Backpacking Gear You DON’T NEED, But You’ll Really WANT

[@theoutdoorempire]

Check out the all new Acromoda Fanny Pack on Kickstarter and support a new cottage company! 👉 your-journey-our-fanny-pack.kckb.st/7d6ccc71 (affiliate link, FYI)

[@5857521ManitobaInc]

Your little sponge trick is some thing I've been using for decades with a slight difference. I take a new sponge, drizzle a few lines of dawn dish detergent across the sponge, let it dry out completely before cutting it into little tiny rectangles . That way when you go to use the sponge to wash out your camp stuff, you don't need to carry dish detergent separately . Then I take an empty eyedropper bottle, and I fill it with chlorine. Four drops to a gallon if you have to sterilize water, and one drop to a litre for washing dishes with your soap infused sponge

[@theoutdoorempire]

Love those tips! Thanks for sharing.

[@WayneTheSeine]

I came back to revist this video since buying an E-MTB for bikepacking. You convinced me to snag a Tenkara rod. I picked up the Yari at a decent price + a good discount code. I can't wait to fish it. I am with you on the camp chair. At 76 years old I have a difficult time sitting on the ground and a more difficult time getting up. Since watching your video some ten months ago I also picked up the Thermacell and love it. You always give great advice. Thanks for your efforts.

[@theoutdoorempire]

Great to hear! Thanks for your continued support, it means a lot. And enjoy that Tenkara rod!

[@Bill_tyler]

Man, I really like your channel, it’s a good mix of different outdoor camping/hunting/ backpacking. It’s closer to my actual lifestyle than other creators channels.

[@theoutdoorempire]

Awesome, thank you! I think it might be too mixed for some folks, but it's all stuff I'm into so I'm just putting it all out there.

[@steveb6444]

Tip I learned a couple years ago. Wash your tyvek ground sheet a few times in the washing machine. It makes it softer and way quieter. Didn’t do any damage to mine when I did it and I’m still using the same one going on three years

[@theoutdoorempire]

I hadn't heard that but was starting to wonder if some of the tyvek backpacking gear you purchase was made of different stuff than the house wrap. Cuz the house wrap stuff I use is super crinkly. Thanks for the tip, I'm gonna try that!

[@1FAST91SONOMA]

@@theoutdoorempire it definitely works. Wash on cold and line dry, do not put it in your dryer. I ran my Tyvek ground sheets through the wash 3-4 times each and they got quieter with each wash. I only use Tyvek on my Litefighter tents since they're not ultralight anyway. For ultralight I use polycryo window film. You can save a few ounces just by going with that material instead of Tyvek and polycryo is quiet as well as cheap ($2.75 per 1 man tent versus $14 for Tyvek) a 7x3' Tyvek sheet weighing in at 4.2oz while the polycryo weighs just over 1.5oz for the same size. The polycryo packs down smaller too

[@pr0n3]

That feeling of getting a fish while backpacking is the best! Just found your channel and I definitely picked a couple of things out of your list that I didn't even know existed. Thx for the vid my dood, look forward to all your future vids.

[@theoutdoorempire]

Much appreciated, thank you! And ya, fishing seems the most fun in high mountain lakes and streams.

[@slate8881]

I have started using my clothing bag as a pillow, I use a canvas drawstring bag I made for a middle school project as my clothing bag and as long as I pack my clothes properly in it it is extremely comfortable

[@theoutdoorempire]

Nice! I've heard a lot of folks do that. I can't manage to keep mine from being too lumpy.

[@theoutdoordogandhikinggirl]

Great tip of using an UL daypack from Decathlon as a clothesbag!

[@theoutdoorempire]

Glad it was helpful!

