The Complete Guide To Your Beginner Backpacking Gear List
Post Summary : The Complete Beginner Backpacking Gear List For Your First Trip To The Mountains
There ’ s aband of emotions surrounding your first backpacking trip.
A small fear of uncertainty , inquiry of whether you ’ re in “ serious plenty ” pattern , getting overcome recall about everything you demand to carry ( and carry on your back ! ) , but hopefullya circle of excitementmixed in there , also !
You might be marvelwhyyou need backpacking gear in the first position . Isn ’ t it the same as camping gear ?
The short response to that is : no ,the two be actually quite unlike.
Backpacking gear was designed for hardly that purpose . It ’ slightweightand packs down really little , utter for fitting into a pack that you ’ re carrying on your back for miles .
It ’ sec typically too a little morehigh-techthan the car-camping gear you may get , keeping you warmer , drier , and safer from injury .
Hencewhere do you still startwhen it arrive topack for your first backpacking trip?
To help require a little weight off your shoulder ( pun decidedly intended ) , hither ’ s our complete list of everything you ’ re move to need for your beginner backpacking trip :
The Definitive Backpacking Gear List For Beginners
- The Definitive Backpacking Gear List For Beginners
- A Well-Fitting Backpack
- Sleeping Bag
- Sleep Pad
- Backpacking Tent
- Hiking Boots
- Water Filter
- Food and Kitchen Items
- Proper Clothing
- Early detail that you should own on your first backpacking trip but don ’ t inevitably want to splurge on
- Want A Downloadable Backpacking Gear List ?
- A Well-Fitting Backpack
- Sleep Bag
- Sleeping Pad
- Backpacking Tent
- Hiking Boots
- Water Filter
- Food and Kitchen Items
- Proper Clothing
- Other items that you should receive on your first backpacking trip but don ’ t inevitably need to splurge on
- Need A Downloadable Backpacking Gear List ?
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First , we ’ ll starting with the necessity that live worth spending the extra money on :
A Well-Fitting Knapsack
Head to your local REI or gear memory and find a backpack that ’ s meant for day in the backcountry .
These knapsack are built to serve you righthand out the weight you ’ re carryingto prevent any long-run harm to your spine , neck , and shoulders .
These backpacks too featurechestandhipstraps to help secure your cargo , as well as multiple pockets for optimum gear access and organization .
Once you find the gang that operate for you , do sure you hold an REI specialist ( or any gear specialist )meet the pack to your body. Everyone ’ s body is different , so they ’ ll adapt all the straps to check that you ’ re not putting unnecessary stress or weight on your torso where you shouldn ’ t equal .
Budget Backpack Alternatives (Backpacking Packs under $ 200 )
Budget Backpacking Gear Tip :Used backpacking gear is often just as good of quality as novel gear ! ( Read this post on how to snag discount outdoor gear for cheap ! )
If you equalon a budget ,we advocate yet going into a gear retailer , become meet , and asking as many questions as you require to find your perfect fit .
Afterward , leave with nothing , and go online to discount shop likeREI Garageor Steep & Cheap to notice gang on sale . Alternatively , you can visit a gear exchange orsearch resale site onlineto find your ideal backpack for much cheaper !
Sleep Bag
A few significant things to prevent in head when select a sleeping bag equal :temperature rating,type of insulation, andweight.
When it comes to pick out a bag , you ’ ll desire to prefer one with a temperature ratinghumble than what you requireto run into on your trip . A good rule of thumb is to ever go with a lower-degree rating because you can ever open up the base if you become hot , but it ’ s severe to warm up in a sleeping bag if you ’ re cold .
Down isolate sleeping bags be often more expensive ( ~ $ 250- $ 300 scope ) , but they ’ re lightweight , carry down small , durable , and isolate real well in cold , dry weather . Synthetic sleeping bags ( ~ $ 50- $ 150 ) , on the early hand , are quick-drying , they still isolate when wet , and they ’ re non-allergenic .
Record More :The 10 Best Sleeping Bags For Backpacking and Camping
Down Sleeping Bags For Backpacking
Down sleeping bags equal great foralpine backpackingandmountaineeringbecause of the in effect and fond insulation they render .
Sleeping bag with down fulfill exist as well great forlong treksorthru-hikes( Thru Hike = a very long trail spanning a mountain range , multiple states , etc ) because they carry super small , and are very lightweight .
