Ironically, it's the smaller companies that are worth more of your dollar than big named brands. Usually because it's already a backpacker that's frustrated with existing products.
True across all categories. Clothes, skincare, gear, etc. It's when they get big and get bought out that you should move on cus the quality is going to go downhill. And they'll often sell out on original values like supporting charities or ethical manufacturing.
It's an interesting paradox. Do I support this small brand that may not be here tomorrow to support my product? Or do I support the larger company who will be, thus ensuring that the small brand won't be around. It's a risk either way I suppose as the larger guy may not treat me right even if they are still around, the small brand needs to provide exceptional service in order to compete.
Love this video. You know I often opt for the budget option, but if I can find a home grown company with better gear for a little more, I'll always choose that option. Always love supporting small companies that make great gear!
I just picked up a Farpointe Alpha Cruiser and I'm genuinely impressed. It's so light, breathable, packable and WARM! I'll admit I was skeptical at first seeing how see-thru the fabric is, but this stuff is legit.
Garage Grown Gear is my absolute favorite! Thanks so much for doing a video helping to spread the word about the awesome service they provide of promoting start up cottage gear brands all in one place. I'm starting a long distance thru hike next month and have ordered many items from them over the past year. I may even be stopping into their office to visit the GGG team since the trail head of the Ice Age Trail is only about 45 miles from St Paul, where they're headquartered. GGG ROCKS!
The Alpha fleece looks great for something that’ll be carried instead of worn, but the largest they make is XL for a 48” chest. Quite a few large companies are now making clothes for people bigger than 160lb straight out of the Chinese buffet, cottage companies need to step up as well because a heavier jacket that fits is better than a nonexistent lighter one.
Love cottage industry, I'm in Australia and I've just got a sleeping mat from Alton Goods. Same sort of thing, just a guy who's wanting to make quality outdoor stuff. Often this means that they will back their products pretty heavily too. Love a lifetime guarantee!
Can recommend Neve Gear for the Aussies too. I had a custom quilt made from scratch and delivered within two weeks that I'm over the moon with. Very happy with the service from both them and Alton.
Thanks for this! Supporting these cottage industries is the way to go. The good thing about hiking and UL stuff is there are quite a lot around too. As for the Alpha hoodies, the additional bonus is they make you look like a Knight of the Realm!
Be careful with the Vargo Bot. If you are in a area where there is a variation in the altitude. The top of the Bot seals so good you might have trouble opening it if there is a decent difference in the altitude from where you used it last.
Finally visited Melanzana last week! So cool to visit in person. lol (I know that's a side point). Really been eyeing those carbon stakes! Love GGG!! Excellent video man!
I like small shops, and think we should support them. However, my wife works for Osprey (your not so subtle dig at the "big guy's) They are a phenomenal company that supports over a 100 good jobs in our town of 7500 people. They have an excellent warranty and a good product. I get a little tiered of hearing about the big bad corporations. They started as a small garage company, the owners sold it last year and still live in the area and now are working on a eco nonprofit. So please support the mom and pops but don't tear down good people and brands because they are successful.
The notches at the top of the Vargo Dig Dig trowel are there because you can also use it as a stake in case you break/lose one on a trip. Pretty neat feature!
I will never buy from them again. They sent the wrong item. Then they charged me a handling fee when I returned it. So they charged me for the mistake they made
This is awesome! I'm just now getting into backpacking and it would be great to build my gear selection off of small companies. Will definitely be looking into some of these! Your videos are a huge help!
There are a lot of good reasons to support small companies, usually because there's a lot of passion behind them when they are small. But I am not a fan of perceiving/casting companies as better/worse simply because of their size. Small companies that are great become large companies if they are well managed. Large companies are often able to provide better benefits to employees. So, I will support companies based upon the quality of the product and customer service and possibly where their gear is made. That might be a small company or that might be a large company that got that way because they are awesome. Small companies are not always the most responsible manufacturers. Many of them are under a great deal of fiscal pressure and have to find margin in the manufacturing. I'm sure you are aware of this, but you do tend to speak about small/large as if there is something intrinsically better about small and worse about large. I find you to be the absolute best on The Tube when it comes to analyzing the nuances of gear. But I think we disagree a little on the philosophy of this topic.
