Guide Gear RECs
Remember: SC Outfitters will always provide gear on SC Outfitters trips. However, we know a lot of you are interested in getting outside on your own, so we’ve compiled a list of recommendations for your next personal adventure!
Sleeping Bags
Kelty Cosmic Down: rated to 19*F, light, small
Outdoor Vitals Summit Bag: packs down small, warm, long lasting
REI Joule/Magma: warm in the feet/core, packs small!
Nemo Disco/Rave 15: packs down nicely, keeps ya insanely warm
North Face Blue Kazoo: down women’s bag — great for shorter humans because it packs smaller and cuts down on weight
North Face Furnace: Rated to 26* F, but recommend layers below 32* F
North Face Cats Meow: super warm, long lasting
Western Mountaineering Bison GWS Expedition : “42 oz of high quality feathers that keep you warm in frigid conditions”, an investment but worth it for extreme weather
Bottom Line: anything that keeps you warm! It doesn't need to be the best bag, but it should meet the conditions of your outing. Down is generally warmer, lighter, and smaller, but requires a little extra love.
If you have a sleeping bag but you’re worried about temperature, you can invest in a sleeping bag liner. This liner adds 25 degrees to your sleeping bag and this liner adds five degrees.
SLEEPING PAD
Therm-A-Rest NeoAir XTHerm Lightweight: this inflatable sleeping pad will keep you warm and provide some extra comfort. It is able to fold down to a small size, but a prepared camper should also bring a patching kit to repair and tears or holes. These pads are more comfortable than their non-inflatable counterparts but more expensive and somewhat less reliable.
Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol Sleeping Pad: this pad is super lightweight and folds down like an accordion. It does not fold down as small as some inflatable sleeping pads, but you NEVER have to blow it up. It is a little less comfortable than inflatable sleeping pads but still an SCO favorite because of its simplicity, affordability, and reliability.
Sea to Summit Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Pad: This is one of the most durable and long lasting inflatable pads on the market! The pump sack helps prevent mold, and it is warmer, lighter, and quieter than its competitors.
SCO mascot Sage doesn’t realize she’s supposed to sleep ON the pad.
Bottom line: you need some sort of sleeping pad to insulate you from the ground. Preferences for comfort levels are up to you, but with no insulation you will have a cold and sad night.
BackPacks
Deuter Trail 30 Pack- 30L pack that’s perfect for a short weekend getaway
Gregory Baltoro 65 Pack - 65L pack that’s perfect for a longer trip! Stays comfortable and secure even when carrying 50+ lbs
Gregory Maven 45 Pack - 45L pack for a weekend trip
Xena 85 Pack - 85L pack for long trips
REI Co-op Trailbreak 60 Pack - 60L pack for longer trips
REI Co-op Ruckpack 40 Recycled Pack - 40L recycled bag for weekend trips
ULA CDT 54L Pack - Designed for ultralight trips (<25lbs), this pack weights just over 1.5 pounds
Bottom Line: A good backpack is pivotal to an enjoyable backpacking experience. Look for things like size (35-50 L is recommended for a weekend trip, while longer trips need 65 L+) and sex (bags labeled women are designed differently than bags labeled men, trying on bags to see which style fits you before purchasing is always recommended). We love Gregory and Osprey brand packs and have found that REI bags are more affordable while still reliable. REI also has copious amounts of bags on site that you can try on and add weight to test for comfort.
Day PAcks
REI Co-op Trail 25 Pack - this 25L pack is comfortable and has plenty of space for everything you need for a day hike!
Gregory Inertia 30 Hydration Pack - 30L day pack that comes with a hydration sleeve!
CamelBak Helena 20 Hydration Pack - comes with a 2.5 L hydration pack and has a waist strap!
Bottom line: Day trips have a little bit more flexibility, and oftentimes you can even use your school bag as a daypack. Just make sure your day pack is relatively comfortable and has enough storage for important things like snacks, first aid kits, and water!
Camping Stoves
Coleman Triton Propane 2-Burner Stove - This is the perfect stove for a car-camping weekend (read: camping near your car, NOT backpacking). You can cook more than one thing at a time, which makes cooking for bigger groups easier!
MSR WhisperLite International Backpacking Stove - This stove requires practice before you should rely on it in the backcountry. It takes white gas, kerosene and unleaded gasoline, which makes it easier to use abroad, but also makes it harder to find fuel in the US. You can find white fuel at camping stores or Walmart.
MSR PocketRocket 2 Stove - This stove is small but mighty. It is more user friendly than the Whisperlite, but definitely makes it harder to cook for larger groups. This stove is super lightweight and takes self-sealing canister fuel which you can find in any outdoor store, Walmart, and many grocery stores.
Jetboil Flash Cooking System - Jetboil is used primarily for boiling water, but boy oh boy is it amazing at that. Jetboils boil water super fast and are relatively lightweight, making them perfect for you if you love dehydrated meals.
Soto Windmaster - This stove is small, light, and packs a punch! The quadrupod design makes it significantly more stable than other backpacking stoves, and it works well in windy conditions.
Bottom line: many arguments have been started between guides about which camping stove is really the best. In the end, camping stoves come down to personal preference and what exactly you’re trying to accomplish with the stove. Colemans are perfect for car camping trips, Whisperlites are go-tos for large groups in the backcountry, PocketRockets are super light and reliable, and Jetboils are the fastest way to boil water.
Not ready to invest in some new gear yet? SC Outfitters offers rentals for most of these items for members! UCLA and UC Riverside also offer rentals to non-students for other items that we cannot provide.
Prefer to buy used for a discount? REI Resupply at the Manhattan Beach location offers gear that was used and returned at a discounted price, often with no damages.