Gear Failures/Changes on the AZT & TGO

[@markgardner2985]

Hi Darwin - just a note of thanks for your guidance. I'm a noob and scheduled to do a 3-day hike in yosemite in Sept. Something I've always wanted to do but never have. I'm using guidance and recs provided by you in various vids to get gear that will be adequate for a hiker and not break the bank. Wanted to let you know the impact you're having on some of us out here that may not say thanks like we should. I was really overwhelmed with it all, but going through it now I am gaining confidence. Now to stuff it all in a pack and go out and train a little....Thanks for all you do.

[@mdsheppard2]

For my Duplex I use MSR Ground Hogs for the two doorways, and use titanium V-stakes for the other 6 guy outs. Works well.

[@amanda.outside]

I agree - the Sawyer Squeeze filter is the absolute best! I've been using it for years, it's never failed, and it's something I always recommend on my gear list!

[@zacharymoran7596]

The Timp 1.5 has been life changing for me. As you say, just enough cushion. And it’s proven to be a bit of a beast of a shoe; took it up for a summit of Mt St Helens. Lava rocks? Didn’t shoe any signs of wear. And heavy snow? Sure they got wet, but the dried out very quickly. And I appreciated not having to deal with the very heavy mountaineering boots I’d normally use for something like that. Absolutely love them.

[@TheMachoGabacho]

I think we are starting to hit the limit on how light gear can get with current materials and technology. The Sawyer Micro is a fail, the Uberlight Pad is a fail, carbon stakes and trekking poles don’t hold up well, etc. I think we’ve hit a point where you can’t go lighter without sacrificing durability. I’m honestly okay with that - I have a pretty durable setup with my 8lb base weight and with food for 3 days and water I still forget that I’m carrying a pack. That’s light enough for my worn out knees!

[@jimmac1953]

Looks like tent's opening was facing the wind..... would put more stress on everything! Windy flip tent around!

[@janefreeman995]

Here's a how to video for a taut line hitch ( there are many) I prefer this knot over plastic tensioners anyway. Works well with your existing z-line. Take it from a sixty year old lady.... you could also always keep a few extra line locks in your purse.

[@LiaraDives]

Darwin, I don’t know if you tried this but I had the same issues in my camera. Same warning of the sensor cleaning issue. It turned out the battery contacts in the camera were just dirty. I stuck my t-shirt in there and wiped them off. Fixed everything.

[@trishschofield7808]

Love the updates. My Uberlite failure & bent stakes three days out on the PCT that was frustrating. Switch back to trusty old therma rest pad & picked up Zpacks flex poles for 2020 AZT hike. Merry Christmas 🎁🎄 to you & Snuggles 🥰.

[@gasken2182]

“Simplify, then add lightness” - This is my new hiking philosophy. This is originaly a quote from a British racing car designer, but i think it applies perfectly to hiking.

[@jandal8905]

Gear I'm changing: Moving from a Tarpent Scarp II to a Duplex for solo hiking, and from an Enlightened Equipment quilt to a Western Mountaineering Terralite for winter hiking. Gear that's failed: Managed to snap a carbon fibre Pacer Pole and to bend an MSR Ground Hog stake. Have also popped several inflatable pillows. Throttle on my MSR Pocket Rocket is starting to seize up. Otherwise, not many gear failures on my Te Araroa through-hike.

[@coasternut3091]

Once it gets done, there's a little known trail here in Tennessee. It's called the Cumberland Trail. Give it a google a see it's current vs. proposed route. I've hiked almost all of the existing segments and plan to thru hike it once it's finished. It has a lot of green tunnels, but also some killer views

[@bcyork]

My Sawyer Squeeze on a two-night trip. Temps were just around 35-40F and it was just a dribble of water would come out. Backflushing didn't do anything when I went to filter on the second day. I got it home and soaked it per Sawyers recommendation for an hour and has worked fine ever since. They mentioned that sometimes if they dry out they can create a water tension at the surface and water just won't go through. I've been using a Squeeze since they came out (have a new one now after dropping and cracking my older one) and never had an issue. I'm glad it wasn't a solo trip however I'm glad I know this rare issue they may have and how to fix it.

