Date: 2004-07-20
To: Gear Review
Miles today: 0.0

I was asked on our guestbook to give a rare gear review and I thought this was a very reasonable request. One thing I've learned is that about everything you get has its drawbacks so I tended to go the cheapest route. Any advice that I give (or anybody gives), I would take with a grain of salt because everybody hikes their own hike and has their own method and you'll have to choose your own unique way of doing things. You'll have mucho amounts of time to figure everything out!!!! I know that camping stores have lots of neat expensive items that you just got to have. Before you buy something, I would recommend setting that money aside and going the cheaper route and if you gotta have that item, then you can always buy it later. There are numerous outfitters along the AT. We probably walked through ~20 on our hike.1. Pack: Outdoor Products - Apex?: This pack held up very well, but it is heavier than what the average thru-hiker is willing to carry. It only cost $70. Many people bought lightweight packs, but their gear has to be lightweight for the pack to hold up. 2. Sleeping Bag: Slumberjack - 20 Degree: My parents bought this bag years ago, but I think it cost about $150. Peanut and I always stuffed the sleeping bag in a trash bag before we stuffed it into the stuff sack because of several incidents where we had to sleep in a wet sleeping bag. A pack cover only works so well with the rain and your stuff is bound to get wet. If I had to do it all over, then I would shell out some money on a nice down sleeping bag. The convenience is the weight and warmth. The drawback is that you can't get your sleeping bag wet (shouldn't be a problem using the trashbag method) and special care is needed to keep the loft, but the bags compress to be the size smaller than a football.3. Pack Cover: Gregory (4000-5000L): This pack cover worked as well as any, but they all don't work after consistent rain. I've heard of people taking trash compacter bags (very durable) and stuffing all of their belongings inside the bag and inside the pack. Probably a good plan!4. Camp shoes: Waldies sandals: These are very ugly shoes, but are very lightweight. When I switched from boots to sneakers, I could have gotten rid of the sandals. But when I had my boots, there was nothing better at the end of the day to put on these sandals for the comfort and to let my feet dry out. These shoes have become trendy and the price is matching the trend. I saw them for up to $25 and I don't know if they're worth all that. They do provide toe protection and I have seen people hiking in them (not recommended at all unless emergency), but I don't know if they're worth the price. They're basically a fancy shower shoe.5. Nalgene Bottle: Many people used a gatorade bottle instead and replaced when necessary, but I personally liked my Nalgene. I do think you need some sort of bottle (or cup) to collect water from the streams (bag won't always do) or to filter out of (saves your filter from picking up the dirt on the bottom of the stream). 6. Waterbag: Outdoor Products 2L from Walmart's bicycling section: I've used numerous Platypus bags, but they always leak (3 different bags) and they cost $30. Cascade Designs (owner of Platypus) has great customer support, but you pay for it when you buy their product. I would rather not have the lifetime warranty and have the cheaper cost. The Walmart bag lasted the last 1200 miles of my journey (and still going) and only cost $8, but you have to shop at Walmart.7. Boots: Asolo GTX full leather w/ Vibram sole: These boots did well. I got them for a great deal ($70 - very rare), but they cost about $180 in the store. A size too big is remarkably better than a size too small!!!! Also, it is very important that the unique fitting boot fits your unique foot. If not, then you may waste your money! I wore the boots a year before the journey and 1700 miles of the journey. They were pretty worn by then, but how could they not be? They lasted so long because they had a Vibram (hard) sole. The drawback to a hard sole is that they don't grip as well, but this wasn't as big of a problem for me as you might think. The problem with my boots was the Gore-tex wore out and they would get completely soaking wet on extremely rainy days (wet grass is bad too) and the boots would weigh so much. I read in Backpacker's magazine that 1lb on your foot is equal to 6.4lbs on your back and I would agree. I switched to tennis shoes in NH and loved them because I could move my feet easier. The drawback is I nearly rolled my ankle ~30 times. By this point, my ankles were very strong and I could handle the occasional roll. I would recommend having ankle support in the beginning, although many hiked the whole way with sneakers. If you go the sneaker route, plan to replace your shoes more often. And I don't know if I would go for waterproof shoes more than having a hard sole. If you have both, then plan on spending around $85 at least. I will say one thing about tennis shoes, my feet stopped going numb after I switched and finding the perfect fit is much easier. I would recommend the Merrell hiking shoes, though I've never used. I hoped this long explanation helped more than confused you!8. Shorts/Pants: Equinox convertible pants: These pants were neat because they zipped off into shorts. This was great for the bugs at camp. They also had a lot of pockets which are good to keep food (so you don't have to stop) and trash. ~$40. On another note, any nylon shorts will do!9. Hiking shirt:Mountain Hardware shirt: My friend gave me this shirt and it's a good shirt. Fast drying is key here. 10. Stove: Pepsi Can alcohol stove:I started with a MSR Whisperlite stove and absolutely loved it, but the pepsi can stove is lighter and smaller. I switched mainly because I could fit the stove in my pot along with other things and it's lightweight. Also, someone drank two budweisers and made a stove with it and I asked if I could have it and he said yes. There was also a pot stand made out of wire (something similar to chicken wire) that they let me have as well. Friends that started at Springer with us said the only time they ever had trouble lighting the stove was twice on the coldest of cold nights in the Smokies and Mt. Rogers or maybe Roan Mtn. (Remember, we started Feb. 7th) If you already purchased another stove, then you may want to keep it through the cold beginning and switch later. I don't think anyone's going to have to twist your arm too much to drink two cokes. The gas is easier to find for the alcohol stove (not that we had any trouble finding Coleman fuel) because you can use denatured alcohol, heet, gas treatment, and various other products. Denatured is the best. It is better to use methyl alcohol instead of isopropyl because of the soot and it burns better. Remember, you can always cook over a fire. I met a Southbounder who had a lightweight butane stove that I liked a lot. The drawback is that finding the fuel would be harder, but he had pre-purchased fuel canisters and had his mom send them at maildrops. The stove was as lightweight as mine.11. Pot: Aluminum 1.5L Pot: This was fine for the two of us, but we didn't eat like others on the trail. People really freaked out when they saw our small pot, but we never switched to a bigger one, which they assured us we would. I tell you, you'll have your own way of doing things! $30 (max)12. Fuel Bottle: 20oz Coke Bottle: This was another advantage of using denatured alcohol, it could be carried in a coke bottle instead of the metal container.13. Tent: Equinox 10x12 Tarp: I lost our tent along the way, don't ask! We switched to this tarp and I was very skeptical about it because my Equinox pack cover was a piece of shit. We mainly slept in the shelters so for 800 miles or so we always wondered if the tarp would keep us dry. One night we had to sleep in the tent because shelters were 30 miles apart and the heavens opened up for an hour and a half and poured down on us. The lightning was very intense and there wasn't much sleeping going on under the conditions. We were happily surprised that the tarp worked great! The tarp weighs 1lb and costs $90. You do need a ground cloth, I recommend tyvex (found at construction sites). The disadvantage to the tarp was there was no bug protection (see 14 below).14. Bug Netting: Rectangular model found at Campmor: (8oz) Speaking of Campmor, very good company to deal with! Also, REI is great company too! Our bug netting had loops to hang it up with and our tarp had loops to hang things from it, so we had the perfect combination. All this was accidental, but I would look into this now! We purchased the bug netting for fear of unencountered black flies. We found out later than black flies aren't out during the night. But, we loved our bug net. The mosquitos were a bitch in MA and ME. The thing that was great about our setup was that we could hang the mosquito net from the tarp or in the shelters (where we used it the most). People who had tents often carried a head net to sleep in at night. $1315. Water Purifier: Left over rewetting dropper for contacts filled with Bleach: We used bleach the entire trip. People really freaked out when they heard we were using bleach, but I can now say "I told you it worked!" I highly recommend using