[@christiankasermann7266]

for this I love to take the Ultra-Sil Dry Day Pack from sea to summit... it's a backpack, dry bag and you can easily use it as a compression bag too with it's roll top. But it's a little more pricy

[@RicMor200]

Great list! Lots of good lil tips there. It really all depends on the purpose of the trip and who you go with. For a solo trip I wouldn’t pack a deck of cards. In fact, for entertainment in general I limit the options to whatever I can bring on my phone: audiobooks, videos, and podcast are favorites. I don’t journal but if I did, I’d probably just record voice notes on my phone, saving lots of ounces. Tenkara certainly looks nice. I got a rod for my BD many years ago. Never used it once, but that’s because fishing bores me to death. For those who like it, it’s a great idea though.

[@theoutdoorempire]

Great points, thanks for sharing!

[@christopping5876]

Exactly! That is one thing I do not take with me solo. Kindle, Walkman. Phone to write diary. All sorted. Totally agree with chair. My kayak trolly converts into one.

[@stanbyme7874]

😂sleep supplement to add to water. This old gal would be up 4x to potty, wake up & have to take that caffeine supplement. By day 3, loss of sleep, caffeinated me would be more dangerous than the bears! I boil water, put in my water bottle, cover w sock & put in bottom sleep bag. I do carry the warmers, though. Lightweight & can take the edge off. Agree w extra meal. NOT extra Snickers. They’re usually gone 1st day.

[@theoutdoorempire]

Sounds like you got it down!

[@Acromoda]

One other note for those who might be interested in our fanny pack - the topographic map on the front is customizable. You can put a location of any region you want on it and choose the colors. Thanks for the shoutout!

[@theoutdoorempire]

Great product, best of luck to you!

[@Bill_tyler]

SICK! What a great idea, I’m going to check you guys out

[@ericsidolmind]

Great ideas, first off. I would add my "pocket bellows." Maybe a Firestarter tab of sorts, too. I use a small bit of stainless steel scrubby, and a tiny tiny bottle of dawn. Like a 1/4oz. Ya only need a single drop. Tiny eyedropper full. And it's Dawn, it's OK. They clean oil slicked ducks and otters with it. Rinsing your pot out in a stream is ok.

[@theoutdoorempire]

Great ideas, thanks for sharing!

[@1FAST91SONOMA]

if you carry an inflator it makes for a great bellows too. Im waiting for Flextails new 1.4oz inflator to come out before I buy one

[@theoutdoorempire]

@@1FAST91SONOMA For sure! That's what I do in my car camping hot tent setup in winter. Works amazing.

[@1FAST91SONOMA]

Just got a deck of waterproof cards from Tny and at 1.44oz they're easy to justify for a backpack. So many games for such little weight. I will have to check out that fishing setup, that looks nice. Check out the Flextail thermacell option. Looks tiny, light, and even features a lantern.

[@theoutdoorempire]

That sounds like a fun way to go.

[@DiabloOutdoors]

First time here and I'm impressed. Excellent video and you have a new subscriber. However you've made a critical and very common mistake.... The Tyvek ground sheet is an excellent tip, but you've placed it wrong. The lettering must face the ground and not the opposite like in your video. Tyvek, like all house wrapping, is "breathable". This means there's a breathable side and a waterproof side. The waterproof side is the printed side. So if you put the printed side up, all the moisture from the ground will go through, and same with the rain that will soak your tent floor. That's why the printed side must always face the ground.

[@theoutdoorempire]

Fantastic insight, thanks for sharing! I didn't even think about that when shooting the video, but when I hike I usually do put the word side down, so I guess I've been doing it right by accident. Except in the video, of course. 😂 Thanks for the sub!

[@Scott-ob5rw]

That tenkara is exactly what I've been looking for. Thanks, love your videos!

[@theoutdoorempire]

It's a blast, you're gonna love it!

[@davidkoper6146]

I like this guy! Not super intense like all the other backpackers haha. Seems like a relatable dude

[@theoutdoorempire]

I camp in tents. I am not intense.

[@spencerrogers7269]

He is a relatable dude! I just spent three extremely fun days with him in the backwoods last week!