[@ethanlehman9052]

On the AT right now and both sets of trekking poles I have used have broken in various ways, the cnoc aluminum/cork, and the zpacks poles. My sawyer micro also backed up really bad so I made the switch to the katadyn befree. Finally not due to any particular failure I sent my Ultimate direction fastpack 45 home and got a LiteAF 40L curve.

[@teatowel11]

I’ve had carbon stakes from a different company and had some brake too. I use the mini groundhogs now for main tie outs and wire stakes for lower load tie outs.

[@scotbush283]

I too am done with the Z Packs carbon core stakes. On my JMT hike last year 4 of mine failed. I was sure that it was just my own incompetence!

[@cnote5250]

Gotta tell ya Darwin, 3 years ago I pulled out a fanny pack that I got in the 80s to use on the trails and portage's....OG fanny packer, I'm 43 now. Since then it's made the gear list on all type of voyages and vacations as of late. Fanny packer backer for sure. Ps, try a V stake. C 🎵

[@jpawl4362]

Thanks for the autopsy on the zpack carbon stakes. I'll switch back to the groundhogs which are tough. No tailtime on these yet but I'm trying the Hoka One One Tempest shoes...I like the fit and word is they're durable. Worried about the Uberlight not being as robust as the xlite...guess I'll see. Thanks Darwin!

[@michaelb1761]

Check out Homemade Wanderlust's most recent video. She's hiking with her mom and they were both using Uberlites. Both failed on night 1.

[@jpawl4362]

@@michaelb1761 Thanks.

[@brendanreeves7766]

I just started hiking in may and i havent been on any “real hikes” but in my shake down hikes i started off wanting to make a shelter out of my military poncho because its multi functional can make a variety of shelters out of it but the first night i used it i woke up completely wet and felt exposed to bugs and animals so just out of comfort i switched to a Zpacks duplex. Next for my water system i used a hydration pack and used the veco bag and sawyer combo but it was always difficult to do and had to hang the h pack from a tree or something and was a hassle. And on my SD hike the other day i had lost the o ring on the sawyer so i just scooped the water into the h pack and used iodine and it was so much easier except i had to wait almost an hour to drink water so i made an inline filter with the sawyer. Also because the flow rate on the mini sucked a hole poped in the vecto so i switched to the squeeze and CNOC sent me a new one. Thanks!

[@garybolenable]

I would steer clear of the titanium V stakes too, Darwin. I've had soooo many bend on me when I was just using my foot or a rock (not to hammer, just to push) to get them into the ground, and not necessarily hard ground either. Until I find something better, I will stick with the titanium shepherd hooks or the Groundhog Minis if I think I will need more holding power.

[@StalionKick]

Great vid and welcome to Scotland. Good thing it was May that you went. I dread to think how that tent would have held up in a proper Scottish weather, and not just a tiny bit of wind. Last year around the say time, while we wildcamped on the Isle of Rum a fellow hiker used a 400gm Nemo which blew away. ZPacks, Nemo etc all nice for summer, unfortunately you'll need something more substantial for these shores.

[@RS.Outdoors]

Good film. When it comes to pouches I have always used the Ribz pack pouches and great for camera gear, etc. Made in US but not sure if you get them anymore. Fantastic for when I done the TGO challenege and other walks.

[@ScottKent]

As for those carbon core stakes...yep, broke one in the snow last year (ok, it was probably something under the snow, but still) I'm trying the carbon shepherd hooks from Dutchware for now, we'll see. As for the Timps, great shoe starting out but the cushioning dropped way off for me around 200 miles. Also, that tail rudder...that is the most annoying thing on any of Altra's shoes. That little rubber lip spends half the day flipping dirt up onto your calves and the other half causing the heel cup to slide up or down (depending on if it catches on top of uneven terrain or under a rock) and after a while the outside and inside areas just above my heel began to hurt. I'm giving the Olympus a try now. Oh, and my micro squeeze slowed down dramatically after only 4 days on the AT; still worked, but slow. Anyhoo...glad you enjoyed Scotland.