bleach. I don't know if this is a coincidence or not, but the only people along the way that caught giardia both had filters. Advantages to chemicals include lightweight, much easier to use, and don't have to worry about it freezing through the night (People actually slept with their water filters). I liked bleach because I couldn't really taste it. Chlorox recommends 4-6 drops/L, but I only used 3-5 drops. You need to wait 30 minutes and at first your water may taste a bit like pool water. When this happened, I would drink enough to quench my thirst then I would wait another 15-30 minutes and usually the pool taste would go away. Sometimes I used extra bleach for bad sources and I would have to drink the pool taste, but this was rare. We most always got our water from springs or small streams. There were a few that never used anything to filter their water the whole trip, but my thought is "why risk it?" Another precaution we took against giardia is that we always used hand sanitizer after we dropped a duece and sometimes before we ate. This is probably more important than anything!16. Sleeping Pad: Thermarest Ultralight 3/4 Length Many people used the Z-rest (egg crate) because it was supposively lighter, but I am spoiled by my blow up thermarest. If I had to do it over, then I would want an even bigger thermarest for comfort. That would be worth the weight for me! Peanut had a full-length ultralight, and she loved it. I personally only need the 3/4 length. Next time, I would have me a foam butt pad to put my feet own while I slept and to have something to sit on when I looked at views on top of rocks.17. Socks: Bridgedale, Thorlo, and Smartwools: I've learned that socks are more important than I thought. Thorlos Trekking socks are OK. Smartwools are a little better. But Bridgedale was the best. The guy at the outfitter (they always know everything - yeah right) told me that I couldn't wear a hole through the sock and there is a 3 year warranty on the sock. After 2 weeks, I wore a hole through the sock. I wore it out at the top of my toe and not the heel. The hole was probably caused by putting my boot on (stretching) rather than by friction. I sewed the toes up and never had a problem with it. The socks actually held up very well (as far as the rest of the sock is concerned) and I would actually recommend these socks because they keep your feet dryer. Phil Oren, a foot specialist, said that the average person sweats 2 shotglasses full of sweat from their feet everyday. Imagine what hikers do. Another great thing to have is Goldbond Powder. Buy the small container found at outfitters. The Goldbond helps keep the smell down at the end of the day and it feels good on your skin, it absorbs moisture, and helps a lot with chaffing (guys). The socks cost $18 (you pay for the 3 yr warranty). Goldbond cost $1.18. Insoles: Superfeet:I guess they're good. They work the same as birkenstocks by keeping the weight on the outside of the heel instead of the center, but they don't have cushion. I actually bought some gel insoles (shaped by little ovals) at Walmart to provide a little extra cushion in my boots. Make sure you get the little ovals if you do this. Superfeet cost $30 and gel insoles were about $4.19. Ballcap: Great for people who wear glasses. Keeps the rain off your glasses. Great for keeping bugs out of your hair too.20. Bandana: Great for drying sweat off your face, drying your feet after crossing a stream, filtering dirt out of water, use as a sling for emergency purposes, etc.21. Raincoat: Emergency Poncho I was carrying a heavy raincoat (for the winter), but I found that after a consistent rainpour, I was completely soaked, very heavy, and very cold. I got fed up and sent my coat home and bought an emergency poncho at the outfitter. The stress that it doesn't breath (etc), but I would rather be sweating than hypothermic. By the way, the worst weather we encountered wasn't snow, but cold rain. Do not wear without a shirt because I got a terrible pack rash (my whole back was covered) after I did this. I learned the hard way. $222. Knife: Basic Small Swiss Army I used this mainly to cut the Swiss cheese and occasionally string.23. Ibuprofen: Very popular among people on the trail because of how well it works as a anti-inflammatory. I think some people overdosed on it and it can cause bacteria to cause ulcers in places in the body so be careful!I think that is about all I'm willing to write. I hope this helps you out a lot and if you have any questions, please e-mail me with "Appalachian Trail" in the subject line at BradJ17@hotmail.com . If there's anything I left out, then I'll try to add it to my list later.