What camping accessory do YOU regret buying?

with over 40 years of motorcycle camping experience I would always recommend a decent padded mattress, comfy roomy sleeping bag and a cook system that enables you to eat the food you love. No need to go expensive ultralight. I have toured on a 200cc bike and as long as most of your kit fits in panniers (soft luggage cheap, light and less likely to mangle the old legs if you have a spill) an average price tent and bag straps on the rear seat easily. Layering clothing is the way to go so no need for a pricey sleeping bag. A lightweight blanket wrapped around the mat stops the sleeping bag slipping off. The one item I always take is a Trangia stove: enables a full English breakfast to be cooked, accompanied by a pot of tea. Life always seems better after a hearty breakfast and a brew!

One of the pros of having multiple hobbies, is having items you use for at least two of them. I'm into backpacking, so I have a lot of super compact ultra light gear. I use a 2 person tent that uses trekking poles to set up. It packs down smaller than your sleeping pad. I have a quilt, which is like a blanket and sleeping bag hybrid, packs down smaller than my tent. My pillow is inflatable, and the size of a pack of cigarettes. I can use a pretty small bag to strap to the bike and need nothing else. Good for smaller bike camping.

Love this. For the first time last year my husband and I went motorcycle camping and just brought our regular 3 person tent and was miserable lol. Especially riding 230 miles for a crappy night sleep wasn’t ideal. It was in late June at Pictured Rocks and it was raining and cold! We didn’t have space to fit any mattresses or pads or pillows with what we had on hand so it was rough. We ended up using our leather jackets as pillows. Talk about last minute planning lol. Thankfully we had a bed and breakfast in Copper Harbor the next night so we got to recoup in a bed and had a sauna we could use. We ride a Street Glide and an Iron 883 so space is limited even though we had his saddle bags and a backpack on his bike, I carried the tent and sleeping bags in a bag on the back of my iron so we are looking at more compact and better camping gear for this summer to try again! Definitely going to invest in an inflatable pillow and pad and a smaller, better, insulated tent Keep up the content Jess! Love your videos! Your channel is what gave me the confidence to learn to ride and taught me a lot!!

I still camp with the , then, state of the art gear I gathered for boy Scouts, 45+ years ago. My little brass Svea stove has never let me down (also doesn't cost an arm and leg to buy specialized fuel. Gasoline, kerosene, white gas will all burn with equal ease. The tank will last for days too). The pot/pan set (of 4) is still in great shape. The "Official Boy Scout" axe and hatchet I picked up at our, long closed, downtown hardware store are still very serviceable. Of course, tentage and sleeping gear has modernized, as the improvements in design, material, and filler get better every year. I still pre-make meals and vacuum seal them, to save cost over store bought "camping food". I freeze my cooking and drinking water, to keep the food cold, and to know that I will have fresh water...just in case. Except for the axe, everything easily fits in the little saddlebags of my Softail Deluxe. Clothes, sleeping bag and tent, will fit into the back seat bag and the sissy bar bag. Lighting is all LED and solar/USB charged, but I take two very powerful flashlights for emergency needs. Oh yeah, I also take along a little fold-up stool that packs flat on top of the gear in a saddlebag. I can't remember how many times I've sewn on a new seat for that thing. It's just too handy to throw away!

Something I’ve learned in life is .. quality costs more . Tiny pumps are so much more convenient than bag pumps I use road base storage sites when I’m travelling .. sometimes just 4 squ metres of flat ground can be enough .. I find most B roads become very quiet after 7pm .. I live in Australia , and hate having to pay the exorbitant prices for a patch of grass .

Absolutely love the camping series. That’s how I found your channel a year ago and I love that you’re getting back to moto camping content 😁

I'm glad you found something to keep going with. Keep up the good work. You can and will inspire many!

