My 2026 gear breakdown! I'll show you what I use and why…
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My 2026 gear breakdown! I'll show you what I use and why.
https://preview.redd.it/jipho72qbexg1.jpg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6b3461f3f3f5faa93e67b75f53f9697d2c147c5f
Hey everyone! I've been pretty busy dialing in my backpacking kit over the past 4 years or so. Like many, I started with budget items and heavy stuff, working my way up to more expensive gear which also is more of an investment, not gonna lie. However it also makes the hobby even more enjoyable, so it's worth it to me as I do more and more trips as well.
In this post I want to do a breakdown of my current gear and tell you how it works for me and what I use it for. I hope you'll enjoy!
**Durston X-Dome 1+ (aluminium poles, regular inner)**
https://preview.redd.it/596ani7tbexg1.jpg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d30eebe7859abf3fa33eadbbfb85dd0c1098251c
https://preview.redd.it/s7i6vi7tbexg1.jpg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2c4b9535deacdff840d15e4bc80f759230d8a628
https://preview.redd.it/qbjx0c8tbexg1.jpg?width=1536&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=dc1436b2dd327d8e67aca5966f772c8821f77a1c
This must be one of my highlights of my gear list, as well as the most expensive item on the list. I previously owned 2 Naturehike tents, and although they were great, they were inner pitch first, heavy and one was nylon which sagged and touched the inner tent all the time, dripping condensation inside the tent.
This tent is basically the perfect combination of having enough space, but still be relatively compact, lightweight and small to pack. The vestibule is absolutely hige and I can easily fot the chair and table next to each other wothout them being in the way of the main entrance door. I've never had such a big vestibule on my previous tents. With a 3FUL groundsheet I can attach to the same 4 stakes on the corners I can make this into a 2 person space to pack up/organize gear while still being able to keep dry under the fly. See how that looks below.
The tent is very easy to pitch and I pack the poles seperately, so I have this insanely small package.
**Durston Kakwa 55L (Ultragrid, Large frame, M/L hipbelt)**
https://preview.redd.it/l6bgz86ubexg1.jpg?width=1536&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=afcef01d8bb1663e014720bfc02cd14695394ca2
The Kakwa 55L is another one of those great additions. It's very lightweight at only 890 grams and carries very comfortably. I love this pack and hope to use this for at least the coming 5 years. I can fit everything in it very comfortably and love the small details like being able to zip the hipbelt poickets open with one hand, or the higher side pocket for hiking poles and tent poles. I came from a Gregory Zulu 55L and that was great, but almost 900 grams heavier.
**Naturehike CW400 down sleeping bag**
https://preview.redd.it/lrugh6ovbexg1.jpg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=46259367727d42ae99e09eae47e45ee2beba9396
This one I've been using for over 3 years now. It's a great bag for the price of only around 120. It folds open like a blanket/quilt and has a comfort rating around 5 degrees celcius. However it might be one of the last things I want/need to upgrade. Why? I keep twisting and turning in my sleep and kinda feel constricted in a sleeping bag, although this isn't even a mummy bag. I've been reading more and more about quilts and it does make sense to me. At home you're sleeping under a blanket, why not during a camping trip? I'm eyeing a quilt with a comfort rating of -2 which packs smaller and is around 250 grams lighter than this sleeping bag. I would use that as a blanket and don't even need to sinch it down since I mostly camp in above freezing temperatures. Still i almost only have good thing to say about this sleeping bag. The only real downside is that I feel a lot of cold air seeping through the side zipper, and like I mentioned, you can feel constricted in (any) this sleeping bag.
**Helinox Chair Zero and Helinox Side table S**
https://preview.redd.it/v5rjuczwbexg1.jpg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fe8b9d1c2fa0e75058862eace0971774a7db1bc3
Yeah... I'm even bringing furniture into my backpacking trips lmao. Ever since we did a 4 day backpacking trip and I had a sour back from sitting against trees and on the ground, I wanted to invest in a good chair. This one is so loghtweight, it's definitely worth it to bring on all trips. Next to that, it also keeps my things off the ground and helps with packing, again to keep things of the ground and in reach. I got the chair second hand for around 80 dollars, so a great price IMO.
