I've seen seems like millions of these, Yours are hands down the best yet. To the point, well edited, no bullshit chatter; ah, I mean, let's see over here and the best feature is you don't waste time trying out a stand-up routine. For the last one Thank You Thank you. I texted my son, turns out he was watching you at the same time. Keep up the quality.
I definitely agree with you about the bullshit chatter. A lot of other channels go into corny jokes or brag about the items while Darwin talks plainly on what he did and why. Really enjoy watch these videos.
I've been thinking about getting into backpacking and your videos have been RIDICULOUSLY useful in getting a better sense of gear, backpacks, and mentality for going on a thru hike. Thanks for doing such detailed videos!
That side pocket I think would be a great place to stow your rain gear. Opening your pack when it's raining to get your rain gear out isn't a good strategy for keeping contents dry.
I'm going camping in a week and I'm glad I found your channel. I hate having too much bulk and wanted to find some cool products but now I'm going to have to try some hiking because I've been watching these videos all morning
Thank you Darwin. There are so many videos on showing the gear that people use, but I feel it is a wasted opportunity to not show how everything is packed into the bag or comes out of the bag. This gives us a relative idea of how much can be packed and what can be packed. So thank you very much!
I love watching your videos and love how well spoken and concise you are. That's what makes it so much more hilarious when something like "shit tickets" and "ass pad" comes out so effortlessly. Keep on making videos, I am planning my first back packing trip this spring and I have learned so much watching you.
Going to the Grand Canyon and was worried about packing, you helped me TONS!I have the newer Atmos 65 and am totally going to set it up like yours. Thank you so much.
I am enjoying your videos. Great for ideas. I just bought my last hunting pack. Stone glacier 6200. And am looking for ways to load it more efficient then I have in the past. Keep up the good info videos
Wonderful video. Very helpful. I have lived in the North Cascades all of my 55 years and have done Section K many times as well as Section J. I would encourage you to make it all the way to the border. Many folks get to the Bridge of the Gods and call that good, but as good as the High Sierras and the Oregon Cascades are (and they are really good) I have to say the North Cascades are profound in their beauty (yeah, I know I'm a little prejudice). Be aware that up here it can snow heavily any time of the year, even in the heat of the summer. I envy your coming adventure. It is going to be so good. Be well.
Yeah the Dwin is the man! I've watched a shit ton of channels and this is the most densely packed information station for a wide range of Topics I have seen. Love Dixie from HW too. Good ideas for backcountry kayaking! Pukasaw 2020 baby!!! Thx a bunch ! Love from Ontario Canada 🇨🇦
Hey Darwin, i just saw a video where they showed a different way to use the "sleepingbag pocket". They stuffed the sleepingbag just in the normal big pocket and put the foodbag into the "sleepingbag pocket" so the weight is low and close to the hipbelt and also reachable very quick. And you just need the sleepingbag when you are at camp. So i think that is a pretty nice way. Just wanted to let you know, maybe you like it too
Thanks man! I just got the Atmos 65 and was struggling with the weight distribution and my lower back feeling tight and sore on my test hauls. Had not thought of splitting my tent parts up. That seems to be much better. Good luck on the PCT.
SOOO many options of pack man! The arc blast's gonna be my choice! Can pack to 55L, the space use can be only 35 to 40L, it is just great! I'll go with that for my first thru-hike for the PCT 2019! And by the way, you are doing really great videos man! And I enjoy following you on youtube and instagram! Hope your foot get better along the way on the PCT! You'll be fine!
I'm just now watching your videos and I'm super excited to find out you're doing the PCT next year as I'm planning my thru hike of it as well! I haven't decided when I'm leaving. Sometime between march 15 to April 15. Probably closer to the April date. It'll be my first long thru hike! Hope to see you guys on the trail!!!
Thanks for this video! I have the atmos 65 and this was a big help. 1 thing I do with those front pockets: I keep my rain jacket where you keep your filtration system so I can get to it faster. Other than that I think your setup is way more efficient lol. I'm taking notes.
I am looking for New England winter hiking video. I have back pain issues so I am switching from my REI Traverse 48 to Osprey Atmos AG 50. REI Traverse is similar to the Osprey Stratos. After watching your video I think I should get the AG 65. I was disappointed the Osprey Atmos has fewer pockets than my REI Traverse. New England weather changes frequently through the day so I typically pack my food on bottom for rapid layer changes. Need to be able to rapidly change for snow, sleet, freezing rain, wind. AG 50 does not have rain cover, no side pockets, no top internal mesh pocket, and missing several other convenient pockets. When clothes get wet from snow or rain need to keep items separate to avoid hypothermia. I look forward to more of your helpful videos.
