Backpacking Nightmares: What NOT to do

Gear from this video: Klymit Static V: geni.us/pt8B Z-Lite Pad: geni.us/fex0 Outdoor Research Sun Hoodie: geni.us/bklBB

Yeah, I'm going to push back about the extra clothes. It's always always smart to carry at least an extra set of clothes in case of a sudden downpour and the clothes you're wearing get soaked. Not only is it miserable and uncomfortable to hike it soaking wet clothes, if you have to sleep in wet clothes, that could be deadly.

Having a dry change of clothes packed in a ziplock bag is the difference between a freezing cold night and a fun story about that time you went camping during a surprise thunderstorm and it was so cold and wet until you could get the tarp up and get changed.

As others have said, I ALWAYS carry a change of underlayer clothes. Always. The weight is negligible compared to the benefit if you get soaked.

I always have 3 sets of clothing when I hike. I have 5000 miles under my belt so I’m not a newb. I have 2 sets of super lightweight running shorts, exofficio underwear, and synthetic shirts. This is all lightweight gear as I only hike in warmer climates but still. If I’m out for a week I like to wear a set for a couple days and then clean up super well and out my other set on. I even have gone back and forth hand washing a set every night or every other night. Being clean keeps all Of my gear nice and smells free and makes me feel better. My 3rd set of clothing is my sleeping clothes. I used a sleeping bag for the whole AT and when I was done it had no bad smells to it. It’s because I value being clean. Hike your own hike but just know… you can be clean out there.

You're forgetting one important thing. Not everyone has the money to afford high-end, aka Moosejaw, equipment. Some people get what they can afford and go hiking/ camping anyway, because they love it!

This advice seems to be aimed at people who stick to easy trails. Up mountains/moors and in wet conditions/ bad visibility having a compass (and knowing how to use it) and spare set of clothes can be the difference between life and death/extreme discomfort.

The one thing that I am absolutely SICK OF is this never-ending genuflection to Smartwater bottles. There's nothing wrong with Smartwater or their bottles, but a bottle of Fiji Water will never roll off the side of a cliff on you.

As a former Marine Infantry who served in Afghanistan 2 times. That sleeping pad was a god send. The best gear is the minimal, YOU DON'T HAVE TO SPEND THOUSANDS.

Was Moosejaw, the atlas app, or Coca Cola the sponsor of this video? 😆

just want to mention it is not recommended for disposable bottles to be reused many many times as overtime they will degrade and leak microplasics into the water, personally I get a new one for each trip

“True men are intentionally uncomfortable” best line ever!!!

Saying you don't need extra clothes is absolute madness. I live in Sweden, and maybe it's okay during summer, but if you get wet and have nothing to change into that could turn absolutely dangerous. In fact, for a lot of mountain hiking events and similar here, clothes to change into if you get wet are _mandatory_.

I agree with every point but… Parts of the hiking community can get very judgemental and having people point out all the flaws in ones gear can discourage them from hiking more than their bad gear would, at least that’s my theory.

Fun video, and thanks for including me in the comment round-up! If you opt out of bringing spare changes of clothes, at the very least bring spare socks (one pair per day is optimal, but every two days is ok) and possibly an underwear swap or two depending on trip length. The former is essential for preventing blistering and the latter is just a big comfort win a few days into a sweaty hike. While pads like that are terrible to sleep on by themselves, they are generally very light (even if they're bulky, not a huge deal on the outside of the pack) but are a good cheap "R-value booster" to put under your primary pad in colder weather so you don't need to buy two expensive air pads. They can also be handy as a mat you don't care about to throw down on the ground for a quick break on hard ground where you wouldn't want to risk popping your main pad. I like bringing a compass (and at least a chunk of map covering your hike area) effectively as "emergency" gear, not for regular use. They're light/small and it's good to have a fallback in case you drop your phone and break it, run out of battery, or any number of other issues crop up. For simple trips on well-marked trails it's not important, but on longer expeditions I consider it a good backup. It's even more important on ocean kayaking trips, but still nice to have for hiking too.

