Thanks to everyone who attended Backpacking 101 with Mappy Hour and Girl Gotta Hike at The Gowanus Dredgers Boathouse on August 9th! I talked about and showed you all a ton of gear, and in case you can’t remember what you were looking at, I’ve compiled a gear list you can check out below. It includes the specific brands and styles of what I currently use on-trail, plus some of the alternates I’ve used in the past, and a few options for differing budgets.

As an additional thanks for bringing such great questions, I’m offering Backpacking 101 participants a discount on your next hike or custom trip with Girl Gotta Hike! Through Dec 31st, 2021, you can use code “MH101” at checkout to get 10% off. New group hikes are posted monthly(ish) on the Upcoming Adventures page, and for custom requests, you can link here.

backpacking Gear

Hydration/Filters:

Platypus QuickDraw Microfilter System – my new go-to! Super-fast filtering, (up to 3L per minute), plus it adapts to Smart Water bottle threading, so you can just screw on the filter and go.

Sawyer Squeeze Water Filtration system – Has a good flow rate and the threading is also compatible with Smart Water bottles. Note – squeeze bags will eventually pop/get micro holes in them, so good to carry a backup. Carrying the backflush plunger is recommended for longer trips.

CNOC Outdoors Vecto 2L Water Container — good container to collect water to filter or store, an alternate (and very durable) squeeze bag for use with Sawyer Squeeze.

CNOC Outdoors Vecto Reservoir and Katadyn BeFree Filter Kit – the BeFree is an alternative to the Sawyer Squeeze & Platypus QuickDraw systems. It’s a fast-flowing filter that works similarly, but has a larger threading, so not compatible with Smart Water bottles.

Backpacks:

Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60L – great choice for longer trips, locations that require bear canisters, or for those with heavier loads and less stuff-able sleeping bags. Hip belt comes standard in medium, but is a separate piece from the pack body, so can be swapped for a L or S to match your body shape.

Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50L – slightly less volume, a tad lighter and one less side pocket than the Mariposa – perfect for shorter trips, or for those with more compressible gear. Hip belt can also be swapped.

Gossamer Gear G4-20 42L Ultralight backpack for those who have all their backpacking gear dialed in and/or for those whose ethos leans toward ultra-light. Hip belt is not swappable.

Tents:

Gossamer Gear The One Shelter – my current favorite tent! Single wall construction (tent body and fly are one piece) so very lightweight – only 17.7 ounces. Utilizes your trekking poles in lieu of tent poles, so one less thing to carry. Plenty of headroom, easy set up once you get the hang of it, and packs down super small, at just 5 x 10 inches! As with any tent, recommended to utilize a footprint / ground cloth to extend the tent’s life.

Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL1 1-Person Tent – Excellent tent, plenty of headroom, side entry vestibule, a breeze to set up and lots of great features like reflective guy lines and smartly placed pockets. Weighs around 2 pounds but can leave the tent body at home and just use the footprint (sold separately) and the rain fly for lighter weight option. Also comes in 2 and 3-person designs.

REI Quarter Dome SL2 2-Person Tent – similar in design to Big Agnes Tiger Wall. The 2-person is slightly heavier than the Big Agnes, but it is also slightly easier on the budget. If you need even moree space, REI’s Half Dome tents come in 3 and 4-person versions too.

Sleeping Bags/Quilts & Pads:

Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20º Quilt — what I use on trail. Down, so pricier than synthetic and won’t insulate if wet, but oh, how lightweight, warm, and compressible! Must be used with a sleeping pad, as there is no back to the quilt. Small company, everything handmade in Minnesota, and everything is customizable from color to size to fill-power. EE also makes synthetic quilts and full sleeping bags, as well as a lot of cool (I mean warm) accessories, like down booties and hoods.

NEMO Forte 35º — synthetic sleeping bag with a “spoon shape” which gives a little more room than mummy style bags. Good for side sleepers, and those worries about damp conditions. 

REI Trailbreak 30º — good option for those on a budget who aren’t worried as much about weight. Synthetic keeps it warm in wet conditions and easier to clean.

Therm-a-Rest Neo Air XLite—R-value of 4.5 (very insulated) and lightweight, but crunchy sounding when sleeping on harder surfaces and no self-inflation.

Therm-a-Rest Women’s Pro-lite Plus —Self inflating pad, R-value of 3.9 (quite good), easier on budget and don’t have to use all your air to inflate, but heavier than fully inflatable styles.

Stove, Cookpot & Kitchen:

MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Mini Stove Kit — Great kit for one person. Rubberized grip at top of pot makes eating hot food much easier and nesting cup allows for you to enjoy a hot beverage and your meal at the same time!

MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe Stove – if you already have a cookpot and you’re looking to speed up boiling time, this stove is a great choice as the burner has a built-in windscreen.

Ultralight Kitchen Kit — Toaks Titanium Cookpot & Spoon, SOTO single burner stove & reusable food bag Kit from CNOC Outdoors – Super-lightweight and I like the reusable rehydration bag! 

Good To-Go – Delicious and easy to prep meals from Maine by a Michelin Star (and former New Yorker) chef! Lots of choices to fit lots of diets, including gluten-free and vegan. Woman-owned company, super yummy!

Please note, I do have an affiliate relationship with these brands, so if you purchase through the links above, I will receive a small commission, but that in no way influences what I'm suggesting for you. I really do stand by their quality, customer service and think these are all great choices! If you happen to be swayed by my Gossamer Gear recommendations, you can also receive 15% off your first purchase there by entering code "GIRLGOTTAHIKEGOSSAMER" at checkout.