The table is also great. Weight about 240 grams and is great to cook on or put your phone to watch a movie. Also the round table blade can be used as a plate, so I don't need to bring a plate. I wouldn't bring this table on every trip though, only when weight matters a bit less.
**Sea to Summit Ether Light XR (long wide)**
https://preview.redd.it/nhcks1cybexg1.jpg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=528542129465ae78573098c08cd141ae1b894731
This has been my biggest improvement for sleep comfort. This sleeping pad is insanely comfortable and packs down really small. I've used a Nemo Astro Insulated (R2.6-ish) for 2,5 years and that weighed almost a kilogram and packed twice as large as well. Also it was less comfy too.
The only thing I was scared off, was that the S2S wouldn't be warm enough. On my first night with it (late autumn 2025) I actually thought it'd be too cold since I felt like having cold spots. However after some more use and having it down to almost freezing temperatures last night I can definitely say it sleeps warm enough for me. For a sleeping pad I've always chosen a long wide, since it just gives me so much extra comfort and room to move. Also as a side sleeper it's nice to have that extra width, as well as height on a sleeping pad. Can definitely recommend this one.
**Decathlon Simond MT100 down jacket**
https://preview.redd.it/weodaanzbexg1.jpg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5e32b54a474ef473ac0f2a4334f90d1b0663afd0
I got my hands on this jacket for only 46 dollars, new! Very comfortable and lightweight jacket that I've succesfully taken down to 5 degrees celcius with only a t-shirt under it. Definitely doesn't under perform to Patagonia or RAB jackets. Also packs into itself which is a nice thing.
Fire Maple Green Peak stove and Fire Maple pot 600ML
I've used an Amazon stove kit for 4 years, which was only 20 dollars but worked fine. However this system is a lot more reliable and boils water almost 3x as fast. So I'm both saving weight and precious fuel on my trips. Also I like that the Green Peak stove kinda integrates into the pot's sleeves.
Inside the pot I have a 110g cannister, a mini towel from Naturehike (same as in the picture, just the smallest model) a lighter and the stove. I also have 3 little feet that I can clip into my Primus cannister for extra stabilization. Don't have a picture of it, but they have magnets and actually stick to the bottom of my cannister which is great!
**Hikeman ultra pouch**
https://preview.redd.it/5zac0zf1cexg1.jpg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=19101451224a2d9dace78019a7c33fe034db04c8
https://preview.redd.it/wnjcxyf1cexg1.jpg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=16dfcdd8621f84a2105eb83a1c713f91feb838cf
This little pouch I came across on the internet is super versatile. It carries all my otherwise loose stuff, that I don't always need direct access to. On the inside I have a small medkit, 6x 1,5m adjustable guylines, a pole splint for my tent, a cleaning kit with toilet paper and tissues, my loop earplugs, detergent and a lighter. On the bottom it carries my long spoon (which clips to the carbiner of the bag so I don't lose it and on the back I can attach my sleeping mask. Lastly I have a few spare guylines for when I might need them.
**Nemo Fillo**
https://preview.redd.it/hvxwveq2cexg1.jpg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2484895243b17ccb56e0728e9c8c2440e2ab3bcb
Also one of my oldest items on the list. It was the first thing from a serious brand I got. It's still very comfortable and love it. The foam really makes a big difference in comfort. Maybe could've been a bit bigger, but overall a nice pillow. It fits exactly in the hood of my sleeping bag.
**Naturehike liner (128 grams, green)**
https://preview.redd.it/myf05hu3cexg1.jpg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f70c53dc23672f189c504e7edaf55bb6ac4d1596
This liner was super cheap and is very small to pack. What I love about a liner is that I can use it for three purposes. 1. to keep my sleeping bag clean, because I'd rather wash the liner than my whole down sleeping bag 2. to wrap around my sleeping pad to make it feel more like a matress at home, and to keep that cleaner as well 3. to slightly add some warmth to my sleep system, making it a bit more versatile. Last night I brought a Sea to Summit Reactor extreme though, because I didn't trust my sleeping bag to keep my warm enough.
