How to Pack For a Backpacking Trip

The topic of what to pack for a backpacking trip can get overcomplicated. There are the obvious items, such as a tent and a sleeping bag. It would be downright silly to go without a first-aid kit or a water filter. But to bring or not to bring trekking poles, spare clothes, or a satellite communicator. A book vs an e-reader. While I was trying to get this list together, there were all of these factors to consider: personal preferences, pack weight, trip type, and location.

I remember feeling overwhelmed when I first began backpacking. There was a lot of information to sift through and conflicting viewpoints on certain gear items. I found myself blindly following advice on my first couple of trips, making the mistake of overpacking and under-packing. Thus, I have decided to make this list as simple as possible. I’ll add some of my personal preferences, along with my reasons for bringing these items. At the end, I will include a PDF of a list based on everything mentioned below.

The bare necessities

The items you shouldn’t go without:

• A backpack
  • A 40-50L pack should be plenty of space for 3-season trips. For bulkier gear, multi-day trips with fewer resupply stations, or winter treks, a 55L+ may be better suited.
• Hiking shoes (e.g. boots, trail runners)
• Tent (+ rainfly & footprint)
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping pad
  • Some may argue this is a luxury item, but I disagree. There should be something separating you from the floor of your tent, even if it’s only a foam pad.

• First-aid kit (read more here about what should be included in your kit)
• A water filteration system
  • I personally use the Katadyn Be Free, but no water filter system is perfect. It’s a good idea to compare filters and check for water advisories that may be in effect where you’re going.
• Water bottles
  • I recommend carrying 2-3L with you at all times. These amounts should be adjusted based on climate and trail conditions.
• Food
  • It’s recommended to bring an extra day of food to accommodate for emergencies or plan changes
• An animal-resistant food container (ARFC) or bag
  • Be sure to check the rules regarding food storage in the area you’re visiting. Some areas only allow bear canisters (and specific kinds) due to heightened bear activity. Read more here about food safety from the National Park Service.

• Cookware
  • Utensils (I recommend a foldable spork, such as this one)
  • Backpacking stove & pot
    • Propane/compatible fuel
    • Ignition tool (e.g., lighter/matches/flint)
• A headlamp (+ batteries)
• A multi-functional tool (i.e., Swiss army knife)
• A map & compass
• Satellite communicator
  • Personally, I think they are worth the expense for the peace of mind. I use the Zoleo, but there are numerous others on the market of varying prices, subscription plans, and uses.
• Comfortable, breathable clothing
  • Include extra socks & underwear
    • Trust me on these, you need them. Even if you’re looking to cutdown on weight by skimping on clothes, you should still have spare socks and underwear to keep those more sensitive areas clean. You can rewear pants, but not socks or underwear.
• Cat hole shovel
  • If you are in the backcountry, this is an absolute must. Human waste is to be disposed of 6 inches (15.24 cm) into the ground and 200 ft (60.96 m) from the trail and water sources. More fragile, high elevation areas or rocky, sandy terrain where waste does not decompose readily need to be carried out in a WAG bag. Look up the rules and recommendations for handling human waste before you set off on your trip.

• Toilet paper (+ a baggie)
  • Cat holes should only contain human waste. Toilet paper needs to be carried out. Since my dog typically accompanies me, I use poo bags to store my used TP and tie them to the outside of my bag.
  • For my #1 needs, I use a Kula Cloth to save on paper. They are easy to clean and hang right off your pack for simple storage and access.
• Portable bidet
  • I debated on including this on this list or the luxury list, but ultimately decided it belongs here. Keeping a clear rear keeps you in the clear of uncomfortable problems further on, especially on those longer trips. I love these because they pack super small, barely weigh a thing, and fit on most plastic water bottles. I will typically carry a small 6-oz plastic water bottle to use with my bidet.
• Hand sanitizer
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, etc
• Protective tool (e.g., pepper or bear spray, taser)
  • As a solo traveler, I always carry these along. Sometimes, I will double my bear spray as a human deterrent if I were ever placed in that situation. Just beware that pepper spray cannot double as bear spray- it is not concentrated enough!
• Portable battery charger + cord

The luxury goods

The items you can go without but are recommended nevertheless:

• Sleeping bag liner
  • Having one of these is like having a sheet between you and your comforter. It helps protect the sleeping bag from sweat and dirt on the body, adds warmth for cooler nights, or provides a lighter layer for warmer nights.

