We're not even halfway into the year and I'm already making some dramatic additions to my current gear outfit. I've got my first non-freestanding shelter (Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2), my first bivy (Enlightened Equipment Recon), and my first quilt (Enlightened Equipment Revelation).
Although the pre-PCT version of myself (who had never before been overnight backpacking) would likely be terribly confused by this gear list, I am excited to be putting my new toys (a shelter and a quilt are kind of like toys, right?) to use.
I'm coming to accept that I will not one day assemble a pack that will be suited for all adventures across all environments. Fortunately, I have discovered that the mail is an excellent (but sometimes risky) way to ensure that I have the proper gear waiting for me when I arrive in a given place.
NOTE: This list reflects my 3-season gear and not the gear I have been using above 16,000 ft / 5,000 m (which is the same exact gear, but with some layers added). This gear list will be published separately in a subsequent post.
THE BIG STUFF
- BACKPACK | Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Southwest (Medium, Black)
- SHELTER | Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2 (Spruce Green)
- POLE | Ruta Locura .600 Pole (56″ with Shockcord and Adjuster)
- BIVY | Enlightened Equipment Recon (Regular)
- QUILT | Enlightened Equipment Revelation (950, 10°F/-12°C, Regular, Wide)
- SLEEPING PAD | Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite (Regular)
CLOTHING (WORN)
- HEADWEAR | Awesome Trucker Hat
- SUNGLASSES | RayBan RB2140 Wayfarer (54 mm)
- TOP | Bluffworks Meridian Dress Shirt (Slim Fit, Large)
- SHORTS | Patagonia Strider Pro (5″ Inseam)
- GAITERS | Outdoor Research Sparkplug
- SOCKS | Darn Tough Uncle Buck Boot Cushion (Large) (Review)
- SHOES | Merrell Moab 2 Low (US 12, Wide)
CLOTHING (PACKED)
- HEADWEAR | Outdoor Research Crest Hat
- HEADWEAR | Icebreaker Flexi Chute Neck Gaiter
- RAIN JACKET | Arc'teryx Beta SL Hybrid (Meduim)
- DOWN JACKET | Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka (Large) (Review)
- GOLVES | Marmot Power Stretch
- RAIN PANTS | Montbell Versalite
- SOCKS | Darn Tough Hiker 1/4 Cushion (Large) (Review)
- BUG PROTECTION | Sea to Summit Head Net
- SANDALS | Cheap, lightweight, flip-flops
CARRIED/ON BODY
- FANNY PACK | Thrupack Summit Bum
- FANNY PACK STRAP | Thrupack Galaxy Comfy Strap
- PHONE | Pixel 2 XL (64GB, Black)
- HEADPHONES | Anker SoundBuds Curve
- CASE | Lifeproof Fre
THE KITCHEN
- UTENSIL | Snow Peak Titanium Spork
- FIRE | Mini Bic
THE OTHER STUFF
- HEADLAMP | Petzl Tikka XP
- WATER TREATMENT | SteriPEN Ultra
- WATER BOTTLE | 1L Smart Water bottle
- STAKES | Vargo Titanium x 4
- STAKES | MSR Groundhog x 8
- GROUNDSHEET | Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ground Cloth
THE ELECTRONICS
- POWER | Anker PowerCore+ 20100 USB-C
- PERSONAL LOCATOR BEACON | SPOT Gen3
- CABLE | USB-C
- CABLE | Micro USB
- CHARGER | Tronsmart USB Type C Wall Charger
THE CAMERA GEAR
- CAMERA | Sony Alpha a6500
- LENS | Sony Vario-Tessar T E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS
- CAMERA | GoPro HERO6
- TRIPOD | Joby GorillaPod Action Tripod
- EXTRA BATTERIES | Wasabi Power Battery x 2
- MEMORY | Sandisk MicroSDHC V30 32GB Extreme Pro
- MEMORY | SanDisk Extreme 16GB SDHC UHS-I Card x 2
- ACCESSORY | Peak Design Capture Clip (Review)
- ACCESSORY | DAISO (aka dollar store) Selfie Stick (aka ACTION CAM POLE!)
- COVER | Peak Design Shell (Review)
THE BATHROOM
- Toilet paper, wet wipes, toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, sunscreen
THE OFFICE
- Credit/debit card, rubber bands, duct tape, notebook, pen, dice (for Yahtzee!)
