In backpacking as with most things, good equipment is an important part of doing a good job. For normal use, you won't need gear designed for the heights of Mt. Everest, but you shouldn't buy the cheapest stuff either.
In general, more expensive backpacking gear is better designed, and built of higher quality, lighter materials, so you will mostly get what you pay for. Buy cheap and you will soon be looking for better. Buy good gear, take care of it, and it will last you for many years.
If the price scares you, remember that you will likely be using the gear for 10 years or more, so in the end the cost is really not that much per year :-)
Still the price has got to be affordable; so to find good gear at a good price, take your time and read lots of online reviews before buying. Do your research, and read enough reviews to get a good sense of the pros + cons of a piece of gear.
Find out what the AT hiker types have to say about gear and you won't go far wrong; as long as you realize that hard-core hikers will often sacrifice a bit of comfort in favor of other qualities, which can leave a regular hiker disappointed with their purchase. Again...read lots of reviews.
Frequent your local outdoor equipment store.
They can offer advice, as well as sizing your pack and boots and allowing a quick test drive of sleeping pads to see which one you like before you buy.
Regarding gear weight, you will naturally want to carry as little weight as possible, but keep in mind that ultra-light gear may sacrifice durability and comfort to save weight.
Another tip is to create accounts with online gear stores, so they will send you emails about upcoming sales, where you can often save 20% or more.
Here are some Canadian online gear stores:
MEC
Atmosphere Sports
Altitude Sports
Another consideration is warranty.
Certain companies such as Osprey, MEC and Darn Tough Socks, to name a few, have generous warranties that make it worthwhile to pay a bit more upfront.
Using good backpacking gear is a pleasure, while the cheap stuff can be a real pain!
Do your research.
Don't be in a hurry to purchase.
Let good quality be your goal - not the lowest price.
Buy the best you can afford.
Take care of your backpacking gear.
Rushing out to buy the very latest hiking equipment can become something of an addiction, so think seriously about why you need a new piece of gear before purchasing. If you already have good hiking equipment, and it is doing the job...why not stick with it for a while? A favorite piece of hiking gear can become like an old friend on the trail.
Finally, lets talk about Pack weight.
Before even looking at pack weight, consider yourself. If you are 20 - 30 pounds overweight...start there. Losing some of that weight will help you scoot up the hills much easier.
EVERYTHING that you put in your pack adds weight, so your goal should be to carry only what you need, although that is easier said than done :-)
Modern hiking gear is much lighter than the old stuff, and having lightweight gear is important. Even so, if you fill your large pack to the top with new gear, it will still be heavy!
Maximum pack weight should be about 1/6 of your body weight.
20 pounds for a 120 pound hiker, and 30 for a 180 pound hiker.
*this can be exceeded by 5 pounds if necessary.
Getting your 5-day pack weight down to these levels is not easy. It takes time, discipline, acceptance of some discomfort, and feeling ok about not being prepared for every single situation that may come up…no matter how unlikely.
To start reducing pack weight, begin to think of things in terms of needs and wants. Simply put, a NEED is something that would be difficult or dangerous to do without on your hike...and everything else is a WANT...so let your wants be few! As Thoreau said: simplify...simplify...simplify.
At the end of every trip, think about the things that you carried and never used, or could have easily done without. Use this process to weed out unnecessary items from your pack, until everything remaining is difficult or dangerous to be without. You may then be in a position to add a few luxury items if the weight allows.
Multi-use items are a bonus when hiking. Bear bag line=cloths line. Z-seat=stove wind screen. Stuff sack=pillow, etc. Thinking about the different uses for an item will lead to a lighter pack.
The desire to be prepared for every possible situation is a big cause of overloaded backpacks. It feels good to be prepared, and feels bad when we are not. This good feeling however, comes at the cost of extra weight that you will have to carry day after day.
An overloaded pack is often the result of "What-if" questions about these possible situations. What if it snows? What if I run out of food? What if my batteries die? etc.
