The Ultimate Backpacking Checklist (Updated For 2023)

by

Backpacking is equally memorable, thrilling, and intimidating. It can be daunting to pack for your backpacking excursion because you won’t be able to stock up once you start your journey in most cases. Understandably, many people struggle with what to pack for backpacking.

A backpack, tent, sleeping bag, camping stove, food, and cooler are the most important items to pack for backpacking. Make sure to bring electrolyte packets or sports drinks to avoid dehydration and pack a refillable water bottle for backpacking. Pack water purification tablets if you aren’t sure about how much potable water you will encounter along the way.

Cookware and dry snacks are also important to make sure you don’t starve while backpacking. Follow along as we explore what to pack for backpacking and highlight some unnecessary items you should leave at home.

What Should You Pack for Backpacking?

Backpacking Backpack

It wouldn’t be called backpacking if you didn’t need a backpack to do it. However, you need to make sure you get a backpack made especially for backpacking. The key difference is that backpacking backpacks are typically compact but feature plenty of room for storage.

They are also well-padded which makes them quite comfortable, even when you fill them with backpacking essentials. Between the padded straps and tall design, you can wear a backpacking backpack for hours without getting uncomfortable because of the ergonomic layout.

Tent

A tent is just as essential as a backpack when backpacking. Ideally, you should pack a 30 to 35-square-foot backpack when backpacking with two people. A two-person tent is quite comfortable for one person as well, and it gives you room to put your backpack and other belongings in the tent.

However, if you aren’t sure what to pack for backpacking alone, a 15 to 20-square-foot tent is enough for one person. A single-person tent will also conserve space and reduce the weight on your back if you have a lot in your backpack.

Image by Ben Frieden from Pixabay

Sleeping Bag

What would backpacking be without a sleeping bag? Pairing the right sleeping bag with a sleeping bag can ensure a healthy night of sleep. Look for sleeping bags made of nylon or polyester so you can stay comfortable overnight without sacrificing warmth.

However, a sleeping bag may be unnecessary if you plan to stay in hostels and hotels after long days of backpacking. Either way, it won’t hurt to bring a sleeping bag, pillow, and mattress pad if there are no rooms available or you hike longer than you expected.

Sleeping Pads

Sleeping pads, or mattress pads, are essential to pack for backpacking. You never know what condition the ground will be in when backpacking. Because of that, it never hurts to pack at least one sleeping pad to place on the ground beneath your sleeping bag.

Some backpackers stack two sleeping pads on top of one another. It’s also essential to pack two mattress pads if two people will sleep in your tent. They typically weigh less than 16 ounces, so they won’t add much weight to your backpack. You can also typically attach them to an outer strap on your backpack, so they won’t waste any space inside.

Portable Camping Stove

Portable camping stoves are essential to pack for backpacking if you plan to camp overnight. This will give you the chance to cook some quick campsite meals so you have enough energy before you head out to hike again. Simple camping stoves start at $20, but more advanced models cost up to $300.

However, it’s best to pack a small camping stove for backpacking that can fit in your backpack or a compact carrying case. Make sure to bring charcoal and lighter fluid unless you pack an electric camping stove.

Camping Cookware

Camping cookware is necessary if you pack a portable stove for backpacking. However, you should only bring cookware that you know you will use. Small pots, pans, and silverware that don’t take up much space ensure you can cook quick campsite meals without taking up too much space.

Food

Your portable camping stove and cookware will be useless without food. Cold foods like eggs, avocados, bacon, sausage, and even imitation crab provide plenty of nutrients while backpacking. Fruits like apples, oranges, and pears are great healthy snacks as well.

It also helps to pack dry snacks like Cliff Bars, granola bars, and nuts for backpacking. That way, you won’t have to prepare them throughout the day when you get hungry and need electrolytes.

Cooler

You must pack a cooler for backpacking if you plan to bring food that you would typically refrigerate. Failing to do so will cause your food to spoil, and that is quite dangerous. Camping coolers are typically bigger because they’re meant to stay at your campsite while you hike.

