Backpacking Gear: Everything you Need to Survive in the Backcountry

Backpacking Gear can be daunting if you’re new to the hobby. This post will talk about the backpacking gear I choose to take on trail to make life in the backcountry more enjoyable. Having the right gear makes all the difference on trail.

Although I’m still no expert backpacker, I have spent the past few years learning and improving my backpacking gear list. I’m a hard core REI fan and customer, so most of my backpacking gear is purchased there. Who doesn’t love collecting a dividend on gear purchases and a store that’s run by members! I’ve searched for gear at Walmart, Cabella’s and like stores and just find myself returning to REI because they have a better selection or the gear itself is better quality. I also LOVE their return policy! You have a year to return gear so you can use it a few times to determine if it’s truly a good fit for you. If you don’t have the ability to spend a lot on backpacking gear, don’t worry! You don’t have to break the bank to get on trail.

Backpacking Gear For Beginners

I didn’t grow up backpacking but my parents went regularly as I got older. Car camping was my only experience. Just after high school my parents decided to take me with them for my first trip. It was awful! The weather wasn’t great and we spent about an hour or so waiting in the car before we started our journey to see if the weather would improve.

Once we began the trek, I quickly realized it wasn’t going to be a simple out and back. No, my dad picked a mountain to start me on! By the time we reached the campsite, it was getting dark and cold fast! My hands were so numb I could barely get my pants and jacket on. And of course I had a cheap car camping sleeping bag so I was miserably cold ALL night long. To top it off, I was wearing one of my dad’s old packs. Let me tell you, women, buy a woman’s pack if you don’t want your back to hurt more than it will! Safe to say I did not have the right backpacking gear.

If you’ve made the decision to try out backpacking or you want to find tips for making your experience better, I hope I can help you find backpacking gear you would like. Remember, every ounce matters. You have to carry everything you put in your pack on your back and it can get heavy quickly! When you start researching backpacking gear, you want be mindful of the ounces. Most of the time, the lighter items are also the most expensive items. You can always search Ebay for used backpacking gear, shop the garage section at REI or choose to purchase something that weighs a little more if your budget can’t buy the most expensive backpacking gear. You will still have an amazing time no matter the cost.

If your new to backpacking and want to learn more about getting started, be sure to check out my “Backpacking Guide for Beginners” guide to get started. You can also learn more on how to navigate the various permit systems through my “Backpacking Permits and Lotteries Explained” guide.

The Backpack

I can’t stress enough how important it will be to invest in a decent backpack. It’s important to do some research and go to the store in person to try the packs on if you’re able to. Packs can be purchased by gender so I would recommend buying a bag by gender so it will best fit your body. When I used my dad’s pack, it felt like my spine was being compressed under the pack. Make sure you explore the pockets and the capacity of your pack so you know it will be able to hold all the gear you plan to carry.

I began hiking with an Osprey pack gifted from my parents. I used it for years and just recently purchase two– yes, two– new backpacks. Having two isn’t necessary, but I wanted them for different purposes.

My first new backpack is a custom-built backpack by Waymark Gear Company. It is a 50L framed backpack for longer trips or heavier loads. I also purchased a Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 southwest pack for shorter trips, lighter loads or trips where I want to be able to day hike from camp. Both of these packs are ultralight and something I had to work towards. I spent years updating my gear to be able to switch to these lighter backpacks.

Backpacking Tent

My first tent was a hand-me-down from my parents. It was a 2 person tent and my dad later told me he used it when he camped by himself, not with my mom. No wonder we felt so crammed inside! My first big backpacking trip was to Havasupai Indian Reservation and I knew I wanted a better tent for the trip. I wanted a tent that had more room, but was still lighter in weight. The REI Half Dome 2 Plus was the best choice because it was roomier than a normal 2 person and reasonably priced.

I honestly LOVE our tent! It has so many small pockets inside to hold little items you have while backpacking. It’s easy to assemble and had color options I really liked. We ended up getting a green tent because it’s my favorite color. We also purchased the footprint. This is an add-on option, but it was important for me to purchase personally. The tent was an investment and the footprint is a protection for the tent.

