By Jackie Zimmer
Complete Equipment List and Review
It’s expensive to, essentially, live like a homeless person. People are astonished at how much “camping” gear costs, and often balk at the funds I put into my gear. Well, my friends, long-distance backpacking can not be compared to car camping. While it is an enjoyable past time, it is, at the roots, about surviving the terrain (preferable un-injured).
Your gear needs to be reliable; you are hundreds of miles away from civilization that might (or might not) have a store to replace any broken equipment. Your gear needs to be durable; you’re faced with harsh elements such as hail, snow, high winds, unforgiving sharp rock mountain sides, and dense forest. Lastly, your gear needs to be lightweight; imagine lugging around one of those heavy Coleman tents and big propane stoves you take on your family camping trips.
OSPREY ARIEL 65LT
PROS: Highly adjustable, well padded, good compartmentation, full lifetime guarantee
CONS: Heavy
WEIGHT: 4lbs 12oz
COST: $329.99
WOULD BUY AGAIN?: Absolutely
MST HUBBA HUBBA NX 2
PROS: Easy setup, excellent ventilation, multiple rainfly variations, roomy vestibules
CONS: Extremely weak pegs
WEIGHT: 4lbs 6oz
COST: $420.00
WOULD BUY AGAIN?: Absolutely
BIG AGNES MIRROR LAKE 20 MUMMYBAG
PROS: Draft collar and hood with drawstring, super lofty yet surprisingly compressible
CONS: Zipper often snagged
WEIGHT:2lbs 11oz
COST: $299.99
WOULD BUY AGAIN?: Absolutely
ExPED DOWNMAT LITE 5
PROS: Rugged, side baffles are raised preventing you from slipping off, down stuffed providing excellent insulation from the cold ground
CONS: Royal pain in the ass to inflate, and even worse to deflate
WEIGHT: 1lb 10oz
COST: $219.99
WOULD BUY AGAIN?: Yes
MSR HYPERFLOW MICROFILTER
PROS: Lightweight, quick flow rate, long pre-filter allows you to get water from locations other filter might not reach
CONS: Doesn’t filter Giardia and Cryptosporidium, so you still need to carry purification tablets, requires frequent back-flushing, small parts need to be removed to backflush which can be easily lost
WEIGHT: 7.4oz
COST: $109.99
WOULD BUY AGAIN?: Probably
GEIGERRIG WATER HYDRATION SYSTEM 3LITRES
PROS: Detachable hoses, wide opening top allows for easy cleaning, pressurized (great for wound irrigation and spraying hiker friends)
CONS: Leeched a god-awful taste into the water. (This was said to be the ‘best tasting hydration system’… I’d hate to taste the competitors)
WEIGHT:9.4oz
COST: $39.99
WOULD BUY AGAIN?: Maybe
InREACH EXPLORER PBL
PROS: Easy to use, connected to the most reliable satellite network, 2-way messaging
CONS: Expensive, complicated/ slow activation
WEIGHT: 6.9oz
COST: $429.99 +monthly service plan ($19.99-$74.99, depending on what services you select, and $30 activation fee)
WOULD BUY AGAIN?: Yes
MSR WINDBOILER STOVE
PROS: Packs small, fast boil time, insulated, easy to clean
CONS: Weak sloppy handle
WEIGHT: 15.2oz
COST: $139.99
WOULD BUY AGAIN?: Yes.
BLACK DIAMOND SPOT HEADLAMP
PROS:3 settings, brightest setting made for easy night hiking, waterproof
CONS: Prone to turn on in backpack
WEIGHT:3oz
COST: $49.99
WOULD BUY AGAIN?: Probably
PNY 20,800mAh PORTABLE BATTERY BANK
PROS: Carries lots of juice, held its charge, 2 2.4amp ports, 2 4.8amp ports
CONS: Heavy
WEIGHT:Unknown. Estimate: 1-2lbs
COST: $29.99
WOULD BUY AGAIN?: Yes
MICKINLEY ASCENT TREKKING POLES
PROS: Transferred weight to 4 limbs instead of 2, soft snow finder, spider web knocker-downer
CONS: Extremely weak locking system, had to constantly readjust poles
WEIGHT: 8oz
COST: $79.99
WOULD BUY AGAIN: Absolutely not. Could not rely on them during difficult fords and dangerous log crossing.
*I have not been paid to endorse any of these products, nor was given any items by the manufacturers to tests and review. All items have been purchased by myself, excluding a few items, which are extremely generous birthday gifts from my biggest supporters… my parents. Thank you, and much love to you both! XO. *
Follow Jackie’s Adventure on her page, kindersleysocial.ca/webarchive/Jackie
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