**3FUL Gear Ground sheet (210x130 cm)**
https://preview.redd.it/64b1ptj5cexg1.jpg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=84a1c28b9b01029ab46b61e164c964fd40342940
https://preview.redd.it/fqbxfej5cexg1.jpg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b32d5c909362105698408381b7a10f35c1b3fa32
Funnily enough this has been one of my best additions recently. It fits exactly under my X-dome 1+'s fly, but doesn't stick out at all. Because of the offset design on my tent, this ground sheet basically transforms the 1,5P tent into a 2P space. Of course the walls of the inner tent still only go so far, but when you zip away the second smaller door, you have a really big clean space. This has helped me so much for packing up my gear while being able to stay under the fly area.
It does a lot of thing, for only a 165 gram weight penalty. It protects my inner tent from picking up dirt and damaging from poky things under it, but also works great as a sheet to organize gear on without having to put it on mud or wet ground.
I addes custom guylines to it which are adjustable. I can attach those loops to the 4 corner stakes when the tent is stakes out, so I can pull the grounsheet tight and it doesn't blow away or shift.
**Widesea foam sitpad**
Nothing much to say about this other than it's a nice sitpad, very light and versatile like other sitpads.
**Omeril headlamp**
My old trustee headlamp. It's the oldest item on this list and I've been using it for over 5 years now. The adjuster broke last year so now I'm wearing it upside down so the lamp doesn't fall over haha. Maybe I'm upgrading it, but still works so why should I.
**Down booties**
These ones I bought for around 20 dollars 1,5 year ago. They truly are nice when I'm having cold feet and they are very lightweight, I believe around 75 grams each. Pack down pretty small too!
**Verdict**
Whew that's a long text to type. This is not all the gear I own, but it is all the gear I'm currently using. I'm very very happy with how everything works the way it does for me. I'm also happy with the weight (under 6kg) for such a relatively comfortable packing list. It does include a lot of comfort items like a chair, a wide long sleeping pad, a bigger tent, framed backpack etc. For me it's the perfect mix of comfort and weight reduction.
I really hope you enjoyed. Let me know what you think of it (of you came this far).
If you have any questions about the gear I'm using, feel free to reach out!
#hiking #camping #activity
source
https://preview.redd.it/jipho72qbexg1.jpg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6b3461f3f3f5faa93e67b75f53f9697d2c147c5f
Hey everyone! I've been pretty busy dialing in my backpacking kit over the past 4 years or so. Like many, I started with budget items and heavy stuff, working my way up to more expensive gear which also is more of an investment, not gonna lie. However it also makes the hobby even more enjoyable, so it's worth it to me as I do more and more trips as well.
In this post I want to do a breakdown of my current gear and tell you how it works for me and what I use it for. I hope you'll enjoy!
**Durston X-Dome 1+ (aluminium poles, regular inner)**
https://preview.redd.it/596ani7tbexg1.jpg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d30eebe7859abf3fa33eadbbfb85dd0c1098251c
https://preview.redd.it/s7i6vi7tbexg1.jpg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2c4b9535deacdff840d15e4bc80f759230d8a628
https://preview.redd.it/qbjx0c8tbexg1.jpg?width=1536&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=dc1436b2dd327d8e67aca5966f772c8821f77a1c
This must be one of my highlights of my gear list, as well as the most expensive item on the list. I previously owned 2 Naturehike tents, and although they were great, they were inner pitch first, heavy and one was nylon which sagged and touched the inner tent all the time, dripping condensation inside the tent.
This tent is basically the perfect combination of having enough space, but still be relatively compact, lightweight and small to pack. The vestibule is absolutely hige and I can easily fot the chair and table next to each other wothout them being in the way of the main entrance door. I've never had such a big vestibule on my previous tents. With a 3FUL groundsheet I can attach to the same 4 stakes on the corners I can make this into a 2 person space to pack up/organize gear while still being able to keep dry under the fly. See how that looks below.
The tent is very easy to pitch and I pack the poles seperately, so I have this insanely small package.
