Essential Equipment for Traveling with a Backpack: Key Items to Pack Before Your Journey
Backpacking Essentials: The Ultimate Gear Guide for Every Trailsman
step into the wilderness, you want to be fully prepared for the adventure ahead. This comprehensive packing list covers everything from essential backpacking equipment to kitchen gear, footwear and clothing, health and hygiene products, and personal items and extras. For a deeper dive, many of the headings link to detailed product round-ups, equipped with years of testing from international trips in Peru and Patagonia to explorations across the Pacific Northwest and Mountain West. To see all our product recommendations in one place, consult our comprehensive backpacking gear reviews.
| Category | Item ||:-------------:|:---------------------:|| Backpacking Equipment | - Tent - Backpack - Sleeping Bag - Sleeping Pad - Water filter or purifier - Hydration Bladder/Bottles - Headlamp (Optional) - Trekking poles - Daypack - Chair/sit pad - Backpacking pillow - Sleeping bag liner - Footprint/ground cloth - Extra stakes & guylines || Kitchen Gear | - Backpacking stove & fuel - Backpacking food - Cookware & utensils - Pot - Spork/spoon - Mug or cup (Optional) - Instant coffee - Tea bags - Coffee press or dripper - Electrolyte tablets || Footwear & Clothing | - Hiking boots or shoes - Hiking socks - Hiking pants or shorts - Rain jacket or hardshell - Down or synthetic jacket - Baselayers* (Optional) - Camp shoes - Ball cap - Sun protection shirt - Rain pants - Beanie - Gloves - Gaiters - Neck gaiter/buff || Health & Hygiene | - Toiletries - Toothbrush - Toothpaste - Toilet paper/wipes - Wag bags/trowel - Hand sanitizer - Deodorant - Medications - Lip balm - First aid kit - Sun & bug protection - Sunscreen - Sunglasses - Insect repellent || Personal Items & Extras | - Basic repair kit - Navigation - Phone & charger - Batteries/solar charger - Notebook & pen/pencil - Book or Kindle - Bear canister & spray - Ziploc bags - Whistle - Lighter/matches - Backup water purification - Pack rain cover - Moleskin - Quick-drying towel - ID, cards, & cash - Permit/reservation - Forest Service/park pass - Camera - Satellite messenger |
Additional options available in enrichment section
*Note: This table provides a brief overview of the gear you need, but we recommend checking out our comprehensive Backpacking Checklist PDF, which is printable and offers a more in-depth look at necessities and nice-to-haves.
Backpacking Equipment
Equipment essential for multi-day missions deep into the backcountry consists of:
Backpacking Tent
- Our top pick: Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 ($550) - Offering a competitive combination of weight, space, and ease of use, albeit an expensive choice. Prone to tears due to thin floor; recommend using a footprint.
Backpacking Pack
- Our top pick: Osprey Atmos AG 65 ($340) - Prize-winning comfort, thoughtful organization, and exceptional breathability grossly outweigh hefty cost and limited weight savings.
Sleeping Bag
- Our top pick: Feathered Friends Swallow UL 20 ($629-649) - Exceptionally warm for the weight, built by a well-regarded down specialist, but comes with a hefty price tag.
Sleeping Pad
- Our top pick: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT ($200-240) - Provides three-season warmth and excellent comfort at a competitive weight, though it's a pricey choice.
Water Filter or Purifier
- Our top pick: Sawyer Squeeze ($46) - Featherweight design, impressive flow rate, and lifetime warranty for the solo backpacker. Larger options may be more suitable for groups.
Hydration Bladder and/or Water Bottles
- Our top pick: Osprey Hydraulics 3L ($50) - Reliable and designed to last; however, the rigid backer adds weight and bulk.
Headlamp
- Our top pick: Petzl Actik Core ($85) - Exceptional output, long battery life, and easy-to-use interface in a lightweight build. Expensive with limited water resistance.
Optional Backpacking Equipment
- Trekking poles
- Daypack
- Backpacking chair/sit pad
- Backpacking pillow
- Sleeping bag liner
- Tent footprint/ground cloth
- Extra stakes and guylines
Kitchen Gear
The following items are necessary for heating and preparing meals on the road:
Backpacking Stove and Fuel
- Our top pick: MSR PocketRocket 2 ($60) - Exceptional power-to-weight ratio, comes at a budget-friendly price, but less stable and not as wind-resistant as some options.
Backpacking Food
- Our top pick: Backpacker's Pantry ($10-$13) - Competitively priced and reasonably easy to find, offering an extensive selection of tasty meals, albeit with longer cook times and less unique offerings compared to upstarts like Gastro Gnome.
Cookware and Utensils
- Pot
- Spork or extended spoon
- Mug or cup
Optional Food Items
- Instant coffee
- Tea bags
- Coffee press or dripper
- Electrolytes
Footwear and Clothing
Appropriate attire plays a significant role in maintaining comfort during long hikes:
Hiking Boots or Shoes
❒ Backpacking tent
❒ Backpacking pack
❒ Sleeping bag
❒ Sleeping pad
❒ Water filter or purifier
❒ Hydration bladder/bottles
❒ Headlamp
Optional:
❒ Trekking poles
❒ Daypack
❒ Chair/sit pad
❒ Backpacking pillow
❒ Sleeping bag liner
❒ Footprint/ground cloth
❒ Extra stakes & guylines
- Our top pick: Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX ($185) - Offers trail runner agility and hiking boot protection with a competitive weight. The spry may want a more padded option like Salomon's Quest 4.
Hiking Socks
- Our top pick: Darn Tough Micro Crew Cushion ($26) - Great plushness and breathability for three-season use, backed by lifetime warranty, but less durable build sacrifices some plushness for those requiring a thinner sock in hot conditions.
