Backpacking Gear: Considerations and Recommendations

RAIN GEAR

     Rain gear is extremely important and, unfortunately, good rain gear is expensive. The trick with rain gear is to balance waterproofness, breathability, durability, and weight. The purpose of rain gear is to keep you dry and warm.  It does this by keeping rain, sleet and snow off of you and letting your body moisture (sweat) move away from you.  Although this may seem obvious, it is a tall order for a material to accomplish both of these tasks.  When choosing rain gear, look for material described as waterproof (not just water resistant).  Ideally, we would like the rain gear to be waterproof-breathable.  Materials such as Gore-tex are considered waterproof-breathable; the problem with Gore-tex and similar fabrics is that they are more expensive.  Finally, rain gear used on an extended hike/backpack needs to be durable – a cheap nylon jacket or poncho does little good if it gets ripped on day one.  The rain jacket is the most important half of rain gear and therefore, the most money should be spent on the jacket.  Rain pants will be necessary on travel study, but do not need to be of the same quality as the jacket (although durability is still very important, water resistant material is acceptable).  

BACKPACK

Size
1.    3,000-5,000 cubic inches (50-80 liters)—for overnight and multi-day backpacking trips up to a week.
2.    Choose a backpack that will fit the greatest amount of gear you’ll need to carry. Don’t forget the group gear you’ll need to bring along too.
Internal versus External
  HYPERLINK "http://www.trailspace.com/gear/backpacks/internal/"  Internal frame backpacks  are designed to carry the pack weight on the hips and with their body-hugging design provide the most balance and freedom of movement. This is especially important on rough trails, off-trail, or scrambling, climbing, or skiing.
  HYPERLINK "http://www.trailspace.com/gear/backpacks/external/"  External frame backpacks  were once the mainstays of backpacking. They can help you carry very heavy loads, but generally are best for covering easy terrain. Because they don’t lie against the body they are cooler in hot weather. They are also cheaper and can be good introductory backpacks.

Fit and Comfort
You can select a pack with the right design, size, and features for your activities, but if it doesn’t fit comfortably you’ll regret it over the long haul. Most importantly, your pack should be adjustable to fine-tune the fit to your individual body.
•    Size a backpack to your torso length, not your height.
•    Make sure the hip-belt provides adequate padding since it will be supporting your pack’s weight.
•    Shoulder straps, which control the fit of the suspension system, should be well padded and adjustable.
•    An adjustable sternum strap, which connects the shoulder straps, helps bring the load weight forward, and off your shoulders.


HIKING BOOTS

Hiking boots may be the single most important piece of your backpacking equipment. A bad pair of boots will ruin an otherwise meticulously planned trip. On the other hand, a well-fitted pair of quality hiking boots can make you forget you have them on.
Style
     Mid-weight hiking/backpacking—These boots are designed for on- and off-trail hiking with light to moderate backpacking loads. They are more durable and supportive than lightweight hiking boots, but they are still intended primarily for short to moderate trips over easy to moderate terrain.
      Nylon mesh and split-grain leather—Nylon and split-grain leather boots are lightweight and breathable, which makes them perfect for warm to moderate weather use and short to moderate backpacking trips. They tend to be softer on your feet, they take less time to break in, and they are almost always lighter than full-grain leather boots. They also cost less. Unfortunately, nylon/split-grain boots tend to be less water resistant than full-grain leather boots (although styles that feature waterproof liners can be just as watertight, if not more so).
      Fit—If you plan on carrying anything more than a daypack with lunch, you will need a good pair of boots. The support of a solid pair of boots is vital to prevent injury to your ankles.

• Boots are fitted larger than most shoes. You will probably need to go at least a half size or more up from your normal shoe size. You should be able to move your toes, but you don't want too much room or your foot will slide around inside the boot.
• If you can, try the boot out on an incline, make sure your foot does not slide forward when you're walking downhill. Make sure that your foot is not rubbing and your heel is not lifting too much off the insole. 
• Wear hiking socks when you are trying on boots. The combination of a quality pair of hiking socks and a good fitting pair of boots is essential.

SLEEPING BAG

Style
Choose a “backpacking” style sleeping bag that is easy to compress and stuff.  A compression stuff sack is a useful means of taking a bulkier bag and making it fit in a smaller space.

Temperature Ratings
When choosing a sleeping bag, look for a one that keeps your body warm enough for the weather conditions in which you will most frequently use it.  Keep in mind that you should also choose a Sleeping Bag in terms of its bulkiness. The challenge is that the warmer a bag is, the more insulation material it contains, and hence, the heavier and bulkier the bag will be. Most of the time, manufacturers will give their Sleeping Bags a 'comfort temperature rating' - this being the lowest temperature at which the average person will still be able to have a good night's sleep while using the bag.  Temperatures in the 4-corners region could drop to freezing, so a ‘comfort temperature rating’ of 25°F+ should be plenty warm.

Insulation Materials - Down versus Synthetic
      Synthetic Sleeping Bags — In general, Synthetic Sleeping Bags are much cheaper than Down Sleeping Bags. In addition, they are much easier to wash and dry more quickly if the Sleeping Bag becomes wet. However, compared to the Down Sleeping Bags, they are bulkier and heavier.  For novice users, ease of care, and warmth if it becomes wet, synthetic is recommended.
      Down Sleeping Bags —Down Sleeping Bags are lighter and less bulky than a Synthetic Sleeping Bag. They also have a longer service life - about twice as long as that from a Synthetic Sleeping Bag. Disadvantages are the costs of these Bags, necessity of keeping them dry in the wilderness, and the more complicated cleaning process.