Been using Hilltop Packs Dyneema bags for a long time. Yet to have one leak and wet my gear. Also new material makes an even better and stronger food bag as well. I've had that Vargo Bot for some time now as well. I use it for breakfast cold soak and to heat water for my dinners, best of both worlds when you need to mix that oatmeal, protein powder, and powdered milk in the mornings.
I've not seen a lot of Alpha fleece out on trail as yet. I have a Senchi and I have worn it (some) but I am somewhat concerned about durability as they can catch branches and such. Little Skittle IS wearing one @ present on the CDT. Outside of that, I've not seen any other TH-camrs wearing them. GGG is legit and always worth a look for stuff.
I've had the Goose Feet Gear down socks and over booties for about 4 years.....wouldn't do an overnighter in the mountains without them! The best..........
I make some of my own gear, modify existing gear and can only afford preloved things, rarely new. On principle, I avoid new things simply because there's a great deal of enjoyment in finding an alternative solution from my own resources or the secondhand market e.g. a Macpac down jacket in perfect condition for only $50, a thin wool cardigan that I wear next to my skin as a base layer and only cost $2 at a thrift shop, making a hand sewn water bottle holder from polyester strapping and shoelaces, velcroed side pockets from agricultural hail netting on my ancient Macpac Esprit backpack (canvas might be 'heavy' but it sure has lasted, about 30 years and is still in great condition, a pot koozy and a billy and bowl from cans. Double duty items also create less weight and when I have to buy I compromise on brand rather than weight which is usually less expensive like my tent, a budget 2 man weighing in at a respectable 1.4 kg if I take the whole kit, often less depending on season and weather conditions. I've decided that I'd rather carry an extra kilo of gear at the outset and shed that kilo in food, water and fuel, than dispense with warmth, safety and modest comfort.
Just have to say it, carbon fiber is much stronger than aluminum, just not in all directions, so when it’s pulled on by the corner of your tent: very strong. But when it’s hammered down into soil it can split along the layers/fibers
Great job buddy...... My new favourite channel 👍 I am enjoying the content and picking up much needed advice and new ideas 💙 My hiking days are long behind me due to arthritis in my knees but I still wanted to enjoy the outdoors. I recently became the proud owner of a tandem SOT kayak and along with my son we are going to have some adventures on the water.
Cool video. Thanks for shining ☀️ a light on some of these brands. I have been using the Vargo Ascent tent stakes, placed as a deadman, on snow climbs for years. They make great stuff.
You got a subscription from me finally for wonderful cottage industry shout out, especially the group site. Thank you and keep on with the great work 👍 😃
So many home grown and garage gear makers start that way and get popular so they have to expand and then eventually get into a financial level that interests larger companies and get an offer that they can't refuse. The entire backpacking industry started out that way, Jansport, Kelty, and many others all sold out. Oh well.
I'm fortunate enough to have a pair of Goosefeet Gear down socks and over booties (with textured sole). The over booties are amazing. They serve as my go to camp shoe in cold weather
Thank you. I have your video up and my gear list up so I can truely see the savings. The alpha hoodie in 60gsm in medium is 4oz. Im rocking a Fayetchill which I love and is great on its own yet in Oregon I always pack a rain jacket. But my hoodie is just shy of 16 ounces. Now a day hike or a weekend it may be the choice. But a week long or say a thru hike this switch is well 12 oz or there abouts as Im an XL. Between this and a lighter down jacket Im looking at around a pound And I am a huge fan of GGG and is my go to company to start going down rabbit hole of gear
"Is it a sport?!" I don't know, but it's d@mmm goooooood! 🤣😂 Now seriously answering I do consider a sport, specially depending on how you hike (walking fast, climbing, running, walking but for longer miles), how intense are the workout the person practice to get prepare to be stronger and resistant to the outdoor activities... I wouldn't consider a sport for those who just don't exercise at all, and only get at camp by car 🤔🤷🏼
After my camping buddy laughed at my Goose Feet Gear down socks, what did sport on the next trip? You guessed it, his own pair. Any night dipping below 55 F or so and I break these out, don't even feel them, unlike wool socks. So cozy and weigh nothing, just leave them in your sleeping bag.
