How to Pack for Your Fall Canoe Trip Like A Pro (Part 4: Personal Gear) + Free Printable Checklist!
- Catherine van Warmerdam
- Dec 13, 2018
- 8 min read
Updated: Dec 18, 2018
Hello friends,
Welcome to Part 4 of our Fall Packing Series, Personal Gear! This was a big post, as there are a lot of things that you need to pack to keep yourself clothed, dry, and warm. I have done the digging for you and found links and pictures of all our favourite gear on amazon.ca!
If you are new to the series, you can find Part 1: Shelter, Part 2: Safety, Part 3: Camp Kitchen , Part 5: Fun & Adventure, and Part 6: Dog Items by clicking the links provided. The free printable checklist is also available here!
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Part 4 of 6: Personal Gear
Headlamp/Flashlight
You’ll thank yourself for bringing a flashlight when you need to pee in the middle of the night. Even better, a headlamp allows you to see at night-time but also have your hands free to cook, hang your canoe barrel, or read a book. I currently have some older models of headlamp - from Black Diamond and Princeton Tech, but I’m not entirely happy with either. Newer headlamps are much brighter and include features such as rechargeable batteries and water resistance. Check out this awesome guide from Switch Back Travel about the best headlamps of 2018!
Water Bottle
Staying hydrated is important when you are outside and on-the-go all day. Having your own personal water bottle helps you to be able to track your water intake. I love my BPA-free 1L Nalgene water bottle, as the AquaTabs that I use for water purification are made to be dissolved in one litre of water. The measurement tabs on the side make tracking your intake easy, and you can use it as a measuring cup when cooking. You might be tempted to bring a metal water bottle, but keep in mind that these can dent easily, especially when dropped on granite! My Nalgene has survived many adventures, including a ride down some rapids and a waterfall.
Toothbrush
Sometimes I buy the type of travel toothbrush that nests into its own handle. Other times, I bring my toothbrush from home along with a bristle-guard toothbrush cover. Either way, I like to have my toothbrush protected from whatever dirt and germs might be hanging around in my pack!
Toothpaste
The travel-size of toothpaste should be more than enough to get through your trip, if it’s only for a few days. You can keep them and refill them later with a syringe!
Deodorant
Bring it – your tent mates will thank you.
Hairbrush
Because a pinecone just won’t do.
Shampoo & Soap
Campsuds can be used as personal shampoo and soap while you are camping. I also like to bring small Nalgene containers of shampoo and bodywash in case we stop at an Ontario Parks Comfort Station where I can take a hot shower.
Hiking Shoes
A good pair of hiking shoes will last you a long time! Some people prefer the tall style of boot, while some prefer the ankle-height style. I prefer the latter. I used to have very weak ankles and was constantly rolling them. However, I noticed that choosing shoes with less support actually caused my body to strengthen these areas.
I used to be a big fan of my hiking shoes from The North Face; in fact, I bought the same pair several times over. They kept getting holes in the outer toe edge and the inner heel. After burning through several pairs, I made the switch toKeen, and have been very happy with them.
I have an older version of the Keen Women’s Targhee II Waterproof Trail Shoe.
I have to post a link to the newer version, since mine have lasted me so long! I love them because they are waterproof, so if I need to step into the water while launching the canoe, I don’t have to worry about wet feet for the rest of the day. They even have little rubberized channels along the tongue to drain water away from your foot! Genius.
A quick note if you are on the market for trail shoes – Keen shoes tend to run a half size smaller than you typically wear. Keen shoes are also typically quite wide. I have a friend that only buys Keen shoes because of this. I have narrow feet but have never had a problem with mine. Make sure you try them on and they are comfortable – if not, keep looking for the correct size, it’ll be worth it!
Campsite Shoes
I like to bring a second pair of shoes so that I have a dry pair for walking around the campsite. This is particularly nice when your hiking shoes are wet and need to dry in the sun or by the fire – you can change your socks and be toasty walking around in your second pair.
I know Crocs aren’t the most popular fashion choice, but they are lightweight and clip easily to the back of a pack. I can also wear thick socks with them. In warm weather, I also often bring my Merrell Barefoot Trail Running Shoes in my pack, as they are also lightweight and dry easily. I also like the barefoot sole because it’s nice to feel the earth under your feet (without risk of cutting them on rocks or sticks!)
Socks
I like to have as many pairs of socks as days I am camping. I don’t like to re-wear socks, as they absorb moisture from your feet and from the environment, reducing their ability to keep you warm. In warmer weather, a regular pair of cotton ankle socks will do.
In cooler weather, you might want to invest in a pair of merino wool socks. Merino wool comes from merino sheep. Unlike most wool, merino fibers are very fine, so the fabric is soft and breathable. It is able to wick moisture away from your foot. One of nature’s finest materials!
Although merino is a little more expensive, it’s an investment you can feel good about. Merino wool is also a renewable resource – sheep can keep reproducing wool throughout their lives. I have merino socks from two brands that I like equally; Darn Tough and Smart Wool. These socks are very durable and should last you a long time.
Extra Socks
In addition to socks for wearing during the day, I like to keep a pair or two just for inside the tent and for sleeping. A dry, tent-only pair is something to look forward to at the end of the day. For colder weather, I have a nice thick pair of Polar Paws Thermal Socks. The ultimate comfort!