If I wanted to invest in a single person or ultra light two person backpacking tent for when I go with just my parents or with friends, I would purchase the Nemo Hornet. I have yet to make this purchase but I have slept in it multiple times and really like it. It doesn’t have the room that my REI tent has, but for a lighter load, it’s perfect.

Backpacking Stove

If you want to start backpacking, you’ll need to invest in a tool to help you cook your food. It’ll need to be compact, lightweight and preferably self-ignites. There are a lot of places that don’t allow fires, which means you can’t just pack matches and cook over it. MSR and Jetboil are the two most popular brands for backpacking stoves. I chose Jetboil because it’s all-in-one, it’s lightweight, it comes with multiple add-on pieces and is reasonably priced.

The Jetboil Flash Cooking System is my go-to for backpacking and hiking. It’s best used to boil water, which is all you need to rehydrate your food or make drinks. You can eat right out of it as well. If you purchased this system and decide you want to make pancakes you can purchase the Skillet. There are also items like a pot for soup or a coffee press insert for your morning cup. If you purchase a cooking system like Jetboil, you’ll need to also purchase fuel canisters as well. We usually bring 2-3 with us for safety, and have never run out.

Water Filter

Water is a necessity when it comes to venturing into the back country. This is actually a product I’ve not had to purchase yet. My dad gifted us his old water filter system when he upgraded his to a lighter weight one. I used his hand pump for years before purchasing a new one. It works by sticking a hose into the water and slowly pump the water thought the filter into a bladder bag. This pump works great but can be a bit exhausting to pump, it also isn’t the lightest pump.

There are gravity bags where the water is slowly filtered from one bag into you chosen water carrier over time. These are nice because you can just hang it on a branch and slowly filter water. The downside is you can’t quickly pump and move on your journey. I have a LifeStraw bag and love being able to leave it at camp and filter from it whenever I need to.

This past summer I recently purchased a Katadyn squeeze back and it is without a doubt the best filter! The squeeze bottle filters quickly so you can resupply and keep hiking. It also acts as an extra water storage bottle if you want to carry a little more. Bonus, you can drink straight from it!

Sleeping Pad

There are so many options when it comes to sleeping pads, and it’s only a decision you can make! It’s like buying a mattress, only you know how you like to sleep and what comfort level you need. If you’re in need of a sleeping pad, I would highly recommend going to a store like REI and talking to one of their staff members about your needs, preferences and budget. But with that said, I’ll share a little about my new sleeping pad and why I picked it.

I slept on a self-inflating pad that my parents had given to me when they upgraded their pads. They were ok, but I’m such a light sleeper, I had a hard time getting comfortable. I felt like I had to add more air every night to the pads, and they were not overly comfortable to sleep on. They were lightweight and free, so I can’t complain there!

With this all in mind, I settled on the brand Sea to Summit because they were a reputable brand, had sleeping pads that ranged in comfort level and weight options as well as a good price range. I ended up picking the Comfort Light model. I’ve LOVED this pad so far and it hold its shape and air the entire time. I wouldn’t use it in winter, but I’ve never felt cold with it.

Sleeping Bag

I finally purchased my first new sleeping bag a few summers ago but I started with cheap 40°F bags from Fred Meyer. It was large, heavy and didn’t keep me very warm. But it was cheap and got me on the trail while I learned what I liked. I wouldn’t really recommended doing that, but don’t feel like you need the most expensive as long as the rating is good. You will want to be mindful of the weight and the compression size no matter what you buy. I’d highly recommend investing in a good quality bag if you plan to do a lot of alpine backpacking or snow backpacking.

The first new sleeping bag that I purchased was the Nemo Forte 20. I absolutely loved this sleeping bag! It’s honestly comfier than the bag I use now. I only kept it for one season. Luckily I purchased it through REI so I could return it and get the one I have now. I ended up returning it only because I wanted to be able to go ultralight. My new bag is a ounce less and compresses to half the size. But the Nemo is by far the better bag for a comfortable night’s sleep, especially if you’re a side sleeper. When I returned my Nemo I purchased the REI Magma 15. I love my new sleeping bag because it’s lightweight and it compresses down. I do find myself feeling more constricted in it than the Nemo though. That just comes with the territory though.

