big store. Look to Z or HMG, or ULA, etc etc. Most people can shed 2-3 pounds right there. When I was a kid, I used my 70L mountaineering pack for ALL my backpacking because I couldn't afford multiple packs - of course, back then the lightest packs available were still 3.5 lbs or more. I think my mountaineering pack was about 5.5 lbs empty...
@@backpacker3421 if I remember correctly Dixie had a trail family member on the AT that was toting a 75 to 100 lb pack. She joked that you couldn't see him if you were hiking behind him....just a pair of legs...lol.
Yup - my beginners pack was Deuter (sp?) but I’ve switched to a 2 lb. Mariposa medium
@@meinthewild my Zpacks Nero comes in at a whopping 10.2 oz.
I'm looking for a backpack which fits my needs. My current one is 2.2kg but so comfy, I can carry a 20kg load with ease. I'd love to have a lighter one since my normal load is about 10kg with food and water. But I won't replace the comfort. Even though I'm searching, I think I'll have to hike the CDT next year with a 2.2kg model.
I've also had very good experiences with Anker power banks. I have 10k one (Astro E3) from ~2012 and have since retired that one to urban usage, but I've picked up two more Powercore 10k banks and prefer carrying two banks rather than one for a couple reasons. Last I checked, the Powercore 20100 weighs 356g and two Powercore 10000s weigh 354g. Add in the little carrying bag and the 20k might win by a couple of grams, but it's really close. Note that the Powercore PD banks are a trap unless you need the higher output. They are significantly heavier for the same capacity. The same thing applies to the Powercore Lite, Slim, Redux and + models. Two power banks also allow me to have a much better feel for how much power I have left and makes it easier to make sure I'm reserving enough power for the more critical needs. Finally, if I were to have a power bank fail, it's nice that I likely only lose part of my power. You might take another look at the 20k+10k setup that you ran for awhile.
On a related note, we got a stark reminder this last fall that electronics can and will fail on the trail. Carrying redundancy and/or alternatives when reasonable is a good idea. I thankfully haven't had a power bank fail yet, but we had the lamp burn out on a Steripen (UV light water purification) midway through our last trip. I'm estimating it was about 20% through its expected life so it was a surprise to have it fail. As a group of 5 on that trip, we had planned redundancy built in so we all fell back on a MSR pump filter that a friend was using. Two or three liters later, the handle on the pump snapped off. We had a fuel reserve for boiling water and most of us had a small emergency supply of chemical treatment as well so we were not at risk, but it was a sobering reminder that a cascade of failures can change the complexion of a trip in a hurry.
Thanks Dixie! Your videos definitely helped get us through the last two pandemic years! Love your approach!
Sensible advice as always. Gear is a journey, not a destination and all of us who hike learn something every time we go out. Otherwise it would just be walking! Thanks Dixie.
Dixie is going to empty my wallet. At least I take good care of my gear.
I have the Enigma and it's awesome, but if you're concerned about transitioning to a quilt (it's an easy switch, but I get it), you can get the Convert from Enlightened Equipment. It's very similar to the Enigma, but zips fully out to a full quilt (no foot box) and all the way up to a full sleeping bag. That's what I use for winter (the -10 degree version) so I can zip all the way in when it's really drafty.
Correction: Just went through my gear. My 3-season quilt is the Revelation, not the Enigma. Fairly similar quilts though. You can't really go wrong with EE gear.
+1 for ULA packs. I have the Catalyst (slightly larger than the Ohm but otherwise very similar). I lovelovelove that pack. It's the only pack I use anymore. Nearly as light as the HMG or Zpacks, but MUCH more durable and more comfortable, IMO.
I also agree that limiting your pack capacity is a VERY good idea. TBH, if you can't fit it in 40 liters, you probably don't need it unless you're going into some seriously sketchy terrain and need extra gear - though for winter camping, an extra 10L or so is good for the extra room your sleeping bag will take up (that's why I have the Catalyst instead of the Ohm - one pack for year round fun).
