Your most important non-camera gear for landscape photography
p.1 #1Your most important non-camera gear for landscape photography
Show and or tell us about your most important gear used in pursuit of your landscape photos. No cameras, lenses, tripods, etc.
For my back-country explorations boots are #1 and I'm due for new ones this coming fall season. I've had good luck with La Sportiva boots for both climbing and hiking. Next for me is my pack. A couple years ago I got a new Osprey 50 L for overnighters, but have ended up using it as my daypack too when bringing much camera gear since it is as light as my old big daypack, and carries a load much better. I don't use a dedicated camera pack for long days since I carry too much other stuff to stay safe, fed, and hydrated.
The most important gear though is my vehicle that takes me on longer trips, and enables camping in remote locations, close to where I want to shoot sunset/rise. For 20 years we had a simple Chevy Express van with a bed/couch and a cabinet that worked great.
After we retired my wife said she wouldn't do another multi-week trip in it with me so we tapped some inheritance to get a Northern Lite 8-11 truck camper on a RAM 3500 4x4. The bathroom and heat were the most important for her, but I sure appreciated the ability to stand up, esp. on stormy days.
For my back-country explorations boots are #1 and I'm due for new ones this coming fall season. I've had good luck with La Sportiva boots for both climbing and hiking. Next for me is my pack. A couple years ago I got a new Osprey 50 L for overnighters, but have ended up using it as my daypack too when bringing much camera gear since it is as light as my old big daypack, and carries a load much better. I don't use a dedicated camera pack for long days since I carry too much other stuff to stay safe, fed, and hydrated.
The most important gear though is my vehicle that takes me on longer trips, and enables camping in remote locations, close to where I want to shoot sunset/rise. For 20 years we had a simple Chevy Express van with a bed/couch and a cabinet that worked great.
After we retired my wife said she wouldn't do another multi-week trip in it with me so we tapped some inheritance to get a Northern Lite 8-11 truck camper on a RAM 3500 4x4. The bathroom and heat were the most important for her, but I sure appreciated the ability to stand up, esp. on stormy days.
Aug 25, 2026 at 11:06 AM
p.1 #2Your most important non-camera gear for landscape photography
You've hit the highlights as far as pack, boots, vehicle. Outside of those I'd have to pick a headlamp. I couldn't tell you the type/brand of mine, just that it's USB rechargeable. Absolutely necessary for sunrises and sunsets if you're going further than an overlook with a parking lot.
Navigational aids like a Garmin or GaiaGPS are also mission critical. (And of course having a paper map and compass backup.)
Navigational aids like a Garmin or GaiaGPS are also mission critical. (And of course having a paper map and compass backup.)
Aug 25, 2026 at 01:20 PM
p.1 #3Your most important non-camera gear for landscape photography
747 that allows me to fly to places I could not drive to. Without getting to these places…everything else is moot.
Aug 25, 2026 at 01:32 PM
p.1 #4Your most important non-camera gear for landscape photography
For me, it's the companionship of another photographer friend on long multi-day backpacking trips. It helps to keep morale up when things/weather don't go quite as planned 
Aug 25, 2026 at 01:40 PM
p.1 #5Your most important non-camera gear for landscape photography
Thanks for the contributions guys.
Rat, of course I always have a headlamp and extra batteries along on every hike. You are right about that being critical, both for predawn approaches, and post sunset death marches to the car
Chez, I haven't been flying much for photography the last 30 years, but am just now planning a month in Equator and really looking forward to the birds and animals.
Gray, I am 100% with you on companionship, although I wouldn't refer to my wife as equipment! I can go on short trips on my own no problem, but have much more fun with her on our month long trips to Canada or the SW desert. On the other hand I've found that none of my ski/climbing partners are into photography, so if I'm on a photo focused hike it is better to go solo so I don't impose my pace, timing, and choice of camp spots on my friends.
Rat, of course I always have a headlamp and extra batteries along on every hike. You are right about that being critical, both for predawn approaches, and post sunset death marches to the car
Chez, I haven't been flying much for photography the last 30 years, but am just now planning a month in Equator and really looking forward to the birds and animals.
