My Hiking Gear Loadout - Summer 2023

Covering all the gear that I'm using on my various trips this summer!
My Shoes: Xero Mesa Trail bit.ly/462IOjP
BIG 3 - all from Liteway Equipment - use code "CHASE" to get a little discount!
Tent: liteway.equipment/shelters/py...
Backpack: liteway.equipment/elementum-p...
Sleeper Quilt: liteway.equipment/sleeper-qui...
Vallon Classics Sunglasses: glnk.io/y31nz/chase-mountains
The details on ALL my gear including links & weight can be found here:
lighterpack.com/r/3id558
Train with me:
►Membership: chasemountains.io/momentum/
►Mountain Proof Ankles: chasemountains.io/mountain-pr...
►Mountain Proof Knees: bit.ly/MPK-program
►All training programs: chasemountains.io/programs
Other Links!
My website ►www.chasemountains.io
My Instagram ► / chase_mountains
Tshirts and Things ►chase-mountains.creator-sprin...
Gear I Use ►kit.co/ChaseMountains
My Patreon ► / chasemountains
My Paypal ► bit.ly/Donate-to-Chase

[@jamesrigby2271]

I carry several pairs of (over sized) rubber/latex medical gloves, super light weight. Of course, you can use them in the event of a medical issue. But, they also act as a first layer glove for rain and they also fit over my regular gloves to keep them dry and wind proof. Additionally, they work with touch screen devices. As they normally come in boxes with plently with plenty of them in, maybe worth cutting an index finger off one and having that over the index finger on your right glove to make it work with the touch screen. A rubber glove can also be used as an emergency water bladder and anything else your imagination can cunjure up!

[@nesta8273]

I enjoy watching videos like these over videos telling me what not to use and bring. I get a good sense of the items others are bringing over someone telling me what im doing wrong when they dont even know where im going, who i am or what i need.

[@souldancer06]

Great video as always. I’m working on my knee health to be able to hike longer. Thank you for all the great videos. As far as for a towel, I love the Shamwow towel or Chamois towel for backpacking. I cut it to different sizes for different trips. It’s quick to dry the body but the fabric isn’t the best on the skin. It’s best at cleaning the tent off and moving water.

[@nopares7220]

Great video! In regards to towels I tried everything (!), honestly I would recommend the Decathlon Microfibre Towel Ultra Lightweight. Costs nothing, can be cut in any size. Works at least as good as the rest and costs a fraction IMO. In regards to rain pants I recommend the Montane Unisex Minimus Nano Pull-Over Waterproof Pants, top notch. Hope it helps

[@user-se2eo5yr4r]

Hi, love your loadout videos, used the silverlight socks for the Camino because of a vídeo of yours, and my feet thank you for it. I recently moved to Catalunya like you, and I’m transitioning from hiking to more mountaineering and some climbing, and I’m finding my ultralight backpacks pretty uncomfortable when I’m scrambling up the Pedraforca (for example) or for autumn-spring hiking when I need to carry more layers, and crampons, piolet, etc. I know you leave in the area so would love to see your load out for those overnighters in the Pyrenees and stuff like that 😊

[@HilltopIronworks]

As for the pack towel, I bought a cheap synthetic chamois (for drying vehicles) and cut it into 4"x4" (100mm x 100mm) squares. Dries well and holds something like 10x its weight in water.

[@Joshr13047]

i have the same matt. absolutely love it. soo comfy

[@JackKlumpass]

Chase - Speedster Stoves make a simmer ring for their burners that fit xboil burners - cheap as chips and do loads of other handy knick knacks all super lightweight My fave little thing are their silicone and magnet clips Great fro tie backs of tent doors👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@markrutledge-docmark41]

Speedster Stoves are the dog's B's! We love ours, and it works a treat!

[@TheLilMafy]

Merino glove advice: Decathlon does a great merino pair that you can use your phone with. It has the special fabric on your thumb and index finger. Specifically, the Merino Wool Liner Gloves - MT500. I love them, hiked the TMB with them and they served me well. Keep using them in everyday life too and they are still perfect. Only thing that starts to wear off is the kind of rubbery layer on the palm (that's supposed to help with grip), but honestly, doesn't make too big of a difference. Hope this helps!

[@Tiger-789]

Yup I have these and can vouch for them too!

[@Word187]

Thanks, just ordered it from Decathlon

[@poxinoxi2164]

Nice video, thanks for your opinion on all the Gear

[@aftercoffeemint]

Love all this tips!

[@milobookout267]

I like the PackTowel ultralight face towels. They are small, dry well and soak up a lot of water. Great for drying tents, bodies and dished

[@OutsidewithMae]

Agreed! I did a quick search to compare the weight difference. The hand packtowl is about .02 oz lighter. It's quite a bit pricier, but I think it's worth it.

[@kamilk6807]

Learned new stuff. Thank you

[@JCrozier1]

Good stuff. I'm definitely not there yet, but it's nice to see if there's something to aspire to.

[@ghostyfellla]

For a towel look at matador, it’s a bit big but I brought it on a 9 month travel trip in Europe and it is a full size towel that works great and is fast drying

[@ervinslens]

Absolutely stunning and impressive gear bud, you are well preserved for all trials and conditions!

[@hoser7706]

Lol. Not all. Canadian bugs would devour anyone not using a bug screen. Lol. Wonder if a Thermacell would stop that. Great gear list though

[@Incredzible]

Seen it recommended already but packtowl ultralight is the one you want. Get's wet but just wring it out and keep going, actually takes the water off you. I love it. Leki also have expanded their range and have some great lightweight trail running/hiking combo poles now made from aluminium or carbon with the triggershark system. Check em out.

[@adamvancleave8961]

Nebo headlamps rock!!!

[@mhmpotatoes5373]

WE HAVE THE SAME SHOES. THATS SO COOL first time ive seen anyone wearing mesa trail shoes, awesome

[@mhmpotatoes5373]

also for the insoles in them you can put a single piece of grip tape on the back right side where your foot arch is and it wont move at all. if that doesnt work another piece on the right will make it absolutely perfect. you can get grip tape from any hardware store and itll usually be with electrical tape. doing this allows your soles to not slip and you can also easily take them in and out.

[@jeffreycarman2185]

6:53 I like Montbell. I have a couple of insulated coats I got used off eBay like 5 years ago that are still my go-to for insulated layers (one is a mid-layer, the other is more like a parka).

[@eric55406]

I've not been thrilled with any brand of pack towel I've found. What I do like, is a small cotton washcloth. Usually it's the only item made from cotton that I bring on a trip. It's heavy when wet, but I still find it worth it for washing up with soap and water. When I'm done washing up, I dry it on the outside pocket of my pack. It does take a long time to dry.

[@matttcameron_]

I've been using the Xero Mesa Trail's for a few months now too and they're pretty comfortable. I like the feel better than what a remember of Vivo, but we'll see about the durability. Know of someone who hiked southern utah to mexico border, mostly along the Arizona Trail and they ended up wearing through the bottom of the shoe on that trip.

[@matttcameron_]

I use Wren quick dry towels. They come in different sizes and they absorb a good amount of water. They seem similar to the nomadix towels but I haven't tried those out.

[@walkingdaze5777]

Luv kit vids! Really interesting to see what people carry with them and getting different ideas, recommendations and perspectives. In regards to recommendations for towels. I’ve switched to travel towels from lightload. I picked mine up from eBay. Worth a look.🤙

[@ChaseMountains]

Seems like it’s a winner! Thanks for the reco!

[@Asbjoern]

Pangea bamboo towel. Takes some work as all light towels do, but is usable.

[@niklashbg]

Regarding towels, just go with an small A4-ish sized terry cotton towel. What it lacks in lightweightness it makes up for in absorption and comfort.

[@danielgraychristoffersen9551]

Insightful!

[@maxwellerickson7066]

Hey Chase! Great to see your loadout. I think your best bet for a better towel option is a swedish dishcloth; they weigh nothing, cost very little and are shockingly durable for what they are! I'm sure you've run into them before, but if not, I'd snap up a 10-pack and put them to use. Great around the house as well.

