I always take gaiters, they are soooo useful. But not the teeny ankle variety, I use goretex knee-length. Zipped together they make a waterproof sit-mat, they cover the calves going through stinging nettles in shorts, They make a great wrap for collecting firewood. Or a really tall wind-screen for the stove. Oh yes, and you can use them as gaiters too!
@@mammyrambles2197 A couple of sticks or even trekking poles and a few inches of string/paracord ties the corner of the joined gaiters to the sticks. Position the stove behind the gaiters... (actually, I usually use 3 sticks if it's that windy, one in the centre to stop the gaiters ballooning like a kite!
Couple of additional ideas under $30-. Sea to Summit collapsible silicone x-cup or mug (I prefer the larger mug), Loop earplugs, fuel canisters, Tenacious Tape
Thank you Dixie, lots of great gear! GGG sent me one of those toothbrushes gratis with my Cnoc order. My first thought was COOL! but after using it -- it's much too short to get the back teeth. 😕 Trowel: I use a snow stake. 1oz, $6
Love you Dixie! I just finished the Ocean to Lake Trail in South Florida. For five days I packed 1 1/2 pints grape tomatoes, one jar artichokes, one jar cocktail olives all in individual ziploc bags along with tortillas and turkey pepperoni as my staples on the cheap! They stay unsquished in the easy access net of my backpack.
Whew!!! I thought you dropped an "F" bomb in talking about the gaiters, had to replay several times to finally hear "fuss"! Until I got confirmation I kept thinking "Oh no, not Dixie, you're too sweet!" Also the "loopy doodad" talking about the calendar made me chuckle! Thank you for the this list, I would like to try several of these items to start trying to go more lightweight. I have a few more years before I retire, and I would have to credit you with the urge to want to start attempting long hikes. I know already my eternal fiance (and hopefully in the near future wife) will have no interest in doing this, her idea of camping is an RV. But that's OK, I like having my solo time. Your videos bring such joy to me, and you are amazing how you capture the beauty of nature, even when she's not very gracious. Thank you Dixie!
I have the SheWee, PStyle AND the Pibella. I love the PIBELLA the best and it’s the smallest and lightest and most streamlined. However, ALL of them take a little practice in the shower, first. Once you get the hang of it, it’s MUCH easier than squatting. I don’t even have to take my pants down. I never hit the trail without one of them.
If you're going to try out a backpacking bidet, I highly recommend checking out the Holey Hiker bidet (currently selling for $12.50). I've tried out a couple of different ones (including the Culo Clean). The Holey Hiker is a bit more limited in the bottles it will work with, but it's far more effective in its operation. It offers much higher water pressure and far less water usage compared to the Culo Clean.
Your gear recommendations are great. I am in full agreement about the trowel. Annnndddd, Congratulations on choosing to walk the AZT! You are going to love it! Hopefully I will see out there north of Flagstaff as I finish my NOBO effort from this past spring.
The Go Girl is also really good! Basically for female urination devices I would try at least one hard plastic one (easier to use and clean) and one more floppy silicone one (easier to store and in my opinion more comfortable to use) and see which type you like.
Dyneema wallets. Most are a bit smaller than I like. I like to carry a little more cash and several cards. Once you get past a few cards and notes, the wallet is full. The next size up is too bud. A half inch added to every measurement would make them perfect. Gaiters. Definitely the Dirty Girls work.
My favorite under 30 dollar gear is my gaiters, but they are followed closely by my sun hat. I get really weak if it's too hot and I don't have shade. Having a wide brimmed hat to keep my neck cool and my eyes shaded takes enough of an edge off the heat that I can keep going and having fun.
Dangit, the candy cane and ginger snap Packaroons aren't available in Canada 😟 pout. Sounds really yummy tho. Other items less than $30: Trekology pillow, headlamp, Buff, toque/beanie. On my list to Santa this year is a lightweight doggie bed, and backpack for my new rescue pup 😁 I hope she likes camping and backpacking
The best information I could find about aluminium pots is that you'd have to be chewing on the pot itself every day for months to ingest enough to make any detectable difference to your health. Cooking in one doesn't seem to be any more than the most theoretical of risks. For occasional use the docs say don't worry about it.
Nyloflume bags are absolutely going to fail, trust me. I went back to 2mm compactor bags. A little more weight but you can get a box of them and use them in the kitchen too. Much more cost efficient. As for other gear I have started to go for sustainably made gear. We love the outdoors and so I think we should help preserve it. As such I have started to use Kupilka pieces. My long spork and 12.5oz cup are made out of wood pulp left over from making other products and a polymer. A little extra weight? Not sure. More sustainably made than titanium and the like? Yepper.
Whoa whoa whoa, one minute advice on stuff and the next swearin like a sailor! lol. That shocked me so much I paused and rewound and yep.. the big one! 🤫
Would you please upload a video demonstrating how you dig a cathole with a trekking pole ? I use a trowel but never ever dug a 6" deep hole as it is still so hard to dig the earth due to roots, etc.. I can't imagine how other people could do it with just a pole.
shewee or peebella. Minimal and functional, but need to practice a couple of times but both good and will be down to personal preference for something a bit smaller than the other.
