Some Questions for the Backpackers of the board

Wear good quality, well broken in hiking boots. I would advise against the trailrunner route mainly to avoid rolling an ankle. Boots provide better ankle support, especially with a heavy pack on your back.

The amount of clothing depends on the environment. You can wear the same poly t-shirt and shorts/pants for your length of travel. Unless it gets really cold your body heat can dry out your top and bottom. Bring extra pairs of socks, I say at least one pair per day and maybe one pair for camp comfort. If you will be dealing with cool/cold nights then plan on a light jacket or synthetic LS shirt. Leave all of your cotton behind.

quote:

---

1. Backpack Weight: For a 2 night, 3 day trip (35 miles total, what would be the target weight of your pack?

---

A lot depends on the weather and conditions you will likely encounter. I've had summer hikes there I had less than 13lbs not counting food, water, and fuel. Winter hikes for me are closer to 19-20lbs.

quote:

---

2. Backpack Size: What size pack would you bring? I am considering the Osprey Volt 60 or the Osprey Atmos 65. Thoughts on these choices or the size in general?

---

Backpack size? All depends on conditions and what I want/need to carry. Obviously in colder weather I will have more bulky clothing so I want a bigger bag. Summer I can use a much smaller bag. I've sold off all of my bigger packs over the years and now only have an Osprey Aether 45 (I don't think they sell/make this any more but by far my favorite pack) and an Equinox Kathadin ultralight pack.

quote:

---

3. # of Garments: Everywhere I read, people say you will bring too much. What is a realistic number of pants/shorts you would bring for hiking 35 miles over 3 days? Will one pair of shorts and one pair of hiking pants suffice?

---

My preference is to have one set of hiking clothes that's going to get dirty and disgusting over the course of the trip and a set of camp cloths that I keep clean for lounging at camp and sleeping in my sleeping bag. A set of sock and underwear for each day. The camp clothes will change depending on the weather. A thin Under Armour charged cotton type shirt and a set of thin light weight pants like Umbros or running shorts (but not the shorty running shorts). Usually my camp shirt during the night turns into my hiking shirt during the day and just my pants/shorts get recycled.


For hiking in cooler weather I normally use a set of Mountain Hardware backpack specific pants with zip off legs which has a slightly heavier cloth. Summer I'll use REI Saharah shorts or convertible pants. In the summer I much prefer a silnylon backpacking poncho over a jacket for rain protection. Hiking in a jacket in warm weather no matter how waterproof and breathable is completely miserable. A good silnylon poncho is super light, airy enough you don't trap heat while hiking in the rain, and will keep you dry enough you don't get chilled in the rain. It also doubles as a pack cover since the backpacking versions have an extended panel in the back so you throw the whole thing over you and your pack. You can also use it as a lean too or as a ground covering to lay down and take a nap on. In my ultralight days I would just make a tent out of my poncho, hang some bug mesh from it throw a ground cloth under all of that and use that as my tent.

quote:

---

4. Boots vs. Trail Runners: I have read a lot of people use trail runners to backpack in instead of backpacking boots. Thoughts on this?

---

Here is the thing if you are carrying a lot of weight, like 40-50lbs you really should use boots for the ankle and foot support. I prefer trail runners but my feet especially my arches take a beating if I'm carrying a lot of weight and using trail runners.

My preference is to pack as light as possible. I know some people pack everything and the kitchen sink trying to make their camp as comfortable as possible. But I've found with a really light weight pack you don't feel exhausted and beat up after a day of hiking and you can be comfortable with much less.

Things I won't camp without:

Big Agnes insluated Air Core mummy shaped sleeping bag. Lightweight and extremely comfortable. The extra weight of self inflating pads are not worth it. It only takes a minutes to blow one of these up and they are light and more comfortable. Mine is about 12 years old so I don't know who makes the best/lightest any more.

I also carry one of the Thermarest ultralight foam pads but I've cut it down so it's just long enough to get my butt and head on it at the same time. With my Equinox pack it serves as the frame to the pack. With my other packs I keep it rolled on top for quick access at rest stops to give myself something to sit on or lay on.

Trekking poles. stability and traction going up and down mountains. If you use them right you take some of the burden off your legs so you can hike farther and longer. Also use them with my ponto to set up quick shelters to get out of the rain or sun when we need a rest stop.

[edit]
left out gaiters. Keeps the chit from falling down the tops of your shoes/boots and into your shoes. Amazing how many little rocks and stones you can kick up into your shoes on a long hike.

quote:

---

1. Backpack Weight: For a 2 night, 3 day trip (35 miles total, what would be the target weight of your pack?

---

Lots of variables here so its hard to really set a target. you could be under 30 pretty easily. You could also bring steaks, scotch and fishing gear.

quote:

---

2. Backpack Size: What size pack would you bring? I am considering the Osprey Volt 60 or the Osprey Atmos 65. Thoughts on these choices or the size in general?

---

something in that size range is fine but if you fill it up you are probably carrying too much for 2 nights. Will this be your only trip ever? If I only had one pack i'd go for something in the 70-75 litre range. Small enough that it is not stupid big for a 2 night trip, big enough to do a week or more in the summer.

quote:

---

3. # of Garments: Everywhere I read, people say you will bring too much. What is a realistic number of pants/shorts you would bring for hiking 35 miles over 3 days? Will one pair of shorts and one pair of hiking pants suffice?

---

for a 2 night trip, the only pants I would have would be the ones on my arse. I like zipoffs for backpacking. I might throw in rain pants if it will be cold. really for 2 nights, I only take what I am wearing + what I think I will need to stay warmish. remember, you don't need to have enough clothes to be comfortable sitting on your arse in the coldest temps you'll encounter. That's what your sleeping bag is for.

quote:

---

4. Boots vs. Trail Runners: I have read a lot of people use trail runners to backpack in instead of backpacking boots. Thoughts on this?

---

trail runners unless you are fat/out of shape. feet will feel waaaayyy better at the end of the day.