A good backpacking gear list is essential for every backpacker. However, the first time I went backpacking I had no idea what I was doing. I packed far more than necessary and ended up with a 45-pound pack. I cursed its weight with every foot I climbed while daydreaming about every item I would never pack again.

I have since obsessed over my gear choices so that I have everything I need and nothing I don’t. Now, I want to pass that knowledge on so you can make the right choices the first time.

This post is designed for beginning backpackers who want to know what to pack for an overnight backpacking trip. Below I outline the essential backpacking gear list that I use for nearly every trip I take (traveling in snow requires additional gear not discussed here). This backpacking gear list outlines everything you need for a safe and successful overnight trip of any length. The focus of this list is on the essentials –there are plenty of additional luxury items you can bring, but I am going to tell you want you need to bring.

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A Few Tips

Pay attention to what items weigh. This is especially important for the big four (backpack, tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad) as these are likely the heaviest and bulkiest items you will pack.

Pay attention to quality and durability. It is often worth the investment to buy the right piece of higher quality gear the first time, rather than replace a cheap piece of gear several times.

Rent, borrow, or buy used gear in the beginning. I highly recommend you rent or borrow gear from a friend at first. Outfitters and outdoor retailers have options to rent big ticket items like tents and sleeping bags. By trying before buying, you will be able to get a feel for what features are important to you before investing in your own gear.

Practice using your gear. Nothing is worse than getting out in the backcountry only to realize you don’t know how to use your stove or setup your tent. Go on practice hikes wearing your backpack and hiking shoes, setup your tent in the backyard and sleep in it, and use your cook system before going out for an extended trip.

Coordinate with other group members. Items like tents, cooking gear, and medical kits don’t need to be carried by every person. Planning ahead to share group gear can save you money as well as space in your backpack.

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Backpacking Gear List

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Hiking System

Backpack

A volume of 50-65 liters (3,000 to 4,000 cubic inches) is usually a good size for trips ranging from two to seven days. But how much you pack and how bulky your gear is will dictate what size pack you need. If you are new to backpacking, I recommend compiling all of your other gear first and then selecting a pack that is large enough and designed to carry the weight of your backpacking gear comfortably.

I use the Osprey Exox 48, however the Ospery Exos 58 (men’s) / Osprey Eja 58 (women’s)  is an easier size for new backpackers to manage fitting their gear into. This pack offers the features of a standard backpacking pack in a lightweight package. I have found this pack comfortable to carry loads up to 35 pounds.

If your gear weighs more than 35 pounds, I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65 (men’s)and  Osprey Aura AG 65 (women’s) backpacks. The Atmos is about two pounds heavier than the Exos, but the extra weight gets you more durable fabrics and a burlier suspension system. This pack can comfortably carry loads over 45 pounds while still weighing less than many other backpacks.

Pack liner/Cover

I prefer a pack liner to a pack cover. Pack covers tend to allow water in via the back panel, they do not work if you submerge your pack, they tend to fly away in high winds, and you must take them off to access your gear.

My pack liner is an inexpensive trash compactor bag which I tie once packed. For redundancy, I place my sleeping bag and electronics in their own plastic bags so that they have an additional layer of protection in case water penetrates the primary pack liner.

Trekking Poles

Trekking poles are an optional item. But, for trails with lots of elevation change or challenging terrain they provide extra support.

My favorite trekking poles are the Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles. These three-section poles adjust quickly on the fly and the adjustment section is secure and never slips. They are extremely durable, but also lightweight for an aluminum pole.

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Shelter System

Tent+ tent stakes 

In the event of poor weather you will need some form of shelter. This can be a tent, tarp, or bivy sack. For new backpackers I recommend a tent because they are easy to setup and offer the most protection from the elements.

I recommend the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL tents. With the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 you get a freestanding tent (doesn’t require tent stakes to stand up), with two doors, two vestibules for gear storage, and a roomy interior, all in a tent that only weighs 2 pounds 12 ounces!  This tent also comes in three and four person sizes.

