Slimmer & Lighter Day Hiking System 

If you have kids I recommend added a little box of TicTac’s to your first aid kit. When your child gets a bee sting or a scrape, a TicTac goes a long way to calm them down while you apply first aid. They last forever and take very little room. My 2 cents.

Aaron, this was an excellent presentation. I'm 73 and still hitting the "light" trails (no steep elevation changes). Our day packs are pretty similar down to the med kit, EDC survival pouch and the Grayl. My med kit is in a plastic see-through jar and if it gets dunked it floats; includes everything I need and I'm also a retired Air Force paramedic, knowing how to improvise. I like the Fenix headlamp capabilities vs my Olight i3TEOS which doubles as a headlamp affixed to a ball cap or Nite Ize head strap. That fixed blade is awesome but I've always been able to get by with a good tactical folder or a Swiss Army Rangergrip 178. I may carry a fixed blade neck knife by CRKT which can be affixed to my hiking pole as a spear using duct tape or 550 cord. My Grayl is a 32oz water purifier and I just carry a 500ml Smart Water bottle full. Another option I use is a 1 liter Vapur bag with built-in filter. I use the Mystery Ranch Scree 32 which I absolutely love for hiking and traveling (along with a small 5.11 duffle/backpack bag). I'm constantly aware of what I pack trying to keep it light by eliminating those "what if's" situations, my downfall of years ago. I'm getting ready to hike an AT section to find a waterfall and my loadout weighs just under 12 pounds which includes a Helikon Tex poncho for a shelter and the Helikon Tex Swagman Roll in case I overnight it. My ground sheet is a cut piece of tyvek. On occasion I like to take a Simple Shot sling shot and a small leather belt pouch filled with 3/8" steel balls. The sling is usually kept in my back pocket or a cargo pocket. It's never meant for hunting, mostly practicing, however if survival becomes an issue it's available. BTW that waterfall is gorgeous and waterfalls are my usual hiking destinations.

As usual, thank you so much. Two tips from a friend of mine who has hiked Kilimanjaro, all the Colo 14-ers, etc., is this: 1) For long day hikes into the mountains, always have a good quality poncho (usually about $30). It will keep rain off of you and your pack. It needs to be more of a nylon-type so it won't shred on branches. No suits or other gimmicks; most will soak through in a good downpour, and you will be miserable. This might be "too much" for a casual hike. 2) Pack Tums in your emergency kit. Sometimes the altitude will affect people, and they can hardly move due to gastro distress. Tums can save the day, apparently, and would not take up much room! Love your videos; I'm learning so much!

Day hikes I keep mine super simple and light. Water bottle, water filter, pocket knife, mini first aid, flashlight, lighter, small snack, and my Glock 20.

9:05 I actually AM a medical professional, and that's why I will NEVER use a maxpedition bag for medical supplies. They're not waterproof or sterile enough to keep medical supplies, better to keep them in separate ziploc bags and use a small dry bag. Those maxpedition bags are porous and dont wash well, meaning they keep a LOT of germs and bacteria on and in them.

So glad you made this one Aaron. Just what was I was looking for. Much appreciated!

I like a camp towel which could be used as a trauma bandage. Use a web belt for a tourniquet. I would recommend a Swiss Army Knife with a saw blade if you want one knife that can do it all. I don't know for day hikes that it makes sense for multiple knives. For day hikes, Iodine tablet instead of water filter. I think one light is sufficient for a day bag with a few bateries. For EDC I prefer no duplicates. For bugout bag redundancy okay. My EDC bag and my day hike are the same.

Thanks for the video Arron I am in the process of putting together a day hike kit as well. I am adding to mine a trekology chair and table as well. At 62 years setting on the ground is not something my wife and I are into. An Ayada camp stove and a 750ml Toaks ti pot for coffee and a mess kit. We live in the southeast coastal plain all flatland.

I have loved building my 3 day pack and concurrently creating my 1 day/scout pack. My goal was to put the scout pack in my 3 day so that everything in the day pack was integral to the 3 day. I based it on a 3 liter Marine Corps issue Camelback and it is sub 10 lbs. I got an all titanium cook system, my befree water filter in a titanium tall pot (it started life as a coffee press), light weight fire options with exotac firesteel and lighter sleeve, poncho shelter with cordage, comfort via an inflatable seat, an ultralight nightcore headlamp, and my trusty rangergrip. I started this kit with the Grayl but decided the extra weight over the be free wasnt necessary for its extra capability especially as its capacity is so small for the weight. The beauty of the Marine Corps pack is it already has pouch size containers keeping that weight down. Cool to see your ideas.

Love the video and concept, Aaron. I decided to lighten my pack, too. For light day hikes, I’ve gone to the Cold Steel Broken Skull paired with a Mora Garber carbon steel. Keep up the great work!

