The BEST Backpacking Brands You've NEVER Heard Of!

[@MyLifeOutdoors]

Check out Garage Grown Gear: geni.us/m2tzeVo Gear from this video: El Coyote Quilts: geni.us/lY29uQF Packit Gourmet: geni.us/4wwWxxT One Bottle Hydration: geni.us/7u2toV Bonfus Packs: geni.us/loVQ9 Mayfly Sandals: geni.us/2tDifI6 Miksa Pot Lifter: geni.us/GQiLZ Huppy Toothpaste Tabs: geni.us/PWuFB Fozzils Snap Bowl: hgeni.us/rE01 The Hoodie I am wearing: geni.us/EGWb9nd

[@bonfusgear]

Hei Steven, glad you have been enjoying the Framus backpack! Can't wait to see some great new content from you.

[@akihide.uchida]

I love my Bonfus Framus 48! I was in the market for somehting in between a traditional internal frame pack and an ultralight bag, and this met every single criteria that I was looking for (formed stays load lifters, and a decent hip belt are hard to find in an ultralight pack). My first time on the trail with it was a 22 mile hike to start a few days in the backcountry in Utah and I had no discomfort with the pack at all. I've been recommending it to absolutely everyone for the past few months.

[@zeph5800]

Hi man, have you used it more since then ? How is it holding off ? I've seen several people saying Ultra fabric is not that good and I was worried about this backpack since it's made out of it. It looks like the perfect backpack for me it would be a shame if it starts crumbling after a couple months

[@brucecarroll4041]

Thanks!

[@sacara21]

From a taste standpoint, Packit Gourmet are decent. Where they fall short is in calories, nutrition, and water requirements. The Peak Refuel meals you showed in the B-roll are more calorically dense, offer more sodium & protein per ounce, require less water per ounce, and generally taste really good. Always has perplexed me that people can be satisfied after eating a 300-500 calorie meal after a day of backpacking. To each their own, but I will keep being a stan for Peak Refuel until I find something better.

[@kevinstarski1598]

I agree. Peak Refuel is my go to...

[@roccosperanza]

I'm one of those weird people who just can't eat a lot after setting up camp. Exercise kills my appetite usually, unless I've rested enough after.

[@that_which_is_not]

I’ve normally eaten breakfast, brunch, lunch, some snacks and then dinner. That amount of calories and a little bar for afterwards is reet for me 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@TheVeryWorstAlaskan]

​@roccosperanza same. I'll be hungry but still can't eat 3 meals worth

[@roosterridder956]

UL brands with which I have positive experience: Nunatak (quilts) Timmermade (quilts) KS Ultralight (packs) Zimmerbuilt (packs) Etowah Outdoor Gear (tarps) Borah Gear (bivvies, tarps) Ruta Locura (trekking poles)

[@1DrBar]

Warbonnet outdoors is a small hammock company based out of Colorado that has a great reputation. I really value their top quilts because one has the choice of zippered, round sewn or elipltical sewn footboxes, and they give the choice of a differential cut or regular like most companies do. They also come in a wide variety of colors and have some good sales about three times a year on US holidays. Oh, and you can order a baffle or not, as well as straps to keep them on a pad and also cords to keep them snug against your body.

[@baliphilipp]

I do own the Bonfus Framus 48l and Iterus 38l. Both great packs! To the company. Nicolo and his sister are from Italy. Nicolo does live in Norway, where he's designing & testing all the gear. His sister does live in Mexico where she runs a small tailoring. Great little cottage!

[@rDnhey]

Quindi Italia per modo di dire..

[@bonfusgear]

Thanks for the feedback. The European branch is indeed based in Bergamo, Italy, where I (Niccolo) live. :)

[@baliphilipp]

@@bonfusgear Ah sorry - thought you do live in Norway :)

[@ianmacfarlane9454]

​@Bonfus Are these backpacks available in the UK,thanks 🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@ianmacfarlane9454]

@@bonfusgear Thanks for the quick reply,I'll check them out👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@srivathsa]

Hi, does the bonfus not suffer from a rounding problem, as it does not have a horizontal stay?

