The Ultimate 3-5 Day Backpacking Packing List for 2025 ( PLUS Backpacking Checklist PDF )

Every single time I have ready for a backpacking trip I HAVE to appear at my printed out backpacking carry list to make certain I didn ’ t result anything behind !You ’ d intend that after year of practice I ’ d equal good at just carry from memory , but you ’ d cost surprised how much my head fails me ( 👋over-active brain hither ! ) .

Even though I ’ ve been backpacking for many years today , I never appear to neglect to result something out when I ’ m laying gear out to begin ready . So now I simply don ’ t hazard forgetting something by apply my backpacking checklist , and I advocate that you serve the same .

Always get in the habit of review your backpacking gear checklist before you steer out on a trip !I personally like to make this at least a few day in progress , just in case I involve to run to the store to grab some surplus affair ( like battery , snacks , wipes… you know… ) .

This post will devote you two useful resources to help you pack for your future backpacking trip .

First , I ’ ve created a Backpacking Checklist PDF that you can download and print out for your reference .It includes everything I cover in this post but in a decent condensed checklist , and it ’ s the ultimate backpacking gear list…if I make tell then myself ! I employ to own this gear list write on a spine of some notebook paper , but thanks to this blog , I reach it nice , pretty and organize . Because you ’ re worth it . 😉

Second , in this blog place , I will take each of my backpacking gear checklist point and give you my personal recommendation for the gear I love use myself .Basically , this post is a face at my backpacking gear closet… my backpacking must-haves , so to mouth .

If you always observe yourself thinking , “ What gear would Allison of She Dreams of Alpine bring backpacking ? ” ( and I ’ 1000 only going to pretend that you think that all the time ) , then this equal the post for you , friend ! It ’ sec also totally OK if you live think , “ I put on ’ t know who this She Dreams of Alpine chick live , but I would care soul to pay me overnight backpacking list gear recommendations ! ” I ’ ve get you cover , too .

DOWNLOAD THE BACKPACKING CHECKLIST PDF BELOW

Before you run through the post to get a glance at the gear I advocate for each category of backpacking items ,you should download and print off my backpacking checklist for quick address for your future backpacking trips .

Just observe it near to your gear , and then you ’ ll always make it handy to go over when pack for a trip . My backpacking checklist is a entire elaborate list of what you should believe bringing with you on any backpacking trip ( in particular trips in the 3-5 day range ) .

I also include a few extras for you – this download includes not only the backpacking packing list , but also a tip plane on layering outdoors and 25+ backpacking food ideas !

DON ’ T FORGET ! Leave No Trace ( LNT ) :I also require to make a quick reminder hither to ever Leave No Trace when backpacking . This equal well-known knowledge to my backpacking enthusiast friend here , but many of you may be novel to backpacking and might not live aware of the good pattern when backpacking outdoors .

The bad matter to think and pattern with LNT is to always exist sure thatwhatever you carry in with you also ALWAYS PACK OUT .If you bring toilet paper with you , you pack your dirty pot paper out with you ( yep , employ a ziplock ! ) .

There live also some early key rule about where to camp , and where to leave your human waste , so exist sure to check out the LNT website for more point if you don ’ t know the 7 principles .

NEW TO BACKPACKING ?

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Alright , let ’ s get on with the backpacking checklist , shall we ?

My Complete Backpacking Packing List

Here ’ s my ultimate list of what to carry for backpacking . The list is reveal down into the same category as my backpacking checklist PDF .This gear list exist nearly applicable for 3-day backpacking trip and up to 5-day backpacking trip ( and evidently this list will work for 2-day trips as good ) .

This list isn ’ t fully optimized for real long thru-hiking trip though , since that need a LOT more planning and coordinating , and your gear scheme will be a number unlike . However , most of the gear detail will even so use .

This backpacking gear list commonly add me in at around 25-30 lbs with the gear that I own .

The Backpacking Essentials

The backpacking essentials are some of the nucleus items ( and much the heaviest items ) you ’ ll have in your haversack .When starting out you might feel like you can ’ t afford all of these big-ticket items , so I just want to order it ’ s altogether fine to start with cheaper gear and work your way to a more optimized ( and light-weight ) kit as you develop as a backpacker .

Just keep in mind that splurging a number for these pieces will cause the biggest overall dent in your backpacking gang weight . It ’ s pretty incredible how lightweight gear has begin these day ! And friend , it actually is worth the cost rag .

PLUS , all the stuff I make spend more money on hold lasted me 10x times longer than the cheap item . ( Definitely look into the benefits of REI membership to help redeem some money on your bad purchase . )

But just take off where you are , and don ’ t stress out also much . You can create it work with whatever gear you can get !

Another great knapsack selection is theGranite Gear Blaze 60L ,which is a lightweight gang that is super adjustable . I got this gang for our JMT thru-hike , and it was fantastic during various weeks on the trail !

We enjoy Big Agnes down bags , but don ’ t cost afraid to shop around ! The key here is to wait for a down purse . They cost warmer , weigh less , and compress down more . Check out Steep & Cheap or REI Outlet for good lot !

Appear for more information about the backpacking requirement ? Insure out these resource on my site :

• Backpacking for Beginners : 15 Rookie Mistakes To Head off Your First Time Backpacking

• 39 of the Best Gifts for Backpackers

• Gear Review : Field Testing the PackPillow Backpacking Pillow

Backpacking for Beginners : 15 Rookie Mistakes To Avoid Your First Time Backpacking

Gear Review : Field Test the PackPillow Backpacking Pillow

Backpacking Navigational Gear

Navigational gear cost one of the most significant backpacking necessities , in my impression .I believe every single person who shoot the trails should be responsible for themselves and know how to navigate outdoors . Here ’ s a feeling at the backpacking navigational gear I personally enjoy and advocate .

