Full Gear List: www.packwizard.com/s/zGf_6cV 👇 GEAR FROM THE VIDEO 👇 Arc Haul Pack: geni.us/ArcHaul InReach Messenger: geni.us/InReachMessenger Enduro 2 Watch: geni.us/Enduro-2 Instinct 2X Watch: geni.us/Instinct2X Offset Trio Tent: geni.us/OffsetTrio Moonlite Elite Chair: geni.us/MoonliteElite Windburner Stove: geni.us/Windburner Electric Hand Warmers: geni.us/E-Warmer Tiny Pump 2X: geni.us/TinyPumpX Slippers: geni.us/MEC-Camp-Slippers Alpha Direct Shirt: geni.us/FarpointeOG Alpha Direct Pants: geni.us/FarpointeOG Alpha Direct Socks: geni.us/AlphaSocks Mythic G Down Jacket: geni.us/MythicG Zenbivy UL Quilt System: geni.us/ZenbivyULbed Flex Air Sleeping Pad: geni.us/ZenbivyFlex Athletic Brewing: geni.us/RunWildIPA

I’m constantly amazed that none of the backpacking channels ever mention smaller binoculars or a monocular! I consider it my luxury item, but I never leave the trailhead without it. It allows me to watch animals as well as survey my route from a distance to make route decisions. Last summer I was able to watch bears safely from a distance which totally enriched my experience for each of those trips. I live near Yellowstone so lots of animals are available.

this is the linus tech tips of backpacking

I wish they made a chair with longer legs for us old guys that can’t get up from a chair that sits that low. I would be willing to carry a few extra ounces.

This makes me feel so much better about my collection of gear😂 I’m glad everyone buys way too much gear. I’m always thinking “well if I just had” paired with my need for “preparation” in all weather and any season.

I tried a different pack this year and I am back to my Zpacks’s. I will never use another pack that does not have their ventilation system. The Arc is a game changer.

YES - ABSOLUTELY - to answer the question in the headline.

Dude, love this video and your honest evaluation of the gear. An awesome idea would be to get a viewer (or someone at the local gear shop) who’s a total novice. Take them on a 3-day trip, or 3 overnight trips and give them a pre-loaded pack for each day. One with high-end gear, one with comfort gear, and one that’s a combo of the two. This would answer a lot of questions for novices about “how much should I spend?” and, “is it worth the extra money?”

I dont mind spending money on good quality. I lve my UGQ and LiteAF 46l back pack. I just can't bring myself to spend $1k Zenbivy. I might just try the McGyver method someone suggested in one of the backpacking forums by buying some magnetic zip ties of Amazon and attaching them to your quilt and a bag liner that is put over the sleeping pad.

Thanks so much for all the advice, I’ve learned so much and I’m so happy finally to get out more comfortably. Looking forward to all your new uploads!

That scenery 🙌🏻

Love this channel, you’re doing a great job Justin. By far the nerdiest, most knowledgeable youtuber out there when it comes to gear, which is awesome because I’m a gear nerd who goes into detail and it’s frustrating to hear recommendations or complaints from other KZfaqrs who can’t make the analysis. It also keeps all your trip videos interesting, because there’s a change in scenery, environment, weather, temperatures, gear packed and tested etc. A suggestion would be to make more videos on hacks and routines, like with the last rain video. Maybe guests would be nice then, to discuss how other people are doing it, depending on what tent they have, other circumstances (for example I hike with a dog which complicates thing’s moisture wise) and just different hacks that people themselves have come up with or been inspired by

Great series seriously helpful!

I hope you check out the Pad Pal pump made by rex creations. Its 10g and runs off your powerbank so it's for that super niche ultralight category but looks super cool and functional. At that weight, I can see so many more people justify bringing a pump.

A white Zenbivy would make my OCD go off the scale.

Justin, just wanna say that you're by far my favorite "outdoor youtuber". Thanks for all the content!

Finally just ordered the TinyRepel from Flextail and was super pleased about free international shipping!!

A usb air pump is great not only for inflating your mattress but also for drying bidet butt.

What’s the name of database you use for checking gear? Thanks for a nice run through.

Are these the Ocoopa mini handwarmers or the regular UT2S?

