I did not get into long distance hiking until I was 60 years old. My deciding factor on buying gear was, how do I want to treat my future self. I thought about my joints, my lack of strength that I would have, and my lack of mobility and flexibility. That led me to ultra light hiking gear without sacrificing comfort. The other question I asked myself was what kind of hiking style will I use. Will I hike long distances? Will I be a weekend warrior? Will I hike three or four times a year? Will I be a camper? I decided on the long distance hiker, so ultra light gear was my choice. Does it come with challenges yes, but as they say, anything worth having is all uphill. Happy Hiking
@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING5 ай бұрын
Excellent points! 🙏
@BackpackingWithJason5 ай бұрын
It’s always great to carry ultra light gear, because it gives you enough room and weight for a Ribeye Steak 😁😁
@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING5 ай бұрын
Facts!!! 😂✌️
@BackpackingWithJason5 ай бұрын
@@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING 😂😂😂😂
@micah6-85 ай бұрын
Excellent video Crow! Very good information.👍🏼 If a guy has to sleep on the ground, it seems like you have got it figured out. As an older hammock guy I say “give me sleep or get me the heck off trail!” 😂
@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING5 ай бұрын
😂😂😂
@TrenchKraft5 ай бұрын
With so many great gear choices at numerous price points, it is definitely a great era to be an outdoors person. My outlook nowadays is “will this product enhance my enjoyment of this activity?” If so, then I look at it as an investment in myself because life is about experiences.
@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING5 ай бұрын
Excellent point! Well said. ✌️
@TheMccluref5 ай бұрын
Great comment about quilts. I won't go back to a bag unless car camping or something like that
@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING5 ай бұрын
I hear ya! Thanks for watching it. Crow✌️
@kmichaelp45085 ай бұрын
I love ultralight to a degree. But most important on my list is comfort. If I can’t be comfortable, day and night, I won’t be a happy camper. If I can’t be dry? Not a happy camper. Brad Brad Brad… great job.
@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING5 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching it. Well said. ✌️
@backpackingwithjalf-Jeff5 ай бұрын
Great video and info. I’m still dialing in my UL setup. I’ve gone from hammock to DCF tent. From a 60L robic material framed pack to a 30L ALUULA Graflyte material frameless pack. My biggest struggle is dialing in my sleeping pad. Still testing different pads along the trail. Hopefully I get this settled before long. Thanks again for the video and info.
@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING5 ай бұрын
A sleeping pad is one of the hardest to figure out. Everyone sleeps differently. Great points. ✌️
@Motorep1465 ай бұрын
I definitely prefer ultralight gear for everything. Buy once-cry once. I also like supporting small brands and love finding up and coming companies to buy from.
@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING5 ай бұрын
Well said! 👍🏻
@TerryYoungOutdoors5 ай бұрын
Those are some great points on ultralight backpacking. Going ultralight doesn't necessarily mean giving up comfort if you find a pack that you love. You have your ultralight kit dialed in pretty well.
@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING5 ай бұрын
So true! Thanks Terry
@nauticalknotcraft5 ай бұрын
Solid info. I agree that it's individual choice and functionality. Thanks Crow.
@Bibs1235 ай бұрын
This video gives great perspective to the topic. I have decided that I can do an ultralight tent, quilt, clothing and most other things. I try to save my weight through the calorie ratio weight of the food I bring on the trail as well. The absolute one thing I will make sure is comfortable, regardless of how much it weighs is my pack. I had rather carry a two-pound heaver pack than save the two pounds and it not transfer the weight to my hips. The first pack I bought was an Osprey Atmos 65L. I can absolutely transfer up to 40 pounds almost completely to my hips when my shoulders get tired. If I want, I can balance the load on my shoulders and hips or just carry it on my shoulders. I am waiting on the HMG Southwest 55 that I ordered a few days ago. I am interested to see how well it allows me to balance the weight I carry. If it doesn't, I will send it back. I also won't greatly consider the weight of my sleeping pad; comfort comes first with this item as well. This is my advice to new hikers. Save weight every single place you can, but if the pack hurts your shoulders and/or you can't get a good night's sleep, your trips won't be fun. The last thing I carry if I'm not going really far is a Helinox Zero Chair. I love that thing and it's only 1 pound. Great video, I love your advice. You articulated it perfectly, especially to emphasize that one hiker's needs and likes won't be the same for everybody. It's easy to fall into the trap of "buying what the cool kids buy!"
@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING5 ай бұрын
Excellent comment! Appreciate it very much. Great points! 🙏
@MinuteontheMountain5 ай бұрын
Lots of great information and insight, Crow. Keep up the good work.
@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING5 ай бұрын
Thanks my friend. I could talk for hours about gear…I’m just a gear nerd. 😂✌️
@MarkGoesHiking5 ай бұрын
Water soaking into the material is a huge consideration. I have a great hammock tarp from warbonnet, but never use it because I bit the bullet and purchased a dynemma tarp. Lighter and does not absorb water. Great thoughts here Crow!
@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING5 ай бұрын
Thanks Mark! Good point. ✌️
@GoneFeralWithSquidly5 ай бұрын
That was a great video, Crow. Very well done. 🦑
@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING5 ай бұрын
Thanks Squidly ✌️
@chris0895ozone5 ай бұрын
Great video, Crow! I'm planning to hike the Winds next summer. I'll have to leave my hammock at home and venture into the Ultra Light tent world with you ground dwellers!
@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING5 ай бұрын
Thanks my friend. ✌️
@TheWalkingKev5 ай бұрын
I do love a quilt after trying one. Just get a decent sleeping pad and can you use it all year round.
@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING5 ай бұрын
Well said. Absolutely!
@TINYNumismatics5 ай бұрын
Hey, Buddy It's Been awhile... I always watch your videos with Zoey. We just don't comment much. This is a great video and information for people getting into hiking for sure. You've had some great hikes over the last couple years. I Just wanted to say hi and Let you know that we still watch.
@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING5 ай бұрын
What’s up my friend! Good to hear from you again! ✌️
@glenloewen75075 ай бұрын
Now that I’m an older hiker, I prefer not to concern myself with the financials as opposed to “What will work best”. I see it all as an investment, so getting what works best for yourself is the wisest way to go in my opinion.
@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING5 ай бұрын
Well said! I agree. ✌️
@WanderingWinds5 ай бұрын
Good video, thanks for sharing- What items do you put in your packs for a day hike into Bankhead?- Jillynn
@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING5 ай бұрын
I pretty much stick to the 10 essential. I always carry a headlamp and emergency bivy. Just in case. 🙏
@GratefulTrekker5 ай бұрын
There are so many options these days
@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING5 ай бұрын
So true! ✌️
@SeniorHiker775 ай бұрын
👍
@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING5 ай бұрын
Thanks for joining in this one John. 🙏
@jeffdur13303 ай бұрын
Is that an umbrella lol
@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING3 ай бұрын
I never go on a backpacking trip without my Six Moons Designs ultralight umbrella. It is great.