Updated March 1, 2022
My top hiking and outdoor gear picks are a list of the gear I use trekking outside in a variety of conditions and terrain. The following is a list of items I use regularly and are tried and true over the years. All items fall in line with my belief in keeping things simple, practical, and light.
Note: The men’s specific gear came highly recommended by both my husband, Dan and my son, Grant who are outdoor enthusiasts.
-BACKPACKING / HIKING GEAR-
SLEEPING PAD | Therm-aRest NeoAir XTherm
If you sleep cold at all, buy it. It does weigh a couple of ounces more and is pricey but worth it. I found that changing my sleeping bag to a lower temperature rating did not solve the problem of being cold at night. This product works. In addition, the pad comes with an inflating bag. The bag doubles as my clothes bag. It also washes up nicely. No more getting lightheaded blowing up a pad.
BACKPACK | Gossamer Gear Gorilla 40
This pack is light, comfortable, has lots of pockets (love the large hip belt pockets), rides well in rough terrain, easy to pack, and fits like a glove. Tip: The Gorilla fits a half-size bear can easily. If you carry a full size bear can, the Mariposa model works nicely. Use code ROCKIN2022 for 15% off
FOOD PROTECTION | Ursack Major Bear Bag
Great protection from bears, critters and marmots. I used this on The Great Divide Trail and loved the larger size. I always use a 28″X20″ Odor Proof Sack with the Ursack. It now comes in the color black.
TENT STAKES | MSR Ground Hog Stakes
I admit, sometimes I pound the heck out of a stake trying to get it into the ground to set up my tent. Over the years, I have bent many stakes in the process. I have not managed to bend the Ground Hogs. Also, they hold great in wind.
WATER FILTER | Sawyer PointOne Squeeze Water Filter System
I screw the Sawyer Squeeze directly on a disposable Smart Water Bottle and drink directly from the filter. I wish I would have started using this system a few years ago.
HEADLAMP | Nitecore NU20 360 Lumens Rechargeable Lightweight Rechargeable Headlamp
This rechargeable headlamp is light, bright, and I love that it can be recharged on-trail with my portable charger.
SIT PAD | Montbell Trail Cushion
This pad compacts down to a very small size and fits perfectly in the outside mesh pocket of my pack. It saves my pants and keeps my tush warm on cold ground/rock.
-ELECTRONICS/APPS-
SATELLITE MESSENGER | Garmin inReach Mini
This little device changed how I communicate each day and how others think about my hikes. My family no longer wonders each night where I am and if I am okay. Not only is it for emergency situations, but it also will give weather forecasts and I can text my family and friends easily using the Garmin app on my iPhone.
MAPPING APP | Gaia GPS
This mapping app is fast, uses very little battery and is user-friendly. Before a trip, I load a GPS track and download maps on the app for the area I will be hiking in. A bonus, use the link below for a discount.
CHARGER | Anker PowerCore 10000 Compact
I use this to charge my phone, camera, Garmin (if needed), and headlamp on longer trips. It is fast and semi-lightweight.
View Anker PowerCore 10000 Portable Charger
-CLOTHING-
SHIRT | Outdoor Research Eco Hoodie – Women’s and Men’s
Great sun protection. This shirt features a hood, is lightweight, keeps you cool, has low odor after multiple wears, fits great, and offers fantastic colors. My whole family uses this shirt for fall, summer, and spring.
SHOES | La Sportiva Bushido Trail Runner – Women’s and Men’s
This shoe saved my feet a few years ago from plantar fasciitis. It features a stiff mid-sole that is responsive. The sole is grippy on granite, snow, and mud. The shoe is very comfortable and lightweight. Be sure to size up for long hikes.
View Men’s La Sportiva Bushido II Trail-Running Shoes
View Women’s La Sportiva Bushido II Trail-Running Shoes
WIND JACKET | Patagonia Houdini – Women’s and Men’s
Awesome to hike in for cool or windy days. I have this ultra lightweight mid-layer jacket on at least once every day on my thru-hikes. It is a part of my working layering system and is always in my pack for short day hikes, runs, or long hikes.
View Women’s Patagonia Houdini Wind Jacket
View Men’s Patagonia Houdini Jacket
BELT | Arcade Adventure Belt – Unisex
This lightweight belt is easy to fasten and unfasten, adjusts easy and stays , lays flat under a backpack hip belt, and comes in many fun colors.
