AVOID THIS BACKPACKING GEAR in 2022!!!

[@theolytrinity6655]

I bought the Eddie Bauer Cirruslite 650 down hooded jacket for 25 bucks on a clearance event. I take it on every trip, it's great.

[@jtact5487]

Love that all backpacking YTers that sell shirts only sell cotton options.

[@LaconianConcepts]

100% if I ever get to the point of selling shirts, it will be either 100% synthetic, or a synthetic blend with wool.

[@john_kelley]

Nope. Actually, I'm wearing one of the shirts I sell in this video, and it's a synthetic, sweat wicking shirt.

[@LaconianConcepts]

@@john_kelley that is good to hear! Might have to grab one.... 😏

[@john_kelley]

@@LaconianConcepts it wouldn’t upset me 😂😂😂

[@2laughandlaugh]

Dixie has synthetic shirts I think.....

[@steemteem4437]

Hey man, I was listening to your podcast with Kelley Hays and just got to the spot where you said you've had a comment about being fat and shouldn't be making hiking videos, so I made a B line for your most recent video to tell you this (this is really the only other platform I have you on). My wife is a hefty woman and YOU have inspired her to come on trips with me. Seriously, screw the trolls man. If anything, you are an inspiration and I know for a fact that you sir, can out hike a couple buddies I have who are in-shape paid firemen. I hope you see this and take it to heart because you are someone's hero man.

[@GruntProof]

Good points man. I get an email every day from these Chinese companies. The sad fact is that the American companies refuse to do the same. They are either not reaching out to creators or they only want to work with the channels with over a million followers. Even worse, in my world, they are all coming off a government contract, and refuse to adjust to the real market.

[@mackjenkins7721]

Hey John this was a good video you did man. That was a good reminder that you don't need expensive stuff to go hiking. I can't believe that company was paying you to give them a 5-star rating and then got really mad when you didn't. People want honest review not someone telling them some fake information. Thank you for making and sharing this video.

[@KrizAkoni]

A $999 jacket better carry me and make me breakfast in the morning… 🤣. Solid vid!

[@brycewalburn3926]

I will always sing the praises of the synthetic Trek 100 jacket. It's a few more ounces than the down version, but you get a higher denier fabric, better performance when wet, you save $25, you get the same warmth, and you get very nearly the same packability.

[@wisenber]

I tend to leave as many electronics behind. That recharging battery weighs about as much as eight Nalgenes. I can also clean out a Nalgene on trail, drink hot beverages from it, drop in a Nuun tablet....and I don't have to buy new ones since they don't tend to break or get cruddy.

[@entwurfung]

Try ditching carabiners in general. For most purposes they aren´t the best choice. To secure stuff on you pack, use straps. They will prevent everything from dangling around and anoying you. Carabiners (outside of climbing) are really only good to hang stuff in a fixed place. Not to transport stuff while hiking.

[@Doc_Watson]

Yes, having something flop around on your pack as you walk is annoying.

[@OutLan]

I literally have hundreds of those cheap carabiners I get from outdoor conferences and shows. Our local metro parks always gives them out and I grab as many as I can. They work great for attaching stuff to packs, etc. Good vid.

[@gregmortonoutdoors]

Very good points to consider. Yes to the Decathlon Forclaz Trek 100 jacket. I've worn it in 7 degree weather with a base layer and lightweight fleece without any chill. When you compare the specs, it is just about the same as the GW II. The only measurable difference was a slightly thicker fabric on the Trek 100. When price is part of the equation, I'd say the Trek is the better purchase. I agree on Eddie Bauer, too. Their sizes are accurate and you can get some great sales. Also, they have outlet stores where you can find killer deals. Thanks John.

[@davesplace144]

Agree with you about Decathlon. You do want to check their sizing though - at least for the jackets. They seem a bit small, so I have to go one size up from what I would normally get.

[@gregmortonoutdoors]

@@davesplace144 I'm on mile 350 on the AT and mine has served me very well, including the 20 degree weather with snowstorms in the Smokies. 10/10 recommended

[@danieldaniel7724]

Yeh it’s difficult to find jackets my size 3xl and thick leather gloves 2xl . Can you do a vid on this stuff and who you recommend?

