Complete newbie, looking for gear advice/help

[AO2134]

A couple of points:

I never met anyone on the trail who said they wish they were carrying a heavier pack.

You have never hiked with me.

There are so many options. So many opinions. It all depends on you.

I could get you a fairly light gear for a decent price. I recently did this on my website blog post. I have copied it here.

I am very lucky. I am a healthy 29-year old man. In the prime of my life. I am strong willed and relatively strong. When I first got into backpacking, I inevitably joined several groups, including the forums of whiteblaze, which is one of my favorite hiking resources. However, as I was picking my gear and soliciting advice from hikers, I ran into a lot of judgment from the ultralight (UL) community about my gear choices. Their belief appears to be that ultimately every hiker must make the decision to hike lightly or not at all. I resisted. My goal was to hike cheaply, weight be damned.

As a result of all the judgment from UL hikers, I began to unduly dislike the movement and those who advocate it, especially those very outspoken and judgmental few. (Note: This does not apply to a majority of UL hikers). In fact, to spite the movement, I have been thinking about section hiking the AT section which goes thru the Smokies with my 28 lb pack AND a 50 lb training vest to show that weight only matters to those who cannot carry it. I am not sure if I will do it, but I enjoy the idea. I know I can do, and still do 15-18 mpd. I would have to buy the vest which, if you know me, I hate spending money. Not to mention I would be worried about the vest/pack interaction. I would hate it if the vest somehow damaged my pack.

Over the several months of hiking, research, and learning from my fellow hikers (yes, even those in the ultralight movement), I learned it is possible to hike cheaply and relatively light. Sure, my pack isn't setting any records, but it is starting to become so light that it almost feels like cheating. To me, a 25 lb pack and no pack are about the same thing.

So the goal of this blog is not only to show my gear choices currently (which is always a topic of conversation for hikers), but also show how to get all your hiking gear at a relative cheap price. Of course, there are UL hikers who have packs that are half or possibly even a third of my pack, but then again they paid for that. Likely, their tent, sleeping bag, and pack cost more than all my gear combined.

My go-to phrase now in response to UL hikers is simple: "weight only matters to those who can't carry it." There are those who due to conditions out of their control (age, sickness, disease, injury, etc) must go UL and this criticism does not apply to them. But there are an even greater number of hikers who due to conditions in their control (laziness, poor conditioning, poor preparation, poor nutrition, mental weakness, and general life lethargy, etc) must go UL. So my response to the UL movement is simple. "Just because you need to go UL does not mean I do. Weight only matters to those who can't carry it." Those in the UL movement believe in it so much that they lighten their wallet as well. I would always prefer to have a nice, fat, heavy wallet. That being said, some UL backpackers also did me great favors to showing me cheap light weight alternatives to my gear, especially my tent and my pack.

Finally, a disclosure. I'd like to mention I am not a "gear head." I don't spend copious amount of time or money on gear. I don't usually "talk" gear like many hikers do. So take everything I say with that grain of salt.

Anyways, onto my current gear: Part 1- The Big Three.

Shelter: Six Moon Designs Skyscape Scout | $125.00 | 38 oz or 2 lbs 6 oz (including stakes).

Originally, I had bought an REI Passage II. With foot print, it was close to 6 lbs or to be precise, 93 oz. I bought it because it was a cheap and reliable tent. It was both. I liked it. Although I didn't mind the weight, I did mind the size/space it occupied in my pack. A heavy tent isn't a problem, but a tent that doesn't fit well in my pack and takes up too much space is a huge problem. Luckily, Eric sold me his used Scout. I have used it ever since, and I plan to buy the same tent again when this one runs its course. A sub 2.5 lb, compact tent for $125.00. Where in the world can you beat that?

Now the tent does have it's problems, namely being a single walled tent, which means condensation problems, but I have never found it to be a very big problem. A little condensation and waking up every hour or so is definitely worth the weight, space savings, and cost of this tent. I have used this tent in rain, but never constant, heavy rain. I am a little worried about the bathtub floor, but I have yet to have a problem with it. Also, this tent requires trekking poles.

Along with this tent I use a tyvek footprint, which is about 5 oz and goes below my tent.

Currently, this is my only tent and I have no intention to get another.

