The $500 Beginner Backpacking Gear List

Tim Watson has put together a video on this over at his youtube channel.  There are links to the various components below the video.

Like he says near the start, $500 is the "pfft, I'll try it" point for a lot of people.  Before jumping in on that, look at this post from last year and the links to Section Hiker therein.  The low end there is $125 – i.e., 25% – more, but some of the items are much better and lighter.  Remember, nothing says you can't mix and match from the two lists.

Anyway, interesting stuff.  Gives us all something to mull over during the heat, bugs, and muggyness of the coming summer.  Mmmm.... October....