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Category:Gear 101
Some useful primers:
- Backpacking Light 101 (Article)
- Lightweight Backpacking 101 (Article)
- An example 3-season 3-day trip gear list
- Lighten Up! (book)
- Lightweight Backpacking & Camping: A Guide to Wilderness Equipment, Technique, and Style (book)
Other useful tips:
- Buy your pack last. It is common for newcomers to buy a new pack as their first item of lightweight gear. However, by the time you've replaced most of your other gear (tent, sleeping bag, pad etc) you'll often find that you need a much smaller pack than you previously thought. So wait until you have all your new gear together before you decide exactly which pack you need!
- Check out the reader reviews. When choosing new gear, make sure you consult the reader reviews section of the website. It will give you an idea of what items are popular, and what people think of them.
- Buy a scale. Get a food/postal scale and weigh all of your gear. You may be surprised at how much some of the small items you used to bring actually weigh. A couple of ounces here and there add up to a couple of extra pounds very quickly. You may also be surprised to find out that the sleeping bag you thought was three pounds is closer to four. The same goes for your tent, pack, and sleeping pad. If looking at new gear in the store, bring your scale with you and weigh items you are considering. Compare the measured weight with what the manufacturer states. Often times items are heavier than they claim to be.
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Categories: 101 | Gear
