Backpacking Gear I Regret Using 

This panel can put out close to 100 watts ru-vid.comUgkxOqI2yqX0XVrhR2BMJciTWrHJpG8FhJyg when positioned in the appropriate southernly direction, tilted to the optimal angle for your latitude/date, and connected to a higher capacity device than a 500. The built in kickstand angle is a fixed at 50 degrees. Up to 20% more power can be output by selecting the actual date and latitude optimal angle.The 500 will only input 3.5A maximum at 18 volts for 63 watts. Some of the excess power from the panel can be fed into a USB battery bank, charged directly from the panel while also charging a 500. This will allow you to harvest as much as 63 + 15 = 78 watts.If this panel is used to charge a larger device, such as the power station, then its full output potential can be realized.

I dont think its okay that thermarest was going to leave you high and dry until they knew you were a youtuber. Kind of speaks volumes on their customer care.

I love how Thermarest couldn't help you until AFTER they found out you were warning the rest of us. THEN suddenly they cared. That tells me everything I need to know about buying Thermarest products from now on.

I have to give a shout out to Exped. I had an exped sleeping pad for 7 years when it blew a baffle. The exped warranty is 5 years but I decided to call them anyhow, more to see if it was fixable. before I could even finish my sentence the person on the line said "don't worry about it, we'll replace it". I asked about turn around time, which was 3-6 weeks. I lamented that I had a camping trip the following week (I called on a friday and I was leaving the next friday). They said don't worry about it, and expedited me a replacement which arrived just in time. Exped may not be the lightest pads compared to thermarest, but they have made a loyal customer out of me. When my son needed a sleeping pad I bought him an exped as well.

Nicest critique of a Thermarest product ever. When that video was first posted I was amazed that you had not played your "youtube influencer" card. They only learned your status from the blowback they received once you posted your video. You kept it classy. Very cool.

Thermarest has just been placed on my “no go” list. As a business owner myself, I never treat one customer one way and act differently when I think Im being “seen” by the consumer public. That is disgraceful to me. No way would I buy one of their products now. I actually would have respected them more if the procedures they have are what they have. Their response wasnt about apologizing to you, it was to cover their backsides

I honestly love how open and neutral you are with equipment. You give good reasons why they didn’t work for you, but also give reasons why they would work for someone else! Love this channel! Thanks Dixie!

"Quick" note on the solar chargers: 1st Don't charge your device directly, charge a battery pack 2nd you need to make sure, the exposure is right. 3rd make sure nothing EVER blocks a part of the panel 4th MORE WATTS! The SunTactics S5 is a 6W charger. That is 6W in ideal conditions with perfect exposure and neither cloudy skies nor occasional straps or trees casting shadows. In reality, it will probably at best deliver something around 3W. It will take ages to get a good charge out of that. There's also the issue with some charging controllers recovering from the occasional shade or charge interruption. Some combinations just don't pick up after an interruption. Bottom line: if you want to rely on solar power to charge your phone (through a decently sized battery pack - don't charge your device directly) you're looking at the 15W and above solar panels and together with a 10000mAh and bigger battery pack you're looking at 800-1000g. They are a lot more convenient if you have something like a base camp for a day or at least a few hours of uninterrupted mid day sun.

That Thermarest situation sucks. They only contacted you because of your video and your influence and the impact it could have on them.

Thermarest is off my list for responding to "OMG we're on RU-vid negatively" instead of to a customer.

Your water proof gloves reminds me of when I wore waterproof socks in cave. It was a hike through a huge borehole for a couple miles through an underground river (I am a caver, but I never went caving in a cave so wet and decided waterproof socks were the way to go). I trudged through the river and when I got out I thought my boots were full of water. Got to the truck, took of my boots to empty the water and no water came out. I then realized my waterproof socks, which when submerged and I lifted my foot swallowed tons of water, were like water balloons. I now just wear a nice pair of wool socks no matter how dry or wet the cave is. If I get wet, the wool stays warm.

My accordion. Shouldn't have taken it. I imagined the relaxing music in the evening after a great hike, but I should of stuck with the harmonica instead.

Amazing how accommodating a company like Thermarest can suddenly become when they realize the bad press they can get by screwing over a popular RU-vidr. The rest of us will still be left sleeping in the dirt.

That's a shame about Therm-a-Rest, when we were on the AT in 2011 and my wife's Big Agnes sleeping pad started leaking, we called and they overnighted a replacement pad to us in Gorham, they just took credit card info and said if we didn't return the leaky one within like a month, we'd be charged for the new one... that's a company that cares

This may be a little controversial, but I regret my EE revelation it was a 20 degree quilt and after a handful of nights it just didn’t keep me super warm. It only got me down to about 30 degrees comfortably. I recently switched to a katabatic quilt, and although they’re more expensive, it’s kept me warm up to almost 10 degrees below their comfort rating.

