A Yosemite backpacking guide shares his picks for the best backpacking gear to fill your pack in 2019.
As a multiday backpacking guide in the Yosemite high country, I’ve logged some rough trips learning the ins and outs of a sufficient, light-as-possible pack. I’ve shivered through 40-degree nights in a bag falsely rated to 32 degrees. I’ve cursed the “waterproof” claim of a tent leaking under a drizzle. And I’ve portered hundreds of pounds in superfluous client gear for countless miles.
Luckily, working for Lasting Adventures — one of Yosemite’s leading backcountry guide services — has also given me a ton of beta on a variety of backpacking products. With time, input from veterans, and a lot of testing, I’ve discovered what’s truly worth its weight on the trail.
This season, I’m rocking the best balance of weight, utility, and comfort I’ve found, with room to spare for an extra bear vault when my clients get tired. Here’s a look at some of the most clutch items in my backpacking kit.
Best Backpacking Gear: Yosemite Guide’s Picks
Gregory Zulu 65 (Men’s) & Jade 63 (Women’s) Backpacks: $230
Lasting Adventures outfits all its guests with Gregory packs, not because they’re cheap (they are competitive), but because they’re able to withstand the beatings of novice clients for at least a few seasons. Gregory’s latest model, the 65L Zulu (for men) and 63L Jade (for women), is large enough to haul my personal setup along with enough group provisions to last a week in the backcountry.
Aside from its durability, the most noteworthy feature setting the Zulu apart from comparable models is the comfort of its free-floating suspension system. I’ve found it allows for less back sweat than Kelty’s and an easier load on the hip belt than Osprey’s.