Gear Buying Tips

Before you fork over your hard-earned dough, look for these features in your backcountry gear.

By Backpacker.com

Sleeping Bags

Shell: Water-resistant fabrics add ounces and dollars, but protect against condensation and leaky seams. Dark fabrics dry faster when the sun comes out.
Zipper tape: Look for a strip of stiffened fabric alongside the zipper. The best keep your draft tube from catching in the zipper's teeth, a feature you'll appreciate when nature calls late at night.
Locking zipper: This feature eliminates the need for a scratchy hook-and-loop patch next to your cheek.
Hood: Check for an ear-hugging fit to maximize a bag's insulating efficiency and a face opening that cinches to a small blowhole without pinching your nose and chin.
Loft: All else being equal, loft is the best indicator of insulating power. Do a side-by-side test in the store: The fluffier of two similarly rated bags should keep you warmer.
Double zipper: You can unzip from the bottom to vent hot, stinky feet.

Backpacks

Hipbelt: Because it bears the brunt of the load, it better fit closely and comfortably without sliding. The bigger the load, the more padding and stiffness you'll want.
Load lifters: These straps adjust the weight balance for shoulder and hip relief. The optimal angle is 45 degrees.
Shoulder straps: Check the width, cushion, and contour of straps around your neck and shoulders to maximize comfort. Straps should end next to (not under) your armpits.
Compression straps: You'll find these straps worth their weight for cinching and stabilizing small loads, and for lashing skis, sleeping pads, and wet raingear.
Sternum strap: This strap positions shoulder straps for comfort and reduces pack wobble. It should buckle across your sternum just below your collarbones.
Torso adjustment: Methods vary, from ladder-lock systems to adjustable hipbelts to elongating shoulder straps. Have a friend measure your torso, and get fitted in an outdoors shop. An adjustable torso lets you adjust sizing on the trail for better comfort and load control.

Trekking Poles

Grip: Find the shape and size that fits your hand, with and without gloves.
Wrist strap: The best are soft and slightly stretchy, and adjust easily but securely.
Length adjustments: The ideal locking mechanism holds securely, but doesn't overtighten. Practice before buying.
Tips: Durable carbide points skitter less. Rubber caps leave no marks.
Telescoping shafts: Three-section poles collapse smallest for low-profile lashing to your pack.
Shock absorption: Gels and springs cushion impact, reducing jarring on arms and shoulders.

Water Treatment

Ergonomic action: A comfortable grip and pumping action makes filtering less tiring and time-consuming.
Field-cleanable element: Highly recommended. When it clogs-and it will-you can clean the filter and keep pumping out potable water.
Prefilter: Straining out larger gunk protects the main filter's critical, ultra-fine pores.
Repair/cleaning kit: Wise hikers pack lubricant, filter brush, spare O-rings, and other parts and tools for field maintenance.
Back-up treatment: A bottle of water-treatment tablets or drops belongs in every first-aid kit.

Stoves

Pot supports: Locking, serrated arms improve stove and pot stability.
Flame control: Large dials far from the burner scorch fewer fingers.
Packability: If it nests in you cookpot, it bangs up less.
Fuel line: Avoid materials that could melt, fray, or crimp from the frequent contortions of packing.
Fuel jet: Vaporized fuel shoots through the jet into the burner. Look for a design that can be cleaned in the field easily.
Fuel pump: A good pump maintains pressure in the fuel tank to keep a steady flow to the burner. The best disassemble easily for maintenance.

Sleeping Pads

Closed-cell foam: These offer great durability and price, but bare minimum comfort. Look for a design that maximizes cushion.
Open-cell foam: You'll find these comfortable and a good price, but bulky. Pads enclosed in a waterproof cover are best.
Valve: Check the speed and volume of the air flow, plus the ease of opening and closing the valve. A high-quality valve prevents leaking air.
Loft: Here's your key to comfort. Thicker means warmers and cushier, but heavier and bulkier, too. Store the pad unrolled with the valve open to preserve loft.
Surface: Textured tops keep your bag from sliding off. Heavy-duty covers provide more puncture resistance.
Seams: Well-sealed, evenly finished seams are a sign of quality construction.
Stuff sack: These provide puncture protection for a pad that's lashed to a pack's exterior.
Repair Kit: Look for kits that contain patches, glue, and instructions.

Tents

Mesh windows and doors: Ample ventilation prevents condensation and trapped odors. Convertible tents let you cover windows to manage breeziness on cool nights.
Vestibule: In wet or winter weather, you'll want to shed and store soggy or snowy gear. Double zipper designs permit faster entry and better ventilation.
Guypoints: These are a must for windy or snowy conditions.
Factory-sealed seams: Taped floor and rainfly seams add expense but also convenience and durable leakproofing. Check carefully for wrinkles and loose edges in tape.
Stake loops: Lots of adjustability lets you fine-tune fly tautness for a quiet, wind-resistant pitch.
Pole sleeves vs. clips: Sleeves generally make setup faster, especially in the dark, but clips allow more air movement between the fly and inner canopy.
Gear attic: These mesh panels are great for drying socks, hanging a reading latern, and safely stowing glasses, but they limit headroom.
Hook-and-loop tabs: These attach the rainfly to the poles for great stability, but can wick water through seams if not expertly taped.

Boots

Outsole: Lugs should have a beveled shape for easier mud clearance. Choose small lugs for delicate tundra and forest country, softer rubber for traction, and deeper, tougher lugs for snow and talus.
Midsole: The best provide cushion, armor against stone bruising, and control flex. Choose softer flex for fast striding and smaller loads, stiffer flex for edging, climbing, and heavier loads.
Rand: These rubber guards between the sole and upper protect against wear and water leakage.
Upper: Full- and split-grain leathers are most common, but fabric uppers are becoming more popular due to easier break-in, breathability, and drying times. Choose higher/stiffer uppers for ankle support and lower/softer for freer striding.
Lining: Leather linings mold to the foot well, but dry slowly. Waterproof/breathable membranes help in wet conditions, but make boots warmer, a drawback in hot weather. Avoid lumpy seams that may blister heels, forefoot, or ankle.
Tongue: Check for padding, a fit that locks in your heel, and gussets that fold comfortably and don't rub against your anklebone. High gussets keep out more water and debris.
Footbed: Consider custom orthotics or off-the-shelf footbeds for better padding and arch support.