Backpacking Essentials
What is backpacking? Backpacking or backcountry hiking is a trip in which you carry everything you need to travel to remote natural areas like forests, mountains, or deserts. It typically involves hiking on established trails, setting up camp, cooking meals, and sleeping in a tent or under the stars. Backpacking has been one of my most fulfilling hobbies and it has changed my life- I hope to inspire anyone else to brave the outdoors.
my favorite part of backpacking is watching the sun set in the mountains
Throughout the past 5 years of navigating the world of backpacking or “trekking” I have made some good and bad choices when it comes to choosing the right gear. For any beginner or someone looking to upgrade, I am going to include a complete list of everything I use from the bare minimum basics to my “luxury” items.
When preparing your backpacking packing list, it's crucial to focus on lightweight backpacking essentials that won't weigh you down on the trail. By selecting multi-purpose items and prioritizing only what you truly need, you can pack smart for the outdoors and ensure a more enjoyable experience. This approach not only helps to conserve your energy but also makes navigating rugged terrain much easier. The most important message I could convey is to KEEP IT LIGHT! Before purchasing any gear compare the weight of the gear and always opt for the lighter or more durable option!
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backpacking in Olympic National Park
BARE MINIMUM ESSENTIALS
For backpacking, the most optimal size is 45-65L packs- This allows for shorter trips or longer trips with multiple nights. If you’re unsure on sizing, REI can measure you to determine what size pack is best for you! I use the osprey brand but there are various reputable brands to choose from.
I love the Nemo brand, their tents are so light and easy to assemble. I’ve had it for years and I get a lot of compliments on how awesome it is! There are 2 doors, a solid rain tarp and so many pockets (6 to be exact) inside to keep all your stuff organized while camping.
I also love Nemo sleeping pads! They always seem to win in the category of comfort and keep me warm all season.
Unless you’re seeking snowy expeditions, you can aim for a 20-30degree sleeping bag. I almost always bring my sleeping bag liner for extra warmth but I like the smooth feeling of the material!
In my experience, 2.5-3L bladder is sufficient for most day trips and overnights. If I can help it, I prefer to not drink through all my water before I get to camp to avoid having to stop to filter water so a bigger water bladder helps!
I’ve used about 5 different water fiters and this is by far my favorite! The sawyer squeeze is the cheapest option but if you’re looking to upgrade for convenience I could not recommend this one enough.
Rain Jacket
Weather depending, this could be a bare mnimum essential.
First Aid Kit
From my personal experiences, these are the products I bring that tend to be useful: Tylenol or Ibuprofen, ace wrap, neosporin, new skin, compeed blister pads, medical tape, alcohol wipes
COMFORT ESSENTIALS
These are currently my favorite because they are so lightweight and can get fully wet
Camp Meals
Heather’s Choice & Good-to-Go are by far my favorite backpacking meals. You wouldn’t even tell it was a freeze-dried meal because the ingredients are real & clean! I usually only pack camp meals for dinner & breakfast. I eat bars or jerky for lunch and I graze on jerky and other snacks throughout the day.
Day Pack
My backpacking pack came with an extra storage attachment that can be converted into a day pack which is one of the features. If you can’t find a pack with this option, it is very helpful to have a separate day pack that you will use for exploring around the trail without having to carry our big pack throughout our day trip adventures.
I love this brand because it isn’t loaded with sugar. Electrolytes help with recovery and adequate rehydration.
I love darn tough but if you’re a blister queen like me, the injinj toe socks are a MUST.
Insect Repellent
I love sleeping with this material on my skin to avoid the sleeping bag feeling.
This should almost be a bare minimum essential for me because I need to feel clean in certain areas for me to get a good night’s sleep!
This clean sports stick has been my absolute favorite for backpacking/hiking. It stays on SO well and doesn’t leak into my eyes.
Trashbag
Pack OUT anything you bring on the trail, there is typically no trash cans and you’ll want to keep trash separate.
LUXURY ITEMS
Camp Dress
Skincare
I keep it simple in the backcountry and I sometimes combine my products into 1 container to save on weight & space! I also use these travel containers that helps downsize.
Swim Suit
Outdoor Navigation Tools
I typically use AllTrails but I’ll occasionally download maps from Google Maps and bring my Garmin Inreach (which requires a subscription) if I feel it’s necessary.
