(Part 2) Best products from r/backpacking

Ramen packet.
MCD pancake butter or two.
Carrot.
Fresh greenbeans/sugar snap peas (lots of grocery stores have them in loose bulk. Enough for X meals)
Sriracha packet (panda Express has them. Just ask do t have to buy anything)

Can do this as a soup or drained noodles. Add water , boil with sliced carrots and beans/peas. Few mins depending on your taste for softness. Add noodles cook the 3 min for them.
Optional: drain water (keep for soup)
Add ramen flavor packet and butter. Mix up and eat. (Sriracha as needed)

Garlic powder (very little) is also good but not required. Can make your own seasoning as well and ditch the ramen seasoning. I'd say play around at home either way. Lots of veggie options out there that are light and will keep a day or two.

Also, there are lots of ramens out there besides the basic ones at normal grocery stores. My city has a pretty big vietnamese community and their grocery stores have some pretty fancy ones. I'll find and link some as they are on amazon as well. These have 3, 4, 5 packets of seasonings/oils/spices and are pretty dang good (I tend to add veggies to most)

Dont like/want noodles? Rice works too. I'm sure there are other options as well. Cant think of any at the moment.


Oh yeah. Dried mushrooms. The asian market or Amazon should have those too. Great to add. Add towards end. Don't need too much hydration.

https://www.amazon.com/Indomie-Instant-Noodles-Certified-Original/dp/B00HXIXWKM/



https://www.amazon.com/Mama-Tom-Yum-Flavour-Noodles/dp/B000QFOXTS/ this ones spicy!

https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Mushroom-Gourmet-European-Mushrooms/dp/B075NVDRLY/

Sleeping bags: I just upgraded to enlightened equipement quilts and would suggest it but I believe those are out of your price range. My old bag was a eureka silver city 30F (retailed around $80). My husband used to use a teton sports 20F bag off amazon (cheap, sorta light for a budget bag, and decent quality).

Sleeping pads: You mentioned thermarest sol. I own a zlitesol pad and it is a great pad. I like that I can strap it to my pad very easily (accordion shape). It has a decent Rvalue for its weight as well. The pad is bombproof--it will take a beating and still work great. On the other hand it isn't particularly comfortable. I ended up upgrading to a exped synmat ul7 pad due to the fact that I am a side sleeper and the zlite started to hurt my hips especially in cold weather.

cooking utensils: This depends on what you plan on eating. I simply use a titanium long spoon. (It also comes in a spork version). I prefer the long handle because I tend to eat a lot of the dehydrated packs of foods. The long handle keeps my fingers from getting sticky/covered in my dinner.

Food: For dinners you cant go wrong with the simplicity of a dehydrated pack such as Mountain house. My favorite flavors include lasagna with meat sauce and chili mac. Only downside is that they are not super healthy and tend to be on the heavy side. For snacks I will take an assortment of cliff bars, snickers, trail mix, pepperoni, babybell cheese, crackers.

first aid kit: mine is homemade and has tape, tweezers, small roll gauze, a few bandaids of various sizes, 2 alcohol wipes, benedryl, emergency blanket, small amount of repackaged ducttape, safety pin, triangle bandaid, zip tie for gear repair, 6 waterproof matches, spare AAA batteries (for headlamp).

hiking socks: I use several different kinds. I love my darn tough and cabelas mini crews. I also have a large fluffy pair of wigwams for sleep socks.

pants: DONT WEAR JEANS. I wear a pair of woman's trail pants by Cabelas. My husband wears a pair of zipoff pants also from cabelas.

base layers: I use midweight in those temps. Wouldnt hurt to heavyweight if you are typically cold.

Hopefully this helps. Good luck and have fun.

