Backpacking 101: The Ultimate Packing Guide
What Pack Should I Buy for Backpacking?
Packs come in a variety of sizes, depending on how much space you need (typically how long your trip is). Some packs have a top compartment that can come off for shorter trips. Packs are measured in liters. I have the Osprey Aura AG 65L bag and its great for any length of backpacking trip, as I can take the top compartment off if I am only going for 1-2 nights. You can find the Osprey Aura here.
Read Next: How to Choose a Pack
* As an Amazon Associate I earn a small percentage from qualifying purchases, which helps support this blog.
What Should I Pack for Backpacking?
Tent: I previously had a car camping tent, but it was too heavy and bulky for backpacking. We spent days researching tents before deciding on the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3. It is a three person tent, so it it a bit heavier, bulkier, and more expensive than the two person, but for us, it is worth it. We like the extra room for our gear if it is raining outside (which has happened on several trips). It is an expensive tent, but we wanted something that would last us for years. You can also use your hiking poles to make awnings out of the vestibule doors during the day time, to have extra space when it is raining or if you want protection from the sun.
Footprint: Big Agnes has a footprint made for each of their tents, which you lay under the tent before setting it up, to protect the floor from the ground. This was sold out when I purchased my tent, so I bought a cheap generic tarp instead, that was a similar size, which you can find here. It is not the exact size, but it has worked well for all of our trips so far. It is also less than 1/4th of the price of the Big Agnes one.
Sleeping Pad: I have purchased several pads over the years, as I have continued to upgrade for cooler weather hikes. My current sleeping pad is the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm.
Sleeping Bag: I am currently using the Nemo Forte 20, which is a synthetic lightweight sleeping bag, that is perfect for side sleepers and three season camping.
Cooking Supplies
Cooking Stove: The stove I currently use was super cheap and generic and is no longer being sold. However, it still works and I like it. If I were to replace it I would either buy something simple like the MSR Pocket Rocket or splurge and get the Jetboil Cooking System.
Pot, bowls, cups, and utensils: I have the GSI Outdoors Cookset, which is lightweight, compact, and perfect for two people.
Fuel: The amount I bring really depends on how many days I am backpacking. For shorter trips (1-3 nights), I only bring one canister, but for longer trips, I bring a backup as I use it for meals and also tea or coffee.
Waterproof Matches: My stove is self igniting, but I bring these as a backup or for a campfire. There have been very few places I have backpacked where we have been allowed to have a fire.
Read More: Cooking in the Backcountry
Food & Drink
Dehydrated Meals: I like to purchase meals that have two servings, so we can split the meal in the evening and save room in our packs. My favorite are Backpacker’s Pantry and Patagonia Provisions.
Snacks: Nuts, dried fruit, crunchy chickpeas, Cliff Bars, GoMacro bars
Beverages: Coffee (this brand is my favorite, but expensive), tea
Water Reservoirs and Purification
Water Bladder: I use a Camelbak bladder, mainly because I already had one from my Camelbak day pack, but it has lasted a long time. I recommend purchasing a 3 liter, rather than a 2 liter, if your pack allows for the larger size. I actually like the design of the Osprey one better, which you can find here, and I plan to replace mine soon.
Bottles: For backpacking trips where water is scarce, I carry 1-2 Nalgene bottles on the outside of my pack.
Water Filtration: I recently purchased a Platypus GravityWorks 2 Liter Water Filter Kit, to filter water while backpacking. It uses the gravity method, rather than the pumping method. It also comes in a 4 liter version. I have never used the pump systems, but I have talked to people who do, and they reported it was a lot more work. I really liked the Platypus, as I collect my water from the stream, hang the dirty bag up from a nearby branch (or I hold it), and then it filters into the clean bag.
Water Purification: As a backup, I always carry iodine tablets to purify the water. They do not take up much room in your pack, but the taste is awful. I only used these when I backpacked in Canada, due to being so affordable and taking up no room in my pack, but after tasting the water, they are no for emergency only. They also take a while to take effect, and you cannot drink the water immediately.
