Reddit reviews The Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide, Second Edition: Tools and Techniques to Hit the Trail
We found 13 Reddit comments about The Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide, Second Edition: Tools and Techniques to Hit the Trail. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
National Geographic
A backpack should be the very last thing you buy since it carries all the other stuff.
Hiking shoes or trail runners + socks + insoles should be the first. They must fit you perfectly and don’t go cheap
The second thing to buy for only $10 is https://smile.amazon.com/Ultimate-Hikers-Gear-Guide-Second/dp/1426217846/
read these:
Hi!
I am new to this as well. I've found a few different websites that have been very helpful for me.
Andrew Skurka's blog - Has a lot of great information in it. If you have some extra cash I highly recommend his book The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide
Paul's blog - Gives a different perspective on things. Has budget friendly lists to work with.
I also have really liked the reviews from Man Makes Fire it has helped me tremendously with my gear selection.
Skurka's 2nd edition book is excellent.
https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Hikers-Gear-Guide-Second/dp/1426217846/ref=dp_ob_title_sports
As a newb, and with slightly different goals (more interested in motocamping, than backpacking, personally), I may be mistaken, but I don't think there is a list. Identify your goals and your needs, and that will inform your gear decisions.
I'd recommend checking out Andrew Skurka's book. It's well-written, and informative. https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Hikers-Gear-Guide-Second/dp/1426217846/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1505101910&sr=8-1
There's also some good info on his website if you want to save a few dollars (I haven't looked too much into the site, so I don't know how much the site and the book differ).
The sidebar here has some links that look really promising, and there are plenty of shake-down requests you can read to get an idea of what you might want.
I'd recommend picking up a few books. Ultralight Backpackin' Tips by Mike Clelland, and Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide by Andrew Skurka for starters. These will help you a ton.
Then, what was just said, ask yourself with each item, "Am I packing my fears?" "Do I really need this?" and "What would realistically happen if I left this at home?" I'm seeing a ton of unnecessary and/or redundant stuff, not to mention all the heavy stuff.
For example, paracord, multitool, lantern, lots of heavy stuff sacks, an ultra-heavy water reservoir, full bottle of soap (you only need a few drops of that stuff), 3 heavy knives (a tiny swiss army classic or even a razor blade would do the trick), tons of excessive, heavy and redundant clothing (use a simple, versatile layering system with no redundancy), etc. Your first aid kit weighs almost 13oz! You can easily make a good one for under 3. You have a space blanket and two redundant fire starters (emergency only items) when you are carrying a gas stove and a sleeping bag (actual versions of the things your survival kit is supposed to improvise). The list is quite long.
Also, I'd take a serious look at some of the UL/SUL hammock guys on YouTube and get some ideas from their videos on how to dramatically simplify and lighten your hammock system. It seems incredibly complicated and heavy to me, esp. based on what I've seen online from other Hammock guys. For instance, a +6oz gear pouch? A suspension system that weighs more than your actual hammock? Yikes. Definitely take a look at lots of the lighterpack links you see in people's flairs on here too and just get some ideas for how to simplify, reduce, and eliminate items in your gear list. YouTube is your friend. There are tons of UL and SUL guys on there who camp in Hammocks. Learn from their experience and save yourself from having to re-live their mistakes.
Good luck and have fun! I know it probably seems overwhelming now, but just whittle down one thing at a time and you'll get there. You're already off to a good start with having all your gear in a list online to create accountability and show you the true weights of everything. It's fun to see how light you can go with your gear list and your back will thank you for it!
I learned too late to save me any money but if I knew then, or if the one thing I wish I'd known; go UL (ultra light). The lighter and smaller your kit the more places you can go. My current set up can be put into a backpack and making ten or twenty miles a day on trail. Put into water proof stuff sacks and strapped to my mountain bike or slid into the cargo holds of my kayak. Add my fly fishing kit and throw it all in my Jeep.
If this sounds good then I would read Andy Skurka's gear book.
Pick up Andrew Skurka's book on gear.
The Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide, Second Edition: Tools and Techniques to Hit the Trail https://www.amazon.com/dp/1426217846/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_kbrSAbAWHJAHE
Here is one option:
the bible
Your mileage may vary with that.
Perhaps a better option, I've always liked the idea of hanging topo-maps on my walls when they aren't in use, just never got around to buying an actual map (so much more convenient to print it from caltopo).
Most of the stuff you mentioned will depend on the hiker's personality and what they like - I don't have a use for keychains - even if they are cool, they will end up in a drawer and I won't feel bad about that. On the other hand, I would adore a book thats simply pictures of various trails around my area, doesn't even have to have words (though a rough idea of the area they were taken at sure helps for when I see those amazing views and want to go inspect up close). Still, my hiking buddy is the exact opposite.
^^You ^^seriously ^^can ^^never ^^go ^^wrong ^^with ^^park ^^passes ^^though
Read Skurka gear guide before you buy anything & Ultralight Backpackin' Tips to get you in "UL mode', there rest will be sort of easy..
Learn to love trail runners - it changed everything for me
I saw it on sale at Amazon today.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1426217846
I was in a similar position four years ago. For some things I regretted not going lighter, for other things I regretted not getting something more durable and functional. But for the most part I was and am happy with my gear.
Some random tips I wish I knew 4 years ago.