[@lordmarshall5239]

I bought my regular Sawyer because of you and I’m glad it’s well proven. Thanks for your help as usual. My Aegismax just worked great in the Bigelo preserve, as did my CNOC bag. All purchases you helped me to try. Oh and my Cascade cheapo trekking poles.

[@bobbyboombeck]

I just picked up the Osmo pocket and am in Zion now testing it out. Loving this little guy.

[@bstheory]

Awesome to see more backpacking experience with this thing. Been considering one but was worried how it would hold up. Think it will last alright?

[@bobbyboombeck]

@@bstheory this is by far my new favorite thing. It's so small and powerful. Battery life is pretty darn good too. For hiking and shooting video is great. Like a trekking pole, a bit cumbersome at first but then it becomes a natural flow to use.

[@PhilSallaway]

Hey Darwin just Hiked 45 miles in the Sierras my pack a Kelty Super Tioga external Frame circa 1986 got a lot out of that pack too 40 - 50 week long trips ...! 😄

[@sncrabs65]

Phil Sallaway I use the kelty trekker and my brother has a tioga glad to see another hiker who likes walking upright keep hiking my man

[@PhilSallaway]

jimmy burns and it’s easy on the back I ain’t a kid like Darwin is Ha Ha Ha could be his Dad actually ha ha

[@MBergyman]

I like your justification for the stuff you use, and appreciate when you tell folks you use it cuz you like it, for no other reason. Sometimes the form is important too, provided that the function is there. I use MSR groundhog-style stake (cheapos from Amazon) and I can beat on them without issues. Some are longer if you need that extra grip but I've found my 6" long set to take care of me for everything except Beach camping. Carbon is not really good for impact strength unless there is a bunch of Kevlar in it. As for Line locs, I read that Skurka just cuts them off his shelters, oneof the reasons being weight, but the other being reliability. Have you ever tried that out? The knots are easy, and super versatile.

[@smileyhappyradio]

Another great video! Gear failures are the best videos, so you know things that could go wrong. Knowledge is power, and it helps with planning.

[@edwardleibnitz3589]

If you read the directions on the carbon stakes they say don't push in with more force than your foot (or something to that effect). I know all too well about getting them into "tough staking ground" - including peer-pressure from other people about banging them "hard with a rock". Mine are all in fine shape thanks to not over-doing it!

[@thejsmith]

Thanks, Darwin. I was just thinking of switching to the Sawyer Micro. I have used the mini for a couple of years and have always been disappointed with the flow rate, but never tried the squeeze due to the size. I’m switching. Also, MSR Groundhogs are the bomb. I have used those for a long time and have never been disappointed.

[@charlesyin]

Strong winds - that sounds like the Cairngorms! I have "fond" memories of using a hooped bivy one night where I had to take the pole out overnight. The wind was hovering around 60-70mph, and I was somewhat concerned the buffeting was going to rip my bivy sack apart.

[@teddvidler6830]

I picked up the Micro filter and as a recreational outdoors guy, not hiker I have used it in motels etc. Hopefully I will get a few years at least. I can understand reverting to the Squeeze filter. Will keep an eye on the Micro performance going forward. Thanks for the heads up.

[@coltbryanfilms3176]

I completely changed the way I carry my camera gear after hiking in the Grand Canyon this Spring. Im sure at some point I will find even a better way to carry my camera gear. Thanks for making a video about this! I have to say after watching your post hike gear videos you have helped me decide on water filtration as well as a lot of different gear that I sometimes don't think about as much. Great Video!

[@m14lvr]

I've been using MSR carbon cores for sometime with good luck. They are wrapped in aluminum which I think makes the difference. They do have a plastic head though so no hammering.

[@markcalbert3741]

I have been hiking in a pair of the Timp's for the last 3-4 months and really like them, but they are my first pair of Altra shoes... Never will I go back to narrow toe box!

[@alanc4264]

Not so much a gear change as a trial of equipment I did this week. I'm from he UK and decided to try out Smart Water bottles instead of a regular plastic water bottle. I also use a Sawyer micro filter so I thought I could ditch my Sawyer squeeze mylar bag in favour fo the more robust Smart bottle. I've seen a lot of thru hikers doing this. The Smart water bottle in UK are not compatible with the thread on the Sawyer filters. I presume this is down to using metric (cm) sizes on the water bottles in Europe as opposed to N America using imperial (inches). So back to using the Sawyer squeeze mylar bags for now.

