Good gear makes such a difference in the backcountry. I'm always amazed at how my arsenal keeps progressing. Every year there are technological developments, and every year I get new tips that help me hone the backpacking craft.
Today I'm going to tell you about the 8 items I bought this year that were such standouts, they made me wish I found them sooner. I'll give you my top picks for the best hiking gear of 2021. I will try to answer some common technical questions about each piece. Let's break it down!
Big Agnes Q-Core SLX Mattress
This insulated, 3-season sleeping pad was redesigned to shed some weight and pack tighter, while also still delivering good durability. It's easy to use and easy to love. Since I switched to the Big Agnes Q-Core SLX mattress, I've been having the best tent sleeps of my life.
What size sleeping pad do I need?
I've been using quality insulated mattresses for a long time now, but the big upgrade this year was I traded in the 20-inch wide option for one that's 25-inches. I couldn't believe the difference such a small increment made.
The problem with the 20-inch is that it's basically only suited for static sleepers. But for most people, you'll inevitably slip a body part off as you toss and turn throughout the night. This can make for a choppy sleep, and therefore, a tougher next day. As soon as I switched to the 25-inch pad, I realized I had been missing out for my whole backpacking tenure. From here on out, I'm getting nothing but the Odinsleep.
What is a good R-Value for a sleeping pad?
The R-Value indicates how insulated a sleeping pad or mattress is. The higher the number, the warmer the sleep. Typically, a lower R-Value can suffice in low elevation, summer camping. But if you haven't been using something in the 3's or 4's for your shoulder-season, higher elevation, or just cooler-for-any-reason conditions, you will be shocked at what a difference this will make.
Best Hiking Mattress for 2021
A properly insulated mattress significantly reduces the heat loss from your body into the ground. That's one of the reasons why the Big Agnes Q-Core SLX solidified its place in my collection this year – it has an R-Value of 3.2. Note, if you want to get even cozier, the Q-Core Deluxe has an R-Value of 4.3.
Vargo Dig Dig Tool
This little guy is a titanium trowel, which is a notable improvement over my standard plastic one. If you know anything about the capricious nature of campground…ground, well then you probably already know that plastic shovels suck. The Vargo Dig Dig Tool has an ergonomic grip and, even though it's not sharp, pierces the soil much better than the cheaper alternatives.
What is a camping trowel used for?
A trowel has a few key uses in the backcountry. It can be used to remove stubborn rocks from a campsite, dig a fire pit and restore/smother it after, and (let's just be honest) it's a must have when you gotta go but you want to be conscious about it. There's nothing worse than stumbling across someone's dirty deed while in an otherwise pristine environment. A trowel can instantly solve that problem.
Best Camping Trowel of 2021
That's where the aluminum and serrated Vargo Dig Dig Tool shines. It makes this chore so easy that there's no excuse not to do it anymore. As well as handling all the previously mentioned tasks, the Dig Dig Tool also makes a solid extra tent peg, if needed.
Vargo BOT-700
Vargo makes another appearance on my list because they specialize in an array of titanium products. I wish I had invested in a small, titanium pot sooner. They're light, durable, and they transfer heat exceptionally well (meaning shorter boil times). Plus, since the BOT-700 has an airtight seal, it can double as a water bottle – further reducing weight in your pack.
Are Vargo pots safe to drink from?
You betcha. Titanium is completely safe (i.e. non-toxic) to drink out of and boil water in. There haven't been any reported allergies, nor does it react with, or leech into, camping foods/drinks.
Best Hikers Camping Pot for 2021
$99 is a hefty price tag for a pot/water bottle, but a piece of high-quality camping gear is never a bad decision. Since the BOT-700 is slick, scratch-resistant, and has an (optional) air-tight seal, I definitely think it's worth the extra cost.
MSR PocketRocket 2
I recently made a video about switching from the JetBoil stove back to my trustee, classic, PocketRocket. If you want a more in-depth explanation, or if you want to see both sides of the debate in the comments section, click here to check it out. In a nutshell, I love how compact the PocketRocket is and I appreciate how it opens up more cooking possibilities beyond your basic dehydrated meals.
Actual cooking, with at least somewhat fresh ingredients is a lost artform in the backcountry these days. Once I cut the cord with my JetBoil, I realized I should have done it sooner.
Which is better: JetBoil or MSR?
The JetBoil is beloved for its ability to rapidly boil water. This is great for when you reach your campsite in a ravenous state, or when you're used to immediately having coffee in the morning. The disadvantage is that, on its own (i.e. without an added accessory), it mostly caters to reconstituted meals.
