Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 7 hours ago
We tested budget gear for a year—now it’s time for a showdown. Thanks to LMNT for sponsoring this video! Head to DrinkLMNT.com/ERICHANSON to get your free sample pack with any purchase.
Check out the behind the scenes and extras from this backpacking trip on my Patreon: patreon.com/c/EricHanson
@MirandaGoesOutside gear in this video:
Tent: bit.ly/4hSqfUY
Sleeping Bag:
Sleeping mattress: bit.ly/3UruLQp
Sleeping pad: alnk.to/6bWk3fY
Camp pillow: bit.ly/41vQ5rU
Backpack:
Pee Cloth: alnk.to/2QxVtBi
Hiking shoes: amzn.to/4h2oIu0
Water filter: bit.ly/3DddWDw
M!GO Water Bottle: mazamadesigns.com/products/m-go-bottle (for pre-order)
My gear in this video:
Trekking pole tent: alnk.to/6mR52c0
Sleeping bag: amzn.to/4gWwqpG
Sleeping mattress: alnk.to/1N3ny18
Backpack: amzn.to/3DdjrSG
Organizer bag: bit.ly/3Oivn7G (from my buddy's Etsy shop)
Stove: amzn.to/3EVceHn
Tri-flex stove adapter: amzn.to/4ifQfJr (for use with the Petrel cookpot)
Cookpot: amzn.to/3QEQrX4
Insulated Food Pouch: alnk.to/flxJ4YN
Camp cup: amzn.to/3U3wACY
Camp Spork: amzn.to/4eFFcb9
Headlamp: amzn.to/3Y5pT4p
Swivel Stool: amzn.to/3F7Ufxk
Rainer's Gear:
Tent: alnk.to/faCY6oN
Sleeping bag: alnk.to/dptoifR
Sleeping Mattress: alnk.to/3J7Ilm9
Backpack: bit.ly/3F9QOpV
Fleece: alnk.to/dWdFeLG
Pillow: alnk.to/8EKVOjq
Down jacket: bit.ly/3XjvOU5
I team up with Miranda Goes Outside for a head-to-head showdown of the best budget backpacking gear we’ve tested over the past year! We each bring our favorite budget-friendly items on a backpacking trip to see how they perform in the wild. But there’s a twist—Rainer, Miranda’s producer, crashes the trip with his ultra-expensive gear! Does high-end gear really make a difference, or can budget options hold their own?
This video is perfect for:
🎒 Backpackers & hikers looking for gear recommendations
💰 Budget-conscious adventurers wanting to get into backpacking affordably
🔍 Gear junkies curious about budget vs. premium equipment comparisons
😂 Fans of fun, lighthearted outdoor adventures
Chapters:
Intro: 00:00
Miranda's Tent: 01:05
Miranda's Sleep Mattress: 03:57
Miranda's Pillow: 05:37
Miranda's Sleeping Bag: 06:39
Miranda's Pack: 09:12
Miranda's 2nd Sleeping Pad: 18:24
Miranda's Shoes: 21:25
Miranda's Water Filter: 23:38
The Water Bottle Miranda Designed! 26:15
Eric's Tent: 32:52
Eric's Sleeping Bag: 36:17
Eric's Sleeping Mattress: 40:26
Eric's Backpack: 43:58
Eric's Organization bag: 47:05
LMNT!: 47:30
Eric's Rehydration bag: 49:25
Eric's Cookpot and stove: 50:00
Eric's Odds and ends: 53:14
Rainer's Tent: 54:06
Rainer's Midlayer: 56:21
Rainer's Sleeping Bag: 58:26
Rainer's Pillow 59:37
Rainer's Sleeping Mattress: 1:00:19
Rainer's Favorite Down Jacket: 1:01:40
Rainer's Pack: 1:02:40
Eric's Favorite Silly Thing: 1:06:30
Many of the above links are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. This is a great way support creators you enjoy!
