REI's Backpacking Tips for Beginners is a good place to start.

https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/backpacking-beginners.html

You'll notice the first section is "Find an Experienced Partner". While this sub and others can give you a lot of advice, it's not a substitute for a partner who knows what they're doing. That doesn't mean you can't just go out and "wing it"... if you do, don't bite off more than you can chew. Better to take a few shorter overnights just to get used to things before heading out into the backcountry and having an epic. And I think you need a permits for Yos/Mammoth, so better look into that.

The REI list discusses shared gear and personal gear. Most likely an experienced partner is going to already own a tent, stove, cookware... but if it's just two of you with no gear, you'll have to pick up both shared and personal gear. How you want to split the cost is up to you.

The checklists are nice... but before you go out and buy everything on the list, make sure you will actually need them. Start with the basics; tent, bag, pad, pack, headlamp, FAK, maps & compass, stove, pot, utensils, shoes and clothing... and then go from there.

Here's the REI backpacking checklist:

https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/backpacking-checklist.html

It's comprehensive, but remember you don't need everything on the list. It's pretty common for a beginner to go out and spend way too much money, and then start leaving stuff home as they find they don't need it on the trail.

REI is a great place to spend (a lot of) money. They've got very nice gear, and a great return policy if the gear doesn't work for you... but you'll pay full retail if you just walk in and buy the gear. With a membership, all full price items return 10% to you at the end of the year so it's not too bad, and they have seasonal 20% off coupons which do help. It's a good place to pick up a pack since they can help getting you one that fits, which goes a long way to a comfortable hike. Ditto with shoes, and you can try out mattress pads and see what's comfortable for you.

You can buy other things elsewhere like Amazon... but it's recommended that you go to a gear shop to try on packs (and buy it there to support the store).

Here are a few recommendations:

Pack - Gregory and Osprey are often recommended. For a beginner, 50L-60L is a good size. Don't get a 70L pack, you'll just end up bringing more gear than you need. Try the pack on, load it up with weights, and make sure it fits and carries well. Sometimes the REI packs will fit you better than others... if that's the case get the REI (and save a few bucks).

Tent - Huge range of products here. The Lynx is a decent starter tent for the cost. It'll probably last a few years, and by then hopefully you'll have more money and more experience and get something you like better.

Sleeping bag - If you can afford a down bag, that's great, they're lighter and pack smaller than synthetic bags. The Kelty Cosmic 20 is a good bag for the price.


Pad - Look at the basic inflatables (keep in mind the R-value if you're thinking of going later in the season) like the Thermarest ProLite. Some stick with foam pads like the Thermarest Z Lite pad to save money. Try them out and see what you like.

Stove - The MSR PocketRocket is ol' reliable. Lot of people have them, but the new MSR PocketRocket 2 is more compact and lighter. There are some cheap (< $15) stoves on Amazon, the Etekcity and BRS 3000T... people have been using them but they're small and more suited to people who are just boiling water for dehydrated meals rather than those who actually cook.

Cookset - Don't spend money on a 12 piece cookset...they're cool, but at some point you'll probably figure out you only need a shared pot and a mug for each person. And maybe a small fry pan. Depends on what you want to eat out there. Anodized aluminum is light and sturdy, but more expensive than other options. Titanium is super light, but doesn't disperse heat well so it's great for boiling water, but not so much for cooking non-liquid meals. Stainless steel is heavy but will last many years.

Spork - so many sporks out there... long handled spoons work better for getting food from the bottom of a packet.

Headlamp - Get a decent headlamp. Black Diamond Spot is a nice one, Petzl makes some nice ones as well.

Good luck!

It's Monday and I'm bored at work... so... here are links to all OP's items. It's a great list and this may give other CaH'ers more insight into what OP is carrying. Plus my random comments...

• Exped Lightning 60L Pack - never seen this pack, looks light and quality
  
• Exped Packliner UL 50 - dummy proof way to keep your gear dry
  
• Big Agnes Slater UL2+ - I'd prefer the 3+ design for 2 people, but a great tent all around
  
• Cumulus Quilt 150 - fill weight is on the low side, but this is a summer bag so I'm not knocking it
  
• Thermarest NeoAir XLite - my favorite pad
  
• Sea To Summit Ultralight Pillow - totally a personal piece of equipment here, I have other favorites but you've got to find what works for you. I consider a pillow mandatory - although sleeping on a bag filled with clothes does get the job done (when you actually have enough extra clothes to keep your head off the ground).
  
• TOAKS Ti Light 650mL Pot - I thought my SnowPeak Trek 700 was light at 4.8 ounces - 2.8 is a upgrade, nice choice.
  
• BRS 3000T Titanium Stove - fine choice, I'm committed to MSR (local shop and longtime fan) and their MicroRocket, but the BRS is half the weight (28 vs. 73 grams)
  
• Sea to Summit Long Spoon - the perfect utensil
  
• Alfoil Shield Windshield - I'd love to hear you say the word Aluminum!
  
• Sawyer Mini Water Filter - excellent light/cheap/functional filter, I switch between this and the Sawyer Squeeze (with chemicals for backup)
  
• 2L Sawyer bag - I prefer the Evernew bags as my dirty bag
  
• Platypus 1L Soft Bottle - versatile water carry option, for on-trail or in-camp
  
• Outdoor Research Helium II - love mine, although not for long lasting rain
  
• Patagonia Cap 4 Hoody - super warm and durable mid-layer
  
• Rab Aeon LS Tee - never worn this, but RAB is awesome and it looks comfy
  
• Merino Socks - gotta have good wool socks, Darn Tough and Point 6 are my current favorites
  
• Ex-Officio Boxers - everyone says they are the best, I agree. I switch between the give-n-go and give-n-go sport 6''
  
• Kathmandu Koruna LS Shirt - never heard of this brand, looks nice. ExOfficio also has travel shirts like this
  
• Montane Terra Short - I want these, but unfortunately Montane isn't popular in the US and I have no idea where I could go try them on. I typically wear lighter shorts
  
• Salomon XA Pro 3D Trail Runners - Salomon fit me really well, I've worn the Speedcross for a few seasons now. These look great too
  
• Leki Corklite Speedlock - my favorite. Used these for a LONG time (with a few warranty replacements)
  
• Original Buff - versatile $20, I take this everywhere
  
• Cap MD Trucker - I prefer 'performance' style hats like Headsweats but a trucker hat is classic
  
• Julbo Tensing Sunglasses - great mountain glasses
  
• Mini Bic lighter - best fire starter there is
  
• Leatherman Squirt Multitool - I prefer the style cs, but you really don't need much in this category
  
• Silva Starter Compass - top brand, super simple compass
  
• Map - I have a ton of GreenTrail maps for my area, CalTopo is great too
  
• Nexus 5 Phone - I use my smartphone as a camera, carry it in a Loksak or my Zpacks hipbelt pocket
  
• Black Diamond Spot - top quality option, the new version looks slick. The BD Ion is lighter if you want to shave weight
  
• Sony RX100 III - looks fancy, I'm no photographer
  
• Xiaomi Power Bank - cheap and easy way to get power, Duracell makes one I prefer
  
• TP - everyone poops, I pack extra ziplocs with my TP in case I have to pack it out
  
• FAK - make your own
  
• Small pack towel - Cascade Designs PakTowl makes great options
  
• Toothbrush - cut that handle off!
  
• Sun cream
  
• Alcohol Gel
  
• Trowel - I use the QiWiz, but the Duces of Spades is more popular (and cooler name)
  
• Food
  
• Water
  
• Fuel
  
  Gaiters for your trail runners?
  Coozy for reheating your dehydrated meals?
  
  EDIT: formatting

1. Tent: Eagles Peak II Two person tent - http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=50802926
   -This was generous gift from my SO's mom. It may not be the best tent out there, but at free it can't be beat.
   
   
2. Sleeping Bag: Marmot Aspen Minimalist 40 - http://www.trailspace.com/gear/marmot/aspen-40-ultralight/
   -Got this for its small size and light weight. Future winter camping trips are a possibility, in which case I plan on snagging a wool blanket of sleeping bag liner.
   
   
3. Sleeping Pad: RidgeRest Classic - http://www.amazon.com/Therm-A-Rest-6433-Parent-RidgeRest-Classic-Mattress/dp/B00HZ13OYG
   -Simple basic sleeping pad, I've been using these since scouts and have wanted for nothing more, especially because of its light weight.
   -In the event of winter camping, is this enough to insulate from the ground? If not, what could be added to my sleep system to keep me insulated from the ground?
   
   
4. Cookware: Pot Pan stackable combo - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FQZEYWE?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00
   -Lightweight and simple, these were cheap and seemed straight forward.
   -They stack with the majority of either piece's empty space facing each other, allowing for decently dry storage for matches etc. inside.
   -Comes with a tight fitting mesh ditty bag
   
   
5. Small Camp Grill - Coghlan's Camp Grill - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001OPHA0S?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00
   -Another straight forward and cheap piece,
   -This is really an optional piece, I plan on bringing it along on trips with big groups or when cooking meat is in the cards.
   
   
6. Plates x2: Coleman Enamel plates - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009PUSPI?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00
   -These are the camping gold standard in my book, been using them since scouts.
   
   
7. Stuff Sacks x3: REI pack of 3 Ditty Sacks 2, 3, and 7 liter. -http://www.rei.com/product/795047/rei-ditty-sack-package-of-3
   -Came in a decently affordable combo pack, plan on using them for food/toiletries storage and bear bags.
   
   
8. Knife: Morakniv Companion Straight Knife - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004TNWD40?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00
   -Love this little knife, cheap but durable and was a shaver straight out of the box.
   -Came with a super thick plastic sheath
   
   9)Hatchet: Estwing Hatchet - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004TNWD40?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00
   -Heard this was a classic, people say they've still got the one's their grandfather's used. It's heavy, but I'm happy with the tradeoff.
   -Got it sharpened well enough to cleanly slice through paper at the moment
   
   
9. Axe Sharpener: Lansky Dual Grit Sharpener - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000B8FW0Y?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00
   -Great sharpener, pretty much the go to field sharpener from what I've gathered.
   -Only took a couple minutes to learn how to use, the only hard part is consistently following the bevel through each stroke, but it gets easier.
   
   
10. Camp Towels x2: Microfiber quick-drying towels - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000B8FW0Y?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00
    -Very great, medium size towels with their own tote
    
    
11. Collapsible Water Jug: REI 2.5 gallon collapsible water jug - http://www.rei.com/product/402099/reliance-fold-a-carrier-water-carrier-25-gal
    -Seems great, picked it up at REI physical store then read reviews and got spooked, we'll see though, a minority of the reviewers swear by it.
    -Just in case it sucks, any suggestions for a collapsible water container of equal size/price?
    
    
12. Water Bags x2: 33 oz Bag style canteens - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010OLZ3E2?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00
    -These came free with my water filter, and they have many good reviews. If they do well, I may buy some extras.
    
    
13. Wine Skin: 2L - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CN4RN42?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00
    -More showing of my primitivist ass, and I thought I could take some weight off of my SO by carrying enough water for the two of us.
    
    
14. Pillows x2: Field and Stream - http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=33581126
    -Got these a long time ago when I knew less, they are pretty bulky and my first item I want to replace
    
    
15. Pack: Kelty Redwing 50L Black
    -SO's mom gifted this this Christmas, so amazing and thoughtful, one of the best gifts I've ever gotten and I love the color
    
    
16. Shoes: Skechers Trail Runners - I found these at the thrift store for a stunning 12 bucks and they fit perfectly
    
    
17. Lighting: Outlite Lantern -http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01178FLM0?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00
    -Pack of flashlights (might not bring all four) - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00V639BNC?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01
    
    
18. Extras: Tarp as groundcloth, some extra stakes.
    
    Items not shown:
    -Always a tin or bag of Drum Tobacco and papers
    -Kindle, old generation one
    -Collapsible trowel
    -Paracord
    -Burlap shoulder bag for gathering kindling etc
    
    Items still wanted (suggestions greatly appreciated):
    -Knife for SO
    -Work gloves
    -Plastic flasks for booze
    -Belt pouch
    -Higher quality tarp
    -Knife Sharpener
    -Sleeping bag liner or wool blanket
    -Any food suggestions!
    -Rain cover for pack
    -Smell proof food bags
    
    I don't have much experience outside of scouts, so I'm very open to critique of my setup. I will warn that I am very much into primitivism, and camping for me is a gateway to a backcountry, esthetic lifestyle I one day I hope to live, so some of my gear choices may not always be the most efficient. Any advice from a primitivist or purist standpoint is doubly appreciated.
    
    

OK, here is a brain dump of whatever comes into my mind. Just hoping to spark your memory so don't get mad if I say a bunch of stuff you already know...

Put all the pieces into a lighterpack.com account and checkout r/Ultralight before you buy (head over there and burn down the sidebar reading list and the incomplete-wiki, it's worth it).

Is that Osprey really 70 L? That's huge. Probably weighs a ton, what are you bringing that fills up 70 L on a 3-5 day summer trip? A 50 L beer keg? Maybe you have some sweet luxury items that take up a lot of space in the pack, but I'd drop the volume on the pack to at least 50 L. If you can manage it, Try a Ultimate Direction Fastpack 30. But if you just can't get your volume that small, get what works. Weight is an issue too, in frameless packs the straps are uncomfortable over 30 lbs, sometimes less. But if you make some smart choices right now, you shouldn't bust 30 lbs. (It's also smart to get the rest of the gear first to get an idea of how much volume you'll need in your pack and if you'll need a frame.)

Research quilt vs sleeping bag. Quilts are big these days unless you are a crazy sleeper. Enlightened Equipment is the shiz. I've bought 4 quilts and made 3 DIY and EE are the best I've tried. EE also sells a synthetic quilt called the prodigy which I use in the summers or as a layer in the winters. I hear that Katabatic quilts are truly the best if the price tag doesn't scare you away. And a super cheap, but quality option though on aliexpress, it's buy at your own risk. Worked for me last time, doesn't mean it will next time.

Massdrop is selling a skinny UL static V (and the insulated verion) right now for cheap. (I own the insulated option and bought it from massdrop.) But there's a lighter not-as-skinny pad called a Thermorest Neoair Xlite. Also the sea to shining sea ultralight pad gets high marks. So look at those, see what other pads are popping on r/ultralight, the balance the weight and costs to your preference. (Assuming you know about r-values and what your needs will be in Maine/Vermont. I'm guessing spring is a little cold so maybe r=~4 in the early spring or high altitude?)

Nemo tents are great. If you're only camping spring/summer I'd get a much lighter weight tarp tent. Like 3 lbs or less including stakes/cords (and footprint if your tent has a bathtub floor).

11-14 oz MSR Whisperlite is awesome. Stoves are pretty personal, it's best to go with one you trust. MSR is probably the right choice for you. I use a tiny 2oz stove and a homemade windscreen. My stove is finicky and too small if you're cooking for 2 or more. However, there's a whole mess of stoves between the 2oz and 14 oz which might still cover you and save you a few ounces or half a pound. Like the Kovea Spider which I also have, and use in the cold (gas liquefies and fuel can must be inverted, so I need a freestanding stove with a tube). I'm personally biased against the jetboil because of how much space it takes in my pack, but I own 2. They are fast, good for groups. Again the MSR is NOT a bad choice.

You also need a cook pot. Titanium is a waste of money, find a cheap Aluminum one for the same results. Like the olicamp ones, or if you want a real lid, you'll have to spend more (the metal lids cost way more for some odd reason).

Water filtration. Everybody ravs over the Sawyer Squeeze and I guess I'm out of the loop having never tried it. Fretting about making sure my filter doesn't freeze seems like a source of anxiety. I'll try it eventually though. I like the hand pump water filters. I rock an MSR hyperflow. And if I'm in a big group, I'll break out my Katadyn 6L Gravity Filter.

Get a down jacket from costco or sams for 20$, if you're camping in it, you'll wear it out so no use spending a ton there. (Down packs small and won't take up nearly any pack space)

Get a headlamp, I prefer blackdiamond or Fenix. For BD this image sums it up very nicely. For fenix there's a variety but I am currently using the HL55 (900 lumens). Again look at the weights, but also look at the battery requirements and the longevity/efficiency. Find what you like.

Ok my brain is dumped. Hopefully I hit on something worth your time. If I were you, I'd go as cheap as possible, then put the savings into funding your travel for hiking or buying a kayak. Random, I know, but having blown tons of money on gear I feel like there's quality for a good price if you look for it. And using the extra money to break into a new hobby opens the door to a potentially mind altering experience. Especially a related hobby like kayaking, fishing, snowshoeing, rock climbing, diving (though this one is lots of money), or whatever's clever.

I've recently bought a lot of this stuff after doing a good amount of research. Here are my recommendations:

Tent - I would get an Alps tent if you want a good value tent but aren't as worried about weight. How many people will you be going with?

