10 Weird Backpacking Hacks That I Use All The Time

[@OscarHikes]

Thanks for tuning in, and this was definitely a fun video to shoot! If you want to support the channel, check out hiking trail posters made by me and my wife (10% off with "OSCARHIKES") trailgoals.com/

[@onbedoeldekut1515]

If you can, draw lines on your bottle which indicate the amount of water in the bottle during pouring. Guestimating how much is being poured can lead to wasted water.

[@GaiaCarney]

Thanks for sharing these helpful tips! I especially liked the netting scrubber, water bottle level and measurement markings on the spork ☮️

[@lestariabadi]

The smelly wet socks probably better on your back?

[@unsafe_at_any_speed]

Great tips!

[@stevenjhancock]

Seconded

[@kengregory1541]

The lack of a massive overburden of filler, chit chat, and plain old bs gave me the bends! Subscribed!

[@AcrylicGoblin]

Agreed. Straight to business...i love it!

[@J-Peterson777]

Totally agree mate, I have also just subscribed for the 'no nonsense' delivery.

[@battlement]

Yup, subscribed because of this

[@AnanthaNatureFotos]

Hahaha!!! Ditto!

[@PhilipBlank]

Came to see this! Straight into it with some first time’s I’ve seen things!

[@jimboburgess42069]

it's great to see a video with actual hacks and not "hacks" that are really just gear promo vids.

[@emilysha418]

+1

[@s-c..]

So true

[@cubertmiso]

3:04 "hack" 7 enters... wtf

[@mgntstr]

but... there is no backpack in this video

[@OWK000]

I don't know. I liked his ultra light, ultra skinny head lamp: where can I shop for that? The bottle cap was good. I don't know about the sock thing. Have at least two pairs and hang the damp pair off your back pack during the day? I don't want to sleep with my socks, and I would be hiking in barefoot hikers. Don't know if that is less damp, i.e. sweaty during the day. I give off too much moisture at night. I don't think that would work for me. I just use clothes for a pillow.

[@anthonyt2860]

If you are camping in the cold, put the clothes and socks you plan to wear for the next day in your sleeping bag when you go to bed. When you wake up, you can put your pants, shirt, and socks on in the bag, which will be much warmer than the outside temperature or pull them out and dress. Either way, your acclimation to the ambient temperature will be much easier. I have done this and it makes a cold morning much easier. Hope this helps others.

[@Citizen-pg8eu]

You sweat a lot of water out overnight, seems the clothes would get damp?

[@anthonyt2860]

@Citizen-pg8eu I have not had the problem, but I do put the clothes down at the bottom of the bag. If you sweat a lot then, you put them in a light plastic bag below your feet in the bag and the garments would receive no sweat.

[@delphic464]

This also has the added benefit of reducing the volume of air in your bag which allows your body heat to more efficiently heat your sleeping bag. To the previous comment: You shouldn't be sweating that much in your sleeping bag in the first place. The moisture from sweating can devastate the ability of your bag to keep you warm in cold weather. Remove layers, crack the zipper, get an arm/leg out. Be comfortable but not sweaty! Also, keep your mouth and nose out of your bag to prevent blowing moist air from your breath in.

[@bethloomis8961]

About 40 years ago, I was in the AIT phase of my US Army entry. They had us out on the field for a VERY short time, but I remember the clothes in the sleeping bag trick.

[@JacobPaul123]

One tip I saw in a video that I liked was when picking up your tent, leave one stake in so you can pull against it to roll it up tighter. Also stops tent from blowing in the wind if it's breezy.

[@SpacePodCommander]

When possible I’ll heat 2 fist sized warm rocks in the fire - Put one in each wet sock to dry them and also provide a hot water ‘bottle’ for your feet and body that stays warm well into the night. Learned during military combat survival and rescue training in the 1990s

[@unsafe_at_any_speed]

Plus the carbon from the fire absorbs the feet smells! Great tip

[@LennyBuis-cc4qc]

I have a hot tent to use so I hang my wet gear up on a make shift cloths line keeps me warm and happy

[@AdmiralStoicRum]

They actually does sound pretty nice. You ever put it inside your shoe too?

[@wjcferguson]

Ehhh, rocks can often contain pockets of moisture that explode in the fire sending rock shards at you. Many types of rock are fine of course, but be careful.

[@CragDawgs]

​@@wjcferguson ehhhhhhhhhh

[@tianikane3312]

To stop getting the bottom of your sleeping bag from getting wet by brushing up against the end of the tent, zip up your raincoat, turn it upside down and pull it on over the end of your sleeping bag. Keeps your feet warmer also.