DOWN PUFFY | Mountain Hardware Ghost Whisperer – Women’s and Men’s
Super light and warm, great fit, and comes in beautiful colors. I go nowhere without this jacket, indoors, outdoors, trail, or at the mall.
View Women’s Ghost Whisperer II Down Jacket
View Men’s Mountain Hardware Ghost Whisperer II
SOCKS | Injinji Mini Crew Toesocks – Unisex
If you have a tendency to get blisters between and around your toes, these socks just might help. Downside, they do wear out quickly and are hard to put on and take off, but worth it.
SUN GLOVES | Outdoor Research Sungloves – Unisex
Wonderful at protecting hands from the sun. Who needs premature sun spots on hands?
View Outdoor Research ActiveIce spectrum Sun Gloves
SCARF | Original Buff Headwear
Great neck sun protection. This is a multi-use scarf. It can be used as a beanie, headband, and I use it for my pillow case.
View Buff Multifunctional Headwear
-FOOD-
BEEF STICK | Paleo Valley Beef Sticks
I have tried a lot of beef sticks and these are my favorite. They have a great texture, flavor, are nutritious, and have all great ingredients for a snack or part of a lunch.
DEHYDRATED FOOD | Harmony House Backpackers Kit
This dehydrated pack has a big variety of vegetables, herbs, and beans trail ready. It is fun to combine a plethora of mixtures with quinoa, rice, and pasta.
View Harmony House Dehydrated Backpacking Kit
-Scrambling-
CLIMBING HELMET | Black Diamond Vapor – Unisex
Comfortable, light and cool on the head, light in the pack, and fits great. I forget I am even wearing a helmet.
View Black Diamond Vapor Climbing Helmet
LIGHTWEIGHT GLOVES | Gorilla Grip Gloves
Great lightweight, grippy, breathable, and inexpensive hand protection for bouldering and class 2 climbing.
APPROACH SHOES | La Sportiva TX3 Approach Shoe Women’s and Men’s
Excellent grip for hiking, bouldering, & class 3 climbing. I also use this shoe for most of my thru-hikes. Added bonus, the TX3’s are great at keeping sand out of your socks and feet.
View Women’s La Sportiva Tx3 Approach Shoe
View Mens’ La Sportiva Tx3 Approach Shoe
-HIKING MISC.-
EYE MASK | Natural Silk Sleep Mask
I love these for full-moon nights when the moon resembles a giant flashlight in your face.
SMALL BAGS | Ezy Dose Disposable Pill Pouches
Handy for carrying salt, spices, pills, and vitamins. The little pouches can also be used for added protection for ointments and lotions.
Visit My Complete Backpacking and Outdoor Gear Lists
Happy Adventuring!
Hey Christy,
Quick question. I’ve looked at the Bushidos for a while but can’t try them on near me and hear they run quite small. How much bigger than your street shoes do you usually buy your hiking shoes, and do you do the same for Bushidos or need to move up an extra half size? Also, you mention using La Sportiva approach shoes on most of your through hikes. So, NOT the Bushidos? I would think approach shoes would be kind of rigid for long days of hiking, unless maybe it’s technical terrain like one of the high routes, where you’re constantly on scree or talus?
I have used the Tx3s since I hurt my foot in 2019. They provide some stiffness and are wide for long distance hiking. I still love my Bushidos and they work great in lots of conditions except sand. I recommend them highly! They do run small. Buy a whole size bigger at least than you normally would. I wear a 91/2 women’s and buy a size 43 for the trail. My street size in them would be a 42.
Great gear post Christy!
Crazy fun writing it up! Hope it helps.
Just bought the sawer filter system and love it,so much better then my old school system,also looking at the shoes recommended ,trying them out for training more beach runs
Bart, I hope you like your water filter system as much as I do! and those shoes! Such a great shoe for most everything snow, mud, rocks, and trail including: around town, runs, or just hanging out.
What, no tent recommendation? I expected a nice discussion about the solplex vs The One. LOL
I missed that the GG umbrella was collapsible. That might make me push the button on a new one.
Thanks for the shout outs! It sure is fun sharing gear lists.
Well this is great timing! THE ONE by Gossamer Gear was out of stock, so I didn’t add it to the list. BUT today I just got an email that it not only is in stock but on sale for $239.00! A steal! I love that tent.
Agree with you wholeheartedly on the XTherm. My other favorites over the past few years are the Zpacks Solplex shelter and Arc Scout pack (for those of us with short torsos), and Katabatic Gear’s Grenadier 5F quilt. And I just can’t quit my Jetboil.
