All of my outdoorsy stuff: Rec gear suggestions + what to wear recreating outdoors for beginners

I’m a gear person now. I don’t even know who I am anymore.

I mean. I even have A GEAR CLOSET.

Ever since moving to Flag in 2020 (thanks COVID!), I spend a SUBSTANTIAL amount of time outside.

Because, well, what else is there to do in Flagstaff?! (Well… a good amount, actually.) But: recreating outside is definitely one of the more popular things to do here in northern Arizona, and if you want to make (and keep) friends, you have to be open to the idea of going outdoors.

And if you want to go outdoors… you need the stuff to do it.

After several seasons of trial and error, here’s a comprehensive list of all of the rec gear I use and love.

Please don’t be a gatekeep-y dick. Different things work for different people, and different people have different needs and budgets. This is my blog about my experiences, so naturally, I’m writing about what works for me, my needs and my budget.

Honestly, it was hard to start accumulating (non-yoga) rec-wear and gear. It’s expensive, there are SO many options, and it’s always hard shopping as a woman in male-dominated spaces.

But, after a lot of suggestions from friends, reviews from (trusted AKA non-sponsored) bloggers I love AND (most importantly) trial-and-error, I’ve finally found several incredible products I’d recommend in a heartbeat.

Here are some of my favorite reliable pieces of gear for hiking, camping, paddling, backpacking, etc., as well as the clothes I wear while doing all of the above.

I did detail a few of my absolute FAVORITE pieces of gear and clothing over on the “Stuff I Like” page, but this list is WAY more comprehensive.

There’s a considerable amount of overlap when it comes to clothing, FYI. I often wear the same shorts to hike, run and climb in, and my trail runners aren’t exclusive to running. So, keep the following categories in mind with a grain of salt.

Also- affiliate links below.

・・・

WEARING

Let’s start with what I’m wearing, since a lot of what I wear stays consistent regardless of whether I’m hiking, backpacking or paddling.

FOOTWEAR

I have two preferred pairs of hiking boots: My Danner Mountain Lights for most trails and conditions, and my Lowa Renegade Warm GTX Mid boots if it’s particularly cold and/or rainy/snowy. If it’s an easier trail and the weather is nice, I’ll typically just wear my Saucony Peregrine trail runners. If I’m doing any kind of water sport or hiking a trail with a water crossing, I’ll wear either my Teva Universal Original sandals or my Astral Loyaks.

Socks are important too. I live by the Smartwool Hike Light socks (men’s and women’s ankle and/or crew height) if I’m wearing hiking boots. Otherwise, I’ll wear Smartwool’s targeted cushion running socks with with trail runners.

If I’m hiking or backpacking in snow or ice, I like my Tubbs Panoramic snowshoes and my Kahtoola Microspikes.

EVERYTHING ELSE

When I’m hiking, I’ll usually dress depending on weather. If it’s hot, I’ll wear running shorts (Lululemon Hotty Hot or Speed Up), a sports bra (Lululemon Energy or Free to Be Serene), and a crop top/ tank top of some kind (usually Lululemon Sculpt Cropped Tank) or a long-sleeved Patagonia Capilene Cool shirt (the men’s style has longer sleeves and a better fit). If it’s cooler, I’ll wear leggings (Lululemon Luxtreme Wunder Unders) and/or Prana Halle hiking pants depending on weather and company. (I avoid leggings if I’m hiking for work, obviously.)

My favorite baselayer is Smartwool: I love the Classic Thermal Merino and the Intraknit Thermal Merino shirts and leggings.

If I need a midlayer, I have several Patagonia fleeces (Synchilla is my favorite) along with my Patagonia Nano Puff.

If it’s raining, I layer on my Marmot Women’s Minimalist Jacket and my Mountain Hardwear Exposure/2 rain pants as an outer layer.

In terms of accessories: I have a million beanies (I’m a Michigan girl, so Carhartt Watch beanies are my favorite) and several pairs of Goodr OG sunglasses.

I have a few pairs of gloves, but I routinely wear my Outdoor Research Vigor Midweight Sensors for hiking. I also have two neck gaiters (which also double as hair scarves/wraps/headbands): One by Buff for hikes in warmer weather, and one by Smartwool for hikes in cooler weather.