Thank you for suffering through watching tour old self for us! This is helping me prep for the PCT this year!
... Dixie's your video's are always a great watch ... Started watching from the beginning of the AT and enjoy them all ... watching you put in the work to not only hike crazy long trails but video them as well .You create inspiration for SO many and good sense information for those starting out on a thru hike for the first time ... Gear choices first come from a personal budget until experience comes into play ,, sometimes the cheap and basic get the job done ,but the trail and time will dictate that ... Your written works as well are impressive and the personal touches to some to reach into themselves ,,Remembering a young lady so inspired by one of your slogans of inner strength ,, she had it tattooed on her arm .... and that was early in your hiking program .. In trail talks,, I don't know anyone that doesn't know of Dixie ,,Homemade Wanderlust ,, and not have anything but positive things to bring up ...
.. I can't imagine what a thru hiker learns about themself but after all you have done ,,I would guess the self talk would be an Oscar winner .. To reflect back on what gear choices might be swapped can be a fun afternoon but you did it with what you had ,, and did it well .. All along the way has been a blast to watch this southern girl tame the trails ,even swamps,, and some very rugged mountains and always finish with a smile ... .... Looking forward for what's to come ......Stay Safe and God Bless .....
I don't know when I've seen a more informative video with simple delivery. No dang music or special effects, which aren't needed on informative videos but too often get them. Thank you for this excellent video.
Really nice to go down memory lane, so to speak, with you. As far as the "quality" of the video(s) back then, it was just fine. In fact, although lacking the better equipment and the expertise of Aaron, the videos of your AT thru hike are some really good screen time. I've watched the movie(your whole hike in one video) a bunch of times, and it warms my heart and gets me excited about hiking each time.
Today's video is a really good one. Thank you for it.
Dixie’s old videos are a hoot!
Umbrella ☂ is a must for me. Unshaded ☀️ trail, desert 🌵 as well as rain 🌧 make the UV umbrella I carry an absolute must. The difference between being able to hike or not under these circumstances.
I really appreciate your comment about 2 liters of water being too much. I also carried 2 liters in a platypus type bladder and after my section hike realized that at least on the south part of the trail, there is literally water everywhere.
Lots of excellent recommendations here IMO, but note that what rating you need on the quilt/sleeping bag varies a lot from person to person. I was perfectly happy with a 30 degree bag on the AT, but that's obviously not for everyone and it really depends on personal preferences.
For me a foam pad can work in a tent, but not at all on a wooden shelter floor. I've friends though that was happy (I assume) with a foam pad in shelters so again it's very different from person to person.
I started with a metal spoon, but switched to a plastic one when I found a really light one. IMO a long (metal) spoon is super useful if you prepare meals in the packaging (like the freeze dried ones), but I used mostly cheaper stuff like Raman noodles and cooked them in the pot and then a small plastic spoon was all I needed.
Excellent advice re: hiking poles- cork handles to prevent blisters/hot spots, adjustable/collapsible, etc. And with some cheap off-brand/box store sporting goods department poles, it's very difficult if not impossible to get the adjusters to hold tightly enough to prevent dangerous collapse under pressure, especially for larger folks and/or the added weight of a pack. TEST the darn things before buying something too cheap and not being able to return them! :D Since they are safety gear as well as comfort, and perhaps part of a tent/shelter system, definitely best to assure quality vs. "cheapest possible"! :D LOVE your well-organized and detailed product reviews and other videos! :D Thanks for keeping it REAL! :D
A couple of years ago we watched one of your videos in which you mentioned Lone Peak 4.5 trail runners. Since I have had foot problems as in my feet hurt a lot from to much standing or walking. I checked out a pair at rei and wore them out of the store. I guess my feet needed the wide toe box and the 0 drop. Thank you so much for helping my hiking and just general life. After 3 years I just about have wore out that first pair. I have two more in reserve. Other than dress shoes its all I wear. Thanks for your videos.
