My TOP BACKPACKING GEAR PICKS from 2022! What Made the Cut?

[@BackcountryExposure]

The Skyline UL chair is seriously amazing! The height is great, but I find the seat to be more comfy than the chair zero seat. I’m also a huge fan of the hub design and the slight bends in the legs. The chair doesn’t sink in sand and mud like the zero does. I may or may not have a video coming out comparing the Zero, Skyline UL and the Moonlight. Good stuff, John!

[@john_kelley]

I’m planning a full review for later. Can’t wait to see your comparison.

[@jmullens31]

I'm torn between the Moonlite and the skyline.... Help!!! I have both in my cart ready to buy one but can't decide

[@john_kelley]

@@jmullens31 I looked at the moonlight, but I thought it had too many parts where potential failure could happen. Anything that flexes that much, makes me nervous.

[@jmullens31]

@@john_kelley all the reviews I've read say the moonlight is the sturdiness. It's rating is 300lbs too.... I believe my wife got me the moonlight for xmas....

[@john_kelley]

@@jmullens31 I'd love to hear how it works out.

[@lifeontheriver]

Those soft water bottles are amazing for anything above the tree line! I always keep one on me inside my layers so I can scoop some snow into it and let it melt with my body heat. Also helps if you’re overheating and you want to get yourself cooled down without having to strip a layer or two.

[@john_kelley]

Great points! I hadn't thought about that being able to help with cooling down in hot weather. Great idea!

[@tangenttrails]

I’ve heard great tings about the QuickDraw filter I just wish it was gravity flow compatible. It’s nice to hit camp and have Sawyer & Cnoc do all the work while I’m setting up camp. I guess I need to quit being lazy and just pull the trigger on the QuickDraw.😄 Your right on with the Arc Haul Ultra 60. I’ve been using mine to haul my cold season gear and loving it.

[@john_kelley]

I'm pleasantly surprised by the Arc Haul. I really didn't think it would carry as well as it did with so much weight. I'm really glad I was wrong.

[@59chevt]

Thoroughly enjoyable and informative video. thanks

[@john_kelley]

Thanks!

[@TheAngieStoned]

I've got that chair, and I love it! That didn't stop me from ordering a helinox ground chair today though 🙄 I'm thinking that will allow me to sit inside of my minipeak xl when it's a bit colder outside, Big Agnes is just too darn tall for that tent 😄

[@john_kelley]

Totally makes sense. You'd definitely need to keep a shorter profile with that.

[@Metabolicholic]

The Katadyn BeFree filter also fits on the Hydrapak bottle offering you a more durable alternative to the standard BeFree soft flask. The 1.5L bottle also works great in this regard, as well as functioning as a bladder with the hose and bite valve system.

[@john_kelley]

True story. I've got a hydrapak bladder that I used with my BeFree. They have a great partnership.

[@Alex-and-Joker-Hikes]

The Platypus is a nice upgrade from my Befree, thanks for highlighting earlier this year. The Befree is still my back up and they mate perfectly with the Hydropac bottles and bags. The drink tube cap is cool to mate with a Sawyer gravity tube cap on the dirty side of the Platypus.

[@john_kelley]

I also have a BeFree filter that I can pull out if needed. That's a great use for the tube cap!

[@Cperez2002]

Nero 38 dcf still my favorite piece of gear

[@davidson_oldbull_sectionhiker]

Great video John God Bless

[@SeniorHiker77]

All great gear especially the quickdraw filter.

[@john_kelley]

I'm definitely a fan of it.

[@chriseidam7319]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have none for '22 as I lost the season to a work injury. I hope to be hiking with a pack by fall. Regarding that Hydropak bottle, it is made with polyvinyl chloride. Stay clear of it. That stuff is highly-toxic!!!!! I can't believe some designer thought polyvinyl chloride would be a good material for a drinking vessel. I can't believe the FDA allows it. Also, "BPA-free" doesn't mean it is BPH-free, with BPH being the BPA substitute that is more unhealthful that the original BPA. I hope this caution is helpful.