[@johneason6540]

Good to see your report!! I had my sawyer micro fail me two weeks into using it, very low flow, I'm with you back to the standard sawyer. I bought a pair of timp 1.5 in January because couldn't get Olympus in my size, love them, I also finally got my Olympus 3.0 in march, these shoes are the best! No sore feet after hiking all day fantastic grip and traction. Just ordered the new olympus 3.5, due in soon, hope they are as good.

[@davidson_oldbull_sectionhiker]

Thanks for another great video. I am using the zpacks 4 in 1 as a chest pack and really like it. Fanny pack don't really work because I have a belly.

[@turkeyphant]

Why did you use the BeFree in Scotland?

[@PaulChampeau]

When it comes to stakes I've found that noting beats the MSR Mini Ground Hogs when considering weight, durability, and holding power

[@FrankBergdoll]

The worst failure I ever had was falling into a stream and killing a lens for my camera. It worked out okay - because I had a second lens and the body was fine, but it was 5-days completely off the grid - so that wet lens was just a “stone” I had to carry. On a positive note - it did dry out and works like a charm now :) You should check out some of the gear by a company called Matador - I have their fanny pack (and towels, camera covers, and... lots of stuff). Anyhow - some of their stuff is very compact and light. Their towels are incredible. (As is their fanny pack)

[@fastcircuit]

Yeah, I had my sewyer fail on me, I've heard tons of people have issues, I'm only using a Katadyn Befree now. Also, titanium V stakes are nice, but I've had them bend on me

[@DarwinOnthetrail]

At least Ti V-Stakes can be bent back! Hike On, Darwin

[@fastcircuit]

@@DarwinOnthetrail True, it did bend back fairly well, you can still see the rumple where it bent. But yes, better then just breaking entirely!! Haha!

[@michaelb1761]

@@DarwinOnthetrail MSR mini Groundhogs work better. I picked up some Ti V stakes, used them for one weekend, then went back to the minis. Hold better and take a beating way better. You can hammer those minis in if needed.

[@swnorcraft7971]

I have owned a sawyer squeeze for about 3 years. Haven't used it a whole lot but it has always worked well. It backflushes well and I have kept it from freezing per mfg's recommendation. I have looked at the smaller ones and also other mfg's filters and I have never felt the need to look further than the squeeze..........Nuff said? Thanks for the review.

[@billheckman5937]

Hey Darwin, DITTO on the Timp 1.5s. I just picked up a pair yesterday. I loved my Lone Peaks but had to skip the first few lace holes. The Timps definitely have a wider toe box.

[@tompannill4562]

Ground hogs are definitely the way to go for stakes. I just finished my thru hike of the AT and never had one break or pull out even in windy conditions. Definitely agree with you on the Sawyer filter. Had a couple micros that lost flow rate over time. I’ll be switching to the original squeeze.

[@colinwatt00]

Hey Darwin, in a previous video you talked about DCF backpacks ‘wearing out’. For those of us who don’t have any experience with DCF and are thinking about spending the money on a pack, tent, tarp, whatever, can you please make a video discussing a worn-out DCF product and how much use you were able to get from it. Thank you.

[@DaveVaughan2004]

Nice overview! MSR Ground Hogs and Easton golds are my preferred pegs, covers me for most ground types. ATB, Dave

[@MJGEGB]

For the line lock just attach a Prusik to the tieout with a Cows Hitch and you'll have the exact same functionality without any silly hardware to break. For stakes I love my Ti Shepard's hooks mostly because they bend right back into shape with ease and are easier to get in between rocks. I'm camping Along the AT but I'd probably just bring one V stake or something like that for your front guy line and use Marlin Hitchs with rocks as needed if the shepard's hooks aren't holding. I get away with just shepard's hook stakes with my mid shelter where I'm at though.

[@lobotomik3338]

right, easy to fix, prusik is way...

[@dagger133]

That's a lot of knot, when a taught line hitch is all that is required.

