Caught in a Gear Romance
I think I’m in love!
My husband may be a little jealous of the special relationship I have with my gear. If you have only done day hikes or short overnighters and never carried everything you need to survive for months on your back, than you may not understand just how special the hiker-gear relationship can be. Each piece of gear in my pack was researched, debated, purchased, tested, retested, and debated some more. I do not doubt that changes will be made once I hit the trail and I am open to this, but for now the items in my pack are just what I need them to be. It is such a comforting feeling to know this part of my preparations is complete. The base weight for my pack (thats the weight of everything I’m carrying without food and water) is right at 16 lbs.
Hike Your Own Hike!
The gear that I have selected was chosen because I believe it will function best for my needs, but what works for me will not work for everyone! I took each items weight, cost, function, and durability into consideration and arrived on a decision based on my circumstances. For example, I have chosen a tent as my shelter. This option is heaver than a hammock or tarp and more expensive than relying on shelters, however, since I am bringing a dog with me, it is the option that will work best. Keep this in mind as you check out my gear and how it relates to your own set up or gear that you may be considering.
Without further adieu, my gear list!
Sleep System
- Tent: Tarptent Double Rainbow (I went with a 2 person tent because I will be sharing it with Jetta and I want enough room for our gear.)
- Sleeping bag: Z Packs 20º down bag (these bags are very customizable. Mine is regular girth medium length)
- Sea to Summit e-vent compression sack: sleeping bag and liner stuff sack size small (rei garage sale item)
- Sleeping bag liner: Cocoon Silk Liner
- Sleeping pad: Big Agnes Insulated Q Core Sl 20×66 (REI Garage Sale item)
Cook System and Water Purification
- Stove: Jetboil Flash Lite (without the fuel canister stabilizer and bottom cover/cup)
- Spork: Sea to Summit Alpha Light Spork
- Sponge: cut piece of Pack Towel
- Fuel canister: whatever I can find in hiker box or towns
- Water Bladder: Source Widepac
- Water Purification: Aqua Mira
- Water Bottle: Smart Water bottle
Clothing
Clothing worn
- Hiking Shirt: Icebreaker Oasis Long Sleeve 1/2 Zip
- Hiking Pants: Columbia Aruba Convertible Pants
- Outer Layer: Patagonia Nano Air
- Underwear: Stoic Boy Boxer
- Bra: Icebreaker Sprite
- Hiking Socks: Darn Tough
- Buff: Buff Triple Crown Series
- Gaiters: Dirty Girl
- Boots: Solomon X Ultra (I will be switching to Solomon trail runners as soon as weather permits)
Clothing Packed
- Camp Shirt (baselayer): Patagonia Capilene 3 1/4 Zip (this has since been redesigned and renamed “Capilene midweight”)
- Camp Pants (baselayer): Icebreaker Oasis Leggings
- Outerlayer: Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer
- Camp Socks: Acorn fleece socks
- Rain Jacket: Marmot PreCip (got this for my honeymoon in Hawaii)
- Rain Pants: Columbia Storm Surge (xmas gift, thanks mom and dad!)
- Balaclava: Turtle Fur Classic Midweight
- Gloves: Mountain Hardwear Power Stretch Stimulus (these work great with my smartphone)
First Aid/Toiletries/Misc./Etc.
- toothbrush, floss, toothpaste
- Purell (this is VERY important!)
- chapstick
- Pack Towel
- Mini Bic
- Dr. Bronners
- ear plugs
- benadryl, immodium, ibuprofen
- triple abx, sunscreen (I may be adding itchy cream in the summer. And deet. Lots of deet. )
- Victorionox Swiss Army Knife
- Diva Cup and Diva Wash (ladies if you haven’t tried this, do!)
