Backpacking gear I regret not getting sooner

These are 5 backpacking gear mistakes I made as a beginner backpacker, and the items I wish I had replaced them with sooner.
There's no such thing as a perfect gear list in my opinion, so I keep that in mind with this list.
Music by Harris Heller

[@spuriouseffect]

A good alternative to the GG Thinlight is a cheap reflective windshield sunscreen. I picked them up at Dollar Tree a few years ago for a buck, and once you cut off the trim piece around the edges, they only weigh 1 ounce.

[@StephenOutside]

Wow I'm really curious about this now. Is it big enough to fit your whole body?

[@spuriouseffect]

@@StephenOutside It's about 4 inches wider than the GG Thinlight, but it's 4 inches shorter. I put my pack under my head so it works for me. I haven't seen them at dollar tree for a while though. The cheapest ones are the lightest ones, but the closest thing I could find online that I think might be it is 5 bucks now.

[@moonwatch1810]

Great stuff, man. Glad to support your growing channel As you’re probably aware, the algorithm loves “list” videos like this - may I also suggest including timestamps for the listed items in your videos. Helps to make the content more digestible for casual viewers. Keep up the great work all the same! 👍

[@StephenOutside]

Thanks for the support! Oh great idea, I'll have to look up how to add those timestamps!

[@taber247]

For Titanium spoons, forks d sporks that feel odd in the mouth, use a piece ov very fine Wet & Dry it makes them feel much smoother. Thanks for sharing

[@anttiniku5223]

Toilet paper does decompose relatively fast, in a matter of weeks or a few months, especially biodegradable ones when buried to the ground. Of course there might be areas like desert where the issue is different. Obviously local regulation needs to be followed.

[@StephenOutside]

From my research, it takes toilet paper 1-3 years to decompose. That's a loooong time to affect the environment you're hiking in. I think packing it out is always the safest option

[@Rajamak]

I dig a hole and bury the waste plus any paper toilet roll, plastic wipes get taken away. When I have revisited the same spot next year there is often a load of mushrooms growing on the spot. Recent discoveries show that seeds watered with saliva, urine or fecal matter containing dna grow to contain the nutrients specific to what that dna requires. Essentially you can program veg to grow for your specific needs. I harvest and cook these mushrooms when I see them and the paper has decomposed to a level where it’s not really paper any more but just fibres.

[@TLK22]

I use a portable bidet. No more toilet paper.

[@Michael_Ian_Blackface]

​@StephenOutside 1 - 3 years may be a long time, but it's a lot shorter than "does not decompose" and "permanently damage..." as you said in the video.

[@orraman5427]

As an ex-miner headtorches are a subject I'd like to think I know something about. 1. A battery model allows you to "recharge" in seconds as opposed to waiting on a power pack to do its business. When you need light you need light. 2. You soon get used to looking down or to the side when talking to others, miners can be quite vocal when blinded by another's lamp. An alternative is to get a model with a red LED which is enough for around camp and is easier on companions' eyes. 3. A model with high, low power settings is perfectly adequate for most use. A flashing setting is not required; if you want to attract someone's attention in a mine you simply "flash" them by playing your beam in their direction by shaking or nodding your head.

[@StephenOutside]

1. Yeah that makes sense. I don't love the waste of batteries or taking extra personally. When my headlamp dies I just use my phone flashlight while it recharges for a bit. That works decently well for me but it's not ideal 2. Hahah yeah maybe I'm just bad at looking directly at everyone, that wouldn't surprise me 3. Interesting, I guess the flashing mode might be useful to get someone's attention if you get lost off trail. Hopefully an edge case use lol

[@orraman5427]

@@StephenOutside There is no "waste of batteries" if you use rechargeable batteries which can be used in different appliances. The lamps in lighthouses don't actually flash on and off, yet mariners get that impression because the light is directed towards them intermittently by the rotating lens.

[@StephenOutside]

@@orraman5427 oh that's a good point! I hadn't thought about those rechargeable batteries

[@markperry222]

If you are having trouble getting the foam mat, or just want to save some money, buy 3mm black EVA foam mat (same stuff I believe). It is sold by the yard/meter.

[@StephenOutside]

Oh nice! I didn't know that

[@jaymiiknierum4014]

Seconding this! I did that - cheaper and you can getting the perfect size for you!

[@rangerannie5636]

I never would have thought that thin little yoga mat would be as comfortable as an air mattress!

[@JasonSnailer]

lol it’s not 😂

[@michaelboguski4743]

Yogi the Bear uses his foam pad as a Yogi Mat.

[@jaymiiknierum4014]

I love my foam pad - I just bought foam from a foam store! It’s just Eva foam and you can cut it to the size you want and a lot cheaper! Also use as a yoga pad and sit pad and I feel it makes my inflatable mat less noisy as well as adding warmth and protection

[@StephenOutside]

I didn't know that was an option, that's cool! I recently learned if you fill up your air pad to full (NeoAir specifically), it makes almost no noise, and it's not too bad to sleep on

[@umaiar]

I just discovered your channel, so here's to feeding the algorithm before I go watch some more of your stuff. As a side note, I prefer a spork for ramen noodles. It's the breakfast of champions on cold mornings 😂

[@StephenOutside]

Hahah thanks for the support! Yeah I guess I don't eat a lot of ramen on trail, I need to see how hard it is with a spoon. Or maybe I'll just mix ramen + mashed potatoes lol

[@Oldsparkey]

5 years and 6 mistakes I wish I could of said that. I started back in the early 60's and always considered making mistakes as a learning curve , anyway that's the excuse I use. For the most part I hammock camp and the Gossamer foam pad is a life saver. It's exceptionally good for stopping the cold butt syndrome that the hammocks get around early morning time. Been using the pads for years due to the light weight and pack ability. You can also use them inside a frame less , ultralight , pack as a frame when rolled around the inside portion of the pack. Pack your gear inside the opening the roiled pad created. Sorry , but no electronics for me except an cell phone now and then. I like to hear what is going on around my area. My light is a U.C.O. Single Candle and Brass holder since 1971. Spoons & forks are nice to use but for fun try Chopsticks. There are some nice ones made from Titanium ( Keith Titanium ones ) and come in a travel case. The case holds each one separately so there are no rattling separating them from any occasional trail side snake.

