Backpacking Gear under $20 that makes a BIG DIFFERENCE

[@JustinOutdoors]

Garage Grown Gear Accessories! geni.us/GGG-Accessories 👇 GEAR FROM THE VIDEO 👇 Groundhog Stakes: geni.us/MSR-Groundhogs MSR Core Stakes: geni.us/MSR-Core Swedish Cloth: geni.us/SwedishCloth Leukotape: geni.us/Leukotape Pack Liner: geni.us/nylofume Repair Kit: geni.us/CommonGearRepair

[@mikem5933]

Yes, bought from them a number of times.

[@IanTheOutdoorGuy]

Hi Justin I noticed that being in Australia if I click on any affiliate links for Amazon it doesn't appear to mention the youtuber associated....unless I use Amazon US app etc. Same goes with Kraig Adams when I looked at his hats. If in usa app/Web account says he gets a kick back. In Australian app nothing mentioned. I wonder if this applies to other fans who want to buy your recommendations.

[@scottyplug]

Hey J Money. I clicked the link for the Swedish Cloth and it took me to the FEBU brand. I bought them, but they seem so much bigger than the one that you usually use. Did you cut it down?

[@ManivanAdventures]

I put a Swedish dish cloth in my pack after seeing you recommend it and came in handy when I spilled a liter of water in my tent in the middle of the night on the Charleston Peak trail outside of Vegas. I gave you a shout out in my little video because it worked SO WELL! Lol 🤙🏼

[@bihlygoat]

I love Leukotape! The type you show is specifically Leukotape P (they make other types too, one that is a stretchy kinesiotape, another that is an adhesive gauze type material). I used to wrap the L tape onto something like you show, but I found two issues with that: 1. Once you peel L tape off the roll and wrap it onto itself, I think the adhesive gets activated because it leaves residue on the top side of the tape when you unwrap it again. That makes the outside of the tape sticky. 2. It sticks to itself so well it can be hard to peel it back off the tiny roll, especially if you’ve had it re-rolled for a while. What I’ve done instead is use non-stick backing paper from crafting vinyl sheets and stick the L tape to that. Then I cut the tape + backer to the lengths I want to carry and just fold them to fit in my first aid bag. Much easier to cut the size and shape of tape you want to use this way too! With the backer stuck to it, it’s easy to handle until you want to stick it on your skin. (Other non-stick backers should work too).

[@muskadobbit]

I’ve used the backing from address labels. Same thing-Works like a charm.

[@vmv1408]

Thank you for the tip! I wish more people talked about this problem associated with Leukotape - even though it is absolutely great stuff when used correctly. This was exactly the problem I experienced with it when I bought a full roll and then re-rolled it around a piece of plastic as so many people in the hiker community suggested. When I had to use it on a long hike to cover a hot spot on my ankle, the outside of the tape was so sticky that it started sticking on my liner socks, got dirty and started to peel off, leading to even worse problems. Eventually it got so bad that it peeled the skin on the hot spot completely off, got infected and I had to end my thru hike there. Moral of the story: do yourself a favor, DON'T re-roll your Leukotape and use this backing paper method described here instead! :)

[@npigwnl]

We, too, took a few Swedish cloths camping last summer after seeing your recommendation and they came in very handy!

[@jameshooper3484]

I've kept a small Swedish cloth in my cook pot for years. It cushions the bottom of the iso pro can from the pot so I don't get rust. Then I use it to wipe out the pot after meals.

[@RayHikes]

Upgrading your tent stakes is really a game changer, I use a mix of MSR Groundhog and groundhog minis and love them. Sweedish cloth is great, just be sure to not cut it too small like I did at first 😂 Leukotape is great, I swear it covers 25% of my feet by the end of a long hike. I wrap it around my trekking pole, that way it's more accessible. More likely to adress hot spots quickly if you don't have to go digging in your pack to find it.

[@ryanhooper4660]

Thank you for introducing me to GGG! I had some great success with the 8" Tube Steaks that they offer. Only got 4 to lock down the rain fly on my tent.

