I have taken a few people on their first backpacking trips at this
point, and every time I introduce someone to this fantastic pastime, I
hear them say the same thing...
"I am going to get some cheap stuff to make sure I like it, and I'll invest in better stuff if I think I'll continue to go"
On the surface, this seems like a pretty logical thing to do. You don't
start off driving in a Lamborghini, you get an old car to get your eye
in, and gradually get nicer cars as you get better at driving.
Backpacking is different though. The wrong gear will almost ensure that
you won't enjoy yourself, and is a bigger waste of money than you could
possibly imagine. If you can, befriend a backpacker. Almost all of us
have far too much stuff, and it's pretty much a sure bet that you'll be
able to borrow some pretty good stuff for your first trip. If that
isn't an option, here's my basic buyers guide:
1: The Backpack
A backpack that fits you and is
properly adjusted will impact your trip more than any other piece of
equipment. You don't have to spend too much to get a good pack. Sierra
Trading Post has dozens of great choices around the $100 dollar mark,
and most of them are excellent choices. Depending on how long you want
to go for, you should size your pack appropriately.
Weekend (a reasonable first trip): 50-60 liters
4 day: 60-70 liters
Longer: beyond the scope of this discussion, but packs can reach nearly 90 liters and more.
Some things I try to avoid:
Lots of pockets:pockets require material, and material equals weight.
Heavy packs: I like a pack under 3 lbs, because I have good gear and
don't carry a lot of weight. One thing you'll notice is that heavier
packs almost always have more padding. A good starter pack will likely
weigh around 5-6 lbs. This should give you plenty of padding and good
straps that allow you to adjust a pack to your liking. You'll see some
around 8lbs, which is far too heavy.
Non adjustable packs: Getting the right fit is crucial to comfort, and
adjustable packs let you dial it in nicely. When you get more
experience in how you like your pack adjusted, you might be able to
switch to a lighter, non adjustable pack by measuring one you have set
to your liking. Until you have done that homework, stick with an
adjustable.
External Frame or Frameless Packs: Internal frame packs make up the vast
majority of packs on the market for a reason. They offer flexibility
blended with support. External frame packs used to be the default
choice for backpackers because of their ability to make a heavy load
comfortable. Now that gear is lighter, it's not worth giving up the
flexibility that you need on the trail to get that small amount of
additional comfort. External frames are often heavier as well, meaning
that huffing up hills will be just a little bit harder. Frameless packs
are bad because they offer too much flexibility in the pack, and they
have to be packed VERY carefully to avoid uncomfortable lumps against
your back. I have a frameless pack, and I have used it once. I was
miserable, so I only use it as a carry on when I fly now.
Military Packs: the military cares most about durability, and their
packs are built to last. That also means that they're heavy. A military
style ruck is made to be thrown around, used as a support when
shooting, and generally abused in combat situations. It's unlikely that
your first backpacking trip will land you in a war zone with an M4, so I
avoid them. They're amazing at doing what the military needs them to
do, but inappropriate for backpackers.
2: The Tent
The tent is also critical. In summer months, a cheap tent will become a
sweat lodge if put up before sundown. There are also some really great
deals on tents at Sierra Trading Post, and if you take your time you'll
find a good bargain under 100 dollars. Get a tent that is an
appropriate size for your needs, more is not always more. If it's just
going to be you in the tent, consider a 1 person option. i like a 2
person tent personally, and like having 2 vestibules. Here are some
things to look for:
Freestanding: always get a freestanding tent when starting off. They're
easier to pitch and are much kore stable in wind. Semi Freestanding
and Non-freestanding are nice for weight savings but are tricky to stake
out and are fussy. Personally, I'd rather carry an extra pound worth
of poles than have to spend an hour getting my tent put up after 9 miles
on the trail.
Removable rain fly: The sign of a proper tent is the removable rain
fly. Under the fly you'll usually find a lot of no-see-um mesh. This
is great for ventilation and will give you a wonderful, bug-free night
under the stars if rain isn't in the forecast. Resist the $30 Wal-Mart
tent, and you'll be rewarded with a much more pleasurable experience.
3: The Sleep System:
Yes, the sleeping bag matters, but in my opinion not as much as the
sleeping pad. If you're going during the summer, a decent 40 degree
sleeping bag will run between $60 to $80. For someone starting off, I
recommend the more versatile synthetic fill bag. It holds warmth when
when wet and costs a fraction of what a down bag costs.
In my opinion, the best investment a beginning backpacker can make it a
Therm-a-Rest Ridge Rest sleeping pad. They're virtually indestructible,
insanely comfortable, and under $20. I see a lot of beginning
backpackers on $10 foam mats that offer little support, when for $6 to
$8 more they could have had one of the best pads on the market. You'll
likely grow into a self inflatable pad in the long run, but to start off
it's impossible to beat the Ridge Rest.
Things you can leave behind:
My first suggestion here is going to be controversial, but I believe in
it. You don't need a stove and cookset for your first trip. This is
largely due to two reasons:
1. Someone else will likely have a stove in case of an emergency.
Always hike with an experienced backpacker until you gain experience.
2. Mountain House has a new freeze dried Chicken Salad meal that only
requires cold water. Ditch the weight and expense of a stove, and eat
well. Don't forget to pack out the pouch the food comes in, and to
always follow Leave No Trace guidelines.
The other thing I truly think you can leave behind is the hatchet or
saw. If you absolutely must have a campfire, burn small stuff that you
can break by hand, and never take down branches. Only burn whats on the
ground.
That's it for my beginners buying guide. Next week, i'll dive into some
of the accessories that can make you more comfortable on the trail. I
am sure I missed a lot in here, but the purpose of this was not to write
a definitive guide to everything backpacking, but to give an honest
opinion of the 3 major components of a trip; Eating, Sleeping, and
Hiking.
Disclaimer: I do not work for, nor am I sponsored or compensated by
any of the companies or products mentioned above. These opinions are my
own.
