The Golden Rules Of Backpacking 2.0

If you’re like me, you love backpacking. In this video, we are talking about the three overarching rules of backpacking such as being prepared, having fun, and of course keeping trails and nature in the same conditions you found them in.
My favorite gear for backpacking:
Backpack: bit.ly/3mPhNdY
Tent | Big Agnes Copper Spur
Sleeping Mattress:
Sleeping Bag: bit.ly/3JTea1h
Satellite Communicator: bit.ly/3HqTIUi
Camp Stove: bit.ly/34mBc06
Cook pot: bit.ly/3tdCZ23
Freeze dried Food: pinnaclefoods.co/
Headlamp: bit.ly/3sYXKOS
Rain Jacket: bit.ly/3JGoOYU
Fleece Mid-layer | ALL-PACA Fleece Hoodie: bit.ly/3HCrpAN
Down Puffy Jacket (warm!): bit.ly/32Jn5Sb
Down Puffy Jacket (lightweight):
Hiking Boots: bit.ly/3eSMmvy
Hiking Socks: bit.ly/3qLVyaI
Gloves | Hestra Bike Ergo Grip Glove: amzn.to/3pCuGu2
Water Filter:
Water Bladder: bit.ly/3t2SrxF
Camp Pillow: bit.ly/34n4749
Folding Knife: bit.ly/3sXQNNH
Trekking Poles: bit.ly/3Hzq4LB
Sunglasses: bit.ly/3NtJQKR
NOTE: These are affiliate links where I'll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you, but it's a great way to show your support. Thanks!
Sponsored by Ledlenser: ledlenser.com/en
Special thanks to
WileyX: www.wileyx.com/
Follow me on social media:
Facebook: / epictrails365
Instagram: / epictrails365
Blog: www.in4adventure.com/

[@RoyceKitts]

The drones comment is so true. Interesting that quite a few YT backpackers use them quite a bit. I hate that whirring sound.

[@sheila5707]

I like the feel of this video, just sitting around a fire talking about our favorite subject. While I love talking about gear, now that I have my pack set up, I prefer videos that don't trigger FOMO. I feel like some YT'er get stuck in the selling phase, and while it generates more clicks, I prefer watching those who are trail mentors. Thank you for sharing the outdoors with us.

[@logancooper5865]

The comment on the size of backpacks is super true. I'm relatively tall (6'4), but my backpack size is usually right around the border between a small and a medium.

[@rudysal1429]

You have that Conan Obrien frame.

[@Oldsparkey]

Packing , Take what you need not what you want. Everything should have a use and the more uses the better. I like the "Leave only footprints , take only pictures ". Remember you are only visiting so leave it the way you would like to see it again. The next person coming along will appreciate it.

[@mysterylovescompany2657]

Another great, educational & entertaining vid, Eric! Thanks for keeping up the good work.😃

[@MrTootsieAsain]

one part about leave no trace that people can’t seem to comprehend is that it also means don’t stack rocks. it peeves me!

[@danadess]

I love your channel and I find it so inspiring! Today I have a request. You recommend a lot of awesome down products, but I haven't heard you talk about cruelty-free down. About 80% of down is plucked from birds that are still alive, which is torturous. Even American companies often partake in this because they source their down from China, which doesn't have animal cruelty laws. A lot of beginners don't know any of this, so whenever you recommend a down product, can you briefly mention whether it's cruelty-free or not? Or at least caution your viewers to check?? Thank you! So many people watch your channel so it would make a huge difference!

[@ManivanAdventures]

Getting fitted for a pack is a great tip for sure! I am 6’3”, but I am all leg lol, so I’m a size small in almost all packs.

[@kalonaastepad6401]

Really appreciate the time you spent on leaving no trace. So important.. 👍🏻

[@platesweightspeaks]

Thank you for going over all the LNT principles, I knew about 3 of the 7. And now I know them all!