Great video my friend, thank you for sharing. You featured some great items. I like the first aid kit. All the best to you and your family. Stay healthy. 🤗

Great load out! Now I’ve got to readdress mine!

Great video and tips. I really love the new version of the Stanley pot, its a great improvement over the old version and the two cups are perfect as well. Cheers.

two things to add to your med kit: tweezers for splinters, and a tick key. both can fit in the front pouch. other than that, it seems like a decent kit.

I really liked the boo-boo kit so I created one like yours but I added the following things: I small bag of meds from a travel kit I bought that include stuff for allergies, headache, dehydration, heartburn/nausea and the big D. Then I created a small bag of individial bags of sunscreen, insect protection, insect sting relief, antibiotic ointment, first aid and burn cream, a small bag of bandaids and butterfly closures and moleskin, a swat-t, bleedstop, tube of liquid skin, mylar blanket, wound dressing, antiseptic wipes, chapstick, rubber gloves, tweezers, mini 4" trauma sheers, tick remover and on the outside handle I attached a small cpr face shield on a key ring. It's pack full but well stocked! Thanks for the video!

Great video and awesome ideas. I use the Eberlestock Bandit for my day pack.

Glad I’m not the only one that enjoys Mystery Ranch’s Coulee 25.

I’m really liking my Grayl Ultralight. I will be adding the tap water filters for every day use instead of limiting it to hiking/camping

Nice kit. I should work on lightening up my motorcycle kit

My Leatherman Sidekick has a one-hand opening locking blade, a locking saw, a plier, a clip, screw drivers, file, utility blade and can/bottle opener. I can carry it clipped to my pocket without any trouble at all. It would take the place of several items you discussed.

Love the gear choices.

Anyone else see the hummingbird on the upper right @33 seconds into the vid, pretty awesome videobomb! and a nice overall video, hummingbird seal of approval as well!

Very cool fire starter. I wish it was still made because I would love to pick one up.

I am pretty much there with you on gear for my day hikes. I am looking at upgrading my pack this year, 2022, from an Osprey Talon 22 to Mystery Ranch Scree 32 or 3 Day Assault pack. Leaning toward the Scree 32. Also, I hate carrying more than a liter of water if there is a water source on the way I use my Grayl filter purifier bottle. Also, I always carry my sidearm 9mm or my .45.

Awesome an thanks for the knowledge, Aaron !!!!!!!!!!

Thank you A A Ron! Are you gonna do the Hill people gear Conner version 2. I just got it in elk coyote. Very comfortable edc/day pack. I would like to see your ideas for setting it up.

Thanks for filming

Right vid at the right time. Trying to reduce weight of my daypack too. Request: review of Toler Union multitool. Thx as always.

Thank you! Details, background and function of the gear is appreciated! When watching your coulee comparison video and your mystery ranch UA comparison. I’m between the coulee 25 and UA24 for an everyday all purpose(including light hiking) and often carting extra gear for the kids. Opinion between the 2? I think I prefer the profile and Futura harness of the coulee if I can put a laptop (in a case) in the bladder pouch. Dedicated laptop sleeve and cordura on the UA24 are also nice. Please let me know what you think.

Love your love for mystery ranch I love their products.

I really like an ACE bandage for a great multi use item. It will work as a pressure bandage if used right for emergencies but still does it’s job well for rolled ankles and hold regular bandages on

I bought one of those 5.5 knives, due to your earlier review, great knife and sheath! I did cut out a choil with my Worksharp to make it even better for my use!

I use a SOG Ninja pack. For a day hike I need little more than water and food. I do include some shelter material, whistle, mirror, the usual tools being compass, knife, flahlight, bug spray.

Nice setup. I would add a SAM splint and a way to attach it like a small roll of coban or an ace wrap. Get like the 2" wide rolls. Much more compact. Take Care and Be Aware.

awesome load out, how about adding an ace bandage and a triangular bandage for wrapping and immobilization? Maybe a sam splint that you could fold flat too

Loved the effort and thought that you put into this video, it was a learning experience for me on how to lighten my load on a day hike and still take all the things that I really need in most any situation. Just curious about one thing that caught my eye, since you had a pocket knife and a very nice fixed blade was the Swiss multi tool really needed on a day hike? Or maybe just eliminate the pocket knife if you actually think you might need the Swiss multi tool or vice versa because all three seem to be overkill to me.

awesome video man, greeting from the Phlippines

This was a great video thankyou

Well put together kit.

I already searched and found it, but for others, link your ultimate day hike load out vid. Maybe get a few more easy hits to your channel that way. Great vid as always today, my friend.

Great load out. I would add Chapstick (multi-use product) and an incharge 6 to replace the cables. Also, your allergy meds are 4 years old. 😮

That knife looks perfect.