Clothing and Storage
Camp Sandals: These are not 100% necessary, but I have never backpacked without them. I currently strap them to the outside of my pack and they are almost necessary for river crossings and great for wearing at camp in the evening. I crossed a river once in my hiking boots, thinking I could make it without getting the water over the Gore-Tex, but I was wrong, and my boots were soaked for the entire trip. I really like the Teva ones here, as they come in a variety of patterns and colors.
Compression Bags: I use a couple compression bags for my clothing in order to keep them organized and compact as possible. You can find similar ones here.
Thermals: I almost always back thermals, as it is typically cold in the evenings where I backpack. I really like the REI brand.
Sun Glasses: I really like the goodr brand of glasses, as they nonslip, which is perfect for any physical activity.
Microfiber towel: I have used mine on almost every trip and it especially is nice if it is raining.
Toiletries
Toiletry Bag: If you want something extremely light weight for all of your toiletries, I really like the Eagle Creek Organizer, here.
Toilet Paper: The least exciting item that you have to purchase, but necessary. The brand that you can find out an outdoor outfitter is linked here. It is biodegradable and coreless, so it packs light.
Trowel: Another item that I did not want to purchase, as I did not want to think about having to use it. Some places I have backpacked, such as the WCT or Trans Catalina Trail, actually have outhouses and I did not have to use a trowel. You can purchase a cheap plastic one here. I have this aluminum one, to save on weight.
Deodorant: I really like the trial size deodorants made by Native for backpacking, found here.
Wipes: Most likely you will not be showering during your backpacking excursion, so wipes are very important. I really like the Sea to Summit wipes, which you can find at REI.
Toothbrush and Toothpaste: You can purchase small backpacking toothbrushes and travel toothpastes pretty much anywhere. But in most places you cannot just spit out your toothpaste (it will attract animals). A lot of backpackers recommend baking soda. I typically just spit in a bag and pack it out. It is gross, but a lot of things are gross while backpacking.
Sunscreen: Again, I try to always purchase eco-friendly items, especially when backpacking. I use a mineral based sunscreen that is compact for traveling. I currently have Sun Bum’s stick, here.
Bug Spray: I never remember to bring bug spray. Actually, I have NEVER remembered to bring it. You can easily make your own natural bug spray with eucalyptus oil but I just bought a natural one because I’m lazy. These can be found anywhere in a variety of brands.
First Aid Kit: I typically just pack a few bandages and pain reliever. I typically get blisters when I do longer trips and this blister kit is very popular and has great reviews. I plan on adding these to my kit for my next trip.
Other Necessities
Maps, Charts, Etc: I always carry a map (and somehow still manage to get lost). If you are hiking coastal trails, you may need to bring a current tide chart, in order to ensure you are avoiding high tide when hiking near the water.
Compass: There is a lot more to reading a compass than I ever imagined. Either do your own research or look into a course. REI offers them occasionally.
Watch/Phone: I like to bring a watch that I do not have to charge with an alarm, in order to keep track of sunset/sunrise. A necessity if you are tracking low and high tide.
Optional
Hiking Poles: We both use Black Diamond ZZ Poles, made from aluminum. They are very lightweight and compact quickly. I actually don’t use them quite often as I find hiking poles irritating and cumbersome for the majority of my hikes, but they are nice when I am doing steep ascents or descents.
Camping chair: Definitely not a necessity, but the weight is worth it to me for most hikes (I would never bring it on an extended thru-hike). After hours of research, we both ended up with the Big Agnes Skyline chair, and love it. It is so worth it to us to have the extra pound, when we can sit in a comfortable chair in the evening at camp. A lighter option would be purchasing an inflatable cushion to save on room and weight.
Tent lights: We don’t always use these, but if we have a long dark evening, they make the tent feel cozier. We have the Big Agnes mtnGLO ones, here.
Extra Batteries: We always carry extras for our headlamps and our tent lights.
Book, Cards, Journal, Etc.
Camera/Video Equipment: This is where a lot of the weight in my pack comes from. I always carry my camera body and one lens with me, as well as a way to attach it to my pack when I am hiking.
Gaiters/Crampons: Gaiters are to keep the snow or mud from getting all over your pants/legs and into your hiking boots. Crampons attach to mountaineering boots for snow/ice hiking.
Battery Charger (power bank or solar charger): I just started to carry a solar lantern/phone charger with me, and I love this one from LuminAid.