I would enjoy trying to hike the AT next year. I am a disabled person and would like to ask if you could give a total price of all needed/necessary gear for a thru hike. PLZ?
I don’t own a hoodie, but do have an alpaca beanie from Appalachian Gear Company. I love the hat. It’s so thin and lightweight it doesn’t seem like it could possibly be warm, but it is. I’d love to eventually get one of the hoodies, but they are over $150.
I don't hike as often as I'd like, but I did get the AFC hoodie and wear it pretty often in daily life, especially as someone too cheap to set the house thermostat above 62, lol
@@kennogawa6638 Yeah, it's light and warm, if a tiny bit itchy. Caveats: wouldn't wear it as my only outerwear under 40F (it's not quite that warm), and would definitely have a waterproof layer if it's raining because it gets kinda heavy when wet. I do like that it's thin enough that I can wear it under a normally fitted puffy jacket as an additional warm layer, which is helpful here in New England where the weather can easily go from below freezing to over 80F and back in one day.
Dear Santa, Please give Dixie a Hilleberg 2 tent for camping in freezing stormy windy snowy weather, expedition style so she can hike the Lake District and Scottish😊 Highlands and go back to Iceland again. Thank you, Santa! 💕💕💕🙏🏻
Don’t get those toothbrushes. Bristles came off easily on mine, and for me I was putting fingers in my mouth to reach my back molars. So wash you hands before you brush.
Those toothbrushes lose their bristles quickly. It felt like I had a nylon net stuck in my teeth. And that was after it’s second use. Not a fan. Can’t wait to hear about your experience.
@S. M. it’s the exercise of evaluating each item for its weight and thinking about lighter alternatives. That’s how I got my summer load down under six pounds base.
@S. C. I just started carrying a camp chair, as I find the support helps my body rebound quicker after a long day. I never realized how much additional stress I put myself through when in camp and sitting without back or overall balanced support. Im also done with freeze dried meals, and carry a skillet and some extra cooking gear so I can prepare real food. It always surprises me how UL hikers feel free to criticize extra hiking gear, but the vlogger with six pounds of camera gear gets a pass. Overall, watching the grams has allowed me to put weight of “non-essentials” back into the pack and still keep everything down to under ten pounds base weight in the summer months.
Thanks Dixie. Great tips. Think I'll try some Darn Tough for every day life. Sick of buying socks that wear through the heel in no time. Do you find your feet getting too hot in them in the summer?
Hey Dixie seeing you soak your toes in the cooking pot reminds me of an old joke. Here it is: Confucius says that a lady who cooks carrots and peas(pees) in same pot is very unsanitary. 🙃
As always great content and advise. Your videos are great. Do you have a video for new female hikers. Something dedicated to women. Since I'm a guy, solo hiking, I know I do not know the female challenges. So please provide one. Thank you Jessica. Merry Christmas Christ is the reason for the season.
Another vote for kula cloth! I was hesitant at first to get a "single purpose" piece of gear but having one has made backpacking much more comfortable. They also have fun prints including some artist designs with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the artist or charity organization.
My daughter discovered the Kula Cloth, and really like them! But a kayaking buddy swears by the plastic transmission fluid funnels for female urination. She says they are lightweight, dry quickly, and reach far enough from one's body that undressing is minimal. While it might be awkward to carry inside a pack, a hole could be drilled in the top edge (side) to allow a string to be attached for hanging outside the pack. Hope you and yours enjoy the holidays, Dixie!
I got one of the GGG tooth brushes and I don’t like it. Too short. Hands get dirty on trail and the short handle means your finger and thumb are bumping into your lips while brushing. Your imagination can do the rest. Yuck.
For small pots for 2 or 3 people, I went to a couple of thrift stores (like Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc.) and found some really cheap stainless steel pots for less than $2 to put in my back pack, and they even came with lids and removeable handles.
Nice video (again)! Here are a few more under or close to $30 items. Backpacking pillows, such as Trekology; Soto Amicus stove, more efficient and windprotected than BRS, though heavier; Nitecore NU25 headlamp is close to $30, if on sale; Tyvek groundsheet or polycryo groundsheet; toothpaste tabs; Frogg Togg Extreme Light rain jacket; Hydroblu water filter has better flow rate than Sawyer mini; Flextail gear tiny pump for quickly inflating sleeping pads; fuel canister refill adapter. That's it for now! Happy hiking!
