After a long day, one of the things I look forward to most is sitting down with a hot meal and diving into another adventure with Luke and his family. There’s something so wholesome about it.

What makes these videos special is how raw and unfiltered they feel. Luke Nichols comes across as bold, honest, and completely himself. There’s no pretense—what you see is who he is.

It’s amazing seeing The Outdoor Boys channel explode in popularity, reaching millions of subscribers in such a short time, and if there’s one takeaway from all the videos I’ve watched, it has to be;

 

“Mmm, is there anything better than warm fresh bread? YES, warm fresh bread with honey butter!”

 

Beyond the adventures, I’ve also found myself drawn to Luke’s selection of gears. He has clearly put thought into what he takes on these trips, and he’s refreshingly honest about what works and what doesn’t. If something holds up, you’ll see it pop up in video after video.

 

As a fellow outdoor enthusiast, I decided to put together a list of the gear Luke uses—things that have been tested in the wild and proven to work. Hopefully, it inspires you or helps anyone curious about quality outdoor equipment.

     

    Backpack 

    Item Brand Item Name Comment
    Price
    USD
    Weight As
    Seen
    Time
    stamp
    Backpack-1 HMG Windrunner 3400 55/70L
    View at HMG
      425.00 879g 1.94lb video 45:40
    Backpack-2 Zpacks Arc Zip Ultra 62L Backpack
    View at Zpacks
      449.00 668g 1.47lb    
    Backpack-3 HMG Porter 85
    View at HMG
      475.00 1.13kg 2.5lb    
    Shoulder Pocket HMG Shoulder Pocket
    View at HMG
      49.00 42.5g 1.5oz    
    Stuff Sack Frelaxy Ultralight Dry Sack 
    View at Amazon
    to keep down jackets/sleeping bags dry from rain/snow and free from abrasion with other gear 29.99 60g 2.11oz    
    Trekking Poles Black
    Diamond
    Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles
    View at Amazon | View at BlackDiamond
      209.95 482g 1.06lb    

     

     

    Hydration 

    Item Brand Item Name Description Price
    USD
    Weight As
    Seen
    Time
    stamp
    Water Filter Katadyn BeFree 3.0L Microfilter
    View at Amazon | View at BackCountry
      143.00 100g 3.5oz    
    Water Bottle-1 Nalgene 1.5L – Sustain Graphic Wide-Mouth Water Bottle
    View at Amazon | View at REI Co-op
      18.95 198g 7oz    
    Water Bottle-2 Nalgene 1L – Sustain Tritan BPA-Free Water Bottle
    View at Amazon
      29.00 178g 6.3oz    
    Hydration Pack CamelBak Arete 18 (black)
    View at Amazon | View at CamelBak
      63.35 300g 10.6oz video 0:23

     

     

    Safety

    Item Brand Item Name Comment Price
    USD
    Weight As
    Seen
    Time
    stamp
    Beacon Garmin InReach Mini 2 GPS
    View at Amazon | View at Garmin
    A must have – seen in all videos. This is how Luke communicates with his family in remote camps. 399.99 100g 3.5oz    
    Flare Gun Orion Alerter Basic 4.12-gauge Launcher
    View at Amazon | View at Orion
      89.99 454g 14oz    
    Bear Spray Counter
    Assault
    32-Foot Bear Spray (8.1 oz.)
    View at Amazon | View at Counter Assault
    We recommend you buy at least two 8oz bottles, as each can only contains a few seconds of spray.
      453g 1lb video 0:08
    Knife Gerber 950 Fixed Blade
    View at Amazon | View at Gerber
    Fixed blade. Luke uses a similar, a gerber 950 fixed blade. 37.00 204g 7.2oz    
    Gun Remington 7mm 44 Magnum
    View at Remington
            link  

    Garmin
    Subscription

      Essential (14.99), Standard (29.99) , Premium 49.99)
    View at Garmin
    For insurance cover where SOS is needed.
    This video highlights the importance of being covered.
    14.99 – 49.99 video  
     