Another option from fairly cheap tent from SMD is the Skyscape Trekker which could provide a weight saving of 10 oz from the Scout listed above for a modest increase in price $225.00. Essentially, that is $10 per ounce of savings. It certainly is not a bad deal.

Sleeping System-Cold Weather Bag: Marmot Trestles 30 Sleeping Bag | $ 99.00 | 59 oz or 3 lbs 11 oz.

This is by far my heaviest piece of gear. I bought this bag last summer and have used it ever since. Currently, it is my only sleeping bag. That means in the hot, humid Georgia summers, I was using this bag. I also used it in sub-20 degree weather. Since I sleep so warm, I don't need a 0 degree down sleeping bag. This bag will likely keep me warm enough to get through most winter nights. It is a great synthetic sleeping bag, but even I have to say it is heavy and bulky. Worse yet, it is simply way too warm for late spring, summer, and early fall backpacking. Although I could easily continue to use this bag for all 4 seasons, if I could find a cheap alternative to address the cons of this bag in the summer, I would definitely consider it.

As a result, I plan to make an addition to my sleeping system for late spring, summer, and early fall backpacking. Eric told me about a company called Enlightened Equipment. They produce a 20 oz, 40 degree synthetic quilt for only $160.00. Nearly 2.5 lbs of saving, significant space savings, and a more comfortable night sleep in warmer weather? I am sold. I will be purchasing it soon and use it as my spring, summer, and fall sleeping bag.

Sleeping System- Warm Weather Quilt: Enlightened Equipment - Prodigy | $160.00 | 19-20 oz

I will provide a very brief review once I field test it a few times.

Sleeping System- Sleeping Pad: Therm-a-Rest RidgeRest SOlite Sleeping Pad | $29.95 | 14 oz

For virtually all of last year, I used this as my sole sleeping pad. I like it for a number of reasons; its price being the most important. In this case, the cheapest option was also the lightest option. Don't you love when that happens? I do. However, there is 1 main drawback to this pad: size. It does not fit into my pack and must be strapped vertically to the outside of my pack. This, however, wasn't that big of a deal to me.

As the temperature started getting cooler, however, I noticed the pad wasn't cutting it. The pad had been compressed after repeated use, and I started to develop pain in my hips. I couldn't spend the whole night without developing some pain and forcing me to rollover to other side as I am a side sleeper. Although I could easily live with this, Kestrel showed me a fairly cheap and relatively lightweight air pad. I decided to bite the financiaklthe bullet and get it.

Sleeping System - Air Sleeping Pad: Klymit Insulated Static V Inflatable Sleeping Pad: | $65.99 | 25 oz.

In the colder winter months, I decided to bring both this air pad and my original ridgerest. While others are cutting weight to their packs, I decide to add to it! However, in the warmer months, I plan to leave the ridgerest at home and bring only this air pad.

I also bought a cheap $9.00 sheet for the air pad so my sweaty body isn't making contact with the plastic air pad bellow. This will end up adding about 7 oz. Of course, if I find this to be a needless comfort, I could just leave it at home.

Finally, I have no basis for comparison, but I can say love this sleeping pad. It is very comfortable, easy to inflate, and most importantly is very compact allowing for easy packing inside of my pack as opposed to the ridgerest.

Pack: REI Flash 62 | $189.00 | 48 oz.

I love the REI Flash 62. I love its fit. I love its size. I love its weight. I love its price. I have only hiked with this pack. However, I have begun to notice the seam where the hip belt connects to the pack is starting to come undone after about 200 miles. Luckily, REI is a great company and they provided me with a new one. However, I am starting to this my gear, at least my winter gear) is simply just to heavy for the pack.

Lately, I have been looking at the Osprey Atmos 65, which is 10 oz heavier and significantly more money: $249.00. However, I think this pack will be able to handle my heavier winter gear without damage.

Day Pack: REI Flash 22 | $49.00 | 16 oz

I have only used this pack for a single day hike. I wouldn't put much weight in it, but I enjoyed hiking with it.

Big Three Weight - Summer: 143 oz or 8 lbs 15 oz

This includes, REI Flash 62, Klymit Pad, Sleeve, 40 degree Prodigy Quilt, tent and footprint.

Big Three Weight - Winter: 189 oz or 11 lbs 13 oz

This includes REI Flash 62, Klymit Pad, ridgerest, Marmot Trestles 30 sleeping bag, tent and footprint.

[Old Hiker]

Welcome !

1. Start reading the articles on the home page of WhiteBlaze. Read them again AFTER you have camped out a few times.
2. Start walking. CO should have PLENTY of hills to practice on.
3. Steep and Cheap dot com
4. http://www.rei.com/stores/coloradosp...|bb|bing|brand
5. Local thrift stores - in CO, you should (?) be able to find plenty of gently used cold weather type gear for the first few months of the hike.
6. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...1+person+tents
I used the Zephyr 1 before I spent my allowance for the next few decades (I'm married) on the LightHeart Gear tent I REALLY wanted. http://lightheartgear.com/index.php/...-solong6-tents
7. Ignore MOST of the advice you get, including mine - you can only decide what works for YOU.

Enjoy the planning - hope to see you in 2016. I'm planning a 29 Feb 2016 start.

[Feral Bill]

REI has two stores in CO Springs. Be careful about the advice you get there, and ask the sales people about their personal experience. If, after trying it, you find that a purchase from REI does not suit you, you can return it. Take advantage of this to make sure your decisions work out, but don't abuse it, please. Shop the sales and you can gear up nicely there. And they do have rentals.

[MrGonzalo]

MrGonzalo, What tent?".

SMD Trekker. Borrowed one in the past, loved it, got my own. Hard to beat at 24 oz.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[swjohnsey]

You have never hiked with me.

There are so many options. So many opinions. It all depends on you.

I could get you a fairly light gear for a decent price. I recently did this on my website blog post. I have copied it here.

I am very lucky. I am a healthy 29-year old man. In the prime of my life. I am strong willed and relatively strong. When I first got into backpacking, I inevitably joined several groups, including the forums of whiteblaze, which is one of my favorite hiking resources. However, as I was picking my gear and soliciting advice from hikers, I ran into a lot of judgment from the ultralight (UL) community about my gear choices. Their belief appears to be that ultimately every hiker must make the decision to hike lightly or not at all. I resisted. My goal was to hike cheaply, weight be damned.

As a result of all the judgment from UL hikers, I began to unduly dislike the movement and those who advocate it, especially those very outspoken and judgmental few. (Note: This does not apply to a majority of UL hikers). In fact, to spite the movement, I have been thinking about section hiking the AT section which goes thru the Smokies with my 28 lb pack AND a 50 lb training vest to show that weight only matters to those who cannot carry it. I am not sure if I will do it, but I enjoy the idea. I know I can do, and still do 15-18 mpd. I would have to buy the vest which, if you know me, I hate spending money. Not to mention I would be worried about the vest/pack interaction. I would hate it if the vest somehow damaged my pack.

Over the several months of hiking, research, and learning from my fellow hikers (yes, even those in the ultralight movement), I learned it is possible to hike cheaply and relatively light. Sure, my pack isn't setting any records, but it is starting to become so light that it almost feels like cheating. To me, a 25 lb pack and no pack are about the same thing.

So the goal of this blog is not only to show my gear choices currently (which is always a topic of conversation for hikers), but also show how to get all your hiking gear at a relative cheap price. Of course, there are UL hikers who have packs that are half or possibly even a third of my pack, but then again they paid for that. Likely, their tent, sleeping bag, and pack cost more than all my gear combined.

My go-to phrase now in response to UL hikers is simple: "weight only matters to those who can't carry it." There are those who due to conditions out of their control (age, sickness, disease, injury, etc) must go UL and this criticism does not apply to them. But there are an even greater number of hikers who due to conditions in their control (laziness, poor conditioning, poor preparation, poor nutrition, mental weakness, and general life lethargy, etc) must go UL. So my response to the UL movement is simple. "Just because you need to go UL does not mean I do. Weight only matters to those who can't carry it." Those in the UL movement believe in it so much that they lighten their wallet as well. I would always prefer to have a nice, fat, heavy wallet. That being said, some UL backpackers also did me great favors to showing me cheap light weight alternatives to my gear, especially my tent and my pack.

Finally, a disclosure. I'd like to mention I am not a "gear head." I don't spend copious amount of time or money on gear. I don't usually "talk" gear like many hikers do. So take everything I say with that grain of salt.

Anyways, onto my current gear: Part 1- The Big Three.

Shelter: Six Moon Designs Skyscape Scout | $125.00 | 38 oz or 2 lbs 6 oz (including stakes).

Originally, I had bought an REI Passage II. With foot print, it was close to 6 lbs or to be precise, 93 oz. I bought it because it was a cheap and reliable tent. It was both. I liked it. Although I didn't mind the weight, I did mind the size/space it occupied in my pack. A heavy tent isn't a problem, but a tent that doesn't fit well in my pack and takes up too much space is a huge problem. Luckily, Eric sold me his used Scout. I have used it ever since, and I plan to buy the same tent again when this one runs its course. A sub 2.5 lb, compact tent for $125.00. Where in the world can you beat that?

Now the tent does have it's problems, namely being a single walled tent, which means condensation problems, but I have never found it to be a very big problem. A little condensation and waking up every hour or so is definitely worth the weight, space savings, and cost of this tent. I have used this tent in rain, but never constant, heavy rain. I am a little worried about the bathtub floor, but I have yet to have a problem with it. Also, this tent requires trekking poles.

Along with this tent I use a tyvek footprint, which is about 5 oz and goes below my tent.

Currently, this is my only tent and I have no intention to get another.

Another option from fairly cheap tent from SMD is the Skyscape Trekker which could provide a weight saving of 10 oz from the Scout listed above for a modest increase in price $225.00. Essentially, that is $10 per ounce of savings. It certainly is not a bad deal.

Sleeping System-Cold Weather Bag: Marmot Trestles 30 Sleeping Bag | $ 99.00 | 59 oz or 3 lbs 11 oz.

This is by far my heaviest piece of gear. I bought this bag last summer and have used it ever since. Currently, it is my only sleeping bag. That means in the hot, humid Georgia summers, I was using this bag. I also used it in sub-20 degree weather. Since I sleep so warm, I don't need a 0 degree down sleeping bag. This bag will likely keep me warm enough to get through most winter nights. It is a great synthetic sleeping bag, but even I have to say it is heavy and bulky. Worse yet, it is simply way too warm for late spring, summer, and early fall backpacking. Although I could easily continue to use this bag for all 4 seasons, if I could find a cheap alternative to address the cons of this bag in the summer, I would definitely consider it.

As a result, I plan to make an addition to my sleeping system for late spring, summer, and early fall backpacking. Eric told me about a company called Enlightened Equipment. They produce a 20 oz, 40 degree synthetic quilt for only $160.00. Nearly 2.5 lbs of saving, significant space savings, and a more comfortable night sleep in warmer weather? I am sold. I will be purchasing it soon and use it as my spring, summer, and fall sleeping bag.

Sleeping System- Warm Weather Quilt: Enlightened Equipment - Prodigy | $160.00 | 19-20 oz

I will provide a very brief review once I field test it a few times.

Sleeping System- Sleeping Pad: Therm-a-Rest RidgeRest SOlite Sleeping Pad | $29.95 | 14 oz

For virtually all of last year, I used this as my sole sleeping pad. I like it for a number of reasons; its price being the most important. In this case, the cheapest option was also the lightest option. Don't you love when that happens? I do. However, there is 1 main drawback to this pad: size. It does not fit into my pack and must be strapped vertically to the outside of my pack. This, however, wasn't that big of a deal to me.

As the temperature started getting cooler, however, I noticed the pad wasn't cutting it. The pad had been compressed after repeated use, and I started to develop pain in my hips. I couldn't spend the whole night without developing some pain and forcing me to rollover to other side as I am a side sleeper. Although I could easily live with this, Kestrel showed me a fairly cheap and relatively lightweight air pad. I decided to bite the financiaklthe bullet and get it.

Sleeping System - Air Sleeping Pad: Klymit Insulated Static V Inflatable Sleeping Pad: | $65.99 | 25 oz.

In the colder winter months, I decided to bring both this air pad and my original ridgerest. While others are cutting weight to their packs, I decide to add to it! However, in the warmer months, I plan to leave the ridgerest at home and bring only this air pad.

I also bought a cheap $9.00 sheet for the air pad so my sweaty body isn't making contact with the plastic air pad bellow. This will end up adding about 7 oz. Of course, if I find this to be a needless comfort, I could just leave it at home.

Finally, I have no basis for comparison, but I can say love this sleeping pad. It is very comfortable, easy to inflate, and most importantly is very compact allowing for easy packing inside of my pack as opposed to the ridgerest.

Pack: REI Flash 62 | $189.00 | 48 oz.

I love the REI Flash 62. I love its fit. I love its size. I love its weight. I love its price. I have only hiked with this pack. However, I have begun to notice the seam where the hip belt connects to the pack is starting to come undone after about 200 miles. Luckily, REI is a great company and they provided me with a new one. However, I am starting to this my gear, at least my winter gear) is simply just to heavy for the pack.

Lately, I have been looking at the Osprey Atmos 65, which is 10 oz heavier and significantly more money: $249.00. However, I think this pack will be able to handle my heavier winter gear without damage.

Day Pack: REI Flash 22 | $49.00 | 16 oz

I have only used this pack for a single day hike. I wouldn't put much weight in it, but I enjoyed hiking with it.

Big Three Weight - Summer: 143 oz or 8 lbs 15 oz

This includes, REI Flash 62, Klymit Pad, Sleeve, 40 degree Prodigy Quilt, tent and footprint.

Big Three Weight - Winter: 189 oz or 11 lbs 13 oz

This includes REI Flash 62, Klymit Pad, ridgerest, Marmot Trestles 30 sleeping bag, tent and footprint.

You might have made it as a Ranger. I spent much of my misguided youth hiking through the middle of the night carrying a giant ruck.

I wish someone had this auto-complete/spell checker up their ass.

[johnnybgood]

Take advantage of this to make sure your decisions work out, but don't abuse it, please. Shop the sales and you can gear up nicely there. And they do have rentals.

You can get some absolute steals at REI's quarterly garage sales for members.

I get there really early the day of the sale, 3am usually. Of course your store may have a lottery system set up which negates getting there early.

My best deals ; Hennessy Ultra-light Hammock and rain fly- $69.83 + tax

REI Flash 65 - $15.83+ tax

Pocket Rocket - $ 5.83 + tax

Keen & Merrell shoes , each worn once and returned - $ 5.83 + tax

[Frye]

In fact, to spite the movement, I have been thinking about section hiking the AT section which goes thru the Smokies with my 28 lb pack AND a 50 lb training vest to show that weight only matters to those who cannot carry it.

Yeah, have fun with that...

[ocasey3]

Have you ever considered hiking the Colorado Trail? Or part of it? Goes from Denver to Durango and is just about 500 miles. Might be a good way to see if thru-hiking is something you would enjoy without having to travel too far from home.

[AO2134]

Yeah, have fun with that...

I do wish I had the vest. That is certainly one way to make the hike more of a challenge.

I apologize if I offended. I just got tired of hearing about how I needed to go UL. I agree, UL is a way you can hike. Where I disagree with those in the movement is those few that say it is the only way to hike. Anyone not hiking UL is doing it wrong.

Anyways, I provided my opinions on the matter and gave OP some suggestions based on my experience with gear. That was the purpose of the post. If I offended in the process, I apologize.

Many here advocate UL hiking. Several months ago, when I solicited information, I received judgment (not help) from some in the UL community. Others in the UL community where incredibly helpful. I want to make clear I am not generalizing to the whole community, just those select few.

I have an UL hiker to thank for my awesome tent. I also have an UL hiker to thank for my pack (originally I was looking at a nearly 5lb pack).

I got tired, however, of hearing how I needed a $500 Zpacks tent that is less than a lb. I don't need it. I don't even want it. It is not a knock on the quality of the tent. A tent that is about lb is amazingly light, but I personally will never justify the price. For that price, I can almost buy my tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and pack.

Personally, I value $1,000.00 more 4-6 lbs of savings, especially since I can still do 16-18 mpd fairly easily and more with some effort. I don't see how a couple of lbs will effect that much. Rather, I see how increasing my fitness, strength, and endurance will significantly increase that number. I enjoy the challenge. I enjoy work. Whatever increases I can get from going lighter, I can also get from getting fitter, stronger, mentally tougher all of which will have a tremendous benefit not only on the trail, but off as well.

