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Backpacking Gear List (Spring 2016)

By Mac 10 Comments

I've finally sorted my spring gear list after a winter hiking in Nepal (for that gear list, check here), and I am happy to share with you the tweaks and upgrades I've made for the season and year ahead.

This time around I changed up the formatting a bit for easier readability (at least I think it's easier) and I kept some of the same formatting from my previous list: orange denotes a new item and strikethroughs indicate things that I no longer have.

Below the initial list you will find detailed descriptions of each item, including photos, pros, cons, weight, and pricing information.

My gear still isn't perfect, but it's definitely coming along. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

THE BIG STUFF

  • BACKPACK | Osprey Exos 58 (Full Review)
  • SHELTER | Mountain Hardwear SuperMegaUL 2* (Full Review)
  • SLEEPING BAG | Mountain Hardwear Phantom 15** (Full Review)
  • SLEEPING PAD | Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite Sleeping Pad
  • LINER | Sea to Summit Reactor Thermolite Liner
  • TREKKING POLES | Black Diamond Alpine Ergo Cork

*The SuperMega UL2 has been replaced with the Ghost UL 2
**The Phantom 15 has been replaced by the Flame 15


THE CLOTHING

  • HEADWEAR | Double Mountain Fitted
  • HEADWEAR | Icebreaker Skyline Hat
  • SUNGLASSES | RayBan RB2140 Wayfarer (54mm)
  • JACKET | Columbia Decompressor Down Jacket
  • SHIRT | Icebreaker Tech Lite Shirt
  • SHORTS | Mountain Hardwear Chockstone Midweight Active Short
  • SHOES | Merrell Moab Ventilators
  • INSOLES | Superfeet Wide Green Premium Insoles
  • SOCKS | Darn Tough 1/4 Hiking Socks x 2 (Full Review)
  • UNDERWEAR | Under Armour Compression Shorts x 2

THE SMALLER STUFF

  • HEADLAMP | Princeton Tec Remix
  • MULTITOOL | Leatherman Skeletool CX
  • RAINCOVER | Osprey UL Raincover
  • WATER TREATMENT | SteriPEN Ultra
  • WATER BOTTLE | 2L plastic bottle (x2)
  • STUFF SACKS | Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Stuff Sacks (2.5L, 9L, 15L)
  • SLEEPING BAG STUFF SACK | Snow Peak Titanium Spork

I have converted to stoveless backpacking for reasons that can be found here.


THE ELECTRONICS

  • PHONE | LG Nexus 5
  • BATTERY | Anker PowerCore+
  • CAMERA | GoPro HERO3: Black Edition
  • CAMERA | Canon 60D
  • LENS | Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
  • TRIPOD | Joby Gorillapod
  • ACCESSORY | Peak Design Capture Clip x 2 (Full Review)
  • STRAP | Peak Design Leash
  • MISCELLANEOUS | Spare 60D battery, micro USB cord, mini USB cord

THE MISCELLANEOUS

Toothpaste, toothbrush, cards/cash, Mini Bic, rubber bands, notebook, pens, Ziplocs

WHAT'S CHANGED?

Since last fall I've made mostly small adjustments to my gear outfit, and have also learned that some of my gear (namely my tent and sleeping bag) has been discontinued.

A few items in my pack (my trekking poles and multitool) have disappeared due to airline regulations, and I may have to pick up some new items before the next gear list rolls around.

Here is my reasoning behind the (noteworthy) changes and thoughts on the new setup thus far:

Columbia-Decompression-Jacket

DROPPED: Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer (Full Review)

ADDED: Columbia Decompression Down Jacket (discontinued)

WHY?
I like my Ghost Whisperer Down Jacket, but I got my hands on a Decompression Jacket from Columbia (which has already been discontinued for some reason) which was basically a Ghost Whisperer with a hood (something that the Ghost Whisperer comes with, but that I opted not to buy originally).

It's too bad this jacket didn't live long in Columbia's line, because I quite like it. Maybe something else will come along before the CDT next year (yes, it's a serious consideration right now).


