I was an Infantry Marine. Having the title Grunt came with heavy packs and many miles hiked. Now a father of 4. I just started getting back into hiking and backpacking after many years, thank you for this awesome video, and "hacks" hope to one day run into you on the trails.

"A fool and his money are soon parted"! ....so good to hear that you've actually tested the budget options. Love your videos!

I’ll stick with the Sawyer Squeeze. Saved me one time, when others were sick! I recently bought a new one with the red and blue CNOC bags. I have the Mira drops too, for back up. I have good clean water when I want it, almost ! It’s good to stay with the lightest gear, I would agree with virtually all of your recommendations, I find that I forget the cost of some of my gear long after I’ve been using it for long periods of time, whilst very glad I’ve got it! Thanks for a very good vid.

Before I even watch the series of budget backpacking, I'm going to say thank you! I'm a scout leader and we're going to take some of the kids on a short trip in a couple of months. I'm going to share your videos with them and work with them so hopefully everyone will have a great time

Love that Petrified Forest sticker on your Nalgene! I used to work there and that region has a very special place in my heart.

Thank Darwin!!! I am sooooo new and have needed to buy EVERYTHING.

man you nailed it on this series of videos. That's the same stuff I would of found as a deal. Your frugality is much admired.

Great video series. 2017 was my switch from heavy Boy Scout type backpacking set up to lighter long distance hiking set up. This series helped me in doing that. So far I've loved the BRS stove, and the Toaks Ti 550 pot! I picked up the Outdoorsman Lab sleeping pad but being a side sleeper it was not as comfortable as I wanted. I ended up going with the Klymit V which is more comfortable IMO. and only $59. The Geertop tent is a little small for me. I camped in it a few times and I won't lie it's a 1 person tent! The saving grace is the vestibules are large and keep your pack and shoes dry. But you can't bring your pack inside your tent. Thanks again hope the Pinhoti trail hike went well (you're hiking now and won't see this til you get back). Can't wait to see the video! Thanks

You're the man!! Thanks so much for sharing these items and your thoughts on them. I haven't been hiking for many years and wow has the gear changed!!!! I'm currently getting gear together to get hiking again but introducing my 14 year old son to it all. You've given me some awesome gear to check out!! Thank you!

Thanks for your videos. I used to do a little backpacking a long time ago and never got into it because I didn't have enough time to get into the kind of shape I needed to carry all of my heavy gear and actually enjoy myself. I happened to see your channel not too long ago and was awed to see how times and gear have changed. I plan on spending the winter collecting new lighter weight, budget friendly gear and getting back on the trails next summer.

Great information! I just started backpacking after both my knees have been replaced.

Do more of this Darwin! Including alternative for UL backspacks, tents, etc. keep up the great work Darwin🤛

Hi Darwin - I love your channel and have used the information you have provided to prepare for my hike on the Inca Trail this month. Thanks to you and your advice and recommendations I feel like I am fully equipped and ready to go. Keep up the great work.!

this is so helpful! makes UL backpacking seem so much more accessible. thank you!

I really appreciate your information on this subject!! I am new to ultralight hiking and have about halved my base weight but was not aware of some of the "budget items" out there that are almost equal to the high dollar stuff. Thanks a ton!

So I have bought and used several of your suggested items. Great stuff to start with. I am giving my opinion on each of your three videos on the stuff I bought from each video.... - outdoorsman sleeping pad is decent for the price. Little thin. Used it in 30* and did just fine. I did put a layer of reflectix insulation between my pad and the ground. - smart water bottles are my new favorite. Use my nalgenes for work but use 2 - 1L smart water bottles when hiking. I use my sawyer squeeze bag to fill each bottle and for a 3rd liter of storage if needed.

Thanks Darwin! Do more of this. Greetings from Switzerland! And please put metric units on screen...

Picked up the BRS as recommended. It’s a great stove. I even use it in my kitchen or patio when I’m missing being outdoors

Came across this video while doing some spontaneous research for my camping setup, such wisdom! Thanks for the brilliant advice friend!