[@jjlimon24]

Decathlon rules. I also found a patagonia down for 130 on backcountry. Both are in my constant rotation

[@ronaldrose7593]

Hello 👋 John, you brought out some great pointers. Thank you for sharing them. All the best to you. Stay safe out there. 🤗

[@kylecampbell2703]

I love videos like this. One of the best down jackets I have is an Eddie Bauer that I got at Sam's for 35.00. I know its not going to last like a Mountain Hardwear but if I get a solid season out of it I could buy 10 of them for the cost of a Ghost Whisperer.

[@SkitterComic]

I LOVE Decathlon gear. I got the zero degree hooded down jacket for about $150.

[@WasatchWill]

Nalgene bottles are great for winter camping/backpacking. I always take one if on a winter trip because I can fill it up with hot water, put a sock around it and toss it in my sleeping bag with me to help me keep my sleeping bag warm all night. Also ensures I have non-frozen water that will boil very fast for a hot drink and meal in the morning. EDIT: and...I spoke too soon after seeing you just mention it just after I wrote that comment...But yeah...typically not worth it on 3 season trips. Also...I would not recommend throwing one off a cliff. They may feel indestructible, but they I had one full of water slip off a railing in my front yard and the bottom of it cracked apart from a 3 foot fall onto concrete. So...they can be ruined if they fall onto a hard surface at the right angle when full of liquid.

[@Doc_Watson]

Cheap Amazon gear - I always try to buy items that are Amazon Prime or ships from Amazon. That way if there is any issue, I can easily return it. This helps protect myself especially if it has less than your 500 ratings limit. (Exception - cottage companies selling through Amazon) Overpiced items? LOL, never. I'm a bargain hunter and I'm often fine with buying discountinued/clearance items. Means I may have to wait awhile to find what I want, but I can wait (most of the time)

[@turtlecrawford6468]

I'm finally to the point where I am not buying gear unless something breaks. But I got into bikes and that's a different story

[@nedanother9382]

OH crap it seems like you are going into shock....its not too late. Just keep watching backpacking video's and remember....nobody likes a quitter. Have you tried the Alpaca Hoodie yet? maybe you start there. Its better than the Melly. Just a little purchase here and there...for something better or prettier or smaller and lighter. There are ounces to be shed. I'm sure you've already realized that bikepacking is way more expensive than backpacking...and its just as crazy to gear up. WE don't judge that you looked elsewhere....as long as you find your way back.

[@loaferx5409]

Good call on the Eddie Bauer down jacket. I recently bought one off their clearance rack, $99 marked down to $35, because the fancy tags (aka marketing material) had gotten crumpled. The jacket is perfect and has kept me warm in to the 20s with a light mid layer. Score of the year, so far.

[@functionaldoc5054]

What size hoodie did you get from Appalachian Gear Company ? I worry about itching if you went with under layer.? Thanks

[@john_kelley]

I got an xl. They fit loose. It itched a touch at first, but it doesn’t now. I’m actually wearing it as I’m typing. Lol

[@Morvajo]

Decathlon is great for budget gear, especially clothing

[@Oldsparkey]

I purchased a Grayl when they 1st came on the market. Figured it was the answer to my water purification problems. WRONG , it weighs a ton , produces very little water with a lot of effort. One day trip and it ended up in my junk drawer. Nalgene bottles , mine have coins in them , one each for each denomination of USA coinage. Smart water bottles have been my choice for a long time. Get home , recycle them and get new ( full ) ones before leaving on the next outing. I have a Nalgene canteen ( 4.75 oz ) for day hikes. Believe it or not but it weighs less then most of the titanium ones at about 6 oz. Clothing , only supplex nylons for me. They have a 50 S.P.F. , water resistant and if they get wet , dry in a few minutes. I got a Down bag , a long time ago & never used it. I can get by with a sleep sheet and/or a fleece blanket about 11 months of the year. If I need something warmer then a synthetic backpacking quilt. Several years later I gave the Down bag to my youngest daughter who moved to Canada and can actually use it.