Stoves - I use a super cat stove. I've carried both canister and white gas stoves in the past, but this simple alcohol stove works best for my needs. The JetBoil really is only for boiling water. If you want to cook, you should get just about any other stove. The BioLite is very gimmicky. There are other backpacking woodstoves that work just as well, but weigh far less (My two favorites are the EmberLit and the Sierra Zip Stove). And since the charging port on the BioLite only puts out 400mA, you will not get any significant charge for your devices in the 20 minutes you will be operating the stove.

Shelter - I think you are going to be far more comfortable in a good sleeping bag under the tarp tent than you will in the bivy. Bivies suck. Really. And the emergancy tarp is not going to insulate you from the ground. It has zero insulation value. Get a closed sell foam pad or an insulated inflatable pad.

Packs - I love osprey packs. They are great. The only thing you want to do is not to buy too big of a pack. You will just end up filling it up with useless gear. Buy the pack last. Once you have everything else, put it in a box and measure the volume. Then you know how much capacity you need. Then weigh it. Now, when you go to the store to try on the packs, they will hopefully have weighted pillows that you can fill the pack with and see how it carries with the amount of gear you plan of carrying.

Well, ultralight backpacking is a little different than "REI" backpacking. The larger portion of the backpacking industry has tried to fulfill their customer's (legitimate) desire for comfort in the backwoods, while neglecting to remember that people actually have to carry that stuff. You have a (ballpark) 6 lb backpack, 3 lb. sleeping pad, 2 lb. stove kit, 4 lb. sleeping bag, 1 lb. first aid kit, 5 lb. tent, etc. etc. and the comfiest backpack in the world can't solve a 50 lb. pack weight.

I recently got into ultralight (less than 10 lbs. base pack weight) backpacking, and really enjoy it and have only gained comfort in the backwoods from a much more pleasant hiking experience (which is what we're doing out there for 80% of the day). Pretty much all the same amenities, just doing them a little smarter with different products and more pre-planning. I'd suggest this excellent book as a good starting place, if you're interested.

You do not have to spend a lot. Here are some suggestions that I choose to use even though I could spend the money on more expensive gear.

Pack: Rent until you decide you want to do this a lot and have already bought the rest of your gear

Tent: rent it for this trip if you don't already have one. If you do, it's best to split it up, poles and fly for you and tent for him or vice versa

Sleeping bags, bring them if you have them or rent

Stove: http://www.amazon.com/Ultralight-Backpacking-Canister-Ignition-silvery/dp/B00ENDRORM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396264963&sr=8-1&keywords=backpacking+stove Works just as well as the 50$ one.

Water filter: http://www.amazon.com/Sawyer-Products-SP128-Filtration-System/dp/B00FA2RLX2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396265006&sr=8-1&keywords=sawyer+mini+water+filter cheap, durable, no moving parts to worry about and it's super light

Pot: A lot of people use this, but it might be a bit small for you depending on what kind of food you're going to cook but this works well for freezer bag meals http://www.amazon.com/Stanco-Non-Stick-Grease-Strainer-Black/dp/B000MVTIOQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396265044&sr=8-1&keywords=grease+can

Long Johns and other clothing: Walmart usually has decent options. Make sure that they are synthetic. You may find that you already have a few things if you look through your clothes at home. Depending how thick they are your snowboarding socks might make good hiking socks or if you have long underwear for snowboarding they would be useful camping.

What are you doing for shoes? Do not waste money on boots if you don't already have them. 90% of trails can be done in good running shoes and 95% of trails can be done in light hiking shoes.

Misc hints: For water bottles just re-use old gatorade bottles, those nalgenes are super heavy. Think about getting two hiking poles instead of just walking stick but this is a preference thing. Avoid cotton at all costs and have fun!

This is what i got as my first back in the same boat as you

http://www.amazon.com/TETON-Sports-Explorer-Internal-Backpack/dp/B00167TGII/ adjusts from M-XL

and my wife this one (slightly smaller) adjusts from S-L
http://www.amazon.com/TETON-Sports-Internal-Backpack-Orange/dp/B001KBYPIG/

Now these are by no means Mt Everest packs but they have all the bells and whistles, are comfortable, adjustable, and have survived plenty of 1-2 nighter trips on the AT and held up well.