[@LandElevated]

Great content! We'll start sending your channel to our clients who recently bought land from us near the camping areas. This will surely give them awesome ideas and tips. Thanks for sharing! 😊

[@kosioivanov4270]

Thanks Eric, absolutely right!

[@CSTLSRY]

Right on, great content.

[@WanderingSwitchback]

Great reminders for all of us!

[@jaycuts5521]

I wanna be like you when I grow up

[@mercyshaver5264]

Thank you 😊 👍

[@Stone-Wolf-Outdoors]

great info i know most don't use keep up the good work

[@autumngreenleaf3390]

Thanks. As far what the Leave No Trace Principal organization states, it includes what no one is talking about in the portion you titled as 'being considerate of others', they include using colors that don't catch the eye, as in bright and light colors. Since leading companies that produce backpacking gear rarely, if at all, don't offer dark neutrals like navy, grey, brown, etc. I find it an even harder challenge once you are in the market for UL gear. These companies continue to produce gear that is eye catching because 1.They want their products to be very visible as to advertise, and 2.People continue to purchase what they offer. I have and continue to search for the right gear for months in order to be a low level annoyance to others. So it's not as if I'm not trying. I just find the entire pursuit to be far more than challenging and entirely absurd.

[@BackpackingTV]

The point about not wearing eye catching colors feels a bit unnecessary to me. I get the desire to not about people, but I’ve never seen anyone wearing a red jacket and thought, “wow, how obnoxious!” I just want people to be safe out there, whenever color they’re wearing. Cheers!

[@sheila5707]

​@@BackpackingTV , I agree; I usually gravitate to black and grey for everything. However, I was having issues finding things in my dark pack. So, I'm trying to buy other colors now. Brighter colors for weather-specific clothing help in case of an accident. Plus, choosing a color that will stand out for items that are easily left behind. If someone wants to be stealthy and wear camo.... awesome, let's hike! If you are a tie-dyed hippy type...awesome, let's hike!

[@mysterylovescompany2657]

My whole kit is black & red (& black+red) because I'm a goth - it took me a long time, + a lot of work, to assemble it all. Putting together a colour-coordinated kit is a real undertaking, & I can absolutely understand why most folk seem to just settle for whatever hodgepodge medley of bright colours the individual items that they wanted came in - especially when colour-ways aren't even consistent across any given brand. I'm 100% pro- protecting the environment, but I think our individual right to interject our preferences ends where it reaches another person's actual personal _aesthetic_ . Especially when bright colours in the backcountry are a safety bonus.

[@sheila5707]

@@mysterylovescompany2657 A Gothic traveler, nice! I chose teal as my bright color to go with my black gear. Companies are offering more colors to choose from now. It used to be just camo, orange or army green. Thankfully, it gets better each year.

[@mysterylovescompany2657]

@@sheila5707 (hey, did you know your name is slang for "woman", here in Aus?😄) oh, wow, teal is _such_ a gorgeous colour! That's a great choice, for sure. Nice.👌

[@Robert-uw7tv]

Dude, the comment about no pack puke. Yes. Nothing better feeling or sexier looking than a trim and well-oiled pack. About the food, I gotta disagree. I love having a light pack so I can carry more food and eat while I hike, pack out a subway sammie for day 1, some fresh fruit and veggies for a couple days, cheese and crackers, bagels and cream cheese. One of my favorites is a Talenti jar with instant milk and cereal for breafast. My "cook kit" is just an empty ice cream jar and a mini spork....and I triple crowned with that same mini spork 😂

[@MrTangent]

Great list. Good job.

[@BackpackingTV]

Thank you!

[@ericbuckner8182]

Well said

[@AC-kk3vo]

Do not go without the blowup pillow , I say that as I lay here on my sweatshirt 😂

[@sha6mm]

I would add keep your pack under 60L size, alway carry a trash bag and bring back more than you took in.

