Here is the Gear we use and why we use it

David Charles Bird

I have made many mistakes in gear choices to get to this point. I probably would have made better choices at the beginning of my backpacking career if I had the advise of a seasoned backpacker. Or maybe it is better that I learned the hard way...

The most important thing to me when picking out gear is how much it weighs.

It took me (and most people) a while to learn the difference between car camping and backpacking. Car camping is when you drive to your campsite, pull your gear out of the car and set it up. In car camping the weight of your gear really doesnt matter.

Backpacking is when you carry all of your camping gear with you. When most people start out backpacking (myself included) they take their car camping gear. A heavy Big 5 sleeping bag, a 4 person or family tent, a Coleman lantern...etc. Usually anything made by Coleman or bought at Big 5 is made for car camping and will drain your energy dragging around in a backpack.

My advice:

The 3 heaviest things are usually your tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping mat. Try and get the lightest tent, bag, and mat you can and you will be off to a great start.

Leave all the cool accessories and gadgets at home. Do not carry anything you might not use. When you walk down the camping accessory aisle at the sporting good store it is so tempting to pick up random things like, flint lighters, emergency stuff, whistles, etc.

Never hike in cotton anything (Jeans included)

As we replace our gear we will leave the info about our old gear. This might help you see the transitions we have made in gear and why we did so. For replaced gear we will use the word updated and no longer in use.

Backpacking gear is always changing. Some of our great gear will last us a decade or more. Be aware that some of the items we use might be outdated or no longer made, that does not mean we will stop using it. If you like the gear you might have to look up what the current version is.

Backpack:

I have a few backpacks. I use different ones depending on the type of trip

The main backpack that I use is the Exped Lightning 60. It is simple but has everything I need in a backpack. I chose this as my main pack because of how light it is.

Tent:

A tent can be your heaviest item. Watch out for the weight of some tents. When using a personal tent I always use a 2 person tent because I like to have my backpack in my tent with me. A 1 person tent is usually very tiny. There have been times that I have backpacked with a 4 person tent for 3 backpackers. What I do is break the tent into 3 pieces. One person carries the rainfly and stakes, one person carries the poles, and one person carries the tent. It is still lighter if all 3 people carry their own individual UL tents. The advantage of the large tent is that everyone gets to hang out together in the tent.

Sleeping Bag Update! I no longer use sleeping bags.

I would aim for the lightest sleeping bag which would mean a narrow tapered mummy bag. I never really got a good night's sleep being so constricted. Most of the time I am a side sleeper and that was difficult. I like to spread my legs out which was impossible. I have seen the light and now use quilts. I have a 20 degree quilt that has a zipper so it can be used as a quilt, sleeping bag, or hammock underquilt. It works amazing. I am much happier. Below the info on quilts, I will still leave my old sleeping bag info.

Quilts

I have two different types of quilts that I use. I have an outdoor vitals Aeries quilt that has the ability to zip up should I choose to use it as a sleeping bag and then I have an enlightened equipment revelation that is strictly a quilt.

Sleeping Bag:

I have a few different sleeping bags I use depending on the conditions I am entering.

Tips:

-A 45 degree sleeping bag is the minimum temperature rating that is useful. A 55 degree is only good for slumber parties at someone's house. I would even avoid a 45 degree. 45 degree bags are only good for hot summer backpacking.

-If you are going to only own one bag a 20 or 30 degree is the most useful

-In the United States the temperature rating of a sleeping bag is usually the lowest temperature the bag can be used at, not what is comfortable. A good rule is to add 10 or 15 degrees to know what the bag is really good for

-Sleeping bags are usually your second heaviest item. If you can afford it always buy a fully down feather bag.

-Always keep your bag under 3 pounds, Try to aim for a 2 pound bag or even lighter.

Sleeping Mat:

When it comes to sleeping mats I go with the lightest one I can get. The foam pads are great because they are light and inexpensive. Personally I prefer the inflatable ones because they can be packed smaller, they are a little more comfortable and have a better R-rating.

Trekking Poles:

Water:

Stove:

I love my Jetboil. It is the best stove you can buy. But if I want to go super light I some times carry an alcohol stove. I like alcohol stoves because they are cheap, easy, and very light. You can use liquid alcohol like ethanol or denatured alcohol or you can use alcohol dry tabs like the military stoves use. Although it is cheap and light it can also be a pain in the ass. It takes a very long time to boil water compared to my Jetboil.

