5 Next-Level Hacks for Common Backpacking Mistakes 

What are some mistakes you make when backpacking? 👇 GEAR FROM THE VIDEO 👇 InReach: geni.us/InReachMessenger Exped Megapillow: geni.us/MegaPillow Nemo Fillo Pillow: geni.us/NemoFillo Trekology 2.0 Pillow: geni.us/TrekologyPillow 📱APPS I MENTION IN THE VIDEO 📱 PACKWIZARD 👉 www.Packwizard.com GaiaGPS: geni.us/gaia AllTrails: geni.us/AllTrails onX: geni.us/onx-app Natural Atlas: geni.us/naturalatlas Backpacking Checklist: www.packwizard.com/s/LQ4l84C

One of the most important aspects is BE HONEST with yourself. Understand what your limits are. Physically and Emotionally. Stay within those limits. I'm at that age where I can't find anyone to go with me anymore so I hike alone. I'm in good shape and I love the outdoors. I am an experienced outdoorsman and know my equipment. If nothing else, put on a backpack and walk 5 miles around your home at least 3 days a week. You have to be physically fit and prepared. Make sure you walk in the rain and the wind during these walks. Not just fair weather. You have to have experience with bad weather situations because you'll learn what your tolerances/limits are. I no longer take unnecessary risks. Like hiking in snow. Like hiking distances that are too far for me- Break up the distance into longer segments of time and planning for it. Weight is a big deal. I've learned how much weight I can carry comfortably for any distance. Always carry a personal locator beacon. Never go without it. If you even suspect a particular hike is "iffy" don't do it. If the hike makes you anxious in any way - don't do it. You must have complete confidence in where you are going. I always carry at least 2 more days of food than I need. Same with fuel, matches, etc. I carry known good fowl weather gear that I can count on to stay dry. Go out in bad weather with your equipment to make sure it performs for you. This isn't a competition. There is no reason to over expose yourself or go beyond your comfort range.

ugh...I hate forgetting things! I forgot my trail map one time. But that was ok, because I also forgot my glasses, and I wouldn't have been able to read the map anyway! 🤣

I like Justin’s channel because he is somewhere between ultralight and lightweight and he doesn’t go stupid light. I used to hike with a guy and his entire backpacking kit was 9lbs. His backpack was essentially a stuff sack with shoulder straps. He sure was miserable on the trail and especially at night. You need a little comfort on the trail even if it weighs a little more.

Leukotape is a life saver! Just be careful when pulling it off. My first AT hike I ripped a piece off a little blister on my big toe and pulled off healthy skin with it. Completely underestimated how strong it is. When removing do it slowly!

I totally wanted to get into backpacking. I went out and bought about $1000 worth of ultra-light gear, watched hundreds of hours of RU-vid videos. I got 30 minutes into my first hike and realized that I don't really like to sweat. So I turned around and went to a spa to have a massage.

I made an acronym for the Ten Essentials using the word "SHRIMPFINN". Helps to remember what to bring on a backpacking trip. 1. SHELTER 2. HYDRATION 3. REPAIR 4. ILLUMINATION 5. MEDICATION, first aid 6. PROTECTION, Sun 7. FIRE STARTING 8. INSULATION 9. NAVIGATION 10. NUTRITION

I Agree: Borrowing or renting gear is my best suggestion for new backpackers. I've got gear that I loan out locally so folks can spend a weekend or so trying gear to see what their preferences might be. I also tell them to head to REI and Next Adventure afterwards to rent different designs of gear to get closer to what they think they might prefer. Everyone has their individual preferences.

All superb advice. A shame SOS devices are so expensive given subscription costs and are somewhat sold as a one button solves all problems solution, when it's not quite the reality. Great advice from your wealth of experience here. Short days on a map can in reality be brutal due to terrain, elevation and weather. I've been out with very physically fit people and these deceptive routes might not break your stamina but if it kills your mood and you end up hating the journey what's the point in it. Being overly ambitious on what I could achieve has given me my worst trail days, so I'd advise like you do, lower your demands of yourself, set up camp early in the light etc. Finishing off exhausted, in the dark, at a questionable pitch site is just a recipe for disaster.

In my experience I’ve found hiking with a pack sucks. But what really sucks is suffering at camp. So I take what I need to be comfortable at camp. I’ve found regardless of the weight a few pounds doesn’t matter. The better shape you are the less you suffer. So I never skimp on food and comfort. I believe people watch these ultra light videos and don’t realize you don’t have to do that. Of course I don’t fit in with ultra light or the gear tech groupies. I’m old school ex military.

One thing I do is don’t over pack your backpack don’t take stuff you don’t need just make sure you have plenty of water and something to eat , there’s barely anybody on the trails here in Tucson probably because it’s 100° every day lol😊

I'm glad 91% quit 😊 We don't want the trails clogged up if the other 91% stayed the course 😉

For number 5 I'll sat this: yes, borrow or rent if you can to determine whether or not you're going to want to continue or further your backpacking trips. But I would also caution this: buy once, cry once. buy twice, cry twice. If you very early on feel like "HeII yeah I wanna do this!" then get the good stuff. I have found that I've bought budget gear multiple times to only turn around with immediate buyer's remorse and buy what I actually wanted to begin with.