Icebreaker-Skyline-Hat

DROPPED: Mountain Hardwear Dome Perignon

ADDED: Icebreaker Skyline Hat

WHY?
Yes, another Mountain Hardwear product eliminated from the pack – that doesn't mean I don't still love their stuff. Honestly, I lost the Dome Perignon and have recently decided that Icebreaker may be my new favorite brand of woolen clothing (and I found an Icebreaker outlet).

In addition to fitting on my enormous head, Icebreaker's Skyline Hat is incredibly comfortable and is long enough to pull down over my entire head if I need to hide from horrors during the night. It's the first of probably many products that I will be getting from this brand.


Icebreaker-Tech-Lite-Shirt

DROPPED: Columbia Omni-freeze Shirt

ADDED: Icebreaker Tech Lite Shirt

WHY?
Remember when I said that the Skyline Hat would be the first of many Icebreaker products that I get? Well, I wasn't kidding. I've also (finally) replaced my long sleeve convertible button-down hiking shirt from Columbia with an Icebreaker t-shirt.

They come in a lot of different designs (including solid colors) and are 150 weight shirts made from an 87% Merino wool, 13% Nylon corespun blend.


Moab-Ventilator

DROPPED: New Balance MO989

ADDED: Merrell Moab Ventilator

WHY?
In addition to having an inconveniently circumfrenced head, my feet are inconveniently wide as well. To make matters worse, New Balance, my former go-to footwear company, has stopped making most of their trail runners to “focus on other markets”.

This move has forced me to look elsewhere for footwear and I have since landed in a pair of Moab Ventilators from Merrell. I've been enjoying them, but have yet to put and crazy mileage on them. The important thing is that they're wide enough.


Peak-Design-Leash

DROPPED: Peak Design Clutch

ADDED: Peak Design Leash

WHY?
I like the Peak Design clutch, and although it allowed me to hang my camera from my wrist and free up both my hands, it wasn't enough. The Peak Design Leash is a lightweight and packable camera strap that allows me to comfortably carry my camera out of the way.

I prefer it to a “regular” camera strap because it can be configured a couple of different ways and it integrates nicely with the Capture Clip (which I am still a loyal fan of).

20% off Almost Everything

DETAILED VIEW

Osprey-Exos-58

OSPREY EXOS 58

PROS: Comfortable, lightweight, detachable hood, stretchy mesh pockets, wide enough for bear canister or winter sleeping bag, lifetime warranty

CONS: Not an ultralight pack, poorly designed sleeping pad attachment strap

42 oz / 1.19 kg / $220 US

Find out more


SuperMegaUL-2

MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR SUPERMEGAUL 2

PROS: Freestanding, incredibly spacious, two mesh pockets, holds up in rain a lot better than the UL1, light for a two-person tent

CONS: Expensive footprint, expensive, discontinued (has been replaced with the Ghost UL 2)

34 oz / 980 g


Phantom 15 Sleeping Bag

MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR PHANTOM 15

PROS: Warm enough for spring, compressible, down, lightweight, lots of room, a built-in pocket, dries quickly (moisture due to condensation, not submersion)

CONS: Expensive, discontinued (replaced with the Flame 15)

33 oz / 935 g

Find out more


Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite Stack

THERM-A-REST NEOAIR XLITE

PROS: Surprisingly compact, 3.2 R-value, lighter than the Z Lite Sol, comfortable, made in the US

CONS: Inflating and deflating takes some getting used to, cannot be deployed quickly during breaks (like a foam pad), risk of puncture wounds

12 oz / 350 g / $130 US

Find out more


Sea-to-Summit-Liner

SEA TO SUMMIT REACTOR THERMOLITE LINER

PROS: Adds warmth, can be used in lieu of sleeping bag on hot nights, makes bag more comfortable, keeps bag cleaner

CONS: Adds unnecessary weight

8.1 oz / 229 g / $58 US

CHECK IT OUT!


Columbia-Decompression-Jacket

COLUMBIA DECOMPRESSION JACKET

PROS: Hooded, super lightweight, breathable, warm, packable, water-resistant

CONS: Red color is semi-transparent through to down, expensive, discontinued?

