What's in my hiking backpack, (go bag)?
Everything you want to bring on a hiking trip has to fit on your back.
If you have never been on an extended backpacking trip in the woods its hard to visualize how much gear you need to bring along. It's also very easy to bring to much. When you try on an over-packed bag it often doesn't feel so bad, until you start your trip. It sure feels a lot heavier once you've walked a mile into the woods.
A couple years ago I decided to replace my old hiking pack with a newer pack. I'm glad I did. I bought the Osprey Atmos 65. It's a fairly large pack with good storage access and a really great suspension system where it sits on your back. Basically a stretchy web distributes the weight along your back emilinating any uncomfortable bumps and helping with ventilation.
This is now my go to pack for all my trips. It doesn't hold as much as my old external frame pack but that forces me to really think about how much I pack and only pack the essentials. Also once all the straps are properly tightened your load really feels secure and nothing is shifting around behind you as you duck and weave around stuff.
Due to the nature of the suspension system, this pack really works best with no more than 35 pounds in it. Due to the nature of my 42 year old knees I'm glad I'm forced to limit myself. I made the mistake of over-packed 4 years ago and every step was a struggle.
Here's what's in my pack:
What do you think I should add or eliminate?
-Not pictured, food and clothes-
Here's the rundown of everything pictured. There are some things missing that I should have. Do you see anything missing that you think I should have? What would you add or remove?
- Eureka tent (larger than some options but the extra space is appreciated on a rainy day with 2 kids and a dog)
- Groundcloth (tyvek is a cheaper and rip resistant groundcloth for a tent)
- hiking poles ( useful on uneven surfaces and crossing streams)
- Coleman stove ( hot food for dinner )
- Extra stove fuel.
- Pot for boiling water
- Spoon
- Water bottle ( with volume markings )
- Water purification drops ( I use these instead of a filter)
- Headlamp flashlight. ( Dimmable and hands free. Very lightweight )
- Kindling ( mostly to make lighting a fire easier.
- First aid supplies
- Emergency fire starting supplies
- Magnesium and flint firestarter
- Inflatable air mattress
- Sleeping bag ( I have a compressing bag for it but I store it like this to keep it fluffy and warm)
- Deck of waterproof cards (again, rainy days)
- Air horn ( scares animals and an emergency signal)
- Bear spray ( pepper spray for bears and creepy people)
- Dr Bronner's all purpose soap
- Rope ( for hanging food from bears. I like the easy to see color)
- Sewing kit
- Rain cover for my pack
What do you think of this list? Are there any items you have questions about? I try to answer all comments.
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I like your list. I've not yet had much use for hiking poles. Just a personal preference.
I always thought they were silly. But when you are crossing a river balancing on rocks they are real nice. Someone actually gave me these. I'm probably only going to bring 1 on the next trip.
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Does the Bear spray really work? I mean, do you feel safe using it against a bear? My jaw dropped when I read it. I don't think I could sleep. Maybe with one eye open. :)
I have seen bear spray be effective. But like any tool it can also fail or under perform at the moment of truth. So it is best not to count on any one thing.
@waggy6 is using several layers of defense starting with the right mindset and precautions to minimize risk of having to use one of the multiple tools carried. It's great to hear.
I have been arms reach from a bear during daylight because neighboring campers insisted on leaving their big batch of kool aid out every time they left the site for a whle. Although this was very poor practice on their part it didn't call for alarm or bear spray...
Being noisy and clapping was enough to shoo the bear away. Bears in general are usually more curious than aggressive. And like most animals see humans as something to be avoided. Even though they are a powerful omnivoric predator, evolution dictates that they conserve energy for survival. So they are not looking for a fight...unless sweet, sweet kool aid is involved.
Then it's a close call.
But making an uncomfortable, unfamiliar environment for them will usually tip the scale...bear spray is really just an escalated step of that.
If an adult bear is fully committed to an attack a spray is probably not going to stop it. But a whole series of mistakes have to be made before that is likely.
Honestly I think people make me more nervous than an animal. Most animals make it known what here intentions are. We never split up when hiking.
Bad campers is my biggest concern. I don't like camping close the parking areas, I always try to hike far enough in as well. My theory is that hopefully the people that hike father in are taking precautions.
I think we have bears way up northern Greece, but I have never seen one in life. Pro's know what to do, and the rest of us should listen to them.
I have never seen one while camping either but people I know have. One guy I know walked past one in Smokey Mountains National Park. Another friend in mine had one around his campsite at night but it left after it didn't find anything. All these were black bears not the larger brown bears.
I have never had to use it. I also have the air horn to startle an animal. We follow appropriate safely and cook and eat away from the tent. No food ever in the tent. All food is hung up between 2 trees well away from the tent. We also try to avoid campsites that other campers have left messy.
Lastly we camp in National Forest not National Parks, the forests allow us to bring the dog, they allow hunting which keeps the animals more cautious, and I feel the people camping in the forests are more serious and careful about food and trash.
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Your kit looks reasonable, although I'd carry a lighter more compact stove and pot. Something all-in-one that stacks together nicely. I'd also carry some sort of knife or multi-tool. Oh and a book, always a book. Some non DEET bug repellent. And since I'm vampire pale, some form of sun protection. And this might be in your first-aid kit, but just a pinch of duct tape, and some biodegradable TP along with a poop shovel lol. And a bug net for my head, although that might be considered as clothing. Oh and a map of the area (maybe personal itinerary with contact numbers) and compass. I'm sure I left something out, but I'd have to know your location, how long you're staying and the weather.
I'd be more interested to see what kind of food and clothing you pack. As that can be some of the most difficult weight to drop and still remain comfortable.
I like this kind of post. Thanks for sharing.
You are right I forgot the compass.
