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Mac’s Backpacking Gear List 2019 (v1.0)

By Mac 8 Comments

There’s a lot of new gear I’m excited to try this year (like this new sleeping pad from Therm-a-Rest), but these experiments will have to wait until later in the year. For now, I’ve gone back to what I know and made some adjustments after testing out some new gear in the Japanese Alps.

Last year, I tried out a pyramid shelter and a bivy. I wasn’t a huge fan of either. The shelter, an Ultamid 2 from Hyperlite Mountain Gear, I like, but I don’t think it’s best suited for the type of backpacking that I’m doing. I still really want to like my bivy, so I might try it out with a tarp or something later in the year. For now, it’s back to my palace, the Big Agnes Copper Spur 2 Platinum. If you want to read my detailed review of this two-person, freestanding tent, you can find it here.

Another big change is my backpack. I am now using a pack I built myself (i.e. I watched it get built) in England’s Lake District while visiting with Tom Gale of Atom Packs. So far, I’m very happy with this pack and I’m excited to see how it holds up over the long-term. You can find out more about Atom Packs on their website, atompacks.co.uk (and if you want to see the kinds of packs and customizations they do, check them out on Instagram).

I’m always looking to try new gear and am curious to hear what everyone else has to say about their own setups, so if you’ve got something to say be sure to leave a comment or get in touch.


The Big Stuff

Backpack

Atom Packs Mo
Atom Packs Mo

Shelter

Big Agnes Copper Spur 2 Platinum Tent
Big Agnes Copper Spur 2 Platinum

Sleeping Bag

Montbell Down Hugger 900 #3
Montbell Down Hugger 900 #3

Sleeping Pad

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite

Clothing

Shirt

Bluffworks Meridian Dress Shirt 2.0
Bluffworks Meridian Dress Shirt 2.0

Rain Jacket

Montbell Storm Cruiser Jacker
Montbell Storm Cruiser

Down Jacket

Montbell Alpine Plasma Parka 1000
Montbell Alpine Plasma Parka 1000

Shorts

Patagonia Strider Pro Shorts
Patagonia Strider Pro

Hat

Patagonia Fitz Roy Bear Trucker Hat
Patagonia Fitz Roy Bear Trucker Hat

Beanie

Outdoor Research Crest Hat
Outdoor Research Crest Hat

Gaiter

Icebreaker Flexi Chute Neck Gaiter
Icebreaker Flexi Chute Neck Gaiter

Head Net

Sea to Summit Head Net
Sea to Summit Head Net

Rain Pants

Montbell Convertible Pants
Montbell Convertible Pants

Gloves

Marmot Power Stretch Gloves
Marmot Power Stretch

Socks

Darn Tough Quarter Cushion Socks
Darn Tough Quarter Cushion x3

Shoes

Merrell Moab 2 Vent Low Shoes
Merrell Moab 2 Vent Low

Sunglasses

Ray Ban Wayfarer
Ray Ban Wayfarer

Sunglasses Retainer

Chums Original Cotton
Chums Original Cotton

Camp Shoes

Batman Sandals
Batman Sandals

Carried/On Body

Fanny Pack

Thrupack Summit Bum
Thrupack Summit Bum

Fanny Pack Strap

Thrupack Comfy Strap
Thrupack Comfy Strap

The Backpacking Gear

Headlamp

Petzl Actik Core Headlamp
Petzl Actik Core

Water Treatment

Sawyer Squeeze
Sawyer Squeeze

Stuff Sack

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Stuff Sack Pillow
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Stuff Sack Pillow (Large)

Stuff Sack (Sleeping Bag)

Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Sack
Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Sack

Food Storage

Ursack Major Bear Bag
Ursack Major Bear Bag

Tent Footprint

Big Agnes Copper Spur 2 Platinum Footprint
Big Agnes Copper Spur 2 Platinum Footprint

Tent Stakes

MSR Groundhog Stakes
MSR Groundhog Stakes x4

Tent Stakes

Vargo Ti Shepherds Hook Stakes
Vargo Ti Shepherds Hook Stakes x4

Repellant

Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion (4 oz)
Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion

Utensil

Snow Peak Titanium Spork
Snow Peak Titanium Spork

Gear Repair

Gorilla Tape
Gorilla Tape

Water Bottle

Smartwater 1L Bottle
Smartwater 1L Bottle x2

The Electronics

Power Bank

RAVPower 26800 Power Bank
RAVPower 26800 Power Bank

Headphones

Anker SoundBuds Curve
Anker SoundBuds Curve

Phone

Pixel 2XL
Pixel 2XL

Phone Case

LifeProof Fre
LifeProof Fre

Wall Charger

Anker PowerPort II
Anker PowerPort II

Cable

USB-C to USB-C Cable
USB-C to USB-C

Cable

Micro USB Cable
Micro USB Cable

Cable

USB to USB-C Cable
USB-C Cable

The Camera Gear

Camera

Sony a6500
Sony a6500

Lens

Sony SEL1670Z Vario-Tessar T E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS
Sony SEL1670Z Vario-Tessar T E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS

Batteries

Sony NP-FW50 Lithium-Ion 1020mAh
Sony NP-FW50 Lithium-Ion 1020mAh x2

Memory Card

SanDisk Extreme 16GB SDHC UHS-I Card
SanDisk Extreme 16GB SDHC UHS-I Card x2

Camera

GoPro HERO6 Black
GoPro HERO6 Black

Filter

Sandmarc Aerial Filter Polarizer (for HERO6)
SANDMARC Aerial Filter Polarizer (for HERO6)

Pole

Piece of Crap Daiso Selfie Stick
Piece of Crap Daiso Selfie Stick

Memory Card

Sandisk MicroSDHC V30 32GB Extreme Pro
Sandisk MicroSDHC V30 32GB Extreme Pro

Camera Clip

Peak Design Capture Clip
Peak Design Capture Clip

Camera Cover

Peak Design Shell
Peak Design Shell (Small)

Tripod

Fotopro UFO Basic Flexible Tripod
Fotopro UFO Basic Flexible Tripod

THE BATHROOM

  • Toilet paper, wet wipes, toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, sunscreen

THE OFFICE

  • Credit/debit card, rubber bands, notebook, assorted Ziploc bags, pen, dice (for Yahtzee!)

DETAILED VIEW

Atom Packs Mo

Atom Packs Mo

Pros: Lightweight, comfortable, bottom pocket, stretchy back mesh pocket, accessible side pockets while wearing, carbon frame
Cons: Not seam sealed
29 oz / 850 g / £195


Big Agnes Copper Spur 2 Platinum Tent

Big Agnes Copper Spur 2 Platinum

Pros: Freestanding, huge amount of space, two vestibules, holds up in rain/wind, can be set up with fly/footprint only
Cons: Large footprint with fly, you probably need the footprint too (purchased separately), expensive
44 oz / 1.247 kg / $600


Montbell Down Hugger 900 #3

Montbell Down Hugger 900 #3

Pros: Literally the greatest zipper ever, lightweight, compressible
Cons: Don’t know how I feel about the half zip, only available via Montbell Japan
17.4 oz / 494 g / ¥48,000


Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite (Regular)

Pros: Lightweight, R-value 3.2, doubles as a raft
Cons: Blowing up and deflating is a pain, it can be very loud at night (sorry, neighbors)
12 oz / 340 g / $170 Detailed Review


Bluffworks Meridian Dress Shirt 2.0

Bluffworks Meridian Dress Shirt 2.0

Pros: Great for hiking or for blending in when in town, chest pocket, can roll up sleeves past elbows
Cons: Not available in purple
$98


Montbell Storm Cruiser Jacker

Montbell Storm Cruiser

Pros: 3-layer GORE C-KNIT, lightweight, adjustable hood/hem, two large chest pockets
Cons: No pit zips
10 oz / 284 g / $290


Montbell Alpine Plasma Parka 1000

Montbell Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka

Pros: Warm (3.4 oz / 96 g of 1000 fill power down), DWR treatment, elastic cuffs, hem and hood adjustments, lightweight
Cons: Expensive, long and annoying name
8.4 oz / 237 g / $439 / Detailed Review


Patagonia Strider Pro Shorts

Patagonia Strider Pro 5″

Pros: Four stretchy pockets (big enough for my Pixel 2 XL with a case), one zippered pocket in back, built-in liner
Cons: You’ll have to use more sunscreen to cover up those sexy legs, the pull string for the back zipper pocket fell off
3.9 oz / 111 g / $65


Patagonia Fitz Roy Bear Trucker Hat

Patagonia Fitz Roy Bear Trucker Hat

Pros: Big enough to fit my fat head comfortably, there’s a bear on it, very sturdy bill
Cons: Everyone assumes I’m from California (which I am), but it bothers me, hiking buddy bought the same one not knowing I had it (we look cute together now), white front gets dirty
3 oz / 85 g / $28


Outdoor Research Crest Hat

Outdoor Research Crest Hat

Pros: Blocks the wind, fits snugly, earholes?
Cons: I wish it came down just a little further on my head
1.7 oz / 49 g / $34


