Here is a list of the best hiking/backpacking/climbing gear I’ve used after extensive research and experience. I focus on quality over quantity but wait for deals before making most purchases so it’s taken some time to collect this gear. It will also never be a perfect list 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 34 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/Shell
- North Face Drizzle gtx $200
- North Face Hyperair gtx $250 (lightweight)
- Eye mask (if sleeping in Alaska during summer)
Cold Weather Clothing
- Baselayer bottoms – REI
- Beanie – Mountain Hardwear Micro Dome $18
- Gloves
- Lighweight – Outdoor Research
- Midweight – Manzella All Elements 5.0 GTX $80
- Heavyweight – Outdoor Research Mt Baker Modular Mitts $145
- Buff/Neck Gaiter
- Dri Fit Buff
- Khul Neck Gaiter $16
- Mid layer jacket
- Synthetic – Arcteryx Atom LT Hoody $259
- Down – Montbell Ex Light Down Anorak $219
- Parka – Marmot Guides Down Hoody $250
Alpine Climbing Gear & Glacier Travel
- Extra Traction for snow/ice
- Microspikes – Kahtoola 13 oz $69
- Crampons – Black Diamond Contact Strap 1lb 13oz $129
- Flotation for snow
- Snowshoes – Dion 132 2lb 11oz $230
- Mountaineering Boots – Scarpa Triolet Goretex 3.6lbs $300
- Gaiters
- Winter – Outdoor Research Crocodiles 10 oz $80
- Summer – Altra Trail Gaiter $20(If you have Altra shoes)
- Ice axe – Black Diamond Raven Pro 13oz $99
- Leash – Black Diamond 120cm Dynex Runner 1.3oz $15
- Climbing Helmet – Black Diamond Half Dome 12oz $60
- Glacier Travel
- Alpine Climbing Harness – Petzel Tour 7.5oz $60
- 4 Locking Screwgate Carabiner
- 4 Non Locking Wiregate Carabiner
- Rope 8.3mm 30m
- Knot knowledge
- Crevasse Rescue Gear
- Avalanche Gear
- Have taken an Avalanche Awareness Course
- 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