Thank you for these thorough reviews. I ordered the little stove. Presently, I use a pocket rocket. I look forward to seeing how this one stacks up.

Hey man, i recently discovered your channel when preparing for my next trek. You have awesome videos man, keep it up!

Very useful, made a hike wishlist on amazon, practically had every product you talked about. Thanks man!

Great video! I am planning an A.T. section hike next month and added the Outdoorsman Lab pad to my sleep system. Tried it out on a recent weekend trip and had the best night sleep! Thanks for the recommendation!

Awesome stuff. Love vids like this. Really does help having a bit of a review before you buy your gear, thanks man

Because of your videos, I look like a pro in front of my family, friends and especially my kids.Thank you Sir!

i dehydrate my water, weighs nothing then just add some water to rehydrate .....

I got that little stove for my first backpacking trip (Trans Catalina Trail) and it was amazing. Worked well with the Coleman Butane/Propane fuel mix

Awesome video! Was looking into some good ultra-lite gear for my next backpacking trip. Very useful info here. Thanks for the great video!

This video came RIGHT ON TIME!!! My Pocket Rocket finally gave up the ghost after about 20 years of service! I did buy the BRS and went from 3 oz to .8 oz! With my Foster's can set up it is nearly unbeatable with weight savings. Thanks.

Great video, thank you for both first pics and budget items.

Thanks to your excellent recommendation, I've just ordered the Outdoorsman Lab UL Sleeping Pad. It will be ideal for what I need in the Summer. I'm keen to get the weight down for my next big bicycle tour.

I bike tour, and these look like fantastic options! I already have a Sawyer filter. I will check out the other items. Thanks, Darwin!

Exactly the video I've been looking for. I'm not much of a true backpacker, but since I don't drive, I like to keep my gear light and backpackable for the trip(on the bus) to meet up with my friends for camping trips. I will probably pick up everything you mentioned, but since I'm Canadian I can't use your affiliate link. Thanks a ton for this video!

I just bought 2 of the outdoorsman lab sleeping pads, and it is crazy comfortable! Thanks!

awesome video, clear, clean and well thought out video. Thanks for making it!

I have the Outdoorsman sleeping pad and love it. I actually got it on sale for around $27. I have only used it three times. Works great for tent camping. I think the lowest temp I used it at was around 40°

Great finds. Been a long time since I've come across a hiking channel worth subscribing to. Thanks!

Thanks for the field research and the information. Many of us operate on a budget and can't absorb the cost of North Face, REI, etc your frugal mind set is a big positive for those of us without platinum AMEX cards..... Cheers.

I used the BRS on a 3 day pack trip it worked out great!!! I love it!!😀

Thanks Darwin, would be keen to see your advise and experience with trying out cheaper versions of L or UL sleeping bags, tent options, pack options.

Good job, Darwin. I will send this to my friend with my other video for his benefit.

Great job Darwin! Just used my sawyer on a nice three day hike in Colorado, and they are great. Good idea on the disposable water bottle. Nalgenes do get a bit clunky.

Great stuff! I haven't tested all the stoves, but my Pocket Rocket has stood the test of time. Funny, I was just testing a smart water bottle on my Sawyer mini yesterday. Great combo. **important to note that the setup puts the bottle on the dirty end of the filter, so it is used as a dirty bottle and gets squeezed to force filtration. This will eventually take a toll on the bottle, but they are pretty durable. Happy Trails!

Even if you use a filter, do use water purification tablets, too. The filter will filter out many small particles, but not all bacteria and other microorganisms, your only option is to kill them with purification tablets.

Love the video man. I just got my own BRS stove. I'm stoked to see you've got a good opinion for it.

Super helpful info! Great presentation style, thank you!

The Hydro Blu on Amazon right now claims 100,000 gallons. Appreciate the thoughtfulness that goes into these videos, thanks.

