Basic Gear Every Backpacker Needs

Whether you are going backpacking for the first time or have put many miles on your boots, there is basic gear every backpacker or hiker needs to make the trip fun and safe.

Anyone who backpacks knows that it’s hard work. It seems that hiking trails are mostly uphill, and the perfect spot to camp is always just another mile away.

But once you get where you are going, there is no place like it. And not everyone gets to see it. There is no end to the incredible sights you can see on a hiking trail. Yes, a bear does crap in the woods.

Once the initial investment of the equipment is made, hiking and backpacking is a fairly inexpensive activity. One that you want to do forever.  Or as long as your body lets you do it. It is imperative to have the right gear for it to be fun and safe. And when you have to pack it on your back it’s just as important that it be lightweight.

Take a look at the basic gear for backpackers and hikers I have put together…everything budget-friendly!

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Backpacks

It’s really not that hard to carry the weight of the gear you need for a couple of days on the trail. The weight must be properly distributed and the pack has to fit your body.

An AmazonBasics internal frame backpack is adjustable to fit the wearer. Proper lower back support and padded, adjustable shoulder straps add up to a more comfortable hike. A sleeping bag compartment at the bottom of the pack and loads of pockets handles all of the essential hiking gear you need to carry. This particular pack also includes a rain fly.

It took a little bit of tweaking, but when my internal frame backpack was adjusted to my 5′ 2″ frame, I fell in love with it. I had been using an old hand-me-down backpack that put pressure in all the wrong places and didn’t allow for any adjustments to correct that. OK, maybe if I became taller. Just like any gear you have to wear, a perfect fit is a must.

Tents

The Coleman Hooligan is a good middle-of-the-road ( price-wise) 3 season, 2-person tent. The rainfly is included, thank you very much. Coleman makes a good tent, this one weighs just 8.8 lbs. It’s constructed with protected seams, waterproof floors and convenient storage pockets.

The camping hammocks are kind of cool. But in colder weather or in a rainstorm, give me a tent. With a rain flap. There is not much worse than all of your gear getting drenched. Including your socks. Then you have to wait for a dry spell, hang all of your stuff in trees and wait for everything to dry.

Camping Hammocks and Sleeping Bags

The Starlight Mountain outfitters camping hammock is a great choice if you want a hammock in place of a tent. Or, if you just want a hammock! It’s super easy to hang.

It is available in single or double sizes if you like some company in your hammock.

Eliminate the tent, but be sure to have a rain fly just in case.

This ultralight hammock is extremely well made, the single weighs under 2 lbs. with the steel carabiners and tree straps!

This sleeping bag by Outdoorsman Lab is an ultra-light 3-season bag for backpacking. It’s compact, includes a compression bag, and weighs only 3 lbs.

It’s made with durable water-resistant fabric and has a soft super-quick dry lining to keep you warm even in extreme conditions.

Get a good night’s sleep after a long day on the trail.

Too bad, you still have to get up in the middle of the night to pee.

Hiking Boots

Taking care of your feet on a backpacking trip is as important as good drinking water. It’s been my experience that you don’t walk far enough to get dehydrated if your feet protest!

Good hiking boots, socks, and moleskin are at the top of the list of essential backpacking gear.

I’ve got a pair of Vasque hiking boots that have several hundred miles on them. These aren’t the cheapest boots you can buy, but you can certainly spend a lot more. Making an investment in some pieces of hiking gear is the difference is doing it once…or doing it for a lifetime. Boots are well worth the investment.

First Aid

An absolute necessity for any day hike or longer backpacking trip is a First Aid Kit.

Be prepared for the little things that are bound to happen when you are on the trail. Blisters, bug bites, scrapes, and other ouchie-booboos are annoying but can easily get infected if not treated immediately. Take care of these little minor wounds so that your trip is not ruined.

This compact little tin holds bandages, including moleskin pads that are necessary for protecting blisters. It also contains antiseptic wipes, tweezers, and a mini rescue howler whistle for emergencies.

There’s a little room left to customize this first aid kit with any medication you might need to take with you. Refill as needed, this little hard-sided first aid tin can be reused again and again.

Hydration

Staying hydrated on the trail, or anywhere for that matter, should be a top priority. I like the Camelbak water bottle because of it’s design – a leak-proof angled spout prevents sloshing and spilling. Camelbak is top quality, durable and made from BPA and bps free plastics.

For a couple of days on the trail, I keep a couple of 2-liter bottles, one on each side of the pack. The weight is balanced, hey, water is heavy! Purifying and replenishing along the way is necessary, there is no way I could carry enough water all at once.

A simple filtration system allows you to purify the available water and refill along the way. There’s a variety of options and price points available. Consider the water condition that’s likely to be found when deciding what system to buy.

Cooking

Ya gotta eat on the trail. Granola bars and jerky are great, but they are no substitute for a hot meal. A lightweight set including cookware, utensils, and a camp stove is essential to putting meals together on the trail. This Gold Armour 17-piece set contains everything you need to prepare meals when you are camping or backpacking.

My favorite meal on the trail is Pesto Pasta. I pack a small container of frozen pesto in my pack to use for dinner the first night out. Any kind of pasta will do. The pesto thaws quickly. Cook the pasta, drain it, pour the pesto over the pasta and mix it well.

All of the items in this set fit into the mesh bag. It’s lightweight and high quality, perfect for the trail.

A Travel Journal

A travel journal is not necessary for survival. It won’t provide shelter from the elements, hydration, or sustenance. However, documenting your experience gives permanence. Take the time to sketch, doodle or just reflect on the work you’ve done, the miles you’ve traveled, and the scenery in front of you.

This cute travel journal I found on Amazon is perfect for the backpacker, not just because of the charming artwork on the cover, but it is a pocket journal, just 4 x 5.75 inches. It’s small, a pocket journal. Measuring just 4 x 5.75 inches, it will easily slip in your backpack without adding too much extra weight or bulk.

This Kraft journal is part of a set of 12 that includes 6 different patterns. You’ll have something appropriate no matter your travel plans.

Stocking Stuffers for the Backpacker

Yes, there are basic pieces of gear that you need for a good backpacking trip. There are also so many inexpensive tools and gadgets a backpacker or hiker can use on the trail to make life easier. The trick is to keep it small and lightweight. Every ounce counts when you plan to pack it and carry it for a couple of days…or longer. Included are some items that I either a) use, or b) want. In case anybody’s interested. You will probably find something here to stick in a stocking or a couple of somethings to use to create a gift basket.

Life straw water filter
UCO stormproof match kit
A2S Paracord
CRKT Eat’N tool
Pocket blanket
Lightweight inflatable pillow
Hot hands hand warmers 
Insect Repellent
Lip Balm
Hiking Trail Maps

I hope you find something useful in the guide for your next trip or as a gift to give to the hiker or backpacker in your life.

I have probably left a few things off…drop a comment if you have any ideas.