Does Dan Becker Know What He's Talking About? A Weird Backpacking Q and A 

Well Mr…. ‘I was an amazing guide who spent 200 nights a year on trail and backpacks 4 times a month.. blah blah..’ 🤮 Not a bad rebuttal.. touché, Eric… Touché.. see you in a month

Great Vid guys. Love to see the humour and banter. The older I get, the more I realise life is about good relationships. This seems to be a good relationship! 👍🏼

That was fun. Always enjoy you and Dan interacting. You make a good pair on video...

I do love watching both of your videos. I guess I was crazy on my first backpacking trip was 74 days and 14 countries in Europe at 61 yrs young. My second one was also back to Europe and the Lake District where I unfortunately broke my leg. Next year I will be back in Europe but with my 17 year old grandson so hopefully I won't be carrying 40 lbs at 63 years old and I won't break any bones LOL. But watching your videos the year before last helped me make decisions on my items that I took with me when I went to Europe. Please keep up the great videos ❤️

My 1 company would probably be REI. Their store brand is reliable and competent. I started out with an REI tent, pad, and pack and still use them though I have upgraded each of those to lighter (and more expensive) equipment from other brands.

You and Dan make a great "duo", it's more entertaining that way! Keep it up! About discussions on bears, yes bear spray is important, but always mention not to put food items in your tent!! Make a bear line for food away from your camp!

Two Kings of backpacking! ... I just love love love watch these tag-team videos! Thank you to both of you ... I've learn a TON! 🙏

I LOVE how you provide links and I don't have to say, 'oh crap, what was that sleeping bag again?' That tells me you were a very courteous & thoughtful guide. I floated the middle fork of the Salmon River a couple of times here in Idaho and sure could've used one!

Outdoor Vitals spends more time on their advertising than on product development using quality material & workmanship. The company does have some gear / products that are on par with other companies, however, across the board their products are mostly inferior. Tayson jumped on Dan Becker's coat tails early on to use his RU-vid influence to push his products/ gear. Mystery Ranch, Big Agnes, Sierra Designs...are all worth looking to first. Unsponsored & Unbiased opinion from a "Gear Head"

Absolutely fantastic! It is so informative hearing the two very well qualified perspectives on the same set of questions. An excellent illustration is their answer to "How long should be your first backpacking trip?" Dan is correct, in that one's backyard is a great place to test out your gear. Eric is correct, in that one needs to take a short hike to test out the comfort/fit of your backpack. Gentle, both of you are true assets to the backpacking community.

Haha, made me lol. One company limit, I would say REI. They have retail stores all over the place so you can actually try things on.

Awesome video as always with you two 😎

Really good video with two of the most knowledgeable and fun hiking men.

I hope you guys (you & Dan) will be making another video soon!! Together, there is sooo much knowledge and very entertaining.

Eric I love hearing you say that you carry 30+ lbs. I've been backpacking for a year and a half and I don't think I've seen an ultra lighter yet. These super lightweight numbers that RU-vid hikers carry make it feel unattainable when you're first getting into backpacking and don't have unlimited funds.

I found it intriguing that you led off with solo backpacking. My introduction to back country camping was with my Boy Scout troop. Talk about a lot of people. Then I got to a point where I camped in general with 2 to 4 other people whether it be in a camper or in the back country. I never thought of solo camping. Like Dan I am social. However 2022 was my return to back country camping and I am now 52. I don't have anyone that has the desire or physical fortitude ( I didn't fitness because I am still old and out of shape) to hike 5 or 10 miles into the back country and live in a tent for three days. The only one who goes with me unconditionally and enthusiastically is my little Blue Heeler, Pepper. You said "learn to love yourself", what I enjoyed this summer was the solitude. Just the peace and quiet and being alone with my thoughts. I solved all the worlds problems and found all the various paths to enlightenment and most importantly no competition for the fishing spots. I will give Dan the nod on "first trip". I see your point but I thought I would take my wife (then girlfriend) on her first back country trip. She loves everything camping so I thought it was a no brainer. I picked an easy 1.7 mile fairly easy to maybe slightly moderate incline. Beautiful mountain lake. She hated every single thing about it and the 1.7 miles might as well been 50. Putting all the "crap" on her back and walking it straight to hell was the dumbest idea I ever had. I would have much rather taken her 50 feet off the road and camped the same way and found out she hated it without the extra mileage so we could have given up and went back to the camper.

tip when your on a tripod like this setup turn off auto focus or get a faster lens but you should be good turning it off too much wonder with your setup

Dan is absolutely the best on youtube. All around the best.

That was great! Thanks for the laughs!!