[@john_kelley]

Thanks for the heads up! I hadn’t heard that.

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

The chair looks like something I want. Hopefully my current chair breaks soon. I'm also in the umbrella club!

[@john_kelley]

You definitely NEED it, Tim! You also need to use my affiliate link when you buy it! 😂😂😂

[@redshepherdoutdoors7201]

Favorite piece of gear this year is the Durston X-mid 2P Solid. Great tent. Absolutely love it

[@john_kelley]

I was too late on that one. Hoping to pick one up after February.

[@lakorai2]

@@john_kelley The 2p mesh and 2p solid are back in stock at Koviso. Dan Durston will have more of the groundsheets and Zflick poles in January. The 2p and 1p Pro come back in atock in February

[@lightwalker4558]

Nice pics. I only hike a week this year but made a smart buy on a pair of Like Khumba Lite poles. They really helped me out on The Long Trail. 😊

[@john_kelley]

A good set of trekking poles can be huge when you're hiking.

[@Oldsparkey]

Back in the dark ages before they stopped selling backpacking gear I got one of the reflective ( Silver ) umbrellas from GoLite. When they closed up and ran some great sales I got a 2nd one from them. That was a long time go and I'm still using the 1st one. It is the ideal way to have portable shade when walking in Florida's Summer Sunshine. By the way they are even as good in rain and can be attached to your backpack's straps. Since then , Gossamer Gear , Six Moons Designs , Zpacks and others have them.

[@john_kelley]

I'm definitely a believer in umbrellas. it's a shame GoLite went away.

[@theoutdoordogandhikinggirl]

Oh that's awesome to hear that the zoleo came to Europe now 😁

[@john_kelley]

Right!?!?!?! I know that's been something they've really wanted to make happen for a while.

[@19stoney64]

I haven’t understood yet the mindset about water filters. People are upset or against certain ones because of flow rate. Ok, it takes 4 minutes rather than 2 with this or that brand. My question would be, what does 2 minutes matter in a 12 hour day of hiking? See my point? I don’t have a filter but the platypus sounds good. I heard or read you don’t filter as many gallons of water? I need to recheck my info about that. Thanks for gear video John!

[@vincentleuga8135]

Having hiked the AT, when the weather is very bad, yes, flow rate is important :D

[@john_kelley]

I'd agree with vincent. When I was on the Foothills trail with downpouring rain, that quicker flow rate was awesome! It's the same in the cold. Those fingers can get chilly filtering water. The quicker the flow rate, the sooner you can warm up those hands. It doesn't do as many gallons as the sawyer, but I honestly don't know anyone who has used a sawyer squeeze as long as they say it can last. I'm not saying there isn't anyone who has. I just haven't met anyone who has.

[@mackjenkins7721]

Man that was an awesome 2022 best gear review. I really really like the Chair. I can really use that for kayak camping. Good video buddy thanks you for sharing it.

[@john_kelley]

Thanks Mack! I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

[@mackjenkins7721]

@John Kelley yes I did for what I could have. I had my lil brother Tim moved in to my house back on Labor day weekend & we had our first Thanksgiving dinner together for a first time in 7 years & with his son too who I have not seen too in 7 years. I had some family friends over as well. We didn't do much because I have a bad Back. My disk in my back slipped and is pushing up against my muscles which is pushing up against my nerves and having me in a lot of pain. I can barely walk , stand , & sit down for long. It is extremely painful at night time in my feet 🦶 & it keep me up all night long. It really really Sucks man cuz I am getting around right now in a wheelchair. I hope you had a good Thanksgiving dinner with your family.

[@john_kelley]

@@mackjenkins7721 so sorry to hear that, Mack. I hope your back heals up soon!

[@jeffpeters5347]

Thanks John for the carry report on the Arc Haul. As a fellow big guy, you’re making a serious case for me on it. Also I love the Zoleo too. They just added unlimited check-in messages!

