Lightweight Backpacking Gear Loadout Without Sacrificing Comfort

[@jfowler]

Want to see my three big mistakes on my first backpacking trip? Watch this next 👉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJu7qWSpadmMpqM

[@Jacob-fm4dn]

Thank you for not screaming at me during your video. It makes everything you say so much more easy to digest.

[@jfowler]

You’re so welcome! You have entered a no screaming zone 😁

[@WanderFreeWithBarb]

LOVE that pillow. It is my luxury item after realising I get a really poor nights sleep with inflatable pillows. Game changer really.

[@jfowler]

For sure! I’m glad it works for you. I have it in three sizes. The biggest is about the size of a standard bed pillow. That’s for low mileage trips, of course. Thanks for sharing 😄

[@natehikes]

Hey - an OG Exos with the shoulder pockets. Wish the newer models still had those. Great video Jeff!

[@jfowler]

Thanks so much! Yeah, it’s a classic. With one of the models since, they actually removed the hip belt pockets. That wasn’t a popular move. Glad you enjoyed the video 😎

[@joannsmith9]

Excellent video for campers!

[@BackpackingandBlisters]

Hey Jeff, I like your vids. You're a great communicator!

[@jfowler]

Thanks! Glad you like them! Great name BTW 😎

[@cherylaversano4885]

Loved it. So many luxuries for sleeping 🤣

[@jfowler]

Thanks! The sad reality is, the older I get, the more elusive sleep becomes. I need all the help I can get 😅

[@cherylaversano4885]

@@jfowler truer words have never been spoken 🥴

[@HilltopPacks]

nice setup. have fun out there!

[@jfowler]

Thanks so much! You too 😃

[@SeanMcDermott]

It's not often I watch informational videos without speeding them up or skipping ahead. Thanks for the succinct, pragmatic, and easy to digest content! One question and maybe I missed it, where's the bug spray? I've done some backpacking on the AT and I wouldn't leave home without it.

[@jfowler]

Thanks so much! I’m really glad you enjoyed it and found it useful. Maybe it’s the time of year or the fact that I’m usually at higher elevations, but I rarely have problems with bugs. However, I should keep that in mind for warm weather trips along routes where mosquitos or flies can be a problem. Thanks for the tip! 😎

[@pleok08]

Monday, February 26th: Although I do different types of hiking and camping, (short hikes, long hikes, thru-hikes, and car camping), I normally use the same checklists, just taking different items on different hikes. We all do what we can. Good luck! Happy Trails! Ross08

[@jfowler]

I agree. It’s definitely important to consider the terrain and weather for each trip and be prepared 😄

[@WalkthePlanets]

you are definitely comfortable. Love the fresh shirts and underwear. For the last ten years I havent brought an extra shirt or pair of underwear. Thanks for the tips.

[@jfowler]

Ok, I admit it. Maybe I’m a little compulsive 😂 Thanks for sharing 😄

[@WalkthePlanets]

@@jfowler I have a buddy that backpacks the Grand Canyon with me and he brings a set of clothing for each day! 100 Liter pack. Meanwhile I have a 45 haha. All good gotta do what works for you, I'm not in the backcountry to follow anybody elses rules.

[@SuperdutyExplorer]

Great info, like watching different gear videos! I'll be uploading my newbie backpacking gear video later today 😂 I was rocking my heaviest ever pack last trip haha... 75 lbs with food/water

[@jfowler]

Oh wow!! Guess that’s how you got your name, SuperdutyExplorer 😂

[@SuperdutyExplorer]

@jfowler lol good one 👍 I'm used to my 50ish winter loadout sadly... however my last trip to the badlands I started with 10L water... so day 3 my pack was finally feeling better! Haha

[@jfowler]

@SuperdutyExplorer I feel your pain. I exercised poor water management on my first hike of the Art Loeb Trail in NC. We ran out of water the first day and didn't know the next fill up spot. When we finally found water the next day we filled up every vessel we had. We were each carrying 4 to 5 liters and that was super heavy! Ten liters? Ouch! 😅

[@SuperdutyExplorer]

@jfowler I normally only carry 2-3L during day... however this trip I was told I had to carry all the water I needed... don't think the Buffalo piss would have tasted very good! Plus with this warm winter, there was almost no snow to try melting...

[@danielbird2962]

Hi! Can I get a link to the inflatable tool you used.

[@jfowler]

Hey, there! Sure. The pump in the video is specific for Therm-a-Rest sleeping pads with WingLock or TwinLock valves. Here is a link to it on Amazon: amzn.to/4dIeIFf However, on my recent trips I’ve been using a Nemo Tensor sleeping pad and I bought a Flextail Zero pump for inflating it. It works with a wide range of pads including Therm-a-Rest. You can find details here: www.flextail.com/products/zero-pump

[@Jondantic]

How do you manage to take far more stuff than I do with less weight? I’m jealous Love your innovative pack liner, great info mate

[@jfowler]

Thank you , I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I’m embarrassed about what my pack weight used to be. But, painful miles on the trail can be a strong motivator to make some adjustments 😅

[@Jondantic]

@@jfowler Thanks, I’m going to try the spreadsheet concept. Love that idea

[@maaronnolan6038]

Not a bad review at all. If I could make one suggestion it would be converting the weights into kilograms for us too lazy to do the mathematics in our heads. Cheers mate.

[@jfowler]

Thanks so much! That’s a good point. I should have flashed the metric equivalents on the screen when I mentioned weights. I will keep that in mind for the next one. In the meantime, I can update the subtitles to include the conversions 👍

[@michaelpenney3775]

We should have kept the old imperial measurements here in the UK, most still use pounds and ounces.

[@michaelbarton3530]

Yes, I can attest to being a neighbor that doesn’t care for that crinkly sleep pad! 😅

[@jfowler]

Sorry, Mike 😢

[@cherylaversano4885]

😂

[@frugalmum7943]

Sorry in advance, just in case.

[@vancey6072]

You use the phrase "thru hike" a couple of times. That generally means a long trail and not just a few days backpacking.

[@jfowler]

Thanks for the feedback! You have a valid point. A "thru hike" is hiking an entire trail from end to end in a single trip. I agree that people generally associate "thru hike" with long trails like the AT, PCT, CDT, etc. However, short trails such as the Foothills Trail and Art Loeb Trail are thru hike candidates that can be completed within days. To your point, I really should have been more clear about my use of the term and I will keep that in mind for future videos. 😄

[@Nepomukje]

My friend, either you suffer from OCD or you just replaced all your gear with brandnew stuff. It all looks if it's never been used. But nice vid and nice pricy equipment.

[@jfowler]

Thanks for watching! I think you’re right. I tend to have some compulsions. However, the tent has been on just two trips, and the silk + cotton liner is new. My old liner finally gave out and practically fell apart. 😂

[@Andy-Mesa]

Thanks for showing me your Osprey pack early; it saved me time not having to watch the rest of your video.

[@jfowler]

Sure thing! Starting with the pack seemed like the natural thing to do ☺️

[@elenaivas1136]

Clean underwear each day on a thru hike?! Good luck with that!

[@jfowler]

Sorry for the confusion. My “thru hikes” so far have been on short trails that I cover within days so I probably should have clarified my use of the term. Thanks for the feedback 👍