The Big Four of Personal Backpacking Equipment

1. The Big Four of Personal Backpacking Equipment Jim Merritt

2. The Big Four • Packs • Sleeping Bags • Boots/Socks • Rain Gear/Clothing

3. The Big Picture • Knowledge & Training are the best “equipment” • Think M&M: • Multi-use • Minimize • Go for quality • Keep it simple

4. Packs Types External frame Internal frame • Cheaper • Spaced from back • Cooler • Tolerates lumps • More freedom packing • Higher CG • Wider • “Some” gear outside • More pockets • More $ • Close to back • Hotter • Lumps hurt • Careful packing req’d • Lower CG • Narrower • “All” gear inside • Can add-on pockets Trade-offs

5. Packs, cont’d Trade-offs Bag Design Top-loading Durability Waterproofness Panel-loading Access Compartmented Everything has its place Organization built in Single Carries lots More flexibility You supply organization Zip-out dividers Be certain sleeping bag fits in bottom pocket

6. Packs, cont’d Other Features • Sleeve for hydration system and slot for hose • Top has belt so it can be used as a fanny pack • Pockets/loops on belt for easy access to camera, etc

7. Packs, cont’d Pack Size • Must be adequate for both personal and crew gear • Should be only 2/3 full with just personal gear Internal Frame 5000 cu in min (82 L) External Frame 4300 cu in min (70 L)

8. Packs, cont’d Suspension & Adjustment • Shoulder straps • Width to fit shoulders • Padding • Contours • Sternum strap • Stabilizer straps • Amount of wrap- level • Wrap around hip belt • Adequate padding • Rides on hips, full contact • Side load adjusters • Lumbar padding • Stiffeners

9. Packs, cont’d Proper Fit Torso Length < 18” small 18”-20” medium > 20” large Too short: Weight on shoulders only Too long: Weight on hips only Waist Belt Length Too short: Not enough padding Too long: Can’t tighten enough Have the store load the pack with 40+ lbs and walk around the store for a while.

10. Packs, cont’d Proper Packing • Pack Weight : 1/4 - 1/3 body weight • 35 – 45+ lb (including food & water) • Bottom to Top Light to Heavy • Waterproof bags inside, rain cover outside • Minimum gear outside • Quality accessory straps, properly attached • No bungee cords • Neat (Good Luck!) Make sure rain cover goes over pack easily/quickly

11. Sleeping Bags Shapes Trade-offs • Mummy • Less room • Less to heat • Hooded • Lighter • Rectangular • More room • More to heat • No hood • Heavier

12. Sleeping Bags Insulation Trade-offs • Down • Warmest • Lightest • Most compressible • Long lasting • 2x - 3x expensive • Looses most insulation value when wet • Very hard to dry • Synthetic • Warm enough • Light enough • Compressible enough • Long enough lasting • Reasonable • Retains most insulating value when wet • Can be dried At least a 25 degree rating.

13. Sleeping Bags, cont’d High-quality Western Mountaineering bag Quality Construction Features • Shell - nylon, breathable • Quality zippers, zipper tape • Draft tubes, collars • Contoured hood • Differential cut - inner smaller than outer shell • Baffling - box, slant, v-tube, etc • Insulation - no sewn thru seams; quilted sandwich, shingles, etc

14. Sleeping Bags, cont’d Ground Pad- ¾ length pad suggested Trade-offs • Self-Inflating • More expensive • Heavier • Can leak • Non-slip mat’ls available • Less bulky • Slightly more comfortable • Closed-cell foam • Cheap • Lightest • Indestructible • Non-slip • Bulkier

15. Boots & Socks Trade-offs • Leather • More expensive • Last longer • Require careful break-in • More waterproof • Most support • Most protection • Slightly to much heavier • Fabric & Leather • Less expensive • Shorter life • Minimal break-in • Not waterproof • Less support • Less protection • Lighter • Sturdy • Well broken-in • Waterproof • Ankle support

16. Boots & Socks • Minimum number of seams • Quality sole - traction • Cemented or sewn sole • Insoles - fit adjustment • Gusseted tongue - keeps out water & dirt • Steel shank/polyurethane midsole- sole stiffness • Linings • Synthetic wicks moisture • Leather molds to foot, requires more care • Gore-TexTM liner - not if, your feet sweat Construction Sturdy and proper fit is more important than cost

17. Boots & Socks, cont’d Fitting • Don’t get hung up on size • Wear 2 pair socks • Thin synthetic sock liner • Midweight wool sock • Snug at instep, ball of foot, heel, Room for toes • Minimal slippage on incline • No toe contact with front on down hill • Walk around with a loaded pack– Do they feel right?

18. Rain Gear WET Objective: Stay warm & dry COLD Trade-offs • Rainsuit • Best protection • More expensive • Include rain pants • with zippers long enough to get on over boots • Poncho • Less protection • Cheaper • Won’t last entire trip

19. Clothing Fabric Selection COTTON Wool Synthetics • Retains insulating value if wet • Wicks moisture NylonCool MaxTMFleece Shorts T-Shirts Jackets Pants Pullovers Pants Gloves Hats • Sucks heat if wet • Hard to dry • Chafes

20. Hiking Clothes On the Trail • Shorts, synthetic T-shirt, fleece sweater In Camp • Long pants, long-sleeved shirt, sweater, rain jacket Use Layers • Effective heat & moisture controls • Easily adjustable • T-shirt, Sweater, rain jacket, etc. Wear a Hat • Good protection - sun, rain, cold • All around coverage Bandanas • Versatile and useful - neckerchief, towel, washrag, pot holder, ...............