SCA NYA Gear and Clothing List
Gear lists are difficult to assemble since people can have such different needs and opinions. There are only a few essential items listed here; please pay very close attention to these and call us if you have any questions. There are three categories below. The “required” items are ones you need to arrive with. “Necessary” items will be needed, but may be purchased here after you get a good feel for things.
Much of this equipment can be found used or on sale through discount outlets or second hand shops. While top of the line equipment is not recommended you should consider items that will stand up to the summer and hopefully years to come. Your equipment will face a lot of abuse over the five months. Boots, backpack, and sleeping bag are the big ticket items that will affect your comfort the most. If possible these are the items you may want to spend a little extra on for getting a quality comfortable piece of equipment as opposed to something that fits poorly and is uncomfortable.
At the end of this document there are a few websites that offer decent gear at decent prices. Consider visiting thrift stores and if available in your area outdoor gear exchanges that offer used gear.
Required Items
Leather boots- Sturdy ones with heavy lugged soles are important. Select them with care, as you’ll probably wear them almost every day for months! Buy them a.s.a.p. if you don’t own them already, and wear them in as much as you can before the summer. Mid to heavy hiking boots or logger-type work boots are best. When you go to buy them tell the sales person you’ll be WORKING in them, not just hiking. SCA requires full leather boots. Please do not bring fabric or canvas boots, or hiking sneakers to work in. Sharp tools and canvas are a bad mix. Bring such boots only as seconds if you prefer them for hiking.
Sleeping bag – Choose a synthetic fiber-fill bag, or a down bag if you are knowledgeable in proper use and care and are determined to take great care of it. It should be rated to 20degrees F (we are not kidding!). Adjust appropriately if you are one who tends to sleep “cold or warm.”
Backpack – External or internal frame will do. Remember that you will be carrying not just your personal gear, but group gear, tools, and food for ten days. Get a pack that fits your frame and that can accommodate that amount of stuff. 4000-5000 cubic inches is a good volume. Whatever brand you have or choose it MUST have padded shoulder straps and a padded hip belt.
Daypack— A small daypack for carrying food, water, raingear and extra layers and small tools with you to project sites from base camp. This should be lightweight, collapsible for easy packing and have comfortable shoulder straps. 600 to 1000 cubic inch works for most people.
Sleeping pad – A closed cell foam, ensolite or Thermarest type pad.
Water bottles/hydration bladders – Bring a means of carrying at least 2 liters of water. These containers should be able to take some abuse.
Eating Utensils – Bowl, Plate, set of silverware, insulated mug. These will be used for your personal use in your houses and out on the trail. What you have around the house is fine as long as it is not fragile. There are of course light weight alternatives available.
Tupperware-style Containers – Two to three for lunches, leftovers, and snacks. Handy for trail- eat breakfast in it, pack lunch in it, then use it for dinner.
Leather Work Gloves – One to two pairs. Heavy all-leather or leather-palms last longest. I suggest you spend a few extra dollars to get gloves that are comfortable and fit so you will wear them! Cheap cloth gloves do not last.
Headlamp or Flashlight…unless you can see in the dark.
Toiletries – Biodegradable soap (Dr. Bronners, Mt. Suds, Camp Suds), toothbrush, paste, etc…
Medications – Don’t forget any personal medications you may be taking!
Sheets and bedding. Unless you prefer your sleeping bag for your bed in the house (which is heated). The beds require single size mattress sheets.
Towels. Unless you prefer the drip-dry method.
Pants and Shirts. Consider the needs: rugged wear for the trails. Carhart work pants are a reliable favorite..
T-shirts. 50/50 cotton-poly blend is good.
Long Underwear. Tops and bottoms. Choose wool or synthetic long underwear for cold wet weather. NO COTTON! Cotton will not insulate you if it becomes wet and will actually make you colder!
Wool or synthetic sweater or fleece. This will help keep you warm on those cold Adirondack days and nights of which we have many. LAYER, LAYER, LAYER. A medium weight fleece works well for most.
Necessary Items:
Pack Straps – Two or three pairs for strapping your sleeping bag, pad or tent, tools, etc.
Winter Gloves/Mittens. There has been cold and snow as early as August.
Wool/Fleece hat
Head Net. To keep the bugs out of your ears, eyes and nose. Choose one with no-see-um netting. (we cannot recommend this item enough!!) In fact it should be in the required list!
