Philmont Gear

The most important item of personal gear you need for Philmont is a really good pair of hiking boots. These will cost anywhere from $100 to $250.

What features your boots should have and how to select them:

• Above ankle support

• Leather or synthetic; waterproof is highly recommended

• Buy boots that will fit while you're backpacking; try them on with socks likely to be worn on trail

• Buy from an outdoor outfitter (like REI or EMS); these stores have experts in finding you the right boot

• Fit them late in day when feet are slightly swollen

• You can add a premium insole later if needed (like Superfeet)

• Break in your boots (and your feet) NOW by wearing them and hiking

CLICK HERE for a really informative page with video from REI on selecting the right hiking boot.

...and appropriate socks. The kind of socks you wear with your boots is also very important. We will discuss this at our prep meetings but you can also see it HERE.

How to lace your boots

Your backpack is your next most important

Your pack will carry everything that you'll need for 12 days on the trail: personal gear, crew gear, food, water. Depending on our itinerary, especially how many days between food pickups and whether we'll have any dry camps (no water), you could carry anywhere from 30 to 50 pounds (the goal is to never exceed 25% of your body weight, at least not for long periods). A good pack will cost between $150 and $250 (although there are very often closeouts from prior year models; check reioutlet.com). You can also rent a pack at Philmont.

==> HOW TO FIT YOUR BACKPACK (video) <==

There are two primary styles of backpack:

• • Internal frame (this is what you'll mostly find)

  • External frame (these still exist, but are considered a little "old school", although some people swear by them because they tend to keep your back better ventilated)

Packs come in lots of different sizes and with many different features. We recommend:

• At least 65 liter capacity, with the ability to tie things onto the outside (if you're small-framed/small-sized, a 55 liter pack might work; please discuss with your Philmont leaders)

• A very well padded hip belt and shoulder straps

• An integral rain cover, or buy one separately

• As with your hiking boots, go to one or more high-end outdoor outfitters, consult their staff and try on lots of different models

Your crew advisors and some crew members have considerable experience in selecting packs and other outdoor gear. You can get their advice when we discuss gear at our prep meetings.

At the end of every day crews must gather all their "smellables" into bear bags and hang them high above the ground.