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Is your pack 35L internal compartment or overall with the side pockets, front mesh etc. ?

Last year I broke my leg (badly) on the Appalachian Trail in Delaware Water Gap last year. Luckily I was using my phone as my camera so I had battery packs and it was all charged up. Also, we were high on a ridge so we had signal. But that was just lucky! I am never going into the backcountry without one again. It could have been so bad if we had not had signal!

I started my son backpacking when he was 7yrs old. I never really considered a sat messenger before then. However, I quickly realized that if something happens to him, I can carry him out. If something happened to me, he wouldn't be able to do anything except yell or try to find help (which I wouldn't want him doing on his own in the backcountry). Something about the southern Appalachian mountains in SC/NC there's a lot of no service places. So I got one, and it's been great insurance. 6 years later, he and his brother practice using it each year, so they know how to quickly press the SOS button and the next steps to assist rescue services if needed. It also allows my wife back home to easily track our adventures and where we are on the trail. Now I also lead a group of boys in a scouting program. I use it similarly for parents at home to track our adventures as we go. Lots of momma bears rest easier knowing where their sons are in the wild.

Starting to sound?… dude. This needs to be part of your gear. I work solo in the forest and this is the preferred piece of gear. Way too many places where phones don’t work (most of my forest) and the device is generally drop and weatherproof. SAR agencies ask folks to use these. Required by my previous employer if there wasn’t coverage or working solo.

I carry one because I'm mostly in my F150, way off-road. I purchased the recovery insurance (hopefully will never use it!) so that that expensive tow or a life flight will not hurt so much. It's also a way for my wife to see where I am.

Excellent tip on the glasses! I’ve been putting them in the pocket inside an Oakley bag, but the zipper makes great sense.

I’m an older guy (past retirement age) and I appreciate the backup when hiking alone, even on day hikes. Since I live alone no one would notice if I didn’t make it home. The tracking feature would let my emergency contact (in another state) know where they should look for me if I fail to report that I have returned. Another thought: the monthly Garmin subscription is half the cost (or less) than those emergency communicators (“I fell and I can’t get up!”) marketed to seniors!

I haven't & I don't ...

As a solo female hiker, I just recently got one for safety and reassurance. I have my tracking on so my loved ones can see where I'm at, the ability to send messages whenever, and for the SOS function in the event of an emergency.

I regret not stretching and strengthening my core and glutes more over the years. I didn’t want to “waste” time doing those things before running, hiking and cycling. It caught up with me in my 60’s with lower back issues. Now I’m trying to dig myself out of that hole while dealing with pain and weakness.

We ran into each other heading into Big Sky! Glad to see you got around to posting more CDT footage!

Last year at age 74 I bought an Inreach mini paired with my cell phone. Many of my peers no longer hike, so I go solo. My wife likes that I send a text message each night from camp, plus if I ever need the SOS I'll have it.

Yes, partially for the peace of mind, but also to keep family members at ease. While cell service isn't usually an issue around where I am, in hollows you tend to get no cell service at all. Surprisingly, this has worked in those hollows even under a canopy of trees. The weather data (while very simplistic) can also be super useful when you don't have cell service.

You don’t need one for typical backpacking. They are critical for live tracking while cross country paragliding so always bring it on trips. Super helpful for coordinating in the backcountry.

Thank you for sharing! I think I have the same tripod (aoka 28in), but I think the extender section on top of my tripod is longer, so it sticks higher up.. do you use another extension with yours? Thanks!

My wife and I don't share gear. So we're already past that. I carry it all (except her sleeping bag) and she spends the rest of the time telling me to quit complaining.

Thank you so much. Applying now

I use the In-Reach as a solo hiker. Made my parents nervous that I hiked alone. I always use the tracking feature so they can click the link and track my movement. They know as long as I am moving, everything is ok. Brought them lots of peace of mind and allowed me to continue hiking solo which is what I love. Win-Win.

Oh yes -- cheap shot.... giving away gear to get new subscribers..... Sorry, but that is just not kosher.....

I'm confused, the offset solo has a 94in bath tub length. The x mid has a 90in in bath tub. How does the x mid have more length?

