Gear Review: Items Worn - Essentials

Through smoldering heat or frigid winds, the items you wear vary based on your comfort level. There is a line, however, that backpacker’s cross- a line of basics they will always carry.

This article is about that line.

LUXURIES: What do YOU carry?

After each trip, I look through my gear to see what was needed, and what wasn’t. Inevitably there would be areas that could be trimmed down, but there is one area I believe is a necessity- Luxury.

Luxury is simply that- an item you don’t need, but certainly want. So, if you don’t need it, why is it a necessity?

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Thoughts on Food.

While backpacking and exploring the country-side, there is a piece of gear I refuse to compromise on- food. Leaving the comforts of civilization behind does not mean you have to eat bland foods every day.

While I may not have the lightest of packs, I am on the lighter side compared to half the people I meet on the trail. I spend time, money, and effort in cutting out extra grams from my gear, but not just to carry less weight. I do it because for every gram I cut from my pack is another gram of food I can bring. Since my recent indulgence on getting lighter gear, I felt I could splurge even more on food, allowing me to experiment some. In my most recent trip to Yosemite, I decided to try some new foods out.