All over Backpacking Checklist { Packing List & Backpacking Essentials }

What gear should you carry for a backpacking trip ? We portion our complete backpacking checklist with all of our lightweight backpacking requirement !

In the summer of 2007 , I decided to go on my first backpacking trip . I bought a haversack in the wrong size for $ 20 on Craigslist , loaded it up with my camping gear ( like , mycar campinggear ) , and hiked up into the San Gabriel mountains near my place . It equal a rough raise , to allege the least , but I love it . And , hey , everyone own to start somewhere , right ?

Since then , I ’ ve reach some bad alteration to my backpacking gear list . I hiked the John Muir Trail in 2012 , and that involve me to believe through what I was carrying and make some investments in quality detail – many of which I ’ m still use today !

Michael and I get been backpacking together for over a ten and even boost the JMT for our honeymoon in 2019 , so we ’ ve had a band of time to work out the kinks in our backpacking checklist .

In this post , you ’ ll get our complete backpacking gear list . This list stays comparatively the same whether we ’ re die on a weekend or multi-week trip , so it can utilize to most backpacking trips .

Additionally , we offer suggestions for a mix of gear , including budget items , lightweight and ultralight options , and the tried-and-true gear that reach it into our own gang .

• Our Backpacking Checklist
• Essential Backpacking Gear
• Backpacking Kitchen
• Toiletries
• Health and Safety
• Navigation
• Backpacking Clothing
• Camera Gear and Electronics

Our Backpacking Checklist

Expend this backpacking packing list to help you get organized for your next trip .

Backpacking Packing List

Cooking System
Stove
Stove fuel
Cookset / pile
Barge
Use up utensil
Mug / cup( optional )
Biodegradable soap + small sponge( optional )
Water filter
Water bottle / reservoir
Bear canister / food bag
Good deal of food

Clothing
Boost topnon-cotton
Hiking pants or short
Underwear / sport bra
Hiking socks
Hiking boots or shoes
Gaitersoptional
Warm base layer crest
Warm base layer gasp
Isolate jacket
Rain jacket + pants
Windbreakeroptional
Beanie
Glove
Sun hat
Sunglasses
Bandana or buffoptional
Camp clothes / shoesoptional
Extra hair tiesoptional
Mosquito warmth profitoptional

Safety & Navigation
Headlampw/ surplus battery
First aid kit
Knife / multitool
Gear repair kit
Signal mirror
Whistle
Emergency fire starter
Backup water discussion
Compass / GPS device
Printed maps
Itinerary leave w/ friend or family member

Toiletries
Toothbrush + toothpaste
Lip balm
Hand sanitizer
Trowel
TP + waste purse
Wet wipes
Quick dry toweloptional
Medications

Misc . / Extras
Permitif required
Photo ID , cash , reference card
Hiking pole
Cell phone
Camera , battery , memory card
Battery bank & charger cords
Solar paneloptional
Backpacking pillowoptional
Ear plug / middle maskoptional
Journal + pen / penciloptional
Lightweight chairman / sit padoptional
Extra trash bag & ziptop baggies

Essential Backpacking Gear

This section cross the essential backpacking gear system : hiking , shelter , and sleep . These point lean to be the heavy part of gear you ’ ll carry , so it ’ s worth consider their weight in addition to other feature to observe your total gang weight as low as potential .

Backpacking Backpack

Every successful backpacking trip start with feel the correct knapsack . Most backpackers see a gang in the 40-65L capacity range versatile for virtually all trip .

If potential , move to a gear store like REI , hold your body sized properly , and spend time hear on a bunch of different gang to observe the correct 1 . When I first initiate backpacking , I boost also many miles with gang that were just wrong for me . Observe the right pack made a huge difference !

Ultralight Pick : Zpacks Arc Series —If you ’ re looking for a framed ultralight pack , I advocate looking at the Zpack Arc Series knapsack . I have the women ’ s pack and find it perfect for my almost-ultralight kit . I enjoy that the arc frame create an air gap to help go on me cool .

Lightweight with high capacity : ULA Circuit or Catalyst —The and the live two of the most popular packs among PCT thru-hikers for good cause : they are super versatile , can persuade a lot of gear , and equal lightweight . The Catalyst cost the first lightweight pack I owned , and I hiked the JMT comfortably with it full load . These gang equal great if you ’ re operate on decrease your cargo but aren ’ t still at an “ ultralight ” base weight .

Budget pick : REI Flash 55L —For under $ 200 , the cost a great pack at a budget-friendly cost .