[@EspenFrafalne]

Ventilation is probably the most important thing for me, and external frame packs are the only ones ive found that do this to a satisfying degree. Klättermusen has some REALLY nice ones. Ive only tried the 38 liter version of Klättermusen Raido (~1.3kg) so far, and its is miles ahead of any other backpack that i have tried, both with comfort, features, and QUALITY materials. Just ordered a 24liter Brimer (973g), which has most of the same features as the Raido 👍

[@johnphillips3526]

Nashville Packs. Most comfortable UL pack I have ever worn.

[@twa2471]

All though my Lowe Alpine pack wasn't the lightest in the world my normal load out on the AT when I worked with the Forest Service was 53-58 lbs normally and the Lowe Alpine held up like a champ for 16 years and was a joy to carry with a big load. Ya I know that's really heavy, but realize I was out for 2 weeks at a time W/O resupply and caring a major trauma kit for any rescues I needed to perform besides. That's not counting water , a 2 lb trail axe , a minimal repelling gear set up for rescues and what ever else I might need for a particular back country project I may have had going and 65 lbs wasn't out of the norm for some deployments. Way more weight when I was doing wild land fire fighting out West. BTW the territory I used to patrol on the AT was from Hanover NH to Franconia via the Lake of the Clouds trail head to Dartmouth trail head and a few years working in the Lincoln Woods Wilderness area in Lincoln NH. My trail name was Talks With Animals and perhaps I just may have run into some of you old timers out there @ one time or the other,, ya never know, I patrolled those areas for ever and ran into a heard of folks during that time, so if we did happen to meet reply,,that would be a Hoot to talk to someone I may have meet way back in the day !

[@memathews]

Yes, the Lowe Alpine was/is a great pack and was the first thing that came to mind when I saw the two aluminum staves in the bonfus down on the video. The Lowe is a great carry, but mine weighs 5.5 pounds empty and without added pockets 😂🤣😅

[@twa2471]

@@memathews I don't recall right exactly what mine weighs but I know it was to much LOL! But I guess if your carrying lots of weight day in and day out for years, it's a small price to pay to have a sturdy pack that fits and breaths just right. All the Lowe Alpine packs I've had performed excellent especially with all the abuse they took while wild land firefighting. That's not even counting the 2 end to ends on the AT 1 on the PCT , 1 on the Continental Divide and doing 3/4 of the trails in Denali and a trip to South America ,,, and that particular one STILL lives with only minor repairs, believe it or not ! It's well over 40 years old too.

[@memathews]

@@twa2471 Yep, my Lowe Alpine is still in use, mostly for trail maintenance work, that Cordura body holes up to the required tools and gear, and winter backpacking.

[@rickwilliams3603]

Saw you used 1L water bottles in the side pockets of your framus. How'd it do with those? Thinking about buying one for some upcoming longer trips and was worried bc so many other packs don't have the depth of the side pockets needed for larger bottles in a dry climate.

[@kennethandrews6680]

Love your videos. Question. I have been looking for a quilt to replace my sleeping bag. I looked into El Coyote after watching your video and now I am torn between that and a UGQ Bandit with the added tension and no taper. They cost just about the same. In your opinion what would you consider the better of the 2?

[@JustMikeH]

Bonfus does make nice packs. Unfortunately like far too many pack manufacturers they don't make packs for people with 22in (55cm) or longer torsos. I understand why, but I do find it frustrating to always have such limited options that fit me.

[@MyLifeOutdoors]

I’m sure. I have a 20 inch and typically fall into the large size on most packs. I’m sure 22 is hard to find.

[@HoppiHoffi]

I agree. I have a 23.5 inch torso and was shopping around a lot. I ended up getting the ZPacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L and am blown away by how comfortable it is. Best of it all, for only 21.6 oz you get all the adjustment option you could ever dream of.

[@nerfpls]

On their Altus "Custom Packs" one of the options is for 54cm+ back length.

[@Henning_Rech]

Ask Superior Wildernis Designs. The may make you a custom pack as every pack is made to order. Their Long Haul is quite similar to the Framus.

[@kevinstarski1598]

Those 2 servings for "other" brands are realistically one portion, especially after a long hike...so no worries about leftovers 🙂

[@MyLifeOutdoors]

See I almost always have some left over.

[@nedanother9382]

Not for me they aren't. I only made that mistake once. Couldnt eat it all and had to figure out how to dispose of smelly food in bear country. I splitem up and weigh much less.

