After countless day hikes and backpacking trips exploring Montana’s public lands, we’ve naturally narrowed down the gear we reach for again and again. Some pieces have been with us for years. Others have quickly replaced older favorites because they genuinely offered something better.
This isn’t meant to be a complete packing list or a collection of the latest releases. Instead, it’s a growing list of outdoor gear that’s earned a permanent place in our adventures because it’s reliable, durable, and continues to perform season after season.
As we continue exploring, we’ll keep this page updated with new favorites and remove anything that no longer deserves a spot.
How We Chose This Gear
Every recommendation below has met a few simple requirements:
- Used well beyond a single trip (typically over multiple seasons or years)
- Tested on numerous hikes, backpacking trips, camping trips, and road trips
- Still in regular use today
- Would confidently recommend it to friends and family
- Would happily buy it again if we needed a replacement
Shop Our Favorite Gear
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links which means if you make a purchase, we receive a small compensation at no added cost to you. Any purchases you make help keep this blog going and our content free. We truly appreciate your support!
Clothing
Ridge Merino Solstice Lightweight Hoodie
We’ve found merino to work especially well in Montana’s conditions for both sun protection and breathability. These are lightweight and don’t retain odor like synthetic materials. They also have thumbholes!
We reach for these more than any other hiking shirt. Instead of searching for something better, we’ve simply added more colors to our closet.
Fjallraven Abisko Zip Off Trousers
These pants have held up well through years of off-trail adventures. We appreciate the sun protection of breathable full-length pants and the flexibility to zip them off as Montana’s temperatures change drastically throughout the day.
They’ve held up to years of hiking and off-trail adventures, and we haven’t found another pair that makes us want to switch.
Rab Microlight Down Jacket
This has been my go-to insulated jacket since 2016 for hiking, camping, and travel. It provides instant warmth without adding much bulk and has held up exceptionally well through years of regular use.
It’s been keeping me warm since 2016, and I still reach for it more often than any other insulated jacket I own.
Darn Tough Micro Crew Cushion Socks
After trying Darn Tough, we quickly became fans of merino wool hiking socks. They’re comfortable, breathe well, and help keep our feet from feeling hot and clammy.
Every time we need another pair of hiking socks, we come back to Darn Tough. They’ve earned a permanent place in our hiking drawer.
Packs
Osprey Aura AG 65l
This backpack strikes an excellent balance between comfort and durability. It distributes weight exceptionally well, making long days on the trail far more enjoyable, and has held up beautifully through years of backpacking.
It’s been exceptionally comfortable and dependable on every backpacking trip. The only reason I’d ever consider something different would be to experiment with an ultralight pack.
Camp & Sleep
Durston X-Mid 2
This tent strikes an impressive balance between weight, livability, and durability. It has plenty of room for two people and has proven itself through multiple backpacking trips and some rough alpine weather.
Note: Durston Gear doesn’t currently offer an affiliate program, but we’ve included it because it’s genuinely one of our favorite pieces of backpacking gear.
It checks every box for us, and after years of use, nothing else has convinced us to make the switch.
Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt
We chose this sleeping bag for its lightweight design and versatility. It can be fully unzipped and used like a quilt or blanket, making it a comfortable option for everything from cool summer nights to shoulder-season backpacking.
After six years of backpacking, it’s still lightweight, versatile, and performing just as we’d hoped. We haven’t found a reason to replace it.
Sea to Summit Ether Light XR Pro
I wanted a sleeping pad that balanced warmth, weight, and comfort, and this one has done exactly that. Its high R-value makes it versatile across multiple seasons, while still remaining relatively lightweight for backpacking.
It’s the most comfortable sleeping pad I’ve used. The only thing that has me considering something different is finding a pad that packs a little smaller.
Helinox Chair Zero
Being able to relax comfortably around camp after a long day on the trail has been one of the biggest quality-of-life improvements we’ve made. They’re lightweight, pack down small, and give us a comfortable place to cook, eat, sketch, or simply enjoy the view.
They’ve completely changed our evenings at camp. Being able to truly relax after a long day on the trail is well worth the extra weight, and after years of use they’ve held up remarkably well.
Katadyn Befree
We use the 3L gravity system for backpacking and an older 1L bottle for day hikes and trail runs, but it’s the BeFree filter that keeps us coming back. It’s fast, easy to clean, and simpler to maintain than other filters we’ve used.
Its fast filtration, simple maintenance, and flexibility have made it our go-to water filter.
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