Camping and Hiking Gear

Camping and hiking are some of the easiest, most accessible outdoor activities to get into. Once you’ve fine-tuned your systems for traveling, cooking, and sleeping in the great outdoors, you’ll be ready to launch into even more adventures like backpacking, trekking, rock climbing, and river running. All of this requires the right camping and hiking gear, though.

Factors to consider when camping and hiking

You’ll only ever be able to get two out of these three factors in hiking and camping gear: durability, light weight, and low cost. If you plan on mostly “car camping” in the frontcountry, then large cabin tents, big quilted sleeping bags, and thick pads are fine and will last longer than comparably priced lighter gear. You’ll also have more freedom in your camp kitchen to use coolers, multi-burner stoves, and comfy furniture.

Lightweight backpacking gear

Everything changes if you are backpacking into undeveloped areas. You’ll be carrying everything on your back, so think about weight. You’ll also be more exposed to the elements, so quality hiking gear that’s warm and dry will be critical. For example, down-filled sleeping bags are excellent for backpacking, because they’re warm, light, and packable. But they lose their warmth when wet or damp, so you’ll need additional waterproof protection like a good tent or bivy sack.

Stay clean and safe outside

You may get dirty camping, but with our gear you don’t have to stay dirty. Make sure you stock up on safe biodegradable soaps for your kitchen and latrine, and get a good first aid kit to sterilize any cuts of blisters you get. For answering nature’s call when you’re away from restrooms, a lightweight trowel is great for safely burying waste, but check specific regulations for the area where you play. You may be required to carry out everything (and we mean everything!).

Clean water is probably your most critical resource in the backcountry. Sterilizing tablets are great for emergencies, but they lose effectiveness in very cold water and don’t do well with large quantities. You’re better off investing in a good filter that is rated to remove giardia, a nasty stomach microbe. For hiking gear, we’ve got small pump filters and filter-integrated water bottles, and for basecamp and kitchen use, you can get a larger gravity-fed bag filter for your camping gear set.