What's In My Pack? | Top 10 Gear Items

Today, I'd like to share what's in my pack. Specifically, my top 10 staple gear items. Some of these pieces I've been using for years. They continue to prove their reliability and durability with each adventure. Others are newer additions to my setup which outperform and outshine similar items I've used in the past. Old or new, each of these gear items play an integral role on my backpacking trips.

Friendly Disclaimer: Everything shared here is my own opinion based on my personal experience with these products. Nothing is sponsored! I'm just providing general info and anecdotes about the gear I use on my backpacking trips.

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Pack

Shelter

Sleeping Bag

Sleeping Pad

Cook Pot

Stove

Water Filter

Headlamp

Power Bank

Sit Pad

1. Osprey Levity 60

Overview: The Osprey Levity / Lumina is a 60L internal frame pack designed with the weight conscious backpacker in mind. Weighing only 2 lbs with a carry limit of 25 - 30lbs, this pack is a great ultralight option. The storage space on the Levity is comprised of a main compartment, hydration reservoir sleeve, two side pockets, a brain compartment, and front pocket. No hipbelt pockets, sleeping bag compartment, or side zipper pockets on this model! In place of compression straps, this pack utilizes paracord. The adjustment straps and buckles are also much smaller and thinner than those found on most backpacks. Despite the light and simple design, the Osprey Levity does not cut back on comfort. The EVA foam padding on both the shoulder straps and hip belt are incredibly soft. The trampoline style back panel (while not adjustable) offers excellent airflow. The Levity does not come with a pack cover.

Experience: I'm very satisfied with this pack's performance. I've found it to be very comfortable. I especially love the design of the back panel. The ventilation feature is noticeably better on the Levity than the previous pack I was using, the Osprey Aura. What impresses me most though, is how much room it offers. I never feel unable to fit all the gear I need. Unless I'm packing bulkier Winter items, I have plenty of extra space in the main compartment, and have to cinch down the sides. This is a fixed torso pack, and unfortunately my torso length puts me in between sizes for the womens version. Womens small is too short, womens medium is too long, BUT mens small is just right! So I use the mens version. Osprey recommends a 30lbs carry limit for this pack. However, in my experience 25lb is a more accurate limit. When loaded with more than 25lbs, the Levity loses its comfort and struggles to properly distribute the weight between my shoulders and hips. Lastly, I thought I would miss having the sleeping bag compartment and hip belt pockets on my pack. Instead, the Levity made me realize I don't need those extra features.

Specs & Features

2. Big Agnes Fly Creek

Overview: The Big Agnes Fly Creek 2 is a semi-freestanding front entry tent. With a claimed weight of 2.6 lbs and 28ft² of space, this three season ultralight shelter is a favorite among thru-hikers and weekend warriors alike. The Fly Creek's already compact size was improved upon by the "bikepack" version. The Shortstik poleset, designed to fit across handlebars, is perfect for saving space in a pack as well! Storage inside the tent includes two small side wall pockets, a small overhead pocket, and a large gear loft across the foot area. The Fly Creek comes with a tent body, rain fly, poles, stakes, a main carry bag, and separate bags for the poles and stakes. Footprints/ground sheets are sold separately. Big Agnes has recently switched to a solution dye fabric. So, this exact version of the Fly Creek Bikepack (gray and yellow) is no longer available.

Experience: I'll be honest, the Fly Creek is the BEST tent I have ever owned. Even though mine is covered in patches, dirt stains, and even singe marks I wouldn't trade it for the world. Sadly, a day will come when I have to retire this tent, but until then I plan to get as much use out of it as I can. The front entry is one of my favorite features. Many people prefer side entry doors, but I personally don't feel as comfortable in that style tent. I've used the Fly Creek on a variety of terrain in the sun and rain. It has proven time and time again to be a reliable shelter. The only situation where I've doubted the Fly Creek's stability is in high winds. Because the pole set only has one point of contact with the ground in the back, it tends to rock when there are heavy gusts (over 40mph.) Staking out all the guylines on the fly and body certainly helps to better stabilize the shelter though.

Specs & Features

3. Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 30°

Overview: The Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 30° is a 650 fill power down mummy bag. This bag has a male and female version designed to accommodate a variety of needs. The mens bag is longer and rated for warmer sleepers, with a comfort level of 40°. Meanwhile the womens is shorter and rated for colder sleepers with a comfort level of 30°. The lower limit also varies between these bags with the mens at 30° and womens at 19°. The zippers glow in the dark, making it easy to unzip the bag at night. With opposite side zippers, couples have the option to "marry" their bags together. The Bishop Pass comes with a mesh storage bag and a stuff sack (not compressible.)

Experience: My husband and I own both use the Bishop Pass sleeping bag. The 30° rating makes them the perfect option for shoulder season trips. I personally have only used the womens bag, but I can confirm from others that the mens version does not offer as much warmth. I've lent it to female friends on a few occasions, and all of them reported feeling cold in the upper 30s and lower 40s. The womens bag on the other hand has a much wider temperature range. Wearing a 2nd base layer, hat, and gloves, I've camp as low as the mid 20s with it. While I wouldn't say I was comfortable, I certainly wasn't miserable. Paired with a summer quilt or fleece liner, I'm confident I could get more out of this bag and actually sleep warm in the mid 20s. What about the upper limit? Above 55° I've found the Bishop Pass to be overkill. It is way too warm to be used on late Spring and Summer trips.

Specs & Features

4. Nemo Tensor

Overview: Another well known and loved item in the backpacking world, is the Nemo Tensor. The unique Spaceframe baffle system and 3 inch thickness promise comfort and support while sleeping on your back or side. The inflation valve is adjustable, allowing you to release small amounts of air to find that just right firmness. The Tensor utilizes suspended Thermal Mirror metallized film for insulation while maintaining a remarkably low weight: just over 1lb! In recent years, Nemo has increased the R value of this pad from 3.5 to 4.2. The pad comes with a carry bag, patch/repair kit, velcro strap, and pump sack.

Experience: My search for a side-sleeper friendly pad ended when I found the Nemo Tensor. I've been using the older version (3.5 R value) of this pad about as long as my tent. It's the only one I'm able to get a good night's sleep on. The baffles offer the perfect amount of support, whether I'm laying on my side or back. The regular mummy version is the perfect size for my width and height (5 ft 5 in). My head or feet don't hang off the edge, and I don't have to balance to keep from rolling off the sides either. For my husband (5ft 11in), the regular mummy version is too short and narrow. The rectangular wide version is a much better fit for his build. My one concern with this pad is the lifespan of the insulation. After several years of use, I've noticed it doesn't keep me warm like it used to. Nights below 45° were never uncomfortable until recently. I now get shivers and cold spots along my legs and torso on this pad at that temperature range. I suspect the reflective insulating film inside has started degrading in some way.

Specs & Features

5. TOAKS Titanium Pot

Overview: This Titanium pot from TOAKS is one of the lightest options on the market. Weighing only 4.5 oz, and yet so durable! Best of all, TOAKS cookware is free from any coating. The large capacity, foldable handle, and perforate lid, make this pot suitable for a variety of uses. From the just add water meal to more creative backcountry recipes. The 900mL pot is also equipped to carry all the accessories of a standard cook kit. A stove, 4 oz gas canister, lighter, foldable utensil, and collapsible cup all fit inside! The pot comes with a mesh carry bag, which helps hold the lid on and keep the contents from getting buried in your pack.

Experience: For a while, I was using an anodized aluminum kettle for all my backpacking meal-prep. Unfortunately, there's a limit to what you can do with a kettle. TOAKS 900mL pot was a significant upgrade. It's just as light as the kettle, has the capacity I need, and is easy to clean when I cook in it. With several of the pots I've used, the handle overheats. This makes removing it from the stove in a timely manner difficult. With this pot, I haven't had that problem. I can remove it without needing to wrap something around the handle first. I went with the 900mL version because I typically boil a whole liter of water at camp. Using this pot, I just have to fire up the stove once to to cook dinner, brew tea, and wash my face.

Specs & Features

6. Etekcity Backpacking Stove

Overview: The Etekcity Camping/Backpacking Stove is an incredible value! Made from aluminum alloy, it's resistant to heat damage and rust. The honeycomb burner design offers resistance against wind interference as well. This stove comes with piezo ignition and an adjustable flame control valve. Rather than folding down, the the pot holder arms turn into place around the burner. The grooved supports on top can be flipped in or out accommodating pots, kettles, and mugs of various sizes. For only $10, you get a reliable versatile stove that lasts for years. The Etekcity Stove comes with a plastic carry case.

Experience: Like my tent and sleeping pad, I've been using this stove for many years. Which, in my opinion, speaks to its ability to withstand the test of time (spent in the backcountry.) When I'm expecting temperatures below freezing at night, I put it in my sleeping bag along with my water filter. I've used the Etekcity stove as low as 25° with no issues. I can't say I had the same result with the Soto Amicus, a popular stove that costs 3 TIMES as much! At 28°, the Amicus refused to light despite being kept in a warm place overnight. While the Etekcity stove certainly isn't the most fuel efficient option out there, it isn't the worst. When paired with a windscreen, I can typically boil a pot of water 6 to 8 times on one 4oz canister.

Specs & Features

7. HydroBlu Versa Flow Filter

Overview: The HydroBlu Versa Flow is a hollow fiber water filter. Very similar in size and appearance to the Sawyer Mini filter, this one offers far more in terms of features. The 28 mm threading on either end allows you to attach a bottle or bladder to each side and filter free from spills or leaks. The silicone cap can be used to cut off the water flow when switching out bottles. This feature also comes in handy when the filter is not in use. Capping both sides prevents any water still inside from leaking onto gear in your pack. The Versa Flow can be used inline with a hydration reservoir as well. The fibers inside can be seen through a small window on the side, giving an indication of how dirty or clogged the filter is. For maintenance, simply backflush it. No additional filters, cartridges, pumps, iodine drops, or batteries required. The Versa Flow can be purchased separately or as a kit with further accessories.

Experience: This filter has changed my mind about using Smart Water bottles on backpacking trips. When using a Sawyer, I HATED filtering water into them! Unlike with Sawyer products, filtering water into this type of bottle is so much easier. Best of all I don't need a separate attachment to make them compatible. I typically use the Versa Flow like a gravity system. When I'm at camp or taking a break on the trail, I attach a CNOC bladder to one end, a Smart Water bottle to the other, and hang it from something nearby. By the time I'm done eating a snack or working on camp chores, I have clean water waiting. I love that I can see what's going on inside the filter! There have been several times when backflushing the Versa Flow that I think it's sufficiently clean. But after taking a second look through that window, I notice there's debris caught in the fibers that still needs to be flushed out. I wish I could tell you the flow rate on this filter is exponentially better than a Sawyer Squeeze. But it's about equal. (It is better than the mini and micro though!)

Specs & Features

8. PETZL Bindi Headlamp

Overview: Ideal for minimalist backpackers, the PETZL Bindi headlamp weighs just over 1 oz and fits in the palm of your hand. An adjustable shockcord replaces the thick band and buckle typically found on headlamps. This lamp offers three brightness settings as well as a red light mode. The PETZL Bindi runs on a rechargeable 680 mAh battery. A light on the front glows red, yellow, or green indicating how much power is left when the lamp is turned off.

Experience: What I love most about the PETZL Bindi is how simple it is. It's lightweight, compact, and doesn't have a ton of extra features that I will never use. I don't have much else to say about it other than it does the job I need it to do.

Specs & Features

9. Tzumi Pocket Juice (10,000 mAh Power Bank)

Overview: The Tzumi Pocket Juice is a 10,000 mAh capacity portable power bank. This bank is Micro-USB rechargeable and has Universal USB and Type-C ports. An LED light on the front indicates how much power is left. Some versions include additional features such as a foldable "flip grip" stand and suction cup pads to hold the device in place while charging.

Experience: This battery bank provides exactly enough power to recharge my devices on a three day backpacking trip. I can charge my phone from 50% to 100% twice, and a GoPro 10 battery 4 - 5 times from 10% to 100% on it. The version I have includes the suction cup pads and flip grip ring. While these are neat features, I can't say I really use them. This bank out performed the NiteCore 10,000 on a recent trip. If you aren't familiar with the NiteCore, it's hailed as the lightest and most compact 10,000 mAh bank out there. In my experience, it failed to live up to expectations. After charging my phone from 50% to 100% once and 2 GoPro batteries, is was DEAD! The capacity on that bank was nowhere near what was advertised. Thankfully, I packed the Tzumi Pocket Juice as a backup and was still able to recharge my devices throughout the trip. It may not be the lightest or smallest option out there, but it is reliable. I'm confident the amount of power advertised is what I will get!

Specs & Features

10. Klymit V-Seat

Overview: Durable, packable, and comfortable, the Klymit V-Seat adds a little luxury to any backpacking trip without a hefty weight penalty. When deflated, it folds down to the size of a credit card making it easy to stow in any pack pocket. It takes seconds to inflate using a twist lock valve. The pad's v shaped baffle system provides support at key pressure points. This sit pad can be used just about anywhere on a variety of surfaces.

Experience: The Klymit V-Seat goes on just about every trip with me. While I do own a backpacking chair, I use this sit pad way more. What impresses me most about the V-seat is how durable it is. I won't go through every place I've used it, but the fabric has held up against all kinds of terrain. From rocky summits to sandy beaches. It has a variety of uses too. The most obvious being a place to sit at camp or while taking a break on the trail. I always keep it folded up in the front pocket of my pack for easy access throughout the day. From time to time, I even use it as a pillow. It does a great job at supporting my knees when I'm sleeping on my side. If I could change one thing about it, I would make an insulated version. In Winter conditions, it doesn't offer as much protection from the cold ground as I would like. Aside from that small nitpick though, it's one of my favorite gear items!

Specs & Features

I hope you found my review of these items helpful and informative. You can find them on a variety of outdoor retailer sites including but not limited to: Moosejaw, Backcountry, REI, and Amazon. I am in no way sponsored by or affiliated with these brands. I'm simply sharing my personal opinions and experience using their products on the trail.