I'm Declaring WAR on this Backpacking Gear Company | Q&A

[@eddiethehitchhikingmaltipo6754]

So you want to speak to the manager? Karen Hates Hiking 😂 Another entertaining one Kyle 👍🏼

[@RagaJoura]

Love my CNOC trekking poles. I had multiple failures on mine during a section hike on the AT and every part is replaceable. I emailed them and they got replacements to me ASAP and refunded me for the parts AND shipping before I had even sent back the broken parts! They even attached a link in the email to a youtube video on how to replace the parts. Five stars, would recommend this company.

[@crewzillakelly3655]

Adam, there no shame on being nervous getting out there. I was so afraid my first time solo backpacking on the Appalachian Trail. My stomach was flipping and flopping my first day out. I thought I was going to throw up heading out of the doors of the Amicalola Lodge. Adam, just do it. It was one of the best experiences of my life.

[@PrimeReal]

Adam, I’m disagreeing. You should be totally ashamed. Stop thinking about it and hike. Gurls do it all the time. Your it gonna let gurls outdo you are you?

[@pambrown6260]

Yes you would do trail maintenance just to film yourself doing it. No respect.

[@crewzillakelly3655]

Adam I backpacked several times on the Appalachian Trail I was sooo nervous my stomach was so sick but I stayed out for several days I lived haha thank you for your encouragement every bit helps all the hikers in the community

[@kristinegoodman7534]

99.5% of the time when people say they want to go on a hike with me they back out. Whether it's a day hike or backpacking trip, once they start understanding how much work goes into a backpacking trip or how early I get up for a day hike, they drop like flies. I've weeded out many people just with general, truthful education.

[@safromnc8616]

99.5% of the people in the world are gung ho to do anything when you are talking about it...but when the rubber hits the road, they bail...

[@danielb5801]

Adam, I feel your pain, growing up in Texas I am used to snakes but bears freak me out some. Took me a while to muster up the courage to hike alone in bear country. Kyles advice is spot on. I spent many a night learning the sounds of nature as I laid there in my tent to scared to sleep. The bright side is that learning all those sounds made each night easier and before I new it I was comfortable being in the area. You are probably more likely to be eaten by Dan Becker then by a bear.

[@KyleHatesHiking]

Thanks for sharing

[@lauralossie3893]

I live in Maine and was itching to do a backpacking trip last year. I didn’t want something too tough to climb or too far with 30+ lb pack. None of my friends hike, so I planned a 3 day solo loop hike in the Stratton Mountain area of VT. It was amaaaaaaazing! Having company would have been a bonus though. I DID see a bear, but he ran away when I blew my whistle. Weirdest sound he’s ever heard I’m sure!!!! 😂 🐻 🎒 🥾

[@adamr1439]

This is good to hear! I'm in PA, luckily all I have is black bear...encounter them all the tim fly fishing but there's something about hearing one trying to raid my food bag as I try to sleep...BUT I appreciate this comment as well as Kyle mentioning my question, and am more determined than I ever was before. Thanks for sharing your experience getting into backpacking

[@kathycasey9153]

Im a 56 year old city dweller who has never backpacked. I bought all my gear and hired a guide to take me out on the AT for 2 nights before I solo hike the NJ section of the AT. Im nervous too but if I don't do it now then when?

[@GaerHampton]

@@kathycasey9153 I know that it's easy for me to say this as someone who's been solo camping and backpacking for a long time.....but just do it! Make the leap. Like you say, when will you do it otherwise? The outdoors aren't nearly as dangerous as one's fears try to tell them they are. The two most dangerous situations that I've even been in were 1) getting my clothing soaked on a summer canoe trip up in Canada on an overcast day with temps maybe in the 50s (F). I started to get too chilled, to the point that my speech was getting slurred, so I simply started jogging around to warm up during our lunch stop. 2) I got caught high up on a mountain at around 13,000 ft. in a nasty hail/thunderstorm. This only happened due to my bad judgment. I knew that I should have turned around and headed down, but instead I decided to try to race the thunderstorm I could see coming to the top of the mountain because the summit was "so close".

