The White Monkey Talks Gear
The Writer and I hike together.
Most of the time the SONS of Thunder are with us. Occasionally, it’s just the two of us. When he writes about the monkey on his back, that’s me. So now we’ve been introduced.
For a while now, The Writer has asked me to contribute a column to his blog – focusing on backpacking, especially with kids. All three SONS are in the Boy Scouts program, so we’re out backpacking and camping all the time. And we’ve got the gear to prove it.
Backpacking is like any other sport – there’s a lot of “stuff,” or rather gear, you need. The problem, for many of us, is we just don’t know what to get. And we end up buying “stuff” we don’t need, or maybe it works for a while and then we upgrade and the old gear is now just “stuff” cluttering up the garage.
We waste a lot of money. So here’s to helping parents and kids figure out the right stuff.
The Writer and I are much more into quality over quantity. And when it comes to gear, we’d rather save up and buy one “thing” than buy a bunch of cheap “things.” In the end, you’re better off with quality gear that will last a long time.
For example, there’s a very good tent we started out with. It was less than $100. It also weighed about 6 pounds. We later upgraded to one that cost $250. But it only weighs 1.5 pounds.
The Writer and I talk gear weight a lot. It drives the Little Black Dress crazy.
But remember this formula: ounces add up to pounds and pounds add up to pain. Think about it, you’re carrying everything, sometimes for days, on your back. We are not “gram weenies,” cutting the ends off of toothbrushes or the corners off maps. But any time we can lighten the load, we will. And while you may be able to carry some absurd load just to prove, I don’t know, something, your kids can’t. And they’ll be done after one trip if you load them down. Don’t make that mistake either.
We’ve learned about gear the hard way. And the whole point of this column I’m starting is to help you get the right gear. So you know upfront, I don’t get products sent to me for reviews, and I don’t get paid for reviews (except peanuts, literally), and those are from The Writer.
We’re going to cover a wide-range of items, broken down into various categories. You’ll notice I use the term “system” a lot, and that’s simply because not everyone uses a tent as a shelter system. Hang with me. It goes something like this:
Carrying system: it’s backpacking, you are going to need a backpack or something to carry everything in .
Shelter system: You’d be surprised how many backpackers don’t use tents. A lot use hammocks, or even just a tarp.
Sleeping system: sleeping bags, sleeping pads and the like
Cooking systems: canister fuel stoves, wood stoves, pellet stoves, gas stoves, stoves, stoves, stoves. Cooking pots/pans, and bowls and plates and …
Cool stuff: headlamps, lanterns, pillows, knives, chairs, flint and steel. A whole gamut of fun toys to add to the experience.
In a nutshell, you are best off focusing whatever budget you have on three key things – your carrying system, your sleeping system and your shelter system. Everything else is just extras. You can get by without them. But you aren’t going backpacking for several days without a backpack and some type of shelter
Unless you are Tarzan. I know Tarzan. Tarzan is a friend of mine. You are not Tarzan.
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The other piece of advice? Educate yourself. Read what others are buying and especially read the comments. This does not mean do whatever some poster says to do on the web site at the Big Sports Box Store That Sells Everything – from golf clubs to backpacks. No. Check out sites that focus on backpacking and camping.
I’ll be compiling a list, so check back often as I will be updating this as new sites come to mind or someone suggestions another. Here you go:
RETAILERS:
REI – http://rei.com. The mecca of backpacking gear.
Moosejaw: http://moosejaw.com. One of my favorite places to check out gear, and get real comments from those who’ve tried the gear.
Backpacking Edge: http://backpackingedge.com. You can find some great deals.
Backcountry: http://backcountry.com. Probably some of the best reviews on gear around.
FORUMS:
Backpacking Light: http://backpackinglight.com. Focuses on what its name implies, lightweight backpacking. There’s a whole section on hiking with Scouts and kids.
Hammock Forums: http://hammockforums.net. Mostly on hammocks, but if you have a hammock question, they have the answer. There’s also lots of information about backpacking using hammocks, naturally, as your shelter system.
White Blaze: http://whiteblaze.net. The site for any and everything related to hiking the Appalachian Trail. There’s some excellent advice and reviews on gear, especially lightweight stuff.
Until next time when the White Monkey speaks …
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