The ultimate backpacking checklist
Camp and kitchen gear
What are the key components for an enjoyable weekend in nature? A restful night’s sleep and delicious food (along with an abundance of snacks). When considering what to include in your backpacking gear, prioritize quality: investing in durable items now can ensure their longevity for years to come. Additionally, greater quality translates to a more comfortable experience – a high-quality sleeping bag will provide warmth without any cold areas, a sturdy tent will keep you dry during rainy weather, and top-notch camp kitchen gear enables you to prepare gourmet meals amidst the wilderness.
- Tent and tent footprint
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
- Stove and fuel
- Pots and pot grabber
- Utensils
- Dishes and cup
- Water treatment or filter
- Hydration system or water bottles
- Food + coffee
- Lighter or waterproof matches and fire starter
- Lightweight cord
Safety essentials
Part of the excitement of backpacking is getting away from your regular routine at home, but it also means you should be prepared for unexpected situations. Don’t forget to bring a first aid kit to handle cuts, scrapes, and bug bites. Additionally, consider taking a first aid course to fully grasp how to take care of your group when you’re far away from home – learning this can be beneficial and empowering. Apart from that, you should also have maps, a compass, and GPS to ensure you stay on the right path, as well as a compass and headlamp. It’s always important to leave a trip plan with a reliable friend as well.
- First aid kit
- Knife
- Whistle
- Repair kit and multi-tool
- Route guide and map
- GPS / compass
- Headlamp or flashlight + batteries
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
Clothing (warm conditions)
Preparing for hot weather is equally important as preparing for cold weather. It is important to be aware of the conditions and adapt your plans accordingly as heat exhaustion is a genuine concern. To ensure proper evaporation, opt for clothing that wicks away sweat and allows breathability. Additionally, protect your eyes from strong rays by wearing sunglasses and a hat with a broad brim.
- Wicking T-shirt
- Long-sleeved shirt
- Pants or shorts
- Underwear
- Sun hat
- Hiking socks and liner socks
- Hiking boots
Additional clothing (cool or wet conditions)
When packing for the conditions, ensure that you have enough layers. Remember to check the forecast as weather can change rapidly, especially in mountainous areas. To assist with your planning, educate yourself on selecting mid-layers and base layers to create an effective layering system. Insulating layers made from fleece, wool, down or synthetic materials can be compressed and provide warmth. It is common for rain to occur, so be sure to pack waterproof shells to keep yourself dry. If you do not have a waterproof outer layer, learn how to choose a rain jacket.
- Insulating top or jacket
- Rainwear pants and jacket
- Base layer top and bottom
- Warm hat
- Gloves or mitts
- Gaiters
Essential Backpacking Gear
In this section, we will discuss the crucial gear systems for backpacking: hiking, shelter, and sleeping. These items are typically the most weighty ones you will carry, so it is important to consider their weight along with other features in order to minimize your overall pack weight.
Backpacking Backpack
To begin a successful backpacking trip, one must first find the appropriate backpack. Many backpackers prefer a pack within the 40-65L capacity range as it can accommodate various types of trips.
To ensure the best fit, consider visiting a gear store like REI where you can accurately measure your torso length and dedicate some time to experiment with various backpacks. In my early backpacking days, I made the mistake of trekking long distances with ill-fitting packs. Nevertheless, discovering the suitable pack significantly improved my experience.
Based on our experiences, these are our top selections.
If you are searching for an ultralight pack with a frame, I suggest considering the Zpack Arc Series backpacks. They are available in various sizes and incorporate the “Arc Frame” system, which distributes the weight onto your hips and provides ventilation between the pack and your back for temperature regulation. Additionally, these packs have load lifters, adjustable shoulder straps, and can effectively carry up to 35 lbs of equipment. Personally, I own the women’s pack and find it ideal for my nearly ultralight kit.
The ULA Circuit and Catalyst are highly favored packs by PCT thru-hikers due to their lightweight nature and high carrying capacity. The Circuit, with a load of 68L/35lbs, and the Catalyst, with a load of 75L/40lbs, are known for being extremely versatile and capable of accommodating a substantial amount of gear. Despite their lightweight status at 36.6oz and 46.7oz respectively, they exceed expectations in terms of functionality. Personally, I found great comfort in using the Catalyst as my first lightweight pack during my hike along the JMT, even with a full load. These packs are an excellent choice if you are aiming to reduce the weight of your gear without reaching an ultralight base weight just yet.
