The first question I ask anyone who seeks help with being properly outfitted for outdoor adventure and travel is exactly what type of activity do they want to do? Not in three to five years, but now for today and tomorrow and this year. Often they’re looking at laptop bags instead of hiking packs as they’re imagining themselves rambling down trails thru forests and deserts. Or they’re looking at mountaineering packs with lots of straps while dreaming of zipping around Europe or East Asia on planes and trains. Sure, one can do most anything with any kind of pack, and, yes, one can argue gear is so hypercompartmentalized these days. This means more choices for a better fit, however, and so once I’m clear what they want, then off we go!

You want to go hiking and camping, right? Backpacking, too? Great! It’s beautiful out there! Even in the rain! OK, what kind of hiker are you? What kind of camping do you want to do? What’s your big dream you’re gonna make come true this year?

Let’s have five quick looks at five different broad categories of hiking. So whatcha wanna do? Continue reading →