7 GEAR Items I Wish I Had As A BEGINNER BACKPACKER

[@johnrusso4970]

If you like the hoodie you will loved the sleeping bag liner. Paired with a quilt total comfort. Long stretchy tube.

[@johnrusso4970]

If you like the AG hoodie you will love the sleeping bag liner. Paired with my quilt total comfort, use alone on 60 degree nights. It’s a long stretchy tube that’s just an amazing piece of gear.

[@blainpaulbunyan2570]

The biggest game changer for me the past 8 months or so is the Outdoor Vitals Ventus Hoodie! I’ve taken it on every trip since November (1-2 trips/month) and it is by far the best active layer for 40 degrees or lower I’ve ever used! I even wore it down to-2 degrees with just a base layer under it and was toasty the whole time! But, I’m also not too hot at 30-40 degrees! It’s good at camp too by itself down to 40 degrees in my experience, and in an XXL it’s still an ounce lighter than my EE Torrid Pullover! I think it’ll end up functioning as my summer puffy! It wasn’t on the market when I started, but I wish it was because I don’t see me going on a trip without it anytime soon!

[@john_kelley]

Those are really nice.

[@markcrowell2727]

i used those socks last year for the first time, and i loved them....

[@deborahhill3105]

Ooo, I’ve been eyeing those alpaca hoodies.

[@john_kelley]

I swear by mine. It’s fantastic.

[@pedroclaro7822]

There’s tables that double as grills, but thst gets messy. I hate UL but the best option here is genuinely the lightest- coroplast DIY table. Novice wild camper sells the one I used last year hiking 30 weekends out of 52

[@BuddhaOutdoors]

How to start and hot to get over the fear of backpacking. I heard these things a lot when I started out or when I told people that I do it

[@TsugaCanadensis1979]

+1 on the Appalachian Gear All-Paca hoodie. Worth every dollar. I have a hoodie and a crew. I have layered them down to 15F degrees and been toasty with a wind breaker. Magical!

[@john_kelley]

I think they may be into some kind of witchcraft or wizardry over there at App Gear.....🤣

[@TsugaCanadensis1979]

@@john_kelley, I fell down the wool sock rabbit hole three years ago. I wasn't happy with any brand of wool socks. Too much elastic and plastic used in my opinion. So I decided to learn to knit my own wool socks. My point is this, natural fibers without the synthetics do amazing things. I only wear hand knit wool socks and I am never going back.

[@trailheadjunkie]

Im just discovering Alpaca fiber and everything you said about this pullover is very true. I won’t go back to merino wool mid layer ever again.

[@john_kelley]

It's really incredible.

[@John_P290]

Toe socks....6 stars... Again I never thought of this until I saw your video. A true game changer. Thanks again, you made hiking better for me....

[@john_kelley]

Glad to help!

[@outinlawrence3456]

Thank you for your sharing and I love your video.

[@kentrails]

DUDE!!!! PINKY TOE!!! haha I have the SAME thing!

[@john_kelley]

Do I have a brother?!?!?!?! 😂

[@bEaStO5]

I love my injinji toe socks. I use them for everything. Saves my toes from blisters.

[@john_kelley]

🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@AJMarrara]

Injinji!!! Used them on my last 2-3 section hikes and they made the world of difference. Get the wool ones

[@john_kelley]

They are all I hike with now.

[@GIRLplusDOGAdventures]

I thought maaaybe you would have a secret #8 and say you wish you had Jeremiah Stringer merch! I definitely like the idea of a table. When I carry a bear can, I like to use it as a table vs a seat.

[@shawnr6117]

I've been using a fanny pack with a water bottle holder for over 20 years, not the same one, and they're great. Good hiking, biking and day trips

[@john_kelley]

Nice!

[@jflow53569]

Finally you mention taking a table with you! I have been using the Cascade Wild Ultralight table from the very beginning. I was beginning to think that I was the only person that carries a table while backpacking.

[@john_kelley]

I toyed with the idea for a while, and I finally bit a few months ago. Glad I did.

[@59chevt]

John, always a wealth of information. thanks

[@john_kelley]

You bet! 👊🏼

[@John_P290]

Zoleo...5 stars. Thanks JK. It was a previous video of yours that I first heard of it. I bought it and it works great for me.

[@john_kelley]

I'm a HUGE fan of it.

[@etang406]

Never thought of a light-weight table! Dang that sounds awesome haha! You and Jeremiah have really upped my backpacking game! You guys are awesome!

[@john_kelley]

Always glad to help!

[@davidson_oldbull_sectionhiker]

I started with a Fanny pack than stopped using it after a few hikes, now I use a Z Pack multi pack as a chest pack and love it. Trying to get used to injinji socks but they don’t wear well Take Care

[@john_kelley]

I have a Hilltop Packs camera bag that works as a chest pack. Injinjis take some getting used too, for sure.

