I always hike in long pants and shirts even in the hottest regions. Actually keeps you cooler in hot weather. it’s a form of shade - and a layer of protection from critters and sharp objects. Let alone skin cancer.
I’m figuring this out for myself now, also inclined to light, flowy, breathable long pants and sleeves. I might make a loose rayon boho pants. But would they flap too much in our NM winds?
Personally I wouldn't count on that too much I haven't found it to make a difference personally 😬 if it does work for you that's super awesome but if you aren't positive I'd still do a thorough check each day@@ckg5937
Gear I have ditched for good are 1) waffle sleeping pads, 2) rain pants, 3) packs with too many pockets, 4) Grayl filter, 5) fleece jackets, and 6) stuff sacks.
I carry my tent on the outside for the reasons that you've outlined, but also/mostly so I can easily lay it out to dry during a hike break (without unloading my pack).
I have been feeling so down today and was so happy to see you posted a video today! You really inspire me to hike when I feel like laying in bed all day. You really are impacting others with your content and I'm so glad you are! Love seeing someone so genuine and even though i'm an adult I still look up to you!
the fact that you took time to post such a positive comment whilst you are feeling down shows what a good person you are. so many people are negative when they are down and turn themselves into trolls. it may seem silly, but put on a jacket and just go stand outside for five minutes. then maybe, if you are up for it, walk (around the block?) for five minutes. embrace the silly! wishing you well.
I'm definitely on board with the tent on the outside of my pack. It gets wet, it's the first thing I need when I get to camp and the last thing when I'm leaving camp. I've switched to long pants and shirts, too. In addition to the sun protection (lots of skin cancer in my family), I like the protection from abrasions, poison oak, etc,, and I can use permethrin for protection against ticks and mosquitoes and use less repellent on my skin, which also keeps repellent out of any bodies of water I might swim in.
Thank you. I enjoy seeing equipment conversations relating to evolution and why the change. Always gives a person something to think about and a perspective you may not have considered. I have used the Showa gloves and similar for decades. They are a staple glove in drysuit SCUBA diving. You can find them and different styles and brands through various equipment distributors. You know they are good and waterproof if they are being used in deep, cold water diving. Keep up what you are doing!
Solid, honest reviews, well done. Thanks for distinguishing between things that you didn't functionally prefer, and those that you had reactions to. Too many people get their egos and personalities wrapped into preferences, but you spoke to tangible reasons to include or exclude specific products. As a lifelong hiker and a 6 year volunteer search and rescue operator, I very much appreciate honest reviews like this.
Fun fact: hand warmers don't go in your palms, they go on the back of your hand. They goal is to keep blood flowing to your fingertips. That is done by keeping your veins warm. The veins are on the back of your hand, not the front. Enjoy the toasty fingers!
Dixie, I'm 100% with you on putting the tent on the outside bottom of the pack, it just makes sense! I can highly recommend the LightHeart Gear rain jacket as its only 6 ounces and fully waterproof with 20" pit zips, two hand warmer pockets on the outside and two pockets on the inside. The jacket has a PU permanent coating doesn't require DWR. I also have the rain pants. My Zpacks Vertice is now a wall hanger 🙂
Take your packs to the shoe repair guy or the sewing ladies and have them add straps or webbing to the packs. It's like 10-20 bucks. Or you can not do that because you need an excuse to buy another pack.
I like my tent on the outside as well. I ordered a ULA pack with one of the side pockets ran nearly all the way up to the top of the pack. One big stuff sack for the tent, spikes, and poles if used. Also had enough room left for cold soak pot. (Keeps it on the outside of the pack as well and holds it in an upright position. I really enjoy this addition/change!
rain jackets are generally coated with a waterproofing product, the product has worn off of the coat, just purchase some and re-spray the coat. hope that helps!
I was thinking the same thing. Whenever anything like that starts wetting out, it needs the waterproofing reapplied. I've used Nikwax on mine, and it has always fixed the problem.
