>>1875481>footwearI have always used Keen for mid-cut boots because they fit my unusually shaped feet really well, but Keen boots are SHIT quality. They will fall apart after a single season of heavy hiking. If you don't hike that much in a year, they will last a couple years, but man are they shit quality. None of mine have lasted very long.
>clothes (shirts and pants)I don't put too much stock in the quality of shirts. Get a synthetic shirt that fits. Pretty simple. They will get holes in them and stains with use, no matter who makes it. As for pants, I've recently discovered that 5.11 pants are incredibly good quality and comfortable for an ordinary synthetic hiking pant. If you need a softshell layer with a bit of insulation and windproofness for winter hiking, then try on a few options at an outdoor store. I used to own a great set of Patagonia softshell pants, but they changed the design and I'm not really into what they are currently offering.
>rain shellI recommend getting quality gear, but doesn't have to be Patagonia or Arcteryx (but they are for-sure high quality). Outdoor Research and Mountain Hardwear are good. Other brands are good. I recommend Gore-tex or eVENT, and not some cheaper proprietary material, but I haven't shopped for rain gear in 10-15 years (haven't had to, since my rain gear has lasted that long.
>sleeping bagI recommend a quality brand because so many budget bags have overly optimistic temp ratings. Sometimes, down bags are understuffed, so while it seems fine in the store, once the down takes a set and loses 5-10% of its loft over the first season or so of use, it will no longer seem so fluffy and you might get cold spots. Western Mountaineering and Feathered Friends are my top two, but not the only two.
>backpacksGet something that feels good on your hips and shoulders and holds all your gear. Brand isn't as important as you knowing what you need.