[@themightiness]

I must say, as far as a backpack that does exist with good side pockets - the Drop + Dan Durston bag has pretty good ones. Located right on the hip and very easy to zip open and closed with one hand. I hate the straps though lol.

[@barneyrubble1754]

have you tried a left handed smoke shifter by the campfire? It is a must! yabadaba doo.

[@john_kelley]

Actually, I don’t bring one, but if you go to the next camp site, you might find one. 😉

[@KristenWhere]

I’m gonna have to try toe socks again- I was a dancer (ballet tap jazz modern swing etc- not the other kind, although I’m not saying anything negative about that kind either! Lol) from an extremely young age straight thru high school/college age and my feet have been thru some stuff lol. I bought toe socks as a joke type thing eons ago, but I found them awkward & uncomfortable- HOWEVER, when I saw your little toe- I was like “ok we have the exact same toe issues!” So, I suppose it’s time for me to try a pair again.. I’m also super happy you mentioned a table- I’ve been thinking of how many situations a table would have saved the day for & then talking myself out of one bc it’s such a “luxury” item- well, it’s not “luxury” if you’re surrounded by uneven rocks & boulders and somehow need to find things to prop a stove up to boil water.. or, if you don’t like your coffee with a side of dirt.. I mean, even having one in a tent or near a hammock to put things on when the ground is wet- or the tent somehow fails- idk, I’m just happy to see more people actually realizing that items like that don’t make you a “glamper”, you’re just not super uncomfortable & know what you like, dammit! 😂😉

[@Oldsparkey]

You mentioned tables . I found one I really like ,it's the 2QZQ tree table. ( Table , strap & stuff sack 7.6 oz ) I hammock camp so it fits right in. I have a 25 liter , custom , Day pack from Chicken Tramper. To keep things together I got the 4 liter fanny pack from them and in the same custom colors as my backpack. That outfit is a winning ultralight combination for me.

[@john_kelley]

Those tables are very interesting. You can't go wrong with the Tramper!

[@pedroclaro7822]

Oh wow! Im a dedicated hammocker too. I did not know about those tables, I was going to get a ground table. Thank you so much!

[@emonty62]

I always missed my garage while backpacking

[@adventureswithfrickandfrack]

I knew about fanny packs from the beginning. Love my fanny pack. Took my Torrid Apex on the PCT, great jacket. Just took our Alpaca hoodies on 6 day trip. I had no idea how great it would be! I actually have a suspicion that they might be working on a sun hoodie 🤫but please nobody ask them about that. We’ll know for sure this month or next. 2 other great gear pieces are a shoulder water bottle pocket (from Justin’s UL or Chicken Tramper) and a set up to make a smart water bottle act like a water bladder. 2 Foot Adventures makes a great one! Awesome video John❤

[@john_kelley]

Thanks so much! I need to check out 2 Foot Adventures.

[@terryweaver9770]

I love U’r channel John Kelly. I wish I had more content from U. Ok, my new fav piece of gear atm is my new Abisko Summer Hat from Fjallraven! It’s got this fantastic wide brim to cover U’r neck & face. U can snap it up on both sides. The draw string is very nice, extremely durable & comfortable. Love my new hat!

[@DaveOffGrid]

Nice vid! I'd go with not being afraid to go frameless earlier. There's still a lot of talk about going with a frame when you're first starting out and I don't buy into it anymore. As long as you know how to pack your bag so it rides comfortable you don't need a frame.

[@john_kelley]

That, and not carrying too much weight. Good stuff!

[@MagooHikes]

What I wish I had when I started all have to do with my feet: trail runners, toe socks, and gators. trail runners are light and easy on my feet. You explained the toe socks well. I also have toes that overlap . Trail runners keep dirt and debris out of my shoes. I also think they may help some with poison oak.

[@BosomBuddyCreations]

Another entertaining and informative video! Hmmm gear I didnt know existed when I started but have now and love? Wool undies.

[@john_kelley]

Thanks.

[@danadess]

I love fanny packs when I use backpacks with no pockets or when I have a day pack. I stick my phone in there, run out my headphones, and I can be confident that phone is not going to slip out and fall. I also keep my map in there. (The AT has these tiny simple maps that are awesome to use).

[@jamesedwards6269]

I just got into camping with a hammock. What was I doing all those years sleeping on the ground. I’m hooked.

[@john_kelley]

Hammock camping is glorious!

[@matwinner9708]

Take a look at Decathlon’s 2 liter Fanny packs, very light and cheaper than an hamburger

[@john_kelley]

I’ll check it out!

[@CBne1997]

EE Torrid is amazing

[@john_kelley]

Love mine!

[@barbaraadams-daugherty4584]

Do you have any suggestions on your favorite loop trails in Kentucky?

[@Doc_Watson]

I love having a table with me. Fanny packs... since you wear it in front, I assume it's the British version of 'fanny' :-)

[@john_kelley]

LOL.....I guess so?