Sleeping Bag - I have this sleeping bag which I absolutely love, but I haven't been able to find it online since I bought it. It packs as small as down sleeping bags but costs a fraction of the price and will still keep you warm in 30 degree weather (which it's done for me).

Pack - I just bought the Osprey Volt 75L which I think is a great value even though I haven't used it yet. I got it for $140 on amazon and the 60L version is less expensive than that. I'm not sure if this pack is bulletproof but it has great reviews and Osprey products are known for their high quality.

Cooking- I use this pot which works perfectly with a pocket rocket. I'm not sure what you mean by fire making equipment but if it's not below freezing or at a high altitude, the gas canisters are the most efficient and reliable way to cook food. Also, they're extremely light. If you're using a fire to cook you'll need a heavier duty pot/pan.

Clothes - I just look for good deals and buy when I find one. Get a good shell that's waterproof and breathable. I have a Marmot Nano AS Jacket that I love. Just make sure you have a baselayer that wicks sweat away and other layers that can pack down. DON'T USE ANY COTTON CLOTHES!

Tools - Other than a knife I have found any tools that are useful for their weight. If you have a solid knife you should be good.

Misc - Here's other things in my list for camping/backpacking:

Sleeping Pad - I use the Alps Sleeping Pad. You definitely need a sleeping pad if you're camping in colder weather for the insulating properties. You'll lose a significant amount of heat through the cold hard ground without a pad. The Alps pad is a little heavier but they're very durable and a great value.

Paracord - It's always useful to have paracord for different things.

Water Filter - You need this if you're going to the backcountry. It's not realistic to bring enough water with you for a weeklong trip. I have use this MSR water filter and the Sawyer Squeeze. The MSR filter costs more, but works very well and is fairly durable. The Sawyer Filter weighs almost nothing, but it's a little more difficult to use and definitely more difficult if you're trying to filter large quantities of water.

Not everyone will agree with everything on my list, but I try to find the best value in my gear. I look for the best value in terms of price, quality, weight, and packability. There are higher quality options that weigh less but cost more. There are other lower quality options that cost less. You'll have to decide what your balance is, but this should be a good list to get you started.

The 100% best solution is to have a propane burner along with a High Pressure Hose so that you can use normal propane tanks that you'd get for your grill. Then keep maybe 3 of those full and ready to go and that will maintain your ability to use your stocks for a good while. (Note: I didn't dig too deep into direct compatibility of those two items. I just listed them as an example so you could see what I was talking about.)

Barring that... it's a question of shelf life vs cost. Obviously MRE's would be one of the better options, but they're pricey and it's best to store them in cool environments which may not be doable for everyone. Mainstay 2400 Bars are available at Walmart for $5 apiece and are fantastic for BOB's due to their hardiness, but surviving on those for any length of time would probably be miserable.

Dropping into normal foods... yeah, a well stocked and rotated pantry is the way to go.

• Peanut Butter is high calorie, flavorful, and a thing most people can use regularly anyway. If you have forewarning you can try to snag extra bread from the grocery store. Barring that, YouTube how to make bread and get busy in the days leading out to the outage. I think whole wheats tend to last a bit longer, and I think things like wrapping the loaf in cling wrap then sealing it in Tupperware can help, but I'm not a baker so I can't say for sure.
  
  
• Canned meats are a good call as the next in lineup. Tuna is obvious, but you can get canned chicken as well. Add some crackers into the mix and whatever seasoning you like (I'm a fiend for Lemon Pepper ) and those are meals on their own, though a bit pricey. Spam and tinned ham, while less pleasant uncooked, are also edible.
  
  
• The good canned soups are fine right out of the can. Obviously they're less pleasant not being warmed, but that's actually something you can probably remedy to a degree just by having tea candles under them. There are also several camping stoves that do not require propane, and you can of course just have some sterno on hand too.
  
  
• After that... well almost anything canned can work. Refried beans or Baked Beans cold out of the can are edible if not the most pleasant way to eat them. Good return on calories for those, and if you have a large family they are available in #10 Cans which will save you a lot on cost. Canned Veggies can be added in to other meals without heating, though the calorie returns on them make them inefficient. Canned/Jarred Fruit on the other hand can be a delicious morale lifter.
  
  
• Bars of Velveeta keep for a surprising amount of time in the pantry, and there are about 2240 calories per full bar of them. That's another great option for throwing on crackers. Crack open a jar of salsa and add a bit to each cracker and that's tasty eating.
  
  
• While it's not my favorite thing ever, Summer Sausage is around 1600 calories for a pounds of it and is shelf stable for a while when unopened I believe, though check the packaging to be safe. I believe Hickory Farms Cheese/Sausage lasts for months, though if you're not eating it regularly I don't know how feasible it is to have on hand consistently or in time for a disaster like this.
  
  
• While the ideas could probably keep going, I'll end with trail mix. It's easily obtainable at a lot of locations, includes nuts, candy, and fruit so it's palatable, and tends to have a fairly high caloric return. Add in other snack foods like beef jerky, chips, and candy/energy/protein bars (also available at a lot of locations) and it should be fairly easy to find enough ways to get your daily calories in in the short term without needing to heat things up.

I don't know too much about that backpack, so I can't comment, but you should be able to pickup a pack in that price range if you're just getting started.

water

A lifestraw will work, but essencially you need to go source to mouth, so if you need water for anything but drinking (i.e. for cooking) I don't know if the lifestraw will be best. Sure you can suck in, spit out, but there is a better solution: the sawyer mini is about the same price point: http://www.amazon.com/Sawyer-Products-SP128-Filtration-System/dp/B00FA2RLX2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398890779&sr=8-1&keywords=sawyer+mini

meals

and that brings me to water for cooking. MREs are heavy, and while you won't be hiking far carrying that weight even for a short distance might not be the most fun (especially if you are saving money on your pack) - there a many commercially available freeze dried meals which are very light and you simply add boiling water to. Mountain house is the most common - http://www.amazon.com/MOUNTAIN-HOUSE-Beef-Stroganoff-4-80oz/dp/B0002YRNJK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398890892&sr=8-1&keywords=mountain+house

besides mountain house there is backpackers pantry (better IMO):
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=backpackers%20pantry&sprefix=backpacke%2Caps

and finally if you want to try some of the best I recommend packit gourmet:
http://www.packitgourmet.com/CookInBagMeals.html

clothes

wool is good because it keeps it's insulation warmth when wet. wool can be expensive though. If the weather is going to be good I'd recommend a couple quick drying shirts (which are pretty affordable)
http://www.amazon.com/Russell-Athletic-Sleeve-Dri-Power-3X-Large/dp/B00719Y8HO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1398891200&sr=8-3&keywords=quick+dry+shirt

and be prepared to own the worlds best pair of underwear - buy two pair wear one, wash one in a river:
http://www.amazon.com/ExOfficio-Give-N-Go-Boxer-Brief-Medium/dp/B001M0MN02/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398891283&sr=8-1&keywords=exofficio+boxer+briefs

tools

this is probably one of the first things that gets "over packed" what to you anticipate needing a tool for? On the hand saw if you will be collecting fire wood there is a very nice lightweight handsaw that is perfect for backpacking, the Sven Saw:
http://www.amazon.com/SVEN-SAW-Sven-Saw-21/dp/B002J900EQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398891413&sr=8-1&keywords=sven+saw

cookware

on cookware it all depends on what you'll be cooking. on a budget I'd recommend this cup:
http://www.amazon.com/GSI-Outdoors-Glacier-Stainless-Bottle/dp/B001LF3IB6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398891523&sr=8-1&keywords=GSI+cup

and this stove:
http://www.amazon.com/Ultralight-Backpacking-Canister-Ignition-silvery/dp/B00ENDRORM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398891563&sr=8-1&keywords=backpacking+stove

with that you'll be able to boil water for your freeze dried meals, make ramen, and you can also make hot drinks like tea.

Me and my friends hike in the ozarks once or twice a year. Actually we're going down there March 30th - April 2nd for my bachelor party, just doing an easy loop around the Council Bluff Lake. We're going to span it out over a few days to leave more time for drinking and shenanigans. But typically we try to do a new section each time we go out. What section are you doing? Bell Mountain is a good one if you're looking. Quite a bit of elevation change for a missouri trail, but some nice sights along the way. But then if you're only staying one night, you might not have time for a section that includes Bell Mountain. Maybe you should consider the Council Bluff Lake trail too. It's supposed to be a really easy section, 12.5 miles and relatively flat. Water access from the lake at all times (get a filter of some kind) and could be done in one day if you needed to. Camping only allowed more than 500 feet from shore FYI.

Okay, for your real question, gear.
-Get a water filter (I have the MSR Sweetwater Microfilter, it's awesome) that way you know you can get water if you need it and it will be clean

-it seems ridiculous, but I really recommend you get some trekking poles. They help immensely.
-Get some good waterproof boots. Splurge on some good hiking boots if you think you're going to keep hiking. Your feet will thank you. nothing more miserable than being 10+ miles from civilization with blistered and bloody feet.
-A headlamp. Seriously useful for when the sun goes down. Doesn't have to be fancy.
-What are you doing for food? For a one day trip, you probably won't need much, but consider picking up a cheap backpacking stove. I can vouch for this one and you'll need to buy a canister of iso/butane fuel. The fuel is best and way cheaper to buy in a store. Just check out Bass Pro or something.
-A lightweight pot like this one to cook in. It's perfect size and incredibly light. Don't forget utensils if you need them. And consider bringing some bags of tea. It's amazing how nice a hot cup of tea is in this scenario.
-Lightweight food, like Mountain House freezedried food is awesome for backpacking, but expensive.
-Take a lightweight pocket knife. Doesn't need to be fancy, just a basic cutting edge.
-Water bladders or nalgenes to pump your water into. I will usually use a 3L Platypus bladder for bulk storage and then a 1 or 2L camelbak with a drinking tube to drink while I'm walking. Depending on water availability, of course. If there is frequent water availability, I carry less. Water is HEAVY.
-Take some kind of rain gear if you think it might rain, along with a rain cover for your backpack. Being soaked in the cold is miserable. And not being able to get warmed up because your tent and sleeping bag are soaked can even be dangerous.
-Take a spare pair of dry clothes to wear at night at your campsite along with some flip flops or something. Believe me, you'll want to be able to take your boots off but still walk around the campsite.
-Bring gloves and a hat. Bring at least one pair of spare socks
-Bring a basic first aid kit
-some way to start a fire. I use those long bic lighters for bbqs. Also I cheat with those esbit firestarter cubes when it's wet
-Print off a copy of the the map for the trail you're following and laminate it

Things I discovered that all newbies buy but after the first trip realize they don't need:
-A saw
-An axe
-One of those red plastic mallets to drive in tent stakes
-A giant knife
-A Machete
-A camping chair
-Battery charger
-Solar powered everything (okay, a solar lamp or something might be okay if you want to carry the weight)
-A bunch of paracord


I don't know, I'm sure I missed some stuff, but I'm bored and excited about my upcoming trip and thought I'd ramble off a few things. Hope you have fun!

Hey, you can also make quite a bit of your own gear if you're feeling up to the challenge. Check out /r/myog for more information about that.

Fancy, fold up cook kits can run you $20 to $70 or more, plus fuel, but you can also make your own cook kits real easily from soda cans, cat food cans, and grease pots. You can get one from Walmart for $7, and an aluminum pot handle from any outdoors store for a couple of bucks. Here's a basic one for $4, but you can find them for $2, too. You can also use a folded bit of aluminum foil as a wind break around your stove.

The best part about those is not only are they light and cheap to replace, but your can stove and your aluminum handle should fit neatly inside your grease pot. Depending on how tall you made your windbreak, you might be able to fit it inside your pot, too. If not, it's just aluminum foil; it'll fold up.

It really depends on what your budget and your conditions are. You can grab a cheap, fairly light tent for $50 or $60. (If you want to go crazy cheap, there are $20 tents that you can set up between two trees or support with trekking poles.)

I wouldn't suggest depending on a cheap tent for the long term, but use them as something you can test out, beat up, and not be too heartbroken over. They're just the basics.

Woot.com often has sales on camping gear, including backpacks, light blankets, sleeping bags, and hammocks. Decent backpacking hammocks usually run about $15 to $25 online, don't stress about getting one that's really expensive and has a lot of features. They're pretty much all parachute hammocks. Worry about investing in the expensive stuff later.

My advice, though? Don't stress about your gear at first. Get some cheap starter gear, read about it, test it, make a plan. Drop on by /r/trailmeals and find some simple recipes that you like. Find a nice state park nearby and look at their maps. Find a camp site and see what's there: Do you have trees available for hammocks? Is there a fire pit already set up? Do you have wood available for fuel? (You probably won't need much more than your cook pot and utensils if your campsite has a firepit with a grill, for example.)

Make your plan and execute it. Let people know where you're going, and what you're up to. Invite a friend if you can. Put your comfy shoes on, toss your crap in a backpack, go out for a weekend, and test your gear. Get some experience with your new stuff, see what works for you and what doesn't. Learn where you want to focus if you want to shed weight, and check your reviews. Go to places like REI: they'll often let you see or set up any tent you're interested in, in advance, so you can check out how easy or how difficult it might be on the trail, in the dark. That last part's important. You can have the fanciest tent in the world, but it doesn't mean a hill of beans if you can't set it up in the dark. (Because at some point, you will be setting up your tent in the dark, in the rain, in some sort of adverse conditions. It happens. Be prepared.)

Practice with your gear, learn your gear. Learn your limits and your preferences.
Knowledge is easy to acquire, useful to have, and doesn't weigh anything, so pack a lot of it.

You're gonna want to get that experience on your cheap stuff, so you can learn and make mistakes without ruining some high-end piece of kit that's really gonna cost you. Get your experience in and add the expensive, fancier stuff as you go. I like to focus on pack, shelter, and shoes. They're going to be your main sources of weight and your big comfort items. Bad shoes and ill-fitting packs hurt. Insufficient shelters suck. Upgrading those early on, or starting with some mid-tier gear if you can afford it, is handy.

And if you decide that maybe this isn't for you, that's okay, too. You can back out without having dropped several thousand dollars on all the latest gear. It's easy to spend hundreds on fancy gear. Try to avoid falling into that trap.

It's probably ultralight heresy, but I often bring a cheap paperback book with me. Sure, it's sort of heavy for a luxury item that I don't need, and if it falls in a creek then my book is destroyed; I get that. However, for me, you can't beat hanging out in a comfy hammock under the trees with a good book. That serenity is why I go hiking and backpacking in the first place.

I also tell myself that if things ever go incredibly sour, a cheap book or a trail journal is also a good source of tinder and toilet paper. Not that I would do such things, but if I was ever stranded somewhere and I had to, the option is there. Similarly, you can signal other hikers or other people in your party if you have a trail journal - just pull out a page and leave a note for them.

Oh, and it's also wise to bring a couple of trash bags along with you. Get the big, kitchen sized ones.

They're great for:

| | | |
|:--:|:--:|:--:|
| holding trash | separating wet clothes | good laundry bags |
| dirty shoe mat | tent hole repair | emergency ponchos |
| emergency pack covers | food bag | extra warmth |

------

Oh, and remember the simple principles:

Pack it in, pack it out. - Any gear (or people) you bring, you're responsible for getting it (or them) back out.

Leave no trace. - You have a responsibility to leave your campsite as you found it, or better than you found it. Any trash you bring, you pack it right back out with you. If someone before you has been an asshole and has left a bunch of trash all over the campsite, try to clean it up, even if you can't pack it all out.

Hike your own hike. - This means that you can have all the excellent advice in the world, but how you do your hike is up to you. No one else can tell you how to live your life, and if you want to carry a little extra weight for a luxury item, or if you prefer a bit of kit that isn't quite in vogue this season, or if you can't afford the high-end, cuben fiber this or that, don't stress about it. You're out there to enjoy yourself, focus on that.

Be prepared. - This is the Boy Scout motto. Things will happen that you're not going to expect. Don't go overboard and don't get too crazy about it, but have a plan and know how to execute it. Learn the area you'll be at and know what sorts of conditions to expect. If you get hurt, know who you can call. If you're in a state or national park, those phone numbers are always on the freebie trail maps they provide - grab one at the ranger station or the trail head and keep it with you or keep a photo of it on your phone. Are you going to need extra batteries? Is your phone going to have service? If you can, sign up for a first aid course or a trail-specific first aid course. That's information you'll want to know if you ever need it.

Backpacking is what I love above all else, happy to help.

Finding a local Facebook Group or forum is definitely great advice, they're usually the best resources for learning about places to go/conditions to expect/anything specific to your area, plus find some people to tag along with. Starting out with day hikes is also totally the right thing to do, it will help give you a feel for moving through the woods. You could also combine this with car camping to familiarize yourself with your gear and with cooking/sleeping/etc. outside with a little less commitment than a backpacking trip.