[@UKCG_2]

FYI. Trail Magic….Happy (a KZbinr) just provided trail magic to some North bound AT thru hikers when he had to pause his own thru hike due to knee issues.

[@fuggoff5277]

Knee issues? T Rex

[@briannacluck5494]

re: backpacking by yourself - last year I got way more into hiking and backpacking, and planned out my first backpacking trip. The way I got that balance between the thrill of solo backpacking and not feeling like I was gonna get murdered by some dude miles from nowhere was to book a camp site up a nearby mountain (one that actually had a parking lot lol) and then hiking up a back trail from the base of the mountain to get there. It still took damn near all day to get up there (I technically started at the mouth of a nearby canyon) and the hike was fun, but it was also close enough to infrastructure that I knew if I got hurt then I could easily call for help. Now I'm stepping up my game and in a couple days I'm doing a longer hike to a more remote location I've never been to before, but it's still an overnight thing. My goal is to be able to through hike the uinta highline trail in the next year or two.

[@adamr1439]

Thanks so much for the advice Kyle! Actually found your channel researching last year while intending to start! Your advice along with the comments on the topic are just what I needed to hear to set out on some trips this year. What an awesome community! Can't thank all of you enough

[@mistikbunny7840]

Quick fix for a broken trekking pole strap... sew it together with braided fishing line. It should hold till you can find a replacement.

[@kathycasey9153]

Trail running, trail maintenance, broken straps, camp chairs and folks who want to tag along on your hike. This all sounds like good content for one of your parody videos!

[@stevewright2241]

I had the same experience on trying to get involved in doing trail maintenance. Leki likes me more. They sold me a pair at 1/2 cost. It took a month the get them. The guy in charge was hiking off trail across the country of Iceland. They company is from Sweden.

[@fruity_hiker]

I have been that unwanted member of a trail family who can't take a hint. They devised an elaborate plan to ditch me in town. That's when I realized what had been going on. It sucked, not gonna lie. I liked them and respected them, and I thought we were becoming friends. We had hiked 400 miles together, stayed in multiple towns together, laughed, talked, shared food, etc. Folks, if you don't want to hike with someone, just tell them. Simple as that. You don't owe your friendship to anyone, but you don't have to be a dick.

[@sprocastersprocaster]

What bothered them so much ?

[@oongieboongie]

ROUGH!!!

[@kathycasey9153]

Im so sorry that happened to you. I would love for someone to hike with.

[@gstrasser1]

I've had the same pair of Black Diamond poles for almost 12 years. Aside from having to tighten them once or twice, they've lasted quite well.

[@Tina-zi9dv]

I've figured out why I find you so entertaining. I'm a Jr. High School Counselor and I adore this age group. Yup, you remind me of the goofy kids I work with everyday. And I say that lovingly.

[@KyleHatesHiking]

😂😂 you're not wrong

[@clayschuetz899]

I've not broken one yet but that sounds like it sucked. I gotta say 👍👍 to you for mentioning Frozen and his video about trekking pole straps, I've seen it myself and it's extremely helpful, as to whether you wanna get rid of the straps or replace them with new ones. Honestly like you, I absolutely use them and would be lost without them, I'll admit that with my bad carpel tunnel in both wrists and arthritis, my fingers numb up badly with the straps but the benefits of stability and safety outweigh the numbness and pain. Is what it is, sometimes you just gotta sacrifice one for the other😉

[@jennylievois]

The only reason I liked this video is because I want Adam to start solo backpacking like a BOSS. Solo is the best! You don’t have to listen to someone else’s ive-been-out-in-the-wilderness-for-more-than-30-min thought rants, and the only smell you have to deal with is your own. If you need more reassurance bring an emergency gps beacon like the Garmin In-Reach mini just in case that scratching sound outside your tent does end up being a mountain lion waiting all night for you to poke your head out because it has nothing better to do. Don’t forget to tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back. You got this! (Jk, Kyle, I like the rest of your video, too 🤓)

[@wanttogo1958]

You should try some Black Diamond poles. I had a strap that was neatly chewed in half by a ground dwelling critter one night in camp. I contacted Black Diamond with the model and they sent me one free of charge. That's good service!

