One of the great benefits of Wayfaring is realising how little you actually need in life. Carrying your worldly possessions in one bag is a beautiful freedom, especially in a society for which acquisition of maximum ‘stuff’ is one of our most sacred aspirations.
That being said, what you carry should be well-chosen, and should serve your Wayfaring purposes in the best way possible.
“If you want a golden rule that will fit everything, this is it: Have nothing in your houses [backpack] that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” (William Morris)
Britain has a mixed terrain and weathers. Individual Wayfarers will have different needs and requirements. So please take my recommendations on these pages with a pinch of salt. I am ultimately only speaking from my own experience and preference.
My first recommendation is to not buy loads of new items. All Wayfarers have fallen for this. The outdoor gear industry is very good at creating ‘new’ and ‘best ever’ gear, to manifest a perception of need for more new purchases. Goretex, for example, spend multiple millions each year on marketing to persuade us that their latest nylon jacket is even more waterproof and also even more breathable.
Try to ignore the hype, and avoid confusing desire with need. A good way forward is to borrow from friends and family, and use what you already possess. You may want the latest ultralight gear, but it’s better to get out and make journeys rather than delay for the sake of acquiring all new items just to save a few hundred grams. Better to get a little wet from a rainstorm that you did not miss while stuck at home researching new waterproofs. The whole point of gear is to get us out there, so don’t get confused with false dreams of perfection.
That being said, weight and quality does matter. You will be carrying everything on your hips and back. And the harder it is to transport this gear, the less your mind will be able to expand beyond the consciousness of your immediate physical struggle. Wayfaring should not be a brutal slog against the pain of carrying too many kilos of gear.
My recommendation is to aim for a pack that weights 20 lumps (not including food and water). A lump is half a kilogram - 500g. So try to make your bag weigh no more in total than 10kg. Don’t worry if it weighs a few lumps more. Go for a journey, and learn what you didn’t really need.
Different terrain will require different gear. If you are Wayfaring in mountainous regions, your clothes and shelter will need to increase in durability and protective value. Likewise, seasonal variations need to be factored in. Also, the length of your journey will alter your needs. For a short Wayfaring trip, I would not pack slippers - but for a long one, I would!
With kit, there is a great deal to be said for personal preference. If you like a piece of equipment, and feel good about it, this is about as high a recommendation as you can get. Follow this instinct. Use what you feel good about.
The oldest debate among Wayfarers is durability vs lightweightness. Kit that weighs almost nothing is a blessing in the backpack, but if it rips or fails when it comes to use, this is a problem. Also, ultralight kit is often the most expensive, so be sure you are achieving good value in what you buy. If it only endures for a few journeys, is it really worth the price tag, even if it weighs almost nothing?
Colour is another question. I always recommend muted shades, as I find bright red folk on the hillside do not blend into nature, but seem set apart. Also, if you are Coldharbouring you will be more likely to draw unwanted attention if your colours are bright and garish. However, some people are butterflies rather than moths, so go with what feels best to you.
There are many websites dedicated to recommendations and reviews of kit. Before buying anything, have a very good look around the internet. One of the best places to look for reviews is OutdoorGearLab.It is American, but much UK gear is also listed and reviewed. And the way they talk about gear can be eye-opening. A bag is not just a bag.
For a ‘one-stop-shop’ in Wayfaring gear, look to Alpkit. This is a UK company who test their gear thoroughly and are strong designers. You could probably get everything you need from their website alone, and it will possibly be the best value available. But it will still be far cheaper to go secondhand, or borrow kit.
If you have more money to burn, look to the USA. Manufacturers like Mountain Laurel Designs, TarpTent, Z-PacksandEnlightened Equipment, are miles ahead of UK kit. The Americans lead the way. But importing their kit comes with a hefty import tax from HMRC, as well as a considerable delay for shipping, so bear this in mind!
If you prefer to buy things from physical shops,Go Outdoorsand Cotswold Outdoor will be your two best bets in the UK. Or, look for an independent specialist hiking/camping shop. There are some excellent ones out there!
