Backpacking Gear Guide: All the Gear Essentials You Need for a Backpacking Trip
In 2022 alone, I backpacked over 3,450 miles between hiking the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail, the 800-mile Arizona Trail, and several backpacking trips in my current home state of Washington. I’ve put a lot of time (and I mean a lot) into finding the best backpacking gear (in my opinion) that is durable, quality, and ultralight. Here, I hope to share some of my knowledge with you so you can create your own backpacking gear setup. I provide an overview of both ultralight and lightweight options of backpacking gear, along with some budget-friendly options and some higher-priced items.
To really enjoy backpacking, I recommend trying to keep your base weight light (but still having all the essentials to be prepared for any situation) because carrying heavy gear over miles and miles is not very fun (in my personal opinion). What is base weight? Base weight is the weight of all your gear not including your worn weight, e.g. clothes you wear and shoes, or consumables like food, water, and fuel. An “ultralight” base weight is typically considered under 10-lbs. My camera gear usually puts me over 10-lbs, but without my camera gear, my base weight is typically between 8-9 lbs.
I’ve organized everything into the following sections if you want to jump ahead:
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Backpacking Gear
Backpack
Backpacking Pack
Arguably, the last piece of gear you should get is your backpack (yes, I understand that it is ironic that I put this first in the list) because you should first determine the weight and volume of the rest of your gear is to make sure it will fit in your pack and the pack can carry the amount of weight, rather than buying a pack and hoping everything fits.
In general, I prefer frameless ultralight backpacks because I try to keep my pack weight down as much as possible (around 10-lb base weight). My current favorite backpack is the Nashville Pack Cutaway 30L Backpack (check out my full review here)! This is an ultralight, frameless pack that has the best shoulder straps available and also has a million pockets. There are a ton of customization options, from torso length, to strap length, to colors, and more.
I also really like Gossamer Gear’s packs because they are durable, lightweight, and pretty affordable compared to other ultralight pack brands. I also love how comfortable they are. One of my favorite packs I’ve used is the Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50L pack (weighs 28.9-32.1oz depending on size), which I took on the John Muir Trail and felt it was perfect for that adventure! This pack size (50L) is very versatile in my opinion. It allows enough space if you need to bring a bear can or maybe you want to bring a lot of camera gear. I also find this size is great for when I backpack with my dog, so I have plenty of room to bring his things, too. For a smaller, ultralight pack I highly recommend the Gossamer Gear Kumo 36L pack (weighs 18.5-20.5oz depending on size), which I took with me on my thru-hike of the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail. If neither of those sizes is quite right for you, Gossamer Gear also makes a 42L G4-20 Ultralight Pack and the 60L Mariposa Backpack.
If you have a slightly bigger budget, the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 4400 Southwest Pack and Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Southwest Pack are popular lightweight packs, too.
If an ultralight frameless backpack isn’t for you, then I recommend trying a framed backpack such as the Osprey 58L Pack (Women’s / Men’s) or the REI Co-op Flash 55 Pack (Women’s / Men’s).
With backpacking packs, they all have a “comfort weight” rating. For the backpacks to be comfortable while hiking, I recommend keeping the total weight of your gear, food, and water under that comfort weight rating.
Waterproof Pack Liner or Pack Cover
Most backpacking packs are not 100% waterproof and keeping your essential gear (sleeping bag, jacket, extra clothes, etc.) dry is essential. Even if a pack claims to be waterproof, having a bag liner is a smart idea. I always line my pack with a clear waterproof pack liner. These bags are cheap, waterproof, and ultralight, weighing in at only 1.2 oz. Another option is to bring a waterproof pack cover, such as the Osprey UltraLight Pack Raincover.
Shelter
Tent or Tarp
There are so many shelters to choose from, it can be a bit overwhelming. Are you backpacking alone or with someone else? Do you want a freestanding tent or not? Single walled or double walled? Want to go super ultralight and bring a tarp? The options go on and on. I’ve tried a lot of different shelters when backpacking: tarp, trekking-pole tent, semi-freestanding, 2-person, 1-person, etc. Each has their own pros and cons, so it really just comes down to what you are looking for.
