What to PackEquipment for carrying things, cooking,

shelter, sleeping, and other things

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

New GearShopping For Gear

-Needs v Wants-Expectation v Functionality-Price v Price

Breaking it in

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

FireYou need

Matches, Lighter, or Magnesium BlockSomething to burnTo make sure fires are allowed

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

SleepingIf you are doing an overnight trip you need…

TarpsTentsSleeping PadsSleeping Bags

TarpsTarp

Pro: Light, Simple, CheapCon: Not the greatest shelter

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

Food

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

FoodMeal Prep & Planning– Fancy Style

Consider dehydrating you own foods Oven method vs. buying a dehydrator

Where to find recipes Backpacking magazines, the internet

Cook stove add-ons impractical?