[@ZacDeclerck]

Yeah I broke a strap on a Black Diamond Ergo pole at the end of my PCT thru. I really REALLY hated not having it. Having 1 strap also pissed me off so I cut it off and slowed down and dropped my poles 10x an hour because of it. I had no idea how to replace them the way they were pinned into the handle. In the future I would probably just use a sewing machine to fix them up

[@juketreks2192]

I have two sets of Leki trekking poles, and have owned them for 18 years with no issues.

[@nedanother9382]

solo hiking is AWESOME! Do it! Also I am anxious to the point of puking every time. don't let it stop you.

[@rumblechick73]

Why not just buy a pair of really cheap poles and take the straps from them? Is there something fantastic about the Leki straps? Or go to a fabric store and buy some material and make your own?

[@tenza7545]

I use headlamps that take batteries. However I put rechargeable batteries in them. Instant top off when they die and recharge the batteries later.

[@aw1008]

I picked up the biolite head lamp, they have become my new favorite headlamps!

[@kito109654]

Effing awesome that you dropped Goggins and Jocko in there.

[@SinchuwusOutside]

Always entertaining and informative!!! I started backpacking this year and my first time out was solo. I chose a State Forest I was familiar with and actually scouted out the area a few weeks before I went. It was only a 3 mile loop with the backpack site halfway in, but it helped calm some nerves knowing what the terrain looked like before I got there. Now I go every chance I get, either solo or with friends/family. Thanks and keep the great content coming!!!

[@anneteuntjeb]

This rant about EUR/USD got me haha. This is me every single time I want backpacking gear from the USA. Little sad about my question unanswered but still enjoyed the video. 👏🏼

[@MakoBlitz]

it’s not just Leki, it’s all of them. Any replacement part they try to hide from consumers so you end up just buying an expensive new product instead

[@MrDanAng1]

So far I haven't needed to replace any strap on my hiking poles, but... unscrew the screw on the top, then replace the strap and screw the top screw back seem to be the MO here.

[@chrisswope6536]

Thanks for the trekking pole comment. I was debating between replacing my poles or putting on new straps.

[@melizabeth908]

I broke a pole strap and took it to a shoe repair place and they sewed it good…. Enjoyed this q&a. I’m also a nervous newbie so I am in the information gathering stage and appreciate all you have to say.

[@jamesadams2334]

I've done trail magic for trail maintainers. They loved it.

[@lisaray6493]

Happy Down the trail is nursing his knee and he’s doing magic. Also, Water Queen is out there too.

[@AncientVlogger]

How about you take all the proceeds from any trail maintenance videos and contribute to a trail maintenance organization?

[@KyleHatesHiking]

I thought about it. Could be a good idea, but I would want to do some trail work without the camera first

[@stitch3163]

@@KyleHatesHiking I agree with that sentiment. Work with the trail crew for a bit and suggest that a video about what goes into trail maintenance may (a) encourage more folks to volunteer their help and (b) educate other hikers of the level of effort required so they appreciate the trail crew’s efforts.

[@kdavis4910]

Sure. Run trails. Adam should start camping in his back yard and go on all day hikes. That's what I'm doing except the camping in the backyard. I don't have issues sleeping in tents in new places. Or the woods.

[@KyleHatesHiking]

If you haven't subscribed yet, DO IT please and help me hit 20k subscribers 🤘 Huge shoutout to all my Patreon supporters for making this channel possible: Stephanie, Martin S., Duane, John K., Stephanie B., Mike D., Hunter B., TheUrbanCrone, Jason J., Annie E., Jane K., Alexis L., Bob C., Glenn L., Nate O., Matt, Madison E., Ryan M., Mary R., John A., Krysta A., Abby's Person, Nikki W., Don C., Joseph P., Victoria L., Dennis F., Lisa J., Robert S., Bernard K., Marc C., Daniel B., Frank H., Alex W., Joel A., Milo C., Jeff, McLean, Bennet B., Nick D., Krystie H., Ron G., Kevin W., Petite Hiker, Mo M., Eric A., Blain G., Malary H., Ian H., Brigette M., Brian S., Cory and Dory Adventures, Brittani H., Jim L., Michael H, Daniel B.