Icebreaker Flexi Chute Neck Gaiter

Icebreaker Flexi Chute Neck Gaiter

Pros: Warm, wool, stretchy, lightweight, versatile
Cons: I’m probably going to buy a second one
3 oz / 85 g / $25


Sea to Summit Head Net

Sea to Summit Head Net

Pros: Lightweight, adjustable hem, keeps the bugs off your face
Cons: I hate trying to breathe through these things
1.2 oz / 34 g / $10


Montbell Convertible Pants

Montbell Convertible Rain Pants

Pros: Convert to shorts (I only used the shorts), fully seam taped, elastic waist, waterproof (as you would hope)
Cons: The zippers (once the pant legs are zipped off) chafed my knee pits
6.1 oz / 173 g / $120


Marmot Power Stretch Gloves

Marmot Power Stretch Gloves

Pros: Lightweight, touchscreen compatible, can be connected to each other (lose both or lose none)
Cons: Don’t dry very quickly (why am I getting them wet?), touchscreens can sometimes be finicky
1.6 oz / 45 g / $30


Darn Tough Quarter Cushion Socks

Darn Tough 1/4 Hiking Socks

Pros: Comfortable, merino, cushioned underfoot, lifetime guarantee means you can have them replaced
Cons: Nothing
2.2 oz / 62 g / $20 / Detailed Review


Merrell Moab 2 Vent Low Shoes

Merrell Moab 2 Ventilator Low

Pros: Come in wide sizes, durable, comfortable, insoles actually offer support
Cons: I’m still not blister-proof
33 oz / 936 g / $120


Ray Ban Wayfarer

Ray Ban Wayfarer

Pros: Polarized, come in a large size for my big head, customizable colors, free returns/exchanges
Cons: Expensive
1.6 oz / 45 g / $203


Chums Original Cotton

Chums Original Cotton

Pros: Adjustable, don’t fall off, and keep your glasses from falling off
Cons: They make you look really cool, they get tangled with my headphones and make putting my gaiter on my face a bit more work
0.6 oz / 17 g / $9


Batman Sandals

Batman Sandals

Pros: Surprisingly durable (have had these over a year), Batman (obviously)
Cons: They’re slowly (literally) wearing away, get squeaky/slippery when wet
6 oz / 170 g / $10


Thrupack Summit Bum

Thrupack Summit Bum

Pros: 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
Cons: I wish there was a was to affix the waist strap to the pack (I guess I could use a safety-pin)
2.5 oz / 71 g / $45


Thrupack Comfy Strap

Thrupack Comfy Strap

Pros: Stretchy, fancy prints, turns your Thrupack into an easy sling bag as well (is that a thing? A sling bag?)
Cons: I should have just gotten the smallest size – it’s very stretchy, doesn’t attach to Thrupack (just buckles through it)
2.2 oz / 62 g / $15


Petzl Actik Core Headlamp

Petzl Actik Core

Pros: Bright, great battery life, red light, two brightness levels
Cons: Not the smallest option available
2.9 oz / 82 g / $70


Sawyer Squeeze

Sawyer Squeeze

Pros: Lightweight, easy to use, compatible with water bottles
Cons: Gets clogged if not backflushed regularly, included bags do not last
3 oz / 85 g / $40


Hyperlite Mountain Gear Stuff Sack Pillow

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Stuff Sack Pillow (Large)

Pros: My clothing stuff sack and pillow (you can reverse it and there’s a soft cushion bit for your face)
Cons: The material has come apart a lot in places, especially around the zipper (I don’t know how much longer it’s going to hold together)
1.69 oz / 48 g / $47


Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Sack

Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Sack (8L)

Pros: Keeps sleeping bag dry (when inside backpack), lightweight, roll top
Cons: Not intended for complete submersion, not possible to order a specific color online
1.1 oz / 31 g / $22


Ursack Major Bear Bag

Ursack Major Bear Bag

Pros: A 10.7 L, animal-proof food bag, there’s a black one now
Cons: Heavy for a food bag, I don’t have the black one (the white one gets filthy)
7.6 oz / 215 g / $85


Big Agnes Copper Spur 2 Platinum Footprint

Big Agnes Copper Spur 2 Platinum Footprint

Pros: Much toucher than tent floor, allows Copper Spur 2 Platinum to be set up with just the fly and poles
Cons: Adds 6 oz / 170 to tent weight, $70 for a footprint for a $600 tent? Fuck you, Big Agnes
6 oz / 170 g / $70


MSR Groundhog Stakes

MSR Groundhog Stakes x4

Pros: Haven’t had one get pulled out due to weather, notch at top for securing guylines, red (easy to see)
Cons: Not the lightest option available
0.5 oz / 14 g / $3 (each)