For now, the best purchase I've done for camping gear is the Big Agnes Rapide SL in the wide version. My previous sleeping pads were a 53 cm (20") inflatable sleeping pad and a foam sleeping pad. Those two got me back pain, if I used them for 2-3 nights and the extra width feels great. When you go up from regular width to wide, you understand how important that extra width is. Pillows are also really important, but here I'm a bit torn. I have a cheap inflatable, a heavy and bulky but super comfortable pillow (foam? pillow) and an expensive pillow that is somewhere in between the other two. I find the bulky pillow the most comfortable (Cocoon Travel Pillow), but it weighs 285g and worse than that, takes a lot of space. The Nemo Fillo Elite Luxury is quite wide, which I like, but it isn't as soft/fluffy as I expected. It's lighter than the Coccon one (112g) and a lot less bulky, but it's not as comfy, and it's 3 times the price... A tent, where neither your feet nor your head are touching the walls, is also really nice. My first tent was a hand me down, and it was kinda saggy, so you almost had the tent walls on your face while laying down... and I'm just 170... I've been pretty happy with the Sierra Designs Meteor 3000 2p tent. It's really roomy, and hasn't leaked yet. Used it on a few rainy days (some days it rained a lot) and it didn't leak. Using a tent footprint is kind of necessary, if you are expecting a lot of rain. I didn't set mine perfectly, and the spots that didn't have the footprint under it started getting a bit wet after 2-3 days of fairly heavy rain. Next thing I want to try is a quilt. I move a bit while falling asleep, so a quilt would be more comfortable. I still turn inside my sleeping bag, but that shifts it a bit to one side, leads me to sometimes breath inside it and doesn't cover me that well.

Love the zenbivy have not only used it backpacking but have taken it to locations where there are not enoughs beds for everyone, much more comfortable then a bad sleeper sofa i use the big agnes rapide XL pad.....

Love those rechargeable hand warmers and the flex tail mosquito repellant

I go hiking every summer in the high mountains in Idaho and the fishing is great. I don’t see a lot of videos out there talking about fishing gear. Do you ever fish at these lakes you go too and what gear would you take?

What pad would you suggest for a old side sleeper like me that is 215lbs?

I love love love my Zenbivy light quilt and full sheet. I think my next is to move to the half sheet with insulated hood and grab the flex pad… keeping my convertible quilt.

Have you had any issue with getting the pads for the Flextail Bug device?

the go-to gear guy

This will all come in handy when I lose my house to pay for it!

Hey Justin, love the vid! Question, do you fish? You've got some awesome lakes, ik it would be an extra 1lb or 2 but it's fun for passing the time!

I look at all purchases on a cost per use basis. If the $5,000 in gear lasts 10 years, its $500 per year If I use it 6 times per year its $83 per use.

11:10 "apparently safe". Nerve poison for insects but yeah, I guess all safe for humans 🙃

Any chance you can check up some sleep systems for heavier bigger people aswell?

As a 50+ small woman who backpacks with her 2 small teenage daughters (in the same area as you, apparently), weight is super important, as is comfort, so yes. I pay extra to keep the weight down. I bought the offset trio this year. It was comfy for 2 of us and 2 dogs, but I’m thinking it’s gonna be tight on our 5 day trip next week.

I know people always talk atm about taking a chair but would you take it on a 100km multi day trip?

Great video. One thing I like pointing out to people is the fact that you can get the light bed system from zenbivy which weighs only slightly more and has slight less loft for a much cheaper price. I think the light bed is the sweet spot for most casual folks out there

Add the Flat Cat Gear's Ocelot windscreen to ur BRS if ur pot's diameter is 4.2" or less, reduce ur burner output to a third & get 3 extra burns, on the small 110g gas canister, boiling 2 cups of water, depending on temps & elevation, for only 28g/1oz 👍

The IPhone 15+ s have an emergency SOS through GPS feature. I don't hear many outdoor youtubers mentioning it. What do you think about it? Is it good enough? I will be doing canoe camping alone but not in a super remote area and I'm trying to decide whether I need it.

Justin, I don’t agree that groups on “well-trodden” tracks don’t need an emergency beacon like a Garmin and can “handle it as a group”. I would go so far as to say that is dangerous advice. How would the group “handle” a fractured femur 10km from the nearest exit? Or a serious head injury? Or chest pain (as in heart chest pain?). I’m a doctor and I would absolutely want to see that helicopter hovering overhead. To say one doesn’t need an emergency beacon on such walks is like saying one doesn’t need to wear a seat belt for a short drive to get milk. These things may not happen often on a trek, but they need happen only once…

I feel like a big factor with expensive gear is how much you'll use it. Quality stuff will last years, and if you go backpacking often the cost per trip averages out pretty low.

I know this is about the gear, but the views are stunning! Where are is this?

Thing is that you must change equipment often because it doesn’t last long or it’s changed for something else that’s newer and better. I finally gave up two years ago. The kit I have is not the best but it’s built tough.

In regards to the sleeping pads you've mentioned for bigger guys and side sleepers, this may not work. What would you recommend for a sleeping pad R value around 5, backpacking, willing to carry a little extra weight for comfort, 6'4, 240 pounds.

Killer setup. Id swap out the zenbivy with a nemo and feathers freinds

So you modified the quilt to become a wide down sleeping bag or did I miss something?😅

What hiking pole do you use??? Looks great!

Your video reminded me of something. I’m 6’5” and 260. The tent fits and so does the ZenBivy, but I thought both were just too fussy and I passed on both. I’m willing to pay for something that fits someone my size, like the Arc Haul which I love (and it too is fussy), but if there are just too many straps, parts, hooks, adjustments, etc. it becomes a lot less appealing and not worth the effort. I kept the Arc Haul because it fit my 24” torso, was light, and very comfortable, and there really isn’t anything else that can complete with it.

