Backpacking Gear You Might Be Wrong About
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Pillows. Meh. I just use the plastic bag that I keep my clothes in. I wrap it in a cleanish shirt. I think they are a gimmick that companies are using to sell their scraps!
I have not tried the rest yet. I am considering a bivy, but I don't like getting et up by bugs, so I bet that cowboy camping won't be for me. I have wrapped up in a crunchy blue workmans tarp and some surplus wool blankets in the winter and stayed warm enough.
The main thing that I do differently after my past few years of outdoor experiments is that I use durable sun protection rather than wearing chemical sun block. I have a bunch of long sleeve hooded t-shirts and I actually wear tights to keep my legs covered. I wear a visor so my head can breathe well and to keep the hood out enough to really screen my face. I have been using some cycling gloves because I also ride a lot, but I will probably get some more cotton jersey work gloves. They breathe quite a bit better for when I am hiking versus bicycling.
I also use a silk sleeping sack inside of my sleeping bag. Luxury!
This summer I am going to try out an ultralight cot. I think it will have similar benefits to a hammock, keeping airflow moving underneath me, but not have the requirement that I find the special trees to hang between.
Date: 2020-08-18
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Comments and reviews: 9
Robin
My experience with trekking poles is that while they are great to use (I do have some arthritis and I love the extra balance help, the telescoping ones I used to own wore out after only 2 years. In other words, they did not hold their setting and I couldn't trust that they would not slip and scope in. Do you have a particular brand that has worked well for you? Nowadays I use a solid one (actually found a nice one at Walmart of all places, but it is more like the kind/size where you would only carry one. Thanks. My husband and I haven't backpacked overnight in many years, but as I am the one who seems to always sherpa the be prepared for anything bag, it feels like I'm going to be gone overnight, ha.
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My experience with trekking poles is that while they are great to use (I do have some arthritis and I love the extra balance help, the telescoping ones I used to own wore out after only 2 years. In other words, they did not hold their setting and I couldn't trust that they would not slip and scope in. Do you have a particular brand that has worked well for you? Nowadays I use a solid one (actually found a nice one at Walmart of all places, but it is more like the kind/size where you would only carry one. Thanks. My husband and I haven't backpacked overnight in many years, but as I am the one who seems to always sherpa the be prepared for anything bag, it feels like I'm going to be gone overnight, ha.
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Cherry
I look like a nerd every day so that has never been a concern for me with backpacking but I was initially hesitant about the added weight of hiking poles. After trying them I find I stay with my group or even at the lead sometimes now, much less of a meander when I get a rhythm going. I don't miss a pillow, when I used to bring one I always ended up sliding down below it in my bag rather than sleeping on it like I often do at home with my feet off the edge of my bed. I might like to try a quilt when I have budget room, I use a Big Agnes bag now that has no underside fill already.
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I look like a nerd every day so that has never been a concern for me with backpacking but I was initially hesitant about the added weight of hiking poles. After trying them I find I stay with my group or even at the lead sometimes now, much less of a meander when I get a rhythm going. I don't miss a pillow, when I used to bring one I always ended up sliding down below it in my bag rather than sleeping on it like I often do at home with my feet off the edge of my bed. I might like to try a quilt when I have budget room, I use a Big Agnes bag now that has no underside fill already.
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jane
I've had various sets of expensive ultralight trekking poles but the most reliable I've found are cascade carbon poles from Costco. Cork handles, quick locks for sizing, secure, cheap and durable. Since i rarely have them on my back any minimal weight discrepancy is made up in reliability and I'm super picky about weight since I'm older. Trekking poles have saved me arse so many times.
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I've had various sets of expensive ultralight trekking poles but the most reliable I've found are cascade carbon poles from Costco. Cork handles, quick locks for sizing, secure, cheap and durable. Since i rarely have them on my back any minimal weight discrepancy is made up in reliability and I'm super picky about weight since I'm older. Trekking poles have saved me arse so many times.
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travel
I switched to two smart water bottles instead of a hydropack bladder with a tube straw. I found I would always get cramps from drinking too much water while moving and I didnt like where the weight of the water bladder sat in my backpack. The water bottles distribute the weight better for me and I don't get cramps because I'm not continuously taking in water the entire hike.
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I switched to two smart water bottles instead of a hydropack bladder with a tube straw. I found I would always get cramps from drinking too much water while moving and I didnt like where the weight of the water bladder sat in my backpack. The water bottles distribute the weight better for me and I don't get cramps because I'm not continuously taking in water the entire hike.
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Tbone
I use a real pillow, just a very small throw pillow. After years of using rolled up clothing or inflatables, and countless hours of frustrating pillow adjusting (too thin, too hard, too small, etc) this solved all those problems immediately. Definitely my favorite discovery of what gear worked for me, it took a long time but now I'm content.
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I use a real pillow, just a very small throw pillow. After years of using rolled up clothing or inflatables, and countless hours of frustrating pillow adjusting (too thin, too hard, too small, etc) this solved all those problems immediately. Definitely my favorite discovery of what gear worked for me, it took a long time but now I'm content.
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Jandal
Trekking poles: don't use them on easy trails, but used Pacer Poles on my Te Araroa through-hike. Pillow: used one for a while, but simply use my goosedown jacket in a stuffsack now. Trail-runners: good on easy trails, but I prefer boots in the mountains or in very wet conditions. Don't use any of the other items mentioned.
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Trekking poles: don't use them on easy trails, but used Pacer Poles on my Te Araroa through-hike. Pillow: used one for a while, but simply use my goosedown jacket in a stuffsack now. Trail-runners: good on easy trails, but I prefer boots in the mountains or in very wet conditions. Don't use any of the other items mentioned.
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TheNecrohazard
The trekking pole denial was so real! I am so thankful that I finally wised up and got them! I'm literally about to buy myself a HMG stuff sack pillow. I realise I could use any stuff sack as a pillow, but I like the shape of this one (pillow shaped lol, and the one side of it is fleecy and soft.
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The trekking pole denial was so real! I am so thankful that I finally wised up and got them! I'm literally about to buy myself a HMG stuff sack pillow. I realise I could use any stuff sack as a pillow, but I like the shape of this one (pillow shaped lol, and the one side of it is fleecy and soft.
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travel
I definetly went a long time without a pillow, I would just ball up a jacket or clothes and was convinced the weight wasn't worth it when I could use something else in my pack. I never was able to get comfortable and once I added one in I love it and for me it's worth the weight to get a decent sleep.
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I definetly went a long time without a pillow, I would just ball up a jacket or clothes and was convinced the weight wasn't worth it when I could use something else in my pack. I never was able to get comfortable and once I added one in I love it and for me it's worth the weight to get a decent sleep.
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Nick
I use a Therm-A-Rest compressible pillow now - tried various inflatable ones but found they're not for me. I've also been a hammock camper for some years now here in the UK, summer and winter and out of a rucksack. Fantastic, once you get the method sorted! Doubt I'll ever go back to ground.
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I use a Therm-A-Rest compressible pillow now - tried various inflatable ones but found they're not for me. I've also been a hammock camper for some years now here in the UK, summer and winter and out of a rucksack. Fantastic, once you get the method sorted! Doubt I'll ever go back to ground.
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