Backpacking TV, hosted by Mike Fink, is the premier source for backpacking instruction, gear reviews, action segments, and more.
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I still think the ability to light a fire when everything goes south is still the one key skill. You can argue that’s bushcraft and not hiking but it’s in the level of having a blister kit ready.
Most of your arguments are totally right… but I don’t agree with you regarding the techs : 1- downloading the maps on the phone is a great mistake, and encourages people to be lazy about learning to use a paper map and a compass 2- a phone is just a must-have (even if you want to “disconnect” for a while). I leave in a mountain area. Luckily, we have a pretty good net coverage. A phone can run out of battery because of the temperature, and - although I admit solar panels/power banks are too heavy, you NEED to be able to resupply your phone battery in case you have to call for help. Twist your ankle in the middle of nowhere and realize your phone is out of battery… EVERY YEAR, we find dead bodies in the mountains, because they couldn’t read a map, couldn’t call for help. I understand you point of view, but remember you’re addressing to beginners. You can shave off weight from excessive comfort, not never from safety ! “You just don’t need it” until the day you wished you had it…
Good video! By using a good bivy sack,fleece liner, and quality long underwear your ratings would be more accurate then.Since I'm almost 70 years old I don't do any backpacking but car camping. I have my old go to 's the M - 1949 mountain bag from the 50's and the Intermediate and Extreme Cold weather sleeping bags from the 90's. Don't overlook the USGI MSS sleep systems either.Thanks .
Thank you, my sons gave me one of these for my birthday, I’m looking at a 4 to 6 days hike in the Sierras finishing at My Whitney in late September, seems like they know what good quality is.
Hey Mike! Really enjoying the lightheartedness of your videos! Solid advise too... I've always been a preacher of that "Philosophy". Whatever keeps a guy off the couch!
Another great review, thanks. I'm looking at another pack at some point in the next year & was looking at the Coulee but having seen that U-zipper, I was turned right off it for the same reasons. They pack up quickly. The Bridger's entry to the lower pack is the same as the Glacier, which I have & I love that. The zip-n-click way of closing it down just floats my boat nicely. I also like the Bridger's outside storage & agree with your assessment of the strehc fabric outside too. Wish they'd done that on the Coulee. Think I'll go find a Bridger to try on the next time I'm passing a decent outfitters here in Blighty. Thanks again & Happy Trails 👍
I got a jetboil mightymo recently, which has more capacity and the simmer control. I've played with it and my pocket rocket some, and my thinking now is that I'll probably use the pocket rocket when backpacking alone and the mightymo when going with a friend. My back and knees are getting older, and the rocket weighs less and takes up less space. The mightymo will be nicer for making small communal meals. (I'm gonna steal the mighty mo's canister tripod when using the pocket rocket, because honestly one of the nice things about the jetboil systems is how stable they are. Nothing worse than accidentally knocking your pot of food into the dirt.)
You almost lost me when you repeatedly referred to a pack cover as a rain fly. A rain fly is a component of a double-walled tent, at least where I come from. Maybe it's a Canadian thing? Like Timmy Hortons and Canadian Tire?
200 ft from water is a good guideline, but I'd venture 500. Bugs LOVE being around water and it's hell being near anything slow or stagnant. Works for me most of the time
i hike in the winter,and it gets below 0deg,what jacket woild you recommend if i only had $250.0. now this will be part of a multiple lters,but what jacket can keep the warmest for the money? thank you
Can Coulee25 carry 16.5in (35.5x23.5cm ) laptop as daily bag? I understand Coulee bags don’t have individual compartments for laptops, but I am wondering if I can stuff laptop inside main compartment. If not, what other bags I should consider carry laptop with. I don’t want to buy a bag just for hiking outdoors purposes, want to use it to travel. Thanks.
I purchased the $99.99 elite verson of onX Backcountry, and when I activated the private property feature, you can see the NAMES of everyone who owns property. If you look at a neighborhood, the property is usually labeled as a couple, like John and Sarah. You can see all of this! 😳
So, did we ever figure out what happened to Stella? And the few videos that she made on this channel which have mysteriously disappeared? Very weird of Helconia to do that and act as if she never even happened...
Regarding trekking poles. Several years ago I cut two stalks of bamboo, let them dry, sanded off the roughness, and glued rubber cane tips on both ends. They are super light, about 300 g. Because they are 6 ft, you can easily change the point at which you grip them. With the tips at both ends, you can switch ends if one tears. However, they do not break into shorter length - at least remaining useable.
I love coffee....but on a trip instant freeze dried coffee is the thing, assuming you find a brand you find acceptable. The trick is to make instant coffee part of the experience!! (Real fresh coffee you can drink at home 😊).
The older version of the kestrel was far lighter and sufficiently robust. I think what osprey did is a step backwards. There is no need for a backpack to be this overbuilt (i'm talking about the weight of materials), i have the previous version in 38L and it is still going strong after years of overcharging it. It was a lot cheaper too
