Backpacking Gear That SUCKS (at least for me..)

[@ddff5242]

With the helix. It's counter intuitive but inflate it really tight and full. With the dimples it's softer than most when fully inflated. Most other pad you have to deflate to make it comfier. Not this one. It's the opposite.

[@brianmcmurdie]

Agreed. You really gotta pump it tight. That’s what activates the dimple support. And yes, the price is hard to beat right now.

[@paigeguthrie2308]

7:19 IM CRYING😂😂

[@dakotacoburn]

Hahahaha 😂

[@wyregrasser7540]

Man... I suffer from rain jacket dilemma also. South Alabama, Hot, Humid sometimes cold, rainy needs to be tough. No Jacket ever works... yet. I'm thinking straight up Clint Eastwood Pancho. Waterproof, zip in polartec liner some groovy western prints and I'm set. Who knows? Same thing with my exact Hoka's. I'm just very tough on sneakers. Thanks for sharing. 👴

[@dakotacoburn]

I’ve been thinking a polartec layer mixed with a water layer or wind break might be the way to go like you’re saying. Thanks!

[@CookingMike]

I'm 5 6" and 170lb and the rei heliux has worked pretty incredible for me in Colorado rocky mountains got in on a rei sale and it's performed better then the nemo tensor for me.

[@CB19087]

Running shoes have a life of approximately 300 miles! Them bad boys were done a long time ago! 1:22

[@Iron-Outdoor]

Thanks for sharing!

[@dakotacoburn]

Thanks for watching!

[@higler.]

You're spot on about the Hoka Speedgoats. They feel great at first, but I've had the same issues with the tread wearing extra fast and that stupid exposed foam on the undersole lets sticks, twigs, and rocks poke through, stab your foot, and get stuck in the foam. They call them "trailrunners" but have the durability of road runners. And for what they cost... what a joke. Hoka did accept my return and refunded me though so good on them.

[@Kourple]

For Rain jackets I would check out the ROCKFRONT Rain Hoodie, or on GGG the Rain Jacket by LightHeart Gear. Both non breathable but with mechanical ventilation. Or for a more durable jacket but heavier (what I personally have) is the Columbia Outdry extreme rain. Its membrane is on the outside so it doesn't wet out, still not sure how long the lamination between layers holds up. Keep up the good work.

[@CombatBanana]

Second the ROCKFRONT hoodie! Best rain jacket on the market by far! 100% waterproof, non breathable fabric, with full length pit zips and a chest zip and slightly baggy fit (tons of ventilation). It's about as light as it gets but its way better quality than frog toggs and its way cheaper than membrane jackets. It also doesn't absorb nearly as much water (weight) as membrane jackets. No need to reapply a DWR coating all the time. Only downside is mine has a strong fish smell out of the box so I washed it and now it smells fine.

[@dakotacoburn]

I’ve seen people talking about the Columbia Outdry on the ultralight subreddit. Everyone seems to swear by it! So is the rock front jacket just a nylon poly mix? Aka wearing a tent fly 😂. That could be a good solution

[@jamiecoburn1231]

@@dakotacoburn 2500mm waterproof? Fine for normal rain, but that is going to wet out pretty quick around here....Then its going to stay wet

[@Kourple]

@@jamiecoburn1231 Hydrostatic Head rating is a good pressure reading, but the only place where it’s sorta realistic is your backpack trying to press the water through the back of your rain jacket. It shows how easy the material can be ripped with water, and I don’t think that can be done with rain. But please do your own research and see if you think I’m right. (Check out the paramo jackets for reference)

[@Kourple]

@@dakotacoburnyep glorified trash bag with big zips.

[@mlhm5]

It is impossible for the humidity on the inside of a membrane jacket to be less than the outside humidity even with pit zips.

[@dakotacoburn]

I wonder if a non breathable layer (like a Dyneema jacket) would be a good option

[@jamiecoburn1231]

Wouldn't body heat allow/create a humidity difference? Your comment has me really thinking and scratching my head...I like it! We have a couple of temperature/humidity sensors and we could test this. The current state of jackets is lacking IMHO. Would be nice to see something better.