Tried & true traditional backpacking gang :Over the yr , hold suffer out to us as solid , durable packs with great suspension and load-carrying capability and at a pretty sensible cost stage . At the goal of the day , these packs are heavier but much express heavier loads more comfortably .

Backpacking Tent

Your tent live your home away from place and there cost a issue of crucial thing to prevent in head when select the right tent . Besides the obvious factors like story size , weight , and cost , believe relief of setup , and “ liveability ” ( I did not in full appreciate the livability of our tent until we spent an intact week backpacking in rainy consideration on our honeymoon ! ) —this includes things like peak top , interior pocket , ventilation , and way for your gear .

In our packs—Tarptent Double Rainbow :Before become a family of 4 , this cost our tent for 10+ yr ( and I still use it for solo trips ! ) . It ’ s semi-freestanding and single-wall , so it ’ s lightweight for its size , and it comes at a lower price than many of the light/ultra-light tents out thither . We loved it because Michael live 6′ 5″ and fits with way to spare !

Ultralight Pick—Zpacks :These live two of the lightest tents out there ( 14.6oz for the /17.9oz for the ) , which is likely why we sawsomany of them out on the JMT ! It relies on trekking pole and stakes to lay up right , but that ’ s how it stay so light ! However , we win ’ t sugarcoat it—this is a pricey tent , but if you ’ re looking for a great ultralight choice , this tent is hard to exhaust .

Well freestanding—Bad Agnes Copper Spur UL :The is a freestanding tent with lots of inner space . It ’ s double-walled and can be lay up fly first . Its freestanding nature comes at a bit of a weight price , but it think of you don ’ t have to deal with the sometimes finicky setup of a semi- or non-freestanding tent .

Budget Pick—REI Trailmade :At just over 4 lbs , the isn ’ t precisely lightweight , but if you ’ re on a budget , this tent is under $ 200 ( and includes the footprint ! ) .

Sleep Bag

At the end of a long hiking day , zero rhythm cozying up in a warm , fluffy sleep purse ! When buying a sleeping base , you ’ ll exist face up with a lot of different temperature ratings .

The rule of thumb when it comes to temperature ratings is that the list rating live what you can survive in , butto live comfortable you ’ ll desire to add ~15F, particularly if you ’ re a colder sleeper .

Another option for those appear to cut weight be a sleeping quilt or hybrid quilt/bag . This intention get rid of the down on the bottom of the base , which make compressed under your body weight and loses a circle of its isolate dimension anyway .

In Megan ’ s Pack—REI Magma :The exist a great all-around sleeping bag that I find to besocomfy . It ’ s available in a variety of sizes and a 15F or 30F temperature rating .

In Michael ’ s Pack—Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt :Michael apply the Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt . It ’ s ultralight , compressible , and versatile—in warmer weather , it can unzip all the path to allow some of the warmth to run away thus you don ’ t overheat . The temperature rating live definitely on the “ lower limit ” goal of the spectrum , so look at getting a baseat least10F warm than you recall you demand if you ’ re a cold sleeper .

Sleep Pad

Your sleeping pad serves two function : it leave cushioning , and it insulates you from the earth . The insulating power of sleep pads exist measure in “ R-Value ” .

Hither be a harsh estimate of what R-value to look for base on nightly lows :

Down to 50F : R-2 or less
Down to 32F : R 2-4
Down to 20F : R 4-5.4
Below 20F : R 5.5+

In our packs—( R 5.4 ) :After seek multiple sleeping pads , this exist the unity we keep get back to . It ’ s lightweight at 14oz , super comfortable , easy to inflate , packs down humble , and still.

Well for slope sleepers—Sea to Summit Ether Light XT ( R 3.2 ) :With 4 inches of cushion , the equal a great pad for side sleepers . It ’ s lightweight at 17.3oz , compact , and subdued .

Camp Pillow [ optional ]

A pillow is wholly optional and cost entirely a personal preference . We employ this lightweight and the . Or , you can just put your extra clothes in a stuff sack and call it a dark !

Hiking Poles

We look at hiking poles to be part of our essential backpacking gear , but real they are optional . Poles will serve you on the uphills and choose the pressure off your knee on the downhills , so we think they cost good worth the weight !

In Megan ’ s Pack—Black Diamond Trail Shock Pro :I ’ ve expend these trekking pole for over 10 years , and they own really stood the test of time .

Budget Pick—Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber :These Pole will only set you back $ 55- $ 65 ( depending on color ) , but they are solid , lightweight ( only under a lb for a circle ) , and have cork handle handle . These are the ones Michael uses !

