Beyond the Gear List
When you register for a trip with Black Feather you will receive a recommended gear list tailored to your trip. It is a good idea to follow the list pretty closely to ensure your comfort, and ultimately enjoyment of your trip. After all the old Swedish proverb “det finns inget dåligt väder, bara dåliga kläder” (there is no bad weather, only bad clothing) holds true.
But that’s the standard gear list. Everybody gets that. Which got us thinking – what do the people in the know – your guides – hide away in their packs and barrels for their personal comfort? We asked a few random longtime Black Feather guides about their most useful but underrated piece of gear. The “random” sample of guides was determined by which guides actually answer office emails.
Interestingly, some common themes emerged from the responses. The first insight of note was to think about your feet. It’s true: challenges are met with much more aplomb when your feet are warm and dry.
Rubber Boots (Stef)
So awesome on any river trip where I’m not wearing my dry suit the entire time, and where I have to get water from a cold river!
Is there a specific brand or model you recommend?
Why do you love them? Why would someone want them on trip?
Think about this scenario: you wake up to rain on your tent fly. Your next thought is: how do I have an enjoyable morning and keep my feet dry? Option A, put your dry suit on right away (not my favourite, since I’m going to be in it all day, and my layering is probably different for on the water vs. at camp anyhow), option B, wear my rainsuit and whatever footwear I brought (fine if you have Gore-Tex hiking boots or something else fancy, but I don’t), or option C, put on my rainsuit and my rubber boots! Also, I’m often getting water from the side of the gravel bar and have to walk into the water to do it. This keeps my feet dry and makes me so much more effective!
Why do you think they may not be an obvious inclusion on people’s gear list?
They are bulky and a bit heavy, and single use (I’m likely not going to hike in them!). But I use mine every day, and all I need to do is roll them up when I’m done with them (the tall cuff rolls around the more bulky sole) and bring a heavy duty plastic bag to put them in so they don’t get my stuff wet/dirty when I’m putting them away), and make sure I have enough space. Not for everyone, but definitely for me!
Down Booties (Dana)
Is there a specific brand or model you recommend?
I use Polar Feet for around camp (synthetic) and my sacred socks (sleeping bag socks) are a pair of down booties from Feathered Friends with removable covers so I can protect them from the elements if I need to go back outside without taking them off of my feet.
Why do you love them? Why would someone want them on trip?
It is ALWAYS a struggle to keep your feet warm and dry, particularly on any river trip. Knowing that I have these waiting for me when I get into camp every day has seriously kept me going on so many long, cold, hard days. [Edit: This never happens on a Black Feather trip. The weather is always lovely. Book now.] It never seems to matter what’s going on around me, as soon as my feet are warm and dry, I’m ok again.
I wear the Polar Feet boots around camp as my camp shoes – they have sturdier soles andare good for walking over most things. Then I switch to my Feathered Friends booties in my sleeping bag. On a hiking trip where weight is an issue, I’ll just rely on the Feathered Friends with their covers for those extra cold days.
Why do you think they may not be an obvious inclusion on people’s gear list?
It’s an optional item, as regular camp shoes will work for most people (I also bring crocs on every trip). Down is also trickier to keep dry, and some people, particularly those newer to wearing it, can struggle with that.
Sleeping Socks (Shayna)
…this one is more directed to my cold-footed friends….
Is there a specific brand or model you recommend?
I use the T-max heat thermal socks from Mark’s Work Wearhouse, they’re $12.
Why do you love them? Why would someone want them on trip?
I love having a pair of socks that I only ever use for sleeping. I know they’ll always be warm, fuzzy and dry. I pack them away with my sleeping bag every morning. They take up a bit more space than your regular pair, but it’s always worth it.
Why do you think they may not be an obvious inclusion on people’s gear list?
A gear list usually includes wool socks and doesn’t have a separate sock section so it’s not something you’d typically think to add.
So, take care of your feet. Also remember to look closely at the optional items part of the list. Apparently, you might want to make room for some self-care foot-care stuff.
It seems that feet are not the only, um, body part guides are looking out for. A few responses referred to comfortable seating while on trip.
Butt Pad (Candice)
Is there a specific brand or model you recommend?
The one I am currently using was from MEC and it lasted (with lots of unkind use!) about five years.
Why do you love it? Why would someone want them on trip?
I love this piece of gear because it keeps me comfortable and warm while sitting, especially on damp tundra or cold rocks. It is also super handy as a “pillow” for sleeping and to wrap around gear in my pack that might need some extra cushioning (like a camera lens). [Edit: can confirm stealing this item every time Candice gets up from sitting on trip].
Why do you think they may not be an obvious inclusion on people’s gear list?
Most feel that they will not be sitting on the ground long enough to use this, therefore, it becomes extra “bulk” in a pack.
Camp Chair (Hannah)
Is there a specific brand or model you recommend?
Mine is a Helinox Chair One.
Why do you love it? Why would someone want them on trip?
I love it because it’s super durable (it’s lasted me several years and I haven’t been gentle with it). It’s easy to set up, take down and is very comfy.
Why do you think they may not be an obvious inclusion on people’s gear list?
I feel like most people don’t include it on their packing list because a chair on a trip may seem like unnecessary baggage. But at least on a river trip, the comfort that a chair provides after a long day of physical work is worth it!
If you were surprised to find out guides actually sit down on occasion, you will be shocked to find out that they occasionally sleep too! In a true sign of going “soft” there was even a response on trying to make sleep warm and comfortable. Who knew…
Over Bag (Mike)
An over bag is a thin, synthetically insulated bag that goes over the sleeping bag.
Is there a specific brand or model you recommend?
No specific brand recommended although mine is an old MEC Amulet Overbag +15 degree. Sadly, MEC doesn’t offer it anymore but other brands exist too.
Why do you love it? Why would someone want them on trip?
Super useful! Can be used on its own as a super light sleeping bag on warm nights or it can add a couple of degrees of rating to my sleeping bag. It also helps keep my sleeping bag clean and dry (especially from tent condensation). This is all in addition to its stated purpose of keeping my sleeping bag down drier by moving the dew point of my perspiration out of the feathers and into the over bag thinsulate.
Why do you think they may not be an obvious inclusion on people’s gear list?
Many people don’t know that this item exists. It is also harder to find since MEC discontinued the one I like.
This is certainly not an exhaustive list of items outside of the standard gear list that can keep you comfy in the backcountry. Want to see more? Or do you have a severely underrated piece of equipment to share? Why not head over to our Facebook and Instagram pages and let us know! We’re hoping to keep the conversation going.
Written by long-time Black Feather guide and equipment manager/hiking program coordinator Mike Hill.