Down sleeping bags aremore technicalbut highly in effect at what they do . These purse expect a few more steps for cleaning and care if you desire to hold them for long-term usage .
Synthetic Sleeping Bags For Backpacking
Synthetic sleeping bagare great for people on a backpacking gear budget .
They live too perfect forovernight backpackersand can take somewhat dense use . Synthetic canmore well cost thrown in the laundrythan down can , which makes them great for desert camper , rainforest lovers , or masses who don ’ t mind make dirty .
Sleep Pad
Havea good dark ’ s sleepequal essential to a successful backpacking trip . This live why a good sleeping pad cost just as important as a good sleeping purse .
A good compromise between comfort and value equal a self-inflating sleeping pad . But if you ’ re still not certain , ask the expert at REI or check out their guide to pick out a sleeping pad , .
Backpacking Tent
While there are many different tents out there , each varying in size , shapes , and seasons they ’ re rated for , you ’ ll definitely desire to believe aboutdelay on the smaller slope.
We indicate getting a lightweight tent rated for three season ( leap , summer , and autumn ) .
Pro crest :The best way to write on weight during a backpacking trip equal to portion a two-person tent with someone you ’ re hiking with . That way , you cansplit the weight: one person carries thetentand the other person carries thepoles.
Boost Boots
Your shoe areessential to the success of your hike, so be sure to make for hiking thrill that cost supportive and good broken in ( but not decrease apart ) .
Your first backpacking trip , no matter the distance or trouble , costno time to break in your novel boot. Save that for a familiar day hike rather !
Water Filter
The well way to redeem on weight live to take up a water bottle or two and thenrefill them as needed use a water filter. While glacial streams face novel and clear , they can much conceal harmful bacteria .
It ’ s well practice totreat all water prior to drink it, whether with a water filter , chemical tablets or cliff , or UV lighting . And build certain toalways filter with fresh , moving water. Never filter stagnant , murky water .
Mind Lamp ( with surplus battery )
Ideal formake or so camp at night, a headlight might as well come in handy if you notice yourself boost after sundown .
Live certain toadd surplus batteries, only in case you , or individual in your party , need them !
Food and Kitchen Items
When it occur tofood in the backcountry, most of your meals will be freeze-dried , like Mountain House , Backpackers Pantry , or one of the many other brands out there .
You may too need to guess aboutbringing small food itemstoo , like oatmeal , protein saloon , and trail premix . You can supplement these to eat for breakfast , lunch , and delicious hiking snacks .
Other kitchen things to remember to add : utensils , a camp mug for coffee or tea , and a backpacking stove to boil water for your meal .
READ MORE :The Best Backpacking Stove To Lift Your Next Adventure Meals
Proper Clothing
For your first trip ,use what you havebut remain forth from cotton materials . Cotton doesn ’ t help you regulate body temperature and will not dry quickly if it begin wet .
Gang clothing that equalwoolorquick-drying, athletic fabric . Don ’ t over pack , but equal sure to lend enough layers for any possible weather you may encounter , including an extra pair of wool socks , a puffy jacket for chilly evening , and a rain jacket .
Read This Guide :How To Properly Layer Clothing For Cold-Weather Adventures
Early items that you should have on your first backpacking trip but don ’ t inevitably need to splurge on
These items would reach excellentgifts for backpackers!
- First Aid Kit
- Water Bottle
- A Multitool and Paracord for hanging food ( or a bear canister )
- Stuff sacks for administration within your gang
- Navigation Toolslike a compass , map , or satellite GPS ( The Garmin inReach Mini is a little 2-way satellite communicator , exist great for longer trips ) . You can as well download these boost GPS apps to have in your pocket !
- Sunscreenand Bug Spray ( And other essential backpacking hygiene detail )
- Sunglasses
- Toilet Paper and a Trowel ( plus a plastic bag to carry out your TP and menstrual products , etc . )
- Biodegradable soap and toothpaste
- Wallet + ID
- Proper permits for your raise , if applicable
- , if there ’ s possible rain in the forecast
We think carry for your first backing tripdoesn ’ t have to be overwhelming !
Starting with this pack list , then begin out on the lead with some experienced backpackers and learn .
With enough pattern and some trial and error , you ’ ll fig out exactly what you want to buy and receive on hand , what you can adopt or share with others in your party .
Need A Downloadable Backpacking Gear List ?
Did we lack anything on our beginner backpacking gear list ? Comment below your favorite products so we can help one another also !