[@CombatBanana]

@@jamiecoburn1231 I got the answer for you - Rockfront rain hoodie. Its exactly that - a non breathable fabric with tons of mechanical ventilation ie. full length pit zips and a chest zip. Its cheap, extremely light, well made, doesnt absorb much water compared to membranes, and it is made in Ukrain!

[@NordenzurZukunft]

You were not inflating the Helix though. I’m only mentioning this because it requires a lot more air to properly work due to the nature of the baffles/dimples. Yes, it’s heavier, but easily the most comfortable for side sleepers.

[@dakotacoburn]

I usually just inflate my pads until the inflation bag pops off. I’ve popped pads from over inflating them before(sat in the sun too). I have topped it up too though like you mentioned. I still find it less comfortable to me, when do it that way

[@MrPurplepirate77]

Hey, fully appreciate the jacket problems, please take a look at the Buffalo special 6, it’s a great top in so many ways

[@dakotacoburn]

I'll check it out!

[@buranagel7827]

if u want a running vest style backpack try the salomon xa25/xa35, theyre basically overgrown running vests and not that expensive on sale

[@dakotacoburn]

I like the looks of it! I was also looking at outdoor vitals skyline

[@memathews]

@@dakotacoburn You might also look at Six Moons Designs packs, they have alternate running vest harness or typical pack straps on their packs.

[@higler.]

The XA25 isn't sold in North America for some absurd reason, and because of that the prices are definitely expensive. You either have to import it and pay for the shipping, or buy one on ebay or somewhere for $200+. I just looked and they don't even have the XA35 on their site anymore, which they used to offer in the U.S. I dunno why Salomon made such a great fastpack and then decided to not sell it lol

[@UnkemptBushell]

Yeah, those Saxx… For a brand that’s all about comfort “down there”, they sure are uncomfortable. I bought the shorts with built-in boxers and had to switch them out after a day on the West Highland Way. I was getting shredded.

[@tubulzr]

I inflate my dimpled Sea to Summit 3.3R pad really full. That way, it offers much comfort, warmth and my sleeping bag doesn't compress fully below my body but fills up the dimples a bit. (188m, 80 kg). No failure or de-lamination after +8 seasons. Perhaps look at Paramo jackets for being active in (often very) wet and/or cold environment; used by/made on recommendation of Scottish mountain rescue. Emphasis is on ventilation/transfer of sweat out of the shell when active, rather than just only try to provide a water proof shell with zero sweat transfer when soaked. Pricey stuff though (and also requires regular Nikwax treatment). DWR treatment for 20 €/$ (non PFAS, better use something like Nikwax) does wonders btw, a couple a times a year for Goretex jackets, depending on use/abrasion of outer layer. It's almost always the DWR failing, resulting in a soaked outer layer; no Goretex magic/sweat transfer; soaked inner layers, usually it's not about being 'not water proof.' Perhaps when taped seams fail.

[@dakotacoburn]

I keep hearing about people talking about paramo jackets. I really like the idea of mechanical ventilation doing the work instead of a membrane. I wish we had them in here, it’s always a pain for me to find a fit!

[@michelstronguin6974]

Rain Jackets drive me nuts too. You know, PACKTOTER recommends a poncho against rain. He is older and wiser, and has been hiking longer than anyone I know. Maybe I should start listening.

[@dakotacoburn]

The thing with a poncho is that I’d be concerned but it’s wind performance. It would help with condensation with the added air flow though

[@deevine7940]

💜💜💜

[@craigrobertson6082]

I agree with the Hoka's...Asics and Altra are good for me. I think its great that you pick apart gear that seems to be top drawer because of over-hype. Keep it up.

[@dakotacoburn]

Thanks!

[@Mafteer]

Try the SAXX droptemp cooling mesh, im wearing these ones 4 season and im happy with them, they manage good the odor, they're comfy and also they have a good ventilation.

