The Backpacking “FAD” Everyone Should Try
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
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I think if your favorite aspect of hiking is the actual hiking / traveling part then going as light as you can will make that part of the experience the most enjoyable. If your favorite part is the camping then having a few extra pieces of gear to accommodate that like a chair ect. is the way to go. Pack for the the trip not for some ideology...there is no need to choose a side.
Yeah most people don't realize that. They watch one ultra lite vid, spend 3 grand, go hiking and get tired of their 10 mile a day 4 day trip.
Pack for the trip. That’s good. I’m a desert hiker and go UL but not really. I usually start with 15 litres of water. That is why I otherwise go as light as possible… tarp and so on.
I completely agree! I live my time at camp so it makes sense to factor that in. I don’t just want to hike all day and sleep!
Dang, 33lbs of water is quite the haul
I don't know. I love, love the hike way more than the camping (especially breaking camp!). I'm having a really tough time getting below 20 lb base weight, especially if I have to use a bear canister.
I’m 63 and do at least 3 trips per year with 2 of them >8 days per trip and we like going off trail. The #1 item by far in keeping me on trail is trekking poles. No way in hell I could do what we do without them. I ventured down the ultralight black hole and found it’s not the panacea for me. I try to go as light as possible with my gear but with my experience I’ve found the sweet spot that works for me. Comfort, function, and preparedness for the wrath of Mother Nature drive my choices. Fine tuning your gear is a process. Find what works for you or as you hear from the through hiking crowd, hike your own hike!
Hey Steve, you know I’m an ardent fan of your channel and I comment frequently but who am I? This video of a recent trip we did will give you some perspective on where my comments originate. This is a typical trip for us; greater than 7 nights, 60+% off trail, lots of fishing, and lots of laughs. The highlight of our trips are the carefully selected “Johnny 5 star” campsites. Hope you enjoy…
th-cam.com/video/i46e5VDjOaE/w-d-xo.htmlsi=arr2V1bSchQWlGlQ
Agree with everything in this post. Will just add that the same goes for bodyweight. Dropped 45lbs the past 2 years and hiking (with UL gear) is now a pleasure.
BAM!!! I have as well, put a few back on but oh my goodness the difference. Good for you. I hope you did it through exercise and diet rather than the gut problems I've had but either way. It lets you buy all new hiking cloths. Good on you.
Good on you man. And good to know losing body weight really does help improve hiking experience. I dropped 30 pounds and am aiming to drop another 20 for the purpose of being able to hike and backpack more comfortably. I used to huff and puff just from walking 3 miles on my local trail. Now I’m able to do strenuous rated backpacking trips (though they are no where near enjoyable just yet). Am really looking forward to when I take another 20 pounds off. Man just imagine when it’s possible to go on backpacking trips and fully enjoy it without struggling too much.
My concerns….
Take what you need for conditions. Ultralight on some trips may not work on all trips.
Get the gear you need and then become proficient at using it.
Ultralight can mean lighter weight fabrics and zippers. Use care….they just aren’t as robust as other gear.
I’ve carried very heavy loads, been ultralight, been light, now I settle in around 30lbs fully loaded. I hate the base weight number. It doesn’t represent what you are really carrying. My 2 cents worth.
While I appreciate the sentiment of older folks not being able to carry heavy loads, lots of research suggests we do not "wear out" our joints. Being more active facilitates healthier joints actually.
@@drsaintdc yup, joints adapt as the entire body adapts to appropriate stress with appropriate recovery. when people need ultralight to get outside, they probably need to lift some weights and get in some brisk steps for quality of life more. those are not mutually exclusive or contingent, but when people start complaining about joints and doing nothing for health this is walking over dollars to, in this instance, spend hundreds of dollars.
This is a case of both/and, not either/or. I'm 67 and being active is definitely recommended for keeping joints healthy and it certainly helps my arthritic knees. At the same time, carrying heavier loads vs. light ones does put extra stress on joints. That said, as my physical therapist shared, carrying a heavy pack for a few days occasionally doesn't stress your knee joints nearly as much as being overweight and carrying extra pounds on your body every day.
I actually read THAT recently. You got to keep moving!
Ultralight everything, but i wear a mystery ranch bridger pack😅
Everything is light but my pack
I need comfort during the hike
The Bridger 65 was on my short list for an expedition pack that was at least 65 L
The Bridger lost out due to its 5.5 lb weight. But a sweet back pack otherwise.
I went with the Seek Outside, Divide 4800 2.0.
The main body holds 79 L, front pocket holds 13 L, Each side pocket holds 2 Nalgenes.
Weight capacity of 200 lbs
It weighs 2.9 lbs
Downsides are there are too many options.
No hip belt pockets or top lid included.
And with the options it can easily be a $600+ pack.
I spent $800 CDN dollars on mine.
But I head out with 45+ lbs and I'm 58, and it will keep me going for at least 10 more years.
