Check out Garage Grown Gear: geni.us/m2tzeVo I look at 6 pieces of Weird Backpacking Gear that is actually pretty useful. Town Shirt: geni.us/jiIlw Sun Sleeves: geni.us/RX0psA UL Toothbrush: geni.us/gILDI Toothpaste Tabs: geni.us/EWkefG MayFly Sandals: geni.us/2tDifI6 Pot Lifter: geni.us/GQiLZ Rain Mitts: geni.us/sdHss
Love the sleeves idea. It reminds me of that Demetri Martin joke: "I saw a guy with a leather jacket, and I thought, that is cool. Then I saw a guy with a leather vest, and I thought, that is not cool. That's when I realized cool is all about, leather sleeves."
LOL that flowery sun hoodie you are wearing looks like the same hoodie Bryce Newbold wore on a section of the Colorado trail with the Schill Bros. He was attacked by hummingbirds thinking he was a flowery bush! Toothpaste tabs are great!
Arm (and leg) warmers have been staples of the bicycle racing community for decades. Sun protection in removable limb covering fabrics is a great idea! I have heard of long distance hikers making rudimentary camp slippers from insoles and duct tape.
I had a much loved merino wool undershirt that got holes in the boobs, so I cut off the arms and mad arm warmers out of it and made a buff too. Not just save money, using pure wool means not shedding micro plastics. Sunscreens irritate my skin, so I impregnate my buff with sun screen to boost the sun protection
Just a tip from personal backpacking experience: I'm not big on sandles and flip flops. My extra shoes I bring for around camp and river crossings are my old cross country shoes. They weigh between 3 and 4 ounces total, are really comfortable, have great support and traction. I can wear them all day comfortably and hiking in them is nearly as good as a regular shoe.
@@Tom_Bee_ sorry, I just read my comment and it is a little misleading. In the running scene, "total weight" is still measured per shoe (stupid, I know). They are still very light though. Mine are called Nike Zoom Waffle racers. If you search "spikeless flats" or "spikeless cross country shoes" and pick something minimal you can find some extremely light, durable shoes. Around $70 you can get 4.5 ounce shoes (9 pz for the pair). If you creep closer to the $200 mark you can get around 3.5 ounces per shoe (7 ounce for the pair). Like I said in my original comment, I would much rather have a second pair of shoes I won't dread using even if it means a couple ounces. XC flats are definitely my go to. 😊
@@Kylqwerty thanks for the detailed reply, Kyle. I'll check out some of your recommendations, plus I learned a thing, although not being a runner myself I guess the info about the running scene is of limited utility! That being said, if I see runners talking about shoes, at least I'll understand what they're saying. I have a muscle wasting condition that makes my legs very weak indeed and light shoes are a must. My current favourites are Altra Lone Peak 6 trail running shoes.
@@Tom_Bee_ glad I could help. The lightest shoe I know of is called the Reebox Floatride Run fast Pro (3mm drop). It came out 3 or 4 years ago so you might be able to find a deal on it. The size 9 shoes weigh like 3.1 oz each. I'm not sure if there is a flat that is under 3 oz yet (in a size 9). But anyways. There are a lot of options to choose from when it comes to the 3.5-4 oz range. You just gotta know how to look. There is a big difference in weight when comparing lightweight running shoes (trainers) and lightweight racing shoes (flats).
Cheap alternatives: The longsleeve - $3 oversize longsleeve button up from goodwill The sandals - $5 thongs at marshalls The toothpaste - pre-paste the toothbush in advance The potgrabber - $1 bandana The gloves - $10 surplus wool gloves that keep your hands warm even when wet
I agree with everything but the 99 cent walmart flip flops. I bought 4 pairs and they broke ridiculously quick. One pair broke with less than 200 steps, and water breaks them easily. I got some flip flops from Marshalls for 5 bucks and they've lasted 5 years.
@@cadewilliams7750i had to tape up the walmart pair i had, but i only used them for when nature calls in the middle of the night and paddleboarding..thanks for the tip, ill have to take a gander
The Mayfly sandals don't flex very well, so it's hard to squat to put in tent stakes say, I really wanted to like them. As for pot handles getting hot. I've never understood this one, grab some silicon tubing and put them on your cookware handles, I've done this for years, it's so much easier than having some kind of specialized tool for picking up your pot, which honestly are generally unstable compared to just using the handles. (Actually, I don't know why some brands don't come with them (Evernew titanium pots have them)
Honestly, I just use a bandana and grab by the bare handles on my pot. I've seen the silicon tubing work too. Bandana is great for cleanup, etc, all-around super useful anyways. Save some $ and weight by not inventing things to need (pot holding tools)
I'm going to rip this video idea off and call it "WEIRD Backpacking RU-vidrs you might actually WANT to watch"... you'll be my main focus. Another great vid man.
