What are you packing?
 | A properly loaded pack can be significantly more comfortable than one that is packed incorrectly. Start by loosening all of the packs compression straps, and if you prefer, all internal dividers. Put your sleeping bag in the bottom. Some people put their bag into a stuff sack, while others simply stuff it into the pack. We suggest using a compression stuff sack to compress the bag to its smallest size. Next, place your tent body and fly, folded into a square. Close to your back. Above the tent, but no higher than your shoulders, should be your heaviest items: food, fuel, water filter, etc. Above this and away from your back should be lighter items, like clothes. The side mesh pockets may be used for water or fuel bottles, tent poles, and fly rods. Try to keep items which you need to get to quickly or frequently near access points or in outside pockets. |
Equipment
- Strive for a Simple, Light Load on your back. A light, but efficient load, will allow you to have a more enjoyable time with energy left over to celebrate when you reach your destination. For additional packlight philosophy, go here:
The "Packlight Philosophy" emphasizes a never-ending commitment to (1) scrutinize packing habits in order to fine-tune minimum packing needs and (2) aggressively seek out the smallest, lightest-weight, highest-quality gear available to satisfy those needs.
In these pages you will find information about lightweight (and ultralight) gear; weight-reducing tips; gear that can be used for multiple purposes; general packing information; gear checklists; backcountry ethics; and much, much more.
- Know Your Requirements. Before embarking on a gear shopping trip, have your pockets full of information related to:
- What kind of trips you will be taking:
- how many days ?
- how many miles ?
- in what kind of terrain--on trail, off trail ?
- at what altitude--desert, subalpine, alpine ?
- in what seasons--Summer, 3-Season, 4-Season
- in what kind of weather ?
- how many people--solo, 2-person, etc. ?
- Do you sleep hot or cold ?
- Do you rock & roll in your sleep ?
- Are you a heavy breather, in your sleep ?
- What's your torso measurement ?--(see gear planning link, below)
- What side of the bed do you get out of in the morning. (you'll probably want to get out of your sleeping bag on that side, also).
- Do you have weak hips or weak lumbar ? (most packs put majority of weight on hips--some put more weight on the lumbar region (my personal preference).
- What kind of trips you will be taking:
- When trying on hiking shoes and boots, take the socks you would wear during your backcountry adventures--as well as orthopedic inserts (orthodics). If you don't know what socks you'll be wearing, then that's where you should start. If you change thickness and design of sock subsequent to purchase, that good boot fit you work hard for, may be history.
- Shop at stores with reputable, experienced salespeople. This may surprise you, but my advise, if you are just starting out -- UNLESS YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU NEED -- is to stay away from outdoor chain stores (you know who they are)!
More and more I do my shopping over the internet. This is a great alternative especially if you have a good idea of your required specifications. Even it you don't, many online shops will work with you to ensure you get what you really need.
REQUIRED FOR
| The Lightweight Backpacker | ||
| -- | SPRING/FALL (warm/cool) | SUMMER (hot) | WINTER (cold) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUGGESTED FOR "ALL" DAY HIKES Day Hiking Gear | Additional Gear for Spring/Fall | Additional Gear for Summer | Additional Gear for Winter |
| SUGGESTED FOR "ALL" OVERNIGHT HIKES OverNight Hikes | Additional Gear for Spring/Fall | Additional Gear for Summer | Additional Gear for Winter |
| Backpacking ten essentials: the first ten items in this list are the selections of essential backpacking gear which The Mountaineers refer to as The Ten Essentials and promote as critical and essential items which belong in your pack as insurance against the unexpected. Although you may not use all the backpacking ten essentials every day, they can be life savers in an emergency. Also, if you shop with prudence, these essential gear items can be lightweight, as well. As a supplement to the ten essentials, I have added four additional backpacking essential gear items which are pretty important to our health and welfare in the wilds, as well as suggest some small, lightweight, purchase options for many of the "essentials". The most important essential , however, is not on the list--"Common Sense". Having the right gear is one thing, knowing how and when to use it is quite another. Most often, it's not a person's equipment that saves their bacon. It's their experience, know-how, and good judgment. Conversely, it is generally inexperience and lack of good judgment that gets people into trouble. Not only must we have the proper equipment -- including the ten essentials plus four -- and know how to use them, but we must also cultivate knowledge and wisdom related to the backcountry activities that we engage in--thru self-study, courses, and leveraging off the experiences of others. |
|
Additional seasonal - gear
ADDITIONAL GEAR FOR SPRING & FALL
BASE LAYERS: ( NO COTTON ! )
___ Midweight thermal underwear top
___ Midweight thermal underwear bottom
OTHER ESSENTIALS:
___ Midweight fleece gloves or mittens
___ Waterproof overgloves or mittens
OPTIONAL:
___ Snow Shovel
___ Avalanche beacon
___ SnowShoes & Poles w/touring baskets
___ Ice Axe (for mountain trips in snow & ice)
ADDITIONAL GEAR FOR SUMMER
OPTIONAL:
___ light shorts for swimming
___ synthetic T-shirt (e.g., coolmax)
___ light water shoes (e.g., Speedo Surfwalker, Nike Water Shoes)
___ sun hat w/neck shroud
ADDITIONAL GEAR FOR WINTER
BOOTS:
___ In addition to substantial leather boots, appropriate for Winter conditions, you can also consider plastic boots and sorel insulated boots, as possible options.
