THE ESSENTIALS

GEAR GUIDE

www.basecampfit.com
 HIKING GEAR
HOW TO BUY THE RIGHT GEAR FOR YOUR TREK

Once you've made the decision to go on a trek it's important that

you get these three items:

BACKPACK BOOTS SOCKS

As soon as possible.

Why?

So you can train in the equipment you'll be trekking in and to give

you the time to identify any problems with your gear and rectify it.

These 3 trekking items are the most important as they can

directly impact your trek, and they require the most trial and
error. Things like pants, shirts and jackets can be left until later.

Make sure you choose wisely, focus on quality above all else.
Spend the time and money on getting the right type for you and
your trek and you'll save time and money in the long run.

© BASE CAMP TRAINING | THE ESSENTIALS GEAR GUIDE | PAGE 2

BACKPACK
 BACKPACK
3 QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE YOU BUY

1
What weather/terrain can I expect?
Will you be pushing through thick scrub?
Is it likely to rain often?

If so you’ll need a very durable canvas pack

to put up with these conditions. If it’s a fairly
well trodden path you’re on, you can go with
a lighter fabric.

Does it have a thick comfortable

2
waist harness?
Up to 90% of the pack’s weight can be
distributed into your centre of gravity, your
waist.

You don’t want the pack weighing down on

your shoulders all day, you’ll tire out very
quickly and you’ll be sore the next day.

3
Is it comfortable once I put weight
in it?
Test your pack with weight to make sure it's
comfortable.

Tossing up between two sizes that are equally

comfortable? Remember more space is better
than not enough! You can always compress a
pack with straps but you can't make it bigger.

© BASE CAMP TRAINING | THE ESSENTIALS GEAR GUIDE | PAGE 4

 GETTING THE PERFECT FIT
FITTING CHECKLIST

Measure your back to see which back length you need i.e
small, medium or large. OR alternatively try on a few
different sizes.

Loosen all straps & place pack on your shoulders.

Line up the centre of the hip belt with your hip bone and
tighten the straps equally.

Adjust the shoulder straps. Most of the weight should

remain at your hips, if you start to feel it in your shoulders,
the shoulder straps are too tight.

Fit the chest strap. On some packs the height of the chest
strap can be adjusted.

Tighten top tensioners. These help to stabilise your load.

Add some weight. Aim to distribute the weight along your

back so you can do a true assessment of how the pack feels.

© BASE CAMP TRAINING | THE ESSENTIALS GEAR GUIDE | PAGE 5

 GETTING THE PERFECT FIT
FITTING GUIDE

BAD

Top tensioners
are not sitting
on shoulders.

The pack is not

sitting against
the back (there
is a large space)

The hip belt is

positioned too
high.

GOOD

Top tensioners
are sitting on
shoulders.

The pack is
sitting close to
the back.

The hip belt is

positioned at
the hip bone.

© BASE CAMP TRAINING | THE ESSENTIALS GEAR GUIDE | PAGE 6

 BACKPACK
HOW TO LOOK LIKE A PRO

You can always tell an experienced trekker by how often

they have to stop and open up their pack.

If you’re in a hurry (not recommended) you will save a lot of time,

not by walking super fast, but by being organised with your kit.

Stopping to pull your camera, water bottle or trail mix out of the
bottom of your pack every hour makes you look like a rookie.
Next thing you know you’re half an hour behind.

Plus, that time could be spent pondering the sight of the world’s
highest mountains and deepest valleys.

Here are just a few more reasons why you need to be a

little more strategic:

1. You will distribute your load evenly so you are well

balanced = lesser chance of injury.

2. You will have the items you need at the top of the pack = saved
time and effort.

3. You will have the heavy items at your lower back, closer to your
centre of gravity = easier trekking.

Now that you know why it’s a good idea to learn

how to pack properly... we’ll show you how....

© BASE CAMP TRAINING | THE ESSENTIALS GEAR GUIDE | PAGE 7

 BACKPACK
PACKING IN 5 STEPS

We’ve covered packing instructions for a full pack (if you don’t have
a porter and are carrying all your gear) and a day pack (if you have a
porter and only need to carry gear for that day’s trek).

STEP 1: CULL
Less is more. Don’t over-pack, be ruthless in culling weight.

