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Questions about gear

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orangegato
orangegato Posts: 6,570 Member
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Hi, I'm a novice and have only been going out on trails for a year, but very sporadically. Pretty short stuff, usually ~4 miles. Longest was 6.8 miles today, but nothing w/ any significant elevation in my opinion. I want to get out a lot more b/c I really like it. Can anyone give recommendations on basic gear to buy? Like a small pack, and what stuff to carry in it the would be useful/smart etc? I'd appreciate specific recs w/ favorite brands too. Thanks

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  • T1DCarnivoreRunner
    T1DCarnivoreRunner Posts: 11,502 Member
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    For day hikes, I use a pretty generic pack that was on clearance a few years back. Make sure to carry the 10 essentials, and that includes plenty of water and a way to get more water. These days, I'm using both a filter (for bacteria) and chemical treatment (for viruses). A lot of hikers are still just using filters, which is more and more risky these days.

    Here's what I typically have in a day pack: Water, water filter (Sawyer Squeeze Mini and a bottle/bag for contaminated water collection), iodine tablets, map, compass, GPS, knife, lighter, emergency bivy, first aid kit, food, personal meds (3 days extra), rain jacket, possibly extra socks, sunscreen, bug spray (seasonally), and headlamp plus extra batteries.
  • orangegato
    orangegato Posts: 6,570 Member
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    midwesterner85 wrote: »
    For day hikes, I use a pretty generic pack that was on clearance a few years back. Make sure to carry the 10 essentials, and that includes plenty of water and a way to get more water. These days, I'm using both a filter (for bacteria) and chemical treatment (for viruses). A lot of hikers are still just using filters, which is more and more risky these days.

    Here's what I typically have in a day pack: Water, water filter (Sawyer Squeeze Mini and a bottle/bag for contaminated water collection), iodine tablets, map, compass, GPS, knife, lighter, emergency bivy, first aid kit, food, personal meds (3 days extra), rain jacket, possibly extra socks, sunscreen, bug spray (seasonally), and headlamp plus extra batteries.

    Thanks
  • T1DCarnivoreRunner
    T1DCarnivoreRunner Posts: 11,502 Member
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    Something I forgot to list - wag bag. A small dry bag with trowel, toilet paper, and an empty ziploc for packing out used toilet paper.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,970 Member
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    midwesterner85 wrote: »
    For day hikes, I use a pretty generic pack that was on clearance a few years back. Make sure to carry the 10 essentials, and that includes plenty of water and a way to get more water. These days, I'm using both a filter (for bacteria) and chemical treatment (for viruses). A lot of hikers are still just using filters, which is more and more risky these days.

    Here's what I typically have in a day pack: Water, water filter (Sawyer Squeeze Mini and a bottle/bag for contaminated water collection), iodine tablets, map, compass, GPS, knife, lighter, emergency bivy, first aid kit, food, personal meds (3 days extra), rain jacket, possibly extra socks, sunscreen, bug spray (seasonally), and headlamp plus extra batteries.

    I have the regular Sawyer Squeeze, love it. Really love the tiny size and weight, it's easy to always have it when you need it.

    I've personally found Osprey packs the most comfortable out of everything I've tried. But stores will let you try backpacks on with sand bags, so everybody can figure out what works best for them and not just rely on my opinion. :smile:
  • patrickjd9
    patrickjd9 Posts: 23 Member
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    On the Sawyer Squeeze vs. Sawyer Mini, I don't think the weight savings is worth the slowness of the Mini. Also, don't let either one freeze once it's been used once. They are not recommended for use after that.

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