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Sleep System

 

 

Sleeping bag 

A quality sleeping bag will help you sleep warm and comfortably. Backpacking sleeping bags are lightweight and designed to pack down small to fit inside your backpack. This can be an expensive item, however if treated well a good bag can last decades.

For trips where the temperature is supposed to be warmer than 30 degrees I bring my Western Mountaineering SummerLite. This bag is rated to 32 degrees and weighs only 19 ounces! I’ve been sleeping in the Western Mountaineering SummerLite for several years and I can attest that Western Mountaineering bags are of the highest quality and pack down in size to practically nothing. But the SummerLite is a slim fitting bag. If I had to do it over again I would opt for the Western Mountaineering Megalite, which offers a 30 degree temperature rating at a featherweight 23 ounces while providing more room to move.

For trips when the temperature can drop to 15-degrees I bring my Marmot Pinnacle 15 sleeping bag. Unfortunately, this bag is no longer in production. If I had to replace this bag I would go with the REI Co-op Magma 10 (Men’s)/ Magma 17 (women’s) sleeping bag. This bag offers a great warmth-to-weight ratio at a GREAT price for a warm down bag.

Sleeping pad

A sleeping pad is not just a cushy surface to rest your bones. It insulates you from the cold hard ground. A good sleeping pad will make you comfortable and keep you warm.

I use an Exped Synmat UL M. It’s very comfortable at 2.8 inches thick and provides an R-value (insulating rating) of 3.30, which is warm enough for use down to 25 degrees. Exped also has excellent customer service. After using this pad for several years, one of the baffles did break creating a huge bump in the pad. I contacted Exped and they replaced the pad even though it was outside the warranty.

Pillow

There is really no need for a dedicated pillow. I use the stuff sack from my sleeping bag and stuff it with whatever pieces of clothing I am not sleeping in.

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Cook System

Having a stove and cook system is optional. You can eat “no cook” foods and not take a stove at all. That being said, I prefer to use one. Having a stove provides the option to boil water if your water purification system fails, hot food and fluid can keep you warm in cold temperatures, and it feels a whole lot better to relax and have a hot meal and drink after a long day hiking.

Stove 

I use my stove primarily to boil water for dehydrated foods and hot drinks. I never rely on a wood campfire when hiking in the backcountry as many places do not allow them and wood fires leave a greater impact on the land.

I have used the MSR Pocket Rocket for over a decade. This stove is light (2.6 ounces), cheap, durable, and simple to use.

Cook Pot 

My usual cooking method is to boil water and then add it to a freeze dried meal pouch or homemade backpacking meal. This way I only need a cook pot large enough to boil two cups of water (473 millilitres). I prefer to have a pot slightly larger than two cups to allow for room to avoid boiling over, so a pot size around 500-600 millilitres works well. If rehydrating food in the pot, then room for water and food is needed and I use a pot around one liter in size.

I use the Evernew Ti Ultra Light Pot with lid  which comes in 0.6L, 0.9L and 1.3L versions. They weigh in at 3.4 ounces, 4.1 ounces, and 4.6 ounces respectively. They are durable, very light, and come with an integrated handle. Their short and wide design also makes them more stable and efficient than tall and narrow pots.

Fuel 

For the MSR Pocket Rocket I carry the MSR IsoPro canisters. In general, I can go roughly four to six days (boiling one liter of water a day) using a 4 ounce canister. Keep in mind that cold temperatures and wind will reduce efficiency. When in doubt it is always better to be conservative with your fuel estimates.

Lighter 

You’ve got to have some way to start a fire. I carry a simple, cheap, disposable Mini Bic lighter inside of a ziplock bag. The ziplock bag keeps the lighters from getting wet (a soaked lighter will not light) and it keeps the rest of my gear safe from lighter fluid if the lighter breaks.

Spork 

The Sea to Summit Alpha Light Spork- Long is perfect for getting to the bottom of freeze-dried meal bags and it’s lightweight at 0.4 ounces.

Food 

I strive to carry about less than two pounds of food weight per hiking day. Foods with a lot of calories per ounce will help keep you fueled while saving space and weight.