Every hundred grams you add to your pack weight will mean the
trek is just that little bit harder.

Over 18-20 days, that can make a serious difference to how you feel
and how much you enjoy your trek.

What we’re saying is, don’t be scared to cut your toothbrush in half.
But not long - ways, that would be ridiculous.

© BASE CAMP TRAINING | THE ESSENTIALS GEAR GUIDE | PAGE 8

 BACKPACK
PACKING IN 5 STEPS

STEP 2 - SEPARATE
Separate your gear into these 5 categories:

1 HEAVY
FULL PACK: SLR cameras, climbing gear,
extra food, hydration pack, kitchen wear.
DAY PACK: SLR cameras, climbing gear, extra
food, hydration pack.

2 LIGHT & BULKY

FULL PACK: Sleeping bag, down jacket,
sleeping mat
DAY PACK: Down Jacket

3 MID WEIGHT
FULL PACK: Clothing & other accessories
DAY PACK: Extra warm clothing e.g fleece

4 EMERGENCY
FULL PACK/DAY PACK: First aid kid, GPS,
Rain Jacket, extra gloves, head torch, snacks.

5 EXTERIOR
FULL PACK/DAY PACK: Trekking poles, water
bottles, more snacks, small camera

© BASE CAMP TRAINING | THE ESSENTIALS GEAR GUIDE | PAGE 9

 BACKPACK
PACKING IN 5 STEPS

STEP 3: THINK
Think about what you might need throughout the day.

Is it likely to rain?
Will you stop to boil some tea?
Will you need your camera?

Think about what you won’t need until nightfall and get ready to
start packing those items first.

STEP 4: STUFF
Start with your hydration pack by sliding it into the interior sleeve
(against your back).

Stuff the light and bulky gear in next, fill the gaps around it with
your extra clothing that you won’t wear during the day.

Centre your heavy gear in the middle of your back,

then fill more gaps with clothes.

Stuff the rest of your mid weight items like

polar fleeces, a beanie and gloves in the top.

Finally, put your snacks in the hip pockets, MID

water bottle in the side pocket and if you

aren’t using your trekking poles strap them
to the side of your pack.
HEAVY

LIGHT

© BASE CAMP TRAINING | THE ESSENTIALS GEAR GUIDE | PAGE 10

 BACKPACK
PACKING IN 5 STEPS

STEP 5: ENSURE
Ensure that you have balanced the weight of your pack so that
it is distributed evenly onto your hips and will not drag you left,
right or backward.

Ensure your emergency access essentials like rain jacket, lunch

and first aid kit are on top. In the event of an emergency (such as
a snake bite, or a craving for peanuts) you will have all of this on
the top primed for a snack attack or snake attack, either one.

Extra Tip: Use pack liners inside to help you organise your gear
and keep it safe and dry. Pack covers are okay, but aren’t totally
waterproof as the rain can still get in through the gap between
your body and the backpack. A thick garbage bag liner for the
budget conscious will do the trick.

Once you’ve packed your backpack correctly get outside, hit the
trail and practise what you’ve learnt in your training before you
head out to the big time!

© BASE CAMP TRAINING | THE ESSENTIALS GEAR GUIDE | PAGE 11

 BACKPACK
CHASE’S RECOMMENDATION

LOWE ALPINE - MALE LOWE ALPINE - FEMALE

© BASE CAMP TRAINING | THE ESSENTIALS GEAR GUIDE | PAGE 12

HIKING BOOTS
 HIKING BOOTS
5 QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE BUYING

Before you go to an outdoor clothing store and get presented with

hundreds of options you need to know what you’re looking for.

1
What terrain will I be trekking on?
Will you be hiking through mud?
Are there creek crossings?
Is it rocky and steep terrain or rolling hills.

For example if you are climbing Mt Kilimanjaro

you will trek through five ecosystems, each with
different terrain. At the beginning of the trek the
terrain will be relatively smooth on well trodden
paths, it will then become uneven and rocky and
once you get closer to the summit you can
expect scree (loose rocks) and depending on the
time of year, snow and ice.

Where as, if you’re hiking the Kokoda Track the

terrain will typically be uneven, damp and
muddy - a light weight hiking boot may be able
to manage those conditions better than a
heavier boot that is worn at high altitude.

