4lbs Lighter! 5 Affordable Backpacking Alternatives

Want to shed some weight off your backpack without breaking the bank? Swap out these 5 lightweight alternatives and save at least 3-4lbs lbs of weight! The best part? These gear swaps are cheaper than their heavier counterparts. Perfect for budget-conscious adventurers looking to lighten their load.
💡 Introduction
Hey y’all, my name is Adam and welcome to Dad Camps! I’m a dad who loves getting outdoors and discussing all the gear that goes with it. If you’re into outdoor adventures and gear talk, make sure to hit that subscribe button. I’m on a mission to reach 1000 subscribers and I’d love for you to join the journey!
💰 Value Gear Swaps
Old Navy Flips - tinyurl.com/44h79yhh
Mayfly - tinyurl.com/yax4wvv5
JetBoil - tinyurl.com/a3zzaum7
BRS Stove - amzn.to/3K6R48I
Toaks Pot - tinyurl.com/y4z2bty6
Esbit Stove - tinyurl.com/48e5xx5k
Soft Flask - amzn.to/3WRng7g
Platy Preserve - tinyurl.com/2rrt2hye
Helinox Chair Zero - tinyurl.com/3z7s2f3w
REI Flexlite Air - tinyurl.com/mr93dyfc
Klymit V Seat - amzn.to/4annjen
Time Stamps
00:00 Intro
00:38 Crocs vs ?
03:59 Jetboil vs. ?
06:14 Flask vs ?
10:31 Chair vs. ?
12:58 Ground Cloth vs. ?
Videos mentioned:
• Helinox Chair Zero vs ...
• Glacier North Circle L...
Join the Conversation
What lightweight gear swaps have you made? Let us know in the comments below! Don’t forget to like and subscribe for more tips on saving weight and money on your outdoor adventures.
Hashtags:
#LightweightBackpacking #OutdoorGear #DadCamps #HikingTips #UltralightBackpacking #BackpackingGear #CampingHacks #OutdoorAdventures #BudgetBackpacking

[@Bill_tyler]

Flip flops definitely have a place but I’ll stick to my moccasins for camp

[@rootsandpeaks]

Your videos are getting better and better! Keep it up!!!

[@DadCamps]

Thanks man! Really working at it, so that means alot.

[@rootsandpeaks]

I can tell! Keep on keeping on.

[@Shockhikes]

Crocs will always come backpacking with me I even wore them in the snow over the weekend. Just wore my seal skinz under them. They’re great for river crossings in sport mode, too. Best camp shoe, though. My feet feel better in them after a long day and I won’t stub my toe at camp. Good video, man!

[@Tokoroegao]

Crocs have structure and by that really help to relax my feet. Flipflops usually make things worse for me.

[@DadCamps]

Best reasoning I've heard yet.

[@DadCamps]

I'll fess up here and admit that I actually borrowed my buddies crocs to cross a river in Glacier last year. We could've made do without them, but since he was willing to share the luxury, then why not?

[@Tokoroegao]

@@DadCamps I think some of it comes down to body weight. I am pretty hefty... Someone skinny and fit probably won't need as much support for their feet.

[@keithmeyers1720]

Good stuff.

[@DadCamps]

Thanks Keith!

[@ShavanoOutdoors]

Great tips, thanks! I hope you hit the 1,000 mark soon! Any advice for another small channel?

[@DadCamps]

Thanks! Nice looking channel, subbed. I'd say the biggest thing I've learned so far is consistency is key.

[@ShavanoOutdoors]

Thank you for the advice and sub! I appreciate it!

[@ddff5242]

For croc replacement, the amoji garden clogs on Amazon are 3.5 oz per shoe. Gives you cro comfort, can leave socks on, and cheap!

[@DadCamps]

Woah, are they really that light? Amazon shows the product dimensions as this: Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 13.39 x 13.78 x 4.72 inches; 1.28 Pounds

[@ddff5242]

@DadCamps they are. You might be looking at a different model. The ones that weight 3.5 oz per shoes is the one that don't have a heel and have holes all throughout the shoe.

[@theaknights]

Another Croc alternative is a pair of slide sandals. I got a pair of Kirkland Signature (Costco) for $12 and they weight 11oz (size 12). Not quite as light, but super comfy and no toe jam.