I regret bringing my neighbor, a spoon fork knife kit, Boy Scout mess kit US Army mess kit and a number of other things and people but mostly the neighbor

So Thermarest doesn't care until evidence of their failures reaches a wider audience? Good to know.

So, what you're saying is that when we have a ThermaRest issue and contact them for support we should first identify our self as "Dixie"?😂

For Hiking Boots, it all depends on your feet, and on the quality of the single model. Lowa has indeed some low price options, but I have to say that while my feet are quite troublesome (they are flat, one is quite a bit flatter than the other, to the point of making it 5mm longer, I'm prone to plantar fasciitis, and they have basically different temperatures) I have to say that my Lowa LAURIN GTX MID PRO paired with a good pair of hiking socks (double layer) and at least for a good leather insole to substitute the original lowa one, do the trick. They work great and until now I didn't experience blisters (my record is 28kms with 1400 meters of altitude change including an iron path). You have to find what is good for you, some only need a 100 bucks pair of shoes, some just need something worth 200 bucks or more. Anyway, my boots are for alpine use, not meant for backpacking, as their very stiff and also have the option of mounting traction cleats and snowshoes, so they are meant to be used in high mountain, rocky paths, even for mountain climbing on iron paths. For ankle issue, it's not only about having strong ankles or ankles problems. It is related to the use, if you have to walk on easy well-maintained paths, low boots or trail running shoes are the way. As one moves higher, as the paths get more uneven, mid boots or high boots are recommended to prevent sprains, high ankle boots are used in the most difficult terrain and lower temperatures. Personal preference is a second option when it comes to safety. No good hikers in italian alps go around with low boots and trail running shoes on screes..

Thanks for sharing your experience with Therm-a-rest. It would be nice if Therm-a-rest offered those other options to all customers and not only the ones that do product reviews on RU-vid.

I regret using a pot without measuring marks.... rehydrated food is more consistent with proper water amounts.

I actually like using the Gravityworks system. I drink a lot of water while hiking and I use the 2L clean reservoir with a tube. Don't have to reach for a water bottle and don't need to stop for a drink. I know it adds weight, but for me, I can live with the extra weight for the readily available water. Other than that, I regret buying the tiny gas canister instead of the 7.75 oz. one and ran out of gas on the trail.

I guess when one of the hiking community’s top RU-vid producers calls your company and says - Hey guys you’re product failed - twice - on me, can you help me out - a smart firm sits up and gets it done pronto. My guess is Thermarest’s customer service department either didn’t realize who Dixie is and the influence she has (whether She realizes it or not 😄) or than the company itself has a poor Customer service policy on purpose to protect profits. Which ever it is - this is a perfect reason to rethink how they interact with their customers and how they train their people That said REI just got a huge thumbs up from this - something I know I won’t forget

FYI: The Sawyer squeeze is being sold at Walmart right now for $19.97 in the hiking section! I bought mine yesterday thanks to you, Dixie!

So a customer service rep at Thermarest screwed the pooch. And some higher up tried to fix the bad PR, and damage to the brand. After seeing how many people watch your videos. Too late, damage done

I think we have opposite feet. I can barely travel 3 miles in trail runners before my feet are in excruciating pain, but I regularly go 15 - 20 miles with a pack on, in Lowa Renegades. Feet are funny individual things. I am convinced that Thermarest's first response is what people without 200K plus following on RU-vid should expect. I bought a different brand and couldn't be happier with it. Last year I upgraded my pack after a decade and several thousand miles, my shelter, pad and bag through REI just to eliminate any potential, "on trail," problems. It's well worth a couple of extra nickels for me to get support and service. Sometimes we get what we pay for, but if we don't get what we paid for it's time to move on. Happy trails!

Having any inflatable sleeping pad spring a leak is a huge deal for a hiker. Whether its a manufactured defect, or accident along the hike. I always hiked with the following insurance. One, just take a simple closed cell foam pad too. If everyone in your group does that, and 1 or 2 or more people's pads blow a leak, there's insurance comfort for the important sleepy time. You simply cannot guarantee you won't spring a leak somehow. Two. The absolute best portable quick leak repair kit is...pink tape! Pink tape (or Hy-Tape brand) is used in operating rooms to attach anything to anything; it is resilient, water-proof, durable, miraculous! Forget about patch kits until maybe you're in your living room. I have had pink tape on therma-rests over 20 years still working perfectly as leak preventers, applied in the field! Bug your doctor or nurse friends, or do anything you can to lay your hands on it! Miraculous is the right word to use.

I work in a chain outdoor store and my main job is selling boots, trail runners, and other footwear. It's a shame to hear that the Lowe boots hurt you. They have a good reputation. I've found that some Lowe boots have a very long break in time, and they are usually designed to prioritize toughness, long lasting, and wearer protection. Usually with boots like that the break in can be HELL, as well as being kind of rigid and heavy and sometimes hot, which doesn't work for everyone. A lot of my customers would agree with you about trail runners being the best for hiking! More flexibility, lightweight and better breathability are more important to them than durability, and protection. It's all up to what works best for you. Great video!

