The latest generation of gear and clothing is lighter, warmer,
and more functional. These advantages are evident in packs,
tents, sleeping bags, stoves, jackets, pants, and waterproof
shells.
Review your gear and clothes as per the Backpacking Checklist.
Look for redundancies or gaps.
Anything worn out and/or significantly surpassed by better
technology or materials may be worth considering for
replacement.
On every trip one should consider how gear and clothes can be improved so that weight is reduced
while improving performance and enjoyment. Possible goals:
Reduce your pack weight (excluding food) by 3 (or 5)
pounds
Replace two pieces of clothing with a single multi-functional piece.
Improve the weakest link in your gear or clothing
Improve your protection against rain and
cold.
Each team member should have clothing that is roughly equivalent with the others
in terms of rain protection and insulation. This way all backpackers feel the rain/cold equally and are
ready to retire to the tent at about the same time.
Following is a list of some of the best gear and clothes for
backpackers in the Sierra Nevada environment. These items have been reviewed for their quality, light weight, features, and performance in 3-season mountain backpacking.
We show in bold our favorite choices.
Tents
Notes
Tents
For 2-person: Under 5 lbs packed weight; ultralight under 4.5 lbs
For 3 person: Under 9 lbs packed weight
Ease of set-up
Room to sit up
Fly & Footprint only for ultralight roughing it.
Dual door/dual vestibule is addded plus.
2-person, 3 season tents
Black Diamond Firstlight
Eureka! Zeus 2 EXO
The North Face Tadpole 23
Kelty Flight 2
MSR Hubba Hubba
Mountain Hardwear PCT 2
Marmot EOS 2P
REI Sub_Alpine 2L
The North Face Vector 22
3-person, 3-season tents
The North Face Merlin 33
Eureka! Zeus 3 EXO
Mountain Hardwear Hammerhead 3
Mountain Hardwear Mountain Jet 3
Mountain Hardwear Haven 3
REI Taj 3
Stoves--Liquid
Notes
Stoves
Fast boil
Efficient use of fuel
Pot and Stove Stability
Ease of lighting and maintenance
Durability
Simmering capability is useful
MSR Simmerlite
MSR Whisperlite/Or International
MSR DragonFly
MSR XGK Expedition
Optimus Nova
Primus Himalaya Vari-fuel
Primus Omni Fuel
Sleeping Bags
Notes
Bags
15 to 20 degrees F
Water resistant, windproof shell, breathable
Features: foot box, draft tube, collar and hood
adjustments
Target 2 lbs, 12 ozs or less for down bags
Ultralights are in the 2 pound range
Marmot Helium
Marmot Pinnacle Mountain Hardwear Phantom
The North Face Hightail Valandre Mirage +20
REI Down Time Women's REI Sub-Kilo +20
Sierra Designs Nitro
Sleeping Bags--Synthetic
Notes
Bags
15 to 25 degrees F
Look for high performance fill--Polarguard 3d, or Polarguard
Delta
Marmot Pounder Plus The North Face Fission
Mountain Hardwear 2nd Dimension
Kelty Sonora
REI Zephyr
The North Face Cat's Meow
Waterproof Shells--Ultralight
Notes
Shells
Waterproof/breathable
Good venting: large vent pockets or pit zips
Drawcord hem
About 1lb or less
Arc'Teryx Alpha SL
The North Face Lightspeed
Marmot Essence
REI Ultralight Jacket
Marmot Precip
Waterproof Shells-Mountaineering &
Expedition
Notes
Shells
Features above and beyond ultralight shell
Warmer linings/Warmer construction
Protection at zippers
Excellent venting
Improved stretch/movement design
Complete hood adjustments
Wear/Durability features
Improved waterproofing details
Arc'Teryx Beta AR
Arc'Teryx Theta AR
Arc'Teryx Theta LT
The North Face Mountainlight XCR
The North Face Exodus Guide Jacket
The North Face Flight Jacket
Mountain Hardwear Exposure II
Mountain Hardwear Recon Jacket
REI Liberty Ridge Parka
REI Switchback Parka
REI Ultra Stretch Jacket
The North Face Varius Light
Mid-Layer Insulation
Notes
Mid-Layer
Insulating when wet
Wind resistant/Water resistant/breathable
Good venting: large vent pockets or pit zips
Drawcord hem
Collar drawcord
Stretch/Movement support cut
About 1lb 6 ozs or less
Arc'Teryx Gamma MX Hoody
Jacket
Arc'Teryx Gamma MX Jacket
Marmot Sharp Point Jacket
Mountain Hardwear Windstopper Tech Jacket
Mountain Hardwear Alchemy Jacket
REI Synchro Jacket
REI Muir Woods Jacket
REI One jacket
The North Face Denali Jacket
The North Face Pumori Jacket
Pants
Notes
Pants
Nylon, quick dry, breathable
Gusseted crotch
Internal brief is good option
UPF
Web belt or belt loops
The North Face Paramount Pants
The North Face Paramount Convertible Pants
Ex Officio Amphi Pants
Ex Officio Convertible Amphi Pants
REI Convertible Sahara Pants
REI Sahara Pants
Mountain Hardwear Canyon Pants
Mountain Hardwear Pack Pants
Mountain Hardwear Synergy Pants
Shorts
Notes
Shorts
Nylon, quick dry
Internal brief keeps things simple
UPF
Ex Officio Amphi Shorts
REI Sahara Shorts
Mountain Hardwear Canyon Shorts
Mountain Hardwear Pack Shorts
The North Face Paramount Shorts
Sierra
Nevada backpacking - Comprehensive information on backpacking gear, clothes,
checklist, backpacking books, maps, trails, passes, and weather for High Sierra
backpackers, hikers, and trekkers.
