⚙Gear Links⚙ -Cord & all toggles/pulls I wanted: amzn.to/3UNd1iU -First pack I ordered (doesn’t have the pulls): amzn.to/3Un28Dc -Second pack I ordered (doesn’t have toggle I like): amzn.to/3Uu5UL3 -Favorite Trekking Poles: -Amazon: amzn.to/3Qf4JOs -Kaviso: www.kaviso.com/products/kaviso-x-fizan-compact-trekking-poles-pct-edition -Umbrella: alnk.to/6IENjgi Packs Featured: -REI Flash Air 50: alnk.to/7qjPeyV -Naturehike 60+5L -Amazon: amzn.to/3xF1dXe -Naturehike Site (cheaper than Amazon last time I looked): alnk.to/g3aWSTI -Aonijie 30L: amzn.to/3UzJ06r Camera Gear I Use on Trail: -Action Camera: amzn.to/3UhMNoA -Main Camera: amzn.to/3vNYXMF -Main Lens: amzn.to/3vI429j -Large tripod (light and affordable!): amzn.to/3VXMgJB -Small tripod: amzn.to/4aV0qzu -Should strap attachment for DSLR: amzn.to/3VTytE4 -Mics: amzn.to/43VyWaN Some of the links above are affiliate links. Buying things with the links doesn’t change the amount you pay, but helps support the channel since Dose of Dirt would receive a percentage of the sale. Using the links is a free and easy way to support Dose of Dirt so I can continue bringing you great content! 🏕 👉 Help Support AND Shape Dose of Dirt through Patreon: www.patreon.com/DoseofDirt
It is the coolest thing in the world to be able to modify and improve store-bought products. Phenomenal video! I love that you’re doing all this research and putting in so much effort to help others find cheap AND quality products for themselves. And the fact that you teach *skills* to empower people to be able to DIY and improve their experiences outdoors. **Please** don’t ever stop!
For the ends of the shock cord. Do a figure-8 on a bite, so there is a loop sticking out, sinch it really tight so it doesn't slip, then slide some heat shrink over the top and shrink away. What I do is just put the whole knot and ends of the cord into heat shrink to give it something to grab. My current struggle is finding decent toggles on Amazon, so many of them are just weak, I want whatever dura-flex toggles Osprey's getting lol. Also, for melting the ends of the cord, hold it over the flame for a second or so, then press the heated plastic into the lighter. This will create a solid end cap of plastic that is less likely to start fraying then just kinda melted nylon at the end.
These are awesome tips! Thank you! I'm going to have to try the knot a few times before I get it right, but pushing the end against the lighter is so simple. Thanks for sharing!
Oh, I thought of a further upgrade you could try on the trekking pole holder. The Osprey Stow-and-Go system uses plastic tubing threaded on the bottom loop as protection/reinforcement, and that could be easily duped with a couple of inches of aquarium air-line, purchasable by the yard/meter at many petstores, or for free if you know anyone with a fishkeeping habit :D
Yes! I've wondered about the plastic tubing to help it last longer. I'm interested to see how long it lasts without that. The plastic tubing would definitely make it last longer, so thanks for the tip on what sort of tubing to use!
On the trekking pole holder I don't worry about cinching down the bottom loop. I just leave an open loop and cinch it at the handles. I copied it from one of my old Osprey packs. It makes it super easy to get them in and out.
Absolutely love this! This is very useful information for any level of backpacker. Makes sense just to save money and mods can be done easily by anyone. Also, getting the exact mod you want and need. Perfect!
This is the kind of video I love. I mod all of my gear, because of limited budget, cheap, and then gear works better for my needs. Kit is a great idea. Some add-ons to these: add metal mitten hooks to various sections of shock cord webbing so you can hook items in.* Adds security & lighter than carabiners. Add a stuff/trash bag to the pack bottom with shock cords or carabiners using attachment points as for the pole holder. Sew micro loops on gear for both ideas if needed. Saw you have the Aonijie 30L. LOVE that bag. Eager for your review. *Mitten hook idea from WanderingWilson.
Once again, you prove that you are as frugal as I am. I can afford anything I really want. But I really like to get value for money. I bought my last pack last October. I had and ATMOS 68 and a KESTRAL 48. i wanted to drop some weight so I got an REI FLASH 55. Some things I really love about it, but I was really missing the stow-on-the-go trekking pole holders. Followed your example and its good to go. Thanks
I'm gonna add that trekking pole holster. I added a bright orange elastic cord to the back of my Hyperlite Waypoint 35. Makes a real nice contrast to the black and white of the backpack and that's where my sitpad and jacket lives as well as my microfiber towel when wet.
This was great, thank you! I can see myself adding the umbrella mod at least, to my Osprey Talon 33 (decided on, in part, on your video recommendation!) for backpacking and then my upcoming Camino. That already has the stow & go hiking pole attachments, so covered for that part, and I'm not too much a fan of the shock cord webbing on my Talon 11 daypack, so I may stop there. I have to admit, I was hoping one of the DIY's was to attach sleeping pads to the bottom of packs, something I'm already thinking about unless i go for an ultralight inflatable pad for backpacking, and other pricier if less bulky gear...
