Step 1: Just want to give it a try, not sure if I’ll stick with it in the future
Start by getting a sleeping bag and a sleeping mat (you wouldn’t want to use someone else’s sleeping bag, right? And a sleeping mat isn’t expensive either), and a good pair of hiking shoes (you can’t rent those, haha). That’s it—if you just want to give it a try, you’re ready to go. Rent a backpack when joining an activity, and just borrow someone else’s tent.
Step 2: Outdoor activities are kind of fun, might join a few more times
You know you should get a backpack by now, so go ahead and buy one. As a guy, you should also think about getting a tent (yeah, girls always borrow tents—might as well have your own for them to borrow). Also, last time you saw others with a cookware set while you were eating hand-pulled noodles—this time, you should definitely get your own cookware set. As for the stove, borrow it one more time.
Step 3: You’re already hooked and have experienced the charm of outdoor sports
But last time it rained, and you were wearing a disposable raincoat that couldn’t keep up—the rain was too heavy, and you got all wet. Why didn’t those experienced hikers need to change clothes? Oh, they had something called a windproof and waterproof jacket. Looks like you’ll need to get one too. Since you’ll be doing this often, you should probably get a stove as well—might as well buy one. There are also some small items: moisture-wicking underwear, fleece tops and bottoms, walkie-talkies, egg carriers, small carabiners, quick-dry towels, trekking poles, insulated water bottles... Oh, I can’t remember them all. Anyway, just buy whatever comes to mind :)
Step 4: Recently, not so interested in hiking or trekking anymore, but thinking about climbing mountains
Congratulations, you’re almost broke now (just kidding)! By this stage, you probably don’t need anyone to recommend gear to you. Sleeping bags, tents, sleeping mats, clothing—all of it needs to be upgraded to gear that can handle the cold on snowy mountains. You’ll also need to prepare gear like mountaineering boots, crampons, ice axes, carabiners, and quickdraws. It’s time to spend some money...
The type of activity you participate in will determine the gear you need. Gear for mountaineering, hiking and camping, stream tracing, and rock climbing are all different. Before buying, confirm what kind of activity you’ll be doing. You can buy mountaineering gear for camping—worst case, people might call you silly. But never buy camping gear for mountaineering—that’s not just silly, it could be deadly.
Then you need to consider where the activity will take place. Even for camping, gear differs between the south and north, or between grasslands and forests. If you wear heavy cold-weather gear in the south, you’ll not only overspend but also be uncomfortable. And if you use a thin tent in the north, you probably won’t sleep well.
Lastly, and most importantly, consider your budget—it’s the most critical factor in deciding what gear to buy. Some friends with tight budgets spend a few hundred yuan on basic gear and still go out; others buy Arc’teryx gear for everyday wear. Who’s right or wrong? Neither—everyone has different spending power, and there’s no need to say whose choice is wrong.
Once you’ve clearly considered the above three points, you’ve already narrowed down your options significantly. Then, take a few gear items you’re eyeing and ask experienced hikers for advice—you’ll quickly get clear answers. Similarly, if you’re buying from an outdoor store, consult the staff. Tell them how much you’re planning to spend and what activity you’ll be doing, and a competent salesperson will help you pick the right gear. Finally, if you want to avoid worrying about potential quality issues later, choose an outdoor store you trust with reliable after-sales service.
In terms of total investment, beginners usually fall into two categories when buying gear: those who only plan to buy basic gear at first, and those who aim to get most of their gear right from the start. Here, using the most common hiking and camping gear as an example, let’s talk about the general investment ratio for gear.
If you’re in the first category—only planning to buy basic gear—we suggest spending between 200 and 400 yuan on a cotton sleeping bag + sleeping mat, with the backpack, shoes, and tent making up 35%, 35%, and 30% of your budget, respectively.
If you’re planning to get most of your gear, we suggest allocating 20% to the backpack, 20% to the shoes, 20% to the sleeping bag + sleeping mat + tent, 25% to clothing, and 15% to miscellaneous items like the stove, cookware set, headlamp, trekking poles, and so on.