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Anonymous Sat 20 Apr 2013 17:11:55 No.91987 View View Reply Original Report

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So here's an odd question: in what order should I start purchasing backpacking gear? I understand the pack is the last item I'd want to pick up, but what should I get first, second, and so on?

Bavarian Backpacker

Bavarian Backpacker Sat 20 Apr 2013 17:16:14 No.91991 Report

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Except the pack being the last thing to get, because you obviosly want to gauge how much space you need, there is no set order to go by. Thou you hopefully will go through several shops, so buying the smaller stuff first, and then compare the stuff you have seen in the shops and returning later might be the best move. At least thats how i did it for myself - went to all the outdoor related shops in my area at least twice, some even thrice for a final buy. Might just be my prefered MO, thou disregard if you get any "better" choices from others.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 20 Apr 2013 17:34:13 No.92003 Report

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Buy what you can when the opportunity of a good deal presents itself would be my advice

REI Guy

REI Guy Sat 20 Apr 2013 17:39:41 No.92006 Report

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OP, If you're just starting out I'd look in to renting gear first. It'll give you a good idea of the kind of gear you might want before you invest in something that might not suit your style of backpacking. Check around your area or the area you want to backpack for outfitters or guide companies that offer rentals.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 20 Apr 2013 17:54:21 No.92014 Report

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Most people just buy multiple backpacks. It's not like you won't use them all as the seasons change.

Anonymous

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Anonymous Sat 20 Apr 2013 18:22:27 No.92034 Report

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I have been a member of REI since forever, and they have a lot of good advice.
http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ultralight-backpacking.html
I grew up with 30-50 pound backpacks, but with new materials some people are getting by with less than 20. The thing to consider is, for example, how well a really thin groundcloth will resist puncturing versus a slightly stouter one.

I have a two pound sleeping bag, rated to 20 degrees F, but if it gets that cold I don't sleep very well. If there's any chance it might get colder I will always carry my 6 or 7 pound sub-zero bag. I always carry a full-length Therm-a-Rest pad, because sleeping comfort, to me, is very important. If you are young and tough you can probably get by with less.

I prefer completely enclosed tents versus tarps, because more than once I have been rudely awakened by insects crawling on my face, checking out my ears. I have a three-pound tent that erects with hiking poles, but I also have a one-pound bivy sack with poles around the head area so I don't feel like I am suffocating, but there is no room inside for anything but sleeping.

If you backpack enough, you will find yourself collecting all kinds of gear over the years. Generally you start out with summer stuff for your first trip.

I highly recommend getting a copy of "The Complete Walker IV" by Colin Fletcher and Chip Rawlins. This is the fourth edition of what has been considered by many to be the backpacker's "Bible."

Anonymous

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Anonymous Sun 21 Apr 2013 17:20:17 No.92707 Report

Quoted By: >>93536

OP here

I'm planning on going for 4-5 day hikes but I'm starting off with just overnights, maybe a 2 day when I can get off work. My question is should I just go ahead and get a large pack for when I work my way up to those long trips?

Anonymous

Anonymous Sun 21 Apr 2013 19:24:22 No.92804 Report

Quoted By:

Boots first bro...then knife...water bottle...fire-starter.

After that, whatever you want.

Anonymous

Anonymous Mon 22 Apr 2013 07:18:02 No.93474 Report

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I disagree with a pack being the last thing you want to get. I got my pack before just about anything else (got it for European travel backpacking in college). It's a little large for the way I like to travel innawoods now, but it's come in handy both for travel and for a season of trail building I did last summer, where I had to hump in all my gear to live for 5 months.

As far as gear went, the only thing I really had was a cheap sleeping bag I'd had since I was a kid. I just added stuff as I went.

Go et a pack, err on the side of 60l or so. 50 minimum for starters. Some packs (Deuter likes to do this) are convertible for extra capacity. My primary (slightly oversized) pack is nominally 65+15. I used every bit of that 80l for hiking in my seasonal gear. Really only need about 40-50l for my standard pack.

