I do something similar with drinking my cooking clean up water, but I just bring one mountain house style bag to cook in (repackage your meals into ziplocks). When you're done cooking a meal, just heat up a bit of water, put it in the bag and shake around the bag and then drink that, like you suggested here to not get food smells into the environment. And then your cook pot doesn't have food smells either... Oh btw, I bought the decathlon down jacket because of your recommendation. It's a great piece of gear, definitely punches waaayyy above it's price-point.
Weighing my gear was the big thing for me. I didn’t care about being ultra light so picked up good but heavier gear. Those ounces added up fast. My pack seemed super heavy but I still guessed it should be in the 25lb range. I didn’t pack extra stuff. By the time I added food and water I could barely lift the pack onto my back. Later I put everything into the lighter pack website and found I was carrying around 40lbs of gear. It was a long 76 miles. I got a an ultralight tent and backpack and dropped 8 lbs with just those two items. Ounces really do matter as silly as it seems.
Some time ago I did that, too. If you want to go lighter on a budget, your camping kitchen is a good place to start. If you have any steel in there, switch to titanium or aluminium, depending on the item. Easy and relatively inexpensive to shave off quite a few grams (or ounces). I also looked at my sleeping pad and surprise, surprise, my Thermarest from 2007 was 90g heavier than a modern ultralight air mattress, though it insulates me way better and doesn't make noises. Not worth the hassle for me personally.
@@reeseoutdoors7491 I can't afford anything nice but I'd rather have the skills and knowledge to craft stuff than a £10k equipment list on a trolley lol.
Always great tips and info, Justin. Again, from a production stand point, I would just have your logo or avatar up on screen for like 8 or 10 extra seconds at the end of each video. You end the vids so abruptly that in order to check out the other clips you post on screen, we have to actually "rewind" in order to be able to click on them. Just my two cents. . . long time fan, my man. You know that : )
Great video and kudos telling people not to use rivers and lakes for dishwashing. Burying grey water is definitely a necessity in heavily trafficked areas. BUT..! Drinking cold, hand-wash = BAD IDEA. Please folks, do NOT do this! One runs the serious risk of ingesting intestinal bugs drinking hand wash. IF I used a pot for anything other than boiling water (I've read about gourmets that like to do this) I would soak the dirty dishes with water, scrape with spoon, rinse and wipe with a dish cloth that I dry on my pack. That's good enough. If you work out your cook system you'll just boil water to make dinner in the pouches and dirty dishes will not be an issue. MUCH cleaner and safer for everyone.
I have been trekking for over five decades and as a teenager would always get blisters. Because my skin is sensitive to synthetic and woolens cotton socks were and are the way for me. So I have been using atleast two pairs of socks or at times three pairs of socks worn one over the other. This helps in allowing the gliding and sliding to take place between the layers of socks, thus eliminating friction on the skin and hence no blisters. Many may disagree which is okay, because everyone has their own body systems that they know best. I have simply shared my experience. And yes, I'm over five decades of living in the wild almost every weekend and that amounts to plenty of experience. ATB, The Solo Hiker.....
Hey Justin! I just wanted to say thank you! I'm BRAND NEW to backpacking and your channel totally inspired me to get outdoors and helped me choose some of my gear! Keep up the awesome videos and thanks for all the tips!
Ooof! Thanks for the xotoes tip. Ordered some direct from them as GGG didn’t have them in stock. Big injinji fan, but happy to try something new. So happy now that I have a nice fitting ultralight pack and the gear that makes sense for me and my hike.
You gave some good hints. I use wool outer socks with thin synthetic inners. I've never had a blister since (more than 12 years . . . that's as old as some of my socks). Some folks use slippers or crocks to cross a river then dry their feet before putting on their dry footwear. I just hike through. With the two sock system . . . like I said, more than 12 years. Oh, if you use the 2 sock system avoid waterproof foot wear. They take too long to dry and retain moisture inside them. I do freezer bag cooking or no cook meals. Dish washing . . . lick the spoon before putting a drop of biodegradable soap on it then drizzle some hot water to rinse it off - 100' minimum from camp and 200' minimum from water sources (rivers, lakes, spring, etc.) Put the freezer (Ziploc) bag into your trash bag and dispose of it when you get home.