[@andrewg5]

you had me at 'mosquito free zone'. Not many backpacking channels talk about this. Great video

[@theoutdoorempire]

Glad you enjoyed it! In my experience the Thermacell isn't 100% mosquito free, but it helps a ton and combined with a little bug spray, it's been about as good as I've found.

[@BeedeeEx]

Great video! Now I have to sub. Looking forward to more!

[@theoutdoorempire]

Thanks a million, appreciate it!

[@SammyMaeQ]

Ibuprofen is a must or I can’t sleep. Love taking my kindle and I have to have clean clothes to sleep in. A pocket shower and those little tablets that expand into a wipe are also really nice.

[@theoutdoorempire]

I hear ya on the ibuprofen. And good tip on the capsule wipes.

[@WayneTheSeine]

I was not aware of the Themacell in that form factor. That would be very nice for car camping, RV or whatever. Though I do not own one I have always been interested in the Tenkara Rod. I am an avid fly fisherman and always wanted to give it a go. Looks like fun. Great list.

[@theoutdoorempire]

Tenkara fishing is a ton of fun. Less gear and weight for hiking too.

[@WayneTheSeine]

@@theoutdoorempire Bound to be a sweet fight too. I love fishing the more intimate mountain streams that see little to no pressure. The lightweight and compactness is awesome.

[@theoutdoorempire]

@@WayneTheSeine Oh man, even a 6 inch brookie turns the rod into a candy cane and feels like a shark! Super fun.

[@WayneTheSeine]

@@theoutdoorempire I wouldn't mind pulling some slab crappie out with it either. I will definately check them out.

[@alexmarshall4806]

I'm pretty sure your extras weigh more than my base weight. Also you'll never get bored hanging out in camp if you just hike till it gets dark.

[@vijfaanboord2051]

Happy surprised that most of the small and free items I had also discovered but had not yet seen in a video, so well done. Lightweight video option tip, people being fooled by the Titanium cup hype where so much more lighter weight options are available. And some also free, like a paper coffee cup from the gas station.

[@theoutdoorempire]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@Learningthetruth7]

My suggestion is to stay away from aluminum. Not good for you.

[@Oldsparkey]

I always considered the Tenkara Fishing Rod as an necessary item. When I'm not using my self inflating Therm-a-rest full length mummy mattress. Then it's the Camp-Tek Microburst to inflate the Neo Air.

[@theoutdoorempire]

Nice!

[@christopping5876]

I agree wholeheartedly. Most of that I take already!!

[@theoutdoorempire]

Right on!

[@ktownc936]

Nice video👌 good stuff here, just thought you were the cooler guy. I'm getting a yeti... Soon as I have the bones to do so.

[@theoutdoorempire]

Cool 👍! Ya, my cooler videos have definitely been the most popular, but I try to cover a lot of different outdoor gear. Good luck gettin that Yeti!

[@BACKPACKERish]

Taking my new tenkara rod out for its first trip in a week. Looking forward to it!

[@theoutdoorempire]

Have fun! It'll feel like you're catching a shark even when it's a minnow.

[@david.seholm]

Instead of the sponge ... the bag you titanium pot comes in is supposed to double as mesh scrub cloth like you would use at home.

[@theoutdoorempire]

Nice! I don't have one of those, but I like things that do double duty.

[@david.seholm]

@@theoutdoorempire There are a lot of reasons to get a Titanium pot maybe this is what tips the scale for you ... Toaks and Maxxi make nice affordable ones, but nothing beats Snow Peak for quality.

[@ericcook8422]

I'm with you on the camp shoes. I tried flip-flops but they suck. So I go with crocs. Yes they're bulky. Light, waterproof. But bulky. After a long day in boots, crocs are saviors. I'm a tender foot so walking around with nothing on doesn't work well for me. I appreciate your video.

[@theoutdoorempire]

Crocs sound like a great idea too!