I am 5'11"/6' and 180lbs and i use the "XL" but could probably use the L

With amazons return policy i would try it and return it if it doesn't fit properly.

Now a lot of people will only recommend the best gear, but to "start out" i think you'll be fine w/ a cheaper/decent pack and if you actually enjoy/do it a lot.. then upgrade and you have spares to sell/store/loan and bring more friends with.

I am not an expert and cannot comment on that pack, but thats my input on my first packs i got for about the same price.

Congratulations! I think it's very cool that you're going to be setting out to do this. I've thought about it. I don't think very many people have thru hiked this trail. There's a book about a couple who did it that might be worth trying to hunt down. The name escapes me, but it obviously has "Bruce Trail" in the title.

I would really suggest trying to go light weight with gear. Check out r/ultralight. I've found it MUCH tougher to go ultralight with gear from Canada than the States. I suggest giving this book a read for consideration:

http://www.amazon.com/Ultralight-Backpackin-Tips-Inexpensive-Lightweight/dp/0762763841

Also, here's an interesting article about someone who thru hiked it:

http://www.thespec.com/news-story/2258732-walking-the-bruce-trail-end-to-end-in-30-days/

SO much more, but good luck!

I don't know about what exactly you're looking for in a pack, but I recently ordered a HikPRO packable backpack off of Amazon, and I love it! I like that it's water resistant (oh god, rainy European winters), lightweight, and roomy.

For me, space is such a precious commodity when backpacking. I like having the option to literally compress my daypack down into nothing when necessary - and this pack weighs 8oz and expands into a 25L pack for only $20!

The only downside is that since it's so lightweight and packable, it doesn't hold shape and doesn't have a lot of "backpack hardware." Personally I don't mind, but I know some people might.

If you're set on the two you have listed, I would go with the flash 18 if you don't care are waterproofing.

I went on a 2 week backpacking/hiking trip to Europe last fall and just brought my Canon EOS-M mirrorless, 22mm prime and 18-55 kit lens. I walked with just the body and 22mm prime most days. It was perfectly light and manageable. I use a CapturePro to keep my camera on my backpack strap while out and I hardly notice its there. It keeps it secure and out of the way and my hands free. I carry an 8in tripod for the occasional long exposure shot. I've used this set up for multiple hiking trips and it has worked out well for me.

If you will be walking around a lot and not entirely focused on getting the best shot I recommend just carrying the A6300 with 2 good lenses.

I bring my full frame mirrorless camera on trail with a 2 lb lens. I purchased the Peak Design capture clip and attach it to my backpack with the lens attached and its quick and easy to grab it if you need that picture right then and there. I do however limit myself to one lens. I usually bring my 24-70 lens and it pretty much covers everything I need or would want on trail.

https://www.peakdesign.com/collections/clips/

If you're into photography then I don't think you'll ever regret bringing your best gear.

I also found this lightweight tripod that I haven't used yet but I bring it along because it doesn't weigh much and supports my heavy camera setup.

https://www.amazon.com/Pedco-UltraPod-Lightweight-Camera-Tripod/dp/B07N5K4DNJ

Best of luck on the trail!

I'm kind of in the same boat as you are. Started backpacking maybe about 2 months ago and had a ton of old gear. Carrying 35 lbs over 26 miles was no fun, and when I came back home to research lighter stuff I kept finding things that were hundreds of dollars a piece. I did a ton of research and found some good quality gear at a budget level.

Mind the formatting/spelling errors. On mobile.