DETAILED VIEW
Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Southwest
THE GOOD: Lightweight, waterproof, durable, comfortable, can accommodate extra gear like snowshoes and an ice axe
THE BAD: Hip belt pockets could be improved, tricky getting things in/out of side pockets with pack on
34.04 oz (965 g) – $360 US
FIND IT AT: Hyperlite Mountain Gear | Backcountry
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2
THE GOOD: Lightweight, two-person pyramid shelter, packable, doesn't hold water, storm-worthy
THE BAD: Large footprint, no floor or bug netting, stupid expensive, pole straps (for setting up with trekking poles) are sold separately for some reason
18.84 oz (534 g) – $780 US
FIND IT AT: Hyperlite Mountain Gear | Backcountry
Enlightened Equipment Revelation 10°F/-12°C
THE GOOD: Lightweight, opens flat, (relatively) inexpensive, tons of customization options, comfortable
THE BAD: Haven't used it down to 10°F/-12°C yet, don't know how it will compare to my Western Mountaineering Versalite
22.18 oz (629 g) – $395 US
FIND IT AT: Enlightened Equipment
THE GOOD: Center zip, large mesh area on top (I prefer this), lightweight
THE BAD: Doesn't provide much livable space
6.35 oz (180 g) – $150 US
FIND IT AT: Enlightened Equipment
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite (Regular)
THE GOOD: The warmest weight to warmth ratio of any pad in its weightclass, available in three sizes, excellent customer service
THE BAD: Takes 15-20 breaths to blow up, one-way valve can be a pain when reaching max fill
12 oz (340g) – $170 US
FIND IT AT: REI | Backcountry | Amazon
THE GOOD: The L/XL size fits my fat head, blocks the wind, warm
THE BAD: Have to wear my glasses over the outside, smashes my headphones into my ears (tight fit)
3 oz (85 g) – $25 US
FIND IT AT: REI
Icebreaker Flexi Chute Neck Gaiter
THE GOOD: Warm, wool, striped, stretchy, lightweight, versatile
THE BAD: I only just now discovered this
3 oz (85 g) – $25 US
FIND IT AT: Backcountry | Amazon
Bluffworks Meridian Dress Shirt
THE GOOD: Look good on and off the trail, keeps me warm in cooler weather and warm in cooler weather, anti-microbial, wrinkle-free, chest pocket
THE BAD: Starts to stink after three or four days of sweaty and continued use (rinse to solve this)
$125 US – Detailed Review
FIND IT AT: Bluffworks
THE GOOD: Four stretchy pockets (big enough for my Pixel 2 XL with a case), one zippered pocket in back, built-in liner
THE BAD: You'll have to use more sunscreen to cover up those sexy legs
$65 US
FIND THEM AT: Patagonia | REI | Backcountry
Outdoor Research Sparkplug Gaiters
THE GOOD: Keep rocks/sand/spiders/etc. out of your shoes (also when fording rivers), keep socks/feet cleaner, excellent customer service (OR will replace them)
THE BAD: Lightweight material is prone to holes
1.2 oz (34 g) – $20 US
FIND THEM AT: Outdoor Research | REI | Backcountry | Amazon
THE GOOD: Comfortable, merino, cushioned underfoot, lifetime guarantee means you can have them replaced
THE BAD: Nothing
2.2 oz (62 g) – $20 US – Detailed Review
FIND THEM AT: Darn Tough | REI | Backcountry | Amazon
THE GOOD: Come in wide sizes, durable, comfortable, insoles actually offer support
THE BAD: I'm still not blister-proof
13 oz (369 g) – $120 US
FIND THEM AT: REI | Backcountry | Amazon
THE GOOD: Two different Gore-Tex fabrics, pit zips, adjustable hem, love the color
THE BAD: Heavier than other rain jackets I've owned
12.3 oz (350 g) – $399 US
FIND IT AT: REI | Backcountry
Montbell Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka
THE GOOD: Warm (3.4 oz / 96 g of 1000 fill power down), DWR treatment, elastic cuffs, hem and hood adjustments, lightweight
THE BAD: Expensive, long and annoying name
8.4 oz (237 g) – $439 US – Detailed Review
FIND IT AT: Montbell
THE GOOD: Lightweight, touchscreen compatible, can be connected to each other with small plastic clip (lose both or lose none)
THE BAD: Haven't found them to dry incredibly quickly (why am I getting them wet?), touchscreens can sometimes be finicky
$30 US
FIND THEM AT: Backcountry | Amazon
THE GOOD: Incredibly lightweight, elastic waist, pack down small
THE BAD: No ankle zippers
3.6 oz (103 g) – $99 US
FIND THEM AT: Montbell
THE GOOD: Does not obscure vision as badly as some other head nets I've used, drawstring adjustment around neck
THE BAD: Mosquitoes can bite through this if it's against your skin, you look like a dummy wearing a head net
0.8 oz (23 g) – $10 US
THE GOOD: It's a titanium spork – like a spoon AND a fork, lightweight
THE BAD: You'll probably lose it, the spoon is a little shallow for eating soup efficiently
0.3 oz (8.5 g) – $10 US
FIND IT AT: REI | Backcountry | Amazon
THE GOOD: An awesome amount of space for such a lightweight fanny pack, one exterior pocket large enough for a large cell phone, two interior pockets, water-resistant, huge sex appeal
THE BAD: I wish there was a way to affix the waist strap to the pack (I guess I could use a safety pin)
2.5 oz (71 g) – $39 US
FIND IT AT: Thru.
