Lightweight Backpacking Gear Guide 2024 | How I Choose And Pack My Gear!

[@Fellmandave1]

I would love a dedicated gear store like that! My wife goes crazy when she opens a cupboard door and camping gear lands on her head.

[@calebe16]

idk if I'm late for the questions, and don't know if that's too obvious, but: - what are the main types of synthetic insulation technology and how it compares to down on a warm to weight and warm to volume ratios? - How can a regular consumer see through the marketing and understand what he is buying into? - what about prices? Forclaz MT100 is a very decent down jacket for a small price. Can good synthetic insulation make it too the lower prices and be accessible?

[@chrisconstant7416]

Great video explaining your process and giving viewers the reasons why you pick/pack what you do for a specific trip!

[@countrygirl63baker64]

That was really helpful, Devin!! Thank you for showing step by step and spelling it out! Lookin forward to your trip!!!😊

[@jonsanford2515]

Very similar to how I pack. Except, being an East-coaster, my tent is always on top and I NEVER go without a rain jacket. Rain jacket goes in the stretch pocket or on top next to the tent, depending on how quick I think I may need the jacket. Explaining why you pick the gear you do, and how and why you pack is very helpful.

[@RideAlongside]

Thanks Devon. I like this way of presenting your kit. Showing us the why is always more interesting than the what. Can't wait to see what your trip is like. Happy Trails. -Nick, Prescott, AZ

[@BackcountryExposure]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!

[@davidcooper8390]

It's nice to have options. I liked to hear your reasonings for picking each piece of gear.

[@Mabel-j2d]

Bro your sharing video is great, interested to know about Gash Hao brand of outdoor pants?

[@northwestwalking]

Great insights. I’m a little jealous that a raincoat isn’t an automatic. Here in the PNW rain gear and a trash bag are a part of our daily kits. It doesn’t add a lot of extra weight but the rain certainly dictates how we pack. Happy hiking!

[@frstesiste7670]

Some important down vs synthetic questions are IMO: Warmth - how does it stack up against high quality down like 850 or 900 fill power. That is weight differences just for the just the insulation is interesting, but also for a complete garment. Some insulations allow simpler/different designs than others and that might gain back some of the weight differences when looking at e.g. a jacket with the same insulation capabilities. Loft/thickness: Different insulations require different loft to provide the same insulation. Thinner insulations allow for slightly different designs which might be an advantage for some use case. How does it standup to hard use? How much does it deteriorate over time. What type of products is it suited for? Other advantages over down, insulate when wet, how fast does it dry? Cost vs down and/or other synthetics.

[@BackcountryExposure]

Thank you for the questions.

[@rodoutdoors]

I dig these kinds of videos. I like when it's just rambling about gear without any cuts. I've been going through the same process tonight. Heading to the Sierra where there's granite everywhere. So freestanding tent. Bringing a bear canister. That cancels out fastpacking since it won't fit in my fastpack. 😅

[@BackcountryExposure]

Thanks! I wondered if the lack of b-roll would be boring. ha ha!

[@LostAgainwithJim]

I pack almost the same way. One key difference is I always keep my mid layer closer to the top of pack. Because I mostly hike in areas that require bear cans, I use the mid layer and either my rain jacket or heavier insulation layer to wrap up the can and keep it from digging into my back. And I still don’t use any kind of sac for my quilt.

[@florianszabo3092]

Hi Devin, appreciate a lot how you present your planning and how you reason the choice of gear. I know you are experienced about it, personally I would have add/mention gear repair kit and a pocket knife.

[@BackcountryExposure]

Thanks! Yeah, a few things were missing, but the overall idea is there. :)

[@wolfeadventures]

Really like this video. Very helpful going through each item. 👌🏻👌🏻

[@BackcountryExposure]

Thank you! Stoked you enjoyed it.

[@curtelverd4008]

I actually just purchased the Camping Moon stove, SOTO triplex, and Fire Maple Pot thanks to your and Eric Hanson’s combined recommendations!

[@BackcountryExposure]

Awesome! Im enjoying the camping moon stove.

[@brianadventures9622]

It was great seeing some of the process in choosing your gear! I can't fathom not taking a rain jacket or pack cover, there is always a chance for unexpected precip in the Midwest...

[@BackcountryExposure]

I know I am crazy! But that's the Utah climate! ha ha

[@johnr153]

Thanks Devin, I see you have a few fly rods. One of the main reasons I got into backpacking is to get to waters that are not as pressured compared to areas that one can just drive to.

[@BackcountryExposure]

@@johnr153 yes! Love to fly fish, although most of the fishing I do isn’t connected to my backpacking. I enjoy day trips on the local rivers.

