The 5 luxury items that I brought while hiking the Appalachian Trail (that I WOULD bring again)
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- čas přidán 27. 08. 2024
- Backpackers/ thru-hikers love to ask, "what's your luxury item?" Well friends, I have five luxury items, and I'm not afraid to admit it. Here, I discuss what those five items are, why I brought them while thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, and why I would still bring them if I hiked it again. Do you bring a luxury item (or five) backpacking? If so, let me know in the comments!
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Gear mentioned in this video:
Teva Original Universal Sandals: bit.ly/3qrqoXb
Therm-a-Rest Air Head Lite Pillow: bit.ly/3KjVOqm
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My backpacking gear list:
Backpack: Gossamer Gear Mariposa (bit.ly/3uwYyLg)
Sleeping bag: Western Mountaineering Ultralite 20 F Down (bit.ly/2XtIjkk)
Sleeping bag liner: Sea to Summit sleeping bag liner (amzn.to/2OsJ1WX)
Tent: Zpacks plexamid (zpacks.com/pro...)
Sleeping pad: Thermarest NeoAir Xlite Women’s (amzn.to/3h4zH7E)
Emergency GPS device: Garmin inReach mini (bit.ly/3sIH1gp)
Rain jacket: Marmot PreCip (bit.ly/3BYy9qM)
Stove: MSR Pocket Rocket (amzn.to/32jbIxz)
Cookware. Titanium pot (amzn.to/3j8r0v2), cup (amzn.to/3jaKK0S), and long-handled spork (amzn.to/38YR2wd)
Water filter: Sawyer Squeeze (amzn.to/32l1EUC) and Evernew water carry system (amzn.to/3fxNlA5)
Bear bag: Ursack Major XL bear sack (bit.ly/3bi6aa0)
Dry bags: Sea to Summit (amzn.to/3j9K643)
Hiking boots: Oboz Sawtooth Lows (amzn.to/38ZkKRC)
Trowel: Tentlab Deuce of Spades (amzn.to/2Wo74dH)
Kula cloth (pee cloth) (bit.ly/2ZqrbMQ)
Portable phone battery charger: Anker (amzn.to/3jeZqwn)
Trekking poles: Black Diamonds (amzn.to/3ezC0OD)
Headlamp: Black Diamond Astro (amzn.to/32odEVl
Socks: Darn Toughs (amzn.to/390oZMD)
Underwear: Ex Officios (amzn.to/3etg8UR)
Puffy coat: Patagonia Nano Puff (bit.ly/3vTKXwd) and Patagonia Micro Puff (bit.ly/3Gsnkjm)
Camp shoes: Teva Women’s Original Universal Sandals (amzn.to/3CKqvkL)
Other: Clothes (quick drying/ layers!), pillow (amzn.to/2ZxW5AE), sunglasses, hand sanitizer, bug spray, sun hat, sunscreen, personal hygiene items, small sponge, knife, trail map, gloves, hat, etc.
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I’m an ultra heavy weight. I think comfort is the main goal. You get used to the weight. People used to hike with 40+ pounds on their backs, and 20# was always “ultra light”. I’m probably around 30#, and I don’t mind. My pack alone is 7#. But I think it will last my entire life. My big luxury idem is a sheep skin for a meditation and sit pad, I went with the lightweight options on my tent and sleep system, just to save room in my pack. I always carry a full towel, because I’m the kinda guy that knows where his towel is.
🙏🏼
Hey, whatever works for you and makes you happy! As long as your body can handle it, that's all that matters. That sheep skin for meditation sounds awesome!! I probably wouldn't want to carry it myself but I can respect it!
I may decide to change my system for my through hike in 23 but like my comfort items.
Ha ha i Read hitchhikers guide to galaxy ... like your towel
Comment ;)
I watch many of these channels to pick up ideas. Ultralight seems to invade all of their content eventually. Even channels that weren't ultralight oriented initially always seem to trend that direction over time. From youtube, you'd think there is only one type of backpacking...and that is for high daily miles while long hiking. There are a lot of us that backpack just for backcountry camping purposes. Where miles are small by comparison, and we are much more concerned about carrying gear that most thru-hikers don't need or want. My extreme-cold loadout is around 45lbs (wet) and I think that is pretty good. That has things like dual 0F sleeping bags, a heater kit, knife, folding saw, hatchet, snow shovel, fire kit, tarp kit, heavier tent, etc. There seems to be very few, if any channels covering this "middleweight" category that is more focused on camping than hiking. I think there is an untapped audience there. I have enjoyed your videos, so thanks for creating them.