Thank you! Very helpful never heard of garage grown gear before actually so their prices are reasonable. Bamboo is light weight and cheap. Tooth brushes and spoons!
thank you for this this shows how budget friendly camping can be would you be interested in trying the rain-kilts-skirts or are they not your thing...?? a rain-kilt-skirt compliments your poncho and you could have fun trying the many multiple-uses for each that i have compiled a list for here goes have fun... some advantages for a poncho and or rain-kilt-skirt or combination over rain-jackets or rain-pants-leggings for multi-purpose use thereof some may require strategic placed eyelets or looped-webbing added for some of ye above for extra versatility 1 equipment cover 2 ground-sheet 3 keep equipment off wet-damp floor 4 sitting on 5 mini-shelter 6 emergency-sled 7 emergency- tarp for gear or over hole in tent or tarp 8 changing mat 9 tent-footprint 10 gear carrier 11 stretcher 12 hammock 13 water-catcher 14 water-carrier 15 gear flotation 16 mattress-insulator [stuff with leaves and-such] 17 sleeping-bag 18 wind-break 19 repair-patches for tent and-such 20 smoke-signal 21 sail for small boat or raft 22 dummy or decoy 23 sleeping-bag cover 24 camouflage 25 if you have orange or other suitable colour poncho or rain-kilt-skirt can use as a signal-flag for help flag for mountain-air rescue
I bought a BRS stove after I fumbled my Pocket Rocket while it was screwed on a fuel container. I'm going by a Phoenix REI next week. As long as the Pocket Rocket hasn't been "updated" and still weighs less than a pound costing under $150 I will buy one. Then I'll drop the flimsy, unstable BRS into a trashcan before I get out of the REI lot.
For cleaning up on trail in a way that keeps me far away from water sources which i could contaminate, I cut the top half off of an empty gallon milk jug and use it as a sink. The sides fold in and it lays flat inside a gallon zip lock in my pack's netting area. Very lightweight ....
❤Good to know that backpacking doesn't have to cost "an arm and a leg." Yes, I am brand new to the game, and not too dedicated, so it's nice to learn of the more cost-effective things. ❤
I have the Culo Clean bidet attachment! I LOVE it!! You end up using an entire bottle of water, though. (At least I do.) So yeah, you maybe don’t want to use it on a trail that’s low on water.
Many Turtle Fur products are under $30. They made the first fleece neck warmer fourty years ago, and have branched out into other head and neck wear in a variety of materials. Perfect for holiday gifts and at other times, too. P.S. I don't work there, but I love their products!
A few thoughts: 1) I'd recommend against the titanium spoon. Most of them have a gritty finish (like in the vid), which a lot of people can't stand. More than that, though, there IS what I think is a better alternative. The Humangear GoBites Duo is a two-piece utensil that snaps together, is longer than the titanium spoons, is every bit as strong as you need it to be to stir a ramen bomb in those bags and has fork tines that you can actually use. It runs about $7-$8. It weighs about .08 oz. more than the Toaks spoon sold at REI. 2) As was said in the vid, the standard size Sawyer is the way to go. I had the mini going up Whitney and damn near passed out because of how long it took to process my daily water. The flow is just pee stream style. The trick is seeing if you can find a regular Sawyer for a few dollars less on its own, rather than as part of a bundle, which you really don't need because you'll upgrade pretty much everything in that bundle. 3) Cascade Mountain trekking poles are great. They're cheap, light and I haven't even had to replace my points since I got them mountains and miles ago, roughly 5 years. You WILL go through a few sets of rubber tips, though. 4) Gaiters are a nice way to personalize your outfit ... and almost completely unnecessary. I got a set a few years back and just never wear them. This is definitely a case of seeing if you need them before getting them. Don't get them in case you will need them. Most of us only do a few types of hikes in a few different terrains. If you don't have a problem with sand and dirt in your shoes, you can skip the gaiters. Obviously invest in Buffs. :)
Yeah, me too on the gritty titanium, nails on a chalkboard in your mouth, yuck! But..... Toaks, and probably others, makes a polished version. Way better. And since I happened to have some super fine sandpaper - like all the way up to 10K, I used it on all the spoon part that would be in my mouth. More comfortable for sure.
You must have received a better pair of Cascade Mountain trekking poles than I received. Mine vibrated and rattled so bad they were a major distraction. I immediately returned them.
@@daven.7685 I never have any vibration issues that aren't of my own doing. I bought mine a half dozen years ago, though. Maybe there are differences among product generations and models. i bought them based on a "cheap gear" video back in the day. That said, that BRS stove everyone loves? I bought one around that same time, it petered out after a dozen seconds and I said I'm done with it. Scores of positive YT reviews later, I'm still fine with spending $26 more on a PR2.