I thought I was going to have a problem with my inflatable pad in the desert too but did not get a single puncture until I reached Northern Californa and Oregon where I got 4 punctures over that stretch even though I was careful.
I usually do 10 to 20 day hikes in Norway, rather cold and rainy in summer, and my setup is so much different from yours :) It is really funny how the regional experiences influence you you set up and evolve this over time :) If you're interested I can tell you what I pack and how after about 10 years of hiking eyxperience in that climate :)
Very good video, I like the idea of storing things side-by-side in the main compartment. I also like that you didn't put much at all in the side pockets. I'm trying that now - until now, I've always stored large items in there which fit 'perfectly' into the pockets but which made the main compartment unmanageably thin. I think I'm gonna have more success using those big side pockets for small things, while stuffing the larger (and often last to be used) items at the bottom of my main compartment. Thanks Darwin, as always! Oh, by the way, I was curious about you using such a big bag (Atmos 65), but I figured that you needed extra space with the filming gear and such. But in the end it seems you just have the discipline not to fill up the whole thing to capacity - kudos on that :)
When I used to use a rolled foam pad my local gear shop taught me a trick I think could work with a folded pad to. Unfold the pad and roll it into an open tube, place it in your pack then pack your gear in the tube. Incase my description isn't descriptive enough I found an old video of a guy doing the same thing.
Thanks for the videos man, love the idea of stuffing your tent into the pot really great. I'm conflicted I either want to do that or this year I've been thinking about just stuffing the tent in the pack after my sleeping bag to save some extra ounces. Thanks again!
The mesh outside pocket is definitely the ideal place for camp shoes. Great idea storing the pack cover inside one of the camp shoes - if my pack cover weren't built into its own special pocket on the base of my pack, I'd definitely pinch that idea. Will bear it in mind if I change packs. "Shit tickets" - love it! I call it "bum fodder" ("bum" being Brit/Kiwi/Aussie slang for backside, rather than a term for an indigent person). Definitely agree with having the main food bag near the top where you can load it quickly and adjust the cinch if need be. My food is one of the last things to go into the pack, anyway, because I like to keep my gear in my pack when not in use and don't want to have to unpack it just to put my food in. Great idea keeping things side by side rather than stacked, I'm going to have to experiment with my load and see how practical that will be with my pack and gear - have to re-jig my load now I've got a hammock anyway, so now would be a good time. I carry my "quick access" stuff - rain coat, trail food, power packs, cables, "bum fodder", camera etc - in a 9-litre bag with lots of convenient compartments on my chest where I can get to it without having to take off my pack. It acts as balance bag to offset the weight behind me and doubles as a day bag if I'm just going for a day hike. I couldn't go back to having a single compartment pack. I rely on the bottom compartment of my pack for sleeping bag, mat and pillow, the various pockets in the top flap for other ready-access things, side pockets for cooking gear etc. If I could design and build my own pack, I'd add more pockets and compartments to suit my gear and access needs.
Great idea on the zlite for the the desert, definitely going to have to copy that idea. I'm still contemplating on the umbrella but I may have to choose one. Hopefully we meet up on the PCT man, I can't wait. Definitely looking forward to more of your videos on your PCT gear. Onward to Canada! Stoked we could all collaborate. Andy
I'd love to see how you divide up your gear to share your pack weight with your wife. You mentioned that she carries the tent footprint but that's it. Do you each carry your own toiletries, food, emergency kit, quilt, sleeping pad, etc? I've always carried our daughter so my husband has always carried the bulk of the gear. Now that our daughter is hiking more I finally got a real pack (not one that also carries a child). Now we have to figure out how to divide up the gear into these two packs.
Awesome info! I'm green as a leaf on the whole hiking thing but not on the camping. I'm literally going to take my first hiking steps at the end of August 2017. Out of all the TH-cam channels on this subject I get the most informative tips from yours, Thanks for the help. At some point I will eventually clock some serious miles, so my 2 questions are, why pack vs stuff? 2nd question: will a 50L pack be adequate for a short muti-day hike?
Watch out for your bear can rubbing the cuben...I met several on jmt/pct who got holes from can rubbing. They ended up packing clothes and quilt in compactor bag and putting can in also so cloths protect pack.
