Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
*This video is sponsored by LMNT! Try LMNT (you'll love it) by clicking here: drinklmnt.com/mirandagoesoutside
I went backpacking with the ideal budget backpacking kit... again! But this time with a big twist. Last year I made a series of videos backpacking with budget gear from major brands and retailers, and after all that testing I arrived at what I think is the best budget backpacking kit you can buy. Or is it? In this video I am taking my ideal budget backpacking kit out again in the desert of Arizona, and comparing it to the budget backpacking kit of my friend and fellow YouTuber @eric_hanson! Eric made a bunch of videos last year on budget backpacking gear as well, mostly purchasing from Amazon. Our big three (tent, sleeping system and pack) add up to about the same cost, and our entire kits are the same weight, but we made VERY different choices on what gear we spent money on. Will seeing the budget gear Eric chose in action make me rethink my own budget kit as the IDEAL kit?
Intro: 00:00
Backpacking with budget gear - Day 1: 1:02
My budget pack: 3:03
Taking a side quest: 4:23
My budget tent, sleeping bag, and pad: 9:21
A big twist: 13:05
My budget apparel and water filter: 15:38
Eric's budget tent, sleeping bag, and pad: 18:19
My backpacking stove: 21:34
Backpacking with budget gear - Day 2: 27:19
Why I love LMNT electrolytes (sponsor): 31:03
What to consider when buying backpacking gear: 32:19
What I'd take from Eric's kit, and what he'd take from mine: 37:10
Outro: 38:40
Watch my video testing Decathlon gear here: youtube.com/watch?v=ELkDUDxoWtg
Watch my video testing REI gear here: youtube.com/watch?v=ZsyIF-lFRDA
Watch my video testing Amazon gear here: youtube.com/watch?v=VzQufFmEgU4
Watch my video testing Walmart gear here: youtube.com/watch?v=qBDU0dMGdOE
Watch my first video testing my IDEAL budget backpacking kit here: youtube.com/watch?v=ZFlDVLaAQxI
Check out Eric's channel: youtube.com/@UCb3KwY6oUqATTRQa4m4fIDw
The ideal budget backpacking gear -
REI Trailmade 20 Sleeping Bag: alnk.to/3nhLv5N
Paria Outdoors Sleeping Pad: pariaoutdoorproducts.com/products/recharge-xl-insulated-sleeping-pad
Ozark Trail Backpacker 1P Tent: walmart.com/ip/3388813994
Bear Vault BV450: alnk.to/e77ZkRC
Toaks 750ml Pot: alnk.to/3cn0whY
Toaks Long Handled Spork: alnk.to/5jm6i5l
Paria Outdoors Water Filter: pariaoutdoorproducts.com/products/2l-squeeze-water-filter-system
Energizer Headlamp: amzn.to/3VDAV0k
Nortiv 8 Quick Lace Shoes: amzn.to/4gl9lxy
CuddlDuds Base Layer Top: walmart.com/ip/368729538
CuddlDuds Base Layer Bottoms: walmart.com/ip/3962972159
Amazon Fleece: amzn.to/4gf6aY4
Forclaz Down Jacket: decathlon.com/products/forclaz-trek-100-23-f-down-packable-puffer-backpacking-jacket-167572?
REI Trailmade 60: alnk.to/58rljhh
Eric's Budget Kit -
Aegismax Sleeping Bag: amzn.to/4ix0TfC
Featherstone Backbone Tent: amzn.to/41QPjot
Flextail Sleeping Pad: amzn.to/4kQlP2H
Naturehike 65L Pack: amzn.to/4bYt7xu
Some of the above links are affiliate links. If you choose to purchase something from the affiliate links I may earn a small commission. This money goes straight back into making content, and allows me to keep making videos for all of you!
Miranda Goes Outside merch is now for sale! Get yours here: mirandagoesoutside.com
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me on Patreon! 💚 If you'd like to become a Patron and support my channel, click here: patreon.com/mirandagoesoutside
LMNT is the biggest supporter of my channel and I am thrilled to get to continue to partner with them! To find out more about LMNT, click here: drinklmnt.com
The Miranda Goes Outside crew:
Director and Producer: Rainer Golden
Sr. Editor and Videographer: Abby Hagan
Editor: Katie Van Fleet
Dog: Tucker
Cat: Oscar
Miranda: Miranda
This video was filmed by Rainer Golden and edited by Abby Hagan and Rainer Golden.
Follow me on IG @MirandaGoesOutside: instagram.com/mirandagoesoutside
Find past Miranda in the Wild videos on REI Co-op's YouTube channel here: youtube.com/@rei
Like, Subscribe, Comment, and tune in (almost) weekly for more Miranda Goes Outside!
Backpacking with the Best Budget Backpacking Gear!