@@bobthetomato8375 I like that the GoBites model packs smaller and has usable fork tines. My big concern was if it was stiff enough to work food around in those bags, but it's defiinitely more sturdy than I'd expect a two-piecer to be. I had the other spoons. Just didn't care for them. Of course, if you're not a weight weenie then you just buy a milkshake spoon. :)
I tried that ultralight toothbrush on my 2020 AT thru-hike. It only lasted 4 days. Bristles started falling out right away. (Fun fact-They are made for prison use.) I recommend avoiding this item but YMMV. I’ve used several feminine funnels and highly recommend the P-Style. It allows for “high flow” without overwhelming the nozzle/outflow (…I know TMI…) You can finish by squeegeeing, no paper required. Culo Clean is spectacular. I carry a very tiny plastic water bottle for dedicated use. -Granger
Question on the Stanco pot. I looked at one at Walmart and like that it has a wider shape than the one I use, which I think causes more heat to transfer from the flame instead of going up the side into the air. But the lid fits outside the pot which means condensation drips down. Do you unscrew the lid handle and attach it to the other side of the lid to use it upside down?
Ziplock snack bag for my wallet, basically free because I just grab from my kitchen. I’ve always just used a strong black trash bag for a liner. Works fine for me. Never had an issue.
I have narrowed it down to the tinkle Belle urination device but haven’t purchased yet. I’d love it if you could test that one! Very interested in this topic. I am almost 50 and gearing up to go on my first backpacking trip in the spring to celebrate my 50th! One of the things that has held me back is the back woods bathrooming dilemma.
I tried the Tinkle bell on my 2020 AT thruhike. It was fine for a while, but I stored it folded and the kink in the outflow began to restrict the drainage, so there was a backup of fluid that threatened to overflow. Yikes! Now I use a P-Style and highly recommend it. I usually “drop trow” but when privacy is an issue, or when rain or snow are part of the hike, the P-Style is great.
I used the CuloClean Bidet on my Thruhike of South Island New Zealand and found it very helpful to stay clean and feel fresher. To work out the angle though when you’re using it in a long drop loo can be challenging, one might spray the toilet seat otherwise… 😮 Obviously no issue when outside. Still use it now back home, as I don’t have a bidet and I love the cleanliness
Aluminium should be anoxidised, with low PH values it can react to acidity. I recently send over research that got approved at my website you can read all about it. Apparently coffee reacts too over the years too on same aluminium pots, or kettles.. However, if you only boil water its safe. But you should too clean it. I did some research on the deodorant too, thats not the same issue aluminium pots have when reacting to axicity and warmth
There is absolutely not one thing wrong with $30 and under I have found quite a few many things And believe it or not my BSR 3000 only cost me $5 two years before it really hit the market now look at it if anywhere between 25 and 45 dollars and I only paid $5 plus $1shipping So deals can be found if you are willing to look and be extremely extremely patient
I always take gaiters, they are soooo useful. But not the teeny ankle variety, I use goretex knee-length. Zipped together they make a waterproof sit-mat, they cover the calves going through stinging nettles in shorts, They make a great wrap for collecting firewood. Or a really tall wind-screen for the stove. Oh yes, and you can use them as gaiters too!
Great comment, love a multiuse item. Wondering how you make a windshield? I can't picture it.
@@mammyrambles2197 A couple of sticks or even trekking poles and a few inches of string/paracord ties the corner of the joined gaiters to the sticks. Position the stove behind the gaiters... (actually, I usually use 3 sticks if it's that windy, one in the centre to stop the gaiters ballooning like a kite!
Couple of additional ideas under $30-. Sea to Summit collapsible silicone x-cup or mug (I prefer the larger mug), Loop earplugs, fuel canisters, Tenacious Tape
The Culo is wonderful! Reduces the need for lots of wipes & TP. And doesn't take up much space or use tons of water.
Thank you Dixie, lots of great gear!
GGG sent me one of those toothbrushes gratis with my Cnoc order. My first thought was COOL! but after using it -- it's much too short to get the back teeth. 😕
Trowel: I use a snow stake. 1oz, $6
Love you Dixie! I just finished the Ocean to Lake Trail in South Florida. For five days I packed 1 1/2 pints grape tomatoes, one jar artichokes, one jar cocktail olives all in individual ziploc bags along with tortillas and turkey pepperoni as my staples on the cheap! They stay unsquished in the easy access net of my backpack.
Whew!!! I thought you dropped an "F" bomb in talking about the gaiters, had to replay several times to finally hear "fuss"! Until I got confirmation I kept thinking "Oh no, not Dixie, you're too sweet!" Also the "loopy doodad" talking about the calendar made me chuckle!
Thank you for the this list, I would like to try several of these items to start trying to go more lightweight. I have a few more years before I retire, and I would have to credit you with the urge to want to start attempting long hikes. I know already my eternal fiance (and hopefully in the near future wife) will have no interest in doing this, her idea of camping is an RV. But that's OK, I like having my solo time. Your videos bring such joy to me, and you are amazing how you capture the beauty of nature, even when she's not very gracious. Thank you Dixie!
Thank you for this! I’m starting from scratch and it’s good to know what less expensive smaller items are good!
Thanks for the usual great content, Dixie. I love how you make backpacking fun and accessible to newcomers.
Happy holidays, all! 🌲
Just ordered the grease pot! Love it. I was wondering where that old beat up thang came from. It will be second only to my MSR skillet. Thanks Dixie
I want to thank you and Frozen for getting me out on the trail at 68 will be doing the foothills trail in March love your AT Hike and the Florida Hike
I love having pocket bellows! They make firestarting so much easier, and they've very cheap.
