I’ve always loved hiking, but your channel really got me excited to start going more. Pretty much every weekend now I’m hiking 10-20 miles. I’ve lost weight and my mental health has improved exponentially. Thanks and keep ‘em coming!
I’m watching this video for the second time. While Z-packs might not be working out of a garage, a company of fewer than 1,500 employees is still considered a “small” business. In addition, since Z-packs hasn’t off-shored their manufacturing I would say that also would qualify them to be a cottage industry.
I agree I love watching these 2 together. Justin seems like a younger version of Steven (not that Steven is old he is much younger than me). Very similar personalities.
The SMD lunar solo tent is one of the best tents avail especially for the money. Justin’s turned me onto these tents and I have used one for about a year now on many trips and I LOVE it. Thank you
Smart idea to put a buff around the pillow! I’ve been wondering if there was a pillow case for my camping pillow I could buy but going to use one of my buffs instead. Thanks for the idea 😊
Welcome to my backyard! It was great seeing you guys in an area and on a trail im familiar with. I’m not sure when you filmed this, there’s Still some snow but the creeks and rivers have calmed down -park city
13:15 there are a ton of small companies out there making alcohol burners. In addition, Trail Designs (the makers of the caldera cone) makes “pots” from Fosters beer cans (I put parentheses around pot because, while it fits the description of a pot, it doesn’t have a handle and it’s more of a makeshift pot).
I'm partial to anything from Six Moons Design. I use their Gatewood Cape as a tent and a poncho, it's basically the same as the Lunar Solo without the bug net and floor. And their office is down the street from my house. Also, Sawyer is a great filter and a socially conscious company, which I appreciate. One last item: Cnoc is pronounced kuh-noc, it's Gaelic for "hill" or "hilltop" and it's also local here in Portland. Great video with you and Steven, I hope you two do more together.
Hey man, if you’re gonna get wet, crossing a river, go below the dangerous logs and cross there. Fast-moving current above log strainers is deadly if you slip and get pinned down against them.
Great stuff! Fantastic that Steven and you partnered for this hike. I listen to you both religiously. It would have been cool for you to also discuss those products on camera. Yeah, I know sponsors wouldn’t like that. But still hiking teams are very scarce … just a thought!
@@JustinOutdoors in the style of Peter Griffin from Family Guy "Almost having a man die one time on a hike I planned-doesn't make me a murderer Lois!"
Great video, I agree with others how you did this format. If you’re not afraid of minimalist style footwear, Xero makes some great hiking shoes. I recently did a four day trip in Yosemite alternating between their Mesa Trail II for dry sections, and their Z-Trail sandals for wet areas. They both held up great, no blisters, feet were good the entire trip.
Wow I can not believe you haven't been over 10k feet! My first backpacking trip I went from the flat Midwest to denver Colorado and got up to 11,600ft plus. I got headaches at night but no major altitude sickness.
Thanks for the great video Justin! About to get a Farpointe Alpha Cruiser and trying to get the size right...what size do you wear and what are your sizes? Thanks!
I think the “cottage” designation really depends on the way you look at it. Is it a small design/marketing/logistics team? Does it have to be made in-house by the designer? Is it based on revenue and marketing spend? Distribution reach? So many factors.
One characteristic I see with a lot of cottage brands (that I wish I didn’t) is availability in stores. If you can walk into an REI or even an independent outdoor retailer and buy it, there’s a good chance it’s not cottage. Which is a shame as I really like to see and feel a product before I buy it because there’s only so much you can find out about a product from their website and reviews. But unfortunately a lot of these brands don’t have the distribution power or the profit margin to sell in stores.
I know your sponsor doesn't carry them, but I'd love to see some vids on some Canadian cottage gear food options! We've got some great ones like West Coast Kitchen and Happy Yak. West Coast Kitchen is pretty much what I would be making in my dehydrator, only done for me when I don't have the time/motivation. And of course, my fav oatmeal booster - Holy Crap which is crazy filling and uh yep, keeps ya poopin, can confirm.