[@jeffdur1330]

Crocs 😂😂😂😂

[@Learningthetruth7]

@@theoutdoorempire and with the back strap on crocs they can be used for water crossings.

[@sirrenitywiththeboys7995]

When packing your gear stuff your first aid kit in one and your Diddy bag in the other to save space! Happy trails!

[@sgl7747l]

You make sense, dude!!😊😊

[@theoutdoorempire]

Thanks man!

[@coachhannah2403]

Footprints keep the tent bottom from getting muddy/soiled from damp ground as water percolates upward over time. Much easier to clean than a tent bottom!

[@theoutdoorempire]

Agreed!

[@antoinepellegrinelli990]

Wonderful T-shirt !!

[@theoutdoorempire]

Wonderful store!

[@Jason-hc5qx]

pretty useful thanks bro

[@theoutdoorempire]

You bet

[@kxjx]

Take a net jacket with full face hood instead its lighter and you can also walk and sleep in it if needed.

[@theoutdoorempire]

Nice!

[@eric55406]

Agree with most EXCEPT: Hand warmers last a few hours. (Instead, some gloves appropriate for the weather will last months or years and you won't mind packing them out).

[@WayneTheSeine]

I think it stands to reason the handwarmers are in addition to gloves.

[@theoutdoorempire]

If my hands are already cold, gloves won't warm em up very quickly. I like both when it's real cold.

[@Learningthetruth7]

Extend the life of hand warmers easily. It takes oxygen for them to work. So, stick them in a good ziploc and suck out all the air. Voila.....they will be good to use later if you have only needed for a short time.

[@colmclaurin9452]

3 items that you do need when out in the bush being self sufficient. 1. A Mill Bank water pre filter bag. A Mill Bank bag filters out all the larger debris from ground water collected from streams and pools of water. It doesn't sterilize water but removes all larger debris and grains of dirt that will quickly clog the fine filter membranes in one's primary water filter. A Mill Bank bag weighs nothing, and packs about the same size and shape as a large Cuban cigar. Formerly British army WWII issue, now made in the USA. 2. Plastic funnels. No one considers taking along a small, say a 100mm diameter ultra light, ultra cheap plastic funnel when collecting water from rock face drips or trying to pour water into the small opening of a water bottle where every drop counts without spilling any. 3. Carry half a dozen 75 to 100 mm long safety pins for securing wet garments , wet tent rag, or towels, soxs, under wear, etc under the straps of one's back pack to dry in the sun. Securing with these low weight, low cost safety pins will ensure these drying items will not far fall off and be lost

[@theoutdoorempire]

Fantastic suggestions, I love that. Thanks for sharing!

[@StarLight-gj4jt]

Dunno think i could replace all 3 of those with a shmaugh

[@1FAST91SONOMA]

I prefer my CNOC 3L water container over a funnel. It allows me to contain 3L of water for the weight of 2 L via plastic bottles, can collect water from the weakest of streams, and can collect water fast by scooping up an entire fill in under a second. Plus I can use it as a gravity filtration system too. Works well with the Waterdrop filter straws I carry since those are internally threaded for 28mm water bottles on both ends. No clunky adapter to forget or lose.

[@colmclaurin9452]

a small plastic funnel has multiple uses not just for water - stove fuel - fluid food items - etc. With more than 60 years back packing and world travel experience under my belt anything I now carry in my swag has multiple uses, the same goes for a Mill Bank bag and safety pins. @@1FAST91SONOMA

[@casper3130]

My Hill People Chest Rig is my day Pack

[@theoutdoorempire]

Nice! My brother told me the same thing.

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Great video ✌️

[@theoutdoorempire]

Thanks for the visit 👍

[@joni4632]

What did they all weigh together???

[@theoutdoorempire]

All that stuff along with the rest of my gear for a trip I took that weekend my pack weighed 29 pounds before water and my camera gear (which was obviously also optional but doin it for the Tube).

