Get Ready For Backpacking

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Bear in mind, too—when you go to select a bag—that loft (the thickness of the sleeping bag after you've fluffed it up) is an important comfort consideration: The higher the loft, the more warmth.

Style and color are matters of personal taste more than anything else. (A mummy bag with a hood is the warmest design . . . but if that's too confining for you, you can try a semi-rectangular model.) As long as the outer construction of your sleeping bag is of tightly woven, water-repellent nylon—and the filling (whatever it is) is spread evenly throughout the bag by a series of baffles—you're all set.

SHELTER

A small tent is the hiker's best form of protection against the elements, although in many cases a rain fly, tube tent, poncho, or a large sheet of plastic pitched as a lean-to will do just as well. When shopping for tents, keep the following rules in mind: [1] Choose the model that affords the most protection for the least amount of weight (five pounds for a two-person tent is plenty). [2] Look for double-layer nylon construction. [3] Select a tent that comes with a waterproof floor, storm door/flaps, and mosquito netting over all openings. [4] Above all, choose a tent that you can set up easily on a dark, stormy night!

SHOPPING TIPS

Many outdoor shops rent backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, etc. Oftentimes, you can rent everything you need for a weekend outing for S10 or S12 under a "package price" deal. I strongly recommend that you take the rental route first. This way, you'll be able to try out the equipment—no strings attached—under actual hiking conditions and find out for sure whether you like the gear before committing yourself to a purchase.

Also remember that you don't have to buy your gear new, if you don't want to. Just about any thrift shop or secondhand store will have some camping equipment (boots, tents, and sleeping bags, at least). But be careful if you decide to purchase "previously owned" items. Check fabric items for tears, examine metal frames for cracks, and look for broken seams (and/or worn-through mid-soles) on boots. And be especially sure to check sleeping bags for rips, broken zippers, and mildew.

If you happen to live near a backpacking equipment manufacturer, look (in the phone book) to see if they have a "factory outlet store'. Oftentimes you can buy slightly flawed—but entirely serviceable—equipment at considerable savings through such stores.

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