My gear is a mixture of light and Ultra light. I have many items that can be used by 2 people for the trips when my second decides to come along. I also have a lot of gear that can cope with winter conditions. I backpack specifically to fish and will be carrying some extra weight anyway. My backpack is heavy 3lbs. It fits me well and distributes the load correctly for my body. My tent is light for a 2 person tent that can withstand winter conditions at 36 oz. My sleep system is also light and can be adjusted depending on the season. My chair is pretty heavy at 2lbs. I need a heavier chair because I am also heavier 300 + lbs. My primary cook system is light but not ultra light, but it can be used for 2 people. I can scale my system down to Ultra light (
The part about the confidence boost is so true.
*too
*they're
A great reason is to find out just how much you don’t need.
Thankfully in Canada, Garage Grown Gear ISN’T the ONLY choice… we have Gear Trade in Okotoks, AB… and they have an exceptional UL gear choices from cottage companies. Also… cold soaking??? NEVER! LOL
I've had a mixed experience with ultralite gear. Ultralite is achieved by reducing features and using less durable materials. Ultralite bags tend to wear out fast and rip/tear even faster.
@@waterbuck ultralight bags are made from the strongest fabrics you can buy
It's more about the mentality to me than the gear itself (although there are some UL innovations like trekking pole tents that really are quite nifty). UL is all about looking at your kit and asking "Do I really need this?" - not only to make your time on trail more enjoyable, but also to decrease clutter and make more space for things you really want. There are probably hardcore ULers that will contend that many things in the "things you really want" category are also superfluous, but for most of us who aren't UL, it's very useful dialing in your pack to the essentials and some thoughtfully-picked comfort items. This doesn't have to imply sacrificing comfort and safety or spending exorbitant amounts of money, IMO.
Which DCF or Ultra bags did you try? if UL means standard company light bags (like osprey) well yes - but newer, like ultra 200x material - are more durable than whats used in most normal hiking bags - and if you use a frameless pack, its a much less complicated construction with less stress points that are prone to early tear in the construction. My personal experience from 20 years of UL hiking, a well made UL pack last as long or longer than a normal pack
@@Gitgudm9 Totally agree, ultra light is about leaving most stuff at home.
I'm geared up for a 8 day thru hike of the Foothills Trail next month and while I'm not sub 10lbs my base weight is is only 12.3lbs. You've inspired me to try to get it to 10lbs.
I wouldn’t worry about it. 12 lbs is nothing.
The foothiils trail is amazing! Enjoy!!!
Nice, I have day hiked that trail many times. I just need new gear to backpack it
"If you enjoy backpacking and you wanna do it for years to come, UL may be your only way forward" (SMITH, Steven). I’m about to turn 50, and this is something I realized a few years ago.
I'm 67, and have trimmed my pack down to about 18lb base. I could see getting down to 15lb by giving up chair and reducing my cook kit, but why? I don't do a lot of thru hiking, so my heavier camp water gear (fewer trips to the river) is just nice. 🤷♂️
Of course, I used to take 30-35 lb with a heavy pack that never fit, so 18 is just fine for me in moderate (late spring/early fall) conditions.
I'm 58 and like coach said, once your base weight is below 20 lbs, it can be managed depending on trip conditions. How many trips do you take per year? Do you train? As we get older health becomes an issue. I can head out with 45+ lbs, knowing I'm coming home with 18+ lbs, 6 days later. I think the key is your back pack. I switched to an external metal frame pack that can support 200 lbs. I can carry ~90 L of gear and the pack weighs
@@mikeb5664 - I do not see 10 lbs as reasonable, at my age. 🤷♂️
The only thing that drives the cost is the non-stop marketing to sell the non-stop products designed to take my money.
Ultralight is all a matter of perspective.
In the Army, we had to load our packs up to between 35 and 45 kg (~70 - 90 lbs) for our fitness tests, as that was the expected weight we'd be carrying.
In addition to normal "hiking" gear like spare clothing, sleeping bags, bivvys, we'd also be carrying body armour, night vision equipment, radios, lots of ammunition, maybe some explosives, etc.
And of course, none of that comes in light weight versions.
Yet I'm seeing people in the comments complain about carrying half that weight.
I will almost always agree that fornthe same strength and features / functions, less weight is better. There are some items that work better if they care heavier, like hammers.
But the key part is, FOR THE SAME STRENGTH, FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS.
First, decide what features and functions you absolutely need, then what you want.
Then decide what strength you need.
Then buy the lightest option that has those features and functions at the strength you require.
Buying the lightest gear makes zero sense if it's going to break half way through the first hike, but "spending" a little more in weight would get a stronger product that lasts you for years.
And if carrying a heavy pack really becomes too much for you, look at getting a hiking cart. You can move all the weight off your back and on to a couple wheels.
I'm not knocking those people who like ultralight hiking. But saying ultralight is the only way to go especially as you age is just incorrect.
Mate, most of us are going to the trail to enjoy life, nature and my family, not to explode shit. We want to be light, not suffer. I'm also not being paid to carry things. There is always someone in the comments saying "ohh because in the army I was carrying blablabla". Would you like to carry all that weight when you're going to buy an icecream for you kids in the weekend a few blocks from home? Thats what hiking is for us, is to enjoy, not to carry tons of not needed things in our back that will make the experience less pleasant.