I have some long sleeved T-shirt fishing shirts that are made of polyester and are stretchy. They have a dark woodland camo pattern and I picked it because dark colours have more UV absorbancy than light and white colours. Unlike cotton, they don't absorb moisture so they dry much faster than cotton and are less stinky in hot conditions from BO. I also have some buffs that are also stretchy thin synthetic material and long enough so you can pull them up in a balaclava type setup that also covers your nose and head and still keeps your neck covered. The buffs, with a brimmed hat and sunglasses, keeps almost all of your face covered so you don't need to use much, if any, sunscreen. The shirts are also available in a polo neck design. Oh, yeah, I used the buffs without incident during mask mandates. The shirts and buffs are summer weight but I have ridden with the buffs during winter when the temps were less that 5℃ without freezing my throat and neck.
This is such a great video! Everyone's gear choices will change over time. It's a good reminder to never be 'married' to the gear you have as you progress in your experience or encounter different conditions. And also that we shouldn't hold others (or ourselves) accountable for bad choices they may have made previously. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the vid. I know I'm late to watching this but I recently came back to watching your channel and didn't know about the updates on the quilt. I guess I was forcing myself to be blissfully unaware of the changes in price and fill. I prefer synthetic over down, (for the security in case of getting wet) that just wasn't an option when they first came out, not to mention they were easily almost 3 times the price (years ago when they first came out the ones that had the ratings I was looking for cost in the $580 range), which was a jaw dropper that made me dismiss the idea for years. Now I think I might get one. 😆
Thank you for this video Dixie! It's nice to see how your experience and available gear have evolved over the years. Would love to see an update on your gear picks for the PCT as well!
Nice! Love the gear videos. Just a note regarding the wall chargers, make sure you get one with a high output. It will make the difference between you 20.000 powerbank charging in 20h or 4h 😉.
I really appreciate your reviews. I think you are saving many of us money in the long run by sharing gear which works for you and pointing out improvements in what you carry over your earlier choices.
I too have an EE Revelation and an EE Torrid. Kept me toasty at Thanksgiving camping in the high Sierras in Northern California! Thanks to input through your videos. I do a lot of boat and canoe camping too, and feel more secure in synthetic rather than down (but still want to keep everything dry).
Always glad to see another video. I’ll be hiking the AT 2022 and your videos were a big part of my research. I’m only using a few pieces of this gear/your current gear, but your experience was super helpful in every decision I’ve made.
You've come a long long way since the AT. We're all very proud of you.
This is a perfect video to watch as I am aspiring to thru-hike the AT within the next 5 years and just started buying gear.
I always like using large ziplock bags for my sleeping clothes(top/bottom/socks). Keeps them separate so I can find them easily, and they will for sure be dry in there.
Perfect timing! I’m prepping to do my first thru hike this coming season
I started the PCT with $30 Trekology poles. Function wise they were perfectly fine however I went through 2 pairs, each lasted about 400 miles before the tips cracked and fell off. So overall I think cheap poles are great, but for a thru hike the more expensive ones are worth it for the durability. My Lekis got me the last ~1200 miles and are still in great shape!
I used inexpensive Mountainsmith trekking poles that came as a bonus for free with another pack that I got. They worked fine on the CT for me in 2018. I think the model is called Pinnacle.
What a great after post trek review of your gear! Well done Dixie!!
Speaking of Trekking Poles - I started out with Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Poles in Carbon Fiber and Aluminum I ordered off Amazon. They have the cork handles and quick adjustable locks. I first had the Carbon Fiber (44.99) and they lasted 3 years, I broke one of the poles. Then I went with the Aluminum which now cost 29.99 but are on sale for 22.99. I never had them collapsed on me so I would highly recommend them. I kept my aluminum for walking around town or at the public track. Last year I bought a pair of the Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Women's which are aluminum. These are my preferred trekking poles because they have a 15 degree corrective angle which provides better grip and easier on the wrists. They are 139.00 but I had store credit and also had a dividend check which really knocked down the price. I am glad you are still doing your hikes. As always I like the gear reviews.
