Gear I Won't Hike Without

1) Gaiters (small trail runner style). Blocks debris from getting in your hiking shoes. Great for the desert. 2) Coolmax Wigwam liner socks. Prevents blisters. 3) Leuko Tape. Similar to Moleskin or as called second skin. Leuko Tape stays on when it gets wet. 4) The Buff. A cloth that has so many purposes. 5) Rain Jacket w/Pockets.

Nice video. I've been an avid hiker and climber for the last 30 years. Here are a few more items that I rarely leave home without: 1) For hiking, a good pair of high quality, telescoping hiking poles. The ones designed for hiking have a small "basket", are lightweight and rugged. Black Diamond and Leki make some really nice ones. Hiking poles help with balance and take some of the shock off your knees.... 2) High quality earplugs. Great for busy campgrounds, inconsiderate neighbors and the rare but sometimes unwanted sounds of nature. Earplugs always help me get a decent nights sleep. 3) A good headlamp. One of the essentials for doing almost everything after dark. 4) Eye sleeping shades. Block out about 90% of ambient light. Especially useful if you have a tent partner that stays up late reading or you're trying to catch some z's after the sun comes up.

We used cheap knee high hose in the military as liner socks. Keeps the blisters away at a fraction of the price.

1. Hand sanitizer (good for cuts n dirty hands, also burns for 5 mins in any weather to start a fire) 2. Gloves and yes liner socks 3. water hyderation backpack 4. Waterproof multipocket pants 5. Shemaug or bandana 6. Odorless baby powder in a zip pack, beeswax candles and mini soap, a pack of gum, small scissors, foldable knife, rechargeable headlamp, a needle n thread kit, 20 feet of jute twine for my tarp and space blanket, lavander oil to keep bugs, mosquito n flies away. Of course for my eye glasses I carry an extra pair along with its repair kit

I always bring my binoculars. I got the smallest pair of Nikon I could find and I never regret having them. Any time there is wildlife or a tremendous view (which happens often and is the main reason I enjoy the outdoors) the binocs provide such a spectacular look at it! You can notice so many little details you would have missed; this last weekend I got to see elk on the other side of a river, but because I had my binocs I could see them licking their lips and flipping their ears. It was like I was on the same side as they were. They're fantastic for star gazing too - I can normally see about 8 stars in the Pleiades but when I look through the glass I can see dozens, not to mention just checking out the surface of the moon. Even the little guys are a bit of a chunk but I've had so many great experiences with them, I always regret not having them when there's a view.

Darwin, I have been away from backpacking for approx. 10 years and have been doing loads of research on updating my old gear. After hours and hours of research I have come to consider you the best source of information for light hiking gear. Thanks and keep up the good work

Lol, just watched the “gear I’m over in 2019” and #1 was gaiters

that's funny! just watched a vid of yours where you stated you will no longer use your dirty girl gaiters

you are one of the two I truly enjoy watching concerning backpacking do's and don'ts. I gain tons of really cool ideas you. Thanks Darwin for taking the time to record, edit and post all your vids for us all.

This is why your channel is my favorite, go-to, resource for tips, advice, and information. No obnoxious, bullshit, narrative, just good, solid, information. I've actually had to get a small notebook to record a lot of things so as not to forget. Q&A for a future discussion, posdibly: I've been thinking of going stoveless for the desert section of the PCT because meal hydration accounts for a lot of precious water; so I'm wondering: do you change your trail meal habits accordingly? And have your meal choices or food items changed since the AT?

Hi Darwin, about the socks issue: yes, as an outdoor educator I can definitely say what is going on is that the two socks/per foot are doing the rubbing against one another INSTEAD of rubbing against your actual skin. So important — it’s friction!. And I think some folks CAN definitely hike long distances with just the one pair. But not I ! Great videos. Keep ‘em comin’ ...

I never leave to go camping or hiking without lip balm. . . I don't leave ANYWHERE without lip balm.

I used wigwam liner socks about 20 years ago! I'm just getting back into backpacking, and they're one of the first things I bought. Love your videos, thanks!

As a bald guy, my fleece beanie is my "always with me" piece of gear. I've been wearing the same Mountain Hardwear Micro Dome for over 15 years.

I hunt in the Rockies and the one piece of gear I would not hike without is my rain gear. I've seen too many adventures spoiled by rain. Trying out tall waterproof Gaiters this year which will help keep water out of my boots and help protect my lower legs from injury when climbing over dead falls. Good video...

Rain jackets/pants are also really useful for bug protection, especially for canoepacking. Those places that have mosquitos that are immune to deet, or mosquitos that are just plain nasty, the rain clothing is a life saver

"she had amazing feet" made me laugh

I usually carry 4 buffs. One as a hat (because I hike in windy conditions), one for my neck and two as gloves (so my fingers are free for scrambling on rocks).

You are right about the liner sock 100%. I learned that trick when I was in the military for our long ruck marches. It is night and day difference. I tend to use a dress sock as my liner and it works great.

There is a thing for forest fire fighters called a "shake and bake" which is basically an aluminum bevy shaped like a floorless pup tent. It was meant to protect firefighters who got overtaken by flames. It is constructed of some sort of reflective material fused over a lightweight tarp. You can sleep on it or under it or wrapped up in it, and since it was made to keep the heat of a forest fire out you can turn in inside out and it will keep the heat in nicely. It is stiff so it stands on its own so no need for pols, steaks nor line, and you can shape it however you want. Think of it as a durable aluminum foil pup tent. It's heavy and bulky, but so quick and warm. If the weather turns just shake it out and crawl under it with your gear. And you can cook in it because it's fireproof. I camped with mine for a good 5 years before the foil separated form the tarp and it feel apart. Sure do wish I had another because it was such a lifesaver.