I’m happy to report that I had a summer full of rewarding backpacking trips. From as far off as the mountains of Peru to familiar trails in my own backyard, there were no shortage of opportunities to do what I love most. Along the way, my trail mates and I got to test out a whole slew of new hiking gear (or at least new to us). These are the biggest stands-outs from this season. I hope you had some awesome adventures yourself. Maybe a few of these will catch your eye for those shoulder-season shopping sprees.
Lifestraw Peak Series Squeeze 1L
I’ve been getting a ton of mileage out of the Peak Series 1L squeeze bottle this summer. Many people are familiar with the original Lifestraw (the one where you lay down and drink straight from the water), as well as the Katadyn BeFree water bottle filtration system. Well, the Lifestraw Peak Series is like the love-child of those two.
Scoop the water into the bottle and twist the cap
You simply scoop the water into the bottle, twist the cap/filter on, and then squeeze the filtered water straight into your mouth, or a camping cup. The two things I really like about the Lifestraw bottle is that it has a thicker shell, which helps stave off those pin-prick leaks, and it has an easy-going flow rate, so you don’t have to work to get the water out.
Water filtration vs purification
The one thing to take note of is that this system is for water filtration, not purification. This means that it will block out impurities, but it won’t treat viruses. If you’re in the backcountry then this should be all you need. But if you’re travelling in countries with poorly treated water sources, you might need a purification method instead (or stick to bottled water).
Jetboil MiniMo and Skillet
Something I’ve come to appreciate recently is that there are different Jetboil stoves, and attachments, for different cooking styles. The Jetboil Flash is best for bringing water to a boil in… you guessed it, a flash! The problem there is that it limits you to dehydrated meals.
I actually made a video about why I decided to ditch my Jetboil in favor of the MSR Pocket Rocket. I wanted to cook more elaborate meals with fresh ingredients. The BackpackingTV community was quick to point out that the Jetboil MiniMo has an adjustable flame. Along with the Jetboil skillet, this allows for nuanced backcountry cooking. So while the brand Jetboil isn't new hiking gear for me, the MiniMo and skillet definately are and I’m officially back on the Jetboil train.
Cotopaxi Cielo Rain Jacket
My favorite rain jacket lately has been the Cotopaxi Cielo Rain Jacket. I started using it while trekking in Peru. I have kept going back to it for my camping trips in the American wilderness.
A good hardshell jacket is not only important for safety (i.e. staying dry and warm in wet and windy conditions), but also general comfort. Sometimes when I’m in an alpine environment I’ll just hike in a t-shirt and my Cielo. It keeps the bugs at bay, and I’m always set for moderate fluctuations in the weather.
Other rain jackets can claim the same benefits, but Cotopaxi comes to the table with a much lower price tag than the competition ($145 USD). And for you climbers and scramblers out there, the sizeable hood is great for fitting over helmets (or just big heads!).
*The next two recommendations are women-specific, and come courtesy of my partner on the trails (and in this crazy little thing called life), Kristi.
Salewa Alpenrose 2 Women’s Hiking Boots
For hiking in wet environments, absolutely. Even if it isn’t raining, a Gore-Tex boot makes puddles and muddy sections a non-factor. Kristi has had great success with her Salewa Alpenrose 2 women's hiking boots. Throughout the summer she had no issues with hot spots/blisters, which sometimes come into play with waterproof hikers.
Women’s Mystery Ranch Bridger 55L Backpack
Anyone who has been following along with BackpackingTV knows that I’m all about Mystery Ranch. I have been rocking the Bridger 65, and lately Kristi has taken a liking to the Women’s Bridger 55. We did a whole gear extravaganza video the other day where she breaks down the female perspective in regards to backpacks. Check it out if you’re curious.
Komperdell Explorer Contour Trekking Poles
Lately I’ve been using Komperdell’s Explorer Contour trekking poles, which are made of aluminum. Usually, people gravitate towards carbon fibres poles if they want something extremely lightweight. But this comes with a cost, namely, cost!
The Explorer Contour poles are still incredibly light (8.4 ounces/239 grams each), but much more budget-friendly than carbon fibre ones. For this reason, I’d save the carbon fibre sets for high-calibre athletes who need every finite edge. I’ve been happy with the weight and performance. I appreciate in particular the bomber locking mechanism of the Explorer Contour poles. So I recommend you check them out for yourself.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 3400 Backpack
The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 3400 Backpack is essentially a big tube. Since it doesn’t have compartments, the only way to pack it is just by stuffing things in. Remember to put the heavier stuff on the bottom.
The Hyperlite backpack has a generous overflow pocket on the front, and handy, waterproof pockets on the hip belt for your wallet, phone, etc. The other great feature of the Hyperlite backpack is that it can roll down and tailor the fit to smaller amounts of gear. So whether you’re hauling a full, multi-day load, or simply rocking a day trip, the HMG Southwest 3400 is up to the task.
Is Hyperlite Southwest Backpack waterproof?
The Dyneema material that Hyperlite Mountain Gear uses is both water-resistant and durable. As long as you seal the top correctly, then it’s basically like hiking with a big dry-bag that is essentially waterproof.
Is Hyperlite Backpack comfortable?
This is an area where the 3400 Southwest is lacking a little bit. In order for it to save weight, those plush shoulder/hip straps, and the typical supportive structure that you’d find in higher-end trekking bags, had to be stripped away. So the trick with the Hyperlite is to not over pack it. I would say the 3400 Southwest would be comfortable with 30-pounds or less inside. Anything more, and those minimal straps will make their presence known.
Those are the 7 stand-out pieces of gear that Kristi and I have gravitated to this summer. Anything on this list catch your eye? Is there anything that you’ve incorporated lately that makes you want to yell from the rooftops (or share in the comments section)? Whatever arsenal has suited you best, I hope you had a great summer hiking season.
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