Best-bang-for-the-buck recommendations
- Category Weight
-
Big Four
16.9 lb
-
Clothing
2.89 lb
-
Water
0.07 lb
-
Cookset
0.81 lb
-
Poop Kit
0.28 lb
-
Misc and Ditty Bag
0.58 lb
-
Worn/Carried
1.56 lb
-
Electronics
0.35 lb
-
Other recommendations (not to bring on trip, but to own)
0 lb
This list represents what Brian feels are best-value equipment items. They may not be the cheapest or the lightest, but he feels they are excellent performance for the money. He will continue to add to/refine this list over time as he finds better items. This list is also not intended to be all-inclusive of what you would need for any particular trip. Many of the items below can be purchased used through places like Facebook groups.
Decoder Ring
- Items with yellow star might be shared / divided between hikers
- Items with a red star indicate a CHOICE - only 1 needed, not both
Recommendations
Places I feel you should spend money to get a good fit: Socks Shoes Backpack REI membership
An REI membership is excellent for things like shoes because you can exchange them if they don't work/fit properly. Shoes are about the same price anywhere you look. You get 10% back on them with an REI membership. If you have any questions as to WHY Brian recommends something listed below, just ask. Also, if you have suggestions for things you know of that aren't on the list, please comment!
-
-
Big Four
Weight qty -
Xmid 2P
Durston X-Mid 2P
1120
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Tent - Trekking pole
Durston X-mid 1P
1211
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Tent - Trekking pole
3F UL/Mier Lanshan 2P
1268
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Tent - Trekking pole
3F UL/Mier Lanshan 1P
997
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
REI Quarterdome SL2
REI Quarterdome SL2
1428
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Tent - Trekking Pole or included pole
REI Flash Air 1
560
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Tent - Trekking Poles or included poles
REI Flash Air 2
1120
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Tent - Free standing
Paria Bryce 1P
1316
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Tent Stakes
Amazon knockoff of MSR groundhogs
8
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Sleeping bag 40F
Aegismax
512
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Quilt 30F
Paria Thermodown
896
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Kakwa 40 Pack
Durston
780
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Backpack
Alps Mountaineering Baja 40
1064
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Backpack
Granite Gear CrownX 60
1120
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Pad
SleepInGo
14.5
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Closed cell foam pad - R1.2
Decathalon. NOTE: this is a VERY thin pad. Good in addition to other pads, but probably not by iteslf.
200
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Z-style pad
Ozark Trail
535
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Pillow
Trekology
103
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Clothing
Weight qty -
Rain gear
Frogg Toggs poncho
8.5
oz0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Rain jacket
Frogg Toggs, Ultra-lite 2
169
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Running Shorts - synthetic
Walmart or whatever you already own
100
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Beanie
Black synthetic
65
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Merino wool Beanie
Decathlon Trek 500
0
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Fleece Gloves
Decathlon Trek 100
25
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Backpacking glove
Decathlon Trek 500
0
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Socks
Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion
64
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Puffy jacket
Eddie Bauer
290
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Puffy Jacket
Decathlon Trek 100, hooded
320
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Fleece Jacket
Decathlon MH 120
333
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Hiking Fleece
Decathlon MH500
207
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Camp/Sleep shirt
Russell Athletic, dri fit
137
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Underwear, synthetic
Boxer brief style - to reduce chaffing - Walmart or whatever you already own
80
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Base Layer Top
Magellen (Academy)
222
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Base Layer Bottoms
Magellen (Academy)
193
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Wind Pants
Dance Pants from Amazon
108
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Water
Weight qty -
Water bottle
Smart, 1 L
33
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Water filter
Sawyer Squeeze
69
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Squeeze bag
1L, Sawyer
28
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Aqua tabs
Pills/Package for 1 liter
0.25
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Aqua tabs are recommended to serve either on their own, or as a backup to a Sawyer system. On their own, they are cheaper and lighter than a filter.
0
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Cookset
Weight qty -
Long-handled plastic spoon
McDonald's Ice Cream
5
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Bowl - ziploc - without lid
coffee & measuring cup.
24
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Stove
BRS3000
25
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Empty fuel can, Small
MSR, 211g when full
100
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Windscreen
MYOG - made out of a cake pan
13
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Alcohol Stove
Homemade out of can
5
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Alcohol Stove Fuel Bottle
0.64
oz0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Pot - Stanley
Leave out the plastic cups inside
7
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Misc and Ditty Bag
Weight qty -
Gallon Ziploc bag
(For everything but sit pad)
8.5
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Head lamp
Ozark Trail (Walmart)
60
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Extra batteries for head lamp
Size AAA
23
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Bic lighter with Leuko tape
Get mini bic from anywhere.
15
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Ultralight toothbrush
Litesmith
6.5
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Tooth paste tablets
Make your own - dry out dots of toothpaste on aluminum foil in an oven
0
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Wet wipes
Individually packaged or bulk package inside a ziplock bag
5
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Lightload Towel -large
Litesmith
18
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Razor Knife
Litesmith
8
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Knife
Swiss army classic
23
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Sunscreen
In Litesmith container
15
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Micro Lip Balm - SPF protection
Litesmith
6
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Dr. Bruhners Soap
in Litesmith container
10
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Bug Repellant
In 1/3 Ounce Litesmith bottle
10
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Compass
30
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Mini Compass
11
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Whistle
9
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Sit Pad
Litesmith
28
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Bug Net
Ozark Trails
15
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Worn/Carried
Weight qty -
Conversion pants (shorts) & Belt
Magellen (Academy)
307
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Trekking Poles
Cascade Mountain Carbon Fiber. (Wrap duct tape around one of the poles for convenient storage)
256
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Buff, Synthetic
29
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Hat with neck shade
Swiss Tech (Walmart)
117
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Electronics
Weight qty -
Ziploc bag
3
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
USB C to C cord
1 foot
14
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
USB adapters
17
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Battery, 10,000 maH
Anker
180
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
6700 maH battery
Anker
123
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Wall charger
Whatever you've already got
0
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Other recommendations (not to bring on trip, but to own)
Weight qty -
Luggage scale
For weighing your final loaded pack
0
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Food Scale
Measures in grams and ounces
0
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Permethrin Spray
Bug Repellent for clothes (spray clothes before trip)
0
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-