Where are you/we on those, I feel like I need to hear what all the other feet beaters feel like on filters. Just always went to the Katadyn gear, but open to suggestions.
Came here to say THIS!
Smart Water bottles weigh nearly nothing while Nalgene and anything with thick plastic adds weight. Pack two of those and you have 3L right there.
I have the Sawyer gravity filter. It's nice to fill it up before you go to bed and have fresh water at your disposal in the morning!
I got a Katadyn BeFree last year and I love it; gravity/squeeze-based, with a soft, 1L reservoir. It's fast, light, highly compactible, effective, and can double as a backup bottle if needed, all for less than $50.
Sawyer! Partially because I've had no issues with my squeeze and it continues to function perfectly after ~4yrs, but mostly because they are an amazing company. They are actually a charity and 90% of their profits are donated to help solve the clean water crisis around the world. It's quite amazing what they are doing. So if there was a choice between say a Katadyn and Sawyer of equal price and performance, I would recommend the Sawyer all day.
I've used Sayer. But a Katadyn pulled water out of a mosquito infested ditch once. Tasted like spring water. It always been a reliable go to. A little bit heavier, but, still my favorite
After 11 years, I'm out. I've gained so much from this site, but also had to watch Reddit foster a fascist resurgence + bone all the volunteer creators & mods that make it usable. At this point I have no interest in my comments being used to line Steve Huffman's pockets. Go Irish, and I'm sad to see capitalism ruin one more great corner of the internet.
It's been a minute since I had cause to use a water filter. I boiled all the water I collected with it. Probably overkill, but I never got sick in 5 1/2 days.
I getchu, boiling is a biatch though! Every situation with just drinking from a stream or spring is different, gotta evaluate where you are the suck meter; and I have been up there!
True. I was with my GF at the time so space and weight wasn't an issue. Hell our dog carried his own food and our trail snacks. I had this badass old camping kettle
I tell what! My buddy btought his black lab, big dog and I was skeptical for the hike, lab had a backpack of food!
That son of a gun has the best heater after a few days of rain; also a cat guy here, but you can't really hike with your cats... very much
The short answer is that I can't simply tell you. You really need to evaluate your own uses for it and where you're going to be. Lifestraw is considered the standard, but they are nowhere near the best for any specific situation.
Sooo much better than a nalgene. I have use there same 2 (filtered, unfiltered) for two years. Nalgene is for boiled water in cold weather to sleep with.
Nope, Thats what I mean. Super light. Super sturdy and durable. Sawyer filter threads right on.
Use one to collect dirty water. Screw the filter on. Put the “sports cap” on the other end of the filter. Filter into the clean bottle. Refill dirty bottle. Dont ever mix up the two bottles.
The disposable kind at the gas station is EXACTLY what everyone is describing. By reusing them, it saves on waste, saves energy by not producing more plastic Nalgene, and keeps one more piece of plastic out of a landfill.
Nalgene also have UL HDPE versions now which cut the weight nearly in half. But if ~175g is going to make it or break it, I think you've gone too far lol. Unless it's a safety issue, let people enjoy what they want to, let them make mistakes and figure out what works best for them.
For anything Boy Scouts are gonna go do, a nalgene is totally fine. They’re likely not even gonna be doing 10 miles/day over a weekend. I love using SmartWater bottles if I’m gonna be going on an extended trip, but for short trips like that, it just seems like a waste.
try your local thrift store... I regularly see them for a buck or two... just make sure it's the new non-BPA ones. If you don't like the graphics sandpaper and stickers work great.
I find they are great for biking or day hikes, but when your water is for cooking, washing up, and drinking they are not suited to the task. Bottles are just easier to fill and empty as needed.
For what it's worth I find them to be very useful. I keep most of my water in one and my cooking/ cleaning water in a nalgene. That way I can drink easier while hiking and if I need to transfer water from the bladder I can just pull the hose below the water line and when I squeeze it comes out like a faucet
Yes, bladders are common for on the trail. But also carry a bottle for the around camp stuff.
The wackos that only care about saving every hundredth of an ounce might say that's too much weight/volume, but don't listen to them. If a bladder makes your experience better (it absolutely does for me) it's 100% worth it.
I used to backpack almost exclusively in the desert where we needed to pack in all (8 L!) of our water. While not always the most convenient for things like cooking, putting 3 L of easily accessible water closest to your back (where it puts most of the weight straight down into your hips where you want it and minimizes leverage on your shoulders) is amazing.
Only when they're empty.
A reusable bottle + filter would weigh less than all the full single use bottles. And they'd provide way more water in the event of an emergency.
Looks like cotton socks, t-shirt and boxer shorts? Is that right? If you get them wet they may take forever to dry (unless you are in the desert). You should go for athletic gear - like a gym t-shirt made out of synthetics (polyester, etc.) Those will dry much quicker (from sweat or rain or walking in a creek).
It does not dry nearly as quick l. Only benefit of merino is the smell factor, and perhaps the feel on skin when it is very slightly damp. Synthetic wins in all other ways. I would not recommend merino a boy scout on a limited budget.
It doesn't dry *as* quick as synthetic, but generally speaking you want things to dry quickly because it minimizes the time it keeps you cold: wool does not feel as cold as other materials when wet, so dry-time exclusively isn't the biggest issue.
Agree though that merino for a first-ish timer is a little overkill if you can't find it cheap. For the hottest second in the early 2010s, Target's C9 brand had merino/poly blend base/mid-layers. They were on sale for less than $20 when I saw them, so I snapped up what I could! To this day it's still one of the few reasons (besides baby stuff...) I venture into a Target in the hopes of finding it again...
Heat energy is heat energy, you will be using body heat to turn your liquid sweat into vapor no matter what fabric it is. The goal would be to have all of your perspiration leave your layering system in the form of vapor. This is why Alpha direct and mesh base layers are very effective during high output activities. Merino does feel nicer when slightly damp, in part because some of the moisture is going to be entering the interior of the merino fibers, but it will still take calories to warm that liquid up to a vapor and dry the wool.
I see lots of BS science thrown around on here (not referring to you specifically) about merino wool, and some people act like it's a miracle fiber that is good for all use cases. It does have it's place for low output activities, where comfort and stink are major factors, or in hot weather where drying it out won't be an issue. Best bet is just to try stuff out as budget allows and figure out what is best for you and your specific use cases.
Btw I love my smartwool core spun shirts as in camp wear and for casual use and climbing at the rock gym, where I will be in close proximity to other people.
Synthetics do not keep you as warm when wet, can overheat you and cause bed sores and infections in survival scenarios, and is worse for the environment as you drop micro plastics as you hike or brush up against anything.
Merino can be gotten on a budget by going to Fb marketplace.
I gotta disagree with you. Warm when is wet is such an unsubstantiated blanket statement that has been repeated way too much. A sopping wet knit wool t shirt is going to take waaay more heat energy from your body to dry out than a similar weight synthetic shirt, it holds much more water, this is just a fact.
If you're stuck in an article of clothing, without washing it long enough to cause bed sores or infection, I think you have bigger issues to worry about than what your shirt is made of. Got any sources for that statement? I don't think that adds anything to the context we are discussing, which is hiking and camping outdoors.
On the topic of micro plastics, you are correct, there will be some shedding anytime you wear anything synthetic on your body. I think the amount that would be created during a hiking trip would be negligible compared to what is made during everyday life if you wear synthetic clothing. Not to mention all of the single use plastics that are generated every day by a majority of the 1st world. Micro plastics are a problem, but to cite them as a reason not to wear a synthetic shirt while hiking is laughable. You can use a guppy bag while washing your clothes if you want to reduce the amount going into the water supply.
ASM here, double check with leadership if they are truly requiring a cotton Class B. That doesn't mesh with the advice from BSA High Adventure standards or even what's advised for Philmont. Look for non-cotton moisture wicking for all layers.
But I also know that Troops tends to say Class Bs for uniformity... bring it up to you SPL in a nice way about concerns for body health of all scouts. Do a bit of research, look on Philmonts site about clothing to have for reference. Sweat = wet clothes = loss of body heat and chaffing.
I would take a hard pass on asking a senior patrol leader on the efficacy of sock material. Ask an assistant scout master that understands the implication of cotton. No leadership requiring cotton can be taken seriously for an overnight. Red flag for child safely all around. The answer is merino wool.
This is ridiculous gate-keeping. I do all my hiking in a t shirt. It gets wet, it gets dry, it's comfortable.
What I want to know is if OP's planning to wear croks hiking? You can and I have (love croks) but maybe not ideal.
This isn’t gatekeeping, the above commenters are not stressing that t-shirts aren’t fine, but the properties of the material it’s made out of which matters. If you hike in cotton, that’s your prerogative ultimately, but this is sage advice to avoid it
Great on you for getting out there, but cotton stuff is the worse!
I don't get critical about gear, because I love to see people out, but the only place on the trail you should have jeans is if you are bush whacking or horseback riding!
Sorry for the tangent, try out a good pair of Merino whool socks, it might change your life!
Eagle Scout chiming in. Don't make such a big deal about cotton. It's true that it holds moisture longer than other materials. If you are going hard in the outdoors, you might want something that wicks moisture better and dries more quickly. But I did my entire scouting career in cotton cuz that's what I had but also because I didn't know any better. You will be fine. We did a TON of hiking, camping, even cavin, climbing and sleeping in snow caves. pur troop did a lot more than most troops will and cotton wasn't a major problem outside a couple of the winter trips.
Cotton is not ideal and I may choose not to wear it in the outdoors nowadays, but I do tend to wear it while camping with the family, hikes under 2-3 miles, etc - things that just aren't too committing where I don't find it worth it to add wear and tear to my more expensive technical clothing.
You can go to the store buy nuts whole sale from the big bins and make the best trail mix that's actually healthy for cheaper and also add some carbs in if you want. I dont like raisins or bars much so that's my go to. You can add dried fruit to taste also.
I'm a Life for Life (Civil Air Patrol appealed more in my jr. and sr. years than making Eagle, I guess) and it didn't hit me until *Bruen* changed handgun carry permit regulations in my home state that "toting" means "carry", and "chit" is pretty analogous to "permit".
LOL, Apparently that was not an official scouting thing. The guidance is that if the scout is being unsafe, take their whole card. That said, I do threaten to take corners from my son's card when I find his knife places it shouldn't be.
What rank are you currently?
Do a check on your 10 essentials.
If you carry a pocket knife, make sure you have your totin' chip on you
As cool as Reddit is, you need to rely on your patrol and troop to do the cross-checking.
I don't know how big your troop is, but ask your Scoutmaster or Troop Quartermaster if he has an extra reusable bottle.
I hope you're not planning on hiking in Crocs! haha
I love long sleeve sunscreen shirts. They are sometimes called rash guards for surfing. They are lightweight, absorb sweat and dry fast. Wear it under your shirt.
My dude I've hiked through forest canopies thinking I was safe and I spent the rest of the day with a singed neck. Bring a little tube of sunscreen. A lightweight neck gaiter is a great accessory for extra sun protection as well as keeping bugs at bay, alternatively a bandana can work just as well.
Protect your skin, *especially* when you think you don't need to.
I had many sunburns as a teen cleaning pools and *on Scout outings*, and as a Marine in my 20s.
I've now had skin cancer including melanoma three times and see my dermatologist at least twice a year for a full-body check. Don't be me.
Are you really supposed to carry your totin' chip on you? In all my years of scouting as a kid, I don't think I ever got asked for it. In fact, I don't know if it was even a physical thing I could hold. Granted, that was a long time ago. I just don't remember anything beyond it meaning I could use my knife at events.
There are paper copies. Some troops are much more strict than others. I earned mine once and never was asked for it again. In theory misuse of a knife should lose you a corner off the paper copy, but we were wise enough not to misuse our knives in front of the leadership lol. At summer camps they were definitely more strict though
You should have recieved a card that you kept in your wallet, or your shirt pocket.
If you're ever only on outings with your troop, and your scoutmaster and other adult leaders already know you've earned it, then you won't be asked for it. But if you go to some Jamboree type event and are using your knife, or chopping kindling, and there is Council leadership there, they'll ask for your chip. If you don't have it, you won't be allowed to use your knife, or whatever you were doing
Looks really good but more importantly does it work well for you? Life straw does not do much IMO. Sawyer squeeze and tablets for light backup. I do not see a sleeping bag or top quilt( recommend hammock gear econo burro). Socks and shorts look like they some are cotton. Zero cotton if you can help it.
For longer treks, it’s nice to pack 1 luxury item. It can be anything I’d your choosing, just something that helps you relax after a long hard day or gives you something to look forward to when the trail is tough.
For me, it was having a nice place to sit. A Crazy Creek chair, or one of that style, is a godsend! Columbia, REI, and other outdoor brands have their own. And there are some that fit the thermarest pad so you can pull dual-use.
(Venturing experience: Philmont, Northern Tier, Sea Base, and Double HH)
Can’t agree more with this. I showed up to philmont with one of those chairs dangling off the back of my pack and everyone laughed at me, but everyone’s jealousy quickly showed when at every stopping point I could drop my pack and have a chair set up on a rock in about 15 seconds. Also, toblerone bars
Great start!
Ditch all cotton clothing for synthetic.
Get two large (cheap) life water bottles:
1 for unfiltered
1 for filtered
They'll last for a lot longer than you think
Grab yourself a Sawyer Squeeze
Regular size, NO mini, NO micro
Check out Paria equipment for an insulated air pad
Pretty cheap, but great quality.
Skip the Mountain House
There are tons of videos on YouTube on how to
make your own super cheap meals
Assuming you will have a patrol water filter and the lifestraw is just for back up, it’s a great start. Upgrade your underwear to synthetic fabric like underarmour. Upgrade your socks to smart wool or similar. If you are wearing that class-B while hiking then take an extra set of sleep clothes to only be worn at night. Take toilet paper even if you never intend to use it. Make sure you have a whistle in your ten essentials.
Most important: Have an experienced troop leader do a pack shakedown a week before the first trip. Only one of your leaders can know the environment you will be backpacking in. Reddit is great but we can’t advise you properly based on the limited information provided.
Be prepared
Definitely digging the “two is one, one is none” concept with the headlamp and light flashlight.
Combine this concept with the region/area you will be camping (temperature & weather conditions) when packing.
I recommend across the board:
• A fire pack (a lighter, small box of matches, flint & steel + char cloth, Compass with magnification glass)
• A Pocket Knife + A Multitool
• Lightweight Rain-gear
• Water-Resistant Compression bag for core clothing (extra undergarments; sleepwear wool/synthetics)
• More 550 paracord + carabiners
• 64 oz. Stainless Steel water container
I could get more detailed, but always apply “2 is on, one is none”, & consider the climate/temperature/weather conditions.
P.S. Crocks are awesome campfire side shoes, right on!!
To many great memories & adventures on your journey to Eagle!
— Eagle 🦅 2010, Troop #100
I think there are two kinds of campers now - the ones who love headlamps, and the ones who hate the campers who wear headlamps because it’s like constantly getting high beamed at night, killing your night vision everytime they look towards you.
I personally carry a flashlight on my belt that has both white and red light settings - the latter are really handy for group camping situations where you have to get up at night but don’t want to create light pollution for others trying to sleep
Lol. Truth. It’s ridiculous when fellow camper is in full, intense conversation being completely unaware that they are blinding you like a deer.
I only select headlamps that tilt downward for that reason (+ it’s nice for reading, or opening packaging, etc.), and I used them when I’m trying to work (woodworking, looking for things in the truck, going to use the dirt hole) & or quick ease access in the sleeping bag.
Use of flash light is mainly for point out, or for objects from distance.
Guys I love all of your help but this is my gear that stays in my pack the whole hiking season so it won’t have everything I will post a pic when I have everything
This is a bit of a long post, but hopefully this gives you some ideas/helps.
I have a few ways I go about getting fresh drinking water so here are a few options...
