the big gear guide.

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The freedom of exploration is an unmatched feeling. If you’re reading this, chances are you understand what I mean.

There’s nothing like exploring new territory and having the utmost confidence in the gear that got you there, and that can get you out.

It makes sense, then, that one of the most common questions people have is “what gear do you use?”

I get it… I’m still asking a lot of those same questions too.

But, I’ve had a few years of experience now, and this newsletter is all about what I’ve learned on the gear front.

Here’s a little secret…

I’ve bought over 50% of everything I own second-hand (usually on Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji).

So don’t get too discouraged when some of these items are expensive (most of them are). Chances are, you can find most of them second-hand if you just pay attention.

The trick is to be aware of the gear that you’d like to add to your kit, and then to monitor second-hand sites until you find something for a reasonable price.

At the end of the day, gear’s not cheap. But, if you buy the right stuff, it’ll last you for many years to come.

Here are just a few of my recommendations, from the watch I use to the lens on my camera and everything in between.

Watch

• Garmin Fenix 6 Sapphire

  • You never understand the appeal of these until you use them… and then you’re hooked.

  • I bought this Garmin used on Marketplace just over 3 months ago, and it’s definitely my favourite purchase of the year. It’s hard not to nerd out over features like HRV score, sleep tracking, and in-watch GPS tracking.

Trails

• Hoka Speedgoat 4

  • These are my go-to trail shoes, for not only trail running but any sort of non-technical hiking/walking. Sticky tread, big lugs, bomber cushioning… I love these things.

• Adidas Terrex Free Hiker Gore-Tex 2.0

  • Terrex sent me these to celebrate the grand opening of their new store in downtown Vancouver, and they’ve been one of my go-to shoes since.

  • These fit like a glove, and the ankle support is a huge plus in rougher terrain. The Gore-Tex outer is a huge plus in Raincouver, and while they’re technically “hiking” shoes, they’re so light that I’ve used them on many trail runs too.

Packs

• Arc’teryx Alpha FL 40

  • This is the alpine pack to rule them all. Incredible weight-to-volume ratio, absurdly simple design, extremely comfortable ergonomics, very durable waterproof material. Not to mention the bright red colour is very handy in low-vis.

• Jones DSCNT 32L Splitboard Pack

  • This is a new pack for me this season, and it’s worked exceptionally well for backcountry touring. Plenty of space for camera gear, dedicated avy gear pouch, rear access, axe loops, and options for both A-frame split carry and regular board carry.

    

• Mountain Hardwear South Col 70

  • This is more of a haul pack for multi-day missions, or big overnighters. It’s relatively minimalist, with one main compartment and a few small storage features. I’ll often fit a smaller pack inside to bring up on big multi-day missions, and then use the smaller pack for day trips from base camp. Very trusted pack for high-altitude mountaineering as well, it’s common to see this model on Everest or other 8000m peaks.

• LowePro Whistler 450 AW II

  • This camera pack is a new addition to my repertoire, and I’ve become a big fan very quickly. This thing is bomb-proof, and packs a fair bit of genuine backcountry needs into what is still a camera-centric pack. Axe loops, avalanche gear pocket, side carry loops, and waterproofing make it a prime pack for resort days or lighter backcountry missions. I won’t take this on any big missions where I need a significant amount of climbing gear, but for more mellow backcountry days it’s a blast.

Axes, Tools & Crampons

• Petzl Summit

  • A great all-around mountain axe, the Summit has enough curvature to be useful on steeper snow climbs but has the shaft length to be great for glacier travel or mellow snow slopes. Surprisingly light for its length, I love this axe.

• Petzl Sum’Tec

  • The Sum’Tec is more of a hybrid snow/ice tool, with an adjustable trig-rest for transitions between plunging and swinging. One of the best modular axes on the market, great to pair with the Summit for steeper routes.

• Black Diamond Fusions

  • The Fusions are a classic technical ice tool, for dedicated ice & mixed climbing. I haven’t been out much on them yet, but they’ve worked well so far on both water ice and mixed terrain, and the spike on the bottom means they can be plunged in steep snow if need be.

• Black Diamond Sabretooth Crampons

  • I’ve used these as my main pair of crampons for over two years now, and they’ve never let me down once. They’re semi-automatic, which means the rear clips onto a heel welt but the front is strapped (no need for toe welt). I’ve used them on everything from glaciers, to steep snow, to low-angle alpine ice. Phenomenal all-around crampons.

Mountain Boots

• Scarpa Ribelle Tech HD 2.0

  • The Ribelle Tech boots were designed by Scarpa in collaboration with the late Ueli Steck, who was one of the pioneers of fast-and-light alpine climbing. These boots are predictably some of the best out there. Rockered enough for long approaches, without sacrificing necessary stiffness, these boots will take you from valley floor to alpine summit with no trouble at all. I wear these all the time.

    

  • Arc’teryx Acrux AR GTX

    • Arguably one of the most beautiful mountain boots ever built, Arc’teryx discontinued these a few years back but they’re still some of the best double boots ever made. Warm, waterproof, without feeling too bulky, these boots shine on cold overnight trips or anything involving more technical winter climbing.

• Scarpa Ribelle HD

  • These were my first pair of dedicated mountaineering boots, and they still are some of my favourite all-round pieces of footwear. Crampon compatible, comfortable on approach, and stiff enough for steep snow and technical scrambling.

Apparel

I’ll try not to go into too much detail in this section, as so many apparel choices are just preference-based. That being said, here are a few essentials that I love.

• ThruDark Centurion Alpine Jacket

  • I wear this thing everywhere. Comfortable, warm, and breathable enough for longer approaches. Functions as a great mid-layer below a shell for stormier days.

• Black Diamond Access Down

  • A down jacket is a crucial part of any cold-weather adventurer’s kit, and this particular model has held up wonderfully for me. Thick enough to be very warm, without being too bulky to inhibit layering. (Can you tell I like black?)

• ThruDark Mantra Gilet Vest

  • A technical fleece mid-layer, perfect for layering under a shell or even as an outer layer on more temperate days.

• Black Diamond Dawn Patrol Hybrid Pants

  • BD makes some of my favourite backcountry outerwear, and these pants are no exception. Side-zips, beacon storage, and integrated gaiters are a few top-notch features.

Camera

• Canon EOS R6

  • I bought the R6 two years ago, and it’s rarely let me down since. It’s a full-frame mirrorless camera, with 4K 60fps video shot in 10-bit colour. I won’t go into too much detail as there are far better reviews online, but it’s been perfect for my needs thus far.

• 24-70 f2.8 RF lens

  • This is a workhorse of a lens, and I shoot the vast majority of my work on this. RF auto-focus is blazing fast, and the in-lens stabilization is handy in a lot of handheld situations.

• DJI Mini 3 Pro

  • I’ve unfortunately crashed two of these 😂 but it’s still a wonderful drone and a much more reasonable price point now that it’s been out for a few years. It’s easy to use, super light, and its relatively high image quality make it a perfect tool for shooting in the mountains or on the go.

At the end of the day, exhaustive gear lists can be a little unnecessary because there are so many similar pieces of gear on the market. It’s often pointless to quibble about small details.

That being said, when it comes to certain parts of your kit, it’s best to buy once and cry once. Your shell, your boots, your pack, etc… these are all items that make or break a day out in the mountains.

And as always, my DMs and email are always open to specific questions. I’ve spent years learning from people a few steps ahead of me, and any questions I get I’m more than happy to answer on a personal level as well.

Peace ✌️

Lukas