If there were a backpacking gear hall of fame, it would be filled with products that revolutionized the hiking and backpacking experience. That extra spark of ingenuity is what keeps great backpacking gear relevant and allows it to stand the test of time even today in a market filled with cheap copies and knock-offs.
Here are our top picks for the Backpacking Gear Hall of Fame.
1. Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter System
When it was first introduced, the Sawyer Squeeze revolutionized backcountry water filtration, eliminating bulky pump filters and replacing them with a simple hollow-tube filter (originally used for kidney dialysis) that removes bacteria and protozoa from backcountry water sources. The original models were bundled with soft plastic bottles, introducing them to a large number of backpackers and greatly increasing their popularity. The latest models include improved soft bottles and bladders from CNOC, a small cottage gear company popular among thru-hikers, and are much easier to use and more reliable than the basic soft bottles that come with the product.
2. Jetboil Personal Cook System
Jetboil stoves combine a stove, stove stand and pot into one highly packable unit that is optimized for boiling water to rehydrate dry food. Lightweight and fast-boiling, they were instrumental in revolutionizing backcountry cooking by making it easier to rehydrate freeze-dried and dehydrated food. While the range of stoves they offer has expanded significantly, the Jetboil Flash is still their most popular model for camping and backpacking.
3. Zapax Hexamid Dyneema Ultralight Tent
The original Zapax Hexamid Tent (8.0 oz) was the first ultralight pyramid-style Dyneema tent available. The first model, which became available in 201o, was a 1-person single-wall tent with a fully integrated mesh floor. Although it has been updated several times and copied by other manufacturers, Zpack’s Dyneema mid-style tents still dominate the ultralight backpacking and thru-hiking market.
4. Platypus Soft Bottles
Durable with a raised bottom so they can stand on their own for ease of use while camping, Platypus soft bottles were the first bottles that could be rolled up and stored when not needed. Need to carry extra water? No problem, simply open a Platypus Soft Bottle and it will magically expand to provide extra capacity with an added level of durability that is unmatched by soft bottles from other manufacturers.
5. Therm-a-Rest ZLite Foam Sleeping Pad
While rolled foam sleeping pads have always been an inexpensive option for backpacking and camping sleep insulation, the Therm-a-Rest Zlite Sleeping Pad breaks the mold with its innovative folding design and egg-carton surface, making it infinitely more packable. Carried by backpackers who need a pad that will never leak air, the ZLite has myriad uses beyond its role in a backpacking sleep system. It can be used as a virtual frame for an ultralight backpack, a windbreak for a stove, or padding for a broken leg for first aid in the woods, among many other uses.
6. CamelBak Hydration System
CamelBak was the first gear manufacturer to popularize hydration systems for day hiking in 1988, giving hikers a comfortable alternative to carrying metal canteens or bulky Nalgene bottles. His distinctive innovation was the combination of a water bladder, a hose, and a reliable bite valve, allowing hikers to drink water throughout the day to stay hydrated. It is difficult to find hikers who do not use a hydration system today.
7. Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 Backpack
First introduced in 2004, the Gossamer Gear Mariposa is an ultralight backpack with an aluminum frame (the original frame was a pair of carbon fiber aero shafts) and an external foam pad for back padding that can be removed and used as a sit pad. It features a unique three-side-pocket design with one long and two short open pockets that is a favorite among thru-hikers as well as backpackers transitioning to lighter-weight gear. Still a popular choice, it has been refined over the years and is still quite affordable despite being an ultralight backpack.
8. Crocs
First introduced in 2002, Crocs are waterproof, slip-resistant clogs that combine excellent drainage and fast drying time with comfort, especially for foot recovery after all-day hiking in hot weather. They are lightweight, virtually indestructible, and available in a wide range of colors.
9. Too stiff socks
Walk into a hiker hostel in the United States, and 80% or more of the occupants will be wearing very stiff socks. Incredibly durable and backed by a lifetime guarantee, Darn Tough hiking socks are made from ethically sourced wool in Vermont (USA). No other socks come close to the durability and comfort provided by Darn Tough Socks.
10.Patagonia R1 Hoodie
Although it is no longer made, the Patagonia R1 hoodie (first introduced in 2007) still deserves recognition as the first wool hoodie to be widely adopted in many outdoor activities. Originally developed for climbing, the Patagonia R1 Hoody features a scuba hood, a zippered chest pocket, and an extended front zipper for improved ventilation. Patagonia has since replaced the original grid wool fabric with all sorts of variants that bear little resemblance to the original. One might ask, did they destroy this iconic garment?
11. BearVault BV500 Bear Canister
When you think of “bear canisters,” the BearVault BV500 immediately comes to mind. First introduced in 2008, it is still the best-selling large grizzly-proof bear canister. While there are now smaller options available for shorter backpacking trips, including IGBC-approved soft bags. BearVault BV500 The most popular is the Bear canister because it balances a high-capacity 11.5-liter size (holding a week’s worth of food) with a relatively lightweight, transparent polycarbonate body, tool-free opening design, and universal acceptance in all national parks and forests. It also makes a semi-decent camp chair to sit on.
12. Snow Peak Ultralight Titanium Spark
snow peak The iconic ultralight titanium Spork, a combined spoon and fork, became widely available by 2007 and helped revolutionize freezer bag cooking, where backpackers would pack meals with dehydrated ingredients in ziplock bags that could be rehydrated with boiling water. Long-handled titanium Sparks soon arrived, and the rest is history.
13. Kahtoola Microspikes
Kahtoola microspikes revolutionized winter hiking, making it possible to hike winter trails with soft-soled shoes, eliminating the need for rigid mountaineering boots and special crampons. This opened up winter hiking to a mass audience and inspired the development of lightweight single-layer insulated footwear for winter hiking.
14. Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 2 Tent
First available in 2008, the 2-person Big Agnes Copper Spur was the first high-quality lightweight double-wall two-person freestanding tent to hit the mainstream. Weighing in at less than 3 pounds, it became the benchmark against which all other two-person, double-wall freestanding tents are compared, and it remains so today.
15. Hennessy Hammocks
The first Hennessy hammock came out in 1999 and sparked the hammock camping revolution. Designed as a fully integrated shelter system including a tarp and a mosquito hammock, early models had entry from the bottom through a slit in the hammock to prevent insects from entering. Later models introduced side-zipper entries and materials with different fabric weights for larger adults and children.
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