[@stigcc]

Agree

[@JerichoLindsey]

Get a Linen towel. Dummy light, super packable, absorbs a ton of water yet dries easily, and has some antimicrobial properties

[@eep803]

I use a regular cotton towelling face flannel as my towel. Doubles as a body washing flannel to start and then wring out and use to dry off. Clearly not as good a a big dry towel but works surprisingly well!

[@soissle]

This. ❤

[@capedmarauder2055]

Thanks for all these ideas. Out of interest, what's the benefit of using the Salomon filter over the Katadyn one that it would have come with?

[@teopaya1]

8:50 I really like my nabaiji towel from decathlon. Sadly, they only make the XL (110x175cm) version with the small stripes, that one is the best. Maybe you can cut it to a size that does the job…

[@ScottRosa2008]

Mons Royale do merino gloves which work with phones. Towel-I used a Gram Counter Gear towel last week and that was good and dried quickly, not very big but it did the job easily

[@MissHalifax2010]

Great video ! It's always inspiring to watch. What kind of container is it that you use for peanut butter ? Looks kinda leakproof and i've been looking for something like that for like an eternity 😅 Thank you 😊

[@kinarochi]

mont-bell！❤ ありがとう😊✨

[@mikekraut7643]

I have the Mesa trail shoes too, and that sole is thin! I have their Terra Flex shoes for rocky terrain

[@rodoutdoors]

Thanks for sharing. I just tried the Xero Mesa Trail for an overnight trip since I got my pack weight down to around 20 lbs. Felt great but I used insoles that had more of a cushion around the arch. Since there's no lugs or rubber around the arch, it felt a bit off with flat insoles.

[@ChaseMountains]

Good to know. Let’s see how long they last!

[@rodoutdoors]

@@ChaseMountains Seems great so far. I've had them over a year and half now but for day hikes. The outsoles are really durable compared to the Altra Lone Peak MaxTrac. Been searching for an alternative so gave the Xeros a try in the meantime.

[@CaptainCamp]

Nice! Nice to look at 😎👍

[@situational476]

Great video as always!! Totally unrelated question but how do you store your pack and trekking poles when on a plane? I've heard of people putting their packs in duffel bags but obviously carrying that around on the hike is really bulky and heavy.

[@barerolliesmush6789]

Nice video, hope your doing good ✌🏻

[@markrico1917]

Love the Black Diamond Ergo Cork if you're in the market for a new pole. Really helps keep wrist strain away on the push.

[@ek8652]

I bought the black diamond rubber/foam grips poles. Got them for a really good price but if I had to do it over I’d buy the ergo cork too.

[@Almarsson]

Try out the "Hestra merino wool" gloves, works great with ur phone and Hestra makes the best gloves hands down.

[@markcummings6856]

Nice!

[@ashmaybe9634]

Oh and Lightload towels are great. They dry stuff, can be washed repeatedly and are biodegradable. They do eventually wear out so you can just compost it or burn it and move on the next one. I'm still on my first towel after a good few 100 miles.

[@Tiger-789]

I heard good things about these towels but couldn't find a place to buy (at a reasonable price) in Europe

[@maxwellerickson7066]

@@Tiger-789 They're very similar to a swedish dishcloth, which I think are very available in Europe.

[@Alishadashofficial1]

Very good job sir

[@larahorvat1443]

I use a bamboo microfibre towel from pangea, they are a bit bigger and heavier than regular microfiber, but still lightweight and compact, and they dont leave microplastics out in nature! :D

[@baze3SC]

I use my spare t-shirt :D

[@melloncollie5401]

have you tried "lightload towels"? they super lightweight and you can use them "until you can't". in Europe you can bus them from backpackinglight.

[@dogwalk3]

sweet rundown! i've moved from the beautiful pacific northwest in the states to the ironically god forsaken southern states to help my family during the pandemic times & life has veered a bit, so i haven't needed to upgrade my kit in several years; but it's great seeing the outdoor gear innovations continue to move forward. also a good time to reflect on when i was starting 16 years ago & how overwhelming all the options were before narrowing it down through trial and error of the years & knowing exactly what upgrades i'll eventually do ~

[@jeffreycarman2185]

Hang in there!

