Trail Gear List

Preparing for a backpacking trip?

Here are some of our personal recommendations based on our favorite and reliable brands.

6 day Hiking Trip in Yose with Dane, Will, Katie, Faysal, and Chelsea

Linnea’s Recommendations for Gear

  1. I’ve had the same Osprey backpack since day one, almost 5 years now. It’s comfortable for up to 6 day hikes and hugs your body nicely so you almost don’t feel it after a while. It has many different compartments to help keep you organized and to separate items, and it comes with an awesome top that detaches for a day hike bag.

2. Again, I have been sporting the Vasque waterproof hiking boot for 5 years now. I love how comfortable it is, it comes in half-sizes, and I’ve never really had blisters that I see some other hikers get with their boots. Highly recommended. I don’t think I will try a different brand. They are a bit pricey… about $200. But if you really want to get into backpacking without the blisters, they are well worth the cost.

3. This was my second Marmot purchase for a sleeping bag. My first one got stolen when our car was broken into in San Francisco (thanks SF!), but I stuck with Marmot and found one that was even more lightweight and just as warm. Keeping it light is super important to me. Ever extra ounce of weight counts. Get a light sleeping bag! The one featured in this photo the exact one I have: “Trestles Elite 30 F”. We got stuck in a wicked snow storm in Yosemite before & this kept me nice and warm throughout the night!

4. This may get a little bougie, but if you are going to be out on 3-4 night trips, getting an inflatable mattress makes a big difference in how you feel the next day when you are preparing for another long hike. With a regular flat little pad, I would usually wake up achy for the next hike. With the inflatable, I feel much fresher and ready for the inclines the next morning. But it is really not needed if you are looking to save money. It’s definitely a luxury. Just go with a regular foam mattress pad if that extra comfort isn’t really an issue. Sea to Summit sells awesome gear, and we have a bunch of their waterproof items for sailing and kayaking.

Ian’s Recommendations for Gear

1. Like our sleeping bags, our old tent got stolen. The occasion allowed us to search for an even better, even lighter tent. We decided upon this mere 2 pound tent. Seriously important for backpacking. We absolutely love it, and have slept in it during snow and rain with no wetness inside. We got the “quarter dome” REI tent since it takes up less space. You can get the “half dome” tent if you want to fit more than 2 people or if you like more room in your tent. We don’t think you need that much room since you spend such little time in it for other activities. Still, it’s nice and roomy if you want to hang out inside with a cup of coffee and read while it rains outside.

2. If you don’t want an inflatable mattress, (and we wholeheartedly agree you don’t need an air mattress) here is a great foam mattress that is more affordable but still looks really comfy. We have never used this specific one but we have much shittier foam pads and have been all good with them, so we believe this will be a higher quality than the ones we’re used to using. Also, we have a Big Agnes tent and have been using it for years so we do love this brand.

More Men’s Gear Coming soon!

Other essentials we never forget to pack