I get a lot of questions about the gear I use and recommend, so here is a list of what I have tried and liked. I haven’t tried every model of every product out there, so inclusion on this list doesn’t mean it is the best in the world ever. But I do research my purchases and only keep things that work well for me – of course your needs may vary.
Backpacks
Backpacking / camping:
This is the largest pack I normally hike with and is what I go for when I am carrying everything with me (tent, sleep gear, cook system, etc). You will need compact and lightweight gear to get everything in this, but when I first tried it I was surprised how much I can fit in here compared to the old 65/70 litre backpacks I used to use for this purpose.
I prefer a pack with a frame and back ventilation and this does that very well without adding much bulk or weight.
Day pack:
This is a little bigger than your average day pack but if I’m leading/supervising groups or in challenging terrain then a bit of space for the extra safety gear is helpful. It has a frame and ventilation but still stays nice and close to your back for agile movement.
Multipurpose day pack:
This is my go to if I am combining travelling with a hike. It is small enough to be carry on luggage, still has a frame and back ventilation, can be used for general travel but unlike most travel bags is still suitable for hiking.
Tents
2 man – colder / windier conditions:
This pitches all-in-one (not inner first) so will stay mostly dry when pitching in the rain. It comes all the way down to the ground, is super stable, I can sit up in it and it has generous porches. I have used this in England & Wales at all times of year and it has stood up confidently to strong winds and heavy rain. It’s around 2.5kg and is rated as 4-season.
2 man – better conditions:
If the weather is looking more favourable and I want to save some space and weight in my pack then this is what I take. It’s a 3 season tent and weighs around 1.8kg, packing down really small. It achieves some of this weight saving by having the fly quite high off the ground in places so not the best if super windy, and also pitches inner first so not ideal in heavy rain. I have used this in spring, summer and autumn in England & Wales with great results.
1 man:
Weighing in at just 1kg and offering a study design that pitches all-in-one I had high hopes for this tent. I slept in it near the summits in North Wales in November and it performed well. Unfortunately for me it is a little lower than the Southern Cross 2 and so I just can’t sit up in it, which became annoying. I’m around 1.8m tall so if you are a bit shorter then this will probably be perfect for you. I’m going to keep this for now but will be on the look out for an alternative!