5 Backpacking items I replaced with just 1.
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- čas přidán 8. 09. 2024
- Epic discusses the versatility of carrying a shemagh on trail and how it can be used as an alternative to other pieces of gear.
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It's sort of funny how we're rediscovering how useful traditional items actually are when compared to consumer items invented specifically to get us to buy more things. Thanks for the video.
My thoughts exactly Zachary, how strange.
“For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
It is even more interesting, realising that our ancestors invented and used this stuff, thinking exactly the way "why the hell would I carry ten things when I can carry only one multitask item?"
Every Slavik grandma on the planet right now is watching this, and saying to themselves "I've been trying to tell you!"
😂
Not only is it very versatile in and of itself that it replaces so many pieces of gear but instead of carrying those 5 pieces of gear it would still likely be lighter to carry a couple of shemagh instead of those pieces of gear. I've gone backpacking before and my cousin who was special forces swore by the shemagh and taught me most of what you just showed. I carry 4 with me on the trail because they are super light and having multiple for different purposes is amazing just so that you have more versatility due to just carrying multiple.
In the French Foreign Legion everyone was issued a "Chèche". These are the sand color shemaghs you see tribesmen wearing in places like Mali and Chad but bigger. Uses: head and face wrap, sleeping cover, dust protection, towel, make shift shade, first aid for heat stroke, triangular bandage, camouflage, cover for rifle, carry all, rope. The best bit of kit appropriated from former colonial subjects.
Also reminds me of the scarf worn by boy scouts. The old boy scout books used to have instructions for how to use it for a lot of these uses (although not as a blanket...) but mostly modern scouts treat it like a flag or team colors.
Interesting! How big would you estimate the cheche to be, please?
not sure if it's already been mentioned but you can use it for shade and air conditioning. here in az with the intense sun i just drape it over my head and down my back to keep the sun off my head, ears and neck. if you have the extra water you can wet it and again drape it over your head and down your back. as the air passes through it the water cools the air just like a swamp cooler. this works with any article of clothing but is less effective in humid enviroments. solid video with great advise. love the pillow and sling
Good call on the cooling cloth. I wish I had mentioned that one. I'm looking to hike the AZT next year so that will come in handy. Thanks for watching.
I put EVERYTHING in knee-high hose. Almost no weight. See thru. Organizes. And....can use the for a million things like 1st water strainer, dunk dishes in water/river, layer of warmth for head, hands, feet....etc etc etc
👍✝️🙏🙏
Wow. That's interesting.
Pantyhoses waaa
As a dude I’d look real sus if I did that but hey UL is UL
You can filter water before purifying it with this, use as a compress to stop major bleeding, wrap an injured joint or add sticks to make a splint, as a sling for an injured arm or shoulder, as a shawl, lap blanket, wash cloth, and I’m sure anyone from the Middle East would know a hundred more uses. I suppose this, a plastic sheet, wool blanket, duct tape, and metal can and matches could get you pretty far. I honestly can’t see how so many people can spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on gear and don’t work for months on end in order to do long trails.
Like a bandana but better.
Ummm yeah ill just keep my water filter and isreali bandage
@@jasondavis4421 if you’re actually at risk of life-threatening bleeding, the Israeli bandage is a good call. But you are still supposed to PRE-filter large particles with a cloth or coffee filter before using most purification filters.
@@jasondavis4421 One can try to use a shemagh as a bandage...after filtering water with it. Im just not sure how well that will go.
Imho both extremes (minimalistic/ultra light vs. having stuff for everypossible situation) are not very practical...and could get very expensive too.
Im still debating with myself which route to go or how to find a good middle ground.
Awesome, never deployed and all my war buddies carry these like I do a bandanna. I see this a lot on various loadouts and I could never understand why but you cleared it up on multiple fronts.
Happy to help. Thanks for watching 🙂
Lol, I really like this idea. If you knew how many giant scarves I've collected on my travels I could literally take a new one for each trip I go on. 🤣 Now I can have justification for why I'm collecting them besides the fact that they are pretty neat. I always bring an oversized scarf to use as a blanket on the plane and have improvised with them multiple times in urban settings and never really thought to translate onto the trail.
Good stuff brother. I’ve used mine as a diaper changing pad, baby blanket and sun shade for the jogging stroller.
Wow those are great ideas! I have a little one myself. I'm gonna try that with my jogging stroller and the changing pad.
