Under Construction 
Backpack Equipment and Clothing Selection at the Sierra Club Knapsack web site.
Guides here: Boots | Backpack selection, size, features here
Products: Tents, Search & Rescue (SAR), Personal 2-way radio,
Binoculars, Digital Cameras
GPS, other gear (sleeping pads, eating utensils, hiking poles, ...)
Outdoor Stores / Web Shopping
Some choices you need to make:
- Packs: Internal vs External frame
- Tents: standard double wall (bug proof inner plus water proof rain fly) or single wall floorless tarp which can use hiking poles for support and a ground cloth.
- Sleeping bags -
Insulation: down vs synthetic | Size: mummy vs rectangular | Temperature rating
- Sleeping pads: Closed vs open cell foam or air matress or a combination.
Hiking poles:
Colin Fletcher's "Complete Walker" in 1968 recommended a hiking pole (he had a bamboo one). When fancy adjustable ski pole versions first came out in the 80's, some felt they were a yuppie toy pushed by the manufactures and "real mountaineers" didn't need them. That has changed now, not only do they provide stability and allow you to move faster but they decrease stress on feet, legs and knees.
When they first came out there was debate on whether you should use 1 or 2. Most people now use 2 (it may take a while to get use to them), but there are some who want to have one hand free.
See:
Hiking Poles &Amp; Walking Sticks at Backpacking.net
Trekking poles - origin, purpose and usage
Pole Selection in products
Ski-hiking Pole Strap Adjustment
Saving money:
I like dual-purpose equipment and things you can get at a hardware store which are just as functional and less expensive than similar products at a camping supply outlet:
Dual purpose:
Hiking poles with a top that unscrews to use as a camera mono-pod.
Adjustable Back country ski poles which work as hiking poles. Some also screw together to form an avalanche probe.
Measuring cup which doubles as a coffee cup.
Alternative Equipment:
You can frequently get similar items less expensively at a hardware store or dollar store.
| Item | Camping | Hardware | Comment |
| Trowel | $4-17 | $1 | Fiskars FiberComp Trowel has a hollow handle with a cap where you can store TP. |
| Gloves | $25-40 | $10 | Atlas Therma Fit Gloves $8 at Ace. 3-season - Woven back is not warm enough for winter. |
| Cups1 | $8-25 | $1.50 | Dollar Store: 16 oz. measuring cup with a lid which can double as a coffee cup. No plastic type rating. |
| Liner sock | $6 | $1.50 | REI sock is 93% polyester/6% nylon/1% spandex; Dollar store is 95% nylon, 5% spandex |
1. If you really want save. Reuse a plastic peanut butter jar.
Tips:
Gloves:
Fingerless gloves are hand when working with stoves, GPS, ...
Links:
BackPacker Magazine Gear Finder
Outdoor Gear Reviews: Backpacking, Camping, and Hiking Gear - Trailspace.com
Wilderness Backpacking and Hiking - Tips, Gear, Resources
Backpack Equipment and Clothing Selection at the Sierra Club Knapsack web site.
last updated 3 Aug 2010
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