@@Guuize clearly you didn't read or understand everything I said.
I never suggested that you should pack body armour and 1,000 rounds of ammo. In fact if you did, I'd be rather worried about your intentions.
My point was more so that you shouldn't be driven purely by weight.
Sometimes heavier items perform better and you'll get more enjoyment out of things that actually work well.
A tent is a great example, we want our tents to be warm, spacious and dry. A lightweight tent may do all of that, but if the thinner material rips on a stick or rock, will it still remain dry?
A light weight peg is great, until it bends in half because the grounds too hard.
Agreed. I haven't camped this year but have played lots of airsoft and gone for rucks this summer instead. I did a 2hr ruck with 17lbs on me, 5lb plate in my hand. When I was done it didn't even enter my mind that the weight was an issue. I think it comes down more to felt weight/distribution vs actual mass.
@@urgamecshk a group of us in Army left training for our first posting, with field exercises expected right away.
We were instructed to fly with all the gear we'd need, rather that have it transported by truck as normal.
We all walked from the base to the train station, then through the airport with a full field pack, a day pack and two full duffle bags and whilst I can't speak for the others, but I barely felt the weight. It was all well balanced.
We are talking easily 70-80kg (~140-180lbs) of total weight. I wouldn't recommend going for a hike with that sort of weight, but we walked up and down stairs with ease.
We tend to pack our fears, like the humans we are! 🙃
The new backpacking fad is VHS? No thanks.
I think if the point is building confidence then you could pseudo "ultra light" simply by laying out what you do own, figuring the weight of ultra-light expensive versions, and then getting below a false 10lbs in terms of the potential weight of lighter alternatives while still using what you already have. That way you can engage in the game of cutting down bloat even if you can't afford to buy lighter gear.
Sure you don't get the total benefit of less weight, but you';e probably saving some weight just going through those motions. And if you're comfortable with that small amount of gear then you're more likely to start replacing things as you go with lighter stuff to save weight and actually hit 10lbs.
When i first started optimizing weight i didn't buy anything. I left stuff at home. There are so many things you don't actually need for a good trip. I also totally agree that it builds confidence. However nowadays i also always choose some comfort items according to the trip planned.
The only critique I have about Garage Grown Gear is that it’s very easy to get sucked into buying ultralight gadgets and cool things that are really light but maybe not necessary. So your pack doesn’t get all that much lighter because you’re adding things while you’re also buying lighter things. That damn thermometer is a great example. lol. That’s not the fault of GGG but it’s a real danger zone - at least for me!
Yeah the thermometer seems useless to me. I can see why gear reviewers would like it for testing gear and reporting data on how well stuff works at different temperatures but for your average backpacker it seems dumb
My first foray into UL backpacking helped me realize frameless is not for me. It's fine for day hikes over rolling terrain, but as soon as elevation gains into the equation I have to have a frame. Thankfully packs with carbon fiber frames are readily available.
Updated my gear several years ago and wound up ultralight. In doing so it has allowed me to carry a one pound chair and be even more comfortable than I was before the upgrade. I certainly don’t suffer at all. I agree with you…. If it’s financially viable, everyone should try it.
I have been a scout and scout leader now for quite a few years love this idea because when I started as a leader had to get a lot of gear quickly and budget friendly. As each year went by found a piece or two that were heavy or not needed so started swapping them out for better items. First example was a Coleman 30 degree sleeping bag. Big bulky weighed a ton and took up space. Got a Nemo disco 30 and still shocked on how small it is and how warm it is compared to the Coleman. Granted that was a pricier item.
I am almost 50 and already have one bad knee so the lighter my pack can be the better. Also there are the comfort items that I will take the extra weight for like a camp chair and pillow. Ultralighters may say they are not needed but arthritis and a good night sleep make it needed for me. If I was back in the early 90s when I have those fresh joints that could still bend I would try the ultralight way. Now I am just trying to keep from having to car camp.
I haven’t quite got there yet, but my base weight has come way down, and I’m digging it. I always thought being a mule was a badge of honor before.
I've been on both sides, one lesson I've learned is that ul backpacks without any mesh or structure are absolute shit!
$800 being called "not that expensive" for something to "try at least once" is kind of a joke. I love this channel, but not many people can spend close to 4 figures on something just to give it a try
Agree, but in the grand scheme of middle class adult life its not that crazy to spend on your favourite hobby. This initial cost should last a lifetime
There's a difference between a "favorite hobby" and just about to try it out
That is not much money, and you can buy piecemeal or used. Even if you don't hit 10lbs, lighter makes the experience more enjoyable
I have been meaning to try something new when it comes to bottle cap retention. This summer I dropped my Smart Water bottle cap in a creek while getting water and I could not find it. The cap was immediately lost, myself and one other person looked for over five minutes for it, to no avail. In the video I see something I haven’t seen before. (I’d see the CNOC caps in people’s videos, I assume their CNOC bottle got worn out and they just swapped the cap onto a smart water bottle). I had to search Garage Grown Gear for it. The Bottle Cap and Tether by Common Gear. I’ll have to get me a couple of those!