    Useful to Have:  a couple handy considerations that will greatly improve your overall safety and experience. 
    Digital Map AllTrails AllTrails+ Subscription
    View at AllTrails
    Comprehensive map and tracking.
    Navigate on the trail
    Favorite trails and create lists
    Download offline maps
    Get alerts for wrong turns
    Live share your activities
    Access 200+ guides
    Know conditions before you go
    Preview 3D flyovers
    Find trails by distance from you
    Unlock more map details
    Print maps for backup
    35.99
    Survival Kits Survive Outdoors Longer Scout Survival Kit & Waterproof Bag
    View at Amazon
    * make my own on Amazon 31.44
    First Aid Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight Watertight Medical Kit 
    View at Amazon
    Compact Multi-Sport First Aid Kit Perfect for Hiking, Kayaking, Climbing & More 22.95

     

     

    Wearables

    Item Brand Item Name Comment Price
    USD
    Weight As
    Seen
    Time
    stamp
    Head
    Hat Grunt Style View at Grunt Style A rare loot on an Alaskan beach

    25.00

    85g 2-3oz video 8:44
    Sunnies Zenni Harbor View
    View at ZenniOptical | View at Amazon
    Similar frame  27.95  30–50g  1.1–1.8oz video 22:48
    Balaclava Carhartt Knit Insulated Face Mask
    View at Amazon | View at Carhartt
    keeps the head warm in windy conditions, during sleep, can be worn as a neck gaiter 29.99 113g 4oz video 5:57
    Torso
    Base Layer  Patagonia Capilene Midweight Crew (green)
    View at Patagonia | View at REI co op
               
    Mid Layer-1  Patagonia Better Sweater (grey)
    View at Patagonia | View at PaddyPallin
      159.00 638g 1.4lb    
    Mid Layer-2 Refrigiwear Polar Force Sweatshirt
    View at Amazon | View at Refrigiwear
      125.53 907g 2lb    
    Outer-Layer-1 (camo) Outdoor
    Research
    Coldfront Down Hoodie Loden Camo
    View at Summit Gear | View at OR
    700-fill-power down insulation and a wind-blocking ripstop fabric. including an adjustable insulated hood and multiple pockets for convenience 279.00 585g 20.7oz video 13:22
    Outer Layer-2 (black) Marmot Men’s Guides Down Hoody
    View at Amazon | View at Marmot
    700-fill-power down insulation and a wind-blocking ripstop fabric. 233.00 685g 1 lbs 8 oz    
    Outer Layer-3 Helly-Hensen Workwear Gale Waterproof Rain Jacket
    View at Amazon | View at HH Workwear
      105.00 680g 1.5lb video 1:20
    Outer Layer-4 North Face Venture 2
    Waterproof Hooded Rain Jacket
    View at Amazon (out of stock)
      318g   video 3:20
    Mountaineering Jacket Mountain Hardwear Absolute Zero Parka
    View at Amazon | View at Mountain Hardwear
      1,000.00 1.47kg 3.25lb    
    Parka Jacket-1 Canada Goose Snow Mantra Parka
    View at Amazon | View at Canda Goose
      2,025.00 2.04kg 4.5lb    
    Parka Jacket-2 Kavik Premier Down Parka
    View at BigRays
      379.95 1.36kg 3lb    
    Gloves/Mittens Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Mitt 3-finger
    View at Amazon | View at Hestra
      159.95 200g 7oz    
    Mittens Outdoor
    Research
    Alti II GORE-TEX Mitts
    View at Amazon | View at OutdoorResearch
      349.95 250g 8.8oz    
    Legs
    Pants (inner-1) Carhartt Force Midweight Classic Thermal Base Layer
    View at Amazon | View at Carhartt
    base layer against skin to wick away sweat 44.99 video 6:37
    Pants (inner-2) Grundens Bering Sea Pant
    View at Amazon | View at Grundens
    Worn under Burton outer pants 119.99 1.13kg 2.5lb    
    Pants (outer) Burton Ballast GORE‑TEX 2L Pants
    View at Amazon | View at Burton
    in kelp colorway 259.95 680g 1.5lb    
    Puffer Pants Western Mountaineering Flight Pants
    View at Amazon | View at Western Mountaineering
      350.00 255g 9oz    
    Waterproof Overalls Redington Men’s Escape Waders
    View at Amazon | View at Redington
      249.00 1.13kg 2.5lb    
    Waterproof Highliner

