Hiking Gear

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Here is a listing of the gear I've bought, and at least until now, what I think of it.

Equipment

Backpack

I picked up the Mystery Ranch model Coulee 20 in Black (small/medium). It is adjustable, which is good, as I'm short-torsoed, this pack fits great. I ended up also getting the 30L version for the Rim2Rim, to make sure I could carry the 3L Platypus bladder and all my gear comfortably.

They don't say on the website description, but in the comments Mystery Ranch says to assume about 1 lbs per liter of capacity as the weight carrying limit for a back. That's good to know, as I'd tried to stuff 40 lbs into this pack, and scuffed up the hydration bladder pocket, and found it kind of uncomfortable, so now I don't go above 30 lbs. The first time I put weight in this, versus my last pack (which was a glorified school book bag), it was like being hugged by a cloud... very nice.

This is pretty small for overnighting, but should be great for day hiking, and the [[1]], for which I'll just have a bunch of water, a bit of food, and emergency gear. I really like the full-length center zipper and top pocket. I'm using the top pocket for my headlamp, medical supplies (toe tape, analgesics, and allergy relief) and emergency tools (knife, mylar blanket, signal mirror, whistle, etc.). I will also through my beanie and light gloves up here. For Rim2Rim I'll probably through some Kind bars and goo gel packs up here, as well as LMNT hydration packets.

In the main pouch I have both the 2 and 3 liter Platypus hydration bladders so I can drink on the go. For the Rim2Rim, I'll carry a scrunched up puffer jacket, rain jacket/poncho, spare socks, mid layer, heavy gloves.

To go in the pack, I got both the 2 L and 3 L Playpus Big Zip Evo (Taste-Free) Hydration Bladder. The 2L fits nicely, but the 3L will fit, and that will be nice for the Rim2Rim where we'll be out all day.

  • Mystery Ranch Coulee 20L Small/Med in Black

    Mystery Ranch Coulee 20L Small/Med in Black

  • Platypus 2L Evo, tasteless

    Platypus 2L Evo, tasteless

General Gear

Tenacious Tape / Repair Tape

I went with a Tenacious Tape for fixing things....

Cord / String / Paracord

I went with a TECEUM Paracord (550 lb strength basalt grey). Not sure when you'll need cord, but for hanging food at some point, and fixing things..

Knife

I went with a CIVIVI Praxis folding knife. It's pretty generic, but should be good for cutting paracord and things, and self defense if push came to shove.

Head Lamp

I went with a Nite Ize Radiant RH1 PowerSwitch LED rechargeable headlamp. I liked this because it's a high-power LED, so it uses relatively little power for the amount of light it throws out, but it can also be powered by 3 AAA alkaline batteries (or a spare Lithium Ion battery).

Thermometer

I picked up a Sun Company Digital Zipogage thermometer to attach to my pack so I have an idea how hot/cold it is. This will help me gauge my hydration and layering needs.

Backup Power / Charging

See power section of "Audio/Visual".

Battery Bag

I picked up a few Lipo Bags, Fire Retardant Lipo Battery Bags (for Charging and Storing Lithium Polymer and Ion batteries, 7x9inches).

Extra Text Stakes

I also got a set of MSR Groundhog Tent Stakes so that I'd have high-quality, durable stakes....

MSR Tent Stake Hammer

...and a hammer to install/remove those stakes - MSR Tent Stake Hammer (grey)....

Extra Text Stakes

I also got a TOAKS Titanium Long Handle Spoon, with Polished Bowl, so that I'd have high-quality, long spoon to get into the bottom of heat-n-eat backpack meals....

Microfiber Towels

I got a couple of sizes of these microfiber towels from Rainleaf.

Fanny Pack

I got a JanSport Fifth Avenue Fanny Pack so I can keep my phone, keys, facial tissue, and a few essentials close at hand, even when they're bigger than my backpack's hip pockets, particularly on local day hikes..

Survival Blanket

I got a few of these QIO CHUANG Emergency Mylar Thermal Blankets, for emergency warmth or signaling. They don't pack up well, and are easily damaged, so I consider them single-use.

Nexcare foot/blister tape

I really like this soft, relatively sticky, Nexcare Absolute Waterproof Tape for covering up everything else to avoid blisters. Note that this will absolutely rip the top off a blister if it's already formed, so use it early!

Leukotape blister tape

...and for those tougher areas like hee]s, this super-sticky, BSN Medical Leukotape tape for covering up hotspots on my feet and toes to avoid blisters.

Hanging Scale

And I wanted a Taylor Dial Style 70-Pound Industrial Hanging Scale so I can keep track of my pack weight.