[@olsmxl6975]

Or tuck bottom of sleeping bag into you back pack

[@jimmartins3073]

Thank you, straight to the point tips. I have a couple for you. I used to lead Trans Africa Expeditions when it was possible to drive from the UK to southern Africa and back, many trips in Morocco as well as around Scandinavia, all wild camping. I have traveled many other countries, over-landing, backpacking and camping. 1. Spreading a very thin layer of washing up liquid over the entire outside of your cooking pan/kettle etc., (very easy to do before cooking) it will make the removal of black soot etc very simple afterwards with a little water. You can cook for ages or reboil water etc and it makes the clean up much quicker. 2. In a place where night time mozzies etc are a pain in your tent, then break off and light about 1cm of "Mozzie Coil" inside your closed tent or vehicle long before you get in. it clears out all bugs and doesn't smell. The smolder will last for about 15 mins. and is very effective. 3. A few grains of Potassium Permanganate in a bowel of water is very useful to dip veg's and salad as well as knives & forks etc and hands to stop germs spreading, especially if there are belly bugs around. It is very useful for treating foot mould, small wounds and other skin problems as long as you only use a few grains in water turning it purple. Don't concentrate it. Too much is not good. A small container of it lasts for many months. 4. When in doubt, scoop up water from a natural source in a cup then drink it though a Life Straw (available online for @ £20 and is good for long usage and has a long shelf life. 5. Don't get too precious about different ways to make fire from sticks or strike rods etc. its useful to know but just bring 2 or 3 lighters, you have hundreds of fires there, just store them in different places in your pack or vehicle. More important is setting the fire well and decent kindling etc. 6. One of the most valuable items I have carried in areas like Australia, Canada, Asia and Africa is the tiny packed head Mozzie net, it weightless but changes your day massively if you are in the bush. The bottom line is going out and trying what works for you, after a while your pack gets lighter with only having what you need with you. Keep safe and enjoy our beautiful world, this isn't a rehearsal, this is your life.

[@kamiskub7409]

I am amazed how this video cuts straight to the point, gives real free advices and doesn't shill products.

[@chucho3796]

Im a postman ,i used rubber bands for lots of things . Instead of the silicone ,you can put few bands under your matt to stop it moving .you need to used big good quality ones ,otherwise don't work . You can do the same on your kitchen with the chopping board ,or any small things you want to stop sliding 😜

[@raraavis7782]

That's a good idea My kitchen board is very slightly bent as well, so the rubber bands will also level it out on the surface. I was about to throw it away, because it's so annoying 🙂

[@s-c..]

Haha, I’m a postie too so I always have some around doing good work! Currently got one stopping my phone from sliding down on the tiled bench so I can see the time in the shower. My dream is to one day afford a clock 😂

[@Lala-f7e6m]

Use the rubber band to open jars too

[@nagualdesign]

Nice. In the UK the streets are littered with rubber bands discarded by Royal Mail posties.

[@RustyPetterson]

@@nagualdesign I was just gonna say, that guy can't possibly be a postie because they're all lying around my front garden!

[@we317]

Rather than carrying salt and seasonings, I carry one or two bullion cubes in a small ziploc. If any dinner needs more seasoning adding a small piece is easy and no mess.

[@DominiqueB]

i think you meant bouillon cubes. Bullion would be frowned upon by the UL crowd. ;-) Neat tip, i'll definitely use this.

[@AdmiralStoicRum]

Some people like a chalky flavor... Lol ​@@DominiqueB

[@TerraHv1]

​@@DominiqueB I like billiard cubes in my food. :p

[@skids62]

The net scrubber was a great idea. I took mine off a box of tangerines and it worked great. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@charlesfulcrum3170]

I may not be sure that all 10 would work for my style of camping, but this was an honest, educational video that we can all take something from. Thank you. I forgot to mention, it’s refreshing to watch an outdoor video that’s not promoting a product👍👍👍

[@owen-trombone]

He is promoting his wall maps. He should mark this video as an advertisement or promotional content. It’s dishonest.

[@skunkvagabond13]

I'm a lifelong camper, this was amazing and I still learned a few things!! So wholesome too, it felt like he was here to help teach, not make a buck. (Which makes me more likely to tip!)

[@LibsMakeMeSad]

The shirt to keep your pillow in place is a perfect idea!!!

[@timwcronin]

Should be mentioned, the silicone dots don't need to be on the bottom where the sort is placed

[@colacadm]

I use an old windscreen sun reflector sheet as a sleeping mat underlay to reduce punctures and add reflected heat.

[@1000monograms]

Circa 20 years ago there were this kind of sleeping mats available on the market. I don't know how many manufacturers made them - I had one from Tatonka. This was basically a sun reflector sheet of 1.2mx2m dimensions. Now it's gone due to lightweight self-inflating mats I guess. Good, because sleeping on them wasn't really comfortable - it was rather "a challenge" not "a comfort" type of experience...

[@nuttycommuter3718]

@@1000monogramsyou can still buy them, Alpkit have one for instance, but I have one under my inflatable mat to add an extra layer of warmth and padding

[@OCStoyanov]

Since it's almost the same as heat release for me, I prefer to put the wet socks in the sleeping bag, between the bag and the sheet, somewhere around my waist. They may not be in the same place in the morning, but they are always dry. It is also good to use your thickest socks, as "sleeping socks" and only for that, and of course they should not be synthetic. And something that seems more fun than useful. Since I don't carry a table when wild camping, very often I use a shoe for a stand/holder in the morning for my cup of coffee and in the evening for a can of beer so that they don't accidentally fall and spill on uneven ground.