I'd recommend /r/Ultralight over BackpackingLight, which is not particularly active and of much poorer quality than it was a few years ago, IMO. /r/Ultralight is quite welcoming/helpful and pretty active these days. I don't always agree with him, but Andrew Skurka is a well known hiker/adventurer who is also a great resource (both his website and his book). I think he is more approachable for beginners than a lot of others.

I disagree with /u/ImAtleastTwelve, at least to a certain degree, on cost. It certainly is not a cheap hobby by any means (especially considering even in great outdoors cities you're still almost certainly going to need to drive decent distances), but having a fairly light setup with solid gear doesn't have to be exorbitantly expensive—at least relative to say, fashion or photography. I could write endlessly about all kinds of gear, but just taking the example of stoves. You can get a little stove that screws onto a gas cansiter and weighs about an ounce for under 20 bucks. Startup costs can be high because there is quite a bit of gear you need, but it doesn't have to be too crazy. Also, it's a popular activity—lots of used gear (I rarely buy anything new) and people to borrow from out there.

And like he said, it's totally possible to do any number of amazing trips with whatever gear you can scrape together. The gear is a means to an end with backpacking, and all you need is enough to survive somewhat comfortably before you're ready to go outside and enjoy yourself. Everything after that is either making it more comfortable or extending your limits.

It's just difficult to maneuver in the nalgene bottle, and it's a bitch to get that thing clean on the trail. Well it's hard to clean even off the trail imho. Regular french presses are no-fun enough for me to clean, so picture that plus the lip of the nalgene bottle, PLUS the mess you created when you removed the folding press part.... Does it work like it's mean to? Technically yes. Will you want to use it? Probably not.

I am not saying coffee made with the GSI H2Jo is better or even as good as french press, but it's certainly easier, and if I'm guessing, weighs less. No moving parts. Easier to clean, etc. I actually use it in reverse, though - put coffee grounds into the bottle, then screw on the H2Jo. Let the coffee steep as long as I want it to, and then pour the coffee off, through the H2jo. That's not at all how it's meant to be used, but the coffee is better. And at that point the difference in cleaning it and the nalgene french press isn't that great. So it's almost a wash, except it weighs less. And you can still use the nalgene, while it's installed. With this you could even cold brew all night, pour off in the morning and heat THAT coffee up. Now that'd be good coffee.

Honestly what someone needs to make is something designed to do what I described above. Instead of like the H2jo, though, just make the metal mesh flush with the top of the bottle, and make the coffee as I described. That'd be even smaller, weigh even less, and be even easier to clean. You could even make it have with different size holes on each half, so you could choose between pour speed, and sediment.

But at this point you might as well just make cowboy coffee and be done with it.

Honestly I'm just kinda brainstorming here. :)

Nice post, thanks for sharing!

• I'm not a big fan of military style backpacks, but I don't know why everyone always brings up drawing attention. People prepare for a lot of things, like a car breaking down, not always a nefarious doomsday scenario. Also, if you're hurt and can't get to your bag it will be pretty obvious where to find your FAK or other emergency supplies. Either way I think function should be the first consideration when choosing a backpack that you could potentially need to wear for a very long time.
  
  
• Military style bags are heavy, durable, and come in drab colors that may increase camouflage in the woods and yet decrease it in the aforementioned urban havoc type situation. Overall I've never been convinced the extra weight is worth the usefulness with all the straps and what not, but hey I don't own one so that is really just an assumption.
  
  
• Super new lookin gear, yes indeed. I'd also be interested in a follow-up on what was used hiking/camping overnight and what wasn't.
  
  
• Since that stove is still in the wrapper, I would return it and buy something lighter like this: MSR PocketRocket Stove https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000A8C5QE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_U.E6xbTXJPCBN - Used it many times and it works great for not much added weight. Others may say remove the stove but a warm beverage or meal can be a life saver physically and mentally.
  
  
• What's the benefit of external pouches when your bag isn't full? You are adding a lot of extra weight at the expense of needing to get to smaller items quickly.
  
  
• How much does everything weigh? Some UL folks can hike ("go") for months at a time with a 15lb base-weight.
  
  Anyway, cheers to a good start! Everyone who is away from home a lot (most of the working population) should have a bag in their car to help get home or sustain.

Welcome aboard! :D

I think you will be fine with 35mm tyres. Here's the trick - if it becomes too much you just hitchike through the gravel sections. Hitchhiking is super popular and you won't have issues with it (as a plan B). Honestly, more often than not people I've met would just fly in, buy a used semi-shitty bike and equipment, ride for a month or two, and then sell the bikes. I brought my own since I had contact points (saddle, handlebar) adjusted several times over prior months.

As for camping - it's a mix of paid campsite (usually 5-10 USD) and wild camping. I personally stayed in paid ones when I had a chance - showers (often cold ones though), kitchen, and company are a big draw for me. I wild camped three time, only one of them was "stealth", meaning I just camped on the side of the road. Second one I just asked the permission to camp on what looked like somebody's property and they said "sure thing", and third we camped at the shore of the river where lots of other people camped. For equipment - check out /r/Ultralight - a lot of stuff they recommend is pricey, but at the same time there are a lot of people looking to go on the cheap. I would personally recommend Naturehike Taga 2p tent - it's very light, it's a chinese knock off a well known brand, so it's a good design, and people being saying very nice things about the quality. It can be had for ~100 USD I believe (check out AliExpress or Amazon , whichever is cheaper). You main expenditure items will be sleeping pad and sleeping bag. For pad you want inflatable insulated compact one. If you can afford it - go for Sea To Summit UL Comfort, or NeoAir XLite. If you can't - check out Klymit Insulated Static V. For sleeping bags there are just too many options for me to recommend anything, plus you're headed somewhere where it's not going to get cold at night in January, so there are millions of options.

Other things you're going to need:

• Stove (I used this one and love it - it's compact, it's light, it's cheap, and it's reliable. The drawback is that it takes a bit more time to boil water, and it can be a bit unstable due to small size, but the alternative is like 50$ more so I just live with it. https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Ultralight-Portable-Backpacking-Ignition/dp/B00B4FY8YO/ref=s9u_simh_gw_i1?_encoding=UTF8&fpl=fresh&pd_rd_i=B00B4FY8YO&pd_rd_r=FQNGM82TNCGE7MVAP130&pd_rd_w=9GBOP&pd_rd_wg=9qjrK&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=&pf_rd_r=2RQM0WMC7CQWCFAHNXFQ&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=781f4767-b4d4-466b-8c26-2639359664eb&pf_rd_i=desktop)
  
• Rainjacket. Yeah, it's going to rain sometimes.
  
• Pot(s) to cook in. Again, no need to go fancy, I use a set of these ones: https://www.amazon.com/MalloMe-Camping-Cookware-Folding-10-Piece/dp/B01743BX1A/ref=pd_bxgy_468_img_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01743BX1A&pd_rd_r=R9CMCK2HC8H2F0SZRHMK&pd_rd_w=rifN7&pd_rd_wg=UzODw&psc=1&refRID=R9CMCK2HC8H2F0SZRHMK
  
• Warm compact UL jacket. This is what you put on in the evening in the camp if the cold wind picks up. People often go for down jacket and that's a good options, but down doesn't deal well with moisture, so for Patagonia I would actually consider synthetic insulated jacket. /r/Ultralight has a long list of threads discussing cheap (~30$) options from AliExpress - check them out.
  
  All of this together can be had for under 400 USD easily, maybe even 300. That would only be 5-6 nights in a hotel.
  
  Things to consider although not critical:
  
  
• merino shirts and underwear. I never quite understood why people were so crazy about merino until I tried it on my trip. When you sweat it dries up in couple minutes, it doesn't smell (like, I cycled and hiked and slept in two shirts for two weeks and they didn't smell at the end), it's very light, it keeps you warm when it's chilly and cool when it's hot.
  
• Power bank - charging even in campsites is somewhat of a challenge since there are approximately 20 devices macguyvered to a single outlet. With 20,000 mAH bank I only needed to recharge it once in two weeks (I charged my phone off of it every night + a camera battery once).
  
  To reiterate on safety - part I was in virtually has no crime. At no point the situation looked even remotely sketchy. Honestly, the scariest part of the trip by far was deciding to go.

It just so happened that a lot of Eureka stuff was on sale at the time I was shopping, so I look like something of a fanboy.

• [Eureka Apex 3XT Tent] (http://www.amazon.com/Eureka-Apex-3XT-Tent-sleeps/dp/B0043HM5RC) - It's a three man tent, but I'm a big guy and I wanted extra room. Camping off the bike makes the slightly heavier weight from a 3 man tent not a big deal, it compresses down pretty small anyway. Gives me plenty of room to bring all my gear inside the tent at night, and if the wife decides to go camp with me there will be room for us both without any problem.
  
  
• [Eureka Sandstone 45F Rectangular Sleeping Bag] (http://www.amazon.com/Eureka-Sandstone-45-Degree-Rectangular-Sleeping/dp/B006MQAWS6) - Synthetic bag, one for me and one for my wife. Nothing really fancy about it other than that they are mate-able to each other we want to get extra snuggle-y on a trip.
  
  
• [Eureka Camp Pillow] (http://www.amazon.com/Eureka-2641201-Camp-Pillow/dp/B004BZX7PK) - Some people say use a stuff sack with your dirty clothes, I say I don't want to smell funky multiple day old swamp ass while I'm trying to sleep. I guess I could use clean clothes, but meh..
  
  
• [Exped SynMat Basic 7] (http://www.amazon.com/Exped-SynMat-Sleeping-Terracotta-Long/dp/B0018MC976) - Air mattress. My theory is that if you don't get at least some restful sleep, you will be miserable the next day. Packs down very small, provides comfort and insulation from the ground.
  
  
• [Sea to Summit eVent 30L Compression Dry Sack] (http://www.amazon.com/Sea-Summit-eVent-Compression-Medium/dp/B000NQQ5A0) - I have multiples of this item. I pack the tent, rainfly and groundcover all in one, and it all compresses down to around 12x6 inches. Sleeping bag goes into another, compresses down to about 12x12 inches.
  
  
• [Kwik Tek Dry Pak 70L Waterproof Duffel Bag] (http://www.amazon.com/DP-D1BK-Waterproof-Duffel-Black-Large/dp/B00644OLLU) - Cooking gear, sleeping equipment, and other stuff I don't put in the panniers goes in here, and then the bag is strapped across the pillion seat with RocStraps. If it's a two up trip, the 52L Givi comes off the back of the bike, and the 70L Dry Pak is replaced by a 110L Dry Pak so there is enough room to stash the wife's gear as well.
  
  
• [Sea to Summit DryLite Towel] (http://www.amazon.com/Sea-to-Summit-DryLite-Towel/dp/B000OPPAQK) - Small and Extra Small. Great for drying off after getting caught in the rain, or after a shower at the campsite. They dry fast too.
  
  
• [Jetboil Zip] (http://www.amazon.com/Jetboil-Zip-Cooking-System-Black/dp/B004UVPDUM) cooking system - Boils 16oz of water in about 2.5 minutes. My breakfast is instant oatmeal and instant coffee/hot chocolate, so this takes care of both very quickly. The Jetboil also makes it super easy to make things like instant mashed potatoes for dinner.
  
  
• [Trangia 27-5] (http://www.trangia.se/english/2913.trangia_stoves.html) Ultralight Aluminium Cookset with add on 2.5L pot - Alcohol stove set with frying pan, two 1L pots and one 2.5 pot. For dinner I can cook up a steak, some soup or stew, pasta/rice sides (think of stuff like [this] (http://www.bearcreekcountrykitchens.com/index.php) and [this] (http://www.knorr.com/product/category/245876/pasta-sides). I don't worry about packing and carrying an entire trip's worth of food, I stop at a grocery store, and get a couple days worth of stuff. If I want fresh meat, I swing by a store immediately before hitting the campsite. Arrive, set up, cook.
  
  
• 12oz plastic cups - I carry a couple of [these] (http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___60048).
  
  
• Spork - Fork, spoon, and something resembling a knife [all in one] (http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___87620)
  
  
• Leatherman Blast - bring a multitool, you will be glad you did.
  
  
• A headlamp and a good flashlight are critical. I like [these small Black Diamond orbit lanterns] (http://www.rei.com/product/807910/black-diamond-orbit-lantern) too.
  

For that price you won't be getting ultralight on the big 3: backpack, sleeping bag, and tent. Unfortunately those are the largest, heaviest, and most difficult to go light weight on a budget. The majority of the other items are pretty good UL gear. You can, for example, get a lighter titanium stove. It'll save you about 2oz and double the cost. Eventually the 2oz there and a few more oz here and there on a number of pieces of gear really add up so you may want to swap it out as you upgrade your gear over time. But for right now one in the price/weight range I suggested is really good ultra light weight bang for your buck.

1. Alice Backpack $35 -- Watch some youtube videos on how to strap your tent/sleeping bag/sleeping pad to the pack safely and securely. Alternatively buy a used backpack off Craigslist for dirt cheap. This is the third thing I'd upgrade, once you have a lighter/smaller sleeping bag and tent.
   
2. Slumberjack 40 degree sleeping bag $98 -- Upgrade to down-filled rather than synthetic if you can, also make sure it's temperature appropriate for your trips. This is the first place I'd personally choose to upgrade.
   
3. Coleman Sundome $36 -- Any name brand dome tent is great for beginners. I picked a 2-person since you don't seem to know what you're doing (not an insult) I assume you'll be bringing a buddy! This is the 2nd thing I'd personally choose to upgrade to something that compacts down small enough to fit inside my backpack.
   
4. MSR Pocket Rocket butane stove $32 -- Not the greatest or the absolute lightest, but one of the more popular light weight stoves. A can of fuel is $5 at Wal-Mart or pretty much any sporting goods store.
   
5. Primus Litech 10oz kettle $25-- From this kit you really just want the pot and lid. You can leave the pan at home. According to the ad it is big enough to hold the 230g sized butane cannister previously mentioned. I suggest either eating things that require no cooking or just boiling water like any number of Mountain House or alternative meals available in the sporting goods section of Wal-Mart or any sporting goods store.
   
6. Stansport Back Packing Pad $10 -- One of the simplest items to upgrade, but "nicer" ones are $30-100+.
   
7. Titanium Spork $9 -- The only cookware you'll need for most those backpacking freeze-dried meals where you just add hot water and eat out of the pouch.
   
8. 4-pack of ponchos $4 -- These are stupid small and light. They're shit quality and rip easy so they're mostly one time use.. but at $1/ea you can pack one per day, who cares? Nice rain gear is hella expensive.
   
9. Base Layer -- If you don't already own it, buy some polyester/spandex "athletic" under-shirts and pants. They're stupid light, wick away your sweat, and add lots of warmth per ounce and cubic inch of pack space. I picked up a random set from Ross yesterday (bottoms and short sleeve top) for $20 combined. Generally speaking, avoid cotton for all clothing.
   
10. Rip-Stop/hiking/tactical pants $40/pair -- I can't pick these out for you because sizing/style preference, but the fairly cheap ones are about that price per pair.
    
11. AMK First Aid Kit $23 -- This is likely way more than you need and you could probably put together a decent one in a zip-loc baggy with stuff you have around the house. Don't forget to add any prescriptions you have or anything for special needs (allergies).
    
12. Survival Whistle $6 -- You can find cheaper ones at Wal-Mart maybe...
    
13. Signal Mirror $8 -- A woman's "compact" makeup mirror could get you this for free
    
14. Aquamira water treatment drops $14 -- You may also prefer iodine tablets or a filter. You can get a basic Sawyer filter from Wal-Mart for about $25.
    
    That totals out at $365 and covers most of your bases of things you'll need to buy. Most everything else is going to be like soap, toothbrush, etc. which I'm assuming you already have. I really like the HikeLight 3-day camping checklist. You won't be able to get most (any?) of the gear on this list at your price range, but just make sure you have a comparable replacement. Yours will likely just be bigger and/or heavier than their suggested ones. http://hikelight.com/gearlist.html
    
    Happy backpacking!

I'm in the same situation as you, traveling for work that can span the 2-3 days to little more then a week.

​

Tried various things, here are my findings.

​

Found that Wulong, Puerh and Greens that can handle some heats works best. While at home, I am more "scientific" in my approach, but on the road I try to keep things simple with easier to brew stuff. Usually bring 3-4 bags of loose leaf. Darjelings and other blacks does not work at all for me in this context, but that might be only very personal.

​

I usually put all my tea gear in my checkedin luggage, never had a single problem that way. Made it with carry on as well without issue.

​

I do cold and hot brew. Cold brew is really great while traveling. I get it out in a cup in the morning, then start a new one for next day. In my case, traveling usually comes with time zone switch and late meetings / late social activities so it's an easy way to have something ready in the morning when I wake up and prepare for the day ahead.

