We Stopped Carrying These 5 Things - Our Backpacking Essentials Explained

Summary

In this video, experienced backpackers share their insights on packing light and efficiently for long-distance trips. They reflect on lessons learned from years of backpacking, including what gear they've discarded (like heavy water bottles and solar panels) and what essentials they now always carry. Key items like a multi-purpose tiny kitchen, a small power bank, and water filtration systems are highlighted as must-haves. The duo also challenges traditional wisdom, such as the need for bulky hiking boots and large first aid kits, advocating instead for smart, minimal packing. Viewers are encouraged to share their own gear preferences and experiences.

Takeaways

• 🎒 Over time, backpacking experience has taught the speakers to minimize pack weight from 60–70 lbs to around 10 lbs plus food and water.
• 📚 Books and games are left at home because they are rarely used on the trail; energy and scenery take priority.
• 🍳 A tiny, multi-purpose kitchen is essential, including a pot, spork, stove, and fuel, which serves for cooking, eating, and even cold soaking.
• 🔋 Solar panels are ineffective for backpacking; simple power banks are more reliable for charging devices.
• 💧 Heavy water bottles and bladders are impractical; disposable bottles allow easy monitoring and access to water.
• 🧥 Bringing a bag of layers is critical for warmth, comfort, and rain protection, while a full change of clothes is unnecessary.
• 👟 Hiking boots are avoided in favor of trail running shoes, which are lighter, dry faster, and reduce ankle injuries.
• 🛏️ Sleeping pads are multi-purpose, providing both warmth and a comfortable place to sit on the trail.
• 🚰 Water filtration is essential; portable filters like holo-fiber types prevent illnesses from natural water sources.
• 🩹 Large first aid kits are replaced by compact, thoughtfully curated kits with items actually likely to be used.
• ⚖️ Multi-purpose gear is prioritized to balance weight, functionality, and convenience on extended backpacking trips.
• 🌧️ Rain gear is always packed, even without a forecast, due to unpredictable mountain weather.
• 👣 Minimalism and efficiency guide the packing philosophy, challenging traditional backpacking conventions for comfort and practicality.

Q & A

What was the main reason the speaker and their companion changed their approach to backpacking gear?

The speaker and their companion learned from their previous experiences, where they carried heavy packs and realized that packing efficiently and thoughtfully made their trips more enjoyable and comfortable. Over time, they've learned what items are truly necessary and which ones are just unnecessary weight.

Why do the speakers no longer bring books or games on their trips?

They found that while books and games seem like a good idea, they never had the time or energy to use them. Instead, they preferred to enjoy the landscape and scenery, or simply rest during their trips.

What does the 'tiny kitchen' consist of, and why is it so important to the speakers?

The 'tiny kitchen' includes a spork, a pot, a stove, and fuel. It's important because it's multi-purpose—used for cooking, eating, and drinking coffee, and can even be used for cold soaking due to its sealable lid.

How do the speakers adapt their kitchen setup for different trips?

For trips where they prefer not to cook, they use a smaller, lighter version of their kitchen, which includes a jar for cold soaking. This jar can also be used as a muscle roller, adding another multi-purpose function to their gear.

Why did the speakers stop bringing a solar panel on their backpacking trips?

They found that solar panels don't work effectively for backpacking. The varying light conditions make it difficult for the panels to charge devices unless placed in direct sunlight for hours, which is not always possible during their trips.

What is the speakers' preferred method for powering their devices on the trail?

The speakers prefer using a 10,000 milliamp power bank, which they charge before the trip. This power bank is used to charge essential devices like phones, watches, headlamps, and emergency satellite beacons, ensuring they always have power when needed.

What water storage method do the speakers prefer, and why?

They no longer use heavy water bottles or bladders, which are hard to access and monitor water consumption. Instead, they bring disposable water bottles, which are lighter and can be easily monitored for water levels.

What type of clothing do the speakers bring on their trips?

They bring a 'bag of layers' that includes base layers for warmth at night, a variety of jackets depending on the season, and always rain gear. They don't bring a change of clothes, instead opting to wear the same outfit throughout the trip, with the exception of socks and underwear.

Why do the speakers no longer wear hiking boots?

The speakers find hiking boots to be bulky, heavy, and uncomfortable. They also don’t dry quickly when wet. Instead, they opt for trail running shoes, which are lighter, dry faster, and provide better ankle support due to their wider base.

What is the role of the sleeping pad in their backpacking gear?

The sleeping pad serves multiple purposes. It provides insulation and comfort for sleeping, but also acts as a sitting pad during breaks. They prefer closed foam pads over inflatable ones because they are more durable and less likely to pop.

How do the speakers handle first aid on the trail, and what is their philosophy on first aid kits?

The speakers don't carry a large, all-encompassing first aid kit. Instead, they create a custom first aid kit with only the essentials they'll actually use on the trail. Their philosophy is to carry a kit that will hold them over until they can reach a hospital, rather than trying to be prepared for every possible emergency.

Why do the speakers emphasize that not everyone will agree with their list of backpacking essentials?

The speakers acknowledge that their list of gear is based on their personal experiences and may not work for everyone. They encourage others to share their own thoughts and preferences in the comments, recognizing that each backpacker may have different needs and priorities.