Our Backpacking Top Tips
Backpacking is a brilliant way to experience the outdoors! Having the right gear and knowing how to use it makes all the difference in the outdoors! You don’t need everything but making sure that you have all the basics covered will ensure the best possible experience for you! In this blog, we have highlighted some of the basic bits of backpacking gear that you need in order to have the best time!
A Great Sleep System
Being able to get a good night’s sleep when out backpacking is vital! A comfortable sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and pillow combo are very important to make sure you have a good trip. We have these to suit all budgets and adventures. If you are looking for the best balance between comfort, weight and warmth, we love the Sea to Summit Etherlight XT Insulated sleeping mat, it is easy to inflate and pack away and is super comfortable. If you want to know more about how to make sure you get the best night’s sleep in the outdoors, check out our blog on “Good night’s sleep in the outdoors”
Accommodation
Somewhat a no-brainer when it comes to camping but it is still worth saying! You need a great tent. The weather in Ireland dictates that it’s rare that you can get away with no tent! For backpacking, a lightweight tent with enough space for you and your gear is essential for a good trip. At Great Outdoors we love the Salewa tents. The Litetrek 2 and 3 are ideal tents for all weather conditions and when the weight is divided amongst the campers, they are nice and lightweight too!
All-Day Comfort
Being able to bring a single pair of walking shoes will save in bulk for long backpacking trips. If you have space in your bag, bringing a pair of flip-flops, or camp shoes can be a great choice also! However, depending on the terrain you will encounter the Merrell Moab Speed is a great option as an all-rounder. It offers good support and all-day comfort!
Storage
Having a bag that fits everything in and fits you is very important! We would highly recommend coming into the store so that we can advise you on the best backpack for you! If you are not able to come in or just want to make sure the bag you have fits you as best as possible, check out our video on backpack fitting tips! We would recommend getting a bag that is slightly bigger than you envisage needing. Bags like the Osprey Kyte and Kestrel are brilliant bags for everything from a simple overnight to longer thru-hike adventures! Bags like this will also allow you to plan bigger adventures when you get home!