I love it. Don’t know that I’ve talked about it in a video yet…but it’s a awesome
Steven, following on this comment about water, what system are you using with the tube and mouthpiece for your water bottles? I find carrying bottles by themselves clunky. I love the ease of a tube but have only seen them with attached bladders.
@@WoodswomanWrites +1 to this question. I've tried two brands which adapt drink tubes to Smart Water bottles, but both have very bad leakage potential that could result in losing an entire bottle of water. One brand's cap has threading issues which can cause the cap to pop off the threads. The other system has a bad air gasket which VERY easily pops right out of the cap, leaving an entire hole you can lose your water out of.
@@WoodswomanWrites this is it: except I’m using the tube off an old camelback I have. I think this is an affiliate link FYI. www.amazon.com/Source-Tactical-Convertube-Bottle-Adapter/dp/B00W9O2Q0W?tag=mylifeoutdo0b-20&_encoding=UTF8&linkId=b6b2d8f55a0b6cb0f66469cd71ea5747&ref_=as_li_ss_tl&geniuslink=true
3:56 Brah....that's not how you spell segment!
One thing I worry about is backpacks, I bought a normal weight Osprey after trying many packs on because it felt more comfortable and I've had issues with shoulder pain with I'll fitting packs (I'm a woman so maybe that makes it harder to find a comfy fit). And you can't usually try on an ultralight pack because they're sold mainly online. What are people's experiences with ultralight packs (esp women)?
I’ll admit my wife has not been a fan of the UL packs I’ve had her try…but they were all packs of mine she borrowed. We eventually got her an Osprey Eja Pro which is a compromise between heavy traditional packs and UL packs. You could try the EJA from REI and take advantage of their return policy if it’s not for you.
Wy wife also uses the Eja Pro and she likes it. She previously used a Gregory before. She is petite and it fits her well. Hope that helps!
I'm a small female. 5'1" with 15" torso. The packs that I have tried and liked include ULA Ohm 2 (favorite), Outdoor Vitals Shadowlight, and Granite Gear Crown. Each of these weighs about 2 lbs.
Try Z Packs
Thanks everyone for the recommendations!!
I am pretty much counter ultralight, my tent is an 7 pound hilleberg that is a nigh indestructible all season tent all weather tent. My primary backpack is an exterior framed pack that weighs 5 pounds empty (and is very comfortable carrying 50-100 pounds of food and gear). My sleep system is a full sleeping bag or possibly a zen bivy light bed if they ever bring back the full length bottom. I sometimes carry a hammock with my tent for those times when finding a spot to pitch my tent can be a pain in the deep forest. I also carry a full trangia 27 for my cook system, and a backup wood stove. I however tend to camp out in the bush off trail for a few weeks at a time. UL backpacks are horrible for carrying more than 20-40 pounds, UL tents can be too fragile up in the mountains, and If I want to save some weight, I can work on dropping a few pounds off myself.
This post highlights that whether or not to go ultralight really depends on the kind of trip you're doing. Ultralight packs aren't designed to carry the heavy loads associated with multi-week trips. In that scenario where you're deep in the backcountry, I can see why you bring back-up gear. For that kind of hefty load, I think the best packs out there are made by Mystery Ranch.
I do the same but do not bring the wood stove. But maby fore next time now when you menchen it
Sounds like my Jansport D2 backpack. Comfortable even when carrying way too much weight. Plus it'll stand upright on its own using the hip belt frame.
6:00 I find that I switch things up depending on the type of trip I’m doing. I have not been under 10 pound base weight much, and when I have I didn’t have the right gear for it, so it was very uncomfortable. But even 15 lbs is very light (that’s about where I usually am when it comes to weight).
I'm looking at just getting into hiking and would like to explore UL gear. Its all expensive when starting almost from scratch. Which UL gear would you start with?
If you’re near an REI go there and look around. Buying online means you can’t get fitted or physically look at stuff. REI branded backpack and quilts are light highly rated inexpensive and they have all the tents and shoes and stoves everyone else does. You’ll save a bundle especially if you shop their sales. And they have a great return policy, used and rental gear, and an outlet.
What hydration system is being used to adapt the Smart(?) water bottle to a drink tube? I've tried a couple brands that thread onto Smart Water bottles but been disappointed since they both have different leakage problems.
One brand has consistent threading issues, and the other has a bad air gasket which can easily pop out and get lost. With a little unfortunate luck of Murphy's Law, both can result in losing an entire bottle of water at a really inopportune time.
I am a minimalist type, but not an ultra light dude... I like simple and dependable gear. Sometimes that means UL but mostly its traditional gear like paper maps and stainless steel water containers because it allows more options about how to use it, it's repairable and will last a longer than one season. Love your videos man!