Man that is quite a line up of the best lightweight gear! I so agree about the Jetboil. I try other stoves, even going without a stove. I always go back. Thank you for sharing.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy, fun, healthy New Year. Anxious for your next hiking adventure.
Ah Lucy, Thank you! Merry merry everything to you! Spoiler: I have my heart and legs looking at the Arizona Trail. :0
Interesting that the foldable umbrella version is actually a tad lighter and a tad more coverage. I figured you’d have to sacrifice some weight for it. I’ll have to look at that.
I love the belt! Who knew! The one that comes with my pants always loosens during use. It never occurred to me to buy a separate one! (Purchased)
I too love the Sawyer 1oz. I buy it in the bigger sizes and then use a mini plastic syringe to “top off” the 1oz one I have so that I always have the right amount when I start my hikes.
Good to see another sun glove. I’ve always used the Columbia ones but I think they stopped making them, so this may be the one to migrate to for me.
I use the same stakes but remove the cordage from them as it gets in the way and it saves a tiny bit of weight. I just use the tent cordage already around each one to pull them out which works just as good if not better.
Thanks! GoalTech
Good Morning Goal Tech,
YES, all true. I tested the umbrella in 2 days of downpour on the Theodore Solomons Trail. Arrow had the full size Chrome Dome. There was really no difference, except the umbrella pole is a bit shorter, thinner and it has a shorter handle. I do think the foldable one might not do as well in the wind. The other advantage is it doesn’t stick up. I have lost an umbrella bush whacking. It just lifted out of my pack without me knowing.
If that belt isn’t your favorite, Dan also likes his Patagonia Tech Web Belt.
I was bummed when Columbia stopped making their sun gloves, but I really like the bright colors of the OR gloves. I am never trying to find them anymore. Very visible.
Ya, I even managed to tear into the tent cords not having the loops, by pulling on them over and over again on long hikes. Back on the cordage on the stakes. I tried. You have special powers.
Thank you for sharing, I am positive the readers really appreciate hearing from you!
Interesting on the tearing from repeated use, I could see that being a problem over heavy, repeated use now that you mention it. Any reason to pick Dan’s belt over yours in particular? Can you still strap the umbrella to your pack strap as easily for long term hiking in the rain like is easy to do with the standard one?
The Patagonia belt does not clip in and out and does not stretch at all. The Arcade has some give and clips together. We like both and both are the same width and great for any outdoor activity.
I have not tried to strap it to my pack. When I have needed to use it, the weather was bad and I was hiking in rougher terrain, so holding the umbrella made sense. I do think that it would work. I just would need a bit of adjusting to my current system because of the diameter of the pole.
Got my new belt…love it! Thanks.
🙂
Rockin, Love the easy to scroll format and that you added guy favs. Thanks. 2 questions:
1. My XTherm is so slippery, my bag just slid right off. Funny the first night, not so much on the next few nights on the Bishop/Paiute Pass Loop. Any issues or fixes?
2. Sawyer Bug spray. Saw a post a few seasons back where you sprayed your gear before a trip. Was about to do the same, but the EPA label scared me away. What’s your current thinking on that? Gear vs self? Prep vs on the trail? Your specific dietary limitations and use of Ess Oils is well blogged so I would really respect your input here.
Thanks from all of us that benefit from your blog. Cheers. DW
Dave, Thanks for the feedback. Here are my thoughts:
1. Dan, my husband just bought a new Zpacks sleeping bag and Xtherm. Last weekend he said his bag was slipping off too. The problem might be the new pad? or maybe the material on his new sleeping bag? or the combination? I have the older Zpacks bag that is made of a different material and have used my pad over the last 2 years. No slipping problems. We are looking for a solution for him.
2. I stopped spraying my clothes before trips that I know are going to be buggy and now concentrate on bringing clothes that cover me up when bugs are out. I do bring some spray Sawyer Picaridin or my latest favorite, Badger Anti-Bug Balm (smells great) for when the bugs are unbearable, biting through clothes.
Thank you for your support and encouragement to keep blogging away. 🙂
I love your annual gear posts and have gotten many good ideas from them. Thanks!
Thank you Marla, You are welcome. I am glad this info is helpful. Hopefully, it might save some money not having to try so many items out. I love when hikers share what works for them after testing in the field for quite some time. 🙂