First time I saw this video, I noticed the 'No AMC' patch! Hell yeah! AWESOME! Hate the AMC ever since my thru hike in '08. Killer video also....thanks man! Jackaroo GA>ME '08
lol.... I was wandering when other Hiker Trash would notice the patch! They def don't have a good rep with Thru-Hikers. Had some really rough experiences with them in 2016 in the Whites..... Thanks for Watching! Hike On, Darwin
Hello. I have never hiked here so I have no first hand knowledge of this, but your comments made me look it up and I found this. It may or may not be helpful but I thought I'd share just in case. www.outdoors.org/articles/uncategorized/thru-hiker-to-thru-hiker-the-hows-and-whys-of-new-hampshires-white-mountains/
Haha, I originally checked out your channel because I thought your videos would be about idiots on the trail. Like the Darwin Awards but backpacking stories. Instead I have been learning a lot from you, and totally forgot my initial click until you busted out your stickers!!! Just thought I'd share that with you for shits and giggles. Thanks so much for your videos! I'm about to hit up Half Dome for my first backpacking trip. Totally excited, and it's been a blessing to have found your channel. Thank you so much!!! ✌
You've mentioned a couple times that you only carry 2 liters of water on you. If that works, more power to you. In my experience in the Arizona desert, I go through 3 liters a day just drinking, which is often followed by dry camping. Again, more power to you, just seems crazy to me.
I really like your videos, they are informative and straight forward. I was just wonderring why you don't use a compression bag for your clothes? It really is a game changer when it comes to using space. Oh, and I would also like to recommend you the Klättermusen Arvaker 60l pack. Thanks!
What was the total weight of your AT bag? I'm digging that set up. Also, it may be beneficial to try the sleep pad on the PCT bag vertically on the side. Not sure how much brush you're gonna be busting while you're carrying that particular pad but if it's anything significant, it looks like you might snag on some brush during your walk. You've got some good content, really down to earth and no bullshit about it. Keep it up!
Good tips, thanks! :) But are you going to sleep only on the thermaret z-lite? Good luck! I think you will miss your inflatable pad to get a good night sleep. Suggestion: Bring your inflatable pad, and a thin much lighter foam pad to lay under your inflatable. That way you probarbly wont puncture your inflatable mat, and if you do you still have a foam pad.
Love this packout - smart, efficient, and well executed. Appreciate the info. Question question - what is the fly in the shoe vs the fly in the core of the pack?
For area you live that pack is ideal . Summer bunny ! Most of the gear would fail in Colorado. This pack sounds like a weekend warrior . Not exactly a long-term and all weather conditions Like the video . Packing is good ! Are there any ass pads cheaper than 90 bucks ? That's what REI wants ! Z pack is one lightest packs at 1 lb 6 Oz
Hey. Thanks for walking through all this as well as your other reviews and informational videos. what size is the dry bag you are using for your clothes and food? Thanks!
Funny you call the lower compartment a "sleeping bag compartment". I've tried to figure out the most convenient way to pack my backbag and it's the lower compartment I'm struggling with. I kind a think I should pack there the things I need during the day when on the move. So it would mean rain clothes, food and cooking etc. Also a warm jacket for the breaks is essential up here outside summer time. Never have I thought I could pack a sleeping bag there. I always pack it inside the upper compartment or under the lid if I have my larger winter sleeping bag with me. Then again, I hate that that thing blocks the entrance to the upper compartment. I guess there's no right or wrong here, but what do you think?
a little off topic - i recently found your videos and have watched quite a few - do you have a video about your camera gear and set up? One of your reviews you mentioned the Gopro and Canon camera but was interested about the set up - mounts, chargers, etc.
I also live in New Mexico. But I'm wondering how you manage to get along on only two liters of water. We don't have an abundance of creeks here. So do you rely on always being near one, or rely on pre-laid water drops along the route?
If I'm hiking in the Desert I always carry a bit extra. I have a couple Platypus 1 liter soft bags that I carry from time to time depending on where I'm hiking. Thanks for Watching! Hike On, Darwin
Referring to the Osrey Atmos packing You did not give hand sanitizer a specific mention, so I assume its tucked away with the crappolux along with whatever you use to dig out a cat hole?
Great Kaizen about placing items side by side, instead of one on top of each other. Silly question but I will ask anyway. If you had shorter arms could you still reach the water bottles on the sides of your backpack?
Great videos! I havent seen one on dealing with trash on the trail. Pack it out, obviously...but whats your system? Also, trash left by previous hikers.
Love the videos. I've been binging on them all afternoon. Also, you look familiar. When would you have been on the Presidential Traverse on the AT? I met someone who looks like you at the Madison Hut around the end of July 2015. Anyway, thanks for the vids. I'm definitely going to look into that Cuben Fiber pack.
you could use the side pockets easily: what about your rain jacket oder food bag or ass pad?! btw. i like the way of your side by side packing :) + If it's raining, where do you put your tent?