Been using a shemagh for going on 15yrs and you're dead on. It's also a must have for backcountry winter sports too, it's weave is perfect for insuring that powder can't choke you in the event you fall into a treewell and generally doesn't fog up eyewear or lose breathability when it gets iced.
Could you elaborate a little on how it can be used to survive a snow burial?
@@gabriele.thompson3566 It of course depends on how compacted the snow is, but the loose weave and large amount of fabric create a lot of air permeable surface area so the snow doesn't encrust right up against your face/mouth. It's probably only 1/4 to 1/2 and inch, but it gives you maybe an extra breath or two which can be everything just after you fall. Additionally, it's just enough to be able to spit some to orient which way is up.
i've had the same shemgh for about 3 years now its getting a bit tatty but I love the think glad to see people still using them
Great video, deserves a sub. A shemagh should be definitely be included in your pack, they have been used for 1000s of years in Mesopotamia as Keffiyehs. Works good as camo on a hunt for keeping the light of the scope. 100 uses for a simple scarf.
Agreed with usefulness, but I would say something like this was used all over the world, not just in Mesopotamia. You see people carrying things in folded piece of cloth everywhere, if you look at old time illustrations, same thing goes for wrapping it around neck and head in various styles...
I still use an ultralight towel because it dries much faster. The problem with multi-use items is that they can only be used for one purpose at a time. If you wash up and use it to dry with, well not it is wet which makes a very poor hat in the winter. I do own several shemagh but am not a fan of the tassels as they get in the way of smaller knots. I have yet to bring myself to cut them off though.
I agree completely. It can't do all jobs at once . You don't have to replace all 5 items. I don't always. In winter I don't ever use it to dry anything. It's more important to me to have a head wrap and a pillow. I'm definitely not swimming or bathing out there in winter so no need for a towel to dry of with. I Also won't dry my cookpot with it in winter.
I usually am in a hammock but if I find myself tenting I will bring my little 9x12 sham towel for wiping down condensation. If I know I'm going to use it as a sling bag in winter I will carry a light beanie. As with all gear I think you just need to know how to prepare for the conditions your going out in. Thanks for commenting, and thanks for watching 🙂
@@EpicOutdoorz, you two just covered most of what I was going to ask about. (E.g., if you get an injury or take a side trip -- and use it as a sling or carrying sack -- then there go your head, face, and neck warmers.) So my remaining question is, why is a *10-ounce savings* so valuable to you? I could understand forgoing items for _space-saving_ reasons more easily than for what seems like such and incidental decline in weight.
If you cut off the tassels, you need to sew up the sides, or overlock them, or the fabric will fray.
Have you any thoughts on my above question,@@EpicOutdoorz?
@@jimreadey4837 Hi there, I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. There's definitely a space saving aspect of carrying only my shemagh. As far as the weight savings is concerned, it's not just about saving 10oz from the shemagh, but Instead a cumulative weight savings by applying this multi use principle ( as well as other principles ) to as much of my gear as is practical. It can all add up quickly to equal pounds in your pack which equals pain on your back. Even just a couple of pounds makes a difference. Thanks for commenting and thanks for watching 🙂
Well now you’ve convinced me I need 2 shemaghs. One to wear (usually soaked in bug spray in the summer) and one to use to replace the items you mentioned.
Use permethrin on your clothes. No bugs or ticks
@@pedroclaro7822 I'm in Canada and permethrin is not available for HUMAN use.
HOWEVER... I buy Mustang horse bug spray which does contain it. I use it on my pants and outside top layer. I find that even after drying it irritates my skin so I do NOT use it on my shemagh, just regular old DEET spray. If ticks make it up my lower body to my neck they won't die from the deet but they will be repelled by it.
I’ve been watching a ton of videos on what to do or not do when backpacking and so far this one has been the most helpful! Thanks
I appreciate that. Thanks for watching 🙂
Halfway through my last trip I thought to myself "Why in the ever loving world do I not have just a simple bandana on me??!?" I am just going through this rediscovery of traditional/simple items and their usefulness. Thanks for the video!
They are so useful I carry two. One I wear, one in pack for *everything* else. Means I don't have wet thing round my face when ive used it for cleaning cook wear etc.
A shemagh is also great for cooling off. Drape a wet shemagh over your head and let the breeze hit you. Best AC without compression.
Also makes a pretty decent primary water filter (debris only)
Absolutely! Thanks for commenting and thanks for watching 🙂
Dang dude! Great guide!! Outstanding the way you showed all the knots and methods to replace the gear as you went. Looks like I’m off to Amazon for a shemagh. This was really helpful for a broke beginner like myself.