Thank you for this update. The AT is unique. I am amazed at how much I can still learn from your experience and I have been hiking for five decades plus. What you have to share on base layers and sleep wear and the difference is especially important. And still have few differences on choices on water filtering and carries because of the environment and climate I hike in. I have all the zones of the CDT except Chihuahua desert of Southern New Mexico within 100 miles of me.
Thank you so much for this review. I’m going to pick up the gloves for a trip in February- perfect timing!
I’ve hiked almost 200 miles (half that on the PCT) with the cascade mountain tech trekking poles and haven’t had any problems. I’ve splurged on several other items but for carbon fiber poles with cork grips, they’re a great deal and have worked well enough that I haven’t felt the need to upgrade. They’re $45 right now on Amazon but a bit cheaper at Costco if that’s an option.
I have these poles and really like them, im planning on using them on my AT thruhike
i have the same
As always you motivate me to hike. You also were the very first person and video I watched to learn how to section hike. I’ve been section hiking for 2-3 years now and am still using my original hiking poles from Amazon. They are cascade mountain trekking poles and run around $45. Carbon fiber. Cork handles ( of which the AT took a hunk out of on my last day, just a simple slip and a chunk came off but still working great without issues) they are adjustable, never slip on adjusting. The have adjusting locks, not twist locks. I’ve used them on an 8 day section of the AT, two different Ozark Trail hikes, smaller day hikes and nearly every day in the winter on my property walking about my yard of snow or mud. Love the stability. Love Dixie and Love hiking. Waiting to recover from surgery to get back out there.
Sincerely, (Slow but Steady) aka Steady
I love to have a cup too! However, after burning myself a few times from grabbing the flexible collapsible cup too aggressively, I personally recommend a hard plastic cup. Thank you for the tip on a backpack. I’ve been afraid to switch to a UL backpack because my back is old and hunched, but I swear the Ospreys are getting even heavier these days. Yea, Farm to Feet is one of my favorite socks too. Great video as always.
Thank you so much for sharing this all. Your channel has been a huge inspiration to get out & on trail. Did my first backpacking trip last year & am planning multiple ones this year. Your videos made me feel much safer going out & knowledgeable even as a beginner.
I like using a sawyer with a CNOC bag w/coupler so I can use it either to squeeze out water or as a gravity feed. However, I almost always have one of my kids hiking with me so I would filter for all of us. If I were to go by myself I think I would consider doing the smart water bottle w/ sawyer. Since I have 1 or more kids with me I would also bring two extra platypus type bags just so when I get water at camp I could get up to 5 L at once so I wouldn’t have to hike back uphill to get water in the morning! If I have all 3 kids, I take a fold up 2 gal jug.
I camp with a canoe or a motorcycle, so backpackers may not like this approach. Foot prints for a tent benefit the tent company much more than the camper. Tent floors will develop leaks, inevitably. A foot print (1) delays the first hole in the tent floor, but (2) does not stop water from entering your tent..
Tent floors will leak (let in water directly) through ground water entering through holes, or from outside flooding or puddles entering directly. Also, tent floors are not water proof - they are only highly water resistant. Water can seep right on through, particularly at pressure points where weight is applied to the floor.
I think that it is more important to protect the camper than it is to try to protect a tent floor. To do that, I buy an inexpensive piece of visqueen plastic, and make a “bathtub” for the tent. An example would be a tent floor 2’X8’. I get one, single integral piece at least 1’ longer and 1’ wider than the tent floor. In this example the plastic is 9’X3’. I fold up a 6” wide cuff on all four sides, fold the corners in and secure them with duct tape. This bathtub, inside the tent, is waterproof. Even when water leeks or seeps in through the floor, the camper and gear dies not get wet from that. If a bathtub gets punctured (so far, none of mine have, but there’s always a first time) a couple of pieces of duct tape (inside and outside) fixes that.
