Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 4 days ago
Head to squarespace.com/paulmessner to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PAULMESSNER
It's been ten years since I uploaded my first wild camping video, so I wanted to sit down and reflect on how much the YouTube scene has changed. In this video, I share my honest thoughts on the niche's current oversaturation, the relentless push for new gear, and the frustrating rise of clickbait thumbnails over genuine outdoor connection. Let me know your thoughts on the state of wild camping on YouTube and drop your favorite authentic channel recommendations in the comments!
Big thank you to Ultralight Outdoor Gear for supporting us in 2026 geni.us/UltralightOutdoorGear
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
Timestamps
00:00 - Is the golden era of wild camping over?
00:51 - How YouTube has changed since my first video
02:22 - Looking back at footage from 10 years ago
04:52 - My relationship with gear and starting reviews
06:26 - Hitting "Creator on the Rise" in 2019
09:20 - Squarespace Sponsorship
10:30 - How the 2020 pandemic exploded the community
12:53 - Oversaturation and the loss of unique content
13:44 - The impact of oversharing camp locations
14:43 - Advancements in filming technology
19:34 - The problem with the endless gear review cycle
26:21 - Clickbait thumbnails and craving real connection
31:06 - We need a new generation of outdoor YouTubers
35:13 - Share your thoughts and channel recommendations
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
patreon.com/paulmessner
Join our Patreon community for additional videos, community WhatsApp style chats and more. MASSIVE thanks to YOU. I couldn’t do this without your support.
messner.co.uk
WIN a FULL WILD CAMPING SETUP
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.
Head to squarespace.com/paulmessner to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PAULMESSNER
It's been ten years since I uploaded my first wild camping video, so I wanted to sit down and reflect on how much the YouTube scene has changed. In this video, I share my honest thoughts on the niche's current oversaturation, the relentless push for new gear, and the frustrating rise of clickbait thumbnails over genuine outdoor connection. Let me know your thoughts on the state of wild camping on YouTube and drop your favorite authentic channel recommendations in the comments!
Big thank you to Ultralight Outdoor Gear for supporting us in 2026 geni.us/UltralightOutdoorGear
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
Timestamps
00:00 - Is the golden era of wild camping over?
00:51 - How YouTube has changed since my first video
02:22 - Looking back at footage from 10 years ago
04:52 - My relationship with gear and starting reviews
06:26 - Hitting "Creator on the Rise" in 2019
09:20 - Squarespace Sponsorship
10:30 - How the 2020 pandemic exploded the community
12:53 - Oversaturation and the loss of unique content
13:44 - The impact of oversharing camp locations
14:43 - Advancements in filming technology
19:34 - The problem with the endless gear review cycle
26:21 - Clickbait thumbnails and craving real connection
31:06 - We need a new generation of outdoor YouTubers
35:13 - Share your thoughts and channel recommendations
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
patreon.com/paulmessner
Join our Patreon community for additional videos, community WhatsApp style chats and more. MASSIVE thanks to YOU. I couldn’t do this without your support.
messner.co.uk
WIN a FULL WILD CAMPING SETUP
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.