[@willyonamountain]

Does Waymark count as little known? I love my frameless 50L pack from them. So light!

[@amazingzone8659]

where can I get the insulation sleeve for the camelbak hose that you have in this video, please? All the sleeves I've looked at are way too small for a camelbak hose (12mm). I don't really fancy buying a whole new tube with the sleeve for 20USD. thanks!

[@MyLifeOutdoors]

My sleeve came with the one bottle hydration set up. You might check their website

[@Quijoteb]

What hat is that? Is there a link for it?

[@Anna-kn5lj]

Bonfus make amazing, great quality "handmade to order" ultralight DCF tents aswell, i have the Bonfus Middus 1P and I LOVE IT 🏕✨

[@heatherfeather_73]

I would like to give a nod towards SWD packs, custom made, lightweight, made in the USA, configurable to how you want your pack to be...I love mine, very adaptable, great guys, awesome design, looks almost exactly like that Italian one, except I customized my straps, hip belt, extra pockets, etc.

[@1DrBar]

YES! Those are amazing packs. So well thought out and they can deal with some serious weight comfortably if you need that once in a while.

[@chrisr2925]

Do you have a full review of the El Coyote in the pipeline?

[@isaacsnowcarini4808]

Italian here: Can we do the same funny videos skit for American based shops too? since theres one for the Italians (the Cars scene)..... there should be stereotypes for Americans too, like for the Texans, yeeeha, dont tread on my cowboy boots type situation!

[@memathews]

Well, here in the States, Texans are a stereotype!😂 But I think we all know stereotypes aren't real and I can't think of a better place to visit than Italy🇮🇹

[@rainroark207]

Oh hey, I got a Bonfus framus 48L last summer, love that thing.

[@nedanother9382]

If ya gotta pimp... do it up town. GGG is growing into a really nice place to go. I love the never heard of's

[@miketheglassguy7568]

Love my Onebottle Hydration 👍 it’s a game changer for me. Great vid as always!

[@justlookatit1294]

When looking at the bonfus backpack there's a medium and large option I'm assuming you are talking about the large. Great channel great vids

[@MyLifeOutdoors]

This was the 58L.

[@justlookatit1294]

@@MyLifeOutdoors thanks

What do you think about bagpacks which also open like carry on luggage?

[@tangenttrails]

Thanks for the tip on Pack It Gourmet. Definitely will give them a try. I bought a pair of MayFlys last week and will be testing them on a trip next week.🙌

[@MyLifeOutdoors]

I’m impressed with Pack It Gourmet! I hope you like your may fly sandals

[@lefa_artist]

What camera do you use? (I'd ask about camping stuff, but your videos are already very thorough).

[@Running_towards_adventure]

I love my El Coyote quilt!!

[@MyLifeOutdoors]

They are great!

[@chrisr2925]

I am looking at either an El Coyote or UGQ. Have you had draft issues or does the material feel sticky to the skin?

[@Running_towards_adventure]

@@chrisr2925 the first night I used it there were no draft issues. I did get the larger straps for my large sized Neoair. The material wasn’t sticky either, it’s all very high quality. Having said that, if you get too hot all quilts and sleeping bags I’ve ever used can get a little sticky, as that’s the nature of the synthetic materiel used. I also checked out UGQ, never tried one. I have used an EE synthetic quilt and it uses a smaller denier fabric, but I prefer the El Coyote and think it’s a better product.

[@SoulSiedziBlizej]

Check Cumulus brand from Poland

[@randomichannel]

I just got my Cumulus custom quilt this week, took 4 weeks from the order to get, but first impressions are positive, quality at first seems second to none.

[@MyLifeOutdoors]

I’m aware of them but haven’t used any of their stuff. I’ll check them out

[@countrygirl63baker64]

WOW, didn't know! Thanks u Steven for the info!! I hike alone as well and have found the same problem with packing out unfinished food. Way too much for me to eat as well. Have a great day !!😊

[@brucecarroll4041]

I really, really like your videos. No hype. Great info. And your support of the Small Companies is Awesome. Thank$! Keep up the good work Steven!

[@bigguy3]

Loving the videos, keep up the good work man!

[@MyLifeOutdoors]

Thanks

[@DubTDub]

Thanks Steven! Love your channel! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@systempatcher]

Have a LiteAF pack. Would love to see you try one, it's incredible.