[@john_kelley]

Yeah they did! That was a great call on their part. I'm really happy with the Arc Haul.

[@chriseidam7319]

There are a several things I hate about the DCF Arc Haul I bought a few years ago and have barely used. First, it's squeaks. No. That is not quite right - it SQUEEEEEAKS! Second, the carbon rods bend into an S-shape and collapse against my back, so they don't do what they were designed to do - arch away from my back to ventilate my back. ZPacks should have added one more strap in each side to hold the rods true. Third, the straps are so skinny that they slip and/or they twist and move to the corner of the buckle. Fourth, the accessory V-strap will not effectively hold a Bear Vault, as claimed by ZPacks. It is a very poor design for it. Within minutes the cargo in the pack will settle, the strap will become slack, and the canister will start jostling loosely until the canister slips loose and falls. ZPacks should have used a stretchy shock strap (not to be confused with a sketchy jock strap, though even that would work better than the V-strap). A grippy texture to the shock strap would be deluxe. Now that I think about it, I should sell it. It looks new. I switched to a Seek Outside Divide. I bought it for winter camping. But it only weighs a little more for a lot more durability, comfort, capacity, versatility, adaptability, and functionality. So it became my all-season bag. And it will fit perfectly the larger Bear Vault sideways all the way to the bottom of the bag, if you want. There are only two shortcomings for the Divide. First, it is hard to grab bottles from the enormous side pockets, lest you work for Cirque de Soleil, so use a shoulder bottle. Also, the velcro frame height adjustment strap has squared, pointy corners that rub against the middle of my back. The way the corners were stitched, they curl up a little against your back. I can cover the corners with duct tape. Failing that, I will cut the corners rounded and re-hem them nice and flush. It is a small nuisance that can be easily fixed. Otherwise, that Divide bag is amazing. It carries 45 lbs. better than the Arc Haul carries 35 lbs.. It has nearly twice the true, usable volume. It is built to carry up to 200 pounds. And the XPAC fabric should last longer.

[@paddle_hike]

Wasn't it Crow's chair that broke?....Love the platypus quickdraw! Nice gear and review. Thanks

[@john_kelley]

It was my buddy, Sean's that I saw break. I wasn't with Crow when his did.

[@paddle_hike]

@@john_kelley oh well... both broke. That sux ouch. 😉

[@TheJohnnyBE]

Love your videos. My Zoleo is on it's way. Got it for $150+ tax! Thanks! Was going to grab that Filter, but reviewers say they had issues with the filter and warranty/replacement. 😕

[@john_kelley]

Awesome! That’s interesting about the QuickDraw. I’ve not had to do any claims with mine. I’ll have to look into it.

[@KrizAkoni]

Great set of gear picks!

[@john_kelley]

Thanks!

[@SouthernHike]

JK made a video!! I was getting concerned dude lol

[@john_kelley]

😂 😂 😂 😂 😂

[@mradamnichols]

Love your content. I’m trying to learn more about putting out KZbin content for gear. I’m curious how do you typically get so much gear to review? Is it worth it just to buy it? Or do you return or resell it shortly after testing? Or do companies send you gear? Thanks in advance for any info!

[@john_kelley]

It’s all of the above. I’ve bought and sold gear, and I’ve been given gear to test and/or review. If I simply don’t like a piece of gear, I’ll send it back and let the company know it wasn’t for me. I always give feedback. It’s happened many times. If it ends up in a video, it’s because I genuinely like that piece of gear. Hope that helps.

[@DryBonesOutdoors]

So I got a couple of comments. First I just sent the link to that bottle and cap to Ashley to add to my Christmas wishlist (The affiliate link from this video of course, so I can support my grafted-in Kentucky brother) I love my Sawyer Squeeze so much I have never even thought about considering another small filter other than it. I've been seeing so many people talking about it here lately but I didn't put much thought into it until I saw this video. I must admit that I am tired of wagging around all the caps and losing gaskets with the Sawyer. I do like the idea of the flip caps with the Platypus and those gaskets look like they are way better. Are they built in? Lastly, yall are about to convert me to using an umbrella!!!