- pee rag (again ladies you want this)
- Sea to Summit stuff sack
- repair kit: sleeping pad patch and patch glue, duct tape (on a 3d printed holder from my hubby), needle and thread, safety pins
- Trowel: MSR blizzard Stake (another xmas gift)
- FUD (female urinary device): Pibella (so I can stand and pee too! Once again ladies if you have never tried a female urinary device I highly recommend this one)
- TP
Electronics
- Anker PowerCore+ Mini back up battery
- Anker Power Port 2 wall charger
- Spot Gen 3 gps tracking device
- headphones
- Sea to Summit stuff sack
- not pictured: Nexus 5 smartphone (it’s taking these pictures)
The Big Picture
Here is everything I will be carrying on my back for the next 6 months* laid out in one small, neat, pile on the floor. This is the last time this stuff will be this organized or this clean.
a few things pictured that I have not yet shown
- Headlamp: Petzl E+Lite
- Bear bag / sleeping pad pump: Big Agnes Pumphouse
- Awol Guide and journal
*I will be making changes to me gear for warmer weather and replacing items that are not working out or not holding up but you get the gist.
And the grand finale…
All of this gear will be carried in my Osprey Aura AG 50 L pack. This is like my turtle shell. My home that I will carry on my back for the next 6 months. I expect that my budding relationship with my gear will blossom in ways I could never imagine over the next 6 months and that I will come out on the other end with a whole new appreciation for each and every pice of gear that makes it to Katahdin.
Please feel free to give feed back on my gear in the comments below. I love talking about my stuff so if there is anything you would like to know more about than just ask! If you are curious about the weight of any item listed check out my gear list in the right hand side bar. If you don’t see what you are looking for there than again just ask.
Next time…
This was more than enough hyperlinks for one post so next time I will have a post dedicated to Jetta’s gear. I’m not sure she loves all her gear quite as much as I love mine but hers is just as important.
This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements. The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek's ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. Thanks for your support!
To learn more, please visit the About This Site page.
Comments 10
I have the same color nano air! But mine is a hoody! I love that jacket.
The Nano air is one of my favorite pieces of gear and one that I have already broken in. I love that color too and I’m glad I got it last year, the color choices for this year are much worse.
Love the list! You may not want to use the fancy pump bag as your bear bag though… It’ll get beat up being thrown over branches and stuff. – a section hiker living vicariously! 😀
Thank you I’m glad you liked it. For the bear bag I shouldn’t have to throw the whole sack over a branch. I am using a very small stuff sack with a rock in it as a weighted sack to get the rope over the branch. I just discovered the PCT method of hanging a bear bag and I will be trying that out because it looks like it could work really well. Check it out if you have never seen it, I’m glad I watched the tutorial!
How many times do you usually have to fill up the BA pump bag to fill your pad? Thinking of getting one…
Also, I’ve been using the PCT method for years–definitely recommend it. I usually just tie the rope around a rock, but a small stuff sack would definitely be more convenient, especially if you need to try multiple throws.
Also, if you don’t have some already, I HIGHLY recommend getting reflective line for your bear bag–makes a huge difference trying to find it in the dark–you will be amazed how brightly it glows under your headlamp from far away.
I have tried to count the # on the BA Pumphouse but its like the old Tootsie Pop commercials. I think its probably around 12 but I usually start counting, get to 6 or 7, mind wanders off and ta-da its filled. I got bear rope from z packs and its very light and bright orange but unfortunately not reflective. I wonder if there is some reflective spray paint or something that could work.
very nice, just want to get my base weight closer to yours. I will shake down some more. thx for the information, well organized.
I’ve been debating between a 50 L and my 65 L pack. Obviously a 50 L would save some weight (and my pack is definitely due for an update), but I’m concerned 50 L won’t be enough. That being said, my gear list is very similar to yours and I don’t have very many “comfort” items. Did you have any trouble fitting all your pictured gear into your pack? Thanks and good luck on the trail!!
I have no problem at all getting all the gear listed in my pack and I don’t even need the brain (the top removable lid) on my pack. That being said when I am leaving town with 5-6 days of food I have to really cram it all in. Food can take up a lot of space! Two suggestions: if you have all or most of your gear take it all with you to the store and test it out packing it in a 50 L pack and make sure it fits well with enough extra room for food and water. Or if you are like me when I bought my pack and don’t have all your gear yet then get your pack from REI and if it turns out you need a different size you can use the very generous return policy to exchange it. Happy Hiking!