Hi! Welcome to the first installment of me, Maggie, answering your most burning questions about backpacking. I’ve backpacked trails around the US, ranging from chill overnights to extended thru-hikes… and everything in between. I’m also a very average backpacker. I’m not ultralight and I don’t feel pressure to hike a ton of miles. However, I have been lucky enough to test a metric buttload of backpacking gear thanks to my past seven years in the outdoor industry. So that means our first installment in these Q & A posts is about backpacking gear… which also happens to be one of the most common questions topics.
One of our main tenets in forming Backpacking Routes was making entry to the outdoors more accessible, with straightforward information and beginner-friendly route and gear beta. With that in mind, there is no question too obscure or too basic. I hope this is helpful. It will definitely become a series, frequency TBD based on my bandwidth. We’ll post calls for questions on our Instagram page, but if you think of one in the meantime, shoot us an email.
Snacks are gear, right? What are your favorite snacks?
You are correct. Snacks are unofficially the most important gear. The biggest strategy for my backpacking snacks is having variety. I am a picky eater, and I never know what type of mood I’ll be in. For that reason, I always take a variety of snack “categories.” This means something salty, something chewy, something sweet, and something crunchy. My go-to snacks are always Goldfish, sour gummy worms, and Clif Shot Bloks. Since this is a personal preference question, I asked the other two cofounders, Andrew and Jeff, for their input as well. Jeff always takes Goldfish, and he also packs a bag of tortilla chips. Salty and crunchy for him. Andrew is a sweets dude—his top snacks are Pop-Tarts and Snickers dipped in Nutella. If you’re packing food for efficiency and pack weight, look for snacks with a high calories-to-ounce ratio. This was what Jeff did for his unsupported Colorado Trail record. Some of the best ratios were peanut-butter filled pretzel nuggets and those chocolate-coconut almonds from Costco.
Is lightweight worth having to buy over and over?
I think this question is aimed at durability, so I’ll go in that direction. I’m planted firmly in the middle for gear weight. As in, I believe in lightweight gear that isn’t so light you risk breaking it on trail or sacrifice comfort. I loved my Big Agnes Copper Spur, so I was excited to try the Copper Spur Platinum, which weighed less, cost more, and was made with much more fragile materials. Within one season, I’d ripped the mesh (fine, whatever), but then I tore an irreparable hole in the fly by getting it caught on a twig. A TWIG! This tells us two things: I am not cut out for the lightest model of any given gear, and that sometimes it’s not worth the extra money to save a few ounces. Not to rip on Big Agnes (I use their Tiger Wall all the time), but they did have a terribly failed release of Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF) tents that were so ultralight as to be nearly transparent and also prone to ripping. Jeff also had the dramatic incident of his ultralight Zpacks Free Duo tent fly off a cliff with a stiff breeze, and the number of carbon-fiber trekking poles snapping on trail is too high to count.
But like anything, this is personal preference. You can get plenty of durable, lightweight gear, but know that the lighter it gets, you’re often sacrificing that durability. Learning about deniers and fabrics is a good strategy. DCF on packs is durable, but with tents you need to be more careful. Reinforced Cordura bottoms are a great idea, and the denier of your nylon is worth looking info. TL;DR: I’d say aim for the middle and know your own style. Are you super careful with your gear and hike mostly on established trails? Ultralight gear might be a good fit for you. If you’re like me and wind up in slot canyons and getting your tent caught on twigs, finding a balance between weight savings and durability is your best bet.
How can I balance a love of gear with environmental concerns and overconsumption?
I go into this more below, but buy used! REI garage sales, and Patagonia Worn Wear, REI refurbished, and the North Face all have certified, returned gear that you can buy to keep it out of the waste stream. At some point you’ll have to reconcile the desire to get the newest, coolest piece of gear with the difficulty of adding to the demand for manufacturing process, but even when buying new, focus on gear made in the US—even better, made locally—to reduce the need for global shipping and sourcing. The cottage industry is a great place to start, as many smaller brands have a focus on locally sourced materials and a more sustainable manufacturing process. We have a collection of US-made gear here. Further, don’t toss your own gear. Sell it used, or give it to someone else. Repair when you can, and when you want to replace, make sure your old gear doesn’t end up in the waste stream.
Best tips for buying gear that is good quality and will last, while still being affordable?
