Mike’s Ten Essentials PLUS

• Day and Summer Overnight: Osprey Talon 33
• Multi-day Summer: Gregory Baltoro 75
• Multi-day Winter: Lowe Alpine 90L

• Summer Trailrunner: Altra Lone Peak 6
  • Runner Up (no pun intended): Solomon XA Pro 3D
• Spring/Fall Hiking Boot: Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX
• Winter Boot: Merrell Thermo Chill Mid

• Hillsound Trail Crampons
  • Good Alternative: Kahtoola MICROspikes
• MSR EVO Ascent Snowshoes

• Suunto M-3 Compass
  • Good Alternatives
    • Suunto MC-2 Compass
    • Silva Ranger 2.0 Compass
    • Brunton TruArc 5 Compass

• Garmin Instinct Solar GPS Watch 
• ACR Resqlink Personal Locator Beacon
  • Alternatives
    • Garmin inReach Mini 2

• Maps
  • Caltopo.com
  • USGS
    • The National Map – Data Delivery
    • USGS Store
  • Trail Maintenance Organizations
    • North Country Trail (NCT)
    • Finger Lakes Trail (FLT)
  • Local Mountain Clubs
    • Adirondack Mountain Club
    • Appalachian Mountain Club
  • Local Gear Store
    • Gear for Adventure

• Sunglasses: I am not responsible enough to have an expensive pair.  I buy ~$20 polarized pair.
• Sunscreen: Banana Boat Ultra Sport SPF50
• OutdoorMaster Ski Goggles (winter)

• Rain Shell: Columbia Men’s Watertight II Rain Jacket (summer)
• Hard Shell: Columbia Bugaboo II Fleece Interchange Jacket (winter)
• BUFF UV MULTIFUNCTIONAL SUN PROTECTIVE HEADWEAR (summer)
• Buff Lightweight Marino Wool (winter)
• Winter Hiking Pants: Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Lined Pants
  • Good Alternative: Gash Hao Mens Softshell Fleece Lined Pants
• Gloves (winter):
  • Gordini Gauntlet Gloves
  • Gordini Gauntlet Mitts
  • Manzella Power Stretch Touch Tip Glove
• Socks:
  • Darn Tough Full Cushion Sock
  • Darn Tough Mountaineering OTC Extra Cushion Sock (winter)
• Gaiters (mud & winter):
  • Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain High Gaiters
  • Alternative: Hillsound Armadillo LT Gaiters

• Head Lamp: Nitecore NU25
  • Backup head lamp: Black Diamond Storm
• Flashlight: J5 Tactical V1-PRO Flashlight

• Adventure Medical Kit .7
  • Alternative: Make your own first aid kit from a Nalgene bottle
• Whistle
• Rescue Mirror
• Tick Key

• Bic EZ Reach Lighter
• UCO Stormproof Match Kit
• Diamond Green Light Strike Anywhere Matches
• überleben Zünden Fire Starter – Traditional Ferro Rod

• Gerber Suspension Multitool
  • Alternative: Victorinox Swiss Army Multi-Tool, Fieldmaster Pocket Knife
  • Alternative: Gerber Dime Multitool
• Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife (camping only)
• Gorilla Tape
• Paracord

Coming soon!

• CamelBak Crux Reservoir 100 oz
• Nalgene 32oz. Water Bottle
• Hydro Cell Wide Mouth 32oz Bottle
• Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter
• CNOC Vecto 2L Water Container
  • Alternative: Katadyn BeFree (I use for day hikes) &
    Hydrapak Flux (Katadyn water bottle replacement)
• Aquatabs Water Purification Tablets
• Nuun Electrolyte Tablets

• Arcturus Heavy Duty Survival Blanket (winter)
• SOL EMERGENCY BIVVY
• SOL EMERGENCY BLANKET