4:48 some basic GPP would be the solution here as the body will adapt to appropriate stress on the body. joints do not "wear out", but excessive and erratic volume of backpacking with weight, elevation, distance, terrain, etc., could cause an injury when you are ill prepared for this. reducing weight to reduce injury risk is spending hundreds of dollars for negligible mitigation which does not extend to the rest of your life.
this said, lighter weight tends to be more comfortable and will reduce this volume comparing one hike to another, thus by all means do, but it is like drilling holes in the toothbrush to save a gram when you bring out an extra french press in case the first one breaks.
*and I am sure several folks will talk about how ultralighting has allowed them to continue backpacking as they increase in age, and I am all for this, I might just recommend some things which are far more effective for all of your health like lifting some weights and consistent cardio in the week.
Did he say you can get by spending as little as $1800? I don't know how this got into my feed but I'm 100% not the demographic that's going to drop $1800 to try something just once.
No, he said he's put out a couple of videos with near ultralight loadouts, one at $800 and another at $1000.
@@mikeb7117 Aaaah. The captioning said, ". . loadouts coming in at $1,800". A captioning fail then?
I'm backpacking through too much off-season snow and freezing temps to be at the place all of these ultralight discussions seem to be coming from. Doesn't matter to me though because I'm having an awesome time!
I think people should just consider the season. Don't pack a tent if it's not raining or windy. I wouldn't use a ground mat just sleep on soft ground.
Watching this while enjoying rucking with 20pound plate in the 🎒
I have to carry several pounds worth of a travel CPAP system (12 oz for the machine, 1.3 lbs per battery, each battery gives 1.5 nights of use) plus a few oz for hose + mask, so ultralight gear is absolutely for me, even if I'll never quite hit that 10 lbs number.
hike your own hike. find ways to get more people out into nature. good video
Speaking of comfort, try out scrubzz rinse free bathing wipes. Thank me later for those of you who like to shower everyday.
Too expensive.
My two cents for whoever wants to know. I spent over a month deciding on a backpack. After sending back 3 I finally settled on an osprey ag 60. The brand none of the youtubers like. Well it's the most comfortable pack I've ever tried and I'm just smart about what I place inside it. The pack isn't 20 pounds alone. It's 5. And ultralight are 2. I'll take my osprey over any ultralight any day. But for me it's about comfort.
It's the only option for me. Extra comfort gear is bidge too far for me, a 65 yr old small female. I just hiked with a marine and a fit man in younger than me. They both struggled with heavier packweight. In other words, for me the discomfort of extra weight would make a trip absolutely unenjoyable. It's different for guys with broad shoulders.
Incredible to hear people rationalize taking heavier loads, dispute comfort with UL or speak to UL Gear being too fragile. My first DCF tent is now almost 12 years old and I took it out for a few nights earlier this summer. My UL packs, all under 2 lbs, have been just as durable and more comfortable than many of the more commonly used and highly rated packs my friends are using. On most trips, my UL system is as comfortable if not more so than others I am with. As I packed for snow, ice and thunderstorms in the Wind River Range just this month, I packed a garmin, microspikes, a dcf Tarptent Rainbow Li, a 10 degree zen bivy UL sleep system, pillow, an insulated pad with R 8+ rating, an extra 8'x10' dcf tarp for additional coverage in storms, rain gear, merino base layer, a puffy and another jacket as well as a chair that I never used. With 5 days of food, water and fuel, my entire pack weight was still under 21lbs. That is about as heavy as I've ever gotten. Usually, I'm well under 17lbs full load out without all of the extra gear. I understand some folks are just fine carrying a crap ton of gear, but it's so much nicer to go lighter AND it is truly nicer on your body and stamina.
That's good to hear about the durability, I always read how fragile DCF is, zero abrasion resistance so I never dropped any money on it.
@@asmith7876 I live in the Rockies and have used my DCF tents for years on rocky and rough terrain as well as on many beaches and on multiple trips through the Grand Canyon. My ground sheets are usually polycro or another piece of dcf that fits under the tent. I even have two dcf tarps that are great for use alone or with my hammock. The only time I'd be nervous taking out a dcf tent would be above treeline with heavy huge hail. It handle smaller hail storms without damage.
@@LMay64 Great! You just cost me like $600! 🤣🤣🤣 As I get older I tend to pack less, more titanium, I suspect DCF is my future somewhere. Thanks!
Unfortunately, as a 300+ pound man, any gear is bulky, heavy, and exceedingly expensive. When I got on a big trail, it's basically all in for me. I need the extra water, food, and they don't make those nice sleeping bags for fat asses!
To start UL is VERY expensive, for good gear, and if you do not get good gear, its dangerous and can be even more expensive. Its a balancing act. Get a good tent and pack, and then find the middle ground on the rest.... One could argue the sleep system is the next biggest item, and it should be. So in reality, the top 3 BIG items to spend the money on are tent, pack, and sleep system... It's fun to shave oz off a system. That is part of the UL fun. Be safe, and enjoy
I follow the "ultraheavy" principle when packing my bag. makes for a better workout ^^
So does hiking 35-40miles per day with an ultralight pack!
