The Mindful Hunter Podcast

Is an ultralight backpacking stove really lighter when you factor in the extra fuel it burns? In this video, I put the MSR Pocket Rocket 2 head-to-head against the MSR WindBurner to find out. I ran extensive lab tests, measured fuel efficiency, compared total system weights, and looked at real-world packability to help you decide which stove is best for your backcountry hunts and backpacking trips.

Whether you’re a hunter shaving ounces for a goat hunt, or a backpacker planning a 10-day alpine trip, this review gives you the data and context you need to make the right call.

If you enjoy in-depth, no-nonsense gear breakdowns, subscribe for more content like this.
 
Chapters / Timestamps

0:00 – Is ultralight really lighter?
0:18 – The contenders: Pocket Rocket 2 vs WindBurner
0:37 – My experience with both systems
1:12 – Stove & pot weight breakdown
2:05 – Why I chose the Oli Camp XT pot
2:32 – Total system weight comparison
2:43 – Testing setup & protocols
3:29 – Fuel burn results (Pocket Rocket vs WindBurner)
4:22 – Realities of flame control in the field
5:23 – What the data means for hunters
5:42 – Packability & wind performance
6:56 – System weight vs fuel weight trade-off
8:19 – My go-to stove for most hunts
9:23 – When the Pocket Rocket makes sense
10:14 – Why the WindBurner stands out in the field
11:20 – Final thoughts & viewer Q&A
 
Jay Nichol
[email protected]
https://www.mindful-reviews.com/
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/

Forged In The Backcountry
https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/
 
Merch
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop
 
Newsletter
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact
 
IG
https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/
 
Podcast
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/podcast
 
Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools

In this episode, I sit down with Robby Denning for a raw and honest conversation about storytelling, hunting, and what really matters.

 

We dive deep into how hunting stories shaped us growing up — from books and campfire tales to modern films and YouTube. Are we telling better stories today? Or have we lost something in the shift toward short-form content and constant cameras?

 

We talk about:

Why written stories hit differently than video

The evolution of hunting content over the last 15 years

Ego, burnout, and the pressure to always create

Finding balance between documenting the hunt and being present

Mentorship, community, and the mistake of going it alone

Recovery, masculinity, and how the outdoors can reshape a man

 

This isn’t a gear episode. It’s a conversation about identity, legacy, and why storytelling might be the most important thing hunters can do right now — especially as ballot initiatives and public perception continue to shape the future of our lifestyle.

 

Robbie Denning

https://www.instagram.com/robbydenning/

 

Jay Nichol

[email protected]

https://www.mindful-reviews.com/

https://www.mindfulhunter.com/

 

Forged In The Backcountry

https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/

 

Merch

https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop

 

Newsletter

https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact

 

IG

https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/

 

Podcast

https://www.mindfulhunter.com/podcast

 

Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide

https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools

Is King’s Camo the best bang for your buck in hunting apparel right now? In this video, I put the Elevation Quarter Zip Hoodie and Ridge Pants through real backcountry testing—scouting trips, goat hunts, and long training hikes.
I break down the fit, function, and feel of each piece, compare them directly to Sitka and Stone Glacier, and share whether these budget-friendly options can truly hang with the premium brands.

🔍 What you’ll learn in this review:
 • Price breakdown & comparisons (up to 50% cheaper than Sitka/Stone Glacier)
 • Features & materials explained (breathability, stretch, odor control, durability)
 • Real-world performance on tough hunts
 • Final verdict: Are they worth your money?

If you’re a value-minded hunter, new to backcountry hunting, or just tired of paying top-dollar for gear, this review will help you decide if King’s Camo deserves a place in your kit.

👉 Drop your questions or budget gear recommendations in the comments below—I’m working on a budget backcountry gear list and your input will help shape it.

Please like, comment, share, and subscribe if you find this review helpful. It really helps push this content further in the algorithm. Thanks for watching and stay tuned for more gear deep dives. 

