Backpacking Essentials Gear List (with PDF Checklist!)

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Want to cover all of the backpacking essentials as you pack for your upcoming trip, but don’t know where to start? Check out the list below (and feel free to download the PDF!) for my complete log of everything to bring when you go backpacking.

For context, my experiences backpacking have ranged from 1 night to 4 nights with various levels of support and additional comforts. I have done overnights in the Adirondacks of New York, the White Mountains of New Hampshire, the Grand Canyon in Arizona, and in Washington State all self-supported. In addition, I have been fortunate enough to hike the W Trek in Patagonia and the Salkantay Trek in Peru with friends. However, these treks certainly came with some perks that took some of that packing pressure off.

When considering backpacking essentials, my style is to make sure I am comfortable, feel prepared for any situation (this sometimes involves over-packing), and bring gear I am familiar with and know how to use. I don’t have an ultra-light, brand name, or budget friendly focus. My items are a mix of all of these as that is what I have found to work best.

My list of backpacking essentials shares basic items but includes recommendations of many of my favorite or most used products in these categories as well. Many items have a link to an external page where you can explore or shop further. The PDF is a clean checklist to review without the additional suggestions.

Feel free to click on the header titles below to get right to the section you want to explore in more detail.

Check out my Hiking page, hikes I’ve done in New Hampshire and New York, and my gear profile for more information and products.

Backpacking Essentials: Hiking Gear

There are big ticket items when you consider what your backpacking essentials are in terms of hiking gear (tent, sleeping bag, etc.), but there are many miscellaneous accessories you will want to remember to pack as well. These are often for safety, hydration, or organization and are deemed must-haves in my packing checklist.

I’ve included items for both my tent campers and hammock campers! I swap between the two depending on the trail so wanted to include both in the list.

The Big Ones

• Backpack (I use an Osprey Renn 65 or Kelty pack)
• Sleeping bag (currently I have an older 25 degree Women’s Mummy Bag from LL Bean)
• Tent set-up
  • Tent (love my Nemo Hornet 2 person!)
  • Tent footprint (matching Nemo Hornet Footprint)
  • Sleeping pad (classic Nemo Switchback)
• Hammock set-up: (my complete hammock set-up)
  • Hammock (Kammok Roo Double)
  • Hammock straps (Kammok Python Straps)
  • Bug net (Kammok Dragonfly)
  • Rainfly (Kammok Kuhli Shelter)
• Trekking Poles (such as Black Diamond Trail Back)
• Optional:
  • Camping pillow (Sea to Summit Aeros)
  • Packable towel (obsessed with my Rumpl Everywhere Towel, I use it all the time! Great for sweat, swims, rinse offs, clean ups, ground protection, etc.)

Smaller Miscellaneous Gear (Still Considered Necessary!)

• Water bottles or water bladder (Nalgenes work great since they are light or a standalone bladder is ideal for hands free hydration)
• Water filtration system or tablets
• Fire starter (flint and steel, ferro rod and striker, matches, etc.)
• Whistle
• Map and compass
• Headlamp (with extra batteries) (Black Diamond Storm has been great!)
• Flashlight(s) (with extra batteries)
• Trash bags or Ziplocs
• Dry bags and/or stuff sacks (love Sea to Summit bags)
• Gear tape/duct tape
• Optional:
  • Garmin inReach Mini
  • Spuds Stick Stashers (small company making magnets that keep your poles on your pack!)
  • Ear plugs (for sleeping in more crowded campgrounds)
  • Carabiners/paracord (for all sorts of miscellaneous uses)

Backpacking Essentials: Clothing and Outerwear

As you will hear time and time again- layers layers layers! We can’t talk about your backpacking essentials and what to pack for a backpacking trip without discussing the types of clothing you may want to bring. Note the quantity of these items can easily vary from person to person but there are some staples everyone should consider bringing!

In addition to the number of days you will be on trail take into account the weather and the conditions of the trail itself. Temperatures affect how many shorts vs. pants you may want whereas some hikers avoid shorts altogether. A wet trail or rainy forecast may incline you to bring extra socks and your full rain gear whereas in other conditions your rain coat alone will be sufficient.

Everyday Hiking Clothes

• Wool socks (Darn Tough or Smartwool)
• Baselayer (Smartwool or Burgeon– a small company local to New Hampshire!)
• Athletic long sleeves, t-shirts, or tank tops (based on your preferences and hiking weather)
• Leggings or hiking pants (Title Nine makes a great abrasive-resistant pair)
• Athletic shorts or hiking shorts
• Sports bras
• Underwear
• Optional:
  • Sleeping clothes (Note: This is personal preference! I like having one outfit to always change into at camp to make me feel like I’m “settling down” for the night. This usually consists of a cotton T-shirt or long sleeve, a thin pair of sweats, thick wool socks, and a camp sweatshirt. I like to sleep in the underwear and sports bra I will be hiking in the next day because I get to go to bed with clean clothes on and wake up with them already warmed from my body heat- no changing into a cold sports bra in the dark for me!)
  • Fleece lined leggings if you think the hiking or camping will be truly cold
  • Swimsuit (all depends on the trail you are doing!)