@@dcaudwell rucking and long-distance hiking both have distinct advantages and benefits, imo you want to dip your toes into both to have a well rounded conditioning and strength development. If that's what you're going for anyway, there's no "wrong" way to hike as long as you're out there.
Ultralight isn’t afad. It’s the original backpacking promoted even earlier than Gerry Cunningham (Gerry Equipment, Boulder Colorado) He designed pack systems around a 12 pound base weight…which was reasonable in the early 1970s.
I bought me and my wife the zipper thermometer from garage grown gear. We seen it in one of your videos and love it. I never heard of garage grown gear till I found your channel. Thank you.
As a backpacker who recently replaced most his gear because he failed to lock the car, and someone felt they had more need for my stuff than I; I feel that the choices I made are quite light enough. Most of my gear was from the 70's and 80's. I had no idea of the advances made. Though my 2-man tent now weighs just over 2 pounds, that still saves me over 4 pounds right there from what I've carried for years. My cook kit is now all titanium, boy prices have come down, so goodby to the stainless steel. I even found a coffee/tea press that's so light I can now have fresh tea instead of bagged dust. The solar lantern folds flat and weights nothing, I can even recharge my head lamp in theory. My burn any fuel stove really needed to be replaced and my new SOTO Windmaster stove works very nicely. My new sleeping pad is both lighter and warmer than my old OG Therm-a-rest self-inflating pads (they stopped self-inflating years ago). My cheap? NatureHikes summer bag weighs less than my pocketknife, I think. And my bag I know is not going to win any prizes in weight, but I carried a Osprey Alpine bag for years, (I bought it at Appalachian Outfitters in about 1976) used for school and anything else I could think of, that's like nearly 45 years. It recently gave up the ghost, but it built in me some band loyalty. I have a 32-liter osprey I bought by mistake; thinking would replace my dead OG bag. Well, it didn't but is still a darn useful bag, like when you want to walk to the grocery store, I'm positive it would make a fine ultra-light bag, though my "gear load" would maybe be a little spartan. There enough said😜😜
How many grams is that superfluous ‘e’ in your “sponsored segement” adding to your base weight? Looks like you accidentally packed your “feears.” 😂
with ultra-light you get to CHOOSE the weird stuff you want to carry. when an EMPTY backpack is HALF your desired base weight, re think your pack.....
The best way to cut weight is to travel with a partner. Especially on a week or longer trip. Going light weight at -20F on a x country ski trip is very different than a three-day trip at 70F in the same area. At 82 my backpacking days are over and now with the same equipment limits, I travel bike trails systems.
You can achieve ultra light on a budget in nice summer weather. Ultralight in colder conditions is not achievable, to my knowledge, without forking out some serious cash for the technology that makes something light and will keep you warm and protect you from hypothermia in a severe storm or over a mountain pass. I've been backpacking in what is now "the shoulder season" in more mountainous areas. I can be sweating in the day time traveling along a scenic river in a forested valley, then trying to stay warm in the mid twenties at night at camp with some freezing rain at an alpine lake in higher elevation, then fording a river the next day again in 78 degree weather trying to stay cool mid day, then going over a mountain pass the next morning with biting hail and 60 mile an hour wind gusts. When you have to pack for 4 seasons in less then 4 days you will not do it with a 10# base weight. But it is advantageous to learn how to use lighter gear so that you can pack MORE gear that is actually useful and will help you to be prepared for more conditions that mother nature throws at you.
I was reading a Discussion lately that made a lot of sense. Basically it was on who or how was that 10 Lbs. weight limit decided upon ? If you wanna carry more, & you're still comfortable and happy, then carry more !
It’s 2024 and there’s absolutely no reason why anybody’s pack needs to weigh over 10 pounds. Particularly in three season conditions.
The fact is the majority of quality manufacturers and certainly high-end manufactures, are producing ultralight gear that provides MORE comfort than much of the “standard“ or “traditional” gear on the market.
If your pack is over 10 pounds in 2025, you need to start considering more focus on what you’re doing, what you’re packing and what decisions you’ve made.
I wouldn’t even consider a 10 pound pack not even ultralight today.
That’s just standard reasonable performing gear assembled with consideration and forethought.
Eg: does your Nalgene bottle provide you more comfort? No. It’s just heavy.
Does your solar panel (that doesn’t even worn) provide you more comfort? No.
Does hanging multiple pots and pans off of your pack making you more comfortable? No.
Does having multiple flashlights make you more comfortable? No.
Just a few of the silly things, I see when I have friends join me on trips. It’s actually frustrating to see people struggle for the sake of struggling.
People can start their transition to ultralight by carrying less junk. Any product worth buying today should be “ultralight”.
This simple philosophy worked for me , I take what I need , not what I think I might want. I found that by keeping the Pack , Sleeping and Shelter low in weight it's a jump start on UL. As far as a stove , titanium wood ( stick ) burner and a titanium pot. I hammock camp so dead wood is always available. Being a heart patient I had to lighten everything , no more heavy packs. It took several years to accomplish it and wish I would of a lot sooner.
