Thru Hiking Gear Doesn't Have to be Expensive
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- čas přidán 7. 06. 2024
- Backpacking gear can seem like such a daunting thing when it comes to getting into hiking, but I don't think it has to be all that expensive. I think you can get gear that works great for very cheap or for free! If you can save a thousand dollars (or more!) before even setting off on your thru hike, that's huge! So I hope you enjoy these tips on how to thru hike on a budget!
One of the things we talked about in this video is what I consider a list of essential items to bring backpacking. You can check out that list below for extra reference, with some recommendations!
My list of Cheap Essentials:
- Backpack
- Pack liner * - tinyurl.com/2p8uvn7w
- Sleeping pad - amzn.to/49XV9I1
- Sleeping bag - tinyurl.com/yw3wy6x3
- Shelter - tinyurl.com/3rxufbcv
- Tent stakes
- Trekking Poles - amzn.to/3T0xUGz
- Food bowl * - amzn.to/3RqILsD
- Stove - amzn.to/47VAO42
- Food bag * - amzn.to/3UJ6XbU
- Spoon * - amzn.to/3uAxYDw
- Water bottles *
- Water filter - amzn.to/3wkWVUb
- Rain jacket * - amzn.to/47Vo5yc
- Warm jacket *
- Socks * - amzn.to/3DDlk73
- Beanie * - tinyurl.com/bdfru8h5
- Gloves *
- Tights or pants * - amzn.to/4bGcvdi
- Phone *
- External battery *
- Flashlight * - amzn.to/3uLxw5g
- Lighter *
- Teeth care *
- Blister care - amzn.to/3qZ55f9
- Ibuprofen *
- Trowel & toilet paper - amzn.to/3u6VIMr
- Baseball cap *
- Shirt - pref polyester *
- Running shorts *
- Trail Running Shoes
We also talked about how you likely already own a lot of this gear! It may not have been sold to you as 'backpacking gear' but sometimes the best stuff is not intended for backpacking anyway! So I encourage you to dig through your home, and ask yourself what do you already have that would work perfectly fine while hiking? You can save a lot of money this way, and then later on maybe upgrade for lighter weight or more packable items.
We also talked about researching and how that can save money! I do this all the time, and an example would be when I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail. By starting in May, I needed much less gear than those who started in April or March. Sometimes this is a fine balance to strike, but it's definitely worthy of note! Some more extreme examples of this would be desert hiking vs a rain forest (Arizona vs Washington), or winter hiking vs summer hiking! Some places, some seasons, and some trails just require less gear! So with a bit of planning, you may find that you need to buy even less than you though.
While you're at it don't forget to check out used markets! Thrift stores can be incredible places for clothing items. You won't find the highest end products there (though you might) what you will find is a ton of gear that is more than good enough! Jackets, fleeces, rain coats, beanies, gloves, base layers, tights, hats, shirts, pants, and shorts are all readily available at thrift stores.
Probably something else many wouldn't know is how much material can affect price. Look out for silpoly or silnylon tents, instead of dyneema. Look out for synthetic insulations like Apex, instead of Down. When it comes to shelters or Sleeping bags you could find yourself saving literally hundreds of dollars on really high end ultralight gear
00:00 - Budget Thru Hiking
00:53 - What You Need
01:50 - You Own It!
04:08 - Planning
05:14 - Thrifty
07:29 - Deals
09:02 - Materials
11:13 - Creativity
12:25 - Thank You :)
Hiking Essentials Shirt! jupiterhikes.com/product/hikin...
THE BACKPACKING GEAR I USE:
www.jupiterhikes.com/gear/
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www.jupiterhikes.com
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Thank you for watching! I hope I did the topic justice. As always get what you want and use what you want! There is no one perfect kit for every trail, season, person, or objective! But still hoping this video gives you some ideas on how to do things on more of a budget
Great video, bro. Really appreciate it!🙏🏽😎👍🏽🤘🏽
One thing I would add is buy a sewing machine. They can be found in thrift stores and you can make your own gear, stuff sacks, food bags, fanny packs, back packs, tarps, bivys, tents, hammocks you name it if they sew it in a factory you can make it at home for cheaper. Tons of companies sell DIY kits.
