Backpacking Gear List from the John Muir Trail

 

In 2024 I embarked on an epic adventure on the John Muir Trail. I wish I could say that I completed that journey but I didn't. I ended up bailing on the trail about half way through because I missed my family too much. Here is a list of the gear I brought on on that hike: 

Here are the items that I brought on the John Muir Trail 
REI Flash Air 50L here-- https://tinyurl.com/flashair50 
Nemo Tensor— https://amzn.to/4cAa8bd 
Fortuis 1p Tent— https://bit.ly/3LxK3xD 
Stormloft Down Topquilt—https://alnk.to/d3CWiOX 
1/8 inch closed cell foam pad— https://alnk.to/eDRzQvc 
REI Pillow— https://alnk.to/1C7vg9R
TREKOLOGY Ultralight Pillow— https://amzn.to/46XQCUS 
Outdoor Vitals Sleeping  Bag liner— https://alnk.to/c08d8jF 

Clothing:
Sahara Shade Hoodie - Men’s— https://alnk.to/31rz6Ja
Darn Tough Socks— https://alnk.to/5FaVOYg 
REI Lightweight Base Layer Long-Sleeve— https://alnk.to/7fpKElD 
Outdoor Vitals NovaUL Jacket— https://alnk.to/hDqswuC 
Lightweight Gloves— https://amzn.to/4fQmz5s 
Skyline Trail Joggers— https://alnk.to/3U1m0Yd 
Hiking Shoes— https://amzn.to/3SHD5ev 
Water shoes— https://amzn.to/46RwvaA

Gear: 
Katadyn BeFree 1.0L Water Filter-- https://amzn.to/3AtvXMc 
Hydrapak Stash— https://amzn.to/3WWrCsr 
Jetboil Stash-- https://amzn.to/3XgOIeR  
BV500-- https://amzn.to/3yK5tp9
Nitecore NU25— https://amzn.to/3Enoqgx  
REI Flash Carbon Compact Trekking Poles— https://alnk.to/flwBLX2 
Garmin inReach Mini 2— https://amzn.to/3Mb7ePl
REI Multi Towel Mini— https://alnk.to/hhAWyWP
TOAKS Titanium Long Handle Spoon— https://amzn.to/3AtvCsN
FLEXTAILGEAR ZERO PUMP— https://amzn.to/3STYqko 
VEEKTOMX Mini Power Bank— https://amzn.to/3WLgxdq
REI Lightweight Stuff Sack— https://alnk.to/cHNf3Rj 
John Muir Trail Map- https://amzn.to/4fPNkqw
Insulated Backpacking Meal Cozy— https://www.etsy.com/shop/FindingTrail?ref=l2-about-shopname  
Flip Fuel— https://www.flipfuel.co?sca_ref=4866273.EjbX1UVWCC  
You can use my code: Neal20 to get 20% off your order!  

Hygiene and poop kit: 
Deuce of Spades— https://amzn.to/4dKuEr3 
Porta Wipes— https://amzn.to/47ak4qR 
Toothbrush— https://amzn.to/3Ay7DZB 
Sunscreen— https://amzn.to/3WUUaST 
Sunscreen Chapstick— https://amzn.to/3MdZJHe 

Fishing Gear: 
Fishing Rod— https://amzn.to/3YRouRh 
Fishing Reel— https://amzn.to/3XaeUaE 
Altoids Tackle Fishing Box— https://www.etsy.com/listing/1612146463/altoid-tin-organizer-insert-perfect-for?ref=yr_purchases
Backpackers Pantry— https://backpackerspantry.com/o6dn0o 

If you want to try @drinkLMNT you can use my code and get a free sample pack with your first order! I've been using LMNT for the last four months and love it! 
https://elementallabs.refr.cc/nealbenson  

Other Gear I love: 
Shadowlight 60L— https://alnk.to/d3G7Qlk 

If you want to get a new backpacking stove make sure to check out Fire Maple Gear. Use the code: Peak to get 10% off your order. 
https://firemaplegear.com/discount/Peak?ref=peak 

Some footage might have been shot on GoPro Hero 11- https://amzn.to/3zpVmFP 

Quick heads up: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. Thanks for supporting my channel! 

#darntough #outdoorvitals #backpacking #outdoors #hiking #fun #cute #family #information #travel #Johnmuirtrail #Yosemite #REI

REI good & used

Have you ever found something so amazing that you wanted to keep it to yourself but you knew you had to share it? This is what I'm talking about with the REI good & used site.

About a year ago I stumbled on this portion of their website. I wish I could remember how because it would make that portion of the story that much more epic... but I have three kids, work full-time, and am constantly tired. I have been an REI member for about 18 years now so I think I'm kinda in the loop on REI.

Let me get to the story. I was prepping to hike Half Dome and needed a new pair of shoes. I was looking all over the REI site and couldn't find a pair I was stoked on. Time was ticking on the trip and I needed to act quickly. I found the good & used portion of the website and it started to click. I found a pair that was my size and in excellent condition. I have to be honest that I was a bit nervous at first but am an avid REI garage sale fan so I knew it would be good.

The shoes arrived and I think they were brand new. Read that sentence again; brand new! So new looking that I put my nose into them and took a huge wiffffff. I was convinced they were brand new. I just got brand new shoes for like 33% off. They were so comfortable and brought me to the top of Half Dome with no issues.

This is where the story continues.

At the beginning of this year I made a commitment to try to buy as much used gear, clothes, bikes, kids toys, and basically anything I could. I want to do my part to make sure the earth is a safe place for my kids to grow up in. I know there are finite resources on our planet and if we keep throwing things in the land fills it's a sad future. This is one reason that I love the REI good & used site. They are giving gear, backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, jackets, shoes, trekking poles, and more a second chance in life. Maybe their first owner had a bad hike and didn't want to keep participating. Maybe a family had a bummer camping trip and gave up. This is where we come in. We find that gear and give it a second chance to live it's life in the outdoors.

Just last month we picked up:
REI duffel bag
Brand new chaco shoes
Rash guard for my daughter
40 oz HydroFlask
Patagonia sweater for my daughter

All of this gear was a great deal.
All of this gear was in great shape.
All of this gear will get a second chance.

Now when I buy gear, I've primarily stuck to excellent condition items. That has been a personal choice.

The HydroFlask was basically perfect.
The Patagonia sweater looks brand new.

As a dad, I get it. You buy your kid something and then a week later it doesn't fit. You return it to REI. REI doesn't put it in the landfill!
Now my kid gets to wear it.
Now I get to take those shoes to Half Dome.
Now my daughter has a HydroFlask for when she volunteers at the ranch she rides at.

As bad as I want to keep the REI good & used gear site to myself, I just can't. There are too many great deals on there right now! Maybe you will follow my lead. Maybe you will take it for a test run and find yourself looking to purchase pre-owned before brand new. Imagine the possibilities.

* I get no commission from REI for writing this post. Just trying to help out.