Your trek itinerary should indicate the type of

terrain you can expect throughout each stage of
your trek.

Generally you can presume that you’ll be

walking on uneven ground, there will be scree
(loose rocks), you’ll be inclining and declining
and the terrain is likely to change if it rains.

© BASE CAMP TRAINING | THE ESSENTIALS GEAR GUIDE | PAGE 14

 HIKING BOOTS
5 QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE BUYING

2
What conditions will I be trekking
in?
Your hiking boots will need to be suitable for
all the conditions of your trek not just the
beginning or the end.

The conditions will change depending on the

altitude and the weather.

If you will be trekking over 5000m, your hiking

boot will need to be fairly warm, insulated and
definitely have a waterproof layer such as Gore
Tex.

This will help release perspiration while

keeping your feet dry on wet days or in snow.

3
How heavy will my backpack be?

The weight of your backpack will place

demands on your feet.

The average weight of a day pack is 6-8kg.

If you don’t have experience carrying a

backpack for up to 7 hours a day, over
multiple days you’ll want a fairly rigid and
supportive boot.

© BASE CAMP TRAINING | THE ESSENTIALS GEAR GUIDE | PAGE 15

 HIKING BOOTS
5 QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE BUYING

4
How much trekking experience do
I have?

If you’re a first time trekker the buying

decision about boots is very important.

Unless you have participated in sports like

trail running, outdoor multi sports, mountain
running, and are very confident moving over
difficult terrain then you are best off going
with a very supportive boot.

The reason being, it’s unlikely you will have

the strength in the ankles and the
proprioception, balance and agility of an
experienced hiker, so mid-cut to high-cut
boots will prevent injury and keep you warm
and dry during any spills.

A good beginners boot will have:

a Mid to High ankle support to reduce likelihood of injury.

a A solid base or TPU shank to provide rigidity and robust in the
boot.
aHigh levels of tread and perhaps a solid vibram sole.
a Various eyelets for experimenting with custom lacing options.
a Soft leather or synthetic upper that will wear in quickly.

© BASE CAMP TRAINING | THE ESSENTIALS GEAR GUIDE | PAGE 16

 HIKING BOOTS
5 QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE BUYING

5
What’s my total gear budget?
Choosing the right hiking boots should be
based on comfort and not budget.

This is important, so I’ll repeat it.

Don’t buy uncomfortable boots because

they are cheap.

My recommendation is to ignore the price

tag. This is the best way to decide on a hiking
boot that is driven by comfort not the cost.

The reason why you should know your total

gear budget (and not a hiking boot budget) is
because you can always save money on those
items that don’t directly impact on your
ability to succeed e.g hiking pants, t-shirts,
water bottles, beanies.

Now that you’re equipped with the five questions to ask before
you buy hiking boots, the next step is to learn how to get the
best fit.

© BASE CAMP TRAINING | THE ESSENTIALS GEAR GUIDE | PAGE 17

 GETTING THE PERFECT FIT
FITTING CHECKLIST

Cut your toenails (before you try your boots on)

Try them on in the afternoon. Your feet expand through
out the day, so trying them on when they are at their
largest will ensure you won’t buy a size too small.

Wear the socks you’ll be wearing on your trek

bring the thickest and thinnest socks you’ll be wearing.
(Thickest is for higher altitudes, thinner is usually for day
time and lower altitude.)

If you’re in an outdoor clothing store your sales assistant should

be an expert in fitting boots! But just incase they don’t turn out
to be an expert... memorise these next few steps.

Make sure the laces are loose before placing your foot in
the boot.

Stand up straight and push your foot forward into the front
of the boot. You should be able to place your index finger
between your heel & the back of the boot.

Sit down and lace both your boots.

Want to know how to lace your boots for fitting purposes? See
over the page!

© BASE CAMP TRAINING | THE ESSENTIALS GEAR GUIDE | PAGE 18

 GETTING THE PERFECT FIT
LACING YOUR BOOTS

To lace your boots for fitting purposes follow these instructions:

1. Remove most of the slack, starting at the bottom.

2. Lace up your boots all the way to the top, ensuring they are
firm.
3. Double knot your laces at the top and stand up.
4. Your laces should be firm but comfortable, if you feel any pain
or discomfort stay standing and adjust your laces from this
position.