Backpacking coolers are much more compact and can fit in your backpack. Otherwise, you can simply use the exterior straps to hold your cooler while backpacking.

Refillable Water Bottle

Without at least one refillable water bottle, you will endanger yourself while backpacking. Ideally, you should pack and fill several refillable water bottles for backpacking so you have enough to last at least one day. Many backpackers plan their trips accordingly to encounter several water refill stations throughout their backpacking trips.

However, you can’t always guarantee that you’ll find water refill stations that are currently in service. It’s best to bring as many full water bottles as possible in case you must change your backpacking route.

Water Purification Tablets

Many seasoned backpackers bring water purification tablets on their trips. That’s because they give you the peace of mind to drink water that may otherwise be harmful without consequence. Water purification tablets typically contain iodine, chlorine, and chlorine dioxide.

You must simply place the tablet in your water and wait 30 minutes for it to dissolve and purify the water. However, it’s important to follow the directions on the labels of the tablets you pack to make sure you use them correctly.

Electrolyte Packets

It’s typically cheaper to pack electrolyte tablets than to bring several sports drinks when backpacking. You can essentially use electrolyte tablets to turn water into a sports drink. Brands like Liquid IV make packets and powders that contain potassium, sodium, sugar, and several B vitamins. These are all essential to replenish your system after sweating all day while backpacking.

Compass

Getting lost is the last thing you want when backpacking. That’s why you should pack a compass for backpacking to ensure you can always tell the direction. Both electric and analog compasses can point you in the right direction to make sure you don’t get lost on the trails.

What to Not Bring While Backpacking

Jewelry

There’s no reason to pack too much jewelry for backpacking. You will likely sweat a lot and get dirty, and damaging nice jewelry is the last thing you want to do. Leave your jewelry at home before backpacking unless it holds deep sentimentality for you. Otherwise, simply place your sentimental jewelry in a compartment in your backpack so you don’t lose or damage it.

Perfume and Cologne

Perfume and cologne can work wonders to mask odors when you exert energy. However, the sweet aromas they often produce can also attract bugs. If you must bring perfume and cologne, look for something with natural ingredients that aren’t sweet, such as lavender, basil, and eucalyptus.

Too Many Electronics

There’s no reason to pack any unnecessary electronics for backpacking. You should bring your phone and even a hiking GPS, but you should never pack a laptop or tablet. The heat can damage the battery and internal components within your electronic devices, and it’s not worth the trouble.

Plastic

It may be tempting to pack lots of single-use plastics for backpacking, but they do more harm than good. Not only will plastic water bottles and cookware take up extra space in your backpack, but they are bad for the environment. However, it may be necessary to pack a few water bottles if you only have one refillable bottle and want to ensure you stay hydrated.

So, What Do You Need to Bring Backpacking?

You must pack a backpack, tent, sleeping bag, portable stove, cookware, and food for backpacking. Pack a cooler to store cold food and electrolyte packets to replenish the electrolytes you lose through sweat. It also helps to bring a sleeping pad to lay under your sleeping bag and water purification tablets if you expect to encounter impure water.

329 thoughts on “The Ultimate Backpacking Checklist (Updated For 2023)”

  1. Agora, a tecnologia de posicionamento tem sido amplamente utilizada. Muitos carros e telefones celulares têm funções de posicionamento e também existem muitos aplicativos de posicionamento. Quando seu telefone for perdido, você pode usar essas ferramentas para iniciar rapidamente as solicitações de rastreamento de localização. Entenda como localizar a localização do telefone, como localizar o telefone depois que ele for perdido?

  2. Usually I do not read article on blogs however I would like to say that this writeup very compelled me to take a look at and do so Your writing taste has been amazed me Thanks quite nice post

  7. I was lucky enough to find this phenomenal website recently, a jewel providing value to subscribers. The clever owner really understands how to crank out relevant content. I’m pumped about this find and hopeful the excellent content keeps coming!

  11. I am not sure where youre getting your info but good topic I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more Thanks for magnificent info I was looking for this information for my mission.

  25. Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to assert that I get actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I will be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently fast.