Probably should have included MYOG! My partner has made two backpacks, a shelter, and some other items. A synthetic quilt looks fairly simple as well, (maybe the most simple of sewing projects?) Making your own stuff is definitely the pinnacle of cool, and thrifty.
After finishing the AT in September one of the first things I did was buy a machine. Since then I've made a bunch of stuff sacks for practice then moved to fanny packs, tote bags, along with a Palante simple pack and a Tyvek shoulder bag I just took out on the OTL.
I watched your 2023 AT gear video. Noticed you made nothing. Are you going to start?
Yes! I have had a great time diving down this rabbit hole! I reached out on FB and scored two sewing machines for free. I watched some vid on YT, copied a pattern, and made my own 30 liter rolltop pack from two IKEA Frakta bags, using the provided webbing straps as seam backing. Good practice for working with DCF and other fibers.
@@jhonyermo I didn't have a machine before i hiked the AT. But I do now and have made quite a few things as said in my previous comment.
Fun video. I already have all my gear, but one of my biggest strategies for buying the gear I want is to refuse to pay full retail price for anything. It takes research, planning and patience. I research to narrow down what I want, make a list, then wait for sales. I've saved a lot of money doing that alone.
Agreed. Even if you are picky, you can get all the stuff you want on sale. Especially if you are flexible on color.
I buy my thru hiking gear out of season. October/November are best. The current season is done, and no-one is stocking up for next summer yet.
Regarding avoiding used down and waterproof items, I'm amazed how well Granger/Nikwax products do in restoring performance. I always buy second hand gore-tex products, saves so much money and I know I can get them back to near new form with a bit of TLC!
Great tips! One thing to add. If you go through your medicine cabinet, you can build a really good and cheap first aid kit for backpacking. The pre made ones tend to be heavy, expensive, and full of redundant and/or useless items.
Inflatable sleeping pads are another item that I would lean towards buying new as you cannot fully tell the quality before you try it out yourself. Great video as always!
i began camping with an old canvas-covered raft and a canvas yard sale mountaineering tent with a rubber floor. wish i had them now!
Great advice....I just took a friend out yesterday, who wants to backpack, window shopping for gear.....so perfect timing I just shared your video with her and I know its the perfect place to start.......thanks for the videos ...!!!!!
Please encourage her to check the cleaning aisle for super absorbent cloths, they are super lightweight and make excellent hiking towels.
Costco for clothing - The deals they have on activewear are amazing and it's good quality materials and name brand stuff. The technical clothing I've got there stands up against anything else I've bought and was 80% less. Only downside is the clothes rotate every week and it's not a huge selection so you'll probably have to make a few trips there to find what you want. Still, for the small selection they have, it's always on point and I always find something I want.
Dollar stores are also treasure troves for cheap backpacking gear. The name brand stuff will usually be in small portions/travel containers and everything else is cheaply made so its lightweight and lasts long enough to get your dollars worth.
Thanks for not being a corporate mouth piece on new high-priced gear.
I mean I do some of that too! I wouldn't call myself a corporate mouth piece, but there's two sides to anything. I think this kind of advice is really valuable, but then for those who are super invested already and wanting even lighter weight or the highest performing stuff, sometimes that does cost. I will happily talk about both, and use both. The uber cheap, and some of the more expensive.
You have produced a most useful video. Thank for being concerned for the backpacking community. Simplicity is often your explanations. Thank you.
I just want to add that probably everyone has a granny or great aunt that has extra long teaspoons in their kitchen that they aren’t using. Free long spoon for rehydrated food bags!
Some people call them parfait spoons. Where I come from they are called Ice-tea Spoons and that is exactly what I have in my kit.
Great video Jupiter! Another super inexpensive way to lighten your base weight is to use a tarp instead of a tent! You can get a 10x10 tarp for $75 which weighs 18oz with stakes and lines included.