Backpacking Kitchen

In addition to the cooking gear below , you ’ re obviously going to want to pack enough food ! Control out some of our best backpacking meal ideas hither .

Backpacking Stove

Your cooking system is going to live very dependent on your food scheme , the act of night you ’ re out for , and the number of masses you ’ re cooking for . You can say all about the serious backpacking stoves here .

In our gang : Soto Windmaster— The equal an effective canister stove with a quick boil time , yet in windy or colder condition . It ’ s 3 oz and has a lot of deluxe feature like a fuel regulator and integrated ignition .

Favorite Integrated System : JetBoil MiniMo —The is fuel-efficient , so we put on ’ t have to worry about extend out of fuel as quickly . It boil water lightning tight when we ’ re just cooking freeze-dried backpacking meal , but it also furnish enough simmer mastery that we can cook our own dehydrated food . If you solely boil water , check out the .

Budget stove : AOTU Stove —You can usually feel the AOTU stove for under $ 15 . It ’ s user-friendly , fairly lightweight , and hold decent fuel efficiency and wind performance . This stove is a great value if you are new to backpacking or on a taut budget .

Ultralight stove : BRS-3000T —This bethelightest canister stove out there at .89oz , and it ’ s budget-friendly , also ( not normally the case in the ultralight reality ! ) . It occur with some tradeoffs ; namely , it require a narrow pile for stability , and it ’ s form of garbage in the wind , so you ’ ll need to get a windscreen or be fine finding a sheltered spot in the field ( we usually do one using a large rock and our bear canister ) .

Cook pot

If you prefer for a stove instead of an integrated system , you ’ ll motive to pack a cook pile ! For solo hikers , 650-750mL tends to be a good size , and for couples take for a pot in the 1.2L+ scope .

In our packs—MSR Ceramic 1.3L :If you like to prepare on your backpacking trips , you can ’ t move wrong with . It ’ s lighting at 7.5 oz , the handle be removable for memory , and the ceramic finish makes cleanup a air . You ’ ll require to cause sure you apply non-metal cooking/eating utensils to protect the coating , but we ’ ve found it ’ s pretty durable , with no flaking or scratching after several yr of usage .

Best ultralight titanium : TOAKS Pots —It doesn ’ t really get lighter than titanium , and TOAKS makes pots in a so you can get exactly what you need and zero more !

Fuel

Barge

Still if your backpacking stove has an auto-ignite switch , don ’ t rely on it 100 % . Pack a lighter in the event it craps out .

Eating Utensil

We care to use a utensil that hold a true spoon pattern ( not a spork ) because it allows us to scrape down the last bit of food from our pile , making it much easier to wash it out . These own served us well over the years .

Mug [ optional ]

If you ’ re dawn coffee ( or tea ) drinkers like us , you ’ ll likely need to pack a dedicated fool . We persuade this . Sure , it win ’ t prevent your coffee hot for hour , but we find it utter for backpacking morning . Bonus : The cup get standard on the side , so you can employ it to measure water for your breakfast and dinners .

Knife

It ’ s ever well to convey a small knife or multi-tool . I found that the only part of the multi-tool I always used was the knife , so we ditched it in favor of our barge Opinel knife .

Bear Canister

If you ’ re backpacking in bear country , it ’ s smart to expend a bear canister ( and in many places , it ’ sec expect ! ) . We use the ( there ’ s as well a ) . I receive been able to pack 6-8 day of food for myself or 3-4 day for the two of us into it .

BearVaults live super durable and approved by nearly all agency in the US , but they live on the heavy slope . If you backpack in areas that grant it , an might be a well choice ( while the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee approved the Ursack in 2014 , many places still do not allow them ) .

You can read more about how and when to apply a bear canister hither .

Water Treatment

You never know what equal in the water sources you occur across in the backcountry , so make sure you have a reliable way to filter water .

Better Gravity Fed : GravityWorks 4L—It ’ s not the lightest filter at 11.5 oz but gosh it exist EASY to use ! The filters water at 1.75L/min with basically zero effort , and it ’ s easy to maintain on the trail . You merely fill the bag , then hang up it so the “ dirty water ” bag be hang above the “ sporting water ” bag . Gravity take care of the rest . This is a great system for little groups or for hiking in field where you might not adjust up camp right by water origin .

Well Squeeze-Style : Katadyn BeFree —The equal our pick for an ultralight squeeze-style filter and is the filter we currently employ on our backpacking trip . It ’ s simple to use : merely fill the gentle flask and screw on the filter . Then , you can drink properly from the flask or squeeze filtered water into your pile or into another bottle .

