What's in my Backpack: BACKPACKING GEAR GUIDE: Everything I am using in 2023

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Drop your comments on gear I need or gear I don't. Did I overpack?

[@stevesalter1138]

I normally don’t give advice, unless solicited. But you said feel free to give our two cents. Firstly, 40lbs for a 4 day hike without 4 days of food, even with camera gear shouldn’t top 30lbs. Here’s my 2 cents to save you some weight. Backpack: Your Osprey is 4.5lbs VS Zpacks Arc Blast 1.4lbs Savings 3.1lbs Tent: Your 2 person tent is 3.5lbs VS Zpacks Plex Solo 1lb (1 person) or Zpacks Triplex 1.6lbs (3 person) Savings 2.5lbs or 2lbs respectively. Cook System: Your Jet boil is 14.6oz VS A BRS 3000 Stove 1oz Paired with a Toaks 550ml Pot 3.7oz Total 4.7oz Savings 9.9oz and of course the small fuel canister. Changing just those 3 items would save you a little over 6lbs! Your sleep system looks reasonably light but as you know comfort is more important than weight in a sleep system. However, your quilt is 800+ fill. If you found a quilt you liked that was 950+ fill it would be lighter without loss of comfort. Check out Feathered Friends. They ethically source their goose down too. I have much more to say but I won’t go on a gear rant. I probably already exceeded 2 cents. Except this, Chica! Lose the giant barbecue lighter and get a bic mini. What the heck. Were you trying to bust the 40lb threshold? Ha, just messin with you. But seriously, lose that brick. If you take care of the ounces the pounds take care of themselves. BTW, I just got back from Belize. You were right. What an amazing place! The diving, phenomenal! Keep on exploring Alice. Your content is very helpful.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

I appreciate all these suggestions. Thank you

[@Sinkingthroughdafloor]

Can confirm the tent you are using is fantastic. I love the color. Even on gloomy days it's so chearful waking up in it. Like sleeping in a giant yellow emoji. as far as the size. Yes, you could use a smaller tent for just you, but I’ve never been able to sleep comfortably with my stuff in a one person tent. Maybe on a really nice night when my backpack or anything else can sit outside but if it’s rainy or gross outside you need that extra space.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thank you for confirming my hopes. I love the tent as well. All the pockets and places to hang stuff and yes agree about the yellow so cozy in the morning light

[@keithmeyers1720]

I remember 30 years ago when I weighed all my stuff sacks!! And stick with the two-person tent, or try a tarp. So roomy and you can see the world around you. Just "discovered" your stuff, great fun

[@mikebavoso26]

Thank you so much! I am now living in a travel trailer after my house burned down. At my elevation the outside temps are in the low 20's and teens in the morning last winter. Only 10 degrees wammer inside the trailer. I don't use the heat when I sleep. Commerical power has no been restored yet. Your information on sleeping gear is great and I will shop for these items Thank you.

[@ExpeditionAustralia]

Building and fine tuning your backpacking kit is half the fun 😊

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Yeah it is I’ll have an update to what I’ve changed in a few weeks

[@jvinot60]

Another great and informative video! Miss you girl. 😊

[@Samsonp95]

Great content i really like that quilt you’re using and might invest to have something lighter for the summer. It takes a ton of time to personalize our setup and its never set in stone. Every destination requires different gear so packing is 100% a skill we learn. If i had any tips for your setup i would try to find more universal uses of certain stuff. I know they make trekking poles that double as a camera stand. Seems like you have plenty of lights and you could swap out that tent to save a few lbs i only bring one headlamp and hang it as a lantern when i need. Backpacks really vary in weight but if you cant find something thats just as comfortable its not worth sacrificing imo.

[@Hike-n-wine]

I just watched your video and loved how real you are! This is how I pack too!! I always bring a mini deck of cards for tent solitaire!

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Aww thank you that’s a great idea too. Or at least solitary downloaded on my phone

[@SA-ho2nw]

Love your videos. Thank you!

[@rochittalera]

Very good and informative content. Please make a video, How do you pack all these stuff into your backpack.