If the weather calls for it, I’ll wear my Outdoor Research Crocodile gaiters.

Shop outdoors apparel

HIKING

Now that we covered what I’m wearing, here’s what I’m carrying if I’m out hiking.

I mentioned my Tubbs Panoramic snowshoes, Kahtoola Microspikes and Outdoor Research Crocodile gaiters above.

My trekking poles are the Black Diamond Women’s Trail Series (with removable snow baskets).

In terms of day hiking backpacks, I have two that I prefer. I use my REI Flash 22 pack for short hikes and a frame-based Gregory Juno H2O 24 pack for longer or more intense hikes.

What’s in my pack?

• First aid kit (Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Hiker)

• Head lamp (Black Diamond Storm 450)

• Sunscreen and lip balm. I like SuperGoop’s Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 if I’m going to be sweating or if it’s raining, and Nivea Sun Protect Super Water Gel SPF 50 if it’s not. (The Nivea is my everyday sunscreen and I’m obsessed with it.)

• Leatherman Skeletool multitool

• Anker portable charger – MagSafe compatible

• Hydration: Depending on the weather and length of my hike, I’ll bring any combination of my 32 ounce Hydro Flask, Gregory 3D Hydro 3L bladder and 32 ounce Nalgene (wide-mouth).
  
• A Kula cloth
  
• And, finally, if I’m hiking alone I always bring my Ubeesize Tripod S so I can take solo photos with my iPhone and Apple Watch remote app.

Shop hiking gear:

CAR CAMPING

So, first of all… I love my Jeep Wrangler for camping — having 4WD and a high-clearance vehicle is really useful.

When I’m car camping, I always bring my fully-packed hiking pack, since camping usually involves a fair bit of hiking.

I’ll also bring:

Sleep system: Kelty Galactic 30 (men’s) OR Nemo Riff 15 (women’s) sleeping bag + Therm-a-Rest Trail Lite (women’s) sleeping pad + Nemo Fillo pillow + Rumpl Nanoloft blanket. My Kelty sleeping bag is great for summers and my Nemo bag is great for cooler fall/spring nights and winters. I use the REI Half Dome 3+ tent (and its matching footprint) (newer model linked), which is perfect for two people and a dog.

Camp kitchen: I always bring my YETI Roadie 24 cooler, GSI Outdoors Santoku Knife Set, GSI Outdoors stainless steel deep plates, GSI Outdoors Glacier silverware set, OXO camp cooking set, SOL Flat Pack collapsible dish sink, water jug (similar), GSI Outdoors pepper grinder and spice rack. If fire restrictions are not in effect, I bring my Lodge cast iron skillet and NFPA-certified fire gloves (work perks) to handle it with. If I need it, I bring a portable fire grate. If fire restrictions are in effect, I bring my cookware set (GSI Outdoors Glacier Base Camper Cookset – Medium) and Eureka SPRK+ camp stove with fuel canisters.

I am a coffee FIEND, so I bring plenty of stuff with which to make coffee. If I’m just making coffee for one or two, I’ll use my GSI Outdoors Java Grind, MSR Titan Kettle, MSR PocketRocket Deluxe and AeroPress. If I’m on a group trip and I’m making coffee for more than myself and Ryan over a fire or stove, I’ll use my GSI Outdoors Glacier stainless steel percolator. I also always bring my enamel mug.

Misc. things:

• For sitting/ lounging: I bring my REI Co-op Skyward/ Camp X chair as well as my Eno SingleNest hammock (and the Atlas straps, which are sold separately).

• Goal Zero Yeti200 portable generator and accompanying Goal Zero Nomad 5 solar panel. This is useful for charging phones and camera equipment, inflating paddle boards and powering a portable projector and speaker if you’re on that kind of trip.