Great vids! Keep up the great work! I'd like to add that I bought a Unigear sleeping pad. Thirty bucks. The R-value (1.5) isn't comparable and it's not as thick (2") but, it weighs 1.1 lbs and I carry a Thermarest Z lite sol. Very comfortable. 14 more ounces. The R-value for the Unigear mattress is 1.5 and the Thermarest is 2.6. It is equivalent and much cheaper to carry 14 ounces more. I got the Thermarest on sale at REI. It was $30 and $30 for the Unigear mattress. Too bad Amazon doesn't have the mattress in stock right now. The Xlite I would need is $199. With the other tips, I have used, that you have shared, I will carry 14 ounces more. If I truly want or need to go ultra-lite I would get a different pack and tent. Thanks again as I like your page and have shared with many other people whether they are through hiking or car camping. I like what you share the most because you use these products the most and post products that have failed and their replacements. You also are very genuine and very real but humble at the same time. I really like how you handle criticism.

Nice! I'm not getting any smarter but have been using the SWB for years. Great bottle

thanks for the video darwin, it helps to look for space savings quite a bit. i don't care as much about weight but the lighter the smaller and as of right now i am only able to hike a couple miles at a time with or without a pack. i am working on that. thanks for the info

Great advice! One of the best videos I've seen so far! Come out with some new how to save videos and more good idea's. Great job!!

Hey Darwin. Love the quality and information of your videos. Could you do one on what food you bring, how much and how you prepare it? Maybe explaining how you've changed your approach over time. I know there are others on here explaining that but I'd really like to hear your thoughts. Just a suggestion.

Awesome Video Darwin, I had to laugh when you got to the snow peak lite max, I'm saying to myself, "C'mon Darwin that thing is heavy", then you got to the BRS 3000T. I love mine, here's a few things worth noting from my Blog Review; Simmering on this stove with a Titanium pot is quite easy without the need of aftermarket or DIY gear. The flame can be adjusted very low, almost to the point of a wick type burner. The flame burns clean and adjustments are fairly precise. The slotted head with the slots angled help with dispersing the flame outward and in a spiral pattern. The flame pattern is ideal for my Toaks Light 650ML Pot. The Toaks fits the pot supports nicely and is very sturdy, no slipping or sliding issues. The Head pattern of the burner reaches out covering most of the bottom of the pot but does not engulf the base of the Toaks 650. The weight of this paired with a full 100 gram fuel canister is 7.50 oz, less than half a pound, quite impressive. My pad is a Neo Air Xtherm Large at 20 oz. I'm gonna look into the Outdoorsman Lab UL pad for my daughter, just not sure 21" is wide enough, but its an awesome price. For hydration I use Smart water bottles and a sawyer mini. I also Bring Aquamira tablets in case of a filter failure. One of the Smart Water Bottles is a 25 oz bottle with a flip top lid, a hose is inserted inside to the bottom of the bottle and this sits on my shoulder strap so I can sip hands free, while hiking. The other 2 water bottles are the 33 oz Smart Water Bottles, one is for untreated and has the bottom of a soda bottle cut out and slides on the bottom, this is a scoop, very helpful in shallow water, the bottle is topped with a sawyer mini and small piece of the sawyer drinking straw. The other is for clean water if I decide to squeeze from the filter. I also use the tablets in the filter bottle, I know its overkill, but it gives me piece of mind. Loved your quilt video, surprised you didn't mention the weight saving of a comparable quilt to a mummy bag, I have the revelation 40 degree but I'm hoping to get it overstuffed to a twenty degree quilt.

that BRS stove combined with a titanium foil windscreen (0.5oz) really improves the boil time and therefor reduces the amount of canister fuel you're using. the foil pays for itself in fuel saved pretty quickly.

I picked up the Outdoorsman UL pad a few months ago before seeing this video. Have used it s few times, both on the ground and on a cot. Have been impressed with it. Since winter camping isn’t my thing, the R value wasn’t a factor for me. I recommend it too.

