Backpacking Equipments

Equipment -

Backpacking equipment is highly efficient and well-designed to minimize the weight that must be carried. The equipment is also expensive and should be borrowed from someone you know if available to allow you to have more money for your hiking trip.

Hiking Boots, Socks, and Gaiters -

Good quality leather hiking boots are essential for serious backpacking because they offer protection and comfort. Sandals may be seen but are not worn when traveling for many miles. Boots that are durable usually last over many miles which may lead into many years. Most boots have soles made of synthetic rubber known as Vibram. Light weight shoes offer protection at a reasonable cost and decreased break-in time.

Beginning Hikers tend to buy boots that are heavier and more expensive than necessary because it is important to have boots that fit properly and be long enough so that the toes don't contact the front of the boot while walking downhill. Boots must be well broken in before attempting to hike on the trail. They should be worn at every opportunity before making a long hike, to make sure they won't cause blisters.

Socks are important companion pieces to boots and most hikers use two pairs. The inner pair is usually is lightweight wool, polypropylene, or similar material to wick moisture away from the feet. The outer pair is usually heavyweight wool to provide cushioning of the feet within the boots. Clean socks should be worn everyday and at least one extra set of socks is needed.

Nylon or Gore-Tex gaiters will assist in keeping debris such as dirt and snow from entering the top of the boots. Gaiters usually have side or rear zippers to allow the person to put them on or take them off without having to remove the boot.

Sandals or lightweight tennis shoes are often overlooked as a campsite alternative. A pair of sandals can allow a hiker to air out the feet and dry out the boots at the same time. Sandals or tennis shoes do not offer enough support for carrying heavy loads, but they do have a function around the campsite.

Packs -

The pack is a are mounted on external frames. It should be possible to remove the pack from the frame in case one wants to use the frame for carrying loads other than the pack. Frames are made of lightweight metal usually tubular aluminum alloy.

Internal frame packs are a popular choice for serious backpackers. Internal stays are sewn into the material of the pack to provide strength and shape. Often the stays can be removed and shaped to conform to thee contours of the back. Internal frame packs should be equipped with compression straps to allow the user to adjust the size of the pack.

Heavy items are placed neat the top in external frame packs and internal frames carry easier with heavy items in the middle sections near the back of the hiker. Lighter items suck as sleeping bags or clothes are best stored near the bottom of the pack.

The pack is made out of nylon or tough Cordura fabric. Inspection of the stitching and seams is an important consideration. The numbers of stitiches per inch reflect the strength of the seams; the more stitches the greater the strength.

Clothing -

The major requirement for clothing used for backpacking is that it be comfortable and adequate for temperatures likely to be encountered on the trail. Much backpacking is done in fairly cool climates, and wool or pile clothing is usually good at nights and early morning. In some instances a set of long underwear or polypropylene tights can provide extra warmth during the day and be sleeping garments at night. Wool has an advantage over most other material in that it will maintain some of its insulating qualities when wet. Clothes of cotton or a cotton blend are the least desirable. Cotton is poor insulators when it is wet and it dries slowly. It is best to "layer" clothing and adjust the number of layers to suit the temperature and degree of physical activity.

Sleeping Bags -

Sleeping bags come in all shapes and sizes and with several types of insulation. Remember that no sleeping bag generates heat it only serves to stop heat loss from one's body. The mummy-style bag is probably the most popular with backpackers. Down is often selected for its insulating value. However, down loses its efficiency when wet and it is then a little value to stop heat loss.

Tents/Shelters -

One of the heavier items frequently carried in a backpack is a small tent, usually made of ripstop nylon or similar lightweight material, with aluminum poles and stakes.

Cooking and Eating Equipment -

Cooking kits are available for lightweight and compactness. Pots and pans should fit into one another to decrease volume. The pots and pans should be thick enough aluminum to resist collapsing. Fry pan with Teflon will increase menu choices and ease of cleanup. Pots require sturdy handles and lids that also can be used with the fry pan.

Stainless steel or heavy plastic tableware is adequate. Heavy plastic is lighter than steel and will not stick to your lips in extremely cold weather. Heavy plastic plates or bowls are preferred over metal for serving. Food cools quickly when served in metal.

Trail Stoves -

Most backpackers prefer to cook over an open fire and where this is possible it offers maximum enjoyment of the outdoors. The cooking fire should be kept small and wood that will provide coals should be used where possible.

However cooking over an open fire may be desirable, in some places fires such as these are prohibited. This is where the need of small trail stoves is an option. As the number of campers increase, the restrictions on open fires with also increase. The use of