Thinking of picking up a new hobby in backpacking? This backpacking essentials list covers everything you need to know whether you’re new to the sport or looking to learn more.
I remember telling Mathew that I wanted to pick up backpacking, he looked at me in disbelief and said, Really? You know you have to poop in a hole right? Two years later the only thing I regret is not starting sooner.
This backpacking list will allow you to feel well prepared to explore the outdoors safely and comfortably.
We will cover everything you need to know from backpacking tents, backpacking stove, hiking boots, trekking poles, the 7 principles and so much more.
My number one recommendation is to invest in gear that lasts. If you invest in your gear now it will save you money in the long run. Lets jump in.
This post is all about backpacking essentials you actually need.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a small commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.
The Ten Essentials
On every backpacking adventure you should always have these ten essentials packed in your bag, even for day hikes these essentials can be life saving.
- Navigation (map, compass, altimeter, GPS device)
- Headlamp
- Sun Protection (sunscreen, hat, sunglasses)
- First Aid Kit
- Knife
- Fire (waterproof matches, lighter, stove)
- Shelter (Emergency Blanket/Tarp)
- Extra Food
- Extra Water
- Extra Clothes
3 Season Backpacking Essentials
1. BackPack
The first thing you should do before ordering your pack is go into REI or somewhere similar to get properly fitted.
It’s important to have the right size backpack because it can significantly help or hinder your hike. I would recommend a bag between 50-85 liters for multi day hikes.
All four of these bags come with a rain cover but if yours doesn’t I recommend purchasing one. We try and keep the overall weight of our bags between 30-40 pounds max. As a rule of thumb your bag should not weigh more than 20 percent of your body weight.
2. Backpacking Tent
Backing essentials can be expensive but a quality tent is one of the items I highly recommend investing in. You want a tent that is not only durable but lightweight.
We have the Big Agnes Copper Spur and couldn’t recommend it more. It’s extremely easy to set up, it’s comfortable and extremely lightweight. We opted for the UL3 which is technically for 3 people but we really enjoy having the extra leg room.
3. Lightweight Sleeping Bag
Again, another item in our backpacking essentials list that I would invest in is a sleeping bag. When looking for the right sleeping bag, weight and temperature ratings are the main determining factor for your purchase.
You want a lightweight bag without compromising warmth. When considering temperature ratings know that you could always unzip your bag like we do in the summer months and use it as a blanket to stay cool. It’s a much easier option than being cold when temperatures fall and having to layer up.
We have the Apache and Badger bags by Western Mountaineering and of all of our purchases this is the purchase we are most happiest with. We love our sleeping bags so much. They are also so easy to store away in our compression bag and fit perfectly in our backpacks.
4. Sleeping Pad
Finding the right sleeping pad can be quite the challenge. However fortunately for you we have tried about 7 different sleeping pads and have listed a couple of great options.
Our recent setup is the Tensor All-Season Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Pad with the Nemo Switchback Pad. Now some might say this is a little overkill but honestly for a good nights rest we are more than happy to carry a little extra weight.
For a budget friendly alternative try the Trail Lite Sleeping Pad, we tried this one during our 1 week canoe camping trip and we were very pleasantly surprised how comfortable it was. Again this could also be coupled with the Nemo Pad for some added comfort.
5. Camp Pillow
I tried about 4 different pillows before I found the Aeros Down Pillow. It’s so compact and as comfortable as a backpacking pillow can get. Highly recommend.
6. Backpacking Stove & Fuel
The JetBoil MiniMo is the stove we use and love. It boils water quickly, it’s easy to use, excellent simmer control, light, compact and saves us from carrying bowls. One of us usually eats right out of the cooking cup and the other the bottom lid that covers the burner.
The Flash cooking system also gets fabulous reviews.
7. Lighter
Carrying a few lighters is essential for those windy or high elevation hikes because the push-button igniter on your cooking system will most likely not work.
Waterproof matches can also be a great addition to your pack.
8. Dishes/Bowls
As a rule I usually always try and purchase lightweight or space saving products and this collapsible bowl does both. It’s the perfect backpacking bowl, but like I said earlier we usually just eat out of our MiniMo cooking system.
So this is not really needed but is here as an option.
