Going backpacking

RedBull

Hey guys, I'm going backpacking across Northern Spain this summer as part of a study abroad program. Problem is, don't really know where to go to buy the "equipment" I'll need for the trip. So, if anybody has any suggestions on gear you like, or a good place to go to get it, the help would be most definitely appreciated.

Equipment:
Backpack (max 40 liters)
30 degree sleeping bag
water bottle
quick drying towel
lightweight bowl and plate, and silverware
Waterproof cover for backpack
Small inflatable pillow
Walking Stick
Sleeping Pad

Clothing:
Quality hiking boots
Very Waterproof Jacket
lightweight fleece
One pair of pants
Two pair of shorts
One long sleeve shirt
two short sleeve shirts



Thanks in advance for any help


Clothing

I-SIG

If you never want to have to buy a pack of said size again in your life, buy a Kifaru. They are spendy, but you get what you pay for. They absolutely reek of quality and are USA made and designed.

I have a Marauder and an E&E. The first link is more of a hunting pack. The next 2 are more tactical.

Wes

https://www.kifaru.net/spikecamp.html

https://www.kifaru.net/express.html

https://www.kifaru.net/marauder.html

concealer404

RedBull wrote: »

Hey guys, I'm going backpacking across Northern Spain this summer as part of a study abroad program. Problem is, don't really know where to go to buy the "equipment" I'll need for the trip. So, if anybody has any suggestions on gear you like, or a good place to go to get it, the help would be most definitely appreciated.

Equipment:
Backpack (max 40 liters)
30 degree sleeping bag
water bottle
quick drying towel
lightweight bowl and plate, and silverware
Waterproof cover for backpack
Small inflatable pillow
Walking Stick
Sleeping Pad

Clothing:
Quality hiking boots
Very Waterproof Jacket
lightweight fleece
One pair of pants
Two pair of shorts
One long sleeve shirt
two short sleeve shirts



Thanks in advance for any help


Clothing

www.sierratradingpost.com
www.campmor.com

Backpack - Alpine Lowe
Sleeping Bag - North Face, Alpine Lowe (i actually use a Rokk, but i don't think it's that great)
I use nalgene bottles

As for the hiking boots, i've always used Asolo boot. Love them.

For clothing... North Face, or EMS. (Eastern Mountain Sports). EMS seems to be the same stuff, just cheaper on the wallet. I haven't had any quality issues with any of their gear. I've got a LOT of it, too.

bobman1235

Not to sound like a jerk, but going on an extended backpacking adventure isn't really for a novice; I would hope you'd have done it before and even if you didn't have the equipment, knew what you'd need based on experience before diving into something.

Have fun either way

RedBull

Oh yeah, I understand bobman. I've going camping, and participated in some 5k's and other similar events, but this is the first time I've gone backpacking/camping for this long with this sort of limitation on gear.

bobman1235

Awesome. I'm very jealous, sounds like it'll be a blast.

shack

Excellent companies to deal with that carry a lot of what you are looking for:

REI, Moosejaw and Campmor for gear and clothing. If you know what you want Sierra Trading Post has lots of closeouts at really good prices.

For clothing, while pricey, LL Bean is good stuff. Columbia, Patagonia are good as well but VERY pricey.

Granted, I do more backcountry backpacking but here is a list of gear that I use and have been very pleased with.

Backpack - Gregory Z55 /w raincover
Sleeping Bag - Lafuma X1000 +30
Sleeping Pad (closed foam) - Therm-a-rest Z-lite
Sleeping Pad (blow-up) - Big Agnes Air Core
Treking poles - Komperdell anti-shock trekking poles
Cooking gear - Primus lightweight pans plates and bottle top stove

I would highly suggest a water bottle that has a filter AND PURIFIER. Most of the filters will get rid of silt, chemicals, bacteria, protozoa etc down to .3 microns but depending on where you are going you may want to get one that will take care of virus as well. First Need, Katadyn, Aqua-Mira make water bottle purifiers. For a little more $ you might want to look at a SteriPEN. It is basically an electrode that will kill everything in reasonably clear water with Ultraviolet (UV-C) light rays in about a minute. Very dependable when used right, easy to use and very compact...but cost $100 or so.

