Beginner... basic gear?

“Greetings all! First, I'd like to say thanks for offering such a great resource for beginner backpackers. I've learned a lot by spending a few hours reading articles and past posts made by all of you here.

One thing I do have a question about that I haven't found much reference too is gear for beginners. There's a lot of discussion and articles written about what the essentials are, but they never go into details offering suggestions on what specific brands and items one may want to look at.

With that being said, my girlfriend and I are gearing up (pun intended) for a spring/summer/fall of backpacking here in Kentucky. We both have some light hiking experience, and are planning on doing a lot of daypacking with some light overnight trips. We'll mainly be sticking to trails, but plan on going off the path occasionally.

Could someone take a look at my basic gear list and give me their thoughts? This list is pretty much completely The North Face equipment, as it's stuff that's served me well in the past and has been recommended by many folks. This is the stuff I would be buying, hopefully your comments can help lead me in the right direction for my GF's gear as well.

Pack: The North Face Strider
Jacket: The North Face Denali
Shell: The North Face Varius Light Parka
Boots: The North Face Trek Light GTX
Socks: L.L. Bean Smartwool Hiking Midweight/Heavyweight Hiking Socks

This is a pretty basic list, and of course doesn't cover any clothing and stuff to put IN the pack, but I think I pretty much have all of that covered from reading this and other web sites, as well as talking with some experienced daypackers I know personally. Any comments? Suggestions? Thanks in advance...

ALG”

“Just to think I own some NorthFace gear!

shhhheeeee!!”

“It looks good but what kind of tent are you using?Oh and by the way my backpacking club is in Indiana so if you ever want to go backpacking In Hoosier National Forest you just let me know.

Happy hiking.....8)”

“Oh ya what kind of sleeping bag are you using also?”

“?STOVE?
?PURIFYER?”

“Ya those too.....8)”

“As far as a water filter I believe the most of us would recommend the Pur Hiker. It's the most dependable one I've ever seen.

Sleeping pad- most will recommend a self inflating Thermorest. I like one called a Z-Rest. It's closed cell foam. Bulkier but lighter and cheaper. Try them all at REI or another outfitter and make your own decession.

Stove - Butane/Propane stoves are simple and vertually idiot proof. The "Pocket Rocket" is a good one. The fuel in in a cannister that you can take on and off.

Bag - Down is warmer, lighter, & more compact but a bit more $$.
Synthetic bags will hold up better if they get wet. Down bags don't like being wet.”

“That is a good filter for the newbie.Also the ridge rest is another good pice of gear for the newbie.

It's all up to you the more you spend does not mean better all the time.”

“Water bottles/bags - Nalgene, Plattypus, & Camelbac are all good.
Empty Gatoraid bottles are cheaper.”

“That's one thing we haven't decided on. We were going to start with just day hiking first, then get into overnights when we get a little experience under our belts. We're probably going to be looking for a four season, three person tent if anybody wants to offer any suggestions... I have no idea about sleeping bags...

ALG”

“Go into a gear shop and PLAY!!!
I would suggest taking along the most knowlegable person about gear you know.

The Peak 1 Cobra is a great tent. It's light, inexpensive, and easy to set up.

I suggest staying TOTALLY away from Sweetwater filters & Jansport packs”

“There's so much to talk about here...I agree with walkindude on the stove and filter - both good for beginners (I have them and I am one).

There are lots of sources for Tent/Bag recommendations but without knowing your budget The SD Meteor Light CD has been getting good press lately. It seems light and roomy enough for 2.”

“You won't need a four season tent unless your going to be in REAL HARSH Conditions. I've been out in Rain, Snow, below O temps, ect and have never needed such a tent.”

“Since we'll just be daypacking at first, we're gonna stick to water bottles and MRE's. Yeah, I can hear the groans already, MRE's. They're heavy and plug you up, but my GF's bro is in the marines and brings home the real deal all the time. We've eaten them on many occasions and don't have _any_ problems with them "plugging us up". They taste pretty good too. But taste is subjective... =)

ALG”

“Oops - posted mine before seeing you were looking for 3 person - 4 season.”