Love the use as a day bag. I was just looking to eliminate my day bag and this is the perfect way to do so, especially since I've already been bringing a shemagh with me anyway. Not so sold on eliminating both the towel and the headwear: if you use it as a towel and it's all wet, you can't use it as headwear if it's cold, so those seem somewhat mutually exclusive. Also can't use it as headwear if you're using it as a day pack, so I'm keeping my headwear for now.
We cover those issues in the comment section. I find that if it's cold enough outside to need a beanie, I am not likely to need a towel because there's no way you're getting me in the water in cold weather 🤣. I also don't use it to dry my dishes in cold weather .
You're on point about using the sling bag in cold weather. If I know that I'm going to do that ,I will pack a small beanie. It definitely makes sense to make adjustments to your gear where needed. Thanks for commenting and thanks for watching 🙂
... If the need arises ,, the tassels can be cut off and used as fire starters ..... similar to the shoulder carry bag .... can be used to gather and carry small size twigs and bark needed for a fire and tied around the waist .. rolled at the diagonal and used as a belt ..
Those are all great! Thanks for watching.
Came to this video randomly from another one, didn’t expect to get such value out it
water filter to get out the big itms of debris leaves etc before you boil the water once water is boiled rap it up in wet shemagh and as it dries it wicks away the heat. folded used as a glove. 2 can be used as straps if you carry a bed roll instead of a back pack. Depending on colour it can either be used as a signal flag ( bright colours) or camoflage ( dark colours )
Thanks for this! I just ordered one.
Traditional gear is always valuable to consider. I’d just say that it can’t be used for all of these at once and in most of the environments around me it would never dry once wet. This is a predominantly dry climate tool. You could easily make a quick dry version by cutting a wicking T-shirt or a smartwool like material.
this video made me smile. thanks man
I used it against mosquitos and insects and it worked. Can be also used as pillow to sleep or small blanket or extra sun protection for your camping. Might work for a small rain cover under a tree but obviously not directly under the rain since it's cotton cloth absorbs all the water.
I wish I knew about this before I purchased all the other items... Now it's just an added $12 expense to save the weight for items I already own. Oh well, who am I kidding. It will be another piece of hiking equipment. Time to buy one. Thanks for a great review.
Yes, I agree a shemag is a great item to have, but what if you have to use the shemag as a buff at the same time as you need it as a pillow, backpack, sling etc.?
Have 2 shemagh! Shemaghs? Shemagies?
Joking aside 2 is 1. 1 is none. As the saying goes.
Great video!!!!!! I’m sold!
What a great idea! I don't like the tassles so I searched for a large square cotton scarf. I think that will work better for me. My puffy will be my pillow and my fat head will fit in this scarf better than a regular size bandana. Thanks!
The tassels bounce and keep insects away
Been eyeballing one for a while now... Just pulled the trigger!! Thank you!
I'm also a big fan of the shemog. Picked up a few tips. Didn't know the pillow. Maybe would have thought of the day bag. I mostly use mine as clothing, ( head and neck) and to put over my eyes at night.
not gonna lie the buff and beanie option sold me, love the idea of using less for more thanks dude!
I love content like this, thank you! I'm a huge fan of surprising multi-tasking gear.
Great tip, and excellent presentation. Thanks.
Like an 1940s jeep shawl, though those were usually made of a light wool.
Cool, really useful tip! 👍👍
I love the Shemagh and it''s many uses. Havent seen it used as a day pack or pillow before so thanks for the extra tips. One thing I do not use it for is a towel, imagine drying yourself or your dishes with it and then an hour later using it as a pillow.. it just doesn't sound sanitary to me, towels start to smell after a few uses, no matter how clean you are when drying yourself. You either have to wash it almost every day, or just not use it as a towel.
I also use mine as a sleeping mask (but not as a towel and usually also not as backpack since I wear it all the time around my neck.
I really only use that pirate style for pretty cold days. Mostly I use either Saudi style or bedouin style depending on whether I need my face/neck protected.
Being able to show weight and budget puts this video very informative thank you
Good ideas. 🎉
Good info, thanks.
Interesting re the shemagh. I had been thinking about getting one but didn't know how to use it (although, I would still carry a small pack towel for drying my cookware etc.), so thank you, very very interesting.
i have one in my bug out bag!!! Yay!