Hey! I can't believe I recognized that place. I have been backpacking up in the Uintahs for the last 6-7 years and still may have only seen a tenth of it. Did a double take and had to actually look it up to make sure when I saw East Shingle springs Lake. We did a trip to Elkhorn Lake a couple of years ago. Too bad there was so much snow still, that spot on the other side of the outlet is a real nice one. Hope to see you up in Utah again 👍
what kind of knife do you have with you on your tours? I'm currently using the Victorinox Walker, it's small, light, and has a blade, a saw, and a combo bottle and can opener
arms falling asleep is from nerve compression. could be an issue in your neck so maybe it's the pillow. or could be just your sleeping position. I don't think it's a good measure of sleeping pad comfort, or that it should happen at all. but I'm just a dude that's never even slept on one before. I car camp with a huge queen size double-height inflatable mattress that's more comfortable than my bed at home.
Those CNOC bags are cool but I've a few rip at the seams, I quit using them and began using the platypus bags as your friend was using. Just my two cents.
Great video as always! Love all these cottage brands. Justin I know you are not an alcohol stove user, but I'd love to see you give Caldera Cone Side-Winder by Trail Designs a try. Superb cottage company with excellent customer service. The Sidewinder will be made to fit the pot of your choice and will nestle inside it. Can even fit enough fuel for 2 or 3 nights inside the rolled cone in your pot (i use a 2oz Nalgene for this). Very lightweight, fast, fuel efficient and QUIET cooking system. With no waste and no carrying of cannister weight. (2 oz will boil enough water for 3 coffees and 2 dinners)
Canada is relatively low elevation. But alpine starts at around 7000ft. Anything over 10k starts getting into situations where you need to be roped up for some climbing or for glacier travel.
Just because a cottage brand does super awesome work and gets popular and grows to 100 employees doesn't make them any less cool. BUT, once they have T-shirts in every outdoor store (North Face) and people start sporting swag who've never spent a night in the woods then we have to pull their card.
An even smaller pack company is the one-man-show over at Cold Cold World. Definitely oriented for climbing/alpinism, but could be used for backpacking as well. I don't have one personally, but everyone who does raves about them.
I don’t know if Zpacks would *still* be a cottage brand anymore, but I have a lot of respect for them and think they make great products. I was debating getting the exact same rain jacket you have, but am curious if you think it’s worth the price tag. I’m also wondering if yours is their large or not.
I don't normally comment on anything but I have to say I just bought Hoka speedgoat 5 gtx on sale at Dick's Sporting Goods for $109.99. Learned about them from Justin. Ty
You should try a Dandee pack, it dosent get more cottage than that. I love mine, although it would be a bummer if they got way backordered because you showed how awesome they are.
I tried to go backpacking with only cottage gear. But obviously as we all know there are no good small companies making shoes, water filters, stoves, or titanium cookware. So I went to REI...
To me a cottage brand is anything that you can't buy at a big chain outfitter. So, yes, Zpacks qualifies. I do the exact same hack with my Big Sky pillow, except I use shock cord.
Why carry bottles and a bag filter ? Just put a hydration bladder on the pack with the sawyer plumbed into the drinking tube. Fill the bladder and drink. No double handling.
Which is more cottage, a brand that started in a garage but is now in a warehouse, or, a brand that started in a garage but is made in a large factory in China?
Actually, it's caused by a species of green algae that contains a red pigment, not a fungus. It's called "watermelon snow" due to the color, but I definitely wouldn't recommend eating it. It's fairly common in alpine areas.
I am in my late 60s and not a thru hiker. I do my absolute best to support cottage made or cottage vibe gear. You are a pretty tuff guy getting your feet wet crossing a little brook raging from spring runoff. Two nights at 10,000 feet I can see why you would think a thru hike of the PCT is cushy. I am not sure why you would insult any backpacker, whether it be a thru hiker or a decerepid old dinosaur who has to buy all of his gear on a fixed income so he can introduce his grandkids to backpacking. Maybe you find sarcasm funny or it was some kind of inside joke that IMO should have been edited out. Not that you really care but you surely did not indear this old hiker with the cushy AT PCT comment. I can agree that we should support quality Cottage made gear. I still have you a 👍.
Ok but is ULA not a cottage company? They sell their packs in select outfitters. There’s one outdoor store close to me that sells their packs. Now if you say “not sold on big box stores” then yes both zpacks and ULA are still cottage.
CNOC vecto bags are not very durable and they don’t warranty their products. I took care of mine and it didn’t even last a season. The bag developed pinhole leaks at the junction of the hard plastic spout and soft plastic body. Clearly a manufacturer defect and CNOC weaseled out of covering and replacing it 👎
I've had hit or miss experiences. I have one bag that is probably close to 5 years old and then another that developed pinhole leaks after 2 years. They did warranty the pinhole leaks though (I went through the warranty process as a standard customer since I had bought the bag on amazon).
Sorry, no water bottle bidet for me. I don't want my water bottle having any chance of back siphoning poop into my drinking water, and I'm sure not carrying another bottle just for that purpose. e coli is no joke.
Nice trip, but aside from your quilt, clothes, and your pack, I'm not seeing much other cottage gear there. I would say that companies like Z-Packs, Warbonnet, Dutchware, Enlightened Equipment... which started as cottage companies are in a different class that bridges the gap. They still have the quality, service, attention to detail, and commitment to keep production in the US, but also provide a level of stability, repair ability, and in-stock options that the smaller "garage/basement" companies can't. Both are great choices and compliment each other in the market. There's nothing like talking to or camping with the person that made your gear.
I definitely think Outdoor Vitals and ZPacks are still cottage companies. I feel like any company that starts selling their gear at a big athletic store retailer or REI is starting to shift from the cottage style.
I thought really the only “qualification” for cottage was to be made by the company who sells it or at least doesn’t outsource the job out of the home country. So in that case outdoor vitals is not cottage since their stuff is made in china. Doesn’t matter if it’s sold in outfitters, as long as it’s not outsourced and not sold on “big box” stores.
Especially because of the routine unaliving and severe injuries mother nature does with hikers. Gives newbies a false sense of security in their gear and survival skills.
Lol yeah I had to pause and replay that. I have no idea where he’s pulling that from but it’s likely because he’s never attempted either of them. There’s absolutely no truth to that comment he made. It’s actually so far beyond reality it’s unbelievable. I think he may have been providing some dry humor, but if so, it didn’t land. Most bizarre thing I’ve ever ever heard him say. Adding to this, he’s testing up this gear on what seems to be a pretty short overnight hike claiming he’s putting it to the real test, which the AT PCT would not. It’s kind of baffling.😂
I’ve always loved hiking, but your channel really got me excited to start going more. Pretty much every weekend now I’m hiking 10-20 miles. I’ve lost weight and my mental health has improved exponentially. Thanks and keep ‘em coming!
@@helpfulcommenter ummm.. my left knee might disagree. hahaha
@@helpfulcommenter lol tell that to my torn hamstring! Hopefully PT will in time heal that wound, and then I can get back to hiking.
I’m watching this video for the second time. While Z-packs might not be working out of a garage, a company of fewer than 1,500 employees is still considered a “small” business. In addition, since Z-packs hasn’t off-shored their manufacturing I would say that also would qualify them to be a cottage industry.
I love this format of sharing things about each gear piece as you go
What trekking poles are you using? Thanks!
Awesome seeing you hike with Steven from MLO
I agree I love watching these 2 together. Justin seems like a younger version of Steven (not that Steven is old he is much younger than me). Very similar personalities.
I love the Uintas. That was my home mountain range growing up. Lots of good memories there
The SMD lunar solo tent is one of the best tents avail especially for the money. Justin’s turned me onto these tents and I have used one for about a year now on many trips and I LOVE it. Thank you
Smart idea to put a buff around the pillow! I’ve been wondering if there was a pillow case for my camping pillow I could buy but going to use one of my buffs instead. Thanks for the idea 😊
A soft fleece shirt works pretty well as a pillowcase, plus you have a warm shirt.
I love the Erickson lakes. Thank you for the snow report.
It was helpful to see you try new gear. Im always looking to dial in my gear more.
That is some beautiful scenery ! Thanks for sharing, good to see the gang back together again.
Welcome to my backyard! It was great seeing you guys in an area and on a trail im familiar with. I’m not sure when you filmed this, there’s Still some snow but the creeks and rivers have calmed down
-park city
13:15 there are a ton of small companies out there making alcohol burners. In addition, Trail Designs (the makers of the caldera cone) makes “pots” from Fosters beer cans (I put parentheses around pot because, while it fits the description of a pot, it doesn’t have a handle and it’s more of a makeshift pot).