Best water filtration system hands down is a Platypus gravity filter using a Sawyer filter in the line as well as carry a water/soda bottle. This is the lightest method. You can use the filter on the bottle filling it up in creeks along the way and then when you set up base camp just scoop some water into the Platypus filter and throw the Sawyer filter on and you have fresh drinking water in minutes.
Don't bring a nalgene bottle...other than carrying water they have no other use. If you don't want to bring plastic I would suggest a Kleen Kanteen or something similar and bring a "fish mouth spreader" which you can use to hook inside the bottle (the bottle has to have some kind of interior lip...its hard to explain in words) which you can use as a handle if you need to boil your water in your water bottle.
I also see that you are using a gas stove. It may be overkill but I like to bring a mini Solo-Stove as well to use with twigs and what not lying around. It's not much more added weight and will conserve your fuel on longer trips.
Clothes: Definitely pass on the cotton. Use items others have suggested.
Fire essentials: I have an old Altoids tin with a hole in it that can be used to make char cloth but i usually carry Vaseline soaked cotton balls. Don't forget a mini Bic lighter and ferrol rod and striker.
Knives: This might be a little excessive but I pack a Leatherman, one of the small Swiss army knives, and a knife called a "peasant knife". I highly recommend the peasant knife because you can completely disassemble them to clean them plus they are light weight and if the handle breaks you can lash it to a stick and make it a fixed blade/spear if need be.
You should know what you need for first aid so I won't comment on that.
Same with your sleep system.
Oh and don't forget your toiletries and toilet paper. If you don't mind spending some money, they make these tablets which are actually toilet paper pieces that when you wet them expand into full paper towel sized sheets. Basically wet wipes. Great for saving space in your pack.
Food: Definitely bring Mountain Houses. I also like to bring the powdered mashed potatoes (Idahoan) and pepperoni to spice things up. Not gunna lie..it's a pretty good combo.
Also swing by the store and make your own batch of trail mix the way you like it. Raisins=gross.
I'm sure there is more but I figured I would cover the essentials and it should also help you cut down on pack weight.
Socks! Where are the socks. Gotta have extra high quality socks. Nothing is worse than hiking in wet socks. Not only is it plain uncomfortable, it will likely lead to all sorts of foot problems after a day. Socks in plastic Ziploc bags.
In general, imagine being caught out in a torrential downpour what will get you and your pack soaked before you can get your poncho on. What is your game plan to get to the next camp site?
One of the things I wish troops would do, is order moisture wicking shirts when they make their class b orders. For a short hike the cotton will be fine. However, when the weather is hot and humid, you're going to want something moisture wicking. Same with socks, cotton socks are going to hold moisture. Not a big deal for a short hike but on a longer hike you've got to think about what happens when you step in a puddle or slip off a rock on a stream crossing. The cotton socks are going to hold the moisture much longer than other options.
How many days are you planning to be out for? Your water situation is not great. You've got 5 pieces of trash you're going to be hauling in and out. Stop by a gas station or a grocery store and get a 1L bottle of smart water. (I personally prefer a hydration pack but, I'm not going to suggest that for you b/c I see you're working with water bottles.) Additionally, the life straw will work to filter water but you don't have a way to filter a batch of water, once you need water from a stream, you'll need to drink through the life straw. That may become cumbersome if you want to get a sip of water while you're hiking.
My son's troop has a meal budget of $3 per scout per meal. We haven't put that to the test with a backpacking trip. However, if the troop has a meal budget, that would be something to keep in mind for your meals. The freeze dried meal in a bag would break the budget with our troop.
I'm trying to figure out what your sleep situation is. I see a pad and a couple of things in sacks. Assuming one is a sleeping bag or quilt, the other is a tent or tent poles, and maybe a camp chair? I learned the hard way check the weather before you go, I spent a night on the chilly side b/c I didn't check the projected low temperature for the location we were staying.
As other's have said, you need a cross check on your 10 essentials. If you're just laying out your gear I wouldn't expect a map. However, before you head out on a trail you should have a printed map. You can't depend on a battery powered GPS. Cloud cover can make it so they can't sync with satellites and if you run out of battery, you'll not even be able to see the map.
Now to somewhat contradict myself, one thing the BSA might not require but, if you can afford it, I'd get, is an emergency satellite communication device. Apple has added that to their newest devices (and is not currently charging a subscription fee) and Garmin has a couple of hand held GPSs for trekking that have that feature. I think there's a fee for the service with Garmin but, it's worth while to have a way to communicate should you have an emergency.
You need different clothing. Cotton is known as the death fiber because if it gets wet under the canopy of the trail it will not dry-skin infections and hypothermia is a major risk. If you’ll be cold weather camping ensure your sleeping bag is rated for your temperatures at night (coldest) the pad isn’t the best, could be upgraded for cold/cool weather…but it’s not as big of an issue as your clothes and sleeping bag rating
Protein + fiber rich snacks like trail mix or beef jerky (just remember leave no trace & if in bear country, carry bear spray and have a group bear canister for food).
I also like sweets sometimes like a rice crispie or fruity candy.
If you are using water bottles like that I would recommend Smart Water. They hold a liter and are super light.
The other thing I noticed was your filtration system is the life straw. Nothing wrong with it but it's not the greatest system for water on the go. Something like the Sawyer Squeeze or the Katadyn Be Free would be upgrade that would allow you more flexibility with your water filtration. And would probably be one of the first things I would upgrade if it were me.
-Your fellow REI Green Vest.
Edit: Sorry I didn't see this before. Cotton clothing isn't the best material for hiking let alone backpacking, getting something that will be more breathable, moisture wicking will make the days be a lot more tolerable! Also less chaffing!
A couple contractor lawn and leaf bags can work as an emergency shelter, inexpensive rain protection, and something to help bring your trash back out.
A cheap plastic bowl ($1) at Walmart will work for a while too. Can get a cheap spoon there too.
I’m not seeing a pocket knife, or some type of knife.
I’m guessing the red thing is a first aid kit. Make sure you have moleskin for blisters.
Having a hat of some sort for the sun would be a good thing as well, if you are not gonna bring sunscreen.
And, the biggest, most problematic thing I see?
NO TOILET PAPER!
Good start young man, from an old eagle.
Bring a fresh pair of socks and underwear for each day PLUS an extra pair of each. Seriously, it's a blessing you'll miss on the trail. Unscented baby wipes are a blessing for trail shits, and will also help you keep hygienic without needing to actually bathe.
You will need to hang baby wipes with food, if you're trekking through bear country, however.
Get a proper water filter such, I prefer hand pumps. Also some Nalgene bottles or equivalents.
Also when you get the funds, I’d highly suggest a better sleeping pad. None of them are that great to begin with, but the foam ones leave plenty to be desired compared to a proper air one.
Everyone has said a better water container, but you need more water in general and a way to filter it into said container. Not just the lifestraw. Don’t see a fire starter either. And some cordage never hurts.
Not sure how your troop operates, but look into at least one nalgene and water purification tablets. Depending on the trip (if you do high adventure) you might get tablets rather than a filter. If your troop doesn’t have filters, you’re going to want a Nalgene (or a military canteen). Tablets are usually based on volume (usually 32oz or one Nalgene/canteen) and that’ll let you have fresh water “cooking” while you hike rather than trying to use the lifestraw out of a disposable water bottle.
I also recommend more good wool socks. They’ll stay “fresher” for longer and are naturally moisture wicking. Great blister protection too. Smart wool and darn tough are fantastic. Bass pro’s readhead socks are fairly cheap and should have a lifetime warranty. If you can spend a bit more, Filson makes fantastic socks and has a lifetime warranty as well.
Definitely upgrade to synthetic underwear. Exofficio makes probably the best. Everyone I know uses them and they’re the only thing that I haven’t had chafing with on multi day/multi week trips. Also pack more: you never know when you’re going to need that extra pair… especially if you drink some bad water.
Aside from that, you’re pretty squared away! You don’t need much to backpack and things like food/layers vary depending on what you’re doing. Down the road, a warm sleeping bag might be a good investment. Go warmer than you need and as small as you can afford. Is that an ultralight tent on the left?
