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Tents and Tarps
Tents and Tarps
To select the right tent, you need to consider your camping style, the size of your group, the weather conditions you will face, and the trade-offs between features like space, weight, and setup time.
Camping style
Your planned activities are a critical factor in your choice.
Car camping: If you can park your vehicle near your campsite, weight and packed size are less important. This allows for heavier, more spacious tents with extra features.
Backpacking or trekking: When carrying your tent long distances, prioritize a lightweight and compact design. Backpacking tents are designed to save weight, even if it means sacrificing some space.
Tent features and design
Freestanding vs. non-freestanding: Freestanding tents, like dome tents, hold their shape with poles alone and can be picked up and moved before being staked down. Non-freestanding tents, like tunnel tents, require stakes to be fully erected.
Double-wall vs. single-wall: Double-wall tents have a separate rainfly that provides better ventilation and condensation management. Single-wall tents combine both layers into one, making them lighter but more prone to condensation.
Doors: Multiple doors are a valuable feature for groups, allowing people to enter and exit without disturbing one another.
Vestibules: These are covered areas outside the main tent body that provide storage for muddy gear and shoes, keeping the interior clean.
Poles: Aluminum poles are stronger and lighter than fiberglass, though more expensive. Fiberglass poles are cheaper but can snap under stress.
Sleep Systems
Sleep Systems
Sleeping Bags
Generally speaking, your summer season sleeping bags will have a rating of 30F and higher. 3-season bags will be between 15F and 30F, and bags you can use for winter camping will have a rating of 15F and lower. When deciding which temperature rating will work best for you and your trip, be sure to look at the lowest projected temperatures you can expect to encounter, then pick a bag that’s designed for colder.
There are two types of insulation for sleeping bags: down and synthetic. Each has its own pros and cons. For instance, synthetic insulation is often more affordable, can keep you warmer in wet conditions, and dries quickly. If you’re car camping or spending nights in damp environments, synthetic sleeping bags are a good way to go. On the other hand, down has the best weight-to-warmth ratio, generally speaking. It’s also more packable. On trips where weight and space matter (like backpacking, mountaineering, or bike-packing), down bags, are your ideal sleeping companion.
Cooking and Tableware
Cooking and Tableware
Stoves
To choose the right backpacking stove, consider your priorities for fuel type, weight, boil time, and cooking needs. The most popular options are canister, liquid fuel, and integrated stoves, each offering different advantages depending on your trip length, destination, and weather conditions.
Canister stoves such as Jetboil MightyMo are compact and lightweight. They are best used when cooking for yourself using pots and pans.
Liquid fuel stoves such as MSR WhisperLite are heavier than canister stoves but are best for cooking for groups using pots and pans.
Integrated stoves such as Fire-Maple Fixed Star 1 can be used to cook with pots and pans but mostly used for boiling water for hot drinks or reconstituting freeze dried meals.
Water Purification
Chemical treatments such as Potable Aqua is the lightest and cheapest option to treat water for consumption. If obtaining water from a natural source, expect to consume silt and other debris unless a filtering method is used.
Pump filters such as MSR MiniWorks EX is an excellent filtering option for debris and pathogens. They tend to be bulkier, heavier, and more expensive.
Squeeze/Gravity Filters such as Sawyer Mini Water Filtration System tend to be the more common option today. They are lightweight and relatively inexpensive. If maintained properly they can filter several thousand gallons of water.
Cooking Pots
Prioritize material for weight and heat distribution (aluminum, titanium, or stainless steel), select the right size for your needs (550-900 ml for solo hikers), and consider features like a lid, folding handles, and a nonstick coating. The best choice depends on a balance between weight, durability, efficiency, and cost.
Tableware
Prioritize lightweight, durable materials like titanium, melamine, or BPA-free plastic for its low weight and resilience, or stainless steel for durability. Consider sets or individual pieces that are compact, stackable, and easy to clean, with a focus on items like sporks or nesting bowls that save space.
Clothing
Clothing
Rain Gear
Look for rain gear explicitly labeled "waterproof" for the most reliable protection in heavy rain. Water-resistant jackets are treated with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish to cause water to bead up but will eventually soak through in prolonged rainfall.
Undergarments
Synthetic materials such as polyester are ideal for underwear. They will not retain water like cotton will. Wool socks make for great hiking socks. They will dry quickly and are typicall thicker than other materials providing that extra bit of cushion.
Shirts and Pants
Synthetic materials such as polyester will wick moisture away from the body and dry quickly. Avoid clothing like jeans and cotton shirts.
Shirts and Pants
Insulated jackets are a key component in a good layering system for hiking. When choosing jackets, I look for options that are lightweight and pack down small so they are easy to stash in a backpack. Down insulated jackets will pack down easily saving crucial space in your pack and is considerably lightweight but is typically more expensive than synthetic fill and does not perform as well if it gets wet.
Backpacks and Bags
Backpacks and Bags
Backpacks
The backpack size you need depends on the activity and trip length. Backpacks that have 10-25 liters or capacity are typically sufficient for a day hike where 50-70 liters are for extended multi-day trips. Find a pack with a comfortable hip-belt. Don't forget a rain cover for your pack.
Dry Sacks
Dry sacks are a great items to keep your gear organized and dry.
Accessories
Accessories
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