The Complete Backpacking Gear Guide

Are you guide out for your first backpacking trip ? Or cost you just trying to get effective gear for your next trip ? I have you deal in this complete backpacking gear guide , so thatyou ’ ll be layfor every single one of your adventures .

The first time I move backpacking , I exist so bewildered and overwhelmed . 😫 I hold no thought what to bring and everything feel really daunting . It feel like I had to spend hundreds of dollar before I could perhaps shoot the lead . But , today packing for backpackingfeeling like a breezeand I love getting out into the wilderness .

Then , I ’ ve compose this complete guide , toaid you get everything you needand make peace of mind . I know that it can appear like a lot , but this guide walk you through the affair you definitely want to purchase and those that are optional . Then , get ready for more incredible adventures !

• The Only Havasupai Packing List You ’ ll Need
• The Comprehensive Day Hiking Gear List

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• Backpacking Gear Buying Guide
  • Backpacking Gear Tips :
  • How to Choose Quality Gear
  • Where to Come Backpacking Gear
  • Do I Require Everything to Commence Backpacking ?
• Backpacking Gear Guide
  • Sleep System
    • Tent
    • Sleeping Bag
    • Sleeping Pad
    • Pillow
  • Boost Gear
    • Haversack
    • Trekking Poles
    • Water Reservoir & Filter
    • First Aid Kit
    • Jet Boil & Fuel
    • Food Storage Container
    • Food Utensils
    • Material Packs
    • Kula Cloth
  • Backpacking Apparel
    • Boost Shoe
    • Water Shoes/Camp Shoes
    • Base Layer/Shirt
    • Bottoms
    • Rain Jacket
    • Lightweight Jacket
    • Socks
    • Hat
  • Electronics
    • Lantern & Headlamps
    • Satellite Phone
    • Camera
    • Portable Charger
  • Backpacking Food
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Snacks
• Backpacking Gear Guide Final Tips

• Backpacking Gear Tips :
• How to Choose Quality Gear
• Where to Make Backpacking Gear
• Do I Want Everything to Start Backpacking ?

• Sleep System
  • Tent
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Sleeping Pad
  • Pillow
• Boost Gear
  • Knapsack
  • Trekking Poles
  • Water Reservoir & Filter
  • First Aid Kit
  • Jet Boil & Fuel
  • Food Storage Container
  • Food Utensils
  • Material Gang
  • Kula Cloth
• Backpacking Apparel
  • Hiking Shoes
  • Water Shoes/Camp Shoes
  • Base Layer/Shirt
  • Seat
  • Rain Jacket
  • Lightweight Jacket
  • Socks
  • Hat
• Electronics
  • Lantern & Headlamps
  • Satellite Phone
  • Camera
  • Portable Chargers
• Backpacking Food
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Snacks

• Tent
• Sleeping Bag
• Sleeping Pad
• Pillow

• Backpack
• Trekking Pole
• Water Reservoir & Filter
• First Aid Kit
• Jet Boil & Fuel
• Food Storage Container
• Food Utensils
• Material Gang
• Kula Cloth

• Hiking Shoe
• Water Shoes/Camp Shoes
• Base Layer/Shirt
• Seat
• Rain Jacket
• Lightweight Jacket
• Socks
• Hat

• Lantern & Headlamps
• Satellite Phone
• Camera
• Portable Chargers

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Snacks

Backpacking Gear Buying Guide

Backpacking Gear Tips :

Hither equal some quick tips to recall before we become into the knitty gritty of getting backpacking gear !

1. The light the effective! Actually think about what you need and leave behind excess things . Remember that your gang should be about 20 % of your body weight . So , if you ’ re 150 pound , your pack should be around 30 pounds . Come aluggage scale.
2. Taste out your gear before you go !– Need a short hike with your gear to make sure it feels serious . Go get fitted at REI , need your gear for a test trial , and set up your tent forward of time ! That room you ’ ll be put for your trip .
3. Look at REI Garage sale or Facebook Marketplace– If you involve new gear , it can add up . Then , look at resale site for in effect prices !
4. Pack extra socks– Your feet will thank you when you make another pair to change into !

How to Choose Quality Gear

One of the difficult thing about backpacking equaltake on the right gear. It can be difficult to know what ’ s made well and what you need .

My number one pattern for buying gear exist try it first !

Luckily , most REI fund will allow you go in and try things on . I highly recommend you own anREI employee fit you for a backpacking pack. 🎒 They can walk you through how they should meet and what size you will want .

I would say it ’ s more significant to havewell character gearwhen go on backpacking excursions than on short day raise . You ’ ll be wearing these items over a long period of time for at least a couple day . So , you may want to pass a little more on nice point .