Im no ultralight hiker, but ive done my fair share of backpacking and rucks, and there were a lot of parts of this video that came off as elitest. The army puts us in some pretty awful spots, in some pretty awful conditions, and we have essentially foam pads that have saved my back on more than one occasion, and transition between hip belt on and off to change the load distributon on our 50lb rucks. Different hikes like you said, but tearing down someone, even if theyre stock footage, for thinks like carrying too large of an iso can, or having too heavy of a water bottle, only serves to push people away. It really comes down to who is the audience? Newcomers will be scared off, and veterans already know this information

A few counterpoints. First, the classic blue foamy is often used as a cheap protection for more expensive pads. I’ve had Therm-a-rest reps recommend a Z-lite under their Uberlite even in tents for example, so people definitely have opted for the cheaper foamy instead. Realistically though they don’t sell like they used, for good reasons as explained in the video. Second, perhaps the metal bottle is insulated for coffee (this one probably isn’t by the look of it, but let’s roll with the idea it is) and is not a primary source of water. I have hiked and camped with lots of folk who will prep coffee for a quick, no cook lunch, no matter the weight penalty. Third, I hike with a technical polo, as it can provide extra sun protection and take some friction out of the system if layered with a nice wicking tee as well. Nothing wrong with it, as long as it isn’t cotton. Fourth, a map and compass are basic safety measures, and should be a part of most people’s kit (along with some training on it). A map alone won’t help much if you don’t know which way to go. Unless you are also carrying heavy battery packs, solar or some other method of charging your phone, it will die eventually unless you ration it’s use severely (ie:no pictures, music, etc, it’s a map only that’s turned off between checks.). A dedicated GPS is better, and something this load out would probably carry as well as a map and compass, so this dude must just really be into some old school orienteering. Lastly, I personally like having a change of clothes, as it makes me feel more like a human when I change into them. I’m not an ultralight hiker, if you couldn’t tell, but a fresh change of clothes after a dip in a lake is just a nice reward and reinvigorating. But to each their own. Some one definitely did him dirty though, and did not fit his pack correctly or teach him the importance of doing up all the straps. The big fuel can might make sense if he’s going out there for multiple days and is doing some backcountry cooking 🍳. The multiple inaccessible water bottles…. Kinda silly unless unless there’s not a water source near by and he had to pack lots of extra water. As we didn’t see the rest of his gear, he’s probably got a load out that’s not too dissimilar to one’s I’ve had in the past, with a 5 pound-ish tent, a synthetic sleeping bag, a larger stove setup and actual food (not just freeze dried) and some clothing options. Oh and a chair of course 😜. Is it super light, and something you want to put out 20k a day with, heck no. But if you’re shorter hops between sites and want some nice comfortable options, is a great way to go. Long and short is there’s definitely some things wrong with this dude, and he could use some help. However, there’s also some reasons for some of his choices that are valid to achieve certain goals. As mentioned in the video, everyone must hike their own hike. This dude is not an ultralight hiker, and that’s ok, a lot of people aren’t and happy about it. My goal while selling is to help people achieve their goals while outside, be it someone who wants the lightest kit out possible to those who just want to enjoy the creature comforts once they get to their site after a short hike in, and everyone in between. There’s the right equipment for everyone, and it’s all about enjoying the outdoors in a way that makes you happy. Disclaimer: I work for an outdoor retailer, and the above is purely my own opinion, and does not reflect those of my employer.

That GPS is fine and dandy until you run out of a) coverage an/or b) battery life. While the former may never happen (unlikely but not unthinkable), the latter is a given -- and even powerbanks run out of juice, especially the more lightweight ones. I'm all for using technology and navigation apps are super helpful but having a physical map and a compass (which weigh next to nothing and take up next to zero space as backup just seems like common sense to me. Also, a properly laminated map AND can multitask as an extra wind/rain cover, a sleeping mat insulation or a blanket.

Kyle also apparently hates pop tarts! Every hike, I bring a chair to sit in while eating my pop tarts wishing others could share in my joy instead of their love of misery! As always enjoyed the video and appreciate your great perspective!

I always carry a foam pad that I use under the inflatable pad, just to protect it. They weigh practically nothing. I can't afford to buy new gear all the time. And why must a bottle be reachable? Can't you take your backpack off and have break while you drink? I'd rather stay home than hike in such a hurry that I'd have to drink while I walk. I'm obviously not a true man myself.