I had 20+ mph gusts on my last trip. I worried a little about the stakes but had no problems. Nail type stakes won’t have the holding resistance of a winged stake but I was happy with their performance. Like most things UL you make compromises to save weight. I think the compromise is minimal here.
So I have only used the 3 inch stakes as supplemental on my Zpacks Plex solo. The Plex needs 6 stakes but can go up to 10. I used 6 inch @stakes for my main guylines and 3 inch on the remaining guylines to give a little more room inside and wind resistance. They worked fine for that but I wouldn’t use the 3 inch as my main stakes. On my last trip I had 20+ mph gusts one night and worried a little but the stakes held with no problems..
Question isn't who I wanna support, it's who's got the product I need at a fair enough price I like the cup, and I like the hoodie(as long as it's got a zipper, but even then, kinda dope).... Misc bags aren't a bad thing, but I usually use the privios item's bag for what I need as I upgraded... Replacements come a about the same place usually....
I really wanted to try the FarPointe Alpaha, but to me, the price FarExceeds the need/value. When watching the segment about the FarPointe I can see how the hoodie would fit specific niche in my gear, but....for $80? My value for the gear is around half their retail price.
I, for one, will support only the established lager companies for the following reasons: As a developer working with all types of companies, the small ones working out of their homes are not zoned for manufacturing. The smaller companies are much less likely to follow EPA, fire and safety protocols. There will come a day the cottage industry will be brought out into the sunlight to show the dangerous conditions they're putting themselves, families, workers and neighbors in.
This is the most ridiculous statement I have ever heard. So a husband and wife team making tent stakes in their garage are killing the environment and running a sweatshop. Whatever. It's obvious you are one of those people who just HAVE to somehow make an enlightened argument even when you are in a spot where it's a serious stretch.
Thanks for your video. Question: alpha fleece looks great, except that it looks so flimsy it looks like it would be hard to make it through a season intact, especially if you are like me (and i would think most people) that wear the fleece while walking with a backpack. What is your experience with this fabric? How long has it lasted for you? Is it practical for hiking, or maybe just good for running?
I have a hoodie from Senchi Designs, been using it for a year now. No problem at all with any wear points yet. It only weighs 4 oz, so you have to be a bit careful, especially hiking in brushy areas, but I would highly recommend getting one!
i would like one of these channels to do a side by side test of how much difference it is cutting weight off things, vrs just using the thing without modifying it, you know like pack two bags, one with a regular tooth brush and one with the handle cut off, regular small tooth paste, vrs the little bits of straw with toothpaste in it, i would like to know just how much weight difference it really is, cuz i cannot get my head around all of that weirdness, it's a few ounces, if a tooth brush is gonna cause you to not hike cuz it's to heavy, i always just feel like thats weird. i wonder how much weight they save and if a few pounds really makes a difference, cuz wouldnt you just get used to moving with an extra pound on you?
Just wanted to say that your video are great! I’ve been unsubscribing lately from other hiking TH-camrs…their videos have changed. They are now sponsored and it’s turned into ads under the guise of a “review”. One Youtubber deleted comments when people brought up an issue his videos sponsor had with trying to trademark a word a few years ago. Unsubscribed from his channel immediately. Keep doing what you are doing! Would like to see some trio videos too
On Hilltop Packs website, they give you three chairs to choose from: Helinox, Flexlite, and one more. Just choose the one for the Helinox if that's one of the three options
Vargo is not an underdog brand...It's one of the big brands! And for ultralight DCF bags from underdog brands you really need to check out TreadLite Gear, Wild Sky Gear and Bonfus...Bonfus make the lightest back packs on the market but they they also make DCF tents and other gear. My Bonfus Iterus 38L back pack in black DCF only weighs 275g (9.7oz) without removeable hip belt fitted! With the hip belt + two TreadLite Gear 1L hip belt pouches, a WWAGO mat (the lightest sit pad on the market at only 23g, and the one that folds to the smallest size) and a custom shock cord harness it's still only 400g (about 14oz). Wild Sky Gear makes the lightest DCF bags on the market and TreadLite gear makes the best quality DCF bags and gear on the market.
