Here is a list of the backpacking gear I own or wish to one day own. I can confidently say everything that I have purchased was at a bargain price and you should be able to say the same thing if you accumulate your gear as slowly as I have. I’m also no expert so I’d gladly accept recommendations.
Also check out gear reviews from awesome sites like: adventurealan.com, outdoorgearlab.com, switchbacktravel.com and cleverhiker.com.
Find those deals on: Amazon, Ebay, REI or local retailers like Feathered Friends
Big Guys
- Pack
- Hyperlite 2400 Southwest 30.7oz(1.92 lbs) $325
- Pa’lante Simple Pack 38L 11.9oz $240
- MLD Burn 38L 13oz $180
- Shelter
- 1p Tent
- Gossamer Gear The One 19oz $349
- Zpacks Soloplex 15.5oz $555
- 2p Tent
- Rei Quarter Dome 2 3lbs 5 oz/53 oz $349
- Zpacks Duplex 21oz $595
- Stakes – Zpacks .22 oz $3.75
- Footprint (if needed)
- 1p Tent
- Sleeping pad – Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite 12 oz $159
- Sleeping bag/quilt
- Cold – Enlighted Equipment Enigma (10° 950 fill) 19.26 oz $345
- Warm – NatureHike Envelope (40°) 24oz
- Stuff sack – Zpacks Medium plus .95 oz $30
Essentials
- Navigation
- Trail map – nps.gov, npmaps.com
- Offline area on Google maps
- Trail descriptions – WTA, summit post, Atlanta Trails, etc.
- Whistle/compass/thermostat
- Gas plan
- First Aid
- Ziploc bag
- Leukotape P Tape $5.80/roll 1.5″ 15yd (Bring 5-6ft)
- Cover-Roll Stretch Tape $8.15/roll 2″ 20yd
- Triple Antibiotic Ointment $6.19/25 .5g packets
- Pill bottle
- Ibuprofen
- Pepto-Bismol
- Diphenhydramine/Benadryl/Antihistamine
- Tweezers
- Water
- Bladder – Platypus Bigzip 5.6 oz $32
- Water bottle – Platypus SoftBottle 1.2 oz $8 (pack doesn’t work with a bladder – Platy 2L or WaterTank, Cold weather – Nalgene)
- Purification system – Sawyer Squeeze 3 oz $39.95 (Best for groups: Platypus Gravityworks 6.3 oz $109)
- Light – Black Diamond Ion 1.9 oz $25 (plus 2 spare AAA batteries)
- Trekking Poles – Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork
- Fire – Bic Lighter wrapped in Duct Tape, Spare matches
- Sun Protection
- Lip balm
- sunscreen – Kiss my face .75oz $3.99
- Sunglasses – Suncloud polarized $50
- Bug Protection – Ben’s 30% DEET 1.25oz $3.75
- Pocket Knife/Multi Tool
- 30ft Paracord 555
- Trash/grocery bags (garbage, waterproofing)
- Pen/sharpie
- Money
- Phone Charger
Food/Kitchen
- Food bags – Loksak Opsak Odor-Proof Barrier Bags 2 bags 12″ x 20″ .8z $12.50 (odor proof)
- Stove – MSR Pocket Rocket 3oz $39.95
- Fuel – MSR IsoPro 8oz 11.2oz $5.95
- Utensil – Snow Peak Titanium Spork .6oz $9.95
- Bowl – Sea to Summit X-Bowl 2.8oz $16
- Cooking pot – MSR Quick Skillet 5.9oz $29
Toiletries
- Toothbrush (sawed off)
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Shampoo
- Deodorant
- Body glide
- Toilet paper
- Face/body wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Small towel – PackTowl Personal 6.4oz $24
Clothing
- Underwear
- Socks
- Darn Tough $20
- Smartwool PhD $20
- Shoes – Altra Lone Peak 2.0 $60 (New 3.0 $120)
- Boots – Salomon Quest 4D 2 gtx $230 (Amazon deal – $140)
- Shirt
- Nike Dri-Fit
- Smartwool NTS 150
- Shorts
- Nike tennis
- Columbia Swim trunks
- Pants – light weight Arcteryx
- Rain pants – Marmot Minimalist $165
- Rain jacket
- North Face Drizzle gtx $200
- North Face Hyperair gtx $250 (lightweight)
Cold Weather & Other Conditions
- Baselayer shirt – Smartwool L/S
- Baselayer bottoms – REI
- Beanie – Smartwool NTS mid 250 $28
- Gloves
- Dri Fit Buff
- Mid layer jacket
- Synthetic – Arcteryx Atom LT hoody $259
- Down – Montbell Ex Light Down Anorak $219
- Microspikes – Kahtoola 13 oz $69
- Gaiters
- Winter – Outdoor Research Crocodiles 10 oz $80
- Summer – Altra Trail Gaiter $2(If you have Altra shoes)
- Snowshoes
- Climbing Helmet – Black Diamond Half Dome 12oz $60
- Crampons – Black Diamond Contact Strap 1lb 13oz $129
- Ice axe – Black Diamond Raven Pro 13oz $99
- eye mask (if sleeping in Alaska during summer)
- Bear spray – Counter Assault 11oz $35
- Bear Canister
- BearVault BV450 32oz $70
- Ursack S29.3 Bear Bag 7.8 oz $80 (you’ll also need rodent protection if using a bag)