​

For hot brew, I always travel with my foldable kettle bought online --> https://www.amazon.com/Gourmia-Travel-Foldable-Electric-Kettle/dp/B01M2CARAV

​

For my brewing vehicle, I work with a Nalgene bottle --> https://www.amazon.ca/Nalgene-Mouth-Bottle-Purple-1-Pint/dp/B003QRWRAA/

​

And an adapter filter for the bottle --> https://www.amazon.com/GSI-Outdoors-73020-H2JO/dp/B000PGPGQC ( I usually put the tea in the bottle under the filter, not directly within the filter)

​

It's about that... found some good triangular shaped tea bags with good tea in them and carry some to add in my bottle from time to time in the day with cold / hot watter. Also worked directly with loof tea and the adapter, but it's more work to get it clean and everything while on the go in events... --> http://camellia-sinensis.com/en/tea/bags

​

So I think that's about it for my cheet sheat :)

​

Ciao

Honestly, this is too open ended to give appropriate advice. What are you cooking? Predominantly boiled water food, or more varied cooking? How many people are you cooking for? What climate do you live in? Will you be boiling water to purify it? Will you be using the cookset while car camping or on longer treks into the backcountry? What's your price range?

The absolute cheapest is going to be a diy alcohol stove (there are tons of different methods) and a diy can pot. The whole setup would be negligible in price and ultralight for backpacking but doesn't do much more than boil water.

Moving up are canister stoves which range from $10 for a simple stove to $100+ for a Jetboil or similar system. I have an MSR Pocket Rocket and the temperature control makes these systems better for cooking more complicated backcountry meals beyond boiling water. The downside is the canisters are not reusable and it's hard to tell exactly how much fuel you have left. Predictably, the Jetboil is very fast and efficient at boiling water but not great at more complicated cooking.

Stepping up from the diy cooking pots are any cheap aluminum pots. These can be dedicated camping pots, or just any general discount pot.

Moving beyond canister stoves you can look at liquid gas stoves like the MSR Whisperlite. These stoves cost $100-150 and depending on the model can use white gas, gasoline, kerosene, and some also have adapters for canisters. The nearly unlimited fuel source make these stoves fantastic for prepping and the refillable liquid fuel bottle allows you to always know how much fuel you have. They are larger and heavier than canister stoves (though about equivalent to a Jetboil) and don't have great heat control. I use my MSR Whisperlite as my go-to stove just because it's easier to use than wasting my canister fuel.

A step up from basic backpacking pots are titanium pots. At this point all you're paying for is less weight than your cheaper options.

You can also look at large, traditional dual burner coleman stoves. These essentially give you a normal stove-top while camping and the propane canisters are relatively cheap. Of course, these are not suitable for anything but home use and car camping.

Another option for bushcraft, depending on your climate, is to just use a campfire. Some people only take a steel water bottle and use it to boil water in the campfire for their cooking needs. This is usually too much hassle for me after a long day of hiking but I occasionally use this method depending on the trip and weather.

When you look at cooking sets, stay away from nice little kits with pots and plates and silverware and cups. All you really need is a pot and a spoon or spork. Sometimes I bring a cup and or bowl, but I think it's best to keep things simple and lightweight.

There are other options out there but I hope this answered your question. If I was to blindly recommend one complete budget-minded set right now, it would be the MSR Pocket Rocket - $40, this pot and cup combo - $11, and this spork -$3, plus a $10 isobutane canister.

Just as important, or more, than backpack, tent, bag, & pad are your boots & socks. Your carrying yourself and all that weight in them!

Get good hiking socks from your local Outdoors shop. At least two pair of thick and two pair of thin. They should be "wicking" socks that take the moisture away from your feet. Wear the thin set inside the thick set. Put on the dry pair of thin socks at night to keep you warm. Never go to sleep in your bag with wet clothes, whether from falling into the stream or just sweating during the day, especially wet socks, if you can help it. (That's why you should always bring a set of extra clothes). But you may also want to bring a pair of socks just for sleeping.

When you shop for boots, get a good brand (e.g. Merrell or better) and don't skimp on price. These will last for years. Buy cheap and you'll be getting a new pair in just a couple of years. Shop at the end of the day when your feet are swollen and put on your two pair of hiking socks. Try several pair. Walk around the store a few times to really get a good feel for how those boots fit your feet. You don't want your toes to touch the front of the boot. EVER. unless you like yanking toe nails off your big toe. So walk fast or even run and then stop fast and try to jam those toes forward. If they touch, go up in size or find a boot with a bigger toe box. Your heel shouldn't slide forward when you're doing this.

For the stove, get one of these [cheap guys from China] (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ultralight-Outdoor-Backpacking-Canister-Foldable-Mini-Camping-Stove-Gas-Burner-/252013224278?hash=item3aad28a156:g:kygAAOxyIv5TkRfF). Heck, get two in case you lose one! They work jsut as well as the name brands, have a little piezo lighter so you don't need to light it with a lighter or match, and they are SO much cheaper!

For a cook kit, you can start with the [Stanley Adventure Camp Cook Set] (http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-Adventure-Camp-Stainless-Steel/dp/B005188T90/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1458828657&sr=8-1&keywords=stanley+adventure+cook+kit). I bought mine at Walmart for $15. Get this - take out one of the plastic mugs and you can fit both the little stove AND small fuel canister into it! And the [standard GSI mug] (http://www.amazon.com/GSI-Outdoors-Glacier-Stainless-Bottle/dp/B001LF3IB6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1458828752&sr=8-2&keywords=gsi+mug) fits right over the bottom of it, AND the lid to the Stanley set is a perfect fit onto the GSI mug. I bought a knockoff at Walmart for $5.00.

As for the sleeping bag, some will recommend down because it's lighter for the same warmth rating compared to synthetic and compress for packing better than synthetic, but I will recommend synthetic because it's cheaper and down is useless if it gets wet. I have a 3lb synthetic bag that is rated at 15 deg. I sleep in a hammock and a like the synthetic bags better because they are thicker so wind doesn't rip right through them as it does for really light bags.

The "waffled" Closed Cell Foam (CCF) pad at Walmart, while not the most comfortable, will get you started. It's cheap and light and will do well enough. You can also pile leaves under the tent for extra padding.

Don't forget a groundcloth/footprint that goes under the tent! It acts as a moisture barrier and prevents damage to the bottom of the tent. The woven polyethylene (typically blue) are really heavy, so I'd recommend a thick sheet of plastic instead. It should fit completely under the tent so it doesn't catch rain and funnel it under the floor of the tent.

If you have a Big 5 near you, that's a great place to get some good gear for cheap. REI & Cabella's get kind of expensive.

Hey! I'm also looking to start NOBO 2017 around that same time. I have some backpacking experience. Mostly weekend overnight trips over the past 3 to 4 years. I just got back from finishing a 7 day shakedown hike on the Georgia section (Springer to Dicks Creek Gap). Once you start picking up some stuff, I would highly suggest at least trying a 2 or 3 night hike to get a feel for your gear.

I've been slowly upgrading to more lightweight items over the past few months ... after obsessively reading this sub as well as /r/ultralight. Here is what I'm currently using. Hope this helps!

• Packs - I have the ULA Circuit but I've heard nothing but good things about the Osprey Exos. Both are extremely popular packs on the trail. This is really dependent on your baseweight so it's recommended that you pick this up last. (Something I did not do lol)
  
  
• Sleeping Bags - What I ended up getting and what everyone here seems to recommend is a 20deg Enlightened Revelation Quilt. I don't have any complaints about it so far. Another popular (and cheaper) option I've seen around here is the Kelty Cosmic Down.
  
  
• Tents - You can pick up a Henry Shires Tarptent for around $200 to $300. I have the Notch but I almost went with the Rainbow.
  
  
• Trekking Poles - You don't need expensive carbon poles. I picked up a pair of Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork poles for about $70 on amazon and I love them. These also double as my tent poles. I'd go cheaper here and use the cash saved somewhere else.
  
  
• Cooking System - I have the MSR Pocket Rocket canister stove and a GSI minimalist cookpot. However, I'm looking to upgrade the pot to a titanium cookpot before leaving for trail.

Hey!

Welcome to prepping and congratulations on taking the first steps!

I will say, a lot of food goes bad pretty quick. Remember to rotate that stuff.

Alternatively, you can get mountain house or another brand of long term storage food and a little camping stove, and then you dont have to worry about it going bad, and if you don't need it for like 10 years it will still be here.

The stoves and their fuel cans are popular for camping, but work great for cooking when the powers out too, and in a situation where its pretty cold, they can warm up a small room pretty well.

Here are some links

https://www.amazon.com/Mountain-House-Just-Case-Hour/dp/B001OPLW20

https://www.amazon.com/MSR-11774-Dragonfly-Stove/dp/B000BBGQ7O/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1500006032&sr=1-2&keywords=msr+stove

https://www.amazon.com/MSR-11792-PocketRocket-Stove/dp/B000A8C5QE/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1500006032&sr=1-1&keywords=msr+stove

Most of that stuff can also be bought locally at REI or Bass Pro Shop or the like.

Good job on the water.

My current setup is a BRS stove, a Snow Peak Ti-Mini Solo Combo 2, and a reflectix koozy.

The koozy and stuff sack weigh 47 grams, and the pot, cup, and lid weigh 143 grams. The stove (not counting the canister) weighs 25 grams. Everything fits inside the pot with extra room (I also keep a quarter of a scrubbing pad in there for cleaning).

I haven't gotten a chance to take the Snow Peak out yet, but I've been using the Mini Solo 1 for about 4 years now and love it. My only gripes are with the handle on the lid, and how small the handles on the cup are. Since both of these issues were fixed in the Mini Solo 2 I decided to upgrade. This seems to be idea for two people, as I can easily boil enough water for both of our meals (I use primarily dehydrated meals). My girlfriend doesn't have her own cup, so the past couple of trips I've given her the cup and ate out of the pot. For breakfast we eat first, then rinse the pot and make coffee (she's a slow mover in the morning so we're not in a rush to get moving).

Like I said I'm very happy with this system. While it could be lighter, I don't think its combined weight is unreasonable. I've been interested in giving an alcohol stove a go too, but I can never seem to get my fancee feast stove to work (the wick never seems to light).

Hope this helps!

Over the past year I've been piecing together camping gear. I ultimately plan on doing backpacking trips once I become a more experienced camper, and graduate college. Growing up, I went camping frequently but never really did any backpacking or primitive camping where you have to hike to the campsite - my dad always took us to the campsites you can drive up to. My friend, who boasts about the camping etiquette and survival skills he learned in boy scouts, justly criticizes my experience camping - which is limited to campsites that don't require you to pack light and have easy access to water (and restrooms). For example, I've never had the opportunity of digging a hole to shit in. Do I just dig a hole with my hands? Do I need to bring a shovel? How much toilet paper do I need to bring for a 2-3 day trip? I know I have to bring the used paper with me, so how do you recommend carrying trash in general?

Things like this I figure I'd learn overtime. And I do plan on pacing myself; I'm going to work my way up from 1-2 day trips to 2-3 day trips to 4-5 day trips, and ultimately something like the Appalachian Trail. My favorite place to go camping is Big Bend National Park, and there's a 2-3 day trip I'd like to do sometime this year.

I guess my main questions are:

1. How would you recommend starting off? Would a couple of 2-3 day backpacking trips, with my friend, be a good place to start?
   
2. Is my gear sufficient? Is there anything I'm missing?
   
3. Any general tips, book or gear suggestions.
   
   Here's a list of my gear:
   
   

• REI Passage 2 Tent
  
• Osprey Volt 75 Backpack w/ bladder
  
• Marmot Trestles 30 Sleeping Bag and a sleeping pad
  
• Hammock (which I think, if i'm using a tent, would make for a great pillow when it's folded up)
  
• Mess Kit and utensils
  
• Fuel Tablet Camping Stove
  
• Rechargeable flashlight
  
• A small, rechargeable lantern
  
• 2 multi-tool pliers - one big, one small
  
• 2 knifes
  
• First aid kit
  
  Also, I plan on getting a pair of hiking boots this summer. Any suggestions?
  
  edit: grammar

I have a Byer Moskito Traveller hammock, the mosquito net is a bit fragile and it's not as feature-packed as a Hennessy, but I lived in it for a month on a road trip and it was pretty nice. I also have a Marmot Limelight 3 tent that's pretty nice, though the rain fly condensates like crazy. A lot of my friends have REI tents they swear by.

Unless you're doing alpine stuff or big walls or other weight-conscious climbing, one of the single-burner Coleman stoves that screws on top of a propane tank is probably all you need. I have a Snowpeak Gigapower stove, and it's nice to have something so small for those one or two times I've really needed it, but most of the time the expensive fuel is a waste.

If you want to go small and light, I like my Big Agnes Insulated Air Core ground pad because it packs down smaller than a Nalgene, though it's a bit of a pain to inflate, so if you're moving around a lot it could be more work than you want to do. Even on a long, mobile climbing trip I'll usually only inflate it once a week or so, so I don't mind. A few friends have Therm-A-Rest and REI self-inflating ground pads in the 1.75" range that they're quite happy with.

I'm a fan of the Mountain Hardwear Pinole sleeping bag, it's pretty cheap, packs fairly small for a synthetic bag, and is rather toasty. I don't usually feel like dealing with down, so I can't speak to many of those bags.

Memberships at truck stops don't really get you anything except a couple perks like free coffee after you spend so much money etc. If you fill on diesel, they give you a free shower but no go on regular fuel. I got a commercial card from pilot just by walking thru the 'trucker' door on the side and asking for a shower and telling them i didnt have a card. She gave me a commercial driver card (never asked for cdl) and put a free shower on for me.

Every time since then ive gone in and asked for a shower (prepared to pay) and given them my card they have given me a free one as a courtesy (not at the same one). Sometimes they ask if i filled up my truck today which i honestly reply no, i haven't filled up a truck today.

I pretty much lived at a pilot for a year, it was the kind that had a restaurant attached to it. I wouldn't advise abusing it like that, but i became close with the people who managed it from its opening day. But you can stay at any of them a night or two and they wont say anything. Of course as with staying at walmart, the right thing to do is buy supplies or food there if you stay. I bought a giant refillable mug and got a soda with it each time for $1.39.

You do not have to be a member to use the wifi, power or even sit and watch tv in some. They don't care. Some smaller truck stops do but not pilot or flying J. I heard loves is similar but i dont go there usually.

As someone who was in a similar situation as you, id advise scraping or begging/credit carding whatever to get 100 watts of solar ($164 kit + $90 29DC walmart battery + $20inverter) and a cooking setup in your rig asap. Your cost of living will plummet like a meteor after you can store and eat actual groceries.

This toatser has a setting for frozen bagels and that makes it my favorite. I love love keeping my bagels in the freezer because they last for so much longer. I buy a dozen at Panera, freeze them, and then have fresh tasting bagels every morning for weeks.

I love this "Now Showing" wall plaque for movie buffs. And I also love the home theatre sign!

I guess if I won this, and since rule 3 states to choose something, I would really, really want this $20 Coleman propane burner for camping.

I registered for a bunch of gear when I got married, and it was a fantastic decision.

Where are you planning to register?

There are lots of decent items on Amazon, but there's a whole lotta crap on there, too. I got this little coffee filter from someone off our registry and it's probably in the top 5 pieces of gear I most value.

You may want to try to pick stuff that can double up, like a backpacking chair like this if you're not real concerned about weight. I got one similar, and while I haven't actually taken it backpacking, it stays in my truck and has come quite in handy.

Second for a good knife. I'm a big fan of any Columbia River Knife and Tool blades. My EDC is this guy but there are a lot of CRKT options on there.

Also, a small folding saw like this one is worth a little extra weight in my opinion. I have this same one and use it both when working on my property or out on the trail. I even carry it with me when I'm canoeing because it's just so dang handy.

Stuff like Permethrin spray, or seam sealer is also a good idea. It's cheap, which means folks will buy it for ya, and it's usable no matter what other gear you end up with.

really old review of mine, but check out the setup for it.

It's a nalgene, with one of these sweet little puppies attached. It works best for teas that don't really get bitter with long brew times. At $20-odd for it and the nalgene together, it is cheaper than many specialty thermoses. (and yes, a thick sock works as the best kind of tea cozy, plus, most of us own socks, so the cozy is essentially free.

Titanium Pot - 28 oz savings ($35)

Drop The mug, just use your pot - 4 oz savings (free)

Trowel instead of shovel - 16 oz savings ($20)

Drop the solar panel (doesn't really work well on the move) - 10-ish savings (free)

Sawyer Squeeze instead of Katadyn - 8 oz savings ($30)

Dance Pants instead of packed pants - 14 oz saved ($18) although you probably dont need these since you're wearing zip off pants

I would add a puffy to your clothing, it will get pretty cold - 10 oz gained (can be found on sale for $40)

Leave the extra shirts at home - 12 oz saved (free)

Just bring one extra payer of underwear and socks - 6 oz saved (free)

Leave campshoes at home - 23 oz saved (free)

I really don't know what the survival kit contains, but it can probably be paired down or eliminated

Don't know what the carabiners are for if you're hanging stuff outside your pack you're bringing too much - 4 oz saved (free)

Don't know what the tarp is for the sierras, you already have a tent

125 oz saved or almost 8 pounds. Coming in at a cost around $150.