The best ultralight and affordable 1-person tent I can recommend is Gossamer Gear’s The One Tent (17.7 oz), which weighs only slightly over 1-lb. I used this tent on the John Muir Trail and Pacific Crest Trail. It is a single-walled trekking-pole tent, meaning you use your trekking poles (or an ultralight tent pole) to set it up. I personally love this tent. It also comes in a 2-person version.
If you are looking for a free-standing tent, Big Agnes has some amazing options, but are a bit more expensive. Tim and I use the Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL 2 (technically is a “semi-freestanding” tent) when we backpack together with our dog, so it fits 2-people and a 45-lb dog (we’re definitely snuggling up next to each other, so if you want a little extra space and are two people with a dog, I would recommend a 3-person tent). The Big Agnes Copper Spur (1-person, 2-person, 3-person) and Tiger Wall (2-person, 3-person) tents are also great options.
If you are going super ultralight and want to just use a tarp, I recommend the High Tail Designs tarp, which weighs just 7.3 oz and you use trekking poles to pitch it (or ultralight tent poles). I used this tarp on the Pacific Crest Trail and the Arizona Trail. A more budget friendly option is the Gossamer Gear Twinn Tarp. I know tarp camping can seem a little intimidating, but it is a really cool way to feel even more connected with nature when backpacking. However, if it is bug or mosquito season, you may want to pair it with a bivy. I typically switch to a tent when the bugs come out.
Tent Poles
This highly depends on what shelter you are bringing. If you are using a freestanding or semi-freestanding tent, these likely came with the tent pole(s) you need to use to pitch your tent. If you are using a trekking pole tent or a tarp, such as the Gossamer Gear The One or the High Tail Designs tarp, then you need to make sure you have either two trekking poles with you to set them up (or however many are required) or bring the appropriate number of tent poles in the needed height.
I typically only hike with one trekking pole because I like having a free hand for snacks, so I usually bring one trekking pole and one tent pole to set up my shelter. Bringing a tent pole instead of a second trekking pole is much lighter than carrying a second trekking pole that I won’t use. For example, when I bring the Gossamer Gear The One, I bring a single trekking pole and then the Six Moon Designs 5 Section Pole - 49" Aluminum (3.7 oz) to pitch it. And when I use the High Tail Designs tarp, I bring a single trekking pole and the Six Moon Designs Carbon Fiber Pole, 45 inches (1.7 oz) to set it up.
Stakes
The number of stakes to bring also depends on your shelter and how many are needed. I typically bring Vargo Ti Shepherds Hook Stakes (0.28 oz/stake) to use on side pitches and then MSR Groundhog Stakes (0.5 oz/stake) for the ridge-lines. Please reference your shelter’s information and directions to determine the proper number of stakes to use.
Groundsheet
You can buy a ground sheet that perfectly matches the footprint of your tent, such as the Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL 2 Footprint. However, I personally find these to be expensive and heavy. I personally prefer to use Duck Brand Indoor Window Shrink Film Insulator as a ground sheet, which might throw you for a loop unless you’re familiar with the things people do to make their backpacking gear ultralight. I like to use this window plastic covering cut down to a size that fits under my tent or tarp. You might be wondering…why? Because it is super light at only 50g (1.76 oz)! And it packs down really well to stuff in your bag. Since it’s just a cheap sheet of plastic, it’ll likely rip, so you have to be careful with it. But it costs and weighs a fraction of the amount of the name-brand footprints.
