The Official Camping / Backpacking / Bikecamping / Kayaking Gear Thread

LVG

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My backpacking gear list:

Gregory Baltoro 65L (I also have an REI frameless 45L that I use on shorter trips)
Marmot Trestles 15F Long Bag (depending on weather - you can go with lighter summer bags, a bag liner, or even a light sheet - but I probably should switch to a quilt system)
Trekology inflatable pillow
REI Air Rail 1.5 pad (sidesleeper here)
REI Half Dome 2+ tent (I'm tall. The extra length is appreciated)
MSR Groundhog tent stakes (yes, I actually use guylines)
El cheapo lightweight ground tarp (for under the tent in rocky conditions, been thinking about changing to painter's plastic to reduce weight)
Jetboil Flash + fuel canister + long spoon
Energizer Headlamp + 1 extra set of AAA batteries
No-name LED tent lantern (runs off of AAA batteries)
Trekking poles
Compass + map
El cheapo external 10000 MAH battery + iphone cord + iphone
50 ft cordage (550 paracord) (I probably should just go to survey string)
Katadyn hiker water filter
Water bottle (Dasani or smartwater bottle works well)

FAK:
--6 bandaids
--6 antiseptic wipes
--4 moleskins
--1 small tweezer
--5 safety pins
--4 antihistamines
--6 advil
--6 tylenol
--Mini BIC lighter
--Emergency whistle
--signal mirror
--P37 (I honestly don't know why I carry it anymore as I don't carry cans, but whatevs)

Clothes in pack:
--1 spare set wool socks (I like the individual toed ones - helps with blisters)
--1 mummy bag baselayer (all depends on the weather)
--1 merino wool beanie (I have a love-hate relationship with beanies. But I'm loath to ditch it JIC)
--1 pair gloves (weather-dependent, must be water resistant)
--1 pullover lightweight fleece (REI)
--1 jacket (North Face Thermoball)
--1 rain shell (Columbia)
--1 small towel (seriously a tiny towel)
--1 flip flops / watershoes (depending on the trail)

Groom Kit (use sample sizes from Wal-Mart):
--50 SPF Sunscreen
--Toothbrush
--Toothpaste
--Toothpicks (those kind you put between your teeth)
--Chafe cream
--mini DEET

Poo kit:
--Tentlab trowel
--combat wipes
--waste bag

Base gear weight: 23 lbs.

Wear:
--boots / trailrunners
--hiking pants
--wool socks
--underwear
--merino wool baselayer
--shortsleeve cotton shirt (yeah yeah, I know, cotton kills - and I take it off if it gets to be a problem)
--longsleeve moisture wicking shirt (think Underarmor)
--hat
--sunglasses
--Leatherman

Wearable weight: 4-5 lbs.
 
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Dback Jon

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Great list - thanks

Do you have a preferred source for buying these items?
 
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LVG

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Great list - thanks

Do you have a preferred source for buying these items?

Depends on what.

Sleeping bags, pads, and tents I buy new - especially cold weather bags (must be EN rated). Wait for sales at REI or from the manufacturer. REI, Big Agnes, MSR, Nemo, etc., but you can also get bags and pads new from some discount sites I list below.

Backpacks - you have to try them on first. They're like shoes.

Most everything else you can either get discounted -- see REI's garage sales, where I've gotten some great deals on used equipment, mountainsteals.com, or sierra.com -- or you can get from no-name stores or Amazon.

I prefer Columbia for my pants and boots. My upper layer is a cotton shirt, Underarmor long sleeve moisture wicking shirt, an REI lightweight fleece, then a thermoball jacket. Merino wool as a baselayer is very comfortable, lightweight, and warm - I get that off of Amazon, LASPSA, I think is the brand name.

The miscellaneous stuff I usually buy off of Amazon or at Wal-Mart whenever it's cheap. The headlamp was $12, the tent light was $5; you don't need anything expensive, it just has to work. My external cell phone battery was $15, IIRC. Anker definitely makes a better power core, but I like cheap, and it hasn't been a problem so far. The only thing I would change is that I got a solar charger, which is practically worthless. I should have saved the weight and just gone with a traditional battery.

Your FAK you should be able to assemble from your home first aid kit without too much trouble. Just throw it all into a ziplock.

Multitool - leatherman. Don't skimp on that one. It just needs a knife, a file, and plyers. Can opener is a plus, JIC. The Micra looks interesting and affordable, but I carry the Rebar - just because I've had it forever.

I also make it a point to check out Outdoor Gear Lab before buying.
 

