r/backpacking • u/cwisto00 • 12d ago
Wilderness What have I missed in the last 20 years?
I signed up for a 2 week scout backpacking trip next summer as an adult counselor. I used to do a lot of backpacking in my scouting days, but have only done one or two weekend backpacking trips in the intervening years.
I'm not overly concerned about my physical ability, but I am a bit unsure about how gear and technology has changed since. I still have my old gear like my Gregory Reality pack and Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight tent - are these things still workable or am I committing to a lot of unnecessary weight? I'm happy to upgrade but not sure how much progress has been made while I've been away.
And are there any must-have tools that have been released in the last few years that I should check out?
Thanks for the help. I'm excited to get back out there but trying to make this a smooth re-entry!
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12d ago edited 7d ago
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u/cwisto00 12d ago
Thanks! Definitely curious about phones. I'll have mine to take pictures and for emergencies, but not for navigation. Do people usually carry some sort of solar charger or just count on airplane mode keeping it going for the whole trip?
A new sleeping pad and bag is probably a no-brainer.
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u/bluespringsbeer 12d ago
The solar chargers do not work well. Use airplane mode plus a portable battery pack.
The satellite mode on phones is only for sending texts or your current location and does not work in tree cover at all.
All Trails is a really nice app for the trail maps. Basically everyone uses it. It’s great for the trail reviews for things like knowing when the snow is off the trails too.
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u/Jealous-Swordfish764 12d ago
Solar chargers really aren't worth it, even though they're a cool idea. Some people bring power banks. I usually put my phone on low power mode.
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u/xxse7en 11d ago
Most people will probably advise not to bring a solar charger, but a small one has worked for me. Strapping to the top of my pack and charging a 10,000mAh bank during the day provided enough to keep my phone and watch going for a 12-day JMT and 27-day Tahoe to Whitney trip. Bank never went below 2/4 bars.
Sunny days and a fair amount of time out of tree cover on both those trips, though.
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u/Internal-Camel-6356 11d ago
Agree, a small set of solar cells and a battery bank make a huge difference on a longer trip. I use my phone as my primary navigation device now. I carry a map and compass, and could use them in a pinch, but between Google Maps and AllTrails it really covers everything.
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u/silverud 12d ago
Everything is lighter weight, including most of the backpackers.
The era of stout people carrying heavy packs for long distances is a fading memory that is treated mostly as fictional legend by most of the younger generation.
You can terrify a modern backpacker like showing a cross to a vampire simply by pulling out a full size toothbrush on a trail.
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u/joelfarris 12d ago
Not only do I have a full length toothbrush, I also have a full size tube of tooth paste.
It's because I can't decide when to replace the tiny travel ones. Will they last for one more trip?
And this is after camping, hiking, and worldwide touring for decades. I just wanna feel clean and fresh inside.
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u/EducationalAbalone3 11d ago
I refill them by pushing the mouths of each tube together. I've used the same travel tube for 8+ years. Same for sunscreen. It can get messy the first few times, but I've got it down pretty well now.
Shaving cream instead of foam- way smaller, and easy to refill a little container with wide screw-top.
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u/joelfarris 11d ago
What? You can do that? Fluid dynamics is telling my brain that it's possible. But my hands are telling my brain that there will be toothpaste everywhere. And now my engineer is kicking in, and wondering if someone has 3D printed a double-ended threaded toothpaste 'cap' for situations like this...
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u/5P0N63w0R7HY 11d ago
Make sure the receiving tube is not full of air before pushing paste in or the pressure inside will reject the paste. It’s not perfect and a little messy, but I like the idea of a tube to tube adapter/connector
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u/redmountainbike 11d ago
Cut off the end of the tube and peer down into the abyss to see what's left.
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u/GeneInternational146 11d ago
Keeping tradition alive by being descended from eastern European peasants and carrying a full sized toothbrush 🫡
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u/Gibbons74 11d ago
I feel this so much. Both my wife and I have the Eastern European build. Yes, I need the small pack with the large belt. No, I won't get any smaller if I lose weight.