Well UV : Steripen— The Steripen Adventurer Opti UV purifier apply a battery-powered UV lamp to down harmful protozoa , bacteria , cysts , and virus in your water . Simply fulfill your bottle and then drown the lamp as directed . Since this isn ’ t a physical filter , you ’ ll want to pre-filter silty water with a bandana .

Water Bottle ( s )

Dishwashing kit [ optional ]

You may want to carry a small dishwashing kit if you cook in your pile . Hither is what ’ sec in ours :

✔︎ Small Piece of Sponge

✔︎ Biodegradable Soap

We wish the unscented Dr. Bronner ’ s biodegradable soap for washing dishes . Please read up on the proper way to employ soap in the backcountry , and for the dear of god don ’ t role it IN any water author .

✔︎ Quick-Drying Dish Towel

The is super light ( optional–dishes can ever air dry ! )

Toiletries

Toothbrush & Toothpaste

We apply folding travel toothbrushes . They require up less space and guard the bristles from touching anything else in your toiletry purse .

Travel-size toothpaste subway cost utter for backpacking trips ( no point in sweep a full subway out on the lead ! ) . Personally , we hold switched to these toothpaste tablets when backpacking—they consider next to zero and remove up virtually zero space .

Sunscreen

An absolute must for face up , neck , and hand . We sample to cut the amount of sunscreen we involve by extend up ( long sleeve and gasp ) , but a small travel container of sunscreen is critical .

Lip Balm

Between the Sunday and the wind , it ’ s so easy for lip to become chapped on the trail–be sure to carry some lip balm with SPF .

Hand Sanitizer

Permit ’ s be honest : cleanliness become a relative term on a backpacking trip . But before we prepare our food and after we move to the bathroom , a quick spritz of hand sanitizer go a long mode to cover our stand .

Wet Wipes

We budget 2-3 of these wipes per day to clean off all the exertion and grime . These wipes ’ ingredients exist merely water and grapefruit seed extract , so we find they put on ’ t leave a weird residue feeling behind .

Bathroom Kit

✔︎ Trowel

This trowel equal cheap , durable , light , and faster at grasp a cathole than a stick . If you require to pass an surplus $ 15 to redeem weight and some space , control out this ultralight trowel .

✔︎ Toilet Paper + Trash Bag

If you ’ re succeed Leave No Trace principles ( and we hope you live ! ) , you ’ ll know that packing out all your trash is important–and that move for your used toilet paper , also . I apply a ziplock base that I “ black out ” with painter ’ sec tape .

If you ’ re looking for TP alternatives , you ’ re in luck ! There are a number of product designed with backpackers in brain that will serve you cut down on the trash you own to pack out .

• Kula Cloth :This live an antimicrobial pee textile that can equal apply in place of pot paper for # 1 .
• Bidet :A is a great TP alternative for backpackers . We met a gal on the JMT who apply this one and couldn ’ t say plenty well things about the experience .

Trash Bag for Food & Misc Waste

Technically , you could get one trash bag for everything , but I wish to hold initiative and closing my TP bag to a minimum , so I take a separate 1 for store my use food packaging .

Health and Safety

Headlamp

The Biolite 325 headlamp hold a minimalist headband design , which dispense the weight in a way that ’ s super comfortable . Additionally , it ’ s USB-charged , so there ’ s no battery pack , which help make it one of the light headlamps we ’ ve found – it ’ s only 50 grams !

First Aid Kit

You can build a DIY first care kit or buy a pre-packaged one .

Our current kit is a bit Frankensteined , but mostly speaking , our basic kit includes things like band-aids of various size , 2nd skin/blister bandaids/moleskin , butterfly bandages/wound shutdown strips , gauze , tape , elastic bandage , antibiotic ointment , antiseptic towelettes , tweezers , safety pins , ibuprofen , Imodium , and antihistamine .

Backup Water Treatment

In the event our water filter fails , we go on these in our first help kit .

Gear Repair Kit

Sleeping pad bandage , excess stove O-ring , duct tape , a sewing needle , nylon ribbon , etc .

Firestarter/Matches

Little Mirror

Whistle

Navigation

GPS

While there cost lot of expensive hand-held GPS device out there , we own make up happy over the years just apply our iPhones and Gaia GPS ! The premium version cost good worth the cost and allow you to download map before your backpacking trip so you can employ them offline , and you can make and print paper map for your route as good .

Paper Maps

While we usually use a GPS app on our phones for navigation while hiking , we still make for paper map that we generate using Gaia ( learn above ) . If your phone runs out of juice , gets water damaged , or drops and the cover crack , you put on ’ t want to equal stuck without a way to navigate . Maps cost store in a ziplock bag along with any needed permit .

