I mentioned it in my loooong novel of a post about all my rec gear and apparel, and here we are! Another looooong novel of a post about how to acquire said recreation gear and apparel.

When I first moved to Flagstaff and started venturing out into the great outdoors, the process was super intimidating because — while I did a lot of camping as a kid — both gear AND the gear-buying process have changed SO much in the past two decades, and buying your own stuff instead of just using the cheap Coleman sleeping bag* your parents hand you? A very different experience.

*Did everyone have this same sleeping bag growing up, or was it just me?

But, after a few years of trial and error, I’ve figured out both how to find the right gear for me, and how to save money on acquiring that gear for myself.

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.