Awesome vid Justin! You mentioned forgetting tent stakes. Would you ever consider demonstrating what to do in the case you forget / loose / break your stakes ? It would be awesome to see a big rock little rock demo

The one aspect I underestimated so far was windchill. I was used to the temperatures, but my, did the Scottish Highlands change my opinions. Plus walking in challenging terrain - hiking sticks are not for show. Never leave them at home.

💪🏼😎 Canadian reference to MEC ;) just got a few things from there so far… but good advice not to get a whole set of new things without knowing what you like/need. Doing a simple comparison between two wide/long R4.3 pads - Reactor 6.5 and Vectair .

Hello from Edmonton! Would love to see some reviews of MEC’s in house equipment. Smaller audience yes, but I don’t see any high quality videos like your reviewing their equipment, and given you like the REI Helix, maybe MEC has something of similar quality/value? I’m curious about their tents, quilts/bags, everything, make a MEC video!

As someone who has backpacked thousands of miles the two things I feel that is very important is get fit AF and don’t carry a bunch of crap. That means no chairs, camp shoes, heavy sleeping pads. Pack for hiking not hanging out in camp, unless your idea of backpacking is hiking a few miles and setting up camp. If that’s your plan then pack all the crap you want and don’t worry about being super fit. We all have our own hike. If you do want to do big miles train in the gym but more importantly train on the trail carrying your fully loaded pack. Being fit and light makes the actual hiking enjoyable and much safer. Don’t pack your fears.

My biggest mistake was not training posterior chain. Had on and off hip / glute pain for a couple of years. Went away during off season. Tried to remedy myself. When started to ruck with light weights at start of year, pain wouldn't go away anymore. Will be missing out of the fun sadly this year while rebuilding my body. Honestly can't believe how weak some of my legs muscles are on leg with dominant pain while doing some basic exercises (and help from physio). Now I know and can account for it. Hope this helps someone.

You’re the best, Justin!

Did a 2 day trip one time, kayaked a big dam release in Pennsylvania day 1, then hiked wind gap to delaware water gap/NJ. Forgot my hokas, only had sandals. Had to stop at a tiny store that had hunting gear, had a pair of Columbia waterproof trail hike sneakers, worked for knifes edge section of the AT

My biggest mistake, and one others starting out should avoid, was buying gear I hadn’t planned to buy/hadn’t researched when buying the gear that I had planned to get at my go-to outdoor store(1) here in Tokyo. The most costly of these was the Biolite2 wood burning stove, which talked a good game on the box, but was a heavy, expensive failure in the field. I also picked up other trinkets (a hand crank rechargeable light, a pack strap accessory bag, etc.) that turned out to be a waste of money💸. To avoid this, do your research on ALL the gear before you buy it, and only buy the gear you absolutely KNOW you will need to fulfill a specific purpose, not just “seems like a good idea to have/might need it”. The best way to know what you actually need is to try to do some hikes/camps close to home/civilization, or with other more experienced hikers campers who can lend you gear if needed while you gain experience and figure out what does and more importantly what doesn’t work for you. [(1) Bizarrely named “L-Breath”…because asking native English-speakers if the English wording you want to use as your brand/store name makes any sense…is just silly, right?🤔🙄😘]

1:56 it’s great to be prepared for an outdoor disaster in whatever is the most practical way. However, it’s crystal clear that a tiny pouch with bandaids and leukotape tape would do little to help in an actual emergency. It is impossible to be completely prepared for any emergency, especially since we are trying to hike with just the essentials, and (no matter your training) it is impossible to go backpacking with a whole ambulance worth of first aid gear.

First time hiking Black Tusk, Garibaldi Park near Whistler, BC 🇨🇦 on a 3d overnighter with my Mom & city girl wife. (29km round trip, 1740m elevation gain) We each took a 500ml Nalgene water container, and no way to purify, except boiling. Oops! Saved by a down-heading trail angel who gave us their 2, 1L water bottles full. Now, I document water sources based on trip reports, and carry a 1L smart water bottle, 2-2L cnoc reservoirs & filter, plus backup purification tabs. Camel up as needed!

You mention gear from REI. I am Canadian like you. But am curious on how you are able to get REI gear? Do travel to the U.S. to get them?

What jacket are you wearing in this video? Thanks.

From Iraq 🇮🇶. I love you so much my friend . I enjoy watching your videos. I hope you visit my country which is called mesopotamia. I will be happy if you visit us 😢❤️

If you make the Packwizard page responsive for phone browsing I’d use it. That’s my main issue with lighterpack

Tore up my knee while backpacking, hobbled 22 miles back to my car over 3 days, then drove to emergency room. Don't want to pay for helicopter rescue (over $25K) unless absolute life & death emergency.

nice vid!

crappy food - always dirty - usually cold - uncomfortable sleeping - misses good chair, good bed, refrigerator, tv

These aren't hacks! These are just some pretty common and smart general ideas and approaches to backpacking prep.

Spend as much money renting as you would just buying it outright