Why You Hate Camping: And How to Fix the Problem

[@lesley1484]

I finally became completely zen with the woods when I purchased a Thermarest Neo-air Xlite LONG AND WIDE. Better to go BIG than wish you had. I now sleep better in the woods than I do at home.

[@chrisfromnewmexico8637]

Nailed it! Ive upgraded to Big Ag pad and a Zen Bivy. Heaven! Sleep like a baby.

[@jessechesnut5515]

Addressing the cost associated with camping and backpacking would be helpful. The options that are discussed in this video are very expensive for someone that hasn’t fully committed to outdoor activities. I appreciate the information.

[@ev6377]

right.. thankfully there are budget friendly brands such as decathlon, naturehike, 3f ul gear.. might be heavier but will work

[@frstesiste7670]

Agree, while videos like this generally are informative and, in many ways, "correct" it's hard for most people to go out and buy a full kit of mid- to high end gear. I started hiking in the boy scouts and at that age a cheap 8 mm foam pad worked just fine with a very basic sleeping bag. I could never sleep on that now, but managed OK with a Z-Rest until I was in my mid-thirties - at least on fairly soft ground and many people seem to be happy with a foam pad. My recommendations for at a beginner would be a synthetic sleeping bag and a foam pad, but to try and borrow an air mattress from someone to feel the difference. Then start upgrading gear if you get really into backpacking/camping. Even if you have the money to get high end gear as a beginner it's still a high probability to get it wrong or at least not quite right. You'll have a much better understanding of what's right for you after practicing your new hobby for a year or two. Maybe you actually prefer the ease of use of a Z-Rest or maybe you need a wide and warmest air matress you can find. Maybe you're in wet climate where synthetic bags have a lot going for them or maybe you go ultralight and end up like Jupiter who mostly use a 3/4 length 3mm foam pad (kzbin.info/www/bejne/bX-QeXSQfbB_q6c).

[@umaiar]

There's huge variability in cost and comfort, so I think it really depends on your own tolerances, weather, and budget. You *can* sleep on a cheap foam mat with nothing but a tarp for shelter and a blanket. Of course this video is about getting better gear for comfort, not budget. And don't think I'm downplaying the budget aspect, I'm thinking that I want to see how light and cheap I can go next summer without being miserable.

[@Lana-hl3tg]

Same! There is rarely any talk about affordable options from hiking channels.

[@danielsingh9415]

​@@frstesiste7670I use a custom cut 1/8th inch foam pad to offset my inflatable regular wide REi Helix not for comfort but added durability & protection for my pad. But worst case, should I get a leak & repair kit fail, I can easily double up my foam pad to torso length, use my pack for my legs & survive the night

[@nataliesutherland6655]

As a 30 year old, I really got into camping. I had grown up hiking and skiing, but didn't camp a lot. But I loved being in the woods. My gear was basically nothing. I think I had a decent pack. I had a sleeping bag from the 50s. The 1950s lol. Also, as a sole woman, it was hard to find boyfriends who wanted to winter camp. So I just did it. Hiked in just far enough that getting out wouldn't be an overwhelming task. Had compass and maps. In-depth weather monitoring beforehand. Left time markers on dashboard. No tent. Fail safes on getting a fire going. No pads, no tent just rudimentary bushcraft. And it was cold, uncomfortable and absolutely some of the best times in my life. I didn't care because I loved the woods. Every part of me wanted to be out there. I'm 60 now and am able to resume my trekking. My body isn't fit like it was. I have money for gear, but I'm still a minimalist. But those days gave me confidence that I can do it. For me, I guess I always assumed being uncomfortable was part of the experience :) I know it doesn't have to be that way. But if you really feel it's the utmost privilege to be outside, in the middle of forest, to experience all it has to offer, DO IT. Make sure you are safe. That's the most important thing. Beyond that, your desire to be there should carry you through, gear be d@med. Beg, borrow or (no stealing, bad karma) or expect discomfort. Cover the basics on safety though. Obviously, don't skimp on water safety, fire capability (if allowed) or use gear that allows hypothermia etc. Respect your limits, the mountain, the terrain etc. But...if I wanted to be in bed, I'd stay home :) I want to be in the forest. Your budget shouldn't stop you, ever, as long as you can remain safe.

[@amywert8088]

Yep! I think people are a tad spoiled by all of the staying home. I had childhood arthritis and rarely got good sleep, then I took my four kids camping, who can sleep? lol

[@nataliesutherland6655]

@@amywert8088 Haha! 4 kids here too! That's awesome! Not the arthritis. I'm so sorry about that part 💚 That's real pain.

