Best baby carrier and high quality shoe holder right now: Because you have to carry and fit it all into your pack, backpacking gear has to be lightweight and compact. That’s why, with a few exceptions, it’s not practical to simply repurpose car camping gear. Remember, too, that you’ll be splitting up gear like tents and pots and stoves when you hike with a friend. The following are essential items you’ll need for any backpacking trip: Tent: Plan to share because a two-person tent weighs less and is more economical than two one-person tents. Bring a tent rated for three seasons (spring, summer and fall) rather than a four-season tent because you’re not ready for mountaineering just yet. Learn more by reading How to Choose a Backpacking Tent. You can also check out our guide to the best backpacking tents. Discover additional information at https://ilouxnei.com/shoe_holster.
This is another all-around awesome baby carrier that has been at this #2 spot for 2 years now. The Ergobaby 360 all-position carrier is the newest addition to the already great Ergobaby carrier line up; a few years ago, their Ergo Original 3-position carrier was rated #1 on our list, so they have a great history of making excellent carriers. The Ergobaby 4-position carrier is definitely the most comfortable carrier on our list. In our testing, we found it to be super lightweight, comfortable, soft, and easily adjusted to nicely fit nearly any body shape. We wore it for several hours around town and along some trails, and our backs and shoulders felt completely fine. Definitely more comfortable than the LILLEBaby, and we also thought it was a bit easier to breastfeed while wearing the Ergobaby versus the LILLEBaby. We also found it easy to put on, take off, and adjust, even when carrying the baby. However, the shoulder strap adjustment needed to be done by someone else while carrying a baby. It also has a small hood to protect baby from the elements, or give a little shading for a nap. However, it just isn’t as versatile as the LILLEBaby.
Lowering backpack weight advice : Analyze everything. Do you really need it? Is there a lighter version of it? Can it be shaved or cut down? I spent months preparing my Appalachian Trail gear to keep it as light as possible. Even five months into the hike, I was still cutting off things that I was not using. Go primitive (or electronic-less). Goodbye cellphones, watches, iPods, kindles, GPS, chargers, etc. This is the trail. Enjoy the solitude. If you’re worried about safety – tell someone ahead of time where exactly you are going and when to expect your return. Razor blade for knife. Very rarely do I ever miss my knife and I certainly have never needed my knife. A razor blade can be great an ultralight alternative. Read additional details at https://ilouxnei.com/.
If you’re hiking in the mountains, realize that the temperature can be very different at the summit than at the base. Illumination If you can see at night, you can get things done (like building a shelter). Illumination also helps signal rescuers. Here’s what I bring: I specifically mention LED illumination because LED bulbs can last hundreds of hours on a small charge, unlike a traditional incandescent bulb. If you find yourself in an emergency signaling situation, use the strobe function found on many headlamps to save power and make yourself more visible to rescuers. Practice using strobe mode at home; chances are you won’t have the manual with you out in the backcountry when you need it. And don’t forget to pack extra batteries. Practice changing your batteries in the dark.