4:24 the older i get the lighter i buy, it kind of makes it relatively the same. The only area in life i can coast on aging.
If weight is a concern, base camping is a great option. Spend one day lugging out all your weight to an area, set up camp, and then spend the next few days doing day hikes, scramble a peak, or just sit by a nice lake. It makes bringing luxury items more reasonable, and most of your trip can be spent without carrying around a big bag. I personally enjoy this much more than thru hiking
I'm at about 14lbs right now. To get down to 12 lbs, I'd have to switch my backpack, tent and sleeping bag - and would cost about 800 €/$. Nah, I am good.
I am sixty and am slowly going UL. As you stared, it becomes a must as you get older to continue. I do have comforts that I am not willing to give up like my pillow and a small towel. That said, I just completed the John Muir Trail going northbound and though I was light, 18-25 lbs give and take food and water, I could have been lighter. Too many weather unknowns for that long of a stretch to leave behind though there were other things I realized I didn’t need like coffee and my down hood/beanie or my bra. lol. Love coffee but it is a time waster. Looking forward to smaller treks, a zpaks tent and packing for the known weather conditions and see how I do.
4:31 I'm sorry but it is not technically true. Heavy lifting and endurance will strengthening your joints, bone, heart etc. It takes time to get into shape at let your body adapt and build your stronger body.
I just had a birthday and so this is very timely! I don't backpack much but if I want to continue I do need to consider this. I'm 59 now and my little grandson is 3, we need lots of camping trips!
My desire to go (ultra)light also depends very much on the terrain I'm travelling and the season that trip is in.
Doing an UL trip in winter seems impossible to me. You could go as light as possible but you'd either be hiking in the dark for half the time to max time you're not camping or be either miserably cold or bored in your sleeping bag at camp for long times.
Or you bring equipment for making a campfire and a book or something else to keep you occupied but that'll hardly be "light" in any way.
In summer contrary to this, you can get away with leaving a whole lot of gear at home and can just hike long days from dawn till dusk until you just want to eat and sleep anyway.
Ultralight is good to try, but also not to obsess over too much. After all, most people only go on a handful of backpacking trips each year. A lot of people get carried away with constant upgrades just to save that one extra oz, like recently those sleeping pad pumps. Once the gear is somewhat dialed in, that attention could be better focused on trail research and consumables to bring.
I'm sick of hearing 10lbs for ultralight, I'm 6' 4" for me every item weighs at least half a pound heavier for me. I am strong and 20lbs is easy for me.
Since I left my Jackery at home, my backpack trips have been less burdensome. Seriously, though, I won’t cold soak ever again.
Great video, great point! Confidence and experience are priceless. This is also the reason i became interested in Bushcraft. In the Bushcraft world there is a saying that "knowledge weights nothing". Cheers!
I would love to try ultralight, but have spent so much money on heavier equipment before realizing that ultralight was an option. Feel like I have wasted so much money but have to suck it up and just deal with the extra weight 😢.
I bought a super cheap and crappy little 40L backpack off of Amazon for the purpose of doing "dry runs" with UL variations of my typical loadout. I allows me to think through what I actually need and how to pack that gear into a smaller backpack than what I usually take. I see it as a very cheap way to dip my toes into UL without going out and buying a bunch of stuff. I have yet to take the pack out on an overnight, but I plan to do so soon.
For near perfection and price I highly recommend Gossamer Gear packs. Theres a frameless G-420 that is 25 ozs. Good room - even for a bear can. 42 liters. Unfortunately it seems to go somewhat cheaper on other things that Dyneema will be a part of your life. Dont pay a thousand dollars for a tent because you bought a 200.00 tent to get you started. That tent will be crap. Buy once cry once. As well the best gear I ever bought was a 10 degree quilt from EE. Ive done the deep research and ounce for ounce warmth and price. NOTHING is better. Look at nothing more than the weight and type of fill and compre that number with the weight of fill and over all weight of anyone else in a 10 degree and you'll see they are the best. The duplex and the quilt are gods...everything else is up for grabs. and you will have many choices with that set up. I could take a chair and not feel it....but I won't because there must always be an Us and a Them. For me its like planning a football game. plan plan plan and then execute and review.
I'm heading to the Sierra right now....except I'm resisting putting the food together.
Good luck on your journey, its so much fun.
You talk about ultra ligt men will my friend used a 5 kg(11pound) back pack on the latest 7 day hike in the mountes. Think ther bag weighed in the end 25kg(55 pounds)
Quote from my ski mentor: "Confidence is the most potent performance-enhancing drug that there is."
For the cost of 10 nights stay in a middle of the road hotel room, you can go fully ultralight. that’s the way I made peace with my bank account and spending the kind of money I did on my system.
i can spend the money to replace my pattern 82 rucksack and sleeping system and foam pad or i can use that money to pay for the train to my next jumping off point for another hike. So far the hike has one out.