[@db.mc2]

Hi Alice 👋 Always great to hear from you, thank you 🙂Appreciate you, stay safe and take care my friend 🙏

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thank you, same back to you

[@rampk9014]

I always love seeing you backpacking Alice 😍 Good One as always!👍

[@yobwoc1000]

You reached 30k, congrats

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thank you so much. I’ll be doing a live stream soon when I’m back at home

[@yobwoc1000]

@@AliceFordAdventures hopefully you can get 50k soon

[@AliceFordAdventures]

@@yobwoc1000 hope so too

[@jasoncombs7545]

Life is all about timing. Thanks for presenting this video now, towards the beginning of warmer season backpacking for the northern hemisphere. Much appreciated. I'll go out on a limb and guess your winter pack would be a little different...

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thanks Jason, yes winter pack is very different and really every destination has a few slightly different things. I’ll be up in Canada in July and will do an update on gear after that trip too

[@estebanvhs]

Lovely selection!! thank you for sharing Alice

[@georgespencer3973]

One of my packs is an Osprey that has that mesh screen, too, that makes an air space between your back and pack. I love it. Not the lightest pack, though. Big fan of wool of various weights for underwear, shirts, and socks! Carrying all that photo/video equipment…. I’m grateful you do but, ugh. I sold off all my SLR gear over a decade ago because I was so tired of carrying the weight. I am glad they are requiring the gas cans to be refillable. I always thought they should be. Great video, Alice!

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thank you George. Yes really like this pack too and even though it’s heavy doesn’t feel too cumbersome

[@fredreynolds-onefootinfron5919]

Great Vlog Alice...I just began following you and look forward to watching many more. Awesome Channel.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thanks Fred. Welcome to the channel

[@ChrisChrisman]

Alright, I did what you said and hit all the buttons lol. However, this is the first time I've seen your channel. Very informative video. Can't wait to see some of your previous videos. Thanks for the quality content.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thank you so much Chris! I really appreciate all that button hitting. I hope you enjoy some of the other videos on the channel. What’s your favorite kind of adventure activity

[@ChrisChrisman]

@@AliceFordAdventures Our favorite activity is probably scuba diving and snorkeling, but we do a lot of adventures including hiking, biking, some sky diving and bungee jumping. Oh, and off roading. We were thinking about going to Portugal so will probably watch your top 10 video with the wife tonight. We are going on an African safari soon. You channel is great!

[@billwhitaker2947]

The 2 man tents are nice during bad weather. You have room to store your pack and keep everything dry.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Yes so true

[@billwhitaker2947]

@@AliceFordAdventures I'm also a big fan of the inReach mini. I take mine everywhere. As you may or not know, cell service is spotty in Colorado.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

@@billwhitaker2947 I’m sure aware of that ;) love mine too and luckily haven’t ever needed to use outside of sending a text or two

[@AskinsAdventures]

Great video and appreciate a backpack list that is not an ultra light list. While I don’t pack quite as heavy, I do like to bring some luxury or extra items.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

You’re welcome. Ultralight is great if you can I suppose but I like comfort ;)

[@BillyW80]

👍👍👍 great job

[@HeidiGriffith-i9t]

In the trans Catalina video you did it looked like maybe you used a water bladder? Noticed a tube on your shoulder at one point….water is individual but wondering how much you carried per day for the Catalina? Loved your content, I will be sure to watch more.

[@pacnwhiker1213]

Loved the Catalina Trail vid! Want to do it next spring! Unbound Merino shirts are the bomb!

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thank you I’m so glad you liked it. reservations I think go on sale for camping January 31 so mark that in your calendar for TCT

[@pacnwhiker1213]

@@AliceFordAdventures Thank you! You are awesome! One of these days you need to come check out Washington state’s great hiking and backpacking!