[@DadCamps]

Nice idea!

[@BackpackingandBlisters]

Yeah man! Good job on this video! You're getting a bunch of hits! And almost 1K Subscribers! Keep up the good work!

[@DadCamps]

Thanks Carl! I know - so close! Now I'm gonna have to pick a new goal. Maybe it should be get to be big enough to be on the B&B podcast. 😜

[@BackpackingandBlisters]

@@DadCamps Big enough? :) We're pretty small time on KZbin. But I can put you down on our guest list if you're interested. It may not be for a while though. We're booked up for a bit and Derek is about to hit his 'off season'. :)

[@BackpackingandBlisters]

@@DadCamps And....you cracked a thousand!!!! Yes!!!

[@DadCamps]

@@BackpackingandBlisters anytime you’d have me, I’m down!

[@spnemec]

Nice vid! I've been using some of that Friday King heat shrink window plastic from the hardware store for a ground sheet. It's dirty cheap, almost impervious to pictures and weighs next to nothing.

[@DadCamps]

Wow great find! I'm gonna have to try that out.

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Nice video! Well done. New follower here. Crow✌️

[@DadCamps]

Thanks so much! I've had you subbed on my personal account for a while now. Great channel!

[@johncramer9564]

Comments about the items in your video 1) Crocs: The good thing about crocs is if your trailrunners get soaked and you need to let them dry, you can hike in the crocs on non-technical terrain for 5 or 10 miles and it's comfortable. With the split toe or mayfly's that is not the case... those are more for just wearing at camp, but I found an over-the-top lightweight comfortable sandal which I am currently waiting on delivery for from Amazon for about $25 to use as an alternative. 2) regarding the Toaks pot + BRS3000T combo. yeah that works well but it's essential to bring some kind of wind shield, even fold up some tin foil and put inside the toaks pot works, but preferably titanium wind screen nested inside it. Flat Cat Gear makes titanium one designed to work with the BRS3000T. Without the windscreen it will take 3x longer and more fuel to boil in a light wind, and never boil in a strong wind. 3) flask. I liked the platipus wine bottle option and will probably order one for myself. 4) Sit pad, I prefer the foam sit pads with reflective coating on one side to the air pads just because so much simpler and problem free. Just pull out of net pocket on backpack and sit. Nice video. Keep the content coming.

[@DadCamps]

Thanks for the thoughts! 1. Fair point, still a pretty heavy plan B though. Curious what alternatives you ordered? How light? 2. Absolutely, hoping to show the need for that in that upcoming video I'm planning about those stoves. 3. Glad you liked it! 4. Maybe my butts too boney but i just don't get any comfort from sitting on those. To each his own though!

[@johncramer9564]

​@@DadCamps Birkenstock sells an EVA material ultra lightweight sandal called "Arizona Essentials EVA" which is said to be 40% lighter than crocs, but I have not bought this yet. This is my leading contender at the moment.

[@DadCamps]

@@johncramer9564 let me know how they turn out!

[@sufuhashim2092]

I'm An outdoor adventure Grandad ❤

[@DadCamps]

Awesome! I hope to be the same someday.

[@Midimoho]

Baby food pouches are small but dont leak and collapsible as well. Costs about .89.

[@DadCamps]

Interesting idea!

[@Tokoroegao]

I made it 1000 :-D

[@DadCamps]

Well thank you very much! You made my day! Welcome!

[@Oldsparkey]

Dump the Jet Boil and get a titanium wood burning stove , Something like the Firebox ones and take the Crocks. No fuel to carry and the stove is a few ounces compared to the gas canister and Jet Boil.

[@phillipp1399]

Most places in the western us require a stove that can be turned off… no wood stoves, no alcohol stoves. Canister stoves are kings of flexibility.

[@brandonrivera3224]

​@@phillipp1399 wood stoves are allowed but still require the free fire permit. Just not allowed during fire bans.

[@DadCamps]

Yeah great suggestion. I haven't been able to try one of those yet, but I'd love to. Outside of fire ban season of course.

[@DadCamps]

Typically true only in fire ban season, right? Do you know of areas where these are banned year round?

[@DadCamps]

That's been my experience too.

[@ghost762]

Sorry I'm keeping my Crocs

[@DadCamps]

To each their own! That's kinda one of the fun things about backpacking right?