My Favourite Backpacking Gear Under £20

[@PaulMessner]

Last chance to WIN a FULL WILD CAMPING SETUP. www.messner.co.uk

[@royberry6673]

with the cutlery set you can insert the knife part into the handle of the fork so you can reach the bottom of the freeze dried meals . great tool for it's weight.

[@bobbygeordieable]

My favourite bit of cheap kit is a piece of antislip mesh I got off Aliexpress for about £1.50. Think I got 60x100cm. It always goes under my inflatable pad and when sleeping my pad has never moved a fraction of an inch since I've used it.

[@DS1150]

You can get similar stuff in pound shops. It's a great thing for camping.

[@lordpablo1985]

Typically sold as drawer liner I think?

[@bobbygeordieable]

@@lordpablo1985 Yeah they can be. Think the one I bought was advertised for rugs but they're the same stuff.

[@foorje]

@@bobbygeordieable it's fantastic for serving trays as well, as someone who works in restaurants etc it's a lifesaver.

[@MartinBrook1]

Nice video. My fave bit of cheap kit is a little connector valve that lets me transfer butane from a big canister into a tiny one that's lighter and smaller to carry around.

[@GeekfromYorkshire]

ooh yes I buy the 450g isobutane combo (for colder weather) and move into a full 100g. My canisters when full are 205g but it varies by canister manufacturer. I have 2 100g canisters one full one part full and which whichever to suit a 2 or 5 nighter. If more than 5 nights I carry 2 solid fuel tabs as a backup / extra rather than a bigger / additional canister, for a bit of diversity in case the stove went awry. But for

[@Grassmonster3]

I love my Opinel 8. Bought it when I was farming for cutting open bales of hay and opening feed bags. Now it's my go-to for just about anything that doesn't need a huge blade - takes an edge like a razor.

[@hughjaars2285]

I got given the spoon and fork kit that clip on to the Opinel 8 - really like it.

[@alexpervanoglu7420]

I barely use any other knife, even when cooking at home, the opinel 8 is so good I just use it all the time. I have many other knives both in my kitchen and for my outdoor stuff, but unless I need one for a heavy duty work, I just find myself using the opinel.

[@samhill3496]

Much of the same or similar items. A bic or Zippo lighter. Cooligans pop out cup. Several cheap stainless steel cook pots 1 or two quart, a thermos for coffee tea water. Generally a pint or 500ml. Flashlight, gloves, cloth jersey. Blow up pillow with cover, water proof matches all kinds of items

[@sam18a]

Anyone could say not one of these items was essential however i believe every single item worth every penny and every ounce, great selection of ease, comfort and functionality, 👏

[@bikecommuter24]

For an inexpensive mat to keep your sleeping bag and pad slipping look for something called tool box drawer liner I saw a roll on the big A website 16 x 16 inches for around 12 dollars that is about a tenner in GBP (there is a 18x24 for another tenner) it also makes a great pad for sitting on wet benches or outdoor chairs.

[@browsman2328]

We have a mail order outfit here in the states that sells unique backpacking and some budget gear called “Garage Grown Gear.” For example a similar folding sit pad for $10A, which is 7.81 British pounds. Free shipping over $50 domestically. I believe they ship to the U.K. Anyway worth a look.

[@antistaticandi]

Shipping to the UK isn't cheap, and you have to pay import taxes on top of that, which aren't cheap. Whether or not they give free shipping to people in the US over $50 or not is completely irrelevant. That $10A could end up £25 or £30. I'm an American living in the British Isles and I am beyond tired of seeing Americans assume that everything they have applies to everyone else. People hike and camp over here, we have supplies over here.

[@coletribe3503]

Went camping in Snowdonia with my boys and we were attacked by midges. Fortunately, some of my kit was in Supermarket mesh veg bags. 30p for an emergency headnet - bargain !

[@freddiecampbell]

The Opinel 8 is amazing, unchanged for decades, still handmade in the Alps and dirt cheap. But beware if you properly sharpen and strop the blade - it is fiercely sharp. Probably the keenest blade I have ever known. Nicked my finger on Wednesday, it bled like a tap and took a long time to stop. I didn't even feel it. Now that is sharp.

[@GeekfromYorkshire]

carry superglue. Lower the cut to let the blood flow out to "rinse" the cut, then superglue it, you get a clean heal. As the wound heals the set glue becomes a prominent ridge as it's pushed out from beneath just let it fall off after a few weeks.

[@foorje]

Did the same thing a little while ago, it healed up surprisingly quick. The power of a sharp edge. Tbf I had just sharpened it, but I'm an amateur. Did just play around with it a tiny bit just now and it shaves pretty easy. Proper sharp!