HOW TO TEST THE FIT

• Stand up and walk around. Walk up and down stairs or an
inclined surface to mimic the type of terrain you can expect on
your trek.

• Move your foot around in the one place to test ankle support.

In general, you are looking for a snug fit with noticeable support
all over your feet and ankles as you make a walking motion. Look
for comfortably snug without feeling any pressure points.

© BASE CAMP TRAINING | THE ESSENTIALS GEAR GUIDE | PAGE 19

 TROUBLE SHOOTING

PROBLEM:
Your heel lifts up when you walk even though you’ve tied the
boots up tight.

SOLUTION:
Heel lift is uncool, you’ll get a blister the size of a 50 cent coin.
Loosen the laces on the lower part of the foot, tie a surgeon’s
knot (the same as an overhand just with an extra turn), then
tighten the upper laces up much tighter around the ankle part
of the boot.

PROBLEM:
Your toes feel a bit squashed and you can feel the top of the
boot on your toenails.

SOLUTION:
Squashed feet is uncool, don’t be uncomfortable every day of
your trek. You’ll need to find a boot that provides more wiggle
room in the forefoot. Don’t be offended, boots are made to fit
the general population of feet, not your foot in particular. So
whilst they may be the most popular boots for your chosen trek,
they may not be right for you.

PROBLEM:
It feels tight around your ankle.

SOLUTION:
You may need more space in the ankle shaft, tighten the laces
on your forefoot, tie an optional knot to secure, then lace up
loosely along the ankle.

© BASE CAMP TRAINING | THE ESSENTIALS GEAR GUIDE | PAGE 20

 TROUBLE SHOOTING

PROBLEM:
You can’t decide between two pairs of hiking boots.

SOLUTION:
Compare side by side. Put one model of hiking boot on each
foot and walk around the store, making sure you go up and
down ramps/stairs.

PROBLEM:
One side feels tighter than the other.

SOLUTION:
It’s pretty common to have two different sized feet, but it does
make choosing hiking boots a little bit more difficult. Choose
the larger size. Never buy a boot that is too tight, even if it’s tight
on only one foot! You can always wear another liner or a thicker
sock on the smaller foot.

© BASE CAMP TRAINING | THE ESSENTIALS GEAR GUIDE | PAGE 21

 HIKING BOOTS
CHASE’S RECOMMENDATION

SALOMON WOMENS X ULTRA 3 SALOMON MENS X ULTRA 3

MID GTX W HIKING BOOT MID GTX HIKING BOOT

ASOLO WOMEN’S ASOLO MEN’S

TPS 520 GV EVO TPS 520 GV BOOT

© BASE CAMP TRAINING | THE ESSENTIALS GEAR GUIDE | PAGE 22

SOCKS
 HOW TO BUY THE RIGHT SOCKS

Have you been on a trek or hike before and spent hundreds

of dollars on the best hiking shoes only to get blisters and
finish the day with damp, shrivelled smelly feet?

It’s a pretty common occurrence, and it’s because most people

assume that all socks are equal, which is definitely not the case!

I’ve tried many things from a young age to keep my feet dry and
warm in the mountains. Growing up hiking in the wild, wintery
conditions of Tasmania, Australia this was forever a challenge.

I remember a time where it was a legitimate technique to use

plastic shopping bags between two pairs of socks as a method of
keeping my feet dry. Much to my surprise, that wasn’t
comfortable or particularly effective. Thankfully, boot and sock
technology has evolved a little since the early 90’s.

Despite this, people still go training, trekking and hiking in cheap

or even worse, expensive cotton socks.

Cotton is not a great material for a sock of any kind.

It absorbs sweat, takes forever to dry, provides no insulation and

even less cushioning and is a popular way to get terrible blisters.

And no matter how much you love the mountains, no matter

how smart/hard you’ve trained, your enjoyment factor of your
trek will always be determined by the environment within
your shoes.

This, along with an appropriate choice of shoe/boot, is the

primary factor that determines the state of your feet, so it’s worth
spending the time and money to make that environment a
comfortable one.

© BASE CAMP TRAINING | THE ESSENTIALS GEAR GUIDE | PAGE 24

 BUYING THE RIGHT SOCKS
HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU SPEND?