[@arthurrsaker8893]

Yes! And make that well under 60 litres. With today's u l gear becoming increasingly affordable there's seldom a need for a pack much over 40 litres, maybe 45 tops. That's plenty room for the base weight essentials stowage, with enough remaining volume for 4/5 days of calorie dense high protein food plus a day (emergency ration.) I also doubt the wisdom of going on a long haul trek, India,Nepal, The Andes etc with tourist clothes and trekking kit all in one bag. If courtesy of airport baggage handling, it goes missing, you are up the creek with nothing but the clothes you get off the plane with. Keep your tourist kit in a separate travel bag, and leave that in safe keeping at a hostel or hotel. It also helps keep your pack weight down, an important consideration in the Greater Ranges where much of the time you will be at altitudes most peoples bodies are not acclimated to. This has a marked effect on the ability to carry weight additional to that of one's own body. So, folks, the message for the day is "simplicate and add lightness", stay safe everyone, happy trekking and come home safe and in good shape, not nursing a load of aches n pains blisters and friction sores from that over-sized, and overwight potato sack you were going to punish all your carry muscles and joints with before you knew better.

[@ChosonJindos]

We’re new to backpacking. Just did a “day-after purchase” video on our Quest 45L backpack, not bad I guess: seems foreign to online reviews; am I the only one that doesn’t know I should have a different bag??

[@BackpackingTV]

I’m not familiar with that backpack. But the great thing about backpacking is you can use just about anything! There are some pros and cons of any pack. Use what you got and enjoy!

[@ChosonJindos]

@@BackpackingTV thanks!! that’s our plan, upgraded from a regular backpack. so far so good Lol, hmm maybe it’s regional?? The Quest was purchased at Dick’s $80. Looking forward to your next video!

[@steveh5169]

It's so dry out west, and with all the beetle kill, if you are doing a summer backpacking trip out west, just don't have a fire, even if there are no fire restrictions.

[@BackpackingTV]

Hi! I agree with you, and in general I would simply not have a fire. However this was filmed at a drive up site with firewood that I cut from my yard. Fire was had during responsible conditions. Thanks for your concern!

[@deborahhill3105]

My backpacking mentor said as we were packing up camp, “There are big sins and little sins.” He stooped down and picked up a twist tie on the ground. “This is a big sin.” I never forgot that. I think I’d have to pocket an arrowhead though, if I found one. 😊

[@teejay3510]

Damn, I thought they were: Look good. Have fun. Safety third.

[@connorclarke1544]

So in summary, if I need to carry more in my pack I should just eat more to stay within the 20% rule. Challenge accepted. 😂

[@medicus5565]

Love your logic!

[@amywert8088]

No drones! But you just said your cameraman had to go get his! But he probably has a license to film with it out wherever you are so... JAKE! NO DRONES! Ooops. Sorry, no yelling.

[@joesmith4222]

CAUTION! NEVER ASK BIGFOOT FOR FATWOOD. My neighbor and I were out backpacking in Oregon and he found out the hard way.

[@kirkweber6156]

So you’re perpetuating the land scar in the backcountry otherwise known as a fire ring? In the sensitive desert? Really?

[@BackpackingTV]

In a designated campsite, that’s already has been established and impacted, why yes of course I will use the existing fire ring and will encourage the many others who follow after to also use the fire ring, since many more people will come camp here after me and have a fire.

[@sheila5707]

@@BackpackingTV I only have a fire about 1/10 of the time, but when I do, it's so much easier to relax and enjoy the night telling stories with my friends. Otherwise, I feel anxious to get in my tent and go to sleep. Everyone goes camping for different reasons; sometimes a fire doesn't fit the adventure, sometimes it does.

[@stevewright2241]

Pack out that TP or go without.

[@rockytopwrangler2069]

... Good video ,,, Common sense is not so common anymore ...

[@theflourcity]

You're right! It's good to get a little reminder once in a while.

[@ThePitGoJoe]

.

[@ericbuckner8182]

Well said