This is great for a weekend, but eventually, your body might want something more. This is where the MSR PocketRocket takes the torch. Yes, it does lack the ultra high-efficiency of the JetBoil, but it still doesn't take that much longer to boil. And more importantly, you can adjust the flame as you please. This opens the door to cooking more intricate meals.
Best Hikers Stove for 2021
In terms of size, the PocketRocket is much smaller than the JetBoil, which frees up room in your pack. That being said, the JetBoil is more efficient, and therefore won't require quite as much fuel, so that might balance out the bulk a bit.
Sea to Summit Watercell X
I'm based out of Flagstaff, Arizona and so much of my hiking is done in a desert environment. If you find yourself in similar conditions, then I highly recommend the Sea to Summit Watercell X. The shape of this bladder is awesome. I can bring a lot of water without awkwardly wasting space in my backpack. It also has a slick side handle, which combined with the small-nozzle locking cap makes pouring much easier than with other water bags I've used.
The design versatility doesn't stop there. The Watercell X can also stand upright (rather than just lie flat), which is nice for a sense of organization. It also has an attachment on the bottom which allows you to hang it in a tree and have a little shower. So keep this guy in mind for your next arid trek or dry camping site (i.e. on a mountain top or anywhere else that doesn't have a source of water).
AKU Selvatica GTX
This has been my favorite, low-cut hiking shoe of the past year. For those of you who aren't familiar with AKU, they're an Italian brand that doesn't currently have a huge presence in the US. I'm so glad I stumbled across these shoes. I've put them through the ringer, with a ton of hikes across a range of conditions, and throughout it all, they've been my comfiest pair.
What I like about the Selvatica GTX is that the Gortex keeps me dry if I'm hiking through mucky conditions, but the low-cut design lets my feet breathe better. Often I find my feet just get way too hot in a high-cut boot. Not only is this uncomfortable, but sweaty feet can also lead to blisters. The Selvatica strikes a nice balance for me. I also love that they come with speed laces. For those of you who aren't familiar, it's just a simple pull and lock design, with the extra length conveniently tucking into the front laces.
Best Hikers Shoe for 2021
Good-fitting footwear can be a bit of a subjective experience. Everyone's feet are a little different and will naturally prefer different sizes, widths, toe-box depths, materials, etc. One of the best strategies to compare length across different brands is to look at the EU sizing. Click here to see AKU's sizing chart. Once you've checked that box, just keep in mind that some people find their AKU shoes fit about a half size bigger, which means you might want to size down from your existing baseline.
Rab Radius Pants
Having a dependable pair of hiking pants is crucial. The Rab Radius pants (pant?…I never know if this should be plural) are (is?) the best I've worn in the last year. They are predominantly cotton, which I don't normally recommend, but they're not pure cotton, so there is still some water repellency. The benefit of cotton is they have a less techy feel, and the freshness bounces back better than, say, polyester or nylon does. I also like that they're thicker.
This is a great asset if I'm moving across rough terrain, maybe trying to grind my way through a canyon or bushwack an under-blazed trail. They defend against abrasion better than any pants I've tried lately. The extra weight is also helpful in cooler conditions. It saves having to layer with long johns.
Best Hikers Pants 2021
The Rab Radius is listed as a “regular” fit. They are also pre-washed, which should prevent shrinkage (though it's always best to hang-dry technical gear). For more information on size-specific dimensions check out their website.
Zoleo Satellite Communicator
Having a satellite communicator has been most appreciated by my girlfriend and my mom. We all have people that care about us and therefore, are worried when we go on totally awesome, but worrisome adventures. And I have to admit, it's nice to be able to send some basic updates and well-wishes from my campsite.
Best Hiking Communicator for 2021
It also helps with my peace-of-mind to know that if something goes South, I can call in the cavalry. I've never needed to call for search and rescue, but it only has to happen once, and I'd kick myself if my 127 hours moment ever arrived and I didn't have this easy out. On a day-to-day basis, I appreciate that I can check the weather report. This just helps with basic logistics on longer outings.
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I hope you enjoyed my list. I fully expect that every hiker has their own “must have” gear – that's all part of the fun. This is just my latest and greatest run-down. These 8 items have greatly enhanced my hiking/camping experience, so maybe they'll give you a little boost too. Let me know if you agree with my picks, or if you have any other game changer gear that you've recently purchased. And of course, if you're itching for more content, Check out all my gear reviews on BackpackingTV.
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