What kind of camp shoes are those Darwin? They look more compressible than regular crocs. What I'm using now are very flat but they have absolutely no ankle support at all (forget what they are called). Almost like being barefoot. I live in the ATL area so I backpack a lot in the Smokies and the AT from Springer to Damascus. Let me know when you have time about those camp shoes and thanks in advance. Love your channel!
Any concerns about hiking the PCT with a non-freestanding tent? I grew up in Maine hiking bits of the AT, my girlfriend grew up in San Diego and did a lot of camping in dessert areas, we live in Los Angeles now. She had a good laugh at my tent that couldn't stand up on its own, the ground is usually too hard for stakes, so you end up tying to rocks.
I'm thinking about getting a Zpack Arc Blast. I'm torn though.... I really like the idea of the arc'd frame to give you good airflow, but I'm concerned about putting all the weight waaaay out back causing more leverage pulling you backward. I would think it should be closer to your back rather than farther away. What are your thoughts on that?
Great video and share. It was very useful me to pack my bag, but sometimes I may interested on how a woman's pack the things and what will the bring on trail. Do you have any recommend on this. Thanks a lot. Norelle
Great video man, just subscribed. One question, If you keep your tent inside your pack how do you dry it out when it gets wet or stop it wetting things inside your pack?
Hello Darwin I have a quick question I'm starting the AT in middle of april of 2020 and was wondering if you recommend the Osprey Atmos 65 or the Osprey Exos 58? Thank you for all that you do on the channel and congratulations on all the hikes.
Darwin, I really like the zpack, yet I've heard rumors about the stays poking out the top of the pack, are you experiencing or seeing this? Great information and best of luck on the PCT. Cast Iron Kid
I've seen seems like millions of these, Yours are hands down the best yet. To the point, well edited, no bullshit chatter; ah, I mean, let's see over here and the best feature is you don't waste time trying out a stand-up routine. For the last one Thank You Thank you. I texted my son, turns out he was watching you at the same time. Keep up the quality.
Thanks Charlie Man! I try to be as honest & to the point as possible. Thanks for Watching!
Hike On,
Darwin
Darwin onthetrail thanks for the info!
Great good excellent production values and I do agree with every thing you said. Darwin = GREAT QUALITY.
I definitely agree with you about the bullshit chatter. A lot of other channels go into corny jokes or brag about the items while Darwin talks plainly on what he did and why. Really enjoy watch these videos.
I've been thinking about getting into backpacking and your videos have been RIDICULOUSLY useful in getting a better sense of gear, backpacks, and mentality for going on a thru hike. Thanks for doing such detailed videos!
Dude, just watched this after watching all your later videos, love the evolution!
So much genius from this guy. Rainfly in shoes, stuff in snow shovel pocket
Of all the thousands of “how to pack your backpack” videos, your the only one that showed how it looks “INSIDE” your backpack. Great video. Thank you
That side pocket I think would be a great place to stow your rain gear. Opening your pack when it's raining to get your rain gear out isn't a good strategy for keeping contents dry.
I'm going camping in a week and I'm glad I found your channel. I hate having too much bulk and wanted to find some cool products but now I'm going to have to try some hiking because I've been watching these videos all morning
Great to step back in time and see what was going on in 2017
Thank you Darwin. There are so many videos on showing the gear that people use, but I feel it is a wasted opportunity to not show how everything is packed into the bag or comes out of the bag. This gives us a relative idea of how much can be packed and what can be packed. So thank you very much!
I love watching your videos and love how well spoken and concise you are. That's what makes it so much more hilarious when something like "shit tickets" and "ass pad" comes out so effortlessly. Keep on making videos, I am planning my first back packing trip this spring and I have learned so much watching you.
Going to the Grand Canyon and was worried about packing, you helped me TONS!I have the newer Atmos 65 and am totally going to set it up like yours. Thank you so much.
I am enjoying your videos. Great for ideas. I just bought my last hunting pack. Stone glacier 6200. And am looking for ways to load it more efficient then I have in the past. Keep up the good info videos
I've hiked sections of the PCT in Washington. I'm so excited for you to enjoy the PNW. This was a very helpful video. Thanks for making it your stuff.
Wonderful video. Very helpful. I have lived in the North Cascades all of my 55 years and have done Section K many times as well as Section J. I would encourage you to make it all the way to the border. Many folks get to the Bridge of the Gods and call that good, but as good as the High Sierras and the Oregon Cascades are (and they are really good) I have to say the North Cascades are profound in their beauty (yeah, I know I'm a little prejudice). Be aware that up here it can snow heavily any time of the year, even in the heat of the summer. I envy your coming adventure. It is going to be so good. Be well.
Yeah the Dwin is the man!