[@cmcmillan7987]

I do the shoe trick too 👍

[@fearsomefawkes6724]

Okay, that spork hack is genius. Definitely stealing that

[@1000monograms]

+1 I will do one modification though - I will make a puncture sign with a hammer and a blunt nail. I want to avoid scratching titanium.

[@nagualdesign]

If I want to boil exactly the right amount of water to make a coffee, I fill my coffee cup with water then pour it into the pan. I don't really understand why you would want to measure your cups (committing the volumes to memory), then use a spork with markings on it that work with one specific pan to measure the right amount of water for a specific cup. Did I miss something?

[@1000monograms]

@@nagualdesign I don't fill my clean cup with non-potable water before boiling to avoid contamination. If you use potable water to boil - you are 100% right. I used to have a pot with a scale inside and it was a lot better than spork tip but now I don't have it and decided to give it a try. I already noticed that spork tip is not working super well but still better than eyeballing.

[@R2sAdventures]

You got me with the olive oil! Best tip for drying boots or socks is to take a few sheets of newspaper with you. Absorbs all water super fast. Can use the waste in a fire.

[@bdmenne]

Damnit! I was doing it backwards. Thought it was Olive Oil the socks and in the boots and newspaper in the meals! Phew.

[@BMad-we6qf]

Focusing on fiber not fat. Hu 😂​@@bdmenne

[@bertblue9683]

What's a newspaper?

[@HappyMSI1]

​@@bertblue9683 I guess english is not your first language. Newspaper is what our older générations used to read everyday to learn what's going on in their country and in the World. Grey paper with black letters.

[@Muffin1280]

Dude, awesome advice on the bottle cap. I always bring a spare one but I never used it to push in the tent stakes. Thanks a million!!

[@chrish4439]

Just use a rock lol

[@brettg274]

Yah I use a rock also

[@mykolask]

Such a great video! Here's a few of my habits: Carry a rope, can be any rope up to 5 mm, and around 20 meters is enough for my personal need. It can be used to hang up your drying clothes, secure a broken limb or stop some serious bleeding. It is also really handy for windy nights in the wild, providing extra length for your tent's stabilising cords. A bar of simple soap will allow you to take less underwear and socks, provided that you have a source of fresh water nearby If you are unsure of the weather conditions, take a rain poncho. These can be used to provide a good rain coverage on the road, and can be used to provide your tent or sleeping bag with extra layer of insulation. Having that rope is really handy here, too. Try and find one of those old military supply aluminium bowls with a foldable handle. They come in pairs, and can be used for storing your food on the road, boiling water or cooking, also from eating - you'll have to carry less metals with you Plastic bags and rubber bands made from broken bicycle tubes, make for a great way to store food, dirty clothes, wet stuffs (like socks) and more There is a method to dry up your shoes by taking them with you in a sleeping bag. I'm not sure about this one, as it probably depends on how wet your shoes really are In cold nights, mountaineers use identical sleeping bags and attach the zippers from two of them, to make a sleeping bag for two. Trust me, it is much warmer to sleep that way You can use a sweater stuffed with your underwear, as your pillow Not absolutely necessary, but if you can make some space for a lightweight blanket in your backpack, you will find a lot of great uses for it Makeshift camping light source idea: Place a water bottle on your light source pointing upwards, for easy diffraction. It is not as blinding as a matt lamp hanging around the height of your head Frequently while sleeping outdoors, we find ourselves on an uneven ground. Quick solution is to find a couple handfuls of dry grass to make the ground more even Anyone has dry skin on their feet due to perspiration salts? I found that bepanthen crème is a must to have for these cases

[@leza4453]

20 meters of yarn seems quite excessive. 2m would suffice for most uses, I guess.

[@timothy____1989]

Add the olive oil to your pan/pot and tip/roll it around to coat the entire pan before adding the food and it will help keep the food from sticking, make it easier to clean.

[@johnnyj222]

An onion bag is great as well. Very durable, weighs nothing, can be used to clean pans, brush off shoes, put your clothes in to drag in a creek or pond to clean and even carry stuff if you need to.

