I must admit, it has been hard finding the kind of gear that I would of liked to purchase for him. My closest outdoor stores only stock basic kids supplies like pack and go rain jackets. I've had to do the majority of my shopping online.
I've tried to use what I have already had and borrowed what could be borrowed. But it still left quite a list of things that he needed. First up, an overview of what he is carrying in himself.
Pack: His pack, is actually my own day pack. An Osprey Tempest 40L. It's a women's pack but it fits him perfectly when adjusted. It saved a considerable amount of money. It fits the items he needs perfectly with a little room to spare.
Hydration Bladder: Bought new for this trip - An Osprey 2.5L. I swear by Osprey bladders - my current on is almost 8 years old and still going strong.
Weatherproof Jacket/Coat: Whilst not bought for our upcoming trip, this jacket is still a new purchase. I done a lot of looking around - two kids needed new rain gear so I needed to find value and quality in one. This jacket is from a UK site called 'Mountain Warehouse'. The jacket is fabulous quality, it goes to just below his butt. It is wind and waterproof, has enough coverage and protection for the face and adjustable wrist straps. I bought two of these coats (Style is the Orbit) on sale for $35.99 each (Aussie Dollars). Other jackets that I looked at were more than double this cost and on paper had the same kind of features. I am seriously happy with this purchase!!
Gloves: Already owned, a spare pair of mine. I like finger-less gloves personally, these have a mitten cover when needed but I like to be able to feel the rocks/ground/whatever it may be that I need to scramble over and finger-less gloves make doing so less of a hassle. I own a few pairs of good quality ones, most the same.
Sleeping Mat: This is new. Money was an issue but also wanting to keep him comfortable and warm at the same time. Weight was another issue as well. This Therm-a-rest mat comes it at a light 400gms. The downside is that it is bulky - the up side is that it is virtually indestructible. It was around the $65 mark, I actually bought two of them. I needed to save some pack weight myself so this is also what I will be taking in. I plan on taking my eldest two on a few summer hikes - this is what they will be using. Can't go wrong for the price and the weight. It is pretty comfortable as well.
Sleeping Bag: Brand is Marmot. It is a little heavy at 1.5 kgs - BUT it has a great warmth rating and compresses down quite well.
Sleeping Bag Liner: This Sea to Summit liner was brought new. I already own a similar liner from the same brand, so it is what I went to straight away. Thermolite Reactor Fleece, it is super warm. A little heavier than some liners but huge warmth benefits. My own is the next warmth rating down, they also make great hot weather sleeping bags if hiking in the heat.
Luxury Item - Camp Pillow: Totally a luxury item, and not needed. But we all as hikers have items that we enjoy to use. Mine is a light weight camp pillow - bought new for Charlie. Coming in at 36gms it was something that we could afford weight wise to include. (Extremely small teal parcel in photo)
Toilet Paper: New, obviously hahaha. Packed simply in a glad bag. I find glad bags just as good as dry bags, less weight and easier to stuff into little hidy holes within your pack. I reuse all my glad bags - some almost 8 years old.
Pack of dry thermals: Bought new - his spare are XTM size small males. I'll go into more detail about his hiking clothing in another post. But basically all I pack is an extra pair of thermals (always merino) and two pairs of socks. Depending on how many days then perhaps a spare pair of undies. 1 pair of outerwear (that will obviously be worn in).
Spare Socks x 2: Kathmandu - a liner sock and a thicker sock.
Utensils: Sea to Summit fold down cup, bowl and cutlery. He wanted this in his pack. I know he feels cool owning his own hiking gear, even something as simple as a fold down
His pack weighed in at a total of 3.6 kgs - Which I am stoked about to say the least. With the addition of his water and perhaps a meal pack or two (to take a little of my own weight) it will still be well under the 6 kg mark. I was aim to not get it over 8.
We will go through his outer gear in a few days.