Hiking Pants or Hiking Shorts
- Our top pick: Outdoor Research Ferrosi ($99) - Comfortable stretch, lightweight, and highly durable, while falling short in transitioning to casual wear. The quest for a better option like Prana's Stretch Zion.
Rain Jacket or Hardshell Jacket
- Our top pick: Patagonia Torrentshell 3L ($179) - Offers reliable protection and classy looks at a budget-friendly price, lacking in crinkliness and chest pocket.
❒ Backpacking stove & fuel
❒ Backpacking food
❒ Cookware & utensils
❒ Pot
❒ Spork/spoon
❒ Mug or cupOptional:❒ Instant coffee
❒ Tea bags
❒ Coffee press or dripper
❒ Electrolyte tablets
Down Jacket or Synthetic Jacket
- Our top pick: Patagonia Down Sweater ($279) - Comfortable fabric, competitive warmth for the weight, and versatility, with a less lightweight option like Rab's Mythic Alpine Light suited for dedicated backcountry users.
Baselayers
- Our top pick: Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino 1/4 Zip ($120) - All-merino build provides warmth, comfort, regulates temperature, and won't hold a stink like synthetic materials.
Optional Footwear and Clothing
- Camp shoes
- Ball cap
- Sun protection shirt
- Rain pants
- Beanie
- Gloves
- Gaiters for snow or water crossings.
- Neck gaiter/buff
Health and Hygiene
❒ Hiking boots or shoes
❒ Hiking socks
❒ Hiking pants or shorts
❒ Rain jacket or hardshell
❒ Down or synthetic jacket
❒ Baselayers
Optional:
❒ Camp shoes
❒ Ball cap
❒ Sun protection shirt
❒ Rain pants
❒ Beanie
❒ Gloves
❒ Gaiters
❒ Neck gaiter/buff
Maintain cleanliness and comfort without compromising on essentials:
Toiletries
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Wag bags or trowel (check local regulations)
- Toilet paper and/or wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Deodorant
- Personal medications
- Lip balm
- First aid kit
Sun and Bug Protection
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Insect repellent
Optional Health and Hygiene Items
- Mosquito net
- Sun hat
❒ Toiletries
❒ Toothbrush
❒ Toothpaste
❒ Toilet paper/wipes
❒ Wag bags/trowel
❒ Hand sanitizer
❒ Deodorant
❒ Medications
❒ Lip balm
❒ First aid kit
❒ Sun & bug protection
❒ Sunscreen
❒ Sunglasses
❒ Insect repellent
Optional:
❒ Mosquito net
❒ Sun hat
Personal Items and Extras
Don't leave home without these essentials:
- Basic repair kit (multi-tool, duct tape, cord)
- Navigation (map, GPS device, compass)
- Cell phone with charger
- Extra batteries
- Notebook and a pen/pencil
- Book or Kindle
- Bear canister and/or bear spray (if required)
- Ziploc bags (for trash and waterproofing electronics)
- Whistle
- Lighter and/or waterproof matches
- Backup water purification tablets
- Backpack rain cover (if not included)
- Moleskin or Leukotape
- Quick-drying towel
- ID, cards, and cash
- Backcountry permit or reservation (if required)
- Park pass (if required)
- Camera
- Satellite messenger device
Additional Backpacking Tips
- Research your route to verify the presence of water sources for fill-ups.
- For long hikes, pack foods that you enjoy and stay hydrated by drinking ample water.
- Backup water purification is crucial in case of filter failure. Iodine tablets offer a cheap and practical solution.
- Share your hiking schedule with a trusted friend or family member, including your route and expected arrival/departure dates.
Where to Buy Backpacking Gear
Trusted retailers for all your backpacking gear needs include REI Co-op, Backcountry.com (for online shopping), Amazon (for a wide selection across various sellers), and, most importantly, local shops for a personal touch. Happy trails!
❒ Basic repair kit
❒ Navigation
❒ Phone & charger
❒ Batteries/solar charger
❒ Notebook & pen/pencil
❒ Book or Kindle
❒ Bear canister & spray
❒ Ziploc bags
❒ Whistle
❒ Lighter/matches
❒ Backup water purification
❒ Pack rain cover
❒ Moleskin
❒ Quick-drying towel
❒ ID, cards, & cash
❒ Permit/reservation
❒ Forest Service/park pass
❒ Camera
❒ Satellite messenger
Sources:- REI Co-op Backpacking Gear- OutdoorGearLab: The Best Backpack of 2023- OutdoorGearLab: The Best Sleeping Bag of 2023- Activejunky: Top 10 Best Backpacking Stoves of 2023- Campinggearcritic: Best Hiking Backpacks and Features
(Enrichment Data section not included)
- For a comfortable and hassle-free trekking experience, don't forget to pack your hiking boots, hiking socks, hiking pants or shorts, rain jacket or hardshell, and a down or synthetic jacket.
- To ensure a well-equipped camping setup, consider adding trekking poles, a daypack, a backpacking chair, a backpacking pillow, a sleeping bag liner, a footprint/ground cloth, and extra stakes and guylines to your gear list.
- While traveling, don't forget essential items like headlamps for nighttime navigation, water filters or purifiers, and hydration bladders or bottles to stay hydrated.
- To maintain cleanliness and comfort during your backpacking adventure, don't forget to pack toiletries, sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent, a first aid kit, and personal medications.
- Lastly, don't leave home without essential personal items such as a basic repair kit, navigation tools, a cell phone, batteries, a notebook, book or Kindle, bear canister or bear spray (if required), Ziploc bags, a whistle, a lighter, backup water purification, a backpack rain cover, moleskin, a quick-drying towel, ID, cards, cash, a permit or reservation, park pass, camera, and satellite messenger.