[@billb5732]

Nice picks, thanks. I love Swedish towels. They really are the most absorbent towels I have found. And the Repair Kit is _perfect!_ I've been making my own with the same stuff, at about the same cost, and the UHWMPE thread is hard to find. It is SO nice to just be able to order a kit!

[@alexnail]

It's worth giving some context to the tent stake advice. If you have a tent that is dependent on high tension for a great pitch then you need pegs with amazing holding power. If you have a fully geodesic tent the pegs are loaded more equally. I have been using titanium shepherd hooks for 15 years in some of the windiest and most exposed locations in Europe. They are fantastic on hard ground because they don't need to crack it open in the same way. They also hold well even in bog if you aren't relying on just one or two pegs to tension an ultralight shelter etc. So although I have a set of MSR groundhogs which will bring (as an addition) when its going to be really bad, I hardly ever use them.

[@johncarnes2688]

i am looking to buy a few stakes for high wind. Do you recommend the MSR Vores or the MSR Cyclone 10" stakes? Have you tried the cyclones?

[@gregnbcsd]

How’d you like the TCT? They don’t believe in switchbacks on the island. But it’s spectacular.

[@bihlygoat]

Ear plugs are also really nice when it’s windy to reduce the noise of your tent or tarp flapping in the wind! No matter how tight you pitch it, if it’s windy something is going to flap or make noise. I always bring earplugs now. For those who can’t sleep with something shoved in your ear canal, they do make wax plugs that you mold to your outer ear by pushing them in place. Also, follow the directions for foam earplugs - if you just shove them in your ears they don’t work nearly as well.

[@Ballbagsaggins]

Some great tips. I completely agree on Ear Plugs but I've always found the foam ones uncomfortable. I recently discovered silicone plugs which mould to your ear shape - so much better!🙂

[@mikem5933]

Love my Swedish dish cloths, I bought a 10 pack, wanting one or two for camping/backpacking but with all the extras I find I use them like crazy around the house plus you can throw them in the washing machine.

[@smallberries]

Same. Bought a pack based on Justin's recommendation and found them to be super useful around the house

[@JustinOutdoors]

We use them around the house all the time too! Replaced basically all of our clothes and paper towels. Another item I started using for backpacking that is now a staple for the house are Russbe bags.

[@Shinetimeart]

İ was hiking the trail in my country called lycian way. And met someone from canada. Mostly we talked about our gear all night. İ enjoyed the conversation with him so much. Further the trail and the other days i had conversations with other people but never felt the same. We didint give each other our contact info. İ regret it so much. İ enjoyed to watch gear videos all the time but now i feel sad and sorry while watching. İt reminds me that i made a huge mistake in my behalf to get out the camp without asking for his info… it was just a joy to talk about hiking gear and future hiking plans and dreams…

[@tanvach]

Thanks to your channel I've started using a Swedish cloth as well, very useful! One thing I find is it needs to be 'pre-wet' to make it spongy first. Then I squeeze out the water before using it. Dry used Swedish cloths are terrible at absorbing water.

[@Tiger-789]

I have this problem with them too where after some time in use (I use them at home) some spots become resistant to absorbing water lol and the way to bypass that is to pre-wet them like you said. I don't know what it is that does that to them, maybe wiping oil with them, some brand of soap or whatever. Some develop that sooner and some stay absorbent for very long. It's a mystery. Additionally I haven't been able to find a way to bring them back to their original absorbency level. If anyone knows please let me know

[@tanvach]

@@Tiger-789 yes so true! I use them at home too and it’s a mystery. One thing I found is that they can be washed in a washing machine like a piece of cloth. I revived some but it’s not a 100% thing. I just put them with some laundry and they come out much fresher. Oh and don’t tumble dry them.

[@MeanerGreener]

That happens whenever they absorb fat - the simplest way to continously minimize the problem (at home) is to make a habit of pouring excess kettle water on it in the sink.

[@andycjohnston]

Did you know that you can machine wash Sweedish cloths too? They still look a little bit grey, but they are clean and it gives them a bit of extra life.