I like the LightHeart Gear rain jacket coupled with their rain kilt and they also sell rain pants. Pit zips are huge on it and it comes in more colors than the enlightened equipment does.
I like the bottom loops too. But I criss cross them over so as to be more secure and add a lanyard and half hitch that to some other part of the pack so if it (the tent) somehow, impossibly, comes lose it will swing about, hit me on the leg etc If you leave a guy rope hanging out that serves as a lanyard.
Nice real world feedback, sorry to hear about the skin cancer. Having had a section of my lower lip removed for skin cancer, I can truthfully sympathize, a highly unpleasant experience. I also have some auto-immune allergies - mild skin conditions. Some of the products for sunscreen can cause a rash but there are some that don’t give me an issue, to anyone who has run into that, there are some products that are good to use. I would also recommend periodic visits to a dermatologist for anyone that loves being outside, well worth the investment in time for an annual full body checkup. Safe travels!
3 things I’m ditching: 1) long handled spoon. Those are for the deep pre-packaged meals I rarely use anymore or if I do, I split them up. Am making my own and they don’t require. Spoon is always too long to pack well. 2. My so-called “waterproof” gloves. Last winter I’m lucky I didn’t get frostbite. Switching to warm liners and mitts. 3. Pack cover and rain coat. Going with a poncho. What’s the point if rain is just seeping down your back in between. Not sure if poncho is the answer, but I’m trying it this year.
I use a poncho. It keeps the whole pack - padded hip and shoulder straps, plus everything in the hip pockets - completely dry. I can remove my pack while still wearing the poncho so I can get to my tent or whatever. If it's pouring rain, I slip a garbage bag over my pack while I'm setting up the tent. A wet pack is no fun the next morning when it's cold, and it contributes to moisture in the tent all night.
I've always carried my shelter on the bottom of my pack as well. More room in the pack and easy to get to when you get to camp. No bottom straps is a no go when shopping for packs. I'm also thinking about ditching the backpacking chair. I tend to hike in areas that have a lot of sandy soil and I seem to spend more time adjusting the chair and getting backup from the tipping over than sitting in it. Going with a sit pad for a few trips and see how it works out.
They were probably my favorite pair of pants last summer vacation. No need having to change to a slightly warmer pair of long pants in the evening, just rezip the legs!
I need loops too, I think pretty much all long-distance hikers & backpackers do, but I just bought two of them separately, so that I can add them to pretty much any pack. I don't carry a tent, but I do carry a woollen cape, and need it strapped onto the outside of my pack when I'm not wearing it, so that I can put it on or take it off quite easily. I don't like having things strapped onto the top or the bottom, but strapped onto the back of the backpack does suit me fine. I've never used anything except trousers -- for protection against the Sun, sure, but also against thorns and stinging nettles and other nasties. I'd like leather gloves for my next one.
I'm 100% with you about having the tent/tarp on the outside of the backpack. All backpacks should have straps at the bottom. Make them removable but not loose so that you lose them when not in use. Speaking of pants, today there are so many nice, thin tights, so hiking pants are gone for me. I rarely wear shorts, when you're in the woods, bushes etc. tear your legs. In open landscapes, I think thin tights work just as well as shorts...or very close to "as well".😅 Thank you for good tips!
I always hiked in shorts, too but I’m in my OR Ferrosi pants all the time now. Ordered the Patagonia granite crest for waterproof pants. Not cheap but supposed to be waterproof and breathable; always the dream. Montbell versalite can’t be beat for a rain jacket. 2 years on mine going strong.
Boots vs shoes: I've always used boots. They did me well on both of my thru hikes across America. However, I've gotten it into my head that I want to walk "naturally" again. So, two years ago I started wearing Xero minimalist shoes to get my feet strengthened and my walking mechanics back to the natural state. I'm wearing them for my next thru hike across America starting in March.
