Luxury Backpacking Gear - Things That Make Me A Happy Hiker

I don't carry much, I make a point not to! But the items I do carry I want to truly hold meaning, and provide a lot of value. Here's a few pieces of luxurious backpacking gear I don't particularly need, but certainly keeps me moving!
Thanks to Cesar And The Woods for bringing this topic to me. He is in my mind one of the OG UL backpacking blogs and especially youtube channels. Check him out! Cesars channel -
/ @cesarvaldez13
LINKS TO THE GEAR MENTIONED:
amzn.to/2T2UFfT - Yoyo
amzn.to/2C6ak4e - External Battery
amzn.to/2XpxWsS - Titanium Wood Burning Stove
amzn.to/2BUsNjv - Titanium Pot
amzn.to/2wSICnq - Watercolor Set
amzn.to/2oQf5ak - Waterbrush
amzn.to/2M7uM6e - Pens
amzn.to/2E9zj5W - 300lb Watercolor Paper

[@jscarpetta1]

Easily one of the most under rated backpacking channels, your content is appreciated brother.

[@ioda006]

Jupiter, you're the most grateful vibe hiker+youtuber and I love that you share your ultralight experience without being pretentious or salesy. It's why I keep watching everything you post. You make youtube and the hiking world a better place.

[@mikerilling3594]

Just whip it out and play with it a little bit here and there.... Classic....

[@I_am_Jeff]

That Magic the Gathering story was epic. Thank you for sharing. You put things into a different perspective

[@LaLuneEstJolie]

Your watercolor paintings are AMAZING

[@markwilliford7471]

Jupiter you are a legit individualist, and I hope to run into you out there sometime. Your kit is too light for an old man to stay functional after a few days, but you have a great core message - go all the way down then work your way back with the things you just have to have. Your luxury items are bad-ass in that I love how they are all mental, and none bolster physical comfort. Really good, unique perspectives. Thank you for posting.

[@Marcel_Audubon]

curious, Mark W. ... what would an older person need in addition to stay functional?

[@lauraslade9588]

Marcel, he didn't answer you but I am guessing one thing he might need that Jupiter doesn't use is a sleeping pad. Jupiter uses a 1/8" CCF pad cut down to torso length. Personally, I am sore after sleeping on my 1.5" self inflating pad so Jupiter's set up could never work for me and I am assuming that's what Mark meant, as well

[@rolfdenver]

As another older man I have to agree with the sleeping pad difference. The other, for me, is an enclosed tent rather than a tarp. And the last two are a stove and an InReach.

[@lanceteichroeb1016]

The older I get the more I appreciate my chair kit for my thermarest!! This old tradesmans back and hips work much better with a little pampering 😀😀

[@michaelgrimes5588]

I brought my telescope once...was just a one nighter...awesome to have in those dark areas.. My go to luxury item is "my green pouch"..

[@tinyyellowtree4076]

Awesome paintings man! Love all those rocks and stones and stars and colorful skies! Maybe sell your work with a link? Bet you'd do really well!

[@adventuresofchris1]

“When the trail is easy and I can just whip it out and play with it here and there . . . “ 🤣🤣🤣

[@JupiterHikes]

When I was walking around lake o a helicopter tour snuck up on me while I had it whipped out. They then proceeded to follow me as I tried to make my getaway on the oh so discreet levees

[@YawkYawk]

He also "constantly lurks here and there." LUL

[@thisphasenow4789]

Dude! I was watching this *as I was organizing all my MTG cards to sell* before starting the PCT in about 40 days. They are literally all in front of me right now. As I watched your video. AND NOW all I can think of is the PCT-themed deck that I must discover and build along with the 4oz of hope that someone else is doing the same.

[@JupiterHikes]

Looooool I would make some online deck lists or something in case you ever want em again. Never know. And I feel like I've seen them on the PCT too. I seriously have no idea how this happens

[@JupiterHikes]

Also if you do sell em, don't sell yourself short. Get that $$&

[@chrisdumler]

JupiterHikes haha yeah, I’m sort of going to sell one hobby to fund another. Also I’m a terrible magic player.

[@Nomad6763]

Idk if you have time but it's probably worth making two 40-card decks that play well against each other instead of one 60-card deck. Me and a buddy did this while travelling in SE Asia and we found a few ex-players who were down to play but had no cards.

[@kdavis4910]

At first I had no idea what you guys were talking about. It sounded like you were saying some of the trails had card decks inspired by individual trails and that they are part of a game. Lol. Then it dawned on me you are talking about the card game Magic. Haha. Never played myself but wouldn't mind the money from some deck sales.

[@gliderrider]

I sometimes take a ham radio that fits in an altoids tin. Doing morse code and talking to people around the world with 5 watts. I use very thin wire antenna. But my hikes are all just overnight so far. Watching your videos has helped my pack weight go from 44 lbs to 15 lbs. Actually enjoyed my walk for once without thinking about the pack! Never missed all that Big gear.

[@MsRotorwings]

gliderrider Ham radio that fits in an altoid Kit? Wow!

[@collateralus]

This is the best of these luxury item vids I've seen yet. Thanks Jupe!

[@CalebImmel]

Most KZbinrs took the route of luxury meaning comfort i.e pillows or extra socks. But I like that you went with entertainment and specific to you. Good video!

[@MaxStevenson-ih5ji]

He's the Bob Ross of ultralight hiking!

[@lauraslade9588]

Omg he is!!! 😂 😂 😂 That calming voice, ever present twinkle in the eye and now the painting!

[@noah_lackey]

That story at the end about magic made me laugh so hard. Quality video as always Jupiter!

[@GhostlyPiano44]

Agreed, couldn't keep the grin off my face!

[@90littlebeagle]

I love how your eyes start shining when you talk about your water colors ^^

[@Happymars24]

For me, my phone and anker battery are #1. After that is my pipe and smoke. 😏

[@trilbyarnold3341]

I like your art work , very nice. I carry a few water color dabs in tiny trays inside an altoid tin along with WC postcards, a water filled brush and a micron ink pen. With 3 primary colors plus burnt sienna I can mix most colors. Later I'll make a studio painting from these and my photos and memories.

[@lrose711]

Love it all! Your paintings are wonderful...can't wait to see them on the trail someday!

[@bigbillsenergy2694]

Just starting to dig into your content and I appreciate it so much - so helpful and fun to watch. Love you positive attitude on the trail and sage advice

[@nobodyhikes]

Enjoyed the uncommon assortment of items, especially the versatile yo-yo to break spiderwebs and the art kit.

[@williambrennan7794]

I don't play magic or have a desire, but I love that story. It's that narrative that makes life interesting.

[@ceebee1461]

Jupiter is to hiking like what Alex Honnold is to climbing.

[@TheAdventureGeek]

I’ve seen loads of these luxury items videos but yours is by far the most Entertaining:-)

[@BlueBoyBackpacking]

Thanks for sharing that vargo wood burning stove. I had seen it before but thought na. You have shown its appeal and value. Thanks Jup. Blue Boy

[@JupiterHikes]

It's a cool thing! I think if I wanted the 'best' one I would get a bush buddy wood stove, but those are like 4 times the price. So for 40 dollars I can't complain given the enjoyment it has given me.

[@chemistryflavored]

We have that little stove and use it a lot for backyard s’mores when we don’t want to start a larger fire. Great for backyard city dwellers during non trail time :) love the watercolors too, what a great luxury item!

[@trailcat71]

Best, most unique assortment of items yet:) great video and BEAUTIFUL art work.

[@drewwatts2803]

I dig your vibes, dude. I love the watercolors. MTG is a great idea as well!

[@lilianstrous3104]

My non-essential item is a Rubics cube, love to play with it.

[@jeanward1252]

Loved this video Jupiter! Laughing and enjoying all the imagery 👍🏿

[@gregskolozdra]

Very fun video! Thanks for sharing. My favorite luxury item is the Helinox Chair Zero. It weighs one pound and is ridiculously comfortable. I brought it with me on the John Muir Trail.

[@nedanother9382]

Keep it going buddy. You've got great energy.

