Let’s talk gear! What I’m using for the 2026 season.
- Mark O'Donnell
- Feb 2
- 5 min read
2026 will be my 6th year of hiking and backpacking. After 6 years I finally locked in the base of my pack. Here's what I will be using for the 2026 season
Backpack: LiteAF UltraWeave 46L Curve Full Suspension Custom Backpack - $365 before add-ons
Weight: 2.6lbs | 36 Oz. | 907 Grams
What I love about this bag is the ability to customize everything. I added every pocket to this bag and chose the color I wanted and even have had the ability to customize the design on the side pockets. The backpack is ultralight and the stretchy pockets give me the extra space to carry additional items. According to the website "46L body plus an additional 15+ liters of external pockets totaling 61L of pack space" It did not come cheap but if youre looking for your own flair on the trail id spend the extra money.
Tent: Duplex Classic Tent - $699.00
Weight: 1.1lbs | 17.9 oz | 507 g
This ultralight tent is amazing. It compact small, weighs nearly nothing, and it ultra spacious. My girlfriend, dog, and myself fit in with no problem. It is made of Dyneema some of the strongest backpacking material on the market. A few things I don't like about this tent is since it's not a freestanding tent sometimes you are tied to areas where the ground is softer though I have camped on rock faces before. It just more thought and technique for those areas. Sometimes when Im backpacking alone the tent is too spacious for myself. First world problems but you can save some ounces but downsizing for those solo trips.
Zpacks does have freestanding kit for those looking for some duality
Duplex Freestanding Flex Kit: https://zpacks.com/products/duplex-freestanding-flex-kit
Sleeping Pad: Big Agnes Boundary Deluxe Insulated Sleeping Pad - Regular $124.72 , Regular Wide $174.73
Weight: Regular 1lb. 9oz. , Regular Wide 2 lbs | Regular 25oz, Wide 16 | Regular 708.8g, Wide 907.2g
Couldn't find a picture of this in my archives. Who takes a photo of their sleeping pad??? Anyways, the Big Agnes Boundary Deluxe is cozy. Its wide and insulated. Great sleeping pad. It being insulated means it ways more. Packing this sleeping pad isn't the most compact of my gear either. It can be bulky at time if not packed tight. This is one of my items I will be upgrading this year for something lighter. Great run though. I would recommend.
Sleeping System: Revelation Sleeping Quilt 0 degree | $370.00
Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow: $30
Weight: Revelation Sleeping Quilt: 1.3lbs | 20.18 Ounces | 572.10 Grams
Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow: .13lbs | 2.1 oz | 60g
Shoutout to my friend Chris Durant for this gift. This quilt is AMAZING. Its very warm and packs down well. The quilt is rated for for 0 degree but I use it all year long. I prefer the blanket method but when you're high in the mountains and need the warmth of a sleeping bag the quilt has an adjustable 1/4 length zipper footbox. Love this thing! Might be favorite item out of all my gear. The pillow is good. It slides around a lot when i'm sleeping but it packs up so small! and its weighs nothing. Wish it would just stay under my head.
The Revelation Sleeping Quilt was named one of the Best Quilts of 2025 by The Trek. Check out the article here.
Shoes: Salomon Speed Cross 5 | $130
Weight: 1lb. 7.2 oz. | 23.2oz | 657.7 grams
The Salomon Speedcross 5 have been my go-to's for about 3 years now. I love that "laceless" tech and the fit of the shoe. They feel responsive and have excellent grip. I've never had issue with blistering on my feet. I have used these on day-hikes to backpacking on the Wonderland Trail. I'm planning on switching my shoes this year only because if I dont i'll never know what else is out there but HIGHLY RECOMMEND THESE.
Trekking Poles: Ozark Trail Quick Lock Trekking Poles | $28.44 (for 2)
Weight: .6lbs | 9.6oz | 272.2g
I mean yeah... they get the job done. Honestly, I've had my pair for about 3 years now. They work. These trekking poles have endure some of the toughest trails and being accessible at every Walmart for under $30 bucks is a massive win. Forget your poles? Stop by Walmart. Friend is too cool to use poles on one of the hardest hikes in your state but you know he'll need them? Stop by Walmart. Accessibility and dependability are major key points of these trekking poles. I do want to upgrade and will this year but when I forget my trekking poles that one time guess who's going to be there for me.
Cooking System: Etekcity Ultralight Portable Camping Stove | $10
TOAKS Titanium 750ml Pot | $26
IsoPro Fuel Canister | $6.95
Total Weight: 2.3lbs | 2.6oz | 73.7g
My cooking system when I was backpacking in the Alpine Wilderness in August 2025
This combo has never done me wrong. Its ultralight, reliable and cheap. Sometimes I do need to use a lighter to spark up the burner so I always throw a lighter in that kit just in case. Wonderful trio overall. This is my exact cooking system for 2026. I don't see myself upgrading or changing anything yet.
Tech: DJI Mini Pro 4 Fly More Package | $1200
Canon r5 Mk i | $2000
iPhone 15 Pro Max 1tb | $965
Garmin Fenix 8 Solar 51mm | $1200
Weight: DJI Mini Pro 4: Drone with 1 battery installed: .6lbs | 9oz | 256g ,
3 extra batteries: .5 | 8.3oz | 234g,
DJI RC Controller: .9lbs | 13.8oz | 390g
Canon r5: 1.63lbs | 26.03oz | 738g
iPhone 15 Pro Max: .5lbs | 7.8oz | 221g
Garmin Fenix 8: .2bs | 3.4oz | 96g
These 4 things are typically what I have in my bag. The drone less than the others due to the limited places you can fly them.. For years I shot with only my phone. Your phone is very capable of high quality video but for me I love the quality and creative flexibility of a full frame camera. These are tools to help you tell your story. Use them as such. Not every situation needs a drone or fancy camera. Sometimes you are the art and the phone is all you need to convey your store. As for the watch, thats basically an extension of my phone. I used the map on there in the backcountry to keep myself on the trail. With a 31 day battery life it's one of those tech items you continue to buy. This is my second Garmin Fenix. I just recently upgrade from the Fenix 6x Pro.
Comments