I've used the sleeves for a few years now. Some of my friends think I'm weird. I also use the sleeves in cool mornings to keep my arms warm. Once I start hiking and the day gets warmer I just slip them off.
I like the sun hoodie concept, but for sun protection I want only white or very light grey. Darker colors I find too hot when in the bright sunshine of high altitudes. Those floral ones are fun, but I think they'd be less comfortable than a white one.
Sun shirt with hood, long sleeves, 50 SPF, $16 at Sam’s Club. Ok, it’s not colorful like that but hey, quite functional and actually helps keep you cool as well.
Since you talked abt sun sleeves. While hot temperatures hiking DO carry some tiny amt of Aloe Vera gel. Aloe works like nothing else on a sun burn. Its like Nature specifically created Aloe for this purpose only 😊
I’ve had the the Sulak pot grabber for about a year now. Great piece of kit that fits under my fuel can with the mini-bic lighter. No more 1st degree burns on my fingers!
I have Columbia sleeves and you don't take them off when you get hot. Getting them a little wet makes them cool you down. Now when I hike my neck gator and my sleeves get wetted when possible. Keeping my arms and neck sooo much colder than the rest of me. And protected from the sun.
Sun sleeves are a staple down here in South Africa. (We're truly frying under the African sun!)... And I use normal cheap dishwashing rubber gloves over my winter gloves if it does rain - which doesn't happen often I have to say 😂 - but it's durable, you keep the dexterity and I don't mind the few extra grams if it means my hands are dry and warm!
Fine without gloves/mitts underneath but they are designed for bare hands so the fit can get VERY tight and unwieldy over gloves ! I like those as shown better - seems like much more room. Hang on - $70 for the mitts !!! Haha oh dear.
I do the same. Dishwashing gloves can be had in many different weights and sizes. Slightly heavier, but more durable are chemical resistant gloves which I have also used for liquid insecticides and herbicides used in the landscaping business.
I live in Arizona and I just got sun sleeves early this year, I have atopic dermatitis/eczema so I'm literally allergic to sunlight and my own sweat, it's torture in the heat. I wear these UV sleeves every time I'm in the sun now, it's amazing, my arms get warm but they don't burn, and I can feel the breeze through the fabric. I even got my dad to start wearing them for his yardwork because he lets his arms burn to a crisp, these things might legit save him from getting cancer or something because his arms were getting really bad, it was scary, and now they're so much better when he uses sleeves, I'm so glad I found out about those.
I live in the 2nd driest state of Utah, that is, lots of hot sunlight. I've found the best way to stay cool in sunlight/heat, is wearing loose, emphasis on loose, pure white clothing. The loose clothing let's heat escape, keeping you cool, and the pure white shade does not absorb sunlight. Even the slightest color in clothing will retain heat. Also, a really wide brimmed hat keeps sunlight off neck, face, and head. Sun hoodies are poor substitutes for real protection.
My absolute choice for sun protection: G4Free Hiking UL UV Umbrella ☂ ☀️ A sun hoodie or hat won’t protect you from the HEAT🔥of the sun. My umbrella provides shade when there is none and lowers the temperature underneath it. I can’t tolerate the heat because of a brain tumor and I can’t have sun beating down on my head for more than a few seconds-it can trigger a seizure. My 250g (9.1oz) umbrella is a LIFESAVER. Highly recommend. 🌿Edit: Accidentally left off zero of the weight.