[@kristymoore7052]

I don’t hate it, but I love your channel. What I do hate are exposed switchbacks in the heat… and I bought a Zen Bivey last year for warmer temps and I love it. I’ve had a lot of bad sleep nights, but I love it anyway.

[@rungavagairun]

Quilts! Also, I think it's worth pointing out that Dan Becker isn't just using a pillow from his bed at home. He uses a compressible backpacking pillow. It's bulkier and heavier than the inflatable pillows, but also doesn't feel like a balloon and easier to adjust the height you need under your head. The inflatable pillows are better than nothing, but they don't really conform to what you need with regard to support, especially if you (like me) toss and turn from side to stomach, to back, etc.

[@seanguffey3161]

Watch this channel, I backpack every year and I love the the gear stuff and I know his info will help everyone! Nice work Eric!

[@michaelkennedy4346]

My recommendations 1) for side sleepers or people who move a lot, go wider on your pad. 20” is simply not wide enough for many. 2) take care to pitch your tent as level as possible. If yourself, your mattress or pillow slides during the night, your sleep will be disrupted. If condensation is an issue, your gear will get wet. 3) for movers, I strongly recommend a quilt. Mummy style bags can feel very restrictive and make sleep nigh impossible. 4) for some people, either earplugs to keep noise out, or earbuds to play music makes a huge difference. 5) find a pillow that works for you.

[@iseabeck9488]

My pillow of choice is a barely-inflated pillow with my puffy jacket wrapped around it, then my dry sack tightly around both as a pillow case. The inflatable provides the structure while the jacket provides comfort.

[@jsquil]

Number 2, for sure. and if you have to pitch your tent on a bit of an incline, make sure your head is higher than your feet. Otherwise you will end up congested and likely have a headache in the morning.

[@wolfgangnoakes4679]

Ok, so I did all that and my wife still won't go backpacking 😢. Lol, great video. I wish I had zenbivy money. I bought the BA Lost Ranger 3-in-1 on sale and I would imagine it emulates a similar experience to litebed. I love it honestly!

[@ChristopherGronlund]

Great video. When I finally figured out what was needed to sleep comfortably outside, those nights have been among the best nights of sleep I've ever had.

[@WanderingSwitchback]

Using a quilt and getting the right sleeping pad have made ALL the difference for me! I really WANTED to love my Neoair Xlite (I have the prior version, and it's plenty warm and relatively comfy), but I switched to a wide Nemo Tensor this year, and OH MY GOD. My sleep has improved SO much. Just that one change... ALL the difference. I felt very similarly when I made the change to a quilt. I went from a Marmot Trestles sleeping bag to a Nemo Disco (spoon shaped like the Riff, but 650 fill power), and it helped a lot having the space in the knee area (not to mention shaving weight and bulk), but then when I further upgraded to a UGQ quilt, and I didn't feel constricted, it was amazing. I've used my quilt down to about 14°F comfortably so far. And then there's the pillow. I stack an inflatable with a down pillow on top, and keep them together with a Buff. Deflate the pillow a bit to whatever level works for you, and it's the perfect adjustment to what I sleep on at home.

[@andrewb4984]

Love your pillow idea. Gonna try it out. Thanks for the tip.

[@kristajones3592]

So true! I was miserable even when car camping, then I got a better pad and sleeping bag and now I sleep like a baby on multi day hiking trips.

[@scottplumer3668]

For years I used a self-inflating Thermarest pad that I got in the '90s. It wasn't bad on softer ground, but on anything hard (which, at 4 AM, all ground is hard) my hips and shoulders would be against the ground and I would wake up sore. Well, "wake up" is kind of a misnomer because I would hardly sleep. I got a Trekology pad that's a lot thicker and wider, and while it's a bit heavy for backpacking, the fact that I actually sleep now makes all the difference.

[@TheHappyGardener]

Excellent discussion So many little things that new backpackers don't realize

[@UncleGeorgeTV]

😂 Definitely need to discuss this with Jason Someday he'll invest in some good gear 😅😅🎉

[@JessicaTPeterson]

So, you can just let your feet touch the ground, "and then that cold will escape through my feet and into the ground." 7:50 I wish I could do it that way! Next video maybe? _Backpacking 401: Breaking the laws of thermodynamics._ One thing I learned when my pad deflated a bit as it cooled during a night in the teens: Don't inflate the pad all the way. Try it with less air than you think you need. It's much more comfortable.

[@JCrozier1]

solid tips. I feel like I need to test in the backyard so the being worn out from hiking all day would be a good way to go. Then, if it sucks, you can bail and go inside.