9 oz / 255 g / $400 US


Icebreaker-Tech-Lite-Shirt

ICEBREAKER TECH LITE SHIRT

PROS: Lightweight, breathable, quick-drying, many colors/graphics available

CONS: Expensive

5.75 oz / 163 g / $99 US

Find out more

Darn-Tough-Hiking-Socks

DARN TOUGH 1/4 HIKING SOCKS

PROS: Comfortable, wool, lifetime guarantee, great cushion

CONS: You will never want to buy another brand of socks

7.2 oz / 204 g / $20 US

Find out more

Full Review


Moab-Ventilator

MERRELL MOAB VENTILATORS

PROS: Comfortable, wide, good tread, laces don't come undone, they fit

CONS: Not waterproof (water-resistant), heavy

13 oz / 369 g / $100 US

Find out more


Under-Armour-Compression-Shorts

UNDER ARMOR 9″ COMPRESSION SHORTS

PROS Comfortable, effective at preventing chafe, rarely begin to smell, dry quickly, can be passed off as shorts

CONS: An inside seam on one pair tore (still usable, will replace)

4 oz / 113 g / $30 US

Find out more


Mountain-Hardwear-Shorts

MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR CHOCKSTONE MIDWEIGHT ACTIVE SHORTS

PROS: Very comfortable, awesome stretchy material (no more crotch ripping), quite water resistant, two zipper pockets, built in belt that appears to work

CONS: No rear pockets, only two large zipper pockets in front (this can be good or bad depending on your needs)

9.9 oz / 280 g / $75 US

Find out more


Icebreaker-Skyline-Hat

ICEBREAKER SKYLINE HAT

PROS: Can be pulled down all the way over my head to hide my face, warm, quick-drying,

CONS: It's a beanie, what am I supposed to say here?

Find out more


Capture-Clip

PEAK DESIGN CAPTURE CLIP

PROS: Makes carrying a DSLR incredibly comfortable and easy, it's durable, lifetime warranty

CONS: Nothing, this thing is awesome.

3.5 oz / 100 g / $60 US

Find out more

Full Review


Princeton Tec Remix

PRINCETON TEC REMIX HEADLAMP

PROS: Bright, doesn't eat through batteries, multiple settings, adjustable beam direction

CONS: No red light (didn't realize then when purchasing), no strobe

2.9 oz / 83 g / $30 US

Find out more


SteriPEN-Ultra

SteriPEN ULTRA

PROS: Kills protozoa, bacteria, and viruses, quick and easy to use, rechargeable (no heavy batteries)

CONS: Does not remove sediment, doesn't work with murky/cloudy water, need container to fit, reliance on technology

4.94 oz / 140 g / $100 US

Find out more


Osprey-Raincover

OSPREY UL RAINCOVER

PROS: Packs into itself, drawstring and button to cinch, can protect bag in the vestibule from puddles

CONS: Could be replaced by a trash compactor bag (which I may do soon)

2.8 oz / 80 g / $30 US

Find out more


Sea-to-Summit-Dry-Sack

SEA TO SUMMIT ULTRA-SIL NANO DRY SACK (13L)

PROS: Waterproof, durable, roll-top

CONS: Not necessary

1 oz / 28g / $13 US

Find out more


Sea-to-Summit-Stuff-Sack

SEA TO SUMMIT ULTRA-SIL STUFF SACKS (2.5, 9L, 15L)

PROS: Lightweight, drawstring closure, have never had one tear or break on me

CONS: Not completely necessary, expensive for what they are

.4 oz, 11g / .7 oz, 20g / $9, $14 US

Find out more


Am I doing anything right? Something wrong? Did I miss anything? Do you have any suggestions? I will update this again next season and as things continue to change in my pack.

Comment below and let me know what you think!

Disclosure: Your trust is important to me and that's why I only recommend products I love and personally use. This page contains affiliate links which means at no additional cost to you, I may receive small commissions for purchases made via these links. This helps keep the site up and running.

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