[@john_kelley]

It's a great filter! I'd say the gasket is more clipped in than built in from looking at it. The umbrella was a game changer for me this year. Hope to bump into you again sometime!

[@RegrettablyLongwinded]

Gotta get me one of those Platypus filters. That chair looks pretty nice, but I've been struggling to justify the price of backpacking chairs to myself for years now!

[@PaintingTableVideos]

Costco sells a high back camp chair by Cascade Mountain Tech for $30 that I've been using for 2 years now and still can't believe how good it is at that price point... it's maybe a half pound more than the most ultra lite chairs but it's also more durable (I'm a pretty big guy and I rock back and forth in the thing)

[@19stoney64]

@@PaintingTableVideos thanks for this info bigtime

[@RegrettablyLongwinded]

@@PaintingTableVideos is it the ~3lb one? I have a couple similar ones from Naturehike. They're nice and definitely worth the price, but I don't find myself bringing them often due to that 3ish pound weight penalty. The BA chair is close to half the weight of these options, but the price, even on sale, is a lot to swallow for a luxury item!

[@john_kelley]

The QuickDraw is a great filter. As far as the chair goes, it really just depends on what you want. For me, it's recovery at the end of the day. Being able to sit on a chair is better for my back, and allows me to stretch out my legs a little more. For me, it's worth it, but I'm also pushing 50, so those things matter more to me now than they would've a few years back.

[@PaintingTableVideos]

@@RegrettablyLongwinded Yes it's around 3lbs and not the easiest item to pack but it fits into the outer mesh of my 38L pack pretty well; and like John mentions below, the recovery that this thing brings after a long hike more than makes up for the effort to pack it, IMO. Also pick up a pack of the Kirkland Merino Wool trail socks 😉

[@jonklein9309]

I have an Arcteryx Atom puffy jacket. I find that the wind blows through it on a cold day. How does your Outdoor Vitals jacket compare?

[@john_kelley]

It does pretty well. I had it in some crazy wind this morning, actually, and it did really well.

[@jonklein9309]

@@john_kelley I also coach soccer. So I am standing out in an open field quite a bit and freezing when the wind blows. The Atom just doesn’t cut it.

[@lakorai2]

No X-Mid?

[@john_kelley]

Don’t own one. Couldn’t get my hands on one.

[@maxslifka8184]

What is your opinion about the fit on the vario jacket? As a larger gentleman, I’m interested in your opinion. I’m about 5’11” and 250lbs. I tried purchasing a jacket from Outdoor Vitals in the past, but the fit wasn’t good for me. My shoulders were too tight even in the 3x size.

[@john_kelley]

Definitely go one size up from what you normally do. It's a European/athletic fit.

[@jakecolvin3167]

Wait so let me get this straight........ Big Agnes send you a product to review, Then you review it favorably sent back said product and then purchase that product..... Big Agnes is a large enough company now that if someone's going to give them a free review they can eat the cost of the product.... Or that's how I feel about it.

[@john_kelley]

I requested it. I’d read a lot about it and asked for a unit to review.

[@obxchas]

You won't find me clicking on your Moosejaw links or visiting their site. Moosejaw was bought out by the Walmart Group. Not a chance I'll support them.

[@john_kelley]

Fair enough

[@chriseidam7319]

Good to know. Local outfitters, Backcountry, REI, Campmor and Garage Grown Gear can fill the void. I will confess, I will buy something from Walmart as a last resort, especially if I can avoid Amazon. That is perhaps four or five times yearly. Walmart sells a 1L collapsible water bottle that threads to the Sawyer Squeeze without leaking. The Platypus bottles leak with the Sawyer. I could only find such a bottle locally at Walmart. I hate to give it any businesses, though.