I learned blister management from racquetball, where my lack of strategic skill resulted in frantic running/lunging and then blisters. A tight, very thin, very stretchy, synthetic inner sock and then a firm, snug, medium weight outer sock. No wrinkles allowed on the inner sock. It must stretch on to the foot, but without any noticeable squeezing or pinching. For hiking, I prefer the outer sock to be a medium weight sock, mostly wool, with really good body. The better synthetics with good weaving structure can also work or a hybrid where the synthetic provides good structure and body for the wool. Colder weather requires more wool.
With the weight, even the little things add up! I stopped using so many zip locks, removed unused carabiners, even weigh stuff sacks. Its crazy to think how much unnecessary weight can be shaved off
Awesome tips, Justin! Some of those I’ve learnt the hard way too 🫣😄 especially in the blister department… for me it also helped to switch from boots to light shoes. Here in Europe I’m still occasionally met with surprised looks as many people assume that boots are better. Besides blister prevention, I also don’t have any joint issues anymore, especially on the long descent days.
Preparation H for blisters. It's a skin contractant, will dry up a blister overnight. I was in the Army. I always thought blisters getting blisters was a TV troup. I was wrong. Preparation H dried and hardened them overnight.
I made the same mistake being over 6ft I picked a large frame but you have to be careful at least with Osprey my first pack was a 48 liter and large worked my next bag was a 68 liter and a large frame was too big it was riding on my rear end. I went to REI had them measure me and the pack was too big so I traded in for a small/medium and it feels great.
Wood ash is a surfactant and light weight. Half a handful in your dishes with water, some hand scrubbing, and your dishes are clean. But still, don't do it near the water source or your campsite.
Nice video Justin! I'm always weighing things. I have a kitchen scale for small things and a luggage scale for the larger items. Besides weighing when I'm packing, I also weigh using the luggage scale, when at the trailhead, right before I start. Then I weigh when I get off the trail, just to see how much has dropped from consumables.
Footcares a major point folks neglect, I have a 10l collapsible sink in the bottom of my Bergen and an aquarium aerator that runs off usb, footspa on the side of Sca Fell? Oh yes :-D And scrub soup as well, you've definitely earned a sub 👍
Ever since I’ve been wearing compression socks I’ve ceased getting blisters. They’re hard to put on at first and feel too tight for a few minutes but after a while you don’t feel them. What happens is that when they stick to your feel they don’t rub on them and take the friction, not your feet.
Excellent comment. Anything that sloshes around on your foot causes friction. Compression socks may not be required for all, but socks.and shoes need to fit.
100% agree with weighing gear. In fact I'm going to the store now to look at new sleeping pads and I'm taking my kitchen scale with me as I never trust the advertised weights. Thanks for another great video!
I had hot spots galore and occasionally some blisters until I tried on some Altra Lone Peak 6 shoes and my feet have never been happier. I'm wearing Darn Tough socks and really am curious about trying synthetic socks you've mentioned but if what I have works, is it worth the risk changing? Do the synthetics dry faster when you have to get wet from mud holes or water crossings?
The improper fitting pack problem is a byproduct of retailers wanting to make a sale. Can't tell you how many times I've tried on a floor model to be brought a newer one from the back that ended up being a different size. Retailers can't afford to carry a lot of units in the various sizes, so don't be afraid to look for the sizes and try on various sizes.
Last one is huge. Simply swapping out my jacket and fleece cut a pound. Now when folks go "oh a pound" well when base goes from 16 pounds to 15 pounds over 100 miles for 7 days its big
You're the only other one I know that wears toe socks. I wear super thin injini toe socks with a mid weight hiking sock on top. Haven't had a blister since I started this combo.
I washed my mess time in the army for years with soil and water, then rinsed with water. The soil acts as an abrasive. Never had the runs or felt ill once.
Thanks for this usefull video justin. One thing i suggest not to drink the washinupp.. its the hands you use for washing dishes, they have a lot of bacteria/virussus on them. Especial after prepairing food. It all depends...? Just lime you said, away from your camp uou trow it away. The vegetation/nature will take care of it. Greetings from holland
Hi Justin Your videos are very informative. You have been promoting Garage Grown Gear since your prep of the Great Divide Trail. How about a video about the nuances of ordering from an american website, having it shipped to Canada - similar to what you did when promoting Decathalon a few years back.
