You DIDN’T KNOW Your Tent Could Do THIS! 5 Tips for Better Backpacking.

[@medekmom]

I am a big fan of budget backpacking so that people know it's doable for everyone. It's ok to go with a cheaper tent, poles, backpack, etc but never and I mean never skimp on your shoes or your sleep system. Those 2 things can make or break your trip so take the time to get your feet measured to make sure you have great fitting shoes (most places do this for free). And a super trick i have learned for winter camping is to add a layer of reflectix to my bag/pad for more insulation. Great video and info. Thanks!!

[@BenMcmillen]

My best tip is to watch John Kelley videos.

[@john_kelley]

You're too kind, my friend!

[@garygill7960]

John, I have watched many of your videos and really appreciate your presentation style. Thanks for taking the time to educate us. I'm a retired old man and mostly backpack the Charles C. Deam wilderness.

[@john_kelley]

Thanks, Gary! That's a great place to backpack!

[@Rosco1001]

Y

[@MtnWanderer-TieDye-]

I've had to set up my tent in a downpour before and doing the fly first was helpful. It isn't ideal and is a little awkward as I have to bend and contort myself to get the innards set up but it sure is awesome to have that option. One of the best "gadgets" I use backpacking is my portable bidet. I understand that for guys it may not be as useful but it has been a game changer for me. Rinsing off before using a "pee cloth" keeps the cloth cleaner longer. In the daytime summer heat I don't even have to use the cloth. Rinse, shake, keep hiking. At nighttime and in colder temps the cloth is nice. That's probably TMI but it might help someone.

[@john_kelley]

I've got a couple of the bidets. Not sure which one I like more yet.

[@mackjenkins7721]

Hello John how you doing today. Man those were some good five tips for a new beginner & just a reminder. That something that some people do not think about. John I want to say I like the interview you did with As the crow flies hiking. That was a nice interview of getting to know you better. I really enjoy watching that interview man. I hope I get to run across you one day on the trail that would be so awesome to meet you. I hope you and your family have a nice weekend & staying warm buddy.

[@eprohoda]

guy~you created super edition,:)

[@john_kelley]

Thanks!

[@csamons0935]

Keep it light and tight! Great video, you look toasty in your alpaca gear.

[@john_kelley]

I love the app gear stuff. It's great!

[@johnrusso4970]

Totally agree with replacing the insoles. My health insurance covers custom orthotic insoles. Game changer.

[@Oldsparkey]

Another factor to consider with sleeping bags , Are you a cold or a warm sleeper. Myself I prefer a quilt and a really decent sleeping pad. Yes , a sleeping pad in a hammock. Inflated 1/2 to 3/4 so it conforms to both the body and hammock. I hammock camp so the rain fly is always the 1st thing up and the last item to come down. This way everything stays dry except for the rain fly. Old but truthful saying from the military ( W.W. 2 ) "A ounce in the morning becomes a pound at night". I go Ultralight mainly by keeping my base weight under the 10 pound limit. In reality , adding food & water kicks it up into the lightweight weight limit.

[@john_kelley]

Great stuff! I know a lot of people who like a pad in their hammock setup. A couple who genuinely prefer it to an underquilt.

[@theshuz]

I disagree with the R-value of sleeping pads being too high in the summertime. We sleep All Summer in our 70-degree homes on 12in of foam mattress with blankets. People don't often say their mattress is too warm. I use a 4+ R value pad all year round no problem. I only change my top insulation in the summer. In my hammock I use higher rated underquilts but mostly for space and weight constraints.

[@john_kelley]

Where I live, it makes a huge difference. I have to lower the temp of my underquilt, or not use one at all. Some nights, you don't dip below 80 degrees. It can be brutal.

[@stevenhorwood1300]

Love your videos. I believe the lights as possible to allow for extras. I have.a 2 pound Nemo tent but carry a 10 ounce tarp. I can cover up to two tents and still have some room for a cooing area if the weather gets bad or have a separate area for sitting and cooking. Having a dry tent area is worth the weight to to me.

[@DMSAdventures]

So our tent doesn't have that option but I started bringing a lightweight tarp for that very purpose. AND to have something to sit under if its raining OTHER than being in the tent. I tried to look into the math of R-Value to try to objectively figure out how much heat retention actually occurs on different pads..... did i mention I failed Algebra? No I.... I don't think I did. I was unsuccessful in figuring out how to translate R-value into real-world comfort. Anyway, nice little video!! :-)

[@austinjudway458]

I have started taking Mechanix gloves rather than running or another type of glove. I like having that level of protection for my hands when gathering wood for fires or using a saw to process that wood. They also are tougher than other types of gloves so they tend to last longer. They aren't quite as warm as an insulated glove, but once the fire is going that isn't too much of a concern.