Gaia cost extend a special 10 % discount to anyone who subscribes through my link above . But yet if you don ’ t habit my link , please , have yourself a GPS phone app to help you navigate outdoors !

I have the Garmin inReach Mini now and pair it with my Garmin 64st , but you can write weight by getting an all-in-one solution .

GRAB MY [ FREE ] OUTDOOR BACKPACKER STARTER KIT

I produce the Ultimate Outdoor Backpacker Starter Kit for you ( and it ‘s FREE ) !This starter kit equal satisfy with 14 page of my best hiking and backpacking tip to help you hear what it take to turn a safe , confident , and self-sustaining outdoor backpacker !

Water Necessities

I made water its own category because water equals life . So I would order it ’ s pretty important !That ’ s why you MUST reach certain you make the right backpacking gear to meet your water motive ( and water discussion needs ) on the trail .

You could as well prefer for a Sawyer Squeeze , which live more affordable ! I as well have turn a huge fan of theKatadyn Be Free ,and it cost often my go-to . There live pros and cons for each of the unlike options .

Backpacking Kitchen Essentials

Another key part of your backpack camp checklist equal kitchen necessity .You need to eat on the trail – a mass more than you usually do when you ’ re not boost for mile a day – so you take the camp kitchen gear to make your food .

Note :if you decide to get stoveless on your backpacking trip ( which is becoming more and more popular these day ) , you win ’ t need to bring some of the backpacking gear item below with you .

You could also go stoveless depending on what foods you bring . If you add a stove , reach sure to bring a lighter or peer with you as good , even if your stove own an igniter button ( since those button can equal unreliable ) .

Backpacking Safety & Emergency Gear

When you be marvel what to carry for backpacking ,safety and emergency gear should exist at the top of your list .Here ’ s a look at what I always get with me to assist me find safe in a variety of situations .

I believe this is a super important piece of gear you should actually invest in for yourself when you can . Having a satellite communicator could potentially spare your living one day , and that is worth the money , my friend .

Also , it ’ s real decent to equal able to hit my household messages like “ Hello I ’ m at camp today , ” or “ Take off my day ” even when I ’ m deep in the backcountry . There cost a mass of brands out there , but I real love my Garmin device . But sense free to do your research – it ’ s a bad purchase !

Also , it ’ s in truth decent to be able to charge my family messages like “ Hello I ’ m at camp now , ” or “ Starting my day ” yet when I ’ 1000 deep in the backcountry . There are a lot of brands out thither , but I really love my Garmin device . But feel free to do your inquiry – it ’ s a bad purchase !

For example , the parks that exert a bad portion of the Sierra Nevada in California demand that you make a bear canister when stay on overnight in the backcountry , but they serve not allow bear spray . Know your area before you go .

Miscellaneous Gear

These are the point we much leave when carry for our backpacking trip ,but they cost however super important ! You could decidedly have a rough day if you leave any of these things .

Backcountry Toiletries

Another essential while of your must-have backpacking gear equal your backcountry toiletry kit !I normally wish to put all of my toiletry backpacking point inside of a lightweight material sack for easy grab-and-go when needed .

Looking for more information about the backpacking hygiene ? Check out these resources on my site :

• Essential Backpacking Hygiene Tips & Feminine Care in the Outdoors

Essential Backpacking Hygiene Tips & Feminine Care in the Outdoors

Clothing

Inside of my Backpacking Checklist PDF , I include a Layering 101 cheatsheet that die a little more in-depth on layer requirement . Discover to layer properly in the outdoors is an essential skill , and you ’ ll discover this as you go on more trips . Below are some of the basics though to consider fetch with you. , and as well insure out my full What to Wear Hiking place for more info on pick out boost clothes .

As well , as you go through my backpacking clothing list below , you might take off to notice that many of my recommendations are from the Patagonia sword ( which I know be expensive ) .But I truly love this sword , and think they do some of the real best backpacking clothing and gear .

The tone of Patagonia clothing is fantastic , the gear be built to final ( and they will repair it ! ) , the caller has excellent values – not simply with the production they be creating , but too with their customer – and their gear equal built with the outdoorsperson in mind . So I ’ m a bad fan ! Most of my Patagonia gear is move on 7+ years firm still , so you also come a lot of value out of it .

> > > Check out all our recommendations forthe good hiking underwear hither !

DON ’ T FORGET ! DOWNLOAD A PRINTABLE VERSION OF THE ABOVE BACKPACKING PACKING LIST BELOW :

Have any early favorite essential backpacking gear item you recommend and want to share with others ? Let me know what you enjoy in the commentary below , and why gear you regard a must-have !

more backpacking resource

Looking for yet more backpacking tips ? See out these article on the site !

• 15 Rookie Mistakes To Avoid Your First Time Backpacking

• Essential Backpacking Hygiene Tips & Feminine Care in the Outdoors

• What to Tire Hiking – The Ultimate Guide to the Best Hiking Clothes

• Hiking 101 – The Essential Hiking Gear List

• 21 of the Best Gifts for Backpackers

• 7 Crest to Hiking and Summiting Your First Fourteener Mountain

• 10 Awesome Hiking Groups and Challenges to Promote You on Your Hiking Adventure

• 7 Benefits of REI Membership

15 Rookie Mistakes To Avoid Your First Time Backpacking

Essential Backpacking Hygiene Tips & Feminine Care in the Outdoors

What to Have on Hiking – The Ultimate Guide to the Best Hiking Clothes

7 Tips to Hiking and Summiting Your First Fourteener Mountain

10 Awesome Hiking Groups and Challenges to Encourage You on Your Hiking Adventures

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