Definitely a luxury item but I have a Torras Coolify 2s that I use when hiking in this texas heat.

whats the lake called please? ;)

You would have to get into camp early to set that tent up. And gosh forbid you don't find the perfect place the first time hahaha.

How do you fund the trips and equipment? Especially at this cost.

Where is this hike? It's beautiful :)

I can't pay that much... I do have expensive gear but I would pay more to complete my perfect dream gear list IF ...I would hike a very long trail like the PCT, AT etc... this would be worth the money.

I'd bet my gear set is between $4000-5000 total that I take into backcountry. Winter main time I go though..

.. Beautiful location ..... Somehow that RAB Parka looks out of place for as nice as the weather is ... must be the extra weight needed ..

Without watching this video I can say yes.

I am curious why you only use a single Trekking Pole and do not seem to rely on those Trekking Poles to release some pressure from your back.

I have 3 boys…it’s expensive! But honestly everyone has a Nemo Disco 15 degree bag and Nemo Tensor pads and as they get older I gradually get them better gear.

That tent, $900.00? A fools tent! 😶‍🌫️

You spend your money on what's important to you. It also depends on how much discretionary income you have. There are hobbies that are way more expensive than backpacking.

Name of this hike?

To answer the title, if you have to ask yourself if you overspent- then you overspent.

172lbs too much for the zenbivy flex mattress?

When you’re young and saving for a house and family, the equation is blatantly simple: the $5K goes towards the mortgage. But that’s not everyone. I’m 72 years’ old and want to continue hiking. I’ve recently spent that $5K on ultra-light and it’s brought my pack weight for a 6-day hike down from 18kg to 11.5kg. It’s kept me on the trail and it’s been worth every cent. I would do it again in a heartbeat, and probably will.

I’m guessing that the company called PhD make a down jacket warmer, lighter and more expensive than the Rab mythic jacket you’ve shown in this video.

If you can't sleep in the backcountry, then you can't really go backpacking or camping. A good sleep system could be the difference.

The number one thing I don’t get out into the backcountry as much as I could is kids. Not discomfort… welcome to the club buddy

You could really jack up the price tag if you included that diamond studded platinum trail plug.

To me, the most important comfort item is the sleep system. If I can't sleep well I can't perform well.

Cheap that old even cover 2 wheels on my bike lol

I disagree with your statement about not needing a satellite messenger when traveling in a group. 6 days ago I was in a group of 5 on horseback and thankfully I did have my Garmin Inreach Mini. I suffered heat exhaustion while still fighting covid symptoms, followed by getting bucked off my horse and impaling my leg on a branch of a dead tree. I was unable to hike or ride a horse and used my Inreach to call for a helicopter rescue. This was in the Bob Marshall Wilderness near the Continental Divide. A helicopter rescue was essential. And that ONLY happened because I had a satellite messenger.

I would gladly pay $5000 for an ultralight backcountry stereo system

I’d spend the $5g to fly somewhere cool to backpack with cheap gear

My base weight is under 10 lbs only so I can strap on my Cascade Mountain Tech high back chair. No one is more comfortable than me in the back country.

I've had the arc haul and to be honest with you the ventilation on your back is a joke. Maybe if you have a constant breeze from you side it might. 6 found that I sweat as much with any other pack. I switched to the Kakwa from Durston Gear.

Those watch prices are crazy to me. I feel like I can just use my phone and save money

10:15 Sustaunability should be a lot more in focus for outdoor trips, i.e. not using the standard camping food where you throw away the packaging after a single use or having responsible sourced down

That's peanuts. Try canoe camping 🏕️

could get smaller carry footprint for cheaper, weight is what your paying for

Justin needs to keep that down or he's gonna get mugged by a grizzly for his gear.

$900 is a crazy amount for a tent that you admit probably wont handle wind and bad weather well...

Yes🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪

That jacket cost more than my quilt and I have a full custom ultralight quilt. Hard pass, wouldn't buy it even if I was rich.

With room for activities 💀

I've dropped over 9k on gear so no, not crazy enough. If you're anything like me you're incredibly cynical and have difficulty liking anything so if you can find something to like in this jumbled up world, go all in.

This Just in: This gear is for people that have more money than brains. The snobs that will be drawn to buy these overpriced items will not be trail tramps of regard. A sucker play I'd say.

.. Short and Simple ......YES .. ..High priced doesn't always mean best quality or design ... just means they found a sucker ..

This video is only about advertising. I think that mate didn't go hiking or something, he is only spending a lot of money for stuff. Its sucks

There is some adjustability but those are load lifters, Bruh.

That’s ridiculous…

Sorry to be a nabob of negativity. Yes it's too much

Whats with you lot saying Rowt (Route) its Root!

my stuff is worth $10,000 bruh

$5000 is obscene