A backpacker’s gear list is deeply personal. Items one hiker deems essential another might find frivolous. However, if you are just starting out and feeling overwhelmed or you simply seek recommendations for your own kit, this is a comprehensive list of what I use for every trip. Each of these items is trail tried and true. They have all been serving me well for years.
THE TEN ESSENTIALS
The ten essentials should come with you anytime you step onto a trail whether day hiking or backpacking. If anything at all doesn’t go as planed these are the basics you will be very glad to have.
- Navigation: map, compass, GPS device/app, and a satellite messenger or personal locator beacon (PLB).
- Headlamp: and a way to recharge batteries
- Sun protection: sunglasses, sun-protective clothes and sunscreen
- First aid: including blister care and insect repellent/bite remedy
- Knife: plus a gear repair kit
- Fire: matches, lighter, tinder and/or stove
- Shelter: carried at all times (can be a light weight emergency tarp)
- Extra food: Beyond what you think you need.
- Extra water: Beyond what you think you need.
- Extra clothes: Enough to stay warm overnight if necessary.
My day pack: Osprey Hikelite 26
Pro tips: Always leave a thorough itinerary, description of your outfit/gear, and expected return date/time with a trusted loved one in case you do not return when expected. Additionally, bright colored gear makes you easier to find if you get lost.
Complete Backpacking Check List
- Backpack: Vargo ExoTi™ 50L Backpack
- Shelter: Zpacks Plexamid Tent
- Sleeping quilt: Enlightened Equipment Revelation Zero Degree
- Sleeping pad: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm
- Tent Stakes: MSR Mini Ground Hogs
- Sleeping bag liner: Cocoon Silk Mummy Liner (used as sheet placed around sleeping pad since quilt has no bottom panel)
- Pillow: Compressible Pillow Cinch
- Stove: BRS gas stove (fits inside mug)
- Fuel: MSR IsoPro Fuel Canister (fits inside mug)
- Mug/Cook pot: Titanium 750ml Cup by Toaks
- Spork: Titanium Spork ULV by Vargo Outdoors
- Camp towel: Trail Rag by Glacial Gear (small)
- Knife: Gerber Paraframe Mini
- Flask: Titanium Flask
- Hand Sanitizer: Anything unscented (cuz bears)
- Water filter: Sawyer Squeeze (minus all the extra components)
- Water collection bag: Vecto 2L Water Container by Cnoc Outdoors
- Clean water bottle used for gravity filtering and back-flush device: 1L Smart Water Bottle with sport top (sport top fits sawyer filter perfectly for back flushing.) I pack an extra sport top for backup.
- Clean water bag: HydraPak Hydration Reservoir – 3 liter size
- Backup water purification: Iodine tablets
- Headlamp: BioLite No Bounce 330 lumens rechargeable headlamp
- Fire starter: Mini bic
- Backup fire starter: Emergency matches
- Pack liner: Nylofume Pack Liner
- Hammock: Hummingbird Hammock and their UL Straps
- Compression sack: Sea to Summit Ultra Sil Compression Sack (for sleeping quilt)
- Hiking pants: Women’s Hellroaring Pant by Roscoe Outdoor
- Hiking shirt: Columbia Women’s Silver Ridge Lite Long Sleeve Shirt
- Belt: Arcade Unisex Adventure Elastic Stretch Micro Buckle
- Sunglasses: CAMP Eyewear Trail Polarized Sunglasses
- Base layer bottoms: REI Co-op Midweight Long Underwear Bottoms (kids size L)
- Base layer top: REI Co-op Merino Midweight Half-Zip Base Layer Top – Women’s
- Mid layer: Cotopaxi Fleece
- Puffy jacket: Cotopaxi Fuego Down Hooded Jacket
- Beanie: Columbia Trail Shaker Omniheat Beanie
- Rain jacket: Columbia Evapouration Jacket
- Gloves: Outdoor Research Versaliner Sensor Gloves with rain shell
- Socks: Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Sock (2 pair)
- Boots: Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX Hiking Boots