Sleep System
Sleeping Bag or Quilt
Choosing a sleeping bag or quilt depends on what you are looking for in regards to warmth rating, style (bag vs. quilt), and fill material (down vs. synthetic). I personally opt for a down sleeping quilt for backpacking, which is basically a sleeping bag without a back or hood. Why a quilt instead of a bag? Because when you sleep in a down sleeping bag, the back of the bag is fully compressed from you laying on it and the compressed down is not insulating, thus it might as well not be there so you can save some weight. Instead, for insulation on the bottom you use your sleeping pad. Check out my blog post Ultimate Sleeping Quilt Guide: Why I Use a Quilt Instead of a Sleeping Bag for 3-Season Backpacking for more information about quilts and why I prefer using them over sleeping bags.
I typically use a 20°F or 30°F rated quilt for 3-season backpacking depending on the weather. For a budget, high-quality, ultralight quilt, I recommend the Hammock Gear Burrow Quilt (custom quilts / in-stock quilts). I have a 30°F Burrow with the following specifications: short length (since I'm 5'4"), wide width (recommended for when sleeping on the ground), and sewn foot-box style (some people prefer the zipper style to have a more “blanket” like quilt). I used a Hammock Gear 20F Burrow on the John Muir Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Arizona Trail, and Continental Divide Trail. If you’ll be sleeping in some colder temperatures, you can also bring along a down hood to insulate your head.
If I still haven’t convinced you to try a quilt instead of a sleeping bag, the REI Co-op Magma Sleeping Bag is a good option for backpacking and it comes in either a 16°F (Women’s / Men’s) or 30°F (Women’s / Men’s) temperature rating.
Sleeping Pad
My go-to backpacking sleeping pad is the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad (12 oz - 17 oz depending on size), which comes in various lengths depending on how tall you are. It has a great R-value (4.5), which makes it great for three-season backpacking and provides good insulation from the ground. If you prefer a closed-cell foam sleeping pad, I recommend the Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite Sol Sleeping Pad (10 or 14 oz depending on size) or the NEMO Switchback Sleeping Pad (10.5 or 14.5 oz depending on size).
Pillow
Some people consider a pillow a “luxury” item, but I don’t. Getting a good night of sleep is essential to me and for me, that means having a comfortable pillow. My favorite backpacking pillows are the Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow (2 oz, regular size) and the Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow (2.5 oz, regular size). Another good option is the NEMO Fillo Elite Pillow (3 oz, one size).
Navigation
Don’t get lost on your backpacking trip! I typically use the AllTrails or FarOut apps on my phone for backpacking trips. For AllTrails, I pay for an annual subscription that allows me to download maps offline, so when I’m hiking I don’t have to worry if I don’t have cell phone service. FarOut is geared more towards long-distance trails, such as the Pacific Crest Trail and Arizona Trail, and provides helpful information regarding water sources and town/resupply information. Sometimes I’ll also bring paper maps with me. If you do opt to only take paper maps, I recommend learning how to use a compass to navigate.
Electronics
Light / Headlamp
Bringing some form of light, whether it is a headlamp or a flashlight is essential when backpacking. This is my go-to headlamp, which is super light. Another great option I’ve used is the Petzl Actik Core Headlamp. This is a flashlight that you can easily store in your bag if you want something handheld.
Satellite Communicator / Emergency Device
I always take a satellite communicator/emergency device on backpacking trips. These devices allow you to send messages, track your location, and have an SOS button that you can use to contact search and rescue if there is an emergency. My go-to satellite communicator is the Garmin inReach Mini.
Portable Charger / Battery
I always bring a portable charger on backpacking trips, especially when I’m relying on maps on my phone. This is currently my go-to portable battery. Make sure to bring the necessary charging cords for the electronic devices you bring, such as a USB-C to USB-C cord, iPhone cord, or micro-USB cord.
Cooking Gear
Stove
The stove I use for backpacking is the MSR PocketRocket 2. I like how light and small this stove is (2.6 oz). Just a reminder to bring fuel and a lighter! When I solo backpack, I generally bring a 100g fuel can, which lasts me about two weeks when I only boil 1-2 cups of water per day. Another good (but heavier and bulkier option at 13.1 oz) is the Jetboil Flash Cooking System, which has an integrated pot and push-button igniter.
