Hello,

I'm brand new to backpacking, and I'm planning a two week trip to Alaska in August. I need gear. I've grabbed a bunch of Backpacker magazines, and live at my local REI window shopping. I just don't know what gear to buy. I'm planning for my Alaska trip this year, and a Nepal trip next year. Alaska will mostly likely be rainy. So I'm starting with the outer shells of jacket and pants, and then boots. Prices range all of the place for the jacket and pants, and I'm not sure if I should just take the plunge and get the $200 to $300 eVent material or the GoreTex(ie. Mountain Hardware Xenon or Cohesion jackets), or just get the cheapest. I'm thinking I should just get the lightest boots that I can find (ie. Vasque Breeze LT Mid Gore-Tex).

Thanks!