Tip: Although I use a titanium alcohol stove it is just as easy to make a cheap one. You can buy a can of cat food, dump the food (or feed a cat) punch holes in the side, and now you have a stove for less than a dollar. To learn more check out the Longwalkers page on making your own cheap ultra light backpacking gear.

Cups and Utensils:

If I want to save on weight I can use my Jetboil for my coffee and tea but one of my favorite moments when backpacking is having a hot cup of coffee in the morning. I hate when my coffee gets cold fast so I opt to carry a Sea to Summit Delta Mug

As far as eating utensils I only ever need a spoon. So to save weight I only carry a spoon. I carry a long spoon so I can eat out of the dehydrated food packs with ease.

Headlamp:

A very important piece of equipment and one that should be in every pack is a headlamp. Even on a day hike I pack a headlamp just in case my hike takes longer and I get caught in the dark. I flashlight just does not work well when backpacking. Hands free is the way to be.

Watch:

Not everyone wears a watch while backpacking but I feel helpless without a watch. I love Suunto watches. They work great for backpacking and Scuba Diving. My Suunto Core tells me my elevation as I climb mountains, it has a compass to help with direction, it has a thermometer, it tells me what time the sun will rise and set, and it tells me my depth when I scuba dive. Also I am usually not a fan of the way digital watches look but Suunto has great style.

Clothing:

My clothing packing list is the same for most backpacking trips

-2 pair wool underwear

-2 Pair wool socks

-Hiking pants

-Long sleeve hiking shirt

-Camp shirt (T-shirt, athletic shirt, or thermal

-Fleece

-Down Jacket

-Shell

-Hat

-Sunglasses

-Buff neck tube

Hat:

I have pale skin and am prone to sun burn. I NEVER backpack without a hat. Because I hate using sun screen and want full protection so I use the Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap. It has a removable neck and ear flap that I put on when out in full sun.

Shirt:

I use synthetic hiking shirts that dry quick. I usually use a long sleeve shirt that I can role the sleeves up. It is important to me to protect my arms from the sun. For overnight or long backpacking trips I wear 1 hiking shirt and pack a T-shirt. Once I make it to camp I take off my hiking shirt to air out and I put on my camp T-Shirt. The next day when I start hiking again the hiking shirt goes back on.

Pants:

For backpacking you need to have synthetic pants that dry quick, are light, and breathable. If you are only going to have one pair of hiking pants make it convertible pants so you can switch between pants and shorts. Kuhl makes some of my favorite pants and shirts for backpacking.

Socks:

Wool is the best material to wick away sweat and prevent chaffing. The worst thing you can do to your feet is wear cotton socks while hiking. Wool socks are the only way to go when hiking! Smartwool makes some of the best wool backpacking products out there. Whether I am in the desert, the rainforest, or the snow, I wear Smartwool socks.

Underwear:

Jacket Layer System:

For most situations you need to have

a softshell or fleece: The first layer of warmth

Down jacket: The main layer for warmth

Shell: Traps the heat of the down jacket in, protects against wind, and rain

Fleece or sweater:

This is the first layer for warmth. If you are hiking and it is a bit chilly you throw on your fleece. If you are having lunch and get a chill you throw on your fleece.

Jacket:

Your jacket will be your main source for warmth. If you are hiking in hot summer conditions your fleece will be good enough for your jacket. Anything alpine, snow, high altitude, or winter you are going to want a down jacket. Just like a sleeping bag, you want to go down over synthetic because you will get more warmth and less weight. I would stick to 800 or 850 fill weight. The 600 fill weight jackets are just not warm enough. I like to use a down jacket that stuffs into its own pocket. It packs nicely that way but it can also be used as a pillow. I have used my fleece, thin 850 fill down, and shell combo in conditions as cold as 20 degrees and been fine.

Shell:

It is important to have a shell. The job of a shell is to be water and wind proof. You throw your shell on when it rains or when you get beat by wind. The shell is not to keep you warm, its just to protect you. For warmth you wear your fleece or down jacket or both under the shell. The shell keeps the warmth from escaping. Some people use a shell that has an inner lining for extra warmth. I prefer a very thin shell.

Boots:

For most trips I wear light, breathable approach shoes

If you have a heavy pack you want to wear high top boots. The high top helps from twisting or rolling and ankle. Also, for muddy, rainy, or cold trips I wear a Gortex boot.

Whenever I hike through rivers, do waterfall repelling, or Kayaking, I use Vibrams FiveFingers

My Alpine and Snow Gear

My Jungle Gear