Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

I have to wear my packs the EXACT same way. Unflattering muffin top... that's very accurate for me! BUT, when I started really getting my hip belt actually up ON the iliac crest, my miles greatly increased and my balance and shoulder issues were totally gone. I am always envious of smaller hikers that actually have real hips showing. It's a motivator for me to lose weight.

 

Lol yea it’s not a good look when you’re hiking with folks that are skinny. But they get sores from the waist belt and my love handles pad me pretty well

 

I struggled a lot with my first packing trip last year. Day 4 on Isle Royale I finally figured it out. Hip belt on the crest like it always had been, but that was only part of the puzzle. I didn't have the shoulder triangle set right and made it worse by adjusting the torso length in the wrong direction thinking that's why it wasn't resting right. Plus, the top of the pack shouldn't be tight against you but sit out a little, thus why its a shoulder "triangle." Once I got it set right things got a lot more enjoyable.

 

The top shoulder straps are what a lot of people can't figure out. What works well for me it to leave them loose when hiking uphill, snug on level ground, and tight when going downhill. It's all about keeping the packs center of gravity over your hips. That center line obviously changes with terrain angle. lol

 

I wear cinching belts. Easy to tightn up quick, like a cam strap. I wear my belt gear (knife, gun, firekit, etc) on a separate leather belt that goes over the pants.
I wear my pack belt like my dad wears his pants: up at the navel. A local outfitter store sized me up for packs, even loaded it with sandbags so I could test with weight. I'm like a 17-18 IIRC. If you have a local backpacking store or an REI, maybe can can help you get fitted for what works for you?

 

One point, a measurement for your torso might be different for different pack brands.
It used to be that it was recommended to be measured using the scale for the brand you are buying. Different brand pack, different scale.

 

Anyone have any favorite meals for backpacking? Going on a 4 day trip at the end of the month and haven’t had any dehydrated meals before

 

I've had good luck with Mountain House varieties.

 

My entire family tried the Good 2 Go brand stuff and no one liked them. A shame really since they might have better ingredients and more exciting flavors.

Mountain House seemed to be what we all could agree on.

 

Mac & Cheese, Chicken & Rise, Lasagna

Those things are so high in sodium...
I’d stay away from any of the spicy or curry ones...for obvious reasons(asses of fire).

If you’re referring to brands, Mountain House seems to have the most sodium out of all of them. I’d try to pack something other than those premade dehydrated meals to serve as your primary source of food. In my experience, my appetite is less at higher altitudes and I always pack more food than I need. The key thing is to drink a lot more water than you normally do. Just my 2 cents

 

I’m the same way. Always too much food. On a four day backpacking trip, I’ll usually only have 2 or 3 of the Mountain House meals. It’s getting hard to find packets for one person. Other things I have taken (not all at the same time) are packets of tuna salad and chicken breast, a couple of flour tortillas, peanut butter, Top Ramen. For my Mac and cheese, I’ll buy one of the single serving, microwaveable Velveeta shells and cheese. Take it out of the bowl, put it in a small ziploc bag, then just dump it in boiling water for a few minutes, add the cheese packet and you’re good to go.

 

I love Packit Gourmet. My favorites are the all American works burger and their big easy Cajun gumbo. They actually taste like normal food.

 

I like Mountain house and Wise Foods

Mountain House Beef Stroganoff is my absolute favorite

 

Backpackers Pantry for me. But I often dehydrate my own food as well. ground turkey with mac and cheese is always good.

 

Best seasonings and textures for store bought: Backpackers Pantry

My favorite brand for taste, texture, realistic portions, no preservatives, and variety: Pack-It Gourmet

Gets the job done: Mountain House

Never again: MREs, Wise, 4Patriots, and all of the other "survival" foods

 

The little pouches of peanut butter or almond butter by Justin’s are really easy for snacks. Make some homemade trail mix as well. Just be careful of chocolate depending on temps.

 

Not a favorite but easy.
Instant rice, soup mix, and envelope of meat/fish. Add hot water.

Favorite is dehydrated foods I did myself.

I believe the favorite depends on the eater, not the food. Everybody has different tastes and preferences.

 

Man, I feel like the odd man out here. Top Ramen and Instant Mash. Lighter then dehydrated food and less trash to carry out. Also, I'm a cheap bastard. lol

 

Simple, but not everyone can do 100% carbs

 

I usually take a frozen steak morning of, throw it in a freezer bag with salt and pepper. It's thawed out by the time I make camp and cook it over the fire. I've had steaks for 2 days on a 3-day trip.
I take pre-mixed ingredients to make camp bannock. Dried beans, rice. Homemade jerky. I know guys who love biltong and pemmican.

For off-the-shelft, Velveeta has good mac&cheese that is just-add-water. You can fit all the shells in a sandwich bag plus the cheese packet. Boil 8oz of water, add pasta, stir, add cheese, stir. Great meal for 2.
Instant oatmeal is a classic. I also take instant coffee and hot cocoa in these little single-serve packets.

Mountain House is ok, but salty like others have said. I didn't care for the eggs, and I love salty eggs.
I prefer O Meals from Academy. I think they're fantastic, as far as pre-packaged backpacking meals go. Cheaper than MH, too.

Get a cheap dehydrator and look up recipes online. I got a little $20 Aldi's dehydrator years ago and make all sorts of jerky, fruit leathers, etc on it.