[@justinw1765]

Silicone is great for a lot of things. I've thinned out silicone with naphtha and treated clothes to add a very long lasting DWR. You have to use clothes/fabrics that haven't had a DWR treatment though (if you use something that had a DWR treatment, the silicone will not bond to the clothing). Also, you want the clothes/fabric to be sufficiently breathable to begin with, because it will lose some breathability depending on how much silicone per volume of naphtha you use. (A couple thin, light, breathable baselayer shirts both treated with thinned silicone and worn over top of each other, in combo with a windshirt with the right water resistance, breathability, etc over a fishnet baselayer makes a great wet weather combo for all but the hardest, worst rain. Sort of works like Paramo, but far longer lasting between treatments and not as hot. Important that the windjacket be made out of polyester and not nylon, as nylon swells too much with moisture and loses breathability). You can do DIY anti odor treatments with a fresh 9 volt battery, some pure salt dissolved in some hot water, and some copper wire (attach a copper wire to each battery terminal and suspend it over a glass jar with the copper wires in the water). After a 4 hours or so, you have a decent amount of small particle copper chloride ions in the water. Buy some do it at home dye, follow the dyeing process and put that water-copper chloride suspension in with the dye, and it will bond the ions to the fibers, making a copper based version of the silver based Polygiene (silver chloride bonded to clothing fibers during the dyeing process). If I remember correctly, copper is even stronger and more broad spectrum of an antimicrobial than silver. Obviously works best with clothes/fabrics that have had little to no pre dyeing (hint, white clothes work best for this typically). Bamboo layered with a couple of layers of S-glass fiberglass cloth and high strength, lamination epoxy, and then with the inner diaphragms punctured and spray foam sprayed in the middle, makes some remarkably tough and strong for the weight fixed length, budget poles. (Though, carbon poles seem to have gotten less expensive in recent years and there are some good deals out there). Ghee keeps longer than olive oil. Refined coconut oil probably keeps the second best. Avocado oil, while it doesn't keep as well as the former two, is more multi-functional, as it works as a great pot/pan non stick because it has an unusually high smoke point. Rub some on the pot/pan for low water cooking. If you're just boiling water or the like, no real point. A flat piece of strong for the weight fabric with some loops attached in combo with a stick in the ground, makes a great and lighter windscreen than metal ones. Make a sideways V with the sharp point facing towards the wind and the stove in between the open part. Obviously the fabric goes over the stick in the ground to make the > or

[@OscarHikes]

I hope you didn't mind, but your comment is so useful,that I reposted it on my community tab on KZbin (tagging you ofc).

[@justinw1765]

@@OscarHikes Hi, sure, that is fine. Thank you for letting me know.

[@raraavis7782]

Very nice. I was looking for a way to make my sunhats also a little bit waterproof. I wear glasses and I have found, that wearing a hat is just the most convenient way to keep them dry in not so great weather 🤓. Do I just dissolve some kitchen silicone in naphtha and brush that on?

[@justinw1765]

@@raraavis7782 Hi there, yes, you can do it that way if you just want to add some water repellency. If you want to add more (really increase water resistance in other words), soaking the whole thing works best. Whichever process you choose, a couple important things before you start: Make sure that the hat is very clean and very well rinsed of any soap, detergent, etc type residues (and dry, obviously). And the less silicone vs the more naphtha you use, the more breathability you will maintain. If you don't want to keep it breathable but want it more close to waterproof (water resistance is more complicated than just coatings--weave density, type, etc all factor in), then make it thicker/more viscous. But generally speaking, a thimble full or two of silicone is probably all you will need for a hat to add water repellancy to at least the outside layer. Another option you can do is the following, which I have done myself: Buy a yard or half a yard/meter of waterproof breathable fabric (I recommend Polartec Neoshell). Put your hat on something or someone so that it remains filled out. Drap the WPB fabric over the hat and mark the outline on the fabric. Sew 4 velcro/hook & loop strips to the hat (front/back, and sides) and the corresponding ones to the fabric. You now have a nice, fully breathable hat for nice, warm, etc weather, but also a fully waterproof hat option for when it is raining. If you would like to see an example of this, check out back packing light (4rum) and lookup Odd/unique, but very breathable rain gear system. That was in my early sewing days btw, and my cutting and sewing wasn't great then, but you get the point. If I were to do it again, I would probably not use EPIC, but use Neoshell. Cheers

[@kyleo1236]

NightHawkInLight made a really good video on the waterproofing method mentioned. He also has a version using wax and mineral oil as naphtha is thought to be a carcinogen.

[@Swimdeep]

Eyeglasses Hack: I remove the temples (“arm” on each side) using a tiny screwdriver and replace them with a section of elastic. I attach using upholstery thread and needle through the screw holes. The result is lighter weight glasses that I can’t break or lose because I keep them around my neck. I have broken multiple pairs of glasses over the years, multiple ways; now solved.

[@vijfaanboord2051]

Doing the same, benefit is also that it takes the stress away from behind your ears, especially when wearing hats/caps. And sweat can no longer let you glasses slide down your nose! Alternatively many plastic frames you can just drill a hole for the elastic band. And because of that, you can potentially repair some glasses that had "broken legs" Thanx for the video, I also apply most of your tips. For sure will try the water bottle leveler tip, that one was new.