[@marklasater8083]

Camp shoes made by Birkenstock? Ummmm, I use the cheapest pair of slides on the shelf at Walmart. I love the idea of fanny packs but I always either end up taking to much, and thinking I need a full size pack, or I take too little and put the stuff in my pocket, so the fanny pack stays put.

[@theoutdoorempire]

Ya I hear you. My Birkenstocks were a gift actually. I wear them almost every day in the summer so throwing them in my pack is no big deal. Was happenstance that I discovered they make a nice camp shoe.

[@paulconnelly640]

With so much of your gear weighing "next to nothing" you must have to tie your pack down to stop it floating away.

[@theoutdoorempire]

That's why I carry polycord.

[@rickdattulo1979]

Does a joint count?

[@theoutdoorempire]

You do you man.

[@Learningthetruth7]

A hike without a camp chair is no life at all!

[@theoutdoorempire]

Amen to that!

[@nickfischer8510]

The term "bank" = storage for later use. So "power bank" would be the more accurate term. "battery bank" = is kinda redundant or tad inaccurate. (i.e. a battery bank would be a box full of AA batteries stored for later use) No bashing nor disrespect intended, bro. Just wanna help. Your content is actually good that I hit "subscribe" on this vid.😎 Be well, brother. Peace

[@theoutdoorempire]

Thanks for the sub and for the enlightenment!

[@Cperez2002]

Culoclean is the craziest name for a product in the history of products

[@theoutdoorempire]

No kidding, a bold name indeed.

[@GrandpaHerman1]

pellow

[@theoutdoorempire]

Can't stop, won't stop. 😂

[@thumperthumper5322]

A Shamogh & treking poles...

[@theoutdoorempire]

Good call.

[@Rawdilz]

I like to see his pack with all these items in it. 😂

[@theoutdoorempire]

Just took it all to the Winds last week, that's what all that stuff was packed for in the video. Total pack weight before water and camera gear was 29 pounds. Not super light, but not super heavy either. Cheers.

[@jtfamilyadventures9610]

1.5 ounces for a diy polycryo tent footprint that only cost $5. Why not?

[@theoutdoorempire]

Nice!

[@lebowski5192]

Titanium flask!

[@theoutdoorempire]

Nice!

[@dadsquatch79]

Lol govee is a pretty big brand

[@theoutdoorempire]

They definitely seem to have a lot of devices.

[@armadilllo]

🤣Still trying to figure out why people are so opposed to a chair

[@theoutdoorempire]

Agreed.

[@techguy9023]

Weight

[@armadilllo]

go on a diet@@techguy9023

[@Learningthetruth7]

Not this girl. No chair = no fun

[@edmolash3401]

This is only advice for those who don’t mind carrying 40+ lbs.

[@theoutdoorempire]

My pack for that trip was 29 lbs with all that stuff.

[@trerounds1273]

Is this an infomercial?

[@theoutdoorempire]

Haha. I guess that depends on your definition of one, but I don't sell any of these products and no one paid me to do the video. Doesn't matter to me whether you buy anything here or not. But if QVC calls, I'll let you know.

[@Andy-Mesa]

You should retitle this video "How to pack your fears"

[@theoutdoorempire]

Hahahahaha 😂

[@derek61884]

Should always be on the safe side and bring a condom as well. Never know who you’re gonna run into. The plus side is that it’s light weight.

[@theoutdoorempire]

🤨

[@khamen723]

Mild sauce, not hot 😢

[@theoutdoorempire]

It's all I had left on hand. 😞

[@Mark-e8g4g]

Air horn Personal location beacon

[@theoutdoorempire]

Nice. Is the airhorn to scare off bears and critters? Or do you just like to party?

[@jeffdur1330]

Don't forget the weed

[@theoutdoorempire]

To each his own.

[@4ruporam]

🩸📖♟🕑🌋🥜🐭🧑‍🍼