Tent - $70 - Geertop 1 Person 3 Season 20D Ultralight Backpacking Tent for Camping Hiking Climbing (Trekking Poles NOT Included)(Inner Tent is Green) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J9XWJEI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_hE-PBbG3XQVVQ

Sleeping System (2 parts)

Quilt - $35 - Double Black Diamond Packable Down Throw with Stuff Sack, 60" x 70" (Peacock) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079YX2W79/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_.F-PBbJ5R45V4

Pad - $40 - WellaX Ultralight Air Sleeping Pad – Inflatable Camping Mat for Backpacking, Traveling and Hiking Air Cell Design for Better Stability & Support –Plus Repair Kit (Green) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076PHYVD8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_60-PBbA71XR3R

*note I sleep warm and wear layers. I found the quilt to be good for 3 season camping in the temperate CA conditions. The pad helps with the cold and I'm a side sleeper so the pad is a requirement for me. YMMV.

Poles - $22 (needed for the tent listed above) - BAFX Products - 2 Pack - Anti Shock Hiking / Walking / Trekking Trail Poles - 1 Pair, Blue, Royal Blue https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007YT854S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_sI-PBb1S6HSMG

Cook pot - $11 - G4Free Outdoor Camping pan Hiking Cookware Backpacking Cooking Picnic Bowl Pot Pan Set 4 Piece Camping Cookware Mess Kit(2 PCS-Green) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQSHG3N/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fK-PBb0YKV8R3

I cook simple meals that mostly require just boiling water. It's also large enough to fit my soap, stove, and gas can in.

Stove - $14 - Etekcity Ultralight Portable Outdoor Backpacking Camping Stove with Piezo Ignition https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B4FY8YO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_dM-PBb3M334JD


Water filtration (4 parts)
Dirty water bag - $20 - Cnoc Outdoors Vecto 2L Water Container, 28mm, Orange https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075NQT5KP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_DN-PBbFGE74F0

Clean water bag - $13 - Platypus Platy 2-Liter Ultralight Collapsible Water Bottle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000J2KEGY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_CO-PBbZ2HXVZV

Filter - $37 - Sawyer Products SP137 PointOne Squeeze Water Filter System with 16-Ounce Pouch, Straw, and Hydration Pack Adapters https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WG9AFW6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_1P-PBbX4F8JW4

Filter attachment - $3 - Sawyer Products SP150 Coupling for Water Filtration Cleaning https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018NJC1A6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_YQ-PBbDFGGM0D

With this water system you have the option of gravity feeding your water supply at camp. You can also simplify by just buying the $37 kit and just squeeze directly into your water bottle/bladder, but I find this setup more convenient.

After that, the rest are kind of up to you. Food, clothes, etc. I wouldn't skimp on shoes though. Look into trail runners or hiking SHOES (not boots).

Optional things I'd look into is paracord and a tarp especially if you're going to camp in the rain. You can also look into hammock camping which would be a little more budget friendly than the tent + blanket option.

Overall there are definitely cheaper options but I find this to be a good balance of price, weight, and convenience.

All in all this is about $265.

Yes they are off my list because I ended up purchasing them. The pad was the [Klymit Static V](Klymit Static V Lightweight Sleeping Pad, Green/Char Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007RFG0NM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_kesFxbNDWCCR4) and the bag was the [Teton Trailhead 20](TETON Sports TrailHead 20F Ultralight Sleeping Bag, Orange/Grey https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007JTLKCC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_dgsFxbG1YRZ7S). I wasn't feeling the quality of the Teton bag so I ended up returning that. Never used it on the trail but laying in my bed with it I didn't like the feel of the fabric. That's one thing that I'm going to put more money into. As for the pad though it's awesome. Took my sickly lungs about 20 breaths to blow up but it works well. It definitely doesn't need to be pumped up as tight as an air bed. Good quality item there that o would buy again.

If I can chime in on the cookware stuff. I agree with u/rusty075 about switching to aluminum as a good way to save weight.

Traildesigns has some pretty inexpensive aluminum cookware. Decent stuff for under thirty dollars.

