Backpacker Magazine – March 2012

Travel Like a Pro: Choose What to Pack & How to Find Gear Deals

Pick and choose what to pack for long or multi-activity trips. Plus, three ways to avoid overspending when outfitting your next trip.

by: Abbey Smith

Tags:
• Gear
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• Skills
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Prioritize Right
Pick and choose what to pack for long or multi-activity trips.

» Leave some gear behind. If your trip is multisport or splits backcountry- and city-based time evenly, consider leaving behind heavy or bulky gear that’s easy to rent overseas. “Definitely bring your own safety equipment,” says travel writer and climber Majka Burhardt, who spends a third of her time abroad, “but if you can rent big nonessentials like skis, paddling equipment, or a comfortable group tent, it’ll be easier to get around without them.”

» Dress to impress. Bring one decent outfit for good restaurants and shows, and trail attire that also looks smart in cities. “Khaki looks dirty quickly and vests or pants with a lot of pockets will make you a target for pickpockets when you’re in towns,” says Burhardt.

» Eliminate duplicates. Pack your carry-on and checked bag at the same time, so you don’t double up on the little stuff: warm layers for transit, toiletries, and reading material. Burhardt suggests pre-sorting gear and apparel into activity-specific piles several days before your departure so that you don’t forget essentials.

Get Gear Deals
3 ways to avoid overspending when outfitting your next trip.

» Shop early so you can watch for deep discounts on adventure-travel gear and clothing. Steepandcheap.com and theclymb.com offer limited-time sales of up to 70-percent-off on major outdoor brands.

» If your trip requires special gear, rent tents, packs, or a GPS from LowerGear (lowergear.com) or Outdoors Geek (outdoorsgeek.com).

» Buy inexpensive items in-country: Toiletries are readily available and often come in travel-friendly sizes, and many local snacks and delicacies serve as both trail food and a cultural-immersion experience.



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