    Helly-Hansen
    Workwear

    Highliner Waterproof Bib Pants
    View at Amazon | View at HH Workwear
      135.00 907g 2lb video 1:49
    Suspenders Carhartt Utility Rugged Flex Suspender
    View at Amazon | View at Carhartt
      25.00    
    Boots-1 Baffin Impact
    View at Amazon | View at Baffin
      260.00 2.49kg 5.5lb    
    Boots-2 Baffin Guided Pro 3 
    View at Amazon | View at Baffin
    (-64C or 148F) 450.00 2.72kg 6lb    
    Boots-3 Solomon Toundra Pro Climasalomon
    View at Amazon | View at Solomon
      200.00 1.36kg 3lb    
    Down Booties Western Mountaineering Flash Down Booties
    View at Amazon | View at Western Mountaineering
    keep your feet extremely warm inside the tent or trailer. very lightweight and compresses down to nothing 85.00 170g 6oz video 2:22
    Slip Ons Grundens Deck-Boss Slip On
    View at Amazon | View at Grundens
      89.99 1.13kg 2.5lb    

     

     

    Building Equipment

    Item Brand Item Name Comment Price
    USD
    Weight As
    Seen
    Time
    stamp
    Saw Agawa Boreal21
    View at Amazon | View at Agawa
    Highly reliable saw, seen in most Outdoor Boys videos. 82.00 530g 1.17lb video 3:45
    Axe Wilora

    Craftsman Axe – Carbon Steel
    View at Amazon

    This alternative is a closely shaped to Luke’s DIY restored axe. 33.99 810g 1.78lb video 13:35

    “Japanese Hatchet” 

    Ryoma Hitsu Japanese Hatchet/Sickle
    View at Amazon | View at eBay
    “a hatchet I bought in Japan when tommy was younger, great for chopping tree limbs!” 111.00 450g 15.8oz video 4:14 & 6:02
    Nata Hatchet Kakuri Japanese Nata hatchet
    View at Amazon | View at Daitool
    traditional japanese hatchet from Kyoto 76.80 671g 1.48lb video 8:47
    Shovel Black Diamond Evac 9 Shovel
    View at Amazon | View at Black Diamond
    Retractable Lightweight Pro-Grade Shovel 109.95 794g 1.75lb    
    Snow Saw Black Diamond Snow Saw Guide
    View at Amazon | View at Black Diamond
      59.95 160g 5.6oz    

     

     

    Shelter & Sleep System

    Item Brand Item Name Comment Price
    USD
    Weight As
    Seen
    Time
    stamp
    Tent-1 Nemo Dagger OSMO 3P 
    View at Amazon | View at NEMO
    a Lightweight Backpacking Tent as seen on the beach with on of his younger son 499.95 1.91kg 4.2lb video 0:45:40
    Tent-2 Zpacks  Duplex Classic Tent
    View at Zpacks
      699.00 507g 17.9oz    
    Tent-3 Seek Outside  Silex 1P XL
    View at Seek Outside
      265.00 595g 1lb5oz    
    Hot Tents AlaskaGearCompany Arctic Oven Igloo (coyote)
    View at Alaska Gear Company
      3,934.00 11.34kg 25lb    
    Tarp Outdoors Way Hammock Tarp
    View at Amazon

