Posted: 5/13/2016 12:27:49 PM EDT
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Been looking at threads and I see gear suggestions here and there, but not an overall list of basic stuff you need to go out. I'm a very basic beginner to backpacking. Been on plenty of hikes, but never a backcountry kind of guy, so 1-2 nights and 10mi max would be my limit as a beginner I would think.
Think we can get a list of basic gear and suggestions on both the high and low end, that way folks can have somewhere to start out? Example: Shoes: Basic: Regular shoes $50 Med: Merrell Moab Vent mid-tops: $130 High: Danner: $omfglbgt ETA: I'm sure there are plenty of resources out there that do this, but sometimes its nice to get real reviews from others on here. |
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Properly fitted pack
Moisture wicking underwear Wool/synthetic socks Climate/terrain approriate footwear Climate/weather appropriate clothing Hat Hygeine products TP/Wet wipes Bug Spray/Sun block Water bladders with filter system Backpacking stove Stainless steel cup Utensils Freeze dried foods Power bars Matches/Lighter Fire tender/Cotton balls in vaseline Knife/Leatherman Flashlight/headlamp Trash bag 550 cord FIrst Aid Sleeping bag Sleeping pad Map Compass GPS Probably could add or subtract a few things depending on your trip. Best thing to do is go out and do it, then adjust gear appropriately. Inform others of your travel plans before you head out and when to expect to check back in. Merrell's have an awesome Mil discount btw, something like 40-50% I think. |
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Didn't know that. Sadly, I'm no longer .mil anymore. Just an old vet not worth a shit. 
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Merrell's have an awesome Mil discount btw, something like 40-50% I think. Didn't know that. Sadly, I'm no longer .mil anymore. Just an old vet not worth a shit.
hey OP, join Promotive and buy from Merrell with that discount...just sign up on your phone and take a pic of your DD214 redacting SSN and send it to them...ton of other companies on there also, its an awesome program |
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hey OP, join Promotive and buy from Merrell with that discount...just sign up on your phone and take a pic of your DD214 redacting SSN and send it to them...ton of other companies on there also, its an awesome program Quoted:
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Merrell's have an awesome Mil discount btw, something like 40-50% I think. Didn't know that. Sadly, I'm no longer .mil anymore. Just an old vet not worth a shit.
hey OP, join Promotive and buy from Merrell with that discount...just sign up on your phone and take a pic of your DD214 redacting SSN and send it to them...ton of other companies on there also, its an awesome program I'm trying to understand it, the Army says it's open to active and veterans, then says the discount program is for active members. Just wondering how to go about this. The responses in their forum seem vague too. ETA: Nevermind, figured it out. Let's see if it works. |
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I'm trying to understand it, the Army says it's open to active and veterans, then says the discount program is for active members. Just wondering how to go about this. The responses in their forum seem vague too. ETA: Nevermind, figured it out. Let's see if it works. Quoted:
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Merrell's have an awesome Mil discount btw, something like 40-50% I think. Didn't know that. Sadly, I'm no longer .mil anymore. Just an old vet not worth a shit.
