I have an older Gregory Palisades pack. Yeah, it's super heavy but I love the fit and the heavy-duty padding. I also like the sleeping bag compartment and the removable top compartment (turns into a fanny pack.) I try to make up for the weight with the rest of my gear.
Lightweight down sleeping bag. I have a 45-degree Sierra Designs Wicked Light bag. I'm not into winter camping and this bag takes me down into the 40's comfortably. 800-fill down, 23 oz, size of a football. No hood, half-zipper only but with a foot-vent and super roomy. I can't sleep in those super-slim mummy bags. Bought it for about $100 at Sierra Trading Post -- one of my best gear purchases yet.
Inflatable pad. I use a Big Agnes Air Core pad. Full size, 2.5 inches thick, 22 oz. Takes maybe 3 minutes to inflate. I've had it for 2 years, maybe 3, and no problem with leaks or tears. I'm a side-sleeper and really appreciate the thickness.
Basic backpacking stove and 1-litre pot. I have a Primus one and a Brunton one. Both are your basic ones that screw onto an isobutane canister. Maybe 4-5 oz and inexpensive, $25 on sale at REI. I take both if there are 4 of us hiking. I have a 1+ litre titanium pot with a lid and also a 1+ litre GSI "kettle". I take one or the other; both only if I'm taking 2 stoves. That and a titanium mug and spork are all I take for cooking.
Water. I admit I like nalgene bottles. Heavy, I know, but they're indestructible and I've never had to worry about leaks and such. I also have a couple of basic flexible plastic water reservoirs that weigh pretty much nothing. I take them in case I need to carry extra water at some point. I originally bought then to sneak liquor onto a cruise... they can carry wine and such, too...
Food. I use Mountain House freeze dried meals for dinner -- the 2-serving size, I think, only serves one. The lasagne with meatsauce is my favorite, chili mac isn't bad either. For lunches, I love sardines -- heavy but worth it! I have my favorite trail mix. I usually don't like gradnola bars, clif bars and the like. Last hike I took Starbucks instant coffee -- they were ok. Best find were the powdered Ocean Spray juice mixes. Single serving packets of cran-peach w/ 100% vitamin C, great for breakfast.
Hiking poles. I have a pair of your basic REI poles with the shock absorbers (appreciated on those Grand Canyon downhills.) I'm going to ask Santa for one of those fancy super-lightweight sized-for-women-folds-up-tiny ones this year.
That said, I think the most important part are the grips -- make sure they fit and are comfortable. Avoid the cheap hard-plastic ones.
Tent. I'm going to have to go to Santa for a new one of these this year too... I have a Eureka Zeus, 2-man, single-wall, about 4 lb. I also have a Sierra Designs Anu 3. Kids use it when we car camp but backpackable if hiking with 3. It's pretty heavy, almost 7 lb. In the Grand Canyon, we carry a Kelty tarp. 12'x12', 2-1/2 lb with all the necessary lines attached, but use it only if it rains.
Clothing. Mostly synthetics, "quick dry" fabrics, they're lighter. I try to only take one change of clothes for 4-5 days. Zip-off convertible pants. One fleece. Patagonia rain jacket. Love Smartwool hiking socks. Asolo hiking boots if I'm carrying a full pack, Merrell trail shoes otherwise. Always carry "camp shoes", usually my Tevas.
The rest are small things -- headlamp, basic swiss army knife, obligatory "toilet bag" with plastic shovel, toilet paper, etc., small notebook f/trail notes, journal, etc., topo map, compass, reading book, deck of cards, point-and-shoot digital camera, first aid kit, camp towel and toothbrush. IBUPROFIN.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/22/2009 10:32AM by TigerFan.