[@k-9ramm0delilah86]

Hey Sir, I just bought the Hyperlite Unbound before I learned about Bonfus Framus. Honestly they look like carbon copies of each other, almost like one is a lock off. Going on a hike to Switzerland. Wish brand would you recommend?

[@zeph5800]

It just the looks, they are not made of the same fabric so they are pretty different

[@jaysmallen3067]

Big thank you Stephen! My wife and I enjoy your channel and content. It's very relatable and entertaining. I'm pretty sure our dog Ollie likes it too! Ollie and I hike together mostly and like you, we mainly hike by ourselves and live 30 minutes East of Lake Tahoe. Blessed to live where we do! Thanks again and enjoy the adventure Stephen!

[@MyLifeOutdoors]

Thanks for watching and supporting the channel. I’m glad everyone enjoys it. Especially Ollie

[@jasonfriedman1788]

For food I buy raw ingredients from Packit Gourmet and cook them in a Jetboil MicroMo. For the carbohydrates I bring parboiled rice or instant potatoes.

[@borjapinera8177]

I really love your channel! Good job dude! Congratulations from Spain ;)

[@MyLifeOutdoors]

Thanks.

[@SammyMaeQ]

The One Bottle system looks great! I just don't drink enough without that handy tube.

[@chadfontaine2717]

I love my hyperlite but for $100 less the Framus is worth a look for sure!

[@cynthiaforcade1429]

Love GGG. Have purchased several very handy backpacking items from them. I've wanted to love Packit Gourmet but couldn't get the hamburger to rehydrate. Oh, and that adaptor for the water bottle is the bomb! I love mine and drink much more water with this method.

[@Survival-gyver]

How do you like the Humangear Duo ?

[@brycewalburn3926]

Honest question: If quilt overstuffing is standard, isn't it no longer overstuffed?

[@MyLifeOutdoors]

Compared to other El Coyote Quilts. No it’s not overstuffed. Compared to other brands. Yes it still is

[@brycewalburn3926]

@@MyLifeOutdoors Ah, gotcha. Thanks!

[@DanceCommander]

1:29 You know how you're always still hungry after one of those mountain meals? Let's make it even less, but charge the same! 😄 But seriously. That raises the question - how much do you eat on a hiking day compared to a everyday life day.

[@MyLifeOutdoors]

I almost always have food left over from a 2 serving boil in a bag meal.

[@DanceCommander]

@@MyLifeOutdoors I got that. But do you eat like 5 smaller meals throughout the day? How do you cover your TDEE? Or you just don´t and life with the fact that you're in a caloric deficit while on the trail?

[@LeifMacIver]

Dude shut up.

[@swampyhiker]

I have a bonfus 1p tent (solus) it’s a great tent. Although not quite as good as my durston xmid pro 1p

[@HuckOutdoors]

Packit Gourmet is great! All American works burger is my favorite

[@ciscokid1999]

Great Vlog, keep em coming :)

[@Pablo-sz8xn]

Just here to support Big Bend NP!

[@MalinaCC]

The one bottle hydration system is so cool! Does anyone have any tips for getting that atrocious plasticy taste out of water bladders? I’ve rinsed and washed several times, tried a bit of soap, baking soda, etc but it still has that wonderful flavor 😬

[@gregvanpaassen]

Just lots of water changes. Fill it, leave it for a day and night to "soak", empty and re-fill. Repeat for a week, rest it for a week, then repeat for a week. Or you could try soaking with half a teaspoon of bleach - then you'll have chlorine flavor instead. 🙂

[@digitazz9879]

A good vinegar rinse always works wonders for me. Plain white vinegar, fill it about a third, leave it for a couple hours, and do a thorough wash afterwards. I never have the plastic taste after that.

[@1DrBar]

Baking powder and water.

[@ianmacfarlane9454]

Great video,thanks 👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@UlaEquipment]

Great list!

[@Featinwe]

Thanks Steven! I always kinda envied North America for your diversity in small companies making amazing specialized outdoor gear, which is not available here in Europe. Thanks for letting me know that there are some great companies here in Europe too. A pity it all costs crazy amount of money, but at least we have some options too :)

[@Henning_Rech]

Bonfus, Hyberg, Huckepacks, Liteway, Atom Packs, just to name a few European backpack brands.