    Lightweight and minimalistic shelter 

      739g 1.62lb video 13:12
    Sleeping Pad-1 (grey) Exped Dura 8R Air Mattress
    View at Amazon | View at Exped
    a high R-value sleeping mat insulates you between the ground, as compressed sleeping bags under your back don’t perform well 309.00 1.02kg 2.25lb video 3:26
    Sleeping Pad-2 (green) Sea to Summit Comfort Light
    View at Amazon
    Lightweight sleeping pad as seen 159.00 956g 2.1lb video 3:54
    Sleeping Bag Feathered Friends Snowy Owl ES -60 Degree Expedition Down
    View at FeatheredFriends
      1,359.00 1.58kg 3.48lb    
    Pillow Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow
    View at Amazon | View at Sea to Summit
      45.00 73g 2.57oz    

     

    Kitchen and Campfire

    Item Brand Item Name Comment Price
    USD
    Weight As
    Seen
    Time
    stamp
    Ferris Rod (punch) UST BlastMatch Fire Starter
    View at Amazon | View at UST
    One-Handed Operation and Lightweight Design for Camping, Hiking, Emergency and Outdoor Survival 19.99 65g 2.3oz    
    Ferris Rod (rack) Uberleben Ferris Rod
    View at Amazon
      32.00     video 7:32

    Fire Starter-1

    Inflame Natural Wood Weather Resistant 130pc
    View at Amazon
    Luke brings fire starters for backup, however, he’s very skilled in fire making with foraged tinder. It can be very difficult to start a fire, especially if there are no dry materials in the woods or snowy terrains. Bringing a firestarter will save you a lot of time and ensure that you are warm before the sun sets. 33.57 13.57g ea 0.47oz ea    
    Fire Starter-2 DIY Cotton Ball + Vaseline         video 7:29
    Fire Starter-3   Flint Rock + Steel + Shredded Jute Shredded jute as tinder.       video 5:13
    Knife Gerber 950 Fixed Blade
    View at Amazon | View at Gerber
    Fixed blade. Luke uses a similar, a gerber 950 fixed blade. 37.00 204g 7.2oz    
    Stove MSR Whisper Lite Compact Multi-Fuel Camping & Backpacking Stove
    View at Amazon | View at MSR
      159.95 305g 10.7oz    
    Fuel Bottle MSR Fuel Bottle 30oz
    View at Amazon | View at MSR
      27.95 170g 6oz    
    Stove Guard MSR Heat Reflector
    & Windscreen for Liquid Fuel Camping Stoves
    View at Amazon | View at MSR
    Heat Reflector and Windscreen 20.95        
    Pot Pathfinder
    School
    Stainless Steel Bush Pot and Lid Set
    View at Amazon
    Luke’s Bushpot, 99% similar 30.99 400g 14oz    
    Griddle  Luke’s DIY Aluminum DIY griddle
    View on YouTube
    OG handmade skillet – link to tutorial.          
    Griddle – Alternative Alpine Cuisine Oval Comal Griddle Nonstick Black Carbon Steel
    View at Amazon
    If you don’t want to go through the DIY hassle, this is the lightest griddle we have found that is similarly sized. 26.99 879g 1.94lb    
    Skillet Jetboil Summit Skillet – Non Stick Camping Cookware
    View at Amazon | View at Jetboil
    An ultralight alternative to the griddle 54.95 300g 10.6oz    
    Spork & Spoon-1 Light My Fire Titanium Spoon Fork Knife Combo Reusable Travel & Camping Utensils – Non-Toxic BPA Free
    View at Amazon
    This is similar to the one Luke uses here          
    Spork & Spoon-2 OUTXE Titanium Spork and Spoon set – 8.7-Inch
    View at Amazon
    Ultralight spork and spoon set          
                     
    Some of Luke’s Cooking            
        Honey Butter Toast Bread flour, yeast & water       video 3:37
        Corn Beef
               
        Flour, Beans, Rice “compact & delicious, survival food”       video 9:45
        Pilot Bread, cheese, salami         video 10:09
    Li Hing Mui gummy treats Snack Hawaii Sour Mango Belts
    View at Snack Hawaii
      14.99        

     