[@ASquires-wc8ii]

I use my Swedish cloth for long road trips. I just wee wee on it and then squeeze it out the window. Easy peasy.

[@tonybarcelo6956]

I'm from Sweden and the cloth is always in the backpack, very common here. In the sink at homes also 😊

[@PapaBoiOutdoors]

I am a huge fan of the nail-like tent stakes! Mine are the 9" Easton stakes that work in all types of ground and seem indestructible. I have also been using the Swedish cloth for the past 2 years at your recommendation and have had amazing results. It is the little things. Thank you so much Justin and keep up the great work.

[@bihlygoat]

Those are my favorite stakes of all time! For some dumb reason though I gave away my 9” ones a while ago (trying to go too UL), and all I have left are the 6” ones. They’re hard to find now to buy - TarpTent is the only place I know of that still sells them.

[@JustinOutdoors]

Garage Grown Gear sells tent stakes that look identical to the Eastons (same factory?) alnk.to/hsuZ2AJ

[@MichaelMoscicki]

Those are made in China. Last I checked, Easton's are made in the USA. You can find the Easton's at Mountain Laurel Designs as well.

[@Nepomukje]

Seriously Justin, over 20 bucks for a needle,some thread and less than a yard of ducktape. So I gather that there is a little dwarf included for doing the repairs.....lol

[@LilaHikes]

This was the comment I was gong to make. A lot of these Tubers have no concept of value. They don't care as long as you click that affiliate link.

[@edwin8808]

Justin Indoors, you need to measure the force needed to take out the stake from the ground as Steve from mylifeindoors did it. Great video!

[@JustinOutdoors]

I do have a force measuring device for doing that. Some day!

[@anonanonanon-c4v]

Those msr groundhog stakes are fine when you're pushing them into the lawn with your foot. But when you're trying to pound them into rocky soil the heads break off.

[@pikaoutdoors7414]

Awesome vid! I don't use a swedish cloth but I use a pva shammy, they both work the same. Ear plugs are a must!

[@ChrisHufnagel_Polymath]

Well, I have some Swedish cloth in the kitchen. I'll be eying for my next load out.

[@Lv4_o2]

Swedish cloth fan here, thanks for introducing me to them via prior vid!

[@LOCKEYJ]

I made a 2.5g tent stake that holds better than a groundhog. It’s an easy DIY and cheaper too.

[@beckyleheny8636]

I use Swedish clothes on trail and at home . And ear plugs are a must !!!

[@Girt-]

3:50 what chair is that it looks amazing

[@fredrik920]

I use such a clotch since way back but I am a Swede afterall 😂 didn’t know it was called a swedish cloth. We just call it a Wettex (most common brand). Agree the Lekuplast tape is so good.

[@fearsomefawkes6724]

Funny, most of my dish clothes at home are Swedish cloths, but I don't think I've ever brought one camping

[@jphiking]

Yep, I use just about everything you mentioned. I carry a 1/4 piece of a Swedish cloth and use it to wipe my feet every night. But I can’t believe you didn’t include a backcountry bidet in a list of items under $20 that make a big difference!!

[@JustinOutdoors]

I felt like I have talked the bidet to death recently, haha. But it is a game changer!

[@SuperdutyExplorer]

After my first storm, I will never forget ear plugs again!... lol 😂 don't always use them but wind on tents gets old in 2 minutes

[@addz5]

Swedish cloth for the win. One small in the cookingpot and one with the tent for condensation and dirt. 5 pack in Sweden is about 1-2,5 usd. Heja Sverige! 🇸🇪

[@bocadillo708]

earplugs didtt sounds like a good idea, i prefer to stay alert to any suspicious sound

[@philsmith2444]

I prefer StrengthTape (brand) to Leukotape, it stretches quite a bit so it can confirm to compound curves. Before applying tape, paint the area with benzoin tincture. It’s available in bottles or single-use ampules, just spread it with a Q-tip or the applicator and let it dry a couple minutes. It’s very sticky and will really make the tape stick well. If you do get a blister just fold a gauze pad and tape it in place over the blister. Use a bigger piece of tape (I use 2 so there’s plenty of adhesive around the gauze pad) and make sure the pad completely covers the blister. The tape will pull loose skin off with it when you change the pad & tape, it’s not fun LOL.