If your extreme cold kit is only 45 pounds, I think you’re doing pretty darn great!! I agree, there is definitely not just one type of backpacking or one type of backpacker, I think the ultralighters are just the loudest/ most popular backpackers haha. For example, I have videos just about backpacking/hiking generally, about shorter backpacking trips, etc. but the ones that tend to get attention are framed around the Appalachian Trail. I could have made this video just about luxury items backpacking without mentioning the AT, but I guarantee you it would have reached a much smaller audience. The thru-hiking and ultralight backpacking stuff is just seen as a bit “sexier” I think. Anyway I don’t see myself ever being anything other than a midweight backpacker. I get way too cold to be an ultralighter and I like being comfortable. 🤣
I’m a middle of the road (weight wise) backpacker... I’ve found a good middle ground is combining some of the ultra light advice or backpacking channel advice with some of the bushcrafting channels.
A good air mattress is my one thing I won`t backpack without.
I totally get that! Not much fun backpacking if you can't sleep.
I bring A Grundig transistor radio with AM/FM/shortwave. FM is in stereo too. You get local music and weather reports. I'm a sports nut, so it's great for ballgames b4 hiker midnight.
Ooooh I bet the other sports fans on trail love you and your radio hehe
@@AudreyAdventures Of course I always ask 1st Trail etiquette you know!
@@tacklebill4835 Of course! 😎
My favorite luxury is a large, external frame backpack. It is more comfortable, enables quick packing, and provides space for another favorite luxury, potato chips. Rum fits in there too, as does bacon. I was ultralight and tentless back in the 1960s, but with experience went shorter daily distance, more comforts, and explore side trails, creeks, and activities, including cooking. I am big and fit, and a few extra pounds of enjoyable cargo I enjoy are no problem. I hike for fun. I am like old Nessmuk who said " I go to the woods to smooth it, not to rough it".
You sound like you would be fun to hike with! 😄
1. Pillow - always, of course. 2. Bathing suit - my hiking shorts are a bathing suit so, yes. 3. Hairbrush ah, need more hair to justify a brush. 4. I usually just unlace my trail runners but I bought camp shoes (on sale) for the first time this past fall. Haven't done a long trip to justify unsung them yet. 5. Never did hand warmers. I avoid doing overnights when it's so cold you can't warm your hands.
Camp shoes make a big difference, I think! I have gone on shorter trips without them and I always miss them. It's just nice to mix it up and give your feet a break and let them breathe. You'll have to let me know what you think once you go on a trip and try them!
Section hiker/weekend warrior... always bring my Stanley french press for morning coffee. It also doubles as my cook pot. I also bring what all the ultra lighters loath, a camp chair!
I'm a big coffee gal, so I respect the French press!! I've never felt like I needed a chair, but I don't judge if you think you do! :)
I will forever use a pillow. If I’m tent camping I use a regular blow up pillow and if I’m in a hammock I use a travel pillow
What’s the difference between the regular blow up pillow and the travel pillow? Is the travel pillow not a blow up one, or is it just smaller? And I’m with you - pillow forever!
I made a fleece cover, to go over my pad. Extra warmth and comfort. My wife made me a pillowcase, of the same material. Soft and comfy and hardly weighs anything.
Oooh that sounds lovely!!
I like a real pillow, so I bring a thermarest compressible pillow when I'm not worried about pack weight, otherwise I use an inflatable. I also usually bring an air pump so I don't get lightheaded blowing up my mattress, the pump is also a lantern! And I always bring firestarting materials, and usually an alcoholic beverage. Minimalist backpacking allows for 1 canned beverage.
Bonus recipe!
1 mini of Kahlua
1 mini of Vodka
1 spoon of powdered milk
A splash of cold water
Combine ingredients and stir or shake vigorously. The dude abides!
Ha! Thank you for sharing the cocktail recipe - so fun! Also that's so neat your air pump is also a lantern. I hadn't heard of that before!
Am I the only one that prefers my clothes bag to a pillow? I made myself a stuff sack just for that with fleece on one side.
You’re definitely not alone - I know other people who do this as well. But I’m usually wearing most of my clothes so I prefer the pillow. 😜
@@AudreyAdventures I shove all other stuff sacks in there if they're dry. Just gotta get the softer stuff on the fleece side. Sometimes it is more flat, depends on if any clothes are wet or if I do need my puffy. I have a trekkology but prefer my pillow to be past my pad, not on top of it, and my pad is taller than that pillow
No i do too. Blow up pillows are cold and the pillow isn't comfortable.