In my experience, this has always kept water out of my tents, always. It folds and rolls and fits inside my tent bags. Probably won’t fit into every tent bag along with a tent. But size and weight are generally only a bit more than a footprint. And, way less expensive and way more water proof.
Courtesy of Half Vast Flying
Thank you Dixie. I think your frankness about decisions, good and bad, (I've watched about 10 of your vids now) gives your videos a lot of value (and humanity). I hear you went to the UP recently (but didn't bump into Dan Becker...or his weather)--I'll look for that one. I'm intrigued by how many adverse weather shots I've seen in your videos, and how you dealt with all of that. Anyway, thanks--very useful. Incidentally, was planning on doing EXACTLY the same thing with the XLite small pad (got the idea from watching Matt Shafter cut his pads in half)--appreciate seeing that in practice.
The "Sawyer squeeze" sounds like a good idea. Thank you for the gear review.
I hope it gets everything
Just a note on power outlet/USB chargers: get one that has high output. USB chargers are not all the same. A high-output charger (e.g. 40W or above) will charge your phone in a fraction of the time as a slower, lower output charger.
Thank you so much for this! It will make my future hikes much more comfortable!
You are awesome! Thank you for being an inspiration to so many. I commented once about the contractor bag and didn't realize that you were using trash compacter bags. I feel bad for ever saying anything... I was wrong also. Keep doin what you do! Thank you so much for your valuable content!
You have got to be one of the most practical content providers on the entire internet. A tremendous wealth of knowledge
Thanks Dixie for a great video. The glove idea sounds great and I'll have to try it. I do use the Platypus Gravity Works 2L and I like it. I tend to drink a lot of water on trail, and like the large capacity bladder. Also getting into camp. I can get my dirty water bag filled and set up my tent, etc., while the water is filtered. The extra weight doesn't bother me, but than I don't carry a whole bunch of camera equipment either.
Thank you for sharing your hiking expertise.
Thanks Jessica! great vid, as always! as one who suffers from analysis paralysis when it comes to gear, your opinion really helps!
AMC AT ridge runner here. Heading to 100 mile wilderness this June. Thanks for the video. Cheers to all.🍻
I've been following you for awhile now and always appreciate your wisdom. I'm hitting the A.T. NOBO March 20th. THanks!
Good luck!!
@@HomemadeWanderlust thank you Ms. Dixie!!
I use a hammock. But, for warmer months I use a top quilt made from a 6 1/2 ft piece of polar fleece from Jo Ann fabrics. Trimmed it to width and sewed a foot box in it. I believe I have $7 in it. Not the most compressible, but I love it. As far as the food bag is concerned, I wood highly recommend spending a Cuban fiber bag. They are worth the money. I don't know if mice cannot chew a hole in it or if it is tough enough that they go to an easier target. I have said more than once, "I have a $50 food bag. You have a $20 food bag with a hole chewed in it.
Spork = bad spoon / terrible fork. The Torrid jacket is awesome, but delicate.
Dixie is a Gem.
I use to use that thermarest BUT I now use the Sea-to-summit Ether-light and it is LIFE CHANGING!! I am a side sleeper and this is amazing! It has a built in bag to blow it up for connivence ..added the pillow and boyyy.I had no idea how comfortable you could be.I just would never go back....also I find a quilt is a much better option..saves weight and space... great info video as always ...
this is great info dixie! love it!
I have Cascade Mountain Tech trekking poles. They were $35 at the time, and are about $45 now, for the carbon fiber cork version. (The aluminum ones are only $20.) I haven’t done a through hike with them, but have had them for 3 years, and several hundred miles They are still going strong.
If someone handed you these, and a pair of Black Diamonds anyone would correctly guess which was the more expensive pair, but you would probably think they were $20-30 cheaper. Not a third of the price.
I just posted about those very same poles. They’ve become my second hands. Don’t go anywhere without them. Agree fully on your review. Can’t tell the difference between more expensive ones.
have the same
Wow, that’s a lot of very useful information. Have been following you for years now and this kind of reflection on gear is very nice. Thank you!
