Update: Backpacking gear kit

Update June 2023: After enough miles so far this year (and more to go), a gear update is needed. I left last year-end summary with the changes below.

Backpacking season 2022 finished with over 1000 miles hiked around OR and WA. Time to comment on the final backpacking gear kit including which gear needs replaced or updated and gear that helped make a great season. Packing this all into either day pack or backpack will be another post, and a separate post for food too.

A quick aside on gear retailers

For purchasing new gear, the default retailer is Garage Grown Gear (GGG), and REI when GGG does not carry the product. If necessary to get the right gear, purchasing direct from producer. This priority order meets two critical objectives: a) actively support sustainable, small businesses that KNOW hiking, and b) limit the places purchasing (personal) information is stored to lower cybersecurity risk.

Note: Goatbells.blog receives no $ kickbacks from any of the retailer links below.

Gear kit by component

Component	Description	Weight	Links	Notes	Action
Pack and accessories	Multi-night pack: Gossamer Mariposa 60	31.5 oz	GGG, Gossamer Gear	Goatbells.blog review (post)	Keep for 2023
Pack and accessories	Day pack: Yar.gear 28L Ultra Mountain Drifter	12.5 oz (changed sternum strap from stock)	Yar.gear (GGG does not yet carry ultra version)	Goatbells.blog review (post)	Keep for 2023
Pack and accessories	Pack pods – Hyperlite Mountain Gear DCF pods	depends on size	GGG, Hyperlite Mountain Gear	everything but kitchen and food in DCF pods- some double bagged	Keep for 2023
Pack and accessories	Pack pouches – Ultra fabric UltraliteSacks – Six Moon Pods	depends on size	GGG, UltraLiteSacks	Used for multi-night and day hikes	Keep for 2023
Pack and accessories	Waist pack – Summit Bum from Thrupack	4.7 oz w/ comfy strap	GGG, ThruPack	Waterproof, large capacity and supports camera. Comfy strap is extra $ & oz but worth it imho	Keep for 2023
Shelter	Tent – REI Flash Air 1	1 lb, 6 oz (22 oz)	REI (discountinued per website)	Lightweight nylon tent; not sufficient for poor weather: carry tarp to stay dry	Replace after 2023
Shelter	Tarp – Gossamer Twinn Tarp	9.9 oz (cords and sack)	GGG, Gossamer	Extra water, sun protection worth the weight; adds flexibility to forgo tent	Keep for 2023
Sleeping	Sleeping bag – REI Magma 30 NEW: Hammock Gear 20 degree quilt	1 lb, 3.8 oz (19.8 oz) 20 oz	REI Hammock Gear	Bought in 2019 and carried since – showing age: requires layering clothes in sub30 degrees Added 1 extra ounce fill	New for 2023
Sleeping	Pad – Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite	12 oz	REI, Term-a-Rest	new in 2022 after Nemo pad leaked – more comfortable than Nemo. Packs stiffly – but small	Keep for 2023
Sleeping	Clothes – sleeping clothes and emergency dry layers	various	REI, Smartwool	Smartwool base layer top, Smartwool liner gloves, cheap tech bottoms, Smartwool lightweight beanie	Keep all for 2023
Kitchen	Stove – JetBoil Flash	13.1 oz (no fuel)	REI, JetBoil	3+ years and going strong; very fuel efficient. Tried a MightyMoe, but burnt too much fuel to carry 100g canister	Keep for 2023
Kitchen	Spoon – Titanium Long Handle by Toaks	0.5 oz	GGG	Just right length for dehydrated food pouches	Keep for 2023
Kitchen	Water bottle – 16 oz Nalgene (2)	3 oz each (9 oz)	REI	If dry conditions, also 1 aluminum Natural Grocers. >weight than a Smart Water plastic bottle, but no through-away plastic bottles	Keep for 2023
Safety	GPS / Satellite – Garmin inReach mini	3.5 oz	REI, Garmin	New in 2022 and worked great, though can take time under heavy canopies – used for comms and updates when no cell service	Keep for 2023
Safety	GPS / Maps – GaiaGPS	software on iPhone	GaiaGPS	maps, track recording, and GPS help – not the best for planning a hike (AllTrails is better), but on the trail, GaiaGPS is ‘go-to’ tool	Keep for 2023
Safety	Trekking poles – Black Diamond Alpine Carbon	1 lb, 1.1 oz (17.1 oz)	REI, Black Diamond	Goatbells.blog review (post)	Keep for 2023
Kitchen	Water purification – Kataydn BeFree	2.3 oz	REI, Kataydn	Goatbells.blog review (post) Small / light to carry in back pants’ pocket, replaced squeeze bottle with HydraPak	Keep for 2023 (purchased 1L for dryer hiking)
Feet	Socks – Darn Tough hikers		REI, Darn Tough	The third season with Darn Tough – buy 3 pairs / year different color every year; old for short hikes, and new for long hikes. Best socks found yet!	3 new pair 2023
Feet	Shoes – Topo Athletic Trailventure 2 WP NEW Summer: Saucony Peregrine 13	15.9 oz (boots) 9.2 oz Trailrunners	REI, Topo Athletic Saucony	Goatbells.blog review (post)	Keep for 2023 Summer shoes found!
Safety	Battery pack – Anker 10,000 w/ USB-C	7.5 oz	Anker	this keeps phone, Garmin and watch charged for 6 day hike	Keep for 2023
Keep Warm	Warm outer layer – Patagonia nano-puff NEW: Enlightened Equipment Torrid	11.9 oz 7.6 oz	REI, Patagonia Enlightened Equip	See EE jacket review	NEW for 2023
Baselayer	Patagonia UV calipene hooded shirt	6.3 oz	REI, Patagonia	works well for both keeping warm, and keeping cool	Keep for 2023
Keep Warm	Gloves cold – Smartwool liners		gloves	Thin enough to tie boot laces without taking off, and subtle finger pads to activate Apple touchscreens	Keep for 2023
Keep Warm	Gloves water – Zpacks rain mittens		Zpacks	a gift from hiking buddy – works great and when really cold wear over liners	Keep for 2023
Keep Warm	Wind shell / Jacket: EE Copperfield	2.5 oz	Enlightened Equip	See EE jacket review
Keep Warm	Mid-weight fleece: Skygoat	10.1 oz	GGG	weather / trip dependent after Copperfield carried	New for 2023
Keep Dry	Rain jacket – Mountain Hardware Gortex		REI, Columbia	Jacket has worked well so far and kept me dry	Keep for 2023 bought pants for 2023

Backpacking gear kit of 2022 – the better ‘keepers’