Backpackers without extensive experience on long trails, which may take weeks to navigate, tend to also lack an extensive stockpile of gear. As they develop their packing list, it quickly becomes clear that they are going to need to supplement their current inventory, and perhaps even replace an item or two that may work great for a three-day trip, but not so well for a three-week one.
I have tons of suggestions regarding what works and what doesn’t on this blog, but before you start narrowing in on a particular sleeping bag or tent, I think it would be useful to familiarize yourself with what I call the gear triangle.
As you can see, the three sides of this triangle are: low-weight, high-comfort, and low-price. Here is what you need to remember: you can pick any two sides you’d like, but you’ll suffer from the penalty described in the corner where they meet (although there are a few exceptions).
If you want gear that is light and inexpensive, count on some uncomfortable nights and some unpalatable meals. If you want gear comfortable and inexpensive, count on a heavy packweight. (This can quickly get out of hand; if you want a lot of comfort and you’re only willing to buy your gear at a big-box, discount store, you could very quickly end up with a pack weight so heavy that it will sabotage your hike from the beginning.)
True joy is found on the third corner of the triangle: gear that is light and comfortable! The only thing it takes to achieve that is money.
Note also that there is a green, amber and a red zone within the triangle. Try your best to stay out of the red zone. A light pack full of light gear and a reasonable amount of comfort will greatly improve your chances of success. A too heavy pack will lead to foot or joint problems, and nothing will end a hike quicker.
Not every item needs to be the lightest and best available. My plastic spork is probably twice the weight of a titanium one, and there are certainly cheaper and lighter alternatives to my dehydrated meals if you want to cook on the trail. The cost/benefit analysis for each item is calculated differently by each hiker. One guideline: try to make sure your tent, sleeping system, and backpack are well into the green part of the triangle, and you will be a long way towards success.
One last note: if you are a MacGyver-type you can make your own gear. There is lots of great info on the internet to get you started.
Good hiking, Ray
Ah yes, the infamous gear triangle! Thanks for bringing this back up, Ray, I’ve been struggling with this one for several weeks now as I obtain the gear that gets my weight down to target (started at about 15 lbs over my max weight, now I’m only 2 lbs shy of my goal). Good resources include REI and Erik the Black. Erik has several good gear suggestions, from every aspect of your triangle. REI, of course, has lots of resources, gear reviews, and tons of great stuff to buy. I’m lucky that I can afford to go well into the green area to avoid weight and comfort problems, so I’m not the person to ask for advice on gear purchases. But I still try to be cost-conscious (my resources aren’t limitless, after all), and I relish a bargain just like the next hiker/shopper. Your blog has, of course, offered many good suggestions over the years and I’ve availed myself of them as well. Glad to see the blog keeps up its relevance, you have certainly not shown any signs of data fatigue–keep up the great work, my friend!
Iʻm a big fan of Eric the black as well, Bob. For unexplained reasons I can identify with a guy trying to create a micro-business out of his love for the outdoors. Iʻve also used REI for years. (One great thing about REI is their return policy. When I buy new boots, I always wear them around the house for a week or two and if they donʻt fit correctly, back they go. Technically, I could even hike in them and REI would take them, but that seems like taking advantage of the policy.) Thanks for the kind words and comment!
[…] JMT as a one-time experience is the investment in gear. As I’ve pointed out before (see the Gear Triangle), the best and lightest stuff is easy to find, as long as you are willing to pay. There are places […]