Backpacking Gear Checklist (Updated)
- Tiff
- Feb 9, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 7, 2024
Backpacking is one of the best experiences in the whole world! The adventure, the views, the carrying all your essentials right on your back! Taking to the woods and ridges is magical. Part of the backpacking experience is getting to know your bag well. You'll pack and repack each night and morning, coming up with your system with each trip. You'll learn what works for you, what needs to be shifted, and where to put your essentials.
Your backpacking checklist will need to be adapted to the hiking trail, amount of days, the location of the trail, the temperature you'll hike in, and the season you hike during. Temperature, sun exposure, terrain, and elevation play huge roles in what you pack and what you leave behind.
Here is a list of basic materials you may consider packing on your backpacking trip!
Basic Necessities
These are the bones for your backpacking trip. Here are your basic necessities:
Fitted backpack
Hiking poles
Tent + poles
Tent footprint
Sleeping bag (or bivvy if you're ultralight)
Sleeping pad
Clothes
You only need to pack a couple of pairs of clothes for the entire trip. Packing extra clothes is just excess, unnecessary weight. You also want to account for the season you're hiking and the elevation you'll be sleeping at. You want to pack for both day and night temperatures, which means layer layer layer. You'll also find this list in the JMT Essentials post.
Here are the essentials for your multiday backpacking trip.
Two pairs of hiking shorts and/or pants. I have hiking pants that unzip into shorts. These are better than pants or shorts! Bonus points if they have built-in underwear
Two day shirts (short and long sleeve)
Long underwear
Warm layer (fleece, jackets, soft shells)
Puffy jacket
Rain jacket/shell
Fleece leggings
Two or three pairs of day socks (wear the same pair until ya can’t bear it anymore)
Wool socks for sleeping
Knit cap for sleeping and cold
Gloves
Buffs (the tube bandana)
Two sports bras. I had a shirt that was also a sports bra
Camp shoes (light-weight slip-ons)
Gaiters (optional)
Kitchen, Food, Water
Propane (plus extra in resupply)
Backpacking stove
Water filter
Spork
Mug/cup that you can heat water in. It can also act as a bowl
Lighter
Light-weight water bottle (smart water bottles work like a charm). I used a water bladder + extra bottle reserved for electrolyte drinks
Bear canister
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks
Electrolytes
Camp Gear
Backpack rain cover - make sure your rain cover is fitted for your pack. It doesn't need to be the same brand (I use an REI one cleverly called Duck's Back over an Osprey pack), just the right size
Headlamp
Batteries
Whistle
First aid kit
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Chapstick
Hat
Bug spray
Bug net
Knife
Compass
Map
Duct tape
Toiletries
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Tampons
Potable bidet
Toilet paper
Wipes
Extra zip locks to put your used TP in. TIP: if you want to avoid TP, use a portable bidet and a pee cloth
Lightweight poop shovel
Hand sanitizer
Prep-H
Extra Stuff
Phone
ID
Permits
Credit card
Cash
Car Keys
Hair ties
Portable solar charger
Phone charger
GPS
Bear spray, if allowed
Ibuprofen/meds
Camping pillow
Nail clippers
Fun Stuff
Deck of cards
Journal
Pen
Book/kindle
Camera
Headphones
That covers the basics of a backpacking checklist! Have fun experimenting with where your stuff needs to live in your pack. While packing, remember that everything you pack, you carry with you. This may seem obvious, but I tell you this because everything you pack should be important to your trip. Carrying extra stuff adds unnecessary weight to your pack, which means a heavier trek. You don't need to be an ultralight backpacker when going on a hike, but you do need to be aware of how each item will impact your pack weight. The more you pack your bag, the more you'll realize what matters to you and your trip. Happy packing and happy trails!
[Updated June 2024]
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