Category Archives: Gear

Budget Backpacking Gear List – Go Camping for $250

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Budget Backpacking Gear List. Go camping for under $300 – Tarp Camping, Tent Camping, & Hammock Camping options shown.

Check out my live gear list on LighterPack.com for weights, prices, descriptions and product links.

Simplified Budget Backpacking Gear List:

Backpack

Shelter

Sleep System

Storage

  • Bear Bag Line (25′ guyline leftover from tarp setup, and small carabiner)
  • Bear Bag – 13 gal trash bag
  • Zip-lock Bag – Sandwich
  • Zip-lock Bag – Gallon

Cooking & Eating

Water Treatment & Storage

Tools

First Aid

  • First Aid Kit
    (Adhesive bandages, 1 gauze bandage, superglue, neosporin in straw tube, tealight wax candle, 6 doses benedryl, 10 doses ibuprofen, spare water bottle cap)
  • Sunscreen – 30 SPF 10ml bottle https://dutchwaregear.com/product/eye-dropper-bottles/
  • Fire Starter, DIY (dryer lint and wax, or cotton balls with vasoline)
  • Bug Spray – 100% Deet Mini Bottle 

Clothing (Packed, not worn. For spare, sleeping, rain)

  • Frogg Toggs Ultralight Rain Jacket 
  • Underwear – Synthetic (1 Pair)
  • Shorts
  • Shirt, Long Sleeve -Lt Wgt
  • Shirt, short sleeve
  • Hat, Beanie – Lt Wgt Fleece
  • Wool Socks – Lt Wgt (1 pair)

Lighting

Toiletries

  • Toilet Paper
  • Toiletry Kit
  • Wet Wipes
  • Hand Sanitizer

Additional Budget Backpacking Gear Options Discussed 

Approximate Costs for Each System

  • Tarp Camping version $248
  • Kelty tent version $317
  • Hammock Version $352

Olight H16 Wave Review – Headlamp for Backpacking (5 to 500 lumens)

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A Review of the Olight H16 Wave USB Rechargeable LED Headlamp for Backpacking & Camping.  

This is my current headlamp for camping trips requiring more critical lighting needs. Trips with higher demands on run-time and / or brightness. A perfect example of this would be my recent sub-zero winter camping trip that I took the Olight H16 Wave on.  The higher powered rechargeable battery pack gave me extra confidence in my run-times during the less than battery-friendly frigid temps.

This is also a light that I would grab for any camping or backpacking trip where night hiking was expected and / or when extended time doing chores at camp after dark is anticipated.

The 5 lumen low mode provides a surprising amount of functionality, along with a huge 160 hour run-time.  For high visibility needs, the 500 lumen high mode provides longer distance spotting capability, while still being able to run for around 2 hours continuously.

Links for full Manufacturer’s Specs, Features, etc

Specs and Features, as per Manufacturer

  • General Data
    • Beam Distance (ft) 328
    • Beam Distance (m) 100
    • Max. Performance (lumens) 500
    • Charge type Micro-USB
    • Compatible Batteries Customized Li-Ion Battery
    • Light Intensity (candela) 2500
    • Light Form:  Far-range focused beam and close-range wide flood combined.
    • Lens / Reflector Type: TIR bead lens (converged and wide beam)
    • Series: Series H (Headlamps, Multitasking)
  • Notable Characteristics
    • Hand wave operation – This motion sense setting saves users the trouble of reaching for the power switch in the dark, and keeps the headlamp clean from dirty hands.
    • Wide area illumination – Dual LED light head paired with a custom lens delivering great close-range illumination combining both a wide and focused beam.
    • Smart power level indication – Four-level blue LED battery indicator and low-power audible beep warning at 10% charge to keep you updated on your power status.
    • Beam angle adjustment – The light head has three adjustable levels from 0~45 degrees.
    • Reflective head strap – reflective stripes on both sides of the head strap to improve visibility and safety for the user.
  • Lighting Levels & Run Times
    • High – 500 lumens, (steps down to 350 lumen after 5mins), 120 minutes
    • Medium – 100 lumens, 9.5 hours
    • Low – 5 lumens, 30 160 hours
  • Technical Characteristics
    • Waterproof IPX4
    • Weight (g / oz) 115 grams / 4.06 oz
    • Length (mm / in) 58 / 2.28
    • Head Diameter (mm / in) 24 / 0.94
    • Body Diameter (mm / in) 38 / 1.50
    • LED:  2 x Cree XP-G3
  • Package Contents
    • Olight H16 flashlight x 1
    • 2000mAh 3.7V Lithium Polymer Battery(built-in) x 1
    • USB-microUSB rechargeable cable x 1
    • headband x 1
    • Replacement Cable Clip x 2
    • user manual x 1

A Fuel-Free USB Powered Lighter? – And other thoughts on Fire Starting Tools for Camping

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Testing out the TekFire Fuel Free lighter for Camping, Backpacking, & Survival Fire Starting.