**Durston Kakwa 55L (Ultragrid, Large frame, M/L hipbelt)**
https://preview.redd.it/l6bgz86ubexg1.jpg?width=1536&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=afcef01d8bb1663e014720bfc02cd14695394ca2
The Kakwa 55L is another one of those great additions. It's very lightweight at only 890 grams and carries very comfortably. I love this pack and hope to use this for at least the coming 5 years. I can fit everything in it very comfortably and love the small details like being able to zip the hipbelt poickets open with one hand, or the higher side pocket for hiking poles and tent poles. I came from a Gregory Zulu 55L and that was great, but almost 900 grams heavier.
**Naturehike CW400 down sleeping bag**
https://preview.redd.it/lrugh6ovbexg1.jpg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=46259367727d42ae99e09eae47e45ee2beba9396
This one I've been using for over 3 years now. It's a great bag for the price of only around 120. It folds open like a blanket/quilt and has a comfort rating around 5 degrees celcius. However it might be one of the last things I want/need to upgrade. Why? I keep twisting and turning in my sleep and kinda feel constricted in a sleeping bag, although this isn't even a mummy bag. I've been reading more and more about quilts and it does make sense to me. At home you're sleeping under a blanket, why not during a camping trip? I'm eyeing a quilt with a comfort rating of -2 which packs smaller and is around 250 grams lighter than this sleeping bag. I would use that as a blanket and don't even need to sinch it down since I mostly camp in above freezing temperatures. Still i almost only have good thing to say about this sleeping bag. The only real downside is that I feel a lot of cold air seeping through the side zipper, and like I mentioned, you can feel constricted in (any) this sleeping bag.
**Helinox Chair Zero and Helinox Side table S**
https://preview.redd.it/v5rjuczwbexg1.jpg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fe8b9d1c2fa0e75058862eace0971774a7db1bc3
Yeah... I'm even bringing furniture into my backpacking trips lmao. Ever since we did a 4 day backpacking trip and I had a sour back from sitting against trees and on the ground, I wanted to invest in a good chair. This one is so loghtweight, it's definitely worth it to bring on all trips. Next to that, it also keeps my things off the ground and helps with packing, again to keep things of the ground and in reach. I got the chair second hand for around 80 dollars, so a great price IMO.
The table is also great. Weight about 240 grams and is great to cook on or put your phone to watch a movie. Also the round table blade can be used as a plate, so I don't need to bring a plate. I wouldn't bring this table on every trip though, only when weight matters a bit less.
**Sea to Summit Ether Light XR (long wide)**
https://preview.redd.it/nhcks1cybexg1.jpg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=528542129465ae78573098c08cd141ae1b894731
This has been my biggest improvement for sleep comfort. This sleeping pad is insanely comfortable and packs down really small. I've used a Nemo Astro Insulated (R2.6-ish) for 2,5 years and that weighed almost a kilogram and packed twice as large as well. Also it was less comfy too.
The only thing I was scared off, was that the S2S wouldn't be warm enough. On my first night with it (late autumn 2025) I actually thought it'd be too cold since I felt like having cold spots. However after some more use and having it down to almost freezing temperatures last night I can definitely say it sleeps warm enough for me. For a sleeping pad I've always chosen a long wide, since it just gives me so much extra comfort and room to move. Also as a side sleeper it's nice to have that extra width, as well as height on a sleeping pad. Can definitely recommend this one.
**Decathlon Simond MT100 down jacket**
https://preview.redd.it/weodaanzbexg1.jpg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5e32b54a474ef473ac0f2a4334f90d1b0663afd0
I got my hands on this jacket for only 46 dollars, new! Very comfortable and lightweight jacket that I've succesfully taken down to 5 degrees celcius with only a t-shirt under it. Definitely doesn't under perform to Patagonia or RAB jackets. Also packs into itself which is a nice thing.
Fire Maple Green Peak stove and Fire Maple pot 600ML
I've used an Amazon stove kit for 4 years, which was only 20 dollars but worked fine. However this system is a lot more reliable and boils water almost 3x as fast. So I'm both saving weight and precious fuel on my trips. Also I like that the Green Peak stove kinda integrates into the pot's sleeves.
Inside the pot I have a 110g cannister, a mini towel from Naturehike (same as in the picture, just the smallest model) a lighter and the stove. I also have 3 little feet that I can clip into my Primus cannister for extra stabilization. Don't have a picture of it, but they have magnets and actually stick to the bottom of my cannister which is great!