[@jimizxztheorginal]

I'm sorry you feel that way about the South. I think it is truly beautiful where I now live but the American South is big, explore some more if you can.

[@davidson_oldbull_sectionhiker]

I came across your channel and think I heard about your channel from Tayson of Outdoor Vitals. Thanks

[@cubgsan]

Good day to you! I am a grandpa rider on HONDA motorcycle from Japan. Enjoying camping ,touring and upload video. Your outdoor video is so nice! Awesome! Full supported ! Have a nice day my friend!

[@jeffreycarman2185]

9:49 it always puzzles me why people would pay for an alcohol stove. Anyone can easily make an alcohol burner, that performs just as well, for extremely low cost or for free. My energy-drink-can stove is made from an energy-drink can I picked up from the roadside on a jog. The wind screen/pot holder is a bike wheel spoke I salvaged from an old bike wheel (I cut it in half and bent it slightly to use to rest my pot on) and a piece of aluminum flashing I also picked up from the side of the road during a run a few years ago. It weighs basically nothing (at slightly less than 53 grams including the petroleum jelly tube I reuse to store my fuel) and it was all made of reused cast-offs. If you want to snuff it out while it’s burning, you just put your pot or pot lid directly onto the stove and it goes out. I have a couple of these homemade stoves with simmer rings (Heineken penny stoves) the cans also were retrieved from the roadside on various jogs -pretty startling how many alcohol cans are on the side of the road in the US). I don’t need/want to simmer since I just make noodles or heat water to rehydrate my food.

[@Tiger-789]

I live in Spain and have no idea where to get the tyvek ground sheet. Any tips? Also I think that little shovel is aluminum, I have the same one. I found it decent for digging, and for hard ground I flip it and use the handle side to dig in, then scoop the soil out with the other side

[@pilgrimspassage8834]

Try a sph2onge cloth. Really soaks water up 👌👌

[@IgnacioGlezCllo]

Good to see you've switched to a real sleeping mat; I remember the inflatable lilo you used a few years back.....

[@ashmaybe9634]

Nice to see an update, thanks Chase. On your lighterpack you have the big agnes mat down as 155g, you wish ;) :D

[@ChaseMountains]

hahhaha my bad. yeah its like 880 or something. thanks for letting me know!

[@suhelavaneerten419]

The link to the tarp is from the solo version, but this this the duo, am I right? It seems like a great tarp! I love that you can choose to only take the tarp or the mesh. And that the tarp has 2 doors :)

[@BROK3NFPV]

H9w do you find the tent handles wind? Every time I go camping it's either gale force winds or rain.😂

[@Pytte]

If you find some good trekking poles thats not to heavy give an update :P My Fizan Compact are great at 158g each.. but I always tend to have to adjust em every few km because I smash em shorter.

[@VTK72]

❤❤❤

[@debbilermond1553]

Have you looked at the Leki flip lock, cork handled trekking poles? I've been using mine for years and still prefer them over Black Diamond. They even survived when I dislodged a rock in a tree root and went flying down the mountain trail and landed on my face and trekking poles. I tore my pants, disfigured my face from the rocks but my Lekis survived without a break or scratch! My husband had a Black Diamond pair and gave them away to replace with Leki also.

[@stigcc]

How much do the Leki poles weigh?

[@debbilermond1553]

@@stigcc They weigh 17 oz. (including dirt, LOL!) That is with the wrist straps still attached as I use them for tripoding, cadence and stability for my knees. I'm almost 71 and don't want to ever have to go through knee surgery. I don't usually think about the weight because I'm trekking with them and not carrying them on my pack. The only time that I carry them is when I'm climbing up something steep and they get in the way from me having to grab handholds. If it's only a short distance of climbing, I just shorten them and let them dangle from the wrist straps. 😉

[@ThanatosWings]

Use a J-cloth for ccndensation. I'd like to see all the stuff in the bag and what the bag looks like packed and you carrying it with everthing there, plus all, the water bottles filled and 5 days of food. I'd like to know the weight before food and water and after adding food and water. I think the drone would max me out so much i wouldn't being it. Is the whole right side a control pannel? Or it's charger? Surprised dji doesn't have the controls in an app on your phone. I've used their gimble and the app is on my phone. It was pretty glitchy tbh, and surprising considering it was the 6th edition of the device. I returned it cause it was too frustrating to use. I'd rather just stick my phone to my trecking pole with velcro or with a moded phone clip

[@jorisvanlaar]

Do you find it necessary to hang your food while hiking in Europe? Curious to hear what your solution is for this. Thank you for all the great vids!

