Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Tushar Rain Jacket from Outdoor Vitals: alnk.to/3U5xxk6
John Kelley and Jeremiah Stringer go live for a wide-ranging backpacking hangout packed with trail talk, gear opinions, and chat-driven detours. They compare trusted weather sources, weigh the changing role of satellite messaging, and put new gear through a round of “Backpack or Send It Back”—including Yeti’s active packs, a high-powered Petzl headlamp, and HydroPak’s updated filter cap.
The conversation also covers Garmin subscription changes, favorite trail meals, fast-food fries and chicken sandwiches, plus a preview of what’s ahead for the Backpacking Podcast’s upcoming season refresh.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Live stream kickoff, weather talk, and sponsor mention
02:30 - Listener shoutouts and the move to weekly live streams
05:13 - Jeremiah’s active shooter training at school
06:50 - John’s day with his daughter and son
09:19 - Which weather sources are actually accurate for backpacking trips
12:26 - Satellite texting in the woods and how phones are changing the game
16:22 - More community weather app recommendations
19:08 - Launching Backpack or Send It Back
19:54 - Yeti active backpack review and why it misses the backpacking mark
24:11 - Petzl Swift RL headlamp: mountaineering tool or backpacking overkill?
29:09 - HydroPak filter cap and whether it beats a Sawyer-style setup
34:13 - Garmin InReach subscription changes and the suspension loophole
44:00 - Nor pasta sides poll and why cheddar broccoli won
48:34 - Can you identify fast food burgers by taste alone?
49:38 - Best fries in fast food
52:19 - Best chicken sandwich debate
58:58 - Fast food comments, final recap, and season eight teaser
Tushar Rain Jacket from Outdoor Vitals: alnk.to/3U5xxk6
John Kelley and Jeremiah Stringer go live for a wide-ranging backpacking hangout packed with trail talk, gear opinions, and chat-driven detours. They compare trusted weather sources, weigh the changing role of satellite messaging, and put new gear through a round of “Backpack or Send It Back”—including Yeti’s active packs, a high-powered Petzl headlamp, and HydroPak’s updated filter cap.
The conversation also covers Garmin subscription changes, favorite trail meals, fast-food fries and chicken sandwiches, plus a preview of what’s ahead for the Backpacking Podcast’s upcoming season refresh.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Live stream kickoff, weather talk, and sponsor mention
02:30 - Listener shoutouts and the move to weekly live streams
05:13 - Jeremiah’s active shooter training at school
06:50 - John’s day with his daughter and son
09:19 - Which weather sources are actually accurate for backpacking trips
12:26 - Satellite texting in the woods and how phones are changing the game
16:22 - More community weather app recommendations
19:08 - Launching Backpack or Send It Back
19:54 - Yeti active backpack review and why it misses the backpacking mark
24:11 - Petzl Swift RL headlamp: mountaineering tool or backpacking overkill?
29:09 - HydroPak filter cap and whether it beats a Sawyer-style setup
34:13 - Garmin InReach subscription changes and the suspension loophole
44:00 - Nor pasta sides poll and why cheddar broccoli won
48:34 - Can you identify fast food burgers by taste alone?
49:38 - Best fries in fast food
52:19 - Best chicken sandwich debate
58:58 - Fast food comments, final recap, and season eight teaser
