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From the newest microporous laminate to global positioning system [GPS) units to collapsible trekking poles, gear can ease the burden of inexperience and deliver comfort to the campsite. Of course, dead batteries and broken parts will slow you down and too much gear will make your backpack too heavy to carry without a girdle. For these reasons, many experienced hikers forgo trail luxury for simplicity and efficiency. Here are a few easy steps for lightening your load: 1. Visualize and cut. Lay everything out in front of you and eliminate unnecessary items like extra clothes [plan on washing a loti, toiletry kits [all you need is biodegradable soap, a toothbrush and toothpaste) and those cumbersome stacking cooking sets that were conceived by the designers of transforming toys. 2. Share. Divide common use items like tents, stoves, gas, pots and water filters between others on the trek. 3. Cut corners [off!. When ounces are a concern, trim the fat from your pack and gear. Cut straps shorter, replace plastic knobs on stoves with duct tape, trim foam pads, cut toothbrush handles in half, get rid of tent stakes for free-standing models. 17 Duct Tape. It is the ultimate repair kit for tents, packs, and everything else. 27 Multi-tool. Leatherman-style tools are more cumbersome than Swiss Army knives, but the pliers are indispensable. 37 Topographical map and compass. Many trails have intersections that can lead you in the wrong direction, if you get turned around. 47 The Space® All Weather Blanket. Hi-tech blanket provides protection against rain, cold, wind and sun. Use it as a ground cloth, rain tarp, emergency blanket or wildlife shield. 57 AP [all-purpose paper, aka toilet paper!. Even the most minimalist backpackers count on AP to start fires and clean up after themselves. 67 A whistle. Let wildlife know you're coming and help search and rescue find you. 77 Fire starter and flame [waterproof matches or a butane lighter!. 87 Water bottles [at least two) and a water purifier or tablets. 97 First aid kit. Include moleskin, peroxide, ointment, pain medicine, bandages, laxatives and snakebite kit. 107 Bandanna[s). Soak one in water and tie it around your neck to keep cool, filter debris while filling your water bottles and use it for first aid. 117 A light chamois pack towel. Lighter, more compact and quicker to dry than regular towels. 1. Adventure lights by Essential Gear. Clip-on lights set your hands free to dig through your pack, are visible from over three miles away and won't affect your night vision. 1800-582- 3861, www.l5lentialgear.com.$13) 2. Freeplay 2020 dual-mode flashlight. This flashlight offers LED efficiency [a light emitting diode is a long-lasting semiconductor that produces light with little energy) and a spring- loaded crank for when the rechargeable battery wears down. (888-322-1455, www.windupradio.com. $75) 3. Ultimate Direction hydration packs. Watch out Camelback®, Ultimate Direction hydration packs boast a sturdier bladder and an athletic team dedicated to designing ergonomic packs. 1800-426-7229, www.ultdir.com) 4. Global Positioning System [GPS Gear, page TK!. While you may still get lost, you'll always know where you are. ~hether you are trying to avoid the pesky mosquitoes of Maine or the potentially malaria- mfested bugs of Brazil, the best protection against insects comes from Deet. However, solutions of 29 percent De~t often aren't strong enough and 95 percent solutions might give you a burning rash If you use It for extended periods [not to mention burned eyes, ears and noses). One remedy is to mix things up yourself. Ben's 100 is a 95 percent Deet liquid that you can mix one with water, body lotions or sunscreen. In a malaria zone, stick with 95 percent and coat your c~oth~s with repellent [such as pyrethrin) as well. Also consider taking a 250-milligram niacin vltamm tablet each day [starting two days before the trip!. Mosquitoes supposedly hate the smell but your companions won't even notice it. Trekkers find poles helpful for hilly and swampy terrain, balancing heavy packs. testing water depth. fishing and fencing off ravenous creatures in the wild. Trekkers with tender knees find poles especially useful in relieving the strain going downhill. Try Alplna Masters Adventure poles 1603-448- 3101, www.alplnasports.com. $70). clothing Synthetic fabrics wick sweat off your skin and disperse it over the surface of the shirt, allowing the shirt to dry faster. When it gets dirty or (more likely) smelly, simply rinse it out in a stream and wait for it to dry. Try Nike's Dri-FIT top 1800-817-8673, www.nike.com. $30) or the Cloud veil Teewinot 1888-763-5969, www.cloudveil.com. $50). In hot, summer conditions, some hikers sweat too much and too fast for synthetics to stay breathable. In spite of its bad reputation at outdoor shops across the country, cotton's resilience, comfort and breathability still make it a popular choice on the summer trail. Because it traps so much moisture, cotton is slow drying, but the evaporation of all that moisture will create a cooling effect that you'll appreciate on hot days. . . If you buy convertible pants, you won't need to carry a pair of shorts; when the morning chill turns to a blistering heat, simply unzip the bottoms to cool off. Check out REI's Sahara Convertible pants 1800- 426-4840, www.rei.com. $55). Avoid cotton because it retains moisture that causes blisters and cold feet if the weather cools. Wool blend socks are more efficient than 100 percent wool that tends to stretch and bunch, causing blisters and discomfort. Blends are woven with wicking fibers (like polyester or acrylic) that eliminate the need for liner socks. Smartwool 1800-550-9665, www.5martwool.com), Wigwam 1888-472-5678, www.wigwam.com) and Thorlo 1800-457-2256, www.thorlo.com) all make quality socks. .. If you get rain while you are hiking in warm conditions, even the most breathable jackets might be too hot. Consider using a poncho or even an umbrella. If you will be hiking in cooler areas, check out Marmot's Precip jacket 1707-544-4590, www.marmot.com. $99) or GoLite's Newt Ultra Lite Rain jacket 1800-546-5483, www.golite.com. $170). Never wait until the day before you hit the trail to buy boots. Blisters, hot spots and cramps are the price of procrastination. Ideally, you should take a few day hikes to break in new boots. At the absolute minimum, wearing the boots around town for a week or so will give you a clear idea of potential problems. See Gear: Footwear, 64.