Dry Bags

We have used these for awhile on our cruises, to keep our passports and phones (and point-and-shoot cameras) dry when we're on an all-day shore excursion and might get rained on, or at Oshkosh Airventure. I got a few different sizes of Sea to Summit Dry Bags so I can keep everything in my pack dry. I got them 1.5, 3, 5, and 8 L sizes (and different colors). The small one will be good for batteries and phones, headlamps, and the like. Medium maybe for food and some clothes, the big one for coats and/or sleeping gear eventually.

Signaling Mirror

Because, why not? Coghlan's Featherweight Mirror. Save or signal for rescue, either way, just as good...

Lip Balm

SPF 30 sunscreen lip balm by Sun Bum.

Insect Repellent

Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent - 3 oz..

Pack weights

I've been rucking for several weeks now to improve my overall fitness and weight-bearing capacity (which hopefully will maintain my bone density while I drop fat off of my body). I'm working to keep my pace up, or get it back close to my no-weight pace, and so now when I hike without weight in there I feel like I'm floating.

I bought 5 of these Yes4All 10 lbs platespla with straps to cinch them together so they don't carreen back and forth separately in my pack.


  • 10 lbs rucking plates

    10 lbs rucking plates

Water Purification

I kind of went belt-and-suspenders on water purification. My mainline go-to for drinking water will be the Grayl UltraPress 16.9 oz Water Purifier, because it has a carbon filter in it, and therefore will get rid of the nasty bugs and pathogens as well as sediment, chemicals, and pesticides. Much of that won't be needed for the Rim2Rim, and I'll probably just use the Sawyer below for that, but for pond water, and likely most rivers in the future I'll bring this in one of my side pouches to make potable water.

On top of this, I got the Sawyer SP129 Squeeze filter, which does bacteria and protozoa, and microplastics, but not chemicals, pesticides, heavy metals or viruses.

I have a cnoc bag and several different attachments that I picked up to use Smart Water bottles as the dirty and clean sides of the filter, or alternatively cnoc bags (depending on the depth and flow of the source of water one or the other might be impractical), as well as a millbank bag that I picked up to 'prefilter' sediment before sending it through the Sawyer, and hopefully elongate it's lifespan.

The various hose connections I picked up allow me to filter water directly into my hydration bladder without taking it out of my pack, which should be a nice feature on-trail. In addition, I picked up the a LifeStraw for emergency use, and a SterPen that I can use with the Sawyer filter to kill bacteria and viruses in a pinch.

My general plan will be to have 2 or 3 liters of water in my pack, and then 1 or 2 16.9 oz SmartWater bottles with electrolytes in my side pouches (with or without sugar/carbs depending on the duration of the hike) to make sure I don't go hyponatremic. I like the citrus and orange LMNT flavors, which have only fake sugars as my base electrolyte.

On top of this, I picked a couple of these Mazama quick disconnects for my (1/4") platypus hydration bladders, and a spare Big Zip Evo hose kit. I cut two lengths of this, and connected each to a Sawyer connector end, one male and one female, so I can connect a SmartBottle or CNOC back to the filter, and push filtered water directly into my bladder without taking it out of the pack (using a Sawyer Products SP150 Coupling).

Trekking Poles

I went with the Fizan Compact 3 Trekking Poles from Italy, 5.6 oz with cork hand grips and rotating friction locks. I don't like the idea of the lever locks for if/when I try to stow them in my pack, so I like this form better. They're 7001 aluminum, which makes them strong and light, and bit less likely to break than carbon fiber.

  • Fizan Compact 3 Trekking Poles (aluminum with cork handles)

    Fizan Compact 3 Trekking Poles (aluminum with cork handles)

First Aid Kit

I went with the standard recommendation for the Ultralight/Watertight Medical Kit - .5, which has the basics (band aids, gauze, cleaning and antiseptic wipes, moleskin, basic pain relievers, a safety pin for popping blisters, and tick removal tweezers/forceps.

I supplement this with some additional pain relievers and wet wipes in indivdual-use packets that I keep in a separate ziplock. I got the following medicines in these travel style bags.

Lighter / Fire Starter

I went with this USB butane lighter. I was affordable and throws a good flame, and seems pretty reliable. I really don't expect to need it very often, but when you need flame you really need it. I don't expect to need to cook food or boil water until I backpack (overnight hike), which won't be for awhile - I don't even have a backpacking tent or sleeping bag yet - and the cooktop/stove I have in mind has a built-in ignitor. But, better safe than sorry. I also have a "real" firestarter that I carry, and have roughed up and practiced striking a light from, but I really hope to not need that.

