I know you are joking about friends but honestly get to use to going solo and backpacking really opens up.

The good thing about a tool with pliers is you can grab a cup if it gets too hot.

I need extra socks to alternate between. That is something I won’t budge on for myself. I agree with all other points. however, i might be guilty of bring a helinox camping chair…

For me it’s the rain pants. I just can’t bring myself to stop packing them….but I also never use them. It’s my security blanket of sorts.

The only extra clothes I think is a must is a 2nd clean, dry pair of socks. In winter I may carry a dry layer for sleeping but it would be very lightweight. I only drink hot coffee in the winter so I take a separate super light coffee cup. I just like my hot coffee while I make a hot breakfast in the pot.

I always make sure to have dry clothes to sleep in. Particularly in high alpine environments. Usually just a simple base layer. Packs small weighs very little and ensures comfortable sleep at least for me. Love the thought provoking videos! Thanks for sharing 🍻

Its amazing how much backpacking is totally different than survival.

Also applies to bikepacking. I agree with no large fuel canisters. I got in the large habit motorcycle camping. I have to switch back to small. They do last a long time.

On a hammock note, I recently bought some custom straps from Warbonnet. 15’ each with one loop at the end. I do the becket hitch with a quick release knot and it works quite well. The straps are made of Dyneema and are super lightweight and compact. I do carry a pair of 6’ Dyneema whoopie slings because I do a lot of stuff in the Olympics and you occasionally have to use a big tree. Also, the dyneema straps don’t stretch and so I don’t have my underside reaching down to the grass below.

I have to say, my next purchase is a Fortius 2P trekking pole tent. I borrowed a trekking pole tent from a friend (competitor brand) for a trip into the Snow Range of WY. Loved it! However, I like my hammock camping better. So, for now my bp trips will be to areas where I can "hang" and will get that tent soon for the other trips.

I agree with most, except the multi tool. For its size, in a pouch on your belt, its worth its weight in gold IF, IF your backpacking/hiking goes horribly wrong for any reason, and it has done to countless people in the past. Ask any Professional Survivalist and they would agree. Great things come in small packages.

A lot of useless stuff just adds extra weight and then you don’t even need it at all and regret bringing it. Boy Scouts teaches to “be prepared” but as an Eagle Scout myself have learned to adapt and overcome the challenges as they come so I agree save the weight and enjoy the outdoors more with less!!!!!

Agreed

Thanks, but living in New england many of the camping sites have platforms. Trekking pole tents are not great on the platform, including the fortius. Have you ever considered making a semi freestanding test option that could use the poles to spread out the floor?

I carry the little Swiss army knife and my husband carries a Leatherman Squirt.

👍 Good points. I have no desire to cover miles to hit distance goals. However, whether the trip will cover 25 miles per day or 2-4 miles per day extra weight is extra weight. Plus, for me the joy of camping is to spent some time living a simpler style life. No matter if one is a Spartan Backpacker or a fat & old Bushcrafter (like me) you have provided some good thoughts to consider. Thank you.

To be fair you don't need any fuel whatsoever shoot you can use sticks and a peanut butter jar for cold soaking if your trying to be extra ultralight and I feel you on the tent poles I brought 1 trekking pole and used sticks or a tree to pitch my tarp the few times I didn't cowboy camp one of these days for fun I wanna try the ultra minimalist route and use no trekking pole at all just forage sticks if u need to pitch it I like sleeping socks to dry my feet out I like that duplicate and extra boxers juuust in case I ripped a pair bad climbing over a fallen tree I was glad to have a spare Although I'm not sure it's a great idea to leave a tarp at home I have not needed it for rain protection outside of April backpacking trips in oregon I really could have just cowboy camped every night I've been out over the last 2 summers which has been more than 6 weeks ... it is nice to have a wind break sometimes

I use a 10x10 Aquaquest tarp with a hiking pole (1 lb) or the Coalcracker Bushcraft t-6Zero tarp (6 oz). Unless there's bugs or mosquitoes. So, no tent. I'd rather carry an UL chair or stool than a tent, unless it's only a mile or so (then, both). But, true list!

Can confirm, I never take nor have I taken any of the unnecessary items. I backpack for at most 4 days which isn't really long for some but I can't see ever taking any of these things.. •Pants? Why? I can see socks, unders, even an extra shirt for really long trips. But extra pants? • large fuels, I build fires. I can see if your somewhere where you aren't allowed fire, but yea small cans do alot. • my mess kit is larger then most because of dietary restrictions but still simple. • tools - knife, maybe a saw or small Hatchet, that's it, usually the saw. • I often use a hammock and while my tent has some poles it's a minimal design and I got it before the tents mentioned were really even a thing, would love to try one for the reasons mentioned.

All good, except the poles, haha. I don't need or want trekking poles plenty of the time, and there are tons of great lightweight freestanding tent options that (shocker!) are lighter weight than the majority of trekking pole systems (considering you have to count your trekking pole weight in there too). If you're not counting that weight, you're lying to yourself. And I don't buy the hype that trekking poles are a universal recommendation

Camp shoes. They can be nice when spending lots of time at camp, but definitely not a necessity.

No knife? Relying on a freakin razor blade…ok 🤦🏼‍♂️ One of the most important tools you can own is a good knife, it doesn’t have to be Rambo’s knife.

Can you get by with a 30 litre backpack if it has water pockets and front mesh and cordage that you could tighten on bedroll and food or whatever. I have heard it said a couple ways get g ar first than bag or get a smaller bag. I keep my metal in water bottle In a pouch camelback like and have my cooking cup in there and a lighter and flint and a small way to process kindling. Having the water kit transportable to me let's me swap it out as needed. I try to b me minimalist but it's extra weight I know one thing I find helpful is unintentional uses for gear. If I carry something extra I want it to be as many uses as possible. This may be my creative mind taking control LOL but I'm always trying to think outside. I look at shapes in the physics of things flat objects like tarps and but the controversy gets heavy when you start selling extra stuff on her cutting things off to shave weight adding zippers every little bit counts but I'm out of my clothes too so you can use the clothes that you have on you if that's all you have use them in many configurations using a poncho type shirt with a hood sewn into it that could double as a blanket and be closed off as a long sleeve. Some of them are easy adaptations to make to the clothing adding drawstrings to your hands in your pants your pants could be storage 2 trying to think of everything being able to be worn on the body it goes on and on but thank you for the video it's cool I appreciate it !

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One of the best vids ever 👍.

Extra clothing, it's easy for you to say when you're not backpacking in tropical rainforest bruv

I just got back from Algonquin today. My little brother took 4 out of 5 of these items. He suffered.

Ziplocks have always been reusable.

Did you suggest I could hike out in my undies if necessary? 😂😅NO

Something that you absolutely don't need on a backpack is...a long beard.