[@RoughWalkers]

Hack? 😂😂😂😂

[@ripple_on_the_ocean]

Definitely like the scrubbing mesh! I definitely would never be ripping pine needles off of the trees, in order to clean dishes. But I don't like carrying a big scrub sponge either! Thanks 😊

[@BMad-we6qf]

I use a piece of thin green scrubby pads. But the fibers quickly get caked with food. Icky. The mesh/net would do the same job, but can be cleaned soooo easily👍

[@leza4453]

I just cut a smaller piece of a sponge and used that

[@lisaphares2286]

leza you beat me to it!

[@crappymeal]

When wearing a rain jacket with a cap, use a small peg or clip to hold the hood onto the peak of the cap

[@ErikStenbakken]

YES. I carry tiny clips for this. Makes a legit difference.

[@crappymeal]

@@ErikStenbakken ever mention it on a video?

[@Connor-Colyer]

That pillow trick is genius

[@dzedogranatovich7085]

Amazing line-up of great hacks. No wasted words. I can/will use all. Will share with all my backpacker friends and family. Keep them coming.

[@OscarHikes]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@Harveyw1000]

When I waterproof the seams of my tent, I put 4 straps of the silicone mix on the floor of my tent. It keeps my pad from sliding and I don't have to do it to every pad I have.

[@MacChallenge]

I watch a lot of these videos, but this one takes the prize!! I expect to use at least eight out of ten of these hacks going forward. Awesome, Oscar! 👏 What a champ! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@OscarHikes]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@s-c..]

I’m not even a hiker, but these are some genuinely useful ideas 👍

[@Badassest]

I cut a 6" by 6" piece of leather to keep in my backpack for pushing tent stakes, gripping hot handles, holding sharp objects and as a general "glove-like" fragment. I also punched a hole in one corner to hang it or add a keyring so I can keep it on my belt. I like the veggie bag mesh scraper sponge idea you have. Another idea is the dollar store grippy matting for shelves, keep a square of it for overtightened water bottle cap grip when opening. It's really useful and perfect in a kitchen drawer for hard to open jar lids. Safe journeys!

[@MrEvilWasp]

Loads of really useful hacks. The only one I already knew was the silicone dots on the mattress. But do both sides so your sleeping bag doesn't slide off it.

[@AussieBushman]

Good tips. A survival tip primarily for day-hikers: take a cheap rain poncho and an emergency blanket in your pocket or daypack, they can help keep you dry, warm and alive if you get caught in bad weather or if you have to spend an unplanned night in the backcountry.

[@frogdogify]

If you like cereal for breakfast you can fill ziplock bags with your favorite cereal and powdered milk. Very light and just add water. I do the same thing with pudding and cheese cake.

[@kdboyle7673]

Love the silicone suggestion. Thank you

[@SeanQuinn4]

That oil tip is not only calorie packing gold, but boy do I bet it helps one stomach less stellar food options 🤣 a little extra fat can help so many things taste better, especially preserved food.

[@CAMSLAYER13]

Basically the secret to why restaurant food is good. They out way more fat in than tou would

[@EricSchwartz-sk8id]

The silicone to the bottom of the mattress is a really good idea. My son showed me this one and it has been a sleep saver.

[@elizame6895]

Wow some actually useful tips I've not heard of before! Thanks!

[@hematula1]

In winter/spring touring I've naturally used hot water bottles to dry my socks (or more often than not, skiboots). But if only the socks are damp, then I've placed them on my quads (in such cold conditions, I often sleep with longjohns or capri-length merino of wicking underwear). Less gross and on my chest/tummy, but still big muscles and have not had damp socks in the morning.

[@travisnelson5094]

I use a cleaned out plastic bladder from a box of wine as an inflatable pillow + a large Crown Royal sack as a pillowcase! Just push the little button on the nozzle and you can inflate it to the exact firmness you want and then deflate it to a tiny and lightweight ball of plastic 😊 Also, you can use any cloth bag… the Crown Royal sack is just soft and the perfect size

[@МаксимЕремин-я6т]

I bring an extra bottle with wide entrance to use it as a pee bottle when it's raining or cold outside.

[@Cous1nJack]

Don’t need the wide opening when it’s cold

[@justinw1765]

Was going to mention this, but you beat me to it.

[@CL-vz6ch]

​@@Cous1nJack you must be asian dudes

[@alan-sk7ky]

Piss Jugs! thank you Bubbles 😄

[@breadanrice]

ive seen thousands of hours of camping content and this was the first in a looooooooong while to have actually unique useful tips!

[@asiadmajeed]

Man great video, some of the tips were amazing. TIP: from the Swedish army, put the wet sock along your legs and the top over your belt so the don’t slip. Works even below freezing

[@TheRealAlanStephens]

One of my biggest pet peeves WAS my pad sliding at night. I use single wall tents and so condensation on my sleeping bag is a thing. Tried silicone and now all my pads stay put and quilt stays dry. Awesome trick. Cheers!