In themselves, "What-ifs" are all good questions, but be careful of the answers.
While it is wise to leave some margin of safety, be realistic about the risk. Before deciding to carry extra gear or supplies, judge the likelihood and consequences of the “what-if” happening. Is it likely to happen at all? If it does happen, will it be a serious problem or just an inconvenience?
To conquer the "what-ifs", you have to get to a point where you are ok with not being prepared for everything, just the important things. This is always a balancing act, and a bit of a gamble, so remember to err on the side of safety.
Over time, as you gain experience, both you and your pack will become lighter. As the saying goes: "if your feet are pointing in the right direction...just keep walking".
Here is some final advice from one of the hiking greats:
SOME BACKPACKING GEAR THAT I LIKE + USE
TENT: Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2
Pricey, but very light and amazingly easy to setup and takedown.
*the MSR Hubba Hubba is also a nice tent.
Pricey, but very light and amazingly easy to setup and takedown.
*the MSR Hubba Hubba is also a nice tent.
SLEEPING BAG: Sea to Summit Trek TK1
A 0 degree bag with water resistant down. It's light and packs down small.
*slightly pricey, but only 1/2 the cost of high-end bags with similar specs.
A 0 degree bag with water resistant down. It's light and packs down small.
*slightly pricey, but only 1/2 the cost of high-end bags with similar specs.
SLEEPING BAG LINER: Sea To Summit Silk + Cotton TravelLiner.
Light, comfortable and keeps the sleeping bag clean.
Light, comfortable and keeps the sleeping bag clean.
SLEEPING MAT: Sea to Summit Ultralight Insulated
*quiet, comfortable and super easy to inflate and deflate.
*quiet, comfortable and super easy to inflate and deflate.
DAYPACK: Osprey Talon 22
PACK: Osprey Atmos AG 65L
Sturdy, comfortable, well designed and a has a great guarantee.
Sturdy, comfortable, well designed and a has a great guarantee.
POUCH: Osprey Grab Bag.
This pouch hooks onto the shoulder straps of your backpack near your chest, and is very convenient for holding snacks, lip balm, phone, etc.
This pouch hooks onto the shoulder straps of your backpack near your chest, and is very convenient for holding snacks, lip balm, phone, etc.
STOVE: MSR Pocket Rocket
It takes up minimal space, and gets the job done.
It takes up minimal space, and gets the job done.
WATER FILTER: Sawyer Squeeze
A simple and very effective water filter. Use a cup or bottle to fill the squeeze bag from flat water.
*backwash the filter every several days to maintain good flow.
*protect the filter from freezing.
A simple and very effective water filter. Use a cup or bottle to fill the squeeze bag from flat water.
*backwash the filter every several days to maintain good flow.
*protect the filter from freezing.
WATER RESERVOIR: Osprey 2L Hydraulics Reservoir
I use this only for shorter more intense hikes, preferring water bottles most of the time.The detachable hose and magnetic bite valve holder are nice features.
I use this only for shorter more intense hikes, preferring water bottles most of the time.The detachable hose and magnetic bite valve holder are nice features.
SPICE SHAKER: This will spice up your backwoods cooking.
Each section holds 2 spices, and there are 3 hole patterns for different types of spices.
Each section holds 2 spices, and there are 3 hole patterns for different types of spices.
GPS WATCH: Suunto Ambit3 Run
Great battery life and features.
*I disabled many of the fitness modes to make it more user friendly for hiking. See the notes under my "GPS Files" tab.
*it has a bit of a learning curve, so practice around town before heading to the woods. Eventually it becomes amazing!
Great battery life and features.
*I disabled many of the fitness modes to make it more user friendly for hiking. See the notes under my "GPS Files" tab.
*it has a bit of a learning curve, so practice around town before heading to the woods. Eventually it becomes amazing!
SATELLITE COMMUNICATOR: Garmin inReach Mini
SOS button, 2 way texting, gps, pairs with cell phone.