[@gymbobjoe1091]

This is what I'm here for! Nice video Paul. Thanks!

[@Leeslost]

I love body glide , it works miracles for the bigger body when we suffer with chub rub , I use the under armour 6’ boxer jock and I’ve never had better undercarriage protection, Some fantastic items on that list Paul , I love my eastons and my z lite seat and of course my x-mug

[@tomgoslingoutdoors]

I picked up one of the Opinel knifes last week, £9.10 from go outdoors. Very sharp and perfect for dicing up my spam for my breakfast 😂

[@GeekfromYorkshire]

Not 100% sure but I think Paul showed the 6 - it's too short, for cutting food go with the 9 so the hinge is further from the food. The most popular is a 8. They are not legal carry in UK due to lockring which maybe why it appeared to be a 6 which doesn't have lockring?

[@foorje]

@@GeekfromYorkshire afaik the 6 still has a lock ring, the 4 (keychain) does not though. You can of course always remove the locking ring yourself. But also if you carry the knife in a camping backpack it's already less of a problem than carrying it directly on your person.

[@jelkel25]

Have equivalents to most of the stuff but need new small/alcohol bottles. Old ones were from Boots of all places, they were fine just keep loosing them. A new headnet too, tied paracord on my old one and put cans of beer in the headnet, put them in a river to cool down. Headnet didn't survive but the beers were rescued and cool.

[@SimonDickinson-nq2uk]

I bought a sit mat donkeys years ago and am still using it today. The best £5 I ever spent.

[@Conan3145]

Great list Paul 👍. My 3 cheap favs: Atwood Micro Cord 3/64 in 1.18mm x 125ft 38m spool. Trangia Handle Pot Lift. Hultafors Trekkers Little Helper, it’s actually £25+ but my DIY clone was less than half price.

[@richardsracingmad]

I have that mug, and the larger bowl for dog water, work a treat for my needs

[@amyking9013]

LOVE these sorts of videos and loved seeing I had quite a few items from your list already ❤

[@tomwilkinson6582]

Nalgene bottles are amazing! I picked up a couple in Outside in Hathersage and have since bought loads. The wide neck ones are great for cracking eggs into so you can take eggs for cooking without having to worry about breaking the shells.

[@skyblue-df2od]

Brilliant idea 💡

[@londonviking3801]

Great video - thank you! Just a note to add that Duct Tape is also a great fire starter. I've already spent all my money on kit - need to save up now for a few of those items.

[@4BB4S]

I got the midge/mosquito face net for £3.99 from trespass and it's also a larger one that goes over a baseball cap and sinches down with a drawstring.

[@curtchaffee]

I have a cheap but sturdy plastic compass and thermometer, both probably 25 yrs old. I take them with me on every camping trip, hanging the thermometer in the tent close at hand so when I complain about the cold, or the heat, I have a number to back up my complaint. I call my "emergency" fix it bag, my "Oh shit!" kit

[@constantnewb7599]

I've used bodyglide and it's great if going on long walks. I recently spotted an "anti friction" stick (made by aptonia?) in decathlon, think the price was cheap but worth a try if your in decathlon and you see it

[@Conan3145]

My 3 cheap favs: Atwood Micro Cord 3/64 in 1.18mm x 125ft 38m spool. Trangia Handle Pot Lift. Hultafors Trekkers Little Helper, it’s actually £25+ but my DIY clone was less than half price.

[@southcoastoutdoorsuk6301]

Light Af mat , BRS3000, Nylofume pack liner and Wildo fold a cup all my top choices 👌 nice viddy good to see some of the more useful budget friendly gear 🙏

[@samwhite7197]

Lovely one, need to get sorted with one of those head nets for sure. Yes, a bit middle aged but Nalgene bottles are a game changer. Think they might have been originally designed for medical samples !?! Had mine for literally decades. Not a knife freak in any way but love an Opinel. From when i was born, to my late teenage years, my family spent a huge amount of time in rural, South West France. Everyone had Opinels, big ones in the kitchen, smaller ones as pocket knives. Never forget the worn down, strangely shaped blades after years of sharpening. Yes, my best "bang for your buck" are a button compass, still strangely useful in the age of GPS etc. And a British Army headover - like a buff. As effective as another warm layer but tiny and weighs almost nothing. Funny - the tent, Goretex jacket, the rucksac are all great but a lot of us have the most affection for that little bit of equipment that quietly gets the job done.

[@StevenKeery]

I spotted some smoke flares in different colours in a shop recently. Pull a ring on the cardboard tube and they burn for ninety seconds. I thought it would be a good idea for camping on hills if one had a fall. The smoke would be visible for quite a distance and might help a rescue team home in on your position quickly and easily. They could be useful if used from a kayak or paddle board at sea, if you have drifted too far out and need rescued. The shop was selling them for a fiver each.