Anyway, I got my pack first, and I still think it's an important thing to get early on. My advice is buy one used or cheap/closeout, but buy reasonable quality. Ask your outdoorsy friends if they have one they can part with, or check used gear shops, or Geartrade online. REI outlet just featured the REI Flash 65 for like $70 the other day. I thought about picking one up just to have as a loaner, but I'm a brokefag and missed the boat.

tl;dr A pack is an important early purchase, but assume you'll refine your tastes over time. So try to get a reputable brand around 60l for under $100. You can always sell it later when you decide exactly which pack you want.

Anonymous

Anonymous Mon 22 Apr 2013 07:55:27 No.93512 Report

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Other early purchases (assuming you want to be reasonably equipped on the cheap, and then add higher-quality and -cost items over time)

US-based. Some pricing and availability will differ depending on where you are--and even what part of the country you live in:

>Sleeping bag (a cheap one will do you fine, but eventually you'll want to splurge on a lighter-weight one. this is an oversimplification, but most of what you pay for in a sleeping bag is weight savings and compressibility)
>ground pad (for insulation. I hate to send people to Wal-Mart, but around here that's the cheapest option. They have a cheap insulite pad for $7.50. This will get you started, and you can later lend it out/give it away/cut it in half for ultralight hiking/put it under your fancy inflatable mattress for extra winter insulation)
>A headlamp was probably one of the first name-brand purchases I sprung for. You can get cheap ones for $10 or less, but for $20-40 you can go ahead and get high quality. I've had two Black Diamonds that I only have good things to say about. Many of my friends use variations of the Petzl Tikka

For food:
You can get by on just dry foods, especially for short weekend trips, but there's a great morale boost inherent in eating a warm meal, or brewing a hot beverage on the trail.
>For cookware, find a surplus (or new) mess kit of some kind, or take a cheap, lightweight aluminum pot or skillet that you have. I started with a 1qt enamel stock pot from my bachelor pad. Stansport and Texsport make cheap stuff that you can use to make food hot ($5-20) or check for milsurp items. If I were starting over on a budget, I'd buy the MSR 1.1l stowaway pot for $20. Don't worry about dishes. Eat right out of the pot.
>To cook, woodfire is free. I own both a canister stove and white gas stove. Each has its pros and cons, but if you just need to boil water, consider starting with an Esbit stove ($10, about $0.50/fuel tab) or google how to make a "Fancy Feast" alcohol stove (<$1).

Anonymous

Anonymous Mon 22 Apr 2013 08:50:54 No.93536 Report

Quoted By:

>>92707
OP, I overlooked your question last time, but I kind of answered it anyway. (Samefag from previous two posts here.) You don't need a really large pack, though I guess everyone's definition of large is a little different. To me 70l is huge--really anything from about 60l is. You ought to be able to fit everything you need for 4-5 days in a pack between 50 and 65l. I just got back from a two-night 40-miler carrying my 65l pack (because poorfag and can't afford the smaller pack I want yet), and I had tons of room, despite carrying enough food for two more days (I had planned to stay out another night, and I always carry an extra day's food because I'm paranoid.) For another two nights I wouldn't have taken anything else for the conditions (cool-cold nights, slightly damp, clear sunny days, minimal bugs).

I'm not familiar with the full product lines of any manufacturer, but I know Deuter and Low Alpine both make packs of varied capacity. I own one of each and they both make good, durable packs. Sounds like anywhere from a 50+10 to 55+15 ought to serve your purposes. Packs come in different sizes, so use google to find what size you need. Many packs (esp. at lower price points) have adjustable torsos.

In addition to the things *to* buy, here are a few things that are low priority:
>Water bottles. Take along a few liters of bottled water or some gatorade bottles. They will work.
>Water filter. I own two and now I use Chlorine Dioxide drops/tabs ($10 for 30gal). Or just boil your water.
>Dishes/cutlery: Take what you have. A fork and spook from the kitchen and eat out of the pot, or a fast-food spork, chopsticks, or hands.
>Tent: a good tent can be costly, and even then the lightest, most expensive tents can be heavier than alternatives. I started with just a tarp, I now own an overpriced tent, and mostly I'm back to sleeping rough, maybe under a sheet of plastic.The only time I really like tents is when the bugs are bad. See if you can borrow when you need it.

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