@@architennis My mistake-I input it wrong 250 grams or 9.1 ounces. Worth the weight-I couldn’t hike in unshaded and hot places without it. Will edit original comment. 🌿
@@architennis At 9 oz and $22. this umbrella is less than half cost of other brands and only an ounce or two heavier than the lightest hiking umbrellas out there.🌿
I do the backwoods, remote off trail, survival, Bushcraft thing... But I've learned more practical stuff from this channel than a lot of the survival channels... Mixing info from everywhere helps a lot ... This guy has some of the best practical just plain good info imo
instead of those camp sandals, do try scuba/ beach shoes that look like socks with thin outsole underneath, it's so light and foldable. offers you a better grip with rubber and threaded sole it will never stuck in the mud when you try river-crossing and you can wear it without socks. and it also going to be a barrier from your skin and tick and leeches when you're at camp
"Due to the lack of rain"... I think this is the first time I hear someone hiking complaining about lack of rain 😂 I am starting to love your short videos 😁
If you’re cutting off your toothbrush or filling up straws with toothpaste then unless you’re going for a FKT then you’ve jumped the shark as a backpacker. Start with your belly as a place to lose weight and go from there. Hard learned lessons as a cyclist. Was taking links out of chain or taking off biggest cog in the back. Then I went on a diet and joyous reality sunk in.
I just use my multitool for lifting pot lids and pots. In fact, I use it for multiple tasks on every trip. Omg maybe that's why they call it that. I have it on my belt and have used it very nearly every single day for some 7 years. Can also be used as a weapon if you are backpacking the rugged and dangerous streets of San Fran and are accosted by the abundant, homeless, drug-crazed wildlife. It's a genuine likelihood and you gotta plan for it.
Steven did you steal Bryce Newbold’s hoodie? GGG - Garage grown gear rocks! Super happy to see someone like yourself promoting it…. They’re amazing love being able to pick up products from so many different cottage vendors
I genuinely do not understand how/why clothes are marketed as protection from the sun. I'm 40 years old and have been burned through clothing zero times in my life. I laugh out loud when I see SPF ratings on clothing. All clothes protect you from the sun.
Tried the toothbrush from GG, the bristles fray out quickly and its difficult to get your teeth clean. So just carry a toothbrush and your teeth will thank you later. Pot holder carry a bandanna and it will do multiple jobs one of which is pot holder. Weird gear I carry is a half of a sponge 🧽 and small rectangular one. It’s great for a quick clean up at the end of the day and doesn’t weight much. I have been looking at the toothpaste tablets, I’m going to try them out and see what happens.
The thing is, the cheapest kind of basic toothbrush (the ones that have small diameter non-ergonomic handles - they do it to save money on plastic, not weight, buuuut….) is already *so* light… (probably the same weight as that GG toothbrush with the wide handle) it doesn’t pack particularly small, so you could theoretically cut it to fit a small ditty bag, or whatever, but as far as the weight goes… it’s gonna be in the grams, not in the ounces. The folding travel toothbrush styles could work, but I’ve never found one that feels nice.
Dude, kitchen gloves are PERFECT for the rain. They're waterproof, some have insulation, textured fingers, AND you get to look like Master Shake. It's a win-win. Edit: Doesn't look like I was the only one with that idea lmao
I bought the Showa gloves that Andrew Skurka recommended and Dixie of Homemade Wanderlust uses. They are the perfect choice for Iceland's unpredictable weather with a thin pair of gloves underneath
Good video - I like the odd stuff. I've thought about those arm sleeves and the matching calf sleeves. Mostly for bushwacking and protecting my arms and legs from poison ivy. Mini toothbrush & Toothpaste tabs - I use the mini disposible ones that are pre loaded with toothpaste Colgate Wisp is one brand name, but there are many out there. They are good for two or three uses before the paste is gone. I'll bring some baking soda to brush with if I am doing more than just an overnight for when the paste is used up. Mayfly sandals - I did something similar and made a pair of Huarache Running Sandals. Worked great for a few years and upgraded this year to a pair of Jesse sandals from Xeroshoes. They probably weigh more than the Mayfly sandals, but they are a lot lighter than tevas or crocs. I like that pot lifter idea. I typically use a cheap buff for the handles and a stick through the lid loop to lift the lid. It also helps that my pot has a handle to hang it over a fire. That wire doesn't get hot and I only have to hold onto the handles enought to tip the pot. Not sure if I want to try the rain mits. I currently use a pair of fishing gloves. They are made to keep your hands warm when wet, plus they have pockets on the back of your hands to add hand warmers to keep them extra toasty if needed.
@@catwithhandsies I just checked. They are Heat brand. I bought them in the 90's and I don't see them available online. Sorry. However, there are several styles of gloves by other brands for cold water fishing. I just didn't notice any that also had pouches for the hot hands warmers.