You can pack 80' of bankline in 1/2 the space of that paracord in your Maxpedition EDC pouch.

I bought my Grayl 32 oz at REI and used the 20% off coupon. Right now then 16 oz size is on sale at the REI outlet site for $54. I like the Victorinox Walker for an extra knife. Blade, saw, combination can opener tool.

Great to see the family growing well and you too. Good review and God bless!

Good points. You don't need to pack the kitchen sink for well marked popular trails.

I would include some medicinal liquor. I use ole smokey blue flame. It's 128 proof. A little go's a long way and it will start a fire or disinfect a cut as well. Nice setup!

The Buck 110 Slim has some attractive features. *Made in USA.* One-handed opening. Is available in CPM-S30V or 420(very inexpensive). 3.75" blade, but weighs just 2.8 oz.

Drop the SAK and big blade for a leatherman wave. If you're dayhiking it's more than enough. Between the blade and saw you can do a lot of work.

Mystery Ranch certainly lightens you’re wallet ;)

Enjoying your content. Question: I have a Coulee 25 on the way. I've watched a bunch of your videos and noticed a Kydex sheath attached to a Scree 32 strap. I haven't seen one on your Coulee, but was wondering what you'd recommend using to attach the Architect 5.5 Kydex sheath (not yet ordered) to a shoulder strap on that bag. Thank you in advance.

Aaron, beautiful job as always and Just picked up a few items from the links. Now that my kids are older I’m looking into getting back into Mountain Biking and wanted an easy light way to carry gear...You have a ton of brilliant ideas in here. (At some point for a concept video) I’ll be curious to see what you put in your sons’ first day packs... Curious if I should sell my ESEE 6 for that architect...🤔 and as a female with smaller hands which Buck would be best?

Med Kit is Perfect !!!! I use a Small wallet style Mini Med Kit From a Company called "Live The Creed" . It has a Celox Ribbon for major Bleed , A Swat T , A Pair of Gloves and a Small Bag/Ouch-Pouch with a few Meds like Yours for Small wounds. It's Perfect for EDC and Basic Stop The Bleed Accidents . Your Lighter Kit is Perfect for what you've Described in your Video , I believe it's perfect . Great Content and Info 😎🙏👍

Some cotton buds, a small mirror and tweezers for your med pack. Tweezers for splinters and the like. Cotton buds and a small mirror if you have to get something out of your eye. Just a thought. Not a lot of extra weight.

Looked at this pack with 30% discount today but those outside storage seem too small for anything useful. Love the pack overall. Especially the harness for this size pack but having hard time justifying the cost given the limited size.

I would recommend ibuprofen. Besides painkiller, it functions as an inflammation reducer. But you would need to realize that your problem is compounded with inflammation (i.e. swollen ankle, breathing difficulties) in order to use it. Tweezers is also a must to remove foreign objects. I know compactness is your goal. But a little plastic syringe is good for washing out wounds. As for your charging cableS, they do sell 3-in-1 usb cables now. They are not rated for data, but they have heads to charge USB-C, Thunderbolt and Micro USB. Might want to pack 2 cables anyway as cables can go bad. (They're rated for about 10,000 plugs.)

IMO, I would recommend a brightly colored clearly marked first aid kit so you can locate quickly or in case you are incapacitated and someone else can easily find it. Also some sort of compact splint or ankle wrap in case you get a sprain which is a common injury when hiking.

Have you tried the Katadyn Befree Collapsible filtration system? It's cheaper, lighter, filters faster, and can compress down way smaller when empty. Not sure about the durability of the soft collapsible bag though.

Well in depth video Aaron. Even with some of the “meh” gear you review, you’ll always get a 👍’s up and a comment! Thanks buddy blessings to you and your family

Are you carrying a sidearm on these types of day hikes Aaron? If so, which pistol?

It's a small weight saver. I see you have a write in the rain pen. Those pens are pretty heavy. Write in the rain makes another pen that breaks in half and stores inside itself. It's stupid light. Shaving ounces will eventually turn into shaving pounds.

Mountain lions, whatever dude, here in wales we have deadly sheep.......😂😂

That new blade looks like the BK2 and Esee 5 had a baby lol 😂

Medkit could use some saline for deeper wounds and cuts (that are not big enough for tourniquet) don’t know why but all videos I see are always carrying disinfectant wipes, that only works for superficial cuts and scrapes, when deeper you really need saline solution to wash out the wound, also stops the bleeding and is better to not get surrounding tissue inflammated, also it can be used as eye wash... really there is no reason not to carry saline, as much as you can bare to fit in your kit but if streamlined 40ml is pretty good, also if those are nitrile gloves crammed in to there in the front right side they won’t do you much good, gloves are mainly to protect you from getting dirt an bacteria in to a wound not the other way around those gloves are dirty af, please protect them until you use them😉 TY for great content you have inspired at least 2 changes to my kit in last month👍

Hi Aaron. I'm just curious. In your video you got a shot of a beautiful waterfall. I lived in Golden for about four years and did a fair amount of hiking around the front range, and I never saw a waterfall like that. So, I was wondering where it was.