I've watched a shit ton of channels and this is the most densely packed information station for a wide range of Topics I have seen. Love Dixie from HW too. Good ideas for backcountry kayaking!
Pukasaw 2020 baby!!!
Thx a bunch !
Love from Ontario Canada 🇨🇦
Hey Darwin, i just saw a video where they showed a different way to use the "sleepingbag pocket". They stuffed the sleepingbag just in the normal big pocket and put the foodbag into the "sleepingbag pocket" so the weight is low and close to the hipbelt and also reachable very quick. And you just need the sleepingbag when you are at camp. So i think that is a pretty nice way. Just wanted to let you know, maybe you like it too
Thanks man! I just got the Atmos 65 and was struggling with the weight distribution and my lower back feeling tight and sore on my test hauls. Had not thought of splitting my tent parts up. That seems to be much better. Good luck on the PCT.
SOOO many options of pack man! The arc blast's gonna be my choice! Can pack to 55L, the space use can be only 35 to 40L, it is just great! I'll go with that for my first thru-hike for the PCT 2019! And by the way, you are doing really great videos man! And I enjoy following you on youtube and instagram! Hope your foot get better along the way on the PCT! You'll be fine!
I'm just now watching your videos and I'm super excited to find out you're doing the PCT next year as I'm planning my thru hike of it as well! I haven't decided when I'm leaving. Sometime between march 15 to April 15. Probably closer to the April date. It'll be my first long thru hike! Hope to see you guys on the trail!!!
Thanks for this video! I have the atmos 65 and this was a big help. 1 thing I do with those front pockets: I keep my rain jacket where you keep your filtration system so I can get to it faster. Other than that I think your setup is way more efficient lol. I'm taking notes.
I am looking for New England winter hiking video. I have back pain issues so I am switching from my REI Traverse 48 to Osprey Atmos AG 50. REI Traverse is similar to the Osprey Stratos. After watching your video I think I should get the AG 65. I was disappointed the Osprey Atmos has fewer pockets than my REI Traverse. New England weather changes frequently through the day so I typically pack my food on bottom for rapid layer changes. Need to be able to rapidly change for snow, sleet, freezing rain, wind. AG 50 does not have rain cover, no side pockets, no top internal mesh pocket, and missing several other convenient pockets. When clothes get wet from snow or rain need to keep items separate to avoid hypothermia. I look forward to more of your helpful videos.
didn't realize you were a NM native, that is where I am too - love your information videos, and great tips and tricks!!!
I use the Osprey Volt 60 and pack very similar with (2) vertical stack/bags in the main compartment. Great video, as usual!
I use the kestrel 68 and do the same! :)
I thought I was going to have a problem with my inflatable pad in the desert too but did not get a single puncture until I reached Northern Californa and Oregon where I got 4 punctures over that stretch even though I was careful.
Thanks Darwin, I'm heading out tomorrow and this video really helped.
Thank you so much. I have a Osprey 65 just like yours,and my wifes Osprey is top load like your new one. Just gave both of us some big help..Thank You
Cool to see the “evolution” of your gear then and now in 2020.
I usually do 10 to 20 day hikes in Norway, rather cold and rainy in summer, and my setup is so much different from yours :) It is really funny how the regional experiences influence you you set up and evolve this over time :) If you're interested I can tell you what I pack and how after about 10 years of hiking eyxperience in that climate :)
matyourin Would be super interesting to read! As a newbie Swedish hiker :P
Very good video, I like the idea of storing things side-by-side in the main compartment. I also like that you didn't put much at all in the side pockets. I'm trying that now - until now, I've always stored large items in there which fit 'perfectly' into the pockets but which made the main compartment unmanageably thin. I think I'm gonna have more success using those big side pockets for small things, while stuffing the larger (and often last to be used) items at the bottom of my main compartment.
Thanks Darwin, as always!
Oh, by the way, I was curious about you using such a big bag (Atmos 65), but I figured that you needed extra space with the filming gear and such. But in the end it seems you just have the discipline not to fill up the whole thing to capacity - kudos on that :)
When I used to use a rolled foam pad my local gear shop taught me a trick I think could work with a folded pad to. Unfold the pad and roll it into an open tube, place it in your pack then pack your gear in the tube.
Incase my description isn't descriptive enough I found an old video of a guy doing the same thing.
Thanks for the videos man, love the idea of stuffing your tent into the pot really great. I'm conflicted I either want to do that or this year I've been thinking about just stuffing the tent in the pack after my sleeping bag to save some extra ounces. Thanks again!
Sounds like a solid Idea! Thanks for Watching!