Chapters:
00:00 – Is King’s Camo the best bang for your buck?
00:12 – Introducing the Elevation Hoodie & Ridge Pants
00:33 – Best season and layering use cases
01:00 – Field testing & hunts
01:21 – How I evaluate gear (Fit, Function, Feel)
02:05 – Review framework (Price, Features, Fit/Feel/Function)
02:17 – Hoodie price & comparisons (Sitka, Stone Glacier)
03:00 – Pants price & comparisons
03:34 – Hoodie features breakdown
04:41 – Ridge Pants features breakdown
07:00 – Fit & sizing overview
08:10 – Hoodie fit & hood performance
10:19 – Ridge Pants fit & mobility
12:12 – Hoodie field performance (drying, odor, durability)
15:02 – Pants field performance (fit, durability, crampon test)
18:17 – Final thoughts & value verdict
19:41 – Kings Camo stamp of approval
20:00 – Future reviews, budget gear list, and sign-off
 
Jay Nichol
[email protected]
https://www.mindful-reviews.com/
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/

Forged In The Backcountry
https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/
 
Merch
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop
 
Newsletter
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact
 
IG
https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/
 
Podcast
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/podcast
 
Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools

Adam Grenda is known for killing giant moose and flying Super Cubs into wild places — but that’s only half the story.

In this episode, we go deep.

We talk about:

Calling in a 71” bull moose to 12 yards with a bow

The intensity of Alaskan moose hunting (and why it hits different)

The reality of internet hate and how to not let it own your headspace

Building a dream hangar house in remote Alaska from the ground up

Why fear is the wall between you and freedom

This isn’t just a hunting conversation.

It’s about risk. Ownership. Growth. And building a life most people are too scared to chase.

Adam lives an incredible life — but not an easy one. And that’s the point.

If you’ve ever felt the pressure of comparison, dealt with criticism, or wondered what it really takes to build something meaningful… this one’s for you.

 

Adam Grenda

https://www.instagram.com/grenda89/

 

Jay Nichol

[email protected]

https://www.mindful-reviews.com/

https://www.mindfulhunter.com/

 

Forged In The Backcountry

https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/

 

Merch

https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop

 

Newsletter

https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact

 

IG

https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/

 

Podcast

https://www.mindfulhunter.com/podcast

 

Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide

https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools

I've got three spots left open for spring black bear hunts in BC and two spots left for archery mule deer in Alberta. For any outfitting info, email me [email protected]

I avoided the Mountain Stick 4.1 from MTN Gear for years because I assumed it was just a trekking pole with an ice axe head. I was wrong. After putting it through the ultimate test on a mountain goat hunt in brutal terrain, I can confidently say this tool is in a league of its own.
In this review, I cover:

• Why my first impressions were dead wrong
• How the Mountain Stick performs in real-world backcountry hunting conditions
• Features like the carbide tip, pommel grip, climbing hooks, digging ability, rifle mount, and saw attachment
• Pros, cons, and whether it’s worth the $300 price tag

If you’re a mountain hunter, backcountry hiker, or gear junkie wondering if the Mountain Stick 4.1 is hype or a legit game changer, this deep dive is for you.

👉 What do you use instead of trekking poles in the mountains? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

🔔 Subscribe for more no-BS gear reviews, optics tests, and backcountry hunting insights.
⸻
📍 Chapters 
00:00 – Why I avoided the Mountain Stick 4.1
00:31 – First assumptions vs. reality
01:08 – Build quality & durability (vs. trekking poles)
01:55 – Stability in steep terrain
02:57 – Pommel grip advantage
04:03 – Carbide tip & footing on tough slopes
05:16 – Climbing with hooks & ice axe function
06:14 – Digging, water, and camp uses
08:08 – Rifle mount & shooting stability
09:28 – Saw attachment & versatility
10:42 – Materials, specs & weight
12:39 – Downsides: grip, price, and weight
14:24 – Why it’s more than a trekking pole
14:51 – The “battle axe” factor
15:20 – Final thoughts & viewer questions
 
Jay Nichol
[email protected]
https://www.mindful-reviews.com/
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/

Forged In The Backcountry
https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/
 
Merch
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop
 
Newsletter
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact
 
IG
https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/
 
Podcast
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/podcast
 
Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide
https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools