10 things not to buy for backpacking

This may be a topic for a different thread but can candle lanterns reduce the condensation inside a tent?

Combustion produces water and carbon dioxide, so I would think it increases condensation.

This is a fun thread.

I'll add:

All those extra clothes. You really don't need four different "base" layers. One is plenty.

Sleeping bag liners. They don't add much warmth, and you don't have to be dainty about keeping a bag clean.

I've found it best to put TP and wet wipes in my "consumable" list so I take enough for the days I'll be out. It's kind of silly to take a whole roll for an overnighter or, conversely, to have to ration single squares. Actually, I use paper towel squares instead of TP–more absorbent and more compact. Of course the paper towel TP and wet wipes are packed out. I have to use both for medical reasons. Having a bunch of kids does things to women's anatomy, especially "down there." No way could I use rocks or pine cones, and I don't want to pluck vegetation at high altitudes where it is sparse and grows slowly.

One thing to remember before attacking the OP's post–he's talking about complete novices who have never backpacked before, go buy out REI and end up with 60-lb. packs and maxed out credit cards. After staggering around the mountains for a couple of days, they often decide "never again." If we can head a few of those poor innocent souls off at the pass, starting with lighter and less costly gear, we'll be doing them a favor. Once they know what they're doing, they can then decide if they want, for example, the simplicity of freezer bag meals and tea drunk from the pot, or gourmet camp cooking with multiple pots.

Maybe it's because I eat less at dinnertime, Sarah, but I usually use only about 2/3 to 3/4 cup of water to rehydrate my dinner. The rest of the pint of water I boil (in my 550 ml pot) gets an herbal tea bag thrown in, and I leisurely sip my tea from the pot while waiting for my freezer bag dinner to rehydrate in one of your cozies! The only time I take a bigger pot is if the grandkids are coming with me.

Great thread.

Double wall cup (can't cook in them)

Pump water filter

Fire steel

Color coded stuff sacks

Big honking pack with lots of zippered pockets

paracord

knot chart

Spork (Ti, Al, or plastic)

Pillow

Interesting to see how many things are regarded as useless by one and as invaluable by another.

As other posters mentioned, one of the things I've enjoyed most about UL backpacking is asking the question "Is this really essential? What would I do if I didn't have it?" Turns out, I don't need much. In the words of Ray Jardine, "If I need it and don't have it, I didn't really need it".

Don't sweat it though if you find others bashing your favorite items. You're the only one whose opinion matters when it comes to what you will be carrying. For most of us, backpacking is just a hobby. Do it how you like.

I cringe now when I hike with my oldest (Ford). Maybe even cry. At least he can carry his own gear 100% (summer 2010 through Spring 2011 he also carried his gear plus mine on hikes since I was carrying the baby). His food bag is twice mine. AHHHHHH! And then he eats MY food as well! I cringe when I think how it will be when Walker (now a toddler) and the 3rd boy (not born yet) are older. Will my food bag for them be like 8 lbs a day? Waaahhhhhhhhhhh! All my children are tall and think eating is a sport.

I laugh manically when I see people wax on about their tiny food bags. If only ;-)

dookie trowel

8 pound boots

folding chair

footprint

lantern

90 L pack

Map of the US

5 sets of clothing

huge multi tool

hatchet/saw/machete

Thats a good point to make. Another item NOT to acquire for backpacking- Offspring :P

You forget that when you are old and creaky those offspring can carry all your load. Best deal ever ;-) It call it my retirement gear plan!

Sarah, it didn't work with my kids (they did some backpacking, but not much), but my grandson (almost 12) is now big enough to carry his full share of the load! I'm looking forward to when he's a teenager and can carry part of mine! Of course there will be the problem of keeping up with him!

At 11 and 9, the two older grandkids are extremely helpful with camp chores and similar stuff! They are a joy to have along!

Despite all the problems, my children have been a real joy to me and the grandkids even more so!

Number 11 should be….HIPPIES!!!!

LOL! Sarah, I did not realize that. I love your stuff. I find I do not need more than a cup and a half to rehydrate my MYOG single serving meals and I never drink more than a cup in hot chocolate or tea. I also don't mind boiling twice especially since I tend to use a tealight open flame stove that only holds 3/4 ounce of fuel. I guess it's a to each his own moment.

Kilts.

"Don't buy a 70L pack with pockets everywhere that weighs 5lbs if you are just going to be out no more than three days. If you walk into a store, most salesman will try to put a newbie in an Osprey Aether 70L style pack."

Hey, I have a 5lb 70L Osprey Aether and it serves me well when I have to carry all kinds of extra crap when off trail in Alaska (or on cold weather trips) with spare dry clothes, more food, river crossing shoes, bear canister, PLB, shared expedition tent… Try doing that with your 4oz stuff sack packs with shoe string shoulder straps!

Seriously, I hate seeing guys with all the little knickknacks like 4-AA incandescent lamps, mini pelican cases for their gizmos, and camp chairs.

Six pack of Magnum Sized Condoms or a Kiss of Mint Flavored Condom.

There are no human females on the trail, just like there are no unicorns in real life.

Both are a myth.

> can candle lanterns reduce the condensation inside a tent?
Yes, definitely.
There are '12 hour candles' in flat tins sold for that purpose.

Cheers

Thankfully tube knee high socks, jean cut off shorts, waffle stompers, sweatband headbands and stringy hair have nearly disappeared in hiking. Although every summer I round some bend and there is a guy looking like he stepped out of a 1976 catalog, complete with vintage external frame pack and water canteen.

If we want to talk scary stuff why do skinny white men with ghost white skin think onion skin running shorts are a great idea? I think if anything that is the one item that should be banned from hiking. Gak….instant lunch remover! Worst offenders don't wear underwear under them and you get the visual of (usually) old as dirt old guy man bits hanging as they run by you. Barf…….

I'll add/support a few items, and then qualify/defend a few off the OPs list…

0. Anything at FULL PRICE. Except for gear you need urgently, or consumables like fuel, you should NEVER pay full price for anything at REI or comparable stores. Every single piece of gear from retail outlets will be available 20-30% off if you're willing to wait a few weeks. Most of it will be available 40-60% off if you're willing to wait longer, and some of it will be available in the 60-90% off range if you're really patient.

1. "Deluxe" mattresses. I went camping this summer with a friend who showed up with a sleeping pad that was 5+ pounds. If I'd known in advance, I would have loaned him a lighter pad — any pad. He was a great sport about it, but it amazed me he carried that thing, albeit only on a short overnight hike. (A group of us were taking my youngest sister on her first overnight trip).

2. Compression sacks. The only thing I've found these useful for is compressing synthetic sleeping bags, back when I was carrying a 4# synthetic on the trail, but if that's all you have as a sleeping bag, a compression sack can be the only way to pack it.

3. I'll agree with the pack covers. Most pack covers weigh the same or more than a poncho tarp (or even a drug store poncho, large enough to go over a backpack), with far less functionality.

4. Heavy hiking boots. Sure, some people need extra ankle support, but no one needs boots that weigh 3# each, no matter how much Leather, GoreTex and Vibram are used to make them.

5. Camp chairs — it's one thing to bring a foam mat to sit on, or some sort of lightweight rig to turn your sleeping pad into a camp lounger, but those "camp chairs" (and camp tables, etc…) are unreal. Car camping, sure… backpacking, uh, no.

6. Footprints — true footprints can be $50 for a lot of tents, and they are great if you are planning on doing an ultralight pitch, and leaving the tent inner at home on a double-wall design, but unless you are doing a simple pitch, they are expensive and overkill. Most people using traditional double-wall tents will never go without the whole package.

Defense:

1. First Aid kits — I love the Adventure Medical and other similar kits. Don't ever buy them at full price, but they frequently go on clearance 50-75% off, and you can get a full kit for a few dollars, and its the easiest way to get a hold of useful, but seldom used, items like tiny foil packages of neosporin… Sure, don't carry the whole kit with you, but it's great to have that many options on hand for a build-your-own first aid kit, and not have to worry about tracking down lots of tiny bottles and ziploc bags…

2. Knives. I know it's not ultralight, but I just feel better having a good knife with me in the backcountry. Even if it's not needed, its a 3 or 4-oz security blanket. Granted, on a solo trip, I'll take something like a mini SAK, but if I'm sharing gear with anyone, lightening the load, I'll use some of the savings on a knife.

First of all, as a hippy-chick kilt-wearer, I resent the above remarks.

Second, to add to the discussion, leave home the big honking pile of paracord or the fancy knotted paracord bracelet. First of all, dental floss has more uses and second of all, are you really going to sit there for hours untying all those knots to use your paracord?

I'd also leave behind any notion that the length of your trip has anything at all to do with the size of the pack you need or the amount of gear you need. (If anything, the relationship is inverse–shorter trips allow more time for the use of luxuries, but let's not tell that to the newbies.)

It really doesn't take long to undo a paracord "cobra" braid. I have one for a hatband on my Tilley, which gives me a lot more cord and it is out of the way. I always want some spare line available.

@ Sarah, This is for you:

Btw, I've made 2 dumb comments on this thread, but just want to say I agree with the OP and think a list like this would be helpful for friends heading to REI, EMS or wherever.

Lol…that is a good picture ;-)

@ Sarah,

What about skinny legged black men with Hershey chocolate skin wearing onion skin running shorts? Is that okay with you? ;-)

Hey, you're in New Mexico, you have to be at least a little ashy!