[@bereantrb]

Very enjoyable beginning to end. I'll just say I'm happy to see the wood stove mentioned. I think that is an option more people should work into their kit. I picked up a different model last year and am glad I did. Very often a full fire is not needed; it consumes unnecessary fuel at designated sites. It's great to learn how little is needed to cook or boil water with. Also, it reduces the number of canisters used. Those who advocate using canister stoves for LNT may leave no trace in that place in that moment by using a canister stove, but the metals used for canisters and the fuel has to come from somewhere. It can all be used, but we just need to be deliberate in the choices we make and not over-use any one thing.

[@no_peace]

I have a little lixada one and it's rad. It was like $15 tops too You can use wood pellets if you need to

[@Derokas]

finally ... the first video with real luxury items! so nice, thanks :-)

[@ifxman]

Just discovered your channel and I am not a savvy backpacker I've enjoyed the outdoors all my life and mostly woodlands as compared to seashores, I just use what I have and it works for me. I really enjoy that you allow your art to always be apart of the adventures. That is something I really relate to myself lol. The forests have lots of music even in the silence as well. New sub and wishing you the best to come...

[@standingonmountain3975]

I like the stove 👍Even when camping above tree line, can bring a few twings from lower elevation.

[@jonsouder3390]

Dude that would have been so cool used to play magic with buddies back in day to play that on hike would be so sick

[@tkpwns04]

I really enjoyed the video and your take on luxury items. It is making me think more about my own. Also love the idea that the MtG hikers found each other on trail. I wonder how many games they got in over all the miles.

[@SpareTimeShow]

I bring a speedcube on every single hike I go on and have been inspired to start bringing my nice yoyos because of you! GeneralYo 5-Star represent!

[@luboyanev]

Great tips! And funny seeing the magic cards dudes :D Btw. quick tip - you can try and see if you can change the setting on your camera/lens from Auto focus to Manual focus, when shooting videos where you are mostly staying in one position. And you can set the focus distance from the camera to be approximately where you will be standing (you can prefocus from the camera position to the ground where you will be sitting, or something that it will be a similar distance from you when sitting and the camera) and this way you have about half a meter or more where you will always be sharp and in focus, and the background can stay out of focus. Hope it makes sense

[@heatherwenthiking]

I have one of those aqua brushes too. They’re awesome! My solid water colour set grew mould all over the top of the paints. Was obviously not dried out properly when I packed it up & a long while between uses! Never thought about adding it to my hiking pack 🤔

[@JupiterHikes]

Oh no! I haven't had that yet. When I run out of a color I just refill the little pocket with better paints. I'll keep an eye on the colors I don't use as much. Good to know

[@alexkehoepwj]

Your painting style is so unique, I really like it

[@DunkelRuhrOutdoors]

Much love for your content, your channel is great and i learn a lot from your experience and your Videos. Cheers from Germany!

[@bretthikez6567]

I like how you break it down..good STUFF dude

[@contentgoddess7218]

Magic the Gathering on trail? LOVE!!! My hiking partner and I do low-key LARP games with little to no gear.

[@greggibson1273]

Such a fun video. Thanks!

[@NickWentHiking]

I also like whipping it out and playing with it for a couple minutes

[@chaosegg]

Totally bringing my 'gic deck (or 3) next time I go. And art supplies. Really actually inspired me here... I'm already thinking what portable whittling/carving/painting stuff I can put together to make an art-kit, and what MTG decks I can throw together that will be good trail-play-decks, theme-wise (i'm a big fan of theme-decks, though I spent many years playing with friends who were die-hard type1 & 1.5 players so I know how to be competitive as well as fun).

[@TheMaximumCool]

Haha the vargo stove is my luxury item too. I get so much flack for it but I love it!

[@hikingtochange7589]

Awesome artwork!

[@equaleyesXXX]

Love your videos, man. Always spot on! Just some little recommendation for your camera settings: Instead of auto focus, use manual focus. If you do not move too much out of the focal plane you will get much better results compared to auto focus, which might target the background while delivering a blurry protagonist. Increasing the aperture will further help to better stand out from the background.

[@vandwellerfeller]

It’s all about the double privy with the cribbage board for me.

[@normarinker3245]

I am dying laughing. Ohhhh 😂😂😂thank you so much for that! Great video. You seem like such a genuine & well rounded person. Your hiking is on a waaaay different level than mine but i truly enjoy your perspective. Have you ever thought about doing a pod cast of your own?

