Greg Van't Land

Recommended Backpacking Gear

Camp

Everyone sets up their camp differently. I set mine up on one emergency blanket as pictured to the left. Everything fits and nothing gets dirty.

It is important that whatever you do you do it consistently. It makes things easier if you always put stuff in the same spot and handle things in the same way routines make daily tasks effortless and are the key to enjoying backpacking. At first everything is more difficult, but when routines are established all of the missing conveniences are not even thought about. The freedom that defines backpacking can then be fully enjoyed.

The Bag

Today nearly everyone uses internal frame packs. The technology has improved enough that most of the old advantages of external frame packs no longer apply. They can often be rented and if you do not plan to use one regularly that is probably best. The pack above is an Arc'Teryx. They are good low end bags. Lowe Alpine also makes good relatively inexpensive bags.

Boots Foot Gear

The boots you buy is one of the most important decisions that you will have to make before backpacking. Once you are on the trail you have to walk under heavy load through rough terrain. If you chose poorly you will blister and every step will be taken with pain.

Buy heavy duty boots and break them in before you go. Backpacking / Mountaineering boots are made of one piece of leather with only one seam in the back. There is very little to go wrong with them and they will last for years under heavy use. They should have a shank although they will not need the full shank required for climbing ice.

I also take Teva's or some similar rugged sandal. With these you can clean up and not go barefoot in the dirt. It also feels great to change out of your heavy boots at the end of the day and sandals are great for this. Buy good sandals because if the boots develop problems you may be hiking in them.

You will also need at least three pairs of socks. The socks should be the same ones that you used when you sized the boots. Dry socks are the key to warm feet if you are hiking in high humidity or through water you may want four pairs of socks.

Fleece Jacket Clothes

On clothes you can spend as much money as you have. While backpacking you should dress in some combinations of three layers. The base layer should be a short sleeve polypropylene T-shirt and shorts. Do not bring any cotton with the possible exception of boxers or briefs and wear them knowing that if they get wet you will have to take them off. Cotton looses it's ability to insulate when it gets wet. It transfers your body heat out of your body.

Waterproof Shell Over the base layer you need an insulation layer and then, finally, a shell. The insulation layer should be fleece or wool. If you are on a budget get surplus wool pants at a thrift store or military surplus store. Fleece jackets are also available at thrift stores for cheap.

The final layer needs to keep you dry and can be as simple as a poncho. A Gore-Tec jacket and pants are the best and most expensive option. But keep in mind that if you have a good jacket you will wear it around town when the weather is bad and when you go to the mountains. It is not like the backpack and bivy that are only used while backpacking. You only need one set with the exception of the underwear and of that you need two sets. I also carry one hat that will provide shade and keep the rain off my head and one wool stocking cap for warmth.

MRE Food / Cooking

There are many options for food as well. The easiest option is MREs. They can be obtained at any army surplus store. I figure one per day and then I strip them and only carry what I will eat and eliminate the extra packing. They come with a chemical heat bag to heat the meal by just adding water. The food is not dehydrated so you are carrying all of the water in the meal. Dehydrated backpacking food that requires only boiling water is also easy and lite. Since you just add water to a bag that comes with the meal there are no dishes to do, but you do need to boil water.

If you have a stove with which to boil water you can cook and are limited only by your imagination and possibly your elevation. If you are going to cook plan the meals carefully and try it once at home with only what you would bring on the trip. This way you will minimize the number of unpleasant surprises while you are hungry on the trail. Most people have only one hot meal a day, however, oatmeal is an easy option for a hot breakfast. I usually carry sausage and crackers with trail mix for lunch. For breakfast I eat a bagel or muffin and apple sauce. It is prudent to carry Power bars just in case. I have at least three in every pack of mine and often carry more on long trips. These should be in addition to any you plan on eating. Limit the extra food, but be sure to bring enough, although there are lots of edible plants most of them make Power bars look good.

It is also important to bring a way to transport at least two quarts of water. I use a Camelback bladder and a one quart Nalgene bottle. The bladder holds two quarts itself, however, I have had two fail on me in the past so with one hard canteen and one soft one I am still ok if one fails. In the desert it is important to have at least a gallon of fluid with. If you are packing it figure a gallon and a half a day. Save weight with something else, if you want to come home.

Survival kit / First aid

The survival kit is the most important thing that you carry in the bush and you should never be without it. Everyone's kit varies some, and through time yours will vary too, but they all need to include basic first aid and survival gear. First aid includes: 4x4s, tape, band aids, mole skin, butterfly closures, sutures, forceps or tweezers, scissors, Advil. For your first kit it would probably be wise to buy a pre manufactured first aid kit and add the survival gear to it. The survival gear includes:

Trash bags
Knife
Space blanket
Flashlight
Signal mirror
Whistle
Compass
Magnesium fire starter
Sharpie and surveyor tape
Lighter wrapped in duct tape
Matches

Shelter

There are many options for shelter and no one option is always right, however, the option I have found to be the most universal is an OR Bivy sack. This gore-tec bivy will keep you warm and free from the insects and snakes in almost any situation. It is also light.

If you decide to use a tent they can be rented and often you can split the cost and the weight between two people. Light three season tents are usually the best choice. Do not buy a cheap heavy camping tent.

Whatever I use for shelter I put on a space blanket. If I need to travel light I use two space blankets or one space blanket and a tarp. Any water proof sheet and 50 feet of 550' parachute cord can be used to rig an effective shelter.

Sleeping

Backpacking is only fun when your basic needs are effectively met. If you are cold you will not sleep. For backpacking a mummy bag is essential. The flannel rectangular bags that are everywhere will not work. They are not warm enough. The bag should be rated at around +10F to +15F or colder. Synthetic fill is generally better since it insulates better than down when wet, however, it is heavier and will not pack as small. Personally I would prefer down, but I have synthetics because of the cost.

An isolation mat is as important as the sleeping bag. The ground is cold and when you lay on it it will suck the heat out of you. Closed cell foam pads work, but they do not compare to Therm-a-Rests. I use an ultralite short and put my extra clothes under my feet. I also pile leaves or pine needles under where I am sleeping for added warmth. If I were to buy it again I would buy the Ultralite long.