My Hiking Gear

Choosing the right gear for a long-distance hike is a very personal balancing act between comfort, cost and overall weight of your pack.

 

Comfort items are not always a necessity (duh!) and they usually add more weight than items that are purely functional. For instance, some people use one of their dry-bags, with their clothes stuffed in, for a pillow, while others buy a specific brand of lightweight (hiking) pillow that may add weight, but it also adds a sense of comfort for them. 

 

In terms of cost, you often pay a premium for (ultra)lightweight gear: the lighter the more expensive. Then again, some expensive (ultra)lightweight items are also super comfortable, so you may choose to allow yourself the expense. 

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The overall weight of your backpack is important as well, because it's just easier to walk longer distances with a lighter pack. The ultralight community generally chooses weight over comfort for this reason. They manage perfectly fine with half a toothbrush (yes, they cut off most of the handle) or with a backpack without a frame, for instance. Or they may bring only two sets of clothing, one for hiking and one for sleeping, even on a 6-month thru-hike.

 

It may not be recommended for a first-time thru-hiker like myself, but who knows what I will bring, or leave at home, next time. You choose your gear based on your own budget, experience, and comfort level for your trip. This last one includes how much you need in terms of feeling safe, too. Some women may carry a personal alarm device, depending on where they deicide to go. 

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In the end, just remember, hike your own hike! 

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The gear I am taking for my Kingsleden adventure is listed below. If you look closely, I opted for a framed backback, which is slightly heavy, but it carries very comfortably between 10 and 15 kg. The other item choices were made with the above mentioned comments in mind, too.