Hi Steve. a bit off topic but I need help. I'm an old veteran attempting the 2023 AT, and although I am a seasoned backpacker with too much gear I need to upgrade. Im trying to find a tent with 3 critical elements. So far, and after extensive search, I can find 2 elements easy but all 3 together may not be in existence. Im looking for a Dyneme tent for 2 people that is double walled .I'm assuming it will be trekking poll dependent. thank you in advance and thank you for the endless info.
Check out Garage Grown Gear: geni.us/m2tzeVo
FarPointe Alpha Cruiser Hoodie: geni.us/EGWb9nd
@Stakes: geni.us/qJUQJ
Vargo Dig Dig Trowl: geni.us/rErjc
Vargo Bot 700: geni.us/N46h92n
Vargo EXoTI 50: geni.us/rdVwT
Goosefeet Down Socks: geni.us/g2jh
Goosefeet Over Booties: geni.us/nFYlBR
Hilltop Packs Food Bag: geni.us/nh21IP
HIlltop Stuff Sacks: geni.us/HS4ae
Ironically, it's the smaller companies that are worth more of your dollar than big named brands. Usually because it's already a backpacker that's frustrated with existing products.
True across all categories. Clothes, skincare, gear, etc. It's when they get big and get bought out that you should move on cus the quality is going to go downhill. And they'll often sell out on original values like supporting charities or ethical manufacturing.
That's absolutely bs 🤣
It's an interesting paradox. Do I support this small brand that may not be here tomorrow to support my product? Or do I support the larger company who will be, thus ensuring that the small brand won't be around. It's a risk either way I suppose as the larger guy may not treat me right even if they are still around, the small brand needs to provide exceptional service in order to compete.
Love this video. You know I often opt for the budget option, but if I can find a home grown company with better gear for a little more, I'll always choose that option. Always love supporting small companies that make great gear!
I just picked up a Farpointe Alpha Cruiser and I'm genuinely impressed. It's so light, breathable, packable and WARM! I'll admit I was skeptical at first seeing how see-thru the fabric is, but this stuff is legit.
Garage Grown Gear is my absolute favorite! Thanks so much for doing a video helping to spread the word about the awesome service they provide of promoting start up cottage gear brands all in one place. I'm starting a long distance thru hike next month and have ordered many items from them over the past year. I may even be stopping into their office to visit the GGG team since the trail head of the Ice Age Trail is only about 45 miles from St Paul, where they're headquartered. GGG ROCKS!
The Alpha fleece looks great for something that’ll be carried instead of worn, but the largest they make is XL for a 48” chest. Quite a few large companies are now making clothes for people bigger than 160lb straight out of the Chinese buffet, cottage companies need to step up as well because a heavier jacket that fits is better than a nonexistent lighter one.
I agree. Everyone needs good gear that fits.
Love cottage industry, I'm in Australia and I've just got a sleeping mat from Alton Goods. Same sort of thing, just a guy who's wanting to make quality outdoor stuff. Often this means that they will back their products pretty heavily too. Love a lifetime guarantee!
Can recommend Neve Gear for the Aussies too. I had a custom quilt made from scratch and delivered within two weeks that I'm over the moon with. Very happy with the service from both them and Alton.
And “Tier Gear Tasmania”
Thanks for this! Supporting these cottage industries is the way to go. The good thing about hiking and UL stuff is there are quite a lot around too. As for the Alpha hoodies, the additional bonus is they make you look like a Knight of the Realm!
I was thinking the same thing. It looks like chainmail. Which looks awesome! Thanks for watching
GGG is freaking awesome. Their customer service is incredible too. Legit love that site.
Great video brother! Really love this one!
Really great to see someone advocate small niche outdoor manufacturers producing some fantastic gear, many thanks.
