Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago

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Big thank you to Ultralight Outdoor Gear for supporting us in 2026 geni.us/UltralightOutdoorGear
I'm joined by Andy from Ultralight Outdoor Gear to compare my standard backpacking setup against his specialized thru-hiking gear. We pitched our tents side-by-side on the moors to review our choices, discussing everything from the Durston X-Mid and Hyperlite shelters to our sleep systems and stoves. After testing our equipment during a wet 16-mile hike, we share our thoughts on balancing weight savings with comfort on the trail.
What do you think. Should I swap tents with Andy 😂. check it out here. geni.us/UOGHyperlitemid1

Last chance to WIN a FULL WILD CAMPING SETUP messner.co.uk

I've started sharing my routes over on Hiiker. They've kindly given me a discount via my affiliate link
https://hiiker.app/paulmessner?via=paul and then you can download to my routes here https://hiiker.app/users/6h3F8tE4psSp4WtyBUP5MUy8Bo22/hikes and use the app to navigate you. I'll be uploading all my future hikes here.

My Gear
Trail Running Shoes geni.us/UOGLonePeak
Tent durstongear.com/products/x-mid-1-tent-ultralight-backpacking
Backpack geni.us/UOGHyperliteUnbound55
Quilt geni.us/UOGVesperQuilt
Sleeping Pad geni.us/UOGNemoEclipse
Stove geni.us/UOGJetboilFlash
Mini Inflator Pump geni.us/UOGgigapump
Sambob Hoodie geni.us/UOGSamboAlpha90
Outdoor Research Helium Waterproof Jacket geni.us/UOGORHeliumUL
Pillows geni.us/UOGNemoFillo & geni.us/UOGNemoFilloElite
Little sit pad geni.us/UOGLittleSitPad
Mug geni.us/UOGS2Smug
Powerbank geni.us/UOGNitecorepowerbank
Charging block amzn.to/4ecLzUz
Water bottle geni.us/UOGThrubottle
Rab Down Jacket geni.us/UOGRabmythicjacket
Darn Tough socksgeni.us/UOGDarntoughsocks
First aid kit geni.us/UOGLifesystemsfirstaid
Little towel geni.us/UOGTowel
Wilderness Wash geni.us/UOGWildernesswash
All my other gear messner.co.uk/gearlist

Andy's Gear
Tent geni.us/UOGHyperlitemid1
Backpack geni.us/UOGHyperlitewaypoint35
Quilt geni.us/UOGNemoPulsequilt
Sleeping Pad geni.us/UOGNemoEclipse
Stove geni.us/UOGMSRPocketdeluxe
Pot geni.us/UOGToaks750
Insulated Mug geni.us/UOGMSRmug

All my other gear messner.co.uk/gearlist

Multi-day Hikes Playlists
Cumbria Way youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbU28ZzUOa49lK5YCmgcZRT1Q3_cIjR4o
West Highland Way youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbU28ZzUOa49qFqV3d99ATSR6T6bAL92U
Peak District Multi Day Hikes youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbU28ZzUOa49WHWTNtRYD5r2nkiwdNUch
Cairngorms youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbU28ZzUOa48Wxn3MGLWl3PJyEyV89Q5_

Timestamps
00:00 - Intro & testing ultralight rain gear
04:31 - Tent comparison: Durston X-Mid 1 vs Hyperlite Mid 1
08:50 - Backpack setups: Hyperlite 55L vs 35L
11:53 - Sleep systems: Exped Eclipse and Nemo pads
15:15 - Quilts: Enlightened Equipment vs Nemo Pulse
16:26 - Cook systems: MSR Pocket Rocket vs Jetboil Flash
23:08 - Spare clothes and packing strategies
24:46 - Final thoughts and gear swap verdict

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DISCLAIMER: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission.