Been a backpacker for a few decades now, and this was the best packing tutorial I've seen/read. I'm gonna adopt a 2nd bag too...thanks for sharing, Andrew.
im watching this as a person who am glad to say i actually already pack just as you do... however unfortunately i had to learn on my own through homelessness and critical thinking... however i really really enjoy your style of video. . youre calm, informative and to the point without being too general. i loved the vid
Thanks, Andrew! I really needed this. I've had a system for packing duffles, but not backpacking, and I've paid with fatigue, muscle soreness and inability to reach goal stops on time. Now I'll know what to do next time. Funny how one key detail can change everything. Have a great day! ^5
Andrew, this was an awesomely efficient and helpful video. Thanks so much! I have a backpack from F-Stop Gear that's geared to carry easily accessible photo gear as well as a ton of other gear (70 liter bag), and your expertise has helped immensely. Again, thanks so much for doing this.
He mentioned doing that in more rainy conditions. That lets you pull out clothes, etc. separately and they stay dry while you pull out your tent and get set up.
I prefer a proper pack liner and then have my clothes in a small dry bag. It's much more efficient because the roll top closures really keep the water our even after opening multiple times during a wet trip and trash bags don't always. They are more durable than trash bags so the cost will be the same or less after multiple trips.
Ben A I’m a real novice but for now that’s my preferred method, my logic being that if water were to get inside the pack, at least it won’t affect individual items as I have them inside their own dry bags (sleeping bag; clothing; etc). As of right now I don’t really think I would feel the weight difference if I got rid of all the dry bags - I have pretty heavy stuff for each of all my ‘big 3’ items
also i use tyvek kitty litter bags for inner storage. the petco by me tosses out at least 25 every week and a half... i just wash them out real good.. but still it WAS new product so not much worry.
I can't decide if I should put my down bag inside a waterproof bag inside of the compactor bag. Or just a regular stuff sack. The redundancy seems excessive but also makes sense if the compactor bag were to fail to waterproof such an integral part of the kit.
Amazing how you made it simple in less than 5 minutes. So much learned from your video and your answers to the comments. Thanks for sharing. Do you use rain pants in rainy season?
a couple of weeks ago I went on a day hike with some florida trail volunteers in Big Cypress. I weighed my pack before I left the house; including consumables I was at 21lbs. One of the other hikers had a hip pack with 1L bottles, small snack, and minor EDC. Assuming I'm pragmatic, will to dispense of some comfort, and have a mix of ultralight and light gear... what should the individual systems weigh for a day, overnight and 4 day hike be? Any guess?
Your pack should weigh what it needs to weight. It's most a function of trip objectives and conditions. My pack for 3-season conditions usually is between 10-15 pounds before food and water. Add 1.5 lbs per day for food; water is very location-dependent.
Yea it really is down to your preference. I am 6'4 and 220 so I need large sized things which weigh more and like to carry a few extra comfort things for my 3-4 day hikes. I am big and strong tho so can carry it. Just takes practice to figure out what you need and are capable of carrying comfortably all day. 21 pounds is a lot for just a day hike.
question for anyone that knows I am new to hiking and backpacking just started this year and ive seen some people with their sleeping bags or pads attached to the outside if that something maybe I should try and how come people do that rather than putting it inside the pack?
Sleeping bags, Pads, and tents are often the biggest bulkiest items we carry. For someone who doesn't want to commit to a larger pack, or someone who over packs, or someone who plans on being out for a substantial time will do that. You would be surprised at the amount of people who over pack for an overnight hike. The trick is figuring out what you actually need versus what you think you need, and finding which way to pack is easiest for you.
Correct, Daniel. I use 20-gallon Brute Super Tuff trash compactor bags. Available from Amazon, Wal-Mart, etc. One roll will last you nearly a lifetime of backpacking. Light, waterproof, inexpensive, easy to replace, and effective.
Let them air out. I don't think it will make a difference to wildlife, but the smell may be less noxious for you. Fake lemon smell does not smell like real food. Mini-bears and especially bears probably know the difference. Plus, in the scheme of things, this factor is going to make a very small difference in whether you have wildlife in camp. If you are using high-use camps where campers regular drop crumbs and bury leftovers, there is a much higher chance that you will have wildlife problems.
That's the new SD Flex Capacitor 40-60, sierradesigns.com/flex-capacitor/ I've been posting information on my site about it for several months now, andrewskurka.com/tag/flex-capacitor-pack/
Are there things you prefer to have on your person instead of the outer pockets of the pack? (if you were to lose your pack you might be forced into a survival situation without tools)
No, my clothing is mostly pocket-free. The only exception is my compass. When I'm using it often, I girth hitch it to a shoulder strap, and drop it in a pant pocket; otherwise I drop it in a side pocket on the pack. Why would I lose my pack?
sitting on the side of a cliff and your pack rolls off into a gorge? Or maybe a critter drags off with it? you're traversing a stream/river and you let go?
none of that is going to happen. spent thousands of days in the field and have never had my pack lost or stolen. no sense in planning for something "just in case" that seems to have such a low chance of happening.
Stuff in your pockets just gets irritating while you are walking. The losing it in water scenario is the only one that seems likely and so maybe strap on your survival knife and put a couple one square meals in a zip up pocket before fording. Just remember not to ford if it's above the knee and moving faster than walking pace and you shouldn't fall and lose your pack
No dude. No one does. You always want both hands free while walking especially when it is raining. A rain coat and pack liner is all you need but to stay really dry you could use a poncho tarp.
@@mradios4671 I bring rain pants, but rarely use them, even on the rain. They are more for protection from cold and wind on the summit, of necessary. You can get a decent Frogg Togg UL setup, jacket and pants, together for about $20 here in the States.