[@alyishiking]

I broke a strap on my Black Diamond poles just 700 miles into my AT thru. Thankfully a friend was able to sew it back together, and the poles ultimately lasted me until the PA rocks where they died a terrible death.

[@singledad1313]

I've been part of trail maintenance crews a couple times in the past. One time the effort were organized by a local geocaching group. The second time was an event organized by a state conservation officer who was also a geocacher. I logged a lot of travel bugs those two days.

[@randyholloway920]

I go solo all the time, loves it! I can meet people and travel together as I like or do my own thing when I like. Just do it!

[@SalmondOutdoors]

I've never broken a trekking pole strap, but I definitely think it'd be super annoying to use them without it, not to mention using one with and one without. Also, if Jocko would have broken his trekking pole, he'd just say "GOOD", then rip an entire tree out of the ground and use it instead 😂

[@alech729]

Let’s go!!! Thanks for answering my question Kyle.

[@KyleHatesHiking]

I gotcha

[@GaerHampton]

I've only ever used REI trekking poles. The twist locks on the first pair eventually went to crap. My snap lock (lever lock?) cork handled ones are still going strong. I didn't even know it was possible to break the straps on a pair of poles. When I eventually buy a nicer pair, I think that I might look at Black Diamond as opposed to Leki.

[@vahikertrash543]

Had a strap get chewed through on one of my Cascade Mountain Tech poles. Ordered a replacement upper section for $8 or whatever and it shipped super fast.

[@KyleHatesHiking]

Good to know lol.

[@DeepStateYuri]

But did you make a KZbin video about it lol?

[@vahikertrash543]

@@DeepStateYuri "I'm declaring the willingness to continue doing business with this backpacking gear company" doesn't have the same ring to it. I will be reviewing a set of their poles at some point though. I'll probably bring up this as a reason why I don't do tip down for shelters any more. A bit of a pain for flat tarps to be honest.

[@lisajones8730]

Sorry you went through all that with your pole. I seem to remember buying straps for my leki ski poles in a ski shop but I know, apples and oranges. I met 82 y/o super hiker nimblewill nomad on the AT today speaking of celebrities 😊. Another funny but informative video. Thanks, Kyle !!!

[@Meyer0656]

A deer in Kings Canyon NP ate my Leki straps. Ended up buying new poles.

[@alisathomas7144]

You got this Adam

[@Bernamum]

I’ve done my first 3 solo trips this year. Start small, and short. I picked something where there’s options to go farther, so future trips can start familiar, and expand from there.

[@jereldonovan834]

Thanks for the responses!! I agree about a maintenance video seeming disingenuous, I never thought of that.

[@AccidentalHiker1]

Solo backpacking as a noob.... I've had failures each time. Ugh. But I wake up the next morning is worth it.

[@chrisc.3472]

Get after it, Adam!

[@KyleHatesHiking]

🤙🤙

[@denis65366]

I have Lekki Cork litea they have about 3500 miles on them..Try contacting the AT club in maine to do trail maintenace and also look at age of members and ask a ton of questions. I am already going after youtubers about it...

[@tridoc99]

I am actually a little more apprehensive about staying at a campsite with a bunch of people I don’t know than being alone. How can I be sure one of them isn’t an axe-murderer or a wannabe axe-murderer/weight weenie who will try and kill me with their mini swiss army knife?

[@mattthomas4302]

WOW! Ole Danny boy is kicking yer ass with over a 100k! Just f'n with ya, keep it up you'll get there!!