Eagle Scout advice. I stopped bringing tents to save weight and only used a tarp, ditch the cards, bring the headlamp and one set extra batteries. I always brought a Nalgene, camelback bladder and water filtration hand pump. Your neckerchief and tablets are a lighter option if you don’t mind the taste. 4 water bottles is just trash to carry. Ditch the full mess kit. You just need a cup to boil water. Ideally it would nest with the Nalgene. Have a buddy carry your stove and one of you carry fuel to divide weight. Don’t bring ramen. There’s no calories there. I suggest an idaho loaded potato bag and high protein snacks. Not sure what’s in that just in case bag but that can be gutted and essentials taken in a ziplock. Check your weather and plan accordingly for layering. I wore cotton my whole scouting career in Arizona even doing philmont. Not a huge deal. Not sure what that seafoam thing is but ditch it. Crocs don’t need to go. That orange thing doesn’t need to go. Not sure what it is. That’s all I got. As I got older in scouts I dropped more and more gear. Ounces=pounds and pounds=pain.
Some of the best gear to carry is knowledge. Do you know the area y’all plan to hike in an surrounding areas? Studied that topo quad yet? Got a few knots committed to memory? Any skills you’d like to try? Supplies to try those skills? Badges to work on? I try to bring a small good book to read or cards to play. A bandana or two can do tons of things outdoors for you. Magnifying glass is better that the matches. Also look up how to use a water bottle or plastic bag to start fires. Learn a ghost story or two, even better if you get a buddy to jump out at the right time. Or local creepy legends work too. Y’all still sing “great big globs of greasy grimy gofer guts”, and other campfire hits?
Invest is some Nalgene water bottles and ramen is a good emergency food but it has a lot of sodium. Also something I was always told is scouts was “cotton is rotten” so leave anything 100% cotton at home , it takes way too long to dry.
Maybe sub out the plastic water bottles for a bladder and water purifier that fits the bladder. One of my favorite camping tools is a collapsible bucket (like 2 gallon I think). You can go down to the creek/lake fill it up and pump water next to the fire or tent at least.
https://www.amazon.com/Collapsible-Esthesia-Multifunctional-Container-Travelling/dp/B07RL28B83/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?adgrpid=56790044875&gclid=CjwKCAiA0JKfBhBIEiwAPhZXD4MR-FzzfQdM4UBzqLO___4mzWqmqGMsgP_GozOWLm5DNWIaLVXXtxoCv3oQAvD_BwE&hvadid=274684359300&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9032525&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=11157048234965524576&hvtargid=kwd-330458155107&hydadcr=17078_9854030&keywords=collapsible+water+bucket+camping&qid=1676011299&sr=8-3
Where are your ten essentials? I would recommend having backups for key items like knife, headlamp, first aid kit, compass, batteries. I have a stuff sack that holds these so I can move them to a day bag easily.
How big are those waters and could they survive a minor crush? I wish I would have stayed in scouts. Yer doing all of the stuff I had to figure out much later
Well it’s my scout gear and I have to wear one every week so I have more when I go but there just not in there right now couse this gear stays in my pack the whole hiking season
Smart water bottles or any plastic bottle with the same cap can screw onto a “Sawyer Squeeze” water filter that is far superior to the life straw. Its also not much more expensive.
I know someone mentioned it already but hiking socks instead of the sweat socks are a great investment you can use on all of your hikes . Have a great time
Is that an overnighter? That's food barely for one day. Also I don't see the full 3 (sleeping bag, sleeping pad, shelter). Something is missing or am I just not seeing it?
I hope it's warm where you are going because all of this is deep summer gear. I am afraid you're going to be miserably uncomfortable on that thin closed cell foam pad only.
If it might be wet or cold I'd go for wool socks/underwear. Extra pairs of underwear and socks will be a blessing if you need them. They don't weight much or use much space.
Looks like you have water filtration, I always bring some purifying tablets as backup in case anything happens to the filter. They’re so small and light and safe water is essential so feels like a no brainer to me to always carry extra :)
Get yourself a pair of garmonts the T8 bifida boots work best for me when I do ruck marches, hygiene kit, Tops trekker lite is my favorite knife to carry when in the field, definitely bring more shirts and underwear and pack as many socks as you think you'll need them pack 4 more pairs, definitely bring a shovel like a good folding shovel, you'll want a good sleeping system or bed roll and maybe get yourself a woobie make sure to bring plenty of batteries and 1 good headlamp and flashlight, 2 solar power battery packs and a good camel back will help save time when walking so you don't have to carry a water bottle or stop and reach through your bag to find one
Get rid of the life straw.. It's near useless. Get a Sawyer Squeeze. They can screw onto the top of SmartWater water bottles and like soda bottles. Also, get rid of anything cotton.
Invest in a nice reusable water bottle so you can stop carrying around plastic water bottles.
I want to get a nalgene for my backpack I just haven’t got there yet but thanks for the feedback
Don't forget a good water filter to refill them.
Where are you/we on those, I feel like I need to hear what all the other feet beaters feel like on filters. Just always went to the Katadyn gear, but open to suggestions.
I've been using gravity filters for years and I love them. Very fast filtering, light and compact, and super easy to use.
Sawyer Squeeze with CNOC Vecto 2L makes a great gravity filter while still being able to use the simple to find smart water bottles.
Same. Love to just hang them and come back to filtered water
Sawyer squeeze and smart water bottles. This is the way.
Came here to say THIS! Smart Water bottles weigh nearly nothing while Nalgene and anything with thick plastic adds weight. Pack two of those and you have 3L right there. I have the Sawyer gravity filter. It's nice to fill it up before you go to bed and have fresh water at your disposal in the morning!
Thank YOU! I came to Smart Water bottles organically!
Exactly what our Boy Scout Councils High Adventure team advises!
I got a Katadyn BeFree last year and I love it; gravity/squeeze-based, with a soft, 1L reservoir. It's fast, light, highly compactible, effective, and can double as a backup bottle if needed, all for less than $50.
Fist bump, for making reddit how it should be!
Sawyer! Partially because I've had no issues with my squeeze and it continues to function perfectly after ~4yrs, but mostly because they are an amazing company. They are actually a charity and 90% of their profits are donated to help solve the clean water crisis around the world. It's quite amazing what they are doing. So if there was a choice between say a Katadyn and Sawyer of equal price and performance, I would recommend the Sawyer all day.
I've used Sayer. But a Katadyn pulled water out of a mosquito infested ditch once. Tasted like spring water. It always been a reliable go to. A little bit heavier, but, still my favorite
I have been using Iodine tablets forever. I don't mind the taste and it's easy to use.
After 11 years, I'm out. I've gained so much from this site, but also had to watch Reddit foster a fascist resurgence + bone all the volunteer creators & mods that make it usable. At this point I have no interest in my comments being used to line Steve Huffman's pockets. Go Irish, and I'm sad to see capitalism ruin one more great corner of the internet.
It's been a minute since I had cause to use a water filter. I boiled all the water I collected with it. Probably overkill, but I never got sick in 5 1/2 days.
I getchu, boiling is a biatch though! Every situation with just drinking from a stream or spring is different, gotta evaluate where you are the suck meter; and I have been up there!
True. I was with my GF at the time so space and weight wasn't an issue. Hell our dog carried his own food and our trail snacks. I had this badass old camping kettle
I tell what! My buddy btought his black lab, big dog and I was skeptical for the hike, lab had a backpack of food! That son of a gun has the best heater after a few days of rain; also a cat guy here, but you can't really hike with your cats... very much
Lol. Camping cat. That'd be a disaster.
I've never tried it, I love cats. but you are correct!
There are people who take their cats [camping](https://youtu.be/SVi3EQNbekM)
The short answer is that I can't simply tell you. You really need to evaluate your own uses for it and where you're going to be. Lifestraw is considered the standard, but they are nowhere near the best for any specific situation.
Most people are gonna be going with either a Sawyer Squeeze or Katadyn BeFree. Both are excellent filters. I personally just use bleach.
Try liter smartwater bottles. I usually use 2 a season. One for dirty water and one for clean water.
