I’ve always loved being outdoors. My first forays into Carry were informed by what enabled me to be outside more frequently and for longer: bags, waterproofs, hats, hiking boots, the list goes on! Over the years, my travels have taken me across the globe, introducing me to some of the most breathtaking landscapes imaginable. Yet in recent years, excursions have been limited to day hikes squeezed in between other responsibilities and somehow it has been five years since I last embarked on a ‘proper’ backpacking adventure. Thus, when the opportunity arose to explore the rugged expanses of Wyoming’s backcountry, I couldn’t say no.
The allure of such treks is manifold. They offer the thrill of discovering new territories, testing gear under the harshest conditions, and pushing personal boundaries. Our recent three-day expedition was a testament to this spirit. We navigated over 30 miles within a brisk 58 hours, ascended to an elevation of 10,489 feet (a real lung buster for an east coaster!) —and encountered nearly every facet of what the Wyoming wilderness has to offer.
Historically, I have been an over-packer, often lugging an array of camera equipment, samples, and prototypes on our typical Carryology escapades. However, this trip required a more minimalist approach. Every item in my pack, which weighed in at approximately 60 pounds, had to justify its presence. I am pleased to report that each piece proved its worth. Below, I highlight some of the standout items from this journey, accompanied by a comprehensive gear list for those interested in the specifics.
What an adventure.
Carry on!
My Top Picks
While all the gear that I used on this trip served its purpose by keeping me safe, dry, and warm, there were some stand out performers!
Fjällräven Abisko Lite Trekking Jacket
I’m a self confessed jacket fiend, but I do believe all good adventures start with the right jacket (s)! I was immediately excited to pick out the best for the trip and in the crowded field of outdoor jackets, Fjällräven have always stood out to me. The Abisko Lite distinguishes itself through its minimalist yet highly functional design. Constructed from G-1000 Lite Eco fabric—a blend of recycled polyester and organic cotton—the Abisko Lite offers a balance between durability and breathability, so when I noticed that the temperatures were going to be variable (40ºf – 80ºf) this became the obvious choice.
The jacket’s design is refreshingly straightforward, which is what you want in the backcountry. The mix of stretch ventilation panels on the back and sides, then hardy G-1000 throughout the rest of the body makes it a trustworthy companion. Its adjustable hood and cuffs ensure a perosnalised fit, while two spacious large body pockets provide convenient storage without impeding movement, even with a pack on. And it has the absolutely critical two way zipper!
Fjällräven’s whole Abisko line is some of my favourite outdoor gear, and it was made for hiking. This jacket particularly embodies Fjällräven’s ethos of “less is more,” focusing on essential features that enhance outdoor experiences while minimizing environmental impact. Not only that, it’s a jacket you want to wear. Again, and again, and again. That’s a worthy investment.
Fjällräven Abisko Sun Hat
The hero of the trip. This little beauty shielded me from sun and rain, kept me cool after a dip in the mountain streams, and took up next to no space. The Fjällräven Abisko Sun Hat is a hiking champion in my eyes. Made from G-1000 Lite fabric, it is both lightweight and durable, offering excellent UV protection. The wide brim extends the goldilocks amount, shielding your face and neck from harsh sunlight without looking like you’re ready for a rodeo. The ventilation mesh panels enhance airflow, keeping you cool and preventing overheating. An adjustable drawcord ensures a secure fit, while the moisture-wicking headband didn’t have any problems with the amount of sweat I put out! This is one of those unsung heroes that costs a fraction of the price of much of the gear that you bring, but proves to punch well above its weight.
Fjällräven Abisko Sun Hoodie
If you’re gearing up for sun-soaked adventures, the Fjällräven Abisko Sun Hoodie is your new best friend. This hoodie is crafted from a super-lightweight mix of recycled polyester and organic cotton, offering unbeatable UV protection with its UPF 50+ rating. I found it to be phenomenally comfortable on this trip and it’s ascended the charts as a top contender in my hiking kit!
The long sleeves and spacious hood provide ample coverage, while thumb loops keep the sleeves securely in place, so you can focus on the trail rather than sunburn. The fabric is featherweight and truly breathable so you really feel the full effect of those breezes when hiking in 80º heat. The hood is one of the most comfortable I’ve found in sun-hoodies, with a fit that finds the sweet spot of performance and relaxed fit so that it doesn’t restrict your movement. I want more of these.