Hike On,
Darwin
Hey Darwin! Thanks for the video. That's a ton of great information about how to pack a backpack. Thanks for posting !
Thanks Dovah Hiker, I try...lol
Hike On,
Darwin
The mesh outside pocket is definitely the ideal place for camp shoes. Great idea storing the pack cover inside one of the camp shoes - if my pack cover weren't built into its own special pocket on the base of my pack, I'd definitely pinch that idea. Will bear it in mind if I change packs.
"Shit tickets" - love it! I call it "bum fodder" ("bum" being Brit/Kiwi/Aussie slang for backside, rather than a term for an indigent person).
Definitely agree with having the main food bag near the top where you can load it quickly and adjust the cinch if need be. My food is one of the last things to go into the pack, anyway, because I like to keep my gear in my pack when not in use and don't want to have to unpack it just to put my food in.
Great idea keeping things side by side rather than stacked, I'm going to have to experiment with my load and see how practical that will be with my pack and gear - have to re-jig my load now I've got a hammock anyway, so now would be a good time.
I carry my "quick access" stuff - rain coat, trail food, power packs, cables, "bum fodder", camera etc - in a 9-litre bag with lots of convenient compartments on my chest where I can get to it without having to take off my pack. It acts as balance bag to offset the weight behind me and doubles as a day bag if I'm just going for a day hike.
I couldn't go back to having a single compartment pack. I rely on the bottom compartment of my pack for sleeping bag, mat and pillow, the various pockets in the top flap for other ready-access things, side pockets for cooking gear etc. If I could design and build my own pack, I'd add more pockets and compartments to suit my gear and access needs.
Great idea on the zlite for the the desert, definitely going to have to copy that idea. I'm still contemplating on the umbrella but I may have to choose one. Hopefully we meet up on the PCT man, I can't wait. Definitely looking forward to more of your videos on your PCT gear. Onward to Canada! Stoked we could all collaborate.
Andy
Which down quilt will you be bringing?
EE Revelation 20. Love that damn thing!
Hike On,
Darwin
I’m watching this in 2020 and this information doesn’t get old
I'd love to see how you divide up your gear to share your pack weight with your wife. You mentioned that she carries the tent footprint but that's it. Do you each carry your own toiletries, food, emergency kit, quilt, sleeping pad, etc? I've always carried our daughter so my husband has always carried the bulk of the gear. Now that our daughter is hiking more I finally got a real pack (not one that also carries a child). Now we have to figure out how to divide up the gear into these two packs.
Yep We just split the tent & Share 1 Stove. Everything else we have it separate gear. Thanks for Watching!
Hike On,
Darwin
Great information! Thanks for sharing all of your great videos.
Agree w Charlie. Well done Darwin. Thanks very much.
Hi Darwin, Your videos are great! This is my favorite and has helped me the most.Max
Shit tickets! I love it! Great breakdown dude. Glad you are super happy with your Zpacks Blast. I love my Haul--still the best damn pack I ever had.
Awesome info! I'm green as a leaf on the whole hiking thing but not on the camping. I'm literally going to take my first hiking steps at the end of August 2017. Out of all the TH-cam channels on this subject I get the most informative tips from yours, Thanks for the help. At some point I will eventually clock some serious miles, so my 2 questions are, why pack vs stuff? 2nd question: will a 50L pack be adequate for a short muti-day hike?
Watch out for your bear can rubbing the cuben...I met several on jmt/pct who got holes from can rubbing. They ended up packing clothes and quilt in compactor bag and putting can in also so cloths protect pack.
Yep, I've been warned by a few hikers that that can happen! Thanks for Watching!
Hike On,
Darwin
Darwin onthetrail what is pct lol
@@suhjested5955 pacific crest trail
First time I saw this video, I noticed the 'No AMC' patch! Hell yeah! AWESOME! Hate the AMC ever since my thru hike in '08. Killer video also....thanks man!
Jackaroo GA>ME '08
lol.... I was wandering when other Hiker Trash would notice the patch! They def don't have a good rep with Thru-Hikers. Had some really rough experiences with them in 2016 in the Whites..... Thanks for Watching!
Hike On,
Darwin
Hello. I have never hiked here so I have no first hand knowledge of this, but your comments made me look it up and I found this. It may or may not be helpful but I thought I'd share just in case. www.outdoors.org/articles/uncategorized/thru-hiker-to-thru-hiker-the-hows-and-whys-of-new-hampshires-white-mountains/
Haha, I originally checked out your channel because I thought your videos would be about idiots on the trail. Like the Darwin Awards but backpacking stories. Instead I have been learning a lot from you, and totally forgot my initial click until you busted out your stickers!!! Just thought I'd share that with you for shits and giggles. Thanks so much for your videos! I'm about to hit up Half Dome for my first backpacking trip. Totally excited, and it's been a blessing to have found your channel. Thank you so much!!! ✌
Oh man PCT 2018? Me too man, see you out there! -Shoelius
I really enjoy all of these videos :) Very informative and well done. A huge help. Keep it up! Thanks so much.
