Help me narrow down my gear choices

[thecornflake]

I'm planning on doing some hiking/backpacking in the UK, and hopefully a couple of 1 or 2 weeks trips out to do some sections of the AT. All this is preparation for my thru-hike which I'm currently planning for 2009 or 2010, depending on what happens with work and other commitments closer to the time.

I'm working on sorting out a gear list, most of which will be used for the thru hike but also for the other trips. I want to do as many of the shorter trips and some day-long walks with the pack loaded as it would be for the thru-hike as well, to get used to the weight.

The list below is probably missing some things, and mainly based on reviews here and on other sites. Where there are specific reasons for my choices I've noted them. I haven't taken weight into consideration too much, but where possible I've listed the weight for the items.

Anyway, I need to start narrowing down this list or consider other items that you might want to recommend.

Pack -

Osprey Atmos 65
Arc'Teryx Bora 80 - (6 lbs 10 oz)
Osprey Aether 70 (4 lb. 9 oz)
Osprey Crescent 85 (7 lb 1 oz)
ULA Catalyst - 43 oz

Boots -

Lowa Banff?

Tent -

Planning on going for a 2 person 3 season. Don't like the idea of hammocks or single walls before you lot start on that one. I know some of these may be single walls, if so consider them discounted from the list.
I also have a thing about large vestibules. I really want one that I can maybe have half open to have a sheltered area just outside the tent to cook etc if this makes any sense.

SD Lightning - 3lb 15oz
MSR Hubba Hubba 2-Person - 4lb 2oz
Big Agnes Seedhouse SL 2 - 3lb 9oz
North Face Tephra 22 - 4lb 11 oz
North Face Tadpole 23 - 4lb 4oz
Six Moon Lunar Duo
Tenshi 06

Sleeping Bag -

Marmot Pinnacle - 15 degrees F / -9 degrees - 2lb 6oz

Sleeping Pad (?) -

Therm-A-Rest ProLite 4 - 1 lb 1 oz

Stove -

Not much idea about these yet, need to look into availability of fuel both in the UK and on the AT.

http://www.thebackpacker.com/gear/stoves/brasslite_turbo_ii-d.php
http://www.thebackpacker.com/gear/stoves/coleman_expedition_xpert_stove.php
http://www.thebackpacker.com/gear/stoves/coleman_peak_1_extreme_stove.php
http://www.backcountry.com/store/BRU0005/c3/s47/Brunton-Optimus-Nova-MultiFuel-Expedition-Stove.html
http://www.backcountry.com/store/SNO0013/c3/s47/Snow-Peak-GigaPower-Stove-Auto-Ignition.html
http://www.backcountry.com/store/CAS0211/c3/s47/MSR-WindPro-Stove.html

Water Purification -

Katadyn Hiker PRO water filter

Still to be considered -

Clothing, torch, poles etc

[bigcranky]

Hey, Cornflake,

Skip the giant, heavy packs. The Atmos 65 or the Aether 70 are plenty big enough for a thru-hike. If you have a huge pack, not only does it weigh 7 pounds *empty*, but you have all this room that you are going to fill up with stuff. (My pack, sleeping bag, pad, and tent don't weigh 7 pounds total.)

It's tough to get a double wall traditional tent for under 4 pounds (the SL1 and maybe the SL2 being the exceptions?) The SMD Lunar Duo is nice, as is the Tarptent Double Rainbow. Note that the SMD tent requires trekking poles for support.

You are right that many people here love their single-wall, light-weight tarp/tent shelters like the SMD and Tarptent models. You might consider that there are some good reasons for all that love, before you dismiss them out of hand. Some Whiteblazers have insisted on starting the trail with a heavy, traditional tent, and traded it out for a lighter shelter at Neel's Gap, 30 miles up the trail. There are a lot of steep climbs in Georgia, and those extra couple of pounds do make a difference.

Boots: wear what you like. I'm not familiar with that model, but if it fits well and you like it, go for it. Realize that you probably don't need a heavy mountaineering/trekking type boot. (My Scarpa Mantas have been sitting unused in the closet since April, 2000, when I switched to trail runners. Size 45 -- anyone interested?)