Im playing around with the stanco grease pot that I read about on an ultralight forum. Its 9 dollars and seems to work just fine for boiling water.
Switching from aluminum might save you half a pound.

It's bulky (even with the compression bag) but good enough as a standard sleeping bag, the coldest weather I used it was a little below freezing in a tent and it did fine, the link you gave claims down to -50*F, I find that hard to believe, but I'm sure someone else can chime in on the colder temps. If it were me, I'd go with something else.


Also, while of the subject of military gear, I would like to say that a poncho liner + poncho is a match made in heaven.

My hiking partner helped out, so to give you an idea, one of us took care of boiling water and cooking the starch (rice & pasta) interchangeably, while the other boiled water and rehydrated the proteins and sauces.
It took about 45-50 minutes to rehydrate each meal, but we had plenty of daylight left and I used my awesome Emberlit titanium stove to save on isobutane. I just kept on feeding it dry twigs inside a fire ring.

I didn't mind the time it took as it was one of the highlights of our trip aside from all the amazing Roosevelt elk and wild life we saw at every turn.

As everyone else has said, ditch the sleeping bag.

Unlike everyone else, I offer a solution.

The poncho liner aka "the woobie" is the greatest creation on earth. I got one of these while I was in the military and have dragged it around the entire earth with me. Soft, perfectly warm, lightweight and highly packable. I don't know how this secret hasn't escaped the military. I will send you a link, you won't regret it!

https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Military-Weather-Poncho-Blanket/dp/B001L0VX2W

How much luggage does he travel with and how many countries is he going to? That will determine what’s a good choice.

My fave travel gadgets have been

1. battery charger, a large one that can go multiple days without charging. And also your friends will like to use.
   
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00X5RV14Y/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1511981716&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=20000+mah+portable+charger&dpPl=1&dpID=31MnmAEjDaL&ref=plSrch
   
   
2. micro towel. (It’s a game changer) I got the one at rei in a large. Just big enough to wrap around your waist.
   
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01K1TX77W/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1511981752&sr=8-7&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=travel+towel&dpPl=1&dpID=416HcYQQ56L&ref=plSrch
   
   
3. cabeau travel pillow, eye mask, ear plugs (if he’s flying a lot or going to a lot of places. This is my sleep anywhere kit and essential if traveling multiple countries)
   
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004ZIDXK2/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1511981907&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=cabeau+evolution+pillow&dpPl=1&dpID=41RvkBLi8jL&ref=plSrch
   
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00GSO1D9O/ref=mp_s_a_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1511981971&sr=8-3&keywords=eye+mask&dpPl=1&dpID=41NEugUfp7L&ref=plSrch
   
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00XW0P84I/ref=mp_s_a_1_11_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1511982013&sr=8-11&keywords=ear+plugs
   
   
   
4. collapsable water bottle(spending money on bottled water adds up and you can get water after you pass through security for the plane when the air gets dry. I get dry throat on planes)
   
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B015RZTPJY/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1511982056&sr=8-8&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=collapsible+water+bottle&dpPl=1&dpID=41lBy7By8XL&ref=plSrch
   
   
5. a collapsable travel day back pack (man purse or if you buy things. I keep my water bottle and battery in there. Extra clothes, selfie stick etc and if you’re over your luggage limit you can take stuff out and put it in there. When not in use it fold up into a small bag.
   
   http://www.eddiebauer.com/product/stowaway-packable-20l-daypack/82300168?showProducts=111&color=147&sizetype=&size=
   
   
   
   

I've started bikepacking / hiking and camping more. I'm looking to get a good pack that will be enough for a couple of days to a week. I'm definitely on a budget, and if at all possible, I'm looking for recommendations for something I can either secure to my bicycle or wear in to camp / backpack.

I'm looking at this (4.4lbs) teton.

I don't really know what I'm doing, just what I want to do. I appreciate any help you all can offer!

Yeah, it's a technique popularized by the /r/Ultralight crowd.