I would start here and then look at replacing your bigger items. The easiest one to save the most weight would be your pack.

Hope this helps!

Ehh I'd be wary. You can find gear for cheap, you just have to do some searching. Looks like you've got plenty of time to do that, too. If you're not willing to commit to backpacking as a hobby just yet, don't worry about buying the $300 sleeping bag. I have a $40 one I got on Amazon and it works amazing if you run hot. We have a "guest" backpack that we got from Costco for $25 (yeah it's not the best engineered pack, but perfect for someone who only goes once every few years). Costco is also great for cheap, non-cotton clothing and socks. They should be getting all of that stuff in in a few weeks.

REI gear sales are the way to go for headlamps, pads and tents. This is a good mid-level cooking set for two, and the Pocket Rocket is a good quality, low price stove option.

Basically, for the cost to rent, you could get mostly set-up with mid-range gear you can keep. You've got the time to find the good deals, why not take advantage of it?

Also, super jealous. I've always wanted to go to Glacier N.P.

The tent in this picture appears to be the kind that just has 3 flexible poles. This is an example. Really easy to set up. Camp in a campground. State parks are usually pretty nice. Your car will be right there. They often have pay phones and camp hosts if you run into problems. They usually sell firewood too. Make yourself some Fire Starters, this can be a fun activity by itself. Or buy some. Pack a cooler, something to cook on and something to cook in. Here is a good link to camping food. Check out this kid camping guide and maybe go over to r/camping. Have so much fun! Camping is amazing. I have been doing it my entire life, all of my kids and their spouses camp, so far my grandkids love it too. So many amazing memories to be had.

I have one of these. It's very nice for the reasons you mention. I also have an Imusa 12cm and a Toaks 750ml pot. All are useful in different ways and for different applications. One is tall and skinny (Toaks 750), one is short and wide (Toaks 700), one is tall and wide (Imusa). My main criteria is being able to fit 2 cups of water, but right now am really liking the Imusa for its wideness (to better accommodate my Fancee Feest alcohol stove) and its tallness because I was able to make a nice aluminum flashing windscreen that I can fit inside the pot when I'm not using it.

One other thing I have discovered is the lid to the 700ml fits my lidless Imusa pot perfectly.

hey man welcome to bushcrafting so far you have a pretty decent list but i'd like to give you suggestions from what I learned throughout the years.

knife- good choice for chopping and batoning but too much blade to use whittling and making small cuts. generally you want to use either large blade/small blade or axe/ small blade combos.

backpack- 65L is very overkill unless your doing 5 day+ with clothing for every day. I would suggest something in the range of 45L max.

compass- do you know the area your going to or do you really know how to use it? I know every person says to just have one just in case but if they already know their terrain or dont even know how to use the dang thing its just wasting space.

ferro rod- generally stay away from things like multi use gear. also just from my experience you want a long rod (5"+) for more surface area to generate more sparks for an easier chance to catch fire.


pillow- I would not use hammock pillows for on ground sleeping. they're extremely small and have almost no support on the count of your body is in a curling position in a hammock. I would suggest something like an inflatable pillow for you to adjust for your support and then covering it with something like a shemagh or t-shirt.


first aid- your going to get more cuts, scrapes and burns so I would buy extra of that stuff, but I would also add some quick clot just for the off chance of having a serious injury out in the field. and also some moleskin for your feet and pain relievers. and dont forget sunscreen.


now for some additions for your gear loadout.

saw and stay away from those stupid hand chainsaws


cooking vessal


cowhide gloves


Again; welcome and I hope you enjoy yourself and grow with your errors out in the field.

I've made many alcohol stoves and have found that the penny stove is the best overall design. You can pour unused fuel back into the bottle and it has pretty good heat output. If you don't mind a little more weight the Trangia stove is a good option-it's quite a bit more durable than the penny stove, and you can carry it with fuel in it without spilling.

I've made several quilts, both down and synthetic. Down is a bit of a PITA to deal with so take that into account. A climashield quilt is pretty easy on the other hand-quilt it with yarn and very easy to handle during construction. Not compressible though, unlike down. I do also have the EE Revelation in regular/regular/20 degree rating and am very happy with it. I was out with it the other night in Shenandoah-33 degrees with high humidity and was nice and warm sleeping in a base layer and underwear.

You can also get an Esbit version. They're nice because they can hold a fair bit of fuel in a pretty small package. It comes with a screw top and an O-ring, so you can fill it with fuel, put it out, and seal it back up with no wasted fuel. They're also lightweight, and you can use over the counter rubbing alcohol for fuel - although the BTUs on that sort of stuff might be inferior to other fuels. I don't know.

The only thing I WILL say about them, though, is that I'd recommend keeping it relatively warm in colder weather. I've found that my alcohol stove simply refuses to start if its too cold, and so the last time I went out I kept it in my sleeping bag with me while I slept, and it fired up without much trouble in the morning.

Also would recommend some sort of windscreen, just in case. Esbit does also make another UL stove that uses their fuel tablets, which the alcohol stove can fit into (but getting it lit requires a little extra effort either getting it into the slots, or lighting it while its in the slots).

Of course, there's also always these guys also by Esbit, which you can store the fuel cells in when its folded. The only thing I don't like about them (which take with a giant grain of salt, because I'm 100% an amateur to all of this) is that you're limited with the fuel cell and the length of burn. You don't end up wasting any excess fuel with the alcohol stove. Also, you do get the added benefit, if you're using rubbing alcohol for fuel, of having an antiseptic available in a pinch.

Finally, an option to keep the whole package on the small end, you have these little guys as pot stands. They work great to keep my pot elevated off the stove, but I will say that they do seem to get in the way of the burn a bit and inhibit some of the airflow, but not enough to be a huge issue. They fit into the Esbit alcohol stove perfectly, but again, you might be better off with something that lifts the pot up a bit more for a better burn. I think they're designed to be used with the their own brand of alcohol stove, though, so that's probably why they don't work great.

Whilst i spent a fair amount on my pack, sleeping bag and pad, and tent the rest i cheaped out on. Echoing what others have said but most clothing you can get cheap (any poly/.running t shirts and base layers, sleeping socks, gloves, hat, swimming trunks), trash bag for pack liner, cat can alcohol stove (or stoveless, if you prefer canister then there's always this for cheap and light http://www.amazon.com/BRS-Ultralight-Camping-Outdoor-Cooking/dp/B00NNMF70U ) , uniqlo UL down jacket (you can get them on ebay for at least half price to), frogg toggs for waterproofs. Darn tough socks might be expensive at first but the warranty would probably make them worth it in the case of a thru hike. Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber poles if you want to use hiking poles for $30. Depending on your budge the Six Moon Designs Scout tent is lightweight (34 oz) and only $125. CCF pads are much cheaper and fine for some, but i'd try and test one out first if you can.

Second hand gear is always a good way to go, i stalked eBay a fair bit getting gear together. As far as shoes go, trail runners are very popular but do tend to have shorter lives so i'd recommend approach shoes (such as Merrell Moab Vents) which tend to last a bit longer. The biggest way to save money though is to just not buy gear, which will also help keep your weight down. If you just embrace the fact you're going to stink and be dirty from the start then you don't need that second t shirt and trousers/trunks, less pairs of socks and underwear etc.

An aluminum or titanium pot would save 80-100g. This $35 titanium pot looks good. Using a lightweight plastic cup would save 50-60g.

Maybe try a DIY alcohol stove, which would save about 400g on a weekend trip. (On longer trips a canister stove has reasonably good weight efficiency.)

2kg is pretty heavy for a sleeping bag. Switching to a down quilt would save about 1500g. Enlightened Equipment is a great brand with really good prices.

Your pack is probably fine for now, but once you've upgraded your other gear and you have a better idea what capacity you need, you could probably save 800-1000g with a lighter pack.

The best way to use canisters in the snow is using a stove that has a preheat loop where you can invert the canister and push liquid fuel. Or get canisters that are a propane / butane mix. The jetboil branded canisters are a mix, MSR is a mix, and Coleman is a mix.

That said, warming the canister is smart. Know that the propane will burn off faster in cold temps leaving you with a butane canister eventually. :)

For a simple and fairly cheap remote stove with a preheat loop, check out the Kovea Spider - amazon

Good luck! Hiking, Skiing, or Snowshoeing in the cascades is AWESOME.

How old are you kids? Have they been camping before? Plenty of stuff to make them comfortable and happy. These Mystical Fire Packets are great and my kids (6 and 4) really look forward to using them. Good shoes, plenty of snacks and treats, maybe their own cookware. If your kids are older maybe you don't need to go this route. I just try to make trips as fun and exciting as I can for my youngsters to get them interested.

Two ain't so bad!


12.27 in my general wishlist, linked to the right one...pretty sure.


1.00 in under $5, it's cheaper than the default, but not the default, but I'm sure I linked it right.

Three's a crowd!

5.49 in food

6.89 in default wishlist, not cheapest but I think I linked the exact one.

.99 Whisper to a dream MP3, in mp3 wishlist

Hopefully, no crazy price swings! And thanks for all the gifting, this socking,y took less time than damnyoureloud's contest!

I may edit if I can find that one perfect gift?

I hope this is right :)

• $0-5 -Calbee Shrimp Flavored Chips (Surprisingly delicious)
  
  
• $5-10 Watchmen Blu-Ray (One of the best movies to get your Blu-Ray collection started)
  
  
• $10-20 Community Troy and Abed Mug (Awesome Merch for the Community Fan)
  
  
• $20-50 Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Boxset (The boxset of the AWESOME Scott Pilgrim series)

And remember you can just bring the bits you need. I like mine better for the weight actually, and have 2 different kits:


https://www.reddit.com/r/CampingGear/comments/2h32ru/picked_these_up_at_the_store_for_1495_and_1995/

I reeally like them and when i go by myself i just take the small one, and when 3 people I take them all and 2 stoves. I have an older pocket Rocket clone but got this little baby a few months ago for $10 or 11 bucks:

https://www.amazon.com/BRS-Ultralight-Camping-Outdoor-Cooking/dp/B00NNMF70U

I just try to be cheap thrifty so I do tend to look for sales and "clones". My buddy just bought the whole kit he needed for JMT and is in over 3 grand. My kit is pretty good and I am in for maybe $500-600.

I can always go back and buy the super expensive gram saving thing if I find I want to loose more weight from my pack down the road. But i figure at this point a diet will do more for trail weight than fancy gear.

The REI Magma 850 Down Jacket is on sale for 50% off right now (13.75 oz) I got the same one without the hood when it was available and have loved it so far. This is nerdy as hell but you could get this dope glow in the dark multi purpose swiss army knife and save some weight. Get the BRS Stove and save a couple ounces. You could probably get by with the Anker 13000. Don't know what your sit pad is but the GG 1/8" Foam Pad is super light. I emailed GG and they said the pads would be available soon

I've met lots of people with dragonfly stoves - it presses home though why the whisperlite is named as such. the noise THE NOISE that a dragonfly makes..
this (control) is a real problem with whisperlites though - if i want to apply less heat than the lowest working setting (will vary with fuel type and quality), i tend to just hold the pan above the flame - practical enough when frying eggs, perhaps less so with more elaborate cuisine.

an inexpensive way to have a gentle simmer - buy (or better, make your own) spirit burner; very light and inexpensive so no biggie if you decide you don't like it. they don't have the grunt that petrol or gas stoves have, but i was impressed with how good they actually are. (something like www.amazon.co.uk/Trangia-Spirit-Burner-With-Screwcap/dp/B000AR7970 or home-made - http://www.instructables.com/id/Can-Stove/ ) a spirit stove is hardly an encumbrance, so you can simmer your dinner on it, while making tea AT THE SAME TIME. (my god, the luxury)
a small bottle of ethanol is useful to have in any event, for lots of things, not least cleanly priming your whisperlite, or getting the f*cker to light at all if you're using paraffin or diesel.

I M a big fan of fancee feast alcohol stoves and have been using them for years. I've made mine for around 10 to 12 dollars. There is a small learning curve to them, but they are very lightweight, silent, and you can find the fuel in just about any gas station. Shug does a pretty good job showing them in this video https://youtu.be/dKAFAsPfC4s

I used to use your standard msr jet type of stove and they work great. Just really loud and the fuel is kinda bulky/costly.

For a pot, I use this stanley cookset Stanley Adventure Camp Cook Set 24oz Stainless Steel https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005188T90/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_GcsnDbZ7P54M3

Or a small grease pot from Walmart. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-Aluminum-1-5-Quart-Silver-Grease-Dispenser/32263277?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=1999&adid=22222222228021183567&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=40345415312&wl4=pla-78310592552&wl5=9019700&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=32263277&veh=sem&gclid=CjwKCAjwmtDpBRAQEiwAC6lm4yzlMy9LvWgAfk6fMkFrx4_ld_Myqyu724RFpnmhAV6mooHaSjAXkxoCl8wQAvD_BwE


If I know I am going to be gone for a while and want to keep my fuel weight down, I bring my fancee feast stove and a twig stove (bush buddy). This allows me to boil over a wood stove when I have dry sticks and I have the option of putting the fancee feast stove inside the bush buddy when I want to boil over alcohol.

I like to have multi-fuel stove to keep my options open. I keep this Bushbox pocket stove in my bug out bag to cook in an emergency. I like it because it takes up almost no space, is very stable, is easy to put together, and can boil water using little more than twigs - no need to expend energy gathering and processing large amounts of fire wood. I use this mess kit to boil water. In case there is no dry wood available, I have a back-up alcohol burner that fits in the stove (a bit snug but works well enough) and I keep some denatured alcohol on hand as an alternative fuel source. There are lots of little burners like this on the market. I went with the Solo option because I would ultimately like to upgrade to the whole solo stove kit, which is cool but currently out of my price range. Finally, I have some Esbit fuel tabs that also work with the stove, but I view these as a last resort because I think they smell terrible! Some people swear by them though.

This set up works great for me as a single person.

Yeah while you don't need a jet engine to stir-fry, I do think gas is preferable to electric. People make do, but I personally just can't stand electric ranges.

This's the burner we use, more or less. It seems slightly different (perhaps even a bit stronger? When I converted our stove's KwH to BTUs I got something a shade over 9k but that one says its 12k), but it's the same company and the same model name.

If you opt for something a shade stronger like this one, 15k BTUs is like literally exactly what a Chinese home kitchen stove is. Smack a wok ring on that for a nice large round bottomed wok and you got basically an ideal set-up imo.

A lot of people are going to suggest that you just build your own. It's pretty easy to do so out of a cat food tin or a soda/beer can. There's a ton of websites and YouTube videos with directions on how to do so, so a google search for instructions should easily yield results. Homemade alcohol stoves are also going to be lighter yet than any commercially produced models.

The only commercially produced brand of alcohol stove that I have any familiarity with is the Trangia Spirit Burner. They are pretty cheap (usually around $15) and while they are light, they are noticeably heavier than a soda can stove is. They are much more durable than most homemade models are, though.

The one thing that I like about the Trangia is that you can purchase it with a primer for it improves the stove's efficiency in cold weather. You could probably build one yourself to use with a homemade stove, too, though.

(Edited to add links.)

So... as a soylent consumer (I replace 1-2 meals per day with it), I would like to warn you about the awesome fiber and poop that it has. Not a big issue if you are camping at a place with a toilet... not so idea during a rain storm in a parking lot.

Another option is to carry some canned goods given that weight isn't as much of an issue. Canned soups and the like have a similar price to calorie and for most people will taste a lot better. If you want to splurge, a tub of mountain house freeze dried food would be lighter and taste pretty good. And on the cheap side, rice and beans is simple and filling.

For stove, depending on which type of canisters you want to deal with, there are some cheap stove options such as 1 and 2

My time to shine! I'm big into canoe camping. All the links I'm giving you are from Amazon Canada but you can get the same stuff on Amazon USA.

• Get a backpacker's stove. You can get a cheap one from Amazon like this or this.
  
  
• Get a cookpot off of Amazon too like a Toaks pot or Stanley pot.
  
  
• Get a water filter like the Katadyn BeFree.
  
  
• Get a spork.
  
  
• Get a frying pan that has a handle that can fold up. There are a ton of options for this on Amazon.
  
  
• Don't forget a spatula. You can get smaller, lighter options for this on Amazon.
  
  Now you're all set for anything you have to cook.
  