Fjällräven Keb Agile Pant
The original Fjällräven Keb Pant is a fan favourite in the outdoors, and one of my all time bits of gear! It’s proved to be a standout for anyone serious about high-performance outdoor gear. Now the younger sibling, the Keb Agile Pant, is here. Crafted from a blend of G-1000 Eco and stretch fabric, these pants deliver a remarkable combination of toughness and flexibility. The G-1000 Eco fabric—made from recycled polyester and organic cotton—offers impressive wind resistance and durability, while the stretch panels ensure maximum freedom of movement, crucial for technical trails or climbing.
Functionality is at the forefront with the Keb Agile. It features strategically placed pockets for easy access to essentials, and thigh vents for efficient temperature control during those breathtaking (in every way!) climbs. The reinforced knees add extra durability where it’s needed most, ensuring the pants hold up against all the bumps and scrapes that come with trekking.
Similarly to the Abisko jacket, the Keb’s also have an adjustable waist and hem to provide a customizable fit, and I found this really useful on trail when you can adjust quickly if you need a bit more support or breathing room. I actually wore two pairs of pants on this trip, and I really should have just stuck the Keb Agile, I missed them on the middle day when I swapped out! It’s a possibility that these might replace my original Keb’s as go to hiking pant.
Fjällräven Abisko Padded Vest
I’m a big advocate for wearing vests when being active, and I often default to that when hiking. The Abisko Padded Vest is a versatile vest that works in town or on the trails, but has great performance chops too. Made from tough, recycled polyester with cozy padding, this vest adds warmth without feeling bulky. It’s perfect for throwing over your favorite base layers or under a jacket for that extra bit of warmth. I wore mine over my sun hoody and up to about 60ºf comfortably on our journey.
The high collar and full-length zipper let you adjust how much heat you keep in or let out, so you stay comfortable no matter what. Plus, the two large zippered pockets are ideal for keeping your hands warm or storing small essentials. I kept my DJI camera in one pocket ready to shoot at any moment. A great upgrade/addition to your hiking gear.
Osprey Aether Plus 70 Backpack
There are some brands you can just rely on for their expertise, and Osprey is one of those brands, particularly when it comes to hiking. The Osprey Aether Plus 70 Backpack stands as a pinnacle of high-capacity, performance-driven design. Engineered for those get on on the trail for days at a time, this pack offers a robust 70-liter capacity while delivering exceptional organization and comfort. I was so impressed with how this performed on our trip, and so were my joints.
Crafted from rugged nylon with reinforced bottom panels, the Aether Plus is designed to take it all out on the trail. Its adjustable Fit-on-the-Fly hip belt and harness system ensure a bespoke fit, crucial for managing heavy loads over long distances. It took me the first day to remember that the system was there, but micro adjustments through the following days certainly prevented me from any hotspots or further discomfort, particularly when it was hauling 60lbs of gear. Osprey backpanels have always impressed me, I was obsessed with their AG line for the longest time (still have a few!) and this was my first time really putting The AirScape back panel through its paces like I previously had with the AG line. It excels in ventilation, reducing heat buildup and enhancing overall comfort during big climbs or extended time on back.
Functionality is paramount with a trekking backpack and the Aether has you covered. The front J-zip allows for quick access to the main compartment, making gear retrieval seamless. The separate sleeping bag compartment at the foot of the bag keeps your gear organized and accessible, while a multitude of pockets and external attachment points offer quick and easy expansion and storage solutions. The hip belt pockets are perfectly sized for a few extra snacks or essentials, and the different compression options allow you to shrink or expand the pack as necessary.
Then there’s the removable lid which converts into a daypack! We quickly detached and deploy our daypacks for our 5 mile summit detour, while leaving our main pack bodies in a bear fence and covered with their rain flys. This bag really was ready for all eventualities. I’m stoked to have this in my arsenal for more hiking adventures to come, there is nothing about this bag I didn’t like. Truly fit for purpose.