Yeah it's nice when they throw money at you to advertise for them lmao. Don't get me wrong I've bought a lot off GGG.
Love the focus on cottage companies. Keep up the good work.
Be careful with the Vargo Bot. If you are in a area where there is a variation in the altitude. The top of the Bot seals so good you might have trouble opening it if there is a decent difference in the altitude from where you used it last.
I used to have a lunch box that sealed really well and I live on top of a hill so I had always trouble opening my lunchbox at school🤣
I LOVE my Hilltop Packs food bag! I've never had anything so lightweight and durable. I love it.
Thank you!
Finally visited Melanzana last week! So cool to visit in person. lol (I know that's a side point). Really been eyeing those carbon stakes! Love GGG!! Excellent video man!
Love the video! Garage Grown Gear is the best!
Last time you were supporting small retailers, now cottage companies - nice evolution.
I like small shops, and think we should support them. However, my wife works for Osprey (your not so subtle dig at the "big guy's) They are a phenomenal company that supports over a 100 good jobs in our town of 7500 people. They have an excellent warranty and a good product. I get a little tiered of hearing about the big bad corporations. They started as a small garage company, the owners sold it last year and still live in the area and now are working on a eco nonprofit. So please support the mom and pops but don't tear down good people and brands because they are successful.
Great video. I recommend everyone joining Garage Grown Gear.
Peleton 97 is my favorite mid fleece. 5oz, more windprof and very durable for a fleece. Not a snag machine like the Alpha material also.
You've been popping up on my feed lately. I love the fact that you show metrics for us outside USA.
The notches at the top of the Vargo Dig Dig trowel are there because you can also use it as a stake in case you break/lose one on a trip. Pretty neat feature!
I didn’t know. But makes sense. Thanks for sharing.
Something I had to do this weekend, and I was glad those notches were there!
It’s funny you included Hilltop Packs chair bag. I FINALLY ordered one last night after stalling for quite awhile. Haha
Cottage is good. However, usually limited inventory, long wait times for products, not significantly different in price point...
OOOUUUUUoooo! External frame backpacks. These are the best!
I always prefer buying cottage products if it is an option, and Garage Grown Gear is my favorite outdoors retailer
I will never buy from them again. They sent the wrong item. Then they charged me a handling fee when I returned it. So they charged me for the mistake they made
This video is golden for small business. Thanks for helping me reach them 👍
Only TH-camr shining light on smaller business that also make great products
This is awesome! I'm just now getting into backpacking and it would be great to build my gear selection off of small companies. Will definitely be looking into some of these! Your videos are a huge help!
More of this! 🙌💯
Highlighting small buissness's is the best!!
There are a lot of good reasons to support small companies, usually because there's a lot of passion behind them when they are small. But I am not a fan of perceiving/casting companies as better/worse simply because of their size. Small companies that are great become large companies if they are well managed. Large companies are often able to provide better benefits to employees. So, I will support companies based upon the quality of the product and customer service and possibly where their gear is made. That might be a small company or that might be a large company that got that way because they are awesome. Small companies are not always the most responsible manufacturers. Many of them are under a great deal of fiscal pressure and have to find margin in the manufacturing. I'm sure you are aware of this, but you do tend to speak about small/large as if there is something intrinsically better about small and worse about large. I find you to be the absolute best on The Tube when it comes to analyzing the nuances of gear. But I think we disagree a little on the philosophy of this topic.
Hell yea, so glad this video was recommended to me. This is the kind of content we need. Support homemade/cottage vendors!
Been using Hilltop Packs Dyneema bags for a long time. Yet to have one leak and wet my gear. Also new material makes an even better and stronger food bag as well. I've had that Vargo Bot for some time now as well. I use it for breakfast cold soak and to heat water for my dinners, best of both worlds when you need to mix that oatmeal, protein powder, and powdered milk in the mornings.
I've not seen a lot of Alpha fleece out on trail as yet. I have a Senchi and I have worn it (some) but I am somewhat concerned about durability as they can catch branches and such. Little Skittle IS wearing one @ present on the CDT. Outside of that, I've not seen any other TH-camrs wearing them.