You can get 5 for $6 on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Hefty-Trash-Compactor-Bags-GAL/dp/B002BXRGQA

Pack covers do protect the fabric of your pack. However most modern backpacks are made of nylon materials that shed water and don't really retain water weight. If you've got a bunch of stuff strapped to the outside of your pack - the cover may still be necessary (although that's one reason we typically recommend not strapping sensitive gear to the outside of your bag).

Pack covers tend to flap in the wind. They make it a pain to get into your gear without getting everything wet.

A liner also helps eliminate extra dry bags. I used to have a dry bag for clothes, jackets, sleeping bag, etc. Now I just jam everything into my single pack liner and roll it up tight. Even more weight/space/cost savings there.

This helps with the 'pebble' problem. When you have many dry bags and other hard items in your pack, they take up extra space. Think of pebbles in a glass (pebbles = gear, glass = pack). There is air / unused space between the rocks. However if you take the gear out of those smaller / multiple dry sacks - and jam them all together - you use the space inside your pack more effectively.

And by bugs, here's what you'll want:

Head net and a large-brimmed hat. This keeps them out of your face. You'll look a bit dorky, but it's well worth it for the lack of swatting.

Permetherin. You treat all your fabric with it. Pants, shirt, socks, tent, errything. It'll keep the ticks away too (which are super bad this year). Keep away from pets when applying, but it's pet-safe when dry.

Deet. Because hands/arms are still very annoying targets for skeeters. 2oz size because every ounce counts.

So, with the head net, hat, and deet on you, you've added ~5oz of weight, and probably $30 (because hats are expensive). The permetherin doesn't need to be carried with you (it's apply-before-hand stuff, good for a couple weeks).

But again, a bug-free trip when everyone else is swatting skeeters and flicking ticks every 20 feet is well worth the size/weight/cost.

I just got done with about a month worth of research on backpacks. While I ended up getting a nicer aether 70, this Teton pack was constantly appearing in my searches. From all reports, it is hands down the best pack in the lower price ranges. It even appeared multiple times on top gear ranking lists next to the more well known deuter, osprey, type bags.

Check it out:
http://www.amazon.com/TETON-Sports-Scout3400-Internal-Backpack/dp/B00AE31RJQ

Does it have to pack or can you get a new one in each country? I'll pick up an cheap umbrella in a country and use it as a cane/walking stick of sorts while I have a couple cheap ponchos in my bag for emergencies. I like umbrellas for sun protection and light rain and use poncho for the heavier stuff since it covers my pack and everything. I've found the telescoping umbrellas are flimsy and bend easily, but are more compact. If you can spare the space, I'd recommend either something small with a solid post and UV reflective material on top like this, or this, or this, or a full-ish size umbrella that you walk with like this, or this

I have just been putting my camera into my smaller backpack for day hikes wrapped in a Clik Elite Camera Body Wrap or clipped to the strap of my backpack with a Peak Design Capture Pro. I also have a little padded divider that I put in my backpack to hold lenses. I haven't hauled my gear on any multiple night backpacking trips yet, but plan to soon. The Peak Design clip is nice because it frees up space in the pack and makes the camera easily accessible when on the move

You'll need a big backpack (around 70+ liters) in order to hold bear canisters. Considering you'll be out for around 4 days, I'd assume around 2 bear canisters would be sufficient.

Talk to rangers in the area about weather, routes, etc.- they know a lot more than you probably ever will about Yosemite.

I personally bring a lot of dried fruit and individual, home-made meals in a bag (see this website for some ideas).

Good luck! Be sure to take some means of water filtration (such as the sawyer mini), and don't be too ambitious in your first adventure.

