Team: My love-hate relationship and top 3 tips

In the hyper-informed, hyper-connected world we live in today, choosing gear is one of the most daunting parts of planning a hike.
There are countless brands. Endless blog reviews. Breakdowns in YouTube equipment. Spreadsheet Comparisons. Everyone seems to have the perfect system.
And yet, somehow, making the right decision still seems impossible.
The gear you carry will shape your entire experience on the trail. The wrong setup for cold, wet, or harsh conditions can quickly ruin your spirit. But the opposite can be equally destructive.
Pack too much out of fear. An extra layer. A backup of the backup. The “just in case” items. And the weight quietly begins its own form of punishment. At first it seems manageable. Then it becomes exhausting. Then it becomes something that you carry not only on your back, but also in your mind.
This is where my complicated relationship with the team lives.
Because isn’t hiking supposed to be the opposite of all of this? Isn’t it about simplicity?

You can find my full gear list for New Mexico at the LighterPack link below. Take it as a reference, not as the absolute truth. Every trail is different and you must adapt your setup to the environment you are hiking through. https://lighterpack.com/r/i0s9if

My top 3 tips:
1. If you are new to backpacking, just go. Don’t think about it too much.
The only way to find out what equipment works for you is to get out there. A week of tracking is worth hundreds of hours of Internet research. You’ll meet other hikers, swap stories, and quickly learn what matters and what doesn’t. Gear talk is one of the best icebreakers out there.
And before spending anything: ask a family member or friend. Chances are, someone you know has a garage full of hiking gear that they haven’t touched in years. Ask them to lend it to you. They’ll probably say yes without hesitation and then spend the next hour telling you about their first backpacking trip. There’s nothing people love more than sharing that with someone who’s just starting out.
2. Don’t spend money. Look at specialized brands.
I will speak from experience, having worked at Salomon, now a large global brand. The most specialized brands are usually created by people obsessed with what they do. They know their craft, sell direct to consumer, spend less on marketing, and because of that, they don’t need to make massive margins on their products. It’s the best value for money!
Most of the time, production is local and in small batches, which means stricter quality control. And when you buy from them, you’re giving back to your local outdoor community. You are helping someone make a living doing what they love.

3. The best luxury item you can get is a lighter backpack.
Yes, packing a t-shirt and a pair of shorts for a two-week period may seem crazy right now. You’ll thank yourself later. And the hikers around you will notice. Not your equipment, but how you move on the climbs and how your knees hold up on the descents.

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