We entered 2021 having hiked over 4,000 miles in the past eight years. During that time we have completed a variety of treks in locations like the Arctic Circle in Sweden, on the island of Tasmania in Australia, a walking safari in Kenya, and over 16 mountain passes across Switzerland. One thing we have learned is to tailor our gear to the conditions of each trek.
This year is no different with the diversity of hikes that we have planned. Thus far, we have completed two multiple-day treks in desert and warm weather environments. We hiked 60 miles in Joshua Tree National Park over 3 1/2 days in February, and just returned from a 72-mile, 4 1/2 day trek on the Arizona Trail. Tailoring a combination of our old and new gear to our conditions made both of these treks successful.
With long-distance backpacking, low base weight is the name of the game. This refers to total gear weight minus food, water, and fuel. The less weight one carries, the further one can go, and the less opportunity there is to get injured. We know first-hand how weight affects a long-term trip. It was a major factor in abandoning our thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail in 2016 after 1,828 miles. In fact, Darren wrote a post about our lessons learned, including weight management.
The four heaviest items in gear base weight are known as the “Backpacking Big Four” – the backpack, shelter, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad. Since our 2016 PCT trek, we have upgraded three out of these four items and have been hiking with them ever since. Our latest weight-saving purchase in this category was the REI Magna Quilt, saving us each a pound in weight. And I find the quilt to be so much more comfortable and versatile than a mummy bag.
We have added some accessories to our core gear. The hip belt pockets on my backpack were too small, so I purchased a lightweight fanny pack earlier this year. It has been great to have my phone, lip balm, and trekking permit/itinerary within easy reach.
Tailoring Clothing for the Trekking Conditions
While we generally only review items we have purchased ourselves, we were excited to have the opportunity to test some of KÜHL’s latest hiking pants. Having owned KÜHL shirts and base layers in the past, we were already impressed with the quality of the brand. KÜHL reached out to us, and we each received a pair of pants in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
I wore KÜHL’s Strattus pants on our recent AZT trek and was especially impressed with the fit. Usually, I have issues with the backpack hip belt hitting me the wrong way on my trekking pants waistband. In the case of these Strattus pants, the waistband with an internal drawcord provided a much more comfortable fit with the backpack. In fact, I told Darren several times they were the most comfortable pair of pants I have ever trekked in.
The Strattus pants were also very lightweight and breathable and didn’t feel warm at all in the hot Arizona sun. While they worked out well for warm weather trekking, I’d have to think about whether I would take them on a colder climate hike. KÜHL has a variety of women’s hiking pants for cooler weather hikes as well.
Darren opted to test the Renegade Cargo Convertible pants on our recent trek. He prefers zip-off pants, and compared to other brands, the Renegade Cargo Convertible appealed to him because of how the zippers were designed without a flap, making them stealthier. He really liked the zippered side pockets, which he felt kept his items more secure. These pants also performed well during steep climbs, when other brands have bound him in the knees as he has lifted his legs.
The only drawback for Darren was that they were heavier than other trekking pants he has worn. However, if the pants need to be utilized for both trekking and around town, these would prove to be versatile. There are many other KÜHL men’s hiking pants to choose from, including some non-zip-off and lightweight options.
With the warm weather we experienced in Arizona, staying cool was a high priority for us. To that end, we both have our sun hat preferences. I like a wide brim hat to keep the sun off my face. The hat I purchased also has a built-in neck flap, which means I don’t need to worry about applying sunscreen there. It can also be tightened in case the wind comes up. I actually prefer a cap when the sun is not an issue and would choose to wear that in a cooler and shady environment.
Darren has used an Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap for many years for both running and hiking. It can be worn as a plain hat or with the added sun cape to shield your face further from the sun.
I have the same brand but have found that the sun cape is too hot for me. It works best to shield my face from cold wind. Either way, it is a good, lightweight alternative head covering.
Selecting Filters and Accessories based on Water Availability
The availability of water sources also was a factor in gear selection for our recent treks. In the case of the Arizona Trail, reliable water was consistently several miles apart. And because of the prevalence of cows, the quality of the water could also be questionable. What worked for us was to bring a collapsible bucket to gather and filter a large quantity of water at a time.
We also ran the water through a pre-filter to remove any sediments and foreign objects that may clog our water filter and compromise the taste. A scoop, fashioned from the cut-off bottom of a plastic one-liter bottle, easily filled the bucket for filtering. While the bucket works out great for hikes that have large water carries, we agree that we wouldn’t need it on treks that have more plentiful water.
We have used the Sawyer Squeeze filter for many years, but have recently become intrigued by the Katadyn BeFree Filter. During our AZT trek, we decided to give it a try. The BeFree has a larger opening, so it is easier to scoop up dirty water on the go. The filter fits right on the top of the bottle, allowing you to drink the water directly from it. On this trip, we used it to “top off” at sources where we wanted a quick drink in the heat. We also utilized it at meals to filter several liters for cooking.
We both liked the convenience of the BeFree, but the sediment found in the Arizona water impacted the filter flow about three days into our trek. Backflushing helped a little, but we were hoping for a more consistent experience. We had an old Sawyer filter with us as a backup, but it fared worse (we will be buying a new one before our next outing). So the BeFree will be part of our water filtering system, but whether it is a primary or secondary filter will depend on our water sources for the given trek.
Staying On Track and In Touch
When we hike, we use a combination of paper maps, phone apps, and GPS files to keep us on course. It is no fun to lose the trail and do what we call “bonus miles.” Late last year, Darren decided to buy a Garmin Fenix 5 Plus GPS Smartwatch. It has been a game-changer for us in trail navigation. Instead of having to get a paper map out or look at our phones, Darren can now just review a gpx track that has been imported into his watch to determine if we are on the correct trail. It has saved us all kinds of time while hiking. And we haven’t gotten off trail for more than a few feet since Darren made the watch purchase.
One final tried and true item is our Garmin inReach Mini GPS Satellite Communicator. It comes with us on any off-the-grid trip, as the inReach Mini is a vital safety and communication device. We have a plan that we can turn on for a month at a time. It allows us to send unlimited preset messages to our family to let them know our location and our status.
We typically send a message during our lunch break and at our campsite each night. In turn, we can check for email, in case there are any family emergencies we need to be aware of. So there is peace of mind for us and our family. And the device literally transmits from anywhere (even the bottom of the Grand Canyon after waiting for about 20 minutes!).
The inReach Mini uses almost no battery because we turn it off when we are finished with our transmission (you can keep it on to track your course if desired). There is also an SOS function in case one of us gets hurt or injured. This is important to have, especially when there is no cell phone service, and you only see two people in 4 1/2 days, like on our recent AZT trek. It is great to get home and see the messages that were sent on a map – a nice record of accomplishment.
With 132 miles of hiking completed thus far in 2021, we are now turning our sights to alpine and mountain trekking this summer. And that will necessitate tailoring our gear for those environments. As always, weather (and fire conditions) will dictate what our actual trekking schedule will be. Stay tuned for us to communicate our plans!
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