"$800 for a tent?!": Why you should spend money on gear that you love

[@timbschwartz]

What's your biggest gear purchase that you definitely DON'T regret?

[@markrico1917]

My UGQ quilt, absolutely wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

[@_crane_7475]

Palante V2, favorite pack for sure.

[@timbschwartz]

@@_crane_7475 Nice! I've had a Desert Pack in my GGG cart for like 4 months now lol

[@timbschwartz]

@@markrico1917 Sweet! I haven't used one yet, but I hear great things!

[@_crane_7475]

@@timbschwartz i really want a Desert pack as well! Too bad they dont do the purple gridstop anymore, that was sexy haha

[@discopatrol.]

On a more personal level, the best investment I have ever made was bringing my 11 year old son hiking with me for the first time when I was living in AZ years ago. I still remember him wearing my old boy scout button-up shirt and taking notes in a pad I gave him. He would write down everything he saw that day. My son is 24 now and we still backpack and camp together.

[@Pacifica.Obscura]

Thankful you were given the privilege of being a father. Predominantly now most men are ambiguously grieving and alienated from their children. America.

[@timbschwartz]

Thanks so much for sharing, David! It was my dad that got me into camping as well, and I have fond memories of our trips when I was a kid. Hands down, the best investment you can make.

[@discopatrol.]

@@timbschwartz Agreed! But to answer your original question 😄...So far my favorite piece of gear has to be my newly acquired EE zero degree quilt. I've used it on two trips over the last month at around freezing and I didn't realize how good a quilt was for me. I move around a lot and mummy bags have always felt tight. Although it's only been a short time, I think I've crossed to the dark side!

[@discopatrol.]

@@Pacifica.Obscura I had to take some time to think about it, but yes, I think there is a disconnect in the newer generation. My original post may seem like my life is perfect but it wasn't at the time. I'm retired military and I was almost never home for the first 10 years of my career. I didn't get to know who my kids really were until they were almost teens. It took a lot of time and effort to become a part of their lives. My wife was/is the rock in the family. My advice to anyone reading this....be grateful for what you have and the people that are in it. Take the time to connect with everything around you and focus on what you can control. Surround yourself with good people and good things will come your way.

[@andymytys]

I’d add that a lot of these cottage companies started because a thru-hiker got pissed that some feature wasn’t available that was a game-changer, so they decided to make their own. Once the Internet got ahold of it and people started asking if they could get one, a company was formed. This literally is how Gossamer Gear (Glen Van Peski (GVP Gear prior to GG)) and TarpTent (Henry Shires) started out.

[@timbschwartz]

Very good point!

[@FunFactOfTheDay]

First video I've seen of yours and holy cow, what a video! You obviously invested in your craft of learning cinematography - and it shows! This was a video I'd expect to see on like a Matt D'Avella style channel!

[@timbschwartz]

Thanks so much for the kind words! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@_crane_7475]

I have grown to love your videos and your cinematography. Your videos have inspired me to get into filming my adventures outdoors. I want to share my experiences with my friends and family. Thanks for the vids man, keep 'em coming.

[@timbschwartz]

Thank you so much for the kind words! That means a lot to me, and I'm glad that you find my little videos inspiring. I appreciate you!

[@markheming3507]

I spend entirely too much time watching backpacking videos on KZbin because my job does not allow me to get out as often as I would like. But that being said you make some of my favorite KZbin videos and inspire me to take every opportunity I have to get out in trail

[@timbschwartz]

Thanks, Mark! That really means a lot :)

[@andymytys]

We as a community often focus on the example of the $800 tent because it’s freaking $800 for a tent and that sounds insane, sometimes even to us. But, those tents are usually in the 16-20 oz weight category, and they’re conservatively saving us 24 oz over the $300-500 choice. That comes out to $33/oz saved, really $21 - $12.50 given that you were already committed to spending 300-500 on a heavier tent. Overall, the pricy tent, quilt, and sleeping bag aren’t that expensive if you focus on weight savings and how much it costs to save comparable weight on things like say headlamps, rain jackets, and guy-line. Then there’s the concept of “thru-hiker math.” “Well, if I was staying in a hotel for a couple of weeks, that would cost me way more than $800, so I’m actually SAVING money.” 😜

[@jayv.8298]

Another excellent one! Hiking as a craft… I love that idea! Thx man

[@timbschwartz]

Thanks for the comment, Jonathan! So glad you enjoyed it!

