Backcountry camping has a certain organic and thrilling aspect to it. You gather all the necessary items for a night or two, pack them into a bag, attach it to your back, and venture into the wild to locate a camping spot.
Knowing what you need to pack can be confusing, and even if you understand the basics, it can be overwhelming to determine which equipment is worth investing in when there is a wide variety available in the market. For instance, tents can range from inexpensive options costing $25 at Walmart to high-end ultralite gadgets priced well over $1,000.
After spending years perfecting the balance of weight, comfort, and preparedness in our backpacking gear, the items you’ll find in our backpacks are the result. We prefer lightweight gear as it enhances our hiking experience with lighter packs, although we do include a few luxury items that we believe are worth carrying.
To facilitate the gathering of your backpacking gear for your next trip, we have systematically arranged the Ultimate Backpacking Checklist into categories.
What is backcountry camping?
The term “car camping” refers to the familiar type of camping where individuals can drive up to campsites and set up their tents, often in campgrounds that offer facilities such as shared bathrooms, showers, and a camp store selling firewood.
When you engage in backcountry camping, also known as backpacking, you will carry all the necessary items for the duration of your camping trip on your back. These items include your tent, food, and even toilet paper. You will hike away from roads and other developed areas and locate a suitable spot in the wilderness to set up your temporary living quarters. Since you are responsible for bringing all the resources you will need, it is vital that you are well-prepared for this experience.
Backpacking tips
BEGIN BY REDUCING YOUR LOAD – To begin, eliminate unnecessary items. Take caution with every decision you make, as even small reductions in weight can have a significant impact in the long run. Utilizing a lightweight backpacking checklist, such as the one provided here, will assist you in focusing on crucial items. Afterwards, concentrate on lightening your bulkiest gear: shelter, backpack, and sleeping bag. Swapping out your conventional “big three” with lightweight alternatives presents the best opportunity for weight reduction, especially for beginners. By investing in a lightweight shelter, backpack, and sleeping bag, it is possible to shed 10 or more pounds, putting you on the right track for an ultralight backpacking setup.
When packing for backpacking, the clothing you bring may vary depending on the specific trip’s conditions, but the overall guidelines remain consistent. It is advisable to choose clothing made of quick-drying materials that effectively draw moisture away from your skin to help regulate your body temperature and keep you comfortable in both hot and cold environments. Options such as nylon, polyester, wool, bamboo, silk, and synthetic blends are all suitable. It is important to avoid cotton as it retains moisture and takes a considerable amount of time to dry, which can lead to various issues like blisters and chafing. Opt for items that can be layered together. Fleece and goose-down offer the best warmth-to-weight ratio and serve as excellent insulation materials for backpackers. When it comes to rain gear, prioritize lightweight, breathable, and waterproof options.
When going on a backpacking trip, it is essential to have good food. Therefore, it is worth taking the time to create a basic meal plan beforehand. Being able to keep the weight of the food low is an important skill for backpacking, and it usually takes practice to become proficient at it. Experienced backpackers typically choose lightweight, high-calorie foods that are simple to prepare. While packaged freeze-dried meals and snacks can be convenient options, it is important to be mindful of their high sodium and sugar content, as consuming them excessively can have negative effects.
In order to protect the health and safety of your group and the resources on the trail, it is important to plan ahead and be prepared. This entails having knowledge about factors such as weather conditions and trail restrictions, including the need for permits or special equipment for camping at your intended destination.
To minimize erosion and avoid harming delicate plant and animal habitats, it is advisable to stick to designated trails as much as possible while traveling and camping. Additionally, when setting up camp, it is best to choose established campsites or durable surfaces such as gravel or rocks, ensuring they are at least 200 feet away from any water sources.
To handle waste correctly, make sure to pack and take it with you when leaving. In the case of human waste, dig a hole that is 6-8 inches deep and 4-6 inches wide, ensuring it is at least 200 feet away from any water source. Carry a garbage bag to transport toilet paper and other waste you generate, such as snack wrappers, to be disposed of appropriately.
We go hiking because we all love seeing cool flowers and rocks, but it is crucial that we leave them untouched. This way, others can also enjoy them, and we can reduce our impact on the environment.
To minimize fire impacts, it’s crucial to be familiar with and adhere to local regulations. If fires are allowed, utilize designated fire rings and ensure they are never left unattended.
To ensure the safety of wildlife, refrain from feeding, chasing, or doing any actions that may harm animals. Additionally, when camping, make sure to store your food correctly.
When thinking in a systematic manner, rephrase the following passage without changing the meaning. Do not introduce new information and do not eliminate any information. Show consideration for others by minimizing noise levels and ensuring that any pets accompanying you on the trail are well-behaved.
In the end, ensure that you have knowledge on using any equipment purchased before embarking on your adventure. Justin and I, being as cool as we are, decided to assemble our tent and arrange our camp (including the sleeping pads) in our living room a week prior to our initial camping expedition. This was to confirm that all essential components were present in the original packaging of our gear and that we had the necessary skills to assemble them correctly.
What to pack
Backpack
So, in order to accommodate your shelter, clothes, food, and water for the duration of your time in the backcountry, it is crucial to have a backpack of sufficient size. It is important to consider various features of backpacks such as weight, capacity, ventilation on the back, opening mechanism, and many others.
Sleeping bags
When choosing a sleeping bag, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, you need to decide between down or synthetic insulation. Down is derived from the plumage beneath the outer feathers of waterfowl and is renowned for its high weight-to-warmth ratio. However, it is challenging to clean and does not offer effective insulation when wet. On the other hand, synthetic insulation is cheaper than down and provides superior insulation when wet. Nevertheless, its insulating capability is less long-lasting.
Sleeping pads
The purpose of a sleeping pad is easily understood – it is a pad that is placed under a sleeping bag to make the ground more comfortable and less cold for sleeping. When purchasing a sleeping pad, there are some factors to consider. These include whether it is an air pad, which is lightweight and comfortable, similar to a pool float, and allows you to adjust the firmness by adding or reducing air; a self-inflating pad, which combines foam and air to provide firmness and offers more insulation, although it is slightly heavier than an air pad; or a closed cell-foam pad, which is bulky and not extremely comfortable, resembling a yoga mat.
Campstove system
In order to boil water or heat up food, it is necessary to have a campstove. This campstove requires the attachment of a burner, a fuel canister, and a lighter.
Cookware
If you follow the recommendation to mainly use hot water with dehydrated meals, there is no need to go overboard and splurge on expensive cooking utensils.
Water
While some individuals swear by hydration packs (also known as bladders or Camelbaks), I, on the other hand, do not favor them due to the inconvenience they pose when it comes to cleaning and their tendency to become unpleasantly unhygienic. During our camping expeditions, I opt for carrying sizable Nalgene bottles instead and bring a few smaller plastic bottles (which I reuse!) in my backpack for refilling the Nalgene.
Headlamps
If you don’t want to fall off the top of a mountain, you will require a headlamp in order to utilize the bathroom or find your way back to your campsite after it becomes dark.
Portable power bank
Because we own phones, cameras, and headlamps that can be recharged, we ensure to carry our battery charger with us at all times, even in remote areas.