[@MJGEGB]

@@dagger133 I strictly use the Adjustable Grip hitch over the t Taught Line. Easier to tie and untie and it holds better too. Not the same functionality as a line lock though. A simple prusik attached to the tieout would offer the same exact functionality as the line lock that broke with infinite adjustability at the tieout. An Adjustable Grip Hitch or Taught Line Hitch will not. Prusiks also work on pure Dyneema line which is fun/useful vs needing the poly sheath for Dyneema core guy lines.

[@mmathews7724]

Another solid video..thank you! I love when you do your old school honest reviews like these. Sometimes you have such high end things and so much that it is impossible not to think you get this stuff for free to plug it. Anyways....it would be so great if you do a video of websites our apps that help the average hiker and biker find the great trails. I love doing 2-4 day hiking trips and railtrail bike camping trips and get over whelmed trying to find good options. It takes much of the fun out of it and deters people from doing much more! You rock!

[@dillonmcgraw7011]

Darwin- I’m sure there are a lot of comments already about this, but I’ll say it anyways: get MSR groundhog stakes. I was backpacking a few weeks ago and it rained one night and wind gusted up to 55 mph where we were, no problem for the groundhogs. Tent stayed perfectly staked out the whole night. Also, I might try the Altra Timp 1.5 because I’ve literally put 4 miles on my new Lone peak 4.0 and one of outsoles is already separating from the toe :( 4 miles!!! I might exchange and give them another try because they’re so comfy but you never know. Keep up the good work!

[@acheeochee9640]

“Create.” Very fitting! As always...Great video. Thank you for all your hard work.

[@MikeNeri1]

I had a shoulder strap literally break, don't remember the bags manufacturer, about half way up a fairly steep incline on the INT. When it broke, it spun me around and I damn near lost my footing; I was pissed and was tempted to kick that bad back down the hill!

[@DarwinOnthetrail]

WOW! 😳

[@jamespants6591]

Just finished through hiking the Hebridean Way last week and am very jealous of the weather you had on the TGO. My iPhone failed twice i.e. it went from 36% to no battery, but I had maps so I could still navigate, just no photos etc. I got it to charge off my battery pack over night though. We had 40 mph winds and the guy lines got completely chewed up and were slack so the tent was flapping everywhere. The plumbing tape I had round my poles for emergencies fixed that up though. Also had a human failure on my midge net and left a small gap. 20 bites while putting down the tent. Fully covered including gloves and head net. Midges are no joke... I recommend a good y-peg like the groundhogs for loose soil, plus some shepherd hooks for stony ground.

[@IamRecon001]

Completed it in early May... apart from strong northerly winds for 6 days straight it was dry ,blue skies and sunshine ...about 15C Max ... Zero midges at that time...missed them by days ......... I used my phone to follow GPS trax as you no doubt also found the waymarking to be laughable

[@jamespants6591]

IamRecon001 it only rained properly on a couple of days, but during most nights. Was drizzly every other day, but that's par for the course. Due to similar wind conditions on all except one day it was just the one day with midge trouble, but it was thousands of them. I download the OS maps and GPS to my phone as well. Would have been difficult without GPS. A lot of the trail was under water after the rain or washed away which didn't help. Great scenery though and only the occasional day walker on the trail.

[@mumblic]

9:00 More then 20 years ago when I was in my twenty's I went on a day hike in the Grand Canyon (part of vacation in the USA) . I picked up a fanny pack over there, .. but everybody was laughing with me. Fanny packs were for old guys, they said! Well now even the cool youtube kids are liking them. I knew I was a trend setter ;-)))

[@DarwinOnthetrail]

😂😂😂

[@rasmusblomberg7373]

Fanny packs rock when bringing little things while hiking

[@janefreeman995]

Guys wear them in Europe for sure so you're a trend setter and stylishly European!

[@cgriggsiv]

And the katadyn hiker pro it's still going strong even in all of that Sandy settlement I still get perfectly clean filtered tasty water

[@Sunshine_day]

Last hike I couldn't get my Sawyer squeeze to go on straight. It leaked out the side of the bottle neck like crazy. It was just a day hike, buy very aggravating. I tried everything like repositioning the ring, and taking the ring out. I think it was the bottle.