I was mostly surprised that you mentioned not wanting to use hiking boots and a rain cover for the backpack. It’s two of my must haves😅 I guess that just shows how every hiker is different😊
A backpack that doesn't stand up by itself when loaded is one of my greatest pet peeves also I hate that. When I do look at a brand new backpack first thing I do is look at the bottom I have to have a way to strap something on the bottom and also it has to be flat enough to where it will stand up or it's a deal-breaker.
LOVED IT! I had several allergies, and the docs told me at this moment in my life, I have ZERO allergies. How did it happen? The "THINK" it is my autoimmune issue (I take Enbrel which is an immuno-supressant) and it straightened out the things my body reacted to. So, for the time being, all 16 of my environmental allergies, and a few others like certain clothing, are gone. Hopefully, one day, you can say that too!
For rain gear, generally you are supposed to reapply a water repellent to them bc it will wear away. You may have thrown away a coat that just needed a routine maintenance reapplication of water repellent. (unless you'd done so and just didn't mention it in the video.)
If the rain jacket is truly leaking it means the membrane or the seam tape is compromised. Water repellent is there to keep the jacket breathable, not waterproof. Sure it would help but only for a quick shower.
@tt-of4xv I believe she said the seam tape was fine, but that the overall material was letting water through. Which just tells me it's time to apply more water repellent if she hadn't done so. :) I dont think you want waterproof on a rain coat, or else you'll be sweating. I am fairly certain that water repellent is the correct variety of protection when it comes to rain coats. :)
@@TieWolf You should check how those high end rain jackets work ;). There is a PTFE membrane sitting under the exterior fabric that blocks LIQUID water (=waterproof, up to a point) but let some vapor go through (=breathability, up to a point). Yes water repellent will help but it won't fix a truly leaking jacket (=dead membrane or seam tape) in any substantial rain. Water repellent can only fix a jacket if that "leak" is in reality your own sweat due to the lack of breathability.
I second! I got the yellow vest, promptly lost it on a trail after I'd worn it only a couple times and bought a replacement as soon as I could afford it again. Lesson learned, put a strap through the sleeve and secure! Loved it enough to buy one for my son who hikes as well.
I’ve never used the loops on the bottom of packs in all my years of backpacking. 😂 Last year I picked up a used Mariposa and like putting my tent in the tall side pocket. The variety and amount of outer pockets are my favorite thing about the Mariposa. I like having my tent and stakes on the outside of my pack, but I also like that I can take my pack off and set it on the ground without setting it down on my tent. I take my pack off for a few minutes at a time throughout the day to allow the back of my sun hoodie to dry out (I live in CO and our dry air dries out my hoodie pretty quickly).
My rain jacket is a top 3 item in my entire backpacking closet. If ever I needed to buy another: it would be the exact same one, again: Mont•Bell Versalite
I bought the arc zip, same profile as the haul, but if you fasten the hip belt together before you place it on the ground and dip it forward a little it stays in place. Might work for any backpack with stability issues.
I agree with you about the Showa 281 gloves. Super-durable, waterproof, grippy, good dexterity but they are not warm. They seem to be made of a very conductive material that just drains the heat from your fingers from my experience.
MontBell makes incredible UL rain gear but it’s pricy. Also for gloves, Kast makes a legit 100% waterproof and very warm glove with good dexterity. They were about $100 when I got mine ($50 on a Black Friday sale). I’m very happy with them.
I am with you on having the tent on the outside but I use the side pockets. I roll it long and I keep the poles on the other side. The side straps work perfect for securing it. That way there's nothing bumping on the bottom or on top. Also there is less to catch on bushes, etc.
Sad to hear you had to abandon your Patagonia Baggies. Been wearing mine since the 1970's. In fact, I carry no long pants on a hike, only light weight rain pants (Frogg Toggs). I don't have the skin issues that you have, though. Enjoy your take on things. Nice.
