This is a list of my gear for most of my hiking and backpacking trips. My base weight (what I carry on my back minus food and water) for backpacking usually sits between 13 and 15lbs. Click on the posts below for tips on how I keep my pack light and keep track of my pack weight.
I have included direct links to the gear items listed but you can find some discount websites on my Shopping page. Feel free to shoot me an email at musthikemusteat@gmail if you have questions or have some gear to recommend!
My Tent
This tent is a work horse. For just 3 more ounces than the 1 person version, I can comfortable get all my gear in with me when needed. Two people are cozy and for those on the shorter side like me, packs can fit at the feet.
I make my own groundcloth; either from compactor trash bags or a cheapo rain poncho opened up and cut to fit.
I also have a homemade hammock setup I’ve been using for about 7 years now, basically a sheet of rip stop fabric gathered at the ends with a whoopie sling attached. Mostly warm weather so far but I have been experimenting with Costco modified down quilts as underquilts to extend my season. I wake up with a LOT less stiffness in the old joints and no tent poles to pack.
My MSR Thru Hiker tarp shown here, with one side up like a front porch I have a nice place to sit and make dinner.
My Sleeping Bag
I have a 32 degree bag that has been a steady 3 season friend. If I think I need a bit more warmth, I carry a down quilt. I sleep cold and always carry sleepwear (a warm base layer).
Summit To Sea Adaptor CoolMax Liner with Insect Shield
I bought this for my El Camino Primitivo trip in Spain to take instead of a full sleeping bag and LOVE it. It not only helps me keep my regular bag clean longer, it adds a little warmth. It is also perfect to step into when at camp to keep the bugs at bay. It is one of my luxury items now!
My Sleep Pad
Cascade Designs Neoair Xlite (small women’s, torso length)
Some people talk about how these are easy to puncture but I’m going on 9 years now, including time in the desert, and it is still going strong. Of course, I always use a groundcloth, too. This is for when I use my tent or cowboy camp.
I use this one for when I hammock and have cut it to fit inside my sleeping bag (prevents it slipping around). It doesn’t carry as well inside the pack but is more comfortable than the Neoair for this purpose.
I picked up one of these a Costco a few years ago and it has been a fabulous sleeping pad for times when I am not as worried about weight such as car camping or when sharing gear on an overnight.
My Backpacks
My Osprey Talon had seen its share of adventures so when a friend gave me the Six Moon Wy’East I was super excited. It doesn’t have the structure that the Osprey had (read:weight) and it is more like a big sack with a drawstring top. It holds a lot and often I don’t need to use the hipbelt because it distributes the weight so well.
I won this pack last year and it has become the perfect pack for when I need to carry a bear canister or trail work tools. Sturdy and roomy but with minimal weight. And as you can see, my husband likes to use it, too.
My Clothing
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer
A super lightweight down jacket that compacts down well but the trade off is tissue paper thin fabric. Not as durable as you might want if traveling off trail but I was looking for something a bit lighter than my North Face and with a hood.
I never thought I would be a convert but it is true, once you put one on you never want to wear anything else. I now have eight, including two winter ones. Yep, they are a wardrobe staple. I wear tights if cold or bug harassed and if things are clammy I wear a pair of running shorts underneath.
After multiple seasons with my adventure skirt, I never thought I’d go back to wearing pants but Kuhl sent me a few pairs in 2020 and I have fallen in love with the FreeFlex. Similar to the Columbia pants I used to love but they stopped selling, this pant is full of good size pockets and stretch. And unlike Columbia, the pant holds its shape over multiple days on a trip so no baggy butt or legs!
I became a wool base layer convert a few years ago and now I wear short sleeve t-shirts by Woolx and the long sleeve ones by Segments (Costco). I’ll be holding on to the Woolx ones I have as long as I can as they cost much more now than they did when I first bought them and the wool shirts at Costco come and go so stock up if you see them!
My Shoes
My podiatrist suggested I try wearing Hokas and it turns out they did help alleviate much of the pain I was experiencing on longer hikes. Yes, they are huge but my feet thank me.