Hi! Loved the video! The sun protection sleeves are actually quite common where I'm currently living (Japan). You see a lot of old ladies using them regularly in the city during summer 😂 I also use them for when I'm backpacking :)
Tooth paste replacement - baking soda. Also makes a nice paste on bites & stings. Light weight sandals - Crocs. Good for wet work in watery terrains. Pot holder - bandanna. Good cooler when dampaned. Courtesy of Half Vast Flying
456g for sandals? Crocs are 10-16 ounces. They float when river crossing, they are comfy, warm in winter, they protect your feet and have awesome colors :D
yea it seems like bigbrands are just rebranding naturehike or somesuch chinese generics, with some minor, but forced design changes (vents here instead of there, color...). But the good thing is, that base materials become easily available, that + some tinkering and sewing skills and you can create your own gear 😁
Steven, when I subscribe to your channel, not all that long ago, you only had like 1000 subs. Now, you're KILLING IT BRO! 60k and sponsors! You're awesome buddy. Keep it up! And I use the Mayfly sandels and my feet slip out of the front. Maybe sizing up next time will solve it.
My Xero sandals weigh more than the Mayflies, obviously (the Xeros I have weigh 350 grams for the pair), but I bet they will last a lot longer, and you can easily hike in them too.
I was fully expecting some rainbows and unicorns to emerge out of your sun hoodie and float around the screen. I have rain mitts and bought them after a cold and rainy hike. Murphy’s law of course, and I have never had to use them since.
Thanks for presenting all these items. Nicely made video but i must say it's your first video with only useless stuff. Thank you for your time as always
Sun sleeves. I have some for road cycling that I now take backpacking. Don't take them off when you get hot. If there are good water sources (like when I hiked Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne) just splash water on them and they become air conditioners.
I brush but don't use toothpaste. It's not that important for a week or shorter trip, I don't think. Keeps things simpler...and my pearly whites don't draw the bears into my tent!
@@asmith7876 I recently bought a bamboo handled toothbrush since, you know, it's lighter. Then I cut off a third since, you know, it makes it lighter. :) Still easy to use without getting my dirty hands in my mouth. It's a fun game and it'd be a real blast to hit the 10 lb mark.
A pot lifter is a total waste of time and money if you have a Titanium pot as the handles never get that hot and they cool really fast too...If your's are getting hot enough to burn you then you must be using a stainless steel or Aluminum pot or your using the wrong stove for that size of pot...Get a BRS3000T and you won't have any problems. And bright colours are a really bad idea for wild camping, especially in countries where wild camping is technically illegal, like most of the UK for instance. Here we need stealthy colours, but you don't necessarily need to resort to wearing full camo...Grey and black do the job perfectly and do not stand out in town when you on your way to wild camp. I use the brilliant Rab Pulse sun hoody in grey. Sadly it's been discontinued, but the OMM Breeze sun hoody is a good alternative...They both offer SPF50+ sun protection but the OMM is a tad lighter and a bit cheaper.
A hat with a brim will do a better job of keeping sun away. A loose fitting button up shirt tends to have better airflow while keeping the sun and bugs away. A pair of Xeros should outlast the coroplast sandals by years and have actual tread. Those look like they'll be in a landfill after the fifth time you wore them. FWIW, if the weight of toothpaste is to onerous, you don't actually need toothpaste to brush your teeth. A toothbrush and water will accomplish the same. Ask you dentist if it matters.
Proper sun sleeves and hoodies are cooler on rather than off because of evaporation. If you're not sweating enough to wet them (drink more water), then wet them a little with water. One of the cycling companies has a RU-vid video with infrared thermometers in the desert showing the difference side-by-side. I've actually been cold in my sun hoodie in Florida standing in the shade under a tree when a breeze kicked up. It was 95F that day.
I always am backpacking in the wind river range, my favorite place in the world, but I always bring sun shirts there and my friends don’t, they are always getting burned up on the large exposed mountain passes. Would love to see a full video of yours from the wind river!
I use Bite toothpaste bits every day. Also handy for backpacking. Their bamboo toothbrush is decent, so I use that too, and it already comes in two pieces and is compostable.
From this list i would probably only use hand sleeves and a cup holder. B.T.W. my survival instincts tells me that those sleeves can be easily used as fish trap. Just bend few branches or peace of wire into ring shape, place them inside a sleeve to make cylinder, fold edges inside a cylinders to make one way pass, put few stones or some dirt to add some weight and place underwater. Fish, crayfish and eels love to hide in such stuff from sun, predators and fast flow, and you can make even better trap by using some bait.