9. Utensils
Okay I can not recommend this Spork enough! You will only need to bring this one utensil on your trip because it can be used as a spoon and fork.
In addition, this spork is tall enough to scoop food right out of your dehydrated meal packets or tuna packets, keeping your hands nice and clean.
10. Backpacking Mug
Just because I’m in the backcountry doesn’t mean I’m not drinking coffee. Coffee is an absolute must for me and honestly sipping my morning coffee in the backcountry has to be one of the most satisfying feeling.
This mug has a spill-resistant top and sealable spout to prevent heat loss.
11. Water Bladder
Talk about backpacking essentials this might be one of the most important ones yet. I love my Osprey 3 liter water bladder. This bladder makes it so easy to keep hydrated throughout the day as well as easy to fill, leak proof and easy to clean.
12. Water Filter
I’m glad I called this post backpacking essentials because this is also a pretty important one. I’m so happy with our purchase of the Katadyn water filter for a couple reasons.
One; it snaps right into our water bladder, two, it can be hung and lastly, it can filter 3 liters of waters in under 2 minutes. Above all it’s easy to store and takes up very little space in our backpack.
After 4 years of use we finally had to change the filter. So you get a lot of life out of one filter.
13. Hiking Boots
Hiking boots are so subjective therefore making recommendations is a bit of a challenge. What I can recommend though is a waterproof boot or shoe with good traction.
Personally, after trying more than six different hiking boots I instantly knew that the Salomon Vaya Boots were going to be the last hiking boots I needed. They are amazing. Merrel Moab Hiking boots also receive raving reviews and are waterproof.
Unfortunately when it comes to hiking books you will probably have to test a few out before finding the best boots that work for you. I do recommend buying from REI or somewhere with a flexible hassle-free return policy.
14. Trekking Poles
For the longest time me and Mathew did not want trekking poles, I don’t know why we were so stubborn. They will change your life for the better.
Whenever we go on multi day hikes we never leave without trekking poles. They help so much! They keep you balanced especially if you are crossing over logs or through rivers, they help alleviate knee fatigue on downhills, keep you from falling and if you suffer from swollen fingers after a couple hours of hiking like me, having trekking poles is the solution.
Buy them trust us!
15. Navigation
Carrying a GPS watch, map or compass is extremely important in keeping you safe. You don’t need all three but I do recommend at least a map and compass. Downloading a trail map onto your phone is also an option but make sure to bring a power bank to keep your phone charged.
16. Headlamp
I especially recommend a headlamp over a lantern. For one thing you want to be hands free when setting up camp or cooking. A lantern works too but headlamps tend to work better around camp or trekking in low light situations.
I carry a packable lantern as well but that is used mostly for inside our tent.
17. Sun Protection
Sunscreen is something you do not want to forget. Being sunburned and having to carry a pack on your sunburnt skin is something you really want to avoid. Protect yourself and use sunscreen.
18. Insect Repellent
Apply Sawyer Permethrin to any gear you will be taking on your hike including clothing, tents, backpacks etc. One treatment can last up to 6 washings or 6 weeks before needing to be treated again. For on the trail protection Repel works very well.
19. First Aid Kit
Hopefully you never have to use this but just in case you find yourself in a bit of a jam you will be happy you have a first aid kit. I like adding a few personal medications to my kit.
20. Emergency Blanket/Shelter
Like I said above hopefully the day never comes but carrying an emergency blanket is critical.
It’s better to be well prepared because accidents can happen. This emergency blanket can really help you out in a bind as a result of being heat reflective, waterproof and highly visible yet can be used to cover gear, ground tarp or even used as shelter.
21. Multi Tool
This tool is great to take into the backcountry as it serves many purposes.
It features a stainless-steel blade, needle-nose/regular pliers, wire cutters, screwdrivers, saw, awl, can/bottle opener, carabiner, safety whistle and a fire-starting ferro rod.
22. Kula Cloth
All my ladies listen up, buy yourself this pee cloth! Trust me when I say that you should not be backpacking without one.
This cloth is reusable, antimicrobial and snaps right onto your backpack. A must buy!
23. Sanitation Kit
When a restroom is not available having a sanitation kit is a must.
This kit is truly ahead of its time. It not only comes with everything you need to use the restroom out in nature but it also helps breakdown poop faster and most importantly the included PACT Tabs kills bacteria commonly found in poop that can harm waterways, wildlife and public health.