“Thanks for the offer crazy mike. We'll probably take you up on that later in the year when we have some trail time under our belts. Don't want to look like a complete newbie. =)

ALG”

“Sierra Designs are good tents. Check out the Clip Flashlight also.”

“That is a good point WD.I have had frost in my 3 season tent and I though it was cool...8)”

“Didn't know the three season tents held up so well in the really cold weather. I guess for her in Ky it makes sense. It never gets REALLY cold outside (grew up in Michigan)... it's going to be down in the mid-teens tonight and that's the coldest it's been in a while. I guess I would need a four season if I were going to be atop a mountain in the Rockies, eh? =)

ALG”

“4 season tents are Heavy and VERY $$$$$$. Not worth it in these parts, IMO.”

“I have 2 tents a 3 season and a 4 season.I go backpacking in the snow sometimes so I need a 4 season tent also.

A good 3 season tent is the exponent inyo II.It's built very well and is a good price only $100 and you can't go wrong with that.”

“Isn't that the one that used to be the Peak 1 Cobra?”

“I have a North Face 4 season Nebula Ill sell.

Its brand new still used only 2, because we had a child that slowed out activities.”

“Yes I think you are right......”

“Good 2 person light tent, would be TNF Roadrunner, nice roomy, has lots of ventilation, and 2 vestibules(sp). Headlamps are nice.
www.campmor.com is nice and cheap, seem a little cheaper then some others ive seen.”

“Why would you want a 4-season tent in Kentucky? Some advice from someone in Kentucky-- 3-season tent, 20 degree bag, everything else the same as walkindude's recommendation. He won't ever steer you wrong. You may want a summer bag (45 degree or above). Make sure the tent has really good ventillation and perhaps a bathtub floor if you do most of your backpacking here. I'm sure you already know about how wet it gets. You may want to keep that in mind when deciding between down and synthetic sleeping bags.”

“I just wanted to second Big Coop's recommendation on this tent. My wife and I have had ours for a number of years and love it! It has seen us through all kinds of weather without a bit of a problem. Plus, the roominess for two is great, and the amount of mesh allows for good ventilation even with two in the tent.”

“Would you like me to add you to the clubs email list alg?

My club is fun and just ask anyone that has meet me I am a cool kat.

My club is for all skill levels here is the link go check it out.

Northwest Indiana Hiking And Backpacking Club

Hope to see you on the trail some day.

8)”

“here is the link

NWIHBC”

“one more time:

NWIHBC”

“Oh ya look what the catt dragged in it's CnC....8)”

“I'll second that about Mike being a cool Kat. ..........Of course I've not met him in person yet.”

“**Water filter**- I suggest using iodine pills/polar pure to start...cheap/easy/low maintenence

**Tent**- Campmor.com has the kelty Zen on sale...it has the most room for the weight and price, easy set up and quality.

**Sleeping bags**-I love Western mountaineering alot..but they are $$..they are my first bags since suffering through COLEMANS...Get decent 15-20 degree bag from Campmor...the kelty clear creek or TNF bags.

****As far as shell and jacket...DON"T..unless your planning on skiing. Get some polypro or capilene underwear (long johns)...nylon zipoff pants...polyester jersey shirt...fleece vest..and fleece pulleover...and layer these as conditions show the need for.

****Good boots are your #1 priority..don't go for cool..or price (high or low)...GO FOR FIT...honest fit.

***raingear..i say get a stearns poncho at walmart to start out with...triples as a tarp, groundsheet, or raingear....it's cheap, and you'll barely use it...wait till you learn what you want before you get some FROG TOGS, MARMOT PRECIP, or REDLEGDES

I'll leave pack choice up to you..but i'd suggest nothing over 4500, and go internal unless you can find a used external to play with.