I also picked up these Magnesium Fire Starters with Striker just in case.

  • Butane Lighter

    Butane Lighter

  • Magnesium Fire Starters with Striker

    Magnesium Fire Starters with Striker

Satellite Communicator

I bought a Garmin inReach Mini 2 satellite communicator. I've used Garmin gear for a long time, and although I plan to use my iPhone 15 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 extensively (and they both have some breadcrumb, GPS, and satellite communications capabilities), at the end of the day I really thought it was best to have a dedicated SOS system, with text messaging capability, that can send breadcrumb track info to my loved ones, that has a long battery life. I also splured for the Garmin SOS rescue Insurance.

I like that I can mostly operate this unit with the iPhone app, and that it can send position updates ever 2 or 10 minutes, depending on plan, and has a dedicated SOS button and long battery life. I picked up this silicone protective case from Tusita and this glass cover (also from Tusita) to keep it pristine, and this Garmin retractable lanyard to attach it to my pack to keep it handy. Perhaps I'll sell it later (after my bigger, more dangerous hikes), and if so, I'll want it to be in like-new condition.

NOTE: I ended up not liking the lanyard, thinking it would not make the locator handy if I actually fell and hurt myself, so I swapped that out for a backpack tether mount.

  • Garmin inReach Mini 2 in black with red silicone cover and glass protector

    Garmin inReach Mini 2 in black with red silicone cover and glass protector

  • Astro tether for inReach Mini 2

    Astro tether for inReach Mini 2

  • Backpack strap mount

    Backpack strap mount

  • Tether 2

    Tether 2

Apple Watch Ultra 2

I upgrade from a Series 5 watch, which was no longer able to last for an entire hiking session (up to 20+ miles) - even with the screen off, to the new Ultra 2. I like that it can do GPS tracking and "retrace" your path, has excellent battery life, and the chef's kiss is the satellite communication feature. It's also nice that it's slightly bigger, so I can get more data on the default watch face, and the titanium case is nice looking.

I use the watch to track all of my workouts, from my daily ~10 mi walks, to my hikes and indoor treadmill walks. I also track my sleep with it, though I honestly don't use that data much. I also track my glucose, ketones, fasting, sometimes my meals, and glucose/ketone ("Dr. Boz ratio - which helps me determine if I'm in ketosis or not) on my iPhone in the Apple Health app.

  • Apple Watch Ultra 2

    Apple Watch Ultra 2

Clothes

Shirts

Outdoor Research Astroman Sun Hoodie

I picked up a few of these, and they're one of my favorites. Being light complected, I burn super easily, and don't want to always wear my Tilley hat to keep from burning my ears and neck - nor to have to slather sunscreen on repeatedly during a long walk or hike. These have thumb loops to keep the arms pulled down, and a large hood that you can put over or under your hat. Pretty slick. Getcha a Astroman! I got Sulphur (yellow), Galaxy (blue), and Pebble (grey).

REI Merrino long sleeve 1/4 Zip base layer

I picked up the REI 1/4 zip long sleeve wool top as my base layer in black (Ultrafine 185 g merino wool). I don't want my pack to damage the wool, though, so I generally try to wear something over the top of it, like a sunshirt, and shed layers as the temperature changes. I may not always do that, but I haven't had a lot of experience with how Merrino wears yet...

Outdoor Research Alpine Onset 150 Merrino short sleeve base layer

I picked up the Alpine Onset 150 T-Shirt in blue (150g merrino), and it is super comfy. I will likely where this on the Rim2Rim, under a suncover. I really like the OR sense of style, so much of my gear is theirs, and I think I look good in this color of blue in particular.

Outdoor Research Men's Echo T-Shirt

I picked up the Outdoor Research Men's Echo T-Shirt in three colors, as it's a great wicking short sleeve base layer that has UPF15 protection and is anti-odor in a quick-dry polyester. These are super comfy, so I got Classic Blue, Sulphur (yellow), Storm (dark grey), and Pebble (light grey). I generally try to go with light colors, because I really don't like winter workouts that much, so I think I mostly need to reflect heat/sunlight.

Pants

REI Afro + Trail Pant

These REI Afro + Trail Pants are the first pants I bought, and the ones I use for most of my standard walks (around the neighborhood) to keep the wear-and-tear off of my more expensive pants. I thought I'd like the zipper pockets, and I do for the thigh and butt pockets, but the ones for your hands chew up your skin pretty good if you get chilly, so I don't recommend them for cold weather!