[@pierrebaudhuin9672]

A life blanket made of plastics as a fabric layer between tent and ground. I'm actually laying on it just like you in the video to decide where to build the tent. A milar life blanket under the sleeping bag, a layer of clothes between that bag and the blanket, + another life blanket laying over the inner tent's net and waterproof layer turns my 3 seasons into a cold snowy environment friendly tent. Ducktape for paraglide mesh has repaired my tent mesh from its scratchs.Disclaimer : it only get glued from inside because the outer side of the tent is waterproof. Having 3 pairs of socks weights nothing, adds a lots of resilience. That way, it has never been a challenge to get one dry and clean ready to use when needed. I like to change of it at midday, using again the previous used but dried pair of socks from yesterday (if I did not washed my feet at midday). Having an extra thin pair of sosks allows me to combine with another trekking pair in case of disconfort around my feet.

[@back1114]

Thanks!!! I have seen a lot of "10 tips" videos and when I started to watch this one, I thought "what else can I pick up..." But I learned a lot new tips which I will start using!! Well done and thanks! Your videos are normally very good (content, delivery, pace, etc). Please keep it up!!

[@lfk6370]

I camp a lot and am blown away by how many new methods this taught me! Awesome video

[@user-xs3db6ox3q]

Could be one of the few videos whose content is as valuable as the comment section!

[@williambrezinski604]

Ghee is another awesome option for adding fats to backpacking meals where olive oil may be a weird taste.

[@Squisky]

As a brown man; I'm shook that you'll tolerate EVO but ghee tastes weird?

[@williambrezinski604]

I think you read that backwards. Ghee blends into almost anything, EVOO would be weird in oatmeal for example.

[@Squisky]

@@williambrezinski604 I think I'm slowly becoming an invalid. You're right, of course.

[@unsafe_at_any_speed]

Avocado oil works good

[@leza4453]

A plastic jar of peanut butter is also great. You can put in porridge, ramen, spread on crackers or to eat directly with a spoon. Fat, sugar, salt and proteins are all very welcome on a hike.

[@yakesbves3294]

Really nice hacks thank you. For the sponge hack, I usually just cut one of the corner of a sponge and use this mini sponge to clean my pot.

[@wonkylommiter6364]

Love the T Shirt over the pillow and mat idea! it always moves, leaving you to wake up with a sore neck. Many thanks!

[@irtehdar2446]

My basic kit includes 2 garden solar lights. The cheap lights meant to be stuck in the ground next to yard paths that charge up during the day and switch on when it gets dark. They are dirt cheap, waterproof, weighs practically nothing and they produce just enough light that I never have to scramble around in the dark for a light if I need to pee during the night but not so much as to disturb my sleeping. And they burn long enough that the sun comes up before they run out of juice. And I keep 2 so I can bring one with me and leave the other by my tent entrance.

[@ПетрСтраумал]

Ah, the classic wet socks on the belly! The better way is only doing it on the belly of your comrade after he fell asleep :)

[@OscarHikes]

Nice tip! :D

[@craftologist]

Spork measure idea is very inventive! Thanks for the tips!

[@andrewwylie9259]

I use a PVC T-joint to push in the tent stakes. Protects the hands.

[@dmn3773]

Both cheesecloth and a heavy-duty kitchen sponge can be used with the Sawyer Squeeze or the Platypus QuickDraw. These methods help preserve your filters when you expect the water to be mucky or cloudy. For the cheesecloth method, cut two pieces into an 8-inch diameter circle. You can stack the pieces or use just one. Attach the cheesecloth to the water scoop with a rubber band. Alternatively, you can use your buff or hankie, but if you don't use those items, cheesecloth works well and is lighter. This hack helps remove larger sediment, keeping your filter from slowing down. The sponge method is great for filtering from really cloudy water. Cut a piece of heavy-duty sponge slightly bigger than the opening of your dirty water container. Soak the sponge with clean water if possible, then place the scrubbing or stiffer end of the sponge downward into the dirty water bottle or bag. For a bag, you can do this before collecting water, and for a bottle, you can do it after collecting water. This will significantly increase filter time but not as much as having a clogged filter. Note that while this method is not typical for dealing with mucky or cloudy sources, if you know the whole trip will have water like this, you can use this hack to save your filter.

[@brianfairweather7298]

I've watched a lot of hiking "hack" videos and almost all of these hacks I've never seen! Great video, great hacks my dude!!

[@snoop2477]

Gear Nerdery at its finest. Having just spent 5 nights in the NZ mountains... all these tips minus the socks ones (I'd pass out) would have immediately helped. Thank you. My favourite hack. Rubberband in thermarest roll... use it to hold your phone on your trekking pole in the tipi tent for movie time!😊

[@OscarHikes]

Good idea! I'll try that!

[@arjen4059]

Definitely using the wet socks tip!!! Very useful, especially in colder trips (in my case, Arctic trip at -20 C). I'll stink anyway after a few days, dry socks it much more important!

[@stuarthall3874]

I steal an elastic hairband from my girlfriend to hold my phone to my trekking pole (or stick).

