Dan Becker and Eric Hanson Compare Gear
I reconnected with everyone's second-favorite YouTube backpacker, Dan Becker, for the first time since our fateful Grand Canyon episode. He was testing out a unique all-in-one kit, while I was putting some of my favorite new equipment through the real world ringer. Together we covered two important aspects of the backcountry demographic: casual hikers searching for simple and effective solutions, and veteran outdoor folks looking to push boundaries with advanced gear.
Round 1: Dan Becker's Gear Breakdown
The Near Zero Backpacking Bundle
Before Dan and I were preparing for an idyllic section of the Oregon Pacific Crest Trail, he got his hands on the Near Zero 30-Item Bundle. This is a pre-loaded backpack with all the necessary gear for a backpacking trip. And like many newbie hikers do, he hiked into camp having never even opened it.
I felt those Christmas morning vibes (only in the middle of the woods on a beautiful summer day) unwrapping this kit. What stands out is how well thought out the backpack was. Everything was labeled, and with the help of partitioned compartments, every inch of the 50-liter volume was effectively utilized. The attention to detail was also commendable. There was even a little hygiene kit with some body wipes, camp soap, toothbrush, etc. So assuming you're dressed for the occasion, you can literally just grab this backpack and get right to it.
While this is a very neat approach to backpacking, such a system obviously comes with a few limitations. For example, the designated food storage section of the backpack was made up of a few zippered pockets on the inside of the back flap. This not only limits the number of meals that can be packed, but also puts some of the heaviest items furthest away from the wearer's back (which is not ideal for center of gravity purposes). But with that said, the internal partition can be removed, and the labeled compartments ignored at backpacker's discretion. The idea is to help newbies stay on top of things, not confine everyone to the same layout.
Another sort of pro and con (depending on your lens) is that there is a lot of gear that might end up overwhelming new backpackers (or feel redundant for experienced ones). If you wait until the campsite to unpack everything, then it could easily get confusing, and disorganized. But sometimes being new at something means that you don't know what you don't know. So the inclusion of things like a saw and a titanium trowel might come in handy when you failed to account for building a fire or going to the bathroom in a respectful/environmentally-friendly manner.
The Near Zero Sleep System
Dan and I have reviewed a lot of sleep systems. So we were pleasantly surprised when we saw what Near Zero included. There's a lightweight, double-wall, 2-person tent (that I thought resembles the MSR Hubba Hubba design), a 25-inch-wide insulated/quilted sleeping pad (R-value: 3.7), an inflatable camping pillow, and a serviceable summer sleeping bag.
Note: The Near Zero Kits are customizable online. Dan received both the NZ 20 sleeping bag and the Quilt One 45F (which is the default option).
The Near Zero Cook Kit and Other Gadgets
Mr. Becker's Near Zero 30-piece bundle came with an 1100 ML titanium cooking pot. This was a slight upcharge on the default option: a 1000 ML aluminum kettle (teapot). Inside was a mini stove that attached to the included isobutane/propane blended fuel canister. This thing even came with a titanium spork, which is a huge upgrade on what beginners tend to bring (i.e. often nothing…oops! Or some dinky plastic set that breaks or melts instantly). There was even a little multi-function carabiner that had a box cutter, screw driver, and flint sparker built in – all of which come in handy around the campsite, and particularly the makeshift kitchen.
Dan Becker's Full Near Zero Packing List
Footprint for Tent
Sleeping Bag – 45-degree F (7-deg C), 850 Fill Down
Sleeping Pad – Wide (R-value: 3.7)
Inflatable Camping Pillow
Rechargeable Motion Sensor Headlamp
Rain Poncho
2.5 Liter Hydration Bladder
Sawyer Mini Water Purifier
First Aid Kit
Titanium Digging Trowel
Mini Stove
1 L Aluminum Kettle (Upgraded to a 1.1 L Titanium Cooking Pot)
Isobutane/Propane Blended Fuel Canister
Double Wall Stainless Mug (10 fl. oz.)
