I've found a set of very fine tweezers to be invaluable in a first aid kit. Something as simple as a splinter can really put a damper on your enjoyment of a trip. Another item people don't always consider is krazy glue. It can be used instead of a band aid for cuts, but in an emergency it can also serve as makeshift stitches to close serious wounds (until proper medical care can be reached). And of course it can be handy for ordinary (non-human) repairs too. The stuff can be both a real and a figurative lifesaver.
I had a big jar of "crazy glue", or cyanoacrylate that I bought from a convention. A very short time later, someone stole it from my room... I will think about adding it to my first aid kit. Thanks for reminding me... Note that if you use baking soda with it that you can have immediate repairs for holes in boats or canoes...awesome stuff.
Tuesdays Runner... i go to the Dollar Tree and buy the 5 pack , single use crazy glue . costs a buck plus tax . and even though it says "single use " there is a huge amount of glue in those tiny tubes .
I second the tweezers! Tweezers are an item I kept forgetting to add and ended up needing more than once. Had to make myself a note and pack the note in my pack so I'd remember when home. :)
AWESOME. I'm prepping for my first 2 week long thru hike.. I wish I would have seen this a month ago!! The stove is fantastic. Thanks for making the video
Real good set up. This is a great way to start, just to see what works for you. Nothing needs to be real expensive. Always buy or use the lightest and cheapest gear you can afford/find at that time. Then replace heavy/bulky gear as needed whenever you can.
Hey! Just found your channel, and it's awesome. I'm going to binge-watch more soon. Didn't get enough hiking/camping done this summer here in VT but maybe this winter. Thanks dude. Queer Hikers Unite!
+Vermonster awesome!! I haven't been sticking to my usual schedule lately, because i just switched jobs and still figuring it out. But should be back at it soon, in the meantime there's plenty there to occupy you i'm sure! great to hear of another queer hiker :)
+Kim Thompson All modern aluminum cans have an inner lining / coating. This lining is a polymer. It’s a whole bunch of different plastics bonded together. Sometimes they use BPA, which causes cancer. When using as a pot, this plastic coating will get into your water and food. So, whats more important- saving $30 on a pot? or you're health?
Just purchased some aluminum backpacking cookware...but I really would prefer stainless steel. May upgrade later. Rice cookers are also usually made with aluminum pots, though you can find some with stainless steel if you look hard enough...
Note that if you have one of those stainless steel water bottles or tumblers that you often get for free as company promotions, "free advertising" for them, then just cut that up and use it. Of course, if you have the plastic outer, then remove that and just use the stainless steel part. It'll be small, but you can boil a cup of water. All you need for a solo few day hike...
Do you ever hike with plain running shoes? I have several pair, but the tread design isn't as aggressive as on the trail runners. I love the light-weight of the jogging shoes, but don't know if I need the other tread.
That fosters can would be sharp as shit along the cut edge. Would suck to reach in your bag and cut your paw on that 5-10 miles away on foot from humans.
Good point. Should put something on the edges to keep them from being sharp. Something fireproof... Some people use another can and mesh the ends together while it is in the backpack...still, it would be better to soften the edges so that they don't cut.
Dawn dish soap is useful for more than just washing dishes. It can be used as body wash, laundry detergent, shampoo, really anything you use to wash with. It can even be used to get rid of fleas on kittens and small animals safely.
krw72 thanks! lol for me it burns long enough to get my water boiling, but not so long that I can cook anything on it. About eight minutes or so. I put about an ounce in it. I use it for the pot cozy method I talked about in my 'how to make your own camp food' vid, but I also just let it sit outside the cozy a lot of the time and leave the cozy at home and its fine.
Out of the Closet. Into the Woods. oh and thats exclusively for my solo set up- I haven't used this for two people and probably wouldn't. I have a trangia alcohol burner that I do use when I'm in a duo, but it holds more alcohol. Oh yeah, and you definitely always need to use a wind screen!! Or it will burn off in no time, even if you don't think its windy.
Just opened the box on a Wood Burning Camping Stove. It is stainless steel, heavy at 1 pound. BUT I have high hopes for it. If I can keep it clean and prevent soot build up. And keep the inner wood tray from melting or dissolving from the intense fire these things create...Fairly cheap at $16.
I noticed that you have a sleeping pad, but no sleeping bag. I recommend shopping at military surplus stores, in addition to the thrift stores you frequent. I just picked up an ultralight, ultra-compact 40 degree (F) sleeping bag for US$40. It weighs 1.4 pounds and packs down into a 1.5L compression sack, which it comes in. I also picked up a new surplus pair of Bates Ranger boots (i.e. they are the model used by the US 75th Ranger Battalion), in my size for $50. They're every bit as lightweight as trailrunners, but far more ruggedly constructed. You could have purchased both of these items without blowing your $300 budget.