The budget option is the REI Flash 55L, which is priced under $200 and considered a great pack for its affordability. It comes in both men’s and women’s styles.
When it comes to traditional backpacking packs, Osprey has consistently impressed us with their reliable and long-lasting packs. They boast excellent suspension and can carry heavy loads with ease, all at a reasonable price. Although they may be heavier in comparison, they still offer a more comfortable experience when carrying heavier loads. Among our top choices are the AG (Anti-Gravity) packs, which stand out for their airflow and suspension features. Additionally, the Eja/Exos line has gained recognition in recent times for its lightweight design, catering to individuals with meticulously planned kits.
Backpacking Tent
When choosing the perfect tent, it is essential to consider various vital aspects in addition to obvious factors such as floor size, weight, and price. Ease of setup and “liveability” (which I only realized after spending a whole week backpacking in rainy weather during our honeymoon!) must also be taken into account. “Liveability” encompasses the tent’s peak height, interior pockets, ventilation, and space for storing your belongings, and should not be overlooked.
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The Zpacks Plex Solo or Duplex is an ultralight pick due to being two of the lightest tents available. This is likely why they were commonly seen on the JMT. Constructed from Dyneema composite fabric, the solo version of this ultralight tent weighs 13.9oz, while the two-person version weighs 18.5oz. To set it up properly, it requires trekking poles and stakes, contributing to its lightness. However, it is important to note that this tent is quite expensive. Nevertheless, if you are searching for the best ultralight option, it is hard to find a tent that can compete with this one.
The best freestanding option is the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL. This tent offers a spacious interior and is designed with two walls. It can be set up with the fly first. However, its freestanding feature makes it slightly heavier compared to other options, with the UL1 weighing just above 2 lbs and the UL2 weighing 2.7 lbs. Both the 1 and 2-person versions come with “awnings” that can be assembled using trekking poles, providing shade or light weather protection. The 2-person version is equipped with two doors for easy access without disturbing your tent mate during the night.
Our packs include the Big Agnes Tigerwall UL. This tent is a good choice for those who prefer a double-walled tent and are okay with it being semi-freestanding, meaning it requires a few stakes to set up. It can be set up with the fly first, which is useful in rainy conditions. The Tigerwall UL2 weighs slightly over 2 lbs and is also $100 less expensive than the Copper Spur UL2.
Budget Pick: REI Passage — The REI Passage may not be a lightweight tent, weighing approximately 4 lbs, but its unbeatable price of only $139 for the one-person version makes it a great option for those on a budget. This tent is easy to set up, has a double-wall design, includes a footprint, and features a spacious vestibule and interior pockets for gear organization.
Sleeping Bag
After a tiring day of hiking, there is nothing better than snuggling up in a soft and warm sleeping bag! When purchasing a sleeping bag, you will encounter numerous temperature ratings to consider.
When it comes to temperature ratings, the general guideline is that the rating provided indicates the minimum temperature you can endure. However, to feel comfortable, it is recommended to increase the temperature by around 15F, especially if you tend to feel colder while sleeping.
For individuals seeking to reduce weight, another possibility is a sleeping quilt or a hybrid quilt/bag. This design eliminates the down located on the bag’s bottom section. This portion tends to be compressed under your body weight and, consequently, loses a significant amount of its insulating capability.
Here are some backpacking sleeping bags and quilts you should take into consideration:
The REI Magma is a versatile sleeping bag that is available in two temperature ratings (15F and 30F) for both men and women. The men’s 15F option weighs less than 2 lbs, while the women’s 15F option weighs slightly over 2 lbs. Despite their lightweight design, these bags offer ample warmth. Additionally, the 30F versions weigh under 1.5 lbs each.
Zpacks Classic is considered the best hybrid quilt/bag when it comes to ultralight options. It offers a high warmth-to-weight ratio and is available in 30F, 20F, and 10F temperature ratings. The sleeping bag features 900 fill power water-resistant down and a 3/4 length zipper, which not only reduces weight but also ensures a cozy sleep. With weights ranging from .75lb-1.5lb, these bags are truly ultralight, varying depending on the temperature rating and length.
The top synthetic bag option is the Marmot Trestles Elite Eco, which is both lightweight and affordable. However, synthetic bags are not as compact as down bags, making them less suitable for smaller packs. Nonetheless, if you’re seeking an animal-free alternative, this bag is a good choice to consider.