Great! Your vídeos always help to get better trekkings!!

Great video. I'm not aiming for ultralight at the moment but I am trying to lighten where I can. Videos like yours have helped me with this thank you. Not sure if you plan on doing a big 3 version of this video but just in case. I started using a Hyke & Byke down bag this season its been a decent bag so far just under 2lbs purchased it on amazon for $89.00.

Have been binge watching a few of your videos ..more great tips. i recently picked up an ultra light sleep pad to replace my old and completely busted up self inflator .anxious to try it out asap.i have a small 1 liter nalgene, i also carry 1 litre size smart water bottles, BUT i still like how quickly i can twist and drink from my nalgene bottle , being only 1 liter its pretty light and i have it easily accessible.

Been putting off buying a water filter with all the other gear expenses taking president, but I did pick up one of those BSR stoves not long ago; it's only 25 grams compared to MSR Micro-Rocket, but haven't had the chance to field test it. In fact I've been leary of it. Glad to see its working for you in the initial tests. I digress. What I wanted to say was mucho thanks for the Hydro-Blu filter tip. Gonna look into that fer sure. Peace, brother! Thanks again!

New Sub... thanks for the education, I am just getting into this and buying gear, your tips are a Big help. Thanks!!

I have been using one of those ultra light titanium stoves from China. Purchased on ebay for about 16 pounds almost 3 years ago now and it's still going strong and heats water super fast. Highly recommended.

Many thanks Darwin. Your videos are outstanding.

Great video, Darwin! I've learned so much from watching your videos.

Wow, you are the best, Darwin. Always great info and videos.

Great video Darwin, Thanks for making it!!

Hey Darwin, another good video from yourself with yet more good info for all of us. I'm going to hike the Te Araroa in New Zealand this November and just with this video I think you have changed my mind on 2 items. I was going to go for the Sawyer but I think that HydroBlue looks great and is also so small it can pop in with the essentials in the hip belt pouch. I think I'll bag that BRS UL Stove too, my current one is very similar to the MSR one out there but with it's plastic case (which is handy for the steel flint too) it comes in at 139 grams, a huge difference there. I did want to mention my choice of sleeping mat though - Sea-to-Summit Ultralight Insulated - in a size small. Although it is a small and I am 5'11" (178cm) it is enough for me having been tested thoroughly on a 14 day hike in the Scottish Highlands and it comes in at only 436g with a drybag to pump it up as well (genius). It's r-rating is not bad either, a good option I think for going ultralight. Anyway, cheers and keep up the great videos.

Some great information Darwin, the water system Id stay with Sawyer, peace of mind!! I’ve used a lot of the water carrying systems, the water bottle system from the grocery store is just a great idea, cheap and you can recycle and buy a fresh bottle as you said!! All the money I have spent on gear, looking for lighter, better gear over the years, just sitting in my gear box!!!

I'm an old schooler... think Colin Fletcher generation who embrace Ray Jardine in the 80's. I have stood on the sideline of UL backpacking thinking... if its too lightweight it won't last and with great gear costing great amounts of money I don't want to change for the sake of change.... BUT.... I'm getting old-er and dumping weight is in my future. You did a GREAT review by first showing a good standard (Thermarest pad) and then showing a GREAT affordable option. So THANKS and keep doing reviews that way!!!

Great video, very informative! Thanks for sharing!

Great videos, Darwin. Just subscribed to your channel. I'm a father to two boys and hope to section hike the AT with them in the near future. I appreciate your reviews of budget friendly gear. Especially when I'll have to outfit 3 people for the trail.

Just found this channel. I love the name, the editing, and the professionalism. Subb'd for future videos, and currently watching the old ones. I'm from Indiana too (S. Indiana. Pekin, IN)! I wonder if we ever lived close to one another!

