Gear I Actually Use

Gear I actually use

USED HARD.
NOT JUST LINKED.

I am not trying to become Wirecutter for camping gear. lol. This is the stuff I've used enough to actually have an opinion about. Things that keep ending up in my boat, pack, car or suitcase because they work for me.

TheGayCamper backpacking in the mountains

The point is to use the stuff.

The rule

If I haven't actually used it, it doesn't belong here. This is my kit, not a roundup of whatever is trending.

The standard

If I can identify the exact model, I'll link it. If I can't, I'll say that instead of guessing.

Some of it is expensive. Some of it is weirdly basic. I'll keep adding what I actually reach for.

Packrafting

Boats and the little pieces of gear that have earned permanent space in the river pile.

Alpacka Raft

Mage

One of my Alpacka whitewater boats and part of the setup I actually paddle.

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Alpacka Raft

Refuge

The lightweight end of my packraft lineup for trips where carrying the boat matters as much as paddling it.

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Alpacka Raft

Valkyrie V3

The higher-performance end of my packraft quiver.

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Sockdolager Equipment

Packraft Bow Bag

The bow storage I actually run on my packraft.

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Sockdolager Equipment

Ultralight Packrafting Pogies

Simple cold-water hand protection that works with the breakdown paddles I carry.

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Whitewater packrafting action photo
Actually outside

RIVER GEAR SHOULD LOOK USED.

A lot of this stuff gets wet, muddy, shoved in a pack and used hard. That's kind of the point.

Packs & Carry

Big hauling systems and one very small bag that somehow ends up everywhere.

Sockdolager Equipment

Bad Larry 95L Packrafting Backpack

My Sockdolager packrafting pack for hauling a full river kit.

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Aarn

Featherlite Freedom

My Aarn backpack setup, paired with the Sport Balance Pockets.

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Sambob x Flowfold

Microgrid Explorer Fanny Pack

The Sambob and Flowfold bag that's actually in the rotation.

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Packrafting selfie with a Werner paddle
Use it first

GEAR HAS TO EARN THE SPACE.

If it keeps ending up in the boat, pack or travel pile, it probably earned its spot here.

Paddles

I'm only linking the exact configurations I can identify. No guessing at shaft or breakdown options.

Werner

Powerhouse 4-Piece Straight Shaft

My breakdown Werner paddle.

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Aqua Bound

Aerial Major Fiberglass 1-Piece Crank Shaft

My one-piece crank shaft Aerial Major with fiberglass blades.

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Apparel

The clothing that keeps ending up in actual trips.

Sambob

Basin Sun Hoody

The light gray, wide-cut Sambob sun hoody I actually wear outside.

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Alpine Fit

Men's Hooded Treeline Long Sleeve

My Alpine Fit hooded long sleeve for sun, paddling and general outside days.

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Winter

Cold-weather gear that has earned its place.

Ermine Skate

A110 [pre-run]

My older Ermine Nordic skates, set up for NNN bindings. The A110 predates their current skate lineup.

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Camp & Sleep

Camp gear that keeps earning a spot when I have room to bring it.

ENO

DoubleNest Hammock

My two-person hammock for camp, road trips and hanging around outside.

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Footwear

Footwear I actually keep reaching for.

Bedrock Sandals

Bedrock Sandals

My Bedrocks. I haven't pinned down the exact Cairn version yet, so I'm linking the lineup instead of guessing.

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Bike

The ride that has earned its own place in the gear pile.

Montague

Boston

My full-size folding single-speed bike.

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Food

The stuff that comes along because I actually want to eat it at camp.

Farm to Summit

Backcountry Meals

Backcountry meals I actually pack. I'm linking the full meal lineup for now rather than pretending I only eat one flavor forever.

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Neve

Boysenberry Beet Plant-Based Energy Smoothie Pouch

The Neve Boysenberry Beet pouches I actually use.

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Justin sleeping in a tent under an orange quilt
Still building this

MORE GETS ADDED AS I ACTUALLY USE IT.

The fleece, sleep system, tent, paddling safety gear and all the weird little things will get their turn. I'd rather build this slowly and get the exact thing right than fill the page with almost-right links.

The page changes as my kit changes.

Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page may be affiliate links. If a link earns me a commission, I'll identify it. Buying through one does not change what you pay. If a product was gifted, I'll identify that too. Products are here because I actually use them, not because a brand pays to be listed.