[@Lv4_o2]

Luv the “pop up.” 😂. I’ve been saving for a lighter and warmer sleeping bag, been eyeing the Zenbivy…but the Sea to Summit Spark is now a consideration. 🤷‍♀️

[@christimartin8512]

I have the women’s version, the Sea to Summit Flame. It is very warm and lightweight. The only issue with it is it is snugger across the chest and shoulders than my Sea to Summit Traverse (synthetic filled) bag.

[@iseabeck9488]

I have about 20 nights in my Zenbivy. Snow thru summer cowboy camps. For the extra cold nights, I jam a Rumpl blanket in my bag and keep it under the quilt so it stays in place - I roast all night. Highly recommend. My overall weight during the summer is still

[@DCMHK1]

Thanks Eric. I will use this video with new parents in our high adventure Boy Scout troop in San Diego

[@donniebel]

Second all the points given. I’m a big fan of the Zen Bivy light bed, having both the 25 and 10 deg versions. I’d survive in a bag but not going to get good sleep in one. One thing not mentioned is down booties for cold sleeping and many who tend to have cold feet swear by them. It all about a system approach including sleep clothes which makes a huge difference for me.

[@thisbeem2714]

Sometimes I wear my down booties at home! Best investment ever.

[@suewheeler5795]

I use down booties and they are toasty! A complete game changer for this UK gal

[@jameshiggins-thomas9617]

All very good recommendations. I would also make note of personal preferences - trying things out. For example, although your notes on the pad are absolutely valid, for most people and especially cooler weather, I, myself, have found my foam pad (a Big Agnes) comfortable for my sleep. Although I carry an inflatable virtually all trips I often don't use it (inflating and deflating takes time and energy I often just don't wish to spend). I was surprised to find this to be true for me (I'm a side sleeper) but there it is. The pad is also useful for quick naps during the day and provides a bit of additional protection to the inflatable when I do use it (ironically the pad was added to my kit on the AT after puncturing my inflatable twice - badly - which led me to getting the pad to fully replace the inflatable for the next 800 miles). Thanks for the content!

[@stanleyheath5486]

I sleep in hospital scrubs. they are light, dry quickly if I sweat, take up little space, Wool socks are great and if it's cold, a stocking cap and glove liners. The inflatable mattress compresses under your weight so you may not experience the even insulation of say, a foam pad. and consider how a really thick pad will raise your sleeping position towards the narrowing walls of your tent which may increase the likelihood of your sleeping bag contacting either the walls at head or foot. If you're short , no problem, but if you're six foot or over, this could present a problem in many smaller, snugger tents.

[@benschildgen4994]

I usually sleep more comfortably with a lean to tarp and a long fire. Campfires relax me. I also hate mummy bags and am a stomach sleeper. One of my best nights sleep was on a bed of pine needles about 8 inches thick

[@OldtimersOutdoors]

I love your videos! I’m glad you are honest and realize that if you aren’t comfy and cozy and warm…. Then you won’t do it again. Good gear is important. Im a gear but with more of a hunting flair, but I love your stuff. And Dan Bracket’s too. I’m just a horse and mule guy. Don’t particularly love hiking. But i thing we should all meet up and do a trip anyway!!

[@Colby168]

Anxiety is a big part of not sleeping well for a lot of people. If you’re in that camp with me try Ambien. Best night sleep ever in the woods!

[@UncleGeorgeTV]

Fantastic subject matter for discussion with my friends

[@KrizAkoni]

Nothing beats a good night of sleep!

[@МаксимЕремин-я6т]

Really nice music in the end. Great tips. I found out the sleeping matress 30 inch wide 77 inch long is good for me. Sad thing not many brands make such large backpacking matresses...

[@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism]

Especially not 6R, lightweight backpacking ones. Sucks. Not much choices for us larger guys.

[@sstrongman1667]

I’m trying out the Big Agnes Qcore Insulated in a week. I have a feeling it will be on the cold side. Luckily, we are in a hot tent

[@toomanyhobbies400]

I sleep in a tent or tarp shelter. But getting up in the middle of the night to pee can be a chore, especially when it's cold or raining. So I take a large water bottle to pee in. In no time I am snuggled back into my bag and asleep again.

[@chrismoore600]

Right on outstanding video. Job well done.

[@livesoutdoors1708]

Ah the Sacred Sleep Socks! I use possum down.❤ a beanie helps too.

[@christimartin8512]

Thanks for the info! Is that a Copper Spur tent?

[@kylegohawks8604]

Solid advice like normal. Thank you

[@MikeIsCannonFodder]

0:07 Ah, Eric took some classes from the people that teach actors in infomercials how to use wheelbarrows!