HOKA Sky Kaha 2 GTX Hiking Boot
I said this about the original Sky Kaha GTX Hiking boots and the same rings true over two years later, but now there’s a younger sibling around. The Sky Kaha’s for me, are the perfect hiking boot. I almost exclusively wear these for any hike that requires carrying weight, so much so that I have a couple of pairs in different colours.
These are as comfortable as your favourite sneakers but with the added ankle support that gives you confidence for 58 hours of hiking. The GoreTex Membrane allows you to explore a plethora of terrains without fretting about your feet getting wet, the design of the membrane rises all the way to the tongue, so unless you submerge your foot above ankle height, you’re going to have warm and dry feet! I managed a few river crossings in these without any issue, and I have certainly noticed more stability in those type of situations thanks to the improved swallowtail heel design.
TLDR – I think that the Sky Kaha 2 GTX are the bees knees and are a god send for longer hikes with weight on your back.
DJI Osmo Pocket 3
I love carry and cameras equally, and I’m always fascinated by the innovation that comes with both, what a time to be alive. I’ve tried lots of action cameras and gimbals (including the previous generation of this line) but I think that the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 has taken compact camera technology to new heights, particularly for those traveling and being limited by space or weight. This little powerhouse lived in my pockets solidly for the whole trip.
It delivers some impressive performance for something palm sized. delivering unparalleled Thanks to the lush 1-inch sensor, it captures incredibly sharp and vibrant video, bringing footage to life with rich detail and color, and you can also shoot in log format if you want to grade your own footage if you’d like, all from your pocket. This whole YouTube video was shot using the Pocket 3, and it’s included microphone at times. One handed operation, stable, clean picture. It’s a phenomenal piece of kit.
I didn’t have to bring my brilliant yet cumbersome full kit, and that was a phenomenal weight saving straight off the bat. The footage is pretty flawless and rock steady even during high activity moments. The only jittery bits come from a tired thumb on the joystick! This stabilization system, combined with improved low-light capabilities and enhanced HDR, allows you to shoot stunning videos in a variety of lighting conditions with minimal effort.
You can shoot landscape or portrait with this too, making it an effective content tool. I’ve been blown away by its performance over the last five months, and it’s certainly earned a place in my adventure carry, if not my EDC.
Sea to Summit Telos Freestanding Ultralight Tent (2P)
Sea to Summit Frontier Ultralight Collapsible Dinnerware
FULL LIST
Apparel
Fjällräven Abisko Lite Trekking Jacket
Fjällräven Bergtagen Lite Eco-Shell Jacket
Fjällräven Bergtagen Lite Insulation Jacket
Fjällräven Bergtagen Lite Eco-Shell Pant
Fjällräven Bergtagen Stretch Pant
Fjällräven Abisko Padded Vest
Fjällräven Abisko Sun Hat
Fjällräven Abisko Lite Wool Beanie
Fjällräven Keb Agile Pant
Fjällräven Abisko Sun Hoodie
Fjällräven Abisko LS Wool Tee
Smartwool Merino Wool Hike Crew Socks x 3
lululemon Always in Motion Boxer Short x 3
Oakley Latch Beta Sunglasses (RX)
Carry
Osprey Aether Plus 70
Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bag
Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Stuff Sack Set
Hoka Sky Kaha GTX
Arc’teryx Kragg Shoe
Tech
Anker Charger USB C Cable
Leica Q2 Reporter Edition
Peak Design Capture Clip
DJI Osmo Pocket 3
Amazon Kindle Oasis
Accessories
Matador Waterproof Pill Cannister
Nalgene Wide Mouth 1L
CamelBak Crux 3L Resevoir
Camping
Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Mat
Sea to Summit Spark Down Sleeping Bag (30ºF)
Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow
Sea to Summit Telos Freestanding Ultralight Tent (2P)
Sea to Summit Frontier Ultralight Collapsible Dinnerware
Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Compression Sack
Sea to Summit Hanging Toiletry Bag
Safety
Garmin inReach Mini 2
Bear Spray
Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight Medical Kit
BioLite HeadLamp 325
Special thanks to Zach Montes of Orijin Media for the supplementary photos, and to our friends Sea to Summit for inviting us on an adventure!
