My Biggest Appalachian Trail Gear Regrets

[@jamesdelaney4741]

Wow! A real person making real mistakes, and admitting it. You're going to help many. Great vid! And Congrats!

[@SomeDudeQC]

Thanks!

[@tenminutetokyo2643]

I love your calm delivery compared to all the shouters on YT.

[@robopecha]

interesting video! and i also liked that you mentioned being a small person and therefore having to look much more for the perfect weight. i always see videos of huge guys talking about their low base weights, who in reality would have no trouble carrying much more weight, while us small ladies really HAVE to travel ultralight just to not ruin our health.

[@restman79]

Fellow Floridian here. The lack of cold weather practice is real. I'm the weirdo looking forward to our impending 38F low Wednesday morning, I'm getting ready for a solo hike through the Everglades in January and so the chance to test my sleep system is super welcome.

[@AggyGoesOutdoors]

I admire your tenacity in completing these trails despite being a little mis-equipped. 👍🏽🙏🏽

[@twentyonetwelve2179]

I like CNOC bags with the Sawyer... fills easier.

[@christygatto]

CNOC hands down is fantastic so easy to fill and squeeze or just hang to filter. Just put your name on yours cause the CNOC bags are so popular!

[@singledad1313]

I got 2 CNOC bags way back with their Kickstarter campaign. Still using both of them today.

[@MrTastyZombie]

CNOC is the way to go!

[@MikeJones-yr3tq]

Evernew bag. Just as strong, lighter & more compact than the CNOC. Better built even than the Platypus. I always ducktape around the edges of my water bags for reinforcement. Japanese, a little hard to find.

[@johnalden5821]

I had definitely been tipped off about the Sawyer bags before I got my Sawyer Squeeze, so I went out and got a pair of collapsible bags that were more robust. Definitely worked out and I still use them for all backpacking trips.

[@christygatto]

I remember we had a hiker from Florida who was soaked to the bone had no dry clothing and thought she would be okay spending the night in the shelter when the temperature was going to drop into the teens and she only had a 40° quilt. We pretty much bullied her into getting off the trail called a shuttle for her and walked her to the nearest trail head to make sure she actually got off trail. It amazes me how many people were so under prepared for the cold on the trail.

[@frugalmum7943]

Glad you did, you may have saved a life.

[@christygatto]

@@frugalmum7943 One thing I learned during my time hiking the AT is hikers take care of each other. Its an amazing community.

[@GypsyGirl317]

Doing plenty of research before commencing any long distance hike is sensible huh. ❤️

[@christygatto]

@@GypsyGirl317 very much so, people think its in the south so the weather wont get too bad. But at higher elevations it can get very very very cold well into April and even May.

[@GypsyGirl317]

@@christygatto same here in New Zealand - in some locations we can experience four seasons in a day! People coming here for hiking really need to do their homework and come well prepared for changeable weather and lots of rain as well as sunshine and amazing scenery. ❤️

[@titanpreparedness]

Very interesting. I always enjoy seeing regrets or lessons learned type videos. I find them more informative thsn show and tell videos

[@lightbuilder2673]

Saoirse, for menstruation, a menstrual cup is great for the trail. I've tried a couple, and I really like the XO Flo from GladRags. It's great for a heavy flow and the pull tab is the most comfortable of the ones I've tried. I supplement with a washable pad from the same company on super heavy days.

[@lindsaymuller1819]

My cup is the small size from me luna and I really like it

[@gracebarrett-johnson]

Yeah I’ve used a diva cup and two size of the Luna cup and I prefer the diva cup, but everyone’s different. It’s super worth figuring out what works for you, both to save money and space, and to save the planet :)

[@robertclark8044]

Minimal weight and packs small while comfortable is an inflatable pillow. Better than clothes in a sack and many people don't take extra clothes. Love my Outdoor Vitals pillow (3.5 ounces I think).

