Never In history there has been such an offer of equipment options. Specialization on one hand and marketing on the other are making the selection of equipment very tough.

We can’t stress the importance of having the proper equipment and KNOWING HOW TO USE IT: Equipment, it turns out to be a very personal decision, but usually less is better.

You have to consider a few things when choosing equipment:

1.- What are you going to do?

2.- How often?

3.- Budget?

If you are going for a overnight camping trip and you don’t plan to do more camping; Does it make sense to buy an expedition quality tent? or would you invest 20 bucks in a second hand tent for your around the world trip?

Of course, all of this is academic if you are on a limited budget. In general, buy the best you can afford to.

What do I need?

Again, that depends on what are you doing and your personal preferences, my best advise is: Stay away from the expensive equipment, and with the money you save, extend your trip, make another trip or simply go on a trip (you wouldn't believe how many people out there, because of their expensive stuff are to afraid to travel, or worst CAN'T AFFORD IT!)

RULE # 1: Don’t bring anything you can’t afford to live without, specially if it has sentimental value.

Everytime I go on a trip, I try to write down, what I should have brought and what I sould have left, that brings us to...

RULE # 2: There is no perfect packing list.

After a few trips, you are going to have a pretty good idea of what you need and like to have. Where you have to buy quality stuff and where you can buy cheap things.

Your worst enemy when packing is the question: What if?..

What if it rains a lot?.. Well, there goes the rainwear.

What if it's very hot?  Pack the open helmet,

What if it's very cold? No problem, thermal underwear,

What if I get a dinner invitation with the president? Well a nice tie, doesn’t take that much space anyway.

Get the idea?, remember that you can always buy gear during your trip, something that I have always preferred, rather than totting with pounds of gear.. Just in case.

On the other hand you can always give away thing you don’t need or you can mail things back home or have gear mail from home (a common practice in very long trips, spanning several countries and seasons.)

General tips

When you go adventure travelling, most often, you visit very poor areas, without a question, you are wealthier than everybody around you (you can afford to travel, don't you?). Don't go rubbing the fact with flashy equipment, colourful clothes, etc. 

It’s been written a thousand times, and I still see it: Foreigners (mainly Americans) walking in the centre of Mexico City with cameras that are worth several months of work, hanging freely from their necks, almost like shouting: Grab me! I want to go with you!

You don't need to be paranoid,  just use common sense.

LUGGAGE

Pack as much as you can fit into a carry on bag.

Wheels are cute but useless; opt for a bag with shoulder straps.

Total allowable weight: 30 pounds. Yes, 30 pounds. If you can’t run a mile or hike five hours comfortably with all your gear on your back and you hands free (so you don’t have to set anything down – ever), you ain’t going on a real adventure.

CLOTHING

Pack in threes (three pairs of socks, underwear, pants, three shirts- and that’s all): one to wear, one to wash, one to spare. Bring only simple, logo-free garments that can be washed in a hotel sink. Light cottons and synthetics in same neutral tones are ideal.

PERSONAL ITEMS

Passport, money, credit cards, and tickets should stay on your person 24/7, preferably in freezer bags to protect them.

FIND A LOCAL GUIDE – Doug Lansky

1.- Let the tourist office play a point man. (www.towd.com)

2.- Take the guide for a test run – a day hike or short paddle tour – before embarking on a longer expedition.