What is your favorite cottage piece of gear?
👇 GEAR FROM THE VIDEO 👇
SMD Lunar Solo Tent: geni.us/LunarSolo
Hammock Gear Econo Burrow Quilt: geni.us/HGEconoQuilt
*Red Paw Fanny Pack: geni.us/FlexFanny
OV Oblivion Pad: geni.us/OV-Oblivion
*Big Sky Pillow: geni.us/DreamSleeper
Zpacks Arc Haul Pack: geni.us/ArcHaul
🍗 FOOD & WATER 💧
Sawyer Squeeze: geni.us/SawyerSqueeze
CNOC Bladder: geni.us/CNOCvecto28
BRS3000 Stove: geni.us/BRS3000t
Toaks 650mL Pot: geni.us/GGG-Toaks
Toaks Titanium Spoon: geni.us/ToaksTiSpoon
Bushka's Kitchen Meals: geni.us/Bushkas
*Wild Society Meals: geni.us/WildSociety
Electrolyte Packets: geni.us/gnarly (GETGNARLY15)
🚿 HYGIENE 🚿
*Poopmoji Bag: geni.us/PoopmojiBag
*BoglerCo Trowel: geni.us/BoglerTrowel
*Powdered Soap: geni.us/PikaSummitSuds
*Soap Bottle: geni.us/SoapBottle
*Pika Bidet: geni.us/PikaBidet
🔧 DITTIES 🔧
Light: geni.us/RovyvonA5X
Enduro 2 Watch: geni.us/Enduro-2
Sunscreen Stick: geni.us/Sunscreen-Stick
👚 CLOTHING 👚
*Farpoint Alpha Direct Sweater: geni.us/FarpointeOG
Zpacks Vertice Rain Jacket: geni.us/VerticeJacket
Appalachian Gear Co 8020 Hoodie: geni.us/AppalachianGearCo
Hiking Pants: geni.us/MECMicaPants
Speedgoat Shoes: geni.us/Speedgoat5
XOSKIN Socks: geni.us/XOSKINS-SOCKS
Merino Toque: geni.us/Minus33Hat
Sun Gloves: geni.us/OR-SunGloves
Check out the my favorite gear list site www.packwizard.com!
new challenge: spread the love - no 2 pieces of gear from same company.
I liked seeing the Red Paw fanny pack! OutdoorVitals definitely isn't cottage though haha
I'm partial to anything from Six Moons Design. I use their Gatewood Cape as a tent and a poncho, it's basically the same as the Lunar Solo without the bug net and floor. And their office is down the street from my house.
Also, Sawyer is a great filter and a socially conscious company, which I appreciate. One last item: Cnoc is pronounced kuh-noc, it's Gaelic for "hill" or "hilltop" and it's also local here in Portland. Great video with you and Steven, I hope you two do more together.
Whoa!! “Cushy thru-hikes like AT and PCT”? Not sure I’d call PCT thru-hiking cushy. 😮
Wouldn’t cal the AT thru cushy either
Hope you enjoyed my backyard! Really happy to see you came to visit. Great Video!
Hey man, if you’re gonna get wet, crossing a river, go below the dangerous logs and cross there. Fast-moving current above log strainers is deadly if you slip and get pinned down against them.
Farpointe gear is my go to for Alpha and sunhoodys. Great products ❤
Glad to see you doing more hiking oriented videos. Far prefer this type of content over the Dan Becker commercial format. Keep it up.
This might be the perfect video, collabs are always nice to see!
Big elk lake is one of my favorites..
Its actually man made, pretty cool history behind it.
Really hope you liked using the fanny pack Justin! Great video
LOVE IT! Your Flex and Corner fanny packs are two of the best out there in my opinion.
the PCT is cushy?
Great stuff! Fantastic that Steven and you partnered for this hike. I listen to you both religiously. It would have been cool for you to also discuss those products on camera. Yeah, I know sponsors wouldn’t like that. But still hiking teams are very scarce … just a thought!
Cool, you two vs. the team of Dan and Eric now. May the best men win. 🤪
We probably need to challenge them to a pickleball tournament. I'd also never try to kill Steven on a hike :p. Too soon?