Gear Seen on this Episode

Sara’s Back! Nomadik Review – 1st Month (Adventure Subscription Box)

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A review of Nomadik – a Monthly Subscription box for people who like the Outdoors, Backpacking, Hiking, & Camping Gear.

10% off – use code “sintax10” with this link. 

This Month’s Theme
The Mountaineer Collection

Items in this Month’s Nomadik Box

  • Baledeo Locker 18-Function Multi-Tool
  • Munkees Keychain Compass w/ Thermometer
  • Doohickey Clipkey Tool by NiteIZe
  • Huppy Bar Whole Food Bar

Oh, yeah – and Sara’s baaaaaack!

Sara on Instagram @SarasGreatAdventures

Disclosure: A commission is received for purchases through the above links. Your support is appreciated and makes the backpacking trip videos on this channel possible.

Mail Call – My First Solo Backpacking Trip , MilSurp Gear, New Camping Saw

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Tips, tricks and discussion on various Backpacking, Hiking & Camping topics.

Topics Discussed / Gear Seen

    • My very first solo backpacking / camping trip.
    • Hurricane Irene’s effect on the White Mountains back in 2011.
    • Military Surplus gear for backpacking and hiking. My experiences, pros and cons, etc.
    • Link to the bushcraft channel I referenced, ReallyBigMonkey1
    • Maybe I should do an old-school military surplus only camping trip some time?
    • Speaking of old-school – Dan’s been watching for 6 years now.
    • Shout out to the person who sent me a big ol’ box of cool knives and gear for future trips.
    • Backpackers should hug a hunter.
    • Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is pretty cool.
    • So is the National Wild Turkey Federation.
    • I totally forgot that Mike once broke a defenseless Gomboy Silky saw years ago.
    • Viewer Steve is the man – he sent me a brand new Bahco Laplander saw to replace our recently broken Coleman folding saw.
    • Mystery box from Nomadik.
    • Checking out the Olight H16 Wave Headlamp with hands free on and off function.
    • A hater brings up a great topic! – Hit that bell button for upload notifications!

Olight S1 Mini Baton – My Go-to Flashlight for Ultralight Backpacking

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A Review of the Olight S1 Mini Baton USB Rechargeable LED Flashlight.

This is currently my go-to flashlight for backpacking and camping trips due to it’s low-weight, 600 lumen capability when needed, and ultra-long run-time in moon light mode for tent and hammock lighting. I also find it to be a handy work project and EDC light (every day carry).

Links for full Manufacturer’s Specs, Features, etc

Specs and Features, as per Manufacturer

  • General Data
    • Beam Distance (ft) 427
    • Beam Distance (m) 130
    • Max. Performance (lumens) 600
    • Charge type Micro-USB
    • Compatible Batteries 1 x CR123A/RCR123A
    • Light Intensity (candela) 4200
    • Light Form:  Wide/broad hotspot. Perfect for up close illumination.
    • Lens / Reflector Type TIR reflector (big, defined wide hotspot)
    • Series Series S (EDC, General Use)
    • Available color temperature: Regular – cool white 6500k, 70 CRI (seen in review) or HCRI model -cool white 5500k, 90 CRI
    • HCRI version built for perfect color reproduction with illuminating objects eliminating all unwanted extra tints.
    • No charger is needed for charging the battery. The included battery is rechargeable through a built-in Micro-USB port, therefore it may share the same charging cable with a phone.
    • Magnetic tailcap. The flashlight attaches securely to any ferrous metal surface for hands free use.
  • Lighting Levels (for regular 6500k model)
    • Turbo – 600 lumens, 1 minute bursts
    • High – 330 lumens, 60 mins
    • Medium – 60 lumens, 6 hours
    • Low – 15 lumens, 30 hours
    • Moon – 0.5 lumens, 15 days
  • Other Modes
    • Strobe
    • Auto shutoff timer, 3 mins or 9 mins
  • Technical Characteristics
    • Waterproof IPX8
    • Weight (g / oz) 43 / 1.52
    • Length (mm / in) 54 / 2.13
    • Head Diameter (mm / in) 21 / 0.83
    • Body Diameter (mm / in) 21 / 0.83
    • Led Cree XM-L2
  • Package Contents
    • 650mAh RCR123A Rechargeble Battery with microUSB charging port
    • 50cm charging cable USB-microUSB
    • Pocket Clip
    • Lanyard
    • Instruction Manual