Hammock

Bringing a hammock is not a necessity per say, but it’s a must on all of our trips! There’s nothing more relaxing then being out in nature, laying in a hammock. My first hammock was a $20 purchase from Costco. It was a great little hammock that lasted me for a few years before I became too frustrated with its shortcomings and upgraded.

When we decided to get a new one, I knew I wanted an ENO because it had different strap options and was a brand that had built a strong reputation for quality. The hammocks are also lightweight and come with stuff sacks. Another fun feature about ENO is that there are so many color options! I’m a pretty neutral pallet fan so we purchased one that’s grey and green. But if you love color, there are purples, reds and oranges waiting for you! The hammocks come in single and double sizes. I have a double campaign hammock that raises awareness for the environment by donating some of the profits. How great it that!?

Once you pick what hammock size you want, you can chose different strap sizes and accessories. I have the Atlas Suspension System. You don’t need to get the XL system unless you really have large trees or space between to hang your hammock.

Water Storage

I currently use a CamelBack reservoir because it has the option of adding on an insulated straw. There are a few brands that have full insulated reservoirs as well to help with warm water. No one likes drinking warm water on trail!

Water reservoirs also come in multiple sizes so how do you know which size to buy? We only have the 3L sizes because we love how much water it can hold. I’m the type of person that would rather carry too much water than run out. When I hiked Half Dome, we ran out of water on the return and my husband ended up running to get us water from the trailhead drinking fountain because we were so thirsty! But, if you don’t want to carry as much weight, there are smaller options. I also prefer the 3L size while backpacking because it allows me to hold a larger amount of water at a time.

Many through hikers prefer to use plastic water bottles they can just reuse on trail. They are light weight and easily to drink from. I need to constantly drink water on trail so I prefer my bladder, but will use a water bottle at times.

Backpacking Lighting

Proper lighting is an essential item for your backpacking gear list. Flashlights and lanterns are too heavy to carry and there aren’t lights like a campground would have out in nature. I have a Petzl RL headlamp to wear around camp as well as a solar powered inflatable lamp I attach to the roof of the tent. I like to use the lantern in the tent because it’s less blinding and a softer light. The Petzl HR goes to 900 lumens so I have plenty of bright light on the trail. You do not want to go under 500/600 lumens or you won’t have good visibility with your headlamp. It also has a red light feature which reduced bug attracting like a white light would. Make sure your headlamps don’t run out of juice and pack extra batteries and it’s fully charged prior to hiking.

Backpacking Food

You will need to make sure you pack food to eat. Freeze dried food preferences is honestly something you just have to figure out for yourself as you try brands and different meals. My husband and I really love the brand AlpineAire. They have an enchilada one that is so good! I have also had a few meals from this brand that weren’t my favorite, so once again, try different brands and meals to find what you like. You can find them on sale regularly so I rarely pay full price. I usually only buy freeze dried dinner meals, but they have breakfast and snacks as well.

I usually pack instant oatmeal packets for breakfast because it’s lightweight and easy. All you need is to boil up some water and you have a warm, filling breakfast. I rarely pack full meals for lunch. Snacking throughout the day is easier for me. I Usually pack a granola bar for each day, nuts for high protein and Clif bloks bars.

My parents are much more hardcore on keeping their weight down when they go. One thing they do to lose weight in their packs is cut the tops off their freeze dried food bags off. They will then tape them back shut. If you do this to every meal pack, it ends up being few ounces saved! I’ve also seen them put oatmeal into a plastic bag instead of the cardboard cups or paper packets they often come in. There are a lot of ways you can get creative to save some weight.

Hiking Poles

These aren’t necessary but your knees will thank you if you have a lot of elevation gain on your hike. I always bring them backpacking and they are also nice to help with balance. There are a lot of options for poles on the market so I wanted a pair that was lightweight and had cork handles. I wanted cork because they are less slippery if your hands get sweaty, and lightweight. I opted for the REI Trailbreak poles because they had both qualifications as well as a good price. An added feature mine don’t have is gripping under the cord so you can adjust grip for various terrains. If you wanted the extra grip below the Black Diamond Trail Ergo Poles would be great.

