Here is a list of the best backpacking gear I’ve used after extensive research. I can confidently say almost 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 slowly. It will never be perfect so I’d appreciate any and all recommendations!
Big Four
- Backpacking Pack
- Pa’lante Packs V2 14.8oz $225
- Superior Wilderness Designs Superior 40 13.5oz $210
- Gossamer Gear Kumo 36 18.5oz $165
- Day/Ski Pack – Camelbak Powderhound 12 24oz $100
- Pack Liner – Trash Compactor Bag
- Shelter
- 1p Tent
- Gossamer Gear The One 19oz $300
- 2p Tent
- Rei Quarter Dome 2 53oz(3lbs 5 oz) $349
- Zpacks Duplex 21oz $595
- 2p 1dog
- Zpacks Triplex 24oz $699
- Bivy
- Katabatic Gear Bristlecone 7 oz $155
- MLD Superlight Solo 6 oz $175
- Montbell Breeze Dry-Tec 6 oz $125
- Stakes – Zpacks .22 oz $3.75
- Ground Cloth
- MLD UL Ground Cloth 2.4 oz $8
- 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 – MLD Spirit Quilt 48° (Large) 13 oz $215
- Stuff sack – Zpacks Medium plus .95 oz $30
Essentials
- Navigation
- Trail map – nps.gov, npmaps.com
- Offline area on Google maps
- Trail descriptions/Trip Reports – WTA, summit post, etc.
- 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 $34
- Water bottle – Platypus SoftBottle 1.2 oz $8
- Purification system – Katadyn BeFree 1L 2 oz $44 (Best for groups: Katadyn BeFree 3L 4 oz $59)
- Light – Black Diamond Ion 1.9 oz $25 (plus 2 spare AAA batteries)
- Trekking Poles – Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork 2.2 oz $169.95
- 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
- Small Pocket Knife
- 30ft Paracord 555 $5
- Pen/sharpie
- Money
- Trash bag
- Pringles Can to pack out poo
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
- Pot – Vargo Bot 700 4.8oz $99
- Pan – MSR Quick Skillet 5.9oz $29
Toiletries
- Toothbrush (sawed off)
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Shampoo
- Deodorant
- Body glide
- Toilet paper
- Small towel – PackTowl Personal 6.4oz $24
- Face/body wipes
- Hand sanitizer
Clothing
- Underwear
- Socks
- Darn Tough $20
- Shoes – Altra Timp $130
- Boots – X Ultra 3 Mid gtx $165
- S/S Shirt
- Nike Dri-Fit
- L/S Shirt
- Shorts
- Nike tennis
- Columbia Swim trunks
- Pants
- light weight Arcteryx
- Medium weight Patagonia
- Rain pants – Marmot Minimalist $165
- Rain jacket
- North Face Drizzle gtx $200
- North Face Hyperair gtx $250 (lightweight)
- Eye mask (if sleeping in Alaska during summer)
Cold Weather
- Baselayer bottoms – REI
- Beanie
- Gloves
- Lighweight – Outdoor Research
- Midweight – Manzella All Elements 5.0 GTX $80
- Heavyweight – Outdoor Research Mt Baker Modular Mitts $145
- Dri Fit Buff
- Mid layer jacket
- Synthetic – Arcteryx Atom LT hoody $259
- Down – Montbell Ex Light Down Anorak $219
Alpine Climbing Gear
- Microspikes – Kahtoola 13 oz $69
- Gaiters
- Winter – Outdoor Research Crocodiles 10 oz $80
- Summer – Altra Trail Gaiter $2(If you have Altra shoes)
- Snowshoes – Dion 132 2lb 11oz $230
- Climbing Helmet – Black Diamond Half Dome 12oz $60
- Crampons – Black Diamond Contact Strap 1lb 13oz $129
- Ice axe – Black Diamond Raven Pro 13oz $99
- Leash – Black Diamond 120cm Dynex Runner 1.3oz $15
- Alpine Climbing Harness – Petzel Tour 7.5oz $60
- Triple Action Locking Carabiner x2 – Petzel 2.5oz $15
- Non Locking Carabiner x2
- Crevasse Rescue Pulley – SMC 1.8oz $15
- Snow Picket – SMC 13.5oz $25
- Rope
- Knot Knowledge
- Prepared for Crevasse Rescue
- Avalanche Beacon
- Probe
- Shovel – Backcountry Access B-1 EXT Bomber 1lb 5oz $50
Bear Country
- 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 the added rodent protection depending on where you are)
Electronics
- Lightning to USB cable
- Wireless Charger – Anker PowerCore 10000 6.3oz $27
- Camera – Sony Alpha A6300 w/ 16-50mm 14oz $1000
- Zoom Lens – Sony E 55-210MM $349
- Tripod – Joby GorillaPod 1k 6.8 oz $49
