Camping Gear Tested: How Well Will It Hold Up For Bike Camping?

In preparation for our upcoming bike camping trip we test all our camping gear. Find out what makes the cut and what gets replaced!
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[@TheLastchild101]

Is there anything better than seeing Pistol enjoying her travels, while mom works hard? I think not!

[@CareyOnVagabond]

🤷‍♂️😂😂

[@jbjlock26]

It’s been a long time since my tenting days, but make sure you fold your ground cloth slightly smaller than your tent footprint. Otherwise rain will find its way under the floor!

[@lisarobison3395]

Good morning! I can see that this next adventure is going to be truly entertaining.☺

[@CareyOnVagabond]

🤪😁

[@bevn362]

Doggie goggles for Pistol. It appeared that it would have been a challenge when you awoke to pack up & start biking again, but I know you 3 can do it. Looking forward to this trip.

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Thanks! Pistol won’t wear goggles so Dave designed a cool fender to protect her. Stay tuned for a video about it;)

[@mickylawless1941]

Its must be Sunday cause my favorite Vagabonds are on the youtube. My loverly bride and I go climbing and boondock camping. I replaced our 3 person tent with a 6 1/2 ft tall pop up 6 person tent just to be more comfortable. It felt very luxurious, especially with our tri-fold crash pad as a couch. I've tent camped in a lot of griz country, back in the day, without any bear incidents. These days I have concerns of fellow campers not being mindful about proper bear safety. So we finally moded our Pathfinder to sleep in. I feel like a slacker not sleeping in our tent, but my motto is... Live to climb another day! Going to surprise my wife with the freeze dried ice cream sandwiches. We pack frozen ice cream sandwiches in our cheap, crappy cooler. But melting ice cream sandwiches just don't really do it for me. Looking forward to your new adventure. Carey On!

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Dave here. I agree about bear issues. I grew up in nw Montana spending all my spare time hiking into grizzly country. Rarely saw them and for whatever reason even as a teenager alone in the mission mountain wilderness I don’t recall being overly concerned about them. Used to catch and cook fish in my camping spots.🤦‍♂️🤷‍♂️ Most of the time I didn’t even take a tent. Hard to believe I did those things before cell phones existed. What were my parents thinking?!😳😂

[@mickylawless1941]

@@CareyOnVagabond I never felt concern back in the day. Used to outfit up Slew Creek in Yellowstone. Camp never got molested. But today, with folk who maybe didn't grow up like you and I, I see a lot of bad camp behavior. Just makes me nervous. Just want you and Irene to know how much I enjoy your videos. I've been a wanderer most all my life. My wife is still working,, so I now wander with you folk. Carey On!

[@CellasChariot]

I can't love this enough...seeing Pistol hanging her head out going for a ride...omg 😍 Maybe I'm weird but I love MRE's lol Great tent set up friends!

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Dave said he just can’t with MRE’s😂😂

[@dclassb8135]

Good idea with the fender for Irene’s bike. Fun video guys!

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Thanks!

[@dsa5394]

You might want to try 3" thick self inflating pads like the Thermorest trail pro. They are way more comfortable and less effort to inflate. If you stick with the air mattresses, get a pump sack that works with your pad. They really help. Also, if you are an REI member and buy your pad from them, they have a no hassle return policy for up to a year. We had a Sea to Summit Self Inflating pad that developed leaks all across the top after 8 months. They gave us credit towards a new pad.

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Thanks! We bought these because we have hopes of a future through hike and they come with the inflating bag thingy. We just didn’t feel like reading the directions yet.🤪 I’ve used the thermorest self inflating pads and they are amazing. I just don’t think we can fit them in the trailer. Maybe we need to reevaluate some other stuff. 🤷‍♂️😁

[@dsa5394]

The pad I recommend is a cross between the full self inflating pads and the air pads. We have packed these in a pannier with a down bag on bike backing trips.

[@sylviahartman2229]

You guys are awesome. Have fun. Ever in the Athens, Georgia, need a place? Stop by. Stay safe.

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Thanks!:)

[@jayasea4027]

Haha! deep down all dogs are the same....all they want is a cuddle and to be in amoungst it. Good effort on the night in the tent, must have been so tempting to just jump back in your comfy van 😅

[@CareyOnVagabond]

It was a bit tempting 😉😁

[@moonsadventures]

Excited to see your future videos on the Katy Trail. We've done a bike packing trip with a dog and two kids and plan on doing more.

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Thanks!

[@steventoney4018]

your own blazing saddles moment

[@CareyOnVagabond]

😂😂

[@sasquatch885]

We’ll, that was a lot of fun to watch anyway.😉

[@CareyOnVagabond]

👍😁

[@timsmith7625]

Looks like you will be cruising the Katy Trail. Have fun and be safe….We are about to head west and then to Alaska via the ALCAN highway.

