Category: gear

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Durston X-Dome 1+ Tent

In 2024, the cool gear brand is Durston out of the Canadian Rockies.

They sell direct — saving you money that would normally be kept by the retailer.

For example, their Kakwa 55 backpack is much less expensive than comparable top end packs.

Durston has long had some of the best trekking pole supported tents. As I don’t use trekking poles, I wasn’t much paying attention.

The X-Dome 1+ (just now shipping late 2024) is Durston’s first free standing tent.

A loyal MSR Hubba fan, here’s WHY I might be soon switching to Durston.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. The MSR tent poles are much weaker.

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Have you Hiked in the NUDE?

I’ve done it only once — on a dare.

I was on the John Muir Trail in California.

Camping in a remote spot — far from any other people — I took off for about 45 minutes wearing only my hiking shoes.

Nude hiking, also known as naked walking or freehiking, is a sub-category of the modern form of social nudity. More popular in Europe than anywhere else.

Personally, I didn’t particularly enjoy hiking naked. And have not yet been tempted to try it again.

But if you want to know more, there’s an article on Planet Nude that explains the benefits:

Freehiking through a watched world



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Undeniably THE BEST Backpacking Gear TODAY

😀

If — like me — you are currently shopping Black Friday for Christmas, Steven’s video by will be of interest.

If in Canada, I recommend you browse GearTrade.ca — easily the best high quality gear shop in the nation.

In the USA, Steven recommends Garage Grown Gear.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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The Splitter – Titanium Multi Tongs

Ideal for those doing some serious cooking in the wild.

Especially on adventures where weight is not a major consideration: car camping, kayaking, bikepacking, etc.

details – 3-IN-1 TONGS, SPATULA & SPORK

Click PLAY or see how they work on YouTube.

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My Hiking Gear 2024

I haven’t much changed my gear for overnight hiking over the past few years.

If it works, don’t fix it.

Biggest change is my photo / video equipment: phone, drone, and action camera.

I’m no ultralight hiker. 😀 For me the drone and two powerbanks are worth carrying.

My BestHike YouTube channel is high priority on these trips.

Below is a list I’d guesstimate to be 90% accurate for most trips. Of course I’d add food for the number of days needed.

SLEEP
MSR Hubba NX tent
MSR Hubba NX fly
5 stakes & MSR aluminum poles
FLEXTAILGEAR Portable Tiny Pump 2X.
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir® XLite™ NXT MAX
NeoAir® UberLite® short (pillow & Bup mattress) & patch kit
Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt
extra large waterproof garbage bag
SHOES
Sketchers Men’s Go Walk Outdoor-Athletic Slip-On Trail Hiking Shoes WIDE
New Balance 1260s 4E 9.5 w additional insoles
CLOTHING
Therm-a-Rest pump sack = bag for clothing
Plastic bag for dirty clothes
Medium length wool hiking socks x2
Janji Transit Tech Pant
Columbia OutDry rain jacket
Lifaloft Insulator hooded Jacket with stuff sack
Baleef Running shorts x2
red Nike quick dry t-shirt
wool t-shirt x2
1 x ballcap black
black summer weight BUFF x2
PERSONAL
toiletries waterproof bag (green)
fingernal clippers
ASA 
Tums
Vitamins (gummies)
first aid kit with bandaids 
sun screen
tiny Swiss Army knife
Hand Sanitizer – 1 oz bottle
Prescriptions – Blood Pressure
bright orange flagging tape 
toilet paper TP
plastic toothpicks
toothbrush
toothpaste
FOOD
Spoon
tiny scrubber
fuel (1 medium)
Ursack XL black 
2 long lighters
water bottles (2 x litre soft drink empty)
water purification tablets (Acquatabs)
lemon pepper, Chili flakes, soup spicey stock
fire starter blocks
JetBoil ZIP stove
PACKS / BAGS
Hyperlight 3400 Windrider
Matador day pack
documents – guidebook pages, paper map
ELECTRONICS
DJI Mini 4 Drone and accessories
2 PHONES
1 USB C, 1 USB A cable 
EarPods and cable
red waterproof electronics bag
library audio books
Apple Watch w cable
Threaded to GoPro adapter for tripod 
GoPro to threaded tripod mount adapter
Ace Pro Action Camera & extra battery
Fotopro uFO 2 tripod (.5 pound)
plastic phone tripod adaptor
Nitecore NU25 headlamp and cable
Anker Power Bank PowerCore Essential 20000 (342gm)
Ugreen 145W Power Bank (2024)
Hip Pack – with Quad lock attachment for phone
Wallet
Cash
credit card and bank card
2 x Sunglass clip-on, flip-up
APPS
Maps.me app
Google maps offline app
Guthook App (I have subscription)
AllTrails PRO (I have a subscription)
Peakfinder
Otter (voice notes)
Libby (library books)
Merlin (bird ID)
ReLive (mapping)
Weather
Instagram
Photos
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NEW book – “Hike It”

Hike It: An Introduction to Camping, Hiking, and Backpacking through the U.S.A. Hardcover – June 25 2024

… fully illustrated book is the perfect introduction to enjoying America’s great outdoors.

Explore 20 National Parks with incredible trails that take you past snow-capped mountains, along stunning coastlines, and through ancient forests, and discover the majesty of nature with glorious artwork throughout. …

Young adventurers 7+ will learn about:
• Navigating, and what to do if you get lost
• Essential hiking equipment
• How to leave no trace and protect the environment
• Pooping in the woods!
• Staying safe in the heat, snow, and rain
• Fire safety and setting up camp
• Encountering wildlife and safety
• Locating the North Star and understanding the night sky

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My Therm-a-Rest NeoAir® XLite™ NXT MAX

The most popular sleeping pad on the Pacific Crest Trail these days is NOT the lightest.

It’s the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir® XLite™ NXT.

I opted for the slightly heavier, rectangular Therm-a-Rest NeoAir® XLite™ NXT MAX Sleeping Pad. Not inexpensive at CAD $340.

That shape completely covers the bottom of my 1-person-tent, keeping everything cleaner. And dryer.

I hike and cycle in rainy, muddy destinations. Iceland in 2024, for example.

I’ll be carrying it a lot for BikePacking where weight matters less.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Great pad. But VERY SLOW TO FILL using the supplied inflation bag.

I decided to purchase the tiny USB powered FLEXTAILGEAR Portable Tiny Pump 2X. (CAD $46)

  • 96 grams
  • inflate sleeping pad
  • deflate sleeping pad
  • stoke outdoor fires
  • flashlight

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.