By Mariah Cannon
Hiking? Super fun. Backpacking? Even more fun. Buuutttt… Also can be more intimidating. I can guarantee just about anyone can pack for a small day hike, but you need more things for when you’re backpacking and forgetting something can make or break your trip. So, as someone who has backpacked quite a bit in the last 6 years – I curated the ultimate backpacking checklist & a fun savable sheet so you never forget your essentials!
Disclaimer: This post does contain affiliate links, meaning if you click on a link and choose to purchase something from the links, I get a small kickback at no additional cost to you. Purchasing gear you need through my links helps keeps my dreams alive!
Let’s Start With the Necessities
Backpacks:
- This Osprey Tempest 33L pack is the closest to the one I use now, that Osprey no longer makes. I use this one for quick overnight trips and ones where I won’t need tons of extra gear.
- For a little bit of a bigger pack, this Osprey Aura Ag 50L is a great and super comfortable option.
- And this Maven 48L pack is similar to the Gregory one I have pictured above. They do not make the one above anymore.
- I created a list with some other really good pack options at different prices, you can check that out here!
Camp Gear:
- I use the MSR Hubba Hubba two person tent. This is an investment piece and will last for as may years as you need it to. It has done us so much good in a number of elements. A cheaper yet similar option is this REI trail-made two person.
- I highly recommend getting an MSR Universal footprint or one for your specific tent to prevent water from building up under your tent and avoid getting cold and wet.
- Sleeping pads will make or break your backpacking trip, it’s important to test some out before purchasing. I love going to REI because they will have some blown up that you can lie down on. My current sleeping pad is this Big Agnes Rapide SL, but I am hoping to upgrade soon to a new one as my comfort level has changed. I’m not sure what I’m wanting, but my Big Agnes one has treated me so good for about 4 years, including sleeping on it for 30 nights in a row on my cross country trip in 2023. So good!!
- The Bishop Pass 30 degree sleeping bag is an amazing sleeping bag, I have used it in temperatures all the way down to 15 degrees and stayed super toasty! It also comes in this fun color. A more cost efficient option is this REI Campbell 30 sleeping bag, I haven’t used this one, but I’ve heard great things about it.
- I love love love to sleep good while at camp, a good pillow is a must for backpacking! My favorite is this Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow, it packs up super tiny and is still super comfortable. If you’re a little more bougie they also make a premium Areos pillow.
- I also just discovered this pillow barn that wraps your pillow to your sleeping pad so it doesn’t shift throughout the night?! Adding to my cart ASAP because that is one of my biggest struggles when backpacking – my pillow never stays with me. Problem solved!
Cooking Gear:
- I use this MSR Windburner stove set and have for I believe 5 years and I love it. It heats up quickly and is pretty lightweight. Although there are more lightweight options on the market, like the MSR PocketRocket. I just feel that those waste a lot more heat & fuel than one you twist into the heat compartment.
- To go with it, the MSR fuel is the best in my opinion!
- For utensils, I have both this Sea to Summit long handled spork (ideal for freeze dried meal containers) and a plastic GoBites spork that works great as well!
- I typically try to do freee dried meals, or meals where I won’t need to use bowls or cups, but I have these Sea to Summit collapsible cups that double as a mug and as a bowl for oats, etc.
- Mountain House freeze dried meals are my favorite to bring backpacking. They’re so easy and most of them are delicious! These can get pretty pricey though, so I tend to wait until they’re on sale and buy a few at a time, that way when the trip comes around, I don’t cringe at the cost so much lol.
- Ice cream is one of my favorite guilty pleasures & Mountain House makes a freeze dried ice cream sandwich bar, so obviously I recommend bringing one of those along too!
- Here is a compiled list of all of the other snacks and food I like to pick up before a backpacking trip as well!
- You absolutely will need a water filter if there’s not healthy water sources on your trail. My favorite is this Sawyer Micro Squeeze, it’s worked so well for so many years for me!