A good way to lighten your load is to replace specialized gear with multi-purpose items. One of my most important multi-function items is my bandana. A bandana can be used as a wound pad, a pressure dressing, a tourniquet, an arm sling, a strap for a splint, and much more. Just imagine everything that you can dump out of your first aid kit when you have a bandana in your pocket. This is not hype from some bush-league bush craft personality. It is solid, old-fashioned wisdom taught in the Boy Scouts nearly 50 years ago which has served me well throughout my life. Remember what Mors Kochanski says: "The more you know, the less you carry."

Lifestraw makes an in-bottle adapter that universally fits slim water bottles and Nalgene bottles.

Can you please do a full review on the TKC ARCHITECT 5.5 similar to the video you did on the ESEE 6 and really put it through its paces!!

Have a look at the Victorinox Fieldmaster

Just a thought on that Grayl filter, how much force does that take to press down? Can it be operated one handed, or someone who has weak strength?

Why would you need that FB 5.5 on a day hike? What use are you getting out of it?

Great video, thank u for putting this together!!! Looks like u covered most bases. Was gonna recommend Bite/Sting wipes, but u have that in the survival kit. I would with another comment that a tick remover is a good idea for the med kit. Would also recommend a couple alcohol prep wipes and burn gel packets for the boo-boo kit if u don't already has those.

I like the water filter but how do you keep contaminated water on outside of bottle from dripping down onto the clean part as you tip it back to drink?

Excuse me if I missed it but what is the total weight of the pack? I heard the weights of the items you changed out from the ultimate. Thanks!

One thing I can tell you from experience….don’t carry a hemostatic agent if you don’t have any medical training. That stuff can actually cause more damage than the actual initial injury.

Um....thank you for AGAIN reviewing things that are out of most of our price ranges

i dont cut weight on medical, my minimal kit is a recon stop the bleed pouch with added chest seals and a surviveware first aid kit for all the ouchie booboo stuff, you never know when some moron could send a stray round or a bad trip puts a hole somewhere that needs full kit

Katadyn BeFree water filter 1.0L -Holds 34oz -Weighs 2.3oz -Filters 1000 liters -$25 filter -Packs smaller than a tennis ball. Grayl -Holds 16oz -Weighs 10.9oz -Filters 150 liters -$25 filter -Doesn't pack down. Its no contest. The Katadyn Has high flow rate, just fill and squeeze to drink and you can use it to fill other bottles too. The Katadyn is also $25 cheaper.

Love the filter. I had it for 3 seasons . well worth the money.

I'm very interested in the Architect 5.5.

I just got the msk mini Scandi 2.5 from SMKW

Boot Crampons for ice what brand works best please ?

Ok, you said you have 2 extra cr123s? Would 1 do?

Where do you get the gerber fire steel?

How would this knife compare to the tops knives tex creek xl?

that haircut looks like they cut your bangs with those children's krazy-scissors

a little first aid and a little knowledge goes a long long way

9:40 Is that celox $35? Or am I looking up the wrong thing?

A pair of trauma shears and tweezers for splinters & other small jobs

Love that compact medical kit! Will be putting one together. That knife is pretty sweet! I love it and want one. I carry a much lighter Condor Terrasaur of 1095 which works for me. I do have a modified Becker BK16 which comes along sometimes as well. The scales on your knife are awesome. I love your use of those little pouches which can be transferred easily between packs. I cannot get my boys to happily carry their own lightweight backpacks, though. As far as Swiss knives, I like the One-Handed Trekker.

I don’t think he noticed he does indeed have a lighting cable. 😂

What kind of bottle is the woman holding at 23:13

So you prefer this one over Scree 32 now?

I would add one or two condoms for the water purification tablets.

Big guy here 6ft 1 and 280...would that be too small for a day pack?

mole skin / blister mini kit

good vid thank you but as a military trained medic, I see this a lot, hikers home made up med kit, it needs to be obvious normal red or green, in an emergency it may not be you looking in your pack for a med kit and it slows help down when they have to open all the sacs you have in your kit. its always better to be in a prominent position in your pack and be visually obvious red with green with med kit written on it, foer someone trying to save your life..... just saying I see this mistake regularly.

Need medical tape in that pouch

This is not day hiking. This is a survival pack. Don't need three knives for a day hike. water, lunch, in reach maybe some snacks and the first aid kit. Good to go.

Light is good, but one thing not to compromise is your trauma/first aid kit. It's a few ounces of peace of mind.