The rest of the stuff is personal preference. I would definitely look at the latest in wicking fabrics. Most of the stuff is very lightweight wicks sweat away from the body but best of all, rinse it out at night, and it's dry by morning. This really saves on the amount of clothes you need to carry.

Most of this stuff I've found out first hand by using it , but was told to me by my daughter who has backpacked in Centeral America, Europe (Poland, Italy, France, Norway and UK) and Africa (Egypt, Tanzanian, Kenya, and Zanabar). She's heading off to SE Asia in July for another couple of months of backpacking. She has been as long as 12 weeks out of a backpack.

Also a necessity is a waistbelt for your money, CCs and passport. Scam and pickpockets are everywhere. Daughter is firsthand proof...Passport was stolen in San Salvadore and it still took a whole day in the US Embassy even after I was able to email a copy of her PP and birth certificate to get out of the country. Blackberry was pickpocketed in Nairobi. Make sure your ablsolute essentials are well protected.

Good luck and have fun.

Sherardp

I got all this stuff from my Marine Corps career, to include the old Sea Bag. I would think your local sporting goods should have most of it.

headrott

I very highly recommend MSR (Mountain Safety Research) equipment. Especially their stoves. They are absolutley the best without question. I recommend the whisperlite international as it can use white gas, unleaded fuel, kerosene, and a good number of other fuels and I think would work great for a trip in Spain. Their cookware is also great, as well as their water filters. I can say that Gregory makes great backpacks as shack said but am not familiar with the one he's recommended.

For a backpack I can also recommend Lowe Alpine backpacks. They are very good (or used to be anyway) although I have not bought one in about 10 years so I am not sure if the same quality is still there, but they are definately worth looking into. For a water bottle, absolutley get a Nalgene water bottle and if you get an MSR water filter it will screw onto the top of the Nalgene bottle for easier filtering.

Finally for a sleeping bag I recommend a Marmot brand. They are fabulous sleeping bags. I will post links for all the equipment makers below. I hope you have a good time. Backpacking is one of the greatest things to do IMO.
I also forgot to add the hiking boots. I recommend Lowa brand. They are expensive, but are worth every penny and your feet will thank you when the trip is over. The link is below.
Greg

http://cascadedesigns.com/MSR
http://marmot.com/catalog/sleeping-bags/spring-2010/117-74
http://www.lowealpine-usa.com/
http://www.lowa.us/home/?CFID=27968799&CFTOKEN=70303632

concealer404

+1 on the Whisperlight International. That's what i have... and it's GREAT.

I-SIG

I really like Converse's boots. They are tennis-shoe comfortable, provide lots of support, at least in the 8 inch versions and are pretty durable. I get grip everywhere with them from wet, bare rock, loose sand and even snow. I highly recommend the side-zip version. Once you get the laces set how you like them you get the same fit every single time.

Link: Converse Boots at Brigade Quartermaster

shack

headrott wrote: »

I very highly recommend MSR (Mountain Safety Research) equipment. Especially their stoves. They are absolutley the best without question.

MSR makes good stuff. Absoultely best without question...for some maybe. Primus and Snow Peak are equally good IMO. I doubt that the OP will be needing a stove unless he is going backwoods and it sounds more like the backpack/hostel type of trip. Another option if the OP may just want to boil water for coffee, etc is a JetBoil system.

One thing my daughter told me was that a sleeping bag for Europe wasn't a necessity unless one was really doing the backwoods stuff. She too was in Europe during the summer and she used a sleep sack. Much lighter and less bulky than a sleeping bag. That and a pad was all she needed (often not even a pad). Plenty warm for the season and more versatile than a sleeping bag.

zingo

Rei

strider

Along the line of Shack's last post, if you're backpacking hostel to hostel a lot of the items mentioned above, while good quality, may be a bit overkill for your needs.

I'd look at brands like Ex Officio and Patagonia for clothes and travel gear. Osprey makes great packs for many different uses; they are also warrantied for repair or replacement for life, even if you're not the original owner.

shack

strider wrote:

Along the line of Shack's last post, if you're backpacking hostel to hostel a lot of the items, while good quality, may be a bit overkill for your needs.