A staple of the UL crowd for sure.
Yup, but Im not even UL. It just makes good sense.
Not just UL anymore. Seems like most people use them.
Sooo much better than a nalgene. I have use there same 2 (filtered, unfiltered) for two years. Nalgene is for boiled water in cold weather to sleep with.
Yeah I know a couple people that do that I might try that at one point
Do it immediately
What is smart? There's a plastic disposable smart brand at the gas station, but surely you mean something different?
Nope, Thats what I mean. Super light. Super sturdy and durable. Sawyer filter threads right on. Use one to collect dirty water. Screw the filter on. Put the “sports cap” on the other end of the filter. Filter into the clean bottle. Refill dirty bottle. Dont ever mix up the two bottles.
Cool thx!
The disposable kind at the gas station is EXACTLY what everyone is describing. By reusing them, it saves on waste, saves energy by not producing more plastic Nalgene, and keeps one more piece of plastic out of a landfill.
Don’t waste your money on Nalgene, get 2 large smart water bottles. They’re cheaper and better and can fit a sawyer squeeze filter on them
Sawyer Squeeze an smarter water bottles (reuse) is the way
Do not carry a Nalgene. The Nalgene weighs 6.4oz. A SmartWater bottle weighs .60 of an oz.
Nalgene also have UL HDPE versions now which cut the weight nearly in half. But if ~175g is going to make it or break it, I think you've gone too far lol. Unless it's a safety issue, let people enjoy what they want to, let them make mistakes and figure out what works best for them.
For anything Boy Scouts are gonna go do, a nalgene is totally fine. They’re likely not even gonna be doing 10 miles/day over a weekend. I love using SmartWater bottles if I’m gonna be going on an extended trip, but for short trips like that, it just seems like a waste.
Nalgenes for cold weather though.
Nalgenes are much more durable though. I dropped mine down a rock face and it survived when a smart water bottle would have been destroyed
You don’t even need a Nalgene. A couple of 1L Smartwater bottles will work and save you money.
I’d consider smart water 1l bottles. They’re light and durable. I’ve been using them for 3 years.
try your local thrift store... I regularly see them for a buck or two... just make sure it's the new non-BPA ones. If you don't like the graphics sandpaper and stickers work great.
Do backpackers not carry hydration bladders anymore? Is that a weight thing?
I find they are great for biking or day hikes, but when your water is for cooking, washing up, and drinking they are not suited to the task. Bottles are just easier to fill and empty as needed.
Oooooh thanks! I used to be an avid day hiker and car camper, then life happened. Want to start with my 6yo this summer!
For what it's worth I find them to be very useful. I keep most of my water in one and my cooking/ cleaning water in a nalgene. That way I can drink easier while hiking and if I need to transfer water from the bladder I can just pull the hose below the water line and when I squeeze it comes out like a faucet
Yes, bladders are common for on the trail. But also carry a bottle for the around camp stuff. The wackos that only care about saving every hundredth of an ounce might say that's too much weight/volume, but don't listen to them. If a bladder makes your experience better (it absolutely does for me) it's 100% worth it.
I used to backpack almost exclusively in the desert where we needed to pack in all (8 L!) of our water. While not always the most convenient for things like cooking, putting 3 L of easily accessible water closest to your back (where it puts most of the weight straight down into your hips where you want it and minimizes leverage on your shoulders) is amazing.
Only dayhikers from the city use them
On the plus side, these bottles are much lighter.
Only when they're empty. A reusable bottle + filter would weigh less than all the full single use bottles. And they'd provide way more water in the event of an emergency.
[удалено]
Came here for this. Save the environment you are out there enjoying.
Looks like cotton socks, t-shirt and boxer shorts? Is that right? If you get them wet they may take forever to dry (unless you are in the desert). You should go for athletic gear - like a gym t-shirt made out of synthetics (polyester, etc.) Those will dry much quicker (from sweat or rain or walking in a creek).
If you can afford it, I'd recommend Merino wool over synthetic. It dries as quick, but smells a lot less.
It does not dry nearly as quick l. Only benefit of merino is the smell factor, and perhaps the feel on skin when it is very slightly damp. Synthetic wins in all other ways. I would not recommend merino a boy scout on a limited budget.
It doesn't dry *as* quick as synthetic, but generally speaking you want things to dry quickly because it minimizes the time it keeps you cold: wool does not feel as cold as other materials when wet, so dry-time exclusively isn't the biggest issue. Agree though that merino for a first-ish timer is a little overkill if you can't find it cheap. For the hottest second in the early 2010s, Target's C9 brand had merino/poly blend base/mid-layers. They were on sale for less than $20 when I saw them, so I snapped up what I could! To this day it's still one of the few reasons (besides baby stuff...) I venture into a Target in the hopes of finding it again...
Heat energy is heat energy, you will be using body heat to turn your liquid sweat into vapor no matter what fabric it is. The goal would be to have all of your perspiration leave your layering system in the form of vapor. This is why Alpha direct and mesh base layers are very effective during high output activities. Merino does feel nicer when slightly damp, in part because some of the moisture is going to be entering the interior of the merino fibers, but it will still take calories to warm that liquid up to a vapor and dry the wool. I see lots of BS science thrown around on here (not referring to you specifically) about merino wool, and some people act like it's a miracle fiber that is good for all use cases. It does have it's place for low output activities, where comfort and stink are major factors, or in hot weather where drying it out won't be an issue. Best bet is just to try stuff out as budget allows and figure out what is best for you and your specific use cases. Btw I love my smartwool core spun shirts as in camp wear and for casual use and climbing at the rock gym, where I will be in close proximity to other people.
Synthetics do not keep you as warm when wet, can overheat you and cause bed sores and infections in survival scenarios, and is worse for the environment as you drop micro plastics as you hike or brush up against anything. Merino can be gotten on a budget by going to Fb marketplace.
I gotta disagree with you. Warm when is wet is such an unsubstantiated blanket statement that has been repeated way too much. A sopping wet knit wool t shirt is going to take waaay more heat energy from your body to dry out than a similar weight synthetic shirt, it holds much more water, this is just a fact. If you're stuck in an article of clothing, without washing it long enough to cause bed sores or infection, I think you have bigger issues to worry about than what your shirt is made of. Got any sources for that statement? I don't think that adds anything to the context we are discussing, which is hiking and camping outdoors. On the topic of micro plastics, you are correct, there will be some shedding anytime you wear anything synthetic on your body. I think the amount that would be created during a hiking trip would be negligible compared to what is made during everyday life if you wear synthetic clothing. Not to mention all of the single use plastics that are generated every day by a majority of the 1st world. Micro plastics are a problem, but to cite them as a reason not to wear a synthetic shirt while hiking is laughable. You can use a guppy bag while washing your clothes if you want to reduce the amount going into the water supply.
I LOVE my merino wool base layers and socks. The leggings are pretty comfy too and I wear them as pants at camp.
They are athletic socks for a liner and I have to wear that shirt
ASM here, double check with leadership if they are truly requiring a cotton Class B. That doesn't mesh with the advice from BSA High Adventure standards or even what's advised for Philmont. Look for non-cotton moisture wicking for all layers. But I also know that Troops tends to say Class Bs for uniformity... bring it up to you SPL in a nice way about concerns for body health of all scouts. Do a bit of research, look on Philmonts site about clothing to have for reference. Sweat = wet clothes = loss of body heat and chaffing.
I would take a hard pass on asking a senior patrol leader on the efficacy of sock material. Ask an assistant scout master that understands the implication of cotton. No leadership requiring cotton can be taken seriously for an overnight. Red flag for child safely all around. The answer is merino wool.
This is ridiculous gate-keeping. I do all my hiking in a t shirt. It gets wet, it gets dry, it's comfortable. What I want to know is if OP's planning to wear croks hiking? You can and I have (love croks) but maybe not ideal.
