Your comfort zone is bigger than your cubicle. You were born to get out and explore. But accessing remote and rugged landscapes this summer will require dependable equipment with the grit and gumption necessary to keep you pushing forward and onward.
Summer Backpacking Essentials
Whether your summer entails knocking out chunks of the Pacific Crest Trail, or more laid back summer weekends with backcountry overnights, the right gear ensures you’ll have a more satisfying, stress free experience. That means you can spend more time making memories, and less time fretting about your equipment. For the summer trails ahead, here are thirteen items in our own personal gear stash that will ensure a more enjoyable backpacking experience for years to come.
Backpack: Granite Gear Crown2 60L
There’s no “Backpacking” without a backpack. If you want to maneuver over the trails like the summer breeze, the Granite Gear Crown2 60L is your go-to pack of choice. The Crown 2 combines an array of basic yet essential features that make it a bare-bones option for the backpacker looking for a light pack at a light price point.
This new and improved successor to the classic Crown V.C. 60 is capable of carrying everything you need for weekend escapes and multi-day outings in the backcountry. The pack boasts the brand’s patent-pending fully adjustable Re-Fit hip belt, a new and innovative compression molded PP frame sheet with molded foam back panel, and removable bonus lid. And while that sounds like a mouthful, it all weighs in at a meager 2.2lbs. Best of all, ringing in at just under two-hundred bucks, you’ll still have enough coin left over for all your other adventure gear.
granitegear.com; MSRP $199.95
Tent: Updated MSR Elixir 2
Over the years we’ve tested our fair share of tents. And while there are a lot of gems out there, the brand we come back to time and again is MSR. This year, MSR has updated the Elixir 2 tent to provide a beautiful balance of performance and affordability. Unlike many tents in this class, MSR’s freestanding tent design offers true-to-size capacity for two and features two large doors plus new larger vestibules with 35% more space.
The versatile tent balances breathable mesh fabric with solid canopy fabric to provide ventilation, warmth and privacy. While it weighs slightly more than some other two-man options, the full range of features means this is a no-brainer purchase you’ll never regret. MSR even threw in an included footprint, which not only helps extend the life of the tent, but can also be used to trim weight for fast and light trips by using just the footprint and fly for the Fast & Light pitch set up. Ringing in at just $249, the Elixir 2 costs less than some backpacking boots. Whether you’re planning your first backpacking trip or your next one, the Elixir 2 tent is a perfect option for those looking to hit that sweet spot of value and performance.
msrgear.com; MSRP $249.95
Sleeping Bag: Therm-a-Rest Parsec 20F
Tackle far-off summits and find new vistas, all while sleeping comfortably in the Therm-a-Rest Parsec 20F Sleeping Bag. Engineered for your fast and light adventures, the Parsec delivers lightweight and packable warmth. Just like an alpinist precisely selects his rack or a skier carefully chooses her line, Therm-a-Rest took the time to dial in the small details that create comfort and security in the mountains. This down bag features insanely lightweight 800-fill Nikwax Hydrophobic Down and will lull you to sleep on your summer excursions into the backcountry.
The Parsec features the brands Thermacapture™ Lining which traps radiant body heat to help retain warmth without adding bulk or weight. SynergyLink™ Connectors keep your bag connected to a mattress (we recommend the NeoAir Xlite) for optimal comfort and a better night’s rest. Yes, the Parsec is on the higher end of the price spectrum, but in our experience, no line of bags offers a better night’s sleep in the great outdoors.
Thermarest.com; MSRP $379.95 – $419.95
Backpacking Boots: Vasque Saga GTX
Finding a hiking boot is easy. Finding the perfect boot is much harder. Admittedly, if you’ve got some experience under your belt and you’re not wandering unending miles in the wilderness with a big pack, a quality pair of trail shoes like the Altra Running Lone Peak 3.5 are a tremendous choice. But, when the miles begin to add up and you need boots that can shoulder a heavier load, gear up with the Saga GTX from Vasque (available for men and women).