Vargo Ti Shepherds Hook Stakes

Vargo Ti Shepherds Hook Stakes x4

Pros: Lightweight, take up minimal space, easy to pull out
Cons: The orange at the top chips off if you use rocks to hammer stakes, prone to bending
0.27 oz / 8 g (each) / $22 (pack of six)


Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion (4 oz)

Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion

Pros: I prefer lotion to spray or roll-on repellant, no smell, actually repels mosquitoes
Cons: Washes off easily (rain or river crossings), heavy compared to sprays
5 oz / 142 g / $9


Snow Peak Titanium Spork

Snow Peak Titanium Spork

Pros: It’s titanium which means I’m really cool for having it (and you can fight bears with it)
Cons: It’s titanium which means I’m really dumb for having it (and everyone laughs at me)
0.6 oz / 17 g / $10


Gorilla Tape

Gorilla Tape

Pros: Very strong (and sticky) tape for field repairs (or envelopes?), waterproof (have washed clothing with tape patch multiple times without tape falling off)
Cons: It’s not available in pink


Smartwater 1L Bottle

Smartwater 1L Bottle

Pros: Lightweight water bottle with good structural integrity, easy to get in/out of backpack pockets
Cons: It’s a plastic bottle which means I’m going to hell for using it


RAVPower 26800 Power Bank

RAVPower 26800 Power Bank

Pros: USB-C, quick charge compatible, pass through charging, three USB outputs, large capacity
Cons: Heavy
16 oz / 454 g / $57


Anker SoundBuds Curve

Anker SoundBuds Curve

Pros: Great sound quality, comfortable, best battery life I’ve found (~10-12 hours)
Cons: Have to be recharged, can block out nearly all ambient noise, get tangled with my eyewear retainer (fancy, huh?)
0.8 oz / 23 g / $26


Pixel 2XL

Pixel 2 XL

Pros: Excellent camera, quick charge via USB-C, water-resistant, awesome fingerprint reader
Cons: No expandable storage, no headphone jack
6.17 oz / 175 g / $850


LifeProof Fre

Lifeproof Fre Case

Pros: Waterproof, shockproof, compatible fingerprint reader (sometimes), easy to remove
Cons: Distorts audio from speaker and on the receiving end of calls, expensive
1.3 oz / 35 g / $90


Anker PowerPort II

Anker PowerPort II Wall Charger

Pros: Two USB inputs (one USB-A and one USB-C), folding plug, quick charge compatible
Cons: A little bulky/heavy
5.3 oz / 150 g / $30


Sony a6500

Sony Alpha a6500

Pros: Awesome camera, lightweight, compact (fits in my jacket pocket), in-body stabilization, 4K movie recording
Cons: Expensive, small battery capacity (and funky in cold temperatures)
14.25 oz / 404 g / $1200


Sony SEL1670Z Vario-Tessar T E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS

Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS

Pros: Great focal length range for hiking, beautiful photos, relatively lightweight (but still no pancake lens)
Cons: Not full-frame compatible (if I ever upgrade), vignetting at wider focal lengths, not great in low light
10.9 oz / 308 g / $999


GoPro HERO6 Black

GoPro HERO6 Black

Pros: Takes fantastic photos, video stabilization is great, touchscreen works well, USB-C
Cons: The battery could always be bigger (buy a spare if you’re going to be filming a lot)
4.13 oz / 117 g / $400


Sandmarc Aerial Filter Polarizer (for HERO6)

SANDMARC Aerial Filter Polarizer (for HERO6)

Pros: An easy-to-use polarizing filter that fits snugly on a GoPro (5, 6, or 7)
Cons: Noticeably increases the size of the camera
0.8 oz / 23 g / $40


Peak Design Capture Clip

Peak Design Capture Clip

Pros: Makes camera accessible, easy to secure/remove camera, can lock camera in place, can be placed on any strap
Cons: You need a hex key to remove the camera plate (making the transition to my tripod annoying)
3 oz / 84 g / $70


Peak Design Shell

Peak Design Shell (Small)

Pros: Keeps camera protected in the rain when using the Capture Clip
Cons: I always take it off to shoot photos since it makes adjusting the zoom/focus rings tricky
2.4 oz / 68 g / $40


Fotopro UFO Basic Flexible Tripod

Fotopro UFO Basic Flexible Tripod

Pros: Easier to adjust than “ball leg” tripods, flexible legs that I trust to hold my camera in a hanging position
Cons: Heavy for something that I don’t end up using that much
7.6 oz / 215 g / $21


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