You've mentioned a couple times that you only carry 2 liters of water on you. If that works, more power to you. In my experience in the Arizona desert, I go through 3 liters a day just drinking, which is often followed by dry camping. Again, more power to you, just seems crazy to me.
I really like your videos, they are informative and straight forward. I was just wonderring why you don't use a compression bag for your clothes? It really is a game changer when it comes to using space. Oh, and I would also like to recommend you the Klättermusen Arvaker 60l pack. Thanks!
What was the total weight of your AT bag? I'm digging that set up. Also, it may be beneficial to try the sleep pad on the PCT bag vertically on the side. Not sure how much brush you're gonna be busting while you're carrying that particular pad but if it's anything significant, it looks like you might snag on some brush during your walk.
You've got some good content, really down to earth and no bullshit about it. Keep it up!
Thank you for the video. I learn a lot. I have a question though: mosquitos love me. How do I protect my legs and face while trekking?
Good tips, thanks! :) But are you going to sleep only on the thermaret z-lite? Good luck! I think you will miss your inflatable pad to get a good night sleep.
Suggestion: Bring your inflatable pad, and a thin much lighter foam pad to lay under your inflatable. That way you probarbly wont puncture your inflatable mat, and if you do you still have a foam pad.
Love this packout - smart, efficient, and well executed. Appreciate the info. Question question - what is the fly in the shoe vs the fly in the core of the pack?
For area you live that pack is ideal . Summer bunny ! Most of the gear would fail in Colorado. This pack sounds like a weekend warrior . Not exactly a long-term and all weather conditions
Like the video . Packing is good ! Are there any ass pads cheaper than 90 bucks ? That's what REI wants !
Z pack is one lightest packs at 1 lb 6 Oz
Hey. Thanks for walking through all this as well as your other reviews and informational videos. what size is the dry bag you are using for your clothes and food? Thanks!
What's your favorite camp shoes? Do you recommend bringing them on a hike like the JMT?
Good informative video!! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks much & Thanks for Watching!
Hike On,
Darwin
Funny you call the lower compartment a "sleeping bag compartment". I've tried to figure out the most convenient way to pack my backbag and it's the lower compartment I'm struggling with.
I kind a think I should pack there the things I need during the day when on the move. So it would mean rain clothes, food and cooking etc. Also a warm jacket for the breaks is essential up here outside summer time.
Never have I thought I could pack a sleeping bag there. I always pack it inside the upper compartment or under the lid if I have my larger winter sleeping bag with me. Then again, I hate that that thing blocks the entrance to the upper compartment.
I guess there's no right or wrong here, but what do you think?
Rocking my Baltoro 95 Pro over here.
Cool! This was filmed in my state. 😊 Curious where you went in NM.
a little off topic - i recently found your videos and have watched quite a few - do you have a video about your camera gear and set up? One of your reviews you mentioned the Gopro and Canon camera but was interested about the set up - mounts, chargers, etc.
I also live in New Mexico. But I'm wondering how you manage to get along on only two liters of water. We don't have an abundance of creeks here. So do you rely on always being near one, or rely on pre-laid water drops along the route?
If I'm hiking in the Desert I always carry a bit extra. I have a couple Platypus 1 liter soft bags that I carry from time to time depending on where I'm hiking. Thanks for Watching!
Hike On,
Darwin
Darwin onthetrail o
Referring to the Osrey Atmos packing You did not give hand sanitizer a specific mention, so I assume its tucked away with the crappolux along with whatever you use to dig out a cat hole?
Brilliant. Just what I needed. Thanks.
Do you recommend taking an umbrella on the AT now that you’ve seen it’s versatility?
I'm loving all your videos. Question, why no hydration bladder?
Have never been a Hydration Bladder person. I rather carry a couple of Liter bottles & call it good. Thanks for Watching!
Hike On,
Darwin
At first I used them for mountain bike and ultrarunning. Never again for me they are pain to clean and maintain for me. just my preference
Great Kaizen about placing items side by side, instead of one on top of each other. Silly question but I will ask anyway. If you had shorter arms could you still reach the water bottles on the sides of your backpack?
Sometimes I have a little trouble getting to them, but if I'm thirsty enough I get to them pretty fast...lol! Thanks for Watching!