The Saga GTX represents the evolution of the backpacking boot: An agile, nimble and precise all-mountain backpacker built for fast-moving treks across challenging terrain. Featuring a durable engineered mesh upper for lightweight support and breathable toe and heel counters for extra protection and comfort, the Saga GTX is fit for the long haul. A Gore-Tex membrane sweetens the deal even more by delivering waterproof, breathable performance. Vibram Megagrip outsole ensures you get to your destination and back without a slip or struggle.
Vasque.com; MSRP $229.99
Insulation: L.L. Bean Ultralight 850 Hooded Down Sweater
Unless you’re backpacking through Death Valley in July, you’ll need a jacket to keep you cozy on mountain mornings above the treeline. The perfect warmth for just about everything, L.L. Bean’s classic Ultralight Down Sweater Jacket is everything you want in a do-it-all jacket.
Every 850 Down Sweater is equipped with revolutionary DownTek treated down, a specially coated 850-fill that actually repels water when unexpected weather tries to dampen your spirits. It dries faster, stays dry longer and makes your adventure, on or off trail, even better. The color-block version adds extra style points to your ‘Be An Outsider’ moments. Every trip, every season, this is the jacket that goes in our bag and over our shoulders.
llbean.com; MSRP $219
Clothing: Royal Robbins MerinoLux Shirts & Patagonia Quandary Pants
When you prepare to head into the backcountry, there’s no shortage of clothing options available. And what’s true is no matter the size of your adventure agenda, you’ll need essentially the same fundamental pieces of clothing for layering, with variations to address the specific weather or environmental conditions you’re likely to encounter.
Within the outdoor industry, significant debate exists regarding merino vs. synthetic apparel. You can get bogged down in the debate, or you can opt for a clothing choice that integrates the advantages of both materials. Enter Royal Robbins MerinoLux tops for men and women. MerinoLux blends eco-conscious Sorona fibers with premium Merino wool, giving a soft hand and added durability to the performance you need. Featuring temperature-regulation, moisture wicking, wrinkle-resistance, and UPF 50+ protection you’ll find yourself reaching for these tops even for off-trail adventures.
royalrobbins.com; MSRP $59-$79
Patagonia Quandary Shorts & Pants
Every detail of the the Patagonia Quandary Pants and Shorts (available for men and women) is dialed in and destined for glory on the trail. Built for comfort and unconstrained movement, the Quandary line offers stretchy comfort with durable protection that ensures you’ll come out of even the most rugged terrain undeterred and unblemished. A stretch-woven 94% nylon (62% recycled)/6% spandex fabric pairs with an inseam gusset panel to truly open up your range of motion where you need it. Built-in UPF 50 sun-protection saves your legs on those hot days when the sun threatens to beat your body to a pulp. And of course, Patagonia designed the line with a clean aesthetic so they can go from trail to tavern without flinching.
patagonia.com; MSRP $69-$89
Illumination: LED-Lenser Headlamp
Moonless nights and torrential thunderstorms make for spectacular photos, but they also mean you’re out in the elements when it’s pitch-black and Biblically wet. Part of the Outdoor Series, the LEDlenser MH10 headlamp utilizes a beautiful 600-lumen light to serve as your trail torch whenever and wherever you need to scatter the darkness. Weighing in at 9.3 ounces with up to 120 hours of battery life, this gem won’t weigh you down or leave you fumbling your way back to the tent after the sun drops down.
ledlenserusa.com; MSRP $80
Tool: Leatherman Signal Black
There’s a reason that a quality knife/multi-tool is the corner piece to the classic Ten Essentials list. From shaving down kindling to fending off rogue squirrels; from forging a shelter to tackling unexpected emergencies, being prepared with the right equipment is a necessity. And quite simply, the Leatherman Signal is the multi-tool no outdoor enthusiast should be without.