I have two, both given to me by friends. One is a commercial model and, like bandanas these days, is too small to be much more than an affectation. The one I use and love came as a souvenir from Palestine (I believe it's called a _keffiyah_ there, but it's the same thing).
Great tips!
Very nice! This is a good tip. Solid weight saving option.
Did anyone else think of Linus and his blanket from the Peanuts? Like a larger version of the bandana with just as many + plus more uses.
🤣
Love the cost savings most of all.
Hello 👋 my outdoors friend. Greetings from Northern California. Thank you for sharing these helpful tips. You did a fine job. All the best to you. Stay safe out there. 🤗 👋
Shemaghs are the best!👍
Love this idea! So versatile
Really great tips! I wouldn't like using for a kitchen towel and having it on my head/pillow etc so I would still carry a kitchen towel. When my stuff wears out, I will have to remember this. Am always looking of good ways to save weight and space. This is a winner! Like others, this earns a subscribe.
I can totally see I how that could be a little gross to people. I typically only boil water in my cookpot so it's not usually an issue for me. Thanks for commenting and subscribing 🙂
@@EpicOutdoorz maybe just a small swedish cloth. Those are notoriously light and can do the trick for the kitchen side of things.
@@brycedunlap You're the second person to mention the swedish cloth to me. I really got to check that out.
I've used two layered together to make a light blanket / sleeping bag liner.. also when I use them as pillows I use a folded up puffy and don't even tie it..
The shemagh would make a great travel trail blanket too. Gotta try your way ive used a standard fleece blanket abd a blowup mini pillow to use on long flights and used the neck gaiter as a sleepmask.
Excellent
Thanks
Nice one, cheers!
Hell yes, so happy i found this video! was looking for a lightweight and adaptable alternative to day bags in the backcountry and I'll have to give it a try
Great video! I love how you presented this subject!! I learned a lot and it has me rethinking my buff and other things, so thank you very much!! God bless!
you're really good at this! well presented
Please make more very helpful videos like this about other items that can be used as a multi-tool. I'm going to buy 1 of these and also subbed to you! Thanks so much. 😊
Nice video. I don't carry a day pack, and my inflatable pillow is already super light, but I think that I might try replacing my buff, and bandana with one of those. The extra size just makes it that much more useful for things that I would use my bandana for. It might even save me a few ounces overall. Thank you for showing us this.
Also, not sure if you noticed, but you have a split second of a title card at the beginning with some default lorum ipsum text. Not sure if that was intentional or not.
Yeah we noticed. Good eye. Definitely not intentional lol. Thanks for watching. 🙂
Thank you
Dude this was excellent. Thanks for sharing!
never deployed as a soldier in Brit Army, travel or hike without one for 28years superb kit
Pretty cool. Respect
Very cool idea of the town pack with it!
Great ideas. And multi-use is important. HOWEVER - said 1 item cannot replace all 5 at once: it is not feasible (or wise) to use a wet schemagh used to dry oneself as a head / face covering, & same cannot then be simultaneously used as a sling bag / carrier.
Yeah we've covered how this works pretty extensively in the comments. Check it out if you get a chance. Thanks for commenting and thanks for watching 🙂
Brother this video is spot on and your channel is underrated. Subscribed. God bless.
Thankyou so much ! I think the most useful video I've seen on this topic. It's a perfect bug out item too, I'm subbing.
Interesting timing, I've been thinking about going the kefiya route for the same reasons. I'm glad that you've brought this up.
I highly recommend getting yourself a jordanian shemagh, they are the best.
That sounds awesome. Where can I pick one up?
@@EpicOutdoorz Well, in Jordan :D I've seen some on etsy also. Jordan is quite cold and mountaineous, so their shemaghs are generaly a bit bigger and thicker than those one usually buys. I've had mine for years, until I lost it last year, and the thing just did it all. Heck, during migrant crisis in 2016, I saw an afghani man carrying everything he got just wraped in a big shemagh, tied together just with ends of those tassels.
To add to what you already know: You can make a hat out of shemagh, which does look just like a hat (I've made a video showing it), and there are many versions of wraping it on your head, turban style, which also protects your neck. I highly recommend checking them out ;)
Make one n demonstrate. Out off fleece or wool. Thanks for great bud. 😊
I was skeptical at first but you have some good info
I have owned a shemagh for over 10 years. I have often carried it on hikes. I have found it to be completely useless. It is only a heavy cotton towel that dries poorly and gets dirty easily and smells.