Awesome review, thank you! Besides specific products or brands, I would love to see a general video about what pieces of equipment you should really spend some money on vs. where you can just get something cheap instead that will work just as well. (For example, when I worked on the AT I bought an expensive sleeping bag that kept me warm even when it got wet, but I drank from empty Coke bottles and used Ziploc bags to keep my dry and wet clothes separated instead of those fancy waterproof clothes bags.)

You Sir, are one of the best presenters that I have seen on the interwebs. Great flow, good, solid information...Very professional product all around. Well done. Subscribed. Thanks!

if you get the smart water bottle with the drinking cap it can be used to back feed the mini squeeze filter to clean it

Man. Thanks for the wealth of knowledge always darwin.

Okay, this will sound a little weird, but instead of liner socks, use women's knee-high nylon stockings. Get a box of 10 or 12 for $3-$5 at the grocery store or drugstore (the brand is No Nonsense & they come in a pink box). Wear them under your wool hiking socks. You can roll them down to the height of your over-socks so they don't show. The wool sock slides easily against the the nylon liner instead of your skin, so no blisters from rubbing boots or socks. When one gives out, it's easy and cheap to replace - I always carry a couple extra with me, just in case. These have worked much better for me than regular hiking sock liners purchased at the outdoors store.

My sleeping pad of choice currently is the Klymit Static V2. It's the size of a 6 inch subway sandwhich and is super lightweight. The biggest pro though is it's the most comfortable sleeping pad I have ever slept on. You can also get them for $25 if you look in the right place. Usually though they run around $50.

Very good video. Useful information. Keep up the good advice.

Suggestion for next episode: best bongs for backcountry camping: what are our options? Criterion could be portability; functionality; construction quality; and how good the toke is from each bong reviewed.

See one of his recents videos. Enjoy your videos! You're one of the best out there. Keep them coming.

THANK YOU !!! I cant wait to learn more from you

One tip for your non US viewers: please put metric units on screen in the video. great stuff you're making!

awesome tips! Especially the water filters!

used the BRS for at least 10 trips. works great. very fuel efficient as well.

Fantastic review! Very helpful.

Right on Darwin, my Nalgene's are mainly used for road trips! I use my Smartwater bottle for hiking.. Learned that from Syntax77...

Hell man, I saw this video earlier but didn't pay much attention to it. Now I definitely need to get my Bob less heavier, helps your knowledge a lot.

I have the Etekcity stove. I've noticed that the flame is fairly uneven, and the boil time takes longer than what you stated about the BRS. I'm a novice hiker/bicyclist. I haven't tried any other stove yet. I think I'll give the BRS a try. If I don't care for it, I'm not out that much. Thanks for the review and suggestions Darwin. ✌️

Thanks for the alternative to the thermorest!!

Perfect for Bug Out Bag! Keep one in car or work.

Great topic and video! Your channel rocks man!

Got the BRS and love it!

Great video. It was great meeting you on the Appalachian Trail.

Great recommendations, Darwin.

Greetings from France. Please could you do some review about socks and especially the Darn Tough socks and I start to wear. Great job Darwin.

I use 24 oz soda bottles for water. I carried 4 on the JMT (I drink a LOT of water) which was very useful for the final day where there is no water from Guitar Lake to Trail Camp. Cheap, easy to include a soda in your resupply bucket at MTR, and I mark the side with permanent marker with cup measurements so I can add just the right amount of water to my meals.

Some cool products worth checking out... Thanks!

I just discovered your channel & LOVE IT! I'm a new subscriber & having lots of fun catching up on your videos! ✌❤😊 (Likely near-future Patreon!)

Tip: Whilst searching for "Pocket Rocket" on the interwebs, be sure to include MSR; otherwise, your search results may vary... I think I hit a few NSFW websites. :S...

I've switched to playpus collapsible bottles. It may be heavier than the disposable bottle, but the ability to pack it flat when empty is great. It also makes a surprisingly good pillow at night when empty. Just inflate it with your lungs, and rest comfortably.