[@inregionecaecorum]

Opinel no8 and sea to summit mug for me as well as a buff and the midge net.

[@dudleyclements2736]

My bargain buy has to be my £10 Sealskinz merino wool fingerless liner gloves. Brilliant for keeping warm and still being able to operate your stove or fiddling with that bloody sleeping bag zipper. 👍

[@Cornwall1888]

I have merino wool hats and baselayers which are great but I found that buff very itchy, got myself a polartec one instead

[@GeekfromYorkshire]

Yes depends who makes them. Smartwool I found not itchy, but yes the Buff own brand is itchy around neck. You can use one of their coolmax buffs around neck and the Merino buff over that.

[@Tomeddy123]

I got the Seat To Summit X mug on your recommendation last year, and it’s top kit! (I got the green version though!) Love the videos, keep them coming! My 5 month old son also loves watching you everyday, it’s almost part of his daily routine now! 😂

[@user-og9fg2pz5p]

I also got influenced by Paul and his cup! Although I got the x-mug, as it's a bit lighter and still large enough 😊

[@Fercough]

£3 sit mat. Any long walk or bike trip. As good today as it was 10 plus years ago.

[@mr10004]

Some great items on your list paul, i have many similar items, but my best one has to be the brs titanium stove for its lightweight and price

[@X3r0_G]

tarp clamps come in at next-to-nowt and helped me out with a set up recently.. added some folded old MTB inner tube too but the gaffer tape would suffice. A few grammes each but wouldn't trust them in anything but light winds.

[@MrKrupp42]

The two best pillows I have ever used, OEX one for £12 and a Hi-Gear one for £10, the Hi-Gear one is still in stock from Blacks and Go Outdoors. Both self inflating. Sit mat £6 from Mountain Warehouse absolute lifesaver and a bargain, the little silver torches (Eurohike I think) at the till of every go outdoors are brilliant at £4.

[@andreasweber7828]

Hey Paul, liked your video. Put your Opinel in a pot with Veggi or Olive oil and toast it for a good while. Not only the wood gets darker, but the blade gets less friction as for the wood does shrink a fair bit. I can open my opinel single handed now or even flip it to open and closure .

[@chqshaitan1]

great video bud, loved the reference to milk tray deliveries, that brings back memories :)

[@amberfrog]

Your can join the UCO knife and fork together to make a long handle spoon.

[@anthonybrown7603]

A marvellous collection of stocking fillers!

[@greenbimoon]

Tack, Paul I don't like the opinel knife, when they get moist the wood swells, and they won't open. I use a Mercator knife, from Solingen, Germany, lovely sharp high carbon steel blade. Locking blade. fits easy in the pocket or rucksack. Brilliant bit of kit.

[@awatt]

That happened to me with my first opinel knife. When it dried out I soaked the endgrain in furniture polish. Haven't had that problem since.

[@Grassmonster3]

I oil the wooden handle on mine regularly and never had a problem.

[@MrKrupp42]

I love my opinel, but the blade has stained for some reason, I always clean it properly and yet it looks almost rusty, still sharp as hell though!

[@StevenKeery]

​@@MrKrupp42: If it is a carbon blade you can add a patina to the blade by soaking it in white vinegar. That will help to stop it rusting but will turn the blade to a shade of grey. You can also buy Opinel knives with stainless steel blades, which I prefer for food prep. I also prefer the size 9 as my hands are slightly larger.

[@Grassmonster3]

@@MrKrupp42 That'll be because it's carbon steel - it won't be rust, CS just discolours.

[@wallsend_wildcamper]

I got very similar 9 inch stakes from aliexpress 12 of them for about 12 quid absolute bargain. I got some stepone boxers a few years ago now and i will nwver wear anything else ever again!! Just bought another 10 pairs 👍

[@bryansutherland3656]

Enjoy the free pants, just bought a couple of pairs

[@nickkowal6537]

I'd love to see one on gear you use that's basically repurposed or not a finished product, like your 3mm foam pad you use.

[@TheInfidel_SlavaUA]

1 thing under 20 that should be part of any kit... the best knife for the money.. a trusty MORAkniv including sheath...weighs like almost nothing and you can bash it trough a log.... and you can get it for TEN bucks.

[@greenbimoon]

Where did you get that tiny Ferro Rod Firestarter you keep in your Nextool?? Thanks Paul

[@wildwaysbushcraftsurvivals5416]

Hi Paul I believe the kit you were referring to where you keep your multi tool is called A Everyday Possibles Kit

[@graemeo3440]

I call mine my bag of every eventuality.