@@DoseofDirt It's been something I've been waiting to do since my oldest was small, and he turned 18 this year! I'm working back from some health issues, so I've got a lot of training to do, and some closer to home hiking with the fam is my plan. I've never been farther camping than family-in-law's backyard, or guide camp back when I was a kid, so lots to learn! So glad I stumbled upon your channel (among others), it's been very helpful with gear rec's and other advice. BTW, have you done a video yet on how to kit out for a _family_ beginning backpacking? I hope to drag my teens away from screens this summer :D
@@annethornton9938 I love everything about this. I HAVEN'T done a video like that, but I've been thinking about it. I'm hoping to get all 3 of my kids out this summer at the same time, so maybe I can make it happen this summer. The two tents I have for trips that big (and don't break the bank) are the Kelty Late Start 4P (you can usually find it for $150ish somewhere online). I can squeeze me and 3 kids in it, but 4 adults would definitely be tight. I also picked up an Ozark Trail tent at walmart on clearance for like $40. But I had to waterproof that one myself because I just don't trust Ozark trail.
@@DoseofDirt I look forward to that! Thanks also for the rec's, but as I'm in Canada (and a low pop area at that), the price doesn't translate on the Kelty. After checking out several of the big box & chain stores (sadly only one outdoor retailer nearby, and prices mostly too high to start with), I'm leaning towards 2x2P tents for us from Amazon. Looking mostly at the Naturehike Cloud Up 2 & the Mongar, both highly rated, the second people say is a a great clone of the MSR Hubba Hubba. Maybe both are heavier than truly lightweight tents, but I think they meet a reasonable balance of price, quality, and weight. Did pick up a new sleeping bag from Ozark Trail, though, great for the Camino, light, highly compressible, and will work as summer bag here too.
1st video I found of yours. impressed. Subscribed. Used your link to order my own! Thanks! Great ideas. Hint- to focus on small items I have seen many videos where an open palm is placed behind the tiny item. Focuses perfectly, quickly. That was the only part of this great video where I had trouble viewing. Hope that helps in the future. I will be following you now that I found you. Going now to view some of your past offerings. ;-). Thanks again. Very happy with my new mods to be.
To carry my ul umbrella i clipped an old shoulder strap off a water bottle/canteen pouch bag that had gotten a hole in the bag and clipped it to the piece of cord at the end of the umbrella handle. Whennit looksblike rain but hasn't started yet i take the umbrella off the side of my pack and hang it to my side by the strap. When it starts raining i open the umbrella and just clip it under me packs sternum strap against my chest. The extra weight and connection of the shoulder strap helps keep it from being pulled out from under the sternum strap by the wind.
Love this! I have made my own trekking pole holders for my last two packs. I actually bought a couple toggles that have little hooks on them from Garage Grown Gear (used on many packs for the ice axe storage), so you don’t have to stick the poles through the shock cord on the shoulder strap and can just wrap it around and hook it. Love doing stuff like this. So easy and incredibly useful! Good stuff my dude! 🤙🏼
I've been curious about those loops you can buy from GGG (and other places). Sounds like you've been pretty happy with them? Maybe I'll have to give them a try and compare. I wonder if I could find the hook things separately. THAT would be awesome!
Last night I added a shock cord criss cross to the front of my Osprey Renn that doesn’t come with a front stretchy pocket. And then your vid popped up this morning. And now I can look at my other packs and do some more mods with your ideas 😊
Really useful information - thank you! Would love more of the same if there are any more mods you can show us to backpacks, tents - any gear really. Cheers!
Great DIY modifications Jeff, I also like to make a little straw leash for my soft flask on my shoulder strap. Thanks for sharing where you acquired your crafty supplies.
NICE! It's been long enough since I got my 3F (non-pro) that I don't remember if it came with extras. That's cool that 3f includes some with at least some of their packs!
Great clip bro! You only need the bottom loop, I use the ice axe loop on my Osprey Talon 44 for my poles and I open my chest strap and thread it through the straps on the poles. Really easy really secure. 😎
Great video, now I have trekking pole holders for my Nero! BTW the link to the set you have linked on the toggles etc only have one size of the oblong toggles, when I first clicked on it it said item no longer available but there is a similar pack with only one size long toggles but several other sizes/shapes. Thanks !
Would like to see you try out this backpack ventilation system from Vaucluse …. Wondering about comfort and if it’s something that would rub a hole in pack eventually on a through hike or rub a hole in your back??
Love it! Putting a trekking pole holder on all the packs. Have you had any luck with an umbrella on a lighter day pack. I have the Flash 18 and was thinking it would be very useful for day trips.
The trekking pole holders are a game changer! I don’t see why the umbrella holder would work on a smaller pack. I will say it works much better on packs that have a sternum strap. But ya, as long as there is something on the straps to hold it it should work, I think. Now I want to try it on my smaller packs. This umbrella I have is super light (I think just like 6oz). You would probably want to make sure you have a light umbrella. If you try it let us know!
Not quite yet! I'm planning a trip with some long days with it within the next few weekends and will finish the review then. Just want to put some longer days in with it first. But honestly, so far I am LOVING it. It's light and super comfortable (but is a bit expensive).
Honestly really liking it so far. It’s really comfortable for how light it is. I haven’t had any super long days with it (hopefully later this month!). Hoping to get a review out after my next trip. It’s a bit pricey at $300 but if you use a member coupon or points then that helps. So far I haven’t found a framed pack that’s this light for this price, so it’s definitely got some things going for it!
@DoseofDirt I've tried it on in store with 30lbs for about 30 mins and found it comfortable as well. I'm holding out for the anniversary sale on the 17th to see what sorta discount they put on it. I like your idea for adding trekking pole loops (like what osprey has). I love this feature so I can eat snacks while walking mostly. Thanks for the idea!
@@PT_Hikes Exactly! Ya, I used to buy Osprey packs specifically for this feature, but now I can add it to any pack I have! It's awesome! Hopefully the discount for the anniversary sale is good since it's an REI product!