Your packaged tent takes up more space than my tent, sleeping mat, sleeping bag and sleeping bag liner combined. I use my clothes as pillow. I have definitely never used so much space for camping gear as you do. I started motorcycle camping in 1978 going from Denmark to Monaco and back in three weeks with my girlfriend as passenger on my two stroke three cylinder Suzuki GT550. We mostly used gear that we already had. Now I'm 66 and am planning a tour trough Harz and Schwartzwald to Schweiz if the flooding allows.

I used the link to the Ozark Air Mattress and they no longer offer it, has price but does not have way to purchase it. I really am enjoying these camping videos though, helping with my research to camp this year.

Great information, Jess. Thank you. Keep up the great work! 👍🏽

Thanks for information. Love the info on mattresses.

The video was very in-tents 😂

Great video, Jess. This contained a lot of valuable information.

Thanks, just ordered that coffee pot combo french press off your link. Looking forward to using it.

I used to travel by motorcycle for days before stopping to look at the map and I carried a jungle hammock with a build in rainfly and mosquito net. I told my girlfriend stories about my travels and she bought me a really nice camping hammock with an underquilt because she is awesome. She is new to riding and I hope I can warm her up to camping soon. I really want to get a bike for her to learn on.

Thanks for the video jess keep up the good work

I usually check out backpacking gear. Backpacker's look for small, light and quality products. I have a 20 year old tent, sleeping bag and whisper lite camp stove. They have never let me down. As for a camping pot/stove, i get mine at the second hand store. I get the heaviest pot/stove I can. If it breaks or I lose it then I am not out anything. Thicker pots and pans will result in less burnt food.

Excellent, and I mean EXCELLENT video! I will be motorcycle camping this year for the first time and this was EXTREMELY helpful!

Love the video and that was very helpful!

Yeah 🙌🙌🙌🙌thank you for this video greatings from Finland 🇫🇮☺️

I am absolutely loving these videos!

Good one Jess. I think some of the gear like the pop up tent and cooking set might be more useful for truck camping. But that’s just me.

Cool video Jess!!!Thanks

Great informative video Jess 🤙🏼

Also, love the question segment at the end of the camping videos...I find it very engaging...would love to see this concept incorporated outside of this series as well :)

Excited to watch. Waiting for 50 degrees and above.

I appreciate the discussion about air mattresses. I’m side sleeper as well and have been woken up with major hip pain because I basically sunk through to the ground. I figure all mattresses were the thin ones, good to know there are some thicker ones out there.

I have the Lone Rider Moto tent and I agree, it constantly amazes me just how well made and perfectly suited it is for purpose!

Your February series is giving me the "cycleitis" lol. Planning a ride from Kentucky to the grand canyon. Excited to try motocamping. love your videos!

JESS , You are doing what you wanted to do don't sell yourself short . You do a great job ! I have noticed just lately every body is talking about moto-camping an gear most are copying you DON"T give up just think about what you want people to know an tell em I enjoy watching an listening to your U tube .yip yip Jer

Love it , Big Ole Bagger ❤️ They ride so Good !

Glad for these videos, Hoping to do a couple times camping with my gf this year, on our bikes. For cooking her dad got her a JetBoil, basically just a way to heat water, which is fine, she prefers dehydrated foods and I go with old school MREs (only the good components, lol) I already know I'm carrying most of the gear as our rides are a 2018 Honda Shadow Phantom (her) it does have saddlebags, but small ones; and a 1993 Honda GoldWing (me)

I don’t know if you’ll see this. But you should know your camping videos are awesome. I’m a guy in a profession that requires to sleep in the field and you still taught me something new. Plus the videos are pretty chill. Keep it up.

Hey - Just wanted to say thank you for this series. Enjoying it and am using it to gather equipment for my own adventures. The cookware was a question, as was the air mattress - appreciate your comments on both, since you got first hand experience. I have a good tent from REI, but I have looked at that Lone Rider tent more than once and may end up with one based on your recs. Keep up the good content - its greatly appreciated!

Great video Jess. How about an Ohio summer camp trip that hits several campgrounds around the state? That would be a cool little series. Dispersed camping is more common out here in Colorado.