[@borealphoto]

The regular Squeeze filter clogged on me like that. I checked it against the Hydroblu and thought it had a slightly better flow. Then the next day on the trail, nothing would come out. Good thing I had Aquatabs. I still use the Hydroblu.

[@williamsalmon2251]

I use msr groundhogs also, with my zpack duplex I carry two old snowstakes for peaklines. Snowstake also good as a poop trowl, double use philosophy.

[@tsizzle]

Yes, MSR mini ground hogs are really good! I would actually recommend the DJI Osmo Action that came out after the DJI Osmo Pocket. Osmo Action has a front facing screen so you can see yourself, incredible gimbal like stabilization and also waterproof. Finally, instead of the Waymark pack... have you considered trying John Zahorian's Pa'lante Pack V2 or the Gossamer Gear Kumo 36?

[@michaelpower8459]

My Altra Timp 1.5's came apart inside the heal after 100 miles on the PCT. Another hiker I met on trail was having the same issue as well (not as severe as mine).

[@felipecastellon4740]

So sorry for this second comment. I just returned to the video and heard that you wanted to hear failures. Feb 18th 2019 my wife and I were at PCT mile 112.5 just passed Warner Springs, we were section hiking. My REI flash failed, it snowed on us. I woke up every couple of hours, the freezing cold woke me up everytime it deflated. I took it to REI to see if they had a recommendation because I couldn't find the leak. I've had it for about 2 years. They gave me a full refund although it was out of their 1 year full return policy. I got the Therma rest X-lite because Therma rest is reliable. I don't like it. It's noisy, too narrow and not as comfortable as flash. I would never try the uber. Dixie recently posted on the poor Therma rest customer service after 2 uber failures. REI rocks! Thanks again for sharing and sorry for the long comment.

[@joepittsburgh7301]

I had one of those zpacks carbon stakes break on me first time I used them.

[@blitzen74]

msr ground hog stakes are great.

[@trakyboy5128]

Yes !!! The one stake I've never regretted 👍🏼👏 Living in the S.W ya gotta have a great tent stake 🤗

[@80-80.]

MSR Mini Groundhogs is perfect for me. Plenty strong enough

[@speygeek]

Yes I also live by those stakes, Darwin you should try them out.

[@ChardOfMight]

The minis have yet to disappoint me

[@michaelb1761]

Love my mini groundhogs. Broke a stake by pounding it in with a rock? Seriously? I normally pound in the groundhogs. I don't think they are breakable.

[@benhuber9257]

When I got the Sawyer Squeeze I read in the instructions that if you leave it out below freezing it is no longer reliable because of potential damage to the filter. Up in the mountains it's pretty easy to get freezing temperatures by surprise. How do you deal with this? I'm not excited about the idea of sticking it in my sleeping bag. Do you just pay attention to the weather? What really worries me is that it would have no visible damage and I wouldn't have any way to detect if it was still functioning properly.

[@laur-unstagenameactuallyca1587]

YES!!! I haven't hiked yet but I've wanted to use a fannypack while hiking! I was confused as to why more people don't do it.

[@edbooth9439]

Have tried the "latest and greatest "others, but keep coming back to my Red Groundhogs.

[@aprole87]

I broke one of those carbon fiber stakes on the very first use using my shoe as well. I was leery to begin with, but they immediately proved unreliable. The shepherd’s hooks are great and groundhogs for loose soil.

[@rkaz]

One gear change you made between the PCT and AZT was ditching the gaiters. Did you miss having gaiters at all on the AZT?

[@antsy_does]

Ditched mine while hiking in Europe too, but in Florida (where I live) they're a MUST :)

[@p1ushyy522]

You should try the north country trail

[@UncleJoeHikes]

I’ve had a Sawyer Squeeze and Mini fail. Sawyer said to be sure and soak them for 30 minutes then back-flush them after they’ve sat awhile and aren’t flowing well. Apparently back flushing and storing isn’t sufficient. I’d never had an issue but it had been a month or so between hikes. My guess is they dried out.