hey OP, join Promotive and buy from Merrell with that discount...just sign up on your phone and take a pic of your DD214 redacting SSN and send it to them...ton of other companies on there also, its an awesome program I'm trying to understand it, the Army says it's open to active and veterans, then says the discount program is for active members. Just wondering how to go about this. The responses in their forum seem vague too. ETA: Nevermind, figured it out. Let's see if it works. Say good bye to all your monies. Also join Clymb. Most of their stuff is hipster but they have some good deals on technical footwear and clothing occasionally. |
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On your first outing - be sure to take something to write on and something to write with. Then you can make a list of stuff that you should have packed and stuff you did not need to pack- you will be more prepared for your next outing... This is a good plan. My first backpacking trip I brought everything. The list above is pretty good. All I have to add is to make sure you can set up and take down your tent in the dark, and that a great headlamp is a good investment. check out steep and cheap |
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This is a good plan. My first backpacking trip I brought everything. The list above is pretty good. All I have to add is to make sure you can set up and take down your tent in the dark, and that a great headlamp is a good investment. check out steep and cheap Quoted:
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On your first outing - be sure to take something to write on and something to write with. Then you can make a list of stuff that you should have packed and stuff you did not need to pack- you will be more prepared for your next outing... This is a good plan. My first backpacking trip I brought everything. The list above is pretty good. All I have to add is to make sure you can set up and take down your tent in the dark, and that a great headlamp is a good investment. check out steep and cheap Damn good idea. I'm putting that in my checklist. For headlamps, I've got a slight suggestion. The new BlackDiamond Spot is a decent light, but IMHO, the Petzl Tikka + (both $40) kills it. Better red light and has more padding up front. I got the BD and for some reason it's an instant headache every time I put it on. The BD is supposed to last longer, though. |
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I have a black diamond Icon and the battery pack in the back balances out very nicely. Lasts forever too.
they have them on steep and cheep right now |
Can't figure out how to post it without it looking like a mess.|
Snag a copy of Chris Townsend's backpacking books off amazon. He gives good advice based on location and season, among other things.
To start with, break up your item list into basic categories. When I am getting ready to pack I always have a few categories I fill: Pack Shelter Clothing Kitchen/Fire Food Water Firearm First Aid Light Toiletries Misc Each of the contents vary for the temperature and location. Pack maybe a 2,500 bag for a day hike or a 4,500 pack for a multi day hike. Shelter may be a tent, a tarp plus a mesh bivouac, plus a sleeping bag and insulating mat. Clothing is shoes, pants/shorts, shirts, hat, bandana, sunglasses, rain jacket, plus a fleece/gloves/etc depending. Kitchen is usually a stove, a single pot, maybe a cup, a spork, matches/lighter. Water is a bottle or two, a filter/iodine drops, maybe a water bladder. Food varies but is typically freeze dried for dinner, something I can eat on the go for lunch, and variable for breakfast, plus snacks while hiking. Firearm is self explanatory, I don't think they're as necessary for the wildlife as much as for some meth-head you may run into on the trail. First aid should include stuff for aches & pains and blisters more than anything, in my mind. A trauma kit isn't bad but I think it should be focused towards what you're likely to encounter more so than fantasy events that never happen. Lighting should be a head lamp and a flashlight, minimum. Toiletries is TP, wipes, bug spray/sunscreen, some hand sanitizer, etc. Misc stuff includes things like straps, a knife, a notepad, duct tape, whatever you think is important. Just some ideas, your mileage may vary. |
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Check out Johnny Molloy: http://johnnymolloy.com/recommended-gear/
He is a very experienced backpacker, and a good ole Tennessee guy at that. I like his thinking on a first aid kit. As someone who has been on several trips myself, you will overpack the first few times and then realize what is really necessary. There are a couple of good list here too. |
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Check out Johnny Molloy: http://johnnymolloy.com/recommended-gear/ He is a very experienced backpacker, and a good ole Tennessee guy at that. I like his thinking on a first aid kit. As someone who has been on several trips myself, you will overpack the first few times and then realize what is really necessary. There are a couple of good list here too. Awesome, can't go wrong with that. "Weight, space, and smushability" lol |
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Take 2: Switched browsers, kind of got it. You'll see certain items repeated with variations...I use this to weigh out my pack on my computer before I go anywhere.