Shop car camping gear:

BACKPACKING

My backpacking setup is mostly just a pared-down version of car camping setup with a few pieces of equipment swapped out. I have a Gregory Jade 53 that I house all my stuff in, which includes a lot of the above hiking gear, but also:

Sleeping: Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 mtnGLO tent (similar linked), Kelty Galactic 30 (men’s) OR Nemo Riff 15 (women’s) sleeping bag (Kelty for warm nights, Nemo for cool nights) + Klymit Static V sleeping pad + Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol sleeping pad (I got sick of inflatable pad leaks and started bringing two pads for warmth/ as back-up) + Nemo Fillo pillow.

Kitchen: I mostly use my MSR PocketRocket Deluxe (with any compatible IsoPro fuel canister) and an MSR Titan Kettle with my Sea to Summit Alpha Light Spork – Long. I go simple with my coffee here: It’s my enamel mug with either pre-ground coffee via the AeroPress or instant coffee. I use a Sawyer Squeeze as my water filtration system.

Hygiene: Kula cloth + TheTentLab Backcountry Trowel + baby wipes (Target’s up & up are my favorite).

I have a bunch of Dyneema pouches from Hartford Gear Co. that I use to organize my things, including toiletries.

A few other things I love for backpacking: My Teva Original Universal Sandals (camp/ water crossing shoes), Stasher GO bowls (great for rehydrating DIY backpacking food), HotHands hand warmers (basically the backpacking version of my electric blanket: I toss one in my sleeping bag by my feet) and my REI Co-op Flexlite Air Chair. I ditch my Hydro Flask in favor of a 32-ounce wide-mouth Nalgene and a Smartwater bottle, and I can pack my Goal Zero Nomad 5 solar panel to recharge my Anker portable charger so I can recharge both my phone and Apple Watch.

Shop backpacking gear:

STAND-UP PADDLE BOARDING / KAYAKING

I have two paddle boards: Both the ISLE Explorer kit (for touring) and the ISLE Pioneer kit (for yoga/ paddling with Ochi) along with both the ISLE electric pump and the ISLE anchor kit. ISLE’s paddle board kits come with manual pumps but… the electric pump is totally worth the splurge, IMO.

Whenever I’m out on the water, I always bring my hiking safety basics listed above: My first aid kit, sunscreen and ChapStick, water, snacks, my head lamp if we’re sunset paddling PLUS my Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device (Onyx Unisex Belt Pack Manual Inflatable Life Jacket (PFD)). A lot of times, PFDs are actually required to be carried on all watercraft! Paddle boards are considered watercraft in the state of Arizona, so even if you feel confident without a PFD, you should still carry one in your dry bag or tucked under a bungee strap. I watched someone get kicked off of Lake Powell for not carrying one, so don’t make the same mistake!

In addition to safety stuff, I also like to bring an extra sun shirt and a lightweight towel. I pack most of my stuff in a Sea to Summit dry bag.

I have a waterproof Booe belt bag that I keep my iPhone in and a yellow floaty wrist leash (similar) to keep my iPhone from falling and sinking.

If I’m going for a longer excursion, I’ll load my Yeti Hopper Flip 8 cooler with extra water, drinks and (more) snacks.

I also usually paddle barefoot, but I like my Tevas when I’m entering/ exiting the water.

Shop paddling gear:

CYCLING

You’ll never catch me mountain biking — I’m too injury-prone — but if I’m sticking to trails, you can find me on my Giant Escape W hybrid bike wearing my Smith Persist helmet. Safety first.

GYM CLIMBING

Like I mentioned earlier… I like top-roping at my local climbing gym, but that’s about it, so if you’re looking for hardcore outdoor climbing gear, do NOT look here.

Nevertheless, I have the Black Diamond Momentum harness (men’s), Petzl GriGri belay device (paired with the Black Diamond RockLock Screwgate carabiner), Scarpa Helix climbing shoes, a Rockduster chalk bag and a STATIC chalk bag belt.

Shop climbing gear:

DOG GEAR

We love our huskies! We loved bringing Yukon on all our adventures, and we love doing the same for Ochi.

You can find all our dog gear suggestions here.

Shop dog gear:

・・・

So, there you go! A comprehensive list that I’ll be continually upgrading and adding to as I accumulate more and more junk gear.

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please read my disclosure policy.

This post was originally published Oct. 31, 2023. It has been continually edited and updated since publication to ensure accuracy and relevancy. It was last updated Aug. 14, 2024.