GEAR WE CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT

It has taken time experimenting with what works best for us. There is always something new coming out but here is what we are loving now!

Sleeping Gear

​Kelty TraiLogic TN2 Tent
2 person tent that is about 4.4lbs, has two vestibules, easy set-up, and you can roll back part of the rain fly to star gaze on a clear night!
Thermarest RidgeRest Pad
Lightweight foam sleeping pad that helps to insulate you from the ground. It is a cheaper option for a sleeping pad if you are on a budget!
Mountain Hardware Lamina Bag
Three season 20 degree backpacking synthetic sleeping bag that compresses well for packing.

Packs

Dueter Futura 34L - Women
This women's bag is a fantastic pack for a long weekend backpacking trip! See me review here.
Osprey Aura 50L - Women
Love this women's pack for long trips! I am using this on our thru hike though I am not bringing the top load compartment to save weight.
Osprey Aether 60L - Men
Awesome insect repellent spray for your gear that doesn't eat aware your gear like DEET does. Also it is odorless. Do not use on your skin or for clothing directly on your skin.
Osprey Hikerlite 
I love this day pack because it has a frame so I get nice ventilation on my back. It also has nice storage to keep my stuff organized while out and about!
Osprey Rain Cover
Don't forget a rain cover! Though some packs come with one attached!

Stove Systems

Jetboil Flash System
I LOVE this stove! It is so very easy and boils water in 1 minute. A small canister of fuel lasts a long time. See me review here.
MSR Pocket Rocket 2
The pocket rocket is super easy to use. Perfect if you like to cook fresh food. Slower to boil water than Jetboil but super compact.
Sea to Summit Cookset
This set compacts nicely and is great for cooking soup or boiling water. We use this a lot on our short trips.

Water Filtration

Sawyer Mini
Super easy to use and comes with a syringe for easy cleaning on the trail. I am using a 1L bladder for our thru hike.
Sawyer Micro Squeeze
Great for on the go and can be used for multiple purposes. For example, if you want to use your Camelbak bladder and you do not want to take it out of your pack.
MSR MiniWorks
Though it is a little cumbersome, this filter is great if you are using water sources that tend to clog filters (ex: Minnesota) after a few uses. This great because you can clean the clay filter on the trail.

Accessories 

Sawyer Permethrin Pump Spray
Awesome insect repellent spray for your gear that doesn't eat aware your gear like DEET does. Also it is odorless. Do not use on your skin or for clothing directly on your skin.
Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent
Insect repellent that is an alternative to DEET. You can spray this on your skin and it works great! 
Nikwax Waterproofing Spray
 Tent and gear SolarProof waterproofing spray that works great for rain protection on your gear.

Dog Gear

Ruffwear Grip Trex Dog Booties
Set of 4 all terrain dog booties that work great! Can also be purchased in pairs from Ruffwear if you dog has larger front paws than their back paws. See my review here.
Ruffwear Dog Bootie Liners
Dog bootie liners. Buy if you dog has a duclaw. It helps to reduce rub spots.
Ruffwear Palisades Dog Pack
Great structured pack that comes with two water bladders and tons of compartments for storing your fur-babies' gear!

Bathroom Essentials 

Diva Cup
A modern, leading-edge menstrual cup and offers an alternative to tampons and pads—clean, easy-to-use and completely reliable. It is mad of silicone and is latex free. Comes it two sizes.
Tent Lab Potty Trowel
This is a huge improvement from our old plastic trowel. We bought the two listed here for our thru hike to compare which we like better!
Vargo Dig Dig Tool
This is a huge improvement from our old plastic trowel. We bought the two listed here for our thru hike to compare which we like better!