Equipment

Ive been buying stuff for the trip lately, and wanted to share my good luck finding some great gear with you. Mineys been really helpful with this stuff, so kudos to her. This may sound obvious, but Im finding paying a bit more for quality is giving me a whole lot more value for money. The goal of all this is to pack for 3-4 months of travel in a daypack, for temps from 20F to 120F and keep the overall weight as close to or under 20lbs as possible. This is my packing list:

- Shoes
http://www.rei.com/product/727770
Salomon Trail Running shoes.
These things are awesome - goretex so your feet wont get wet, stylish enough that you can wear them into a restaurant without looking like a geek, but comfortable enough to climb rocks all day. The quick pull lets you take the shoes off easily without unlacing anything, and adjust the tightness depending on the terrain your traversing. Super comfortable also - I cant take the damn things off.

- Base Layer
http://www.rei.com/product/742776
Patagonia Capilene 2.
This is a base layer for keeping warm, but the zip allows you to open it right up if its hot. Capilene goes from 1 (lightest) to 4 (heaviest/warmest) so this is on the lighter side. What I like is you can use this as a base layer for warmth, or just wear it like a long sleeved TShirt - it looks good enough to wear out to dinner. Ive been wearing this to work under a jacket ....

- WindStopper/Fleece
http://www.usoutdoorstore.com/outlet/index.cfm?fa=products.showDetail&sku=25505
Patagonia Fremont Jacket.
This is the best item of clothing I have ever owned. It is a fleece windstopper, waterproofed so the rain just beads up on it - but you can wear it to work or dinner or a night out and look like your in a stylish jacket. I can wear this into the forest or into a nightclub - works for both options. I only need one jacket for all purposes, so I can carry less gear by using this - just love it.

- Backpack
http://www.rei.com/product/748185
Marmot Garmsal 35ltr.
Lightweight pack with plenty of options. Has various compression straps to bring the load in, a belt strap with zips in the belt for storing items. Outside straps for tying gear to the outside of the bag and strapping it down. Seals well to get pretty waterproof if its raining a ton. They cut little holes in some of the straps just to reduce weight ...

- Compression Bags
http://www.rei.com/product/720798
Outdoor Research Compression Bags
These let you compartmentalize items so they arent all loose in your backpack, and also keep them dry if it rains. They can be tied to the outside of the backpack if necessary to make more room inside the pack. I have a small and a medium size - will probably use one for dirty laundry and one for misc clean items.

- Waterproof Case
http://www.rei.com/product/723940
Pelican Case
Enough room for camera, ipod and cables. Keeps them protected from throwing the backpack around, and also waterproof if it rains.

- Smartwool Socks
http://www.rei.com/product/626974
Smartwool Hiking Socks
Super comfortable, warm, yet breathable. The best thing I can say is after a day of wearing these my feet and these socks dont stick up a room - Ive never been able to say that about any other sock.

Other items in the bag. The Travelweight stuff is made of super light materials and weights very little - designed for warmer climates or as items on top of base layers:

- 3 pair underwear
- 3 more smartwool socks
- Jeans and belt
- White travelweight Shirt
- Travelweight pants
- TShirt
- Travelweight shorts
- Lightweight fleece (as extra base layer in cold temps)
- Cold weather hat
- Base layer gloves
- Sunglasses/Regular Glasses
- Extra memory card for camera, cables for camera and ipod and charger for camera and ipod.

All up this kit weight about 20lbs, which is easy to carry in the daypack. Seeing as this will be on my back for the next 5 months it needs to be light and compact, and the dual purpose use of a lot of things on the list is where the real benefit comes from Im finding. Note the items Im NOT taking, such as computer (yay!), watch, GPS, additional shoes, etc.