**Hikeman ultra pouch**
https://preview.redd.it/5zac0zf1cexg1.jpg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=19101451224a2d9dace78019a7c33fe034db04c8
https://preview.redd.it/wnjcxyf1cexg1.jpg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=16dfcdd8621f84a2105eb83a1c713f91feb838cf
This little pouch I came across on the internet is super versatile. It carries all my otherwise loose stuff, that I don't always need direct access to. On the inside I have a small medkit, 6x 1,5m adjustable guylines, a pole splint for my tent, a cleaning kit with toilet paper and tissues, my loop earplugs, detergent and a lighter. On the bottom it carries my long spoon (which clips to the carbiner of the bag so I don't lose it and on the back I can attach my sleeping mask. Lastly I have a few spare guylines for when I might need them.
**Nemo Fillo**
https://preview.redd.it/hvxwveq2cexg1.jpg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2484895243b17ccb56e0728e9c8c2440e2ab3bcb
Also one of my oldest items on the list. It was the first thing from a serious brand I got. It's still very comfortable and love it. The foam really makes a big difference in comfort. Maybe could've been a bit bigger, but overall a nice pillow. It fits exactly in the hood of my sleeping bag.
**Naturehike liner (128 grams, green)**
https://preview.redd.it/myf05hu3cexg1.jpg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f70c53dc23672f189c504e7edaf55bb6ac4d1596
This liner was super cheap and is very small to pack. What I love about a liner is that I can use it for three purposes. 1. to keep my sleeping bag clean, because I'd rather wash the liner than my whole down sleeping bag 2. to wrap around my sleeping pad to make it feel more like a matress at home, and to keep that cleaner as well 3. to slightly add some warmth to my sleep system, making it a bit more versatile. Last night I brought a Sea to Summit Reactor extreme though, because I didn't trust my sleeping bag to keep my warm enough.
**3FUL Gear Ground sheet (210x130 cm)**
https://preview.redd.it/64b1ptj5cexg1.jpg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=84a1c28b9b01029ab46b61e164c964fd40342940
https://preview.redd.it/fqbxfej5cexg1.jpg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b32d5c909362105698408381b7a10f35c1b3fa32
Funnily enough this has been one of my best additions recently. It fits exactly under my X-dome 1+'s fly, but doesn't stick out at all. Because of the offset design on my tent, this ground sheet basically transforms the 1,5P tent into a 2P space. Of course the walls of the inner tent still only go so far, but when you zip away the second smaller door, you have a really big clean space. This has helped me so much for packing up my gear while being able to stay under the fly area.
It does a lot of thing, for only a 165 gram weight penalty. It protects my inner tent from picking up dirt and damaging from poky things under it, but also works great as a sheet to organize gear on without having to put it on mud or wet ground.
I addes custom guylines to it which are adjustable. I can attach those loops to the 4 corner stakes when the tent is stakes out, so I can pull the grounsheet tight and it doesn't blow away or shift.
**Widesea foam sitpad**
Nothing much to say about this other than it's a nice sitpad, very light and versatile like other sitpads.
**Omeril headlamp**
My old trustee headlamp. It's the oldest item on this list and I've been using it for over 5 years now. The adjuster broke last year so now I'm wearing it upside down so the lamp doesn't fall over haha. Maybe I'm upgrading it, but still works so why should I.
**Down booties**
These ones I bought for around 20 dollars 1,5 year ago. They truly are nice when I'm having cold feet and they are very lightweight, I believe around 75 grams each. Pack down pretty small too!
**Verdict**
Whew that's a long text to type. This is not all the gear I own, but it is all the gear I'm currently using. I'm very very happy with how everything works the way it does for me. I'm also happy with the weight (under 6kg) for such a relatively comfortable packing list. It does include a lot of comfort items like a chair, a wide long sleeping pad, a bigger tent, framed backpack etc. For me it's the perfect mix of comfort and weight reduction.
I really hope you enjoyed. Let me know what you think of it (of you came this far).
If you have any questions about the gear I'm using, feel free to reach out!
#hiking #camping #activity
source
| 4,000 mlx | |
| 6 | |
| 0 |