Clothing:
- The REI Sahara sun shirts are my favorite! They are so comfy, cooling, and flattering!
- A fleece mid layer comes in handy for higher elevation hiking, cold nights, and winter backpacking! I love this one from Mountain Hardware. Here are some other fleece options that I love and wear all the time.
- A good puffy layer is essential to staying warm, especially in the crisp mornings when it’s hard to get out of the tent. I love my Stio Hometown Down Jacket, it comes in fun colors and is SO warm.
- I typically bring a rain layer, being from the PNW and all – I think if you decide not to bring a rain jacket, you should bring a cheap lightweight poncho because ultimately – the weather is unpredictable and warm season rain storms happen frequently. I have this Helly Hansen, but here are some more cost efficient ones that are just as good!
- When hiking in colder weather, or if you just want something cozy to change into at camp – I love my merino wool base layer tops and bottoms.
- Merino wool socks are a must too! They dry quickly, help with sweat, and last lots of days on the trail. Mine are all from Smartwool and I love them.
- I love wearing Altra trail runners for backpacking trips, these are the Lone Peak 9’s and they are so good for wider feet!
- I also recently got these Merrell Agility Peak 5s and LOVE them, although they are not the best for super steep and slick terrain.
- For shorter trips, or where I know weather and mud may be an issue, I love my Danner 600 Leaf GTX hiking boots.
- I also bring a camp/lake shoe and typically those are my chaco z/1’s!
- These light REI liner gloves are my favorite to bring on backpacking trips, they keep my hands warm & I can still operate my devices.
- Some sort of beanie or headband is helpful too, especially when in high altitude or winter backpacking.
- Don’t forget a bathing suit or something to swim in if hiking to an alpine lake! Those are the best after hiking all day.
And Now For the Personal & Hygiene Items
Hygiene:
- When backpacking, specifically in sensitive areas, you will need to either bury your waste or pack it out. For areas where digging a “cat hole” is allowed, I use this Pact shovel. When in areas where carrying out is required, I prefer these wag bags.
- Sunscreen is a must when doing anything outside, I use Melaleuca face sunscreen, but this blue lizard sunscreen stick is amazing!
- For the gals who like to take some of their skincare on the trail, these mini containers are lightweight, don’t take up a lot of space, and are perfect for different skincare and or lotions.
- A backpacking specific first aid kit can come in super handy. You never know what could happen way out the wilderness.
- These toothpaste tablets are amazing for backpacking, you just add some water, chew, and brush.
- Wilderness wipes or baby wipes help a lot!
- Mosquito and tick repellent is a life saver too! Make sure to bring a bottle of backpacking.
Other Odds & Ends Things You May Need for Your Trip
- Some hiking and wilderness areas require bear food storage, I personally love my BV450 Bear Canister. If you’re in between sizes or don’t want to buy multiple for different trips, they just came out with an adjustable one which is super neat!
- A packable towel is essential for a good backpacking trip, it’s good for lake dips, laying clothes or shoes on, drying gear, etc. I use mine regularly on backpacking trips!
- I use my Biotite Range 400 headlamp and it is so good and bright!
- Carrying a multi tool can come in handy a lot more than you might think – it can be used to cut rope and wire, pull things, etc.
- I never used to use hiking poles, but they can be a game changer for how you feel on your backpacking trips. It helps take all of the weight off your legs and knees!
- Also bring 2 gallons ziplock bags or some sort of garbage bag as you’ll need to pack out all of your garbage with you.
- This Biolite portable power bank is great for charging phones, cameras, and whatever technology you decide to bring with you on the trail!
Depending on your needs, trip type, and season you visit – you may need less or more things which is why I also created a full locker of all of my backpacking recommendations, so you can view everything in one central areas – check it out here! The list contains 80+ items that come in handy when backpacking.
Find this backpacking checklist helpful? Be sure to save it for future adventures!
Let’s Get Adventuring!
Mariah 🙂
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