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Water System

Water Treatment 

Explosive diarrhea is the worst. It’s even worse when you are in the backcountry. Water doesn’t necessarily have to look “bad” to actually harbor microorganisms that can make you sick. For this reason, I always treat my drinking water.     

I use the Sawyer Squeeze as my primary water filter. The sawyer squeeze works instantly by squeezing water from a reservoir or bottle through the filter. This filter is lightweight, affordable, and you can filter the exact amount of water you need. Instead of using the provided bags, which are prone to breaking, I screw the filter directly onto a SmartWater bottle or a CNOC Vector Water Container as they have compatible threads.

For backup water purification Aquamira Water Treatment drops are a simple and lightweight choice. Aquamira uses chlorine dioxide, a common water treatment chemical used by public water plants, to treat water. It is extremely easy to use (no filters to clog, pumping/squeezing, or maintenance required). It is effective against parasites, bacteria, and viruses after 30 minutes; however it requires four hours to kill cryptosporidium. Due to the long wait time to kill cryptosporidium I use Aquamira as a backup to my filter, or to purify water overnight.

Water Storage 

When I need to carry a large amount of water, I use a Platypus hydration bladder on the inside of my pack. When I don’t need to haul lot of water, I use one-liter sized SmartWater bottles . They are durable, light, store easily on the outside of my pack, and are compatible with my Sawyer Squeeze filter.

When water sources are frequent, I hydrate at each water source and then carry just enough water to get to the next water source. This way I am not hauling large quantities of water over long distances and adding to the weight of my pack.

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Food Storage System

In bear country you need to take measures to keep bears from getting your food. There are two main options: 1) keep your food in some kind of bear proof container; or 2) hang your food from a tree so that a bear cannot get to it.  Many areas require the use of approved canisters to store your food in. When you get a permit to go backpacking, check with the governing agency to see what is required.

Even in areas that do not require a container it may be very difficult or impossible to use the food hang method. In the Sierra Nevada, there are often no suitable trees to use the food hang method properly. Additionally, you may have to spend an excessive amount of time and energy, after dinner and in the dark, to successfully find a place to hang your food. For the ease and security, I opt to use a food storage container, even when containers are not required.

Bear Resistant Container

When I am in areas that require a hard-sided bear container I use the Garcia Bear-resistant container. Compared to its similarly priced competition, it is almost one pound lighter than the Counter Assault Bear Keg EX but only three ounces heavier than the BearVault BV 500. I prefer the Garcia to the BearVault because I have accidentally over tightened the BearVault at home and the lid has gotten stuck so badly that no one could open it! If I had been in the backcountry, I would have had no way to access my food! If you want to splurge and save weight, the Bearikade Weekender is only 31 ounces but costs three times as much as the competition.

When I am in areas that do not require the use of a hard sided bear container then I use the Ursak Major, which is a food bag made of “bullet proof” Spectra fabric designed to prevent bears from getting your food. This bag is lightweight and easily packable due to its soft sides.

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Navigation System

Map 

ALWAYS bring a paper map. GPS and phone apps are great, but it’s good practice to have a paper map as a backup in case of battery drain or device failure. Currently, I print maps using Caltopo. It’s a great website that will let you research, create, and print exactly the maps you need from home, for free!

Compass 

Just like paper maps, it’s a good idea to carry a physical compass in case your phone or GPS dies. The Suunto M-3 D Leader Compass is a great choice.

Satellite Messenger 

Satellite messengers offer the ability to send a distress signal that will be passed on to search and rescue. Additionally, they allow you to send messages to friends and family. While a satellite messenger is an optional piece of equipment, it gives me and my family piece of mind –especially when I am traveling alone.

I use the Deloreme inReach SE which offers two-way messaging and tracking. This model is being phased out, and if I were to replace it I would get a Garmin inReach Mini.

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Clothing Worn While Hiking

Shirt

I bring one hiking shirt with me on backpacking trips, so it better be a good one. When choosing a shirt, go with wool or synthetic materials. Wool is more expensive, but it is naturally odor resistant (seriously wool shirts don’t stink after days of wear) and insulates well even when wet. Synthetic shirts are less expensive, lightweight, and dry very quickly. Avoid cotton, which dries slowly and insulates poorly.

