For reasons unknown to me, a lot of backpackers think that making a detailed gear list is the sign of an ultralight fanatic or that you've crossed over to the UL darkside and become a dreaded gram weenie. I'm here to tell you otherwise. It's true that a gear list can be an extremely powerful tool for helping you understand, manage, and reduce your overall pack weight, but it's much more useful than that.
It should go without saying that your gear list needs to be constantly updated and tweaked as you adjust the items you carry and make notes along the trail. It serves as the reference point to where you are and where you want to get to with regards to pack weight. Careful observation and experimentation both on and off the trail are key.
Packing - Leave No Gear Behind
In addition to using a gear list to track weight it can be used as a checklist tool to help you gather, inspect, and pack all of your gear before a trip. There’s nothing worse than getting a few miles into a hike and realizing that you left a critical piece of gear at home on the kitchen table. Your gear list will help you to avoid that from happening. I have three check box columns on the left of the spreadsheet I use that are designed to walk me through the this process: Find, Check, Pack.
I systematically locate (find) each piece of gear on my list and gather them into one area on the floor. I check each piece off the list using the "Find" column to track my progress. I then inspect (check) each piece of gear to ensure that it is functioning properly. Does it require maintenance, new batteries, or extra supplies? If all is good I'll put a tick in the check column. Once I've found and inspected all of my gear I use the last column (pack) to make sure that I have put each and every item in my backpack. It probably sounds a bit tedious but I can tell you that it works for me - every time.
Evaluate Your Gear
Another huge benefit of having a detailed gear list is using it for keeping track of what works, what doesn’t work, and what doesn’t even get used on the trail. There’s only so much elimination and weight reduction that can be done at home, so at some point you are going to have to validate this by getting outside and using your gear.
Keep accurate notes using your notepad so that you don’t have to rely on memory to recall what it was that didn’t work and you thought could get left behind next time. Getting into the habit of good note taking will help you in the long run.
After Each Trip
Use your notes to assess your gear list and make determinations on what you can adjust for next time. You may need more of one thing but less of another. Practice, practice, practice!
Based on a combination of your trail notes and what’s left in your pack, you can identify the pieces of gear to eliminate and leave at home on your next trip. Look at your notes to see if there were things that only got used occasionally and might be able to be substituted by another item that can serve double duty. For example, don’t carry a bowl and a cup when one or the other will serve for both purposes.
These are just some of the benefits of using a gear list that don't really even involve weighing your gear. Do you have any other suggestions on how a gear list can help?
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23 comments:
Excellent article.
Like they say, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." Thanks for this excellent post.
That's it in a nutshell! Thanks :)
Hi Joe, good to hear that you're using this and that it's actually working out for you. Thanks for letting me know. I'm also always open to suggestions for improvements. - BG
Ha, I like the (yet)...
I started using a check list years ago, after a trip where I left my headlamp and rain jacket at home, really could have used them too. I like the multi-collum check list, if you will excuse me I will go open my spreadsheet now and make changes. thanks so much for the tip.
I'd be happy to share a blank template spreadsheet for download if anyone would like?
I use a gear list for different reasons. Keeping my load as light as possible, divvying up gear between people in the group, or just to prove a point to myself that I don't REALLY need that folding stool or hardback novel I initially thought of bringing...
Sure, Brian: it would be great if you could share your template!
Brian, Great post. I like to use geargrams.com except for the fact that you cannot print out their spreadsheets. I think it would be great it you could share your template.
As soon as I get home from a hike, I take a couple of pages of notes of weather conditions, trail conditions, what gear I used or did not use, things I would have done differently, etc. It helps me fine tune my gear list for the next trip.
Like you said, it also helps me to make sure not to forget anything critical which is extremely important! But nearly as important, it helps to ease my stress of worrying IF I forgot anything.
I'm traveling for work right now, but give me a couple of days and I'll get a blank template ready and share it out with you all.
Outdoors for recreation or fitness is great!
I posted a link to download a blank gear list template at the bottom of the original blog post (above).
Yes I would appreciate thee list
Hey, that worked
Thanks Jesse. My kids are 7 and 5 so we have a trick we use for their checklists. We draw out each main piece of clothing that they need to collect and pack with the number of said items they need. So for example: a drawing of a pair of socks with the number 4 next to it. Then they simply collect all their stuff and check them off the list as they pack. Works great!
Thanks for the packing list Brian. We camp all the time and make lists too! Sure has helped alot-specially one time when hubby forgot to pack my sling to get me out of my wheelchair- or the air mattress for the bed! LOL.
I hope that he doesn't forget those types of things again. The gear list template is just a guide, feel free to modify it to suite your needs.
The "check" column is the column I need....would have served me well this last weekend when I took my rain fly without the tent because I didn't check it first. HA!
It's always the simple things that we never think of. That one little column (and process) would have saved you. Make sure you remember/adjust for next time!
I use lists for everything—day walks, overnights, cycle trips, overseas trips, firewood cutting, etc. After each outing I update the list on the computer. Some people think this is excessive but I don't get to the airport without my passport as a nuclear physicist I know once did. I'm not too smart to think I don't need a list.
This is a great website for someone who hasn't backpacked for 30 years but is rediscovering it now.
Thanks Clare. I'm rather OCD and forgetful, so lists in any form help me tremendously. From a tiny pocket notebook and pen, or 3x5 index cards, up to my iPhone and MacBook - I have and use lists frequently. They work for me (and you) but they're not for everyone and I appreciate that.
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. I hope you find some of my other OCD-related posts here useful too!
Great Chart. Would you mind posting the version with the checklist columns on the left?
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