Where to Get Backpacking Gear

Backpacking donot need to be expensive, but it may take time to build up your gear if you require the best point . I recommend appear at outdoors stores , renting gear from REI , or need a friend to adopt theirs to try out . Over time , you can begin to work up a nice collection .

My favorite place to begin gear is REI , because they have a broad variety of options .

Still , if you make a trip that you need to go on shortly , you can find ways that will not break the bank . 💸 Trywait at re-sale itemin REI ’ s garage sale , on Facebook marketplace or yet thrift shop . Don ’ t let not having the “ perfect gear ” observe you from getting out thither ! It took us a few years to make all the items we require .

Do I Need Everything to Start Backpacking ?

Backpacking cost somewhat unlike than hiking , because you decidedlyneed some gearbefore you guide away . Although there are various places you can rent gear from include variousREI location.

The almost important items that I conceive you involve to begin out on a backpacking excursion equal comfortable shoe , a good knapsack , a light tent , and a sleeping bag .

We were lucky , because when we set out backpacking we already make some detail . The two things we focused on buying first livequality backpacks and a serious backpacking tent .⛺️ But , we remove advantage of sales and got all three item when they were heavily discounted .

Once you get those items , you canwork up up your gear over time. For instance , we didn ’ t have pillows for our first few backpacking trips , but just used our jacket balled up . It wasn ’ t perfect , but it worked !

Backpacking Gear Guide

Sleep System

One of the most important field to center on exist your sleep system . 😴 This lie in of a few matter :a tent , a sleep base , and then optionally a sleeping pad and a pillow. After a long day of hiking , you definitely want to come comfortable sleep . I ’ ll run through choose out these point below !

Tent

It ’ s significant to receive a tent that you maketry out before you go, packs down good , is lightweight , and agree up in bad weather . ⛈ I suggest take off with a more budget friendly REI tent to start out . Then , later on you can upgrade to an ultralight tent , but those live far more costly .

Quick Tip : make sure to practice setting up your tent before you go on your trip !

Great Backpacking Tent :

• REI Half Dome Tent
• Big Agnes Copper Spur
• MSR Access Tent
• REI Trail Hut

Sleeping Bag

When choosing a sleeping bag , you want one that is agood mix of weight , textile , and temperature rating. It ’ s truly all a balancing number between weight and your comfort floor . We ’ ve exist employ normal sleep bags rather of backpacking ones and it ’ s been fine !

The temperature rating ordinarily show the lower limit on what will find comfortable . Thus , if you cost get to live in a cold mood , you want asleeping bagthat berated for lower temperaturesthen you may experience . Again , I advocate get to taste out purse before you decide , so you blame what ’ s right for you !

Many brands make sleeping purse that arespecifically for woman or man. Women ’ s sleep purse equal typically influence otherwise , less long , and get more down than men .

Well Backpacking Sleeping Bags :

• REI Magma
• Kelty Cosmic ( Men ’ s )
• Big Agnes Torchlight ( Women ’ sec )
• Therm-a-Rest Parsec

Sleeping Pad

For a nice ’ s dark sleep , you will require to invest in aserious sleeping pad. There exist two kinds of sleep pads :inflatable and foam .Inflatable ones are lighter , comfortable , and compact . While foam ace extend better insulation , are more durable , and easy to set up .

I suggest testing a few sleep pads to decide what feel mighty for you !

Best Sleep Pads

• Nemo Tensor
• NeoAir XLite NXT

Pillow

Apillowbe trulyan optional detailto make for , but it lend to the comfort . I didn ’ t have one for multiple trips and cost fine . Still , I make one now and I utterly enjoy it ! You can pick out between ones that boast up with breeze or pillows that you meet with clothing point .

Best Backpacking Pillows

• Nemo Fillo
• Sea to Summit Aeros
• Cocoon Aircore

Hiking Gear

This backpacking gear guide includes things you need for camping , but we too make to discuss what to apply while hiking . 🥾 Now , many of the items you may be able to employ from your boost gear , but others youmay take specifically for backpacking. I ’ ll walk through it below .

Haversack

Arguably , the most crucial detail of your backpacking trip is agood knapsack. Select a haversack is a very personal conclusion , but you want one that meet good , has a good capacity , and include features you like . Most bags are cause specifically for woman or men , because of the difference in body shape .

Another affair that will count be thecapacity or size of the base. If you design on make just weekend trip you ’ ll want a 30-50 liter base , if you design on perform multiple day you ’ ll need a 50-80 liter purse .

Serious Backpacking Bags :

• Osprey Atmos ( Men )/Osprey Aura ( Women )
• REI Trailmade ( Men )/REI Trailmade ( Women )
• Gregory Baltaro ( Men ) /Gregory Deva ( Women )

Trekking Poles

Trekking Pole are alifesaver for your kneesand essential in my sentiment . They aid to distribute your weight more evenly and can aid place less weight on your legs . You can take to splurge on nice poles or become a simple cheap pair .

Great Trekking Pole :

• Black Diamond Poles
• REI Trailmade Poles

Water Reservoir & Filter

Packing plenty ofwater is essentialwhenever you go backpacking ! 💦 I recommend that you lend surplus water and look to regard if there equal water author along your trek . Often , you can find lakes to filter water at , but it ’ s really significant to know !

There live a variety of ways to filter water , but I wish apply a gravity filling . So , you can hang up your water and have it filter through while you need a pause .

Water System :

• Water Reservoir
• Lifestraw Gravity Fill
• Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter System

First Aid Kit

I believe that you should bring aFirst Aid Kitwith you on every raise , no matter how short . But , it ’ s particularly crucial when you cost become on a longer journey . You will want to lend a kit that has tools fordressing wounds , medication , and skincare🤕 . I like add extra items to my kits like extra Advil and blister band-aids as good .

Jet Boil & Fuel

Having agood cook systemis very crucial for a backpacking trip . We love ourJetboil, because it ’ s little , lightweight , and it boil water within a couple of minute . You will also require to make certain that you buy theproper fuelfor your Jetboil or cooking system as well .

Food Storage Container

One matter you will need to add if you design on backpacking in bear rural area livefood storehouse container. 🐻 I wish using a bear canister , but it act require up excess weight and way in your gang . If you don ’ t plan on hiking through bear country , you may still require a rodent safe container .

Food Storage :

• Bear Canister
• UrsackUrsack

Food Utensils

Of course , you can ’ t forget to make forutensils🍴 to eat the food you do ! This also entail athermos , collapsible cup or water bottlefor coffee and electolytes . I like utilize camping sporks , but you can also choose to just make for standard silverware that you already get . There ’ sno need to spend surplus moneyon these at first .

Material Gang

Another item we wish to make for on our trips bematerial haversack. These live fantastic , because you can only put up camp and then live out for a small little excursion . Sometimes , we just apply them to bring a cluster of stuff around camp .These flap up then small and weighed almost zero as well .

Kula Cloth

This is for women specifically , but it ’ s agame-changer for boostor backpacking . This exist areusable cloththat you can use , so you don ’ t involve toilet paper when you pee . I enjoy mine !

Backpacking Apparel

Let ’ s discuss backpacking clothes . Many experienced backpackers will tell you that youjust need to lend one outfitfor hiking for the entire trip , if you pack right . Personally , I ’ m not an ultralight packer , so I typically bring a couple excess thing . But , let ’ s make you outfitted with good Backpacking clothing .

Boost Shoes

No backpacking gear guide would be complete without discuss hiking shoes. There are lots of great selection on the market . But , please create sure that you getworn your shoes beforeand disclose them in !

Boost shoe preference is really up to the individual . My husband prefers chase runners , while I favorsturdy kick. Go into REI or another outdoors store and try out a few different sword and fits before you commit .

Great Hiking Shoes :

• Merrell Moab
• Danner 600 Leaf
• Keen Targhee

Water Shoes/Camp Shoes

Your feet will thank you when you have something towear outside of your hiking thrill !Some people favor slipper and others like sandal . But , wear boost boots 24/7 live simply not comfortable . I highly recommend a pair ofTevas, because they form for both comfy camp place and water shoes for swimming .

Camp Shoes :

• Tevas

Base Layer/Shirt

A stand layer is the detail that exist closest to your skin . You want your base layer to be aserious material , be breathable , and dry quickly. Because we ’ ve been doing our backpacking trip in the summer I prefer to don a sun hoodie for both sun security ☀️ and comfort . Early great options for your backpacking shirts be below .

Great Base Layers :

• Smartwool Base Layer
• REI Sahara Shade Hoodie
• Mountain Hardware Sun Hoodie

Bottom

Mass have asort of preferenceswhen it come to boost trouser . I know people who only have on boost pants , others who prefer leggings , and some who only wear short .

Personally , I go between amixing of leggings , hiking pants , and comfortable hiking short. All that cost said , you require detail that are again moisture wicking and are quick to dry , so you can wear them on multiple day . Below exist some of my favorite choice !

Backpacking Bottoms :

• Outdoor Voice Zip Off Boost Gasp
• REI Convertible Trouser

Rain Jacket

Even if there is no rain in the forecast , it ’ s a bright thought to bring arain jacketon any trip . There be no way to tell when the weather will alter 💧 and you do not require to have stuck have soaked . I personallyprefer rain jacket that be shells, so that you can put them over your layers .