[@StephenOutside]

Wow, backpacking since the 60's, that's inspiring! Oh I've made plenty of mistakes hahah, these are just the items of gear I still use that I have regrets about. A lot of my older gear was passed down to my wife so those mistakes sting less to me. I pack my air mattress along my back in a frameless UL backpack, but I really like having access to the foam pad throughout the day! So that goes on the outside with me. With all the ramen suggestions, I was wondering if chopsticks would be a good idea. I'll try it out, thanks!

[@pikaoutdoors7414]

Solid video

[@StephenOutside]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it

[@christinahikesandstuff9532]

Great paper point, I think many people don’t know that toilet paper doesn’t break down when buried, thanks for sharing that important fact. Funny you mentioned the spork vs spoon. I changed from the exact same spork for the same reasons, cos it’s so annoyingly pokey and unnecessary, enjoyed a long handle spoon much better this past summer😊

[@StephenOutside]

@@christinahikesandstuff9532 yes I hate how pokey the spork is! Ok you've convinced me to finally make the switch haha

[@peterjohnson6273]

Well said about your 90%/10% balance.

[@Mrbigwalt2]

I don’t own a headlamp, so can you give me an example of one WITH a lens for the main light?

[@StephenOutside]

That's a great question. I think the best option currently is the Nitecore NU20 or NU25. The light always turns on to the lowest setting, so you intentionally have to boost up the power instead of blinding people by default. The difference between the NU20 and NU25 is the NU25 has an added red lamp (which I prefer)

[@Mrbigwalt2]

Thanks!

[@JesusRodriguez-mu4hg]

While I agree having to go through gear to find what you like is wastful, it doesnt have to be. Sell your used gear at a good price for someone that cant afford new gear. I recently sold a Nemo Dragonfly 1 person tent with groundsheet, The Mo50 backpack with hipbelt pockets and a synthetic 32F sleeping bag to a friend for $380 It allowed my friend to get good quality gear at an affordable price, i get some of my money back and now i have a friend that can go backpacking with me. You also dont ever need multiple set ups for different situations and still be covered for whatever happens. Why cant your ultralight set up be your weekend setup? They all need a tent, sleeping system, backpack. Just plan for what you need and have items pull double or triple duty in different "setups". My base weight of 13 pounds for summer shares most gear with my winter set up, just change the pad for a warmer one, sleeping bag and extra layers. Maybe add an iceax or crampons if going super deep mountaineering. Winter might add 5 pounds of extra gear, but most things dont need to be changed out. Backpack, tent, battery, first aid kit, cooking kit. Bunch of kit doesn't need to change, just added or swapped out. I have 1 kit with some alternate gear under my bed that gets added or swapped out depending on the situation.

[@StephenOutside]

Well stated! That's awesome you were able to sell your used gear to a friend who will really appreciate it. I guess to me it seems like a there's a big desire for the perfect setup. Multi-use and durable/high quality gear is not as fun to talk about, but way more practical. I sometimes avoid talking about gear specifics to avoid this altogether, and rather talk about features

[@bryanadkins4208]

Hey there, I didn't bother to take a look back through the rest of the comments, but specifically regarding your headlamp issue,

[@tom_olofsson]

I recently got a polished spoon. It really is better.

[@meandmerat8744]

Where to you get a KOLA clean?

[@StephenOutside]

You can get a Culo Clean from Amazon

[@maxallanmosesman]

Whats the name of the pad?

[@StephenOutside]

It's the Gossamer Gear Thinlight, but there's a bunch of 1/8 inch foam pads nowadays

[@Mrtojo]

When you talk to people do you hear music? Nether do I, just stop this bad habit of playing music while you talk. It serves no purpose and it's annoying. And your sound levels are off, your voice is to low, music is to high. But other that that great video🙂

[@StephenOutside]

I really appreciate the feedback, thanks. Next video I'll cut the music and see how that goes

[@tom_olofsson]

You do a good job without the music.

[@JasperJanssen]

I’m not opposed to music per se, but it definitely needs to be a bit more deep background than it is here.

[@JadeAkelaONeal]

???? When my friends are over I usually have music playing for background noise. Yes. Do you talk to people at all, outside of being shitty with them online?

[@samimurtomaki5534]

​@@StephenOutsideDoesn't hurt to try 👍

[@bikeme5200]

Music is really annoying

[@StephenOutside]

Got it, I'll cut the music next video!

[@TLK22]

Looks like an interesting video but music is too loud so I lasted 34s.

[@StephenOutside]

Yeah, I wish I hadn't made it so loud. Lesson learned

[@theabrant]

This guy doesn't even like couscous

[@StephenOutside]

😂 watch me make the same mistake again