I love my Smartwool Merino150 Base Layer (Men’s / Women’s) and Icebreaker Tech Lite (Men’s / Women’s) wool T-shirts. They are lightweight and comfortable as base layers in cold weather or worn alone on hot days. They are naturally odor resistant and can be worn for days without building up a funk. They are pricey, so I always wait for them to go on clearance. For a synthetic shirt I like the Patagonia Capilene Daily T-shirt (Men’s / Women’s) or the Columbia Silver Ridge Lite Shirt (Men’s / Women’s).

Pants or shorts  

Pants, shorts, tights…go with what you like. Pick quick-drying fabrics. Avoid things made mostly of cotton.

I really like the Women’s Columbia Saturday Trail pants. They are supper stretchy so they don’t restrict movement, dry quickly, and are inexpensive.

Sun hat

A hat is essential to shade your eyes and protect you from sunburn. I like to wear a baseball style hat like the Patagonia LoPro Trucker.

Sunglasses

Sunglasses are essential to protect your eyes from the sun and wind. Any sunglasses will do. Currently I am rocking the Ray-Ban Justin Sunglasses.

Underwear

Hands down, the Ex Officio Give-N-Go Bikini (women) and Ex Officio Give-N-Go briefs (mens) are the best hiking and travel underwear out there.  They are exceptionally breathable, dry very quickly, and have an antimicrobial treatment to reduce odor. I carry two pair so that I have one pair to wear while I wash the other.

Sports Bra

I like the Brooks JustRIght Racer Sports Bra.

Socks

The Darn Tough Micro Crew Cushion (Men’s / Women’s) socks are great for hiking and they last forever. I usually pack 2 pair.

Shoes 

Traditionally, hikers and backpackers wore over the ankle leather or synthetic hiking boots. These boots are stiff, heavy, and once wet they can stay wet for days. If you are carrying very heavy loads in snowy or very rugged conditions then heavy boots may be appropriate. However, the rest of us can get away with lighter weight hiking shoes or trail running shoes. These shoes are more comfortable so you don’t need to carry an extra pair of shoes to change into when in camp, don’t need to be broken in, dry very quickly, and are lightweight.

I wear Altra Lone Peak 4.0 (Men’s / Women’s) trail runners. They offer a roomy toe box, good cushioning, and exceptional grip. These are a zero-drop shoe meaning the heel is not higher than the font of the foot and they require an acclimatization period if you are not used to this.

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Clothing Packed

Insulating jacket 

This can consist of a heavy fleece or a puffy jacket filled with either down or synthetic insulation. Fleece is cheap and durable, but heavy and bulky. As a result, I would recommend a synthetic or down filled puffy jacket. Synthetic filled jackets perform better than down in very wet environments and they are cheaper. Down will give you the most warmth with the least weight but will also be the priciest option.

The Montbell Alpine Light Down Parka (Men’s / Women’s) is an excellent value and it packs exceptional warmth for its weight (14.2 ounces, Men’s Medium).

Long Underwear Top 

This serves as an extra upper layer to wear in camp and as sleepwear. It can be layered over your base layer t-shirt and under your insulating jacket for added warmth.

The Patagonia Midweight Long Underwear Crew Top (Men’s / Women’s)  is a backpacker favorite.

Long Underwear Bottoms 

A pair of insulting bottoms can layer under hiking pants to keep you warm in camp and serve as sleepwear.

I recommend the Patagonia Midweight Long Underwear Bottoms (Men’s / Women’s).

Rain jacket 

It is a good idea to carry a rain jacket even if rain is not in the forecast. Even if it doesn’t rain, you can layer a rain jacket over your insulating jacket for added wind protection and warmth.

I use a Montbell Versalite Jacket (Men’s / Women’s). I love it because it has an adjustable hood, pit zips, two hand pockets, adjustable hem/cuffs, and it’s lightweight at 6.4ounces (men’s M).