[Connie]

I have had a pocketful of $$$

It is still necessary to go thru the process.

[fastfoxengineering]

No reason not to take advantage of the used market for some good deals. Slightly used but otherwise in excellent condition gear goes for about half of full retail.

My best advice I can give you. A short list of three so your not overwhelmed.

1. Get fitted for a pack
2. Buy your hiking shoes 1l2 to 1 full size larger than your normal shoe size
3. Invest in a great sleeping bag

Everything else in gear is a compromise. But like I said, take advantage of the used market. I just posted a like new hammock for sale. $50 off from brand new. I also posted an excellent thru-hiking multitool for half off new, and their are many other ways to score solid gear on the cheap. Not saying you should buy my stuff.. or should you?!

You DO NOT need the best gear. Most of us don't.

For example:

A thru hike worthy cook kit on the cheap.

Kmart Grease Pot (search for it, you'll get 10,000 hits) $10
REI Lexan Long Handled Spoon $2
Home made alcohol stove/windscreen/potstand - free to $10
8oz Alcohol Fuel Bottle - Free, reuse a plastic bottle from your house
Pot Cozy - Make one out of a car reflector sunshade
Mini-Bic -$1
Lightload Towel - $1

That should serve you well.

[Frye]

I do wish I had the vest. That is certainly one way to make the hike more of a challenge.

I apologize if I offended. I just got tired of hearing about how I needed to go UL. I agree, UL is a way you can hike. Where I disagree with those in the movement is those few that say it is the only way to hike. Anyone not hiking UL is doing it wrong.

Anyways, I provided my opinions on the matter and gave OP some suggestions based on my experience with gear. That was the purpose of the post. If I offended in the process, I apologize.

Many here advocate UL hiking. Several months ago, when I solicited information, I received judgment (not help) from some in the UL community. Others in the UL community where incredibly helpful. I want to make clear I am not generalizing to the whole community, just those select few.

I have an UL hiker to thank for my awesome tent. I also have an UL hiker to thank for my pack (originally I was looking at a nearly 5lb pack).

I got tired, however, of hearing how I needed a $500 Zpacks tent that is less than a lb. I don't need it. I don't even want it. It is not a knock on the quality of the tent. A tent that is about lb is amazingly light, but I personally will never justify the price. For that price, I can almost buy my tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and pack.

Personally, I value $1,000.00 more 4-6 lbs of savings, especially since I can still do 16-18 mpd fairly easily and more with some effort. I don't see how a couple of lbs will effect that much. Rather, I see how increasing my fitness, strength, and endurance will significantly increase that number. I enjoy the challenge. I enjoy work. Whatever increases I can get from going lighter, I can also get from getting fitter, stronger, mentally tougher all of which will have a tremendous benefit not only on the trail, but off as well.

You worry to much about offending people.

Personally I don't care if you carry a hundred pounds, it's not my problem. Your last lines are a bit off though. I'm a gym fanatic, there's hardly a day I'm not active, but with all that training, a heavier pack still only increases my chances of being injured.

Whatever. Take a deep breath and try not to get so frustrated.

[Left Hand]

Go outside and play! Play in the woods with some gear. If you like the gear, keep it. If you don't, try some other gear.

The gear doesn't hike for you. It's only hiking/backpacking. Don't over think it. Have fun!

[swjohnsey]

Light gear can cost more. The crap you leave behind costs nothing. I evens out.

[4shot]

As far as shoes - a LOT of threads I've read have suggested that wearing boots is possibly a mistake, that because you're lifting your feet up and down every single step, a lighter shoe will go a LONG way for helping exhaustion. Is this true?

To the OP, I want to share with you a funny story that happened on my thruhike. It sheds imo a great deal of light into the advice of others regarding gear. Rereading this thread, your last post brought this to mind.

So I am camping in NY with a small group of my fellow thru hiker. One guy I actually met on the Approach trail and hiked with a great deal along the way. This young man is a proponent of the "UL" movement and a minimalist.

I, on the other hand, am not. I wear boots because I like them. Carry maps because I want them. Paperback novels to read when I want to. My pack with food and water at the botttom of springer weighed 43 lbs.

