Why OLD Backpacking Gear Was BETTER (Than You Think)

Comments · 366

• ST

  @stanleyheath5486 · 1 year ago

  When I started backpacking in the 70's I tried to buy brand name equipment that would last I didn't have a lot of money so I bought second hand packs and rental boot boots from REI. Eventually, I graduated from the Coleman single burner stove to an MSR Dragonfly. The transition took several years and I waited for sales or continued to buy second hand from the "gear geeks" who had to have the latest and greatest. I broke down and traded my Jansport D3 in for an internal frame pack about 10 years ago, not because it was worn out. but I thought the internal design would carry more comfortably. I went back to a Jansport external framed pack when I found one in a thrift store for $7.00 and found it to be a great choice for trips up to three days. I appreciated the extra pockets that helped me organize my gear without having to open and empty the whole bag to get something that had migrated to the bottom. The stove has performed flawlessly for over 25 years and performs well at elevation and in colder temperatures when cannister stoves don't. By being patient I found a North Face tent for under five bucks in a thrift store 15 years ago that had a tiny hole in the mesh. Easy fix. Just this year I snagged a 2# Nemo tent on Craigslist for $40 that needed the poles restrung with stretch cord. The idea that marketers would have us believe that we can't have a good outdoor experience is just wasteful and ecologically immoral. Thank you for a very astute analysis of all the things we should keep in perspective when weighing how to conserve our money and the outdoors we love. Well done.

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• RI

  @RickT3 · 1 year ago (edited)

  My grandma passed down her external frame backpack from like the late 80s to me. I used on a few 3 day hikes. It feels bulletproof and like you said you can strap anything to that thing. Great video thank you. I liked and commented…

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• MA

  @maytheworldbehappy · 11 months ago

  To me it's just amazing that some people actually had badass dads that went backpacking. Period.

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• RI

  @ribeiro_gtr · 1 year ago

  As someone who's just starting backpacking and lives in a country where most top notch gear can cost up to 4.5x a months wage (in Brazil, a whole month's minimal wage is less than 280 dollars and a basic Decathlon Forclaz pack costs 220 dollars) , its a great confidence boost to know it's ok to get old gear if that gets you out of the house and into the trails.Thanks for this video!

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• RU

  @rungavagairun · 1 year ago

  Well done on the environmental impact of over consumption portion of the video. I'm guilty of this myself, and I don't think it's discussed in the backpacking community enough. Consumption is the fuel that drives so much of the backpacking content on YT. We (backpackers) generally sincerely want to treat the environment with respect and reduce our impact, but we're drawn to the newest shiny thing that will shave ounces and pounds out of our kits.

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• PA

  @paulhenry8174 · 1 year ago

  I love those old Kelty backpacks. Much more comfortable than most internal frame packs I’ve tried since.

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• ED

  @eda715 · 1 year ago

  I sometimes use an old external frame like that. It depends on the hike. But it isn’t less comfortable, it is very comfortable and can carry a lot more weight comfortably. They are great when you need to carry more.

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• CW

  @cwesley2005 · 1 year ago

  This is quite possibly my favorite gear video on YouTube! &nbsp;I graduated high school in NH in 1996 and hiked in the whites frequently during that time. &nbsp;It was something of a badge of honor to carry a framed pack. One thing I wanted to mention was that bulky heavy high topped leather hiking boots were just starting to be replaced by low topped gore-Tex merrell’s at that time. &nbsp;They were heavy as hell but lasted forever. &nbsp;A found stick was usually the trekking pole of choice, or a single old ski pole if you were super bougie. &nbsp;Fluorescent Patagonia fleece and ‘turtle fur’ was starting to replace outer layers. &nbsp;Hiking socks were like a half inch thick wool which had basically no elastic top. &nbsp;Your trail coolness was partially dependent upon how much gear you could successfully hang from your pack and raincoats were these awful rubber slickers which did not breathe at all. &nbsp;Tents were really heavy free standing domes but had a literal tarp sewn in as the floor which negated the need for a ground cover. &nbsp;I loved those old cooking kits bc they were loud and clunky but you could never clean them very well as anything you cooked would stick on forever no matter how hard u scrubbed them. &nbsp;Water was hauled in narrow or wide topped nalgenes which were indestructible. &nbsp;I honestly never remember any filter system other than iodine tabs and big bulky pumps which I couldn’t afford. &nbsp;When I went on a flight I would keep the airline pillow and bring that into the woods with me.<br><br>All this being said. &nbsp;We went out there and had fun with what we had. &nbsp;It was understood that you would likely be sleeping poorly on a root or rock. &nbsp;Those foam cell pads were garbage then and now! &nbsp;<br><br>It was all so heavy so it required planned distribution of weight amongst your friends. &nbsp;You carried the weight of the group equally.<br><br>No cell phones but we always somehow met up at the right time. &nbsp;<br><br>I would give anything to have just one of those nights back with my high school buddies. &nbsp;Building a campfire in the middle of the woods and perhaps downing a few woodchuck draft ciders confiscated from my parents garage fridge. &nbsp;To this day some of my favorite memories from childhood. &nbsp;<br><br>I just got into backpacking starting in 2023 and was astounded at the depth one can now go into gear. &nbsp;Ultralight is expensive but much easier for a 47 year old guy to lug on trail. &nbsp;Cell phone apps make navigation so much easier and I do carry an in reach mini 2 as you do, giving me a sense of security on trail should I get injured. &nbsp;I love my zpacks plex solo but it’s way harder to pitch than the old $30 Walmart special dome tent that weighed 9 lbs! &nbsp;Sleeping pads make a world of difference at night. &nbsp;Trail runners are far more comfortable by day and injinji toe socks have eliminated my blister problem. The 2 carbon fiber trekking poles I use have saved me from numerous injuries and I would never go for a long hike without them now. &nbsp;My Osprey pack is relatively light, very comfortable with a trampoline back for airflow to keep me cool. &nbsp;Water filtration is as easy as a 40 dollar sawyer squeeze and smart water bottles weigh nothing and are easily replaced. &nbsp;Sun hoodies are just awesome and have prevented the sun from roasting me. &nbsp;Sure better than the cotton t’s I used to wear which never dried no matter how long you hung it out for on trail. &nbsp;Running shorts have replaced my hiking jeans. <br><br>So is the gear today better? &nbsp;Yeah, no question. &nbsp;Lighter weight is definitely the way to go, but within reason. &nbsp;I’m not drilling holes in my toothbrush to cut weight for instance. &nbsp;<br><br>In the obsession to get the best gear one can lose sight of the big picture. &nbsp;The most important thing about getting on trail is getting on the freaking trail! &nbsp;If you are young and reading this…get out there! &nbsp;Life, job, responsibilities it is necessary for a a well-rounded life but it limits your freedom to just get out there with your friends. &nbsp;Get on trail, unplug yourself! &nbsp;Talk to your friends, share real actual moments! &nbsp;<br><br>Don’t steal alcohol from your parents fridge though. &nbsp;Nature is enough all by itself.

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• RU

  @russjohnson9330 · 1 year ago

  I&apos;m still involved with out local scout troop at age 68. &nbsp;For our annual November trip, I use my 1980&apos;s Kelty Super Tioga. &nbsp;My gear is all modern and light, but I use all the extra space for group emergency equipment. &nbsp;Seem like I&apos;m always using my lash points to tie on sleeping bags and tents that the kids accidentally drop along the way until I catch up to them again.

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• TH

  @ThomasMartin-d6j · 6 months ago

  Still have my Camptrails, Omega! Late 80&apos;s and still serviceable!

• PF

  @pflugervillebushcraft8149 · 1 year ago

  I use an old medium Alice pack with frame. I have gone away from it and come back to it so many times it’s just a perfect design and a tank.

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• JO

  @JoseHernandez-c3f6l · 1 year ago

  I started backpacking about the same time.Your dad started backpacking, I had a kelty tayoga, with the stove set up almost like your dad&apos;s but separate tank pump action with white gas and yes, military surplus mess kits.<br>My brother was in boy scouts, so I assisted him with the backpacks and the gear and I kind of like the new gear, which I&apos;ve bought since my old bag disintegrated.<br>But I&apos;m kind of like you. I&apos;m divided between the old world and a new one. They&apos;re both good gears 😊

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