I like the titanium spoon with the shiny bowl.
I like and use the EllaPee as a urinating device. My favorite of the four I have tried
7:18. I've never heard of pack liners. Thanks
I have the SheWee, PStyle AND the Pibella. I love the PIBELLA the best and it’s the smallest and lightest and most streamlined. However, ALL of them take a little practice in the shower, first. Once you get the hang of it, it’s MUCH easier than squatting. I don’t even have to take my pants down. I never hit the trail without one of them.
Add Lady J to the list to check out.
If you're going to try out a backpacking bidet, I highly recommend checking out the Holey Hiker bidet (currently selling for $12.50). I've tried out a couple of different ones (including the Culo Clean). The Holey Hiker is a bit more limited in the bottles it will work with, but it's far more effective in its operation. It offers much higher water pressure and far less water usage compared to the Culo Clean.
Your gear recommendations are great. I am in full agreement about the trowel. Annnndddd, Congratulations on choosing to walk the AZT! You are going to love it! Hopefully I will see out there north of Flagstaff as I finish my NOBO effort from this past spring.
The Go Girl is also really good! Basically for female urination devices I would try at least one hard plastic one (easier to use and clean) and one more floppy silicone one (easier to store and in my opinion more comfortable to use) and see which type you like.
Great Video. Thanks for all the insights.
Using eBay and Amazon in Canada you can find titanium long handle sporks for around $5 and titanium 750ml mugs around $30.
Thanks !
Dyneema wallets. Most are a bit smaller than I like. I like to carry a little more cash and several cards. Once you get past a few cards and notes, the wallet is full. The next size up is too bud. A half inch added to every measurement would make them perfect.
Gaiters. Definitely the Dirty Girls work.
Merry Christmas Dixie! 🌻
My favorite under 30 dollar gear is my gaiters, but they are followed closely by my sun hat. I get really weak if it's too hot and I don't have shade. Having a wide brimmed hat to keep my neck cool and my eyes shaded takes enough of an edge off the heat that I can keep going and having fun.
What brand of sun hat?
That’s a great list. I have several of those things and they serve me well.
Check out the pibella and Holey Hiker backpacking bidet
Dangit, the candy cane and ginger snap Packaroons aren't available in Canada 😟 pout. Sounds really yummy tho.
Other items less than $30: Trekology pillow, headlamp, Buff, toque/beanie.
On my list to Santa this year is a lightweight doggie bed, and backpack for my new rescue pup 😁 I hope she likes camping and backpacking
Found Lock Laces for 99cents at Dicks on Black Friday. Bought all they had.
The best information I could find about aluminium pots is that you'd have to be chewing on the pot itself every day for months to ingest enough to make any detectable difference to your health. Cooking in one doesn't seem to be any more than the most theoretical of risks. For occasional use the docs say don't worry about it.
Nyloflume bags are absolutely going to fail, trust me. I went back to 2mm compactor bags. A little more weight but you can get a box of them and use them in the kitchen too. Much more cost efficient.
As for other gear I have started to go for sustainably made gear. We love the outdoors and so I think we should help preserve it. As such I have started to use Kupilka pieces. My long spork and 12.5oz cup are made out of wood pulp left over from making other products and a polymer. A little extra weight? Not sure. More sustainably made than titanium and the like? Yepper.
🦋
Whoa whoa whoa, one minute advice on stuff and the next swearin like a sailor! lol. That shocked me so much I paused and rewound and yep.. the big one! 🤫
Would you please upload a video demonstrating how you dig a cathole with a trekking pole ? I use a trowel but never ever dug a 6" deep hole as it is still so hard to dig the earth due to roots, etc.. I can't imagine how other people could do it with just a pole.
shewee or peebella. Minimal and functional, but need to practice a couple of times but both good and will be down to personal preference for something a bit smaller than the other.
A little off topic but, the Pennine way… England and other trails in England or Ireland?
I would enjoy trying to hike the AT next year. I am a disabled person and would like to ask if you could give a total price of all needed/necessary gear for a thru hike. PLZ?
Dixie has done a video on this, have a search for it :)
Dixie lookin good
Have you ever tried the scripto refillable flip top lighter?
Stanco Grease Container on Walmart $13.24 Dec 2022.
Courtesy of Half Vast Flying
Please try the Tinkle Bell female urination device. Game changer! I actully own two, because I never want to be without one.
I see Alpaca hoodies used by hikers but they seem expensive. I wonder if it's worth it.
I don’t own a hoodie, but do have an alpaca beanie from Appalachian Gear Company. I love the hat. It’s so thin and lightweight it doesn’t seem like it could possibly be warm, but it is.
I’d love to eventually get one of the hoodies, but they are over $150.