[@tedcowperthwaite1957]

So first thoughts on synthetic: it seems to be a good product minus a few flaws. Most of my exposure and use of synthetic leads me to basically 2 issues. Synthetic takes more room to meet same temp requirements vs down. Synthetic also is much bulkier/weighs more than same temp rated down. These both are issues and although size and weight have gotten better over the last 20-30 years, synthetic still has a distance to go in achieving parity. The last thing is that as it gets light and less bulky it’s cost approaches and sometimes exceeds comparable down. So down is the better choice until the synthetic exceeds space saving and weight savings of down and doesnt cost more than down.

[@woodchip2782]

Good weight for a “pleasure” pack.😊 Question: there seems to be “jowels” at the bottom sides of the pack. What do you put in them.?

[@DaveOffGrid]

Nice break down Devin! Yeah you don't pack for the rain lol but I don't usually either over here. A pack liner would be a nice addition for that. Looking forward to the trip vid!

[@_crane_7475]

Great video. I want to see a video on that mid-layer by OV! It looks interesting. Is that Alpha direct on the inner? Anyways, thanks again for another great loadout video. I love these.

[@BackcountryExposure]

I will share once it's available. It's a polartec inner with other fabrics throughout.

[@Colby168]

Did you put a link to that jacket you were first wearing? The synthetic one.

[@coachhannah2403]

I have a lower limiting factor. As a bear-rich Sierra packer, I carry a canister... Yes, I hung for decades, but the rules and convenience mean I now carry...

[@randyhowell4320]

On the Thermore synthetic jacket, why did they design with snaps that are quite a distance apart instead of a zipper? It looks like it would be a draft issue.

[@BackcountryExposure]

It's just the design of that particular jacket. It's a bit more casual than a full on technical piece.

[@joeclark3149]

Thermore I had expensive jacket that was synthetic for hunting. I like down for sleeping packing down and light weight. I like synthetic if it’s going to get wet. I think when you have to go to synthetic there has to be design elements in the clothing to make it worth while. I loved the squared off pockets on my hunting jacket (no zipper). Things were not falling out. Price too. I may be less concerned with scraping the jacket or sitting around a fire or getting it dirty. Maybe ask them about design and simplicity. A jacket that fits loose enough for venting but still warm is a needle to thread. Maybe with the idea that it can go over a down jacket too or a synthetic vest paired with a down jacket

[@TheWillRogers]

That pack looks incredibly similar to my SMD Swift X lol. Like almost identical.

[@bjbeck11]

Was thinking it looked like the Durston Kakwa (great pack!) - but with some back venting. Interesting!

[@TheWillRogers]

@@bjbeck11 yeah I went to the website for the pack and there it doesn't look like the SMD pack at all lol. Then again, these are all just fancy plastic sacks with straps on them in this category.

[@Mesol0vely]

Love this video

[@Mesol0vely]

What size compression sack did u use for your sleeping quilt?

[@BackcountryExposure]

That's an 8 liter bag.

[@strangerous1313]

I like your thinking and planning strategy. However, most peiople do not have 8 tents, 5 sleep systems, 10 stoves, and a dozen backpacks to choose from. Good for you that you do, but I think a video serving the majority of us would be a better topic.

[@stevewright2241]

Is Thermore like a synthetic down product and has to be blown in like down or is it like a sheet and is then stitched in between 2 sheets of fabric? What is the weight to warmth ratio compared to down.

[@BackcountryExposure]

Thank you for the questions!

[@gregoryoutdoors]

Another Kakwa copy, but seems not the best, tell them do add elastic bands to hang stuff, bottom loops for foam, tent etc, bottom mesh for snacks etc, 2 avokado mesh pockets on sides and vua la, otherwise its not going to compete with other better upgraded packs.

[@BackcountryExposure]

Not a Kakwa copy. Durston didn’t invent the common design of lightweight/ultralight packs. This is based off Outdoor Vitals CS40 pack. It’s good to have options in the market that have varying options and features.

[@gregoryoutdoors]

@@BackcountryExposure Thats alright. I respect you opinion and how much gear you have also :)

[@DevinAshby-r9m]

😁

[@hollubaloo]

I'm super curious about the future of synthetic insulation. I personally don't think that any form of down is ethical, unless it's removed from exhausted, wild nests like eiderdown kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5DSq5iYpLytY5I , but that becomes highly expensive, rightfully so. My question would be, at what point in time will the advancement of synthetic insulation become better in all aspects when compared to down? A follow up question would be, what area of technological advancement are they currently concerned with the most (e.g. compression, warmth-to-weight ratio, degradation, environmental impact, etc.)? Anyways, great video as always, cheers!

[@_Chris390]

Interesting video but too much gear for too many potential use cases. Don't really need so many tents or sleeping pads. I feel videos like this put across the wrong message and make people feel as if they need to have a whole room full of stuff to fine-tune each trip and choose exactly what they think they need, instead of adapting and enjoying what they have.

[@jasonedwardledburynewzeala9897]

First

[@streiklauzis87]

kindergarten

[@BackcountryExposure]

I at least thought 1st grade?