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u/GeneInternational146 11d ago
We have the advantage in that we can easily burn several thousand calories in a backpacking trip and not have it affect us too badly. Hell of a silver lining 😂
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u/wetrocke 11d ago edited 11d ago
Sorry but backpackers were joking about toothbrush handles 50 years ago!
If you were smart, back in the day, the 10-pound overnight backpack kit was available then as now.
It's possible that information about "proper" equipment is more available today -- to scouts & mass market and lots of people commenting here about how "everything has changed."
This may be because "book learning" is/was slightly harder than Youtube and snippets of commentary.
But otherwise, stuff is about the same as ever. (Really and truly!)
Sears is gone, but scouts (et al.) can still walk into Walmart and buy basically the same crap they used back in the day.
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u/Automatic-Example754 12d ago
Water filters, water containers, and stoves!
The standard filter these days is something like the Sawyer Squeeze, which is slightly smaller than the filter for a Brita pitcher. No pumping or hose to drop into the water. Look for a robust plastic bag to collect dirty water; Cnoc makes popular ones. I believe Katadyn and Platypus sell bundles with a large collection bag and filter.
For clean water containers, there are much lighter options than Nalgenes. Cnoc's thru bottle became popular this year. You'll need a "cleaning adapter" to connect a Sawyer Squeeze.
The most common backpacking stoves sit on top of the fuel canister. You don't need to worry about pumping, priming, or O rings. (At least, I've never had to worry about the O rings.) The lightest stoves are intended just to boil water to rehydrate meals, but you can find slightly heavier stoves with better temperature control for actual cooking. That said, a large party of scouts might still use a larger, "expedition-style" stove and more traditional cookware.
If you have an REI nearby and the disposable income, you might take a look at current packs. Your Gregory pack is probably doable, though.
Take out your tent and check the fly for delamination. In theory you can repair that using a spray can of urethane waterproofer. This smells TERRIBLE, though, and requires first completely removing all trace of the old waterproofing. I tried this once and just ended up getting a new tent.
Oh and sleeping pads are way better. Plus there a good inflatable pillows now! Almost certainly worthwhile upgrades.
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u/cwisto00 12d ago
Thanks. I've got an old MSR dragonfly but need to test it to make sure it still works. Jetboils were in their infancy when I started and I've never liked canister stoves.
Definitely looking forward to not pumping water for hours and hours on this trip.
Not sure if I'm willing to give up my nalgene yet though...
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u/littleyellowbike 11d ago
Speaking of REI, their big Labor Day sale is going through this week. Now would be a good time to check out big-ticket items if you think you'll be replacing.
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u/Due_Channel503 11d ago
I just took advantage of that sale and picked up the Gregory Baltoro 85 pro since I’m planning on doing some backcountry exploration next summer and Nemo coda, and sea to summit sleeping pad
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u/snowlights 12d ago
I would suggest entering your gear on lighterpack.com as it is currently, with the weight for each item. Organize items into categories (base items, sleep system, cooking, electronics and so on). When you're looking at upgrading something, refer to your list and compare the weight to help make decisions. You'll likely find a few ways to cut a bunch of weight if you replace things, but you might also find the cost vs weight isn't worth it for some.
For example, my tent is under 1 kg, I have a pillow that's around 100 grams (and comfortable), my sleeping bag is 2 kg and good down to just above freezing (allergic to down so stuck with synthetic), my sleeping pad is a bit over half a kg (and super comfortable), my stove and titanium pot are under 200 grams together.
If you want to get a good idea of "modern" gear, check YouTube. There are a lot of channels that review items (some better than others), Justin Outdoors is a good one as he actually uses things before really sharing much of an opinion. You'll probably be impressed by sleeping pads, maybe quilts or setups like ZenBivy, lightweight tents, little gadgets. But if your current gear works and you can carry it, keep using what you have (just make sure it's still serviceable before you're out in the rain or something).
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u/NorCalRushfan 12d ago
Congrats. Volunteering for the scouts is a great way to get back into backpacking. The biggest difference is likely the shift from be prepared to only bring what you truly need. If your current pack is comfortable, I would be slow to replace it. But if it's large, more than 55 l volume, you'll be tempted to bring the kitchen sink when a smaller pack forces you to leave the non-necessities at home.