Cooking Pot
The stove I use does not have an integrated pot, so I have to bring a pot to cook. I generally only boil 1-2 cups of water per day and I don’t cook food directly in my pot, so I always opt to bring the TOAKS Light Titanium 550ml Pot because I don’t need anything larger. The TOAKS Light Titanium 550ml Pot is super lightweight at only 2.6 oz. TOAKS also has a 650ml, 750ml, and 900ml pots if you need a slightly larger pot.
Eating Utensil
I highly recommend getting a long utensil, which allows you to easily eat out of backpacker food bags. I personally love the Sea to Summit Alpha Light Spoon - Long. But if you prefer sporks, there is also the Sea to Summit Alpha Light Spork - Long!
Food and Food Storage
Food Storage
This one is very dependent on where you are backpacking. Some places require you to use a bear canister to store your food or to hang your food. Please use the required food storage when required! I always use an OPSAK Odor-Proof Barrier Bags for food storage when bear canisters are not required. If you are looking for a slightly more substantial food bag, then I recommend the Ursack Major Bear Sack. When a bear can is required, I use the BearVault BV450, which also comes in the following sizes: BearVault BV425, BearVault BV475, and BearVault BV500. The size of bear canister to choose really depends on how much food, toiletries, etc. you are brining, which may vary by trip length.
Food
I like to bring a mix of pre-made dehydrated backpacker meals and homemade dehydrated meals. My favorite backpacker meals are from Backpacker’s Pantry.
And don’t forget the snacks! Hiking involves a lot of exercise and you burn a lot of calories, so make sure to bring enough food. Some of my favorite snacks are granola bars, energy chews, oat bars, and peanut butter cups! To get an idea of what one day of food looks like for me when backpacking, check out this blog post.
Water
Water Filter and Water Purification
I always bring either the Sawyer Squeeze or Sawyer Micro Squeeze backpacking. I generally bring the Sawyer Micro Squeeze because it is a bit lighter, but the Sawyer Squeeze has a better flow rate. I also bring Aquamira Water Treatment, which I prefer to use when the water is flowing really well and is clear (meaning no floaties or bugs).
Water Bottles and Water Bag
For backpacking, I always use Smartwater Bottles because they are lighter than Nalgenes and the Sawyer water filters (both the Squeeze and the Micro) fit right onto the mouth of the water bottles which is great to filter straight from the water bottles. I generally bring 2-4 1-liter bottles with me depending on how far apart the water sources are on trail. I also typically bring the CNOC Vecto 2L Water Container as my dirty water bag, so I can scoop it into ponds, streams, etc. and filter from that. Plus, this water bag allows me to have 2-liters extra of water capacity, should I need it.
Electrolytes
I try to always take electrolytes with me on backpacking trips, which also help combat dehydration. Some of my favorites are NUUN, Liquid I.V., and DripDrop.
Toiletries, First Aid Kit, and Repair Kit
Toiletries
I don’t bring a lot when it comes to toiletries. I generally bring toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, chapstick, sunscreen, glasses, mini scissors, mini tweezers, and Dr. Bronner’s Soap. For bathroom specific toiletries, I bring The Deuce #2 UL Backcountry Trowel, wipes, toilet paper, and sometimes a Kula Cloth. Please always remember to pack out all trash and dirty toilet paper!
First Aid Kit
When I’m backpacking, I always take a small first aid kit with me, just in case. Even if I just get a small cut, having bandaids and antiseptic on hand is super handy and can help it heal faster. Typically, I make my own first aid kit consisting of a little bag of all the essentials. If you are unsure what to include in your first aid kit, I recommend the Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .5 Medical Kit or the HART Outdoor Day Hike First-Aid Kit. A couple extra items I always bring are Leukotape and KT Tape, to help with blisters and more.