I love the snug pack jungle blanket. Super warm and packs down. Their underquilt for a hammock is nice too for the price

Thanks for the video! Mrs. Jess

Yeah, Living life bro. Love your vids. keep riding , keep camping. all for the love of motocamping.

I live in West Virginia and rode some of the mason county loop yesterday (boarders the Ohio river)...it was a tad cold...all the ice had melted but still snow on the grass...left my house yesterday and it was 34 degrees....now I understand why heated gear is a MUST throughout the winter! :

Geez Walmart!! I'm bummed there not selling that air mattress right now. Enjoyed your thoughts on your gear, as I'm building up my moto camp gear right now.

Have to agree, the Lone Rider tent is a top pick. Pricy, but like you said, high quality.

Another great video! I'm definitely getting one of those Stanley French Presses! Out of all the places you've motocamped, where has the best riding nearby?

Love your videos 🤗

i like your tent choices. the bigger one would be good for car or truck use, or maybe a trike...maybe. good vid

nice info..been mc camping for many years ...tents.too old have a mini mate pull behind and follow motorcycle races around the south east...thanks

Good video, Good job

Eddie Bauer LED lantern. Any 360° light source only works well if you can hang them above eye level. Otherwise you are looking at or near them to see what you are doing, which is uncomfortable . The Eddie Bauer one was not powerful enough to light up the camp table from a tree branch, but was painful to look at when nearby. With light sources, always start with a headlamp. The light is always in the right place, and is pointed at what you are doing. It can also be pointed at the roof of the tent for indirect lighting that is perfectly fine. It is not hard to avoid looking at a light just tucked in the corner and pointing at the ceiling.

I just hope it isn't such a sucky, rainy year like it was last year in the northeast.....I wanted to do some camping last year, I just never got the itch.....it is bad enough riding in the rain, just to camp in the rain......no thanks....LOL......that being said....very informative......thank you for this video......only thing I have for motocamping right now is a screened hammock.....last year I was mainly trying to get my bike ready, with a little buying of supplies.....I am afraid I will be going into this riding season the same way.....I didn't get much accomplished last season.....LOL...luckily, I have a new friend with a nice cabin

My mattress pad packs to half that size, blows up via a bag also and because of the honeycomb air pockets it's comfortable to sleep on. I use my clothes bag for a pillow.

You should try the Nemo filo pillow. I love mine, it's a air pillow All self contained but one side has 1" of pillow on it so it's like sleeping on a regular pillow. And it still packs down pretty small. For cookware check out the sea to summit x pot stuff. It's worked really well for me on my bike or in my jeep even.

all these motorcycle camping videos couldnt have come at a better time as i am currently shopping/researching gear so i can start doing some motorcycle camping myself when the weather warms back up

I think I'm going to try some more cowboy / tarp camping next year. Recently picked up a usgi sleep system with the gortex bivi.... and dang does that ever keep a person warm. Only thing is bugs so we will see how that goes.

Great Video!!!!!

Great video! I have a suggestion for your pots and pans to keep them from getting burned on the bottom. After a lifetime of camping I have found that the best way to clean up my cooking gear is to put liquid dish soap on the bottom and it keeps them from getting that hard to remove ash/smoke/crud. Hopes this helps and continue to do the camping videos.