So, anyway my young friend, while we are all sitting around eating our noodles, starts up on the whole gear nonsense again. In fact, he says to me "that his setup allows him to travel so much faster than me".

Now all of us in this group know each other as is typical with hikers who have been on the trail for months. Most know that this guy and I started together and have hiked together off and on. So I ask him "If you are so much faster than me with your setup, why are we sitting in the same place right now?". Of course, everyone busted out laughing at his expense as he was known for boasting about how UL he was. He had no answer and just got up and finished his pot of noodles somewhere out of earshot of our laughter.

Moral of the story: even experienced hikers aren't always factual when discussing their gear. it can be like people discussing their dogs - everyone is sure that they have the best bird dog in the county.

[DavidNH]

So you are planning a 2016 T thru hike and you are completely new to hiking.

Forget about all this gear discussion. Plan this summer to go at the very least on several weekend backpack trips and if possible a week long trip or two or three. Carry everything on your back. Hike in the rain. Hike in the heat. Hike when it is cold. Hike where the terrain is easy and hike where it is steep. By trial and error you will find out what gear works for you and what is too heavy or to light. I believe the the biggest reason a lot of these yahoos attempt north bound AT thru hikes and quit in the first 30 miles or so is that they had no idea what they were getting in to. What you need to do is to get out there on trails. Find out if you really like hiking? Do you like being alone in the woods? are you willing to put up with hiking when it rains ALL. DAY. LONG. ??? possibly for several days in a row?

[Connie]

Nice anecdote.

What he said.

IWouldWalk2000Miles asks about the effect of the weight of lifting his feet in boots or shoes for 2000 miles? If the OP is asking about weight, perhaps it is helpful to point out that fit is more important, or, perhaps helpful to point out it is helpful to have sufficient support. I would say foot comfort is more important.

The "adage" is a lb. on the feet is more than a lb. in the backpack.

My entire body balances and carries the backpack.

Each foot picks up and puts down a lb. more at each and every step for 2000 miles. Hmmm, I think I can work that out. Wait a minute. For a million steps, a million lbs. for each foot. I have two feet. I can "do the math". 2 million lbs.

Examples of different folks:

1. Every day of my life, I wear boots. I have walked 2000 miles in my lifetime, surely more miles. How many miles in 3-seasons? Oh, I walk 2000 miles, anyway, on the trail or off the trail. I have nothing to be concerned about. My boots are not slick soled boots. I almost never slip and fall crossing a streambed. I have good traction on rocky places.

2. I practically never wear boots. I park my car close to my destination. I walk as little as possible. How about me? These hiking shoes have sufficient support and lack slipperness on rock slab or stream crossings. Hiking shoes, yeah. My legs will get in shape with these hiking shoes.

3. I have worn leather and leather lined insulated mountaineering boots. Would I rather wear the new more lightweight stuff. Yep! I would.

[Connie]

I like the weather. I dress right for the weather, a challenge if you never tried it before.

I like a tarp. I like to see the weather from under the tarp. I like looking at the weather more than reading a book.

I enjoy the varieties of rain, wind, and fog. I like the changing light. I think, can I photograph that light? Maybe not.

For me, outdoors is good. It can be like that.

I am much more interested in how other people dress for the weather where they are at.

Rain. More rain? If you keep walking, are you dressed for it, or, do you "tough it out" until thoroughly chilled?

Is there a better way to set up a tarp or tent in the rain?

Do those 1-minute set up tents help?

While setting up the tent do tents get wet inside?

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I have a broad range of support/planning spreadsheets, gear (lt.wt/ul) , nutrition, training, gear companies. If interested send pm with email. Developed over 1,300+ miles on three continents....

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One other thought, all of my outdoor planning has been based on this priciple,"to consistently be able to get safe, dry and warm". I have been in several life threatening situations, some from ignorance and inexperience. I have gear from day hiking to UL, backpacking, mtn. trekking to alpine climbing. Issues related to planning, training, nutrition, mental toughness, financing, communication all are as, or more critical and ultimately determine what is in the pack.

The wonder of the outdoors for me is the process of discovery, discovering how to maximize the value of my experience in the presence of The Nature. All of the preparation maximizes the joy, and truth be told as far as possibe, minimizes the pain.....