Montane Terra Lite Pant

I picked up a couple of colors of the Montane Terra Lite pants (in short length), and so far I really, really like them. I'm Irish, so I really don't want to take too many UV rays from the sun. I'm also super-allergic to poison ivy, so I want to keep that (and ticks) off of me as much as I reasonably can. So, these are great. They have a stretchy waistband, and a cool belt that you can cinch as tight as you want, and then unhook with a clever sliploop clasp to get out of. They still offer a thigh pocket with a zipper, and are relatively flat-fronted (which Elizabeth likes) and are generally super comfy. Highly recommended, even though they are outrageously expensive.

Montane Terra Pant

Similarly, I picked up a couple of the 'standard' Terra pants for cooler weather. These are quite a bit thicker, and more durable - so if I'm going someplace prickly or rocky - or cold, I'll use these. They also have zip-up legs for getting in/out of in boots, or to tighten the ankle fit (with the two sets of buttons), or just roll them up when fording a stream!

Gaiters

Aonijie Ankle Gaiters

I got a cheap set of Aonijie Ankle Gaiters for Hiking just to see if I like hiking in them. I think I like them, as I was occasionally getting pebbles or debris in my shoes, and this seems to have resolved that. They're a bit annoying to put on with my deep-treaded Merrell shoes, and I hate it when my socks drop down while wearing these, but it is what it is.

Socks

Darn Tough Wool Crew

I like a mid height sock, so I got these Darn Tough Men's Light Hiker Micro Crew Lightweight with Cushion Sock (Style 1972) wool socks to try to keep my feet in good repair.

Smartwool Classic Hike Zero Cushion Liner Crew

I also picked up some Smartwool liner socks in wool for those really hard days. The idea being I could add a thin layer of anti-friction wool inside of my usual sock, but we'll have to see if this really helps (or takes up too much room in my sock).

Shoes

Merrell Moab 3 Trail Runners

I'm hiking in the Moab 3 trail runner, which I picked up in a couple of different colors. I like them, and they're very rugged. They are a bit heavy, and the tread is a bit deep when I loop my gaitor band into the tread, and they can bit just a bit slippery on rocks because they're so hard, so I may look for something complementary with a softer sole for those conditions.

Merrell Chameleon 7 Limit Stretch

I used to hike in the Chameleon 7 trail runner, which I really like, but I got a toenail infection that I thought was related to the rigid toebox on these. I like them, and they're very rugged, and I now think that maybe I was wrong about the cause of my infection, so once I'm over that I'll have to try again.

Jackets

Merrell 1/4 Zip Fleece

I two of these 1/4 zip fleece at the Merrell Outlet in Monroe, Red and Grey, as a nice mid layer for warmth. I got a good deal, but apparently it was a close-out as they seem to no longer be available.

Outdoor Research Vigor Grid Fleece Hoodie

I picked up this full-zip fleece in, you guessed it, Galaxy Blue, as a nice mid layer for warmth. Just like the Astroman, it has thumbholes to keep the sleeves from riding up!

Lands End Men's Wanderweight Ultralight Packable Hooded Down Puffer Jacket

I picked up this ultralight weight puffer jacket (800 fill power), the Wanderweight Ultralight HyperDRY Down Royal Cobalt Blue, as my cold weather cover. It packs into a small bag/pocket on the inside of the coat, so it's great for the backpack.

Outdoor Research Men's Foray II Rain Jacket

I picked up this yellow rain jacket, Foray II Rain in Sulphur, as my primary rain cover. It has wrist cuffs, but more importantly it has torsoflow venting - it can zip up from the beltline under your armpits to let heat and moisture out!

Poncho

This is just my emergency rain cover/rain cover/poncho. I plan to pretty much always have this is my pack, though I'll probably pull it out when I pack my "real" Outdoor Research raincoat (above).

Hats and Gloves

Hats

Outdoor Research Men's Swift Ball Cap

I picked up the Outdoor Research Men's Echo Swift Cap in blue, as it's a great general purpose, infinitely-adjustable, ball cap.

Tilley T3 Cotton Duck Hat

This model, Tilley T3 Cotton Duck Hat (natural color), has been my go-to outdoor cover for over 20 years. I've been to many an airshow under one, and have worn them on my walks for years. They are great, long-lasting, hats. Their style is a bit questionable. Don't get me wrong, I love this hat, and it keeps me from burning in most conditions, but I don't think I look stylish it in. Great for safari, but... And it has a pocket, it floats, wind next straps, and has snaps to fold up the brim. But, it doesn't say hiking, and it doesn't protect my neck.