[@thespradman]

Man, I'm super stoked you checked out the Osmo Pocket. I was wondering if you'd seen it and wanted to hear your thoughts on it. I saw some of your shots and wondered if you'd taken a big gimbal with you. Yes, please do a review on it! I picked one up for family videos but I'd love to hear your notes on how it worked out in the field. Thanks again for all you're doing!

[@gabrielbridges2103]

I have had a sawyer squeeze filter stop flowing just like you did. There is an easy fix for that, you just need to soak it in really warm water (not boiling) for an hour or two, and then you can backflush and it should work good as new.

[@lisaray6493]

gabriel bridges if you have filtered a lot of hard water, it also helps to use vinegar

[@Ylem561]

I use the Zpacks Multi pack as a fanny pack, works great.

[@musingwithreba9667]

I was out a couple of weeks ago for a solo 2 nighter, and my MSR Trail Shot failed on me. I just bought the dang thing last summer and used it for maybe 8 liters! I had to boil my water the whole weekend and used up almost a whole canister of fuel 😫 Got home and found out that the store where I bought it has shut down, so I can't return it and get another one. I contacted MSR customer service and still waiting for a reply...a week later 😕 Maybe I'll switch to the Sawyer.

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Oh man! Haha another one, I’ve got the micro as well as the Squeeze to try it out, will keep that in mind. Could it have just been some silt in that area?

[@ryantanakaphoto]

Sorry to hear about M50. I’m not a hiker but a photographer/videographer, and that would have driven me nuts. I don’t think it’s weather sealed, so maybe that had something to do with it? Very curious to hear about the Osmo Pocket. 👍🏻

[@adamholbrook2281]

All the tips came off the Zpacks carbon stakes I had a few years ago. They must have had a poor glue/ epoxy job or something. I wouldn't buy them again. I like Heavy duty shepherd hooks and MSR Ground hogs. It seems to me one of the big failure factors with the water filters is when they dry out. I've used a few different including BeFree and I've had trouble with all of them once cleaned out and stored. They worked fine while I was out until I went to reuse them on the next trip after being stored. I do also prefer the original full size sawyer. I washed a pair of Altra Lone Peak 3.5 and they completely fell apart. I contacted Altra and the support person told me I voided the warranty when I washed them. Funny thing is there was no warranty info in the packaging or on their website, so I'm not sure how I was supposed to know that. They've lost me as a customer. Also the foam seems to break down really quickly. If you like a wide toe box look at Topo Athletic. They have a few trail runners out. They might be a little heavier than Altra, but they'll be more durable. Thanks for the videos.

[@GoAdventure83]

Love my Osmo Pocket. Been using it on my last couple trips. Love the ability to do motion lapses and object tracking for those hiking past the camera shots. Plus the stability with the gimbal is great!

[@jhosk]

Recently added a runners chest pack, its like a phanny pack on your chest, plus its harder for someone to rip off of me.

[@bobpratt3717]

Have you tried the Zpack Multi? Can be used similar to fanny pack, but I love it as a kangaroo pack on front. Then use the other straps as "purse"😁

[@RusticOutdoors01]

+1 on the MSR groundhog.. actually you can pick up the Mini MSR groundhogs and they work just as good.. i`ve taken them out on many hikes in Colorado and i`ve never had them fail on me..

[@antsy_does]

Yaassssss!!!! Finaly - a fellow hiker using the DJI Osmo Pocket!! It's all I use for my modest little hiking videos, I'm glad to see it in your hands as well. Looking forward for a more in-depth review and your detailed thoughts :) !! Did you just hold it in your hands? I've "jury-rigged" it to my trekking pole for a bit of stabilization (still had some up & down movement when filming while walking), but in the end, only the "ninja walk" will eliminate that.........

[@andymci3246]

never had a lineloc fail no matter what the heck is going on, def bad luck there darwin! was tempted by crazy carbons but will now stick with groundhogs for principals, butt/ fanny packs are completely awesome tho find everything tries to migrate into them:-)

[@DuddySpoonz]

I have also had a Sawyer micro failure, and also went back to the original. So maybe your onto something there. Groundhog stakes my man the best way to go imo.

