A lot of prep work goes into a backpacking trip, and learning how to effectively pack comes with practice. Each trip I go on I learn what gear I really needed and what I know i’ll want for next time. If you’re a beginner backpacker and searching for advice on what to bring on your first trip, you’re in the right place. This guide will go over all of my favorite tried and true backpacking gear from the essentials to the splurge items I love.
Essential Backpacking Gear
- Backpack: When it comes to backpacking gear, this is one of the most important aspects to your set up. Choose a bag that fits your body size and has a capacity suitable for the length of your trip (I like 60 liters for 2-5 day trips).
- Tent: Lightweight and appropriate for the season. If you’re backpacking in Washington state make sure you have your footprint and rain fly.
- Sleeping Bag: Choose one with a temperature rating suitable for the conditions you’ll encounter. If you’re camping in cold temperatures, consider bringing a sleeping bag liner to increase the temperature rating of your bag.
- Sleeping Pad: Provides insulation and comfort. This is where I recommend you splurge. A good sleeping pad can make a huge difference on your backpacking trip. The one I have linked here is my favorite and is perfect for side sleepers.
Clothing
- Base Layers: Moisture-wicking shirts and leggings.
- Insulating Layer: Fleece or down jacket.
- Rain Jacket and Pants (depending on season): Waterproof and breathable.
- Hiking Pants/Shorts: Lightweight and quick-drying. These are my favorite womens hiking pants because they zip off into shorts!
- Hat and Gloves: For sun protection and warmth.
- Socks: Wool or synthetic, avoid cotton. I like to bring one pair for hiking, one to wear around camp, and one to sleep in.
- Sleeping outfit: I like to bring a lightweight insulated legging and base layer long sleeve that I only use for sleeping. It’s a small luxury that makes sleeping more enjoyable for me.
Footwear
- Hiking Boots/Shoes: Comfortable and broken-in.
- Camp Shoes: Lightweight for wearing around camp. I bring Chacos or Crocs so that they can second as water shoes if needed.
Cooking and Hydration
- Stove and Fuel: Compact and suitable for backpacking. The one I have linked here has been with me for 4 years and has a self igniting function so that you don’t need to use a lighter.
- Cookware: Pot, pan, and utensils. I have a small container of olive oil that I bring in my cooking kit as well.
- Food: Lightweight and high-energy.
- Electrolytes: I always bring enough to have one each day and 2 spares incase a friend needs one.
- Water Filter/Purifier: You’ll need to filter all of your water when backpacking. I’ve gone through so many water filters trying to find the best system. I recommend the Platypus squeeze filtration system. It’s been the easiest and fastest way i’ve been able to filter water on the trail.
- Hydration System: Water bottles or a hydration reservoir.
Navigation and Safety
- Map and Compass: It’s important to bring a paper map incase of emergency, but I also like to download the trail i’m on using the app Gaia GPS.
- GPS Device: Optional, but I always feel better having at least one Garmin inReach on a backpacking trip. With the inReach you can send and receive text messages as well as send SOS messages.
- First Aid Kit: Include personal medications.
- Fire Starter: Matches, lighter, or fire starter kit. I bring a lighter and a small wad of toilet paper to use sparingly when starting a fire.
- Multi-tool or Knife: For various tasks.
- Headlamp: Make sure you charge it before or pack a few extra batteries.
- Bear spray
- Bear canister
Personal Items
- Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, biodegradable soap, etc.
- Sunscreen and Lip Balm: With SPF protection.
- Bug Repellent: To keep insects at bay.
- Trowel: For digging cat holes.
- Toilet Paper: In a waterproof bag.
- Trash Bags: For packing out all waste.
Optional Backpacking Gear
- Trekking Poles: For added stability. I recommend bringing a pair on your first trip. Hiking with a backpacking bag feels a lot different than just typical day hiking pack. The poles are light enough that I feel it’s worth it to bring them along to see if you want them or not on trail.
- Phone
- Portable Charger: For electronics.
- Book or Journal: For downtime.
- Lightweight Tarp: For additional rain coverage, shade, or to sit on.
- Hammock: If you have the space and are hiking in an area with lots of trees a hammock is a fun addition.
Tips
- Pack Light: Only bring what you need to minimize weight. Keep track of what you end up actually using on your first few trips and start losing some of the extra gear.
- Use Packing Cubes: Having my gear organized is a must for me. There’s always a few items that don’t pack up efficiently in the cubes, but it works well for the most part.
- Test Your Gear: Use your gear on shorter trips before longer treks.
- Layer Clothing: Adjust to changing weather conditions.
- Pillows: I bring an inflatable pillow with me backpacking. I like a lot of pillow, so I also put my clothes in a packing cube and use those as a second pillow.
- Wrap some duct tape around your water bottle incase you need some tape on your backpacking trip. Just do one strip and 10 loops around the center of your bottle to start.
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Great guide for beginners searching for some backpacking gear. I love the idea to bring Crocs to double as water shoes.
Great list! Definitely going to use this for my next backpacking/camping trip.
This is a helpful starting point for beginner backpackers! Thanks for sharing.
This is so helpful! I do plan to go hiking with some friends soon and I want to make sure I have everything I need in my backpack. Thank you so much!
Great guide for beginners searching for some backpacking gear. Great tip to bring bug spray – I always try to keep some when I’m outdoors.
Great tips for beginner hikers! As I’m from NZ, bear spray wouldn’t have been on my radar haha
Great list! I wish I had this YEARS ago for my first backpack trip- it was a learning experience!
I really enjoyed reading this article and found it to be incredibly insightful. It’s packed with valuable tips on how to effectively prepare for a backpacking trip, which will be fantastic to share with my daughter who loves to hike. She’s always looking for information on the best gear, and this guide covers everything from the must-haves to the nice-to-haves. I know she’ll appreciate the practical advice and the personal experiences shared.
Great tips for hiking! Saving this for future hikes. Thanks for sharing!
Yes – I’ve recently discovered cubing! It’s life changing / I actually look forward to packing and cubing has made my thought process around packing so much easier! Less is more!
Interesting. I didn’t know what a trowel was until reading this.
Hello! Ideally, we should have portable everything to go on a trail! Thanks for the list! It is very useful!
Great tip to wrap tape around your water bottle. Never though to do that before. Thank you!
This is a really great gear guide. There were a few items on here that I hadn’t considered bringing along.
Osprey is my fav brand..great advice!
great guide!! will definitely refer back to this post before my next trip 🙂
Totally agreed on a layer long sleeve just for sleeping. Anything else is too hot or too cold and reserving that just for sleeping removes some of the smell associate with backpacking lol
Thank you for this great guide. It’s such a comprehensive list! I certainly won’t forget anything on my next backpacking trip!
Great guide! Especially for someone how experienced with hiking in the USA!
Great tips! I’d definitely use this if I was planning a backpacking trip.
This is a great list. You’ve really covered all the backpacking gear a beginner would need.
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