  Food suggestions:
  
  
• Frozen meat for the first night
  
• Frozen bacon for the first morning
  
• Eggs for the first morning
  
• Salami
  
• Bagged tuna
  
• Bagged salmon
  
• Fish (if caught)
  
• Babybel cheeses
  
• Nuts
  
• Seeds
  
• Beef jerky
  
• Low carb tortillas
  
• Avocado for the first day
  
• Mayo packets
  
• Dark chocolate
  
• Oatmeal packages
  
• Dehydrated fruit like peaches and strawberries
  
• Dehydrated veggies like peppers and onions and mushrooms
  
• Parmesan cheese
  
• Salt, pepper, seasonings
  
• Dehydrated meals from MEC or REI (you can get regular options and low carb options)
  
• Bagged quick cook rice
  
  I tend to not eat three meals a day when paddling. I have breakfast and dinner and maybe some snacks during the day.
  
  Be mindful that if you are paddling and hiking and portaging you're going to be burning huge amounts of calories. If you're just lazing about on a dinghy maybe not so much.

I really really want it!

Science/Gardens: Because bugs

Writing: Because they are food like and cute

Movie: Its a classic

Book: Cuz its John Green

Spirituality: It smells nice

Art Supplies: I love deco paint pens

Math: Because they talk about science and math stuffs

Travel: Because you always need one

Food: You need to live out your childhood dreams sometimes

Nature/outdoors: Because Nature can be scary and filled with "Nope"

Fun stuff:

• If your not already watching you should be
  
• Its good to have something to do with friends

You look pretty solid, honestly.

How much night hiking do you do? Are you sure you need the headlamp? You could probably get away with something like this. It's the one I use, weighs like 9g

Also, how attached are you to your jetboil? Have you tried the BSR? Only weighs 25g, uses the same fuel. Your pot should fit as well.

This is my 10oz luxury kitchen

https://www.traildesigns.com/products/fissure-ti-tri

with wood burning insert and kojin stove

With Evernew 760 mug
EVERNEW 760FD Titanium Cup https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C6H8KX8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_qhRKDbDR8GG4E

and this lid
TOAKS Titanium Lid for TOAKS Cups... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072BTZ7RM?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

And this dry baking pan (yes you can!)
https://www.flatcatgear.com/shop/snow-leopard-baking-pan/

this esbit holder
https://www.flatcatgear.com/shop/epicurean-ul15-stove/

This alcohol stove
https://www.minibulldesign.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=301&idcategory=18

This silicone band to hold it all together (just one X band)
Grifiti Band Joes Cross Style 4, 6, 9, 12 Inch Assorted 20 Pack X Shape Wrist, Books, Cameras, Art, Cooking, Wrapping, Exercise, Bag Wraps, Dungies, Silicone Rubber https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018WQII2A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_YwRKDbP7626DD


Mug + cone + wood burning insert + esbit holder + baking pan + remote alcohol stove + mini bic lighter + tinder = 10.2 oz and it ALL fits inside the can (yep, all at the same time)


Yes, all up its pretty heavy but you’ll almost never need or want to have all the options on a single trip but you could. More importantly, with this one kit you can adapt for a trip in any environment with any fuel and you can bake stuff in it too

BONUS!
this mug will also fit a BRS 3000T stove, bic lighter, and a 100g butane canister inside (but not at the same time as all the other stuff)
BRS Only 25g BRS-3000T Ultra-Light Titanium Alloy Camping Stove Gas Stoves Outdoor Cooker Outdoor Stove Gas Stove Miniature Portable Picnic https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XNLSNFR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_LsRKDbZ47R6HQ

In that case, I'd recommend going as light-weight as you can. A set like the one in the photo will be fine for car camping, but too heavy for backpacking, especially multi-day. Here's what I take when backpacking:

Toaks titanium 700ml pot

BRS ultralight gas stove

Toaks titanium folding spork

And a 4 or 8oz gas canister like this one, depending on how long I'll be going for. Don't get the gas canisters online though, get them at a camping or outdoors store, they'll be cheaper.

Honestly, that's all I need for solo backpacking. If you're backpacking with other people, you would maybe need a bigger pot (like 800 or 900ml), but I prefer to use the smaller one and make batches of food if need be. If I'm going car camping, I can bring more stuff as needed (cups, mugs, bowls, etc).

You don't need to get the exact items I have, but basically just ask for a simple, ideally ultralight gas canister stove, cooking pot (ideally titanium, not stainless steel), and a lightweight spork.

I also don't think you need tupperware unless you're car camping. When I backpack, I bring primarily dried foods that require not much cooking (asian style noodles, oatmeal, couscous, etc), and augment with some packaged tuna or chicken (in a bag, not a can) and spices. You can browse through /r/trailmeals for inspiration on cooking while camping.

2. Keep all of your valuables (electronics, passport, wallet, etc.) in an easy-to-remove bag. I use a small ulock and try to lock my frame to something and then run a small cable lock through the handles of panniers. My wheels have anti-theft bolts on them, so they're not easy to steal. Keep in mind that most theaves are opportunists and want something quick and easy--so don't make your bike quick and easy. For grocery stores: some stores will let you roll your bike into the entrance area or leave it leaning near the cash register.
   
   
3. Personally, I like a warm meal / coffee especially when the weather is wet. If you're on the fence, I'd suggest buying a Trangia alcohol stove ($20!) and you can always ditch it if you're not using it. I use it in conjunction with the Vargo Hexagon Wood Stove but you can get a smaller/lighter pot holder. The stove is light, runs silently and the fuel is cheap and easy to find.
   
   
4. This time of year is a good time to get apparel on sale. Check out brands like Pearl Izumi or the house-brand at Mountain Equipment Co-op (if you're Canadian.) For touring you can usually skip a proper jersey and instead do a merino t-shirt, you don't really need the pockets since you've got bags with you.

I just recently went on my first backpacking trip. It was just an overnight trip, but I used this: http://www.amazon.com/Esbit-Ultralight-Folding-Pocket-Tablets/dp/B001C1UGVO

It was the cheapest (10 dollars including enough fuel for a day or two), smallest stove I could find, it was rated well and I got free shipping. After using it, I was very happy with it. I used it to boil water for coffee, and I cooked hotdogs and chili with it as well.

I was literally just using it on the ground (and I only brought a small lantern and some glow-sticks with me for light. I was able to cook on it in the dark nonetheless. Super easy and effective.

If I decide to go on longer trips, I might get something bigger, but then again I might not. It's pretty awesome.

The only downside is that the fuel has a bad odor, and you have to wash your hands (or wear gloves) when handling it. Simple problem to fix though. Just don't sit downwind of it and keep your food covered if possible.

A few items that look heavy:

• compressible pillow @ 9oz is super heavy, but if it's the only thing that will help you sleep that's ok (-6oz for inflatable)
  
• could use a BRS stove that's lighter, but the pocket rocket is fine (-2oz)
  
• could go to a smaller power bank (6700mAh around 4oz) to save 2oz or so
  
  Also, as I reiterate to everyone, lyme disease is VERY rampant in the northeast. Don't by shy about packing more DEET or picaridin. Soak all of your clothes in permethrin before the trip, particularly socks.

Civ here, gonna get an IR reflective flag patch like the one you have (I'm guessing). I thought you only get the reverse flag for the shoulder?

Also

Water, check
TQ, check
ammo, check,
pack, check.

• 1 change of clothes
  
• Provisions (high calorie good nutrient)
  
• large knife
  
• concealed back up pistol in case you are disarmed
  
• 1 bobby pin
  
• 2 handcuff keys - one in your bag and one on your person.
  
• pocket saw
  
• water filter
  
• a good pair of gloves (I've got camelback magnums, they're awesome)
  
• Compass
  
• Magnesium fire starter
  
• emergency blanket
  
• bug spray you'll thank me
  
• a couple contractor trash bags (this will help waterproof your shelter and it's amazing insulation.
  
• medkit (you said its on your list)
  
• sighting device (unless you have a scope on your rifle)
  
• flares/flaregun
  
• chemical lights
  
• flashlight
  
• bear mace
  
• compact cookset for boiling water, cooking/retaining nutrients.
  
• 100 ft paracord
  
• toilet paper or wet wipes (trust me)
  
• 1 bar antimicrobal/antibacterial soap
  
• toothbrush/paste
  
  and then depending on where you live, you may want some climbing equpment, like a descender or ascender and some rope.

I bring a folding table like this one. I have a 2-burner Coleman stove that runs off propane and a single-burner butane stove. I'll bring one or the other depending on how many fuel canisters I find while packing. I always bring gear for cooking (pan/pot, spatula, tongs, ladle, hot pads, seasonings, etc.) but the most common stove use is boiling water in a kettle (for making coffee in an Aeropress or french press). I'm one of those "it's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it" people who brings EVERYTHING!

I usually camp with a large group. We try to plan so that everyone (or every couple) brings one meal to share to reduce the overall prep work and expense. Sometimes we have electric available at camp and I will do a slow-cooker recipe on site. Other times I make a dish at home, freeze it so it will keep in the cooler, then re-heat it on the stove. A 'one pot' dish like soup or jambalaya is easy to re-heat and serve and doesn't generate a huge mess to clean. Tip: add dish soap to a small scrubby sponge (or cut a larger sponge into a more manageable size) and keep it in a ziploc. The reduces the chances of a soap spill/disaster and it can be thrown away if no longer usable at the end of the fest.

I bring a few snacks and something to eat in the mornings (plus coffee - never go without a reliable caffeine source!) in addition to my group meal contribution. I rely on the vendors for everything else.

Day One I'll have about 35 lbs (15.45 kg) of weight. This is my first time so there are probably several items in there I'll never take with me again, but I'd like to try 'em out once; I also have a shit sleeping bag that desperately needs upgraded. If you want specs, just ask and I'll happily share my spreadsheet!

Edit: The List

The Gear

• Jansport Katahdin 50L
  
• Northstar Tactical Operations Sleeping Bag
  
• Hennessy Explorer Deluxe w/ Hex Fly, Snakeskin, HH2O
  
• New Balance Hiking Boots
  
• Vibram Spyridons
  
• Playpus Big Zip Bladder, 3L
  
• Sawyer 3-Way Inline Water Filter
  
• Rain Suit
  
• Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Soap
  
• All Terrain Herbal Armor Bug Spray
  
• Wigwam Merino Wool Socks x2 pair
  
• GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Pot/Cup
  
• Outdoor Products Dry Sacks
  
• Energizer 3-LED Headlamp
  
• Lifeline 85-Piece First Aid Kit
  
• 100', 550lb Paracord
  
• Extra Rope
  
• Heavy Duty Trash Bag (as liner; 2 extra)
  
• Couple Books: The Tolkien Reader, J.R.R. Tolkien and Smith of Wootton Major and Farmer Giles of Ham, J.R.R. Tolkien
  
• Cell Phone
  
• Camera
  
• Flashlight
  
• Map
  
• Watertight, hard-shelled container (for electronics/map)
  
• Pocket Knife
  
• Fixed-Blade Knife
  
• Toilet Paper
  
• Stove & Fuel
  
• Hand Sanitizer
  
• Extra pair of underpants
  
• Extra shirt
  
• Several scattered lighters
  
• 2L of water (possibly less depending on availability of water)
  
• Plastic Water bottle (for mixes)
  
• Wash Cloth
  
  The Food
  
  
• Chocolate Chip and Coffee Biscotti (too delicious not to bring)
  
• Backpacker's Pantry, Beans and Rice
  
• Mountain House, Rice and Chicken
  
• Ramen Noodles
  
• Trail Mix
  
• Peanuts
  
• Country Time Lemonade Packets
  
• Snickers Bars
  
• Folgers Instant Coffee
  
• Chocolate Covered Raisins
  
• Tuna Packets
  
• Wraps
  
• Protein Bars
  
• Peanut Butter Crackers
  
• Gushers
  
• Mac & Cheese
  
• Summer Sausage
  
• Nutri-Grain Bars
  
• Hot Cocoa

You should check this out I don't own one myself yet but I plan to pick one up soon. I've got a friend who speaks very highly of his.

If $40 is more than you are looking to spend you can go with the much more affordable Stanley Camp Cookset for about $15 but I would suggest adding one of these and ditching the plastic cups in the Stanley to bring your total to $20. The Stanley even fits real nice into the steel cup for storage purposes and you can put some food and eating utensils inside the Stanley.
This is basically the set up I use now and it's great.

Stove: Check out this little guy: http://www.amazon.ca/Esbit-0-4-Ounce-Ultralight-Folding-Titanium/dp/B002AQET2C/ref=sr_1_7?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1405465089&sr=1-7&keywords=esbit+stove

I just got one for myself. I got it because it has stands that you can put a water bottle on top of, and it weighs something hideous like 12 grams.
I know MEC has a little titanium hockey puck-sized stove you fill with alcohol. I decided to stick to solid fuel because it won't leak, it's compact, and you can replace it with stuff you find in the field in a pinch.
MEC also has a neat folding wood stove. It's a titanium hexagon with folding leaves. I thought about that but it's pricey.


Food: I don't know if 120 calories per gram is even possible. That might be calories per ounce.
I have a few clif bars and some bounce energy balls. They're about 4 calories per gram.
Don't stress too much about about energy density. I'd say as long as it's in that neighbourhood and it will last a year, put it in. I was even considering a wheel of preserved brie and some crackers to class it up a bit, but realized it might not do so well in the hot trunk of a car.

Water: Every thread here that mentions the LifeStraw has at least one person chime in and say a Sawyer mini filter will do a better job for less. I have experience with neither, but I've got a Sawyer on the way from Amazon.

There are a bunch of gear tips and recommendations in the wiki:

https://www.reddit.com/r/CampingandHiking/wiki/index/gear

Probably worth reading through the whole wiki if you haven't been out in a while, there's some good stuff in there that'll get you on the right track.

I'm a fan of Gossamer Gear packs for light loads, they make a nice day pack, too:

http://gossamergear.com/packs.html

The Pocket Rocket is a pretty tried and true backpacking stove, and there are a ton of cheap clones on Amazon.

Olicamp mug/pot $12, 4oz weight, 20oz capacity

BRS 3000T Burner $15, 25g. It really is an amazing little micro stove.

Jetboil Flash LID This lid fits the Olicamp mug/pot perfectly! $6, plus shipping. About 1oz

A 100g canister fits perfectly inside, plus the BRS and a bic. The jetboil lid fits securely and keeps everything together.

Ditch the canteen.. carry your water in 1L and/or 750ml smartwater/lifewater bottles. Seriously. It’s durable, and weighs significantly less.

Cat food can stove, denatured alcohol and ramen. Cost a fraction and provides sufficient calories. Add a few snickers in there for variation.


This is the best suggestion. Ramen can be eaten without cooking too. Throw in a few sauce packs from restaurants like soya, chili sauce, mayo, Vary up the Snickers with Tiger bars, granola bars, Cliff bars etc. A few packs of tuna and chicken in the foil packs. A few tins of Vienna sausage. 20-30 dollars should get you an awesome and compact 72 hour food kit. People tend to over think this.

Here is a better stove for 15 bucks ( I use 90% rubbing alcohol -- available at any pharmacy -- a lot for less than five dollars):

Trangia Spirit Burner

Lady, you're getting pretty buttsy lately, standing up, speaking out, and throwing around your vocab like you own the place.

Buttsy (adj.) - butt-sie - Someone who's got a lot of guts, some moxxy, and some passion.

I'm a butt, he's a butt, she's a butt, we're all butts, hey!

Here's a Troy and Abed mug, because Troy likes butt stuff. :p

Thanks for the contest!!

1. crash pad
   
   
2. shoes
   
3. chalk
   
4. brushes
   
5. 6 changes of clothes pair of shorts, pair of pants, 2 t-shirts, light jacket, sweatshirt/sweater, 2 pairs of socks, 2 pairs of underwear. You should be wearing about half of this going out. Just air out the clothes you aren't wearing, even better is to wash them in a stream.
   
6. toiletries Bar of soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, toilet paper, deodorant if you must
   
7. harness
   
8. belay device
   
9. warm hat and gloves not sure what the weather will be like but I reserve these for when it may snow
   
10. lots of socks
    
11. lounging shoes, hiking shoes running shoes are good for hiking if your pack isn't heavy >30lbs
    
12. sleeping bag
    
13. tent
    
14. pillow use your clothes
    
15. few 1 bowl
    
16. good calorie dense snacks such as nuts, jerky, dried fruit.
    
17. spork tool
    
18. pocket knife
    
19. phone charger. Is this solar or what? You're probably better off picking up a couple spare extended batteries and charging them up before you go, turn your phone off for most of the trip.
    
20. backpack, is this an additional pack? Or what all of this is in?
    
21. rain jacket $1 poncho
    
22. camera
    
23. book
    
    My additions:
    
    
24. headlamp and extra batteries
    
25. finger nail clippers, ibuprofin, antihistamines, wetnaps, purification tabs, bug spray
    
26. Ultralight towel
    
27. Ground mat
    
28. Camping pot
    
29. Water bottle, like the platypus
    
30. Medical tape
    
31. Firestarting kit: cotton balls soaked in vasoline, lighter, flint/steel
    
32. Whiskey
    
33. Dehydrated food of some sort.
    
    Bonus:
    
    
34. Weather radio
    
35. Camping stove
    
36. Hammock instead of a tent
    
    
    All in all I think you should keep your pack under 30lbs, especially if you are going to be doing some hiking.