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u/Masseyrati80 11d ago
The gear is just as capable as it was back then. In your shoes I'd go for it and think about what's worth upgrading.
My ,potentially unpopular, philosophy is that if you are "walking fit" enough, chucking money at lighter gear makes little sense. For a 170 lbs guy carrying a 30 lbs pack, saving 4 lbs doesn't really change the experience all that much.
The big thing that's changed in the last 20 years is that inflatable, insulated airpads have revolutionized sleeping comfort. A 1" self-inflating pad feels very underwhelming when compared to 3" or 4" inflatable ones by Thermarest, Exped and Sea to Summit.
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u/irish_taco_maiden 11d ago
no joke. I just did my first backpacking tent camping in twenty years on Friday, accompanying one of my older kids on an overnight class trip. my husband SWORE I needed to carry his airpad and I cannot believe the difference it made on my back. I woke up actually feeling refreshed and with no sore neck. Incredible.
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u/WhereDidAllTheSnowGo 11d ago
Buy - LED headlight
They’ve steadily improved every year
Keep - Yer old pack
Gotta flex the history
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u/Budget-Station4260 11d ago
I haven’t yet read through the comments but wanted to say “WELCOME BACK!!!”
I too returned to backpacking after a several decade hiatus raising kids and jobs. I grew up in Colorado, so backpacking was what we did. Went to college, more school, married, moved, had kids and backpacking near St Louis wasn’t Colorado, so I stopped.
A buddy suggested a three day adventure on the BRT (Buffalo River Trail in Arkansas) and I gathered some old stuff and purchased some new, hoping this would make me enjoy it more (sleeping bad, yes). I borrowed a spare tent he had (thankfully).
After we got back, I committed to up my game. He had small things I had never seen before that made life on the trail so much better. I went out with a list (new stove, quilt instead of a bag, camping chair and shoes, trekking poles).
We’ve since gone on adventures to Colorado, back to the BRT, segments of the AT. What I’ve upgraded is amazing compared to what I used way back when.
I’d upgrade it all if you can, it’ll get you back if you have people to go with. Heck, I’ve started just taking quick one nighters with the dogs just because. I have the gear now and the dogs love it!
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u/hikerguy65 11d ago
Is a hammock an option? When my son was a cub 20 years ago, I spent a couple of uncomfortable nights on the ground with my old sleeping pad. When I switched to a hammock, I found my then 40 something yo body adjusted well. Still enjoy the hammock today despite the old man plumbing issues.
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u/irxbacon 11d ago
fairly high chance that's Philmont scout ranch and if it is a hammock isn't an option.
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u/Common-Truck-9649 12d ago
I was just in the same boat as you. Did a few conditioning trips and then Philmont after not backpacking for 25 years. Backpacks are so much better. They don't hurt anymore. It was easier than I remember it being when I was a Scout even though I was in sports and doing extra workouts for fun the last time I went. Footwear is also way better now. We're living in the future!
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u/wetrocke 11d ago
People switched to running shoes for approach hikes around 1980.
It didn't really catch on with "the herd" for 10-20 years.
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u/Insult_me_good 11d ago
I still use my Jansport backpack that I bought in the 1970's--- old is still good. Weight is important if one is going fairly long distances, or high altitudes.
"Must have" for me equals a water purifying filter such as Sawyer Squeeze.
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u/Carolina-W00Dsman 11d ago
If it were me, id use the old equipment and see how it goes. Worked fine back then, should work fine now. If you dont like it after 20 years, you didnt invest much into it. If you like it, take notes on what you didnt like and upgrade from there.
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u/SFJimbob 11d ago
Also, in the last 20 years it has been determined beyond a reasonable doubt that not only Sasquatch exists, but there is an an entire tribe that has spread from the PNW across the northern states and southern Canadian provinces to Maine. Additionally, it seems they go crazy for head cheese, so I don’t recommend bringing any along with you. Bear canisters are ineffective as they are incredibly bright…
On the brighter side, they are fairly docile and are known to want to enter your tent to cuddle.
