What do you need for a backpacking trip? This checklist of backpacking essentials will help you remember every important item. The essential gear items that you bring on any backpacking trip will almost always be the same. Beginner backpackers and seasoned vets will agree that your exact backpacking essentials kit will change over time, and most of us are still refining our gear list each time we go. Yet our essentials seem to always make the list despite our unique needs and climates.
No matter your experience level, using a list can help you remember all the vital equipment. Along with the packing list we provided, we’ll break down how to choose appropriate gear for your overnight camping adventure.
Backpacking Essentials: Camping Gear
Backpack
You should be able to get by with a backpack that contains 30 to 50 L for an overnight journey. A heavier pack (50–70 L) is required if you're going on a three–day or longer hiking excursion.
The bulkiness of your stuff determines the backpack size, apart from the duration of your journey. Keep in mind that your bag will be heavier for a winter vacation than it would be for a typical summer excursion due to the extra garments.
Plan to have something to protect your pack even if there isn't any rain in the forecast. You may carry a big garbage bag or just a basic rain cover.
Sleeping Setup
Making a decision on your preferred sleeping arrangement—a hammock, tarp, bivy bag, or trekking tent—should be your first priority. Each of these sleeping shelters is a highly personal option with advantages and disadvantages.
If you're just setting up your tent for the season, use our waterproofing, patching, and spring cleaning advice to make sure it's in great condition before you go.
The kind of sleeping bag you need is determined by the weather and environment. Establish the ideal bag temperature and comfort level to ensure that you're well-prepared for the next evening. Look for a bag that is rated at least 10 degrees below the low that is predicted.
Therefore, bring a bag that is 20 degrees or colder if you anticipate a low of 30 degrees throughout the evening. For traveling, mummy bags are advised since they are more easily packed and provide increased warmth.
The second thing you should think about is if your bag is made of synthetic or down insulation. Both have advantages and disadvantages, but the primary distinction is that down is often more expensive but lighter and easier to pack down tiny. Although synthetics are thicker, they dry significantly quicker and still provide insulation when wet.
Since most experienced hikers don't have too much trouble keeping their bags dry, down bags are a great option due to their low weight, compressibility, and long lifespan.
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Headlamp
Observe that a headlamp, not a flashlight, is what we advise. It's definitely useful if all you have right now is a flashlight. Additionally, several seasoned campers like the strength and adaptability of a little flashlight.
But for most people, using a light on a hiking trip makes things considerably simpler. If you have to set up or cook in the dark, it frees up your hands. It also makes trekking considerably safer in the early morning or late at night.
If you are going to be gone for a single night, be sure to pack new batteries. Although changing the batteries just before you leave is an option, you should make it a practice to always have an extra pair.
When looking for a new headlamp, it's important to carefully consider the product details regarding battery life. Although having more lumens is helpful, most hiking tasks only need a small amount of light since you're working near your body or moving slowly. However, extended battery life is quite useful for multi-day trips.
For a more adaptable headlamp, choose one that runs on a rechargeable battery as opposed to disposable ones. However, bear in mind that for longer travels, you'll probably need to carry a battery pack for field recharging.
Camp Kitchen
Stove and Fuel
There are methods around bringing a stove on overnight journeys. Nevertheless, enjoying a warm meal and a steaming cup of coffee is part of the pleasure of a clear morning outside. These may be cooked over coals over an open flame, although many places have fire bans.
Cooking is fast and simple after a strenuous trekking day when you have a camp stove and fuel. A wide variety of camp stoves are available, ranging from the tried-and-true MSR Pocket Rocket to cooking systems like the Jetboil Mini Mo and multifuel liquid stoves that perform well even in very low temperatures. Then there are the more basic stoves, such as alcohol stoves for a portable heat source or biofuel stoves that burn biomass.
Cooking Gear
You'll also need a cooking pot, cup, and utensils in addition to your burner. Think about utilizing a small cookset that folds up to make things simple. These often include a single cooking pot with a cover, a single utensil, and a cup that nestles back into the pot's dimensions.