I just purchased one of these little guys for $5 at a Sportsman's Warehouse in WY last week.

I tried two of the Coghlan's tablets (2@7g=14g) and it just made it to boiling. Haven't tried esbit yet, it may be worth the higher price.

I tried 14g of alcohol in a few of my diy stoves and they didn't even come close to a boil.

To me, that says solid is the UL choice.

This little stove is pretty amazing, yet simple. It's folding arms hold my 700ml Ti cup rock solid and the distance from the burner to the cup is perfect. At $5 and 14g, plus 14g/boil you can't go wrong.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002AQET2C?pc_redir=1397188849&robot_redir=1

Can you think of any reason why this would not work with creating starters? I'm trying to think of a way to safely support a 5L flask on their too. It looks like it would balance well enough

Edit: Actually, I may go this route instead...looks like it would balance better. Or this

Maybe this

Regulating the temperature on an electric burner element is tricky. If you want to experience the joy of gas cooking, try a butane burner like this.

I have a gas range, but I also have a single burner induction cooktop I use occasionally when I don't want to heat up the house or for overflow cooking, and that also actually does a pretty great job of controlling temperature. It does require either cast iron or tri-ply cookware though.

I travel with the GSI Outdoors Ultralight Java Drip and it's served me very very well! Looking at u/cdtya's answer though, I might switch to that setup.

I've been in Europe a while now and there is no shortage of places to find great coffee houses. I have no particular loyalties, and I don't think you'll have a hard time finding great coffee. However! While you'll find an abundance of great espressos and cappuccinos galore, I've found that filter coffee is quite rare. Depending on where you're traveling, you might not even find the right grind in grocery stores, so come prepared!

Ahh, awesome! I've made that recipe once and it was indeed delicious. If you haven't tried the chicken thigh version, IMO it's better: https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2015/04/pressure-cooker-fast-and-easy-chicken-chile-verde-recipe.html

edit to add: Have you considered a smaller burner like one of these? https://www.amazon.com/Iwatani-Corporation-America-ZA-3HP-Portable/dp/B006H42TVG/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=portable+gas+cooktop&qid=1566313614&s=gateway&sr=8-3

For 3 season, mostly fair weather, UK & European camping I am totally happy using my Duplex, so I would go with that. You just have to accept that condensation is a mostly daily management issue - no biggie!

I would look at halving your combined rainwear weight - the Montbell Versalite jacket and pants are good options that will get you under 300g for the both of them.

I would also look at the 2018/19 Montbell Exlite Anorak (if you can still get hold of one) - despite having a hood it is lighter than the Ghost Whisperer hoodless and it’s warmer by most accounts than the hooded GW too.

Personally I would go with an Evernew 900ml tall pot with lid at 95g (lighter than the Toaks and you can boil enough for 2 people’s dehydrated meals when you need to). I would also go against this sub’s Windmaster-love and choose instead a Firemaple stove for half the weight, or even a BRS at 1/4 the weight. There are lighter ways to master the wind than an 85g stove! (Use your tent vestibule or arrange your pack and some rocks as a wind-break)

Evernew 900

Firemaple FMS300T

Firemaple FMS116T

BRS 3000T

Edit: if you are interested in the Nitecore NU25 you can do a version of the Litesmith Mod yourself, as per this video:
NU25 Headband Mod

http://www.amazon.com/Ultralight-Backpacking-Canister-Stove-Ignition/dp/B00ENDROMW/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1454174592&sr=8-4&keywords=Cannister+stove

Super cheap and works pretty well.

http://www.amazon.com/BRS-Ultralight-Camping-Outdoor-Cooking/dp/B00NNMF70U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454175219&sr=8-1&keywords=Brs-25

I picked up a brs-25 earlier this week (when it was shipping from the US instead of China) and it's a cool 0.9 oz stove that runs $10-$18 if you can find it in stock (or are willing to wait for shipping from china.)

Massdrop has nice deals on klymit insulated static v lite pads every month or so. Usually around $55 shipped and 19 oz with a decent r rating.

Then go with the MSR Whisperlite that /u/gcranston recommends. However, it doesn't use ISO-Butane as suggested. It uses white gas. It is very easy to get a hold of here in the US. I have had one for almost 20 years and it still works wonderfully.

You have to purchase the bottle separately, but they aren't that expensive. Just make sure that you use a windscreen. It improves the cooking time significantly. You can easily make one.

I've used the Esbit (http://amzn.com/B001C1UGVO) stoves before too and they work. They don't work super fast, but if you are cooking something for one, you can't really get any cheaper. If you are only cooking for yourself or just heating things up, these little stoves work well. Every time I have used one, I have had people tell me that it will never work, how silly I look with them and how cheap I am, but they are small and cheap. Again, you need a windscreen for these to work.

Extra clothes, especially socks. Good wool ones. I keep a pair of insulated winter gloves in my kit. I also like to keep a bunch of these hand warmers as well. Good for putting in pockets or even boots if I find myself or someone else under dressed for the weather. A good, heavy wool blanket is great as well. I keep it laying across my back seat. I have a spare balaclava as well. I wore this one snowmobiling at -5 degrees celcius with nothing else covering my face except goggles and stayed warm so it should be warm enough if you have to walk to a gas station or something.

Road flares are good as well. I have a few of them as well as a few glow sticks and those LED road flares as well.

Something else to consider is if you take medication, store a few days worth in your vehicle if you can.

I keep cash, about $50 in $5 bills.

A have the "premium" BCAA membership. Haven't had to use it yet but there were plenty of times where a free 300km tow would've come in handy and for less than what I pay for Netflix.

I keep a small stove like this one along with a small backpacking pot, some instant coffee, tea bags, and instant soup. Even outside of an emergency, sometimes it's just nice to have something hot. I have a handful of granola bars for the same reason, sometimes you just need a quick snack and worst case, you have something to eat in an emergency. I carry Cliff bars in the summer but I find they get rock solid once the temperature dips so I just keep those Nature Valley bars.

In summer I keep a big insulated bottle of water in my truck and in the winter I just take it in and out every day as I don't know if I'll have an issue with it freezing and wrecking the bottle. Plus this way it gets fresher water in it more often.

I also like to have a small shovel and a hatchet because I live in the boonies and we get downed trees across the roads every now and then.

There's a million other little things that come down to what you personally want but these are the "basics" in my opinion. I've probably missed something glaringly obvious but if I think of it I'll add an edit.

You could get something like this. Easy to store and you can get the tanks for pretty cheap. Just make sure you get a strong mesh that won't melt from the heat to rest the coals on.

> Fancy Feast stove

That's what Andrew Skurka uses. He says that he has tried various other builds, but none of them saved him enough fuel (vs the FF stove) to be worth the bother.

Personally, I like my Trangia, but I'm not an ultra-lighter. It's still pretty damn light, though, and very strong, since it's made of brass.

Firstly for the sleeping bag what temperatures are you looking at needing it for? also have you considered the possibility of a quilt?

How much water depends on the availability of it where you're hiking, but generally 2-4L as a start is usually good. For purification I bring a Sawyer Mini with a 2L bag and aquamira as a backup.

I prefer baby wipes as they can be used for other things but make sure you get biodegradable ones as well

My stove is a MSR Pocket Rocket but as a cheaper option [this] (http://www.amazon.com/Ultralight-Backpacking-Canister-Ignition-silvery/dp/B00ENDRORM/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1411302345&sr=1-2&keywords=msr+pocket+rocket) stove works well too. You also have the option of small alcohol stoves and other liquid fueled types.

Wow. Yea I can see that.

Someone should write a book; a street survival nutrition guide. It's not easy to buy the kind of food that works best in those situations from regular grocery stores.

Edit: we've been fly fishing out in the middle of nowhere for so long I can cook a surprising amount of stuff on this little stove the size of a pack of cigarettes, called an Esbit stove. Once you have the little stove, moreover, which costs about $10, the solid fuel pellets are really cheap. I could write an Esbit stove healthy field cooking cookbook.

I think it was a pricing error but I bought one of these sets as a gift for a friend...for $3.08.

They make bigger sets with nesting pots that review quite well:

https://www.amazon.com/G4Free®-Outdoor-Camping-Cookware-Backpacking/dp/B00N7EOB88/

Others in this thread have suggested Imusa and a Kmart grease pot; great suggestions.

/u/knuckle-sandwich definitely should get this Camping Cook Set!

I'm sure they'll get a bunch of awesome use out of it!

gift all the people

For your stove, I would swap out the Pocket Rocket for the BRS 3000 titanium stove. I've used this stove for almost a year of casual backpacking and my buddy has used hers for almost a year of hard use (almost every day for 3 months). I love this stove! Price:$13-$20 on Amazon. Weight saved: 2oz
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06XNLSNFR/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1511720626&sr=8-1-spons&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=brs+titanium+stove&psc=1&smid=AYV8D5JVC1UF2

Definately use the smaller canister for your fuel. I went on a 6 day trip where I cooked breakfast and dinner every day, and I had fuel left over at the end of it.

Check out the Yama Mountain Gear pogies. They are cheap, and are definately gonna ventilate better than the rain mitts. (I've never used them, but I'm gonna get some)
https://www.yamamountaingear.com/pogies-rain/

The only other thing I might suggest would be to use the Anker 1300. You'd gain a little weight, but it gives you an extra phone charge. This is really only necessary if you'll be using your phone for maps or pictures.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00Z9QVE4Q/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1511720683&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=anker+13000&dpPl=1&dpID=314Zy5LrQ7L&ref=plSrch

This really depends on your gear. The biggest weight savers are firstly bringing less (such as getting rid of extra clothes, knives, tablets etc) but then getting a lighter tent, sleeping bag, and pack. If you're good on those or can't lose weight there, next up could definitely be the cookset. A cheap light titanium pot and a light stove can make a big difference. Far down the list is tent stakes, imho. If you have cheap heavy stakes, sure swap them out. But there are bigger fish to fry if you're a novice.

Definitely this. Although I'm obsessed with Community, I guess it is kind of unnecessary. But it is funny and awesome :)

Collapsible, silicone

0.7L TI, Usable on a stove, $35 (flash companion is 1L, $50-60)

0.45L smaller TI mug at $20

Or any other light-ish mug... GSI enamelware mugs are like $4. If you want to heat/rehydrate in succession, I'd recommend getting something with a lid, optionally double-walled/insulated so you don't need a cozy. Keep in mind if you get a double-walled mug, you won't be able to heat stuff up in it in a pinch.

Edit: Alternatively, if you and your wife are willing to share a pot, sell your flash cup and get a pot. More fuel efficient, less stuff to carry.

You could use the campfire, or you can use one of these too: http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-2000004124-PefectFlow-1-Burner-Stove/dp/B0009PUR5E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394047763&sr=8-1&keywords=coleman+single+burner


As for best quicklights, most people will tend to agree that 3 Kings are the best Ql's

I have one of these mil surplus sets, the stand works perfectly as a windscreen & pot holder, I use it with a trangia burner and this snow peak cookset. I bought an extra silicon bowl and a few cups and can stuff 2 bowls and 4 cups in the cookset & it still fits in the nylon mesh bag it comes with.

For the trangia stove, it boils water quite fast with this setup, you can adjust the flame, and it has a screw on lid so you can save unused fuel, well worth the $15.

I stopped drinking coffee on the trail in favor of a quicker start and less things to bring, but when I was making coffee in the morning I used one of these and liked it a lot: GSI Outdoors Ultralight Java Drip https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001LF3ICU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_-XuPAbQ8YS64S

It’s cheap, clips to the top of the cup, arms fold in to make it pretty compact, and only weighs half an ounce.

I've had good luck with Toaks products. You can hold the handle without it being too hot, even with boiling water. This should fill your requirements:

https://www.toaksoutdoor.com/collections/pot95/products/pot-550-l

For a stove I use this popular item:

https://www.amazon.com/BRS-Outdoor-Camping-Portable-Ultralight/dp/B00NNMF70U

Super light, heats water up just fine.

We have a portable butane stove we can put on the dinner table like this. (This is also really handy for picnics and cookouts...or if you like hot pot, or shabu shabu, or fondue...very handy to have around)

And then we have something like this or this to put on the stove. Personally, I'd go to a korean grocery, as they'll probably sell something like this at a cheaper price.

You probably can get away with using a small pan too.

I wouldn't buy bottled marinade. The sauce is really easy to make, and there are plenty of recipes online.

Edit: note also that if you're planning on doing this inside there's going to be a bit of smoke. You may have to open windows! The 'smokeless' pan above isn't as smokeless as one would like.

Hope you like it! Sorry it's not more organized. If you're stir frying often, maybe consider getting one of these. Every Asian household has one and most Asian grocery stores sell them. They run on butane cans that are pretty cheap. Cooking on gas is next level even compared to induction. You can set a wok ring over it for some pretty serious stir fry capability for not that much money.

I started working on a kit and figure it would be good to brainstorm about it a bit. While it probably doesn't deserve it's own thread, I'd like some input about it if possible since I still have time to change things around before I order anything.

I plan on going hiking/camping anywhere from 1-3 days and potentially even more if possible.
The pack I'm currently looking into is the 5.11 Rush 72 which should fit the bill. It has a pouch for my hydration bladder (which is a must have since I live in an arid region and running water can be rare depending on where you are located) as well as the molle for additional customization if needed.

When I'm out camping I like to have the ability to fry food as well as grill it. I have a makeshift grill that I constructed out of four tent pegs and a grate so I have that covered. In regards to frying I found a cook set that seems like it would be useful for my needs. I doubt that I would bring the entire set with me (besides the frying pan and maybe the pot if I have dried meals) which should cut down on weight a little.

For my sleep system I'm looking at a Aqua Quest 10x7 ultralight tarp, paracord (for hanging the tarp plus other uses if needed), and an OutdoorsmanLab Ultralight Sleeping Pad. I'm not entirely sure that I need a tarp since it rarely rains here but I can see it having potential against sun/wind. Both the sleeping pad and tarp fold up to about the size of a bottle which will allow me to store more gear if needed. I already have a sleeping bag insert and mummy bag if need be but I don't see myself using them for 3/4ths of the year.

Lastly, I'm looking at getting a Mora Companion for bushcraft related activities.

In total all the gear weighs about five pounds which seems reasonable enough. Let me know what you guys think.

So is propane the best for weight right now besides alcohol? I love my white gas! Is this the stove you have for solo? https://www.amazon.ca/BRS-Ultralight-Camping-Outdoor-Cooking/dp/B00NNMF70U

I'm leaving for my solo wct in two days, Tuesday May 7!

Do you have any stove? I like a simple and cheap butane stove. Work on stuff with one dish and often canned food. Watch out for the sodium.

I like bean tacos for in car cooking. Can of beans can of veggies (corn or mixed); peppers if you got them. Cost for people about $2. Unless your rig is just always parked make a habit of just cooking in parking lots of grocery stores or Walmart. Dollar store sometimes works but often they don't have bathrooms. You get easy access to everything, plus a bathroom. AND it is always a good idea NEVER to use the bathroom or cook where you sleep.

https://www.amazon.com/Iwatani-Corporation-America-ZA-3HP-Portable/dp/B006H42TVG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474584564&sr=8-1&keywords=stove+burner+butane

Check out the Windpro II. It has a wide flame, so it is good for "real" cooking. And a remote canister, which means that it is shorter (more stable) and you can fully enclose it with a windscreen.

http://www.cascadedesigns.com/msr/stoves/gourmet-cooking/windpro-ii/product

If the Windpro II is too pricey, check out the Kovea Spider. The flame isn't as wide as the Windpro, but it is still pretty good for a canister stove.

https://www.amazon.com/Kovea-Spider-Stove-Small-Silver/dp/B00CFPIPKA/

-I would start with finding a lighter tent first. If you don’t have the cash for new check craigslist or eBay.
-10 lbs of clothes also seems excessive (think layers and the only items I would ever consider varying more than one would be socks/underwear)
-Im not sure what your plans on food are but freeze dried/dehydrated meals and a lightweight stove would be my recommendation. One of these (https://www.amazon.com/MSR-11792-PocketRocket-Stove/dp/B000A8C5QE) and a lightweight pot to boil in would save you a lot weight.
-Your sleeping bag is also pretty heavy and depending on what the temperatures are you can find lightweight down bags that aren’t very expensive as long as the temperature won’t be under 30 degrees.
-You may want to consider a water filter if you’re backpacking in an area that has water readily available.