[@willek1335]

My biggest regret was underestimating how important shoes are. I have relatively wide feet and oftentimes blisters. What worked was Altra 4, it got a roomy toe box. Put on a thin layer of Vaselin, to not rub the skin too much. Wear double whool socks, even in summer, because unlike normal cotton, it wicks away moisture. Have fun. :)

[@serenitysearchers2909]

Thanks for sharing ... it is always nice when someone is willing to share their struggles!

[@User-si4us]

Sleeping bag/quilt temperature ratings are usually a survival rating. The comfort rating is usually 20-25F higher (while wearing thermals), so a 40F bag is really a 60-65F bag. Good video.

[@mtadams2009]

I own Zpacks quilt and a Western Mountaineering sleeping bag and both are rated to 20 degrees and both will take you down to 20 degrees. I am on the thin side 5.8 150 pounds. I have had no issues with either.

[@K_Tech64]

I almost scoffed about the gloves, but then I thought back to when I lived in Florida for a few years. I remember my first "winter" down there. I was walking around in shorts and a T-shirt, just amazed at all the long-time residents bundled up in sweaters and jackets. I'm a northern guy and I get sweaty when the temps get above 70, and 90 is just uncivilized for me. It's all about perspective.

[@briantuttle2426]

Awesome shout out to Mast General Store in Boone, NC! Go App State!!

[@janetpattison8474]

Hey, u learned so much & its so awesome that you are out there on the trails. Thanks for sharing your experience. I’d go w/ a -20 bag at a minimum, They are expensive, but what I have is more like 20 + and definitely not warm enough. I’m in hot hot FL as well.

[@frugalmum7943]

Videos like this are so helpful, thankyou for sharing :)

[@EricTheDane]

Ha, I started with the Osprey Aether 85 (same blue color) after seeing someone with one and being impressed. 6lbs with brain, ouch. Went to a Crown X60 (drop version), 2lbs and plenty big. I think a lot of us learn this lesson.

[@ABCABC-fn4fg]

You have a very calm and lovely voice

[@detravel534]

Enjoyed your vid. For periods- I have been using the Diva Cup for over 5 yrs and I love it! It takes a bit of getting used to but it is just the best for me on and off the trail. Bonus Walmart now sells them. Saves so much money and waste.

[@michealdean3750]

Outstanding and very candid video.

[@youcanadventure2]

I am looking at doing the AT once I have saved up enough money and allocated enough time off ( 2023) and this honest approach is much more realistic , great job . I am still trying to put a wish list together but it is so difficult.

[@onlyapilgrim]

hows it coming along?

[@jmz1736]

I had the same problem with the sawyer bags. Luckily it happened on the last day of my trip because I did not have a backup plan. They really need to fix that

[@emrysziegler7354]

Period cups are great for “that time of the month” on the trail!

[@patrasha9185]

I came here to comment this exact thing!

[@annedrews1378]

Absolutley!! They are small, lightweight and you only have to clean them every 12 hours. You can just use clean water and once a month some sanitary wipes, they're literally the best!!!

[@nicoles7101]

I used to just take the pill with no breaks. Stops periods altogether. Currently using the coil which makes them extremely light so it's not a big hassle.

[@ajmacbeth]

Very nice vid. Useful info. Takes a lot of courage to publicly admit mistakes. Thx.

[@pygmygiant]

I don’t like period underwear for hiking. The underwear for heavier flows weighs a lot more than regular underwear. You also need at least 3 pairs, maybe more, in order to wash them out and have time to dry them before they’re back in rotation. If you can’t be certain of good weather to dry your pants then you’re screwed. I also found that once you’ve been wearing the pants for a while, the moisture soaks into the elastic around the legs and I had a lot of problems with chafing from that. My alternative that I swear by for hiking and day-to-day life is a menstrual cup. It can take a few goes to find the right cup for you (I love diva cup) but I can completely forget that I’m wearing it, I can forget that I’m even on my period for 8 hours and every so often I just wash my hands, pop the cup out to empty into a cat hole, rinse it with filtered water and stick it straight back in. At the start and end of every period I’d sterilise it but I didn’t like to do that in my food pot so I just cut down a drinks can which weighs almost nothing and I’d fill that with water and put it by the fire to boil.