I regret using a Light My Fire 8 piece mess kit. I had just started backpacking and saw how many pieces came with it for the price and was like, “Yesss!” It wasn’t just heavy, but it was so many pieces for no reason! I didn’t need two smaller bowls with lids inside of my big bowl, a cutting board/strainer, AND a collapsible mug. It always flew all over everywhere no matter how hard I tried to keep it organized, and the spork in it broke on me twice. I kept the mug and threw it inside my new UCO mess kit. I know most people don’t even bother with a mess kit, but I want to keep my JetBoil spotless for years to come.

I know it's personal preference, but a non-freestanding tent: specifically the 3F Lanshan 2. Lighter weight be damned, after a few nights in that thing I went out and bought me a freestanding Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 2 and it was worth every extra ounce and penny. That tent fills me with so much joy when I get in it each night, and each morning when I can just pick it up and shake out all the crap I've tracked in with me.

Fun fact about the gas station at Snoqualmie. My uncle was the architect for it. It was his first commission out of college. As for the therma-rest issue, personally I’ll never buy another inflatable pad again. I tried for years to like them but always end up getting holes or ripping at seams. Now I just use good old foam pads.

I managed a handful of nights in a Marmot Voyager55 near Rainbow stream in Maine. Mostly on my back, the LL Bean commando sweater was warm, but I simply couldnt roll over. Wish Id bought Marmot's Large instead of the regular. Similar problem with Chinook 32 but not as bad.(one size fits all). My Marmot L/G rainparka is lovely, but never been worn. Asian sizing. Seams would burst if I wore it. I abandoned the Army surplus 'Goretex" after a May shakedown before the Maine trip when the cuffs allowed ice cold snow rain mix to run down my sleeve each time my trekking poles were raised. Thank goodness for the Bean heavy Sheepswool sweater I was carrying. It was a cold spring in Mass, and in Maine. Shakedown hikes are essential. Dixie thank you for thousands of miles of wonder. I'm sixty one and been training to get back my 15+ days. Could not be happier. Please keep hiking. 'Running Water' Mike Bolduc from Simsbury CT

I regret getting a single person tent. I'm a 6' male and it just isn't enough room for me.

Boots vs. trail runners - I recently finished my thru-hike across America. I started with Lowa Camino boots 1,100 miles through the Southwest and Rockies, wore Hoka One One trail runners for almost 700 miles through eastern Colorado and all of Kansas, then finished the final 2,200 miles of the trip with Vasque Breeze III GTX boots. For my feet I've found that boots work better. The trail runners were nice and soft on my feet but I found that the lack of stiffness on the soles forced me to change my gait in such a way that it caused muscle tightness and fatigue up the backs of my legs. Once I went back to boots that all resolved. (By the way, I used some of your ideas when filming my journey - thanks).

Great video, well-thought out. I work off-trail in the west where gaiters are essential to keep cheatgrass and foxtail seeds out of socks and shoes. Bought a zip-up pair in the 1990s that recently died and bought a velcro replacement pair. Note to self: velcro and cheat grass do NOT play well together. Also your shoe analysis was spot on. In the last 30 years, I have had exactly one project where I got to use trails, so I have to use boots. However, as I get older, I have been trying to find the lightest boot with adequate traction available. Heavy boots are great, but they destroy knees over time. Trailrunners are perfect for people who are traveling on trail, I wish I could use them.

When using solar panels, remember the law of the conservation of energy. That solar panel will intercept maybe 400 Wm⁻², and it's efficiency in converting that light into electricity will be around 15%, so you'll get out about 60 watts at maybe 24 volts DC and 2.5 amps (at the backside of the solar panel). Then your charging device or battery pack will have to convert that to 5 volts for the USB input for your phone, and any time energy moves from one place to another or changes its form (light to electricity to chemical) then there's another loss involved. If you're using a square solar panel that's only six inches on a side, then you're only going to start with nine or ten watts, not 400.

I highly recommend hiking boots for seniors (I am 72) and in places like the Knife edge in the Goat rocks (which you showed a clip of). That stretch of trail beat the crap out of my feet. One thruhiker who started in Campo stated that was the worse section of trail on the PCT.

Dude, a magic dog just appeared behind you then a few seconds later disappeared in a instant.

A note on gaiters: living and recreating in Oregon, I discovered the Traverse and Brambler gaiters by First Lite. I've been wearing them religiously for off-trail excursions, Wilderness trips, and archery hunting. I cannot recommend these enough! They utilize a strap (kid of like spats) that runs across the arch of your shoe/boot to help keep them in place rather than attaching to the top of your shoe. Even in the rainiest season, they've helped keep my legs dry from calf down, are very durable, and I've yet to have so much as a pine needle get in my shoe.

I also had a problem with wearing boots, until I changed to a much thicker pair of socks. Then I also got an army tip that is amazing: use two pairs of socks. A thin one that sits tight against your foot and prevents any rubbing and a thick one that provides an additional cushion against the shoe.