I'm a huge minimalist I love my hammocks with bug nets

I'm a guy 61 years old, and have been riding for 42 years, accident free. A few things to say. Some advice to give, and share my most recent biking adventure. First, I ride a Yamaha FJR1300a, that I bought with 2832 miles on it, and am now approaching 60,000 miles. My secret to being safe is, ride as if everyone on the road is aiming for you. In other words, keep your eyes peeled. Also the more lighting you have on your machine, especially on the front, and back, the better. You can have really bright led driving lights mounted low, so they're not shining directly in the eyes of oncoming motorists, and use them day and night, without blinding traffic. It's lights on a motorcycle that'll save your life. Not loud pipes, that no one can hear, as you're approaching. Secondly, be always out of the blind spots. If you can't see a motorists eyes in his or her mirrors, when you're behind or along side them, they can't see you. Don't be afraid to give a toot on the horn, either. Would you rather be dead, or a little embarrassed, that you honked your horn. So my last trip, in 2016 ended up being 7835 miles. I live in the Atlanta area, and recently retired. I did a trip that included 19 states, and took me to the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State, to visit my son. Down the West coast to L.A., and back, through the desert south west. Twenty days, that included both camping and hotel stays. 7835 wonderful miles. Get out there on the road girls. Always always always stay cautious and aware. Not scared, but ride with awakened senses, at all times. If you're riding long distances, you want a quiet machine, because it's the noise that tires you out the most. My secret to making my experience quiet, is my Bose Noise canceling earbuds. This is controversial because there's a good chance that you won't hear a car honking, or the siren of an emergency vehicle, but again if your eyes are peeled, and your senses wide awake................ Still I don't advice it. It's what I do, and it works for me. I plug my buds into my Galaxy phone. I have stored music, Pandora, Spotify for podcasts, and Audible for books to listen to. Also use those Navigation apps, and keep a road atlas with you. Waze is great, because you can plan around road construction and other blockages. For your info. The Bose buds block out I'd say 75% of road and wind noise, for me, on my FJR. They're a God send for me. But experiment to see what makes it happen for you. Adjust your windshield. Foam in your helmet to block noise, if that helps. Anyone that has had loud pipes on their bike, and advice you to install them, has never ridden hundreds of miles, on a regular basis. Five hundred miles a day, for four or five days, and you'll be either secretly or all out cursing those loud pipes. Serenity and feeling the elements of the environment you're riding in, is what makes it a, spiritually uplifting experience. I road 952 miles in one day, and another 740 miles. I was 56 years old, and didn't feel tired out after riding for over 17 hours. That should tell you something about the advice I've given. Happy to see ladies on two wheels !!!

Would like to see some suggestions for two up camping on the RG.

Fantastic, RMFR.

Hi jess.prefect vlog 👑😍💪

Is there a video comparing the Lone Rider tents? I've been eyeing that bigger motorcycle tent (not the ADV one) for the wife and I...

I’m happy with all my backcountry elk hunting gear that doubles as moto camp. My Copper Spur Mountain Glo tent is the shiz

Jess your nails look awesome!

Zpacks triplex, most long distance hikers love ❤️ their gear. 😊

Jess! Towing a popup camper behind the bike - thoughts? I'm really digging the Roll-A-Home camper... and the Sunlite Lees-ure Excel II. Any thoughts?

My best gear is my Luxe 5th wheel toy hauler. I’m too damn old to be sleeping in tents lol but I use to love the good ole tent days, I miss it sometimes. I do really think that tent with the bike garage is super cool, that would be mine.

you should try a bourk and wills aussie swag mines a iron bark king single bulky will fit on rear carrier i also use a trangia cook set

Ultralight?? That tent is huge!!! 😳😳😳

If my bike was bigger, I'd definitely try out a bigger tent and bag😂

Army Surplus stores have cool supplies for camping.

Hey great informative video.. even though i wont be going camping ,but if i may say .. if you did this video after your getting nailed by coved ..its good to see your looking well . but theres still that possibly you did this before your coved infection..

Hi Jess. How do you secure your gear that cannot fit in your compartments?

If tent doesn't come with footprint use a scrap of tyvek from sheeting a house super light weight waterproof

Hi Jess, my wife and I have a camping/travel YT channel and I am also an avid motorcyclist. I think you would love camping at the South Bass Island State park. IE: Put in Bay. We not only camp in our RV but we love backpacking. Enjoy your channel!

I hate it when you can't get the sleeping bag, tent, pilllow, etc-back in the bag!