- Hat: Outdoor Research Sunbiolet Sun Hat
- Undies: ExOfficio Boxer Brief (2 pair) No wedgies ladies trust me
- Sports bra: Under Armour Mid Crossback Sports Bra
- Trekking poles: Trail Back trekking poles (with lengths of duct-tape added around poles for emergency repairs)
- Solar panel: X-Dragon 20W folding panel
- Power bank: Anker PowerCore 10000 Portable Charger
- USB C adapter: Micro USB to USB C Convert Connector Charger
- Tiny Tripod: Pedco UltraPod Lightweight Camera Tripod
- Tripod phone attachment: Universal Cell Phone Tripod Mount Adapter
- Trowel: Deuce #2 Trowel by The TentLab
- Pee rag: Kula Pee Cloth
- Bidet: Portable Bidet by CuloClean
- Bandana: Carolina Mfg. Paisley Bandana
- Bear bag system: Bear Bag by Cloud Gear
- Para cord: Utility cord
- Carabiner: Nite Ize SlideLock Carabiner #3 (for hanging both Cnoc and bear bags)
- Emergency Beacon: ResQLink View Personal Locator Beacon
- Sun screen: Raw Elements SPF 30 Sunscreen Face Stick
- Chafe protection: Bodyglide Anti-Chafe Balm
- Insect repellent: Herbal Armor
- Shower wipes: Venture Wipes
- ChapStick: Portland Bee Balm SPF
- Tiny wallet: Lean Wallet Black by Hawbuck
- Tooth brush: Thumb style
- Tooth paste: Tabs
- Poison oak cream: Tecnu Calagel Anti-Itch Gel, Maximum Strength Itch Relief good for Rashes, Bug Bites, Stings and Minor Burn Relief and topical analgesic repackaged into tiny 2 oz. container
- Tick removal tool: Tick Key
- First Aid: Ultralight/watertight+ benadryl, advil PM, pepto pills and extra strength Tylenol
- Knee brace: Pro-Tec Athletics 3D Flat Knee Sleeve
- Compass: Suunto A-10 Compass
- Fly fishing kit: Tenkara package
- Sidearm holster: Alien gear shape shift carry package
- Electrolytes: Laird Superfood Hydrate Original Coconut Water with Aquamin
- Favorite coffee: Bold Awakening Dark Roast by Kuju Coffee
- Coffee additive: Laird Superfood Instant Latte
- Bear Canister: Bearikade Weekender when in bear country
Dog Supplies
- UL Dog bowls: Fozzils Snapfold Solo Pack
- Dog towel: NanoDry Trek Towel – Small
- Dog paw protection: Musher’s Secret – Dog Paw Protection repackaged into 2 oz. jar
- Poo tube: Nalgene Wide-Mouth Bottle (to pack out bagged dog poop)
Winter Kit Swap Outs
- Winter Gloves: Give’r 4-Season Gloves
- Winter Socks: Mountaineering Over-the-Calf Heavyweight Hiking Sock
- Winter Boots: Women’s KEEN Revel IV High Polar boots
- Down Sleeping Booties: EE Torrid Booties
- Winter Quilt Liner: Thermolite Reactor Extreme liner
- Added Ground Insulation: Nemo Switchback UL Sleeping Pad
- Traction: Kahtoola MICROspikes
Pre-Trip Prep
I use the Gas Saver by G-works to combine partially used fuel canisters at home.
Before I hit the trail I treat all my “cloth-like” gear (minus my undies) with this tick repellent. It works wonders!
Best Oregon Guide Book: 100 Classic Hikes in Oregon: 2nd Edition
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Winter sale is ON! Up to 50% Winter Apparel! Plus Free Shipping at $49! campmor
I sincerely hope this helps you design your own kit. Products purchased though the listed affiliate links provide a tiny portion of the profits to support this site. Thank you so much for your contributions and happy trails!
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Backcountry Dirtbag 
I enjoyed reading your article describing your gear for backpacking! I’ve done a lot of car camping recently but I’m starting to do more backpacking again so I’m interested in gear recommendations. If you have a chance, check out HikingBingo.com as I’ve got a page with some cool hiking and camping resources which you may find helpful. Looking forward to reading your future posts!
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