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Damn good idea. I'm putting that in my checklist. For headlamps, I've got a slight suggestion. The new BlackDiamond Spot is a decent light, but IMHO, the Petzl Tikka + (both $40) kills it. Better red light and has more padding up front. I got the BD and for some reason it's an instant headache every time I put it on. The BD is supposed to last longer, though. Quoted:
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On your first outing - be sure to take something to write on and something to write with. Then you can make a list of stuff that you should have packed and stuff you did not need to pack- you will be more prepared for your next outing... This is a good plan. My first backpacking trip I brought everything. The list above is pretty good. All I have to add is to make sure you can set up and take down your tent in the dark, and that a great headlamp is a good investment. check out steep and cheap Damn good idea. I'm putting that in my checklist. For headlamps, I've got a slight suggestion. The new BlackDiamond Spot is a decent light, but IMHO, the Petzl Tikka + (both $40) kills it. Better red light and has more padding up front. I got the BD and for some reason it's an instant headache every time I put it on. The BD is supposed to last longer, though. I've been rocking Petzl headlamps for years. The Tikka is the best I've used. |
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Quoted: I've been rocking Petzl headlamps for years. The Tikka is the best I've used. Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: On your first outing - be sure to take something to write on and something to write with. Then you can make a list of stuff that you should have packed and stuff you did not need to pack- you will be more prepared for your next outing... This is a good plan. My first backpacking trip I brought everything. The list above is pretty good. All I have to add is to make sure you can set up and take down your tent in the dark, and that a great headlamp is a good investment. check out steep and cheap Damn good idea. I'm putting that in my checklist. For headlamps, I've got a slight suggestion. The new BlackDiamond Spot is a decent light, but IMHO, the Petzl Tikka + (both $40) kills it. Better red light and has more padding up front. I got the BD and for some reason it's an instant headache every time I put it on. The BD is supposed to last longer, though. I've been rocking Petzl headlamps for years. The Tikka is the best I've used. |
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But I can tell you this for now- quality lightweight gear is important but don't get caught up thinking you need to spend a 2 grand just to get out on an overnight. I get pissed off at the boutique everything/ high end mentality and ultra snobbery that is alive and well in the 'backpacking' culture. There are bargains and best buys to be had. |
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placeholder for later But I can tell you this for now- quality lightweight gear is important but don't get caught up thinking you need to spend a 2 grand just to get out on an overnight. I get pissed off at the boutique everything/ high end mentality and ultra snobbery that is alive and well in the 'backpacking' culture. There are bargains and best buys to be had. I've been trying to buy gear lately for a weekend away, 1-2 nights max and every time I come by something that's expensive, the litmus test of whether I really need it or not is determined by what a person walking in the woods 100yrs would have. Then again, even Otzi the Iceman had a frame for his backpack. 
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Quoted: I've been trying to buy gear lately for a weekend away, 1-2 nights max and every time I come by something that's expensive, the litmus test of whether I really need it or not is determined by what a person walking in the woods 100yrs would have. Then again, even Otzi the Iceman had a frame for his backpack. Quoted: Quoted: placeholder for later But I can tell you this for now- quality lightweight gear is important but don't get caught up thinking you need to spend a 2 grand just to get out on an overnight. I get pissed off at the boutique everything/ high end mentality and ultra snobbery that is alive and well in the 'backpacking' culture. There are bargains and best buys to be had. I've been trying to buy gear lately for a weekend away, 1-2 nights max and every time I come by something that's expensive, the litmus test of whether I really need it or not is determined by what a person walking in the woods 100yrs would have. Then again, even Otzi the Iceman had a frame for his backpack. |
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Syphilis?
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placeholder for later But I can tell you this for now- quality lightweight gear is important but don't get caught up thinking you need to spend a 2 grand just to get out on an overnight. I get pissed off at the boutique everything/ high end mentality and ultra snobbery that is alive and well in the 'backpacking' culture. There are bargains and best buys to be had. I've been trying to buy gear lately for a weekend away, 1-2 nights max and every time I come by something that's expensive, the litmus test of whether I really need it or not is determined by what a person walking in the woods 100yrs would have. Then again, even Otzi the Iceman had a frame for his backpack.
I've been working on that but nothing will stick. I'm going to the local rei tomorrow to see if this staff chuck has some I the back. |