GGG is legit and always worth a look for stuff.
I've had the Goose Feet Gear down socks and over booties for about 4 years.....wouldn't do an overnighter in the mountains without them! The best..........
I have some Hilltop Packs stuff and love it!
Awesome idea for a video. Hilltop rules! I lole my Goosefeet pillow and will check the others out!
I find myself wanting a bunch more hilltoptop stuff!
Hell yeah Backpacking is a sport!!!
Great collection of companies!
Thanks for the information! I definitely need to get me some of those down socks! Thanks again!
Love gear from cottage industry!
Great video. Signing up at GGG. Thank you.
I make some of my own gear, modify existing gear and can only afford preloved things, rarely new. On principle, I avoid new things simply because there's a great deal of enjoyment in finding an alternative solution from my own resources or the secondhand market e.g. a Macpac down jacket in perfect condition for only $50, a thin wool cardigan that I wear next to my skin as a base layer and only cost $2 at a thrift shop, making a hand sewn water bottle holder from polyester strapping and shoelaces, velcroed side pockets from agricultural hail netting on my ancient Macpac Esprit backpack (canvas might be 'heavy' but it sure has lasted, about 30 years and is still in great condition, a pot koozy and a billy and bowl from cans. Double duty items also create less weight and when I have to buy I compromise on brand rather than weight which is usually less expensive like my tent, a budget 2 man weighing in at a respectable 1.4 kg if I take the whole kit, often less depending on season and weather conditions. I've decided that I'd rather carry an extra kilo of gear at the outset and shed that kilo in food, water and fuel, than dispense with warmth, safety and modest comfort.
I am not a lightweighter but a lightweight backpacking with an external titanium frame that sound like a great peace of kit.
Thank you so much for using Customary units.
Thank you for the good information on the smaller brands. This is so useful
Another great small brand sold through Garage Grown Gear is Volpi Outdoor Gear. Their 40 and 35 liter ultralight packs are superb, and a great value.
Just have to say it, carbon fiber is much stronger than aluminum, just not in all directions, so when it’s pulled on by the corner of your tent: very strong. But when it’s hammered down into soil it can split along the layers/fibers
I like the ruta locura Ti shepards hooks. They are 7" rather than 6" and that small difference works surprisingly well.
Great job buddy...... My new favourite channel 👍 I am enjoying the content and picking up much needed advice and new ideas 💙
My hiking days are long behind me due to arthritis in my knees but I still wanted to enjoy the outdoors. I recently became the proud owner of a tandem SOT kayak and along with my son we are going to have some adventures on the water.
Cool video. Thanks for shining ☀️ a light on some of these brands. I have been using the Vargo Ascent tent stakes, placed as a deadman, on snow climbs for years. They make great stuff.
Your videos are the best!
GGG Is the place to get ur gear!!
You got a subscription from me finally for wonderful cottage industry shout out, especially the group site. Thank you and keep on with the great work 👍 😃
So many home grown and garage gear makers start that way and get popular so they have to expand and then eventually get into a financial level that interests larger companies and get an offer that they can't refuse. The entire backpacking industry started out that way, Jansport, Kelty, and many others all sold out. Oh well.
I love Goosefeet Gear!
p.s. I'm guessing Bot = Pot + Bottle
Whoa! How am I just seeing you!? Awesome stuff! Subbed!
Thanks. Glad you are here.
The hoodie looks interesting. I found a budget alternative to the bot, it's made of stainless steel so not as light but a fraction of the price
Can use it at medieval recreation events as well .
I use my down booties as well for camera gear and water filter. Goosefeet also makes any custom down gear. They made Remy’s UL bed for me.
I'm fortunate enough to have a pair of Goosefeet Gear down socks and over booties (with textured sole). The over booties are amazing. They serve as my go to camp shoe in cold weather
Had my eyes on the vargo exoti for years, just bought it fifteen minutes before I watched this video. Strange coincidence!