My biggest tip here is to leave yourself plenty of time for gear shopping. Trying to outfit yourself for a backpacking trip at the last minute means you’re stuck with whatever’s in stock, and at whatever price you can get it for. Shopping far in advance of the trip (or backpacking season) means you can keep an ongoing list of what you need and stay on the lookout for deals as they come up. If you’re able to shop a year in advance, seasonal swaps are the best time to buy each item. Looking for a high-quality puffy coat? Wait until the end of winter when stores and online outlets are changing their stock. You can get a discontinued color for a fraction of the price. Be aware that stores change their seasonal stock ahead of the actual seasons changing, so that winter backpacking jacket might go on sale in like, January instead of March. If you plan in advance, you can also wait for REI garage sales, and cruise certified refurbished or renewed items from Patagonia, REI, and the North Face.
Additionally, spend time researching what matters to you. A DCF pack like the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Southwest will cost you $355, but you can get the Osprey Exos for $200. Same goes for shelters. Find out which companies offer gear made with more affordable materials, like the Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo ($230) compared to the Zpacks Plexamid ($549)*. And the more you research, the more you’ll know what to look for on eBay, Craigslist, Facebook marketplace, or local secondhand outdoor gear shops.
*Side note: I’ve had almost all of these gear items, so it’s not a knock against any of them. But for affordability’s sake, I have to be honest in my comparisons!
What do you put in a DIY first-aid kit?
This varies from hiker to hiker based on how injury prone you are and what type of injuries you’re most likely to incur. Overall, you can get away with less than you think, and all items should fit into a well-sealed zip-lock bag. I always keep a few things in mine: blister tape or waterproof Band-Aids (6-10 of each), and maybe a tiny tube of Neosporin. If you’d rather have tape over Band-Aids, I recommend a partial roll of athletic tape (I use climber’s tape; it’s great for blisters and stays put). I also bring a sampler pack of over-the-counter pills. A few allergy pills, a fistful of Advil, and a few DayQuil or NyQuil depending on how long the trail is. The longer you’re out there, the more likely you are to get a crummy cold or have an allergy attack. Depending on the region, a small tick kit might be useful too, and if you have specific allergies or sensitivities, be sure to take treatment for those!
I’m a new backpacker, but I’ve done a lot of car camping and hiking. What’s a good do-it-all pack?
For middle-of-the-road hikers who want a great do-it-all pack, I love the Gossamer Gear Mariposa (60 liters) and G4-20 (42 liters). These packs are a great blend of cottage-industry, specialized backpacking gear that is also readily available off the shelf. Both packs are fantastic with weight distribution, not too expensive, and are designed for efficiency on the trail. If you’re shopping at REI or other big-box stores, I’ve always loved Osprey’s Eja (women) or Exos (men). These packs come in 48- or 58-liter sizes, and are one of the most popular backpacking packs out there. Osprey still hasn’t put the hip-belt pockets back on this pack, which is so dumb in my opinion, but that’s the only downside. Gregory also makes a great pack; just look for their more streamlined versions, as some of their more padded packs can weigh 5 (or more) pounds empty. I like the Maven 45 for women—nice hip-belt and plenty of pockets for organizing.
Best sleeping pad? We’re getting old and ours isn’t cutting it any more
First of all, you’re not old. Just experienced and have lived an exciting backcountry life. Second, I’m not sure what pad you’ve been using, but my first advice is to go for inflatable and avoid closed-cell foam. These will take more effort at camp since you need to blow them up each night, but the extra protection from the ground is worth it. Look for a sleeping pad thick enough that it keeps you completely off the ground. The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite (original, not Uberlite) model is 2.5 inches thick, providing ample protection from bumpy rocks or roots. The Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Ultra is more than three inches thick, and while it weighs a good amount more than the NeoAir, it might be more durable. Fair warning: both of these options will take a lot of breaths to inflate.
Best sports bra for thru-hiking for women?
I’d recommend something seamless, and as simple as possible … less chance for buckles or snaps chafing during long miles. I am in love with the Patagonia Barely Sports Bra. It’s as basic as it gets, and since you won’t be running or jumping a lot during a thru-hike, maximum support isn’t totally necessary. Otherwise, look for something with a band that doesn’t pinch, and stays as seamless and flat against your body as possible. Brooks recently came out with a redesigned line of sports bras called Dare. These bras look somewhat excessive, but have an integrated bottom band, seamless design, and wicking fabrics. Once it’s on, I barely notice it.