[@mkultrahikes]

I had that same issue with my toes. I use injinjiniis also, but something I started doing a year ago was wearing toe spreader socks for a hour or two after work and slowly my toes are beginning to space out properly.

[@RHPDaddy]

There are different kind of baffles for down. It's not true to say that wherever there is a sewn line there is no insulation. That is only true of sewn through baffles.

[@jeffpeters5347]

Did I see a S2S EtherLigjht XT sleeping pad? I love mine! I use my pack’s detachable brain as a Fanny pack, strapped to my hip belt.

[@john_kelley]

That was an etherlite xt. Love that pad.

[@jwmmitch]

I believe you're meaning "antimicrobial" not "hypoallergenic" But yeah. That's super cool. Now I want an Alpaca Hoodie

[@john_kelley]

Yes, you are correct. 🤦🏻‍♂️ I realized it 2 hours after the video released. That's what I get for editing late at night.

[@jwmmitch]

@@john_kelley you're good. And you can always count on autistic people to catch, and point out, technical errors 🤣🤣🤣😁

[@grahamkay8711]

Hay John I have been meaning to ask you I keep seeing you (in your videos) wearing a gray outdoor research jacket what is the model ??

[@mackjenkins7721]

Hello buddy how's it going? That was a good video man. I like that table man. That's one thing I need to get. What I really really like is the toes socks. It's funny how I like something that won't fit me. But my 4th son mark love wearing his toes socks with flip flops when it's cold outside. But he said that they are very very comfortable on his feet though. But I like the gear items you talked about. I hope you and your family have a good weekend.

[@john_kelley]

Thanks, Mack! I hope you're doing well, also. How are the feet?

[@mackjenkins7721]

@@john_kelley I'm doing okay I'm just starting to get over a pulled muscle in my back so I'm moving a little slow right now. So far for my feet! They are a little swollen from the medication I'm taking. Doctor said it's just a side effect. I hope so. But they are doing okay so far. I have pain in them once in a while especially when it rains. What I really really excited about is my foot has shrunken since I lost some weight. It was 6 1/2 inches wide & it went down to 6" inches wide & then at one point it got down close to 5 1/2 inches wide. John I tell you I was so happy to see that my foot was almost 5 1/2 inches wide. Sadly it went right back up to being 6" inches wide. Already had to buy a new pair of flip flops because the other pair got to be to wide for my feet. It's depressing sometimes me because I suffered with very extremely wide feet all my life and I just like to be like anybody else go into a store and buy a footwear my size & wear shoes when it snow on the ground instead of my Flip flops. I still have chubby fat wide toes even though my foot has shrunken some. But my wife is helping me deal with this. My wife says my chubby fat wide toes that are equally straight across look really cute in my flip flops. Apologizer rambling but it did help me get this off my chest So I don't feel depressed. Thank you so much for asking John & again i apologizing for rambling. Hope you and your family having a good weekend.

[@john_kelley]

@@mackjenkins7721 no worries my friend. I’m praying for those feet.

[@korling99]

I’ve got funky toes like yours

[@john_kelley]

I feel like mine are a curse. 😂

[@korling99]

@@john_kelley Me too, along with wide feet!

[@swampyhiker]

How does hypoallergenic stop it getting stinky?

[@john_kelley]

I meant to say antimicrobial. Totally messed that up and didn’t realize until a couple hours after release.

[@steemteem4437]

Hey John, I have some questions for you about potentially starting a backpacking youtube. I have noticed there aren't many thicker backpacking youtubers and am wanting to get into it. If you have any thoughts or advice I'd greatly appreciate it

[@john_kelley]

Shoot me an email.

[@ItsAStephanieB]

I hope you're alright? Haven't seen you in yonks.

[@tommiv4953]

I don’t think Im ready for camping table. Car camping yes, but for hiking? I don’t know…

[@john_kelley]

I was the same way, too. It's worked out for me. I'm not saying it's for everyone, but I like having a table out there.

[@lakorai2]

Sell the Two and buy a Durston X-Mid 2p

[@Mike___Kilo]

A ... TABLE?

[@edwarddeberry2404]

John, I am extremely disappointed in you after this video. On your podcast you constantly rail on backpack manufacturers that call the outside pocket on the back of the pack the "front" pocket. Yet here you are raving about "fanny" packs, when you wear them on your stomach. I'm not questioning their value, only the name. So let's start calling them what they really are, belly bags, or paunch pouches. What do you say?

[@johnrusso4970]

If you like the AG hoodie you will love the sleeping bag liner. Paired with my quilt total comfort, use alone on 60 degree nights. It’s a long stretchy tube that’s just an amazing piece of gear.

[@johnrusso4970]

If you like the AG hoodie you will love the sleeping bag liner. Paired with my quilt total comfort, use alone on 60 degree nights. It’s a long stretchy tube that’s just an amazing piece of gear.