[@markroberts6971]

Darwin, have yo used the HydroBlu filter. Works flawlessly for me and leaves the Sawyers in the dirt. Same filter specs, but filter way faster, and cheaper.

[@hikerJohn]

Zpack's 7" Super Sonic Stake is the best stake they have. You can save a little on Amazon with a different brand name but you have to buy 12 of them on Amazon but they look and feel exactly the same. Ive been beating on mine with rocks for 500 miles and I only broke one but I only ever use 7 of the eight I had. Now I carry two extras

[@hikerJohn]

It's not like zpacks makes their own linelocks. I dont set mine up in that much wind if I can help it because of the noise. I have the duplex. Just goes to show how strong the corde and webbing and tent material is :o)

[@hikerJohn]

I switch back and forth between the Lone Peak and the Temp and I can barely tell the difference.

[@martinyardy3213]

I've noticed you don't seem to be using the Dirty Girl Gaiters anymore, any particular reason?

[@anywhereroam9698]

Martin Yardy in an earlier video he said he’s ditching them. I think because he feels they aren’t needed, and to save weight. I don’t really remember.

[@LH-BROS]

Hi Darwin, I have one question that is kinda bothering me.. During those hike where you spend a couple of weeks out on the trail, How many set of clothes did you bring and How often do you change or wash them?

[@CVwilcox]

Really enjoying the channel and the Flagstaff backdrop.

[@backpacker3421]

I've got a two pocketed fanny pack... it attaches to my backpack near the small of my back. Pretty handy.

[@DavidWilliams-tk3dy]

I've stopped using my Sawyer filters. Poor flow rate, too much force/effort to get water through, and the mini clogs up far too easily. I've recently switched to the Katadyn Befree. To date? Superb! Great flow rate, virtually no effort required to get water through the filter. My main criticism is that, unlike the Sawyer, it's not compatible with other makes of water bladders/bottles eg the Platypus.

[@samcruickshank9796]

Cnoc makes a befree compatible bag now.

[@DavidWilliams-tk3dy]

@@samcruickshank9796 Thanks. I'd heard this but couldn't find a supplier in the UK. Are you aware of one? Be great if I could get one!

[@donmartin9567]

MSR Groundhogs? Normal size for the ends and small for the sides. I'm planning to use these on my Nemo soon. They are lighter than the ones supplied with the Nemo.

[@alfialho7722]

Thanks Darwin! I definitely would appreciate the update on the Timp 1.5’s. I’ve got a wide foot and these would be my first pair. Thanks bud.

[@adamsmith9756]

Loved it when you fessed up to...well, having a handbag. 🤣

[@DarwinOnthetrail]

😬😬😬

[@backpacker3421]

I've been eyeing that DJI Pocket. The gimbal I have is just way too big and too heavy for packing... looking forward to your review.

[@exploresouthwest]

Just realized Altra must be a local company. All the shoes are named after the peaks I can see from my house. You could hike the Great Western Trail. It passes all of them.

[@GlitterPoolParty]

For stakes, couldnt you wrap your shepard stakes with carbon fiber tape to the width of the carbon stakes?

[@theterrestrialnomadpodcast4442]

Hitting the AZT next week. Thanks for the info!

[@paullessard]

Is that the camera you shot this video with? I'm looking for a camera to shoot videos with and the quality and sound on this video is on par with what I'd like to produce content with... Do you use a microphone with that Canon on the trail and if so, what brand/model? Do you have a video about the gear you use to record with and how you go about producing videos? Can you link me if you do and if not, I think that would be a great subject for a video I would be totally interested in... Thanks in advance Darwin! Cheers!

[@Chris-mf2gj]

I use the multi pack from zpacks, rather then a fanny pack. The multi pack is more versatile. You have more strap options in how you render it on your body. I keep mine around the area of chest/upper tummy. Very easy to access stuff, and easy to use around camp or even in town. Did you not choose the zpacks multi pack for a particular reason?

[@backpacker3421]

Yeah, hammering in carbon core stakes is the best way to destroy them. They usually go in just fine stepping on them with steady slow pressure. But I usually take a split of carbon core and Ti shepherd's hooks or Ti groundhog style stakes.