When my kids were that age was the greatest time of my life. Cherish it. It goes so fast.

I could see the Grayl being useful for a short afternoon hike where you aren't going to be needing much water and wanting a very simple hydration setup, but it doesn't make a lot of sense if you're going to need to filter 1-2 liters at a time for a longer hike

I have had the Snow Peak Litemax for years of solid reliable service Great simmering control Yes you need to use a windshield I have an ultralight titanium windshield that weighs nothing

Thanks for the reviews! Good points. I must say, I disagree with your Grayl flop, it shouldn’t be on your worst gear list as it was your personal preference. Nothing wrong with the item! Grayl is great for a fast drink. I think it is just your habit to fall back to your Sawyer.

The Katadyn BeFree is now my filter of choice after this year. Year 2/next year will be the huge determining factor for the BeFree though...gotta have filters last multiple years.

I’ve had my Cnoc Vecto for about 4 years now. It’s the old model without the tethered cap and slider. I’ve used it close to 100 nights on the trail. No issues. The Grayl is awesome for traveling, not so much for backpacking. I go back and forth between the Squeeze and the Hydroblu Versaflo. Can’t decide which one I like more. Both have their advantages. Just have to aggressively backflush either and the flow rate stays pretty decent.

I just use the cnoc vecto as a gravity filter and it doesn't develop leaks. I carry a 4 foot length of silicone hose and a water bottle adapter. Plus a 2 gram length of dyneema cord. Then I can hang the vecto on a tree or trekking pole and have it fill up a bottle while I chill. You can also blow into the tube to backflush the filter.

Tnx for the review. I use Sawyer with CNOC 100 percent of the time in PNW but it can't clear viruses for suspect water sources on my trips to other countries. I'm taking Grayl to Colombia. 3 years with the same CNOC using it as a gravity system

I have to agree with you on the Sawyer Squeeze. I tried another filter this year and after being disappointed in it I immediately went back to Sawyer. Great video man.

Ditto on the Outdoor Vitals Altitude Sun Hoodie! It's a staple in every trip no matter the temp!

Love your videos and love your honesty! keep it up

I absolutely love the Grayl for backpacking in places with plenty of access to water sources. Filling the Grayl plus a Nalgene takes maybe a minute or two, no squeezing required. Pressing a bottle’s worth takes maybe 10-15 seconds, pour into your other bottle and repeat. I frequently fill my friends’ bottles at water stops because their filters are much slower.

I couldn't agree more about the Quasar insulated pad. I've had several versions of Neoair, and the Nemo Tensor, my previous favorite. Save weight on other gear and treat yourself to an actual good night's sleep on the Quasar.

I agree with you on the MSR Windburner. I bought one one sale for $127 about 4 months ago and it has become my go to stove. Yes it is expensive and heavier than other options but in the long run I think it is money well spent. How many times have you had to fuss around with windscreens or seek shelter from the wind with regular backpacking stoves? No worries with the Windburner, it is impervious to wind, just set it up and light it. Plus the Windburner is assembled in Seattle USA if the means anything to you.

I bought a Western Mountaineering sleeping bag about 7 years ago. Truly the best sleeping bag I've ever had. (I also have a Mountain Hardware, that is very good bag.) The WM bag has held up to probably 300-400 nights camping. Amazing is all i can say! Think i paid $550.00, and it was worth every penny!

Great video! I absolutely love my western mountaineering gear! I own two, the alpinelite and the astralite top quilt. Definitely great products. I also heard that CNOC came out with a heavier duty version of the vecto bag.

Glad to see the Sawyer get a shout-out. I feel like it's gone under the radar and under-appreciated for a bit. It's great to have reliable water filtering that weighs practically nothing.

I bought the Quasar and loved it. Then I began to see all the videos raving how good the Rapide is. I had to try it. Returned it a short while after. The quasar is waaaayyyyy more comfy and quieter than the Rapide.

Thank you! But I and my friends never had pinholes in our CNOCs. It's great for use for a gravity filter system with my VersaFlow filter, so I never squeeze it... maybe that's why I don't get pin holes

Checkout the kovea supalite titanium. Its a variation of the snowpeak stove. The burner head is different and seems to be a bit better in the wind. It's otherwise identical.

I loved my nemo dagger! i switched it out for a xmid 2p because of weight (im attempting a thru hike)but i kept it because its awesome!!