[@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism]

hahaha, yeah.

[@MasterDwarf]

This might sound obvious, but at great tip is investing in comfortable clothes. Don't worry about the size or "fit", buy something that makes you feel comfortable and able to move. Another one is to not over dress. In Scandinavia where I hike, I see people overdressing all the time. Take off your clothes while moving, put them on while resting.

[@JarradShaw]

Eric, going back to this video and Zenbivy releasing the new ultralight system… but, rewinding to this vertical baffle pad, what is your opinion of this pad compared to the Rapide UL pad by Big Agnes? I know Dan and Devin still hold the BA Rapide as one of the most comfortable pads out right now, but Devin isn’t also the biggest fan of the vertical baffles (less of horizontal baffles) and prefers the quilted pattern BA produces. However… the vertical design Zenbivy produced seems to be a huge win for a lot of backpacking content creators. Should I maybe look at Zen’s vertical system over BA’s? Or are they so similar that someone may not notice?

[@jorisev]

Also consider wearing comfortable earplugs. Makes a massive difference for me out camping.

[@TheMazkon]

Which Big Agnes tent is in the vid? The link is dead here

[@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism]

If you're not a tru-hiker and are only going out for a 10 mile or less hike, don't try and hike like a tru-hiker and ultra light gear. You're going out where it's no big deal to take a couple extra pounds over what would hinder a multi-day/ week+ long hiker. Therefore you get to enjoy far more luxurious, thicker, warmer pads and sleeping bags. I'm a big guy and side sleeper, so I can't stand anything less than a 30" wide and 4" thick pad. I'm taking a bag with a EN rating, rated for at least 10F more comfort rating, and I'm sleeping out in the woods as good as, if not better than when home. I wont compromise since I'm not a thru-hiker. They're forced to compromise. It's silly to do the same, since it's no big deal to carry a bit extra for a over nighter or a weekend hike.

[@lynoreabbott1010]

It would be good to have your "current" favorite list. If we find an old video, and we don't know it's an old video, then we don't know what to be looking for. Or maybe a matrix of your favorite gear against various conditions. Just a thought. Also my browser is blocking your website. I'm contemplating section hiking the CT and working my way up to a thru hike of it, and based on my recent youtube rabbit holes, I think your style is similar to mine. My gear is getting on in years and may need to be updated in order to shed pounds.

[@dalegg68]

One simple trick I used for years: build a bed of grass or leaves about 6-8 inches high and pitch your tent on top of that (it will smash down quickly). I am very cheap and refused to buy an air mattress for a long time. I initially used the leaf trick for comfort but realized later it was probably 2 or 3R worth of insulation. Note, I am careful to stomp around so copperheads and their friends are likely to leave and hopefully take scorpions with them. My Thermarest now makes this unneeded, but keep in mind if you're on a budget and it gets cold (provided your not in a desert).

[@JayTrippr]

Hey Eric, I appreciate this video so much! The thing is, it didn't address my problem which is bears in the park and that paranoia

[@thisbeem2714]

Whew yeah. I learned that one can buy a can of “bear spray” that simulates the experience without having the “pepper spray “ effect. That way you can practice using it so when you have the real stuff in the back country you know you know how to use it. Or there are places we can go that don’t have bears. 😅

[@Yoloswaggins69420]

totally need to upgrade from the 20 year old hand me down inflatable pads that we have. next purchase for sure!

[@overwatchxrescue]

Great suggestions. What would be your recommendations for people who don't have the physical strength to carry a whole lot of weight on their back?

[@Annie-cd6ue]

Go practice

[@-humveehoove-6106]

What happened with backpacking tv?

[@Oldrush]

Put the closed cell foam pad on top of you air pad in cold weather. If you put it under it won’t do much for you because the air in the air pad cools you off. Everyone seems to get this mixed up.

[@thisbeem2714]

❤

[@sherrierifenberg2199]

Another good info video!

[@magicworldbyjorg]

...cool video keep up the great content.. Thank you…

[@laxuscloud2495]

I have been sleeping on all kinds of floors may it be wooden or tiles or concrete almost all my life. I just recently tried hiking and when we sleep in camp i just use an insulator meant for car windshields. And a sleeping bag and i sleep like a baby. I guess that is my advantage. I dont need to carry extra weight in the form of sleeping pads

[@dakotaescher1]

I absolutely hate inflatable pillows. I have tried and tried. I just cannot get comfortable and sleep well. It just does not feel right.

[@Jiraiyashouse666]

Same... you are not alone. It eventually just feels hard.