Not a fan of the navigation feature but as a solo female I feel safer with an SOS button. Also, with kids and husband at home I want them to have some peace of mind while In away so that I’m not worrying that they are worrying! 😂

Most hikers are not thru hikers. In the White Mountains, NH, ask the SAR members who they rescue the most for foot/leg injuries by the foot gear they wear. Sandals and Crocs.

I used to carry ham radio for emergency comms. Never needed it for that, but it made my people feel better. My awesome wife got me a Spot in 2012 and it was fun to post my adventures on Facebook.

I carry one always bikepacking and hiking. If I don't need it for myself, you might come across someone else who does and didn't bring one.

I carry a SPOT. It’s 90% so my wife can see where I am with the tracking feature. And 10% the SOS.

My spouse got me one when I headed out for my multi-month AT saunter. I think she wanted to be able to find the body, if something happened 😋. But I have continued to carry it whenever I'm "away from civilization" just-in-case.

Your video production keeps getting better! No, I don't use one where I am. Cell service is reliable. The rest of the time, it is not worth the expense. It is good news to see your wife still makes a cameo in your videos! Well done, to both of you.

Where do you get your pack liner?

LOL only a MORON would buy that thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have carried one since 2019. I'm a 72yo solo backpacker. On the insistence of my daughter. To date I have not needed to semmon help. Does have a great 7 day weather forcast feature. If I need it, I will use it.❤

Props! Cheers dude. Love that you always keep it real and true to yourself.

This is the one piece of kit I don’t have that I’ve been holding off on popping on because of the subscription costs but as I get older and I’m always hiking alone it’s making more sense.

His buddy saw the 2000 dollar price tag and said “I’ll take two!”

What is approximate weight without camera gear? Good video, kind of how I pack as well.

I swear I could live off of Mountain House Chicken and Rice for the rest of my life and be happy. So simple, so good. These look good too though

But you *are* cool, Darwin!

In México we unfortunately don’t have that well stablished trails in big well maintained national parks with park rangers and all, and also there’s the issue of the insecurity, that increases if you are in the backcountry. I have to plan my routes in google earth and then pass them to my Garmin and Wikiloc, It’s practically go explore in the wild to look for some new amazing places with no trails at all, so here a satelite communicator is a must.

Always been holding off because of the price, does the new iPhone replace this with the SOS function would love to hear people thoughts!

thank you for the video - it's very useful. what 3 season sleeping bag do you use that you can fit in your backpack?

Doing mostly solo and/or less traveled routes, I've been using one for over a decade when one-way SPOT was about all that was out there. Now I use a full-sized InReach. I even used it as my primary navigation when I sailed a small sailboat from NC to Bermuda and back. It's a multi-tool for me. I log my trips, get tide info, get weather info, send "OK" messages to by contact, all without worrying about a cell signal. It just happens to have an SOS feature if I need it. All of that is included in the cheapest subscription, so why not make use features you're already paying for?

Never used one and I don't plan to start using one. I solo camp in isolated but not too remote locations. It's not really a solo trip if I'm carrying a communications device. I let friends know when I go in the bush and when I am coming out, a phone call before I leave and a phone call when I return. I'm turning 75 so my camping days will soon have to be finished, at least the way I'm used to doing them. Sure it's a risk but that's where the value for me lies.

It's kind of a requirement to have in the mountains of Colorado.

I started carrying one in 2012 on my canoe trips to northern Canada. I have had to use it once in 2020…way way worth its weight in gold! I now carry it on my hiking trips for piece of mind for me and family. But then again, I am 67…

if you have an iPhone 15, you can shoot off messages via satellite. iOS 18 will have that feature available for sending iMessages as well.

I use a garmin inreach mini - For the SOS feature and to send messages to my wife to let her know that me and my teenage children have not been eaten by a bear

Main reason I got one is because my wife told me too 😂

Keeps the family happy and as a solo hiker i do like the peace of mind that if i do need help I'll be able to request it. I use the messeging function more than i anticipated i would, it's nice to be able to chat a bit sometimes!

You said "I" 65 times. Once every 11 seconds.

Is that fabric material crinkly and loud like the old DCF?

Hmmm...you need to purchase insurance policies with it in case of emergency and you use it. Weird you need to PAY to have someone save your life if you don't have its insurance.