Excellent video as always. Those stakes are amazing! Crow✌️
Vargo Hexagon Titanium is fantastic stove I bought recently and it is a great item.
Thank you. I have your video up and my gear list up so I can truely see the savings. The alpha hoodie in 60gsm in medium is 4oz. Im rocking a Fayetchill which I love and is great on its own yet in Oregon I always pack a rain jacket. But my hoodie is just shy of 16 ounces. Now a day hike or a weekend it may be the choice. But a week long or say a thru hike this switch is well 12 oz or there abouts as Im an XL. Between this and a lighter down jacket Im looking at around a pound
And I am a huge fan of GGG and is my go to company to start going down rabbit hole of gear
1:21 also makes you look like a mediaeval knight. Cool!
"Is it a sport?!" I don't know, but it's d@mmm goooooood! 🤣😂
Now seriously answering I do consider a sport, specially depending on how you hike (walking fast, climbing, running, walking but for longer miles), how intense are the workout the person practice to get prepare to be stronger and resistant to the outdoor activities...
I wouldn't consider a sport for those who just don't exercise at all, and only get at camp by car 🤔🤷🏼
Whichever works the best.
great job bringing more cottage gear co.s into the light...
35 second intro again. Very nice!!
BOT - Bottle/Pot Combo!😎
I finally got my hilltop pack after 15 short months
An ultra light external frame? You have my interest!
After my camping buddy laughed at my Goose Feet Gear down socks, what did sport on the next trip? You guessed it, his own pair. Any night dipping below 55 F or so and I break these out, don't even feel them, unlike wool socks. So cozy and weigh nothing, just leave them in your sleeping bag.
Use a bread bag for your Helinox Chair.....it's basically free
Great list!
i still use me old school Alice pack. so external packs are what i am used to.
Out in the woods, I just make my own stakes from branches or wood lying around that's still good and strong.
I like equipment that can do more than one thing.
Love the alpha cruiser , sold out even though they say made to order.
I don’t think they know what made to order means !
Thank you!
I have noticed the Red Beard guys do outdoors pretty well.
Seems wonderful though I make do with my flannelette.
Plus, it's everywhere and just 8 bucks.
timmermade makes an alpha 4004 hoodie, i carry it a lot
no idea who made it first, farpoint or timmermade
I like your Videos 👍
Greetings from germany ✌️
How is the holding power of those stakes? I’ve been really disappointed with those Shepard’s hook style titanium stakes.
I had 20+ mph gusts on my last trip. I worried a little about the stakes but had no problems. Nail type stakes won’t have the holding resistance of a winged stake but I was happy with their performance. Like most things UL you make compromises to save weight. I think the compromise is minimal here.
How is the holding power of the tiny stakes? And how do they hold up in looser soil?
So I have only used the 3 inch stakes as supplemental on my Zpacks Plex solo. The Plex needs 6 stakes but can go up to 10. I used 6 inch @stakes for my main guylines and 3 inch on the remaining guylines to give a little more room inside and wind resistance. They worked fine for that but I wouldn’t use the 3 inch as my main stakes. On my last trip I had 20+ mph gusts one night and worried a little but the stakes held with no problems..
@@MyLifeOutdoors silly question but the stakes are 6$ for a set, or for a single stake??
Question isn't who I wanna support, it's who's got the product I need at a fair enough price
I like the cup, and I like the hoodie(as long as it's got a zipper, but even then, kinda dope).... Misc bags aren't a bad thing, but I usually use the privios item's bag for what I need as I upgraded... Replacements come a about the same place usually....
Cruiser hoodie looks interesting. yabadaba doo
I really wanted to try the FarPointe Alpaha, but to me, the price FarExceeds the need/value. When watching the segment about the FarPointe I can see how the hoodie would fit specific niche in my gear, but....for $80? My value for the gear is around half their retail price.
Love your videos but if you're going to recommend gear it's kind of important, for those of us less well off, to give some indication of the price.
I apologize! Everything on this list is $100 or less. Except the Vargo pack that is $299.
I apologize! Everything on this list is $100 or less. Except the Vargo pack that is $299.
@@MyLifeOutdoors Thank you. Your reviews are great.