[@blackibex]

We have a lot of the same gear. 🙂

[@RC-qf3mp]

Is that the Mesa Trail 2, or version 1? Why not just use a tarp or get a poncho tarp if you don’t need the bug net?

[@simonrooijakkers850]

How do you deal with musquitos/bugs if you have only have a tarp?

[@neilwilson7376]

What is the brand of the blue jacket your wearing in this video?

[@6millionLiesRememberHolodomor]

Would you consider upload a video of your map route planning and what software you use? I try to find your recommended app for an interactive map with red lines and dots but i cannot find the video any longer and replies will never be notified on KZbin so i'll likely never see your reply either.

[@dannyfox1449]

The powerbank is 15 or 20000map? Thank you ✌️🙌

[@AmeliaPremium]

You can place a coin on your alcohol stove instead of a simmer ring Also recommend the Decathlon towels.

[@z0uLess]

Since so many people rely on smartphones these days, which phone do you consider the best for (ultra)lightweight backpacking?

[@maaattW]

Thanks a again for sharing all your stuff. How do you overcome sweating in your sleeping bag and the pain of sticky legs against the insulation of the sleeping bag?

[@danielsingh9415]

Venting, undo zipper from the bottom. Or use it like a quilt

[@juvonwitzland4445]

what size is you Backpack? 45 , 50 or 55 Liters?

[@tdiler12]

The moving water around towels are the worst .Why do they make those? Try a microfiber towel used for janitorial its perfect.

[@jeffreycarman2185]

€659 ($703 USD) for the pyramid shelter… that’s a steep price. But I just did a bit of a search online and that is competitive for a comparable DCF pyramidal shelters.

[@supersut4142]

Out of curiosity, what hip belt are you using? I will keep watching your videos!! 👍

[@ChaseMountains]

you must have missed it but tis the Camelbak Flow

[@HUMBA77]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@XxKINGatLIFExX]

8:15 "sawn-off toothbrush" does this mean it increases the spread of your toothpaste?

[@haydenwalton2766]

granted, it's just a rumour, but I heard from a bloke who was told that you can get shorts with pockets now

[@camerenabila4407]

I do the opposite for my water and use a befree on one of my Salomon water bladders hahaha

[@darleengeissmann3508]

Hi , there is a swiss company, who does Merino Gloves with the possibility to use the phone . It is called : the heat company Maybe it helpes. Thanks for ur videos.

[@baze3SC]

Outdoor companies are clever. Only they can charge for 9:10 where a simple plastic bag would do :)

[@rman713]

Just the fly and tyvek floor? Are you not afraid of bugs or snakes while you sleep? Do you have like another means of deterring them or something? Just trying to learn

[@baze3SC]

In my case torrential rain would be a bigger worry but bugs are not welcome visitors either.

[@user-wm9iv6cu5y]

greetings from Ukraine! thank you for buying products made in my country, this is especially important during russian aggression.

[@HortZaporig]

@@watch-Dominion-2018 Low price for Budapest Memorandum. Ukraine still needs more weapons to deal with russian aggression.

[@watch-Dominion-2018]

@@HortZaporig no it doesn't

[@HortZaporig]

@@watch-Dominion-2018 Money are dust, lifes are priceless. Someone must stop russian terrorism, while westerners couldn't find their balls to do this.

[@tommyslavic898]

Any suggestions on kit from Russia? Especially during this time of Ukrainian aggression against the people of Donbass, Novorossiya? Beauty mate from Wagner PMC Aussie section currently on leave in Luhansk.