I agree with your spend vs. save items, except I’d add good socks as one clothing item on the spend list. On that note… good luck hiking in your Sea to Summit shoes as your one brand. 😃

Eric, I think you came up with a great idea! You and Dan should comment (in a Mystery Science Theater 3000 style) on a backpacking movie or skit. It would be hilarious. Maybe you could do each others' YT sessions as commenters... 😁

Love it. Two different perspectives, just fun and accessible.

Just curious if Dan knew you were making this video before it launched?

You Dudes Rock that’s for all your videos

Backpacking with a drone is serious. I'm pretty sure I've bagged more summits with drone footage than anyone one else on earth. Drone plus batteries, bag, nd, etc etc itself is heavy and if you put it in your bag you won't use it so which is why mine is an accessory bag hanging off my pack.

I literally commented on his video I would've picked cascade designs because they make msr thermarest and platypus. but it is kind of a cheat answer. and I think the only backpacks they make are daypacks

Excellent. Great video. One question, does Dan change into skinny boy jeans when he is off camera or is it a rumor?

When I saw Dan using that 360 camera, that clips out the selfie-stick, I was wondering why neither of you were using GoPros or some lightweight equivalents.

Lmao he’s only seen one bear ever and has a hiking channel where’s this guy hiking Manhattan 😂

Where to $pend vs where to $ave (beginning)? Spend: Trail-runners ($130), Quilt ($180), Hip-pillow ($18 Klymit-X), Titanium-spoon ($13), BRS-stove ($16), Bic ($3) Then: GG Crown-60 pack ($140), Bivy ($110), Toaks 550ml ($27), Trekking-poles ($50), Nitecore headlamp ($40) Save: Thrift-Store pack ($20), Foam-pad ($5 thrift-store), Tyvek ($12), Blue-tarp ($15), Clothing no-cotton, Rain-gear Spend, is lifetime top-tier necessary gear. Then, is good-deal gear that'll last; first upgrades for a year or so. Save, will get one through first few trips cheaply.

I thought Dan was going to say Backcountry for his one company since he’s always making jokes. 🤷‍♂️

I’m with you on Sea to Summit. First co. that came to my mind. They make a lot of gear and it’s all good.

If I fly to where you are at will you take me on my first backpacking trip? Awesome video! Thanks for all the content!

Eric, what about bringing Dan to the UK sometime?

Cheap- our troop has used a bunch of used Kelty tents for a couple of years. They cost $35 and weigh 2lbs per kid to carry…

OMG BP TV, i lmao watching vid. I picked a good one to watch first!

Lol 😂 you guys crack me up 😂 😂🤣😂

If Dan is Jim Halpert, then this guy is Andy Bernard.

Dan likes "anything alpine", you would go anywhere in the world... winter Olympics are just at the foot of the Alps in Italy: you could convince him easily and have the chance to see some nice events. If you do, let me know :D :D :D

I do love and trust MSR products however, sticking with one brand is just like handicapping yourself. Buy the best offering out there no matter who makes it.

This is gold.

This was great!

I now understand why Dan‘s camera man looks rather lean and fit, where else Dan on the other hand …..

Good job. I like Dan too

I think we need to hear this squirrel story...

Have you guys ever try a sable sleeping pad ?

Oh boiiiii, do you edit your own videos, or someone else? Fun idea, but wow, out of the gate first question you dis Dan for not solo’g, and you’re using his video material for your content. Like your 2nd answer was a respectful, pro approach. Love you both!

You guys are F-ing hilarious. Thanks for the vid.Have you ever seen "Girl in the woods" do her satire on bush crafters. So funny if you follow those guys.

I think I might consider funding Dans adventures in Africa... If he is ready to do there his bivy bag series 😂

My sea to summit sleeping pad is the only one I can use as a side sleeper

Ok… bears… the reason @Dan Becker has never seen one backpacking is because he hikes in groups. (Important suggestion) and probably because he talks a lot too… I’ve seen bears hiking and last year got huffed at by one from a grove of trees.

Ok, I really need to know this squirrel story.

lol.. you just hope sea to summit notice this and get you some free stuff haha... what about clothes and shoes ? a single company ? also, why are you keep losing focus? what camera is that ?

I’m sorry but I feel like we need to go back to the squirrel. Please do tell!

This was a fun video!

But..., Bearspray really stings when I apply it under my arms.

Hahaha love the exact same setup looool

All I got to say is I like Dan Becker

Dan should do a solo trip tho at least once for real

This was cool

MST3K!!!! Have you seen their live shows: RiffTrax Love both you guys' channels. Keep it up.

Now kith. *in Mike Tyson voice*

man, you can't just drop a story about a rescue squirrel and then not give us details! 🤣

Lol

😂

Eric, I watch you on YT and Outside TV. I like you, but this Greco Roman orgy is making me sick. I'm feeling like you're "Jumping the Shark" ....... just one guy's opinion.