***Sleeping pads--until you try them out and figure out what you want...spend 6 bucks at walmart for the blue foam crap...rubber band it up..and GO..then decide if the z-rest, ridgerest, thermorest full or 3/4 is for you...

I suggest some cheaper alternatives because YOU CAN"T BUY IT ALL AT ONCE!!...well you can..but your not normal if you can....have fun with it. I was warned about TNF when i started outfitting due to a "reported" decline in supply, and quality of their products. That and i hate to look like a frat rat!!!!!”

“Thank you....8)”

“Although he does have a goofy lookin smile.”

“LOL....8)”

“What's up Crazy man!

8)”

“I think your shell is already Gore-Tex or equivelent. If so that is your rain jacket.
I have heard good things about the TNF Cat's Meow sleeping bag.
If you plan on doing some light overnights, I would recomend the Thermarest ultralight 3/4 over a z-rest or foam pad. It may be a tad more expensive and a tad heavier, but it packs down much smaller and will pack better in a smaller pack.”

“Not much just half alseep and going to get ready for work.


zzzzzzzzz......:|”

“The best way to start backpacking is to just do it. In the beginning you learn something new with every trip. Heck, I never brought a tent if the weather forecast looked good, just roll out the tarp and sleep on it. Of course, my pack was so small that I became a master strapper with half my stuff hanging from the outside of my pack.”

“Start from the Bottom,
Tent 3 season Walrus Zoid 2 (light weight)
Therma rest 3/4 (light)
TNF cats meow (light)
Esbit stove (light) fuel (light), pocket cooker (heavy) but for long term can be lighter then fuel for esbit PC needs dry wood,pinecones etc
internal frame pack, light weight
titanium pot for cooking (light)
oatmeal,ramen noodles,coffee bags,hotchoc. candy bars
bandana (2),multiple uses
liner socks, wool socks
lightweight Boots that FIT and are broken in!
water bottles (gatorade empties)
water filter
Powder gatorade
lightweight string,rope to hang equip and dry wet items,
matchs, lighter
radios,gps,cells leave home!!!!~
we try to keep our hikes to max of 7 days between resupply, don't like sleeping in the shelters attract critters that disrupt rest, stay 1/2 mile away at least and out of sight off the trail, just us we like the nature & Quiet”

“What part of KY do you live? If you are in the eastern part, go to Cumberland Gap to Zoes Mountain Sports and ask for Barb. In Western KY, go to Hoopers in Paducah and ask for Paula or Craig. Tell them what you are looking for...they won't do you wrong.”

“Two essential items.
Strong back.
Weak mind.”

“Don't forget the COFFEE!!!!!”

“You might want to invest in a map reading course along with a good compass if you plan on bushwacking.”

“OPIE, I thought you WERE a frat rat?”

“alq: From one displaced Michigander to another, welcome to TT. If you would like a little Eureka! Wilderness Guide to backpacking for the price of 2 first class stamps (I got a bunch from a local outfitter), send an e-mail to me at:

iitonen@netscape.net

and I will tell you where to send the postage. The other TTers who have gotten the guide from me have found it useful. It has gear lists and technique sections, including map&compass, knots, packing, bear bags, etc.”

“It's a good little guide, I love mine. Thanks pekka!”

“Most new backpackers buy to many heavy items, then quickly learn to regret it and wind up buying new, lightweight gear.

You'd definitely save a step if you keep it light the first time. However, I'd probably stay away from titanium until you are sure you really love backpacking--that stuff is expensive. Aluminum is light, it's just not as durable as Ti.

Likewise, I'd probably start with a closed cell camping pad ($5 from Wal-Mart)before spending $50+ on a Thermarest Ultralight. For many people (young people), that's enough cushion.

Another good intro-level backpacking tent is the Peak One Aries from Coleman; available from Campmor for $109. I've owned 2 of them.”

“alg?.. what side of KY are u on?.. west or east?”