[@JupiterHikes]

I've thought about it. It doesn't show in the videos but I often edit these down from about an hour of rambling. It may happen in the future, i'd like to get more hiking under me first I think. So let's see where I'm at after the next trail or two.

[@Shisharoo23]

@@JupiterHikes I would listen to your podcast while hiking!

[@daviddeming218]

In '82 I was hiking with a couple from Knoxville Edd Harrell and Terry Byrne. we had made it to Botetort county in VA. We stayed in a hostel. They went to town, I stayed in my comfy chair and read a book. They went to the J & B Trading Post and brought me back a luxury: a little wind up poodle toy, plastic, covered with fur, red paper collar. It weighed 1.5 oz. I carried it all the way to Harper's Ferry. We'd wind it up and watch it caper around on the shelter floor and then fall over. We'd laugh uproarously. I started using Killer (the trail name we dubbed it) to announce lunch breaks by placing it in the middle of the AT. That little piece of kitsch amused us heartily.

[@marc-antoinemetivier2854]

Manthose paintings are great!

[@BornAdventures]

That wood burning stove is really neat!

[@Castellanos334]

Great video Jupiter

[@drewfoster778]

Saw your owl drawing at Hikers Welcome!

[@janefreeman995]

A man of many talents!

[@AmyRoutt]

unique luxury items! Cool to see

[@Opx958r]

You have so many talents!

[@dawsonlong6647]

Enjoyed the video, great stuff! I look up to you and how you can live so minimally! I sorta made fun of people like you with super low base weights in my latest video. But, of course I am always striving my hardest to be as low as I can. So I have nothing against y’all. Keep being super light and making us all jealous!

[@releaseandcapture]

I am prepping for a thru hike this year and shopping for this that and the other and have been recalling your 'needs vs wants' video. As I am loading online shopping carts at the moment I am asking myself "hold up RAC do you really need this or is this a luxury item?". I am going to bring a light weight battery bank this time. Looking at an Anker ten thousand mAh at six and a half ounces. My first hike I made it through the hundred mile sections of Washington PCT without a battery bank. I used my phone as sparingly as humanly possible. I did reward myself with at most 10 minutes of music just before bed time and although I did not have a battery bank I did have a second smart phone battery. If I have a luxury item this year it might be a physical journal to dream journal with. I have the same titanium stove, never used it. I do have the Vargo titanium bottle. I really want to bring it because plastic grosses me out. I am going stove-less this time. About using smart phones sparingly. If you have the brightness dimmed all the way down at night the screen may appear blacked out in strong overhead sun light the next day. I thought my phone died and powered it on and off several times thinking it died on me. It took me a while to figure out what happened.

[@JupiterHikes]

The money is always better spent on trail!!!! The gear should be just a means. That's particularly why I talk so much about this stuff. Money goes fast and it would such so much being physically able but to run out of funds.

[@AmyHikes]

I love the video. Awesome. I totally understand the yo-yo thing. I think lots of people play that card game. But, there is something similar in an app. My son and cousin were both playing it and didn’t know.

[@russellhealy8516]

Love the yo yo entertainment for you and all around you

[@helsdon71]

Wicked awesome videos and hope one day to hike a hangout with ya. I'm out hiking every weekend and enjoying it

[@friarrodneyburnap4336]

Would you ever do a long distances bicycle tour? On and off tarmac? There is nothing like a multi continent bicycle tour. . .

[@mtadams2009]

You're a very good painter. Something I did not know.

[@erickortiz9121]

Very good video. I like your personal luxury items. It brings personal entertainment that you could also enjoy even in rainy days in side your tent. My personal entertainment pocket size is the toy called bop it. Are usually play with it when I am lying down in my tent before I go to sleep. I played until I fall asleep. Is the best entertainment thing I can bring when I go backpacking that provides hours of enjoyment to myself. What is your favorite sleeping pad? Thank you so much for sharing this video. God bless you.

[@nuclearoutdoorscampingtips5850]

My new KZbin favorite!,

[@nahblue]

You seem to be so happy as a person, that I'm unsure if you're just making stuff up. Video was awesome, I love that you paint on the hikes.