SOS button, 2 way texting, gps, pairs with cell phone.
COMPASS: Brunton TruArc 3
A decent pocket compass at a good price.
A decent pocket compass at a good price.
MULTI-TOOL: Leatherman Squirt PS4
Very light and compact, with a wide assortment of useful tools.
*the Gerber Dime is a good and less expensive alternative.
Very light and compact, with a wide assortment of useful tools.
*the Gerber Dime is a good and less expensive alternative.
POCKET KNIFE: Opinel 08 Trekking knife
*a stainless steel folding blade with a light wooden handle.
*a stainless steel folding blade with a light wooden handle.
HIKING SOCKS: Darn Tough
Darn pricey, but they have a Lifetime Guarantee!
Just send back the holey ones to get a new pair.
*Smart Wool socks are a less expensive alternative.
Darn pricey, but they have a Lifetime Guarantee!
Just send back the holey ones to get a new pair.
*Smart Wool socks are a less expensive alternative.
COOK SET: Stanley Adventure Cook Set. (ditch the heavy cups)
I have "fancier" cook sets, but this one does a good job for less $, plus
the Pocket Rocket stove and some other stuff fit neatly inside.
I have "fancier" cook sets, but this one does a good job for less $, plus
the Pocket Rocket stove and some other stuff fit neatly inside.
SPOON: Sea to Summit Long Handled Spoon.
Great for cooking and eating out of a bag or deep container.
Great for cooking and eating out of a bag or deep container.
WATER BOTTLE: Any 1 liter soda bottle.
*wash it out and remove the label to make your own ultra-light water bottle.
*wash it out and remove the label to make your own ultra-light water bottle.
NECKERCHIEF: The good old bandana is a another classic for good reason.
*it has a many uses, but my favorite on a hot day is soaking it in a cold stream and rolling it up before knotting it loosely on my neck.
Square Knot: Right over Left and under -> Left over Right and under.
*it has a many uses, but my favorite on a hot day is soaking it in a cold stream and rolling it up before knotting it loosely on my neck.
Square Knot: Right over Left and under -> Left over Right and under.
ANTI CHAFE: Apply to any areas prone to chafing or blistering before you hike. I even sprinkle a bit inside my hiking boots.
*there are lots of alternatives, but I do prefer the "classics".
*there are lots of alternatives, but I do prefer the "classics".
HAND SANITIZER: It not only kills germs, but also removes sticky pitch, sooths bug bites and can serve as a fire starter.
HEAD LAMP: Black Diamond Storm 375.
*a bright lamp with good battery life and plenty of features, but learning the controls takes some practice.
*a bright lamp with good battery life and plenty of features, but learning the controls takes some practice.
LEUKOTAPE: Thin smooth super sticky tape, useful for blister prevention and treatment.
*do not apply to soft water-logged skin, as it will damage the skin when removed.
*do not apply to soft water-logged skin, as it will damage the skin when removed.
SEAT: Therm-a-rest Z-seat. Light and packable comfort.
PILLOW: Therm-a-rest Down Pillow. More light and packable comfort.
*its made to stuff something inside to provide more volume.
*its made to stuff something inside to provide more volume.
PILLOW: Use the MEC Air Pillow by itself or inside the Therm-a-Rest Down Pillow...zzzzzz:-)
HIKING CAP: Outdoor Research folding cap.
*folds up very small for storage in a pocket.
*folds up very small for storage in a pocket.
TREKKING POLES: Cascade Mountain (Costco)
Carbon fiber poles with cam locks and cork grips, all at a great price.
Comparable poles from Black Diamond are a bit nicer, but at 5x the price.
*I improved mine by installing smaller Black Diamond mud baskets.
Carbon fiber poles with cam locks and cork grips, all at a great price.
Comparable poles from Black Diamond are a bit nicer, but at 5x the price.
*I improved mine by installing smaller Black Diamond mud baskets.
