Start buying gear!

[smith_nap]

Hi, i am not going on the AT until June 2012 but i am starting early to prepare. I was wondering what should i start out buying for gear?? Tent? Clothes? what order should i buy my gear in?? thanks for the help

[RWheeler]

I'd say you can probably hold off on buying your tent until March or April, when you'll have a chance to use it, practice setting it up, etc, unless you come across a great deal on what you're looking for.

I'm always a proponent of getting packs ASAP and letting them break in, get the stiffness out of the straps, and get comfortable adjusting it, putting it on, taking it off, etc. But before you get a pack, you should know what sort of baseweight you're looking for - do you want to go Ultralight, Lightweight, or a more traditional weight? Be aware that an ultralight pack will not be able to hold the weight/bulk of heavier gear. So first take a look at your budget and what your comforts are (both in carrying weight, and comfort while you're camping, etc).

As for clothes, you can pick those up whenever, depending on the layers you're taking. I know for my base layer, I'll be taking C9 clothes (Target brand of UnderArmor), which I've already purchased and currently use on day hikes, softball games, etc.

As for footwear... I feel like this is something that'd be better to wait until closer to the time for, as foot sizes change, and, again, it'll have an impact on what weight class you want to aim for.

Items like trekking poles, gloves, stoves, a headlamp, etc.... you can get those whenever. Get them early so you can get used to them, use them a little, and if you don't like them, exchange them for something else to try.

[Blissful]

I'd buy a pack last after you get your gear. That said, now's the time to start buying if you plan to go in 2012, its not that far away really (I mean if you had a few years I'd wait, but you have less than a year. Also makes good Christmas presents) Take a few weekend shake downs with it in the spring too. As for shoes, the shoe length doesn't change unless you are actually hiking day in and day out, then your feet flatten and swell. Still it's good to go with at least a half size to a size larger.

[couscous]

Worth reading before you buy gear.
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-...g_v_thruhiking


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[theoilman]

My local outfitter told me recently that sleeping bag prices are going up Jan 1, with synthetic bags around 10% and down bags slightly higher increase. I'm planning on a new bag before the end of the year. If Santa doesn't bring it, I'll buy it between Christmas and New Years.

[Buffalo Skipper]

+1 on Blissful's suggestion to (at least mostly) pin down gear and seek a pack to match. I agree this is a great approach.

couscous, great article. Thanks for that link.

[Pollen]

bought my tent first and used it several times at (car camping) while day hiking, then bought my bag and sleeping pad. Finally bought the pack; like mentioned above taking my gear to the outfitters and trying on the pack loaded, even had them to add packed food and weight for water. Worked out really well.

[smith_nap]

Thanks for all the advise guys, it helped alot.

[MuddyWaters]

You need to know WHAT to buy first, dont you? If you already had it planned out you wouldnt be asking, I presume.

If you intend to walk 2200 miles, you might consider that the weight you carry will be mighty important to your level of comfort, and possibly even success. But light weight has to be balanced with protection from the elements. Take some time to figure out what you really need.

Generally, the most experienced hikers, carry the lightest packs. There is a reason for that.

Yes some people make it all the way with a 40 lb pack (or more!). But many also drop out trying to carry heavy packs due to foot problems, injuries,etc.

The first thing I would advise doing, is to create a spreadsheet with every item you will bring on it, and the weight. Dont guess, weigh it. That means go to a store with a pocket digital scale and weigh it. Get your head wrapped around the weights of everything, and how it all adds up to lbs on your back.
Decide if you will be happy carrying a 5 lb tent, or do you want a 1.5 lb tent, or a 8oz tarp. Decisions, decisions. Same for clothing., sleep gear, cook gear, miscl items. You must weigh function vs. weight. Research every single item to find the lightest, durable, best value possible that satisfies you.

If you just go to REI and start buying stuff, you will spend way too much money on heavy crap gear that you will end up replacing or leaving behind somewhere. .

[glaux]

I think it doesn't hurt to start stalking the sales and clearance racks now-- I've seen a lot of summer clothes on clearance recently.

Also, I've been slowly building up my gear collection over the last year (won't get a chance to try a thru until 2013, but wanted to start short backpacking trips to figure out what I like), and I started with the stuff that you need day hiking, so I could use it for day hikes. Then I added in stuff I could use camping, and used it for camping trips. The backpack was the last thing I got, and had a great time backpacking and trying it all out last weekend. I'm not going to quit my job and attempt a thru unless I'm sure I like backpacking, so I'm planning several short and long backpacking trips over the next year and a half-- and I fully expect to learn what kind of gear I chose wisely, and what needs to be replaced.

[Old Hiker]

Stalk the Goodwill stores, Salvation Army thrift stores, etc. Great clothing bargains.

[doritotex]

So....you own absolutely no gear? Have you ever been backpacking for several nights? In what order should you buy your gear? I think if you need a tent, clothes and everything else you will need it all at the same time. Hit the trail for a couple nights at a time...you will figure out what you need and what order you need it. You learn more about the trail, on the trail, not on a forum. Everyone has their own way of doing things, you need to learn your way of doing things before you get on the trail for over 2000 miles.

[Spokes]

Don't let an outfitter salesman scare you into thinking you need a lot of stuff. It all looks good in the store but start to lug it and soon you'll be miserable. Start thinking in ounces.

Here's a tried and true gear list. Add a trash compactor bag as pack liner. tweak for warm weather to go even lighter.

http://www.backpacker.com/november_0...s/12659?page=4

Cheers!

[jeramie75]

When in doubt, go with the lighter, more expensive choice. You will be glad you did even if it did lighten your wallet as well.

[hikergurl]

That''s good to know. I'm debating wearing out my old bag then getting a new one, but sooner or later, I'd like to invest in a really good bag...preferably at a cheaper price

[hikergurl]

i meant in response to theoilman about the sleeping bag prices. However, buyer beware I guess, outfitters could just be pushing for end of season inventory

That''s good to know. I'm debating wearing out my old bag then getting a new one, but sooner or later, I'd like to invest in a really good bag...preferably at a cheaper price

[q-tip]

My suggestion, buy a postal scale first, then weigh each item as you are buying it. It's too late to save 6 oz. after you plop down several hundred dollars on a piece of gear. IMO

[Trailbender]

Don't forget, you can also dirtbag a lot of gear. Mags of this forum has a webpage somewhere on it, and SGT Rock has a really good post as well. I really haven't bought tons of gear over my hiking "career", but I am really good at sewing and modifying stuff.

[fireneck]

You should NEVER pay full price for gear. There is always a sale on the internet, or ways to reduce the price. Since you have sometime before your hike check out Steep & Cheap often!

[Chubbs4U]

You should NEVER pay full price for gear. There is always a sale on the internet, or ways to reduce the price. Since you have sometime before your hike check out Steep & Cheap often!

Completely agree but some of the cottage stuff doesnt go on sale so sometimes, if we want new, have to pay those prices.