Wool socks pushed down keep debris out of my shoes.

Up here in New Hampshire, I wear Outdoor Research Bug Out gaiters in warmer months, mainly because they're treated to kill ticks on contact. Although many spots in the White Mountains get very cold at night, even in the summer, Lyme Disease is still a thing up here anytime you're not shuffling through snow.

Hey Dixie! Thanks for all the info! I will be doing a NOBO thru-hike in 2021! I am from PA and have hiked about 60 miles of the AT here so far - and a part of NJ. I love your informational videos and your thru-hike vids were awesome. Currently, I use trailrunners for the same reason about the clunky boots! I have three pairs of hiking boots I don't like to wear because they are so heavy and bulky. Also, thanks for the water filter info. I just bring water in microlite water containers, but from all I am hearing, I don't want them because they are heavy. So, I am grateful for your review on the Sawyer water filter. Thanks again!

For anyone looking for good waterproof gloves, sealskinz are amazing. I've had mine for years and theyre still totally waterproof - I've often held them under a tap and forgotten they were on but hands stayed totally dry. Gone on full day hikes in rain and stayed totally dry, they're pricey (£25-£40) but defo worth it. I always use gaiters but not for dirt, for water - hiking in england means a lot of marshy moors. I find that ones without a strap going under the boot are useless because they ride up at the back. I think the dumbest thing I've taken hiking was two cartons of UHT milk for cereal...

Funny how they never bothered to reach out until you posted a video! If you had been a normal hiker without a RU-vid channel they would have just brushed you aside like a fly!

Biggest regret is ever eating any mountain house/ about any other freeze dry stuff on the market. It kills my insides. I have transitioned to eating more real stuff. Knorr pasta and rice sides, cous-cous, everything bagels, BACON!!, packaged salmon tuna, homemade jerky, dehydrated soup mixes, trail mix, kind bars, granola, chocolate, the list goes on forever if you use your imagination. This system utilizes ziploc freezer bags for the packaged knorr type stuff. Seems that 2/3 of water in the directions is about right and put the ziploc in an insulated pouch for thirty minutes. I hope to start dehydrating some meals late winter.

Thanks for the candid, and honest evaluation... Happy Trails

Consistently good discussion on gear, thank you for the video! It could be worth taking a second look at gravity filters, they can work well. The water bladder I use for drinking has the same attachment as the clean water supply from the filter. This means I only need the dirty reservoir bag, filter and hoses. Using the 2L dirty water reservoir bag and re-filling multiple times saves weight. To save more weight, the dirty reservoir to filter hose line can be shortened to a bare minimum. In the end, it's only 4oz of weight for me to bring the gravity filter beyond the water bladder I would bring anyways. I truly like that I can do other things while water is filtering, like re-up on sunblock, eat, etc.. Last, bringing a piece of light weight line (perhaps the same line used for bear bagging) is key for making the gravity filter really versatile as it can be hard to find that perfect branch. You can throw the line over a branch, attach to a carabiner, and then hang the dirty reservoir bag from the carabiner. The only real issue I've ran into with the filter is just needing to be sure to de-clog it (blowing/sucking on the filter, both ends to get everything out), and once the flow-rate gets low then it needs a really thorough de-clogging or replacement.

Great video. hiking boots: I prefer "real" boots - love my Vasque hiking boots. I've found soar of the Merrel Moab are too thin and I feel the rocks too much. I prefer something thicker and stiffer. I do love my Merrels for walks, really short hikes, and as my general-use shoe. For running on the road: Under Armor Thrill 2 are much too soft and offer no support, Asics Gel Venture 4 are a little too hard, Asics GT-1000 are great. Cell phone charging: you can't have enough extra power with you. Sleeping pads: being able to sleep is my single biggest problem while hiking or camping. I can't sleep on the ground. This sleeping pads are useless. I need to try some inflatable pads. Water filters: I have a MiniWorks EX, but I have not used it yet. Gear that I think is over-rated: * hydration packs. I prefer bottles. They are much easier to drink from, to clean, and to fill. They are also less expensive.

Great information, I have issues with Thermarest coming to your rescue, just because you put out videos and are a so called "influencer". Their customer service should be the same for me as it is for you. Enjoy your videos, keep on trekking!