Back in black for that sleek and gritty feel outdoorists crave, the Signal pairs Leatherman’s traditional functional tools with preparedness features like a shaped diamond coated sharpener for maintaining your straight and serrated blade, fire-starting ferro rod, and an emergency whistle. Weather have you socked in at basecamp? Lightening your load on that day hike? No problem. Stay ready for the expected (and unexpected) no matter where you are with everything you need to stay safe and take your adventure further.
leatherman.com; MSRP $109.95
Rain Protection: inov-8 ATC Stormshell
It may be summer, but when you hit the mountains Mother Nature can be fickle and unpredictable. Whether you’re ascending into the mist or caught in a summer thunderstorm, you need a dependable rain jacket to protect you from the elements. There’s a dizzying list of options available ranging from two buck throw-away’s to high end jackets that cost a King’s Ransom. For the budget conscious adventurer, L.L. Bean’s Discovery Rain Jacket offers affordable and dependable rain protection.
But hands down, our go-to wearable shelter of choice is the Inov-8 ATC Stormshell (available for men and women). Wondering why we’re including a rain jacket from a technical run brand? The answer is simple: Designed for lightweight racing and intense training runs in wet conditions, the thoughtful design details that make this jacket ideal for serious runners, make it the perfect choice for ambitious packers. The ATC Stormshell boasts a super-soft Pertex Shield fabric for increased comfort and fully taped seams to keep you dry and protected in ark-like conditions.
At 6.2 ounces it’s half the weight of other technical rain jackets, and because it’s designed with racing in mind, we find that it moves with the body much better than some of the boxy designs from other brands. Stuff the ultralight Stormshell into your pack ahead of a week-long backpacking trek and you’re likely to forget you’re even carrying it—until you need to put it on, of course.
inov-8.com/us; MSRP $200
Cooking System: MSR Windburner Stove System
Once you venture from the safe sanctuary of home and into the great beyond to seek your own private patch of earth, two things are a certainty: 1) You’ll work up a quality appetite; 2) You’re going to encounter some serious wind gusts. Which is why we rely on the WindBurner Stove System from MSR — the easy solution to both of those backcountry qualms.
WindBurner stove systems (available in solo, duo, and group options) maximize your outdoor cooking power and make packing up simple for every adventure. This self-contained system easily slips into a small corner of your pack yet boils your water exceptionally fast thanks to a powerful built-in heat exchanger that maximizes the heat that’s transferred to the pot.
msrgear.com; MSRP $149.95 – $179.95
Trail Socks: Darn Tough
Shoes get a lot of focus in the hiking-gear world, and for good reason. But what we don’t spend enough time talking about is quality socks. If you’ve been out tackling trails in sub-par socks wondering why your feet are uncomfortable, it’s likely because you’ve broken these two rules:
Rule 1: Don’t hit the trail with cotton socks;
Rule 2: Don’t skimp on socks.
A solid pair of moisture-wicking, funk-mitigating, long-lasting wool socks will serve as the be the cornerstone to a summer of comfortable feet. Which is why it’s time for you to experience the Darn Tough difference. The Light Hiker is and has been our go-to sock for small and big mile adventures alike. They move moisture, which helps prevent blisters from forming. They’ll keep your feet warm in the tent and deal with foot funk well enough that your tent mate won’t hate you for wearing them to sleep. Unconditionally guaranteed for life, Darn Tough embodies the crucial connection between fit and performance that will elevate your backpacking experience.
darntough.com; MSRP $14-25
Power: BioLite SolarPanel 10+
Truth: Solar power isn’t an absolute necessity for backpacking. That being said, when your weekend wanderings begin to morph into longer adventures you’ll wonder why you ever went without it. It’s 2018 and most of us are packing iPhones, GoPros or GPS units into the backcountry . For adventures that require us to fuel up those devices more than once, we depend up on the BioLite SolarPanel. Small and light enough to tack onto your pack, but powerful keep you loaded with 5 watts of usable electricity.
However you use it, this clean Earth-loving power panel ensures you’ll have the power to take all the pictures you want, and send messages like civilized people even while you’re off the grid.
bioliteenergy.com; MSRP $129.95
Final Thoughts…
Good gear helps you enjoy the outdoor experience; great gear lets your outdoor soul thrive. This list, while by no means exhaustive, ensures you’ll have quality gear that will enhance your outdoor experience. Each of these pieces is gumption tested and gumption approved by our team of experienced outdoor experts. As a reminder, anytime you adventure into the great outdoors, we recommend utilizing the 10 essentials (like this one from REI) to ensure you are fully prepared for your backcountry adventures.