[@vincentkrause7097]

​@@tommyslavic898 Kurgoni Ti make good ICE Tool picks and crampons

[@davef5916]

lightload towels

[@MoonbeameSmith]

not a big thing but Tyvek is not polycro, it's spunbonded polyolefin.

[@pixelpoppyproductions]

I like the Tyvek ground sheet - what does that weigh vs a cheap tarp? I’ll have to see if I can find some locally, it’s definitely cheaper per square foot, but you usually have to buy it in a huge roll which is just way too expensive for a small use like this.

[@natea1042]

If you're in the US you can by it pre-cut to different footprint sizes from GarageGrownGear and Tarptent. As an actual footprint its far too heavy compared to polycro usually weighing anywhere from 6-8oz (180-225g). For a little more weight you can just put the inner back in your fly lol. It has other problems too, namely that tyvek is shedding microplastics as it wears (its made from compressed strands of plastic) and the coating wears off allowing water to seep through. When people say that tyvek breaks in and gets soft whats actually happening is the strands are breaking down and falling off. In short its heavy, kinda crappy, and not good for the planet.

[@pixelpoppyproductions]

@@natea1042 Thanks man, your reply gave me some stuff to look into - I hadn't considered the microplastics issue either. Would that really be worse than the $5 tarp I already carry with me? (I think that's a rhetorical question) I admit I'm not familiar with what kind of plastic tarps are typically made of. Maybe it's better to just use what I have, even if it's heavy, rather than contribute to additional plastic consumption. No matter what I do, the tarp I already have is doomed to decompose into microplastics. I haven't looked into polycro either, that sounds like what my buddy uses. I hate relying on plastics of any sort, but it seems like lightweight backpacking basically requires it.

[@natea1042]

Tarps are just as bad as tyvek. It's all individual strands of plastic compressed into a sheet and layered with a coating. Polycro is a uniform plastic sheet and pretty robust. To cut your own what you want to purchase is a heavy duty window sealing kit such as Duck Max Strength Heavy Duty Window Kit which comes with a 1.5m x 3.2m roll of polycro and you end up with something much lighter than tyvek and durable enough to offer protection from moisture and little sticks and stones.

[@pixelpoppyproductions]

@@natea1042 yeah I was looking a window kit from the local hardware store, $15 would buy me enough for my tent footprint as well as my kids. I’m just worried it might be too fussy for them to use, but their alternative is nothing (they’re not carrying a 14 oz tarp!).

[@tdiler12]

Nitecore lamps the sh**… better than Black diamonds imo

[@mezmerya5130]

I absolutely love bd gear, everything technical i have is from them. But their clothes... I've ruined my alpenglow in ONE hike, had to spent two days with needle to salvage it for city use.

[@ChaseMountains]

Ooof what happened?

[@mezmerya5130]

@@ChaseMountains eastern european midget pine, and overall foliage, on maintained trails

[@carl8568]

​@@mezmerya5130 That fragile?

[@mezmerya5130]

@@carl8568 yes, reminds me of polartec alpha direct. Gets snags out of thin year, if you brush against the tree (climbing over fallen log for example), it leaves huge scars. I usually wear polartec power dry baselayers, those are infinitely more robust. Things could've changed, my alpenglow is 2-3 years old.

[@carl8568]

@@mezmerya5130 Hmm ok fair enough. Maybe I'll look in to one of RABs tops.

[@vinoto]

Would be great to know which items are gifted and which you would actually buy with your own money.

[@ChaseMountains]

All the Black diamond gear are gifts. All the liteway gear is gifts. Everything else I bought.

[@islayoung2904]

Mons Royale do great merino gloves that allow you to use your phone! New Zealand company

[@tiddybearkush]

Sound in the video is very low.

[@th0masvu]

no bear spray or gun ?

[@phyju]

Must be bad when it rains with that tent.

[@danyo5806]

should probably replace that passport lol

[@z0uLess]

dude, you should take off the label on the water bottle. saves a bit of weight there :P:P:P:P

[@johhndough]

lite lode towels

[@ChaseMountains]

Thank you Sir !!

[@watch-Dominion-2018]

1:28 - youtube search -- Cruelty of Down

[@michaelleahcim4507]

Shame everything is polyester