One of my favorite videos of yours @JupiterHikes! I feel like more and more people are getting locked in to "perfection" and "the best of the best". If something isn't "exactly" what is perceived to be needed, it simply will not work. However, there is so much grey area with backpacking and we human creatures are far more creative and adaptable than we seem to have become accustomed to. There are nearly endless options when you "color outside the lines". I posted a gear list video of a 6lb base weight using a $19 packable backpack that worked out great for a 1-night trip and I used that same backpack for a 2-nighter.
Tip for used rain jackets; Most lose their ability to keep you dry because of the outer coatings wearing over time, but DWR can be reapplied for very little money. These DWR coatings can also be used on wind shells, to give you a bit ore protection with those as well.
I'll find expensive rain jackets at thrift stores all the time that people tossed because they were "worn out", reapply the DWR and get 2-3 seasons out of them staying perfectly dry.
Great tip! I haven't tried it myself yet!
Havnt had much luck with that lately, years ago the DWR coatings were better, the newer environmentally friendly ones dont seem to last long at all, both the original coating on the garment and the wash in reapplications are just really mediocre now.
@@snowcrash512 I’ve never tried the in wash options, but the spray on ones are half decent. I find you have to redo it twice a year for the DIY ones, but I chalked that up more to me being bad at applying them than anything wrong with the coating.
@@snowcrash512 Not as good as they used to be for sure, but I've had luck with Nikwax wash-in DWR retreatment for my rain jacket.
@@maxwellerickson7066 the longest lasting one I've tried was Granger's, seemed a little better than Nikwax but it's been a while since I've tried Nikwax too
Thank you - such a great topic. I actually love the planning almost as much as the actual trip!
Some of the best advice I've heard about putting together gear for backapcking.
Excellent thrifty advice!👍
Great job Buddy, love your host demeanor and you're going into detail. Always out here sharing your work. Blessings your way from Oregon. Mike.
Oh ya! Shopping second hand stores is a total blast!It's stunning what you can find. I've reworked my gear list three and four times over as I buy better/lighter. I would love to see more videos like this, Jupiter. Your attitude towards hiking, towards living, is something that should be more common. Thanks. :)
Sunday, March 03rd: Many good and useful ideas. Thank-you. Happy Trails! Ross08
Awesome video! I like how you covered budget gear without recommending specific gear. This in a way allows people to go out and search, instead of just settling on what they might see in a video! Two more helpful tips for budget backpackers are: If you plan on backpacking an area with geography that allows for it hammock gear can sometimes be more affordable, just as light, and more comfortable than tent gear for the price. Also, be weary of sales where the item is discontinued. I've gotten good discontinued products before and bad ones.
Thanks! I do plan on doing specific recommendations as well, but really felt that this is more valuable. The tips on getting things even cheaper than any list of specifics could ever do. I think both are good and work with each other!
Very much look forward to your specific picks! Thanks for the great tips!
Great video as always, Jupiter.
So far these are the best videos on ultra light hiking gear etc. I´ve found. Thanks
Really good tips as usual.
Now this is on point! Nice one man!
What a great video, thank you so much!!!
Great video! Last year for my first sections on the SHT I used a bag that I picked up used, in 1987! Still worked for temps above 35 and lighter than the 15 year old REI bag I used for the rest. I think food is another cost saving area. I made some of my own meals and they were often better than the freeze dried options.
looking forward to next week's video!
Best advice for backpackers EVER !!
Thanks I'm going on my first official trek and you are most interesting youtuber for me
Lots of great info, dude! I took a screenshot of your gear laid out to use as a packing list.
Add flashlight and toilet paper! Missed those in the process of making this
Thanks for being awesome as always and great video
I got started hiking about 15 years ago I went to an army navy store. Having all this cool stuff was fun but I learned really fast that I didnt need or want to carry half the stuff.
Great video. Benefit shops are fantastic. I picked up a lot of nice backpacking clothes throughout the years. Costco base layers and underwear work fine. Waiting for Black Friday sales helps a lot. A lot of used gear from Amazon is brand new. I picked up some used trekking poles that were untouched in the package.
Fantastic advice, I wish I had done some of these before my AT thru hike attempt. I was very happy with the super expensive gear I bought but in hindsight, it was a relatively marginal improvement over more economical options.