I'd look at brands like Ex Officio and Patagonia for clothes and travel gear. Osprey makes great packs for many different uses; they are also warrantied for repair or replacement for life, even if you're not the original owner.

Agreed. A lot of the stuff I have needs to work when there is NO ALTERNATIVE. Backpacking thru Spain probably does not require that level. I would not cut corners on a backpack. Backpack technology has come a long way in the last 10 years. The days on one size fits all is long gone so making sure one fits is critical. I would also not cut corners on shoes/boots. A good water PURIFIER will pay for itself and make sure the OP stays healthy.

Other than those items everything else is probably just a matter of preference.

grimmace19

I enjoy my thermarest semi-inflatable sleeping pad very much. Also, finding a 30 degree sleeping bag should be pretty easy, I have a lower end North Face rated at 20 and its been great for 2 years. Make sure you buy a nice knife as well... you might not think its a necessity but after I bought mine I found myself using it all the time.

RedBull

Whoa, explosion of posts. Thanks for all the suggestions! I sure have a lot to go through and a lot to consider. I'm leaning towards osprey for packs right now. Nice looking packs. I'm planning on stopping by Moosejaw which is a couple blocks from me to go check some of the stuff out in person. As for where I'll be staying each night, it'll be a even mix between hostels and camping.

Gadabout

Second Zingo's REI.... Recreation Equipment Incorportated..... http://www.rei.com

REI is a co-op. I got my membership when it was free, but I think it is now $20 for a lifetime membership. You get 10% back every year on any eligible purchases. Plus they have lots of Members Special Sales.

They carry great brands and also have their own brand equipment made. I have been purchasing various outdoor equipment for over 30 years and always do most of my shopping there. They will have what your looking for. Quality products at a fair price. Hopefully, there is a store near you. The sales people in the store are pretty knowledgeable. They will be a one stop shop for all your equipment needs.

Scott
PS No, I'm not affiliated with REI. Just a very satisfied customer

Jstas

I get alot of stuff from Cabela's.

http://www.cabelas.com

Not the cheapest out there but they don't really carry junk either. I'm sure someone is going to tell you how wrong I am but I've been camping/backpacking/hiking with the Boy Scouts for decades. I have roughly 1500 days a nights camping under my belt. I have yet to have a problem with Cabela's and if something I have from them fails me, I call them. They apologize and either replace it at their cost or give me a refund/credit.

I've called them when the airline screwed up a travel bag I got from them and got no satisfaction from the airline. They mailed me a new bag to my hotel along with a box to ship the broken bag back in. It wasn't even their fault. It was the airline's problem but they fixed it. THAT was awesome. Granted, not much help in the bush, away from a phone and FedEx but they do support their customers.

Demiurge

Jstas wrote: »

I get alot of stuff from Cabela's.

http://www.cabelas.com

Not the cheapest out there but they don't really carry junk either. I'm sure someone is going to tell you how wrong I am but I've been camping/backpacking/hiking with the Boy Scouts for decades. I have roughly 1500 days a nights camping under my belt. I have yet to have a problem with Cabela's and if something I have from them fails me, I call them. They apologize and either replace it at their cost or give me a refund/credit.

I've called them when the airline screwed up a travel bag I got from them and got no satisfaction from the airline. They mailed me a new bag to my hotel along with a box to ship the broken bag back in. It wasn't even their fault. It was the airline's problem but they fixed it. THAT was awesome. Granted, not much help in the bush, away from a phone and FedEx but they do support their customers.

Damn, you've camped for over 4 years of your life. :eek:

Anyways, Cabela's is awesome. We have one 15 minutes from here and it's like Mecca.

Jstas

Demiurge wrote: »

Damn, you've camped for over 4 years of your life. :eek:

Anyways, Cabela's is awesome. We have one 15 minutes from here and it's like Mecca.

