BACKPACKING TIPS: How To Find the RIGHT Backpacking GEAR

BACKPACKING TIPS: How To Find the RIGHT Backpacking GEAR

Backpacking gear is tough to figure out. If you're new to backpacking and in the process of trying to find the right gear, this video will help! Sorting through all that backpacking gear is a pain, but it helps if you can first define what you're looking for, why you're going, and what it is you're ultimately wanting to do.

In this video, I take you step by step through the process of identifying what kind of gear you need without going into too many details on brands and specific items. We start with the basics so you can narrow down your search for the right backpacking gear.

ABOUT EMORY:
I struggled for years with the desire to go backpacking, but I didn't know where to begin. Summer after summer would leave me wishing I had done more in the mountains and come each fall I'd fail to push myself further into the backcountry while hunting. Having grown tired of not living out my dreams, I decided to stop waisting time and just figure it out for myself.

A handful of years later, I've found myself enjoying backpacking far more than I ever thought possible. I hiked over 2000 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail in 2017, pursued elk in solitude miles from the nearest trail head, harvested my first deer while solo in knee deep snow, and finally found peace with being alone in the mountains.

By Land is dedicated to those who want to backpack better, push yourself further, and want to be real about the struggles involved.


By Land,

Emory R. Wanger

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AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

AUDIO/VIDEO GEAR:

[mischiefonthetrail]

Great advice man im not new to it by any means was curious and couldn't have said it better great job

[livinglike_lisa]

Really appreciate that you covered this topic. I’m also new to backpacking and the choices are overwhelming. I have enough gear now to do trips so now I just need to go do it, use it, and then further refine. Thanks for presenting this mindset.

[trevorl]

Another great video. I'm new to backpacking since last year. Oregon has it all, and the type of 1-2 night trips I want and have access to is abundant. I car camp and day hike. I use an internal framed backpack that works great. It's like 5 pounds. I have dialed my kit down to probably 12-15 pound base weight. I'm looking to push myself to longer miles. I want to do the timberline trail up on Hood (40miles around Hood) in 1 night this summer. Maybe 2 if I bring a friend. I do summer backpacking and 'light bushcraft' (A frame shelter, nice fire when fire bans aren't a factor). So I do sometimes bring extra tools like a small saw and full tang knife. Sometimes I'll even take an axe if it's saturated out.


Basically, I'm stuck between a frameless or framed support pack. I'm looking for a backpack to replace my current one. Something under 2 pounds for 3 seasons in Western Oregon at about 40 liters. Something comfortable for a light load, but also be capable of carrying a 25+ pound load for longer trips to the backcountry or when I want to take some tools and my girlfriend. I was looking at the SWD long haul, and a dozen other companies. I'm interested in what you think would be right for me, and if your SWD long haul 40 is capable. I've looked at Hyperlite Mountain gear. ULA. Gossamer Gear. Zpack. MLA. a lot of companies.

[kierkegaard]

When you are using a technical shop or sporting goods store for information it is extremely important to scope the expertise of the shop in particular. You will get a vastly different experience when asking someone at cabelas, vs rei, vs a proper mountaineering store for information. For example, for you alaskans, I prefer talking to the guys who work at barneys sports chalet (a local ultralight hunting technical shop) on questions about sheep hunting over bass pro any day. Always have the courtesy to purchase something when fishing for info from cottage industry stores. It keeps out passions going by easing the learning curve, and supplying the best gear around.