[@oxyfee6486]

Great video, personally I would go insane if I couldn’t wrap my arm around my pillow, no way I could sleep with it immobile like that.😂

[@CLove511]

It's a t-shirt, stick your arms through the holes ❤️

[@MotoCocoTV]

But you could cut the stomach part of an old tshirt, so it won't get dirty and creates a bit of non sliding against your self and sleeping bag and can still get your arm under it too

[@r-pupz7032]

I'm a trail runner and aspiring fastpacker, and these tips are so useful! The ultralight community is a goldmine for fastpacking, which is just ultralight backpacking done a bit faster after all 😅 I've also seen the hiking community take things from the trail running community, such as water bottles on the front straps (we use soft flasks for less bounce) and frameless lightweight running packs 🥰

[@brumleytown1882]

Butter has the same caloric density as oil and tastes good on more foods. Will last almost a week in your pack.

[@kaya-sem]

good butter yes, not margerine

[@Gneiss365]

I hadn't considered the taste compatibility. I use olive oil due to my climate (butter would melt and go rancid), but I've just found out that there is such a thing as powdered butter. I have to get some.

[@outdoorsfishingdream]

A week? Yeah, try that here in Malaysia 🤣😂 -Cries in 35’c

[@justinw1765]

@@outdoorsfishingdream ghee will last longer than regular butter.

[@lcjrio]

Olive oil works perfectly. If this one has 0,4 grades doesn't add any flavour and you can use for protection of your skin, for protection of your stomach, for doing black smoke in cade of emergency, to hydration of the skin, wood, for preventing of friction, ...

[@TdsInTheAir]

Great video as always, thanks. Maybe you could share how transporting your gear when you are using flights (what to leave at home or how you are protecting your stuff if it's going to registered baggage and so on). Those videos about transportation on KZbin can be improved (especially by those who are practical as you :) )

[@-desertpackrat]

3:50 I do this too. After a couple of awkwardly angles left me sliding off my ultralite cot at night, I always lie down in the spot first to see if it's flat enough for my cot not to tilt.

[@ABH313]

Not really a hack but I always pull the insoles out of my shoes/boots after a long day even when at home. Helps them dry out faster and air outs a lot of the smell. I have footwear that are years old and still don't smell 👍

[@marcushillerstrom25]

The adding oil in food trick is great. Personally I use a more neutral oil than olive oil because I don’t want all meals to taste like olive oil, but the trick itself is great no matter what oil you use.

[@crappymeal]

with some rain jackets it's possible to thread string through the cuff if you make two small holes, then add a spring toggle to tighten the cuffs

[@OscarHikes]

Great tip!

[@crappymeal]

​@@OscarHikesthanks, good video

[@fearsomefawkes6724]

Unless I'm stealth camping, I attach a reflector to my bear bag. That way it's easy to find in the dark. Edit: my other hack is to wear a ball cap at night to stop moths and bugs from running into my face when I'm using my headlamp.

[@OscarHikes]

I was promoting my own product though! :(

[@SilverandCold1x]

Stop using white light on your headlamps and use red light instead. Bugs aren’t attracted to red light (some say they can’t see it at all.)

[@shaunparks2262]

Oscar some of these tips can contribute to microplastics in the environment. Please keep that in mind. We shed plenty of microplastics with all our other gear. We all should do the best we can as travelers in these lands

[@aoerstroem]

A hacks video that is actually insightful. I am genuinely stunned. Thanks a lot!❤

[@stonefox2546]

Trying out the tent site - use the groundcloth. The one I used last time I went hiking is a tad short so I tied loops of string to the two points in one end. When I needed to camp (in windy, stable areas) I just hung the groundcloth on my trekking pole, see which way it wanted to go and if it was also relatively comfortable angle, you get the wind direction and ground level tested out at the same time. And the pole kept it from escaping in the wind.

[@carrjeep7538]

Hands down the best way to dry socks. I’m gonna steal the bottle cap one. Thank you.

[@CarlZ993]

I wear my headlamp around my neck at night. I always know where it is when I have to get up to pee.

[@natha_ow]

Love your tips, thanks so much for sharing! I used to dry not just socks in my shirt, but all clothes in my sleeping bag. Works very well (not when they're soaking wet, but wringed out).

[@Michael-uh1pv]

That water bottle as a level trick is so simple but so genius. Will definitely be using that.

[@duudsuufd]

That is no indication of the level because it is not placed on a proven flat area (like a plank). If you can't see the slope by eyeballing, it means the slope is not important.

If the temperature allows, a stick of butter is also great. It works well with almost every food (olive oil in porridge? Nope) 🙂

[@OscarHikes]

Yup, it depends on your preference I guess. I live in Italy and before in Spain, so we put olive oil on everything here :D

[@kennyhamilton2138]

You can use velcro strips for the pillow and also on the bottom of the sleeping pad instead of silicone. Loved the bottle cap for tent peg hack!

