In the past few years, I have managed to gather a considerable amount of camping, backpacking, and hiking gear. Due to my limited budget, the process has been gradual and ongoing. I prioritize cost and quality according to my personal goals and requirements, take advantage of sales whenever available, and heavily rely on my local outfitter for recommendations and assistance. Despite my existing collection, there are still missing pieces, and I anticipate expanding it throughout the next several decades.
I’m not an expert on outdoor activities, but I am gradually learning and acquiring gear along the way. This is what I currently have in my gear collection, as well as some items I intend to purchase within the next one or two years.
Hiking Boots
To begin with, although some individuals may argue that your backpack holds the utmost significance, I personally consider your boots as the crucial factor that will determine the success or failure of your journey. It would not be an enjoyable experience if you happen to twist your ankle due to inadequate support or acquire dreadful blisters.
Choosing the appropriate boot is a highly individualized decision based on one’s feet and personal preferences, and I personally highly recommend the Oboz Sapphire Mid B-Dry Waterproof Hiking Boot. These boots provide excellent support, including ankle support, without being too heavy. Moreover, they are also waterproof, which makes them perfect for hiking in muddy conditions or crossing creeks.
Backpack
When choosing a backpack, it is important to consider personal preferences. I highly recommend visiting your local REI store to ensure a proper fit. For your initial trip, the size of the backpack is crucial. I advise packing lightly, especially if you are not accustomed to backpacking. If you are going on a summer trip for just one night, a 45L backpack should be sufficient. However, if you plan to bring multiple days’ worth of food and clothing, or if it is winter and you require additional warm gear, you can opt for a larger 75L backpack.
In terms of my personal belongings, I have in my possession the Ascend Bellcanyon 45L Backpack that is suitable for a brief overnight journey. Additionally, I own the slightly bulkier Osprey Aura 50L Backpack, intended for two-night ventures. Considering its reasonable cost ($119), the Ascend serves as an ideal choice for beginners. Alternatively, you can opt to borrow or rent a backpack for your initial expedition, as there is no need to spend a substantial amount on gear that will only be utilized once.
Sleeping Bag
When I say a good sleeping bag is worth the investment, I mean it seriously. The most crucial factors to consider are temperature ratings and weight. It is highly recommended to choose a sleeping bag that leans towards being warmer, particularly if you plan to camp at an elevation above 8,000 ft, even during the summer. Remember that you can always unzip the bag if you feel too warm, but waking up with numb toes is not enjoyable. After trying out four different sleeping bags, I landed on the Kielty Cosmic Down 20 Degree Down Sleeping Bag as my go-to option. This bag is exceptionally lightweight, can easily be compacted into a stuff sack, and features a hood that can be tightened around the head for added warmth.
Tent
To begin with, the distinction between a genuine, lightweight backpacker’s tent and the inexpensive “backpacker” tents available for less than $100 on Amazon typically lies in a weight difference of approximately one pound. This discrepancy would be significant if you were undertaking a complete journey along the Appalachian trail, but not necessarily a deciding factor if you were merely hiking to a basic campsite located a mile away from the trailhead (which aligns with my current preference).
I ended up buying these two tents from Amazon after considering ratings, reviews, and weight.
- Bessport 2-person backpacking tent At 5.2 lbs this tent adds more weight to your pack than many true lightweight tents, but for a quick hike or car camping excursion it’s a great solution – especially for less than $100. I use this one for my yearly mother-daughter car camping trips with Clara and we are able to quickly and easily put it up – plus with two doors we aren’t constantly climbing over each other.
- Featherstone 2-person backpacking tent – This tent is just over $100, and at 4 pounds is not much heavier than the more expensive backpacking tents. It also gets some great reviews on Amazon. This one is a bit wider than the Bessport and without the rain fly on it, is pretty much completely mesh and open to the air – which you may or may not love.
Sleeping Pad
When backpacking, it is important to have a sleeping pad for comfort and to keep warm by preventing body heat from transferring to the cold ground. While there are extravagant options available for car camping, it is preferable to choose an inflatable pad that can easily fit into your backpack. Sleeping pads often have an “R-Value” ranging from 1 to 7, with higher ratings providing greater warmth. For backpacking in spring, summer, and fall, a pad with a rating of “3” like the Sea to Summit Ultralight Insulated pad is a suitable choice. If you prefer a more budget-friendly option, the Ascend Ultralight Air Pad is recommended, although it can be a bit of a hassle to inflate, it is extremely comfortable.
Inflatable Pillow
There are individuals who view a pillow as a luxury item for backpacking. However, given its extremely compact size, is it worth enduring discomfort for the sake of saving that minimal amount of weight? Although I am fond of my Sea to Summit Aeros Premium pillow, there are numerous more affordable alternatives that would serve the purpose adequately.
What to Wear
When it comes to clothing, my usual choice is to wear regular athletic clothes such as workout or yoga leggings and tops made of synthetic fabrics. I layer them with hoodies, fleeces, or other appropriate clothing according to the weather conditions when I go camping or hiking. It is important for me to have pockets so that I can conveniently access my phone, lip balm, tissues, insect repellant wipes, and other necessities.
Even though I haven’t purchased camping pants designed for this purpose yet, I plan to do so shortly. The prAna Halle pant or Kühl Horizn convertible pants are highly likely to be my chosen options. The concept of a fabric that dries quickly and allows breathability, along with the ability to remove the legs, appeals to me. Particularly during extended hikes, I believe these pants would greatly enhance my comfort.
In addition, I am contentedly the owner of quality footwear and practical outerwear. To be precise, I have acquired the following items:
- Outdoor Research rain jacket. I love the fit, the zip-open armpits for easy cooling, and the fabric. this is my third rain jacket in 3 years since I’m terrible about losing them, but I wear it a lot – even when not spending time in nature.
- Chaco Sport Sandals. Chacos are sturdy, solid, and feature aggressive arch support. They’re great for hikes on flat terrain, wading in lakes and streams, and wearing in-camp.
- Salewa Alp Flow hiking boots. I am in love with my Salewa hiking boots. Great ankle support, comfy, well-ventilated, and cute, to boot (har har).
- Salewa Wildfire GTX hiking shoes. Also a solid choice for hiking or just running around town, with a sleeker profile and more sneaker-like fit.
- SmartWool socks. I’m kind of obsessed with SmartWools and have a variety of styles to match different occasions and needs. Wicking, breathability, warmth, comfort – they’ve got it all and are so much better on the trail than your typical cotton crew.
Wow, that’s quite a collection of equipment – I can imagine that this list might be overwhelming. However, keep in mind that you don’t have to begin with all of these items. Take a look at what you can borrow, purchase second-hand, or find on clearance; chances are, you’ll come across some good bargains and will be able to assemble sufficient gear for your initial adventure.
