How to Plan a Backpacking Trip

By Matt Pritchard

Equipment Selection

Equipment buying and planning is probably the single most written about topic in the world of backpacking. Our lust for the shiny and new that began as children at the toy store is fulfilled today at the outdoor retailer with bits and pieces of titanium, nylon, and high-tech plastics. Because there is so much information regarding equipment selection in magazines, books, and online, we've chosen to take a different approach to this topic. In this section we will first discuss a set of fundamental criteria that can be applied to equipment selection across product categories. As a supplement, we have included a gear checklist that has been refined for general overnight backpacking. The checklist can be found here.

Criteria for Gear Selection

  1. Durability

    Backpackers abuse their gear. The demands of hiking and camping subject gear to more wear and tear than most consumer products. Products designed for use in the home will simply not hold up in the backcountry over the long haul. Usually, durability is a tradeoff with weight. Strong construction sometimes adds weight. However, this isn't always the case. Durability usually has more to do with design and construction quality than the actual strength of the materials used. When you are purchasing fabric based products (clothing, tents, sleeping bags) take the time to inspect the construction detail. What do the seams look like? Are they double or triple stitched? Do the zippers, buttons, and pulls feel solid? Flimsy accessories can turn an otherwise top notch product into a rag in no time. Inspect the stress points and flex points on any product. Are they designed to endure heavy use? Consider the application of the product in its functional setting and look for potential flaws and weaknesses. A well built product will last longer and provide less frustration over the long haul.

  2. Weight

    No single aspect of product selection induces more obsessive behavior than weight. The afflicted have been known to spend hundreds of dollars shaving grams off of their pack weight - and not without reason. A lighter load allows you to travel faster and feel better at the end of the day. New materials such as titanium, carbon fiber, and sil-nylon have given product designers the ability to push the envelope of lightweight design.

    When considering the weight of a particular product, compare it with the weights of other similar items. How does it stack up? If the product is heavier, ask yourself why. If the product is significantly lighter than its competitors, consider at what cost are you saving weight. The lighter the product, the more expensive it is likely to be. It is matter of balancing the utility of weight savings with the common sense of durability and cost. Finding this balance is a personal thing. Remember that the lightest product is the one that is left at home. Before you get carried away with a shopping spree, consider your packing strategy and see what weight savings can be realized by simply rethinking your gear list.

  3. Packability

    Closely tied to weight, packability is another quality to consider when evaluating gear. With limited space in your pack, the size and shape of an item is important. Remember that soft, malleable items are easier to pack than rigid ones. In most cases, a smaller, less bulky item is a better option for use in the backcountry. Items that come with a stuff sack are nice, but too many stuff sacks leads to a lumpy pack. Bear canisters are notoriously difficult to pack. They are rigid, bulky, and heavy, but an absolute necessity in some places.

  4. Ease of Use

    In the backcountry, form should follow function. It matters not what a piece of gear looks like if it is a piece of crap or you can't remember how to use it. Some items are pretty straightforward - sleeping bags, pots and pans, hiking boots - there isn't much room for interpretation here. As the item becomes more complicated (stoves, backpacks, electronic gadgets), consider how intuitive it is to use. If you can't figure out the basics after a few minutes of inspection or a quick explanation in the store, you don't want to deal with it when you're on the trail.

    Stay away from gear that requires you to tote along an instruction manual or a diagram. Tents that require blueprints to erect properly are a poor choice. Can you use this item in the dark? In nasty weather? When you are purchasing electronic gadetry (GPS units, radios, cameras, etc.), be sure that the design and controls are intuitive enough that you can gain familiarity with the items prior to using it in the field. Also consider purchasing gadgets that use a common battery type - probably AA or AAA. No matter the item, some practice will be necessary before you are really comfortable using it.

  5. Warranty

    When a product fails, it's nice to have some recourse. Most backpacking gear isn't cheap and it isn't unreasonable to expect it to last you for a while. Normal wear and tear isn't typically covered under most manufacturers' warranties, but manufacturing defects and premature breakage are. Check the warranty on any item you purchase and keep track of your warranty information and receipts. We have a giant ziploc bag that contains all of our receipts and tags from products we've purchased in case we need to fish them out 5 years down the road. Several manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty on their products. This is worth its weight in gold. We have replaced packs, sleeping pads, sunglasses, headlamps and other items that didn't stand the test of time. And it didn't cost us any more than the shipping. Some retailers, namely REI, will offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on every item they sell. If you don't want to deal with sending in the product to the manufacturer, this can be a simple and quick alternative. When a warranty doesn't apply, most manufacturers will still repair the item for a reasonable charge. When in doubt, call the manufacturer directly and ask what they can do for you. Most companies will try to help you out in some way to make the situation right. I am very loyal to companies that have offered good product and warranty support in the past.

So, What's Next?

Get outside! Planning is just a means to an end, and it gets easier with time. In the meantime, go for a hike - you'll thank yourself later. You might want to know what to do once you hit the trail. Well, we're working on it. Keep checking back in as we continue to add to the Tips & Technique section - our editorial To Do list is full of ideas. Until then, Happy Trails.

Questions or comments about this article? Let us know.