Underwear
Like socks, I pack an equal number of pairs of underwear to the days I will be camping, plus a few extras for good measure. I have several pairs of merino underwear by Icebreaker that are well-used! Again, merino is expensive, but well worth it to stay warm and dry.
I like to wear a sports bra while camping for comfort. I have several Under Armour sports bras – I like them because they dry quickly and good quality of the elastic band.
Rain Gear
Even if your forecast looks good, it would be wise to pack your rain gear. I have a lightweight rain jacket from The North Face that is water repellent and breathes well. In fact, I’ve had it for so long (almost eight years!) that I’ve re-waterproofed it several times, and it’s still going strong. Washing your coat removes the protective waterproof coating over time, but you can purchase liquid or spray to re-coat your coat! A pair of rain pants is also great for cooler weather, when you might be paddling in the rain with your legs exposed. I am on the market for a pair right now, and will be sure to report back to you with my favourite pick
Hat & Sunglasses
A hat will keep the sun off of your face and save your lips from chapping up. My husband and I both have the Ranger 3 Hat from Lonix . They have a nice wide brim that can be buttoned up on both sides, a cord tie in case of wind, and have UV 50+ protection. Plus, they are manufactured locally in Toronto, Ontario! These durable hats are used by the Canadian Armed Forces, various Canadian fire departments, Parks Canada, and Ontario Parks.
Sunglasses will help you to see better, and reduce the glare from the water while you’re paddling. My husband and I both prefer Ironman sunglasses, because they are built for sport and the rubberized nose and legs are very comfortable. Matthew has the Ironman Men’s Dextro Wrap Sunglasses. These glasses have 100% UVA-UVB protection, which is important to us because we both have had laser eye surgery and prefer to take good care of our eyes.
However, these sunglasses are non-polarized. Personally, I prefer polarized lenses because they will also help you to see through the surface of the water, enabling you to see rocks or deadheads that you need to avoid. It’s also fun to be able to spot aquatic creatures beneath the surface.
Watch
When we escape to the backcountry, time slows down. But it’s still nice to have a watch to keep track of your day! I recently bought my husband the Timex Iron Man Sleek 30 Resin Strap Watch. Matthew is notorious for losing watches, so of course, I bought him a blaze orange one. He hasn’t lost it yet! I love the Timex Ironman series because they are water resistant up to 100m or 330ft, the resin strap is very breathable, and the Indiglo function makes it easy to check the time in the darkness of your tent. Matthew is also a triathlete, so the 30-lap split function is just a bonus for him! I have an earlier women’s Timex Ironman and, although the battery needs to be replaced, it is still going strong.
Sweater
Hoodies are nice for feeling cozy, but they are bulky and take up a lot of room in your pack. Lightweight fleece sweaters, like The North Face Women’s Glacier ¼ Zip, take up little room but can keep you surprisingly warm. For colder weather, a heavier fleece sweater like the Columbia Women’s Benton Springs Full Zip might be necessary. Plus it has zippered pockets!
Pants
Please don’t bring jeans camping. They are heavy, don’t stretch well, and are uncomfortable to be in all day. They also take foreverto dry. I like yoga pants for camping, as they are comfortable, easy to move in, moisture wicking, and dry fairly quickly. I also have a pair of Under Armour ColdGear Leggings that do a great job in cold weather. My husband likes to wear the type of cargo pants that can zip-off into shorts.
Shorts
The fall can be a tricky time for camping – it can be hot during the day and cool at night. Packing a pair of shorts or two that dry quickly can give you options to wear during the day.
T-shirts
You might be tempted to bring your oldest, grimiest cotton t-shirts – it’s just camping, right? Think again! Cotton isn’t a great insulator, especially when wet. The better bet is a moisture-wicking t-shirt that will move the sweat away from your body and dry quickly. In warm weather, I have several Climacool t-shirts from Adidas , and for cold weather, I have some long-sleeved Under Armour ColdGear Shirts.
Pyjamas
A pair of warm PJs can be a treat at the end of the day. I like to have a pair of flannel bottoms, a cotton shirt, and a light polar fleece sweater. I try to only wear these clothes in the tent so that they stay dry and moisture-free for the remainder of the trip.
Swim Suit
You may like to skinny dip, but you never know when there are fellow campers around!
Towel
I recently invested in some small microfiber towels for camping. Large, traditional towels take up a lot of room in your pack and take forever to dry. I like the Sea to Summit Tek Towel, which has a terry-cloth like feel. They are surprisingly absorbent, dry quickly, and pack nicely into a small bag. The bag has two compartments, one with mesh on the outside so that the towel can dry while packed away, and one that is fully enclosed, keeping a dry towel dry!
There you have it, Part 4 of our Fall Packing Series.
Don't forget to check out Part 1: Shelter, Part 2: Safety, Part 3: Camp Kitchen, Part 5: Fun & Adventure, and Part 6: Dog Items by clicking the links provided. You can also grab a copy of our free printable checklist.
Do you have any favourite gear recommendations? Let me know in the comments!
You can also pin this post for later on Pinterest!
Cheers,
Catherine
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