[@dr.nigelcool3771]

This is why I'm just a dayhiker. I could carry your backpack maybe 10 feet.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Lol 😉

[@brianjohnston6132]

I made my own first aid kit with stuff for real deal emergencies based upon the advice of a friend who's an ER doctor. It includes a LifeStraw, sutures, a suture needle, an EpiPen, and then some of the stuff in the usual first aid kits like bandages, gauze, and saline wipes. I still need to add some of the rapid blood clotting gauze that's out now. I've also started using a bivy, which is basically a gore-tex body bag, unless it is going to snow. It's not for some, especially the claustrophobic, but it's a huge weight reduction from a one-person tent.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Oh like you use your bivy as your tent? Yeah that’s not for me I like room to relax ha but that certainly would save a ton of room and weight. I carry one of those on long day hikes for emergencies, and I also usually have a different handmade med kit too.

[@brianjohnston6132]

@@AliceFordAdventures yep, I sleep in the bivy. I only bring it, a sleeping pad, and an inflatable pillow. Picked that tip up from an ultra runner who goes full minimalist on like 2-day 100 mile runs. It takes getting used to, but if you know it won't rain for any extended period (like Moab or for instance), it's a big weight and space saver. For a one-person tent, I have the MSR Hubba and really like it. It's just big enough for you and, if need be, your gear. My two-person is a North Face Assault 2. It's incredible. Only pulled out for use in extreme conditions. Another good segment. Happy adventuring, Alice.

[@ufcpa1]

Nice video, thank you! You may have covered, and I missed it- what watch to you use?

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Ah yes i forgot to mention it. I use the Garmin Fenix 6S

[@marty17f]

Thanks Alice I see a few more things I will need to purchase. 40 lbs. is a lot of weight to carry. I will need to hit the gym to keep up with you.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Indeed a strong foundation is always a great idea.

[@HoopesJohnC]

Backpack is good, maybe later shop around again to test others...but if its 2-4 lbs empty that's fine. The tent is huge and a tad heavy for one person. Look into other freestanding single person tents to shave off 1-2.5 lbs and forego the compression bag, that's another few oz of not needed weight. Sleep system stuff you have is great/top notch/light. Clothing-wise, everyone is different, but that number of shirts is a lot. Try one pair of pants, one pair of shorts, one pair of leggings, 2 pairs of socks, one long sleeve button/long sleeve. To get and feel clean consider baby wipes to hit sensitive areas (face, pits etc). Rain gear: Gore Tex pro material shell (and I usually pair that with a light down long sleeve sweater/jacket) - then maybe a pair of gore-text pants to throw on. Ditch the huge lighter and bring two mini bic brand ones (one backup and one common use). Switch jetboil size for a smaller one. Measure paracord to the length you'd need for a bear bag hang (50') plus 10-20' extra. Make sure it is 550 type for strength and not knock-off junk. If you need more lights than just a headlamp, I'd say ditch at least one of the extras. Garmin mini is excellent. Food choices are awesome! For towels etc...I'd slim that down to just one. For film equipment, think of things you have not used at all the last 2-3 trips and set it aside, then weight it (multiple chargers, multiple microphone adapters/lenses). Research different tripods just to see if you can shave a pound off there. Leave the carabiners. Consider adding an emergency blanket with the poncho. A test after you've set anything aside....weigh it. See how the weight has added up. My biggest gains were backpack empty weight reduction, sleep system revision, and tent. I went down several pounds in those areas alone. The clothing end was next and that was another 2-3 lbs. Try out lighterpack.com/welcome to track those changes.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thank you so much! I just got a 1 person tent from Outdoor Vitals which is already a big difference. I’ll check out some of the other suggestions you mentioned and definitely think more about clothing for my next bigger and longer trip in a few weeks

[@HoopesJohnC]

@@AliceFordAdventures One thing I missed, what water filtering method are you using?

[@daveblosser4658]

Hi Alice, I was wondering what we can put in our Backpack 🎒 that can help us to make Coffee in the morning. Thanks! Dave (GNP)

[@AliceFordAdventures]

I really like to just do a silicone collapsible pour over with a filter, it’s no trash other than the grounds. Then I hear water on my stove and pour over like at home, other people really like the Aeropress but I prefer this amzn.to/3NH3QO5 with a little mesh filter

[@mickeybrumfield764]

Looks like you have it together. I don't know how anyone can keep a backpack to 10% of their weight. Was wondering what kind of watch you use?

