No. 01
Use what you own
Tried and true clothing keeps you comfortable. Bring more than you think you need; we will help you choose. Athletic and sportswear often fit the bill.
2026 Field Equipment Guide
Required &
Required &
Recommended
Gear List
We are so excited to help you plan for your Tayseer Wilderness course. It is important for you to take time to think about and plan to bring the necessary gear to set you up for the best experience possible.
That being said, we fundamentally believe that you do not need to buy a lot of expensive gear to live and travel comfortably in the outdoors. We recognize that the process of getting ready for a course can be intimidating, especially if you have never done anything like it before. This list is designed to help you make decisions about what you take on your course and, we hope, help you feel confident about entering it.
You do not need to buy expensive gear to live and travel comfortably outdoors.
When you arrive, your instructors will look through the equipment you have brought and help you decide what to take into the field. It is imperative that you let us know in advance, by emailing wilderness@tayseerseminary.org, should you not be able to acquire any essential items. We will do our best to provide the equipment for you.
We have made every effort to ensure that this list reflects what you will need on your course, but your actual needs will vary depending on season and instructor judgment. We encourage you to keep the tags on all clothing, and the receipt at home, so that you may later return any unneeded items.
All items on this list are required unless marked Optional.
Chapter Two
Four thoughts to guide your packing.
Before you click checkout on anything, work your way through these in order. Most participants find they already own more than they think.
No. 02
Borrow & rent
Borrow from friends and family. Rent the expensive items, especially sleeping bags and packs. Our $150 bundle covers the essentials.
No. 03
Then go shopping
Whatever you still need, source it deliberately. Each option below has tradeoffs in price, expertise, and time.
No. 04
Call us first
If you are shopping ahead of time, call us to chat through your packing plan. A short conversation can save real money.
Where to shop, weighed honestly.
Facebook Marketplace
Local pickup, great prices, gear from real hikers offloading
No standards, no returns, condition varies
facebook.com/marketplace
REI
Outdoor specialists
Employees know the gear. Plan ahead for their 3 annual sales (Anniversary, 4th of July, Labor Day). Check REI Outlet online and the in-store Garage Sale section for steep markdowns.
Full-price gear is expensive
rei.com
Local outdoor shops
Regional retailers often carry specialty hiking and camping gear; staff frequently know local trails firsthand
Selection varies and prices are usually retail
search nearby
Thrift stores
Cheapest option. Look for thrift shops focused on outdoor or sports gear, or ones with a dedicated sports / camping section
Hit-or-miss; you may need a few trips to find what you need
goodwill.org
Department stores
Active & camping sections can be inexpensive
Staff unlikely to offer trail-specific advice
target.com
amazon
Online
Widest possible variety of options
Sorting through that variety is overwhelming
amazon.com
Chapter Three
The Gear List.
Pick your course type (Weekender for 3–4 day frontcountry trips, Expedition for 5–8 day backcountry treks) and the list adjusts. Tap any item to mark it packed. Your progress and course type save automatically in this browser.
Course type
Required & Recommended Gear List
Participant Name
Course / Date
Instructor
Weekender arrival note
Airport-based Weekenders go straight from the airport to camp. Arrive with your camping pack fully packed and ready. Bring one clean outfit for travel home and keep any non-camping luggage very limited, since it has to ride in the vehicles and we need that space for trailhead shuttles. If you have your own tent, bring it and tell your leaders whether you can share.
Provided by Tayseer
Shared group equipment.
Course members share the use of, and responsibility for, the group gear we supply. You do not need to bring any of the items below.
If it helps
A few items, you can rent from us.
If a backpack, sleeping bag, or sleeping pad is the one thing standing between you and your course, we offer a small rental bundle. It is optional, first-come first-served, and only covers these three items. The rest of the list is still yours to source.
Rentals are limited
First-come, first-served. Note interest on your application.
01
Backpack
55 to 75 liter expedition pack
02
Sleeping bag
Synthetic-fill, rated 5° to 15°F
03
Sleeping pad
Closed-cell foam, R-value 2.0+
$150
flat, per course
Note interest on application
Note: this bundle covers only these three items. Everything else on the list (clothing, footwear, headlamp, water bottles, toiletries, and so on) you should still bring or source yourself. If you cannot acquire something essential, email us in advance.
Questions?
We're here
We're here
to help you pack.
Email us with any concerns, even small ones. If acquiring an essential item is difficult, please let us know in advance and we will do our best to provide it.
wilderness@tayseerseminary.orgFind the Creator in His creation.
This is a packing companion to your course. Continue exploring at
tayseerwilderness.org