[@PaulSchortemeyer]

The posters look great 👍 I was excited to see that you stock the GDT! A neat idea 😊

[@OscarHikes]

Thank you! 😊

[@CL-vz6ch]

The silicone idea is good.

[@BLLEman]

These are great tips, thanks. But I think the water bottle - ground level trick won't work because the surface area of the water bottle is too small. A small unevenness in the ground already gives a wrong result. But the other tips are great.

[@DominiqueB]

I think that the way he explains it is different and addresses your valid point. He positions the bottle so it (the bottle) is straight up and down, confirmed by the leveled water; might have to dig in the bottle a bit to compensate for uneven ground. Then he moves back a ways and gauges the overall slope of the ground compared to the bottle. So, you eliminate the issue you mention of uneven ground, that becomes irrelevant.

[@VideoFiend1]

Fiji water bottle - square shape keeps it from rolling on a hill.

[@Menuki]

For carrying small amounts of liquids, I got 100cl bottles that are used for vape liquid. Cheap small and seal tight

[@ellenlen584]

I couldn't imagine the sock hack to work, so I tried it at home. Put one sock on the rack and one underneath my shirt. It does work - nice and dry and warm like fresh out of the dryer, while the one on the rack is still considerably wet - BUT obviously I'm a wimp, because I hated the first hours. It didn't stop feeling cold. Thank you anyway for the experience! 😂 Thanks also for the rest of the video and all the hacks! (Beginner's question: Isn't it easier to lay the bottle down to check if the ground is level? 🤔)

[@0greeny0001]

I put wet socks in a pot and sit it close to the fire. Works great. Obviously don't set your socks on fire.

[@glenblair8037]

Olive Oil is very heavy, I bring MCT oil that is dehydrated to add calories. It works a charm. Love the socks in the torso, much better than hanging them up in your tent, where your breath gets them all wet again.

[@larryjanson4011]

great to watch a video that is not a pimping of more junk to buy. keep up the real way to do things.

[@andreasweber7828]

.Extra bottle cap for Katadyn Befree waterfilter so you can us the filter bag to transport water. Original top does not contain water 100%. I keep the cap inside the filter bag to have it ready when needed. .Dehydrated leftovers from home make great trekking meals. Curries, Chily and Dal works best for me. I also keep empty trekking meal bags for future self made meals as they usually have a zip lock. .

[@davidmoore9945]

Great tips Oscar! And great sense of humor! You had me for a second, thinking you’d put urine in your pot! Enjoy your vids, keep them coming.

[@danielmeyer3795]

I don't add oil in the pan anymore because cleaning with just water isn't easy if I used oil. I eat more nuts instead.

[@Morski_Dzik]

Great! Useful and solving so many problems. Thank You a lot!

[@Victor-cg4qp]

I think if you want to dry the socks it is also useful to put in the pan and spend some gas. Just take care to not burn, keeping eyes on. That is in case if you need it to be done fast.

[@raykinit4701]

T shirt/pillow idea super cool. I am pumping them up now to try. Well, done. Thanks, Ray.

[@nobodyxx560]

Fantastic video! Actually haven't heard these before. Good job giving a unique, practical and useful list.

[@rachaelhoffman-dachelet2763]

Good tips! I love olive oil on trail, and it makes great emergency lotion, lip balm, etc. Ghee is another great choice, and is solid at cool temperatures which reduces the risk of spilling. I’d rather put wet socks on in the morning than sleep with wet socks! We do wet-entry canoe camping, so my socks are just going to get wet right away anyway.

[@beebop4333]

OBSERVATION great channel and just subbed. I do prefer a 2 sided sponge made for teflon or non stick pans rather than vegetable netting as i have found the netting used on those bags is not as soft and scratches my cooking gear and drinkware over time.

[@michellebyrom6551]

The sponge scrubs intended for non-stick pans are better for stainless steel as they don't scratch the surface. You could cut a sponge in half for camping, or use just a quarter of the plain white non-stick scouring pads.

[@deborahelliott8460]

Wet socks and shoes. I know that for fact, bacteria can form however, when you have a camp fire, put some rocks among the wood to get them hot but not too hot, then place them in the socks and put socks in the shoes. Not only does this kill bacteria, but dries out the insides of the shoes and socks. I learned this from another backpacker years ago.

[@rostfleck79]

If you get cold feet in sleeping bags: Take off your socks if you're wearing any. Still cold? Put a warm jacket over the bottom end of your sleeping bag.

[@JamesJones-oz9tq]

Two things I do: When backpacking I only eat one hot meal a day. Breakfast and lunch are cold prepped meals while the dinner is the only hot meal. Saves on having to do a lot of food prep. I don’t pack a pillow, I use my extra clothes in a bag as my pillow. Saves on space.

[@matts9]

Most useful video I have seen on the Internet in a long time! Pure Genius!

[@tarjeijensen7237]

The Norwegian Army dries shoes and socks under the knees in the sleeping bag.