[@balzzers92]

Nice to meet you, Stevenbytheway 👋

[@markswishereatsstuff2500]

GGG, baby! Just ordered some Pack It Gourmet from them a couple days ago for an upcoming section hike of the AT in Pa.

[@SundayLongRun]

try blue ice stache 60

[@Galluchh]

Cool vid Steven

[@geoffspitzer5673]

Have you checked out Atompacks yet? The Bonfus pack reminds of my Atompacks “The Mo.”.

[@barneyrubble1754]

well done 🤙

[@GSR978]

I made a water bottle adapter very similar to that for $7

[@shelly6644]

I have been looking into doing my own. how did you do it? If you don’t mind sharing

[@NonalignedVideos]

Wait, you think that "two person" meals have too much food in them? You look at least slightly burly. Does half of a 700-calorie meal "two person" Mountain House (350-- less than one king-size Snickers) satisfy you after a day of backpacking?

[@SummitSeeker546]

One serving is not enough and two is too much. So I take two 2 serving meals and make 3 meals that I repack in a 1 quart freezer bag; it can handle boiling water. Perfect amount. For additional calories I add a tablespoon or two of olive oil…

[@grantgridley6095]

Agreed

[@DanceCommander]

Yeah that one was odd. I never had a meal kit that was "too much". On the contrary. Even those 2 servings packs are often only around 750kcal. Which is often not enough for me after a long day of hiking. And I'm not a big dude.

[@sacara21]

Ya this is a take I find very strange. He even included peak refuel meals in the b-roll, probably one of the best freeze fried backpacking meal options on the market. Really surprised he didn’t mention those, although now they’re a little more main stream since they can be found in big box stores like REI.

[@grantgridley6095]

@sacara21 I really love there dial

[@marklyons3125]

I don't want a quilt overstuffed. If I take a 20 degree quilt I want it to keep me safe down to 20. If I wanted a warmer quilt, I would buy a warmer quilt. I don't want extra weight for a quilt that is "warmer".

[@Vasher121]

I’ve put the rain cover over an osprey and the backpack still got soaked

[@jonathandanon9999]

that one random brand (source) that you said made those convertubes are not random at all. they are an israely company that makes a lot of gear for backpacking. like hiking sandals (simular to tevas but more durible), water bladers and many more, they are famos in israel but sdly aren't known any where else

[@Jibbertyjabber]

Hello, I just came across your videos today and have watched 4 already, just wondering how you decide what trails you take and which ones you prefer not to (if any) I wanna get into backpacking and explore this beautiful country but idk where to start or how to get in the groove of things, anything would help, thanks

[@edgahr615]

You’re the BEST!

[@Harry_Hjelm]

I have an oex vallo 60 +10

[@sixeco]

As a european nothing from Italy is fancy except food 😂

[@adamenglish1873]

great videos, thanks.

[@MyLifeOutdoors]

Thanks for watching

[@pottingsoil]

And to think I was literally just about to buy a Hyperlite.

[@neilquinn]

Packit gourmet is solid

[@zafergokselkaraaslan2055]

The backpack’s price unfortunately is not sweetening the deal. 😢 Seems in reach since it’s from Europe but it’s not less expensive than reknown U.S. brands.

[@HikeRx]

I'm a fan of HMG packs

[@C.SchitzPopinov]

Magic straps. 40lbs. Sounds like a day in the life of, for me.

[@ronb2008]

You had 40 lbs in your pack because you didn’t have Dan Becker to carry your water for you.

[@guillaume8483]

0:18 Talking about down sleeping bags : There's a french cottage company that uses natural, locally & ethically produced goose down (untreated). They use an old, wooden device to select the best down. They are located in a famous mountain region, and equip guides for decades ! When I hiked the AT, American hikers were daZZleD by the filling, overall quality and lightweight of my quilt. I'll share the company name after 10k likes :D

[@dewae3254]

UHHHHHHHH bonfas deez nuts??

[@gavinhalm3016]

"Overstuffing" is just that: a GIVEN model (and temp rating) of bag with ADDED down, etc...Saying that your bag is automatically "overstuffed" is pure marketing hogwash.

[@z0uLess]

liteway from ukraine also

[@davidbock1801]

One. Big. Commercial.

[@svanteuller7928]

Sorry but this is about everything but backpacks. A real disappointment.