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Gear List
A tentative first look at the big stuff!
The Backpack:
Osprey Aura AG 65L Women’s size XS/S Purchased Used through Amazon: $305
Figuring the Size: Assisted by the Team Member of the Mountain Crossings on Blood Mountain, GA. They used a plastic sheet, and measured me. When fitting a backpack to me, they used bags of sand to weigh it down and gave me a guideline for how much weight to expect to carry.
Pro’s:
– I like the adjustable hip belt, it feels more comfortable around my waist, and I can adjust it up or down as my weight fluctuates while on the trail.
– Built in rainfly
– Easy access pouch on the top which can detach, and plenty of side pockets for easy access.
– Separate area in bottom that is zippered off from the main compartment.
– Airflow vent down the back
– Easy access for a camelback (just make sure not to puncture it when putting things in and out.
Con’s:
– This is a high capacity bag, and there is plenty of room for carrying too much gear. Easy to over weigh me down.
– There isn’t a set of zippers down the length of the bag, so everything packs in from the top exclusively.
Care instructions: Hand-wash only
Weight: 4.5lbs
Sleeping Arrangements:
Sleeping Bags
Teton Sports 20F in Yellow and Silver (Short) Purchased New through Amazon: $48
Teton Sports LEEF Ultralight Mummy Sleeping Bag (0F Short, Green and Blue) Purchased New through Amazon: $85
Pros:
– Short size! (They also have Regular and Long varieties)
– Synthetic insulation materials (I am allergic to Down)
– Lightweight, and compactable (although the 0F sleeping bag is considerably puffier even once compressed)
– Inside lining is not silky, more velvet-y
– The 0F has loops at the feet to attach it to something
Con’s:
– The short is still a bit too long for me
– Like most sleeping bags they tend to slide around on the tent floor or in the hammock
– The liner is not removable for easy/ quick cleaning
Care instructions: Hand-wash only
Weight: 2.8 – 4.2lbs
Silk Sleeping Bag Liner from Sea to Summit Purchased thru REI: $95
Pro’s:
– It is soft and lightweight, easy to wash, and is removeable from the bags.
Care instructions: Machine-wash in cool water, tumble dry on low heat or air dry.
Weight: 5 oz
Comfort Lite Sea to Summit Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad (Size Adult Small) Purchased thru REI: $139
Pro’s:
– Small size, will fit the sleeping bag better
– So long as the ground underneath you is flat, you don’t fall off the pad.
– Comes with some small patches for fixing holes.
Con’s:
– when they say self-inflating, it still means you will have to blow it up at the end. But then again, that isn’t so bad.
Care instructions: rinse off with water, and scrub with a soft bristle brush as needed.
Weight: 1lb 15 oz
Sleeping Structures
*Himalaya 2 Person Camping Tent, 4 Season (Red and White) Purchased through Amazon: $104
Pro’s:
– No Footprint needed, the base of the tent functions as a footprint
– Simple two pole design
– High visibility in non-tundra environments (there is an orange and black option as well)
– Unique to the US, so I will be easily remembered in case my mom calls a ranger station freaking out
– Built in hammock for your accessories and a carabiner for a light
– Comes with a rainfly/ snowfly
Con’s:
– All instructions are in Chinese
– The gromets at the pole attachment points can become easily dislodged if you apply too much force (if you are doing it wrong the tent will break)
– Poles are fed through mesh, with only 4 places where it clips to the poles, meaning you have to put the tent together in a very specific way
– The poles are about 12ft long, so you need space to set it up (otherwise you’ll poke out your partner’s eye)
Care instructions: Use a Mesh Bag, Machine-wash Cool, Hang Dry or Tumble Dry on Low Heat with Wool Dryer Balls
Weight: 7.6lbs
Total Set-up Time (tested at twilight, 54 degree F, no wind): 4min without a rainfly, 7 minutes with rainfly
*Special note: I went with a two person tent, because my partner and I sometimes like to camp together, so I wanted to get more than one use out of it. A heavy tent like this is not recommended for a solo hiker due to weight and pack constraints. For example: when packing the backpack, the tent and the 0F sleeping bag don’t leave much room for food, clothing, stove, etc For a solo hiker that means it is going to be a heavy and bare necessities type trek, but for a pair of hikers it would be just fine.
KAMMOK Mantis Ultra Light Hammock (Ember Orange) Purchased New through Amazon: $250
Pro’s:
– High visibility
– Comes with a rainfly and has a built in Mosquito Net
– Super lightweight and easy to pack
– Max weight capacity is 300lbs
– Pairs well with the 0F sleeping bag
Con’s:
– Does not come with an under-quilt (the under-quilt featured with this hammock is the Arctos 20F Ultralight Down Trail Quilt, filled with goose down)
– Hard to get in and out of (hammocks in general)
– Sways easily, so can make you seasick (hammocks in general)
– Highly specific cleaning instructions
Care instructions: Wash sparingly (there is a durable water-repellent finish that will degrade with each wash), Hand-wash or Machine-wash in a washer without a center agitator using only gentle detergent or Grangers Down wash + Repel detergent on the Gentle Cold-water setting, Hang Dry
Weight: 2.4lbs
Total Set-up Time (tested at twilight, 54 degree F, no wind): 4min without rainfly, ~7min with rainfly
Boots/ Shoes
High Sierra Black Kids Hiking Boots Purchased two years ago from a discount shoe store in Minneapolis
Pro’s:
– They were cheap
– They are broken in
– I can add insoles to them.
Con’s:
– They won’t last, kids shoes break down quicker than adult shoes.
Care-instructions: bristle brush off dry dirt. Take to a shoe store to clean more thoroughly.
Weight: 2.2lbs
Keen Circadia Polar Mid Hiking Boots Purchased at Sierra Trading Post: $48
Pro’s:
– They are waterproof and insulated
Con’s:
– They had to be stretched out twice to get them to where I can break them in.
– I can’t use insoles with them just yet.
Care instructions: bristle brush off dry dirt. Take to a shoe store to clean more thoroughly.
Weight: 2lbs
Pacific Mountain Grey and light Blue Sandals Purchased through Kohls: $70
Pros:
– They are breathable, and cover most of my foot
– They have a Velcro strap at the back so that I can attach them to the pack.
Cons:
– They will take longer to dry, and are a bit too big.
– They weight more than a pair of flip flops
Care instructions: Machine wash, air dry.
Weight: 1lb
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Comments 2
Your stuff is absolutely way too heavy.
Budget gear shopping is tough. I spent about $600 starting out. My base weight was 18 pounds. Your gear seems pretty heavy.
Are you bringing the tent and hammock? Do some overnight shakedown hikes and decide one or the other. You can always switch and mail to yourself along trail if decide you picked wrong.
Also, that is a very heavy tent, even for a 2 person free standing tent. Do you really want to lug that over 2000 miles just to maybe camp with someone later? You don’t need a $400+ ultralight tent. You can get a decent tent for $100-$150 that’s half the weight of the one you have.
Don’t skimp on shoes! Thats a good way to get injured. Most people hike in trail runners instead of boots. They are lighter and dry faster. I grew up hiking in boots and had weak ankles. I was skeptical switching but now won’t go back unless hiking in snow. I like New Balance women’s Nitrel. They’ve held up well and are about $70. Just bought my 4th pair. Keep in mind your feet swell/grow as you hike long distances, so your size may change.
However, if the sandals are only for camp shoes or river crossing, I went with $10 Walmart sandals (not flip flops). They are cheap, light, and easy to strap to my pack. I love them.
I’d love to see your comple gear list closer to your start date to see if you change anything (many people do) and what else you’re taking to have a great hike.