equipment for carrying things, cooking, shelter, sleeping, and other things
TRANSCRIPT
What Do I Really Need?Determine
What you need For the trip at hand For the trips you plan to take
What would be nice to have Don’t buy everything at once
Carrying your EquipmentA major part of hiking/camping is carrying
things aroundBackpacks
SizeFrames & TypesStrapsChoosing a backpack
How Big?Short Answer: Depends on the tripLong Answer: Consider litres
Daypacks (15-35L)Weekend Packs (35-55L)Backpacking Packs (55-75)Expedition Packs (75+)
Frames and TypesTypes
ZipperTop Loading
Frames (needed for heavy loads)Help keep load on the hipsExternal
RareInternal
More common Conforms to back
StrapsHipbelt
Transfers weight to hipsShoulder straps
Keeps load on backLoad-Lifter straps
Keeps backpack centeredCentre strap
Prevents straps from fallingCompression strap
Squishes load
Choosing a BackpackDecide on your needs
CostTypes of trips you will do
What to look forComfortCompartmentsEase of access to itemsWeightOther features (hydration pack, ice axe loops,
etc.)
FootwearPlan your footwear
Heading out on a big trip and need some boots? Break them in around town and on smaller day hikes first.
Consider the weather– light hikers or trail runners might do for a short trip in dry conditions, but won’t do for a muddy trail
Consider the terrain– trails are marked by difficulty; research the type of terrain you’ll be hiking on (hilly, loose rocks..a marine trail) and choose your footwear accordingly
FootwearAll the shoes you’ll need
Your everyday old runners– good backup shoes for times when your hikers may get wet (sandals will serve this purpose too). Often adequate for day hiking.
Trail runners or ‘trail shoes’– like runners but with a little extra support. You can hike in these, but watch your ankles.
Hiking boots– try on lots of pairs, consider: Climate (do you need breathability or
water-proofing), weight of the boot, fit & comfort, and price
FootwearThe shoes you don’t want to hike in:
Anything that doesn’t breathe (no Doc Martins)Sandals and open-toed shoesSneakers with no support (Pumas? Street shoes)Anything ‘breaking down and shaking down’Anything not yet thoroughly broken in
Socks MatterWell-fitting, weather appropriate, wicking socks will help
prevent blisters and serious discomfort on the trail.
ClothingLayers: Base
Very important, especially in the winter It’s all about ‘wicking’ Choose a material and weight appropriate to
the weather and activity (silk or synthetics) Mid
The everyday stuff– nothing special required here, just be comfortable
Insulating Fleece (lightweight, dries quickly) Wool (very warm; heavy, smelly, cold and slow
to dry when wet) Outer
Wind and Water-proofing Keep these layers handy & don’t leave them
behind
ClothingGeneral Rules:Plan carefully– plan to wear the same item of clothing more
than onceBring extra socks and underwear; bring nothing else ‘extra’Keep bugs & sunburn in mind– lightweight pants and long-
sleeved shirts are often preferable to shorts and t-shirtsTechnical fabrics are excellent for base layers, insulation and
outwear– invest in a few technical, lightweight items and packing becomes a lot simpler
No jeans! The trouble with cotton…What to sleep in? This is really a matter of personal choice,
but warm base layers work and can do double duty during the day. A toque is nice during cold nights.
