Putting together my first non-car camping pack.

New guy on the boards here and just thought I would say hello from Connecticut and post up some gear stuff I am thinking of putting together. Been car camping for years in the White Mountains and around in CT, 3 seasons only, and have finally decided to try to do some 3-5 day hikes along portions of the APT this year in getting my feet wet for longer backpacking trips. Here is my gear ideas/already haves and was wondering what you all thought in terms of putting together my first true backpacking pack. Thanks in advance. If this is the wrong place for this, or bores you; sorry in advance as well.

Pack - Osprey Talon 44 Large(own, will be a tad small perhaps for 5 day hikes, so light packing a must.)

-A comfortable pack. Definitely need to keep your load under 30# or the suspension sags badly.

Tent - EMS Escape 2 (own, works great in rain and wind so far. No complaints).

-Don't know this one, but if you own it and like it, then by all means continue using it. Shelter is one area with big opportunities for weight savings.

Sleeping Bag - thinking Term-A-Rest Antares 20 down (don't own)

-Many, many options. You might consider a 30-degree bag or quilt and combine with clothing when it gets below freezing. A 30-degree down bag is tiny and light--1.5# is typical.

Sleeping pad - Own a therm-A-Rest Trail Lite (own)

-I use the short NeoAir but if you own it this will work fine.

Sove - Optimus Crux (don't own)

-A good option.

Pot - Olicamp Hard Anodized XTS (don't own)

-A little heavy but should work fine. I like Ti pots such as the Evernew 1.3L.

Multi-tool - Leatherman Wave (own)

-No need, get a small folder at a tiny fraction of the wieght.

Water Filtration - Sawyer Squeeze/Aquuamira drops (back up)(own)

-A good choiec. Figure out how you'll get water into the small container opening--it can be a PITA to fill.

Of course we got the essentials and fire and first aid and food and clothes (very important there - still working on that inventory too) just thinking gear right now. What do you think of the hardware? Good quality stuff, leaning towards this set-up for the first 5 day trek in the early fall time (gotta save some money for some purchases).

Thank for comments and have a great week.

Bears12th

Welcome, Bears. Will interline couple below; am sure others will have more input.



Happy planning!

The stuff you own could be lighter, but they're good quality items, so there's no reason to replace them. The stuff you're looking at buying is also good quality, so if it appeals to you, get it. There's lots of good gear out there, and in the end it comes down to what works efficiently for you. (You want gear that you can get so comfortable using that it fades into the background of the trip. I've used a Crux, and just never found I could use it efficiently; my Jetboil, on the other hand, is like someone watched me cook and built a stove for me. It may very well be that you'll find Nirvana with the Crux - there is no absolute right or wrong answer, just whatever works best for you.)

If you can swing the cost of the Antares bag right now, REI has a promotion where they'll throw in a free Neoair All-Season pad - which would be a significant upgrade to the Trail Scout (warmer, more comfortable, and 3/4 of a pound lighter than the Trail Scout.) Go to REI's website and search "Antares" and it should pop up. I've used the All-Season; it's a great pad. (I use a Big Agnes Q-Core SL now, but I'm not sure I could give any specific reason why I chose it over the All-Season.)