Probably. I only go every so often now. but up until about 2006, I used to go at least once a month, sometimes twice. Also, being on summer camp staff racks up the time since we would camp in similar tents to the scouts attending camp. With average camp lengths being 6-8 weeks, two months of my summer for 5 years, that's almost a full year right there. 12-14 weekend trips a year for 17 years is about 815 days and nights plus 8 years of week long summer camps, plus 7 years of service weekends maintaining camp trails and more personal trips with friends than I can count. Yeah, I'm over 1500 days and nights easy. My personal trips are probably only about 90 days or so, the rest was Boy Scout stuff. my next goal is to take a trip to Philmont Scount Reservation. Since I'm not a scout but a leader now, I can only go on a 2 week trail program where they go and clear one of the multiple trails of over growth for the scouts. You backpack in with your tools and gear and back pack out. But I gotta get back in shape before I go doing that.

Seems like it'd be an awesome vacation though. Unless I could get a couple months off of work to do Summer Season Staff work but that's not likely. My boss can't handle me going to Vermont for the weekend to see my sister. He'll $#!% a brick if I tell him I'm going to the Northern New Mexico wilderness for 3 months with no electricity! Heaven for me, hell for them!

muncybob

Sounds like a great trip!! As mentioned, don't cut corners on the boots. And I would suggest you buy them in person...don't mail order. You need to get the right fit. Get them soon and break them in. If I feel "hot spots" on my feet when hiking I cover those areas with a little duct tape. Super thin blister preventer! I also like to wear a sock liner(polypropolyne or something similar) to help wick moisture away from my feet. Believe me, you really want to take care of your feet!!!!

shack

Demiurge wrote:

Anyways, Cabela's is awesome. We have one 15 minutes from here and it's like Mecca.

Speaking of outdoor Meccas...if one is ever near southern Maine and enjoys this sort of stuff, a visit to Freeport Maine to the LL Bean Flagship store is a cool trip. Open 24/7/365 with just about anything related to outdoors one could want.

RedBull

Well, I just went to the store and made my first purchase. I tried on what felt like 20 packs, and ended up going with the Osprey Kestrel 38. I got a good deal on it from Bivouac (my school got me a discount) and I paid $95. Thanks for all the suggestions so far, I'm definitely referring back to these posts when I continue to pick up the rest of my gear, which should be in the next week because training started Monday

headrott

I've never tried an Osprey pack, but have had friends say they are well built. It's good you tried on many packs and then decided. For packs, boots, and other clothing and equipment you wear it's the way to go. Try as many as you can and then decide.

Greg

HHStuart

Started backpacking in Alaska. Have done it in California, Colorado, Montana, Virginia, and North Carolina also.
I would suggest going to REI or EMS if you have one near you. They can help you.
I would also suggest trying as many overnights trips as you can before you go so you can find out what works and doesn't work for you.
Think light weight, always. If in doubt, leave it out.
Purify your water.
Be sure and break in the boots and get breathable rain gear.

shack

Unless you are doing much backwoods type of stuff...I would get some good low cut hiking shoes. I would probably get something lightweight and waterproof (gortex). Given the small size of your pack and since you probably won't be on much rough terrain, ankle support is probably not you biggest concern...so I would go for comfort and wearablity. I would wear them some to make sure they don't hurt. Nice thing about where you are going...you can replace stuff if you need it.

Raingear - It is important...but I hate it. I know there is lots of good breatheable stuff out there now (the good stuff is very expensive) and it is light weight. It is still a PITA. When it starts to rain, you have to dig it out, put it on...then the rain stops...take the gear off...starts again...put it on....etc...etc...etc.

I have started using an umbrella...even in the backcountry. I usually have a lightweight wind/waterproof hoodie shell with me for extreme rain...but the umbrella is great. Strapped to my pack. Easy to get to. Keeps my upper body and the top of my pack dry unless it is wind driven rain...then its the shell (but nothing stays very dry in those conditions). Here is the one I have. Its not an expandable (only about 2 feet long) so the stem is very sturdy. It is only about 8oz but it is still strong and stable even in a good breeze.

http://www.golite.com/Product/ProdDetail.aspx?p=AC0130

Another nice thing about an umbrella...it can be a sunshade as well.