My Top 3 Backcountry Camping Gear
- awhite270
- Aug 15, 2022
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 22, 2022
I am definitely no expert, but here are the pieces I love so far and would recommend!
In this blog post I will review my top 3 favorite backcountry items I have. Full disclosure, I haven't tried anything else as these items were carefully selected before they were bought! The main highlights for all 3 items are easy to use, cost-effective and light.
Scroll to the bottom if you just want links!
#1. MSR Hubba Hubba 2 Person Tent
- My first impression -
This tent came so highly recommended and I definitely see why.
The Hubba Hubba tent is the perfect combination of lightweight and livability. It is designed for two people but I believe if you really tried could squeeze in a third. When we go camping we also bring our dog Bo and we are all perfectly comfortable.
- The versatility -
This is definitely a 3-season tent, for those unfamiliar that means it is meant for spring, summer , fall. We have taken our MSR tent on multiple trips in the Rockies, the West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island and has even made it all the way to Hawaii to hike the Kalalau Trail. This waterproof tent served as our refuge when it rained for 48hours straight on the West Coast Trail. We also definitely appreciated the extra spacious rainflys to store our wet gear before climbing inside.
The rainfly provides the warmth needed for the Rockies but with the fly off there is nothing more beautiful than star gazing through the top mesh windows. The coldest I've probably spent in the tent was 0 degrees celsius, but once we were in our sleeping bags, you would never have known.
- Pros & Cons -
There is definitely more pros than cons for this tent. I will highlight the top two pros.
Pros
1. It is so easy to set up given the symmetrical design. It takes only a couple minutes, which comes in handy when you're in the middle of a rainstorm.
2. It is also extremely light, given how spacious it is. The minimum weight of the tent is 2lb 14oz (1.3kg) which includes the tent, poles +/- rainfly. The packaged weight which is more likely the weight you will be carrying is 3lb 4oz (1.47kg) so still extremely light.
Cons
1. It is definitely on the higher end of cost when it comes to backcountry camping ($579.95 CAD). You can certainly get tents that are cheaper but I do believe for the lightweight and livability aspects of the tent that the cost is well worth it.
#2. MSR PocketRocket Stove Kit
- My first impression -
This cooking unit for two is a MUST if your backcountry camping. Honestly, it is useful in any style of camping and is always brought along. It is so easy to use and everything (except the fuel) fits into the 2-litre pot making it the perfect packing companion.
- The versatility -
The PocketRocket burner can be bought separately and use with a multitude of different cooking pots/pans.
The MSR isopropane fuel comes in three different sizes - 110g, 227g and 450g. When backcountry camping, we bring the 110g unit.
We use it most commonly to boil water to put in our backcountry meals but it also works very well to cook the food directly in the pot! We have even cooked eggs in the pot when we forgot a pan during front country camping. It has such a fast boil time that it makes it quick and easy to whip up a quick meal or boil some water for some coffee.
- Pros & Cons -
Pros
1 . Compact and lightweight - 25.8oz (732g). This makes it very packable on any trip.
2. Boils water in 3.5 minutes making it fast and easy to use.
3. Cost efficient with the total set costing $144.95 CAD + fuel which ranges from $7.95-13.95 CAD.
Cons
1. I don't love the cup that comes in the set. I am also a very slow coffee drinker and I don't find it keeps my coffee hot for as long as I would like. I will often attach a cup to the front of my bag.
2. The utensils that come in the set is a spork. Overall it works extremely well for the meals we are eating during backcountry camping. If you are trying to use the spoon to stir anything extra thick or need to scrape the pot then it is very challenging to use because the spork collapses so easily.
In summary, while definitely a useful stove kit for all forms of camping, it definitely shines in practicality for backcountry camping!
#3 Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 15F/-9C
- My first impression -
I definitely love this sleeping bag for the price that I paid and it suits my needs for the camping seasons I use it in. It is very comfortable and comes in a regular size and a long size. I have the regular size. Despite it being a mummy style sleeping bag, I can even fit my little dog Bo inside the bag with me when he's cold!
My favorite part about the sleeping bag is how EASY it is to stuff into the stuff sack. When I was little, it used to be my least favorite part about packing up after a camping trip; putting the sleeping bag back into the sack.
- The versatility -
So I would definitely say this is a 3-season sleeping bag. I have never had an issue with warmth given combination of the bag, sleeping pad and clothes I choose to wear. When looking at sleeping bags, it is important to note what the temperatures mean. On this particular sleeping bag, it says the limit is 3F/-16C, I would be very reluctant to use it much
colder than the comfort at 15F/-9C. The coldest temperature overnight I used the bag in was 0C and I was warm, but that is because I was prepared. I'll give an update if I ever use it colder!
This style of sleeping bag comes in sizes for men and women.
- Pros & Cons -
Pros
1. The price is so reasonable for a 3-season down filled sleeping bag: 350-370$ CAD (depending on size).
2. Easy to use because of the down filling, it takes seconds to stuff it back in the stuff sack. It also has glow in the dark zippers for the frustrating moments when you can't zip up.
3. Lightweight at 1.14kg/2lb 8oz
Cons
1. Down filling is difficult to clean. There are instructions on the Mountain Hardwear website and I have washed my bag with no issues. It is just not as straightforward as a synthetic bag.
2. Size - although it is light, there are definitely lighter bags out there that take up less space in your backpack. I always put the sleeping bag at the very bottom of my bag and that helps save space but out of all my items I bring, the sleeping bag takes up the most room.
*Final thoughts*
Like I said, I am not an expert but these are definitely my favorite 3 items that I don't see leaving my gear anytime soon.
Here are the links for more information! #1-#2 are actually currently sold out (a testament I think to how awesome they are) but keep watching and they will come back in stock!
Tent: https://www.msrgear.com/ca/tents/backpacking-tents/hubba-hubba-2-person-backpacking-tent/11506.html
Sleeping Bag:
Men: https://www.mountainhardwear.ca/en/p/bishop-pass-15f%2F-9c-1916621.html?dwvar_1916621_color=438
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