The Prolite 4 is a good pad, I use the full-length model year-round. Being an old fhart, I like getting a good night's sleep. The Hiker filter is popular. I used it when we go on family trips, but for solo hikes I just carry Aqua Mira. AM is lighter and easier to use, the only downside being that you have to wait to drink. Some hikers don't use any water treatment at all, and are quite vocal about it. Having seen what Giardia does first-hand, I still treat my water. Your sleeping bag is fine, too. Remember to line your pack with a trash bag to keep it dry.

Not sure what you call it over there, but consider an LED head lamp over a regular flashlight (torch). The 3-AAA battery LED models weigh less than 3 ounces and last forever.

Have fun planning and testing your gear. Cheers.

[RockStar]

ULA Catalyst - 43 oz (b/c they look damn nice and noone has ever complained, nothing but good reviews. I'd buy one if I had the money)

Tent, I would go with the lightest with all the features I want. I like fast put up and big vestibule also. My back gets cranky on the ground though. ;) (some outfitters rent tents for the weekend. Maybe try that to see which ones you like better)

Have you seen the Kelty Stick1 ? The vestibule space is amazing. Although I am 5'2". ;)

For boots, I wore my $90 Timberlands to start b/c they were VERY broken in and I figured they wouldn't mind the abuse. Was trying to save my Montrails for as long as possible. My Timberlands made it the 80 miles out of Georgia without a problem, no blisters. Just wish I had superfeet insoles or something. So COMFORT is gonna get you a lot farther no matter what boot. A LOT of ppl end up buying new boots at Neels Gap.

I'll let the pro's take it from here...

[thecornflake]

Hey, Cornflake,

You are right that many people here love their single-wall, light-weight tarp/tent shelters like the SMD and Tarptent models. You might consider that there are some good reasons for all that love, before you dismiss them out of hand. Some Whiteblazers have insisted on starting the trail with a heavy, traditional tent, and traded it out for a lighter shelter at Neel's Gap, 30 miles up the trail. There are a lot of steep climbs in Georgia, and those extra couple of pounds do make a difference.

Thanks for your useful advice. I was looking at LED headlamps for lighting, these seem to be what most people use.

I have a really big thing about double-walled tents, I think it's the psychological thing of having two layers between me and the elements. If I can find a way to try one out I will and see how it goes.

[terrapin_too]

I have a really big thing about double-walled tents, I think it's the psychological thing of having two layers between me and the elements. If I can find a way to try one out I will and see how it goes.

In most double-walled tents, the inner wall is just mesh; it's for keeping insects out, but not much else. The double-wall construction gives ventilation and reduces condensation, primarily. They're also nice in hot weather, where you can set up just the inner tent and leave off (or roll up) the fly.

If you're worried about rain, the main thing that keeps you dry is a bathtub floor that comes up a few inches from the ground, coupled with the outer wall of the tent which keeps rain from splashing or falling in above the line where the bathtub floor ends.

You might want to take a look at some of the Tarptents, particularly the ones with sewn-in floors. They have some of the attributes and advantages of a double-walled tent, but without the two layers. Hard to explain without a good close-up view, but there are some decent images on the Tarptent website. The vestibule side of a Tarptent Rainbow is double-walled -- mesh inside, nylon fly outside, which can be rolled up.

[saimyoji]

I may have misread, but why do you need a 2-3 person tent? A 2 person should be more than enough room. :-?

[thecornflake]

I may have misread, but why do you need a 2-3 person tent? A 2 person should be more than enough room. :-?

I think you did misread, I'm looking for a 2 person 3 season tent.:)

[saimyoji]

I think you did misread, I'm looking for a 2 person 3 season tent.:)

Of course.

[amigo]

Cornflake:
You've got a 38 oz sleeping bag (good), you're looking at a 4-ish pound tent (not too bad), and a 17 oz sleeping mattress (good).

So, you're well on the way to assembling a kit that weighs 25-30 pounds (or less).

Why in the world would you would even consider spoiling that momentum with a 6 or 7 pound pack?

IMHO, no one needs to carry a base pack that weighs more than 25-30 pounds. Any notion that a heavier pack provides more comfort is illusory.

[derek]

I have the Atmos 50 and love it so i think that the 65 would be a great choice. It is much lighter than the other framed packs you listed and has so many great features such as the bipbelt pockets and airflow back panel. I have no experience with the ULA line, but have heard good things. Not sure you would need a pack as large as the catalyst however. Maybe check out the circuit and conduit. If you can get your pack weight down below 30, 35 pounds i would check out the Gossamer Gear Mariposa line as well.

