Hiking and Backpacking Gear Guide

To make the most out of your wilderness experience, it is important to keep a few essential things in mind when planning a backpacking trip. The success of your adventure largely depends on the supplies and gear you pack. This post provides tips on how to begin and organize your trip, suggestions for the necessary equipment, and a comprehensive backpacking checklist.

Having traveled the world on over 20 wilderness backpacking trips for more than 10 years, I can confidently say that I have experienced both overpacking and underpacking, as well as making the best out of inadequate gear, until I gradually acquired the equipment and knowledge I possess today.

Although we all desire to hike through mountains without any burdens, it is important to note that seasoned backcountry travelers and outdoor experts recognize the necessity of carrying essential items to handle risks, ensure comfort, and enjoy the trails. To assist you in getting ready for your upcoming hiking or backpacking journey, we have provided a checklist of gear items that you should pack. This list has received endorsements from all prominent land management agencies and esteemed outdoor organizations.

Things to Keep in Mind Before a Backpacking Trip:

Ideally, you want to keep your pack under 20% of your body weight (when it is full of gear, food and water). Weight is one of the most important factors in choosing your backpacking equipment and packing. You are literally carrying everything on your back, and each ounce adds up quickly. Remember to always check the weight of your equipment before making a purchase. Keep your pack as light as possible & don’t bring unnecessary clothes and equipment.
Always pack extra water and a water treatment device or tablets (advice on how much water to pack here)
Be prepared with a First Aid Kit and Emergency Kit (emergencies can happen even with the best planning)
Pack layers (layering your clothing is the best way to keep warm and stay insulated in cold weather), long sleeves also protect against harmful UV rays from the sun, and bugs
Prepare for rain, even if it’s not in the forecast (e.g. pack a rain jacket, backpack rain cover, and rain tent cover)
You might need a permit for the wilderness area you are backpacking in, check and apply in advance
PLEASE DON’T LITTER! Plan to pack out all your garbage, so that everyone can enjoy the view (including your toilet paper)
PLEASE camp at least 200 feet from a water source (this ensures you are not contaminating freshwater)

The Essentials

For hiking safely, here is a detailed list of essential items to pack, which include hydration, nutrition, navigation, emergency shelter, layers, illumination (headlamp or flashlight), firestarter, first-aid kit, repair kit, and sun protection.

Map
Compass, and the knowledge to use one
Warm clothing, including upper and lower body layers
Warm hat
Extra food and water
Flashlight or headlamp
Matches/Firestarter
First aid kit and repair kit
Whistle
Waterproof and windproof upper and lower body layers
Pocket knife

Backpacking Pack

To ensure comfort and the right fit, it is crucial to test a backpack with weight bags inside at an outdoor store like Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI). This will also enable you to have your torso measured and ensure that you select the appropriate size for your body frame.

When considering your travel plans, it is crucial to think about the kinds of trips you will be undertaking. If your trips vary in terms of transportation (such as plane travel), accommodation (such as hostel backpacking), and the nature of the trip (such as wilderness backpacking), you may prefer a pack that is more adaptable. For trips that span multiple days, it is advisable to use a pack that has a capacity of 50-80 liters. On the other hand, for a weekend trip, a pack with a capacity of 30-50 liters will suffice.

Backpacking Tent

When selecting a backpacking tent, it is important to consider weight, compactness, and simplicity. It is undesirable to have a tent that is challenging to set up, as you may need to quickly establish camp in unfavorable weather conditions. Additionally, it is preferable to have a tent that does not occupy excessive space in your pack. However, the most crucial aspect is to have a lightweight tent that does not burden you. Ideally, the weight of your tent should be below 5 pounds for 2-person tents and 4 pounds for 1-person tents.

It is important to pair your tent with a cover/rain fly in order to stay dry and insulate yourself by retaining heat while sleeping.

A sleeping bag is a textile or synthetic bag used for sleeping in outdoor activities.

When choosing a backpacking sleeping bag, it is important to consider the climates and the time of year in which you will be camping. If you are unsure, it is advisable to opt for a 3-season bag that has a temperature rating of 0 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring that it can effectively provide warmth even in extremely cold temperatures.

When considering your height, it is important to remember that the length of the bag matters. If you are short, like myself, it is advisable to opt for a shorter bag as there is no necessity to bear the burden of additional fabric and weight. Additionally, I suggest choosing materials that are resistant to water, with synthetic down fillings being more preferable in this aspect.

A pad used for sleeping

When camping, it is crucial to have a sleeping pad for comfort and a restful sleep. You need to contemplate whether you prefer a small inflatable pad or a larger, lightweight foam pad in accordion style, to ensure your comfort.

I have always relied on inflatable pads, but many individuals favor foam sleeping pads as they are usually larger and thus kept outside of backpacks. Foam pads have advantages in terms of being less expensive, lighter, and can also serve as a cushion during rest or meals. Some individuals even opt to combine foam and inflatable pads to enhance comfort.

The process of treating water.

Water treatment is crucial, particularly when embarking on hikes that last more than 2 days. It should be noted that water is quite heavy, with each liter weighing approximately 2.2 pounds (equivalent to 1 kg). Hence, if you usually carry around 3 liters in your backpack, it will be necessary to replenish your supply from a natural water source within a single day. It is important to remember that rivers and creeks host an assortment of parasites and bacteria, thus necessitating the treatment of any water you use to refill your reservoir or bottle.

Personal Gear

After packing the essentials, use this checklist to gather any other gear you may require. Keep in mind that the necessity of some items may vary depending on whether you plan on day hiking or staying overnight.

Backpack
Sleeping bag
Sleeping bag stuff sack
Sleeping pad
Small stuff sacks as needed
Trash Compactor Bags (a heavy-duty version of a trash bag that can waterproof the inside of your pack!)
Water bottles
Water treatment methods (we advise carrying a filter and iodine tablets as a backup)
Camp Kitchen Gear
1. Bowl
2. Cup
3. Silverware
Sunglasses
Lip Balm
Sunscreen
Toothbrush and environmentally friendly toothpaste
Moist towelettes
Hand sanitizer
Prescribed medications as needed
Hiking boots
Camp shoes
Socks
Underwear
Bras
Shorts or long pants depending on the season and preference
Long underwear
Warm jacket
T-shirt
Sun hat
Gloves
Bandanas
Rain jacket and rain pants

Optional Personal Equipment

In addition to the mentioned essentials, here are additional items that you could consider including in your pack based on personal preferences, the season, or terrain.