I want to try the redverz atacoma. I wish I could find more reviews on it because it is sooo expensive.. for me anyway. Keep hoping they would send you one. It has the garage and all like the one you have

Best tent Slumit Cub 2 - up in 3 minutes

I regret my cookware (pot and saucepan) I bought. It was extremely cheap and so was the quality, basic aluminium base and the cheap plastic handle melted off . I was on a tight budget and was my first time Solo Moto-camping so didn't want to buy all the best gear if I ended up not liking camping, but I regret not spending that little bit more on something better quality. I've learnt my lesson for next time haha.

Winter blues

I had the 4 inch version of the sea to summit mattress. Took it all across the country, worked great. The next year I used it, started getting little holes everywhere. That was $200. Now I go to Walmart and buy a $10 8” thick twin mattress. You can get rechargeable pumps that fit in the palm of your hand.

I've gotta make a rack so I can take a sleeping bag I been sleeping next to fires in bike gear for the last seven years

Hey! Would you be willing to look into a portable cot? REI has one called the Helinox cot one convertible, and I would love to hear your input on it. I’m considering it myself. Just unsure, especially because of the price.

For my sleep systems I have an old green army mummy bag with a silk lining and a couple of good Indian blankets use a sleeping bag as my ground pad when it's warm. And the blankets for a ground pad when it's cold. Whenever I let somebody lay on my sleeping bag they fall asleep in less than a minute LOL when most of them wake up they try to buy it off of me. 🤣🤣🤣 I've now had that sleeping bag 20 years I'm never giving that thing up

If the cooking gear is titanium it is not your skill but material, titanium is light but heats right under the flame so you have to watch your cooking or boil just water in it. As for sleeping you might want to try a quilt although I don't have personal experience with it yet but from what i heard and read many people say that they never go back to sleeping bags after trying quilt.

I'm curious what you did down South for ant control

I can't do mummy bags either. They make me feel claustrophobic.

You Rock!!

I didn't get notified of this video 😭

I am sorry to hear you won’t be doing certain videos I look forward to see what latest thing you have been doing. I know I will never go moto camping.but made look like fun. I am hoping to ride across the Country. My husband and I mostly never moto camping . I would love to go out baby’s ride out some day. But first I better ride more any 50 miles away from home.

Always stake your tent! It can and probably will fly away in a strong gust of wind.

Bought a real cheap hammock with that multi strand cord. Nothing worse than hearing those strings start popping and knowing you have milliseconds before you drop!! 😳

I would assume the smaller mattress would be good for hammock camping.

I had a oztrail instant up bivi. Was quick to put up, but packed size of a 2 man tent, and spaced less than a 1 man tent. It was so small, if you used a self inflating matress, your feet would touch the roof and of course plastic parashoot material would wick water through anywhere touching it. . Had to use the thin blow up mattress . Terrible combination for a motorcyclist.

Air mattress the one you used in the video 8 inches. I couldn’t find anywhere like this. Why? It has width appropriately. Where can I find this one anywhere? I know this is two years ago but what’s your suggestion?

How about a camping/cargo trailer?

Hi, I'm a faithful subscriber. I genuinely love videos. I know you are looking for content. I can understand that it can be frustrating to try to come up with new ideas for content. If I could make a request. It would be great to see you go out with your husband. I hope I don't sound creepy. It was great when he corrected you on be a princess but his queen. That was sweet. I remember you used to go out to restaurants. That would be great to watch especially from someone that doesn't live in Ohio. Just an idea 💡. I will wait for your next video. I know the phase everyone has an idea like everyone has a but hole. I'm just sharing mine.

When you said, "The next question comes from 'Tom Jones'." I swear I thought you were going to say, "What's New Pussycat?"... Buckaroo!

That triangle on the Lone Rider bag could be confused for a slow moving vehicle sign. Could be a problem with the cops. Watch it! And what are you doing with all that flopping around while you are supposed to be sleeping? 😁 Ya know, if you had a Scrambler...

Dispersed and established camping on the Ohio AEP recreation lands. Also lakes and ponds for fishing.

Holly molly that thing better be made of gold for that price