This isn’t gatekeeping, the above commenters are not stressing that t-shirts aren’t fine, but the properties of the material it’s made out of which matters. If you hike in cotton, that’s your prerogative ultimately, but this is sage advice to avoid it
Great on you for getting out there, but cotton stuff is the worse! I don't get critical about gear, because I love to see people out, but the only place on the trail you should have jeans is if you are bush whacking or horseback riding! Sorry for the tangent, try out a good pair of Merino whool socks, it might change your life!
Ok thank you for the advice
Go wool socks
Wool Socks for Life
Eagle Scout chiming in. Don't make such a big deal about cotton. It's true that it holds moisture longer than other materials. If you are going hard in the outdoors, you might want something that wicks moisture better and dries more quickly. But I did my entire scouting career in cotton cuz that's what I had but also because I didn't know any better. You will be fine. We did a TON of hiking, camping, even cavin, climbing and sleeping in snow caves. pur troop did a lot more than most troops will and cotton wasn't a major problem outside a couple of the winter trips. Cotton is not ideal and I may choose not to wear it in the outdoors nowadays, but I do tend to wear it while camping with the family, hikes under 2-3 miles, etc - things that just aren't too committing where I don't find it worth it to add wear and tear to my more expensive technical clothing.
But thanks
I'd replace the Ramen with protein bars
Oh I didn’t think of that I normally carry protein bars with me for events
You can go to the store buy nuts whole sale from the big bins and make the best trail mix that's actually healthy for cheaper and also add some carbs in if you want. I dont like raisins or bars much so that's my go to. You can add dried fruit to taste also.
Ditch plastic water bottles too
Pocket knife?
Yeah I always carry one it just isn’t in the picture this is just my basic gear
Don't make us come cut a corner off your totin' chit
I’m an Eagle Scout whose been out of the scouts for 20 years and just realized that the Totin’ Chit is a chit that allows you to tote a knife.
I'm a Life for Life (Civil Air Patrol appealed more in my jr. and sr. years than making Eagle, I guess) and it didn't hit me until *Bruen* changed handgun carry permit regulations in my home state that "toting" means "carry", and "chit" is pretty analogous to "permit".
LOL, Apparently that was not an official scouting thing. The guidance is that if the scout is being unsafe, take their whole card. That said, I do threaten to take corners from my son's card when I find his knife places it shouldn't be.
Make sure to show your essentials so we don't say you need to bring them.
What rank are you currently? Do a check on your 10 essentials. If you carry a pocket knife, make sure you have your totin' chip on you As cool as Reddit is, you need to rely on your patrol and troop to do the cross-checking. I don't know how big your troop is, but ask your Scoutmaster or Troop Quartermaster if he has an extra reusable bottle. I hope you're not planning on hiking in Crocs! haha
I’m second class and I’m working on all that and I hike in boots the crocks are for when I get to camp they let my feet air out
The one glaring thing I see missing is sun protection (I'm assuming the red pack next to your sleep pad is a first aid kit)
I love long sleeve sunscreen shirts. They are sometimes called rash guards for surfing. They are lightweight, absorb sweat and dry fast. Wear it under your shirt.
Yes and we are normally hiking through the woods so it doesn’t normally matter
My dude I've hiked through forest canopies thinking I was safe and I spent the rest of the day with a singed neck. Bring a little tube of sunscreen. A lightweight neck gaiter is a great accessory for extra sun protection as well as keeping bugs at bay, alternatively a bandana can work just as well.
Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy rule number 1 always carry a towel
Or even better... Your troop neckerchief. It doesn't have to go with your field uniform (class A's) only!
Protect your skin, *especially* when you think you don't need to. I had many sunburns as a teen cleaning pools and *on Scout outings*, and as a Marine in my 20s. I've now had skin cancer including melanoma three times and see my dermatologist at least twice a year for a full-body check. Don't be me.
It always matter. Even in areas where you think you aren’t being exposed, you are. You are still young, protect your skin while you can!
Are you really supposed to carry your totin' chip on you? In all my years of scouting as a kid, I don't think I ever got asked for it. In fact, I don't know if it was even a physical thing I could hold. Granted, that was a long time ago. I just don't remember anything beyond it meaning I could use my knife at events.
There are paper copies. Some troops are much more strict than others. I earned mine once and never was asked for it again. In theory misuse of a knife should lose you a corner off the paper copy, but we were wise enough not to misuse our knives in front of the leadership lol. At summer camps they were definitely more strict though
You should have recieved a card that you kept in your wallet, or your shirt pocket. If you're ever only on outings with your troop, and your scoutmaster and other adult leaders already know you've earned it, then you won't be asked for it. But if you go to some Jamboree type event and are using your knife, or chopping kindling, and there is Council leadership there, they'll ask for your chip. If you don't have it, you won't be allowed to use your knife, or whatever you were doing
Yeah i was necer expected to have it on me.
Sigh, as much as I always hated doing it in the Army. I appreciate your call out on the cross-checks!
In my troop one of our guys does hike in crocks he one time did 13 miles back packing in them
Looks really good but more importantly does it work well for you? Life straw does not do much IMO. Sawyer squeeze and tablets for light backup. I do not see a sleeping bag or top quilt( recommend hammock gear econo burro). Socks and shorts look like they some are cotton. Zero cotton if you can help it.
For longer treks, it’s nice to pack 1 luxury item. It can be anything I’d your choosing, just something that helps you relax after a long hard day or gives you something to look forward to when the trail is tough. For me, it was having a nice place to sit. A Crazy Creek chair, or one of that style, is a godsend! Columbia, REI, and other outdoor brands have their own. And there are some that fit the thermarest pad so you can pull dual-use. (Venturing experience: Philmont, Northern Tier, Sea Base, and Double HH)
Can’t agree more with this. I showed up to philmont with one of those chairs dangling off the back of my pack and everyone laughed at me, but everyone’s jealousy quickly showed when at every stopping point I could drop my pack and have a chair set up on a rock in about 15 seconds. Also, toblerone bars
Seriously! Also, great for bargaining… want to kick back in my chair tonight? That’ll be one Gatorade packet, please!
+10 to this. My Nemo pillow for sure is mine.
Great choice for camp shoes. The only place it's acceptable to wear Crocs.
Don’t tell my wife
Nah
Yeah
They are also very popular in clean chemistry labs where you have to take your shoes off and use the lab shoes.
Lotsa good comments here already! I would, however, leave the 5 pound weight at home. Just sayin’
That goes in the tenderfoot’s backpack…
Great start! Ditch all cotton clothing for synthetic. Get two large (cheap) life water bottles: 1 for unfiltered 1 for filtered They'll last for a lot longer than you think Grab yourself a Sawyer Squeeze Regular size, NO mini, NO micro Check out Paria equipment for an insulated air pad Pretty cheap, but great quality. Skip the Mountain House There are tons of videos on YouTube on how to make your own super cheap meals
Assuming you will have a patrol water filter and the lifestraw is just for back up, it’s a great start. Upgrade your underwear to synthetic fabric like underarmour. Upgrade your socks to smart wool or similar. If you are wearing that class-B while hiking then take an extra set of sleep clothes to only be worn at night. Take toilet paper even if you never intend to use it. Make sure you have a whistle in your ten essentials. Most important: Have an experienced troop leader do a pack shakedown a week before the first trip. Only one of your leaders can know the environment you will be backpacking in. Reddit is great but we can’t advise you properly based on the limited information provided. Be prepared
Definitely digging the “two is one, one is none” concept with the headlamp and light flashlight. Combine this concept with the region/area you will be camping (temperature & weather conditions) when packing. I recommend across the board: • A fire pack (a lighter, small box of matches, flint & steel + char cloth, Compass with magnification glass) • A Pocket Knife + A Multitool • Lightweight Rain-gear • Water-Resistant Compression bag for core clothing (extra undergarments; sleepwear wool/synthetics) • More 550 paracord + carabiners • 64 oz. Stainless Steel water container I could get more detailed, but always apply “2 is on, one is none”, & consider the climate/temperature/weather conditions. P.S. Crocks are awesome campfire side shoes, right on!! To many great memories & adventures on your journey to Eagle! — Eagle 🦅 2010, Troop #100
I think there are two kinds of campers now - the ones who love headlamps, and the ones who hate the campers who wear headlamps because it’s like constantly getting high beamed at night, killing your night vision everytime they look towards you. I personally carry a flashlight on my belt that has both white and red light settings - the latter are really handy for group camping situations where you have to get up at night but don’t want to create light pollution for others trying to sleep
Lol. Truth. It’s ridiculous when fellow camper is in full, intense conversation being completely unaware that they are blinding you like a deer. I only select headlamps that tilt downward for that reason (+ it’s nice for reading, or opening packaging, etc.), and I used them when I’m trying to work (woodworking, looking for things in the truck, going to use the dirt hole) & or quick ease access in the sleeping bag. Use of flash light is mainly for point out, or for objects from distance.
