Planning equipment

I’m only just starting to realise the amount of planning that is going to be needed over the next few months. Having spent the last few days working out routes, i decided to do a bit of re-search on equipment. At first i was rather blase about what i would need and how easy it would be to carry it, but the more i look into it i realise there are quite a few important factors to be taken into consideration. One of which is balancing the cost V’s quality aspect. I have a feeling that at some point along the trip if i skimp on quality i will be silently cursing my self.

Ive spent the last day checking out a few of the larger products needed as well as a few of the small ones and come to a more finite on what i am looking for. The products listed below have been chosen for a mixture of reasons, these include:

reviews from previous long distance tourers

Quality – My tent, sleeping bag, waterproofs, panniers and cooking equipment will definitely be the big spends. These are things that you just cannot afford to skimp on.

Cost -  I will try to accumulate as much as possible through auctions such as eBay

Weight – It would be great if i can get sub 10kg for all my equipment

Comfort – Sometime the lightest or easiest to carry wont be the deciding factor. 15,000 miles is along way to regret not bringing something because you wanted to save a few pounds!

This is just the start of what i need to have:

Kit Description    Price     Weight (g)

Camping Gear
THERMAREST BASECAMP REGULAR SELF-INFLATING MATTRESS    £52.99    1250g
WhisperLite™ Internationale    £100.00    460g
terra nova voyager    £200.00    2000g
GELERT SILK SLEEPING BAG LINER    £25.00    100g
Trangia 27-2 Ultra-Lite Aluminium Stove with Spirit Burner    £40.00    860g
Marmot Wave 3 Reg    £80.00    1760g
Fire Steel Army     £13.00
First aid kit     £15.00

Altura Dryline 56 Rear Panniers/Ortlieb Backroller Classic Panniers    £80.00
dhb Earnley Padded Under Shorts    £13.00