THE GOOD: Bright, great battery life, red light, three brightness levels
THE BAD: Not the smallest option available
4.2 oz (119 g) – $50 US
THE GOOD: Treats for bacteria, protozoa, and viruses, filters 1 liter in 90 seconds (.5 L in 60 seconds)
THE BAD: Electronic, only works with clear water
4.94 oz (140 g) – $99
THE GOOD: Excellent camera, quick charge via USB-C, water-resistant, awesome fingerprint reader
THE BAD: No expandable storage, no headphone jack
6.17 oz (175 g) – $850 US
FIND IT ON: Amazon
THE GOOD: Great sound quality, comfortable, no wires to get in the way of your straps
THE BAD: Have to be recharged, can block out nearly all ambient noise, get tangled with my eyewear retainer (fancy, huh?)
0.6 oz (17 g) – $99 US
FIND THEM ON: Amazon
THE GOOD: Excellent camera, quick charge via USB-C, water-resistant, awesome fingerprint reader
THE BAD: Some people report not being able to hear me well when talking with handset, expensive for a case
1.3 oz (35 g) – $90 US
THE GOOD: Has USB-C, can quick charge itself and other devices, durable, two USB outputs, large capacity
THE BAD: Heavy
16 oz (454 g) – $69 US
FIND IT ON: Amazon
THE GOOD: Can be used to send Check-in Messages (includes GPS coordinates), can send custom messages (must be programmed from a computer with internet), can track your location at fixed intervals, can be used to call for help in an emergency
THE BAD: Send rate for Check-in Messages don't have a 100% success rate being sent, customer service is garbage
4.2 oz ( g) – $150 US
FIND IT AT: REI
Tronsmart USB Type C Wall Charger
THE GOOD: Two USB inputs (one USB-A and one USB-C), folding plug, quick charge compatible
THE BAD: A little bulky
2.4 oz (68 g) – $15 US
FIND IT ON: Amazon
THE GOOD: Awesome camera, lightweight (for the quality of its images and range of featured), compact (fits in my jacket pocket), in-body stabilization, 4K movie recording
THE BAD: Expensive, limited lens selection
14.25 oz (404 g) – $1400 US
FIND IT ON: Amazon
Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS
THE GOOD: Love the focal length range for travel and hiking, takes beautiful photos, lightweight compared to other options available (but still no pancake lens)
THE BAD: Not full-frame compatible (if I ever have the money and desire to upgrade), sometimes get some vignetting at wider focal lengths, not the best performer in low light
10.9 oz (308 g) – $999 US
FIND IT ON: Amazon
THE GOOD: Takes fantastic photos, the video stabilization is great, touchscreen works well, USB-C
THE BAD: The battery could always be bigger (buy a spare if you're going to be filming a lot)
4.13 oz (117 g) – $400 US
FIND IT AT: REI | Backcountry | Amazon
THE GOOD: Makes camera accessible, easy to secure and remove camera, can lock camera in place, can be placed on any strap
THE BAD: Can sometimes be fickle when putting camera back in
3 oz (84 g) – $70 US
FIND IT AT: Peak Design
THE GOOD: Keeps camera protected in the rain when using the Capture Clip
THE BAD: I always take it off to shoot photos since it makes adjusting the zoom/focus rings tricky
2.4 oz (68 g) – $40 US
FIND IT AT: Peak Design | REI | Amazon
As always, if you have any comments, questions, or (best of all) suggestions, be sure to leave a comment or get in touch.
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