[@theshuz]

I've got that bright orange Eddie Bauer jacket it is great. XL Tall is right about 1lb w/o hood. Not ultralight but you can beat it for the price.

[@YoungGunzBass01]

HDPE Nalgene is the move for winter. And I use them with the dog since it’s easy to recover any undrank water on the go.

[@bucky716]

Thumbs up Decathlon! I bought a synthetic coat for $59 and instant warmth. I wanted down but I'm dumb and didn't read details before clicking buy but still a great purchase.

[@MetroOnTheMove]

Agreed! Amazon crap is crap. Except for the BRS 3000 which I have been using for four years now. Busted two Nalgenes...from three feet when they fell out of a bag on concrete. Still love the Grayl despite the weight because of how quick you can filter the water in one container. I have the Alpaca Hoodie and it is great! However, it has this funky smell if it gets wet...kinda like a wet dog smell.

[@GMiller75]

Wouldn't write off companies that have less than 1000 reviews. I got a lovely White Wolf down sleeping bag for a fraction of the price from a company that had virtually no reviews on it. Yes, there are some dodgy ones out there but with anything, shop around. You may get yourself a decent bargain.

[@stevewright2241]

Those really expensive down bags with -20 degree rating are for winter mountaineering or polar trips.

[@MsBookishBecky]

Oh dang! Stwep and cheap is my new favorite! Thanks!

[@Reuben_hikes]

Hey when is the JK wool beanies coming out? I'm still waiting!

[@davidson_oldbull_sectionhiker]

Thanks John great tips. Take Care

[@GoneFeralWithSquidly]

I have an Eddie Bauer down puffy. For the temps I encounter in the South, it’s great.

[@richardstamper51]

You know I'm a Grayl fan. Saying that, That wasn't quite fair because if you have apples & apples, you need to also add in the weight if the other filter/Bladder :P

[@wendellfishing]

Arc'terx is INSANE!!!! I bought on of their king backpacks once for.... I'm too ashamed to share.

[@jameshershoutdoors]

Thanks John. Very helpful tips that I will use this year. Much appreciated.

[@redmageviewer]

Those super expensive sleeping bags are a ripoff. You can get a custom made quilt or sleeping bag for like $400. If you're playing upwards of $600 then it's not worth it.

[@kmannewyork]

Thank You for the mentioning these affordable website

[@Case16710]

One of the Tritan Nalgene bottles (6.25 oz) weighs more than five Smart Water bottles (1.2 oz). The HDPE Nalgenes (3.75 oz) weigh about as much as three Smart Water bottles. Still like my HDPE Nalgenes tho.

[@LaconianConcepts]

I’m thinking of grabbing a HDPE but my Tritan has gone countless miles up and down mountains with me. I’ll ditch weight elsewhere.

[@Case16710]

@@LaconianConcepts yeah, no point in replacing a perfectly good bottle. Having said that, if you get to the point of needing a new one, the HDPE bottles are cheaper, and are shatter proof. My oldest ones are from around 2006. My only complaint is that they pick up stains if someone you live with puts coffee and creamer in them despite your telling them not to.

[@LaconianConcepts]

@@Case16710 might grab one just to have... I use mine with a canyon coffee press-bot to make French press so that might be a deal breaker... or I could just live with the stains haha

[@Case16710]

@@LaconianConcepts definitely stick with your Tritan then! The stains are hard to look at. Makes it look like it a pee bottle!

[@LaconianConcepts]

@@Case16710 😂

[@DaveOffGrid]

Hahaha don't even know how you got that B roll on denim!🤣Great video production work all around and tips!

[@NelsonSherry]

Thanks for your contributions to our community. I fully appreciate the down side of cotton. BUT, it makes me sad and frustrated to see continued propagation of our community's over-simplified obsession with "cotton kills" without recognizing its value for viable comfort, style, and availability in the many, many situations where cotton shorts or t-shirts, or especially cotton blended materials, can be amazing even if they are not wise to wear as base layers, especially in colder or wetter conditions. For instance, plenty of experienced "desert rats" specifically wear cotton shirts for their comfort and their ability to hold onto water and dry slower to keep you cool longer in hot dry conditions.