Boots are really a personal thing. Lowa is a good brand as well as are several others such as Vasque. Also consider possibly trail runners.

Tent - although i would go with a single wall such as the tarptent line, the msr hubba hubba is a great choice. very roomy and bombproof, but still very light for a 2 person double wall.

Sleeping bag i would recommend down. But theres quite a price on the lighter, high quality sleeping bags. If money isnt an option check out Western Mountaineering, Nunatak (quilts). For something cheaper but still down, campmor.com has their own line and kelty makes some less expensive ones as well. FOr a lightweight, synthetic bag, the marmot pounder can be found for about $140 weighing in at 23 oz.

For sleeping pad, the lightest option you can comfortably get a good nights sleep on. The prolite 3 is plenty for me and i imagine the prolite 4 would be luxurious if you can afford the minor weight penalty. also look at big agnes and pacific outdoor inflatable pads that can come quite thick.

stove i would recommend either a jetboil (expensive, heavy, but fast option) or even better an alcohol stove (cheap, light, can find fuel anywhere, no moving parts to break, but takes longer to boil). for actual cooking maybe something like the msr pocket rocket or snow peak gigapower stove with a lightweight pot/kettle.

if you must use a filter, thats a fine one to use in my opinion.

torch? not sure what that means. LED headlamp for light would be my suggestion. something like the petzl tikka possibly.

[Appalachian Tater]

Consider a catfood can alcohol stove. Takes about a minute to make, all the advantages as above and no expense.

[Time To Fly 97]

torch? not sure what that means. LED headlamp for light would be my suggestion. something like the petzl tikka possibly.

That's UK-speak. The torch is for transporting fire from one campsite to the next. That's the long and the short of it. LOL!

Happy hiking!

TTF

[Quoddy]

Pack: My first choice would be the ULA Catalyst (or even go for the smaller Circuit). The other pack option would be the Osprey Atmos 65...plenty big enough.

Pad: Are you OK with a 47" long pad? If not, you're either going to have to go heavier, or switch to a different lighter pad. A "4" is very thick for 3 season use.

Tent: Since you're not using the shelter in the winter I, too, think you should give a look more toward a single wall, preferably a tarp tent.

Bag: Not a bad choice if you're use to a really tight mummy bag. Lots of good bags in this temperature, price, weight range.

Boots/Shoes: If you get your pack weight down to the 30# range I'd definitely consider trail runners. Lots of good ones out there, just get one that fits you.

[otterman]

I concur with most of the thoughts above. I currently carry a tarptent, but also have a SD Lightning. It is a great tent. I have ridden out some major thunderstorms in it with no problem. The vestivule is big enough to be useful also. A great feature of the tent is that you can use just the footprint with the rainfly and leave the tent body at home to save weight.

[Appalachian Tater]

The Prolite 4 is 1.5"/3.8cm thick. It's very comfortable, and the shorter length model is fine for 3-season use.

[thecornflake]

I'm having to adjust my list slightly after discovering that certain items just aren't available in the UK (although a good exchange rate means shipping and tax may still be worth it).

So I've got a few other choices for tents, sleeping bags and packs -

Tent-

Terra Nova Laser - 2.4lb - £199 - http://www.theoutdoorshop.com/Outdoor/ProductDetails.aspx?language=en-GB&product=1469801

The North Face Tadpole 23 can be got for £160 in the UK though and I really like the look of it.

Sleeping Bags -
Mountain Equipment Sleepwalker III (syn) - to -5 deg - £65 - http://www.fieldandtrek.com/product-Mountain-Equipment-Sleepwalker-III-31267.htm

Marmot Wave IV - http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/Cat/119449?Ref=116842 - £80


Packs -

These two may be a bit too heavy though. Lowe Alpine are very well known as good packs, if anyone has any experience of using these for thru-hiking I'd like to know.

The North Face Terra 60 - £90 - http://www.fieldandtrek.com/cat_id/EQUIRUCKLARG/product-The-North-Face-Terra-60-Rucksack-57003.htm

Berghaus C7 1 65+10 -2.56kg/5.5lb - £100 - http://www.fieldandtrek.com/cat_id/EQUIRUCKLARG/product-Berghaus-C7-1-65+10-Rucksack-13569.htm