When I started hiking in college, long before I became a content creator or even intended to work long-term in the outdoors, I built my first backpacking kit. I had the same tent, stove, pack, sleeping bag, and full system for many years. It was a heavy, sure, and fairly inexpensive, but it was exactly what I needed to get out on my initial trips - at least until I learned more about my personal backpacking style. As time went on, I started the slow process of upgrading and adjusting my stuff to better suit the types of trips I wanted to take. I’d started backpacking expecting to only ever take summer, hot-weather trips; so when I started shoulder-season backpacking, I needed a warmer sleep system. I thought I’d be a backcountry chef and bought a huge cook kit; but when it turned out I was much happier dehydrating my own food and only ever boiling water, I adjusted my cook kit. Over the course of the next five to ten years, I slowly swapped out almost my entire first kit to build something new.
Now, as a YouTuber, I get to test out a lot of new gear. My backpacking set-up changes trip to trip, and definitely year-to-year. The benefit of this is that I get to really formulate a strong opinion on stuff, and share back with all of you what I like and what I don’t like. But I want to be clear that you definitely do not need to be constantly updating your gear! If you read over this list and see something you like, amazing. But please don’t feel like you have to have a new ‘yearly kit’ to be a backpacker. It’s just my job to try schtuff and report back.
Okay, blurb over, on to the good stuff: MY 2023 BACKPACKING KIT! This is a full list of all the gear I’ll be using regularly in 2023. Some of this might be familiar from past videos, but there are some new and updated things in here too! Quick note: this post may contain affiliate links and I’ll make a small commission if you buy something through the link.
First: a quick pack update.
I’m replacing my REI Flash 55 with the Gregory Jade 53 this year. The Flash 55 has been my all-time favorite pack, but I’m ready for something a little bit more featured. The new Flash 55 is also for members of REI only, and while I do think the membership is definitely worth it, I know not everyone has access to an REI or an interest in joining the Co-op. Plus, I love Gregory packs, and the newly updated Jade series is super rad! So we’re giving the Jade a try, at least to start off the season!
Pack: Gregory Jade 53
Sleeping Bag: NEMO Disco 30, but I’m coveting the Riff 15 that Rainer owns HARD
Sleeping Pad: NEMO Tensor Insulated
Sleep Accessories: Fillo Elite and Tracer liner (as needed)
Tent: Sea to Summit Alto TR2 and footprint
Cook Kit: SnowPeak Titanium Pot, Pocket Rocket 2 Stove (though honestly, I’d recommend the Pocket Rocket Deluxe)
Food Storage: BearVault Sprint Bear Canister
Water Filter: Sawyer Squeeze with a CNOC Bottle
Water Bottle: UL Nalgene with Hardside Hydration Swig Rig
Repair Kits: Tenacious Tape, Swiss Classic Pocket Knife
First Aid: A modified version of this kit from Adventure Medical Kits
Headlamp: Black Diamond Spot
Compass: Suunto MC-2 Pro
Poop Kit: Kula Cloth, Happy Bottom Bidet, PACT tabs, BoglerCo Trowel
Tent Lights: yes, I use tent lights - these ones from Big Agnes to be exact
Trekking Poles: Black Diamond Distance FLZ
What about clothing? What I wear and what I pack changes from trip to trip, but here are a few of my favorites!
Hiking Shoes: Altra Timp 4s, though I got a pair of Lone Peak 7s recently I’m excited to try!
Hiking Socks: Feetures socks forever. My faves.
Camp Shoes: Teva Universal
Sunglasses: You probably know by now that my love of Goodr sunglasses runs DEEP. It’s not just the colors - they also actually stay on my face!!
Hiking Pants: SheFly or Athleta Trekkie Joggers, though I haven’t tried the updated Trekkies yet!
Bra: Girlfriend Collective Paloma or the Tera Kaia Toura
Mid layer: SkyGOAT <3
Rain Jacket: I’m in the process of testing a few… will report back soon
Puffy Jacket: EE Apex Torrid! Though I do still love my Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer
And that’s the list! This isn’t *everything* I’ll be using over the year, but it’s pretty inclusive of each category. If you have questions about the gear or want to see another post on all my hiking apparel, let’s hear it below!
LOVE YOU BYE
11 comments
I saw you had a hydration tube connected to your Nalgene on this most recent vid, where can I find one!!?
What do you use as a charging brick for your electronics?
No more pooptube? That would be great merch a MGO pooptube.
Omg, the Riff 15 is an AMAZING bag. I use it during the winter and shoulder season. Granted, it doesn’t get too insanely cold down here in the Southeast, but it’s kept me cozy in below freezing temperatures.
My girlfriend and I have only recently started to seriously backpack and you’ve been a great help along the way. Thank you so much. Looking forward to more blog content.