Two great examples of this kind of arrangement are the Stanley Camp Cookset and the Sea to Summit X-Set 21 Cookset.
For silverware, a spork is usually the best choice. Read product reviews and try to do some research on the materials. While there are many of plastic spork alternatives, titanium or metal utensils will last you a lot longer.
While minimalism on the trail may need some practice, it will reduce your pack weight without sacrificing basic comforts that are essential.
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Dishwashing
With minimal cookware, dishwashing becomes a breeze. We recommend bringing some biodegradable soap along and a packable microfiber cloth to dry the dishes. Still, with only a few dishes, you should be able to get by without the use of a dishwashing tub.
If you prefer a dishwashing tub, some innovative and packable designs make doing the dishes easy.
Water
For an overnight trip, it may be possible to pack a bladder of water to last for the length of the trip. However, you don’t want that to be your only available option. Having at least one water bottle ready to drink from at all times is advised, and having a water filtering system on hand will give you the security and flexibility you need to have a safe and enjoyable trek.
If you bring a water bladder along with your water bottle, bring at least a 2L bladder, although a 4L bladder is ideal. MSR makes very durable dromedary bags for backpacking.
Looking for a water filter? Check out our list of the best water filters here.
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Food
Note: You should pack enough food for your trip and it shouldn't make you gag!There are many of delicious food alternatives when hiking. Some come already packed; all you need to do is heat up some water.
Planning meals for an overnight vacation is simple. Remember to plan for things other than mealtimes. Pack a lot of food so you have energy for the trek. Fruit like oranges and apples, trail mix, and power bars are all excellent choices.
Since most of our food is packaged—especially when traveling by backpack—make careful to abide by the Leave No Trace principles. Pack it out after you've packed it in!
The location of your journey may need you to keep your food out of the reach of bears. Make sure you do your homework and, if needed, pack a bear canister or bear bag.
Apparel and Footwear
Three important things to remember about backpacking clothing and shoes are as follows:
- Your clothes should be moisture-wicking materials. Avoid cotton, as it absorbs moisture easily.
- Pack and wear layers of clothing. You can pack clothing according to weather forecasts, but layering is the best way to prepare.
- Make sure your shoes are broken in before your hike. No one likes blisters. Ouch!
Clothing
You don't have to change your shirt and jeans every day while camping. Living the backpacking lifestyle often entails a certain amount of dirtiness and sometimes even odor.
You should thus prepare to wear what you wore on the first day if you're only going on a short overnight vacation. But remember to include an extra pair of socks and underpants. There's no need to worry about space since you won't have much other clothes packed and it's wonderful to have a new pair.
The climate and current weather conditions will determine what you should pack. It's preferable to be cautious and bring at least a light waterproof jacket, even if there are no rainy days in the forecast.
Because the temperature changes over the day, wearing layers of clothes also improves comfort. Therefore, changing a single layer is much simpler than changing a whole wardrobe.
Jackets should be a part of your wardrobe and layering strategy. The kind and quantity of jackets you pack will vary based on the temperature and meteorological conditions.
Shoes
Hiking boots or trail shoes should be a priority when planning a backpacking trip. They protect you from rocks and carry you over varying terrain. You need to trust that they will support you the whole way.
Personal Hygiene
There are only a few backpacking essentials on the personal hygiene list, so they’re easy to keep in one place. These should include basics like a toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, and any prescription medications.
Emergency Kit and Personal Items
Emergency or survival kit items are the most frequently forgotten items for most backpackers. They’re easy to forget because they won’t necessarily be used each day. Even though you won’t use one often, they play an important role in your backcountry safety. So take emergency gear seriously and add it to your backpacking essentials list.
A simple emergency backpacking kit should include a first-aid kit, whistle, firestarter, waterproof matches, emergency shelter, and a multitool.