Repair Kit
Nothing fancy here, I just like to bring a few items that could be useful if any of my gear breaks. These items typically include a small amount of Duct Tape that I wrap around one of my trekking poles, a few repair patches in case something gets a small hole, a small sewing kit (I usually bring a needle, one small thread roll, and a needle threader), and a mini Super Glue, which has definitely proven useful when my sunglasses have broken.
Sun Protection
Sunscreen and chapstick are essential! You’ll typically be spending a lot of time in the sun when backpacking, so having proper sun protection is important. Some other options to help protect yourself from the sun are sun hats, sun gloves, sun umbrellas, sunglasses, and UPF rated clothing such as sun hoodies.
Bug Protection
Mosquito season comes every year and is almost always a part of hiking and backpacking season. I recommend using both bug spray and a head net to help ward off mosquito bites. Wearing long pants and a long sleeves can also help prevent bug bites (I find the best combo is usually wind pants plus a windbreaker/rain jacket to avoid mosquito bites).
Miscellaneous
Trekking Poles
Trekking poles can help with stability when hiking, especially on uneven terrain. Trekking poles are not for everyone, but when I first started taking hiking more seriously, these really helped me to stop tripping and falling all the time. I used to roll my ankles ALL the time and would literally fall flat on my face, but having trekking poles helped me a lot. Also, when using a trekking pole tent or tarp, I typically use one trekking pole to setup my shelter. These are the trekking poles I’ve used for the past few years. If you’re looking for even more ultralight trekking poles, I recommend these ultralight carbon trekking poles. If you’re just starting out and are unsure if you like using trekking poles, a more affordable option are these trekking poles.
Fanny Pack
This is probably another one of my favorite pieces of gear. Having a fanny pack is such a game-changer when hiking and backpacking. I like to put my phone, permit, snacks, and charging cords in here. It’s nice having some core gear that I use throughout the day easily accessible without having to take my backpack off. My favorite fanny pack is the High Tail Designs Wildflowers Fanny Pack, which is super fun and colorful.
Wallet
Nothing fancy here. I just carried a plastic baggy with my license, credit cards, cash, and backpacking permit. If you are looking for something a bit fancier than a plastic bag, then check out this hiker wallet.
Traction System
This is highly dependent on where and what time of year you are backpacking. If you are backpacking somewhere there is snow and ice, you may need proper snow gear and traction. When there is a little ice, I bring my Kahtoola MICROspikes. Some hikes may require additional equipment, such as ice axes or crampons. Always plan ahead and prepare for your hike appropriately!
What to Wear Backpacking
This section goes over the clothes I wear all day when backpacking! Make sure to also learn about the additional clothes you should always pack for your backpacking trip in the next section “Packed Clothes”!
Hiking Shoes
Having happy feet is essential when hiking and backpacking. Choosing a shoe that is comfortable is so important because you’ll be hiking for multiple days with a heavy pack on your back. There is no “one size fits all” when it comes to choosing a shoe for backpacking because everyone has different feet and preferences. I recommend trying a few different styles of shoes to figure out what works best for you. What works for me might not work for you.
I generally look for lightweight shoes because you’ll really start to feel heavy boots over miles and miles of hiking. I personally love wearing trail runners because they are super lightweight and quick-drying. The Altra Lone Peaks have been my go-to trail runner since 2019 and I’ve worn them on my thru-hikes of the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail, the 210-mile John Muir Trail, and the 800-mile Arizona Trail. Another trail runner I’ve been trying out recently is the HOKA Challenger. If the hike is longer than 9-10 miles, I’ll almost always wear trail runners because I usually don’t get blisters in them and I know they’re comfortable for long days of hiking.
However, if the trail is shorter (under 9 miles), I’ll sometimes opt to wear other styles of hiking shoes and hiking boots. I’ll also choose to wear waterproof hiking boots if it the trail is covered in snow to help keep my feet warm. A couple of my favorite hiking boots are these Columbia hiking boots and the Danner Mountain 600 hiking boots.
The main difference between hiking shoes and normal sneakers is the traction on the bottom. Having additional traction helps you hike on rocky and more technical terrain.