There is something to be said about proper boots, they are like an insurance policy, you don't understand how useful they are until the bad stuff happens. I understand some people would hang them to trees when they arrive to the hate-too-much point but that might simply mean that they have the wrong pair of boots or they use them the wrong way. They have to be chosen carefully, one has to try them on an inclined footboard, with the assistance of an expert person, one has to consider what kind of "foot shape" one has etc. That said, when I broke a leg I did have boots, i.e. you can broke a leg in any case, but in the hospital the first question they asked me was: "did you have mountain boots?" and they asked me that because they see a lot of persons arriving with broken legs and "ordinary" shoes. My advice is "safety first", or at least be conscious that what you trade off for "comfort" is your safety. Also, if and when you have the right pair of boots, you have the same confort as with any other shoe. I don't take off my boots when I am at the peak or resting, and I don't take them off at all after the one-day excursion: I keep them on during the walk in the town, during the meal at the restaurant, during the drive home. I never feel the urge to take them off. I just feel my feet are very compfy in my boots. I take them off only at home to have a shower... Boots can be perfectly comfortable if they are chosen carefully. Use some vaseline when they are new! Use two pairs of socks! Train your feet gradually to boots, you cannot use new boots on a multi-day hike! Never use cotton socks! If you cannot use clean socks, alternate them (put the right sock on the left foot and the other way round). Do the right things, and you will never feel the need to use something else. I re-soled my ones already multiple times and I repaired them when a seam went broke, because a pair of robust and comfortable boots has no equalin usefulness for a hiker, and I know that when I have to replace them, I will do it with a lot of tests and patience. I do have another pair of light boots as a "backup" when my boots are at the shoemaker for maintenance.

I've tried all kinds of stoves and pots. Glad I found ways of eating well without cooking. Very liberating. No dirty pots to clean. No soot. No fuel to carry or worry about. No refueling. No stove breakdowns or other problems. No fumes. No smoke. No wasted time. No waiting for food to cook. No adjusting the flame. No burning of food. No difficult cleaning jobs. No extra stuff to carry. I like using homemade MREs in slider-lock bags.

Hello Dixie, thank you for sharing another informative video. All the best to you out there on the trail. 🤗

It’s because of your video’s that I can make a better choice in gear. So far not regretting a thing. Thank you for all your time and energy 🥰

Dixie........I just received my permit number for a JMT hike this year.......finally 5 years of trying has paid off. Go figure though, the one year I forget to check permit for Half Dome is the year I am accepted. My wife isn't as thrilled as myself, but hopefully the hike she loves, for next year is the year I am trying to convince her to go on the PCT. I will say, the last year of watching all your videos has and will help me tremendously. Thanks for starting your channels. Among all the negative and positive folks out there, you are making a great difference with many. Looking forward to more videos.

I love my Big Agnes tent, Platypus GravityWorks, JetBoil/MSR Pocket Rocket, Altra Lone Peak hiking boots, ThermaRest pad that fits into a ThermaRest backpack chair, Big Agnes sleeping bag, bicycle gloves, poles. That is for short trips with friends and we split items up that we share. If it was ultra light thru hiking, I know I would need to lighten the load. My pack is usually about 30 pounds. I like getting items at REI, but also like to support local adventure stores.

Hey Dixie! Thanks for sharing!! I’m new to the backpacking scene and all I ever see is what I SHOULD be buying not what I SHOULDN’T. This gives me a good idea! Can’t wait to get started on my journey!

I find people's preferences fascinating. I prefer boots, while you do not. Even my preferred everyday footwear are boots. And I think it is interesting how the only way to find your own preferences is to try it out first. I like your approach on your channel; you offer your personal preferences and respecting someone else's. Personal preference doesn't mean it's right or wrong. And because of this approach, I've found myself binging a lot of your videos. LOL

AMEN ON THE HIKING BOOTS. March 2014, Day 3 of AT thru-hike (yes, Day 3, literally) just before Blood Mountain, after my boots rubbed and irritated my left Achilles for two days on the up/downs, it felt the Achilles pop as I started up a steep incline. Four years of planning and very-well-broken-in boots (apparently just not enough on ups/downs), and there I was. Took a couple days to ice it, then hiked on to Unicoi Gap where Mama Goose and Miss Janet hooked me up with a trip into Franklin, NC and 76 Outfitters. Bought trail runners, but the damage was already done. By the time I hiked from Unicoi to Franklin and the Rocky Mtn Foot & Ankle Clinic, my hike was over for sure. Doc said he was amazed the Achilles was even still attached, that it was torn badly, but not completely severed. Ended up having a vehicle brought out and road supported my son and his friend all the way to Katahdin. Actually was a blessing because I quit slowing my son down and he was off to a very successful hike. Also had some minor issues with Thermarest in the first month, so bought my son a Klymit Static V (76 Outfitters, again) and he never looked back. Six years later that same inflatable pad is still working great. Good times on the AT....