Rain Gear – SCA will provide one rain jacket but some people decide that they would like a second rain jacket for in camp due to the fact that your work jacket will get wet and muddy. Some people also like to have rain pants to work in. For rain pantscoated rip-stop or rubberized nylon is recommended. You can pick up a rubberized suit at most department stores for about $20.00. For a second camp rain jacket Gore-Tex is fine if you already own it, but it’s expensive and loses its waterproof quality when it gets dirty. It also rips easily. While you will probably not be using this camp rain gear for work it still will most likely get dirty and possibly damaged through general camp use over the term of 5 months. For this reason expensive raingear is discouraged.
Wrist Watch: A cheapo with an alarm is best. It is a good tool for crew leading!
Shorts, Sun Hat, Underwear, Wool Socks, Liner socks, Bandanas, Swimsuit,Sunscreen.
Optional Items. This list covers many people’s opinions. Pleas do not go out and by all these things—sharing is good. Items in Bold are highly recommended:
SandalsNylon stuff sacksPocket knife/Multi Tool
CompassSewing kitPlaying cards
BinocularsSunglassesLip balm
Nylon cordCamera
HammockNotebook and penGround cloth
Personal first aid kitFanny packExtra eyeglasses
Alarm Clock (battery powered)BooksHeadphones/music
Journal Musical InstrumentsArts/Crafts supplies
Pillow
Mountain bikeipod/mp3 player/cd player
CarLaundry bagCrazy Creek chair
TentGarment rackFishing gear
Phone cardsTrunk or storage boxPower strip
Two sets of car keysInsect repellentReading lamp
NOTES:
*Any personal camping or hiking trips require you to use all of your personal gear. SCA equipment (tents, stoves, cook sets, tarps, bear bags, fuel bottles, etc.) are not available for personal use.*
*Due to our state owned facilities, we are not able to use extension cords for any type of permanent use and are required to use fused power strips instead. If you have multiple electronic equipment you will want to bring a power strip or two. We also run off a generator, so power strips with surge protection is recommended.*
*Also due to state facility laws we are not permitted to burn candles inside of the state buildings. *
*If you are the type that has a difficult time getting up in the morning consider bringing a small battery operated alarm clock. A battery alarm clock is recommended for the headquarters site as well; we run on a generator system which sometimes effects the speed at which the clock runs (as much as an hour faster or slower in a day or two) and we often have short power outages when we switch from one generator to another, often at night)*
*The houses offer a lot of storage space including a garage, full basement, and storage room. The bedrooms however offer a little less storage area. Each member will have a dresser and some closet space. We have plenty of space for bikes, canoes and kayaks, and other large items within reason.*
*For warm layers such as long underwear, jackets, socks etc. non-cotton synthetic or wool are absolutely necessary for safety and comfort reasons when in the field. Cotton will not keep you warm when it gets wet and takes a long time to dry out. For many, cotton socks are more likely to cause blisters. Cotton sweatshirts are not considered an option for backcountry warmth layers. You can bring them but be sure to have a layer for when the weather gets wet. *
*Smaller women and men often have difficulty finding a backpack large enough that actually fits them. Most companies have a line of packs specifically designed for women and offer various shoulder and waist harness sizes from XS-XXL. Men with slim hips often have difficulty finding a pack that will not ride down their hips as they walk and put all of the weight on their shoulders. It is definitely recommended that you shop around for a pack that fits. If it feels large and awkward empty in the store imagine how it will feel loaded in the field. Work with the sales representative to be sure that the pack is properly fitted for you. Proper fit makes huge loads manageable, improper fit makes small loads unbearable*
Gear Companies on the Web:
All the following companies offer everything you would need to fill the gear list. They offer great gear and good sales and prices. Most offer an outlet area of their websites that have the great deals.
While most equipment can be bought online it might pay with boots to try them on before buying. Different companies size their boots differently with some constructing them narrower or wider etc.
Campmor: : Offers a wide array of equipment in many different price ranges. Have frequent bargain sales and great customerservice.
Sierra Trading Post: : A great place with great deals. Most items are overstock, last year’s models, slight blemish etc. Most deals are 30-50% off retail prices. Quality is still good and everyone I know who has ordered from them (including myself) has been happy with the gear..
EasternMountain Sports: offers their own line as well as other lines of equipment and clothing. They have frequent web blowout sales of up to 75% off.
REI: similar to EMS this company offers their own line as well as other company lines of gear and clothing.
Geartrade: this site sells closeout items, used gear, and new items for very cheap. Worth a look.
There are tons of websites and dealers out there for gear. It pays to do some research and to shop around, especially in used gear and second hand shops. As always, if you would like any advice, let us know.