A diaper wet bag makes an excellent stuff sack for a pillow. If it has two compartments it also separated clean from dirty clothes in your pack and keeps them all dry!
I totally agree! Good choices to bring as luxury items. No competition here. New follower here. Just happy hiking. Crow
Welcome, Crow, and happy hiking to you! 😄
I do have a pillow, in fact I use 2 pillows!! I have the Trekology 2.0 pillow & the Fjallraven pillow as well. I look forward to all the hate mail, lol.
Okay several people have said they have two pillows... and it's making me think maybe I need two pillows LOL.
Umbrella, camp shoes, wet wipes, an extra shirt, 2 pair of underwear, and 3 pairs of socks. I like to be "clean" and dry. Clean is a relative term here. And the base-weight is still only 12 lbs so.
Very impressive your base weight is still so low! I’m with you - being “clean” and dry is really important to me on trail as well.
They also make tiny wet brushes. 😊. Great info. Always
So I ended up buying a mini one but... idk it's kind of useless with how much hair I have haha. I might just pack the full-size one!
Ultralight is Ultra Right!! I get it. When miles add up out there,you will never curse going lighter. Except in caliber.
Absolutely.
Word.
Oh woman
I love to bring a hammock so I can have a comfy place to rest. I use tent for sleep.
I sometimes do that on short overnight trips - I love it!!
I love it, thru hikers will scold you for certain items out there on the trail like they know what I need. Can't they see the hubris in that? I almost wanna bring two pads and two tents just to mess with them.
Haha so true! Personally I buy lightweight gear so that I can bring the luxury items that I want without being too weighed down haha. But seriously, people get too judgmental about gear, in my opinion. Bring what makes you happy as long as your body can handle the weight.
Again, I look forward to all the hate mail, but I’m a crocs guy. They work for me, & that’s all that matters. Currently research’g the Body Glove 3T water shoes.
Hey Crocs are back in style! The Gen Zers love them. ;)
A pillow is nonnegotiable! If you don’t sleep well, you can’t hike…simple as that. My luxory item is menthol wet wipes! Nothing like a refresh at the end of a hot sticky summer day. It feels wonderful and I can’t imagine getting into my sleep clothes and sleeping bag w the days grime still on…
Oh I also bring cleansing wipes for that very reason! I don't consider them a luxury item though haha so much as a necessity for me! :)
Pillow is a must definitely, nice video.
I agree! And thank you. :)
hair brush is a luxury item because shaving didn't cross your mind and that on its own could shave off multiple ounces of weigh (no pun intended)
1. Memory foam travel Pillow
2. Wacaco espresso maker
3. Fairy Lights
4. Toaks cup
5. Extra extra socks
Espresso maker and fairy lights?! I like the sounds of that. :)
@@AudreyAdventures haha just cause I live in the woods doesn't mean I can't bring some personality with me.
The fairy lights weigh nothingish and have so many colors, combined with a white ultamid, it glows.
The espresso maker is like 8 oz, but the quality of drink it makes vs instant or a cowboy pour over can't even be a comparison.
@@jtact5487 Hehe love that attitude!! How do the lights work - are they battery-powered? And hey espresso in the woods sounds awesome!
@@AudreyAdventures The lights do have an attachment for a batteries,but I use a direct USB hookup to my anker and have a remote (lol) never seems to take away anymore juice than I can spare.
2.1 Oz for like 20-30 feet ?
-
Espresso pump actually gets used more off trail than on.
@@jtact5487 So rad!
I bring a mini mirror. Good for getting out pieces of black fly that crashed in your eye , checking for ticks in those far away places and checking out how long my beard has grown. Good times!
Very smart with the mirror! One of my friends brings one along for ticks as well. I end up using the camera on my phone as a mirror when I find that I need one haha. It's not the best, but it does the job in a pinch.
Long before Dan Becker started touting it, I have taken 2 pillows on every trip. Before the Nemo Fillo pillow, I would carry a (small) down pillow from home as one of them.
I 100% support this!! I have thought about getting a second one, honestly!
My current duo is the Nemo Fillo Pillow and an Outdoor Vitals pillow. Absolute sleep perfection for me!
Yes, I always use a pillow even in the hammock. The key is to inflate the pillow only half way or slightly less when using it in the hammock. Totally rocks.
Ohhhh I wouldn't have thought of that with a hammock. I've got a hammock on my patio - I'm going to have to try that!
