The Perfect Gear for the Perfect Alaskan Adventure
Packing for Alaska is nearly impossible. The terrain ranges from beaches to arctic tundra, and the weather can change from warm and sunny to sideways blizzard in the blink of an eye. Thankfully, with the right gear and the right attitude, you'll be ready to take on the Frontier State in style.
Get Lost Travel Van
With a full kitchen (including a sink and fridge), sleeping arrangements, and interior couch, Get Lost Travel Vans feel like a home away from home. A comfortable road trip is a successful road trip, and choosing the right vehicle is the most important step!
Eddie Bauer BC Evertherm
If there's one thing to know about Alaska it's that hot can turn cold and dry can turn wet in a matter of minutes. Thankfully, Eddie Bauer has you covered with this revolutionary jacket. Insulated to keep you warm, and waterproof to keep you dry, it's the perfect piece of clothing no matter the forecast.
Stanley Boil + Brew French Press, and Classic TwinLock Travel Mug
Let's face it - roadtrips mean long hours of adventure, and short nights with very little sleep. Thankfully, Stanley thought ahead for us with this sleek combo-kit that brews, boils, and cooks, all in one compact package. Then, hit the road and keep your fresh joe hot and tasty in the double-wall vacuum insulated Travel Mug. Just because you're roughing it doesn't mean you have to ROUGH it.
Sawyer Insect Repellent
Alaskans like to joke that the mosquito is the official state bird, and they're usually big enough to require a runway. Sawyer offers a full-line of powerful insect repellents, and their innovative design allows you to apply bug repellent that lasts for up to 5 washes, so you don't have to worry about accidentally getting eaten alive if you forget to reapply every morning.
Kula Cloth
Exploring often means "taking care of business" in some less-than-ideal places. Thanks to Kula Cloth, there's now a zero-waste, hygenic way to keep yourself clean and comfortable, no matter where you are.
Nemo Dagger
Even on road trips I'll often spend a few nights backpacking and sleeping under the stars. The Nemo Dagger is incredibly light, extremely tough, and stylish to boot. Our tent of choice for everything from simple overnighters to multi-week backpacking trips.
f-stop Sukha Camera Bag
Rugged enough for backpacking, cushy enough to keep your camera gear safe, and big enough to carry everything you could possibly want. F-Stop is the industry leader in rugged, outdoor camera bags, and this is their masterpiece.
Von Zipper Psychwig Glacier Glasses
Summer time in Alaska means sun. Like, a lot of sun. I mean literally, the sun doesn't set...for several months. You need sunglasses, and you need good ones. Thankfully, Von Zipper has you covered with the Psychwig Glacier Glasses. They protect your eyes from incoming light, no matter what direction it's coming from.
Garcia Backpackers' Cache
Breaking News; there are bears in Alaska. Furthermore, they're super strong and super clever, so if you're hiking around with a bunch of food you can fully expect that food to become bear food. A bear-resistant canister is mandatory for all national parks in Alaska, but also just a really good idea everywhere else in the state. The Garcia Backpackers' Cache is the industry-leader for bear resistant food canisters, and for good reason. Lightweight, affordable, and nearly indestructible.
Packit Gourmet
Freeze-dried camping food can be a serious bummer, but Packit Gourmet is out to change that. Gone are the days of choking down a bag full of sludge with enough sodium to kill a yak, thanks to Packit Gourmet’s extensive list of nutritious, restaurant caliber recipes. Quick, easy, affordable and delicious to boot.
Black Diamond Distance FLZ Trekking Poles
You can’t expect to have the agility of a mountain goat with only half as many legs, right? Quality trekking poles effectively double your points of contact with the ground and allow for much more comfortable and efficient days on the trail. You’ll go farther with less effort, and enjoy every mile. Black Diamond’s ultralight options are a surefire win for saving your knees and cranking out miles like never before. If you're a real glutton for featherweight gear, get these in carbon!
Smartwool PhD Trekking Socks
Listen, I consider myself to be a pretty tough guy when it comes to being outdoors, but wet feet and blisters make me sour faster than anything. Treat your feet right, because without then you’re not going anywhere.
Eddie Bauer Cloud Cap Stretch Rain Pants
The first pair of rain pants I’ve actually enjoyed wearing! Comfortable, stretchy fabric feels like a regular pair of trekking pants, but with 20k mm of waterproofing. You’ll never buy a pair of crinkly, stiff rainpants again.
We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
Do you love the outdoors?
Yep, us too. That's why we send you the best local adventures, stories, and expert advice, right to your inbox.