[@markswishereatsstuff2500]

Ordered a 10 pack of 8x7" Swedish Cloths from Amazon. Looks just what I need.

[@DrofJustice]

Always carry Swedish cloths for cleaning and moping up water on my tarp.

[@SummitSeeker546]

Some good suggestions but that towel is ridiculously small. I like items that have multiple uses and a simple 10”x10” microfiber towel is the best and can be used to wipe down condensation, wash the body, as an ice pad to give knees some cold soak therapy, on hot days to drench your head with cold water, etc.

[@ItsGoodintheWoods]

Groundhogs and cyclone stakes are amazing

[@CitySlickerRisen]

What brand Swedish cloth?

[@Kvothe3]

What brands sell lukotape? Never seen that up here in Canada.

[@muskadobbit]

I haven’t found it in a drugstore. Got mine through my physiotherapist.

[@skidaddledude1997]

I bought some from Shoppers drug mart in Calgary. It’s spelled Leukotape. Unfortunately my skin is allergic to it😢

[@craig3401]

Ive used groub hogs for years mini and reg there the best.i use a lite load towel not heard of the Swedish cloth.ear plugs are super useful.

[@wagstaffmedia]

How easily does the round tent stake bend?

[@wolfeadventures]

Big Sky 9” Tube Steaks are incredible for their insane holding power.

[@earthtojulianne8118]

What was that little baggie you used to rinse your swedish cloth with?

[@JustinOutdoors]

alnk.to/eDQRlxM

[@CanadianSkylights]

For an ultralight tent stake, the sea to summit ine was great

[@brandonbullard2523]

I really wish I could use earplugs while sleeping. I've never come across a set that doesn't make more noise in my ears from tossing and turning in my sleep system than the actual ambient noise outside.

[@WhosLeadingYou]

Ear plugs where a game changer for me.

[@bizzo1954]

I live in Sweden. I use the "Swedish Cloth:" every day all the time. 😀

[@JustinOutdoors]

"We just call them clothes". haha

[@carrjeep7538]

This man tryin to stake down a circus big top.

[@vendigrows]

28$ for some tape and a needle! 😂😂 Amazing.

[@smallberries]

Earplugs are the absolute best piece of sleeping gear. I now wear them every single night, home or away. They have saved my marriage.

[@CodingWithUnity]

I know I pull out quicker cause of my shorter length

[@soutahmike]

I’ve been using a Swedish cloth for 2 years

[@TennesseeSlim]

Clear gorilla tape is a miracle for repairs

[@Spazz983]

Why are you retired from thru hiking?

[@JustinOutdoors]

Watch the most recent livestream :)

[@Gurumeierhans]

Pad noises are really annyoing 😑 Anyone knows a really quite sleeping pad?

[@markswishereatsstuff2500]

My Nemo Tensor is virtually silent. My buddy had another brand and it sounded like he was sleeping on a bag of potato chips.

[@BlastHardCheese711]

oh no we don't need the tct advertised any more than it is :(

[@jeffreycarman2185]

Nice

[@playnationtoday]

Purple pants

[@jebner3066]

I guessing by the content of this video that Justin felt he needed to post something, so he reached in his bag of videos and pulled this one out. For instance, who would have thought that longer tent pegs would stay in the ground better than short🤯

[@billjames3148]

Justin retired ? good for you. Ear plugs, I snore so loud i wake myself up. and your idea of crinkly plastic sounds yep and the people who talk all the time STFU. Sorry Im old and cranky If im in a camp area with people ear plugs go in even at diner time. So whats next ?

[@andersnrregren9087]

I have not looked at gear videos in a few years, i see i did not miss anything lol same nonsence deferent face

[@PoleTooke]

You recommended an MSR product? Yikes..... Are you sure you know a lot about outdoor products..? Avoiding MSR is like rule #1 lol

[@geneholmes7308]

first