I don't hike as often as I'd like, but I did get the AFC hoodie and wear it pretty often in daily life, especially as someone too cheap to set the house thermostat above 62, lol
@@sariannach Does it keep you warm? They look light. I watch the advertising the companies that make them but there's a lot of hype.
@@kennogawa6638 Yeah, it's light and warm, if a tiny bit itchy. Caveats: wouldn't wear it as my only outerwear under 40F (it's not quite that warm), and would definitely have a waterproof layer if it's raining because it gets kinda heavy when wet. I do like that it's thin enough that I can wear it under a normally fitted puffy jacket as an additional warm layer, which is helpful here in New England where the weather can easily go from below freezing to over 80F and back in one day.
Dear Santa, Please give Dixie a Hilleberg 2 tent for camping in freezing stormy windy snowy weather, expedition style so she can hike the Lake District and Scottish😊 Highlands and go back to Iceland again. Thank you, Santa! 💕💕💕🙏🏻
Don’t get those toothbrushes. Bristles came off easily on mine, and for me I was putting fingers in my mouth to reach my back molars. So wash you hands before you brush.
Those toothbrushes lose their bristles quickly. It felt like I had a nylon net stuck in my teeth. And that was after it’s second use. Not a fan. Can’t wait to hear about your experience.
@S. M. it’s the exercise of evaluating each item for its weight and thinking about lighter alternatives. That’s how I got my summer load down under six pounds base.
@S. C. I just started carrying a camp chair, as I find the support helps my body rebound quicker after a long day. I never realized how much additional stress I put myself through when in camp and sitting without back or overall balanced support.
Im also done with freeze dried meals, and carry a skillet and some extra cooking gear so I can prepare real food.
It always surprises me how UL hikers feel free to criticize extra hiking gear, but the vlogger with six pounds of camera gear gets a pass.
Overall, watching the grams has allowed me to put weight of “non-essentials” back into the pack and still keep everything down to under ten pounds base weight in the summer months.
what is the recommended weight for a backpack for APT?
Fully loaded with a weeks food I try to not go over 12kg.
Dixie!!
Lol those are what we commonly refer to as inmate tooth brushes at work… shocked they cost $1.49 that’s way to high.
Thanks Dixie. Great tips. Think I'll try some Darn Tough for every day life. Sick of buying socks that wear through the heel in no time. Do you find your feet getting too hot in them in the summer?
Sir P, Darn Tough makes an ultralight version, actually very cool in the summer months
@@bernielamont825 Thank you for this information Bernie. Good to know!
NGL , as soon as I heard "Culo Clean" I lol'ed. I'm Hispanic but clearly I'm also a child.
Hey Dixie seeing you soak your toes in the cooking pot reminds me of an old joke. Here it is: Confucius says that a lady who cooks carrots and peas(pees) in same pot is very unsanitary. 🙃
Dixie needs to review earplugs so she doesn’t kick out snorers from AT shelters. 😜😪🤔
Sleep grounded, have hand or feet on the ground. It reduces the inflamation. Look for the earthing awarded documentary, amd you will see why
The worse are the snorers that vibrate their surroundings
Lip balm! The basic first aid kit.. the basics.
Love you dix
Man, if that ole grease pot could talk. The miles it's seen!!
As always great content and advise.
Your videos are great.
Do you have a video for new female hikers. Something dedicated to women. Since I'm a guy, solo hiking, I know I do not know the female challenges. So please provide one. Thank you Jessica. Merry Christmas
Christ is the reason for the season.
Dont cook with aluminum, people.
Hahaha
Those gaiters on Garage Grown Gear are neck gaiters, not for the shoes. darn. I don't like the dirty girl offerings. too... girly.
There are gaiters for feet on there, 100%
gators are life saver for us ;P
Another vote for kula cloth! I was hesitant at first to get a "single purpose" piece of gear but having one has made backpacking much more comfortable. They also have fun prints including some artist designs with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the artist or charity organization.
That I also use and on every day hike as well 👌
Thanks!
Thank you so much!
For the GGG toothbrush, they always throw a little something in - I've gotten 3 (toothbrushes) that way...Likewise w/the bidet they carry.
My daughter discovered the Kula Cloth, and really like them!
But a kayaking buddy swears by the plastic transmission fluid funnels for female urination. She says they are lightweight, dry quickly, and reach far enough from one's body that undressing is minimal. While it might be awkward to carry inside a pack, a hole could be drilled in the top edge (side) to allow a string to be attached for hanging outside the pack.
Hope you and yours enjoy the holidays, Dixie!
Trail snacks - that’s why tangerines were invented.
Courtesy of Half Vast Flying
Surprised you didn't mention Injinie toe socks.
The pstyle is a game changer. Discrete. Easy to clean. No splashback since it directs the stream away from you. You can pee like a dude.
It's not under $30, but you won't need the insoles if you use Vibram FiveFingers trail shoes.
I got one of the GGG tooth brushes and I don’t like it. Too short. Hands get dirty on trail and the short handle means your finger and thumb are bumping into your lips while brushing. Your imagination can do the rest. Yuck.