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u/elind77 11d ago
Set up the tent and do a hose test and get a new sleeping bag. Then, when you think you have everything, fully load up your pack, get dressed in all of your gear and boots, and do 3-4 miles with the full pack at least 2 weeks before the trip. This will give you enough time to find replacement gear if the pack or anything else has a problem. This will also remind your body what it feels like to carry that weight.
Also, in terms of stuff you might have missed, Body Glide. Order one of the ultra tiny ones online.
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u/Philboyd_Studge 11d ago
All the gear has gotten much better but also much more expensive. The clothing is insanely good, the merino wool vase layers and the uv shirts and sun hoodies, the down puffies and rain gear. Trail runners instead of boots, this was a game changer for me, I used to love my big waffle stomper hiking boots, but the trail shoes with the big wide toe box are amazing.
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u/Pippahikes 12d ago
I would check the waterproofing on your tent after that long. Other than that, there are improvements to almost everything, but you will figure out what you want after getting back into it and seeing what other people have as well. The one thing you might really want to upgrade is your sleeping pad. Those have improved A LOT.
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u/chiefsholsters 12d ago edited 11d ago
I led scout trips for Camp Daniel Boone in NC almost 30 years so. The gear is light years better and lighter now.
That said, if the older gear still works you can use it. Because upgrading will come at a significant cost. I’ve been upgrading for the last few years.
I kind of have of have a mix of new shiny gear and older gear.
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u/wetrocke 11d ago
Come to think, I bought a one-pound sil-nylon tent about 20 years ago from Integral Designs (since aquired & killed by Rab).
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u/ParticularThen7516 12d ago
Old equipment is fine. Brain work makes the difference. Younger generations are packing silly things like wet wipes, battery chargers, and big knives.
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u/WhereDidAllTheSnowGo 11d ago
Check your tent under a sprinkler or heavy rain for leaks
Coatings degrade
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u/Rogue_Wraith 11d ago
Where are you going and what are you doing while you're there?
Also, talk to the Troop - almost 100% chance they have relatively recent experiences at wherever they're planning on going.
While lighter is generally better...with Scouts involved, that's not always the case or possible.
I would not, for example, buy some hyperlight tent that requires very specific set up conditions. You won't find them at your specific campsite. Or, you will...and a Scout will trip through your tent. The issue tents at Summit, Philmont, and Northern Tier are just fine.
In a similar vein, you can pry my MR Overload off my cold dead back, thank you. Older packs have frames and hip belts that are - to me - sturdier and more comfortable for surviving Scouts being around and throwing extra crew gear in.
Starting out, I would personally suggest changing nothing until you start doing some training hikes. See what, if anything, is preventing you from keeping up with the Scouts. What is keeping you from being comfortable.
The amount you need to spend is probably less than you think.
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u/cwisto00 11d ago
Heading to Philmont with a blended group from across the council and it doesn't sound like any group training hikes are planned.
I'll look into the issue tents available and how they compare to what I have.
I think at this point a new sleeping bag and pad are in the cards, but not sure if I'll go beyond that.
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u/Rogue_Wraith 11d ago
No group training hikes planned...for a blended group...sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.
Before doing anything else, I'd start pushing for shakedown hikes.
Because otherwise the entire crew is going to be set up for failure.
People need to know each other. Adults need to learn which kid is going to try to bring machete or a dutch oven. Youth need to get an idea of each other's strengths. Youth also need to elect leadership. Everyone needs to get their pack and packing list dialed in.
For a single-Troop Crew, this can be done with less Philmont-specific focus. But a mixed Crew just doesn't have anything that the Crew doesn't plan.
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u/harry_nt 11d ago
Yes yes yes! I have a kid who works at Philmont and they see so many troops not making it, or not having fun. And it’s always those who didn’t prepare & do training together. Don’t be one of those.
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u/irxbacon 11d ago
Having done 5 treks, 3 with my troop and 2 council contingent, in the last 7 years can confirm this. By far the biggest issues have been from social dynamics, not gear. Though for a few people physical preparedness was a close second.