[@user-no2ei6dp2q]

Norden is right when it comes to inflating the helix. When you think it’s fully inflated, you need to force more in with the sack and you’ll see it’s noticeably different.

[@procrusteus]

My sister wore Hokas on a hike in the Okanagan recently and when we went through a patch of mud with a high clay content it built up in the deep groove on the underside of the shoe to the point where she was having trouble lifting her feet to walk because of the accumulated weight of the clay. I was wearing a pair of old shoes with semi-flat worn out soles so I wasn't affected to the same degree. I don't like the flimsy looks of them. Hokas seem like shoddy, trendy, expensive crap.

[@planesandbikes7353]

I am heavier than you. I like my Nemo Quasar pad, but I am not a winter camper and I sleep warm so I can handle the low R value. Quasar is thicc and holds up the body weight well imho. Nemo Fillo pillow is cozy, but a bit hard to pack.. Speedgoats are too narrow for me so I use Topo, ymmv. I carry FroggsToggs but I would never wear their jacket for hours of hiking, only in camp. Usually I carry the FT poncho which has been good for day-long rain. 98% of the time when it rains I hike with an umbrella, no jacket, like I say I am warm in T shirt and shorts down to at least 5C, so no jackets on the trail for me. I would not use MEC anything, I am jaded against that store they are just really out of touch with modern backpacking practices and their clothing, pack and shoe selection is ABYSMAL.

[@dakotacoburn]

I like how the quasar has a raised section for your head, I like having my pillow tilted slightly upwards. For almost the same weight, I want to try the ba boundary deluxe. I have to hold my arms when I’m on my back. How does your rain system work in the in the wind? I like the idea of an umbrella and rain skirt but I see the wind being an issue. As for mec, I really like their pillow, but yeah I know what you mean. That backpack was a flop..

[@CombatBanana]

You could try the thermarest NeoLoft if you want a super thick pad but I don't think it will have as good pressure relief as the Helix.

[@dakotacoburn]

The Neoloft really interests me, I just wonder how the horizontal baffles will be though!

[@shawnr6117]

The thing about the pack is that you are supposed to carry your water in the strap pockets.

[@_Terc_]

In terms of underwear, Intimissimi makes long microfibre boxers that are pretty much like the liners in sprint shorts. They were a game changer for me for long pants since they don't climb, crump or move so they don't rub at all 👌

[@dakotacoburn]

I looked, them up. They seem nice, I’ll give them a try!

[@user-no2ei6dp2q]

Yeah, the sleeping pad is definitely an individual thing. I have a $1000 worth of pads and the helix is my cheapest and favorite one. I’m 165lbs so I don’t bottom out and it’s so comfortable. Your size and weight is a big deal so I get it. CHEERS!

[@BucolicAholic]

Tall guys love to tell you they're tall guys I'm noticing on these gear review videos. Well I'm a short guy, just want everyone to know that's why I have a chip on my shoulder and it's why I try harder.

[@dakotacoburn]

Hopefully your shoulder gets better soon

[@BucolicAholic]

@dakotacoburn Its such a mainstay, I barely notice it.

[@memathews]

Ah, the other extreme!

[@fire7side]

I'm still the old fashioned hiking boot person. Trail runners can't take it. Merril vents. Good price, last for years. That pack looks totally uncomfortable. Why would you want to take weight off your hips? It's the best place to handle it. People pay thousands for cheap stuff that lasts about a year if you are lucky. It's so thin. The reality is you save about 5 lbs.

[@dakotacoburn]

So for the pack, I just wanted to try something different. I’ve hear others say it’s more flexible when they don’t have a hip belt

[@higler.]

It's a matter of how one approaches backpacking and their personal preferred method(s). Much like train runners vs boots. There isn't much benefit to a hip belt if you're not carrying more than 20-25lbs. A well fitting vest style pack will distribute that weight very comfortable and increase mobility which helps for those that wish to move fast and light. Of course, if a hip belt helps you then by all means use one. If you carry less weight you are more likely to use a vest style pack(fastpack) and trail runners, and if you carry more weight, you'll probably use a backpack with a hip belt and boots.