Backpacking Essentials That You Should Highly Consider Buying
The following backpacking essentials are not as important as the ones listed above, but over time you will want to add the following to your collection.
1. Quick Drying Towel
You won’t be showering but trails usually offer lakes and rivers, a perfect stop for cooling and rinsing off. A lightweight quick drying towel will come in handy especially when that breeze starts to blow, you’ll be thankful you can dry off quickly.
We recently purchased these towels from Nomadix and we really love them. First, they’re made from 90% + recycled material plus they’re super absorbent, quick drying, sand-resistant and funk resistant.
We use to have towels that were half the weight and size of Nomadix towels but because of that they were pretty useless. Even though these towels aren’t as light as I would like, they are 100% worth taking on trail.
2. Camp Cloth
Keeping everything dry inside my bag is crucial, for that I carry a cloth designated to drying off dishes, stove, utensils and mugs.
This cloth is the perfect size and can be attached to your outer backpack.
3. Satellite Messenger
Staying safe is one of the most important aspects of backpacking and carrying a Garmin inReach can be an easy addition for some added safety.
Being able to easily check in with friends and family or in the unfortunate event you need to call out for help is such a peace of mind. Having a communicator in hand will allow you to fully enjoy your time out on the trail.
4. Bear Canister or Food Sack
Not all trails have bears but I can almost guarantee that every trail has critters. Keeping your food safely stored and away from their mouth is really important, not only for your safety but for the safety of all animals as well.
BearVaults do take up a lot of room but we have yet to have any bear or critter problems with our canister.
If a bear canister is too bulky, try a Ursack.
5. Bear Spray
When hiking in bear country always carry bear spray. Be prepared and be aware of your surroundings.
6. Packable Lantern
Luci Outdoor packable and solar lantern is an ideal backpacking lantern. It’s super lightweight, fixed top strap which allows for easy hanging, like onto your bag for charging on the go, waterproof and lasts up to 24 hrs on a single charge.
The Moji R+ Lantern is also a great buy, stormproof, double-hook hang loop makes it easy to suspend in a tent and a rechargeable 1500 mAh battery, Both are great options.
7. Tent Footprint
Footprints are great for the purpose of shielding tents from the wear and tear of campsites.
8. Waterproof Compression Sacks
Instead of packing my clothes and sleeping bag directly into my backpack I use waterproof compression sacks.
These sacks keep my clothes organized and protected for the outside elements while keeping my sleeping bag dry and compact.
9. Backup Purification System
Just in case your first of line water filter doesn’t work you want to make sure you have a backup. Purification tablets are an excellent backup as they don’t take up much space but can be life saving.
10. Biodegradable Soap
When I’m out on a multi day hike I like to carry a small bottle of biodegradable soap. For the most part I carry it to clean my Kula Pee Cloth after a couple days use, however I also use it to sometimes clean dishes and for hand washing.
11. Camp Shoes
After several hours of hiking nothing feels better than arriving at camp, taking your boots off and slipping into your camp shoes. That feeling is the best. Bringing camp shoes is so worth the extra weight.
Camp shoes is one of those backpacking essentials that I didn’t know I needed until the day I finally decided to bring them and now can never go on a hike without them.
Below are a couple different options
12. Power Bank
A big part of backpacking is disconnecting from the rest of the world, I get it, but nowadays we have apps to help navigate trails or satellite communicators to help us in emergency situations.
Also who are kidding, most of us want to capture those beautiful moments. Portable charges are an easy solution to extending battery life throughout your entire journey.
13. Camp Chair
Bringing a lightweight chair is a game changer. This allows you to always have a comfortable spot to sit at camp instead of sitting on hard floors or rocks. Nothing is worse than those pointy rocks that take you by surprise.
Sitting on one of these by the lake while you enjoy the views is worth so the extra pound.
14. Aero Press
Instant coffee just doesn’t do it for me. I’ve tried several different brands and nothing compares to the real thing. This Aero Press is perfect and brews coffee in under a minute.
Backpacking Meal Ideas
When it comes to backpacking essentials, nothing is more important than food. As a rule you usually want to pack 1.5 to 2.5 lbs of food per person per day. Giving you roughly 2500-4500 calories per person per day. It’s all dependent of the level of hike you are trekking. I also recommend packing an extra meal in case of an emergency.