Beanies and Buffs

New Balance Spandex Beanie

I picked up the NewB Beanie (spandex) in black for those windy days when a wicking (mostly wind protection) is all I need.

Outdoor Research Flurry Wool Beanie

I picked up the Outdoor Research Flurry Beanie (Aplin-Wool Plus 2L wool with fleece backer) in Charcoal for those colder days when a wicking (mostly wind protection) ear cover won't do.


Buff Coolnet UV+ Insect Shield

I picked up the Buff in Jungle color (with insect repellent) to further protect my neck, especially if it's too hot to cover completely or if the sun is directly ahead. And this one has insect repellent, and is wicking so it can be a headband as well.

  • Buff in Jungle color

    Buff in Jungle color


Gloves

Outdoor Research ActiveIce Sun Gloves

These great ActiveIce Sun Gloves will protect my delicate hands for the Rim2Rim! The fingers are open, because you don't want to get hot, and you need to be able to grip your trekking poles, but will minimize sunscreen and burning.

New Balance Lightweight Light Gloves

These great, NewB touchscreen compatible, lightweight gloves are my go-to for most of my walks. They're skin tight, let me use my phone, and take the edge off of any wind.

Anqier Winter Heavy Gloves

These are my heavy gloves, the Anqier Winter touchscreen compatible. They're much warmer, yet still let me use my phone, and work in the colder conditions I occasionally see. If it's too cold for these gloves, I shouldn't be outside.

Merrell Classic Fleece Gloves

These are my other heavy gloves, the Merrell Classic Fleece in Rock (light grey). They're much warmer, yet still let me use my phone, and work in the colder conditions I occasionally see. I really picked these up on a whim, probably for around camp as I wouldn't want to sweat in them. I'm not sure if they'll be warmer than the Anqier or not, but fleece does feel nice.

Food / Nutrition

Hydration

LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes

I've decided to use LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes (citrus salt and orange) as my main electrolyte. It's very salt heavy, and has no sugar/carbs (the flavored versions are artificially sweetened with Stevia).

Liquid I.V.

I bought some Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Lemon Lime based on John's recommendation, having used it in his previous Grand Canyon hike, but decided that I'd mostly use the LMNT above to avoid excess carbs for everything except the most extreme hikes. I will use some of these for the Rim2Rim.

Salt Tablets

I aslo bought some Vitassium Capsules (Salt Tablets) to also help me keep hydrated. Being keto make it hard for me to keep enough salt in my body, and I sometimes get nighttime leg (calf mostly) cramping, and I'm hoping these can help that.

Nutrition

Nick's Low Carb Chocolate Bars

I like these, they travel well, and are low carb, so I've used them (with mixed nuts) in my training hikes. They're Nick's Peanut & Fudge bars, 180 calories and 3g carbs each.

  • Nicks 1.jpg
  • Nicks 2.jpg
  • Nicks 3.jpg

Kroger Mixed Nuts

I've used mixed nuts in my training hikes. I take the big mixed nuts and mix in macademia nuts with them.

  • Kroger Mixed Nuts.jpg
  • Macadamia-nuts.jpg

GU Energy Gel

I've used these before, when I was prepping for (and running) the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon. I'm not sure I'll need them now that I'm keto - I generally have plenty of onboard fat to burn even for my longer (20+ mile) hikes today, but there's no sense in taking chances. So, I picked up GU Energy Gel Packs in Birthday Cake, Salted Caramel, and Chocolate Outrage. They each have about 22g of carbs, but differing amounts of sodium and fat. Mostly I need them to be palatable and quick on-trail.
NOTE: I elected to NOT use these and go for Nicks bars (above).

Software/Apps

Gaia GPS

AllTrails

Strava

FarOut

FootPath

Cronometer

Apple Health / Activity / Sleep

x

SOS Satellite Communication

I bought the yearly Freedom Recreation plan and the Garmin InTouch Mini 2 to use with it to signal for rescue should I need it.

Search and Rescue Insurance

I bought the yearly Freedom Recreation plan for the InTouch, and their Search and Rescue Insurance to go with it, the basic 100 Annual plan, as I don't plan to do high risk activities.

Garmin SAR Coverage as of December 2023
SAR 100 SAR High Risk
Covered person Insured individual Insured individual
Membership period 365 days 365 days
Requires supported device ✓ ✓
Search and rescue benefit
* Per claim
* Total per membership period		 $100,000 USD
$100,000 USD		 $100,000 USD
$100,000 USD
Accidental death and dismemberment benefit $5,000 USD $5,000 USD
Coverage for specified high-risk activities<superscript>3</superscript> ✓
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