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.
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.
Emily Thompson, a 32-year-old mother of two, hails from Austin, Texas. With a background in journalism and a passion for storytelling, travel, quotes and spirituality.
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?
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
Hi my loved one I wish to say that this post is amazing nice written and include approximately all vital infos Id like to peer more posts like this
Thank you for the amazing blog post!
Desde que haja uma rede, a gravação remota em tempo real pode ser realizada sem instalação de hardware especial.
There is definately a lot to find out about this subject. I like all the points you made
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!
I appreciate you sharing this blog post. Thanks Again. Cool.
I was reading through some of your articles on this
internet site and I believe this website is rattling
instructive! Keep on posting.Blog monry
Temp Mail I really like reading through a post that can make men and women think. Also, thank you for allowing me to comment!
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.
Vitazen Keto Gummies I just like the helpful information you provide in your articles
Ny weekly I appreciate you sharing this blog post. Thanks Again. Cool.
Real Estate Pretty! This has been a really wonderful post. Many thanks for providing these details.
BaddieHub very informative articles or reviews at this time.
allegheny county real estate I appreciate you sharing this blog post. Thanks Again. Cool.
allegheny county real estate Hi there to all, for the reason that I am genuinely keen of reading this website’s post to be updated on a regular basis. It carries pleasant stuff.
Tech to Force Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on websites
Muito obrigado por esse artigo tão informativo e bem elaborado. Foi muito útil para mim.
Thinker Pedia There is definately a lot to find out about this subject. I like all the points you made
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. https://accounts.binance.com/hu/register?ref=FIHEGIZ8
FinTech ZoomUs I do not even understand how I ended up here, but I assumed this publish used to be great
Houzzmagazine I am truly thankful to the owner of this web site who has shared this fantastic piece of writing at at this place.
Blue Techker This is my first time pay a quick visit at here and i am really happy to read everthing at one place