I hiked for years in leather hiking boots. They were incredibly good all year round; from the bottom of the Grand Canyon to snow banks in Glacier National Park. I broke them in by soaking them in water, then hiking. After 50 or 100 miles, they were perfect. However, they were taller than the currently-popular "mid hiking boots". Perhaps 7-8 inches rather than 5.5 inch mid-highs. They could not rub my Achilles tendon as you describe. They were also terrific on rocky trails. They were so supportive that stepping on a rock was nearly as stable as stepping on flat ground. The rock simply lifted me vertically; there was zero rolling or twisting or "feel" of stepping on a bump. I walked places in those boots that I would not want to walk in trail runners. Not many, though. Since then, I've been wearing Merrell Moabs. I love 'em. They don't have the support of the leather boots, but they are lighter and don't need to be broken in. Recently I walked around the store in a pair of Moab Mid Boots. I had exactly the experience you describe; they bit into my Achilles Tendon uncomfortably. And that was from walking a few hundred feet on a smooth floor. I couldn't imagine trying to walk miles in them. So, yeah, I mostly agree with your conclusions, and would add that the industry seems to be somehow going in the wrong direction, boot-wise. If I felt a need for boots again then I would get good leather boots and break them in. Otherwise, trail runners are terrific for most trails. PS: Love your channel. Thanks for all the work that you do to make it so excellent!

Things that did not work: bivy, tarp, solar charger, umbrella, sleeping bag, folding sleep pad, GG airflow sit pad, polycryo ground sheet, wind proof gloves, too small of raincoat, baseball hats with handkerchief, hats with brims all around, exposed skin with sunscreen, double layer socks, backpacks with water accessible on one side only, not using diesel filter fabric and not carrying the sawyer syringe on AZT, trying to soak home packed foods in their ziplock, wood fired cook stove, cat food can alcohol stove, backpack with breakable frame, paper maps...will stop and take a breath lol😎

I just had to have a hydration bladder. After using it only a few times I realized how much of a pain it can be to refill it if your pack is loaded down and also to clean it. I have switched to water bottles and the Katadyn BeFree water bottle filter. I love it : )

Great vid. I'm usually out with my kids or a group, so I always have my platypus filter just for easy volume. I didn't really trust it at first, but it's been about 9 years now and nobody has ever gotten sick on what comes out of it. Easy peasy!

Jessica- I wear boots- made in Italy -Vasque Sundowners- 40 years old. Been refurbished and re-soled. Never fail, leak, or wear out. Carry a Kelty external frame pack too. Old stuff works. Proud of your work.

Thumbs up just because you said “panties in a wad” 🤣 with your accent

High top Merrill Moabs are my favorites and I have hiked a ton. (Nothing like you, of course) They have never let me down.

I use 8 inch high boots. Some are like canvas tennis shoes made for desert and I love the protection from debris. Love the cheapest air fill ground pads. Ten pads for the cost of one that will leak because everything leaks eventually. I prefer a pump filter. I use it in the winter and it leaks less so I can sleep with it and it never freezes. Freezing a water filter is going to destroy the internal structure of most filters. Like you a smile is my must have for backcountry travel. I bike pack with a trailer. I ride long dirt roads and single track but I’m old and don’t record my musings.

I had similar to your Thermarest experience with my Exped pad. No warranty because I lost the receipt. It was just a plain faulty pad, as the seams came apart where it was glued together while sitting in my closet. I was lucky I had an extra pad in my car, backpacking in the Smokey mountains at the time, so I just grabbed my HEAVY (REI base camp 2.5 xl) pad and was back to sleeping like a baby. I replaced the Exped with a Klymit and it is going strong 6 yrs later. In a way it was a blessing, as the Klymit turned out to be much more comfortable than the Exped that failed me. :) The North Face blew me out of the water with their no questions asked warranty on a 16 year old tent. They paid to have it shipped to them for inspection and a week later they sent me a gift card for what I paid for the tent because they no longer made that tent. So I bought a nicer tent from them and also a backpack to compliment my Osprey Aether 85. Eddie Bauer has treated me the same as TNF, so I continue to support them also. Customer service is KEY.

Great R&D ... I use the “LifeStraw” by Vestergaard lite weight simple operation. Or Aqua Straw personal water filter. Both have ZERO hiccups. And For power supply “Hi Speed” USB 2600 mAh by Energy Solutions .

For backpacking: a Luci Light. Great for car camping, but generally completely unnecessary for me while backpacking. I now get along fine with just my headlamp.