If you'd like to work with me, you can reach me at erichanson@thestation.io
We tested budget gear for a year—now it’s time for a showdown. Thanks to LMNT for sponsoring this video! Head to DrinkLMNT.com/ERICHANSON to get your free sample pack with any purchase.
Check out the behind the scenes and extras from this backpacking trip on my Patreon: patreon.com/c/EricHanson
@MirandaGoesOutside gear in this video:
Tent: bit.ly/4hSqfUY
Sleeping Bag:
Sleeping mattress: bit.ly/3UruLQp
Sleeping pad: alnk.to/6bWk3fY
Camp pillow: bit.ly/41vQ5rU
Backpack:
Pee Cloth: alnk.to/2QxVtBi
Hiking shoes: amzn.to/4h2oIu0
Water filter: bit.ly/3DddWDw
M!GO Water Bottle: mazamadesigns.com/products/m-go-bottle (for pre-order)
My gear in this video:
Trekking pole tent: alnk.to/6mR52c0
Sleeping bag: amzn.to/4gWwqpG
Sleeping mattress: alnk.to/1N3ny18
Backpack: amzn.to/3DdjrSG
Organizer bag: bit.ly/3Oivn7G (from my buddy's Etsy shop)
Stove: amzn.to/3EVceHn
Tri-flex stove adapter: amzn.to/4ifQfJr (for use with the Petrel cookpot)
Cookpot: amzn.to/3QEQrX4
Insulated Food Pouch: alnk.to/flxJ4YN
Camp cup: amzn.to/3U3wACY
Camp Spork: amzn.to/4eFFcb9
Headlamp: amzn.to/3Y5pT4p
Swivel Stool: amzn.to/3F7Ufxk
Rainer's Gear:
Tent: alnk.to/faCY6oN
Sleeping bag: alnk.to/dptoifR
Sleeping Mattress: alnk.to/3J7Ilm9
Backpack: bit.ly/3F9QOpV
Fleece: alnk.to/dWdFeLG
Pillow: alnk.to/8EKVOjq
Down jacket: bit.ly/3XjvOU5
I team up with Miranda Goes Outside for a head-to-head showdown of the best budget backpacking gear we’ve tested over the past year! We each bring our favorite budget-friendly items on a backpacking trip to see how they perform in the wild. But there’s a twist—Rainer, Miranda’s producer, crashes the trip with his ultra-expensive gear! Does high-end gear really make a difference, or can budget options hold their own?
This video is perfect for:
🎒 Backpackers & hikers looking for gear recommendations
💰 Budget-conscious adventurers wanting to get into backpacking affordably
🔍 Gear junkies curious about budget vs. premium equipment comparisons
😂 Fans of fun, lighthearted outdoor adventures
Chapters:
Intro: 00:00
Miranda's Tent: 01:05
Miranda's Sleep Mattress: 03:57
Miranda's Pillow: 05:37
Miranda's Sleeping Bag: 06:39
Miranda's Pack: 09:12
Miranda's 2nd Sleeping Pad: 18:24
Miranda's Shoes: 21:25
Miranda's Water Filter: 23:38
The Water Bottle Miranda Designed! 26:15
Eric's Tent: 32:52
Eric's Sleeping Bag: 36:17
Eric's Sleeping Mattress: 40:26
Eric's Backpack: 43:58
Eric's Organization bag: 47:05
LMNT!: 47:30
Eric's Rehydration bag: 49:25
Eric's Cookpot and stove: 50:00
Eric's Odds and ends: 53:14
Rainer's Tent: 54:06
Rainer's Midlayer: 56:21
Rainer's Sleeping Bag: 58:26
Rainer's Pillow 59:37
Rainer's Sleeping Mattress: 1:00:19
Rainer's Favorite Down Jacket: 1:01:40
Rainer's Pack: 1:02:40
Eric's Favorite Silly Thing: 1:06:30
Many of the above links are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. This is a great way support creators you enjoy!
If you'd like to work with me, you can reach me at erichanson@thestation.io