Titanium Spork (or Spoon)
Fire-Starting Kit
Hygiene Kit
Compass/Thermometer Carabiner
Two Customizable Meals
Folding Stool
Titanium Shovel
Stainless Steel Grill
Folding Saw (7-inch Blade)
32 oz. Wide Mouth Nalgene Water Bottle
450 Paracord (50-inch)
Pocket Knife
Ben's Bug Spray (1.25 oz)
Banana Boat Sport Sunscreen (SPF 30)
Concluding Thoughts on the Near Zero 30-Item Bundle
This kit is perfect for beginners, and suitable for intermediate backpackers. It saves time on shopping, takes the guesswork out of packing, includes insanely well thought out items/strategies, and weighs only 17 pounds. And with a base cost of $1,104 USD (currently marked down $195 on nearzero.co) this thing will remove a lot of barriers for folks overwhelmed by all the research and options available.
I don't think experienced adventurers will be as drawn to this. But that's unlikely to be the target audience anyway. If you like what you hear, definitely go check out Near Zero. It's a cool new(ish) company run by a small team out of Arizona.
Round 2: Eric Hanson's Gear Breakdown
The NEMO Dagger OSMO Tent
This was my first time using the NEMO Dagger OSMO tent. It is a double-wall, 2-person shelter, with a very slick front opening clip-system (which is just one of those little things that makes a big difference, in my opinion). One initial, sub-optimal fact that jumped out at me was its 4 pound, 2 ounce (1.86 kg) packed weight. That's not only on the hefty side for a top-tier tent (the Dagger OSMO retails for $529.99 USD), but it's also 12 ounces more than NEMO's stated "trail weight." If you're unfamiliar with this spec lingo, check out my recent article: Gear Companies Are Lying to You. With that said, I discovered that NEMO included 10 really solid tent stakes, which certainly contributed to the discrepancy. Leaving the extras at home, subbing in lighter stakes, or using rock anchors around camp would all shave the functional weight of this tent down below 4 pounds.
For a tent that exceeds $500 (USD), I would normally like to see it hit a lighter base weight. But since it is a 2-person shelter, and because NEMO's packing system is well-thought out, it can easily be divided amongst you and your trail buddy.
Now let's turn our attention back to what the Dagger OSMO tent excels at. The design on this thing is, for lack of a better word, delicious! In particular, I love the vertical walls. Oftentimes when camping with another person it feels like you're both leaning awkwardly towards the center of the shelter. The Dagger OSMO has a spacious dome feel to it, comes well-stocked with pockets, and even has a gear tray for protected storage under the vestibule. The gear tray is particularly helpful when using with two people, as the vestibules become critical extra storage space.
Another aspect of the OSMO that really boosted my backcountry experience was the open-concept ceiling. Dan and I lucked out with clear skies, so I didn't bother setting up the fly. That night, I was treated to some amazing star-gazing.
The NEMO Tensor Mattress and Riff Sleeping Bag
My sleep system was NEMO from top to bottom on this trip. Along with my Dagger OSMO tent I tried out the Tensor Ultralight Sleeping Pad and Riff Down Sleeping Bag. The former is a 3-season, 4.2-rated cushy mattress that was perfect for a summer trip in Oregon. Slept like a baby! The Riff is a 15-degree F (-9 C), 800 Fill-Power down bag that is also available in a 30-deg option. Why did I bring such an insulated sleeping bag on a summer trip? I'm so glad you asked. The Riff actually comes with two Thermo Gill vents that allow for the release of body heat (if you choose to open them), without letting in any cool drafts. So even though the nighttime low was in the 45 to 50-degree range, I was still comfortable inside my high-tech cocoon.
Waymark Gear Co. Lite 50L Backpack
I’m more of a traditional backpacker. I haven't tested out too many ultralight packs yet as I lean towards comfort over ounce-counting. But I still really enjoyed the Waymark's LITE 50L backpack. And evidently, other Oregon PCT hikers agree, as I must have seen at least a half dozen other people sporting it.
For starters, I was impressed by the super deep hip belt pockets. You're usually lucky if you can get a phone in there without much fuss, but in this case, I was able to pack a pair of Maven birding binoculars.
The other thing that separated Waymark from some of the other ultralight packs out there is the inclusion of load-lifter straps. This is a simple design perk that makes a noticeable difference when it comes to comfort. Just being able to adjust how the pack sits on your shoulders can really help on longer days (as you PCT thru-hikers will be able to relate to).
Otherwise, this is a straight-forward, stuff-it-all-in-through-the-top kind of backpack. The hip belt is passably cushioned, but not great, and the aluminum support stays give it a bit of welcomed structure. Ultimately, the Waymark 50L's main asset is its weight (i.e. just a shade over 2 pounds). I’ve found this pack to be comparable to the Hyperlite Southwest 3400 and the Outdoor Vitals Shadowlite 45.
My Favorite New Camping Gear
If you followed along with my BackpackingTV project, then you may recall that I've been back and forth on camping chairs. At first I didn't want to bother with the extra weight/bulk. Then, I tried my hand at ultralight stools. But nowadays, in my quest for comfort, I have fully embraced collapsable chairs. This time around, I parked my keister in the Helinox Chair Zero L. I can only assume that the L stands for luxury, because this thing was very accommodating. It has greater dimensions, a tall backrest, and a higher load capacity (320 lbs) than its Chair Zero cousin, but still only weighs 1 pound, 6 ounces (assembled weight). Though I might actually prefer the non-L version, I can see how and why this would appeal to larger backpackers.
The next piece of advanced gear I want to tell you about is my Grayl UltraPress Ti Purifier (16.9 ounces). You've seen me rocking this brand of press-style purifier before (note: purifiers, unlike filters, remove viruses), but this one is made of titanium! Not only does it look badass, but you can use the outer sleeve as a pot to boil water in. One of the drawbacks to certain water treatment systems is that they can beef up your bag more than one might like. But with the Ti UltraPress, you can potentially replace your cook pot for low-key trips – especially ones where you just want to boil water to make dehydrated meals. The unit is taller, which can make it a littler tippier (if you know what I mean), but at the same time, the handle is further from the flame, which makes it way less burny then my usual pot.
Perks aside, I believe the $200 (USD) price point is just too much for a lot of backpackers. However, if you are a gear nerd, this is for you!
My final little gizmo that I recently added into the mix is the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Essential Umbrella. While I have been searching for a way to make a fashion statement on the trail, this guy is more about necessary health precautions than anything else. Unfortunately, my ginger ways finally caught up to me in the form of questionable skin spots. So in an effort to safely prolong my backpacking career, I've had to up my sun-protection game. While sunscreen and hats are always good bets, sun hoodies and umbrellas fortify that shield even more.
My Packing List
Waymark LITE 50L Backpack
NEMO Dagger OSMO 2-P Tent
NEMO Tensor UL Sleeping Pad
NEMO Riff 15-Deg Down Sleeping Bag
Sea-to-Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow
Helinox Chair Zero L
Grayl UltraPress 16.9 oz. Ti Purifier
Black Diamond Alpenglow Hoody
Arc'teryx Cerium Jacket
Maven B.7 Binoculars (Available in 8x25 or 10x25 Magnification)
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Essential Umbrella
I hope you all enjoyed this parallel gear review. Dan's Near Zero bundle looks ready to revolutionize the world of entry-level backpacking, and my goodies highlight some of the more advanced/nuanced evolutions that the outdoor industry is capable of. Which lane (or rather, trail) are you a fan of?
For even more gear geek outs, how-to tips, and vicarious adventure videos, check out my new YouTube channel.