[@bertman4]

If you were wearing all your clothes to sleep, then a clothing bag for a pillow would not have worked. I highly recommend an inflatable pillow. I sleep so much better. It's well worth the ~3 ounce weight penalty.

[@hahasimpsons]

I spent 24 yrs using the stuff sack pillow and the last 5 yrs using a 10 dollar inflatable that weighs under 3oz. I have always placed a shirt over whatever "pillow" I sleep on, but recently moved to a inflation pillow , same pillow, which is stuffed inside the stuff sack with clothes. The stuff sack with clothes to the sides provides a larger pillow width, and since I also sit on my pillow, the clothes will still be a pillow when the inflatable gets a hole in it. I am a side sleeper, so I like a taller pillow than a back sleeper would.

[@gingrai00]

Great video. What shoes did you end up getting for camp?

[@jameskilroy4223]

Cnoc is a must. I live in florida. Not great for training for trail

[@woodsy6904]

Thanks for sharing your story! We are in Florida too. Love seeing Wind Up Bird Chronicles on your shelf too.

[@joebwan814]

Just fyi about the 40 degree quilt- a sleeping bag liner might have added an extra 10 degrees of comfort for minimal added weight & cost without having to completely replace your bag. Thanks for the wonderfully honest, informative video, like always!

[@jasonhines4669]

Good video and advice! I appreciate your honesty! Backpacking is learning experience!

[@barriereid9244]

The fingernails out in the wilds, in my experience: The Sahara Desert (registered guide), Scottish Highlands and The Pyrenees, are a no no. Merrell sandals I wear in the Sahara and summer months in North Europe. Wellington boots in the winter. I gave up wearing walking boots about twenty years ago. My sleeping bag in N Europe is -50'C! A Spanish blanket in the Sahara. You will make more than a few errors when choosing gear until one day....it arrives! Best of luck. 🌹 I have a 5L dry bag for my first aid gear which if emptied and rolled with air inside makes a pillow!

[@fayleya3865]

The moon cup works well out hiking. Just rinse it out with water. No waste to carry.

[@davegibson2810]

Great vid!

[@rbrundrett3865]

Awesome video. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@justaguydoingguythings2762]

Scratch the clothing bag and use the pillow as your clothing bag. Comfort and practicality. Lol. Great vid. Thanks for sharing. After my first trip to linville gorge loop and dropped alot of weight for taking out crap i thought id need and never used

[@SvenSan]

In my experience sleeping bags only work to the specified temperatures if you wear as little clothes as possible since you have to radiate bodyheat into them to keep yourself warm. If there is no heat the bag can insulate, it ain't working. Same with the quilt and the pufferjacket.

[@scotty8630]

You are delightful!

[@mtadams2009]

Many good points. I think many people pack and plan for camp and not the trail. I spend most of my time hiking and very little time in camp except when I sleep. That is why my base weight is about eight pounds, I love it hike and not carry a bunch of heavy crap.

[@Hootyhoo-jq9vq]

I am very impressed with you.

[@pootinplays]

YOu didnt mention what shoe you replaced your 1lb camp shoes with? What did you replace them with

[@douglasfry5455]

I had an inflatable pillow, it was great

[@shannontaylor1849]

I still use a stuffable pillow, but I stuff mine with air so that I don't have to carry all that air weight with me. Rather, I just dump the old air all over the old campsite (No trace, ha!); I always find new air lying around to stuff it with by the time I get sleepy again. In my experience, that is.

[@catlady8324]

@@shannontaylor1849 It seems you have plenty of hot air available! 😹

[@ThePainterr]

Got me sub'd! Thanks for sharing. Definitely got to reassess some items in light of this video. Ta.

[@OverlandGeneration]

you are STUNNING!

[@randifriedner]

Thank you so much for sharing.

[@actoldlater...itsnevertool5288]

Hi Story! We met in 2019 in Franklin at the outfitter with Solace! Great video! Hope you are well!

[@AeetosOutdoors]

Thanks for sharing!