I was going to say if Justin invites me to the Grand Canyon I’m going to say no. 😂
@@JustinOutdoors in the style of Peter Griffin from Family Guy "Almost having a man die one time on a hike I planned-doesn't make me a murderer Lois!"
hi i like ur videos and musik, coud you tell me what tge song from 18:40 to 18:50is calles? thanks in advance
Great video, I agree with others how you did this format.
If you’re not afraid of minimalist style footwear, Xero makes some great hiking shoes. I recently did a four day trip in Yosemite alternating between their Mesa Trail II for dry sections, and their Z-Trail sandals for wet areas. They both held up great, no blisters, feet were good the entire trip.
Wow I can not believe you haven't been over 10k feet! My first backpacking trip I went from the flat Midwest to denver Colorado and got up to 11,600ft plus. I got headaches at night but no major altitude sickness.
Thanks for the great video Justin! About to get a Farpointe Alpha Cruiser and trying to get the size right...what size do you wear and what are your sizes?
Thanks!
Cushy thru hikes like the AT....... Kyle is throwing a fit.
I think the “cottage” designation really depends on the way you look at it. Is it a small design/marketing/logistics team? Does it have to be made in-house by the designer? Is it based on revenue and marketing spend? Distribution reach? So many factors.
lol
Yeah itd be a cooler video idea if I knew what that meant, lol. Or if it was defined in the video.
One characteristic I see with a lot of cottage brands (that I wish I didn’t) is availability in stores. If you can walk into an REI or even an independent outdoor retailer and buy it, there’s a good chance it’s not cottage.
Which is a shame as I really like to see and feel a product before I buy it because there’s only so much you can find out about a product from their website and reviews.
But unfortunately a lot of these brands don’t have the distribution power or the profit margin to sell in stores.
I know your sponsor doesn't carry them, but I'd love to see some vids on some Canadian cottage gear food options! We've got some great ones like West Coast Kitchen and Happy Yak. West Coast Kitchen is pretty much what I would be making in my dehydrator, only done for me when I don't have the time/motivation. And of course, my fav oatmeal booster - Holy Crap which is crazy filling and uh yep, keeps ya poopin, can confirm.
I like that the pika bidet screws onto the treads actually
Thanks! I like it too 😊
Hey! I can't believe I recognized that place. I have been backpacking up in the Uintahs for the last 6-7 years and still may have only seen a tenth of it. Did a double take and had to actually look it up to make sure when I saw East Shingle springs Lake. We did a trip to Elkhorn Lake a couple of years ago. Too bad there was so much snow still, that spot on the other side of the outlet is a real nice one. Hope to see you up in Utah again 👍
The AT is cushy??
yeah!
😂good re-run video.really double task for reruns capturing.
what kind of knife do you have with you on your tours? I'm currently using the Victorinox Walker, it's small, light, and has a blade, a saw, and a combo bottle and can opener
A good cottage brand food choice is "Wild Edge Keto" from Powell River BC.
arms falling asleep is from nerve compression. could be an issue in your neck so maybe it's the pillow. or could be just your sleeping position. I don't think it's a good measure of sleeping pad comfort, or that it should happen at all. but I'm just a dude that's never even slept on one before. I car camp with a huge queen size double-height inflatable mattress that's more comfortable than my bed at home.
Those CNOC bags are cool but I've a few rip at the seams, I quit using them and began using the platypus bags as your friend was using. Just my two cents.
What a great idea the way to hold the pillow to the sleeping pad👏🏼👏🏼
Great video as always! Love all these cottage brands. Justin I know you are not an alcohol stove user, but I'd love to see you give Caldera Cone Side-Winder by Trail Designs a try. Superb cottage company with excellent customer service. The Sidewinder will be made to fit the pot of your choice and will nestle inside it. Can even fit enough fuel for 2 or 3 nights inside the rolled cone in your pot (i use a 2oz Nalgene for this). Very lightweight, fast, fuel efficient and QUIET cooking system. With no waste and no carrying of cannister weight. (2 oz will boil enough water for 3 coffees and 2 dinners)
Great you are moving in your way to be the next DanBecker with steve!
Did I hear you correctly when you said this was your first time over 10,000 ft.?!? That is crazy to me with all of your experience. Lol
he made only cushly trails before....