[@april906outdoors3]

Excellent tips and message! Thank you 😊

[@a.ramosakadrumgrl6677]

I have high arches and I also have Charcot Marie Tooth disease, I wear leg braces, Ankle Foot Orthotics (AFOs). #CMT #1in2500

[@Gowaduv]

Good news about insoles - if you have a FSA or HSA they are probably covered as medical equipment expenses (just like eyeglasses/contacts). I was able to use up some of my FSA on UpStep custom orthotics and there's nothing like having insoles that are designed to exactly support your feet. Use your FSA/HSA card or get a detailed receipt to submit for reimbursement (your Amazon receipt should work)

[@mr.wallace1074]

I'm John Kelly too. Always good to know there are more of us. Greetings from the North Cascades.

[@ecttreker9816]

Great info. Thanks.👍👍

[@logancowell5858]

Odd question but how much weight have you lost John you look so slim!

[@GratefulTrekker]

Love my BA AXL Air R value isn't great but I live in GA...

[@jamesharlan8172]

hi. sierra madre makes a top quilt with a hood. it is pretty cool. love your Channel and podcast

[@davidson_oldbull_sectionhiker]

Hi John Kelley I hope you are doing well today. As always loved your video sorry I don't have anything to add but keep up the good work. God Bless

[@brandonsmith1647]

Algorithm

[@john_kelley]

🤜🏻

[@featherfoothiker]

Super helpful! Snatching up the tips.

[@strangerous1313]

Thanks for the tips!

[@thereconrigger4956]

Best tip I can give from my own personal experience, dont stress about having the best, lightest, etc, gear. The entire point of hiking is to get outdoors and into the backcountry to enjoy nature and wildlife and the beauty of the natural world, and having great gear may help but never forget it's not the point. I've went out 100s of times with crappy gear I had left over from the marine corps from 16 years ago, and had a blast. I've also been out with high tech expensive gear and had a miserable time, long way to say enjoy your hiking/backpacking for the experience not the gear!

[@mysterylovescompany2657]

Yep, I'm hauling a 7lb tent & a 3lb sleeping bag, because they're what I had, with a cheap faux tac-pack off eBay. I didn't want to let being very, very poor (as in, we're foodbank users) keep me from getting out there more or less indefinitely. If you're not thru-hiking, you can make memories with just about any gear.

[@stephanmedlin7323]

Carry less?

[@Charsept]

👍

[@TubaSolotheHiker]

Only one tip. Ditch the hammocks all together...Lol! Love you bro.

[@john_kelley]

😂😂😂. Thanks man!!!

[@SeniorHiker77]

Great information JK but those insoles are a bit pricy but if you need them so what. Lol

[@john_kelley]

If it keeps me from getting sore feet, I'll spend the money. You're right, though. They aren't cheap.

[@bob_the_bomb4508]

Hi! I’ve mentioned this before but I’m surprised that ‘flysheet first’ isn’t the norm in American gear. In Europe we’ve known this for decades…

[@john_kelley]

I had to learn it on the Sheltowee Trace. Otherwise, I would've been soaked in my quilt every night.

[@DaveOffGrid]

Great point about paying attention to weight but not being hyper focused! Most of us do fall into that weekend warrior status and a lot of times that $600 tent doesn't make much sense.

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

Well done John. Good perspective on ultralight gear vs. ultralight hiking.

[@john_kelley]

Thanks, Buckley! I appreciate it, man!

[@JonathanThrift]

I agree. I got caught up in ultra light and didn't want to carry some items just to save weight, even though I would have had a better time on trail. I'm moving back to a good middle of the road. I'm not a thru hiker and realize that there definitely is a difference in styles.

[@KristenWhere]

Omg thank you for the insole suggestion!! I’ve always loved camping and over the past year I decided to start to upgrade my gear that I’ve been using forever- then I fell down the rabbit hole of backpacking, so, although I’m new, I have a few close friends that have done this for eons- when you showed the pic of your foot I was like “YES! Thank you! Those are my feet too!” So I will definitely check out your recommendations especially for the high arch thing.. thank you so much! I truly love your content. Keep up the great work!