All Of The Things On Our Backs
We have been slowly accumulating our gear over the last 6 years. We would also try to field test as much as we could to make sure this something we wanted to commit to using for 3+ months. Also, we made very good use of REI’s membership return policy. :) If you are reading this, you probably already know, but REI has the best customer service. It is well worth paying a little extra to get their professional opinions on gear and to have the ability to return anything that we are not satisfied with.
With backpacking, it is always hard to balance budget, comfort, and light weight gear. We have had many long conversations and debates on exactly what we should be bringing to New Zealand. Only time will tell if we struck a balance and are completely satisfied with the gear we chose to bring. We will definitely have a follow-up blog to update what was great and not so great about our gear.
| Jeff | Sarah | |
| The Big Three | ||
| Backpack | Osprey Atmos AG LT 65 Pack - Men's | Gregory Deva 60 Pack - Egyptian Blue - Women's w/ A3 Air Shoulder Harness |
| Tent | NEMO Hornet 2 Tent | |
| Shoes | Brooks Cascadia 16 Trail-Running Shoes | Saucony Endorphin Edge Trail-Running |
| Sleeping System | ||
| Sleeping Bag | NEMO Forte 35 Sleeping Bag - Men's | NEMO Viola 35 Sleeping Bag - Women's |
| Sleeping Pad | REI Co-op Stratus Insulated Air | Big Agnes Insulated Q-Core SLX Sleeping Pad |
| Sleeping Bag Liner | Sea to Summit Premium Blend Silk/Cotton Liner | Sea to Summit Premium Blend Silk/Cotton Liner |
| Pillowcase | Rumpl Stuffable Pillowcase | Rumpl Stuffable Pillowcase |
| Water and Cooking | ||
| Water Purification | Katadyn Steripen Ultra UV Water Purifier | |
| Stove | MSR WindBurner Duo Stove System | |
| Kettle | MSR WindbBurner Kettle 1.8L | |
| Backup Water Purification | Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter System | |
| Emergency Water Purification | Katadyn Micropur Purification Tablets - Package of 30 | |
| Utensil | humangear GoBites Uno Spork | humangear GoBites Uno Spork |
| Cup | Swag Brewery 16 Enamel Cup | Swag Brewery 16 Enamel Cup |
| Collapsible Cup | Sea to Summit Cool Grip X-Tumbler | |
| Water Storage | MSR Dromedary Bag - 6 Liters | |
| Soap | Campsuds Biodegradable Concentrated Soap - 2 oz | |
| Dish Cleaning | 2"x2" Brillo Pad | |
| Clothes | ||
| Shorts/Pants 1 | REI Co-op Sahara Cargo Shorts - Men's | BALEAF Bermuda Hiking Short |
| Shorts/Pants 2 | Patagonia Baggies Shorts | REI Co-op Screeline Hybrid Pants - Women's |
| Shorts/Pants 3 | REI Co-op Sahara Roll-Up Pants | Columbia Saturday Trail Pants - Women's |
| Shirt 1 | REI Co-op Sahara Plaid Long-Sleeve Shirt | Icebreaker Motion Seamless Crewe T-Shirt - Women's |
| Shirt 2 | Smartwool Everyday Exploration Pocket T-Shirt | Smartwool Everyday Exploration Slub T-Shirt - Women's |
| Shirt 3 | REI Co-op Sahara Plaid Long-Sleeve Shirt | REI Co-op Sahara Button-Up Long-Sleeve Shirt - Women's |
| Base layer (bottoms) | Odlo Naturals Merino Warm Base Layer Bottoms - Women's | |
| Sleep/Hut Shirt (base layer) | Smartwool NTS 250 Pattern Crew Long Underwear Top | Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Pattern Crew Base Layer Top - Women's |
| Vest | REI Co-op Revelcloud Vest | REI Co-op Revelcloud Vest - Women's |
| Jacket | REI Co-op Mt. Goode Fleece Jacket | Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket |
| Underwear 1 | Smartwool Merino 150 Print Boxer Briefs | Icebreaker Siren Hipkini Briefs - Women's |
| Underwear 2 | Smartwool Merino 150 Print Boxer Briefs | Icebreaker Siren Hipkini Briefs - Women's |
| Underwear 3 | Smartwool Merino 150 Print Boxer Briefs | Icebreaker Siren Hipkini Briefs - Women's |
| Socks 1 | Smartwool Performance Hike Light Cushion Pattern Ankle Socks | Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew Socks - Women's |
| Socks 2 | Smartwool Performance Hike Light Cushion Pattern Ankle Socks | Smartwool Performance Hike Light Cushion Margarita Ankle Socks - Women's |
| Socks 3 | Darn Tough Hiker Quarter Cushion Socks | Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew Socks - Women's |
| Sleep/Hut Socks | REI Co-op Lightweight Merino Wool Hiking Crew Socks | Columbia Cushion Socks |
| Sports Bra 1 | prAna Momento Bra | |
| Sports Bra 2 | Exhale Bra Athleta | |
| Sleep/Hut Underwear | Smartwool Merino 150 Boxers | Smartwool Merino 150 Printed Boxer Briefs - Men's |
| Sandals | Teva Original Universal Sandal | KEEN Newport H2 Sandals |
| Insoles | CURREX HikePRO Insole | CURREX HikePRO Insole |
| Glove Liners | Old pair I've had for a while | Giro Riv'ette CS Cycling Gloves |
| Ski Gloves | Old pair I've had for a while | Marmot Moraine Insulated Mittens |
| Beanie | Generic Cotton | Outdoor Research Melody Beanie |
| Hat | Texas Rangers Cap w/ bandana and buff | Outdoor Research Equinox Cape Cap |
| Rain Gear | ||
| Rain Pants | Columbia Rebel Roamer Rain Pants - Men's | REI Co-op Essential Rain Pants - Women's Petite Sizes |
| Rain Jacket | Marmot Knife Edge Rain Jacket | Marmot Knife Edge Rain Jacket |
| Gaiters | Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain Low Gaiters | Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain Low Gaiters |
| Electronics | ||
| Battery Pack 1 | Goal Zero Flip 36 Power Bank | Goal Zero Flip 36 Power Bank |
| Battery Pack 2 | Goal Zero Flip 24 Power Bank | Goal Zero Flip 24 Power Bank |
| Books | Kindle | Kindle |
| Headphones 1 | Bose SoundSport Free | Plantronics BackBeat Fit |
| Headphones 2 | Plantronics BackBeat Fit | Plantronics BackBeat Fit |
| Camera | Sony Alpha a7R III Mirrorless | |
| Microphone | Rode VideoMicro Compact | |
| Camera Shoulder Clip | Peak Design Capture Clip | |
| Phone | Samsung Galaxy S 22 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S 21 |
| Phone Gimbal | Zhiyun Smooth Q4 Gimbal Stabilizer | |
| Electric Adaptor | Travel Adapter, JOOMFEEN Worldwide | Travel Adapter, JOOMFEEN Worldwide |
| Camera Lens | Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Full-Frame Autofocus Lens | |
| Phone Case | SPIDERCASE | Temdan |
| Misc. | ||
| Emergency Fire Starter | UCO Survival Matches | |
| Whistle | Vargo Titanium Emergency Whistle | Vargo Titanium Emergency Whistle |
| Hiking Poles | Leki (they are very old but trusty, no idea what model) | Leki (they are very old but trusty, no idea what model) |
| Emergerncy Beacon | ACR Electronics rescueME PLB1 Personal Locator Beacon | |
| Camp Towl | PackTowl Personal Hand Towel | PackTowl Personal Hand Towel |
| Sunglasses | Prescription Maui Jim Haleakala Wrap Sunglasses | Ray-Ban Aviator |
| Knife | Leatherman Skeletool Multi-Tool | Jeff's Old Boy Scout Knife |
| Headlamp | Black Diamond Cosmo 225 Headlamp | Black Diamond Spot 350 Headlamp |
| Compass | Brunton TruArc 3 Compass | |
| Pee Rag | Kula Cloth Reusable Antimicrobial Pee Cloth | |
| Trowel | iunio Hiking Trowel |
