Ready with your Backpacking Equipment?

Ready with your Backpacking Equipment?
Copyright 2006 Niche Empire


Backpacking is fun—all of your stuffs are in your backpack and you are on the go. In order to make it successful, you need to plan your backpacking activities. One of the things to consider in planning is your backpacking equipment.

Just like scuba diving and mountain climbing activities, backpacking also needs thorough check of all the equipment that will be used. The success of the trip will also depend on the equipment that you have while you are on your trip.

Here are some of the equipments that must be included in your checklist:

Tents

If you are planning of staying outdoors instead of booking yourself in a hotel, then a tent is necessary. It keeps you protected from outside elements and comforts you across different temperature ranges.

There are many types of tents available, although there are two popular types used by the backpacking travellers. The first type is the four-season tent where it can be use on any season of the year. However, other says that this type of tent has poor ventilation, thus not ideal for use in summertime.

The second type is the three-season tent. It is suitable for use in spring, summer, and fall. This type is recommended for those individuals that will buy their first backpacking tent.

Here are some of the pointers in selecting your backpacking tent.

•     Purchase the lightest available tent that is freestanding, have good ventilation, and large enough to accommodate two persons. In case that you are backpacking alone, you can use the free space for your other gears; if you are backpacking together with your three colleagues, then simply purchase two tents.
•     Look for tents that have double-layer, nylon construction.
•     Select a tent that has waterproof floor and doors.
•     Choose a tent that van be easily set-up. Weather is unpredictable; maybe the climate during daytime is fine, but when the dark comes in you do not know that heavy rains are coming.

Backpacks

It is where you will put all your stuffs while on travel. It has two categories. The first is the one that has an external flame and the second is the one that has an internal flame. Other suggests the latter type because it provides easier movement for the carrier. However, if you will bring tents or sleeping bags, you must prefer the former type.

Whatever categories you will purchase, make sure that it has a hip belt. Your hips can carry more weight than your shoulders, thus it can take a lot of weight off your back.

Your backpack must have tightening straps. It will be used to take off stress from parts of your back and redirect it to other parts of your body.

Sleeping bags

You can choose from two types of sleeping bags. First is the goose down, which is lightweight, warm and compact. Although it is expensive and when gets wet, no insulation or warmth will be felt. The second type is the synthetics, which provides good warmth even if it is saturated in water.

Other equipments

If you are planning to stay outdoors, then you need other gears as well. Here are the lists of other equipment that you will need in your backpacking trip.

•     A portable stove where you can cook your meals or boil water and prepare hot drinks especially on places where campfires are prohibited
•     A lantern or flashlight
•     Rope
•     Plates and cooking pots and pans

Have a check of those things before you start your backpacking trip. So, is your backpacking equipment ready?