Sorry to hear that you haven't had a good experience. I really like mine. Thanks for watching.
Great video, I see that you have over 300 subscribers congratulations 🎊
Thanks 🙂
Well done!
If the smog was a bright color then you could use it for a marker keep it in sight so you don’t get lost. When you do a little bit of exploring.
Drying off your condensation in your tent char cloth a belt emergency tp not a fun use camofauging you not ideal situation and a way to sling rocks for hunting in an emergency it could also replace a bandana. Some downfalls could run into is it is only one item and when it's wet it could be uncomfortable as a pillow use a waterproof bag to keep it from getting you wet but sometimes it is helpful to have a buff or bandana beside. Nice video I'm trying to find ways to carry less and still be safe and comfortable the sling bag is one use I've found recently it's called a patoo I believe
These are all great points. I definitely think that if you only bring this one item, then you have to make good choices. I usually hammock but on the occasion that I use a tent I bring a small shamwow for wiping down condensation in colder months. I don't want to get the shemagh wet as I may need it for my head and face. In summer, I think using the shemagh would be fine. You'll be able to dry it out the next day with relative ease. It's a great tool but it is cotton and cotton does come with some rules you have to follow. If they are ignored it could be uncomfortable at best and potentially dangerous at worst. Thanks for your input and thanks so much for watching. 🙂
I'd still cary a stand alone beanie in case you want to use the shemagh for something else and still want something on your face for warmth
Needing the shemagh to do 2 jobs at once seems to be the biggest point people have been making as a con and I totally get it. Especially in winter months. Its good to know what you will be doing ahead of time so you know what you need. There's no rule here that says you have to replace all five items. Even I don't in every scenario. Thanks for commenting and thanks so much for watching.🙂
Water prefilter, bandage, super hero cape, belt, replacement gear strap, outlaw mask, improve underwear.
First I just have to say wow! I had a duh moment while watching your video as it makes perfect sense and I should have thought of it! I own a shamagh for hunting so why not get it out and use it more? Cuz I just didn’t think of it. I love the day pack idea. I will be trying that asap! I think this would work well for day hikes, 4 wheeling and horse riding as well as just going to the store. Like you said, no more plastic bags. 😊 I love it! Thanks! Oh, for the people who are just a bit too large for a standard shamagh, you can cut any lightweight durable fabric into a larger square and use that! I assume if there are crafters out there they could go into their fabric stash and make one. Right on!
Thanks for the positive feedback. We really appreciate it. 🙂
Wow! Added to favorites
GREAT video, very informative.
More videos like this please!
Fantastic video! I'm just getting into backpacking and this video was incredibly helpful and well done. Thank you! Definitely subscribing! :)
The granny knots though... 👵
🤣
Feel necked leaving the hut without it.
Very practical, except it can't serve two purposes at once, e.g., using it as a carryall in cold windy weather if you've been using it as a head and neck covering. Then again, carrying two shemaghs would probably still be lighter than carrying the other items.
That is a valid point. This issue was addressed alot in the comments section. You don't necessarily have to replace all 5 things on every trip. It really just comes down to knowing where your going, what your doing, what the climate and environment is like and then packing accordingly. Thanks for commenting and thanks for watching 🙂
excellent
I used to work for some significant people in the Middle East, one in particular I greatly respected not just because she is a wonderful person but also because of her work in equality for women. I have two keffiyeh that I was gifted during my time there. I travelled the peninsular extensively on motorcycle and by land rover and this is one of my best bits of kit. It remains useful now as I have returned to Europe and continue to ride and camp. The only fly in the ointment is the number of anti-Semites that compliment the scarf and are not shy about their reasons. Though I love my keffiyeh and how useful they are as well as the memories I have associated with them, I now don't use them as much as I do not want this toxic association.
Great idea ! I haven't got one, but I do have a lightweight sniper veil for turkey hunting that might work. I'll have to check it out. Appreciated and subscribed.
danke dir für die tipps
Happy to help. Thanks for commenting and thanks for watching 🙂
I bought my first in 1982 in Egypt, had one ever since. Would not be without one.
I highly recommend getting a genuine one rather than a $12 Chinese knock off. More expensive but worth it.
Good stuff man, thanks!
Great video of sudi Shmag❤
I agree with everything, except for the towel. For hygiene purposes, I'd like to have a towel separate.
I have used a bath towel as a pillow once, and not for backpacking. That mini shawl bag is actually pretty neat.