Comparing the snow peak stove to the msr windburner seems like apples to oranges to me.

And I use the grayl for international travel. It is kind of a waste of money for hiking though haha.

Im using the non-Osmo Dagger and everything you said sounds familiar to me. Don’t care if the Osmo comes a bit lighter. I’m happy to carry 1.5kg

Hey thanks for covering some of this stuff, saves me from anymore expensive mistakes. I’m curious about the Western Mountaineering bag you got if you don’t mind answering a question. I’m in between on the ultralight and the alpinelite and the deciding factor is the chest width. I’m a pretty small guy, wrapping a tape around my arms barely at put me at 48”. The ultralight is 59” at the widest and I almost think It’d work for me on my side. Haven’t found anywhere within 100 miles to try it unfortunately so online is my best and cheapest option. I’m just curious if the ultralight was too constricting for you? Thanks again.

My daughter and I both have Western Mountaineering 20 UL sleeping bags and they are awesome. We have never been even a little cold in this bag. Ours are about ten years old and they have held up great. For distance hiking I use a quilt but did weekends in the Whites it’s always WM. Take care

I've personally been able to use both the Sawyer squeeze and the Grayl this is year and they both were great. Definitely felt more secure drinking from the Grayl, but the squeeze is so simple and easy to use. It was nice having a sturdy/durable bottle instead of a thin smart water bottle. Definitely want to get the new titanium ultralight version

I’ve got 2 WM sleeping bags and love both. You should give a Feathered Friends bag a try too. I love that bag too.

I've used the Cnoc Vecto 2L for several years and never had a leak. I never put them on the ground. Maybe on a groundsheet, but never just on the ground. Do you think that pine needles may be getting it?

First like and comment to my favorite outdoor channel! I picked up that exact nemo dagger because of you and a lanshan pro. Yes the Nemo dagger is a pound heavier than some comparable but it’s more sturdy and better in high wind conditions from what I’ve seen. Very versatile tent. Honestly it’s probably the best two person tent ever made dare I say. It seems to take me a couple extra minutes to set it up vs my older other tents but it’s not bad. Very nice

Think I saw you tonight (Thanksgiving) at the Spotted Dog in Zion. Yes? Love your content. It has helped me a lot the past couple years… Bryan

Nice video as always. SOLE has been a true life/game changer for many years to me.

I loved my Altitude hoodie. I really need to order a replacement.

Ive been considering the altitude sun hoodie. My main concern is wear and tear on the shoulders where my backpack shoulder straps would be. Have you had issues with that?

I've had weak leaky thread problems with both of the cnoc bags I've tried. One day I had to take a hotel room off the trail because all of my water leaked out and there was no upcoming source as it was getting late. I've had no problems with the snowpeak stove and it's been fine in the wind.

How does the Nemo Quasar compares against the S2S Etherlight XT in terms of side-sleeper comfort?

Good, honest list. I had the same experience with the Grayl. I wanted to like it, but never use it.

After switching to the Grayl I hope I never have to squeeze a bag through a sawyer again freezing fingers and so slow. Take it out once and see :)

How can you trust the word of someone who says something isn’t good when he never even used it

I couldn't agree more with your disappointment of the Cnoc Vecto. Mine sprung pin hole leaks everywhere. It's heavy, cumbersome to use, with the sliding lock bar at the top , and there are more reliable lighter water bags out there.

Western Mountaineering is simply the best, very good investment.

What problems did you have with the Platypus QuickDraw filter???

Nemo needs to start making some single wall options.

I’ll buy that Grayl from you yaha

Ive tried most of the alternatives and havent seen any real advantage over the sawyer bags.

Hydrapak has your back with their life time warranty. Best in business

I agree about loving the OV Altitude Hoodie. The only thing I wish OV had included, as a woman with long hair, is a hole for a pony tail when the hood is up. Its very similar to my OR sun hoody, but OR does have a pony tail hole. Still, I’d purchase the OV Altitude again.

Shame on you for flopping a product that you have never used. Can’t say I’ll be watching your videos again. SMH

i mean cmon, to say i love this super expensive gear, who cares. we all cant afford this. you really don't have to spend a fortune to go backpacking, don't let these people make you feel like you do. get some quality budget gear, it might not be "ultra lite" but it gets you out there enjoying the wilderness. i find it disingenuous that people try and hype expensive gear that they get for free.