• Trekking poles
  • When I first started backpacking, I didn’t use poles. Since I didn’t use them hiking, I figured they wouldn’t be needed for backpacking. But now that I use them, I wouldn’t go back. They help maintain balance and alleviate the weight off your joints. Not to mention, they keep back brush on unmaintained trails.
• Extra clothes
  • I totally understand the sentiment of not wanting to bring extra clothes. I don’t always bring extra clothes with me. But there is something comforting about having clothes to change into for winding down at night. My trick for conserving weight is to only bring PJs and rewear my hiking outfit each day. On my last day, I will hike out in my PJs to have something cleaner for the return to civilization.
• Camp shoes
  • After a long day of hiking, there’s nothing better than freeing your feet from the confines of their shoes and slipping on some comfy camp shoes. They are useful for late-night bathroom trips and giving your shoes a chance to air out between uses. A total luxury, yes, but I don’t go without my camp shoes anymore.
• A book
  • I always carry a physical book with me. Especially since I backpack solo, I make good use of my books on my trips. Some people will recommend downloading the book on the phone or bringing an e-book reader to save on weight.
• Face wipes/cloths
  • Some may disagree and consider these necessities, and I find that fair. We all have our preferences. While I prefer to have these with me on my trips, if I am paying mind to weight, I will opt to leave these behind. I have found success in rinsing off in a stream by splashing water on my face, in giving me that refreshed feeling.
• Camp chair
  • Now this is a luxury-luxury item. I love bringing mine along on my basecamping trips, where I plan to spend time hanging out and reading. If I am mindful of my weight, I never bring these along because it’s hard to justify the added bulk. Foam pads and bear containers double greatly as camp chairs, but sometimes I want to lounge, and that’s where a backpacking chair becomes useful.

• Extra lights
  • Whether it’s fairy lights, a flashlight, or a foldable lantern, having additional sources of light aside from the headlamp has its benefits. When I’m alone, I find the ambiance created from additional lights livens my mood and creates a more comfortable space at camp.
• Fanny pack
  • I love having convenient storage in addition to my pack’s hip pockets and pant pockets. My pack is about a liter, which is particularly large for a fanny pack, but I can stuff it with snacks, a portable charger, and hand sanitizer with room to spare.
• Deodorant
  • Some may say this is a necessity, and that is fair, especially if you do group trips. Truthfully, I don’t even bother anymore. I’ll leave some wipes and a stick in my car for a quick freshen-up to prevent having to drive with the windows down the whole time.

Climate considerations

Where you are going and the time of year of your trip will influence what you pack and how you pack. Here are some recommendations based on my own experience in these areas. Since I am from the US, I mainly hike across the US and LATAM. While most of this information can translate to other regions of similar climate, I always recommend searching about the places you’re visiting to best prepare.

Temperate

• Long pants and high socks
  • protect against poisonous plants and ticks/biting insects
• Rain gear
  • rain coat/poncho
  • rain cover for backpack
  • bag liner
    • Hack: I use the plastic cover that my backpack came in. I will place that in my bag and pack my things inside, providing an added layer to keep things dry

Rainforest

• Regardless of whether rain is in the forecast, bring that rain gear
• Quick-drying clothes and shoes
• Extra socks
  • Nothing is worse than having perpetual damp feet on a trip. It only takes one soggy trip to develop a lifetime case of Athlete’s Foot.

Desert

• Extra water
• Sun protection
  • sun shirts
  • sunglasses
  • hat
  • SPF
• Appropriate clothing to account for the daytime vs nighttime temperature
• As I stated above, WAG bags may be necessary when backpacking in these areas due to the difficulty of human waste decomposition.

High Altitude

• Sun protection
  • UV intensity is greater at higher elevations because of the thinner atmosphere. No matter the time of year, sun protection is extremely important in these areas
• Again, WAG bags may be necessary when backpacking in these areas due to the difficulty of human waste decomposition
• The temperature and weather fluctuate in these regions, so backpackers must be prepared for sudden storms and below-freezing nights.

Snow and Ice

• Microspikes vs Crampons
  • Microspikes are more suitable for hiking on flatter or steadier terrains
  • Crampons are better suited for slopes or climbs
• Snowshoes or skies
• Trekking poles with snow baskets
• Ice pick or axe
• Clothing layers
  • When hiking or backpacking in winter temperatures, it is important to dress in layers. You want to prevent sweating as much as possible, therefore, wearing layers allows you to take off clothing as you heat up from your hike
  • Never wear cotton during the winter. Cotton retains moisture instead of wicking it. I recommend merino wool for the winter.
• Hat, gloves, scarf, etc
• Sunglasses/goggles
  • The reflection of the sun off the snow can damage your retinas. It’s important to protect your eyes from this, especially on sunny days and in areas with little tree coverage.

Closing thoughts

Well, there you have it, a comprehensive outline of what to pack for a backpacking trip. If there is anything you think I missed, feel free to share it below! If you’re having a hard time preparing for your next backpacking trip, feel free to send me a message. I would be more than happy to guide you.

TLDR

Happy Trails!