Most people would be better off losing a few pounds of body weight rather than pack weight. Plus, it's a lot cheaper.
I have had a couple of very bad experiences with single wall tents. When my current tent needs replacing I will look into as light as possible double wall options
Enjoying your channel 👍
I’m sure you’ve been asked this before so sorry, but wondering where you got the hat?
what about carrying a lightweight grocery wheel bag... looks like the wheel bag will go over most of the terrain... will you give a try to this idea to see if it works
Where was this trip filmed? I usually recognize your locations, but this one is new to me.
I've always been a weight weenie. In fact, I've added more over the years as I used to curl up in a sleeping bag under a bush with no tent or pad.
Always good, Steve. Thanks.
My rolled up clothing makes a very suitable pillow and means there's one less item for me to carry.
I did the ultra light thing when I didn't have the money for proper gear. I'm good.
I've wondered if it's really fair to count your backpack as part of your base-weight. By that, I mean you could make an argument that it too is a wearable item and you are literally wearing it when you're hiking the trail. The bigger point is that there are many packs between 3 to 5 lbs in weight that will make an 8 to 10 lb load of gear plus a week's worth of food far more comfortable to carry than most ~1.5 lb frameless packs will. I have found that ultralight frameless and near frameless packs will pull and tug on your neck and shoulders with a week's worth of food loaded up in them and by the end of the day, you're neck and shoulders will still likely ache horrifically even though your legs and feet may thank your for having to carry an overall lesser load through the course of the day. Of course as you get closer to the end of the week, that food weight and resulting strain on your upper torso will decrease significantly too.
I guess it's another pick your poison scenario in the case of using an ultralight pack for the sake of achieving the traditional definition of "ultralight" vs a pack with a more rigid frame system that can more effectively transfer much more of the load off your neck, shoulders, and back and down to your hips and legs. Some such packs can make a 10 lb load + food and water feel like 5 lbs while the same load in a frameless pack can feel more like you carried 35+ lbs by the end of a day.
I couldn't agree more, these 1 pound packs with no hip belt??? My Gregory weighs maybe 6 pounds empty but will comfortably carry 40 or more pounds. I'm not a through-hiker, I like my comfort items!
Astonishing, and very well put together.
Thanks for posting. Food for thought
YES! I definitely enjoyed this video!
It's not the gear that expensive. the time is.
just use a bindle
Or just lift.
The pack itself is the one area I'm not concerned with dropping weight (provided the pack is at least "reasonable"). People rave about 10lb base weight, but if you're doing a long stretch in the Sierra, requiring 6 days of food and a bear can, or a long desert section with lots of water, that pack designed to carry 15lbs is going to be mighty uncomfortable. There are so many outstanding sub-4lb packs that are designed to carry more than 100lbs, that can withstand a nuclear winter, that there is no reason in my mind to shave a pound off of that for a pack that is way less comfortable in the times when you do need to load it. Kifaru, Mystery Ranch, etc. will carry a 10lb load comfortably while not ripping apart on rocks and brush, and still be able to carry truly heavy loads should you ever need them too, all while coming in at a very reasonable weight. Not to mention they are so durable your great-great grandkid will still be using it.
@MrJedi5150 i agree, sir. That's one thing I'm most nervous about is the ul packs and how they hold up
100% agree. Sometimes a pack that weighs slightly more carries weight way better- and ultimately that's going to make a bigger difference to your experience, than shaving off an extra 500g or so.
Segement 😂
👍🐿👍
Hello, do you have a video with your ultralight selection gear?
its respectively not respectfully
I respectively disagree…no wait…you’re right! Oops
I retire in 29 weeks and 1 day (but who's counting?). I'll be 65. I have the means to buy all new, great gear from scratch, sell all my old, and that's what I'll do as soon as I have a list. So thanks for that ultralight site. I want ultralight because I have a jacked-up collarbone that didn't heal right, it's pointy and could literally wear a hole through my skin!
There is one extra item I'll be using though, since I'm old and concerned about my joints and such: poles. I don't even day hike without them, and if I had known about them 50 years ago I would have been using them. I'm surprised you do not.
Once again, thanks for another great video.
Very subtle infomercial…
Stats prove that gear videos are more viewed than trip videos.
IMO ultralight isn't a specific weight base weight. My base weight varies a lot from summer to winter. Also, for summer ultra light is mostly an attitude and doesn't have to cost much. You need a tarp, some rope, a closed cell foam pad, a sleeping bag (which is the one item that will cost to get it really light) and a backpack. Basically any 30-40 l daypack will do if you're truly ultralight. Everything else is basically optional, but you might need a fleece or a rain jacket depending on the weather.
Certainly agree that it's something most people should try, it's interesting to see how much you can leave at home and still be fine.
My concern is comfort. I have a less-than-ultralight pack that is all comfort and I love it. I like the concept of ultralight but I'm not liking the frames on a lot of the ultralight packs that I am seeing. They're either non existent or they seem like not enough.