@HomemadeWanderlust I have a similar issue with my hands being cold while biking and hiking, something I have found that is super helpful to keep my hands warm is to wear Polar Tech gloves and then wear the REI Co-op Minimalist GTX Mittens 2.0 over them which is a GoreTex shell. This blocks the wind and aids in heat retention, but if fine motor movement is needed you can take the mitten shell off and still have warmth from the glove under. Additionally, with the Goretex shell, this prevent the glove under from becoming saturated with sweet and making you hands colder. Hope this helps you.
The Montbell Versalite rain jacket may be an option to consider. I have one and used it a few times but not for days in the rain, but I do like it for it's lightweight, quality, pit zips, breathability, and seems to do a good job keep be "dry" and not sweaty. Two things that I don't like about it: Expensive and waist cord arrangement is a bit odd (at least on my older version).
I got the showa timres 282's which have a faux fur liner. I use them in colder temps, esp when I'm filtering water. Heard about the unlined ones from you, so I'm thankful and definitely not ditching them!
Ah this is why I carry my tarp in my mesh pocket!!! Set that up and then I can set my hammock up without getting my quilts wet. Or just set up the tarp for a lunch break
I’ll probably never backpack again, but watching and listening to you is delightful. Also, if I find myself around people wanting to talk backpacking, I feel armed. Seems as though you are happily getting your life organized as you want it which makes me happy, too.
I used to keep my tent on the outside until it somehow got slashed scrambling over rocks in the Wind River range. Patched it up but tents are expensive and vital. Maybe a tougher stuff sack ( Kevlar would be nice) would work.
I love being able to attach things to the outside of my pack. And my shelter is number 1 for the reasons you stated. I've never hiked in shorts as I don't want my legs scraped up by vegetation. My fingers (left hand) get cold and hurt because I had frostbite once so a GOOD pair of gloves is an absolute must!
Hey Jessica! Do you already have a pair of rain mitts? I manufacture UL waterproof mitts in Finland. Most rain mitts on the market did not last long on wet long hikes I have done, so I tested multiple materials and came up with my current model. 36g/pair and non-breathable. Plenty of room for all kinds of mitts and gloves underneath. Also loops for hanging them from wrists. If you feel like trying them, I promise they work. Northern Lite is the brand
It is interesting that you keep your tent on the outside because I live in southern Utah and like canyoneering and thelast time I kept my tent on the outside it got torn from scraping the sandstone as we squeezed through canyons
This video shows your evolution as a hiker though others may not take that same judgement. I am with you on every point. My year around hand covering system is layered much like clothing; wool or synthetic liners that are stretch and dexterous without compression, then a seasonal mitten, then a Gortex outershell mitten. . My favorite is an older pair of Outdoor Research. In the Rockies US, wind and exposure are the challenges even ,more than rain. A lot of the ultra light rain fabrics, treatments or even membranes function seems measured in days and not years.
To keep hands warm, try "Hot Hands" on the underside of your wrists. It heats the blood going into your hands all the way to the fingertips. I use a wrist warmer like the fleece "Wristies", then the Hot Hand, then the outer glove of my choice. Keeps my fingers warm, even with fingerless wool gloves :-)
I carry my Z-pad on the outside but Dixie does not use a Z-pad so that's where her tent goes but you also need a nylon stuff sack if you do that because the Dyneema sacks are not abrasion resistant enough . . . My tent goes inside at the very top which I thought I learned from Dixie but I'll have to go watch that video again to check (cant trust my own memory) . . . . I load the pack so I can get to things in the order I need them at the end of the day as she instructed us so many years ago and that she learned from others on the AT that they learned from others . . . and then it depends if you have a bear Bannister or not and I only hike the PCT so I carry one often.
I have given away all my Goretex and other supposedly waterproof and breathable rain gear. I used $10 and ten ounce DryDucks on two thruhikes of the AT. Actually waterproof and really breathable, now available from Frog Togs. They don’t seem durable, but my set has lasted 4000 trail miles and still good with one small duct tape patch.
when I feel I need gloves my go to are golf gloves. they work very well for keeping my fingers warm but I am in australia so have never been through snow or much under 0 C but they work best for me when temps hit high 30's C protects from the sun and absorbs sweat. I am also a definite long pants and 50+ sunscreen and 8" leather hiking boots guy.