[@crystalkirlia4553]

I'm going to be doing my first hike ever in march. For the period problem, I'm trying out a menstrual cup. They can stay in for 12 hours before you need to clean them and you can just clean them in boiling water. Idk if it will work, but I'm hoping so. My sister's getting it for me for yuletide.

[@angelamunden9589]

That 12 hrs is only on low flow days. It will leak if it overflows. I've used the Diva cup for years and there are overflow holes in it. But I'll never go back to pads. I'm just more mindful of how often to empty it.

[@andrewmurphy6376]

I keep a very detailed journal. I'm going to have to right

[@chrishennemeyer7276]

Was checking out your bookshelf, but could only make out Palahniuk and Murakami. Good taste, but wish I could see some of the other titles.

[@networkbike543]

Good video. Well spoken.

[@GruntProof]

Good stuff! Your mistakes with cold weather sound exactly like me going from southern MS to Germany 😂

[@charleszimmermann7784]

I through hiked the Appalachian trail in 1986, but I kind of cheated, I was in the military and got my commanding officer to sign off on it as a training maneuver, that way I was able to get air drops and supplies dropped off to me, grant it military gear is not light, but it was a wonderful experience. Thanks for the video.......looks like the Pacific crest trail is next? 😃

[@PositivelyKyleHikes]

That's no different than people having supplies shipped to towns along the trail.

[@anitahalvorson6586]

Kula cloth, pee rag, made by anastasia allison. she's super nice. i took her hiking 101 class and she was just in the works of getting her company up and running. this had to be about 4 years ago or so. i have close to 10. lol. i love every one of them. they range from 20 to 22.00 maybe a few bucks for shipping.

[@awhatleyCHS]

spend half the video trying to identify the books on your bookshelf. You have informative ideas, and I definitely can relate to some of your changes in gear.

[@consciouslygrowing]

such a great video! you shared this info in such a sweet way and it was super helpful. thank you!

[@micaylaspencer9449]

How many Liters was the Osprey vs the ZPacks?

[@MrJenssen]

Looks like an Atmos, so either 50L or 65.

[@ScottKent]

Good honest review. I'm also in Florida and have trouble cold testing gear, but I've been on and off the AT for over 20 years and pretty much know what works for me now (pack is still too large, but it's an Osprey Levity so it's still super light). My biggest problem is having to deal with over-heating in the cold due to a thyroid problem...I use an EE 30 degree quilt down into the teens and still feel cozy. Anyways, thanks for the video as it gives me more to think about as I head off to do a thruhike of the AT in 2021 (all because it's the 25th anniversary of Bryson's hike in "A Walk in the Woods"). Try the Florida Trail, north of Orlando it hasn't seemed so bad...by bad I mean swampy. Hike on.

[@CaitlynGoesHiking]

For “that time” of the month I’m planning on switching my birth control to an 84 day regimen rather than 21 day, so only 1 period to deal with on trail. And for that 1 time planning on using a cup.

[@paulsmart5199]

Smart water bottles...Sawyer filters screw direct onto them

[@elainewhitmore3383]

Great video

[@woodsman335]

One of the things I hate about using my clothing bag for a pillow is the funky smell all night long. Eeew. I now carry a 4 inch thick x 6 x 6 piece of foam for a pillow. I bind it up with paracord to make it almost no size at all in my pack. The whole thing is ounces and is comfie.

[@L2theWcarscoffeelife]

as far as pack size that easy for you to judge but when you are a male over 6ft all clothing is xl sleeping gear is wide/long your not fitting that into a tiny pack you cant compare my clothing and gear compared to yours and say why is my pack larger

[@suemoore1965]

❤ THANKS FOR SHARING

[@brandonfoley7519]

This is an osprey back *Grunts* Slams bag down on table

[@markcummings6856]

Great video. Thanks

[@BosomBuddyCreations]

great video!

[@jcsoutlook]

KULA cloth for a pee rag is the best!!!

[@appalachiabrauchfrau]

kula overcharges x100 the materials needed to make a kula cloth cost $2 and it takes no time at all to make them imo you should make your own

[@movingmartins6162]

Thank you for talking about how not growing up in the cold we really just don't know! I can remember never wanting to travel in winter but it was because growing up in South Georgia I had no clue how to layer! lol

[@davehanes7871]

Thank you for video!