My luxury item is a full length toothbrush. I refuse to cut it down just to be contrary 😆
My actual luxury item is a Dutchware hammock chair and straps. The chair and straps weigh 6oz total and omg soooo comfortable. It is just great being able to sit up off the ground and recline
Oh I don't think most people cut down their toothbrushes haha, just the craziest ultralighters! I definitely don't, though i will get the fold up camp ones when I can. Okay WOW that chair sounds amazing! Can you send me a link to one? I want to see what it looks like!
Ooh! I've been looking for a backpacking chair, I'll have to check dutchware out!
@@jonathonwilcox2051 if you check out the single video that I have uploaded it shows me setting it up and using it a couple times. It is seriously awesome.
I recommend the Cloud 71 fabric, it is as light as bug net but strong enough to support an adult male
pillow is a luxury item because in ancient chinese/japanese were the literal block of brick - look it up if you are not a believer
I believe you but we’re not in ancient China or Japan. 😂
My luxury items:
Reusable coffee filter for brewed coffee
Hairbrush
Camp shoes
An extra pair of underwear
A town dress
A town dress!! Love that! Okay and I must know what reusable coffee filter you use. I have considered getting one....
#4 to me seems like a must on the AT and pretty much any other long hike. On the AT there is many shelters so you need something in there. And on any other hike you may shower at campground, hostel or truck stop. All places with well lets just say there showers may be clean but not cleaned between users and you could pick up or give some foot funk. Do to plantar flastitus i have trouble walking in sandals but carry them especially for showers.
Totally agree! But some people don’t carry them! And yeah no thanks on the foot funk. 😂
I agree I am shocked you didn’t know about wet brushes! That’s all I’ve ever used!
I’m really confused as to why none of my hairdressers ever told me about them before 🤣
I’m not opposed to bringing a pair of swim trunks, & my hair is too short for a brush to matter, lol!!
Haha I'd have to shave mine if I didn't bring a brush and I'm not gonna do that hahaha.
I deffiently use a pillow for neck support and clothes are lumpy. Camp shoes are important to air out your feet and release some pressure from your feet.
Totally agree on both counts!
@@AudreyAdventures I really liked your videos and I know some of it was for female hiker's. I know Dixie used baby powder for her hair.
I agree with most of your items. Do you use the sawyer squeeze filter? The hose that comes in the kit that most people don't seem to carry, has many uses and can made a great shower. Just drill a few verry small holes into an old cap, warm a bladder or two full of water in the sun, hang from a branch. Presto, a warm shower and had to carry almost nothing extra.
I do use a Sawyer Squeeze, and love that idea! I don't carry the hose (not even sure I know where it is...) but may have to dig it out to give this a try this summer!
@@AudreyAdventures can get a special shower cap like the bidet attachments and avoid the whole hose and have the weight of just another flip sport cap.
skip to 8:00 for #3
Nah, I’m gonna pass on the hand warmers. One more thing. I think by now, I have watched enough of U’r videos @ random, to appreciate U’r personality & U’r content. I am officially subscribe’g to U’r channel.
Haha that's okay - I'm not trying to convince you! And awww thanks!! Welcome! :)
skip to 5:48 for #2
Greetings again, apropos to my comments on your frequently asked questions. Probably coffee. To be fair, I've only done car camping and/or festival camping lately, but there's nothing like a hot cup of coffee when you have a campsite near a running brook and it's cold but you're wandering around in a sweater and shorts. And that would mean some sort of stove to boil water. Also, probably some sort of field guides, trees, birds, rocks, whatever and a pair of binoculars. I'm agreeing w/Jordan below that I'd probably be looking at a shorter but more focused backpacking and most equipment posts these days seem to be competitive ultralightness, what it takes to get from Springer to Katahdin but then I guess that's what you get reading through-hiker vlogs. I would certainly take a pillow too, clothes in sacks just doesn't get it for me.
Oh my, I do not consider coffee to be a luxury item at all. I drink it every morning on trail! And have even tried many different kinds of trail coffees to find the ones that actually taste good! I do carry a stove, but it's so important for me to be able to have hot coffee and a hot meal on trail, that I consider that a necessity hehe. I REALLY don't understand the cold soakers. Having a field guide would be awesome! I often take photos of things I'd like to identify, then look them up later. Totally agree about the pillow haha. And yeah I'm never going to be competitive in the ultralighter competition haha. I do own some quite lightweight gear... but I appreciate the comforts in life (like actually sleeping, staying warm at camp, and like you, a hot cup of coffee in the morning!). :)
@@AudreyAdventures OK, OK was trying to find something different to say. See a lot of through-hikers vlog coffee cups being filled up at hostels, restaurant etc. so yeah, obviously important to them. Maybe the not understanding cold soakers was what I was trying to say although I have subsisted on figs and tins (yes, tins) of sardines. Kinda show my age here with the field guides, I do the same w/cell pictures of mushrooms, critters and run home (well, stumble) to find out what they are. So, um, those big square rocks in the background of western NY state? Glacial erratics? Just like big rocks in the middle of a forest to me. On the side, *thinking* about doing the Erie canal trail on bike of course.