[@musicinmiles2615]

Funny thing my friend literally dropper their nalgene off Indian staircase a few weekends ago. Yelled down and a group of nice people brought it up to them lol and just a few scratches.

[@Backpacksandtrails]

Good video, and great delivery as always!

[@Bygkakpolak]

You're underrated mate.

[@KUEHLKUEST]

Great list John!! We take advantage of the Eddie Bauer deals all the time!! Cheers!! J&C

[@trishshepherd6952]

It's also worth checking out second hand stores- I snagged an Eddie Bauer down jacket for $5.00. It's old & out of "style" but who cares? It's the warmest jacket I own:) Great video- thanks for the tips!

[@wisenber]

Yes, but what will everyone on the trail say when you have an out of style jacket?

[@trishshepherd6952]

@@wisenber 🤣

[@jamicrawford6729]

@@wisenber The better question is, what will the owners response be when they open their mouth about what they are wearing lol

[@wisenber]

@@jamicrawford6729 I bought a surplus Swiss military poncho cape a few years back when they could be had for $2.99. Unlike a normal poncho, it buttons closed in the front and doesn't whip around like your basic poncho. Keeps everything (including your pack) dry except for your forearms. I had several people give me flak over the Alpenflage pattern and how silly it looked.....before it started raining. I learned a long time ago that "wet and cold" looks much sillier than any garment.

[@jamicrawford6729]

@@wisenber yea, I get that. I use a variety of shoes to hike in, but I don’t use hiking shoes or boots. I was wearing a pair of New Balance trail runners last year when a young kid in some $250 shoes made fun of me. The next day we passed them because his shoes burst open on the side and he couldn’t hike. I mended them back together for him with duct tape so he could hike to get more foot wear. He apologized and was shocked when I told him those NB had 900 miles on them

[@nedanother9382]

Great list John. To be clear the decathlon jackets aren't 100% down. Its a mix of feathers and down...hence the price. I've heard they're pretty good but not really an apple to apple comparison. In backpacking unfortunately there is a THEM and US ....but it doesn't have anything to do with dyneema or down or base weight. It doesn't matter what shoes you have or cloths you wear. THEY can mingle amongst the righteous as if they were one of us, they speak the language and some aren't even ugly....but when they put there pack on their back and stuff two giant nalgene bottles in their pockets....thats when you know when you saw one of THEM up close and personal. Just don't make eye contact and quietly move on....lest they ask you to carry their 50 gal can of fuel they require to boil a liter of water every night to heat their sleep system...mostly because they brought a crappy sleep system. That's literally the only excuse for those anchors. If dropped I'm sure they would break on a rock quicker than the smart water bottle ....and the smart water bottle announces that you are not one of THEM....you are smart. You don't need a bear can for your water...and you don't need a heater for your sleep system. Happy early Saint Patty's day to all. Be Safe

[@chillindave1357]

Thx John

[@BSmith244]

1min 40sec in and I don’t agree with your advice. A Platypus water carrier is lighter than any bottle and when it’s empty it rolls up to next to nothing.

[@commentsonthetube14]

Nothing wrong with carrying a hundred pounds pack for a few miles, so long as it's flat-ish terrain. Sometimes there's no water or firewood and you've got to bring your own. And a dutch oven. And real food 🤣

[@Shaggy-intothewild]

One thing to consider though with the Grayl Geopress…..it filters viruses. I am going to bring it on my section hike, a little reluctantly due to the weight, but it will save me time worrying about boiling if I think my Sawyer Squeeze won’t keep me healthy.

[@HikingwithGus]

I have companies contact me all the time to review their products. First I do not buy Chinese crap unless there is no other option. Second, I do not do reviews for free stuff. I take a cotton t for summer hikes, for the exact same reason they are wrong for fall and winter, they keep you cool when you sweat and it's hot. But yes, cotton in any other circumstance is a bad idea. REI Has some good deals on down as well. Good video John!

[@kimberlymayo9951]

👍👩👍

[@markoruotsalainen5480]

Those small carabiners break for nothing. Rather keep my gear safe so i dont need to walk back for it