Gear to Bring Backpacking: Beginner’s Complete Packing List

Eliminate guesswork with this complete packing list of gear to bring backpacking.

My backpacking packing list has come a long way since my first trip. I usually go backpacking at least a couple of times per year and refine my gear each time.

As a beginner backpacker, you’re usually hit with a barrage of advice. Go ultralight! Buy this! You need that! I’ll help you sort through all the noise and get you set up with a packing list that actually works.

➡️ I brought everything on this list for backpacking Four Pass Loop in Colorado.

I won’t recommend any gear that isn’t highly rated or that I haven’t tested myself. Let’s start with the basics, then move on to optional items. This is the best gear to bring backpacking on most 1-5 night trips.

Essential Gear to Bring Backpacking

Pack everything in the essential gear to bring backpacking category for a successful trip. Don’t skip these items.

Picking the Right Backpack for Backpacking

I remember walking into REI to buy my first backpacking backpack (that I still use to this day). It only took a couple of backcountry trips for me to be hooked, and I wanted to invest in my own bag.

I had rented a 100L bag from my college’s outdoor program (the only size they had), and I knew I needed something smaller. Since I usually carry a camera, my gear isn’t exactly “ultralight.”

My more experienced friends wanted to push me to get an ultralight pack, but I knew that if you weren’t going all-in with ultralight gear, your backpack could quickly become uncomfortable.

Don’t be afraid to choose a slightly heavier bag. I’m glad I chose my pack for comfort, not a number on a scale. It’s held up after years of trips and has been comfortable the whole time.

Best Non-Ultralight Backpacking Pack

The Deuter Aircontact Core 60 + 10 SL Pack (Women’s) is a solid bag. I have a long torso and struggled to find a women’s backpack that was tall enough. The adjustable torso length on this bag makes it a perfect fit.

It was also important to me that my backpacking bag have thick cushioning. The hip belt and shoulder straps don’t bother me even when I load down the pack with gear.

As for size, 60L plus the 10L brain of the pack is excellent. While 70L might be considered on the larger side of the pack spectrum, I appreciate the capacity. I don’t feel like I’m overstuffing the bag or packing too much because there’s extra room.

The Deuter Aircontact 60L bag is fantastic for beginner and advanced backpackers alike.

Sleep Setup for Backpacking

Sleeping gear to bring backpacking:

Sleeping bag
Sleeping bag liner
Sleeping pad
Tent

Sleeping Bag

Your sleeping bag is a critical item. Make sure you get the right size. If your bag is too large, your body won’t fill it, and you’ll be cold. Too small and you’ll be cramped up all night.

I use a compression sack to store my sleeping bag in my backpack. It will remain dry and requires less space.

The bag’s degree rating is also a significant factor. I have a 15º bag, and found it to be the most versatile for backpacking at various elevations. It can be chilly in the mountains in summer.

What is a sleeping bag temperature degree rating?

The higher number on a degree rating is the temperature at which a cold sleeper would feel comfortable. Usually, this refers to women’s comfort, as men tend to sleep warmer. The lower number is the men’s (or the warm sleeper’s) comfort rating.

Let’s say a bag has a 21º comfort rating, a 15º temperature rating, and a 9º lower limit. That means (generally) women will feel comfortable down to 21º, men to 15º, and colder than 9º, there is a risk of being too cold. The degrees are measured in Fahrenheit.

A highly rated bag similar to my discontinued one is the REI Co-op Magma 15 Sleeping Bag. It’s a mummy-shaped bag (smaller at the feet) and features inclusive sizing. The weight and temperature rating make it ideal for backpacking.

Don’t let the price scare you off. You’re not going to get a new sleeping bag every year, or even every 5 years. These bags are designed to last with proper care. It’s well worth being warm and comfortable on your backpacking trip.

Sleeping Bag Liner

I am a cold sleeper and love using a liner for added warmth. A liner also keeps your sleeping bag clean. Don’t wash your sleeping bag after every outing to avoid unnecessary wear and tear.