Brilliant as always!
I believe this is the only time I mean the second time I’ve made a comment I can’t believe I’ve been with you for 6 1/2 years. Awesome job and awesome content. Stay safe Dixie
For decent quality cheap gear Decathlon takes a bit of beating, I just took their £30 synthetic trekking hooded jacket to Scotland for 10 days it’s no frills but worked well even at sub zero temperatures and let’s face it for £30 if it gets damaged it’s replaceable
Decathlon is a large multi sport store all over in Europe. They are now available online in the USA. So probably this jacket can be purchased online and the items are already within the USA so arriving in a timely way. I'd actually purchased a fanny pack in Italy at a Decathlon for 2 euro about 3 dollars. It made thru half of the PCT, but at that price I had a back-up 😀.
I LOVE decathlon. I think what I like most is that they have three tiers of price for most things, which as a student getting into sport was so helpful. And now as I'm older, I've got the money to pay a little more than say £5 for a daypack etc. But decathlon still serves me well.
Gravity filters are great for family backpacking. We collect a bunch and it fills all our water bottles and pot for cooking.
I totally agree. I have two young kids, and it just isn’t feasible for each of us to have a Sawyer Squeeze. Maybe when they are older though.
Recommend people consider a heavier duty emergency blanket as a groundsheet, especially for their shoulder season setup. An S.O.L. heavy duty weighs 8 ounces in a 5 x 8 piece, costs about $15, is quite puncture resistant, and folds up tightly. Hopefully you'll never use it for its intended purpose, but if you or someone else is in trouble at least you've got it.
I like the REI goretex mittens for rain/wind protection. Almost as light as the Zpacks/EE versions, but Goretex still beats those for water and wind protection.
Great update... I appreciate your candor and honesty.
I absolutely love the nuance in his video in regard to weight saving, where you might choose to carry a bit more for comfort/practicality's sake and what you can easily do without. All too often, recommendations are along the lines of "if you can save the weight without great bodily harm, you should".
4 pairs of socks. Love it. I started with 3 pairs and added another. Such as difference starting with dry feet.
After months of rain I wound up with a poncho over my pack. However I could see the liner being useful around places the pack might be totally submerged such as fords.
Dixie thank you for all the videos and info this past year. Happy New Year too and all the Family. may it be safe and Prosperous .say hello too Mom Dad Montana Fancy and everybody. safe safe and warm.
Love it ! Solid advice from experience for anyone who is considering a long distance hike. Thanks for sharing !
I watch a lot of these type videos and I have to say hands down you have the best break down. I watched all your videos. Keep it up. Bravo
I use umbrellas on day hikes because, well, I can, and because I'm not real fond of hoods or hats. I usually carry the black $3 Walmart umbrella because, well, I'm cheap, but i learned on one day hike in an absolute downpour that your hair still gets wet because the fabric weave is not real tight and the drops start splattering thru the umbrella. So now I would suggest investing in an umbrella that is advertised as being waterproof, or get Scotchgard or some waterproof treatment for any umbrella you use hiking for a dryer experience.
Thank you, Dixie. This info is wonderful. I’ve followed you since that first AT hike and it is fascinating to not only see your evolution, but how equipment has evolved, too. 👍⛺️. 🥾. Can’t wait to get back on those trails. 🥰
Jessica,
Congrats
An excellent presentation
And you present yourself wonderfully
Been following you a long time now
Amazing to see how you have grown
Keep up the good work
Best of luck to you
"It's not the Arrow, It's the Indian." Dixie, you are made of the right stuff. Thanks.
Thanks!
Thank you!
I kinda feel like having multiple 10,000 mAh packs is better than carrying a single 20K or 30K one, because it gives you more flexibility to carry less for shorter hikes, charge one while using another (maybe charge one in the hotel room while charging your phone with another while out at dinner in town), and two separate units with two wall warts will probably charge faster than one big one. I doubt two 10K units weighs much more than one 20K unit and they're probably easier to pack.