     

    Video Equipment

    Item Brand Item Name Comment Price
    USD
    Weight As
    Seen
    Time
    stamp
    Headlamp Goforwild LHCYL-9552 500 lumen
    View at Amazon
      43.95 68g 2.4oz    
    Camera GoPro HERO13 Black
    View at Amazon | View at GoPro
      399.00 153g 5.4oz    
    Camera Batteries GoPro Enduro Batteries for HERO13 Black
    View at Amazon | View at GoPro
    10x 30.00 33g
    each
    1oz
    each
       
    Camera Case GoPro Casey Semi Hard Camera Case
    View at Amazon | View at GoPro
    * means recommending 49.99        
    Camera Stick-1 GoPro Extension Pole + Waterproof Shutter Remote
    View at Amazon | View at GoPro
      77.20        
    Tripod-1 Victiv 80″ Camera Tripod
    View at Amazon
      79.99     video 2:41 & 3:05
    Tripod-2 – Alternative Sirui AM-254 Carbon Fiber 47″
    View at Amazon
    Loads up to 26.5lbs/12kg 129.00        
    Tripod Adapter Zeadio Metal Mini Tripod – Max Load 20kg/44lb
    Luke attaches this tripod to the end of his selfie stick – as seen in this video
      110g 3.8oz video  
    Bicycle Lights Ascher Ultra Bright Rechargeable Bike Light for flood lighting          
    Portable Charger Anker PowerCore Essential 20,000 30W
    View at Amazon
      27.35        
    Additional Power Block Anker 347 Power Bank – 40,000 mAh 30W
    View at Amazon
    20,000mAh Portable Charger 59.49        

     

     

    Snow Country

    Item Brand Item Name Comment Price
    USD
    Weight As
    Seen
    Time
    stamp
    Snow Goggles Smiths Squad XL
    View at Amazon | View at Smiths
      155.00 200g 7oz    
    Trekking Poles Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles
    View at Amazon | View at BlackDiamond
      209.95 482g 1.06lb    
    Snow Probe Big Snow Deal Avalanche Probe – 260cm Aluminum
    View at Amazon
      54.95        
    Snow Saw Black Diamond Snow Saw Guide
    View at Amazon | View at Black Diamond
      59.95 160g 5.6oz video  
    Ski SkiTrab SKI ORTLES PRO 85 – Pro Touring Skis
    View at SkiTrab
      944.00    
    Ski Precut Skins SkiTrab Ski Trab Precut Skins – Mix Mohair
    View at SkiTrab
      158.00    
    Snow Shoes Tubbs Wayfinder Snowshoes 2025
    View at Amazon | View at Tubbs
      189.95    
    Snowdog SnowDog Utility B13 MER
    View at Snowdog
      4,095.00        
    Snow Sled Alaska Gear Company Ultralight Pulk Sled
    View at Alaska Gear Company
      432.00    
    Snow Sled #2 Shappell Eagle Claw Jet Sled Heavy Duty
    View at Eagle Claw
            video 1:32
    Tent Wood-Stove Alaska Gear Company Titanium Folding Stove Kitz
    View at Alaska Gear Company
      957.00     video 8:25
    Tent Wood-Stove #2 Alternative Winnerwell Nomad Medium Tent Stove 800 Cubic Inch Firebox
    View on Amazon | View at Winnerwell
      359.99        

     

     

    Luxuries – Comfort and Keeping Warm

    Item Brand Item Name Comment Price
    USD
    Weight As
    Seen
    Time
    stamp
    Tent Lantern ZMNT Camping Lantern Rechargeable 1000LM
    View at Amazon
    1000LM, Up to 300H Running Time Camping Tent Light, 6700mAh Emergency Hanging Light for Hurricane, Power Outages, Home, Hiking, Water-Resistant, Black 27.00 0.26      
    Insulated Mug Yeti Rambler 30 oz Tumbler – Stainless Steel, Vacuum Insulated with MagSlider Lid
    View at Amazon | View at Yeti
      35.00        
    Camping Chair Alaska Gear Company Arctic Oven Camp Chair
    View at Alaska Gear Company
      160.00 1.27kg 2.8lb    
    Bunk bed REI co-op Kingdom Cot 3
    View at REI | Amazon Alternative
    In a hot tent, the difference at the top (37°C) vs the ground (0°C) can be managed with a bed off the ground, where you can be at 15°C 199.00 9kg 20lb video 4:26
    Heat Circulation Fan Amacool