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Bada0Bing

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My backpacking gear list:

Gregory Baltoro 65L (I also have an REI frameless 45L that I use on shorter trips)
Marmot Trestles 15F Long Bag (depending on weather - you can go with lighter summer bags, a bag liner, or even a light sheet - but I probably should switch to a quilt system)
Trekology inflatable pillow
REI Air Rail 1.5 pad (sidesleeper here)
REI Half Dome 2+ tent (I'm tall. The extra length is appreciated)
MSR Groundhog tent stakes (yes, I actually use guylines)
El cheapo lightweight ground tarp (for under the tent in rocky conditions, been thinking about changing to painter's plastic to reduce weight)
Jetboil Flash + fuel canister + long spoon
Energizer Headlamp + 1 extra set of AAA batteries
No-name LED tent lantern (runs off of AAA batteries)
Trekking poles
Compass + map
El cheapo external 10000 MAH battery + iphone cord + iphone
50 ft cordage (550 paracord) (I probably should just go to survey string)
Katadyn hiker water filter
Water bottle (Dasani or smartwater bottle works well)

FAK:
--6 bandaids
--6 antiseptic wipes
--4 moleskins
--1 small tweezer
--5 safety pins
--4 antihistamines
--6 advil
--6 tylenol
--Mini BIC lighter
--Emergency whistle
--signal mirror
--P37 (I honestly don't know why I carry it anymore as I don't carry cans, but whatevs)

Clothes in pack:
--1 spare set wool socks (I like the individual toed ones - helps with blisters)
--1 mummy bag baselayer (all depends on the weather)
--1 merino wool beanie (I have a love-hate relationship with beanies. But I'm loath to ditch it JIC)
--1 pair gloves (weather-dependent, must be water resistant)
--1 pullover lightweight fleece (REI)
--1 jacket (North Face Thermoball)
--1 rain shell (Columbia)
--1 small towel (seriously a tiny towel)
--1 flip flops / watershoes (depending on the trail)

Groom Kit (use sample sizes from Wal-Mart):
--50 SPF Sunscreen
--Toothbrush
--Toothpaste
--Toothpicks (those kind you put between your teeth)
--Chafe cream
--mini DEET

Poo kit:
--Tentlab trowel
--combat wipes
--waste bag

Base gear weight: 23 lbs.

Wear:
--boots / trailrunners
--hiking pants
--wool socks
--underwear
--merino wool baselayer
--shortsleeve cotton shirt (yeah yeah, I know, cotton kills - and I take it off if it gets to be a problem)
--longsleeve moisture wicking shirt (think Underarmor)
--hat
--sunglasses
--Leatherman

Wearable weight: 4-5 lbs.


I know it's not necessary gear related, but do you have any food staples?

I'm a big fan of the Mountain House Breakfast Skillet. 800 calories and actually tastes pretty good. That's my go-to dinner. I usually just make some coffee for breakfast and get my liquids ready. For lunch I'll have a peanut butter bagel. On top of that I'll have various bars, jerky, trail mix and stuff like that. Dried fruit is a nice treat. I use a 2L bladder in my pack because I like sipping on it while hiking. I bring some powdered gatorade for my water bottle as well, especially if it's hot.
 
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LVG

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I know it's not necessary gear related, but do you have any food staples?

I'm a big fan of the Mountain House Breakfast Skillet. 800 calories and actually tastes pretty good. That's my go-to dinner. I usually just make some coffee for breakfast and get my liquids ready. For lunch I'll have a peanut butter bagel. On top of that I'll have various bars, jerky, trail mix and stuff like that. Dried fruit is a nice treat. I use a 2L bladder in my pack because I like sipping on it while hiking. I bring some powdered gatorade for my water bottle as well, especially if it's hot.

I usually bring only a jet boil with me; for some reason, I can't bring myself to pack a skillet.

I like MH for breakfasts and dinners. But man, they're expensive. Anything dehydrated will do - like spaghetti in a jet boil with a little parm and some pepper. I've had hit and miss results with Backpacker's Pantry. Some day I'll get into the DIY dehydrated trail meals.

Meal bars, GORP, trail mix, peanut butter, jerky for lunch. I saw a recipe for hard tack once that I'd like to try; just haven't had the opportunity to yet.

Starbucks VIA instant coffee for morning coffee. Expensive, yes, but it's so compact, tastes good (not like instant coffee), and requires no cleanup. They now have instant mochas, which are meh unless you squirt a little whipped cream in them.
 
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LVG

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I wear merino wool socks when hiking, makes a BIG difference.

I wear Injinji lightweight merino wool socks now - those goofy ones where there's a spot for each toe. Made a HUGE difference on blisters - certain toes always get blisters, but these socks really help stop or at least impede those blisters.
 

Bada0Bing

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I usually bring only a jet boil with me; for some reason, I can't bring myself to pack a skillet.

I like MH for breakfasts and dinners. But man, they're expensive. Anything dehydrated will do - like spaghetti in a jet boil with a little parm and some pepper. I've had hit and miss results with Backpacker's Pantry. Some day I'll get into the DIY dehydrated trail meals.

Meal bars, GORP, trail mix, peanut butter, jerky for lunch. I saw a recipe for hard tack once that I'd like to try; just haven't had the opportunity to yet.

Starbucks VIA instant coffee for morning coffee. Expensive, yes, but it's so compact, tastes good (not like instant coffee), and requires no cleanup. They now have instant mochas, which are meh unless you squirt a little whipped cream in them.

Yep, I love the VIAs. Eventually I'll probably get more sophisticated with my coffee setup, since I love coffee so much, but for now I use the VIAs.
 
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LVG

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Welp, I need to get outdoors again. Suggestions in this Winter?
 

Dback Jon

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Here you go LVG



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BigRedRage

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Welp, I need to get outdoors again. Suggestions in this Winter?
this time of year is tough. Even the desert is freezing. I have done my share of dec/jan desert camping, dont have the balls or gear to camp at higher elevations when it is like this.
 
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