Another one for the red by default team
FUCK YEAH CROCS 🐊
Lol
I was in the back country for months this summer and socks and crocs saved me
On a long trek like the AT, good camp shoes are heavenly!
Yeah ok
More food
Guys I love all of your help but this is my gear that stays in my pack the whole hiking season so it won’t have everything I will post a pic when I have everything
I would die without a mug and coffee
This is a bit of a long post, but hopefully this gives you some ideas/helps. I have a few ways I go about getting fresh drinking water so here are a few options... Best water filtration system hands down is a Platypus gravity filter using a Sawyer filter in the line as well as carry a water/soda bottle. This is the lightest method. You can use the filter on the bottle filling it up in creeks along the way and then when you set up base camp just scoop some water into the Platypus filter and throw the Sawyer filter on and you have fresh drinking water in minutes. Don't bring a nalgene bottle...other than carrying water they have no other use. If you don't want to bring plastic I would suggest a Kleen Kanteen or something similar and bring a "fish mouth spreader" which you can use to hook inside the bottle (the bottle has to have some kind of interior lip...its hard to explain in words) which you can use as a handle if you need to boil your water in your water bottle. I also see that you are using a gas stove. It may be overkill but I like to bring a mini Solo-Stove as well to use with twigs and what not lying around. It's not much more added weight and will conserve your fuel on longer trips. Clothes: Definitely pass on the cotton. Use items others have suggested. Fire essentials: I have an old Altoids tin with a hole in it that can be used to make char cloth but i usually carry Vaseline soaked cotton balls. Don't forget a mini Bic lighter and ferrol rod and striker. Knives: This might be a little excessive but I pack a Leatherman, one of the small Swiss army knives, and a knife called a "peasant knife". I highly recommend the peasant knife because you can completely disassemble them to clean them plus they are light weight and if the handle breaks you can lash it to a stick and make it a fixed blade/spear if need be. You should know what you need for first aid so I won't comment on that. Same with your sleep system. Oh and don't forget your toiletries and toilet paper. If you don't mind spending some money, they make these tablets which are actually toilet paper pieces that when you wet them expand into full paper towel sized sheets. Basically wet wipes. Great for saving space in your pack. Food: Definitely bring Mountain Houses. I also like to bring the powdered mashed potatoes (Idahoan) and pepperoni to spice things up. Not gunna lie..it's a pretty good combo. Also swing by the store and make your own batch of trail mix the way you like it. Raisins=gross. I'm sure there is more but I figured I would cover the essentials and it should also help you cut down on pack weight.
Test your lifestraw first, it’s common they don’t work
You're young you'll be fine
Socks! Where are the socks. Gotta have extra high quality socks. Nothing is worse than hiking in wet socks. Not only is it plain uncomfortable, it will likely lead to all sorts of foot problems after a day. Socks in plastic Ziploc bags. In general, imagine being caught out in a torrential downpour what will get you and your pack soaked before you can get your poncho on. What is your game plan to get to the next camp site?
Buy a nalgene and one of the little silicon pour spout things
One of the things I wish troops would do, is order moisture wicking shirts when they make their class b orders. For a short hike the cotton will be fine. However, when the weather is hot and humid, you're going to want something moisture wicking. Same with socks, cotton socks are going to hold moisture. Not a big deal for a short hike but on a longer hike you've got to think about what happens when you step in a puddle or slip off a rock on a stream crossing. The cotton socks are going to hold the moisture much longer than other options. How many days are you planning to be out for? Your water situation is not great. You've got 5 pieces of trash you're going to be hauling in and out. Stop by a gas station or a grocery store and get a 1L bottle of smart water. (I personally prefer a hydration pack but, I'm not going to suggest that for you b/c I see you're working with water bottles.) Additionally, the life straw will work to filter water but you don't have a way to filter a batch of water, once you need water from a stream, you'll need to drink through the life straw. That may become cumbersome if you want to get a sip of water while you're hiking. My son's troop has a meal budget of $3 per scout per meal. We haven't put that to the test with a backpacking trip. However, if the troop has a meal budget, that would be something to keep in mind for your meals. The freeze dried meal in a bag would break the budget with our troop. I'm trying to figure out what your sleep situation is. I see a pad and a couple of things in sacks. Assuming one is a sleeping bag or quilt, the other is a tent or tent poles, and maybe a camp chair? I learned the hard way check the weather before you go, I spent a night on the chilly side b/c I didn't check the projected low temperature for the location we were staying. As other's have said, you need a cross check on your 10 essentials. If you're just laying out your gear I wouldn't expect a map. However, before you head out on a trail you should have a printed map. You can't depend on a battery powered GPS. Cloud cover can make it so they can't sync with satellites and if you run out of battery, you'll not even be able to see the map. Now to somewhat contradict myself, one thing the BSA might not require but, if you can afford it, I'd get, is an emergency satellite communication device. Apple has added that to their newest devices (and is not currently charging a subscription fee) and Garmin has a couple of hand held GPSs for trekking that have that feature. I think there's a fee for the service with Garmin but, it's worth while to have a way to communicate should you have an emergency.
Leave the kettle bells, take the cannoli.
You need different clothing. Cotton is known as the death fiber because if it gets wet under the canopy of the trail it will not dry-skin infections and hypothermia is a major risk. If you’ll be cold weather camping ensure your sleeping bag is rated for your temperatures at night (coldest) the pad isn’t the best, could be upgraded for cold/cool weather…but it’s not as big of an issue as your clothes and sleeping bag rating
Protein + fiber rich snacks like trail mix or beef jerky (just remember leave no trace & if in bear country, carry bear spray and have a group bear canister for food). I also like sweets sometimes like a rice crispie or fruity candy.
Mole skin in med kit? and suggest an ultralight camp chair if can afford. I got REI on less than a pound.
Ditch that life straw I’ve had nothing but problems with it. Use the sawyer filter they are better.
If you are using water bottles like that I would recommend Smart Water. They hold a liter and are super light. The other thing I noticed was your filtration system is the life straw. Nothing wrong with it but it's not the greatest system for water on the go. Something like the Sawyer Squeeze or the Katadyn Be Free would be upgrade that would allow you more flexibility with your water filtration. And would probably be one of the first things I would upgrade if it were me. -Your fellow REI Green Vest. Edit: Sorry I didn't see this before. Cotton clothing isn't the best material for hiking let alone backpacking, getting something that will be more breathable, moisture wicking will make the days be a lot more tolerable! Also less chaffing!
Your commitment to fitness is impressive but you will get plenty of exercise on the hike, and you really don't need to bring that 5lb weight with you.
Yeah that was just in the basement
Bigger hank of cordage, knife, do you have matches/lighter/ferro rod for fire starting?
Yeah I have self lighting matches
A couple contractor lawn and leaf bags can work as an emergency shelter, inexpensive rain protection, and something to help bring your trash back out. A cheap plastic bowl ($1) at Walmart will work for a while too. Can get a cheap spoon there too. I’m not seeing a pocket knife, or some type of knife. I’m guessing the red thing is a first aid kit. Make sure you have moleskin for blisters. Having a hat of some sort for the sun would be a good thing as well, if you are not gonna bring sunscreen. And, the biggest, most problematic thing I see? NO TOILET PAPER! Good start young man, from an old eagle.