[@younggun7722]

Thing i like the most is a spirit burner but i would rather buy bigger square one from AliExpress.

[@Petegatty1975]

£10 for pot grippers your mad bit rag does the job 😳 good video 👍

[@JonnoDoesStuff]

Always got time for Minky

[@GeekfromYorkshire]

Those Easton pegs I found the ends pull off eventually too easily. I bought 2 Tarptents and they come with the longer gold and shorter blue ones. The gold ones the ends came off, but I also use them where it matters, complemented with short pencil pegs in a few spots to reduce flapping. Also have the merino buff. Also useful to keep sun out of eyes as the days get longer seeking a bit more sleep. Theatdoesn't look like an Opinel 8? Looks more of a 7 or a 6. I didn't see you rotate the lockring which would make it a 6. I found I needed a separate knife but never a separate fork/spoon so I got a titanium spoon+fork combo and carry it with the Opinel 9 with laggy bound around to make a cutlery unbreakable kit.

[@IvanDP1967]

Think I have about 90% of those items, albeit some of them are cheaper options. And like you, I've used every one of them at some point.

[@3rider762]

Ankler 10000mah power bank on Amazon £19:99 at mo, & it works a treat so bargain 👌

[@Bob-67]

Do you still use the Bushcraft Essentials Bushbox you reviewed about four years ago?

[@firstname4337]

6:31 -- you could rob a bank with it

[@awatt]

I'm surprised you didn't show that small tartan picni. Mat from poundland iv seern you use.

[@sloanbooks]

I've had two Sea to Summit folding cups and they both leaked.

[@PaulMessner]

@@sloanbooks my orange one has had years of use and hasn’t skipped a beat. Maybe I have been lucky.

[@JackKlumpass]

They’re not Easton nano you’ve got there mate. Those are your Easton NINs 👍🏼

[@jamesatoneill]

You'll be getting a pair of StepOnes from me shortly! Just ordered through your link the other day. Thanks

[@wpherigo1]

Please order local as much as possible. If you don’t, the Chinese will win and you won’t have other options. Same with Amazon and Walmart (if they’ve invaded your country) - using these stores exclusively runs the the local or specialist stores out of business.

[@Dore60]

👍

[@dannyvan5792]

mok at tesco 1 for 2 ponds . and 2for 3 ponds

[@AnonYmous-ii4tc]

Paul, the discount code for boxers didn't work for me. I'll try again later thought you should know.

[@PaulMessner]

You need to use this specific link I think steponeuk.refr.cc/paulmessner

[@amonster8mymother]

A shmaug

[@darenhomewood7853]

What would you recommend for robbing a sweetshop? Asking for a friend 😉

[@danieloreilly6639]

Loved this. I have 10 items almost exactly as you have them. - keep up the great work Paul!!

[@TheInfidel_SlavaUA]

the favourite gear under 20 quid that still manages to be ridiculously overpriced 😏😏😏

[@GaryB_OutandAbout]

Another vote for StepOne boxers. The comfiest for walking/hiking 👍🏼 Ooh 50% off you say, nice. Cheers Gary B

[@steveilston9457]

Just incase you didn't know, your mic level is distorting on this video !

[@carlfielding2082]

What brand was the poncho Paul?

[@WilliamPobjoy]

😂👍😀😀😀👍👍👍👍😀😀👍👍

[@candifluffy6769]

£20 for 4 tent pegs 😭 "never had them come out during a hurricane"

[@antistaticandi]

Those little pot grippers look so annoying! I've seen you use them a few times. So fiddly with just the tips of your fingers and so easy to lose. Why not just wrap handles of titanium pots with insulated tape?

[@candifluffy6769]

Those rubber cups soak up all the dishwasher aroma and aren't worth the shipping. Give over Messner, they taste like horse p$€sh after being washed.

[@PaulMessner]

I just rinse mine with water. Jo puts hers in the freezer and swears that removes any aroma or weird taste. Don’t notice it myself though.

[@candifluffy6769]

@@PaulMessner ok I feel bad now! 😭😅 I'll have to try the frozen tip!

[@J-Peterson777]

@@candifluffy6769 The freezer trick works because the low temperature bursts the cell membranes of any bacteria thereby destroying them and any associated smells or tastes. It works for smelly footwear too, genuinely, just remember to put the footwear in a bag or something to prevent cross-contaminating your freezer.

[@PaulMessner]

@@candifluffy6769 don’t feel bad 😂

[@candifluffy6769]

@@J-Peterson777 good to know re: footwear! Does it work on dogs? 😁 I'll try some of these tips!

[@GMBasix]

“Step One boxers… that’s all I wear…” We look forward to your homage to Speedo Mick 😂🩲

[@amonster8mymother]

👍