I, for one, will support only the established lager companies for the following reasons: As a developer working with all types of companies, the small ones working out of their homes are not zoned for manufacturing. The smaller companies are much less likely to follow EPA, fire and safety protocols. There will come a day the cottage industry will be brought out into the sunlight to show the dangerous conditions they're putting themselves, families, workers and neighbors in.
This is the most ridiculous statement I have ever heard. So a husband and wife team making tent stakes in their garage are killing the environment and running a sweatshop. Whatever. It's obvious you are one of those people who just HAVE to somehow make an enlightened argument even when you are in a spot where it's a serious stretch.
Thanks for your video. Question: alpha fleece looks great, except that it looks so flimsy it looks like it would be hard to make it through a season intact, especially if you are like me (and i would think most people) that wear the fleece while walking with a backpack. What is your experience with this fabric? How long has it lasted for you? Is it practical for hiking, or maybe just good for running?
I have a hoodie from Senchi Designs, been using it for a year now. No problem at all with any wear points yet. It only weighs 4 oz, so you have to be a bit careful, especially hiking in brushy areas, but I would highly recommend getting one!
If you're in Europe and want some Apex socks/booties: Liteway has them for 20 euro a pair
i would like one of these channels to do a side by side test of how much difference it is cutting weight off things, vrs just using the thing without modifying it, you know like pack two bags, one with a regular tooth brush and one with the handle cut off, regular small tooth paste, vrs the little bits of straw with toothpaste in it, i would like to know just how much weight difference it really is, cuz i cannot get my head around all of that weirdness, it's a few ounces, if a tooth brush is gonna cause you to not hike cuz it's to heavy, i always just feel like thats weird. i wonder how much weight they save and if a few pounds really makes a difference, cuz wouldnt you just get used to moving with an extra pound on you?
Great video
Just wanted to say that your video are great! I’ve been unsubscribing lately from other hiking TH-camrs…their videos have changed. They are now sponsored and it’s turned into ads under the guise of a “review”.
One Youtubber deleted comments when people brought up an issue his videos sponsor had with trying to trademark a word a few years ago. Unsubscribed from his channel immediately.
Keep doing what you are doing! Would like to see some trio videos too
Great video! Do you know which size stuff sack is best for the Helinox chair zero with the ground mat?
On Hilltop Packs website, they give you three chairs to choose from: Helinox, Flexlite, and one more. Just choose the one for the Helinox if that's one of the three options
Good video. I want gear that doesn't shed microplastics. From tent to underwear we are shedding micro plastics into pristine places.
#MyLifeOutdoors going back to your great sleep outdoors video. Any chance you could do like a budget version of that?
Let me see what I can do
Why doesn't GGG sell alcohol stoves? Lots of cottage makers such as Speedster.
Vargo is not an underdog brand...It's one of the big brands! And for ultralight DCF bags from underdog brands you really need to check out TreadLite Gear, Wild Sky Gear and Bonfus...Bonfus make the lightest back packs on the market but they they also make DCF tents and other gear. My Bonfus Iterus 38L back pack in black DCF only weighs 275g (9.7oz) without removeable hip belt fitted! With the hip belt + two TreadLite Gear 1L hip belt pouches, a WWAGO mat (the lightest sit pad on the market at only 23g, and the one that folds to the smallest size) and a custom shock cord harness it's still only 400g (about 14oz). Wild Sky Gear makes the lightest DCF bags on the market and TreadLite gear makes the best quality DCF bags and gear on the market.
Hi Steve. a bit off topic but I need help. I'm an old veteran attempting the 2023 AT, and although I am a seasoned backpacker with too much gear I need to upgrade. Im trying to find a tent with 3 critical elements. So far, and after extensive search, I can find 2 elements easy but all 3 together may not be in existence. Im looking for a Dyneme tent for 2 people that is double walled .I'm assuming it will be trekking poll dependent. thank you in advance and thank you for the endless info.
Tarptent StratoSpire Li is a double wall dynemma two person tent. They also have a non-dynemma version so make sure you get the Li.