Backpacking Gear Other

Although the gear you choose to purchase and pack is all about personal preference, you will need to be sure to pack a few more essential items to your backpacking gear .

• The first is a toiletry bag. You’ll want to include things like wet wipes and/or toilet paper, a trowel to dig a cat hole, hand sanitizer and a resealable bag to dispose or your toilet paper and any feminine hygiene products. Always put your toilet paper in a plastic bag so it doesn’t absorb any moisture.

• You should always carry a fire starter or a lighter. Many backpackers have lighters to ignite their stoves if they do not have a self igniting stove. I carry a small waterproof container with a few matches with me since my stove self ignites.

• No scent bags are a must on trail. They help keep odors at bay from small critters. They will not replace a bear canister or bear hang bag, but they do help reduce food and trash odors.

• Having a Garmin InREach GPS device is something I didn’t always start out hiking with but it is now an essential backpacking gear item for me. Being able to communicate to friends or family members when I’m out of cell service or get instant support in an emergency gives me so much piece of mind. It is an investment piece for sure, but when your life is on the line, you’ll be happy you made the investment.

• You should always carry the 10 essentials with you whether your backpacking or day hiking. Make sure you have all that you need by checking out my guide, here. A lot of these items you will already be carrying in your backpacking gear.

• Sometimes I carry a travel size soap bottle for doing dishes and washing my hands when needed. Make sure to buy a scent-free, biodegradable brand. I also bring a quick dry towel that that fits into my palm. I love having it to dry dishes, wash my face or dry my hands. If you’re going to a lake and plan to be in the water, you can also purchase a larger quick dry towel.

Backpacking Responsibly

What does this mean? It means follow the Leave No Trace Principles and limit your impact on the trail.

• Plan ahead and prepare. This means researching the area ahead of time, knowing the weather forecast and packing proper backpacking gear. Planning and preparing for a trip is important to keep you safe and allow you to enjoy your trip stress free.

• Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces. This means finding a campsite where you can tell others have camp prior rather than finding a new campsite. Do not put your tent on vegetation or in meadows, causing harm to the plants. Be responsible in choosing a site and limit your footprint in the backcountry. Stay on trail and do not walk through sensitive environments like meadows.

• Leave What You Find. Nature is amazing but belongs in nature. Do not pick wildflowers or bring home rocks or other items you may find. Do not mark on rocks or vandalize nature.

• Dispose of Waste Properly. All garbage should be packed back out with you and disposed of properly at home. Bring a ziplock bag for toilet paper. Use a shovel to dig a cat hole and bury any human waste 6-8 inches underground or pack it out with you if that is not an option. Food items such as peels and nut shells should also be disposed of properly in a bag and taken back off trail with you.

• Respect Wildlife. Do not feed or approach any wildlife. Minimize your noise by not playing music outdoors. Know the wildlife for the area so you are prepared for encounters. Do not leave food or garbage accessible (bear bag hangs are best).

• Minimize Campfire Impacts. Always know the local guidelines for your area before starting a fire. Many locations do seasonal bans depending on the season. Use an existing fire ring whenever possible. If you must create a new ring, clear the ground of all debris and use a location with minimal impact to the vegetation. Make sure you fire is completely out by dousing it in water multiple times and never through garbage into the fire.

• Be Considerate or Other Visitors. Be aware of your noise levels and be sure to kindly share the trail. Know proper trail etiquette so everyone can enjoy their time outside in nature. Remember, others may be afraid of dogs or have allergies so keep you dog on leash or safely away from others.

You’ll learn with each trip what items you like having and what you would do differently going forward. It’s important to figure out what backpacking gear works best for you. I hope that sharing my must-have backpacking gear helps you figure out what you’ll need or give you ideas for you current setup. I love being able to hit the trail and find quiet places in nature to camp. It’s such a freeing experience, but it’s something you want to be prepared for.

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