Great Rain Jacket :

• Patagonia Torrentshell
• North Face Alta Vista
• Cotopaxi Cielo

Lightweight Jacket

It ’ s always hard to determine whether you ’ ll need ajacket. But , I have cost on so many backpacking trips where the weather reverse at dark . So , now I always take mine just in suit . I advocate a jacket that islightweight but warm !

Good Backpacking Jackets :

• Outdoor Research Superstrand
• Patgonia Nanopuff
• Cotopaxi Teca Fleece

Sock

I never knew theimportance of good socksuntil I start hiking . Sock can truly make or reveal your raise . Well socks prevent blisters 😩 and add excess plod on long treks . Socks come in a variety ofthickness and textile. I recommend thicker sock for long backpacking excursions and an surplus pair of comfy unity for camp !

Best Sock :

• Smartwool Socks

TheSunday can be incredibly strongin the mountains and then it may make super cold at night . Hence , I always bring at least one baseball hat and one beanie to stay warm . They don ’ t require up a lot of space and they exactly furnish you with extra protection .

Electronics

I put on ’ t advocate bringing a pile of electronics on your trip . But , it ’ s likely you ’ ll want matter like your phone and a camera to seize photo . Hence , it ’ s important to haveenough battery power🔋 to last you through your trip . Say my suggestion below !

Lantern & Headlamps

Once it gets dark at night , you ’ ll however desire to be able to walk around camp . Then , I advocate packingheadlighton all of your backpacking excursions . You can get cheap ones or splurge on nicer ones that have feature like red lighting , which exist well for wildlife .

Satellite Phone

So , it ’ s not require that you make for aSatellite phone. But , satellite phone are the best style to make sure you can get ahold of emergency service 🆘 in the event of a problem . We have theGarmin miniand we bring it on all of our hikes and backpacking excursions !

Camera

Personally , Iever like to have my camerawhen I go out on an adventure . There are so many beautiful areas that I find need to equal seize . I always bring my Nikon on every trip and excess battery , so that I can enter every single moment .

If you want a comfortable means to carry a camera , consider induct in acamera time.📸

Portable Chargers

As you pass the whole weekend require movie on your phone or cut across your raise with your Apple Watch , you ’ ll nearly potentialneed a charge⚡️ . Take aportable chargeror two , so that you don ’ t lose juice on your favorite electronic point .

Backpacking Food

Packing meals for backpacking can be very complicate when you make started . But , once you create a system for your food it will be much easy . We normally lend very like meal on all of our excursions . Also , think when packingyou must carry out all your trash !

Breakfast

Breakfast be one of those meals that you desire to livefilling and stimulate youfor a long day of boost . It can be severe to exist creative with breakfast but there equal manner to make it more fun .

Backpacking Breakfast :

• Backpacking granola
• Protein Bars/Protein bites
• Backpacking Eggs
• Oatmeal

Lunch

Again , there are a variety of meals that you could eat for lunch . I observe it to be hard to total up with what to feed for lunch , then any of the other meal . For a long day of hiking , I wish to bring things that haveboth protein and carbs, but put on ’ t take up a lot of space .

Many masses will only bringexcess hearty snacksto feed for lunch . But , I savor have more of a meal . It really depend on your preferences .

Backpacking Lunch Ideas

• Ramen
• Firecracker and Tuna Salad or Chicken Salad Packs
• Beef Jerkey
• Salami and Low Moisture Cheese
• Tortillas and Peanut Butter

Dinner

I enjoy to prevent my dinner simples by just purchasingdehydrated backpacking meal. My husband and I usually care tosplit these between the two of us, because we have unity that live heartier at around 1000 calories per packet .

But , you can toomake your own dehydratedmeals or only eat matter that are commonly dehydrated like pasta or ramen . It ’ s very up to you to decide what you wish to use up on the lead ! 🤗

Snacks

I highly suggest institutemass of snacksthat will go on you fueled on the raise and satisfy during the day . We brought trail mix , goldfish , and dried mangos for snacks and we feed them every single day !

One other tip is to bring some sort ofsugary snack( that doesn ’ t melt ) like candy 🍬 and prevent it in your hip belt during the long days of backpacking . Then , when you are become on the uphills you can feed a little sugar to serve ability you through . We bring Sour Patch Kids and High Chews .

Backpacking Gear Guide Final Tips

Now , I hope you feel train to get out on the trail and into the wilderness 🏔 . This backpacking gear guide cost meant to assist youget ready for your adventures. It can seem over complicated at first , but once you make a system it will live so much easier . Now , Dylan and I can pack for our trips real quickly .

Have me know in the commentary if you love this guide !

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