You are the best ultralight thru hiker on the Internet.
Good tips. With effort and patience, searching for affordable gear is actuall fun. I would say most of my gear is second hand or bought in sales. I still splash out occasionally on items i believe are worth spending on.
Use what you have to save money towards gear...for example your mess kit/cooking kit, can help you reduce dependence on takeout hot drinks and meals.
You can cook double your usual meal quantity, freeze the extra in individual serving sizes and take for an easy lunch to heat up at work or picnic style using your gear
As long as the gear is durable and doesn’t break down or fall apart that’s all that really matters!
Great advice. I'm going to send this video to my buddies who are getting into backpacking and ask me about what they should buy. This is an excellent philosophical primer with some awesome specific recommendations. I had not heard of that Durston shelter which is exactly what I was looking for! Just ordered one. You should get a referral fee! Now I need to start listing my old gear/mistaken purchases somewhere so I can pay for it. Thanks man.
Tell that to Durston! He should offer that, but currently doesn't. Gunna talk more about his tent in the next video too. It's a great tent and I hope you enjoy!
Great attitude (and video)
I picked up a Columbia fleece w/ 1/4 zip for $6 yesterday at the thrift store. I almost bought a used Riff 30 sleeping bag at REI for $250 but found a new one on Amazon for $215. I still need some other items (backpack and tent) as what I already own is very heavy, but I think I will make due with what I have until I can find a deal on what I want.
Great info...
It's not 300 dollars savings on the Xmid Pro, it is 400. The choice is to upgrade to dcf inner floor instead of silnylon (as the price is dcf in lieu of cheaper).
Couldn't agree more. I think that's a drawback of youtube professional hiking scene. But that's where the money is and what people watches the most.
I was thinking about making a video for my channel about buying gear cheaply; thrift stores, FB Marketplace, OfferUp, etc. And of course, DIY/MYOG which can really save $ and get you custom gear. But after watching you, I don't think I need to. Nicely done. Thanks. TomLovesDIY
I watched a video about zero drop shoes. With a heavy backpack people lean toward so a drop shoe can help. With a light pack a zero drop works better.
Therefore with your set up a zero drop is probably better.
Don't be afraid to buy women's items if you're a man and vice versa. And last year's colors can often be found at a substantial mark down.
Especially from thrift stores on the women's items! Their sections are always so much larger, I size up and it's all good.
Cool video 😊 greetings from Sweden
👍🐿👍 thank you for the video.
nice video wish i saw it two years ago, woulda pumped the breaks an saved a lot of money. keep of the good vids fellow Floridian +subbed
Same for me eight years ago! Trying to share info I wish I knew early on, or stuff that wasn't obvious to me. Hopefully it can help others getting into it now!
Great advice. I would add that in the UK I have not seen that much stuff in the Thrift stores. Facebook market place is a good option tho'. I have found some bargains at TK Maxx and its always worth checking out there.
Yea, this is now THE video im going to link people
Nice thrift store finds! The Arc jacket is funny since your last video lol I laughed out loud during your last video. I am a total Arcteryx junkie and just made a video about some of the awesome UL gear they have (haven't released it yet)
A great logo indeed.
@@jhonyermo you like my logo or the Arc’teryx one? lol
Rain jacket, waterproofing sprays are available.
Re 2nd hand waterproof clothing: you may or may not be surprised what a hand wash in a few quids/dollars worth of a technical washing solution can do, especially if the previous owner hasnt used normal detergent on it.
Edit/ and thats before even thinking about reapplying a DWR (and if you do that, dont buy spray on: buy the cheaper wash in, and mix it yourself with warm water into a spray and use a cheapo mister to apply)
What tent did u used in video? Thank you ✌️
Walmart right now has a 50L backpack for $50.
Sometimes dedicated long-distance gear is even cheaper than what you find in REI. For nearly the same price you get more than double the longevity from a cottage made pack compared to an ordinary 3 pound pack. But even if you go full custom and you think you need these titanium stakes for 32 $ a piece (handmade to order in Canada), hiking is still extremely cheap. Try mountain biking or bike packing in general. If you want the same level of gear you may have for hiking, you are looking at 30k as just the nude bike alone can set you back 10k and more.