[@cassandralesh8536]

You don't need camp shoes. The water bags burst from squeezing too hard. A lot of women use the cups that you insert.

[@woodsman335]

I use NuFeet (Amazon) for camp shoes because they just slip on, so you dont have to put on nasty hiking shoes in the middle of the night just to pee. Has worked for me several years.

[@Bohonk212]

Walmart 'crocs' weigh almost nothing and are great camp shoes. Dumped for good sandals for fording in Maine.

[@dwarfwithafoamhammer_2278]

The Kula cloth is a great pee rag company that has cool designs on them

[@Mtnsunshine]

Thank you for this. 👍. Gloves are the biggest challenge, I think. I still haven’t heard of a perfect pair to keep my hands warm and dry. 🧐. As for the rest....live and learn! 😁

[@ChrisSmith-ou7np]

Google Showa gloves and Andrew Skurka

[@ThreeEagles47]

I bought Possum Down gloves from Zpack and they are great. I can't understand why they're so much warmer than any other gloves I have worn, but they really work for me.

[@KB-re4ku]

Go Showa Atlas 282 Temres! Highly recommend them! Use them up in the Canadian Rockies and they work so well! Find them on Amazon. The Possum Down gloves work well under a shell (as I recall they are not a wp/breathable glove) but the Showas are stand alone.

[@christygatto]

Rubber work gloves like showa over a breathable layer such as possum down or neoprene gloves are fantastic.

[@memathews]

@@ChrisSmith-ou7np Got 2 seasons now w Showa & love then. Great for just hiking/backpacking & also for trail work, cutting loss, dismantling campfire rings, etc.

[@dirtbagoutside]

Live in Florida.. How about the Florida trail??

[@TheDetourDuo]

This was great to watch. Hopefully we will learn from this a bit. I'm sure we'll get all the wrong gear still lol

[@sandradanen8738]

If you had the right equipment the size of the backpack wood have been usefull.😉 And some people need more gear. For example, I always hike with my dog so I need to carry his gear as well.

[@johnrodgers2018]

Thanks for sharing and forgive me for laughing

[@aurtisanminer2827]

She looks like she’s related to Mike from the ‘That Chapter’ channel.

[@liquidSpin]

HAHA you're tougher than you realize. Most people would have called it quits. Yeah, for people who are living the outdoor lifestyle and camping in colder climates it's best to do proper research and spend/shop for the best gear that suits your own personal budget before going. I highly recommend newcomers to do a test night first. People have different tolerances so it's always good to know where that sweet spot is for yourself.

[@brandonfoley7519]

This is an osprey pack *Grunts* Slams bag down on table

[@wallytuescher2175]

Why not use the stuffable pillow as your cloths bag. Best of both worlds

[@RyanABaird]

I did the exact same pillow thing lol

[@lauradonofrioart]

This is hilarious, thank you for being real for us!!

[@janetpattison8474]

“Hilarious” ... What an odd comment.

[@LuckyTown77]

Learning from experience. Done my share. Saw baby washcloths @ 11 grams each...

[@huds5005]

Great Video. Sawyer must not give a sh-t because everyone complained about there bags back on the PCT in 2016 and they still suck. To bad it just ends up in a landfill for no reason.

[@NorthWoodsDiver]

Don't look for waterproof gloves, look for neoprene gloves. They are designed to be wet inside and out. That's actually how they keep you warm. A 3mm stretchy neoprene scuba diving glove worked amazingly well for me on the AT. I'm a diver, so I had them and wanted to try it. Definately one of the smartest gear decisions I made for that hike. You lose dexterity with all gloves and neoprene gloves are harder to put on and take off but they will keep your fingers warm. Oh, don't use them around fire either.

[@christygatto]

I had possum down gloves they were amazing. Kept my hands warm even when wet. Some people buy rubber work gloves to wear over top of them when it gets really cold.