There are many types of liners available, made from silk, merino, and more. Read the descriptions to find one that suits your needs. There are cooling, warming, and insect repellent liners.

Sleeping Pad

I haven’t tried a foam sleeping pad before, but I used to have one that had some foam and was also inflatable. It was really comfortable, but it just took up too much space in my bag. Then, I switched to a fully inflatable sleeping pad.

I bought and slept on a couple of pads on my floor at home before I found one I liked. If you buy from REI, you can try a sleeping pad and return it if it’s not right.

Backpacking Tent

Backpacking tents can be expensive. Don’t feel like you have to have an ultralight tent right off the bat. I went backpacking with my REI Co-op Half Dome 2 Plus for years. Its an excellent choice for both backpacking and camping.

If you’re looking to upgrade, the NEMO Dragonfly tent series offers high-quality options. My partner and I have a two-person tent that is surprisingly spacious.

Hydration Gear to Bring Backpacking

Water is quite literally life. Don’t be caught on the trail without a couple of ways to filter and store water.

Water Filter and Purification

A water filter is one of the most important pieces of gear to bring backpacking. In the past, my partner and I used a BeFree filter, but recently switched to a LifeStraw filter, and I think it works much better. The water is filtered faster while maintaining the same quality.

Pack a few water purification tablets in your bag as a backup in case your filter malfunctions. A friend once told me a story about the time her water filter broke, and she had to turn around on the trail.

Water Bladder and Bottles

I like to backpack with a 3L CamelBak water bladder and an Ultralite 1L Wide-Mouth Nalgene bottle. When it’s time to filter water, I set the bottle under the filter to collect the drip, and once it’s full, I pour it into my bladder. Filling a water bladder can be awkward, but if I quickly dump in 1L at a time, it’s pretty easy.

Some people don’t like water bladders because they can be difficult to refill, but I love them. I tend to fill it once a day before going to bed so it’s ready for the next day. When I’m around camp and sleeping in my tent, I drink from the Nalgene bottle.

If I need to filter water while I’m still hiking, I can fill the Nalgene. Or, it’s not the end of the world if I need to open my pack to fill the bladder.

If the water source is a far walk from camp, I fill a collapsible water bucket and refill my filter bag multiple times with it. A nifty little piece of gear that comes in handy.

Backpacking Toiletries

I wrote a whole post about backpacking toiletries. This is one area where I think many people can slim down easily.

➡️ Learn how to create your own ultralight backpacking hygiene kit.

Cooking Gear and Food Storage to Bring Backpacking

As for cooking, my setup is simple. My husband and I have a Jetboil Flash that we use to boil water, and we each have a long spork for eating backpacking meals straight from the bag. Make sure you have enough fuel in the fuel canister before setting off.

I do bring a backpacking mug for making coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. Otherwise, I don’t cook much while I’m on the trail. Prepackaged snacks or fresh, ready-to-go foods are more my style. Fewer hassles and no cleanup afterward!

For food storage, it’s crucial to know if you are required to carry a bear canister. I’ve hiked permitted trails where a ranger checks your backpack for a canister. If a canister isn’t required, a dry bag and some rope will do the trick.

Don’t forget a trash bag to put snack wrappers and empty backpacking meal bags in.

Gear to Bring Backpacking for Safety and Navigation

Pack a small first-aid kit for any trip. There are different kits depending on how many people and how long you’re planning to be in the backcountry. If you’re in bear country, pack a can of bear spray for protection.

Many backpacks have a built-in whistle in the chest strap buckle. Check whether yours does, or consider buying a small whistle.

➡️ I discuss safety and navigation tools further in my day hike packing list post.

A headlamp is also essential to your gear to bring backpacking. I have a rechargeable Black Diamond headlamp that is amazing.

Clothing and Layers to Pack for Backpacking

➡️ See my day hike packing post once again, and my merino wool moisture wicking hiking clothes post for all your layering needs.

➡️ If it’s going to be chilly, read my post about cold weather hiking tips for coats and warm accessories.