  26. Noodlemagazine You’re so awesome! I don’t believe I have read a single thing like that before. So great to find someone with some original thoughts on this topic. Really.. thank you for starting this up. This website is something that is needed on the internet, someone with a little originality!

  34. I will right away seize your rss as I can not find your e-mail subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you have any? Please permit me understand in order that I could subscribe. Thanks.

  46. Generally I do not learn post on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very compelled me to try and do so! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thank you, quite great article.

  74. Aw, this was a very nice post. Spending some time and actual effort to produce a really good articleÖ but what can I sayÖ I put things off a lot and never manage to get nearly anything done.

  75. Heya i am for the first time here. I came across this board and I in finding It truly helpful & it helped me out a lot.I’m hoping to present one thing again and aid others such as you aided me.

  97. I want to to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely enjoyed every bit of it. I’ve got you saved as a favorite to check out new stuff you postÖ

  100. Thanks , I have just been searching for info approximately this subject for ages and yours is the greatest I have found out so far. However, what in regards to the conclusion? Are you sure concerning the source?

  102. Thanks for the good writeup. It actually was once a entertainment account it.Glance complicated to far delivered agreeable from you!By the way, how could we keep in touch?

  103. Fantastic post however I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this subject?I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit more.Thanks!

  105. Thanks, I have just been looking for information approximately this subject for a while and yours is the greatest I’ve discovered till now. But, what concerning the bottom line? Are you sure about the supply?

  106. Aw, this was a really nice post. Finding the time and actual effort to make a superb articleÖ but what can I sayÖ I put things off a whole lot and don’t manage to get anything done.

  109. I’m interested in this position brethine and imuran His retirement, after 13 seasons as a Yankee (with a three year break as a GI from 1943 through ’45), took on the appearance of a mob scene from Quo Vadis

  133. Aw, this was a really good post. Finding the time and actual effort to generate a great article… but what can I say… I hesitate a lot and don’t seem to get anything done.

  136. From start to finish, this blog post had us hooked. The content was insightful, entertaining, and had us feeling grateful for all the amazing resources out there. Keep up the great work!

  146. An intriguing discussion is worth comment.There’s no doubt that that you should publish more on this issue,it may not be a taboo subject but usually folks don’t discuss such topics.To the next! Cheers!!

  166. This is a very good tip especially to those fresh to the blogosphere. Simple but very precise information?Thank you for sharing this one. A must read article!

  181. Hello there! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with SEO?I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing verygood success. If you know of any please share. Appreciateit!

  183. Thank you for another informative blog. Where else could I get that kind of information written in such an ideal way? I have a project that I am just now working on, and I have been on the look out for such information.

  189. Outstanding post however , I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this subject? I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit more. Many thanks!

  197. I was recommended this blog by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my difficulty. You’re incredible! Thanks!

  199. This blog is without a doubt educating as well as amusing. I have chosen a lot of interesting things out of this source. I ad love to come back over and over again. Thanks!

  201. Do you have a spam problem on this blog; I also am a blogger, and I was wondering your situation; we have developed some nice practices and we are looking to trade methods withother folks, be sure to shoot me an email if interested.

  203. A packet of envelopes order sildenafil citrate I think everybody in this organization, and I think we want to be back in the playoffs and pushing for a championship and it’s something that I honestly think we can do

  211. I’m about to run out of credit deuces wild video poker tips Booker allegedly met with an undercover FBI agent in October, at which point he pledged support to the Islamic State, and said he would be willing to engage in jihad on behalf of the group

  224. Zerchik.com is a name that has become synonymous with quality and excellence in the world of mushroom production. Specializing in fresh button mushrooms, Zerchik has established itself as the go-to brand for top-tier mushrooms in Iraq. With a commitment to sustainable farming practices and innovative techniques, Zerchik ensures that every mushroom harvested is of the highest quality. As the demand for fresh, locally-grown mushrooms rises, Zerchik stands out as Iraq’s most trusted supplier. By focusing on freshness and flavor, Zerchik mushrooms have earned a reputation for being the preferred choice among consumers, chefs, and distributors.

  327. I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.

Leave a Comment