I posted these in my vacation thread in the gallery, but that area doesn't get as much traffic and they were buried in a huge wall of text and images, so I thought a more concise post in the lounge might get more responses.

I'm looking for recommendations for a few pieces of gear for backpacking...so light weight and small size trumps all other considerations. I'm not a true ultra-lighter, but I do keep it pretty light. My 44L pack typically weighs under 25lb for a 4-5 day trip.

1. A lightweight camera with good image quality and a lot of optical zoom for wildlife photos. My phone works fine for landscape, but I'm currently using my Pentax K5 for long shots, and while it's a great camera it weighs a ton and often gets left in the car.

2. A lightweight, fast drying pair of water shoes with good sole and toe protection for water crossings. Bonus points if they double as comfortable camp shoes. I have a pair of neoprene water socks with rubber soles right now that only weigh about a pound and hang nicely off the back of my pack, but they have zero toe protection and my feet get banged up pretty bad on creek crossings or wading around to fish.

3. A quality water filter. I'm currently using a Sawyer (the bigger one) and it's a pain. It takes a lot of effort to use it, it's hard on bottles, and forces you to dedicate a bottle to dirty water. Something that pumps directly from the water source would be preferable.

What is your budget for the camera?

Sony RX10 IV - 1” sensor 24-600mm equivalent $1700
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c..._digital_camera.html


Sony RX100 VII - 1” sensor, 24-200mm equivalent $1300
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c...100_vii_digital.html


Not cheap, but pretty much considered the best bridge cameras out there without sacrificing AF performance, IQ, etc.


You can go smaller/cheaper, but start giving up a lot in IQ pretty quick with smaller sensor sizes.

1) I dont know anything about cameras

2) Crocs. They weigh nothing, are very comfortable, and they float. Perfect to wear after taking the boots off at the campsite as well.

3) Sawyer Squeeze filter is an option but make sure you back flush it before squeezing too hard because you'll blow the bag out. Another great lightweight option are the gravity filters.

Sony RX10 is ideal. Discontinued. Buy now.

A friend of mine is a thru hiker. He’s done all of the big trails for months at a time. He swears by Sawyer squeeze. Get a Cnoc bag instead of the crappy plastic bag that comes with it. I like grayl geopress purifiers.

I should probably clarify on the camera...I want something very small, like pocket size. I'm no pro...price range is probably $200-$300. The RX10 doesn't look much smaller than my K5. The RX100 looks to be an acceptable size, but it's way above my price range.

Crocs are a good idea. I've seen people use them before and they would probably serve my pourposes.

I know the Sawyer Squeeze is most people's go-to. I just haven't loved mine and prefer a pump-style filter.

I got a used Canon Power Shot S95 for about $200 in 2012 that is pocket size.

For water shoes check out the Xero water shoes. Hands down best I have ever used. Used them for a 6 day canoe trip on the Penobscot River in Maine, it is super rocky and lots of roots. Never slipped once over lots of portages.

Look into the UV water treatment solutions. I’ve been using one from Steripen. My water supply is clear, so sediment isn’t a problem. But if you’re trying to remove sediment you’ll have nothing but headaches with filters.

I also use a platypus gravity filter, it’s fast and relatively light considering the volume it can treat in just a few minutes.

For water shoes, these are fantastic. I wore them sans socks for 4 days at Disney. Now they are my morning and night mile walk with the dog shoes. Can’t beat the price:

Search Amazon for HUMTTO water shoes.

I've used Sawyer filters for years and have been very happy with them from overnights to 5-day trips where you wanted to filter all your water. I've used the mini and regular versions. I've set up a gravity feed before and like it but mostly use just the squeeze method. It's simple and works.

For 1-2 night trips I often use a smart water bottle. I have and really like the Cnoc bags. Simple to squeeze or set up a gravity feed into a bladder. This is my go-to on anything over two nights out.

https://cnocoutdoors.com/collections/collecting

Is lifestraw an option. Sawyer is better? I haven't used either but have the former for emergency. And maybe upcoming trip.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
Is lifestraw an option. Sawyer is better? I haven't used either but have the former for emergency. And maybe upcoming trip.