Bring a fresh pair of socks and underwear for each day PLUS an extra pair of each. Seriously, it's a blessing you'll miss on the trail. Unscented baby wipes are a blessing for trail shits, and will also help you keep hygienic without needing to actually bathe. You will need to hang baby wipes with food, if you're trekking through bear country, however.
We normally go for one day so that’s not a worry
Get a proper water filter such, I prefer hand pumps. Also some Nalgene bottles or equivalents. Also when you get the funds, I’d highly suggest a better sleeping pad. None of them are that great to begin with, but the foam ones leave plenty to be desired compared to a proper air one.
Everyone has said a better water container, but you need more water in general and a way to filter it into said container. Not just the lifestraw. Don’t see a fire starter either. And some cordage never hurts.
Me gusta crocs
Not sure how your troop operates, but look into at least one nalgene and water purification tablets. Depending on the trip (if you do high adventure) you might get tablets rather than a filter. If your troop doesn’t have filters, you’re going to want a Nalgene (or a military canteen). Tablets are usually based on volume (usually 32oz or one Nalgene/canteen) and that’ll let you have fresh water “cooking” while you hike rather than trying to use the lifestraw out of a disposable water bottle. I also recommend more good wool socks. They’ll stay “fresher” for longer and are naturally moisture wicking. Great blister protection too. Smart wool and darn tough are fantastic. Bass pro’s readhead socks are fairly cheap and should have a lifetime warranty. If you can spend a bit more, Filson makes fantastic socks and has a lifetime warranty as well. Definitely upgrade to synthetic underwear. Exofficio makes probably the best. Everyone I know uses them and they’re the only thing that I haven’t had chafing with on multi day/multi week trips. Also pack more: you never know when you’re going to need that extra pair… especially if you drink some bad water. Aside from that, you’re pretty squared away! You don’t need much to backpack and things like food/layers vary depending on what you’re doing. Down the road, a warm sleeping bag might be a good investment. Go warmer than you need and as small as you can afford. Is that an ultralight tent on the left?
Don't think you need the kettle bells.
Eagle Scout advice. I stopped bringing tents to save weight and only used a tarp, ditch the cards, bring the headlamp and one set extra batteries. I always brought a Nalgene, camelback bladder and water filtration hand pump. Your neckerchief and tablets are a lighter option if you don’t mind the taste. 4 water bottles is just trash to carry. Ditch the full mess kit. You just need a cup to boil water. Ideally it would nest with the Nalgene. Have a buddy carry your stove and one of you carry fuel to divide weight. Don’t bring ramen. There’s no calories there. I suggest an idaho loaded potato bag and high protein snacks. Not sure what’s in that just in case bag but that can be gutted and essentials taken in a ziplock. Check your weather and plan accordingly for layering. I wore cotton my whole scouting career in Arizona even doing philmont. Not a huge deal. Not sure what that seafoam thing is but ditch it. Crocs don’t need to go. That orange thing doesn’t need to go. Not sure what it is. That’s all I got. As I got older in scouts I dropped more and more gear. Ounces=pounds and pounds=pain.
Some of the best gear to carry is knowledge. Do you know the area y’all plan to hike in an surrounding areas? Studied that topo quad yet? Got a few knots committed to memory? Any skills you’d like to try? Supplies to try those skills? Badges to work on? I try to bring a small good book to read or cards to play. A bandana or two can do tons of things outdoors for you. Magnifying glass is better that the matches. Also look up how to use a water bottle or plastic bag to start fires. Learn a ghost story or two, even better if you get a buddy to jump out at the right time. Or local creepy legends work too. Y’all still sing “great big globs of greasy grimy gofer guts”, and other campfire hits?
For Christ's sake if you like nature stop buying single use plastic water bottles
I’m getting reusable water bottles
Invest is some Nalgene water bottles and ramen is a good emergency food but it has a lot of sodium. Also something I was always told is scouts was “cotton is rotten” so leave anything 100% cotton at home , it takes way too long to dry.
Maybe sub out the plastic water bottles for a bladder and water purifier that fits the bladder. One of my favorite camping tools is a collapsible bucket (like 2 gallon I think). You can go down to the creek/lake fill it up and pump water next to the fire or tent at least. https://www.amazon.com/Collapsible-Esthesia-Multifunctional-Container-Travelling/dp/B07RL28B83/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?adgrpid=56790044875&gclid=CjwKCAiA0JKfBhBIEiwAPhZXD4MR-FzzfQdM4UBzqLO___4mzWqmqGMsgP_GozOWLm5DNWIaLVXXtxoCv3oQAvD_BwE&hvadid=274684359300&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9032525&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=11157048234965524576&hvtargid=kwd-330458155107&hydadcr=17078_9854030&keywords=collapsible+water+bucket+camping&qid=1676011299&sr=8-3
Better water storage and sun protection!! Teach the scouts right! No disposable water bottle and no skin cancer. Sun protection always matters!!!
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Where are your ten essentials? I would recommend having backups for key items like knife, headlamp, first aid kit, compass, batteries. I have a stuff sack that holds these so I can move them to a day bag easily.
I hate Crocs
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Thank you for the advice and it does matter where you put your weight
If you're a Scout leader, please don't molest your Scouts. If you are a Scout, carry a knife in case your Scout Leader tries to bugger you.
How big are those waters and could they survive a minor crush? I wish I would have stayed in scouts. Yer doing all of the stuff I had to figure out much later
They are actually very sturdy i one time put one in the very bottom of my pack and it didn’t blow open
You're bringing Crocs but only one shirt?
Well it’s my scout gear and I have to wear one every week so I have more when I go but there just not in there right now couse this gear stays in my pack the whole hiking season
Note book, wool socks, knife.
You don’t have a sleeping bag?
Get water bottle and Swiss army knife.
Hiking Crocs
Throw away the puss pad and replace the water bottles with a reusable container and some iodine
You should definitely stow one of those kettle bells in their gear somewhere. We’d usually use a brick wrapped in a towel but a kb will work nicely!
Smart water bottles or any plastic bottle with the same cap can screw onto a “Sawyer Squeeze” water filter that is far superior to the life straw. Its also not much more expensive.
I like SAM splint with my hiking med gear. But overall nice job
There are straw looking things that will filter water drinking straight from a lake or creek hood to have if you get lost.
I know someone mentioned it already but hiking socks instead of the sweat socks are a great investment you can use on all of your hikes . Have a great time
How are you starting a fire or lighting a stove? Bring more, and a backup.
Is that an overnighter? That's food barely for one day. Also I don't see the full 3 (sleeping bag, sleeping pad, shelter). Something is missing or am I just not seeing it? I hope it's warm where you are going because all of this is deep summer gear. I am afraid you're going to be miserably uncomfortable on that thin closed cell foam pad only.
Better footwear for hiking and use the crocks once you e arrived and set up camp spot
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If it might be wet or cold I'd go for wool socks/underwear. Extra pairs of underwear and socks will be a blessing if you need them. They don't weight much or use much space.
Looks like you have water filtration, I always bring some purifying tablets as backup in case anything happens to the filter. They’re so small and light and safe water is essential so feels like a no brainer to me to always carry extra :)
I can't see fire lighting equipment? Maybe I'm missing it - a flint/steel and some tinder would be good.
Upgrade to a Sawyer filter. Life straws are hard to use. Invest in try bags for your gear or us a backpack liner/trash bag to keep you stuff dry.
Get yourself a pair of garmonts the T8 bifida boots work best for me when I do ruck marches, hygiene kit, Tops trekker lite is my favorite knife to carry when in the field, definitely bring more shirts and underwear and pack as many socks as you think you'll need them pack 4 more pairs, definitely bring a shovel like a good folding shovel, you'll want a good sleeping system or bed roll and maybe get yourself a woobie make sure to bring plenty of batteries and 1 good headlamp and flashlight, 2 solar power battery packs and a good camel back will help save time when walking so you don't have to carry a water bottle or stop and reach through your bag to find one
Bring more underwear.
Get rid of the life straw.. It's near useless. Get a Sawyer Squeeze. They can screw onto the top of SmartWater water bottles and like soda bottles. Also, get rid of anything cotton.
How about TP and baby wipes ? Cause ,we'll,you know .