I typically like to also wear hiking gaiters when backpacking to help keep rock and dirt out of my shoes.
Hiking Socks
Almost as important as choosing the right hiking shoe, having good hiking socks also helps keep your feet happy when hiking. I prefer to wear comfortable and breathable socks for hiking. My favorite socks for backpacking are the Injinji Ultra Run Socks (Women’s / Men’s) because they help prevent blisters. Another great option I like for backpacking are merino wool socks, like Darn Tough (Women’s / Men’s).
Hiking Shirt
When choosing a shirt to backpack in, I recommend choosing something that is comfortable, sweat-wicking, and breathable. You’ll be working up a sweat when you are hiking, so I don’t recommend wearing anything too thick (if it’s colder outside, this is where layers come in). I typically avoid cotton shirts since they are not sweat-wicking or breathable, and instead, I try to stick to hiking shirts that are either made from synthetic materials or merino wool, such as the Icebreaker Sphere II T-Shirt. Merino wool shirts typically are less smelly after sweating a lot.
I almost always wear long sleeves when hiking, even in summer for sun protection. I really love sun hoodies, like the Cotopaxi Sombra Sun Hoodie (Women’s / Men’s) and the Outdoor Research Echo Sun Hoodie (Women’s / Men’s). The sun-hood is nice to pull up over my hat, which provides additional sun protection on my neck when hikes are super exposed to the sun with no shade. A few of my favorite long sleeve shirts for hiking are:
Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Long-Sleeve Shirt (Women's / Men’s)
REI Co-op Sahara Patterned Long-Sleeve Shirt (Women’s / Men’s)
If I do wear short sleeves or a tank, my favorites are the Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Shirt (Women's / Men’s) and the Lululemon Align Tank Top.
Hiking Pants or Shorts
This comes down to comfort again - wear what you are most comfortable exercising in! I love hiking in leggings, such as the Lululemon Wunder Train High-Rise Tight or the Vuori Studio Pocket Leggings. When it is hot outside, I’ll opt to wear shorts instead. My go-to hiking shorts are the Vuori Dash Shorts and the Vuori Studio Pocket Shorts. I know a lot of women also love wearing the Patagonia Baggies Shorts or the Patagonia Barely Baggies Shorts! If you rather wear hiking pants, which are usually a bit more durable than leggings, I recommend the prAna Halle Straight Pants II.
For men, my partner’s favorite hiking pants are the prAna Stretch Zion Pants II and his favorite hiking shorts are the Patagonia Baggies Shorts - Men's 5" Inseam (which also come in a 7-inch inseam version).
Sports Bra and Underwear
I usually opt for wearing a light-support and sweat-wicking bra. My favorite sports bras for backpacking are the Vuori Yosemite Bra and the Patagonia Active Mesh Bra. For hiking underwear, my go-to is the Patagonia Active Hipster.
Hat
I always wear a hat when hiking. It helps keep the sun off my face and my hair out of my eyes. I generally wear some sort of ball cap. If you are looking for even more sun protection, I recommend the Outdoor Research Sunbiolet Sun Hat and the Tilley LTM6 Airflo Broad Brim Hat.
Sunglasses
I prefer to wear polarized sunglasses when hiking to help keep the sun out of my eyes and to block the glare of reflections. Goodr sunglasses are my go-to polarized sunglasses to wear hiking!
Packed Clothes
These are the clothes you won’t necessarily be wearing all the time when backpacking, but are very important to carry with you in your backpack for when you need them.
Puffy Jacket
My all-time favorite down puffy jacket for backpacking is the Arc’teryx Cerium Down Hoodie (Women’s / Men’s) because it is lightweight and warm. Another ultralight jacket I really like for backpacking is the Enlightened Equipment Torrid Jacket (Custom Women’s / Custom Men’s / In-stock Women’s / In-stock Men’s), which is a synthetic puffy jacket if you are looking for an alternative to down. I’ve also taken the Outdoor Research SuperStrand LT Insulated Hoodie (Women’s / Men’s) on backpacking trips when I know it’s not going to be super cold.