Hike On,
Darwin
Great Video! Super informative! Will you be making a PCT 2018 gear list with your new items?
Great videos! I havent seen one on dealing with trash on the trail. Pack it out, obviously...but whats your system? Also, trash left by previous hikers.
Have you ever tried out the Ursack Kevlar bear bag. I have seen Joe Robinett and The guy from My Self Reliance use it instead of a bear canister.
Thanks for the great tips!
Love the videos. I've been binging on them all afternoon. Also, you look familiar. When would you have been on the Presidential Traverse on the AT? I met someone who looks like you at the Madison Hut around the end of July 2015. Anyway, thanks for the vids. I'm definitely going to look into that Cuben Fiber pack.
Super ! Bonne Année !
Bonne année à vous aussi bon monsieur!
Randonnée sur,
Darwin
Darwin, have you ever tried a mystery ranch backpack? I'd like to know what you think about them.
I would've paid for this information
you could use the side pockets easily: what about your rain jacket oder food bag or ass pad?!
btw. i like the way of your side by side packing :) + If it's raining, where do you put your tent?
What kind of camp shoes are those Darwin? They look more compressible than regular crocs. What I'm using now are very flat but they have absolutely no ankle support at all (forget what they are called). Almost like being barefoot. I live in the ATL area so I backpack a lot in the Smokies and the AT from Springer to Damascus. Let me know when you have time about those camp shoes and thanks in advance. Love your channel!
AWESOME video, this helps us out.
Any concerns about hiking the PCT with a non-freestanding tent? I grew up in Maine hiking bits of the AT, my girlfriend grew up in San Diego and did a lot of camping in dessert areas, we live in Los Angeles now. She had a good laugh at my tent that couldn't stand up on its own, the ground is usually too hard for stakes, so you end up tying to rocks.
What are the camp shoes?? Those look awesome!
Do you use a compression sack for your sleeping quilt? Its impressive how small you can get it.
Why keep the raincoat on the inside & have to open the pack to get it? Wouldn't it be faster stuffed in outside pocket?
Thanks, I enjoy the videos.
I'm thinking about getting a Zpack Arc Blast. I'm torn though.... I really like the idea of the arc'd frame to give you good airflow, but I'm concerned about putting all the weight waaaay out back causing more leverage pulling you backward. I would think it should be closer to your back rather than farther away. What are your thoughts on that?
Thanks for the videos. I SUBSCRIBED to all 6 of you and look forward in watching future videos.
Great video! How long did it take you to do the Appalachian Trail? Did you do it in one go or did you divide it up?
Darwin, can you make an updated version of this video?
Thanks for the video. Looking forward to the PCT videos. What size zpacks backpack do you have?
It's a 60L Arc Blast. Can't wait to make some PCT videos to share with you guys & gals! Thanks for Watching!
Hike On,
Darwin
Great video and share. It was very useful me to pack my bag, but sometimes I may interested on how a woman's pack the things and what will the bring on trail. Do you have any recommend on this. Thanks a lot.
Norelle
which drysacks are those that you use for food and clothes? super helpful video btw!
Both are Zpacks Cuban Fiber Bags! Def check em' out!
Hike On,
Darwin
what type of camp shoes do you use i need some lightweight ones for my son, whose going on philmont in two months
Great video man, just subscribed. One question, If you keep your tent inside your pack how do you dry it out when it gets wet or stop it wetting things inside your pack?
Nice job bro.
Thank you good sir!
Hike On,
Darwin
Which pocket do you keep the hashish in lol
@kirwi kirwinson his name is Darwin I doubt he carries a Bible
darwin ain't got no goddam buy-bull
@kirwi kirwinson maybe he keeps it in his bible
Hello Darwin I have a quick question I'm starting the AT in middle of april of 2020 and was wondering if you recommend the Osprey Atmos 65 or the Osprey Exos 58? Thank you for all that you do on the channel and congratulations on all the hikes.
Where do you keep your weed? And how much do you need to pack for the AT or the Pacific Coast trail?
What are your thoughts on other packs in the Arc line? Is there a fundamental difference in your opinion between the Arc Blast and say the Arc Scout?
grt vid, tx for the info. inline mic or a mic with foam would help with the audio's echo.
Hi ! U should see the mountains of Romania
Darwin - Have you changed your placement of the tent in the Arc Blast now that you have the Duplex?
Liking your vids so far. was curious on the total weight of the 2 packs with everything in them?
Is that a new Arc Blast? After the update? Or the older, lighter version?
Darwin, I really like the zpack, yet I've heard rumors about the stays poking out the top of the pack, are you experiencing or seeing this? Great information and best of luck on the PCT. Cast Iron Kid