ClothingSomebody else’s useful packing list:
Boots Fleece Jacket (winter) Gaiters (if rough weather is expected or if you are travelling
through snow) Hat Jacket (light in the summer, heavy in the winter) 1 Pants (shorts for the summer) 2 Socks (don't skip out on the socks) 2 T-Shirts (undershirts work great) 2 Underwear (long underwear for the winter) Rain Gear (Rain pants are very valuable in bad weather) Toque (do not buy Cotton) and/or brimmed hat
CookingIf doing trips overnight cooking is often
needed or wantedFires
Not always allowedStoves
Allowed, but extra costCookset
StovesAlcohol
Pro: Safe, easy to useCon: Not hot
PropanePro: Hot, easy to use, easy to cook withCon: Heavy, cannot easily refill
White Gas/Multifuel StovesPro: Very hotCon: Difficult to use and cook with
CooksetCookset: Consider
Types of pots/pans neededVolumeWeight
Things to eat with:Decide what you really need
Cup Bowl Utensils Kitchen Sink
TentsTent Considerations
Winter vs. Three season Winter tent is stronger, thicker, but heavier
Size (they’re all small)WeightStabilityColorGroundsheet/Footprint
Not usually needed unless very cold or very wet
Sleeping PadsThe Ground
Pro: Light Con: Cold/Uncomfortable
Air Mattress Pro: Warm and Comfortable Con: Huge and heavy
Foam Pad Pro: Warm and Comfortable Con: Bulky
Self Inflating Foam Pad Pro: Warm and Comfortable Con: Not cheap
Sleeping BagsSynthetic versus Down
Synthetic Warm when wet Easier to clean Heavier and bulkier
Down Warmer when not wet Hard to clean Lighter and more compressible
Sleeping BagsThings to consider:
Temperature RatingDesign (mummy bag or not)
Mummy warmer, barrel roomierSpace insideWeight and bulkLiners
Other EquipmentWater Container
NalgenesFlasksWater bottlesHydration Packs
Food containerStuff sacksOdorproof bagsBear Canisters/Bags (don’t work)
Compass/GPSUse to navigate with maps
Other EquipmentHeadlamp/Flashlight
BatteriesHeadlamp more convenient
SoapBiodegradable camp soap
Trowel & Toilet PaperNot all places have toilets
Other Equipment Sunscreen First Aid Kit
One Day Multiday Bandages Medications
Personal Antihistamines Ibuprofen
Knife Folding Knife Swiss Army Knife Multitool
Stuff Sacks Compression Sacks
WaterHow much to carry?
Can vary greatly depending on person, temperature and level of activity
At least 2 litres a day to drinkConsider cookingCarry only as much as you need
Are there water sources along the way?Is it safe?
Unless very certain or brave its best to assume water should be treated
Water Treating water
Boiling Pros
Kills all bugs (at least 5 minutes) Cons
Water tastes different takes time and energy doesn’t remove dirt
Filtration Pros
removes dirt and some microorganisms Cons
Complicated, heavy Doesn’t remove all microorganisms
Chemical Ie: Chlorine Dioxide, Chlorine, Iodine… Pros
kills most micro-organisms (chlorine dioxide does) Cons
Water may taste strange (chlorine dioxide doesn’t)
FoodWhat to eat?
Cooked foods are usually best reserved for dinners on multi-day hikes, but instant pancake mixes and hot cereals can also be a good option for breakfasts, depending on the trip.
Snacks! Trail mix, nuts, energy bars, dried fruit, jerkey (meat or veggie) etc. are excellent choices both for convenience and nutrition Salt + carbs + calories are important considerations while
hiking Stopping to prepare a lunch can consume time on the trail
you may not have. It can also be a major hassle.
FoodWeight Matters Unless you’re car camping or going on a weekend trip consider leaving the fresh foods at home. Canned & ‘space’ (boil in a bag) foods pack well but add weight and garbage you must carry out.
Alternatives: freeze dried prepared backpacking foods (available at outfitters like MEC)Dehydrated foods like oatmeal & other cereals, dried fruit, instant milk & beverages, instant rice, pasta, instant soups, dried beans etc.Dense breads like bagels or rice cakesEnergy bars & gels
FoodConsider Bulk: Repackage foods to reduce their bulk & weight
For example, Cooking spices can be mixed and stored in a small ziplock bag, an empty film canister, or a drinking straw with its ends taped shut.
Avoid excessive packaging; aim for re-sealable or single-serving options. For example, single serving envelopes of hot chocolate
or drink crystals make for an excellent morale booster
FoodMeal Prep & Planning
Organize & store your meals by type (breakfast, lunch & dinner) Keep your snacks (especially for day one) accessible
Ration & label your foods by day– ration generously, but be sure to make calculations so that you’re not carrying excess weight Dividing foods into individual meal containers is a good
idea (i.e. you may be eating oatmeal twice, but two ziplocks full of oatmeal labelled “day one” and “day two” will help you not to run out)
Do your prep at home Ex. chop, dehydrate & combine dehydrated ingredients
for an instant chilli at home
FoodMeal Prep & Planning– Useful Ingredients You Can Find in the Grocery Store
Dried milkEgg replacer (baking only) or instant eggsSpices!Dried grains and beans and vegetables (mm,
potato flakes!)TVPInstant sauces & graviesCanned foods (depending on the trip)Juice crystals, tea, coffee, hot chocolate