I am looking for a stove pot combo that fit together.
We have been lucky with bugs so far. The only bad time recently was the gnats in Nantahala.
I didn't notice the duct tape is missing.
I have scissors but I should get a multi tool.
You mentioned food and clothing. I'm a big fan of Mountain House for food since you just add the boiling water to the pouch. You can just eat out of that.
For clothing I've gone away from cotton and to synthetics that don't stretch as much and dry quickly. You can was them more than one day and wash them in a stream. Being able to re-wear stuff has freed up significant space.
The small sleeping pad is great as well. If my wife and kids were up for it I would try hammock camping.
Here's the cook kit I use. https://www.google.com/shopping/product/9566527427728513758?q=titanium+alcohol+camp+stove&client=ubuntu&hs=oR6&biw=1366&bih=628&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj0oszps8raAhUHNd8KHVpVDm8QrRIIag
I'm on a budget, but you could go fancier with titanium if you wanted. It's simple and compact, so works for me. Comes with a little skillet and a pot. I also have a little wood burning stove that I use sometimes too. I usually camp with the alcohol stove, though, since it works in all weather. If you look up the brand Trangia, it's a Swiss company and they have a few different models and sell all the parts separately if you'd rather have a more personalized kit.
And this is a similar model by a different brand with a bigger pot that has a folding handle. Weighs a bit more, but bigger, which might not be necessary since you do Mountain House meals. https://www.google.com/shopping/product/3413830968673968548?q=titanium%20alcohol%20camp%20stove&client=ubuntu&hs=oR6&biw=1366&bih=628&prds=paur:ClkAsKraXypObxVXbLE8mnayjk0XFsRcDMwWPLzMK57uY0Ex2dTL4AnAjZgwE4npiMel-NcINcOgevzh6x8sj5wUUL5c7Bi4wi1G3sDKuUxukXL7yZTFceYCnBIZAFPVH71rbskIyUg2lHZHdohryRZpakO-uw,hsec:online&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwji9pK8s8raAhUO1lMKHXmIBCAQ8wII_wU
This is what I'd suggest, but I know they come out with neater models all the time. And as for food, I usually just pack my own mixtures. Beans and rice and simple things like that. Maybe some sausage, freeze dried veggies. Pancake mix for breakfast with fruit or some oatmeal. I'll do the Mountain House meals sometimes, too. Some of those are pretty good, just expensive. Oh and instant coffee. Mt. Hagen makes single packets that I'll put in a Ziploc and carry with me. It's pretty good tasting for instant.
About the bugs, I live in the South so some kind of bug net can really save the day when the gnats get bad. Lol, yeah, Nantahala. You know what I mean if you've been there.
And yeah, I could stand to upgrade my clothes a bit. I've been doing it piece by piece along with my sleep kit. I'd like to get some Smartwool long johns. Ex Officio type undies are good too. Or just synthetic blend and quick dry. Those dry very quickly. I've heard a lot of good things about Cuddl Duds too for long undies. A bit cheaper than Smartwool.
Also, I use the Klymit Static V camp mat, and I can't say enough good things about it. It's light, compact, soft. It packs down to about the size of a Coke can and is full length. I'm a side sleeper, so that should tell you something when I say I sleep comfortably on it. And my one luxury item that I won't camp without...is my pillow. It's one of those self-inflating cheapy roll and go kind that you can find on eBay or Amazon for around $10. Kinda bulky, although negligible weight, but so worth it. That's the one way I choose to express my girliness when camping.
Oh and I don't know why I didn't mention this, but a towel. A camp towel. I carry a microfiber towel. Dries fast, weights light. Like the Hitchiker's Guide says, "A towel is just about the most massively useful thing any interstellar Hitchhiker can carry." :P
And a trash bag or plastic grocery bag for wet clothes. I also line my bag with one on the inside so if it rains and the ground gets too wet my stuff won't be soaked. And random, but I just remembered, tooth powder for brushing my teefs.
I'm starting to see more and more people who hammock camp. Last fall when I was out I saw a dad with his sons camping that way. They seemed snug as a bug in a rug sleeping that way. Plus, extra bonus with a hammock, you have a seat during the day to read in or nap or whatever. This guy is all about hammock camping... https://www.youtube.com/user/shugemery Might want to check him out. He does a lot of cold weather camping and makes his own alterations as well.
I think that covers a good bit. I hope you find it helpful. I could use a new pack, myself. I've never really invested in an ideal one. I've just opted to buy a cheaper one and pack light. The day bag I carry for walking around town looks almost identical to what they call the Pa'lante pack. I've thought about buying the material and just sewing my own. Might be a nice project for someday.
Lol I do have the exofficio underwear. And some Outdoor Research pants. Expensive but totally worth it.
I'm not sure what my pad is but it's the small green thing in the picture. It might be the same brand as yours.
I also use a lot of trash bags to organize and water proof.
Go to a store like REI to try on lots of packs. I really had trouble finding one that set the weight in the right area of my back. You can try stuff on and walk around the store with weight in it and REI has a 1 year satisfaction guaranteed return policy.
My wife brings the Starbucks instant coffee packs.
My budget prevents me getting a new stove but if I can get a pot with collapsible handle that the stove fits inside I would be happy.
Yeah, it's funny I have such a mix of things. Some relatively nice and some pretty cheap. It really all just comes down to whatever works lol. I've always wanted to visit REI to get a custom fitting. That would be awesome. They're a cool company too. I think what I hate the most about camping now is all the marketing around it. It makes people think they can't afford to do it. But you really don't have to have top of the line everything. I know some people so against that they'll take a Sharpie marker to the labels on things, or they'll rip the sewn on ones off. I think it's funny. I just like being outdoors.
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