While they both filter the water they are very different designs. IMHO the Lifestraw is a last-ditch way to drink water that needs to be filtered. The Sawyer is a legit filter that has proven itself around the world.

The Lifestraw is a stick-style filter where you can drink water like a straw. The Sawyer is a filter you can use in a few different ways to filter water into a container and then drink the clean water whenever you want.

I have a Lifestraw just because they were on sale one day. Will admit I've never used it. I have used a Sawyer and have used it many times while backpacking. I've seen people use some other types of filters but I would say over 90% of the people spending time outdoors in the US are using a Sawyer. It's light weight, small and it just works. You can backflush(clean it) with a simple water bottle.

Thanks! Good info. So, lifestraw isn't a lighter option. And now I have to buy sawyer filters.

quote:

2. A lightweight, fast drying pair of water shoes with good sole and toe protection for water crossings. Bonus points if they double as comfortable camp shoes. I have a pair of neoprene water socks with rubber soles right now that only weigh about a pound and hang nicely off the back of my pack, but they have zero toe protection and my feet get banged up pretty bad on creek crossings or wading around to fish.

Crocs while comfortable are bulky and not a good option if you're intending to use these for backpacking.
Here's some options to consider:

Salomon Tech Amphibian

Hoka Hopara

Variety of Keen water sandals

Astral started out as a brand for paddlers, most of their shoes are water capable and protective enough for walking around

https://www.katadyngroup.com/u...us-transparent~p6724

I've been using one of these for about 25 years now, before Katadyn bought them out. I got it when I was in Boy Scouts and did a whole lot of backpacking, and it still works great even though I don't use it very often anymore. I don't even know what else is out there because it still works so well I haven't felt the need to get anything else. It's pretty fast, easy to pump, and it's shown itself to be durable.

quote:

Originally posted by Perception:
https://www.katadyngroup.com/u...us-transparent~p6724

I've been using one of these for about 25 years now, before Katadyn bought them out. I got it when I was in Boy Scouts and did a whole lot of backpacking, and it still works great even though I don't use it very often anymore. I don't even know what else is out there because it still works so well I haven't felt the need to get anything else. It's pretty fast, easy to pump, and it's shown itself to be durable.

My BIL had an older version of this filter as well, and I much preferred it to the Sawyer. It's a bit bigger, but a lot easier to use, and I'm more confident that it's getting the water clean (although I've never gotten sick after using either). I'm curious how the new one compares to the old one. The Sawyer is just pushing water through a membrane, while this thing has an actual charcoal filter.

Light weight and decent quality have become quite rare today. Because using a phone as a point and shoot camera has basically killed demand for actual cameras. Poking around the net shows just two options at roughly 11 ounces. First is the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII and second is a Canon Powershot that has been on back order so long that B&H photo doesn't list it anymore.

The big plus for the Sony is it's is actually in stock at B&H and other online sources. Downside is the cost, it's a 1300 dollar camera. I will also note that the "reach" for the lens is a bit limited at a 200mm 35mm equivalent. However it's a Zeis lens and a 20mp camera so image quality is very good and suitable for prints as large as 16x20 inches.

Another option is the Nikon Coolpix P950. Here you get a 16 mp camera with a zoom lens that is 35mm equivalent to 24 to 2000mm and image stabilized. Downside of this camera is the weight, it's 2 lbs. 4 ounces and a bit large. BTW I have handled one and the magnification that 2000mm can yield is stunning and the image stabilization actually provides a stable image in the viewfinder when hand held. Note 2000mm is also long enough that you will want to find your subject at a wider setting and zoom in, because this is equivalent to a 40X Spotting Scope. Cost for this camera is 800 dollars and image quality at 2000mm is decent but don't bother with prints larger than 11x17 inches.