Gear Types

Categorizing your gear into types makes your life easier. It is simpler to remember everything you need to pack when it is categorized. It also makes it easier to keep your pack organized. There are numerous different systems out there for categorizing gear. I'm no expert on the subject; I'm not sure anyone is an expert on it. Its really more of a personal preference. That said, this site categorizes gear in a certain way, and an introduction to the gear types this site uses follows.

When it comes to categorizing your gear, there are four groups that are essential and comprise the majority of the weight you will carry. The big four are:

Packs - Backpack and any additional bags, straps, liners, or stuff sacks.

Shelters - Tent/tarp/hammock, ground cloth, rigging lines, and stakes.

Sleeping - Sleeping bag or quilt, bag liners, and sleeping pads.

Clothing - Everything from pants to shirts to shoes, hats, gloves, etc.

Additionally, there are six other categories that this site uses. Some of the gear in these categories is essential and some isn't. The other types are:

Kitchen - Stove, dishes, utensils and any gear used for storage, preparation, and consumption of food and water. Includes gear for storing beverages, filtering/purifying beverages, and consuming them. Another essential group.

Navigation - Compass, GPS, radio, binoculars, maps, pens and pencils, notebooks, etc. A very good idea to have, but not essential if you are following marked trails.

Maintenance - Gear necessary for maintenance of gear and yourself: first aid kit, soap, toilet paper, patch kits, duct tape, etc.

Consumables - Items that are consumed during a trip: stove fuel, food, water, etc.

Entertainment - Books, musical instruments, camera equipment, and other gear that is not necessary but is carried for fun.

Miscellaneous - Whatever doesn't fit into any other category.

Registered users can enter their gear on this site, including what type it is. This information is then used to generate customized gear lists for planning and packing purposes. There are several ways for users to enter their gear. After logging in, users can manually enter their gear. Or they can search through our catalog of gear and find the items they own. After entering your gear, you can start creating gear lists.

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