[@BackcountryExposure]

Love your presentation style, Tim! I just bought/ordered a Packraft... waiting for it to ship, but it's definitely the most exciting gear purchase I've made in a really long time.

[@timbschwartz]

Thanks, Devin! Just trying to catch up to you, my friend ;) Oh nice! That sounds like a ton of fun. Any big trips planned for it?

[@BackcountryExposure]

@@timbschwartz I have a huge passion project centered around the Escalante river here in Utah. Paddling the length of the river to lake Powell is a big trip planned. May not happen this year though with water levels and available time.

[@timbschwartz]

Sick! I've only rafted a couple of times but always enjoy it. Have to admit I'm a little bit intimidated by rivers, but it sounds like a blast. I've been kicking around the idea of buying a kayak.

[@andymytys]

One year I bought a pair of high-end, prescription sunglasses from an outfit in CO that didn’t take insurance (Opticus). The quality of the lenses was incredible. Definitely no regrets there.

[@timbschwartz]

Crappy sunglasses, especially those that don't fit well, can absolutely break a trip haha. That said I still go quite cheap (no prescription needed) and get a few pairs of Knockarounds every several years. I know I'm going to destroy them.

[@stitch6211]

got a good feeling about this new addition to the subscription list

[@timbschwartz]

Thanks so much! Excited to have you!

[@jjhikespa3600]

Good points. I focus on reliable, durable gear that I enjoy using when choosing my backpacking gear. I go camping and backpacking to recharge and enjoy the outdoors; I don’t want to worry about gear failures or wish that I brought something else.

[@timbschwartz]

Glad we're on the same page! Thanks for the comment!

[@KrizAkoni]

I have many I don’t regret - Western Mountaineering Versalite is the top of the list.

[@timbschwartz]

Oh nice! I really need to get my hands on a Western Mountaineering bag at some point. I hear nothing but good things. Maybe when my Montbell winter bag kicks the bucket.

[@stuartb9194]

You make a compelling argument, though i personally take a great deal of joy in getting the most out of more value oriented gear: doing it cheap. That goes from avoiding pre-dehydrated meals, buying older models, or modding gear myself to suit my needs, rathan than buying into the new, shiny 'gucci gear'. In the end, both ways get you out into the sticks, i guess

[@timbschwartz]

100% agreed, Stuart! I also enjoy doing things on the cheap when I can get away with it. The point that I was trying to get across was more that we shouldn't feel shame spending what some might consider silly amounts of money on something when we decide that it's the right tool for the job. Thanks for watching!

[@andymytys]

Is Western Mountaineering cottage? I picked up an Apache Microfiber with two oz of overfill 25 years ago and it still keeps me cozy at 10 F. It’s probably a 0 F comfort bag which, at 40 oz, isn’t bad at all. They still make the bag and its price has only gone up. No regrets!!

[@timbschwartz]

I would probably lump them in with cottage gear companies - they're sold through distributors now but the gear is still all made in San Jose as far as I know. You actually hit on an interesting question - what's the definition of cottage? Companies like Hyperlite come to mind that are neither small or truly mainstream.

[@GenX_outdoors]

❤❤❤

[@DavidKD2050]

Recently discovered your channel, in the very crowded space. One tip if I may. Slow down. Don’t burn out or burn of ideas. Train your audience to expect a sustainable schedule so that you are still producing good content years from now.

[@timbschwartz]

Thanks for the advice!

[@andymytys]

The “cool” factor of the price of gear is like a pendulum. Flashy, new, best in class gear is certainly cool, but so is the dirtbagger chewing up trails with secondhand modded gear and a pile of skill.

[@timbschwartz]

Completely agree! Function comes first, always.