[@frugalmum7943]

Thanks for the tip :)

[@ajmacbeth]

great idea, thx

[@Brett.Simpson]

"Every ounce counts."

[@learningisfun2108]

Thanks for the video and excellent info. Can I ask that you include time stamps in the future? Thanks.

[@redllpallme9342]

I was thinking of a pee rag but no one talks about them as reviews

[@maureenleahy8292]

check out kula cloth

[@juniperparla3584]

I think @hikeoregon has a review of a pee rag.

[@appalachiabrauchfrau]

I bought a $1 sample square of the stuff the brands make theirs out of and ironed it onto a different $1 waterproof sample square, instant $2 pee rag with the fancy antimicrobial 4D whatever-shmatever fabric. Got them off wazoodle. ps it's actually called "The Zorb® 3D Polyester Stay Dry Dimple Silver Fabric with SILVADUR™" lol

[@mennopieters3512]

Lol to much weight from a notebook and pen srsly im glad i quit ultra light backpacking ill save weight were i can but srsly a pen and notebook and camp shoes? Lols i just use my trail runners for everything and the filter system always cnoc unless it gets down below the 0f/c

[@jmz1736]

Whats the capacity of that pack that was too much?

[@walk-tall-hikes]

I think it was an osprey atmos, which is their most popular model. They come in different sizes but the most common is 65 liters and that's what that looks like.

[@richardrath925]

It was an Osprey aura 50 ag with a capacity of 50 liter and it weighs 2 kilogramms or ap. 70 ounzes.

[@johnalden5821]

I have a comparable sized pack and am thinking about lighter options. The internal frame is a bear in terms of weight, although I will say that it has been good for my back in terms of structure.

[@angelpoys]

@@johnalden5821 I recommend the Osprey Levity/Lumina. Available in a similar size, still has a great frame but is less than half the weight. Not going to be as durable as the heavy packs but if I can save over a kilo I don't care.

[@johnalden5821]

@@angelpoys Thanks, I will definitely look at those!

[@andreadeflaviis6486]

Beginning of the video, I'm thinking "ok, another one about trekking mistakes, nothing new but she's cute, no harm right?" But then a few tips came to mind so I guess I'll share. First tip: if your Sawyer squeeze pouch breaks and you are in a pinch you can always use an 0.5l soda bottle for collecting and squeezing (with the proper thread but that will be easy if you are in the US). You can also use the bottle as an additional water reservoir or to put your salts in until you actually need it. Second tip: ALWAYS carry a mylar blanket (or two) in your kit. It can help in many ways if you get into colder weather than you expected and it weights almost nothing. For example you can just put it around your cold sleeping bag and you will feel quite some degrees hotter. In my experience it's been at least 5 to even 10C°. Third tip: you only need a very small soft object as a pillow if you put it inside the sleeping bag hood. And you won't even have a problem with the pillow sliding around 😂 General tip: first go on a few shorter multiday trips (weekends or one week) before you embark on a thousands' mile hike. It will not only protect you from this kind of mistakes but will help you train your joints and precious feet. You can replace and improve your gear, but your body is not so easy to replace! At the end of the day, this kind of videos are always useful even if only a few new hikers will see it, so kudos to the Saoirse after all 👍

[@sekyw]

i didn't wear underwear. i used tampons. i didn't use a pee rag. i just shook it after i peed.

[@india1422]

I’m astounded at the lack of preparedness. Glad you came through in one piece.

[@larryterry7874]

Beautiful amazing smile. I know has nothing to do with backpacking.

[@montyollie]

For periods, I chose not to menstruate. Took the pill through and left bleeding behind.

[@coryshelton1574]

Diva cup for the win ott

[@marybordewieck5040]

Menstrual cup all the way

[@GypsyGirl317]

I have seen so many videos from girl hikers who use menstrual cups and they love them. ❤️ I am past menopause now which is a huge blessing for hiking! If I was younger and still menstruating I would definitely use the cup too. 👌🏿

[@appalachiabrauchfrau]

I hate them, but that's me. I bought some bamboo fleece and sewed it into my underwear + use a menstrual disc. I just don't like not having a sink around when changing them lol