My two cents, REI self inflating pad. The valves failed, and so for the remainder of the trip it was okay to get to sleep,, always woke up with it dead, and it was still a very good thermal ground protector. Nothing I could do for the next two months I was out,, but REI swapped it on the spot when I made it back to the store. Katahdin water filter. Colorado River. suspended bag system, a need for 2 to 3 gallons per day. The filter did its job for 15 gallons,,, not the advertised 10,000 gallons. And in the fine print of the many page brochure, of course, sealed inside the box when purchased, the solution was to replace the 41 dollar prefilter,,,, It would seem that the only water that it could filter was clean water. REI took it back. My biggie. Canoe trip,, 1,000 plus miles,, broke my white water paddle, got a quick note off to Werner Paddle from a station, informing them and asking for help at the next civilization,,, Page, Arizona, just prior to entering the Grand Canyon. No help what so ever. The site said Customer Service,, the only service offered was Company Service. They could have sent me another. They could have shipped one and I would have paid by credit card, if they had a retailer in Page,, or someone they sold to regularly,,, Nope. Nothing. Nada. No help for a busted graphite shaft. No option on getting a new paddle, paid or free, Nope. Just send it in at my expense and they would look at it and repair or replace. That same 4 to 6 weeks stuff. They are geared ONLY for weekend warriors who drive in, paddle their six miles of river,, and drive out. Someone who actually uses the paddle for a month or two,,, nope. I liked that paddle. It worked not only well,, it was spectacular. BUT,,, they do NOT have a customer service department. They have a "Go stuff yourself department". There was no acknowledgement that I was stuck going into the biggest canyon on earth with a 3 POUND repair on the shaft. Werner sucks,,, big time. I like their paddles,, but I'll never give them another dime of my money. They have forgotten who employs them. ALPS Taurus tents. I love the little ones. So of course, if I wanted a large tent, I went straight to them and paid considerable extra for the 'Outfitters Tent'. To them that meant taking exactly the same tent, dropping the heavy stiff 13mm fiberglass poles and replacing them with 11mm aluminum,, of questionable alloy. The second night I used that tent,, a thunderstorm,, wilderness, full fly, outfitters tent,, screwed that tent right flat to the ground. I slept the night wet, cold,, and a tent pole hammering me in the face lying flat. The tallest part of the tent in the AM was my butt. Complete waste of money. No help. No swap... No option on getting the original 13mm fiberglass poles. An "outfitters tent' designed and speced by some college educated bean counter, who has never slept outside of his mother's basement. What works,,,, Clipper Canoes out of Abottsford, BC. Fix, repair, instant customer response, the strongest canoe I have ever dealt with,, a true 10 out of 10 and Bending Branches paddles, special, spectacular, customer service, custom needs, excellent gear. another 10 out of 10.

I appreciate honest videos like this, thank you for letting us know what to avoid!

General customer: Too bad, so sad. RU-vid video: Oh we value our customers. Lets make this right.

Customer needs thermarest’s help- “nah 4-6 weeks dude” Thermarest finds out customer is actually a huge outdoor RU-vidr- “HEY what do you need, is there anything we can do to fix the situation and reduce our negative exposure of our product? Thankkkkkkkssssss”

My chair system is incorporated with my sleeping pad. The chair system protects the sleeping pad, and I bring a patch kit for my Thermarest. Sleep is important. My buddy had a campfire ember put a hole in his Thermarest, but luckily he had a patch kit. I am no ultra-lite backpacker though, I come prepared. Another buddy used a solar panel charger and it worked great. (not your brand) BUT we stayed in the same place for two nights, and just did day hikes to explore. We had a sunny day to charge our electronics, and it worked great during the sunny no cloud in the sky day. I would imagine if you are hiking all day, with no time to "sun charge" it wouldn't be as good, or even a cloudy day. We did notice it worked best while charging in the sun, and charged slower at night. Thanks for the video, and we have all had shoes we've regretted. :)

This was really helpful! i can't wait to get back out on a trail. Would you recommend trail running shoes (for mudraces/ocr's, etc) for hiking if its only a few miles a day?

Spork OMG Never again. Long handled titanium spoon is where it is at.

One the items that we will never purchase again is the Sawyer mini. It continually was clogged up. We love our sawyer squeeze with a Cnoc Vecto bag there’s an attachment you can buy on Amazon that allows you to use these two items as a gravity flow system

Thanks for the heads up on the Therm-a-rest!

I had issue with the Velco coming off the shoes so I started using Rubber cement from the get go when everything was brand new. Works GREAT! I agree with you on the use of gaiters. Hiked with and without them and my gait says you better wear them. Nice Video. Thanks.

Best waterproof gloves are a really good wool liner glove under playtex dishwashing gloves. Yes, the ones that are 5$ in any grocery store.

I love my Lowa boots, so does my partner -- they're fantastic! When we go hiking/portaging on rocky and wet trails hiking runners are way too slippery. Also with regard to solar panels, there are better ones that you can leave attached to your pack with some carabiners and they charge your phone the entire time while you're hiking. We rely so much on solar when we're out and we love it!

I'm almost the exact opposite across the board. Wanted to like trail runners, but got tendon pain almost right away. Always leaving my gloves in my bag (even in winter) because I get too warm. Swear by my platapus because it is so convenient (and the best option for groups in my experience, it'll support a small camp), and I'm also more inclined to drink enough because filtering water is less tedious. Goes to show how everyone has slightly different trail needs. Agreed about gaiters though. I haven't found them helpful beyond keeping my pants slightly cleaner. Haven't tried the solar chargers, but I've really enjoyed the light weight solar lanterns that'll strap to the outside of my bag during the day. Makes me less worried about dead or forgetting to pack batteries.

I have quite the opposite experience with Thermarest. I had a slow leak develop in a seam and called them. At first they asked that I send it in. After I reasoned with the person that a emailed video could provide evidence for them and at the same time saving me shipping costs; they agreed to a video showing the leak. I put it in water and zoomed in on the bubbles. They said that they'd gladly replace it but I needed to provide proof of destroying the value. I sent them a picture of the pad with the value removed. They sent me a new one and I think it only took 3 days. They were awesome!

