Have you ever heard the terminology, Gear Snob or Toxic Gear Culture? I’m sure this could relate to fashion, sports, and other hobbies.

I had thought I was a gear snob. Digging deeper, my Latina Heritage has a lot to do with it.

Growing up Latina meant to me:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

• Being Thrifty, Never Pay Full Price, and get the Best Bang for your Buck
• Knockoff Brands can be great
• There is not a sole Elite Brand

How does that translate into hiking?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I’d spend hours looking into gear review articles, YouTube product reviews, and retail cost. When possible, I’d put the gear on my Amazon cart. I’d wait for days and months until the price dropped.

Those Black Diamond $150 trekking poles I bought them for $80. That $180 Thermarest sleeping pad I purchased it for $120. I am not rich, and I know that gear is excellent and will last a long time. And if I don’t have to pay full-price, the better. Thanks to my savings, a sweet pick up was the best quilt, and I’m obsessed with it. I did pay full price, totally worth it.

Additionally, I realized certain gear are the same such as apparel. Unknowingly I dismissed the toxic gear culture.

For ~2300 miles on the PCT, I work a dry-fit Champion shirt I received as a gift (valued $15-20). My stretchy pants, already owned, purchased at an Outlet Mall from Under Armor. I wore a purple Columbia jacket, Christmas present. It wasn’t the legendary Northface puffy jacket, and it didn’t matter. I hiked in the snow and up Forester Pass. All my gear lasted forever.

This picture:

I forgot I was wearing my pajama top. Does anyone else do that? lol. I have a Timbuk2 cycling backpack, free water bottle, free fanny pack, Nike running shoes, old trekking poles, and easily hiked 11 miles. Don’t fall for the toxic gear culture.

Have you ever realized something you do naturally actually comes from your heritage or background?