2018 Backpacking Gear Wishlist
Spring is my favorite time to reassess my backpacking gear setup. There is always something new I’d like to try or some small detail that could be tweaked to reduce weight or increase comfort. As the weather gets warmer and the days longer, I often find myself pouring over gear lists and researching new alternatives. Over the past few weeks I have shared some new or newly-redesigned tents, packs, and sleeping bags that have caught my eye as I have browsed this season’s gear selection.
EDIT: I’ve posted an update to my wishlist! Click Here to read about the gear from this list that I actually purchased, the gear that I didn’t, and how it’s all working out.
This week’s post is my own personal wishlist for 2018. Some of the items on this list are new to market. Others are favorites in the backpacking community that I haven’t gotten around to trying yet. I am sure that many of the items on this list will find their way into my pack this year. Others, however, may turn out to be incompatible with my backpacking style, my current gear, or my budget. (But, hey, this is a wishlist right?) Be sure to check back and see which pieces of gear I end up trying and how they work out.
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2018 Backpacking Gear Wishlist – Outdoor Research Helium II Rain Gear
My rain jacket has been showing its age for a while now and as I browse for a replacement, I am struck by how many hikers are carrying The Helium II Jacket from Outdoor Research. OR lists the weight of their women’s size medium Helium II jacket at 5.5 ounces. That makes it about one third of the weight of my current jacket and much more compact as well.
2018 Backpacking Gear Wishlist – MSR PocketRocket 2 Stove
In the past I have prefered liquid fuel over canisters. I like to be able to see exactly how much fuel I have left and am uneasy about the amount of waste created by small fuel canisters. Lately, however, I have been wondering weather my current stove is worth the weight and bulk, especially when camping in mild conditions. I have had positive experiences with my liquid fuel stove from MSR and am considering giving their popular canister-fueled PocketRocket a try.
2018 Backpacking Gear Wishlist – Tarptent StratoSpire 2
I will definitely be replacing my two-man backpacking tent this year and I think that the StratoSpire 2 from Tarptent may be the tent for me. Interior and vestibule space is a priority and the StratoSpire offers an impressive space to weight ratio. Bonus points: Tarptent products are manufactured in the USA.
2018 Backpacking Gear Wishlist – Western Mountaineering Astralite Quilt
Western Mountaineering introduced the Astralite and Nanolite this spring in response to the increasing popularity of backpacking quilts. As someone who moves around in their sleep a lot I never thought a quilt would work for me. The Astralite’s unique draft collar and bottom closure system, however, almost have me convinced I could be a quilt user. Plus, a claimed weight of one pound combined with Western Mountaineering’s reputation for quality should be enough to tempt any backpacker.
2018 Backpacking Gear Wishlist – Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter
The Sawyer Squeeze is one of the most commonly carried water filters on the market. While I love the speed and convenience of my Katadyn pump filter, I think it may be time to shed some filter weight. The Sawyer Squeeze weighs three ounces and its low price point makes it an easy choice to try.
What’s on your wishlist this year? Let us know in the comments below!
P.S. Don’t forget to read my Gear Update to see which of these items I tried!