However, if you try to thru-hike 2000 miles or more, saving 100 $ on a tent is maybe not the best option. Also a Dyneema tent is toast after 2500 miles or 150 nights. Real long distance hikers (6000 miles and more per year) go thru 3 tents a year or they have switched away from Dyneema.
2lb tent, 2lb pack, 1 1/2 lb bag, 1lb mat. I saved massive money. I save weight on what food I carry.
You found an arteryx jacket at a thrift store?? Amazing find
I've found a few! I have to assume some people don't feel like selling that thing they bought on that vacation that one time, or don't remember that it's worth anything lol
for a minor 7.6oz you can upgrade to the xmid 2 for even more space.... also not everyone can sleep on a thin foam mat....
Jupiter often says his mat is not for everyone. Constantly
Correct , It does not have to be expensive but it sure feels nice to have the latest, greatest and ultralight. You get what you pay for, for the most part. 😊
I agree! I will buy the nice thing as I know how much I love backpacking, but for those getting going who may not know they like it yet, or for those on a budget just trying to make a thru hike happen.... I hope that this will help!
I think a thrifted rain jacket would be fine if you put some NicWax on it!
Exactly. I bought some pretty battered gore-tex stuff on eBay and got them to almost brand new with the right Nikwax products.
Since so many people rely on smartphones these days, which phone do you consider the best for (ultra)lightweight backpacking?
Whatever you already have! I think they're all good. For years I just used budget phones or much older models and those all worked fine. I think if you're in the market for something new, you could compare weight, battery life, and photo quality. Those being the three things most valuable for the backpacker.
If your jacket is no more waterproof, there are some waterproof spray bottles online... that can extend the life of the jacket. 👍🏼
I’ve been hiking since the 70s and I don’t own 29 items.
Do you have any experience with the Paria Thermodown 15? I'm using a 36L GG Kumo and I am looking for a budget quilt that can pack into that pack. The Thermodown 15 is only $179!
I haven't heard of them before but just now looking at the basic specs of it, it looks good, and certainly good for the price. I personally don't like horizontal baffles though as I find the down migrates a lot more to unwanted areas (off my core, to my sides). I would see if you can find some other reviews for it, the price is like half of what is typical for a down quilt so that makes me a little suspicious
Hey thanks. I thought the lack of reviews considering the price was odd. Thanks!@@JupiterHikes
The Crown 2 from Granite Gear is around 75 dollars for a pack that is 2.2 pounds. If I was going to buy something new, it would be the pack.
That's incredible! great recommendation
A big benefit for beginners is that the pack has an adjustable hip belt.. This way they aren't stuck buying a smaller hip belt as they lost weight@@JupiterHikes
From 🇮🇪
Would you give out your strava name?
Go to busssy area for that used gear 😂 theyre thrift stores way bettee
And mountain towns! Even the really small ones
Thrift stores are better if you live near a trail or outdoors area
For sure those are the best! But even stores in not outdoorsy towns will have good stuff, just not 'name brand' stuff. Good to just look for certain materials in that case as many materials are used across all companies, from the not known to the super known.
Hey Jupiterr! What do you think about taking an extra spare pants in case you shadoodle your pants? (asking for a friend)
Wash them?
My Mantra: Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
I have that written on the front of my 'ideas' notebook. Very valuable saying
affordable, quality equipment can be bought from sites like ali express, teemu etc
Jupiter just for fun can you make a video for a bugout bag. I think the dollar will collapse and I would like to see your take on a bug out back.
I have a confession to make. I’ve never had a food bag and I stopped using pack liners. If I need to hang food I just use the compression stuff sack from my bag. As far as using a pack liner. I just waterproof the stuff that needs to stay dry and I don’t worry about the other stuff.
Reeee
Just don't skimp on your footwear, I always look for clearance items!
I'm a big fan of getting older models of shoes, or ebay shoes!
@@JupiterHikes I just got orange Altra Temp 4s for 125.00 dollars, normally $160.00, they still have them in assorted colors!