Basically, you should wear or bring:

Hiking pants (zip-off)
Long sleeve merino sun hoodie
Moisture-wicking bra and underwear (merino)
Merino socks
Insulating layer
Warm mid-layer
Raincoat
Trail runners or hiking boots
Merino base layer set for sleeping
Warm hat
Mittens
Sun gloves
Merino buff
Sun hat
Sunglasses

➡️ Some of these items are featured on my favorite gear page.

I bring only one pair of hiking clothes for backpacking trips of 5 days or less. Each day I change my socks and underwear for a fresh pair.

➡️ I discuss why I don’t bring extra clothes in my post on what NOT to bring backpacking.

Personal Items to Bring Backpacking

Phone
Credit card and cash (not your whole wallet)
Driver’s License or I.D.
Car keys

If your hike requires a permit, stick it in a clear zip bag and attach it to the outside of your backpack.

Gear People Often Forget to Bring Backpacking

Gear Tape — Tenacious Tape Repair Tape lives in my backpacking bag. It’s something that most people don’t think about when they pack their gear to bring backpacking. Sleeping pad has a hole? Fixed. Down coat rips? Patched. Water bladder has a leak? Sealed. This tape doesn’t require heat to bond to practically any surface.

Backpack Rain Cover — My backpacking bag didn’t include a Pack Rain Cover, so I had to purchase one separately. Check whether your bag has one built in before you set out. Even if rain isn’t in the forecast, no one likes wet gear.

Tent Footprint — When I bought my Half Dome 2 Plus tent, it didn’t come with a footprint. I believe they now sell it with the footprint included, but just double-check you have one. A footprint can extend your tent’s lifespan and prevent holes in the floor.

Period Products — You only get caught off guard once with this. Miles from the car, I had to be creative when my period arrived earlier than expected. I now carry at least a tampon or two in my bag for emergencies.

Optional Gear to Bring Backpacking

Backpacking Chair — I have an REI Co-op Flexlite Air Chair, and on trips where I have a bit of extra space, it’s a fantastic luxury item.

Backpacking Pillow — For me, a backpacking pillow is not optional. I used to have a pillow that was half-filled with foam but also inflatable. It was nice for camping, but too bulky for backpacking. I have a Sea to Summit Large Ultralight Pillow, and it packs down to nearly nothing while remaining very comfortable.

Portable Battery Pack — I have mixed feelings about bringing chargers and battery packs. For a short trip, I don’t think they’re necessary. I shut down my phone, and the battery can last for days. If you use your phone for frequent photos or navigation, bring the charger.

Camera — I bring my camera with me on almost every hike. It’s my non-negotiable luxury item that weighs me down, but the photos I can create with it outweigh the burden.

Trekking Poles — Once I tried these, I never went back. I bring trekking poles on every backpacking trip. They help with stability and fatigue and relieve joint pressure.

Journal or Sketchbook — Don’t forget a pen or pencil!

Reading Material — A Kindle can be more lightweight than a physical book.

Beginner Backpacking FAQs

Is a 65L backpack too big for backpacking?

No! A 65L bag is perfect for backpacking. I have a 60L + 10L, and I love it. It feels like just the right size. I definitely wouldn’t want anything smaller.

How much should my pack weigh?

A backpacking pack shouldn’t weigh more than 20% of your total body weight. If you weigh 200 lbs, your pack should be around 40 lbs.

How many days should my first backpacking trip be?

I took several one-night trips when I first started backpacking. You don’t need to cover a bunch of miles or be out in the backcountry for weeks on end to have a fun time.

Do I need to wear hiking boots for backpacking?

If you’re still new to hiking and haven’t strengthened your ankles by walking on uneven terrain, I’d say wear a good boot with ankle support. I recently started wearing trail-running shoes for backpacking, and it’s been life-changing.

Do I need to pack out my used toilet paper?

Yes! Used toilet paper is trash, and it should be packed out with all your other rubbish. Don’t try to bury it. Leave the trail better than you found it.