Things to consider when packing food for the backcountry.
- Shelf Stable
- Lightweight
- Calorie Dense
- Cooking Time
Backpacking Meals:
- Dehydrated Meals
- Tuna Packets
- Ramen
- Idahoan Mashed Potato Packets
- Stovetop Stuffing
- Knorr Pasta and Rice Sides
- Nut Butter Cliff Bars
- Nut Butter Packets
- Instant Oatmeal
- Protein Bars
- Jerky
- Dried Fruit
- Fruit & Nut Bars
- Cheese Whisps
- Nuts
- Gummy Candy
Clothes to Pack for Backpacking
Don’t hike with cotton clothes, that is my number one tip when backpacking. It retains moisture, takes forever to dry, doesn’t insulate when moist, which feels uncomfortable and can even potentially lead to hypothermia.
Invest in wool or synthetic clothing for its quick drying, moisture wicking as well as temperature regulating capabilities.
Apparel Backpacking Essentials:
Base Layers
Here are your three basic weight options for base layers:
Lightweight: Moderate to cool temps.
Midweight: Cold temps.
Heavyweight: Below-freezing temps.
Hiking Shirts
Fleece
Insulted Jacket
Rain Jacket
Hiking Pants & Waterproof Pants
Moisture Wicking Underwear
Socks
Hat
Beanie
Gloves
Sunglasses
Using the Restroom in the Backcountry
Going Number One: Always pee at least 200 feet from water sources such as lakes and streams.
Going Number Two: With your trowel, find a private area with loose, diggable soil at least 200 feet roughly 70 steps from water or trails.
Your cathole is your personal, single-use toilet. It should be 6 to 8 inches deep and 4 inches wide. Pack out your toilet paper in a sealable bag. I like to use doggy bags.
Cover your poop with the dirt you removed from the cathole. Remember to keep your trowel from touching poop. It should only touch dirt.
Sanitize.
Some areas, especially high traffic parks or trails do not allow cat-holes and instead must use a wag bag. Rangers will usually ask before allowing you on trail if you have a wag bag and some will even ask to show it before allowing you to start.
WAG BAG
The Gear For Your Rear:
- Trowel
- Wipes
- Toilet Paper
- Doggy Bags
- Hand Sanitizer
- Poop Kit Bag
Our Recent Upgrade: All in One Bathroom Kit by PACT Outdoors
Leave No Trace Principles
If you love to be outdoors whether it’s hiking, backpacking, kayaking or camping please follow these guidelines. Leave No Trace Principles helps minimize our impact and aids in preserving our earth as much as possible. If you would like additional information please read this article The 7 Principles.
The 7 Principles:
- Plan Ahead & Prepare
- Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Leave What You Find
- Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Respect Wildlife
- Be Considerate of Others
Hope this post helps better prepare yourself for the backcountry, this post was all about Backpacking Essentials That You Actually Need.
BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE:
- A Complete Backpacking Guide For Beginners
- 27 Must-Have Tent Camping Essentials Every Camper Should Have
- Backpacking Meals You’ll Actually Want to Eat
- Havasupai Falls Backpacking Guide: Everything You Need to Know
Travel Resources
Here you can find all the travel site links that we personally use and recommend.
CAMPSITES/CAMPGROUNDS We like to use a couple apps for last minute campsite bookings. Our favorites are HipCamp, The Dyrt and Campendium.A Complete Backpacking Guide For Beginners
ACCOMMODATION: We find the best deals with BOOKING.COM. The more you book the better the perks like free breakfast with your stay, room upgrades and even higher discounted room rates.
CAR RENTALS: We have always used RentalCars.com and find them to have the best deals, customer service and selection of locations.
FLIGHTS: Our go to for looking up flights is SKYSCANNER, but we try to always book directly with the airline.
TOURS/EXCURSIONS: GET YOUR GUIDE and VIATOR are two very reputable sites with easy and hassle free bookings.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: It’s so important to travel with insurance and for this we use SafetyWing. We are currently using them for our 1 year trip.
TRANSPORTATION: For all our bus, ferry and train transfer needs in Asia we use 12go.asia.
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