[@nedanother9382]

the straps are the most important part of the poles....It pains me when people dont use them. There is a solution to your problem. buy black diamond. I wish I could tell you a story of my black diamond poles but I cant...Ill tell you about my rechargeable head light. Didnt recharge but was perfect with regular batteries. Their solution (barley remember) left me with 3 headlamps for 6years. They are only now starting to fail. NEVER ONCE ASKED WHERE I BOUGHT IT OR TO SHOW A RECEIPT. My poles never failed. made one adjustment one time and again after 6 years of absolute Sierra's abuse are only now starting to show their age.. that type of love needs to be rewarded.

[@trailname_ziplock]

What are your and Flossy's run times? I would love to see a video on y'all trail running!

[@KyleHatesHiking]

Coming soon! Flossy's times are much better than mine lol.

[@stephaniebignall8943]

the trail magic comment should watch some "fight for together", they do trail magic on the AT and in one video posted the receipt from Costco. I feel like trail maintenance is a job, with volunteers so would be hard to show all the aspects.

[@MylesAway3]

That is some good advice when going solo. That took some getting used to for sure.

[@KyleHatesHiking]

It takes practice to get comfortable

[@Silkstep]

GO for it Adam! Soloing is worth it. You will love it. And Kyle, (12 Euros is about $14 so you paid about $42 for that piece of strap, lol)

[@JeremiahStringer]

Subscription. It’s the key to happiness 🔥

[@KyleHatesHiking]

This is true!

[@randyholloway920]

So this is actually Festivas!

[@RichRich1955]

I'm still using some leki poles I found years ago but now trying to get BD to replace straps on poles I found

[@TheCrustyPrawn]

Where did you buy that Bruins hat!? Love the shape/style

[@andrewmcgaha9629]

Had exactly the same experience with Leki, so it's not a one off.

[@KyleHatesHiking]

You broke the straps?

[@andrewmcgaha9629]

@@KyleHatesHiking Sorry, not the straps, another part, but the same frustrating process to replace.

[@m_soko]

Asked my mama why she's in love with Kyle. The response I got was disturbing. Thanks Kyle😒

[@davepinto7553]

Bro... One of my Corklite pole levers snapped and I had to email them as well. I sent them a photo of the lever and I was told to go to a random outdoors shop (an hour away) where they have a contact. I went and all they did was take another picture of my poles and they told me they would contact me with a price estimate...2 weeks ago.. still waiting.

[@KyleHatesHiking]

Yikes. Not cool Leki

[@Snap-Time]

Hey, Kyle... So I heard you're going on a hike soon, can I come too?

[@KyleHatesHiking]

No

[@Snap-Time]

@@KyleHatesHiking Is it because I am ugly, stupid, and smell bad?

[@ItsAdventureTime1]

Tells Adam to not be a little bit** then goes on a 5 minute rant about sending an email for a strap....Keep up the good work man! #campchairsrule

[@daredarra]

Let's see that trail running video! 🏃‍♂️

[@KyleHatesHiking]

Woohoo!!

[@moyashisoba]

The problem with Leki is, that they are European. We Europeans have no problems with getting parts for the poles. Therefore we have a lot of problems with American gear. We don't get those lifetime guarantees, we don't get new gear, if something brakes, we need to wait for them to repair the gear, which can take several months. I think the best one can do is to buy gear that is manufactured somewhere around the own country. Or take the risk of not being able to repair stuff easily.

[@johnjlong]

I thought for sure that when you started with the phrase (pointing off camera) "There is a giant pile of dogshit right there" and given the title of this video, that you were going to cut to a picture of a Helinox chair zero sent to you by the Schill Brothers.

[@KyleHatesHiking]

Omg why didn't I think of that joke lol. Might steal it

[@johnjlong]

@@KyleHatesHiking I hope to see it in a future video!

[@Chris_Martin707]

I found a set of Leki trekking poles that some fool left at a trailhead in Vermont. They're working out great!

[@KyleHatesHiking]

😂😂 Good thing I left mine at the South Meadows trailhead in the Adirondacks.

[@GuardianCharr]

Hey, hey kile, I herd u waz gon on hike, cn I go?

[@Gokumitsu9000]

8:25

[@FrozensAdventures]

"Has anyone ever broken a trekking pole strap?" Only on purpose buddy 😂

[@TWCAlex802]

I've broken an actual trekking pole before, by accident. I was able to reassemble it though.