Canada is relatively low elevation. But alpine starts at around 7000ft. Anything over 10k starts getting into situations where you need to be roped up for some climbing or for glacier travel.
Thanks for the video. What are the trekking poles?
What an absolute gorgeous area to hike in 😍
Just because a cottage brand does super awesome work and gets popular and grows to 100 employees doesn't make them any less cool. BUT, once they have T-shirts in every outdoor store (North Face) and people start sporting swag who've never spent a night in the woods then we have to pull their card.
cottage classification not withstanding: i can't believe you didn't bring the trekology 2.0 pillow! hahaha
I use a buff on my pillow also.
How was he able to eat without the pink spoon? The food must have tasted significantly less good without it.
How’s the ventilation on the lunar solo?
Mostly depends on how high you pitch it off the ground. The big top vent is a more effective vent than a lot of tents though.
No puffy?
Also kinda unrelated, how do you keep your feet warm in the snow with trail runners?
An even smaller pack company is the one-man-show over at Cold Cold World. Definitely oriented for climbing/alpinism, but could be used for backpacking as well. I don't have one personally, but everyone who does raves about them.
What was that song with the guitar after y'all crossed that first creek? I quite like it!
You should never cross a swift stream on the upstream side of logs or sweepers. If you slip you could get pinned under the logs.
I don’t know if Zpacks would *still* be a cottage brand anymore, but I have a lot of respect for them and think they make great products. I was debating getting the exact same rain jacket you have, but am curious if you think it’s worth the price tag. I’m also wondering if yours is their large or not.
I don't normally comment on anything but I have to say I just bought Hoka speedgoat 5 gtx on sale at Dick's Sporting Goods for $109.99. Learned about them from Justin. Ty
You should try a Dandee pack, it dosent get more cottage than that. I love mine, although it would be a bummer if they got way backordered because you showed how awesome they are.
They’re having a baby so they’re not taking orders right now
Nice collaboration!
Love your videos, hate you for making me buy so much gear tho 😂
I tried to go backpacking with only cottage gear. But obviously as we all know there are no good small companies making shoes, water filters, stoves, or titanium cookware. So I went to REI...
To me a cottage brand is anything that you can't buy at a big chain outfitter. So, yes, Zpacks qualifies.
I do the exact same hack with my Big Sky pillow, except I use shock cord.
Steven is the man!!!!
❤
Good to see you in my neck of the woods what trail was you on
For shoes use vjs smaller brand and best grip ever
Justin, is that the kakwa 55?
for a cottage cook system check out firebox stoves
Is there a Canadian version of GGG?
Why carry bottles and a bag filter ? Just put a hydration bladder on the pack with the sawyer plumbed into the drinking tube. Fill the bladder and drink. No double handling.
What did you think about the backpack? Approved? What’s your thoughts?
Which is more cottage, a brand that started in a garage but is now in a warehouse, or, a brand that started in a garage but is made in a large factory in China?
If you’re interested in a really good cottage esque shoe there’s a company called speedland with some very good trail runners.
I'd consider Zpacks a cottage brand still
For the Pack, a true cottage brand imo would be Northern Ultralight.
I like the cottage company equipment. Just can't afford it.
Why is the snow red?
It's a fungus that grows on the snow
Wow. Ty.
Actually, it's caused by a species of green algae that contains a red pigment, not a fungus. It's called "watermelon snow" due to the color, but I definitely wouldn't recommend eating it. It's fairly common in alpine areas.
Btw Justin, there’s a great cottage maker not that far from you. Northern Ultralight. I’ve been using his pack for two years, now. You should try it!😊
What kind of pouch did you have your breakfast in?
I wish someone would do a good review on AF Lite packs. Definitely cottage. I’ve heard great things, but long lead times.
Ya, I would if I didn't have to wait until 2030 to get one :P
I am in my late 60s and not a thru hiker. I do my absolute best to support cottage made or cottage vibe gear.
You are a pretty tuff guy getting your feet wet crossing a little brook raging from spring runoff. Two nights at 10,000 feet I can see why you would think a thru hike of the PCT is cushy. I am not sure why you would insult any backpacker, whether it be a thru hiker or a decerepid old dinosaur who has to buy all of his gear on a fixed income so he can introduce his grandkids to backpacking. Maybe you find sarcasm funny or it was some kind of inside joke that IMO should have been edited out. Not that you really care but you surely did not indear this old hiker with the cushy AT PCT comment. I can agree that we should support quality Cottage made gear. I still have you a 👍.