For a more affordable option, although heavier, the Marmot Pre-cip (Men’s / Women’s) is an excellent value.

Rain Pants

I usually only bring rain pants if there is rain in the forecast. They can double as a wind pants to keep your legs toasty if it is very cold or windy. The Outdoor Research Helium Rain Pants work well and only weight 6 ounces.

Gloves

A thin pair of liner gloves like the Black Diamond Lightweight Screentap Gloves work well to insulate your hands through chilly mornings and nights.

Warm hat 

I use a fleece lined beanie.

Sleep Socks 

I keep one pair of Darn Tough Socks (Men’s / Women’s) in my sleeping bag which I only wear when sleeping. This way I always have a clean and dry pair for sleeping.

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Toiletries and Medical

Toothbrush + Toothpaste

Pack small travel sized versions.

Sunscreen

Wearing lightweight long sleeved clothing can provide most of your sun protection. For most trips I carry a small bottle of sunscreen for my hands, ears and face. Thinksport and Raw Elements are my two favorites. They are the only natural sunscreens I have tried that will actually spread across my skin without making me look like a pasty clown. Yes, they are pricey, but they are made from all-natural ingredients and don’t contain irritating preservatives or fragrances.

Chap Stick

Spending all day in the sun or in cold and windy conditions will wreak havoc on your lips. Be kind to your lips, bring chap stick.

Menstrual Cup

Ok, this one is for the ladies. Men, if you are squeamish then skip ahead… If carrying around used feminine products with you in the backcountry doesn’t sound like fun, then I highly recommend trying a menstrual cup. They are reusable, economical, and combat the negative environmental effects of disposable feminine hygiene products. It sounds gross at first, but now that I am used to one I will never go back! I like the DivaCup, however you may need to try a few brands to find one that fits your body.

Medications

Any medications that you take regularly.

First aid kit 

The Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7 First-Aid Kit has all the essentials that you need for minor backcountry medical issues all conveniently packaged in one waterproof package.

Hand Sanitizer 

Travel size

Soap

Dr. Bronner’s Organic Liquid Soap comes in a convenient two ounce bottle and is highly concentrated. A few drops are all you need to lather up for a good washing. I use this soap for everything from hand washing, bathing, washing clothes, and doing dishes. The peppermint scent is also super refreshing.

Toilet paper 

This is also an optional item (snow, leaves, and smooth rocks can work well if you want to go natural). That being said, moist wipes feel really nice. I let mine dry out before packing to save a little weight, and then re-hydrate them as needed.

Trowel 

A trowel makes digging cat-holes easy. The TentLab Deuce of Spades #2 has you covered.

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Other Essentials

Headlamp 

A headlamp allows you to see in the dark while keeping your hands free.

I have been using the Petzl Tikka Headlamp for over 10 years. It’s cheap, simple, and durable.

Whistle

A whistle is essential for signaling for help. I wear mine around my neck so I always have it with me.

Repair kit

In my repair kit I keep the patch kit for my sleeping pad, a needle and thread, and Tenacious Tape patches.

Knife or Multi-tool

A small and lightweight knife comes in handy for repairs, cutting summer sausage, and opening containers. The Victorinox Swiss Army Classic SD or the Spyderco Dragonfly 2 are great lightweight options.

Bandana 

Bandanas can serve a million purposes. Use one as a handkerchief, wipe off condensation from tent walls, make a sling for and injured arm, stage a robbery, the possibilities are endless.

Permits with ID 

You will need permits and identification if you are traveling through an area that requires them.

Mosquito Headnet and/or Bug Spray

I personally don’t like putting chemicals on my body so I don’t carry bug spray. If the bugs are bad I put on my long sleeve clothing and wear a head net.

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THANKS!

Thanks so much for checking out my backpacking gear list. I Hope that this list will help you have an excellent trip. As always, please remember to follow Leave No Trace principles to preserve the natural state of the places we love. Feel free to comment below if you have any questions, suggestions, or good vibes you want to share. If you found this guide useful, please like, pin, and share using the “share” icons below.

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