Thanks Dixie, found that useful. All the Best.

Thanks Dixie for all the great content. I agree on the boots! Trail runners all-day! Where you going next?? Hike on!

To find a good hiking shoe is not easy, because each foot is different. I for example have a high instep and a broad forefoot. In my experience, it is no good, buing online or just from the shelve. Such boots are expensive anyway, hence I buy that from a specialized dealer, where i can get advice and can try them out: Left and right, because there may be differences. ----- Regarding solar panels, I fully agree with you. The vendors scarcely state clear what the effiency is, like "in bright sunlight you can charge a 10.000 mAh powerbank in x hours up to full" or so. In my opinion - and experience - solar panels are only useful with a BIG area. That means foldable in the size of your rucksacks back, and should be there preferable the whole day. And, there are advanced technologies that increase the efficiency. I got one for about 70 $ and I am satisfied, because it yields a maximum of 24 watts, that is 4,8 A. A recharger delivers 2+ A, so even with less sunlight that is comparable to that tiny thing you plug in the wall. ----- I liked your video, and: Excuse my poor english, I'm Austrian :-)

That's one of the biggest reason i use REI to buy the majority of my gear. I had a tent that was a new model the last time i was on the AT and everyone i met with that rent had either the tent poles break or the material rip and they all struggled to work with the manufacturer (i want to say big agnes but my memory is very bad and this was several years ago) and i just contacted REI and returned them no issues. I love REI return policy so much

Inflatable pillow. I sleep on my front so at home I'll use a really flat pillow, and often end up hugging it under one arm anyway. I just can't get along with inflatable pillows, though. They feel like they force my head back and I sleep fine on a jacket or with nothing when I'm camping. It only saves a couple of ounces, but happy to be able to do without something I don't need!

Thermarest UK have a good rep for quick service. It's a shame thermarest USA let you down, it's almost worse that they only offered to help in Ernest once they knew who you were.

Hey Dixie! I love your channel, we totally have different styles of backpacking but I've learned so much from you. I wanted to say that I use a Platupus Gravity filter. It's the only filter I've ever used. I drink a lot of water. I'll go through my 3 litter water bladder in 7 hours or so. Being able to filter a lot of water directly into my bladder, even with a full pack, is very convenient. After I fill up my bladder I'll carry a full dirty bag to camp for cooking and washing. For me the system works great.

Hi, and thanks for your video 👍 I'm just sitting in front of my equipment for my tour along the Rhine starting tomorrow and thinking about how to reduce it. I am still on the way with my lowa boots because I have some problems with my ankles. So far it works. I think I will try out trailrunner shoes on short distances. I bought a separate solar panel, which should provide enough power together with two small power banks for phone and photo. But yes, the whole thing is quite heavy. With Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite I was also unhappy. Leaking at the seam after a few days on the Camino. A simple and cheap mattress, which I bought in Spain in an outdoor discounter, works perfectly since then.

I regret not researching and listening to my dumb friends. I ended up carrying a surfboard the whole way.

Wow, Therm-a-rest is now definitely on my no go list.

Great video good smooth format and b roll ty

I love my platypus filter! Got on prime day a year or 2 ago for around $60. I rarely take the 'clean' bag or water bottle attachments along, just the dirty and the filter unless I'm going to be in a dry stretch and need to carry extra water anyway. I hook it into my hydration bladder or filter into an empty water bottle. I do like the ability to back flush it and have never had a clog so far.

IMO, best way to go with waterproof gloves is a good non-waterproof glove with a (separate) legit waterproof mitten shell.

The lowa boots made me laugh .. why ? .. because i walked for 20 years on any given shoe .. but finally bought lowa s .. and they are for me by far the the best i had on my feet ..!!! No blisters no pain spots and no sweaty feet ! .. i actually feel stupid for not buting good walking shoes earlyer .. but he i guess its personal .. feet and people are different

Great advice Dixie. Thanks!

Check out the XPeti Thermolator mid high top hiking/skiing/outdoor women’s boot. The tongue of the boot is integrated in the boot itself to keep debris and water/snow/particles out. These boots conform to your arches, have toe and heel protectors. I love mine, and it’s great ankle support. You can wear them in the severest cold temps if needed and the treads really grip in all terrain situations. These rate a solid 10/10 for quality and price, and they are under $80, which is wonderful for all the features of super expensive other brands. I have plantar fasciitis and had foot surgery with professionally made inserts now, and I end up walking a lot without the pain. The boots come lower than the over the ankle type I first mentioned, but for my situation, the mid high tops are perfect. XPeti makes other shoes/boots for other situations. I also ordered merino wool socks 🧦 to keep my feet dry. NOT A PAID ENDORSEMENT, just a very thrilled customer.