Great video and nice introduction to UL backpacking and how it doesn't have to be expensive. I'm sure you have no end of tweaks and adjustments you could do but here are few small ones that come to mind: wrap 18 inches each of duct tape, leukotape and electrical tape around your water bottle(s) - it keeps it convenient and slightly reinforces the water bottles and makes them less slippery. I'm a Swiss Army Classic guy (21 grams, $5 on eBay for TSA-seized ones) which is both cheaper and lighter than your Buck knife and gives you scissors, nail file and tweezers. That's a lot of Vaseline - I'd repackage some into a repurposed hotel shampoo container or better yet, a professional-sample size of antibiotic ointment (mostly helpful for keeping a cut moisturized as it heals). I've had bad luck with vinyl ponchos in thunderstorms if the temperature drops - they get very brittle. Probably fine in the SE in the Summer. At higher elevations, I'd instead bring a second Hefty trash bag as a cheap poncho. I assume the lightweight sleeping bag is in conjunction with wearing your clothes inside the bag on a colder night. Just like some people aren't ready to go to a tarp (and you've given them full bug and rain protection with that tent), it takes people a while to get their head around a quilt instead of a sleeping bag. Thrift stores have bed-sized polyester quilts that can be cut down into 2 solo quilts. $10-15 plus needle&thread (or red-neck DIY it with duct tape) for two quilts! saving you weight and volume and cost. What I like most about your selection of really cheap but functional items is that it gets people started on the right path (light, simple) and then, if they really like it, they can upgrade one item at a time (probably first going to a 1 to 1.5-pound UL pack or maybe transitioning from tent to tarp) because having only $20-40 in each item, they wouldn't be so invested in the original gear. I see a lot of people hesitate to change from the traditional bag or tent or tent that they sunk $200-300 into when they realized there are far lighter options.
David Thomas thanks! I replied on the forums but I will post my reply here in case anyone wants to read my thoughts. I was one of those people who just went from a more traditional backpacking setup and slowly invested in lighter quality gear rather than doing what I show in this video. I'm trying to help people out with getting started cheap and light rather than what I did. So it was a fun challenge, helped me get a new perspective on going ultralight and how cheaply it can be done! the vaseline- the container was actually almost empty, definitely wouldn't bring the full thing. should have mentioned that! oops. I will put in a note about it. i didn't repackage because I didn't really have any good containers for it kicking around. good to know about the vinyl- I used one last summer exactly where you mentioned, throughout the southeast and midwest. I did a road trip from Ontario over to missouri, down to florida and back up through the appalachians. I had lost my rain jacket so just used that and even liked it better than my jacket sometimes, just for the light weight and ventilation. sleeping bag- yes, I sometimes wear the extra stuff, but I'm also a hot sleeper. in the summer I often just throw on my fleece and sleep outside that bag or keep it open. thats why I mentioned that this will depend on your own body. good call on the quilts! thanks.
I like this a lot. Love dollar stores. I’m the same way. Most of my stuff is second hand. The only thing I worried about is your fuel storage. I’m sure you know but make sure the fuel container is durable enough to take a beating and not leak. That would really screw up a trip if your stuff all soaked in fuel. Maybe with your extra money invest just a little more in a better poncho (those tear to shreds in trees etc).and a cook pot). cringed a little with the beer can sharp edge. Love the stove . Love the setup. Have fun backpacking
Thanks for your peaceful approach to camping on a budget. I used the wish app., For some gear. Their ok. I will be getting my bag system from them unless you could sway me that the military surplus bags from overseas is a good Budget item. I like the Polish military surplus bags. Also I was gifted with some Nike Boots that I heard and would've killed for year's ago; not really gonna kill. Their rugged and cool. Would a bigger friskies cat can work as a stove? I can't thank you enough for your help. Everyone is so hung up on Bushcraft and I grew out of that long ago. Thanks Mr. Alex
Great video. Just wanted to add that the Thermarest Ridgecrest costs under 20.00. I would have a hard time with a plastic poncho (I need a Goretex jacket that costs like 3 times what your total is!). Vaseline is a good fire starter and is cheap. I used a 1.5 inch fishing line clipper knife that cost 1.00 (I loved that thing and cried when I had to ditch it because of TSA).