Dixie, have you looked at the ZenBivy sleep system? I'm a side sleeper so a mummy bag is out. I didn't like the cold drafts that came with my first quilt while tossing and turning. The ZenBivy is the perfect hybrid of the two. I've been using the ZenBivy for 3 years now and absolutely love it. They make a synthetic version in addition to down and they also offer a lite version. I've got the 25° and 10° down lite versions. I love that as long as you stay with same length & style, you can keep the same fitted sheet and just swap out the quilts. My ZenBivy is my favorite piece of gear; I love snuggling into it after a long day on trail. ❤
This is awesome! Thanks for sharing and for returning to the beginning for us. Your vlog inspired me to hike the AT this year! 💛
Thanks so much Dixie, you’ve inspired me to do the a.t. and bought 90% of the items you suggested
Happy New Year, thank you for your videos, be safe take care God bless
You’ll have to get over to Western Australia for the 1003km Bibbulmun Track..gonna buy an EE Enigma quilt now…Happy hiking!!
Thank you very much! You are so helpful and kind!
Good insight into equipment that will get it done, and what will get it done lighter. Very useful information. Thanks, Dixie! 👍
I have the osprey 65 liter and when I weighed it before my trip I was shocked that it was 5 pounds empty. I think of all my gear this will be the next to upgrade. As for cheaper poles I’m sure they work fine for most but my first set I used once and then my friend took them on a hike and broke them. Not exactly sure what happened as I wasn’t there but just to be careful with them. Also on the long trail after it splits with the AT the terrain gets rough and we saw many broken poles so if anyone is doing that I would recommend a good sturdy pole as well so that doesn’t happen to you. :)
"Crawl in like a dog crate." I just love your analogies. :) Thanks for sharing!
I'm so happy you went back to update your review. This is great! For clothing, I'm finding an alternate to shorts and long sleeves is short sleeves and long pants. Long pants for ticks (with permetheren)... Met many people with Lyme's last year 2021 :/
I have a RAVPower 15K power bank that I like because I can plug up to three things into it and plug it into the wall, and in the morning all of those three things AND the power bank are all charged. It also supports QC 3.0 which Anker seems to be allergic to (few of their banks support it).
This was a great video.. very informative!! Definitely going to reconsider some of my gear.
Great update. Thanks for posting. Happy new year 2022!
I have the Sawyer mini and what I did was pick up a 3 litre hydration bag for dirty water and just stick the Sawyer on the end of the tube. Gives the same exact benefits of an expensive gravity setup and the flexibility to use the Sawyer with a bottle or it’s own bag or even the straw but then when I get to camp add the 3 l bag in a tree for hands free water processing.
I always carry a separate water bottle for clean water though so that could be an issue for someone wanting to keep things super light.
To me, polycro vs tyvek is like comparing saran wrap to dyneema. I want a ground cloth to protect my tent floor from pointy things as well as mud.
I use Cascade trekking poles. They are affordable, lever and lock system and cork handles. I love them!
Using trekking poles around where I go the lever locks always catch on brush and release or break. I spend most my hikes looking at range land conditions and invasive plants.
Great job! Thorough, methodical, excellent. Thanks!
One thing I'll add from my experience with headlamps - I have had some name brand ones that disappointingly didn't last very long. One in particular was only used a few times over several years and then had the on switch fail completely. I just purchased a pair of rechargeable headlamps on Amazon (from China of course) which weigh 2 oz each., have a lower and brighter setting for both the center LED and the side LED mode, a red mode, and a flashing red mode. And the pair of them cost only $15 including the recharging cords. Can't report yet on high long they'll hold a charge (although the reviews sounded decent), or how long they'll last. But considering the experiences I've had so far with the well-known-brand $35-60 ones, it doesn't seem that more money and a name necessarily gets you a better product. I'll see what happens.
You are my go to for info! Thanks Dixie!!