Several packs hang from hooks on the wall. A few sets of trekking poles. Winter, summer and fall hiking shoes. A few hammocks and tents. Sleeping bags. I have accumulated quite the collection.
It is a slippery slope. It’s easy to think how equipment, or any a newer, “more advanced” product purchase makes life better. (You will hike faster, feel better, have more fun. This purchase, really must be (“the last one you’ll ever need”)
It is a ruse of course, created by a multi billion dollar industry, perpetuated by manufacturers, giant retailers, online outdoor magazines, and even the little guys- bloggers and YouTubers eager to monetize off the advertising. I don’t blame any of them.
What we buy, and how much is up to us.
Its easy to fall into the trap. When I chose to take up hiking, I purchased some equipment. Not wanting to invest heavily, I bought stuff that was of marginal quality. An inexpensive pack, cheap poles. I did splurge where it counted in some cases. A good pair of boots, quality snowshoes, well made hiking pants and shirts.
One day, thumbing through the closet, I realized, how many pairs of hiking pants do I need? The ones I purchased in the very beginning are still in perfectly good condition, as are so many of the other garments.
It’s been years now since I bought hiking clothes, and unless I gain some weight, I should be just fine for the foreseeable future.
I repair equipment more than I used to. Well made camping and hiking gear rarely wears out quickly. Gear purchases are rapidly becoming fast fashion items for enthusiasts who seem eager to purchase that next shiny, new and improved item. For a pursuit that is so closely tied to preserving our natural spaces and “leaving no trace” we run counter to that goal by overindulging on clothing and equipment that is mostly made of synthetic materials. That may outlast us.
When confronted with an advertisement or gear review, I ask myself “do I really need, or just want that item.?” Usually it’s a psychological purchase. Some of my equipment might be called antiquated or obsolete, but so am I!
An Unmapped Route: A Hiker's Blog 