Gray, I am 100% with you on companionship, although I wouldn't refer to my wife as equipment! I can go on short trips on my own no problem, but have much more fun with her on our month long trips to Canada or the SW desert. On the other hand I've found that none of my ski/climbing partners are into photography, so if I'm on a photo focused hike it is better to go solo so I don't impose my pace, timing, and choice of camp spots on my friends.
Aug 26, 2026 at 07:19 AM
p.1 #6Your most important non-camera gear for landscape photography
Weekends, money, vacation time, and a wife who (grudgingly) tolerates me spending them without her.
Aug 26, 2026 at 09:07 AM
p.1 #7Your most important non-camera gear for landscape photography
My RV, the motorcycle a backpack with gear and of course my tripod strapped to the back of the motorcycle.
This is my favorite way to travel for photography..
The most important part, a wife of 25 years that loves travel and adventure..
This is my favorite way to travel for photography..
The most important part, a wife of 25 years that loves travel and adventure..
Aug 26, 2026 at 11:30 AM
p.1 #8Your most important non-camera gear for landscape photography
THIS vehicle gets me to places most others couldn't. And I stay there overnight for the early and late light. Comfortably, too.
Aug 27, 2026 at 08:42 AM
p.1 #9Your most important non-camera gear for landscape photography
Jeffrey wrote:
THIS vehicle gets me to places most others couldn't. And I stay there overnight for the early and late light. Comfortably, too.
really nice set up
THIS vehicle gets me to places most others couldn't. And I stay there overnight for the early and late light. Comfortably, too.
really nice set up
Aug 27, 2026 at 09:15 AM
p.1 #10Your most important non-camera gear for landscape photography
Jeffery, that is a sweet looking rig. Did you have it custom fitted? In many ways I miss the simplicity of a van, but my wife is very happy with our camper.
Aug 27, 2026 at 10:11 AM
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p.1 #11Your most important non-camera gear for landscape photography
Thanks Jim. This Sprinter was completely custom designed and built by me and a local van outfitter, Campo Vans. I've had it nearly 4 years. Before this one I had a 4x4 Sportsmobile for 15 years. I know 4x4 camper vans!
BTW, your wife would likely love a similar van more than the truck/camper combo.
BTW, your wife would likely love a similar van more than the truck/camper combo.
Aug 27, 2026 at 01:22 PM
p.1 #12Your most important non-camera gear for landscape photography
Jeffrey wrote:
Thanks Jim. This Sprinter was completely custom designed and built by me and a local van outfitter, Campo Vans. I've had it nearly 4 years. Before this one I had a 4x4 Sportsmobile for 15 years. I know 4x4 camper vans!
BTW, your wife would likely love a similar van more than the truck/camper combo.
that is exactly what I wanted, but the wife wanted something that the whole family would enjoy... I guess better than nothing.. lol
Plus with the motorcycle on the back I can get anywhere I want..
Thanks Jim. This Sprinter was completely custom designed and built by me and a local van outfitter, Campo Vans. I've had it nearly 4 years. Before this one I had a 4x4 Sportsmobile for 15 years. I know 4x4 camper vans!
BTW, your wife would likely love a similar van more than the truck/camper combo.
that is exactly what I wanted, but the wife wanted something that the whole family would enjoy... I guess better than nothing.. lol
Plus with the motorcycle on the back I can get anywhere I want..
Aug 27, 2026 at 02:41 PM
p.1 #13Your most important non-camera gear for landscape photography
Jim Dockery wrote:
Gray, I am 100% with you on companionship, although I wouldn't refer to my wife as equipment! I can go on short trips on my own no problem, but have much more fun with her on our month long trips to Canada or the SW desert. On the other hand I've found that none of my ski/climbing partners are into photography, so if I'm on a photo focused hike it is better to go solo so I don't impose my pace, timing, and choice of camp spots on my friends.
Jim:
I hear you - going with non-photographers friends can be tough. (they just don't get it do they?).
I do most of my backpacking solo these days. But maybe I am lucky in that, for a couple hikes/year, I still do have photographer friends who, like me, like walking for miles and miles, over hill and dale and sleeping in the dirt for the fun of the hike and a chance at epic backcountry images.