How much should you spend on socks?

If you’re on a tight budget, it’s understandable that it may be hard

for you to justify spending as much as $30 on a pair of socks, but
believe me, socks are not the category in which you should save a
few dollars.

I suggest looking at investing more on socks, and less on things

like high tech solar chargers for your phone and camera, or the
watch that tells you the weather forecast.

Let me establish this:

Quality socks,
are a necessity, not a luxury.

I’ve climbed, hiked and trekked extensively throughout

Australia, New Zealand, The Himalayas, North America and
Europe. I’ve walked for weeks on end, covered 100 kilometres in
24 hours endurance events and never had a blister that has
bothered me in the slightest.

It all comes down to socks.

© BASE CAMP TRAINING | THE ESSENTIALS GEAR GUIDE | PAGE 25

 SOCKS
3 QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE YOU BUY

1
Temperature
What type of climate and temperature will I be
experiencing? How many days will be warm?
How many days will be cold? What is the lowest
possible temperature at the summit or highest
point of my trek?

Always prepare for the extremes.

Altitude

2
What altitude am I going to?

The higher the altitude the more extreme the

conditions and temperature are going to be. At
higher altitudes you’ll be walking much slower
and taking more breaks where you’ll be
standing still, this means you’ll be more
susceptible to feeling the cold.

Quantity
How many pairs do I need?

3
Consider the number of days you’ll be trekking,
are they likely to get wet, muddy, dirty. If you
decide to wear liners (see next page) you may
need more liners and less outer layer socks.
Ensure you have a fresh pair saved for your
hardest day/summit night.

A general guide for a 2-3 week trek is 3 liners, 3

mid, 2 mountaineering.

TIP: Don’t buy multiple pairs of the same sock

until you have tested them.

© BASE CAMP TRAINING | THE ESSENTIALS GEAR GUIDE | PAGE 26

 TWO LAYER SOCK SYSTEM

The function of socks is to fill up the inside of your boots so your

feet don’t slide around in them and to prevent a boot from
rubbing your skin raw and creating hotspots.

It’s worth testing a two layer sock system and a one layer sock
system to see what works best for you.

You can test comfort in the store but it’s not until you get out on
the trail that you’ll know what feels best.

It’s not unusual for people to go through a process of trial and

error - purchase one pair or set of socks/liners and test them
before purchasing the amount you’ll need on your trek.

BOTTOM LAYER

Liners
Sock liners are thin wicking socks worn underneath a heavier
hiking sock. When your feet sweat it creates friction leading to hot
spots and blisters.

Sock liners efficiently transport the perspiration to the next outer

layer (thicker sock) from the surface of your skin.

Smartwool Hiking
Liner Crew Socks

© BASE CAMP TRAINING | THE ESSENTIALS GEAR GUIDE | PAGE 27

 TWO LAYER SOCK SYSTEM

TOP LAYER
(The top layer will change depending on conditions/temperature
- only wear one pair of socks over liners).

Lightweight hiking socks: Best for warm conditions and easy

trails, these stress moisture wicking and comfort over warmth.

They are relatively thin, yet are warmer and provide more
cushioning than liners alone. They can be worn with or without
liner socks. It’s a great travel sock to take either way.

or

Midweight hiking socks: These provide cushioning and

insulation in moderate to cold conditions. Many models have
extra padding built into high-impact areas like the heel and the
ball of the foot.

These socks can be worn with liners if you find that it works for
you.

or

Mountaineering socks: Mountaineering socks are the thickest,

warmest and most cushioned socks available. They are designed
for long trips, tough terrain and cold temperatures.

Usually, mountaineering socks are too thick and warm for basic
backpacking journeys in warm conditions.

© BASE CAMP TRAINING | THE ESSENTIALS GEAR GUIDE | PAGE 28

 8 KEY FEATURES
LOOK FOR THESE WHEN BUYING YOUR SOCKS

1
Wicking
The best hiking socks to prevent blisters are
high wicking. They move moisture away from
your feet which helps to regulate the
temperature of your feet.

2
Cooling Technology
Some socks will be made from natural and
technical fibres constructed in such a way to
allow air to circulate and wick moisture away.
These highly ventilated socks are ideal for
Summer.