[@mararonin6867]

I'm sure you do sleep better with $600+ of gear. But as someone who is trying to get into backpacking it's a real barrier to entry for a lot of us

[@sheilasunshine9173]

Every hobby has a cost. You can day hike for free, you can over night hike and camp dirt cheap with any gear, if you want to get serious about any hobby you can expect to drop plenty on it.

[@MastaSquidge]

A cheap $30 air mattress, a $35 compressible thermarest foam pillow plus a $40 amazon down blanket and I sleep like a baby at any temp above 50F. Since then I've bought much more expensive cold weather stuff, but that's mostly for weight and compactness.

[@neemancallender9092]

I hate camping because KZbin suggests the most expensive gear

[@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism]

3:07 - I've found it doesn't work to put a foam pad under an air pad. The air remains too cool/cold in the air pad, due to the cold air from the sides/top. I have to place the pad on top to notice any difference (and I still don't believe it's a full R stack worth. For example, I think they have like 2R but it feels like when stacked on top, you only get like 1R extra.) It's not as comfortable sleeping on that, as is the air pad but it's a lot warmer, getting off the cold pad. Even then, my experiences tells me, never plan on this. It's best to get a properly R rated air pad. It just doesn't work that well to stack R. I've tested different combos and the added stack of more R should have been warmer than lesser R rated pad but it was still colder (even with on top, being a littler better), so. I'm not a fan of "stacking" but I see it still recommended all the time. In my experience, it's just not worth it. It's good to know in case of emergency but I'll never plan a hike w/ stacking for the temps. It should be more of a "this will get you by" but you'll probably still have cold butt cheeks lol.

[@VoIcanoman]

1:42 I was like...15 degrees, that's actually really warm weather, definitely not requiring such a thicc sleeping bag. My "summer" sleeping bag is supposed to be good down to 10 degrees, and I use it into early September with a thin, lightweight air mattress - if I need more warmth in the early morning hours, I'll chuck on a pair of long underwear under my pajama bottoms and if I am REALLY cold, I might wear a hoodie. So I was supremely confused...until he said 15 degrees was "quite a bit below freezing," and I realized he was talking in freedom units. Like...state your units, dude. When more than 7.5 billion people in the world are using a different system of units than you are, not stating your units will confuse 95% of people...although, due to the preponderance of Americans on KZbin, it probably would only confuse 50% of your actual viewers, which is still a lot (I would similarly tell a Canadian to explicitly state their units because around half of their audience is American - it's just generally good practice).

[@Sheltowee1775]

How about a pooing video. I’m not kidding. I’m struggling. I do have IBS, but I really want to enjoy camping.

[@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism]

What are you struggling with? The digging of the hole, the squatting over it part, or the filling the hole back in after? I mean, there's not a whole lot to learn about it lol.

[@njg5942]

Sleeping mat you say? Luxury. In my day "we lived for three months in a rolled up newspaper".

[@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism]

Not everyone is a thru-hiker. Obviously a quarter of the year out on the trail, you'll want a whole lot less weight than if you just planned to walk 5-10 miles. pitch a tent for a day or two and hike back to your car. I don't think "backpacking" and "thru-hiking" should be used so interchangeably as they're so vastly different. Comparatively, 99% backpacking trips are far more closer to car camping, than they are to thru-hiking.

[@Akyomi]

I dont get how good sleep protects me from bears and bugs

[@truemanadams8325]

Why do we as consumers accept this huge difference in "comfort" and "survive" ratings from these companies? And who decides I could survive in 15degrees but I'll be comfortable at 28degrees? These sleeping bag companies are selling us a load of crap somewhere in this process.

[@bren42069]

a hot water bottle for your toesies is what's up

[@edwardbenton4428]

Hmmm..some mighty expensive solutions. I think the content producers for this outrageously priced gear are probably given that free so they can make commercials to the faithful

[@christopherch7307]

👍🐿👍

[@AdventureAvengers]

I heard Kyle hates hiking

[@gcvrsa]

The top 5 reasons people hate backpacking are: 1. bugs and other wildlife 2. pooping and peeing outdoors 3. carrying stuff 4. walking 5. fear/anxiety over safety Sleep comfort is definitely not in the top 5.

[@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism]

People who don't enjoy walking, wont even become hikers, let alone backpacking lol so #4 has no weight.

[@PartiHippo]

Aww yes the reason I don't like it is because I can't afford it

[@dmitriiandreev]

you have to be a millionaire to buy these things)

[@MastaSquidge]

You really don't. You need to spend more for cold weather stuff and compact or ultra light things for backpacking but if you're just car camping at a state park or something... not really.