Fleece
I typically bring a lightweight fleece with me backpacking. Having extra layers is important when hiking because it can get chilly in the mountains! My go-to fleeces for backpacking are the Melanzana Micro Grid Hoodie (this Mountain Hardwear fleece is very similar) and the Senchi Designs Lark Hoodie. Another great fleece for backpacking is the Patagonia R1 Pullover (Women’s / Men’s).
Rain Jacket
The weather can change quickly, so bringing rain and wind protection is important on backpacking trips. A rain jacket can also double as a windbreaker, which helps keep your gear lighter. For a budget ultralight jacket, I recommend the Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite2 (Women’s / Men’s) - this is what I’ve brought with me on my thru-hikes of the Pacific Crest Trail, John Muir Trail, and Arizona Trail. It’s not the most fashionable rain jacket, but it does keep me dry and I love how cheap it is so I don’t have to stress about it ripping. Some other popular lightweight rain jackets for backpacking are the Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket (Women’s / Men’s), the Arc’teryx Beta SL Jacket (Women’s / Men’s), and the Marmot PreCip Eco Pro Jacket (Women’s / Men’s).
If you do choose to also take a windbreaker in addition to a rain jacket, my favorite windbreakers are the Patagonia Houdini Jacket (Women’s / Men’s) and the Cotopaxi Teca Half-Zip Windbreaker (Women’s / Men’s).
Wind / Rain Pants
I usually take wind pants with me backpacking to layer over my shorts or leggings. These are super lightweight and can add some warmth when needed. If it is going to rain a lot, I recommend bringing rain pants to help keep your legs and pants dry.
Beanie
I almost always backpack in the mountains and at higher elevations, so it gets chilly in the mornings and at nights so I always bring a beanie with me. A few of my favorite beanies are the Patagonia Everyday Beanie, the Pendleton Cable Hat, the Coal The Uniform Knit Cuff Beanie, and the REI Co-op Lightweight Logo Beanie.
Gloves
I like to take gloves with me on backpacking trips, even in the summer because it can still get cold. My favorite gloves are the Outdoor Research Vigor Heavyweight Sensor Gloves (Women’s / Men’s). For a lighter glove, I recommend the Outdoor Research Melody Sensor Gloves.
Sleep Socks
Bringing an extra pair of socks to use as sleep socks is nice so at the end of the day you can put your feet in dry, cozy socks. These can also serve as a backup pair of hiking socks, if needed. My one pair of extra socks are typically either Darn Tough (Women’s / Men’s) or Injinji Ultra Run Socks (Women’s / Men’s) so I can wear them hiking, too.
Extra Underwear
Depending on the length of trip, I typically bring one extra pair of the Patagonia Active Hipster underwear.
Neck Gaiter (Buff)
When backpacking, I usually take a neck gaiter (buff) with me because it has so many uses. I can wrap it around my neck during the day for added sun protection, pull it over my nose and mouth when it’s super cold, or use it over my face when sleeping. A neck gaiter / buff is just a good piece of gear to have when backpacking and I always end up using it in some way. I love the High Tail Designs watercolor hiking gaiter and the classic Buff.
Warm Layers
Depending on where you are backpacking, what time of year it is, and the forecasted weather, you might also want to bring additional warm layers. When I know it’s going to be cold, I always bring fleece-lined leggings with me. If it’s going to be really cold, you may want to bring base layer bottoms (Women’s / Men’s) and a base layer top (Women’s / Men’s).
Final Thoughts
It will probably take some trial and error to figure out what backpacking gear best works for you, but I hope this gives you a good place to start! Backpacking has opened a whole new world for me and I hope you find the same joy in it as I do. My top tips for backpacking gear are to keep it light, comfortable, and be prepared for any weather!
If you’re looking for specific gear lists from hikes I’ve done, check out these:
