I always see hikers list their gear online, but I felt it would be far more fun to show my backpack and overall gear progression over time, and this would show how a typical backpack builds over time and is frequently not a single big purchase.
I have continued to buy, test, and pass or fail my gear each year while trying to optimize for comfort, weight, and cost. As a father and husband, I can’t just decide to bust the bank-wide open on a whim and have to be able to justify the purchase before I make it.
This makes me need to research a lot more than many others may. This leads me to skip some purchases and note expected upgrades I plan to make once I can free up the funds, with my upgrade focusing on the big three for the most weight benefit.
Lighterpack Lists
Backpacks
- Zpacks NERO (10.9 oz, 308 g) – I love the MILE and needed to find something that would work between the MILE and bigger packs.
- Waymark EVLV (xx.xx oz, xxx g) – I found the NERO too small for me when I needed something between pure summer.
- Palante Desert – White Ultra400 (xx.xx oz, xxx g) –
- PilgrimUL Roan (xx.xx oz, xxx g) –
- Outdoor Vitals CS40 Ultra (27 oz, 765.4 g) –
- Waymark THRU (31.35 oz, 889 g) – I found a deal from someone who couldn’t be passed up getting this for nearly 1/2 the new cost, and it pairs amazingly with my existing MILE.
- Dan Durston DD40 (32.6 oz, 925 g) – Has uses and fits exceedingly comfortably but still adjusting to the no-mesh outer pocket, which means re-organizing my gear into stuff sacks or re-organizing what I like to keep outside.
- Dan Durston Kakwa 40 (xx.xx oz, xxx g) –
- Dan Durston Kakwa 55 (xx.xx oz, xxx g) –
- Zpacks Air 50L (19.6 oz, 556 g) – I didn’t have a backpack with a frame I was comfortable with for 3-5 day range treks. I found a super deal on Zpacks Bargain Bin and pulled the trigger.
- MatSix Custom 55L Backpack (22.75 oz, 645 g) – Ultra 200 Dyneema Weave, built by MatSix on Etsy, has the Dyneema weave mesh and an underneath joey pocket for storage or trash; amazingly crafted.
- Outdoor Vitals ShadowLight 60L (xx.xx oz, xxx g) –
- 3F UL Gear 60L Backpack (xx.xx oz, xxx g) – My original backpack that started me off for my first extended hikes was inexpensive and still holds up years later for loaning out for friends and family.
- Fastpack Trips
- Skyline Fastpack (20.6 oz, 584 g) – Absolutely love this pack and have been starting training to learn as this is easier to do on weekend trips to get more miles and more cool terrain.
- Daypack Trips
- WaymarkGear Mile (20.6 oz, 584 g) –
- Fanny Packs
Backpacking Quilts
- OneTigris Featherlite Synthetic Quilt
- Outdoor Vitals StormLoft – 15-Degree Quilt
- Featherstone Moondance 25 (Orange/Black Model)
- Hammock Gear Economy Burrow – 40 Degree
- Hammock Gear Economy Phoenix Underquilt – 40 Degree
- Hammock Gear Economy Burrow – 20 Degree (To match with my Hammock Setup – Reg not wide)
- Hammock Gear Economy Incubator Underquilt – 30 Degree (Full Length)
- Zoacks Summer Quilt – 40 Degree
- Zpacks Zip Around Sleeping Bag – 20 Degree
Sleeping Pads
- Paria Recharge XL (xx.xx oz, xxx g) –
- Outdoor Vitals Insulated Mummy Pad (xx.xx oz, xxx g) –
- Therm-A-Rest NeoAir XLITE NXT (xx.xx oz, xxx g) –
Shelters
Tents
- Dan Durston X-Mid Pro 1 (xx.xx oz, xxx g) –
- Dan Durston X-Mid Pro 2 (xx.xx oz, xxx g) –
- Dan Durston X-Mid 1P – features fantastic interior space with huge vestibules on both sides to make it feel like a 2P.
- Meir (Lanshan 2P) Trekking Pole Tent (xx.xx oz, xxx g) –
Hammocks
Hummingbird Hammock Setup (1.92 lbs, 30.69 oz, 870 g)
- Hummingbird Long Hammock (xx.xx oz, xxx g) –
- Hummingbird Tree Straps (xx.xx oz, xxx g) –
- Hummingbird Tree Strap Extensions (xx.xx oz, xxx g) –
- Hummingbird Martin Bug Net (xx.xx oz, xxx g) –
Banshee UL Hammock Setup (x.xx lbs, xx.xx oz, xxxg)
- Banshee UL Hammock (11.5 oz, 326 g) – Bought to simplify my Hammock Setup
- Beetle Buckle Suspension with 15ft Straps (6.13 oz, 173.7 g) –
Dutchware Half-Zipped Hammock Setup (x.xx lbs, xx.xx oz, xxxg)
- Dutchware Half-Zipped Hammock (14.78 oz, 419 g) –
- Beetle Buckle Suspension with 15ft Straps (6.13 oz, 173.7 g) –
Hammock Tarps
- Hummingbird Pelican SilPoly Rain Tarp (12.8 oz, 362.8 g) – Sil-Poly tarp with doors was my first choice and an excellent cost-to-performance option when you are in places with winds and heavy rain to close up and protect yourself.
- Hummingbird Heron SilPoly Rain Tarp (8.6 oz, 243.8 g) –
- Hammock Gear Dyneema® Fiber Standard Tarp with Doors (8.45 oz, 239.5 g) –
- Dutchware Falcon Asym Tarp (4.62 oz, 131 g) –
Clothing
- Appalachian Gear Company Hoodie (xx.xx oz, xxx g) –
- Appalachian Gear Sun Hoodie (xx.xx oz, xxx g) –
- Tern Hoodie from Outdoor Vitals (5.4 oz, 153 g) –
- Satu Adventure Shorts (xx.xx oz, xxx g) –
- Dragonwool Hoodie (xx.xx oz, xxx g) –
- Ventus Active Hoodie (xx.xx oz, xxx g) –
- Loftek Adventure Jacket (xx.xx oz, xxx g) –
- Altra Lone Peak 6 Shoes (xx.xx oz, xxx g) –
Additional Gear
- Zpacks Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles (xx.xx oz, xxx g) –
- Cascade Mountain Trekking Poles (xx.xx oz, xxx g) –
- Zpacks Bear Bagging Kit – Super strong, simple, and effective.
- First Aid – Leukotape (perfect for so many odds and ends); ibuprofen; Gold Bond Powder (chafing is real); Pepto Bismol Tablets; Carmex; chewable melatonin.
- Hygiene – Dr. Bronners, Picaridin, toothbrush, toothpaste, man wipes, toilet paper, and a Deuce of Spades trowel
Hydration
I carry either a Sawyer Squeeze system with a CNOC 2L dirty water bag Smartwater bottles or my Katadyn BeFree system with a 2L Hydrapak bag for dirty water with 2 Smartwater bottles for long carries.
Cookware
I cold soak nearly all the time, so I upgraded to a Vargo Bottle Pot and a titanium spork. This allows me to bring along my titanium wing and a few Esbit tablets if I really need something warm.