Nice ideas dude. I'd just do some modifications. I would use something more durable pot. And for shelter I'm more comfortable with tarps. I like your vid
My pack weighs about 175 pounds. And then after adding food it comes in at a little under 225. I think it's the cast iron cookware that adds the weight. I look like I'm moving to another state. 😢😢😢😭😭😭😨✌
Like your thriftness, rather than everyone (myself included previously) usually focusing on "label" gear. One thing I wouldn't skimp on is a head torch, they're great for home but not when remote.
What a great video! You prolly inspired many young folks strapped for cash to experience the wonders of nature on the cheap. While the high tech, high priced gear is really awesome, at the end of the day it really isn't about that. The wonderful views and physical exercise are the same no matter how much you spend!!! Well done!
Cost was greatly under-exaggerated though. Note that the $1 store flashlight sucks. Very low light. After buying several cheap flashlights from China, I finally found a few that worked well. Would've save a lot of time if I had just bought some good ones. Costs about $20 in the USA made super bright flashlights. Up to $40 should suffice. I paid about $3-4, but took a month to get it from China...
TheSLOfox yes it is. you can burn the lining off easily before using it, which then exposes you to aluminum but there isn't really conclusive evidence about exposure being linked to alzheimers etc afaik. some studies have debunked that. personally I won't be using this can to cook with, as I invested in a titanium cook pot. I still do cook with some aluminum stuff in the backcountry though and tons of people cook with aluminum all the time anyway. I mean, people take all sorts of risks with their health for stupider reasons is how I see it lol
TheSLOfox just coming back on here for anyone who may read this and be concerned about it- there are a couple other lightweight affordable options. number one you can go to any thrift store OR dollar store and try to pick up any aluminum or stainless steel cookware OR tin/jar. all you need is one small container, no more than 800 mL, if there's a handle on it just unscrew it. you can swap out the lid for the lighter tinfoil. if you are going to buy new, just go for a one pot deal made of aluminum or stainless steel. check out campsaver.com sierra trading post amazon all those kinds of places for deals too. you can even buy one of the stainless steel mugs that are about $10 and just make your own lid.
I've definitely used duct tape and super glue for first aid. Also, take some of that Vaseline out and put it into another plastic bag. Every little bit of space and weight helps. Most problems were already addressed in the comments, but you're going to need a different cooking set up.
eBay is always your friend guys.. don't be scared of second-hand gear, it works just as good as getting it new if its in good condition, which 95% of the time it is.
A good quality tent that will last you for years will cost $100+, probably about $150 as you said. I agree. BUT, you can find a ton of tents for 1 or 2 people or more if you want a car tent, in the $30-35 price range. They typically will have fiberglass poles not 7000 series aluminum poles like the good ones. And they will need to be seam sealed and PU coated most likely. An additional $10-15 if you do it yourself cheaply. And the same goes with sleeping bags. Depends on what temp rating you get. But you can find some heavier ones for $30-50 that will do. So, tent plus sleeping bag, BRAND NEW, should run you $60-100. Including shipping costs. Cheaper sleeping bags for warm weather...and you can find a 1 person tent for under $20 made in China cheap.But I'd go to a $30+ price range...
Sure...you can get items "gifted" to you, and buy things costing several hundreds for $10-12 at garage sales...but why not do a real backpacking kit comparison? Everything must be bought new. No "gift me" and no "garage sale" and no "thrift store" (second hand, used). I could put together a $5000 backpacking kit and say that it cost me nothing. Because I simply had everything already.... But I am thinking maybe I should go to garage sales and thrift stores...only most campers, hikers and backpackers around don't have garage sales or give their good gear to thrift stores.
That would be a completely different challenge... the rules of this challenge allow you to use whatever you can find, as long as you start with nothing. So no, I couldn't just say that the gear I spent $5000 for cost nothing. I would have to say it cost me $5000. If I had been allowed to do this I would have had a much nicer set up than this because I already own all the gear I need. Take a look at garage sales and thrift stores, including online ones. You'd be surprised what stuff gets recycled.
You can find lots of things at thrift stores, even if you have to go to different ones, or even different towns. My current town sucks for thrift stores because everyone is rich and there isn't even any public transit because everyone and their dog has a car XD. Sucks for me though. But I have been in many towns that had excellent thrift stores everywhere and you could get great clothes for .50 to 4.00. Where I am now, I would be lucky to get an old t-shirt for $6.00.... better off buying on Ebay.
Top marks from me....YEAH FOSTERS IS GROSS...how come the whole world judges Australia on Fosters.....??????????????????????????????????????????????????????