Never been over 10000ft? Justin we got get you out on some 11ers! Best views in Alberta.
Zpacks is cottage. Handmade in the US. Larger scale but still coltage.
Can you tell me more about those "rugby bags" please?
Justin, are those shoes of yours waterproof? Either way, do they dry out ever?
No :)
I hope you will consider the Unightie Justin the next time you look at cottage gear
Did he really say Cushy AT Thru Hike?
Yes Z-packs is still a cottage company in my opinion because they’re not sold in any hiking stores
Ok but is ULA not a cottage company? They sell their packs in select outfitters. There’s one outdoor store close to me that sells their packs. Now if you say “not sold on big box stores” then yes both zpacks and ULA are still cottage.
CNOC vecto bags are not very durable and they don’t warranty their products. I took care of mine and it didn’t even last a season. The bag developed pinhole leaks at the junction of the hard plastic spout and soft plastic body. Clearly a manufacturer defect and CNOC weaseled out of covering and replacing it 👎
I've had hit or miss experiences. I have one bag that is probably close to 5 years old and then another that developed pinhole leaks after 2 years. They did warranty the pinhole leaks though (I went through the warranty process as a standard customer since I had bought the bag on amazon).
Steven from MyLifeOutdoors was oddly silent through your entire hike. 🤔😄
Now do the Walmart only gear challenge! (if you do this I'm very sorry)
It was that moment, he knew he…
How did you keep Steven so quiet?!
Wore him out emotionally with 3 days of the Outdoor Retailer show before the trip and then took away all of his oxygen at 10k feet ;)
@@JustinOutdoors Well done!
I was just thinking I need to speak up more…I wasn’t wanting to intrude on Justin’s video
@@MyLifeOutdoors we know 😘
Sorry, no water bottle bidet for me. I don't want my water bottle having any chance of back siphoning poop into my drinking water, and I'm sure not carrying another bottle just for that purpose. e coli is no joke.
Cushy thru hike? lol those trails aren't cushy
Nice trip, but aside from your quilt, clothes, and your pack, I'm not seeing much other cottage gear there. I would say that companies like Z-Packs, Warbonnet, Dutchware, Enlightened Equipment... which started as cottage companies are in a different class that bridges the gap. They still have the quality, service, attention to detail, and commitment to keep production in the US, but also provide a level of stability, repair ability, and in-stock options that the smaller "garage/basement" companies can't. Both are great choices and compliment each other in the market. There's nothing like talking to or camping with the person that made your gear.
It would be nice if you also would support local brands like flatoutfeast from Edmonton and Greartrade from Okotoks.
I definitely think Outdoor Vitals and ZPacks are still cottage companies. I feel like any company that starts selling their gear at a big athletic store retailer or REI is starting to shift from the cottage style.
I thought really the only “qualification” for cottage was to be made by the company who sells it or at least doesn’t outsource the job out of the home country. So in that case outdoor vitals is not cottage since their stuff is made in china. Doesn’t matter if it’s sold in outfitters, as long as it’s not outsourced and not sold on “big box” stores.
It’s downright foolish to call any thru-hike “cushy,” especially the PCT or AT. C’mon, man.
Especially because of the routine unaliving and severe injuries mother nature does with hikers. Gives newbies a false sense of security in their gear and survival skills.
Yeah that’s absolutely nuts
Lol yeah I had to pause and replay that. I have no idea where he’s pulling that from but it’s likely because he’s never attempted either of them.
There’s absolutely no truth to that comment he made. It’s actually so far beyond reality it’s unbelievable.
I think he may have been providing some dry humor, but if so, it didn’t land. Most bizarre thing I’ve ever ever heard him say.
Adding to this, he’s testing up this gear on what seems to be a pretty short overnight hike claiming he’s putting it to the real test, which the AT PCT would not. It’s kind of baffling.😂
It had to have been a joke. Justin knows a massive part of his audience are PCT and AT thru hikers
100 employees and producing at scale is not ‘cottage’ by my metric
lol. same shirt and pants in every vid.. do you own anything else?