    Portable Camping Fan 40Hr
    View at Amazon

    To mitigate the difference of temperature at the top and bottom of the tent – Luke recommends a fan to circulate the hot air inside the tent. This is a lightweight and rechargeable battery powered option. 25.99 320g 11.3oz video 6:16
    Hydration Pack CamelBak Arete 18 (black)
    View at Amazon | View at CamelBak
    Fill a water bladder with your favourite hot drink and wear it under your winter clothes – lasts 8hrs 63.35 300g 10.6oz video 0:23
    Heat Patches (body) HotHands Body Warmer Stick-on 12hrs – 8pack
    View at Amazon | View at HotHands
      14.99 44g 1.55oz    
    Heat Patches (hands) HotHands Hand Warmer Stick-on 10hrs – 10pack
    View at Amazon | View at HotHands
      9.99        
    Heat Patches (lap) HotHands Lap Warmer Stick on – 8hrs – 1pack
    View at Amazon | View at HotHands
      11.33        
    Heat Patches (toes) HotHands Toe Warmers Stick-on 12hrs – 6pairs
    View at Amazon | View at HotHands
      6.99 20g 0.7oz    
    Heat Patches (insole) HotHands Insole Foot Warmers Stick-on 9hrs – 5pairs
    View at Amazon | View at HotHands
      14.99 44g 1.55oz    

     

     

    Kids Gear & Family Camping

    Item Brand Item Name   Price
    USD
    Weight As
    Seen
    Time
    stamp
    Parka Jacket (blue) Canada Goose Youth Expedition PBI
    View at Amazon | View at Canada Goose
    675 Fill Power Responsibly Sourced Down 1,137.00    
    Sleeping Bag (red) Big Agnes Little Red
    View at BackCountry | View at Amazon
    15F – kids sized. clamp the bottom of sleeping bag to reduce dead space       video 4:33
    Portable Heater Mr Heater Big Buddy
    View at Amazon | View at Mr Heater
      246.00 4.5kg 10lb    
    Hot Water bottle Peterpan

    Rubber Hot Water Bottle with knitted cover
    View at Amazon

    Luke often uses his drinking bottle filled with boiled water. However, during family camps, he will bring a dedicated hot water bottle

    36.99

    544g 1.2lb    

     

     

    Transportation

    Item Brand Item Name Comment Price
    USD
    Weight As
    Seen
    Time
    stamp
    Minibike Coleman Powersports Mini Bike
     View at Coleman
        82kg 180lb    
    Bicycle Trailer QuiteKat All-Terrain Game Trailer
    View at Amazon | View at QuiteKat
      369.00 21.3kg 47lb    
    Snowdog SnowDog Utility B13 MER
    View at Snowdog
      4,095.00        
    Snow Ski Ski-doo 900 ACE Expedition
    View at Amazon | View at Ski-doo
        295kg 650lb    
    Passenger Sled Equinox Snowcoach 685
    View at 54NorthPowersports
    2 seats for Luke’s boys, towed by a snow ski 3,487.00 video 0:07
    K-Truck Suzuki Carry Kei truck lifted on tracks          

     

     

     

    We love the Outdoor Boys and it’s a great pleasure putting together these lists of quality gear as accurately as possible.

     

    While sharing them is my passion, each of these posts takes many hours to research and compile. If you’d like to support us, you can do so through viewing the affiliate links under some of the items. It won’t cost you anything extra, but it greatly helps us continue bringing you the best outdoor gear recommendations for free.