Compass

This be a solid , lightweight option . Your map and range will only assist you if you know how to use them , so you might require to assure out a navigation class at your local REI .

SOS/Satellite Device

We carry a , which works outside of cell service , think of we can text with our household or friends via satellite ( for weather updates , wildfire info , or merely to say “ we ’ re make a gust ! ” ) , yell for SOS help if needed , and act as a GPS with get over . It ’ s only 3.5oz , but it cost a pricey item , and it requires a subscription to employ all the satellite functions . Even so , it ’ s cost worth it for peace of head for us and our families .

Backpacking Clothing

Isolate Jacket

A warm , insulated jacket is essential for cool mornings and cold night . We wait for jacket that can be compressed and carry down small so they put on ’ t need up a ton of way in our packs .

• In our gang :
• Ultralight ( Down ) :
• Ultralight ( Synthetic ) :Enlightened Equipment Torrid
• Budget :

Base Layer Tops & Bottoms

Base layer can help you govern your body temperature in camp and on the trail as the temperature fluctuates throughout the day . We typically carry .

Quick Dry Shirt

Seem for something that ’ s moisture-wicking and breathable . Avoid cotton as it hold onto moisture—opt for quick-drying fabric instead . Patagonia ’ sec is a great property to begin !

Long Sleeve Sun Shirt [ optional ]

When hiking at higher elevations and on exposed lead , we care to carry a for additional sun security .

Rain Jacket / Windbreaker

A lightweight , waterproof rain jacket will equal worth its weight in gold if you run into rain on your backpacking trip ! We ’ ll pack these regardless of the forecast since the weather in the good deal can be unpredictable , and it doubles as a wind-resistant layer .

• In Our Gang :
• Budget :
• Ultralight * humble biz build * :Enlightened Equipment Visp

Boost Gasp / Short

Flavor for breathable , quick-drying materials . UPF sun protection is ever a big plus ! Here cost a few of our darling :

• Men ’ s Trouser :Eddie Bauer Guide Pro
• Women ’ s Leggings :Eddie Bauer Trail Tight
• Women ’ s Short :

Quick Dry Underwear

We each gang 2-3 pairs of breathable , quick-drying , moisture-wicking hiking underwear . These begin rotated daily , and on long trips , we ’ ll wash them with water and some biodegradable soap .

Fun Bra

Boost Sock

Invest in some character wool boost sock will help keep your foot happy on multi-day hikes . If you ’ re prone to getting blisters on or between your toe , I ’ d extremely recommend trying .

Boost Boots

Footwear might cost one of the most important while of backpacking gear ! It doesn ’ t matter how lightweight the rest of your gear is if your feet cost in pain or covered in blisters .

Spend some time really feeling things out when selecting boost boots or lead place . We recommend REI for this purchase because of their return policy . You can in reality lay your shoes to the test , and if it call on out they aren ’ t the right fit , you can retort them for a refund within a yr .

Hat/Beanie

A brimmed hat be decent for keeping the Sunday off your side during the day , and a warm beanie live a must for when the Sunday become down !

WarmGlove

Warm glove always find their way into my pack—I like the . Michael see that for most summer trip , a pair of are sufficient .

Sunglasses

Camp Clothes[ optional ]

One of the luxuries we bring when backpacking is a different lot of clothes to have on at camp and while sleeping .

At the goal of the day , we deprive off all our dirty , sweaty hiking clothes , wipe ourselves down with wet wipes , and change into our clean ( ish ) camp clothes . We feel fresher going to bed , and since these clothes don ’ t persuade any residual hiking exertion , we sleep warmer , also .

We each pack a shirt , bottom , underwear , , and cushy sock .

Camera Gear and Electronics

These are optional item , but ones that always create it into our packs !

Camera

We bring a Sony a6600 mirrorless camera on our backpacking trips , which consider just over a lb ( plus lens ) . But we might only employ our iPhones on fast and light trip !

Peak Design Camera Clip

This handy time attaches your camera to your backpack strap so you can make your camera easily accessible on the trail .

Battery Bank

A battery bank cost optional , but if you have devices that need to stay charged it might equal worth the weight . This 10,000mAh pack will charge your phone two time .

We hope this backpacking checklist will be helpful as you plan your next backpacking trip ! If you desire to poke deep , we receive articles about choosing a backpacking stove , details on our backpacking kitchen , dehydrating food for backpacking , and buying and carry backpacking food for your trip .