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People who have hiked and backpacked across countries and stuff. Lightweight gear.

fuzzybabybunny

fuzzybabybunny

Moderator<br>Digital & Video Cameras
Moderator
I want to do a lot of traveling this year.my business is to the point where it can go with minimal input from me so I can take off if I wanted to.

I just need some lightweight and compact gear recommendations. I have a background in ultralight backpacking but could always use some more tips. Right now the most bothersome are a lightweight DSLR and laptop with a quality screen good enough for photo work. MacBook air seems to be the only option. Zenbook screen is too washed out. I would light a weather proof DSLR but the fuckers are really heavy with their stupid magnesium bodies and I have to go with canon for good video capabilities. I shoot both but Nikons video sucks. An ultrawide, 18-200, 50mm prime, and extension tubes should suffice.

Anything else I need? Solar chargers? Recommended ultralight backpacks (I have a granite gear but it is inconvenient, sorta). Bring TP?
 
I guess all of that bankruptcy talk from your bike crash to having a pregnant jet fighter pilot girlfriend is all in the past.
 
May I suggest a trip to REI - your gonna need a huge pack for all those electronics you plan on carrying.

forget the water purification kit and quality tent, sleeping bag, parka, stove and boots - what you need are lightweight packable electronics and solar chargers and cables.

Do you expect anyone to take your posts seriously? If you answer that question yes I'd suggest you buy yourself a used M3.
 
Post is slightly pointless unless you tell us where you're going.

Go to REI and buy a backpack. In warm countries you don't need much space. I've done it with 34 liters. That's about 5 lbs of clothes and the rest digital camera stuff. Get a separate and smaller backpack for daytrips. I'd suggest something like a slingshot for the camera but one with a little bit of extra space for a guidebook and swimtrunks.

In cold countries you need much more space. So if you're doing both you'll want to buy a bigger backpack and just have it half empty in warm countries. Do not bring cold weather gear with you to warm countries for 12 months since you'll hate yourself and people around you will think you're an idiot and annoying. It's simply annoying when you're trying to catch a ride in say Java and the guy with you is struggling to keep up and fills up half the cab with his 90 lbs of gear. Your best bet is to plan ahead and either meet someone in the first cold country you go to who brings you gear or to buy it there.

If you have decent camera gear bring it. The key is to make sure it doesn't get bounced around too much though so have a good bag with you. I think the only thing that sucks is that there are going to be a lot of situations where you have to bring the gear with you even though you don't want to. Leaving all that gear in a guesthouse in a 3rd world country is almost asking for trouble. Kids in particular have the most ingenious ways to steal your stuff. When I was in Cambodia they had bars and shutters on the windows and the doors locked really well at this place I was at. Neighbors left their camera and ipod on the bed so these kids took a large bamboo pole and placed rat glue or something on the end of it. Easy as pie for them to get it out of the room in 10 seconds flat by prying open the shutters and just sticking it in there.
 
Hmm I only have limited survival training but I do know that four things you always want to carry anywhere are fire making implements, a couple quality knives, some type of lightweight and weatherproof nylon or rayon cordage and a thermal blanket. But I think we're talking about different things? Your post is extremely vague about what exactly you're going to be doing/where you're going.

I will say that if you truly want to travel light in a developed country leave the laptop/PC at home and just VPN in from a computer in a library or internet cafe when you have to check your email or touch base with people.
 
You will need this

worlds_biggest_swissarmy2.JPG
 
randomrogue said:
Go to REI and buy a backpack. In warm countries you don't need much space. I've done it with 34 liters. That's about 5 lbs of clothes and the rest digital camera stuff. Get a separate and smaller backpack for daytrips. I'd suggest something like a slingshot for the camera but one with a little bit of extra space for a guidebook and swimtrunks.
Click to expand...

A lot of the larger camping/hiking packs come with a detachable daypack as well. OP might be able to throw his gear inside that, inside an insert.

As mentioned, OP, get to an REI and talk with the people there. Quite often there are pretty avid and experienced backpackers/travelers you can talk to.
 
EliteRetard said:
I will say, something like that is very usefull, but ever so slightly impractical. They actually expect you to fold open and close each of those items...seriously. If it came with a sheath it'd be so much better.
Click to expand...

Serious? It's obviously just a one off display piece. Or if it's a product then it's again a limited edition display item, not meant for use.
 
Gooberlx2 said:
A lot of the larger camping/hiking packs come with a detachable daypack as well. OP might be able to throw his gear inside that, inside an insert.

As mentioned, OP, get to an REI and talk with the people there. Quite often there are pretty avid and experienced backpackers/travelers you can talk to.
Click to expand...

Don't get the detachable ones ever. They make the bag have a very odd center of gravity. You want something that is very comfortable full and empty. The ones with side pouches that stick out and a big detachable bag on the back are not good.

I think the thorntree forums at lonely planet are a far better source. Go to REI for the selection but not for their expertise. They don't know very much. Those guys might have gone camping but very few have done extended trips or anything cross countries. I only shop at REI when they have their annual sale on backpacks. Otherwise it's pretty expensive.

The OP might be full of shit. If he's not he needs to say what he wants to do. If you're gonna climb Mt Kilimanjaro and hike across Africa that's going to require a completely different approach than a weekend trip to Yosemite.

I should add that beyond bag, clothes and camera a good first aid kit is very important. One that you put together yourself that has the essentials for your travel situation.
 
randomrogue said:
Go to REI for the selection but not for their expertise. They don't know very much. Those guys might have gone camping but very few have done extended trips or anything cross countries. I only shop at REI when they have their annual sale on backpacks. Otherwise it's pretty expensive.
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Really depends on where you are. The folks in SLC are likely to be far more knowledgeable than the folks in St. Louis.

Then again, I never go into REI looking for advice.
 
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