Doug
Gray, I am 100% with you on companionship, although I wouldn't refer to my wife as equipment! I can go on short trips on my own no problem, but have much more fun with her on our month long trips to Canada or the SW desert. On the other hand I've found that none of my ski/climbing partners are into photography, so if I'm on a photo focused hike it is better to go solo so I don't impose my pace, timing, and choice of camp spots on my friends.
Jim:
I hear you - going with non-photographers friends can be tough. (they just don't get it do they?).
I do most of my backpacking solo these days. But maybe I am lucky in that, for a couple hikes/year, I still do have photographer friends who, like me, like walking for miles and miles, over hill and dale and sleeping in the dirt for the fun of the hike and a chance at epic backcountry images.
Doug
Aug 27, 2026 at 05:38 PM
p.1 #14Your most important non-camera gear for landscape photography
My 2010 FJ with a locking drawer system is much more basic than your vans, but I can sleep in the back & it gets me where I need to go. Coming up on 280k miles. My backpack is a 70 liter F-stop and I bring an ultralight day pack for short jaunts with camera gear. A 2-person ultralight tent holds me, my gear and my dog. Trekking poles and good boots are a must. And I just discovered freeze-dried smoothies for when I'm just too tired to chew......
Aug 27, 2026 at 07:20 PM
p.1 #16Your most important non-camera gear for landscape photography
Thanks for the additional comments guys. Great shots Oregon Sun.
Monica, I should have mentioned trekking poles - I can't believe I poo-pooed them for years when they first became popular. I used to think I was a skilled talus runner (loved Doug Robinson's essay in an old Chouinard catalog). Not any more! I use them on most hikes, unless smooth and easy trail, never go off trail without them. They are a bit of a hassle though putting them down when taking lots of photos.
Monica, I should have mentioned trekking poles - I can't believe I poo-pooed them for years when they first became popular. I used to think I was a skilled talus runner (loved Doug Robinson's essay in an old Chouinard catalog). Not any more! I use them on most hikes, unless smooth and easy trail, never go off trail without them. They are a bit of a hassle though putting them down when taking lots of photos.
Aug 31, 2026 at 03:33 PM
p.1 #17Your most important non-camera gear for landscape photography
Jeffrey wrote:
THIS vehicle gets me to places most others couldn't. And I stay there overnight for the early and late light. Comfortably, too.
This was my delivery truck when I was a courier (now retired) for FedEx Express. My route consisted of paved subdivision roads of course but in the unincorporated areas the roads were dirt, rutted and when it rained muddy. And then there's the snow and mud combo. This 4x4 took me places other vehicles would have gotten stuck for sure.
THIS vehicle gets me to places most others couldn't. And I stay there overnight for the early and late light. Comfortably, too.
This was my delivery truck when I was a courier (now retired) for FedEx Express. My route consisted of paved subdivision roads of course but in the unincorporated areas the roads were dirt, rutted and when it rained muddy. And then there's the snow and mud combo. This 4x4 took me places other vehicles would have gotten stuck for sure.
Sep 01, 2026 at 08:27 AM
p.1 #18Your most important non-camera gear for landscape photography
This may sound a bit crazy but I'm still looking for a quality lens filter wrench! 
Seriously, it does suck when the temps drop and you can't remove a filter from your lens.
Seriously, it does suck when the temps drop and you can't remove a filter from your lens. Sep 01, 2026 at 09:26 AM
p.1 #19Your most important non-camera gear for landscape photography
Al, have you ever tried an old bicycle inner tube? I haven't used it on filters, but I have used it on ball heads.
Sep 01, 2026 at 12:49 PM
p.1 #20Your most important non-camera gear for landscape photography
I eschewed trekking poles for a long time. Certainly when they didn't collapse down much & we just used ski poles or on mulit-pitch routes & we were hauling gear. Or through boulder fields (good opportunities for face plants when the basket gets stuck between rocks!). I still don't use them for day hikes, but for backpacking, crossing snowfields, fording rivers........ gotta have'em!
Sep 01, 2026 at 12:54 PM