BASE LAYERS: ( NO COTTON ! )
___ Midweight or Expedition-weight thermal underwear top
___ Midweight or Expedition-weight thermal underwear bottom
OTHER ESSENTIALS:
___ Midweight or Expedition-weight Insulated fleece gloves or mittens
___ Waterproof overgloves or mittens
OPTIONAL:
___ Down Sweater
___ Insulated Boots (e.g., Sorel Bighorn--rated to -40 degrees).
___ Hand Warmers (e.g., Grabber Mycoal air-activated warmer)
___ Snow Shovel
___ Avalanche beacon
___ SnowShoes & Poles w/touring baskets
___ Ice Axe (for mountain trips in snow & ice)
___ Insulated Water-Bottle Blanket
1 day / overnight - gear
"ALL" DAY HIKES:
Start with the 14 Backpacking Essentials. Then add:
DAY PACK
Large enough to fit all your gear inside, and preferably with compression straps, sternum strap, & padded belt & back.
HIKING BOOTS
Appropriate for the terrain you’ll be in. Remember to treat them, before you go, with Nikwax or some other waterproofing agent.
BASE LAYERS: ( NO COTTON ! )
___ Lightweight thermal underwear top
___ Lightweight thermal underwear bottom
INSULATION:
___ Light Fleece Jacket--200 or 300 weight
___ Light Fleece Vest--200 or 300 weight (optional, use your good judgment)
SHELL:
___ Windproof, waterproof, highly-breathable Parka or Jacket--pit zips, 2-way zipper, & pack pockets for ventilation; adjustable hood & hem; and large enough to allow layering underneath.
___ Windproof, waterproof, highly-breathable Pants--full-length side zips for easy entry & ventalation.
OTHER BACKPACKING ESSENTIALS:
___ Hiking Socks & Liners (+ extra pair)
___ Quick-drying hiking shorts (wear over the thermal underwear in cool weather)
___ Thin fleece gloves (e.g., lightweight Patagonia Synchilla)
___ Fleece Cap or Balaclava (must cover ears)
___ Baseball cap (wool, synthetic--cotton ok in warmer weather)
___ Toilet Paper
FOOD: (Take enough for the day & extra for one meal)
___ Gorp (nuts, seeds, dried fruit, m&ms)
___ Hard Cheese (lasts longer)
___ Jerky (beef/turkey) or salami
___ Cookies
___ Crackers
___ Tiger's Milk Bars
___ Licorice Sticks
___ Kudos
___ Bear Valley MealPacks
___ PowerBars (Berry)
___ Chewing Gum
___ Gatorade
___ Bagels, English muffins
___ String cheese (individually wrapped)
___ Chocolate & candy
___ Dried fruit (raisins, apples, pears, peaches, bananas)
___ Dried meat and fish
___ Giant pretzels
___ Raw fruit / vegetables
___ Nuts
___ Pop Tarts
___ Fig/Peach/Apple Newtons
OPTIONAL:
___ Hiking Staff
___ Bandanna (cotton ok)
___ Sit pad
___ Gore-Tex Socks (in damp environs, keeps feet warm & dry)
___ Gaitors (long for snow or short for scree)
___ Pack Rain Cover
___ Pack Towel (1)
___ Camera & extra film
___ Parachute Cord (many uses)
___ Duct Tape (many uses)
___ Monocular or Binoculars
___ Reading Glasses
___ Field Watch
___ Altimeter / Barometer (especially if going offtrail)
___ Moleskin (if not part of First Aid Kit)
"ALL" OVERNIGHT HIKES:
___ Start with the 14 Essentials.
___ Add DAY HIKES gear. Then add the following:
BACKPACK
___ In lieu of the "day-hike" rucksack or daypack, you'll probably need a pack with more capacity to carry the additional over-night gear. A pack with approximately 3000 to 4000 cu in is satisfactory for long weekends and packs with 4400 + cu in are generally used for week-long treks. You'll need to experiment to find what works for you.
SLEEPING SYSTEM:
___ Sleeping Pad (if on snow, consider closed-cell / open-cell combination--e.g., full-length, closed-cell Cascade Design RidgeRest & 3/4 length, ultralight, open-cell Thermarest)
___ Sleeping Bag: 3-Season (light 20 degree bag should be enough most of the time)
___ Sleeping Bag: Winter (If you have only one bag (e.g. the 20 degree bag above, you can add warmth to it by using it together with a bivy sack and/or by wearing some or all of your clothes to bed.) If you can afford it, and go out in the Winter frequently, you might want to invest in a Winter bag (e.g. a zero degree bag; dryloft will keep your insulation dry; a draft collar is a must).
___ Tent (3 or 4-season) or Gore-Tex Bivy Bag (if it snows at night, you might need to knock the snow off your 3-season tent). If you go out frequently in the Winter, you might want to invest in a bomb-proof 4-season tent.
COOKING:
___ Lightweight Trail Stove (white gas--e.g., Whisperlite; or butane/propane--e.g., Primus Titanium)
___ Stove Fuel--white gas or butane/propane canister (if melting snow for water, take more fuel).
___ 1 medium pot w/lid & pot handle
___ Lexan spoon
FOOD: (Here are some suggestions for you to choose from)
Breakfast:
___ Hot chocolate
___ Coffee, Tea
___ Instant Hot Cider
___ Instant Oatmeal (variety)
___ Instant Cream of Wheat
___ Malt O' Meal (w/brown sugar)
___ Granola
___ Nature Valley Granola bars (variety)
___ Dried fruit (apples, raisins)
Lunch:
___ Gorp (nuts, seeds, dried fruit, m&ms)
___ Bagels
___ String Cheese
___ Hard Cheese (lasts longer) ___ Jerky or salami
___ Cookies
___ Crackers
Dinner:
___ Instant soup (Lipton's Chicken Noodle & Cream of Chicken)
___ Freeze-dried dinners (preparable in their own foil container)
--Mountain House: Lasagna, Spaghetti, Pasta Primavera, Chili Mac
--Mountain House (All Natural): Noodles & Chicken, Chicken Polynesian, Beef Stroganoff
___ Mountain House Freeze-dried desserts (Fruit Crisps--peaches, strawberries)
Dinner Spices (keep dry in small transparent canisters)
___ onion powder
___ garlic powder
___ pre-mixed, ground dried herbs
___ pepper (red or black)
Other Non-Cook Nourishment--Good for Snacks
___ Tiger's Milk Bars
___ Licorice Sticks
___ Kudos
___ Bear Valley MealPacks
___ PowerBars (Berry)
___ Chewing Gum
___ Gatorade
___ Bagels, English muffins
___ String cheese (individually wrapped)
___ Chocolate & candy
___ Dried fruit (raisins, apples, pears, peaches, bananas)
___ Dried meat and fish
___ Giant pretzels
___ Raw fruit / vegetables
___ Nuts
___ Pop Tarts
___ Fig/Peach/Apple Newtons
___ Crackers
OPTIONAL
___ Optional if going light & fast overnite with Bivy: Lightweight Tarp for rain/snow cover
___ Candle Lantern
___ Miniature playing cards; cribbage set, etc.
___ Therm-a-Rest'R Lite Chair Kit (weighs 10 oz and fits all 20-in-wide Thermarest mattresses)
INFORMATION PROVIDED BY : BACKPACKING.NET