[@CareyOnVagabond]

That should be an epic trip! Enjoy!

[@timsmith7625]

@@CareyOnVagabond thank you and after two years postponing we look to be good this year. Fifth trip to Alaska and our 2nd and probably last driving trip to Alaska!

[@MontysnMotion]

Fun adventures! Oh baby that's going to be a long ride! 😁The sandwiches are good Blaisen just tried those for the first time.

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Did he think they were crazy sweet?!!

[@igopr715]

One important camping accessory is ear plugs! 😁

[@CareyOnVagabond]

😂😂

[@midway241]

I’m am so excited about your bike trip!

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Thanks! So are we!

[@mortenthenorwegian2875]

Hi friends! Hehe, super fun. And I'm impressed with you all. I'm really looking forward to the trip starting. Have had a similar trip myself but only one weekend. Yes, you really notice the slopes. Had to get off in the steepest gravel roads duo spinning weels. And with acute lumbago pain, sleeping on 1/2 of inch sleeping pads made a fakir pain. 20 years ago and my back has never been good since then.

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Let’s hope we fair better with our backs! Should be an adventure;)

[@stoneyvanwie6042]

Have you ever ate the freeze dried bacon ? Whe we backpacker you cut it with a knife off what looked like a bar of soap. Freeze dried Vanilla and Chocolate shakes are great also as long as you have cold mountain water !

[@stoneyvanwie6042]

Sorry my phone hates me ! Lol

[@CareyOnVagabond]

No but we must try this!🙌😁

[@stoneyvanwie6042]

@@CareyOnVagabond if it's still around I believe we got it through REI.

[@Carmencita1464]

I can believe it!!! Pistol was what’s is going on here 😂. Wow can’t wait to see your adventures guys🙏🏻🥰

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Thanks Carmen!

[@jc8867]

Fun new adventure! Have you done Kayak Camping yet? We tried a few nights in Voyageurs NP last year. Something for after the bike ride?

[@CareyOnVagabond]

We’ve talked about it but haven’t got serious yet. Sounds like something we should do!

[@jimrodda]

I love Pistol's trailer, but stone chips from the rear tyre could be an issue, Perspex or some other see thru material might be an idea.👍🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Definitely need this. Dave designed a fender for the trailer which we’ll show in an upcoming video!

[@vickielane7387]

You are brave to be doing this to your bodies😲😲 Pistol so cute in her new trailor😅 Carey on😃😃😃😃

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Brave or ignorant😂😂😂. Thanks Vickie!

[@kkheinrich9224]

Hahaha!!! "Dude- what!" Heck yeah, those MH ICE CREAM BARS are decent, huh! Think they helped you two...😆

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Energy for a week!😁

[@pamelabraman7217]

Hi guys Question, when Dave mentioned dehydrated food it made me wonder. What do you do for water on the trail?

[@CareyOnVagabond]

This trail has trail heads with water quite often along the trail. Maybe every 10 miles or so. As well as small towns.

[@rogerbrekas8239]

I watched your video with pistol exposed to anything the back tire would throw up and I thought oh my gosh something must be done about that. I wonder if the 25 year emergency food buckets have, just add water and heat, scones that you could take on your bike adventure.

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Dehydrated scones! 😁 The pistol protecting fender video will be coming soon;)

[@travelingwithcharity6598]

💛💛💛

[@SD-pn1jw]

Hey guys, you can get light weight cots (2lb)😉.

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Our inflatables are super light (ounces) and work awesome as long as they’re inflated🤪😂😂

[@rickdejean4649]

Pistol looked very confused at bedtime

[@CareyOnVagabond]

We all were😂

[@steventoney4018]

you really want really really good comfy pads...........................

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Truth! These are really good pads when you keep air in them🤪😂

[@mikeandre9903]

👍👍

[@CareyOnVagabond]

🙌🙌

[@lesleyfarrington4809]

Pistol won't want to walk now lol

[@CareyOnVagabond]

🙌😆

[@trevorpat-lifeontherun]

Your mad 😆

[@CareyOnVagabond]

🤪🤪🙌

[@micktepolt6276]

your back pack food is a gas :)

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Ha! 😂

[@СергейЕсенин-ъ9ъ]

Felicidades, es un buen ejemplo. 472 sentadillas son unos X18TINDER.Uno muchas y un buen ejercicio. Se deja ver que hay muy buenos resultados 😍👍 Saludos desde la Cd.. de world 🌹😉💖 los mortalesn abian apreciado tan hermosa mujer.k

[@IslandFilmMaker]

I hate bike camping when your not sure where the green loops go!