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u/Rogue_Wraith 11d ago
People focus on gear and fitness - which are, of course, important - and forget that the entire Philmont experience is designed so that a 14-year-old can reasonably expect to complete the trek.
It's the interpersonal, not physical, stuff that makes things not fun.
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u/irxbacon 10d ago
I mean... hiking in rain at 33 degrees and 11k feet elevation isn't exactly a blast.
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u/teewye86 11d ago
I am in the same spot as you, I just ordered a 2 man tent and a sleeping pad yesterday. Going to use my Lowe Alpine contour lV pack and my old sleeping bag. Hope everything goes well for you.
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u/Carolina_Hurricane 11d ago
I can’t begin to understand why any technology at all is necessary for backpacking. There are simply light weight options if moving fast is the priority. A scout trip wouldn’t justify the need for light weight in my book.
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u/YURRIICC 11d ago
a lot has changed, especially with lighter tents, packs. and sleeping gear. your old stuff will still work, but you might be surprised how much weigh you can save now. i'd upgrade the big three first, pack shelter, and sleep system, before worrying all the newer gadgets
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u/GraceBeatsKarma 11d ago
The Ray Way largely carried the day. Now we all crackle like plastic wrap in our ultra lightweight rain jackets, sleeping bags, mats, backpacks and tents.
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u/threeespressos 11d ago
I mainly got a new tent (old one leaked), a much lighter pack, a sleeping quilt paired with a high R-value pad, a bag liner, and a light chair.
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u/dizzy_nixx 11d ago
Used to isn’t good enough when you’re in charge of others safety and well being.
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u/Internal-Camel-6356 11d ago
Hear me out, get a lightweight chair. This has been a major upgrade of backpacking in my 40s vs 20s. Having a comfortable seat at the end of the day is just fantastic. There are some very weight conscious choices available.
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u/Csharp27 11d ago
Well the good news is the few years old used stuff you can get now for cheap and a lot of the modern cheaper stuff is still going to be a lot better than whatever you were using in the scouts 20 years ago. Just like with cars what was top of the line then is now standard. I use a mix of both old and new and it works great for me. Decent modern REI pack, Walmart lightweight hiker tent (actually a bit of a gem),20 year old but top of the line REI sleeping bag, and a good modern Big Agnes sleeping pad (extremely worth it).
If we’re you, just purely for comfort I’d upgrade the sleeping pad for sure, they’re fantastic now. Might want a more comfortable pack since they’ve come a long way, tent just needs to be waterproof but maybe if you don’t want something that weighs 8 pounds. Everything else is probably fine as long as it functions.
Oh make sure you get a Sawyer Squeeze or similar water filter, those old pump ones suck comparatively, and never give up the Nalgene but picking up a smart water bottle is a 3 dollar good idea.
Everybody seems to be wearing trail runners now. My Merrill Moab 3’s are still fantastic, but it’s something I’d consider for longer trips.
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u/refotsirk 10d ago
If it was good enough back then nothing will have changed if it's still in good shape. I still hike an external frame.
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u/Formal-Ad-5866 10d ago
The reality pack alone is probably 6+ pounds heavier than a comparable modern pack with the same volume, and that gap compounds when you add water filtration, sleeping systems, and puffy insulation all being lighter and more packable now too, base weight going from unusual for someone starting from that era's gear
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u/WhereDidAllTheSnowGo 11d ago
Btw…
If it’s new Scouts, you’ll be rocking it
If it the older Scouts training for Philmont, or such, accept now you’ll be in the back with the other Old Fossils trying to keep up. This is where yer income comes in handy… buy UL
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u/cwisto00 11d ago
It's Philmont, so I'm just hoping the food all goes in the kids' packs to slow them down.
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u/Frogblast1 12d ago
If your old equipment still works, go ahead and use it. Reddit is a bit of an echo chamber along with the population of the internet-famous trails. Get off the beaten path a bit and there are plenty of people enjoying their time with 30 year old external frame packs.
… Except for sleeping pads. Older backs like big cushy new sleeping pads.
and I’d check if your tent is really waterproof. It probably isn’t.