Not sure what you are asking, but the quality/durability issues with the No Limits brand seem chronic. My buddy wanted a really cheap pack to get into backpacking and settled on the Teton Scout 3400 (55L). It's a decent quality pack with plenty of features for a beginner. Currently available on amazon for $65: http://www.amazon.com/TETON-Sports-Scout-Internal-Backpack/dp/B00AE31RJQ

They also make a larger (65L) pack: http://www.amazon.com/TETON-Sports-Explorer-Internal-Backpack/dp/B002XF8106/ref=pd_sim_468_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=41i6Oh9FSNL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL320_SR162%2C320_&refRID=1N8YEFCF077RTS8AHSZ7

Be careful about getting into huges packs (anything over 65L is a big pack). It's hard not to fill out all the space in your pack, so the larger your pack, the more you will bring. I understand you are new to the sport and may not have "ultralight" gear, but just be aware that the amount of weight on your back will have a huge impact on your enjoyment, especially as a beginner.

Thinking about getting this pack off Amazon...my budget is pretty small https://www.amazon.com/Rhino-Valley-Backpack-Lightweight-Activities/dp/B07FXG2ZRM/ref=sr_1_57?keywords=internal+frame+backpacking+pack&qid=1565074612&s=gateway&sr=8-57

I was hoping for more ways to attach stuff to the outside of the pack than just those straps all the way at the bottom. Is that what those 2 buckles are for?

Side question: does this look like a decent cheap pack?

We're doing Pictured Rocks next week, it will be our second time up there. It really is an awesome hike. You could do this over 7 days but probably more do-able in 5. However, I made a call today to the NPS for a trail/bug update. He said the mosquitoes are terrible in the UP this year, the worst they've seen in a long time. He also said the stables flies are starting to come out and ticks are typical.

We're going to try permethrin this year on our clothes to help with the stable flies. Last year we had one day they were so bad we almost hiked out.

I've heard Porcupine Mountains are a great option as well.

> I would recommend making your gear upgrades (if planned) before buying a pack; in general buy the volume for your gear, not the other way around.
>
>

This is actually very, very smart.

I have this tent (42 oz, 1-person): https://www.amazon.com/Geertop-1-person-3-season-Ultralight-Backpacking/dp/B01J9XWJEI

And this sleeping bag (30 oz, 30 F): https://yetiworld.com/v.i.b.-600/black/p/93

And can't afford to upgrade both of them. So I guess I'll stay with my normal weight setup until I have more money.

+1 on the sawyer mini. It works like a champ.

I used to use the Teton Scout pack. Very durable. I mean this thing can take a beating. It's a little on the smaller side, so not a good fit for someone on the tall side (I'm 5'8", there are 3 or 4 more slots left for the strap adjustments). It's also a fairly roomy bag, I've never filled it completely. That said, it's a bit heavy (4.5 lbs) and I'm always trying to go lighter.

I'm in the process of making my own variant of the Moonbow Gearskin.... Basically a modern twist to the old beaver tail packs. I'll be using my sleeping pad for the support, with all my gear packed into it. Tests so far are looking promising, and I've only invested $45 in materials.

http://www.amazon.com/TETON-Sports-Scout3400-Internal-Backpack/dp/B00AE31RJQ

http://www.moonbowgear.com/1trailgear/1Custom%20packs/Gearskins/gearskin.html

Those are not designed to purify water.

You want these guys: http://www.amazon.com/Potable-Aqua-Water-Purification-Tablets/dp/B0009I3T3S/

Or these: http://www.amazon.com/McNett-Aquamira-Water-Treatment-Drops/dp/B00CHRFQPI

filter? check out the Sawyer Mini: http://www.amazon.com/Sawyer-Products-SP128-Filtration-System/dp/B00FA2RLX2

if you're in a pinch, do a little homework with using ordinary bleach ... or prepare to boil

Anker PowerCore!

Anker PowerCore 20100 - Ultra High Capacity Power Bank with 4.8A Output, PowerIQ Technology for iPhone, iPad and Samsung Galaxy and More (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X5RV14Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_p2jozbERK5T1Q