Have you ever watched Dixie and not felt happy?
No... You have NOT
Great video as always. High quality info. Great pacing. Your videos are relaxed and yet stay on topic and contain little to no fluff.
Keep them videos a rollin.
Looks like I might not be able to thru hike the ATthis year as I had planned.
Maybe next year….
For small pots for 2 or 3 people, I went to a couple of thrift stores (like Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc.) and found some really cheap stainless steel pots for less than $2 to put in my back pack, and they even came with lids and removeable handles.
Yes! I found the collapsible cup, new in package, less than 5 dollars!
Great video! Would like to suggest trying the Holey Hiker bidet and compare. It's more water efficient.
Nice video (again)! Here are a few more under or close to $30 items. Backpacking pillows, such as Trekology; Soto Amicus stove, more efficient and windprotected than BRS, though heavier; Nitecore NU25 headlamp is close to $30, if on sale; Tyvek groundsheet or polycryo groundsheet; toothpaste tabs; Frogg Togg Extreme Light rain jacket; Hydroblu water filter has better flow rate than Sawyer mini; Flextail gear tiny pump for quickly inflating sleeping pads; fuel canister refill adapter. That's it for now! Happy hiking!
Packit Gourmet! I am a big fan of their meals. MUCH better than Mountain House. :^)
I love my p style. it is so convenient to go and not be exposed. it's a great product
Thank you! Very helpful never heard of garage grown gear before actually so their prices are reasonable.
Bamboo is light weight and cheap. Tooth brushes and spoons!
I use a bamboo toothbrush and carry a wooden spoon on trail. I may look for a bamboo option, too. I avoid plastic where I can.
thank you for this
this shows how budget friendly camping can be
would you be interested in trying the rain-kilts-skirts or are they not your thing...??
a rain-kilt-skirt compliments your poncho and you could have fun trying the many multiple-uses for each that i have compiled a list for
here goes have fun...
some advantages for a poncho and or rain-kilt-skirt or combination over rain-jackets or rain-pants-leggings for multi-purpose use thereof
some may require strategic placed eyelets or looped-webbing added for some of ye above for extra versatility
1 equipment cover
2 ground-sheet
3 keep equipment off wet-damp floor
4 sitting on
5 mini-shelter
6 emergency-sled
7 emergency- tarp for gear or over hole in tent or tarp
8 changing mat
9 tent-footprint
10 gear carrier
11 stretcher
12 hammock
13 water-catcher
14 water-carrier
15 gear flotation
16 mattress-insulator [stuff with leaves and-such]
17 sleeping-bag
18 wind-break
19 repair-patches for tent and-such
20 smoke-signal
21 sail for small boat or raft
22 dummy or decoy
23 sleeping-bag cover
24 camouflage
25 if you have orange or other suitable colour poncho or rain-kilt-skirt can use as a signal-flag for help flag for mountain-air rescue
I bought a BRS stove after I fumbled my Pocket Rocket while it was screwed on a fuel container. I'm going by a Phoenix REI next week. As long as the Pocket Rocket hasn't been "updated" and still weighs less than a pound costing under $150 I will buy one. Then I'll drop the flimsy, unstable BRS into a trashcan before I get out of the REI lot.
Cool..., and nice to ref for sort of a Christmas gear wish list 😉👌
I just discovered your channel and have been binge watching from 4 years ago. Much respect!!
For cleaning up on trail in a way that keeps me far away from water sources which i could contaminate, I cut the top half off of an empty gallon milk jug and use it as a sink. The sides fold in and it lays flat inside a gallon zip lock in my pack's netting area. Very lightweight ....
❤Good to know that backpacking doesn't have to cost "an arm and a leg." Yes, I am brand new to the game, and not too dedicated, so it's nice to learn of the more cost-effective things. ❤
I have the Culo Clean bidet attachment! I LOVE it!! You end up using an entire bottle of water, though. (At least I do.) So yeah, you maybe don’t want to use it on a trail that’s low on water.
Many Turtle Fur products are under $30. They made the first fleece neck warmer fourty years ago, and have branched out into other head and neck wear in a variety of materials. Perfect for holiday gifts and at other times, too.
P.S. I don't work there, but I love their products!
I bought a pStyle and it has been amazing! No problem at all using it
I am totally gonna get calenders Dixie. That's awesome.
A few thoughts:
1) I'd recommend against the titanium spoon. Most of them have a gritty finish (like in the vid), which a lot of people can't stand. More than that, though, there IS what I think is a better alternative. The Humangear GoBites Duo is a two-piece utensil that snaps together, is longer than the titanium spoons, is every bit as strong as you need it to be to stir a ramen bomb in those bags and has fork tines that you can actually use. It runs about $7-$8. It weighs about .08 oz. more than the Toaks spoon sold at REI.