[@razzbazle1582]

I think this was your best non-hiking video in a while

[@theamericanhiker9655]

Didn’t mean to get you so worked up with my question….😂 and that’s why I buy like 40 dollar sets so if something breaks just buy a new set

[@m_soko]

I found my favorite in Petzl's Core series. Best of both worlds! You can remove the rechargeable battery and use regular Batts.

[@larryshort3400]

Your subs are going to go up! Your showing your f#@k up$ and all that is why I enjoy watching you! It's entertaining! And educational!

[@StoryAlsoRhymes]

Great Q & A video. I hate gear fails.

[@StevenVeldt]

Pain in the butt when you can't get a replacement part. Time to channel your inner MacGyver.

[@VelcorHF]

I love how most other countries in the world have to order crap from the US and pay for import and shipping. We’re pretty spoiled in America with how available things are.

[@KyleHatesHiking]

Trueeee

[@milocross9693]

this video was just in time, i was gonna buy a pair of lekis soon!

[@jakefitzhugh7864]

So you bought an OEM strap but you could've bought 3rd party ones and not gonna threw that hassle

[@KyleHatesHiking]

I didn't find any good looking third party ones. Which ones are you referring to?

[@AmyHikes]

Follow fight for together. Rambino and fresh ground to see people doing trail magic.

[@gregmortonoutdoors]

Paria Outdoor Products 3 piece carbon fiber trekking poles, $59, American company (no Euros), free shipping...lifetime warranty. Screw Leki.

[@KyleHatesHiking]

I'll check it out!

[@LPrimeaux2]

"Doing it for you" - nailed it.carry on sir.

[@_jiba_]

Had me laughing out loud! 😀

[@richardnave469]

Nice.

[@danielb5801]

Make your own trail maintenance army and just do it.

[@graz985]

Consider me clickbaited.

[@Golddragon214]

20K ! holy! Go Kyle

[@JesseCarole]

I wanna see you run! Lolol I bet it’s funny 🤣

[@andrewmypocalypse]

I have some gearvances

[@knutelindstrom3716]

Just wait until you meet your significant other! Her name is Karen, & it’ll become “Kyle & Karen Hate Hiking”! LOL (Or Ken, as one cannot make name assumptions anymore, it’s not “PC”!lol) Either way, it won’t be a Kardashian, that’s for damn sure!LOL

[@austinpharis3025]

More trail running, the knees are evil and must be punished!

[@leabethcampbell381]

You f**king KILL me!! BWAHAHAHA!

[@steve34326]

12 euros = $14.32..... how about just sawing it together or ask your mum ???

[@BearTrekAdventures]

Nice rant 🤣. Had me rolling. I'm one of those idiots that don't use the straps...gets in the way more than it benefits.

[@KyleHatesHiking]

Youre doing it wrong 😉

[@BearTrekAdventures]

@@KyleHatesHiking Man I just carry those sticks around to look cool 🤣. j/k actually I hike with my dog a lot and her leash gets tangled around the trekking poles sometimes so need a quick release to keep from tripping.

[@lauralossie3893]

My strap broke on my first hike up Katahdin and had to replace the entire top portion of the pole. 🤨

[@TennesseeSlim]

Leki is pronounced lay- key

[@karengriswold4537]

You have my permission to be a Karen! 😊 🥾

[@KyleHatesHiking]

Thanks Karen 😊

[@kdavis4910]

Here's a question for you Kyle. Do you ever have trouble keeping jobs because it seems you can't be truly serious without great personal effort? Lol. I do actually respect you though.

[@Backpacksandtrails]

Haha, your a riot....wish I had a good personality on my KZbin channel... probably why I don't get many subscribers 😂😂. My wife on the other hand in our last video makes me think she needs to be in more of them 😂

[@UrDoinItWrong]

Weird, I've never broken a trekking pole strap. But then again I'M NOT SOME BIG OL' VERMONT FATTY PANTS LMAO

[@KyleHatesHiking]

Got me