I prefer the older models, even the first ones. And they are cheaper, too! You will find me in these for all most any hike. I have now upgraded to the Timps, as well, for when I am hitting more pavement. It is much easier on the bonespurs.
For snowshoes and trail work, these have been a great choice. Wide toe box and minimal drop.
If you want a boot you can sleep in, these are the hands down winner. If I could wear them every day, I would. Soft leather, flexible sole, wide toe box and zero drop, these are my favorite. I have both a black and brown pair.
You can read more about my boots here.
Storage
They sell two kinds; make sure you get the odorproof bags, not just the waterproof. These are great for food and bathroom bags.
I was gifted one of these last year from a trail work buddy and will use it in areas that require them. I had a chance to use one on an 8 day work party last year and I was able to fit 8 days of food in. Almost.
The hubs bought me an Ursack for Christmas a few years ago and because it is much lighter, I tend to use it in conjunction with an Opsak unless a hard sided canister is required.
I know, I know. Not for the ultralight fanatic. But having picked a few of these cubes up I have found them a great replacement for gallon-size ziplocs (AKA less plastic). They also allow me to group things like 10 essentials and extra clothing to rotate between packs. I don’t see myself going back.
For the same reason as above, I picked these up for to reduce my plastic at the grocery store and found they are an amazing lightweight replacement for plastic in my pack. From food to clothing, they make finding things I need so much easier. They are not waterproof but if my pack is lined this is not an issue.
My Camp Kitchen
I am normally a stoveless backpacker on long trips but have started carrying a stove for shorter and winter trips. I haven’t timed it yet but it heats up pretty fast, works well in cold temps and although I will probably only ever boil water in it, it does have a simmer feature. I use a foil pan cut into a rectangle shape as a windscreen.
Snow Peak Mini Solo Hybrid Cookset
I typically leave the silicone cup at home, it is pretty useless as far as keeping a good size meal in it. The stove and fuel canister fit in a sandwich size Biobag and inside the pot nicely.
I won one of these mugs and I thought to myself I probably wouldn’t use it much. Who needs the extra weight? Turns out, I love it and it helps keep my use of plastic down and works as an insulator for when meal are soaking in hot water so my food cozie stays at home.
I will admit that I do sometimes use Smart Water bottles in an effort to keep weight down but mostly I prefer the soft sided Nalgene water bottles for their durability.
My Compass
What can I say? It’s a classic.
My Filters/Water Purification
I take the pills out of the glass bottles and repackage in snack bags or film canisters. This is my backup system if the other two fail.
Great for icky looking water and small mouthed bottles. Has never failed me.
Heavier than the Sawyer but the water flow is so much better. I find myself taking both on trips now as the Katadyn can be fickle in cold temps or if you let it go a bit without use.
My Sports Bra
Brooks Running Moving Comfort Juno
Love! Has held up to almost 5 years of weekly use, plus weeks at a time on trail. I now rotate 2 of them. My favorite part is that the straps are Velcro so you can undo them from the top and slide it off. Was priceless in 2017 in the emergency room when I crushed my shoulder. They didn’t have to cut it off! Unfortunately, they don’t sell them anymore and I have been dabbling in other brands like these.
My Trowel
There may be some lighter trowels out there but this one has got to be the most colorful and as you can see, a little larger than a Larabar. I don’t hike without it!
My Watch
This gal goes perfectly with my map and compass to help with navigation. It is a steady friend on the trail that keeps me in the know.
My Headlamp
When I went to do my Washington section of the Pacific Crest Trail, this was the smallest headlamp I could find (pictured above with the Deuce of Spades). I’m still using it 11 years later and I love that I can wear it around my neck when I go to bed and it is ready when I get up in the middle of the night if I need to wander out to use the facilities.
My Socks
These days you will typically find me in some version of the Ininji sock. I end up with few blisters and they allow the toes to splay which keeps foot pain down. The only downside is winter time when my feet stay warmer with toes together, for that I will add an REI wool liner sock.
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