#backpacking #backpackinggear #hiking #camping #2025 #spring #adventure #mirandagoesoutside #mirandainthewild #budget #budgetgear
*This video is sponsored by LMNT! Try LMNT (you'll love it) by clicking here: drinklmnt.com/mirandagoesoutside
I went backpacking with the ideal budget backpacking kit... again! But this time with a big twist. Last year I made a series of videos backpacking with budget gear from major brands and retailers, and after all that testing I arrived at what I think is the best budget backpacking kit you can buy. Or is it? In this video I am taking my ideal budget backpacking kit out again in the desert of Arizona, and comparing it to the budget backpacking kit of my friend and fellow YouTuber @eric_hanson! Eric made a bunch of videos last year on budget backpacking gear as well, mostly purchasing from Amazon. Our big three (tent, sleeping system and pack) add up to about the same cost, and our entire kits are the same weight, but we made VERY different choices on what gear we spent money on. Will seeing the budget gear Eric chose in action make me rethink my own budget kit as the IDEAL kit?
Intro: 00:00
Backpacking with budget gear - Day 1: 1:02
My budget pack: 3:03
Taking a side quest: 4:23
My budget tent, sleeping bag, and pad: 9:21
A big twist: 13:05
My budget apparel and water filter: 15:38
Eric's budget tent, sleeping bag, and pad: 18:19
My backpacking stove: 21:34
Backpacking with budget gear - Day 2: 27:19
Why I love LMNT electrolytes (sponsor): 31:03
What to consider when buying backpacking gear: 32:19
What I'd take from Eric's kit, and what he'd take from mine: 37:10
Outro: 38:40
Watch my video testing Decathlon gear here: youtube.com/watch?v=ELkDUDxoWtg
Watch my video testing REI gear here: youtube.com/watch?v=ZsyIF-lFRDA
Watch my video testing Amazon gear here: youtube.com/watch?v=VzQufFmEgU4
Watch my video testing Walmart gear here: youtube.com/watch?v=qBDU0dMGdOE
Watch my first video testing my IDEAL budget backpacking kit here: youtube.com/watch?v=ZFlDVLaAQxI
Check out Eric's channel: youtube.com/@UCb3KwY6oUqATTRQa4m4fIDw
The ideal budget backpacking gear -
REI Trailmade 20 Sleeping Bag: alnk.to/3nhLv5N
Paria Outdoors Sleeping Pad: pariaoutdoorproducts.com/products/recharge-xl-insulated-sleeping-pad
Ozark Trail Backpacker 1P Tent: walmart.com/ip/3388813994
Bear Vault BV450: alnk.to/e77ZkRC
Toaks 750ml Pot: alnk.to/3cn0whY
Toaks Long Handled Spork: alnk.to/5jm6i5l
Paria Outdoors Water Filter: pariaoutdoorproducts.com/products/2l-squeeze-water-filter-system
Energizer Headlamp: amzn.to/3VDAV0k
Nortiv 8 Quick Lace Shoes: amzn.to/4gl9lxy
CuddlDuds Base Layer Top: walmart.com/ip/368729538
CuddlDuds Base Layer Bottoms: walmart.com/ip/3962972159
Amazon Fleece: amzn.to/4gf6aY4
Forclaz Down Jacket: decathlon.com/products/forclaz-trek-100-23-f-down-packable-puffer-backpacking-jacket-167572?
REI Trailmade 60: alnk.to/58rljhh
Eric's Budget Kit -
Aegismax Sleeping Bag: amzn.to/4ix0TfC
Featherstone Backbone Tent: amzn.to/41QPjot
Flextail Sleeping Pad: amzn.to/4kQlP2H
Naturehike 65L Pack: amzn.to/4bYt7xu
Some of the above links are affiliate links. If you choose to purchase something from the affiliate links I may earn a small commission. This money goes straight back into making content, and allows me to keep making videos for all of you!
Miranda Goes Outside merch is now for sale! Get yours here: mirandagoesoutside.com
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me on Patreon! 💚 If you'd like to become a Patron and support my channel, click here: patreon.com/mirandagoesoutside
LMNT is the biggest supporter of my channel and I am thrilled to get to continue to partner with them! To find out more about LMNT, click here: drinklmnt.com
The Miranda Goes Outside crew:
Director and Producer: Rainer Golden
Sr. Editor and Videographer: Abby Hagan
Editor: Katie Van Fleet
Dog: Tucker
Cat: Oscar
Miranda: Miranda
This video was filmed by Rainer Golden and edited by Abby Hagan and Rainer Golden.
Follow me on IG @MirandaGoesOutside: instagram.com/mirandagoesoutside
Find past Miranda in the Wild videos on REI Co-op's YouTube channel here: youtube.com/@rei
Like, Subscribe, Comment, and tune in (almost) weekly for more Miranda Goes Outside!
Backpacking with the Best Budget Backpacking Gear!
#backpacking #backpackinggear #hiking #camping #2025 #spring #adventure #mirandagoesoutside #mirandainthewild #budget #budgetgear
