My Biggest Backpacking Gear Hits and Misses of 2026
Test gear on the terrain and trip length you expect; prioritize reliable water treatment and verify bear-can rules for your route.
- Choose a midlayer for breathability and versatility; the reviewer liked the Sambob Alpha 60 for hiking and sleeping.
- Carry a dependable power bank and a backflushable filter if battery or silty-water problems could compromise your trip.
- Check local bear-can approvals, and practice pitching trekking-pole tents before relying on them in difficult terrain.
The video is a gear-by-gear field review; these notes capture the main pros, drawbacks, and cautions. · Best for: Backpackers choosing gear for multiday hikes, especially JMT or Colorado Trail hikers.
After hundreds of miles on the JMT, the San Diego Trans County Trail, and the Colorado Trail, the reviewer shares gear successes and failures. Standouts include an Alpha Direct fleece, Jolly Gear shirt, sunscreen, sleeping pad, and bidet. Main cautions concern an unreliable battery pack, a clog-prone filter, the cost and complexity of a premium pack, and checking bear-can approvals.
Alpha 60 fleece and battery packs0:50
- The Sambob Alpha 60 worked as a breathable, lightweight hiking layer and a comfortable sleep layer; the reviewer reports no durability problems so far.
- The reviewer had repeated charging or charge-retention failures with a Nitecore 10,000 mAh pack and now prefers an Anker 10,000 mAh pack, despite its added weight.
Bear Vault BV1 and Alakazam pack4:28
- The roughly 2 lb BV1 adjusts to carry about one to four days of food, but it is not approved everywhere; check the specific area's approved-container list.
- The 45L Alakazam weighs 1 lb 13 oz in size small and offers an internal frame and load-transfer adjustment, but costs nearly $600 and has small hip-belt pockets and many adjustments.
Water filter and hiking shirt11:45
- A Katadyn filter clogged after silty water and cannot be backflushed; the reviewer switched to Sawyer, which can be backflushed.
- The Jolly Gear button-down provided sun and sleeve coverage, a hood, and a ponytail opening; it held dirt after repeated washing.
Sunscreen and tent17:12
- The reviewer found Blue Lizard sunscreen effective against further sunburn during the JMT hike.
- The Big Agnes String Ridge VST 1.5 stayed dry in a severe downpour and has a large vestibule and good ventilation; pitching takes practice, especially on rocky ground.
Sleeping pad and backcountry bidet21:34
- The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir was comfortable, compact, and quieter than the reviewer's previous XTherm; the reviewer reported no leaks after roughly 400–450 miles.
- The reviewer prefers a backcountry bidet to carrying many wipes and toilet paper; use plain water, clean hands thoroughly with soap, and carry enough water.
Step by step
- Before a trip, check the destination's specific approved bear-canister list; do not assume general bear-resistant certification is sufficient.
- Test battery packs and water filters before departure, especially if you depend on a phone for navigation or expect silty water.
- Practice setting up a trekking-pole tent, including on uneven or rocky ground, and confirm you can secure the pitch.
- For bidet use, reserve plain water, spray downward, clean thoroughly, then wash hands thoroughly with soap.
Tools & resources mentioned
- Bear Vault BV1 — adjustable bear canister for roughly one to four days of food; verify local approval.
- Anker 10,000 mAh battery — the reviewer's preferred alternative to the Nitecore pack after repeated charging issues.
- Sawyer water filter — backflushable filter the reviewer switched to after a Katadyn clogged.
- Big Agnes String Ridge VST 1.5 — trekking-pole tent reviewed for ventilation, storm performance, and pitch learning curve.
- Blue Lizard sunscreen — sunscreen the reviewer used during the JMT hike.
- Backcountry bidet — water-bottle attachment used to reduce reliance on toilet paper and wet wipes.
Notes are AI-generated from the video's transcript and may miss nuance.