I loved my River Country trekking pole tent, and it never leaked and never did me wrong... but I prefer a free standing tent. Trekking poles great for some people, and I might use it again, but I splurged for the Big Agnes Copper Spur, which I'd borrowed off a friend, so I knew I was in love with it, and it's my dream tent.
Nice turquoise Atom pack on the left. No tent straps on the base. Tom @ Atom Packs would probably value any comments from you regarding straps on the base as well as the existing stuff pocket .
I like a lot of people have had gluten issues. These issues caused swelling and made hiking intensely painful. I spent four years strictly avoiding it. I now have none of the issues but I do sauna almost every day. If I sauna there are no problems if I spend two weeks without it the issues creep back up. I’m not sure the about correlation, but I thought I would mention it in case it helps others with allergies get back on the trail.
I add loops to the bottom of each of my packs. Problem solved 😉 In regards to rain gear.... I have my eye on a montbell Versalite. Sounds like a great option to me.
A good compromise is convertible pants that the legs zip off. You can always put the legs back on if you are getting too much sun or scratches from ground cover.
Regarding rain jacket recommendation; I use the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L, it was the highest scoring jacket on the PCT Gear survey at the time of buying it, three years ago, and it's still number 2, but far cheaper than the 1st spot. It has all I want, somewhat stiff, pit-zips, proper pockets, a hood and it packs small. It's solid and stylish enough to also be used for everyday wear, but light enough to be brought on trail, and it's colorful! Don't know if matches your criteria the best, but I love mine! Still completely dry after three years of both trail and everyday wear, been washing it with tech wash and tx-direct.
Agree about packs without bottom straps. My Mariposa is one of my favorite pieces of gear. The large side pocket was perfect for The Two but since I switched to the Duplex, I can never roll it tight enough to fit in the pocket. Hopefully they’ll add bottom straps by the time I finally need to replace it. Other than that, the Mariposa is the perfect pack for me.
@homemade wonderlust For warm fingers with dexterity, you can't beat WOOL "Glittens" as some call them. They are mittens with a cut out at the base of the fingers that allow you to flip them open when you need to handle your phone or whatever for dexterity. If you want to wear possum down glove liners, just get one size larger and the truly fingerless version. The half fingered might be too snug with possum gloves. Also get a type that has a sewn in leather palm to help with gripping your poles. They are lightweight, toasty and the military surplus ones are very durable. Others vary for durability. This should help.
Your older self will really appreciate that you stopped wearing shorts on your hikes. One of the best things about gear wearing out is that it forces you to try new products. So many advances happen that even a five year span can make a huge difference. I still like my whisperlite stove. It just works.
There's a NEW visp now available. I also had the old one and it also failed during warranty so I got refunded, last month I bought the new version. Not sure if the fabric is new though.. 146g with pit zips in a M. (I'm 188cm,80kg) there's only unisex sizing now but you're tall so you should be ok in a small. 😊 Great start to the video too, glad you left that in 🤣👍
I'm with you on the pack thing. I hammock camp, and regular packs usually don't have those "extra gear" loops on the bottom. In fact the only pack I have that does is my Arc Blast, however, it's not a choice for winter because you can't carry that much weight comfortably. So, I went through the expense of ordering a custom made hammock pack that has a long pocket on the back that allows me to stuff my top quilt, underquilt, and hammock down in it, with just enough space for my suspension and stakes for the tarp. (I have a stretchy mesh pocket on the side for my tarp).
I'm with you on the shorts. As much as I love wearing shorts in summer, your legs get scratched up by nettles, brambles, gorse, heather and stiff grasses in the UK. Last year had a really itchy rash all over my legs from walking through grass in shorts.