I never expose my skin to the sun. Everyone who spends time outdoors for work or recreation needs to have a yearly dermatology checkup every year or two. I find that afishing vented shirts with rollup sleeves offer high UV protection and when moving from sun to shade there is not needed to put on or take off removable sleeves. At 81 my outdoor travels are now limited to bike touring. When on the open road I find that a bike riders' visibility is increased by a solid block of color. Palds and florals become camouflage that distorts distance and make you harder to see, which may be OK in the woods but not on a road. My rule of thumb has always been, Everything I Bring must serve oner than one function. Instead of a single function pot lifter, for years I have carried a small locking plier. As a person who has thousands of days over the last 55 years touring with a backpack, kayak, bike, canoe, back country x country skiing, on many 30 to 90 day trips, I find this newish obsession with weight interesting. My concern has always been with minimum bulk and multi-use items and trip appropriate gear.
I ordered some CS coffee from garage gear--which, if you haven't tried, is the best instant coffee because of their unique crystallization process, but i digress--and was surprised to receive a little mini toothbrush in the mail. Super handy!
My husband and I both use Ex Officio hiking shirts over our wicking tees. They have insect and sun shield, and they are breathable. I find mine keeps me cool when hiking, and warm at camp.
the lack of color choices is honestly sad, there are lots of reasons to want specific colored gear, from just personal preference to literal safety issues. Someone might need a hi-viz tent because they're camping in a scary place and want to be seen if they get hurt or lost there, some people want earth tones so they can stealth camp, or just because they don't want people staring at their campsite all day attracted to a bright white or orange tent. Some people might need light colored tents because some insects and parasites are more attracted to certain colors, for instance many wasps and bees can be triggered by dark blues and blacks, so a dark tent instead of light, could be the difference between a nice trip and a swarm of bees attacking you because your tent color triggered them. Someone on the other side of that coin though, might need a dark colored tent because they camp in super cold climates with no bugs, and want to take advantage of the heat absorption of a dark tent, or a tent that won't blend into the snow and have them searching for their site in a snowstorm. Companies just go "eh colors cost a few extra bucks to add, they'll take what we give them and be happy" well I have to carefully consider color choices, for my safety, comfort, and even instect and temperature control, and if your only options for me are bright blue or white, or your only choices are hi-vis orange or drab gray, neither of which is good stealth camping unless you're camping on a gray rock, I'm gonna pass by your brand because it's not just the structural features that have meaning, every little detail matters, color, shape, how many inches I have beside me to put my stuff so I don't have to put it outside with scorpions and ants that can crawl inside to give me hell in the morning when I need my stuff.
Idk what brand they are but I use a pair of orange dishwashing gloves with grip, they're super water proof and reusable. I've been using them for FIVE years, for art projects, cleaning, camping, pretty much everything I need gloves for I use this one pair of gloves. I wash them with dawn soap and water and hang dry and they haven't worn out. I also have strong nails that grow fast and are often too long and rip holes in all my gloves, but not these ones. Durable as heck, I wish I could find out what brand they were. I got them during an art project class and took them home after and they've been lasting me forever with no issues, best pair of waterproof gloves I've ever witnessed.
Very interesting, great video. As a regular user of Hawaiian shirts, I love those first shirts. The sun sleeves are a great idea! I hate sun cream. I use just soap to brush my teeth, the same I carry for dishes and personal hygiene, you get used to the flavour (I can´t use toothpaste for reasons I won't tell now, but I guess that ended in an UL optimization). My light shoes for the camp (I don't usually carry that) are cheap Chinese crocs copies, they are huge in volume, but quite light due to their cheap foam, and provide more protection than sandals. Let me weigh it... 240gr (8.5 ounces) in my 45-size pair. Probably you can find something lighter if you spend some time in a Chinese Bazar. Just an idea!
Usually I don't bother taking my shoes/boots off even though my feet swell, instead I loosen and open them up a bunch and keep them loose like that while chilling, until the swelling goes down. But also I live in a place where even flipflops are not a good option. Cactus, snakes, ants, scorpions. Spiders too but they don't really bite people so they don't bother me, but I can't be walking around the cactus and ants in sandals, my boots stay on unless I'm in my tent. Sometimes if it's winter and I'm sitting down I'll take them off, because there's no bugs or snakes around.