Accessories 

• Sunglasses (goodr for life!)
• Baseball cap (been loving my Sprints cap)
• Beanie (a simple Carhartt or any wool hat works)
• Buff
• Thin gloves
• Winter headband (love the Columbia Trail Shaker Headring)
• Winter neck gaiter (Columbia has a great one)
• Winter mittens or gloves (the Columbia Snow Diva Mittens are LITERALLY my life saver for someone who constantly has cold hands)

Backpacking Essentials: Food and Fuel

One of the most important things to remember on the trail besides staying hydrated is to make sure you are getting in calories! As you are sweating, you are burning tons of calories and losing a lot of electrolytes. Your body needs hearty, solid food and even sugary snacks that you may not normally eat just to replenish its energy levels. Hikers love the excuse that backpacking gives us the opportunity to eat any snacks we want!

You can really pack whatever works best for you in this section. Just make sure you pack enough! Especially if you are doing a trail self-supported and won’t have the option to purchase additional items. In these backpacking essentials, I’ll share some of my favorite meal companies and snacks, but find local items or whatever works best for you!

Note I have not had experience in creating my own backpacking meals yet. I purchase pre-made meals that are freeze-dried or dehydrated that you only need boiling water for.

• Backpacking meals (Mountain House, Backpacker’s Pantry, and Good to Go (local to Maine!) are some of my favorite brands)
• Bowl, cup, utensils for eating (endless options, Sea to Summit is great but find what will work best for you)
• Camp stove, fuel, and pot (keep in mind you may or may not be able to travel with fuel (like a plane))
• Bear can or bear sack (do your research on where you are hiking and use the proper food protection! I have used the Bare Boxer Contender which was the smallest and lightest can I could find at the time on the market and it has been amazing.)
• Snacks such as:
  • Clif bars
  • Verb bars (caffeinated with green tea and TONS of flavors, I always have these in my house for everyday use too- use code SARA61035 for a 20% discount!)
  • Honeystinger waffles
  • Rice Krispies
  • Twizzler bites
  • Crackers like Cheez-Its or Goldfish
  • S’mores components (good flavor combo even if not cooked over a fire!)

• Gels and Electrolytes such as:
  • Nuun
  • Maple gels or liquid mix
  • Gu
  • Honeystinger energy chews

• Optional: camp coffee- some people love it on trail and some people hate it! (Instant coffee is the easiest option but I’ve seen people get creative)
  • If you don’t want to deal with the time, mess, or effort of boiling water or brewing your own coffee, try Dry Brew! These are small condensed coffee chews (think Tootsie Roll consistency) that you can eat straight out of the packaging. They are my top choice for backpacking trips to still have a “morning coffee” or afternoon pick me up without all the effort. Use code RESTLESSMEANDERER for a 10% discount to try your own!

Backpacking Essentials: Toiletries

The never ending struggle of packing enough to feel comfortable without packing too much. We know we can do without those luxuries from home for a little bit, but sometimes you just want to feel clean and stress-free! This list can be very personal so of course feel free to add or remove items as needed.

Don’t forget to pack scented items and trash in your bear can or bear sack for the night as well!

As a tip, I like to run out to the store and grab some travel sized items before a trip like contact solution, toothpaste, deodorant, etc. In truth, this is based solely on convenience. This way I know I won’t run out and I don’t have to mess with finding containers small enough to pack whatever toiletries I have at home in. I know some people have great containers to transfer products into or want to go super light and not bring all this either which is fine!

Everyday Toiletry Items

For Contacts/Glasses Wearers

• Glasses
• Glasses case
• Contacts case
• Contact solution
• Extra contacts

Suggestions For Women, People who Bleed, or Anyone Needing the Below!

• Period products (pads, tampons, cup, etc.)
• Feminine hygiene wipes
• Optional:
  • Make-up- If you love to wear it, don’t forget your favorite products
  • Hair care- Maybe dry shampoo works for you or maybe you just leave your hair alone the entire trek.
  • Jewelry- A lot of people have a favorite pair of weatherproof earrings or necklace they love to travel with

Backpacking Essentials: ID, Travel Items, and Personal Items

These backpacking essentials will differ depending on whether you are driving to your trailhead or flying. Some people like to have everything on their phones while others enjoy having everything printed out. As always, pick what works for you and what will help you have the best and least stressful trip!

Of course the fun items are optional, but don’t be afraid to pack something light to take with you! You’ll enjoy relaxing at camp, around the fire, or sitting with your friends. Cameras are a whole other level that I won’t dive into but if you are bringing your camera I expect you know what you will need.

Travel Documentation

• Passport
• Driver’s license
• Wallet (credit/debit cards, cash, etc.)
• Printed passes for transportation (planes, buses, etc.)
• Printed hotel confirmation (if you are staying somewhere before or after you hit the trail)
• Printed tickets (park entrance fees, camping sites, etc.)

Electronics

• Charging block and cord
• Adapter if travelling internationally
• Portable phone charger
• Wireless earbuds (mostly for travel to and from the trail, I don’t love listening to anything while on trail)
• Camera (with chargers, batteries, SD cards, accessories, etc.)

Personal (Fun!) Items

• Book
• Puzzle book (sudoku, crosswords, Mad Libs, etc.)
• Journal
• Pencils or pens
• Knitting

Let me know if there’s any backpacking essentials that are a MUST for you to bring on your trips that you don’t see here! I’d love to improve my list or find new favorites for my own adventures. As always, please head to my Contact page with any questions or feel free to leave a comment below this post!