2) As was said in the vid, the standard size Sawyer is the way to go. I had the mini going up Whitney and damn near passed out because of how long it took to process my daily water. The flow is just pee stream style. The trick is seeing if you can find a regular Sawyer for a few dollars less on its own, rather than as part of a bundle, which you really don't need because you'll upgrade pretty much everything in that bundle.
3) Cascade Mountain trekking poles are great. They're cheap, light and I haven't even had to replace my points since I got them mountains and miles ago, roughly 5 years. You WILL go through a few sets of rubber tips, though.
4) Gaiters are a nice way to personalize your outfit ... and almost completely unnecessary. I got a set a few years back and just never wear them. This is definitely a case of seeing if you need them before getting them. Don't get them in case you will need them. Most of us only do a few types of hikes in a few different terrains. If you don't have a problem with sand and dirt in your shoes, you can skip the gaiters. Obviously invest in Buffs. :)
Yeah, me too on the gritty titanium, nails on a chalkboard in your mouth, yuck! But..... Toaks, and probably others, makes a polished version. Way better. And since I happened to have some super fine sandpaper - like all the way up to 10K, I used it on all the spoon part that would be in my mouth. More comfortable for sure.
You must have received a better pair of Cascade Mountain trekking poles than I received. Mine vibrated and rattled so bad they were a major distraction. I immediately returned them.
@@daven.7685 I never have any vibration issues that aren't of my own doing. I bought mine a half dozen years ago, though. Maybe there are differences among product generations and models. i bought them based on a "cheap gear" video back in the day.
That said, that BRS stove everyone loves? I bought one around that same time, it petered out after a dozen seconds and I said I'm done with it. Scores of positive YT reviews later, I'm still fine with spending $26 more on a PR2.
@@bobthetomato8375 I like that the GoBites model packs smaller and has usable fork tines. My big concern was if it was stiff enough to work food around in those bags, but it's defiinitely more sturdy than I'd expect a two-piecer to be. I had the other spoons. Just didn't care for them. Of course, if you're not a weight weenie then you just buy a milkshake spoon. :)
What's the pack weight of the calendar?
I tried that ultralight toothbrush on my 2020 AT thru-hike. It only lasted 4 days. Bristles started falling out right away. (Fun fact-They are made for prison use.) I recommend avoiding this item but YMMV.
I’ve used several feminine funnels and highly recommend the P-Style. It allows for “high flow” without overwhelming the nozzle/outflow (…I know TMI…) You can finish by squeegeeing, no paper required.
Culo Clean is spectacular. I carry a very tiny plastic water bottle for dedicated use.
-Granger
I would like a Nemo Tent Kodiak 4-Season Expedition, but $580 is a little expensive to me
Question on the Stanco pot. I looked at one at Walmart and like that it has a wider shape than the one I use, which I think causes more heat to transfer from the flame instead of going up the side into the air. But the lid fits outside the pot which means condensation drips down. Do you unscrew the lid handle and attach it to the other side of the lid to use it upside down?
I would recommend the Pibella. It's more direct than other FUD I've used, and it leaves less of a mess that needs to be cleaned up.
Ziplock snack bag for my wallet, basically free because I just grab from my kitchen. I’ve always just used a strong black trash bag for a liner. Works fine for me. Never had an issue.
I have narrowed it down to the tinkle Belle urination device but haven’t purchased yet. I’d love it if you could test that one! Very interested in this topic. I am almost 50 and gearing up to go on my first backpacking trip in the spring to celebrate my 50th! One of the things that has held me back is the back woods bathrooming dilemma.
I tried the Tinkle bell on my 2020 AT thruhike. It was fine for a while, but I stored it folded and the kink in the outflow began to restrict the drainage, so there was a backup of fluid that threatened to overflow. Yikes! Now I use a P-Style and highly recommend it. I usually “drop trow” but when privacy is an issue, or when rain or snow are part of the hike, the P-Style is great.
I used the CuloClean Bidet on my Thruhike of South Island New Zealand and found it very helpful to stay clean and feel fresher.
To work out the angle though when you’re using it in a long drop loo can be challenging, one might spray the toilet seat otherwise… 😮
Obviously no issue when outside. Still use it now back home, as I don’t have a bidet and I love the cleanliness
My under 50 dollar video and your under 30 are friends and have some overlap haha. Amazing what great gear you can get for so little
Aluminium should be anoxidised, with low PH values it can react to acidity. I recently send over research that got approved at my website you can read all about it. Apparently coffee reacts too over the years too on same aluminium pots, or kettles.. However, if you only boil water its safe. But you should too clean it. I did some research on the deodorant too, thats not the same issue aluminium pots have when reacting to axicity and warmth
There is absolutely not one thing wrong with $30 and under
I have found quite a few many things
And believe it or not my BSR 3000 only cost me $5 two years before it really hit the market now look at it if anywhere between 25 and 45 dollars and I only paid $5 plus $1shipping
So deals can be found if you are willing to look and be extremely extremely patient
Great pics. Thanks for the video