Backpacking is the ultimate get-away-from-it-all vacation, taking you away from highways, telephones and modern conveniences to areas few people get to see. To make the trip most enjoyable, you will need the right gear. You want comfort, light weight and room to carry all your stuff. A good supplier can help you find all the right gear, especially if you do a little research before you hit the store.
Step 1
Plan the trip you want to take. Read about the weather in the area you want to visit and the kind of terrain you will encounter. If you stick to lower elevations in the summer, you don't need a sleeping bag good for 10 degrees F, but if you want to visit the mountains in winter you will need a heavier bag. A weeklong trip requires a larger pack than a weekend jaunt. If an area has bears, you need a way to store and protect your food. Consider your condition and temperament. Some people don't mind hauling extra weight to sleep in luxury and eat gourmet meals, while others would rather give up a few conveniences to carry a lighter pack.
Step 2
Visit an outdoor supply store to look at gear. You won't be buying just yet. You want to get an idea of what is available and how much it costs. Talk to store personnel about the trip you have planned and ask for their recommendations. See what you're drawn to. If a particular pack, tent or cooking stove draws your attention, make a note of it.
Step 3
Talk to friends who backpack and ask their recommendations. Read reviews of gear in magazines and online. Gather as much information as possible to help you make your decision. Try to narrow your choices to two or three models of packs, tents, sleeping bags and cooking stoves.
Step 4
Test drive some equipment. Most reputable stores will allow you to lie down on a sleeping pad, crawl into a bag and try on a pack. Look for equipment that fits your body size. Shorter people need packs cut to fit a shorter torso. Larger people need roomier sleeping bags.
Step 5
Purchase your top choices, or the ones that best fit your budget. Take everything home and pack it in your pack. Make a test meal with your new stove. Take a nap in your sleeping bag. Read the directions that came with your gear and make sure you know how the tent goes together, how to assemble the stove and how to stay warmest in your sleeping bag. You don't want to wait until you're in the middle of a rainstorm miles from a road to discover you don't know how to set up your tent.
Tips and Warnings
- Consider borrowing equipment for your first backpacking trip.
Things You'll Need
- Trip plan
- Shopping list
- Gear reviews
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