Ordered the REi Helix inflatable sleeping pad, regular wide based on Justin's reco. REi member's sale 30% off US$111.29 (Reg US$160) out of stock in Bellingham, WA ordered online to support the channel 👍. Could've picked up the Nemo Tensor insulated in regular wide, as it was in stock & 40% off, and lighter (1lb 3oz R value 4.2 vs , but I wanted a more durable pad for tarp camping. So US$111.29+US$20 international shipping to Vancouver 🇨🇦=US$131.29, PayPal's exchange rate C$1=US$0.7098 =C$184.95. Ordered May 21st, expected June 14, arrived May 31st but C$36.53 duty required payable to DHL. All in C$221.48
Oh now it's on sale 40% off US$95.39. But out of stock in Bellingham, in stock in Spokane, a savings of US$15.90. Oh and (Nemo Tensor UL insulated regular wide, 100% recycled 20 denier polyester US$229.95 40% off US$131.89 R-value 4.2 1lb 3oz, vs Helix RW 40% off too! US$95.39 R-value 4.9, 1lb 10oz, made with 30 denier ripstop polyester) hopefully alittle more durable, won't have to baby it, tho I'm looking for a regular wide foam pad or 1/8" foam pad & cut to size (better for stealth camping, nothing outside my pack that says I'm sleeping overnight) on 2nd thought I do have some leftover reflectix, hopefully big enuf, otherwise I can get more & cut it to size 👍
Guys, Do not be afraid or embarrassed to fit a woman’s size pack For me Men’s small is always too long in the torso I get the perfect fit by wearing a woman’s small, which translates to what would be a men’s extra small And remember the volume carrying pack size will be smaller Socks Thin liner and thicker over sock Friction happens between the socks not on your feet Liners get rinsed and dry fast
I’m a chubby guy with a bit of a belly. It’s uncomfortable for me to have a pack belt as high as it probably should be. I end up resting my pack belt on my hip bone, where my regular belt lies. I’m working on losing the weight and look forward to feeling what it’s like to have my pack belt around my belly button area where it ‘should’ be... Curious how much difference it actually makes?
It's top of the pelvis not the hip bone its called the iliac crest. Sorry to make correction but it's the truth. Measure from C-7 to the top of iliac crest. 👍
If you are skinny then pay attention to the hipbelt sizing. I am a male 27" waist and most packs won't fit me unfortunately. Thanks for the video Justin!
@@outdoorvideoswithbrad I can get away with no hip belt when carrying under 20lbs but over that I need them. My back and shoulders hurt too much otherwise. But even carrying under 20 lbs I prefer a hip belt even if it is a basic strap like on the zerk 40
I weigh my gear for bicycle and motorcycle camping. Because pounds = milage. Every extra pound is a point off my milage. For my motorcycle I have myself plus 200 pounds to maintain 48 mpg highway. However, space is the limit. On my bicycle it's 50 pounds max.
?? I had my pack fitted, but my hip flexors go numb as I hike. I am working at lowering my pack weight but what should I do to stop the numbness in hip flexors and upper thigh?..
"Broadcast spray" away from a water source. You can do a broadcast spray with your cooking greywater too if there isn't any food chunks in it (e.g., water used to cook pasta). I'm not an LNT expert - the lnt.org website is a good resource!
Don't dump your garbage water in the water!! take water and dishes away from water source to wash with and when you are done dump the dirty water on the ground in the cat hole or the fire pit NOT IN THE WATER ! This is one of the first thing taught in Boy Scouts , wild camping 101 !!!
Watching vids of outdoors stuff at 55, makes me wonder how I survived the endless abuse from the army and thousands of miles I’ve hiked , paddled and camped without all this folly. Just silly. Old Daniel Boone must of been a wreck and the first hundred yards
When you're disposing of your dishwasher in a hole, dig that hole DEEP. like, deeper than your poop cathole. All the salt and fat that's in that water is going to be a magnet for critters. A few years ago my party didn't dig a hole deep enough and the next morning it had been completely dug up.
About the dishes: I wouldn't drink from every body of water that I wouldn't mind washing my dishes in, so no, drinking the grey water isn't a good option for that reason alone...
@@JustinOutdoors sorry, my brain skipped that part obviously, I thought you were taking it directly from the body of water nearby as you were still standing next to it.
I don't bother about the torso nonsense because my base pack weight is under 7 pounds. I use only DCF and titanium products, costs me over USD$3,000 but it's well worth the weight savings.