I have the BSR one off Amazon. I actually got mine from BuyGeek flash sale for $9.99, free shipping. Took 2 weeks to get here from a China. It's been a pretty good stove for me.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00NNMF70U/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1522032785&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=bsr+stove&dpPl=1&dpID=318GiUmpQkL&ref=plSrch

Does anyone have recommendations on the best pot(s) to bring backpacking? I'm looking for something that is light weight, durable, and will fit easily on my Coleman single burner propane stove
Edit: Coleman Bottle Top Propane Stove https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009PUR5E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_kLcjzbZCYHCDA

http://smile.amazon.com/GSI-73020-Outdoors-H2JO-Percolator/dp/B000PGPGQC/

This is what I use. I have a nalgene bottle just for it so my water doesn't taste like coffee. I pour the water in the bottle, and then put the filter thing in, and then the coffee in the filter thing. Screw the cap on, make sure its all tight, and then I lay it on its side until I think its had enough time to brew. Doing it this way lets me take the grounds out before I enjoy my liter of coffee (all morning long) so it doesn't get bitter. Also makes cleaning easier because I can scoop most of the grounds out into a garbage bag to pack out and what I can get is rinsed out. I make sure my coffee is course ground for this, much like cowboy coffee.

$20-$50 Mr. BEER! Who doesn't want to try their hand at it?
$10-$20 Stanley Camping Cook Set Being able to cook on the go is nice!
$5-$10 Mimosa Pudica Touch Sensitive plant that pretends to die when touched, HOW COOL IS THAT?!
$0-$5 Rose Kissed Jasmine Tea You need to be able to unwind with something after playing with all the new toys, right?

Coleman Bottle Top Propane Stove,Green,6.62" H x 7.81" W x 7.75" L https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009PUR5E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_hZxQBb3YGJQA2

This is what I have and it works great. Can be a bit of a pain (top heavy) with my huge cast iron but it's do-able. Works perfectly fine with my smaller more standard size cast iron. For the money it's hard to beat.

I know you wanted the rubberized handles, but that limits your options significantly. I'd say apply the rubber yourself with a tool handle dip.
BRS Stove - $16
Snow Peak Trek 900 - $45
Rustoleum Grip Dip $17.50

That leaves a solid $10. You can have them pick you up a canister or two!
I've been using both the BRS Stove and Snow Peak Trek 900 and they both work great. Now, if you have a windy situation, you may need to build a windscreen or get a MSR Pocket Rocket.

​

GSI Ultralite Java Drip

This is what I used during my AT thru-hike. Used it damn near everyday for five months straight. Makes good coffee, just requires a finer grind than other pour-overs.

Personally, I'd say pre-grind some of your favorite beans, and rough it for a few days till you get back home to the luxuries of Chemexes and electric kettles.

If you're determined to grind on the trail, I'd go for the Hario Slim Grinder. I've used it at home for the past year with great performance, but now it's a dedicated travel grinder since my Lido 2 came in.

You ought to look into a steel can cup. They’re made to slide on the bottom of a nalgene but they nest on the SOL bivvy you have perfectly and gives you the ability to boil water.

Here is from the budget backpacker:

Stove: esbit is 6.3 oz with 6 fuel cubes (weight includes fuel) for <$11.00: http://www.amazon.com/Esbit-Ultralight-Folding-Pocket-Tablets/dp/B001C1UGVO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462135828&sr=8-1&keywords=esbit+stove

Pot: GSI stainless weighs 5 oz for <$10.50 http://www.amazon.com/GSI-Outdoors-Glacier-Stainless-Bottle/dp/B001LF3IB6/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1453225574&sr=8-6&keywords=backpacking+pot

Utensil: I use a standard aluminum fork and spoon because they weigh less than an ounce each, but you can also look at this:

Toaks titanium spork weighs 0.6 oz for <$9.00 http://www.amazon.com/TOAKS-SLV-01-Titanium-Spork/dp/B009AO19MK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462136083&sr=8-1&keywords=toaks+titanium+spork

Once again, not 100% ultralight, but pretty light weight and a good starting place for a beginner.

For extended bugout, it's better to carry a nestable camp cooking set.

I got an old Primus one with 2 stackable quart sized pots and a frypan as a lid.

Means you can boil water in one, then cook food in the other while the water is cooling down. If I'm not frying with the lid, that gets uses as a plate.

When it's packed down, I keep various kitchen items inside (seasoning/condiments/penny stove etc) giving you an efficient use of space

I have a smaller BoB, so I recently got a Stanley camp cook set, without the plastic cups, and will get a titanium cup that will fit on the bottom (with all the various items inside)

I have this, and the 4oz tank and stove pack perfectly into it if you take the cups out. Pretty much any cookset of the same form factor should work as well. Optimus Terra, the Esbit set, etc.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005188T90/ref=gl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=I0MRPGUG5HSP&coliid=I25X27QEKXLUNF&psc=1

Head over to /r/Ultralight

It's a super active sub, and while you say ultra light isn't a necessity, there's a ton of good reviews and pack loadouts you can check out. I recently picked up SnowPeak LightMax.. Others have been using the cheap BRS-3000T

Yes and no. Denatured alcohol from the paint section is your best bet. Rubbing alcohol has too much water in it usually, unless you find some 99%. It will work, but not as well. A quart of denatured is $5. Rubbing alcohol is about twice that price.

Heet costs more and there's little difference. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOLoLx5lF6U

Here's the one I use. (fixed, thanks breadpad) You can put it out and it screws closed to save the fuel. In practice, this sounds better than it works. Just don't overfill, and burn it till it's dry. Comes with a simmer ring. I fooled around with the can ones. My friend's monster can stove is nice. Soda can stoves don't hold enough fuel.

I suppose THESE in aluminum aren't terrible for the budget minded, You can find several different varieties for around 15-20 bucks. They include folding spork, bamboo spatula and other goodies.

The One Egg Wonder is popular with the UL community, just chop that handle off. Be mindful of the "one egg" deffinition as this pan is 4.75" around, i.e. SMALL but lightish.

If you want something that actually functions as a frying pan, I use THIS but it comes in heavier @ about 10.5 oz. I use it rarely but it actually works for frying where the THIN titanium/aluminum pans do NOT.

You must properly "season" the MSR pan, but it works beautifully.

Sounds like you probably don't NEED the Whisperlite as you're not really taking advantage of its features and carrying all the extra weight of a Whisperlite.


There are tons of cheap canister stoves on Amazon. Since your friends use a Jetboil, it sounds like you can buy canister fuel. I currently use this stove. https://www.amazon.com/BRS-Outdoor-Camping-Portable-Ultralight/dp/B00NNMF70U/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1510073163&sr=1-1&keywords=bsr+stove&dpID=41J7KacqzpL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch I do find it is loud, but I bet it's much quieter than the Whisperlite which IIRC is very loud.


I've never understood the advantage to the Jetboil systems. IMO, they add a lot of extra weight to gain the fuel efficiency advantage of having a heat exchanger added into it. To me, they are simply not worth the extra expense and weight penalty.

A pack stove is what you're looking for. They run on solid, liquid, or gas fuel and span a wide range of prices. Jetboil is a popular but pricey brand with many models. This means you will be carrying the stove, the fuel, and another container for the water.

If you're talking about a day hike then your best option is to get a good thermos just fill it up before you leave. It will be a lot less hassle, weigh less, and take up less space.

GSI Outdoors makes a pretty handy kit. Expensive, though.

I have this Mallome set. So far pretty good, but only really big enough for 1-2 people. I picked it up after deciding to downsize my cook kit.

I almost never take cast iron with me, as I find it really heavy and bulky to bring along, even car camping, and it seems like a lot for 2 people.

Purchases so far:

• Esbit stove. Haven't had a chance to use it yet.
  
  
• Solar 5 Battery/Charger First use last weekend. Really love it so far.
  
  
• LMF "Spork"
  
  On the to-buy list, I'm hoping to get into ultralight + hammock camping for the summer:
  
  
• Exos 48 Pack
  
  
• Hennessy Hammock Expedition
  
  Also do you guys have any recommendations for a warm-weather sleeping bag? I live in GA so past April, the lows only get into the 60-70 range on a "cold" night. I'm almost leaning towards Hammock + just a warm camp blanket. Any thoughts?

Solid fuel stoves aren't anything new. The one you link there is insanely expensive. As an example, here's one for under $10.

As for other suitable camp stoves, there are plenty out there. I have a Jetboil Flash system that I've been quite happy with. It boils water extremely quickly and is nearly foolproof to use. The downside is that it's not the lightest stove out there.

I also own a MSR Pocket Rocket stove. It's less full-featured than other stoves, but it's very small and light. You also must have a pot to use with it.

Just to throw out some general outdoors stuff that he may enjoy/not already own: a headlamp if he enjoys camping or being outside at night, a Leatherman or other general purpose multi-tool, a decent set of hiking boots, a Camelbak or similar hydration backpack.

I picked up a Pocket Rocket last year and its pretty solid if you dont mind carrying around fuel. I have a Dualist cook set that this folds up and fits inside of to save some space. The fuel canisters for it are small enough where I'm not worried about it taking up much room in my pack or adding to the weight I carry.

For what you've asked for... I like these. I have 2.

It has 2 internal cups also, and a lid with holes in it... so the lid does not seal. They are like 12 bucks at walmart.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005188T90/

EDIT: Also... I can fit my alcohol stove inside one if I only take 2 cups (out of the 4 that come with 2 of these). If I could improve it, I would find a way to insulate the handle, since it gets hot while the cup is heated. Keep that in mind for the first time you grab it off the stove. You'll remember it the second time, and each thereafter!! :-/

Sounds to me like a normal Pyrex beaker would work just fine.

If you don't have a Bunsen burner available--not good practice to go heating chemicals on your stove--you can either get a small hot plate, or some kind of small gas burner, like a backpacker's stove (what I use).

You also want a propane bottle-top stove and a coffee can for boiling water for coffee/tea/ramen. http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-2000004124-PefectFlow-1-Burner-Stove/dp/B0009PUR5E/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1405985344&sr=8-3&keywords=propane+camping+burners

It'll fit in your saddlebag easy, and will make mornings a LOT easier.

Ok you need a first aid kit because YOU NEVER KNOW and rocks are sharp.

You could also use FOOD, either in dehydrated form to cook with water on a camp burner, or in bar form.

HAVE FUN!

small camping stove

because being able to cook and boil water when the power goes out is amazing.

I have this one, which I recommend if you want to spend the extra $

sorry for huuuuuge links wtf edit: Thank you helpful mod!

I have a GSI ultralight drip filter and it was only 10 bucks and works great. Sorry I’m mobile or would post the link but easy to find on amazon.

Edit: here ya go GSI Outdoors Ultralight Java Drip https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001LF3ICU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Oe8NBbA727VFY

I like these a bit better for this. You can build one out of a soda can too. My thought here is that you can run it on bottles of yellow HEET (fuel line defroster) which you can get at any gas station, hardware store or grocery store. For someone living on the streets it's a bit easier to get a hold of than a canister of fuel for a stove.

Being on a budget, I went with an inexpensive pot set from Amazon and I have been very happy with it. My fuel canister and stove fit inside and it has proven to be fairly durable.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00FQZEYWE/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My wife and I started with a Trangia alcohol stove. It is great because you can store unused alcohol in the screw lid container, and it's very robust. The "simmer ring" isn't all that useful-except as a good way to snuff out your stove. The cons are it is heavier than other alcohol stoves.

Generally, alcohol stoves take longer to boil water than a canister stove. There is also the added risk of open fuel that is quite flammable. I've seen many a fireball happen from people with more than questionable alcohol stoves.

Ultimately we changed to a MicroRocket canister stove. The convenience of the canister stove just outweighed any additional weight (honestly, after a 1000 miles of hiking, the tiny difference in weight really doesn't matter). It cooked so much faster, was way quicker to set up, and we were not nearly as leery about cooking in our vestibule on some crappy days. At the end of long days all I want is to shovel as much food into my mouth as fast as possible.

Availability of canisters is abundant. Canister stoves are extremely popular on the trail and the outfitters know that. Practically all of the outfitters carry canisters. Finding denatured alcohol is quite easy as well. Either outfitters give it away, sell it by the ounce, or there is a local store to get a bottle of HEET (yellow bottle).

You will have to refuel more frequently with an alcohol stove. Probably on the order of once a week you will be looking for resupply. With a canister it's more like once a month (8oz.). We went ~500 miles on one canister, cooking 1 meal a day for 2 people. Others I know completed the entire trail in 4-5 canisters.

Some people have had canisters mail-dropped in, because they found cheap deals on the canisters. They are supposed to be packaged accordingly to USPS hazardous material standards, but I have seen people receive them in their regular mail drops. Do so at your own risk and all that.

In my opinion, I would recommend a canister stove. If I were to thru hike again I would take my canister stove, hands down.

I believe Kovea has a stove with a remote canister. More importantly, it has a preheater that allows the remote canister to be flipped over.

If you can spend more money, there's a new version of the Whisperlite that supports remote isobutane canisters as well as gas and kerosene, and can probably do those heavy green propane canisters with a Kovea adapter.

Edit: Found the stove. It's the Kovea Spider. In case you don't already know, the benefit of using a stove with an inverted canister is that you can burn the liquid butane first while retaining the propane in the canister to provide pressure.

H2JO By: GSI outdoors this guy lives on my hydro flask full time. Also does great work with loose leaf tea when I want to switch it up.

https://www.amazon.com/GSI-Outdoors-73020-H2JO/product-reviews/B000PGPGQC

Pair that with the camelbak twist lid which is actually spill/backpack proof. It does not leak and you can have hot coffee/tea all morning.

https://www.amazon.com/CamelBak-Chute-Hot-Accessory-Black/dp/B0793CNVDP/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=camelbak+screw+cap&qid=1573356701&sprefix=camelbak+screw+&sr=8-6

I just dump in my grounds or tea into the hydro flask or nalgene add hot water and screw them both back on and I am good to go. Bonus is you have cold brew later in the day if you dont drink it all in the AM.

same mug but on amazon I've been using the mug for two years and love it.

For cooking issues in a real crisis, I made one of these burns very little wood, small sticks/twigs/woodchips. I made mine out of an old computer case, but any sturdy sheet metal will do. I also have a trangia which runs on alcohol. And a dutch oven which can be used over a campfire or buried with coals. For home heat, I have built a rocket mass heater before, they work great and stay warm long after the fire is out, but I rent now, so I have a small woodstove I can quickly hook up to the chimney if need be. Not that you asked about any of that =]

Get a small propane cooker. They're cheap and heat water quickly, also good for cooking... whatever. Just be sure to crack a window or use it outside. Something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-2000004124-PefectFlow-1-Burner-Stove/dp/B0009PUR5E/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1398189942&sr=8-7&keywords=propane

Your lightest option will be a gsi outdoor filter:

GSI Outdoors Ultralight Java Drip for Drip Coffee While Camping and Backpacking https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001LF3ICU/

And preground or use a hand grinder like a hario slim. Use whatever boiling water you have, or bring a snowpeak lite max.

You can also just brew cowboy coffee, with no filter, just pour hot water over grounds, let settle, enjoy.

Stanley Adventure Camp Cook Set 24oz Stainless Steel https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005188T90/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_gmXsDbDGKCPZV

This one has been great for me! Also comes with two cups.

Pretty sure this is a portable camp stove. You would maybe soak that pad in alcohol and set a pot on top. Something similar to this: https://www.amazon.com/Esbit-Ultralight-Folding-Pocket-Tablets/dp/B001C1UGVO/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1539965937&sr=8-14&keywords=camp+stove+folding

This might be designed for backpacking, but the flame control is great and the fuels lasts for a brick. It's my go to hiking/camping stove.
https://www.amazon.com/MSR-PocketRocket-Stove-One-Size/dp/B01N5O7551/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499308812&sr=8-1&keywords=Rocket+stove+2

Just as a counterpoint, in places like Japan they use those little butane cartridge burners indoors all the frickin time.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006H42TVG/

Like this. I don't know that there's any fundamental difference between that stove and yours, I can't imagine that there is, especially if it looks like that.

A regular gas stove with a blue flame produces nearly nil CO until you put a cold pan onto the flame. Once you do that, they all produce CO, even the ones built into kitchens. It's not very much and it reduces once the pan warms up.

I think the people in this thread so far are being absolutely overly paranoid.

Food. These things are delicious. You just boil 2 cups of water and pour it in. let it sit for about 8-10 minutes and feast. I take them backpacking with a jetboil to boil the water and I eat like a king.

edit: formatting.

This is a nice quality inexpensive mess kit (no spork)

This is a really nice quality flashlight!

Here is a good quality pocket knife.

You can always get something like this for fairly cheap. They're easy to store when you don't need it.
http://www.amazon.com/Iwatani-Corporation-America-ZA-3HP-Portable/dp/B006H42TVG

Not as high BTU as the commercial gas stove in the video, of course, but it'll be tons better at maintaining the frying pan at a consistent high temp when compared with an electric stove.