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thanks Mickey. I’m glad to hear that. I use the Garmin Fénix 6 it’s not as fancy as an Apple Watch but the battery lasts 9 days which is a necessity for us outdoor people

[@mickeybrumfield764]

@Alice Ford Thanks, Alice. I have used Garmin handheld devices for many years and recently discovered the Fenix and am amazed at its functionality and battery life, I think it's the best thing since sliced bread.

[@anthonybrice3807]

Thank you for sharing. I have been taking my Canon 5DMark III DSLR but thinking of getting a drone and a GOPro. Have you ever taken any hikes with any professional hiking companies such a Backroads or MT Sobek? My hiking involves staying at hotels or inside at night. My outdoor camping days are over.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

The profesional guided trips I do are usually for big summits. But I haven’t used either of those companies yet

[@anthonybrice3807]

Thank you for responding

[@2manysigns]

Hope the feet healed up nicely ! Sweeeeeeet gear ; )))

[@AliceFordAdventures]

They did thanks for checking in

[@s31109am]

Thanks for the video. Clearly you are in awesome shape! Pack weight is a very personal choice with tons of factors to consider. Could I carry 40 lbs? No way, and I’m 100 lbs heavier than you! That said, I’m glad you can do it so we can keep watching your great content 😊.

[@s31109am]

PS. My family just watched Fall and looked out for your stunts!

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thanks Brian. I hope you enjoyed the movie

[@paulpowers1932]

You're really an inspiration, don't know how you could carry so much & not carrying spinach like Popeye

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Aww thank you

[@jamesburke8807]

Wow! Really insightful! Many thnx. U R g8!

[@radisson8627]

Picking and packing gear is important. Everything we carry has to be lightweight, the lighter a piece of gear is generally more expensive to purchase, therefore never ever downgrade on quality over a budget. Backpacking is more than just a walk in the park, a person has to be compatible with the elements at any given time, and this is when we can depend on the stuff we carry on our back. Weather can be challenging, unpredictable, the outdoors can be an hostile environment and the further away you get from a trailhead, you are on your own. Get the good gear! 🇨🇦 🥾 🏔 🇺🇸

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Thanks for the advice Radisson. Heading to Canada again in June :)

[@radisson8627]

You are welcome Alice. Although you do not need any advice from me, the comments were aimed at the folks out there that wish to follow your footsteps. The West Coast Trail is highly used, monitored and it is wet and could be windy. You will not be alone there if you hike solo, campsites are a great gathering point for all going through. I can't wait to read your trail report...🇨🇦☯️☮️🇺🇸

[@Miderguy_]

So you don't need a solar panel to charge the power banks after a couple days?

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Yes but this was only a few days so I didn’t need that. The last backpack trail i did had a few places with outlets along the route where I juiced up. I’ll have to do another version later with more of my off grid items

[@fountatelier]

Hi Alice, wow love that minimal tripod! I did not see it in your gear links; do you mind sharing what the name of it is? Happy to send you some affiliate $ if you send a link my way 😊

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Absolutely that is the Lume Cube tripod amzn.to/3AZJkAC

[@fountatelier]

@@AliceFordAdventures perfect, thanks!

[@niesaforster9945]

I always heard 20% as idea and 1/3 as max.

[@nathanriggs1125]

I feel like that 10% rule would be REALLY hard to conform too. Even at 200lbs...if you carry a tent, some type of sleeping bag, camera gear, water, food...you're gonna be over 20lbs. already I think.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Oh yes agreed! It’s nearly impossible, I believe it’s meant to be a baseline. I doubt my day hiking had is even close to this 🤣

[@gregoryoutdoors]

Overpacked for sure, nut you will learn eventually the hard way as I did.

[@rgallion]

I've always heard 20% rule not 10%

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Both rules are used a lot

[@jordonchenard1232]

swinging gear is should be avoided even if its small.

[@HeidiGriffith-i9t]

In the trans Catalina video you did it looked like maybe you used a water bladder? Noticed a tube on your shoulder at one point….water is individual but wondering how much you carried per day for the Catalina? Loved your content, I will be sure to watch more.