@@TheJhtlag Haha that wasn’t a dig at you for choosing coffee… I just can’t live without it (or at least don’t want to) so I had to argue it’s point as a luxury item. 😜 And yep glacial erratics! There are a ton of them in that area. Ooh the Erie Canal ran through my college town. That would be fun to bike I am sure!
skip to 3:21
That was interesting. Really love the sandals; would like them for every day running around...Question:. How do the hand warmers generate heat and how long do they stay warm? 🌄
I haven’t used them in awhile but I think they last a few hours! Here’s some info on how they work: www.ems.com/how-to-use-hand-toe-warmers
@@AudreyAdventures thanks 👍
Wow. That hair.
Yup, hammock or ground the pillow is a must. Nonnegotiable
I swam for 8 years, I always camp/backpack with my old suit for that exact reason 😂
Haha agree!
Not crazy lux items AT ALL, Glowstick! I also carry most of those be it a day hike or a thru-hike; pillow ✅ (Trekology….I have one in all four of my packs), hairbrush ✅ (foldable with mirror…..I have super thick hair for a guy), also Tiva sandals for all the reasons you mentioned ✅, No bathing suit or hand warmers (I still carry a Nalgene bottle for measured cooking and use it as a hot water bottle for my sleeping bag)……I DO carry Bluetooth earbuds for when I get to camp…..and sometimes a very lightweight speaker (I know these are super controversial in the hiking community).
Ahhh glad to hear we are of the same mind, Paladin! What pillow do you use? And ahhh yes I carry earbuds too - I used to carry just the normal super teeny lightweight ones with cords but now I’m really into my wireless ones so I too bring those along backpacking. I’d say I use them more at camp than while actually hiking though. Oh I don’t think a speaker should be controversial as long as you’re using it respectfully, and I am 100% certain that you are!
Any swimming in GA on AT? Chair or pad?
There are a lot of creeks and some waterfalls in Georgia, but it was wayyyyy too cold for swimming while I was there. I didn’t carry a chair or pad on the AT - I would just sit in or on my rain pants. The back panel of the pack I have now (Gossamer Gear Mariposa) comes out and acts as a sit pad as well, so I still don’t carry anything separate for sitting.
@@AudreyAdventures Thank You
They make mini wet brushes!
My hair gives me so much grief I think the full size might be worth it. 🤣
Ok the pillow is definitely not a luxury item in my book as a good nights sleep is so essential. I however use a reversible dry sack with clothes in it as my pillow. Probably will sleep on my dirty clothes though just clean ones and my puffy as I'm not that cold of sleeper. The bathing suit makes more sense I think for women than men. I think easier for a guy to strip down to his underwear than a woman. Why I don't know if that even makes sense LOL! I'm bald so don't need to worry about a brush. I will bring a shaver for my head which I'm sure will be called a luxury item. I don't care I'm bringing it anyway as I will not allow my hair to grow on the sides and back of my head and turn me into bozo the clown!!!
Your description of turning into Bozo the Clown made me laugh out loud! Haha! I agree about the pillow but for some reason people do always refer to it as a luxury item! Yeah I'm pretty much always sleeping in my clothes so that option wouldn't be great for me except maybe in the middle of summer haha!
You remind me of Goldie H.
Oh! Thank you! How so?
@@AudreyAdventures your voice and pep!
@@kimberlypenney7216 Oh haha! Well thank you - that is a wonderful compliment!
... Luxury items ?? Everything I put in my bag or pockets are tools or gear that I use throughout an outing or hike ... nothing considered (at least to me ),, a luxury ..... Might not be on your list ,, but hey ,, as the expressions are said ,, "You do You" ,, or "HYOH" .... But really when someone brings up that question ,, I suddenly become deaf ...and take another bite of my Blueberry Cheesecake ,,mmm.....as for pack weight ,take whatever you like to make the trek fulfilled with the rewards you choose.....,it is what it is .... ultralite ?? it will never be ...
LOL well if you've got blueberry cheesecake out on the trail I know you're doing something right!!