Backpacking Essentials Checklist. You can download my complete list of CAMPING ESSENTIALS CHECKLIST for FREE.
Are you an outdoor enthusiast thinking about a backpacking camping adventure in the mountains and want to know what to add to your backpacking essentials checklist? If so, thank you for stopping by. You’ll find here my full list of key backpacking gear to ensure that you’ll have all you need for exploring the great outdoors.
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Though I’ve done dozens of day hikes, I’m still new to backpacking. And if you’re new like me and have never gone on a backpacking camping adventure, you might be filled with all sorts of feelings and emotions. I know I was. I was both excited and terrified of spending a night up in the mountains and not sure if I had everything I needed.
I hope you’ll find this backpacking essential checklist helpful. Please feel free to add comments and suggestions on what I should add to this list.
You can download my complete list of CAMPING ESSENTIALS CHECKLIST for FREE
If you are new to backpacking and camping, you’ll appreciate this list of my recommended essentials specifically for beginners, including items for him and her.
1. Tent
We chose to go with a 3-person tent which has enough room to include our poles, backpacks and shoes. I appreciate that this tent has two doors, since on one side is where our dog sleeps. Beginner’s Tip: Practice setting up your tent at home before your trip to avoid first time frustration.
2. REI Co-op Passage Footprint $34.99
This helps protect your tent from getting wet and dirty.Tent Stake:
3. REI Co-Op Aluminum Hook Tent Stake $1.95 per item *6 = $11.70
4. Utility Cord: PMI 3mm Utility Cord $5.00
5. Sleeping Bag
Do you toss around while sleeping and change sleeping positions throughout the night like me? This sleeping bag is perfect and ideal if you want to stay warm and still have space.
Women’s Nemo Viola 20 $142.39
6. Sleeping Pad
NEMO Switchback Sleeping Pad $37.39 *2 = 74.78
We bought two; one for Mr. R and one for me.
7. Blow up Sleeping Pads REI Co-op Flash Insulated Air Sleeping Pad $99.95 *2 = $199.90
8. Hat
REI Co-op Screeline Cap $24.95
9. Pillow
NEMO Fillo Backpacking Pillow $39.95*2 = $79.90
10. Backpack
Men’s Osprey Atmos AG 65 Pack $270
Women’s Osprey Aura AG 50 Pack $240
11. Backpack Rain Cover
Osprey Ultralight Pack Rain Cover-Large $37.00
12. Hiking Boots
Men’ s Hiking Boots: Oboz Bridger Mid BDry $180
Women’s Hiking Boots: La Sportiva FC 4.1 GTX $175
13. Socks
WRIGHTSOCK Double Layer Silver Escape Crews Socks $18.00
14. Hiking Pants
Men’s REI Co-op Classic Sagara Convertible Pants $64.50
Women’s REI C0-op Sahara Convertible Pants $69.95
15. Long-Sleeves Shirt
Men’s REI Co-Op Sahara Solid $59.95
Women’s Columbia Silver Ridge Lite Shirt $50
16. T-Shirt
Men’s REI Co-op Lightweight Base Layer Crew $29.50
17. Bathing Wipes
18. Compass
19. Trekking Poles
Men’s Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork $129.95
Women’s
Black Diamond Trail Pro Shock $129.95
20. Towel
PackTowl Personal Towel $24.95
21. Stove
MSR Pocket Rocket Stove Kit $99.95
It comes with everything needed for meal preparation. This 10-piece cook set is efficient and comes with cookware, dishes and utensils. It’s easy to use and reliable.
22. Fire
MSR ISO PRO Fuel (outof stock) 8 5.95*4 = $23.80
23. Frontiersman Insider Bear Safe $79.95
Some hiking trails and campsites have no trees to put up a bear line, so I suggest adding the bear safe container to your backpacking list.
24. Mountain House Essential Freeze-Dried Food Bucket $103.00
25. Mountain House Just In Case Breakfast Bucket $107
Backpacker’s Pantry Granola with Bananas & Milk- 2 Servings $8.50
TrailFork Coconut Granola with Milk- 1 Serving $8.50
26. Coffee
Alpine Start Instant Coffee – Package of 8 $9.00
27. Water Filter
LifeStraw Flex with Gravity-1 gal $54.95
28. Mini-Water Filter
Water Mini Water Filter $19.95*2 = $39.90
29. Trowel
GSI Outdoors Cathole Sanitation Trowel $4.95
30. Insect repellent
Ben’s Eco Spray Insect Repellent -30 Percent DEET $7.95*4 = $31.80
Note on Food: You can choose to bring perishable food to have for lunch. On a recent camping trip with our dog, we brought 6 P&J sandwiches, 4 peaches, 2 bananas, 2 yogurts, 6 hardboiled eggs and 12 KIND energy bars.
Since I’ve taken day hiking many times, I already own things I didn’t have to buy. If you are interested only in day hikes, you can find a full day hiking checklist on my blog post here (insert link)
Other things to bring on a backpacking trip
- Water bottle
- Lantern for Lighting
- Headlamp
- Long sleeves shirts & long underwear
- A lighter
- Portable power
- A beanie hat and gloves
- Bandanas
- Warm coat
- Warm soaks
- Rain jacket
- Duct tape
- Extra batteries
- Notebook and pencil or pen
- Book to read
- Camp chairs. On Amazon and we found some quite comfortable chairs, instead of having to sit on a rock or a log.
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So much stuff i go on a hike without. I DEFINITELY need some good hiking pants. What does the beer thing do? Im intrigued.