[@wolfeadventures]

Jupiters luxury items-food, water, shoes. Lol 😂

[@MrsSidandi]

I love podcasts! What are your favorites? I have over 100 in my rotation. Stuff you should know, Sawbones, History of England, and All Songs Considered are among my faves.

[@mikehopson9913]

Dude those skills 👍

[@reececrump8483]

Paints are a great idea :)

[@awless]

Man your painting are amazing

[@eddiedean4471]

Hard core history podcast 👍

[@xmetal280]

Thumbs up for the MTG references. Lol. Might bring a deck next time!

[@JChurchua]

Great video. How you explain yourself is why this channel should have many more followers. My newest luxury item is a 2x2 Rubik's Cube.

[@JupiterHikes]

That is fucking awesome. A rubiks cube is something the absolutely fascinates me. I'd love to learn.

[@JChurchua]

@@JupiterHikes the 2x2 has taken me acouple days of practice to memorize. The 3x3 I don't have a clue yet.. one at a time. For $4, I think the 2x2 is the perfect 2oz. Luxury item. There is a youtube video that shows the algorithm to complete it, but, in the tutorial the written instructions for the second step is wrong; you have to follow his *actions* not his directions. That particular video is filmed on top a wooden desk; just hands, a cube and the wood backdrop. (the second alg. Is "L" then "L prime" but it is wrote opposite) And like the yo-yo, i guess i could toss it into spider's webs to clear the way. Hahaha

[@jimbosepicadventuresinc.8384]

Jupiter! Do you Have postcards of your art for sale? I'd love to do the Fifty states Trail in future combines all the long distance trails in U.S.

[@tomfaranda]

I get the vargo; not so hot on the yo yo but whatever floats ur boat.

[@Avi_K_dog]

Epic !!

[@snieves4]

Mtg! Try the new card game gloom. Very cool Mechanics.

[@TonyArechiga]

I have the same paint set! ha!

[@Gingsnap]

Another nice video, great yo-yo skills, my dude! Do you remove buttons from your shirt to save grams or did you forget to button that second one?

[@abarron390]

Backpacking podcast!!! You should do it sir.

[@timfinley4436]

Bustin' webs with a yo-yo! Nice! Star Tropics on SNES much?

[@reececrump8483]

You know i think bringing a magic deck is a good idea. Its not unlikely to find card shops in trail towns where you could play with tons of people

[@seesfractals2462]

you're an awesome guy

[@downtoearthent.9349]

Your art is hella cool homie.

[@mamamacgyver]

Can you send me a link to the battery or the new one. I didn’t get the name and the link doesn’t work.

[@Riscosux]

Was gonna say I wish i was friends with you and then i saw the watercolors; now i wanna be best friends with you

[@MattShafter]

Jupiter. Promise me you avoid tying the yoyo tightly anywhere on your finger. We were reviewing angiograms today in physical therapy school and it showed a finger that was damaged from intense yoyo use.

[@JupiterHikes]

I could believe it dude, when I was competing a lot I had a giant callous on my right middle finger from the string

[@Hellfire666Cybot]

You saw an angiogram of a finger? xD

[@MattShafter]

@@JupiterHikes I should have been more clear! Angiograms show blood vessel damage. Dudes finger was near amputation type levels due to destruction of vessels where the yoyo string would sit. One person, but it just made think of ya.

[@4amwaj]

Haha! Love the content brother

[@RareBrink]

I would be worried that if I did bring Magic cards and I DID run into someone that had a deck that we would have decks from 2 different formats and the games wouldn't be terribly satisfying. I am guessing those 2 guys traveled together or agreed to meet somewhere ahead of time. My luxury item would be a miniature tripod for my phone. The Google Pixel 4 can do astrophotography now so I would take advantage of the lack of light pollution to take some starscapes.

[@HelgeStrichen]

Man, thats some tacksharp bamboo

[@gb-nz]

I always take my 65" TV

[@Happymars24]

Ok, I'm bringing my MTG cards let's do this.

[@selenajones1712]

Never heard of pod cast ,,? Swamp gal here,, ,I listen to music & audio books ,

[@milliondollarartist]

Super...