Anatomically shaped

3
• Look for elastic underneath the arch of the
foot to prevent bunching this will prevent
blisters in the underside.
• Most technical socks will have a left and a
right sock. This might seem trivial to you, but
it’s an important feature that will prevent pain
later.
• Obviously you must make sure the socks fit
around your foot without extra room or too
much snug.

4
Flat Seams
This will help prevent blisters as there is less
chance of them rubbing.

© BASE CAMP TRAINING | THE ESSENTIALS GEAR GUIDE | PAGE 29

 8 KEY FEATURES
LOOK FOR THESE WHEN BUYING YOUR SOCKS

Material
I always recommend merino wool/synthetic
blend. Why?

1. Very soft and comfortable and is quite

5
durable.
2. Wool stays warm when it’s wet rather than
sapping heat from your body
3. Wool is naturally anti-microbial so it can be
worn for weeks without holding an odour.
4. Wool provides a much denser fabric for
providing padding and support
5. Synthetic blend provides added durability,
structure and elasticity in the shape.
6. Wool comes from a sheep! - what can go
wrong? Go natural.

It is worth checking you are not allergic to any

of the materials.

Thickness
Socks are available in various thicknesses,

6
ranging from very thin lining socks to thick
double layered socks.
• Thin light socks - best hiking socks for warm
days or on short easy trails.
• Mid-thickness - best for tougher hikes but
where it is still reasonably warm.
• Thick socks - best hiking sock for tough hikes
or in colder temperatures.

© BASE CAMP TRAINING | THE ESSENTIALS GEAR GUIDE | PAGE 30

 8 KEY FEATURES
LOOK FOR THESE WHEN BUYING YOUR SOCKS

Added Padding

7
It is vital you choose comfortable hiking socks.
Many hiking socks have extra padding around
the heel and toe areas and even underfoot to
give extra protection as these areas are the
most vulnerable.

The best hiking socks will provide just enough

cushioning but not too much.

Anti-bacterial/Silver Technology

8
These types of socks allow you to wear them
for several days without them starting to smell
too badly.

Silver technology provides long lasting

antibacterial protection.

© BASE CAMP TRAINING | THE ESSENTIALS GEAR GUIDE | PAGE 31

 BLISTER FREE TREKKING

I know what your thinking,

“Can’t you just tell me exactly what sock to get?”

Well no, not really, as your sock choice will depend on your chosen
trek /climb and the season, your target altitude, your boots, and
your body’s individual preferences.

The single focus on all sock buying expeditions (they will feel like
an expedition) is to buy the right type of sock so your whole trek is
blister free.

It all comes down to 3 components...

1
A comfortable trekking shoe or boot that fits
perfectly with just a small amount of space at
the toe for a desirable amount of room for a
little movement, displacement and swelling.

2
An inside layer of a thin sock liner in a
supportive and form fitting shape, correctly
sized for your foot, made with modern wicking
fibres like Cool Max, which will draw moisture
away from the skin. (This is optional, I don’t use
liners myself).

3
An outside layer of a thicker hiking specific
sock, asymmetrical in shape (made for left and
right) constructed of a merino wool/synthetic
blend, that has a supportive structure and
padding in key areas like the balls and heels of
the feet.
It’s important that the sock is seamless,
meaning the seams are cleverly hidden in the
engineering (yes, engineering) of the sock.

© BASE CAMP TRAINING | THE ESSENTIALS GEAR GUIDE | PAGE 32

 SOCKS
CHASE’S RECOMMENDATION

SMARTWOOL - MEDIUM SMARTWOOL - HEAVY

MEN MEN

SMARTWOOL - MEDIUM SMARTWOOL - HEAVY

WOMEN WOMEN

© BASE CAMP TRAINING | THE ESSENTIALS GEAR GUIDE | PAGE 33

 WHAT’S NEXT?

Check out my Kit

It has all my gear recommendations & reasons why
I have selected them. https://kit.com/TrekkingFAQs

Test out your gear in training!

You can find a sample training program
on the Base Camp website.

Join the Trekking FAQs facebook group.

© BASE CAMP TRAINING | THE ESSENTIALS GEAR GUIDE | PAGE 34

TRAIN HARD. CLIMB HIGH
/chase_mountains

/chase_mountains

/trekkingfaqs

www.basecampfit.com