Backcountry Backpacking CheckList
Recently backpacking has surged in popularity across the globe, and with good reason - there are few feelings more liberating than setting out for an adventure, carrying everything you need on your back. However, there are few worse feelings than getting into the backcountry (where there is no instant Amazon delivery..yet) and realizing that you forgot your toothbrush, or something more critical. That’s why we’ve compiled this at-a-glance checklist of backpacking items to ensure you’re prepared for maximum enjoyment of your next backcountry backpacking adventure.
Many of the things on this list are necessities, but some are optional. Our goal is to make sure we cover everything you might need and then let you decide what is necessary for you and what is not. If you have any questions you can always reach out to us and we would be happy to answer them for you!
Backpack & Accessories
Backpack
Rain cover
Carabiners
Camp Shelter
Tent body & Poles
Tent pole repair kit
Tent Rainfly
Tent Footprint
Stakes
Guylines
If hammocking - hammock, rainfly, underquilt, stakes
Misc. Tools, Accessories
Trekking Poles
Multi-Tool & or Knife
Sit pad
Bear spray (if in grizzly country)
Camera
Headlamp
Backup headlamp & extra batteries
Power bank
Waterproof stuff sacks
Paracord
Waterproof matches & firestarters
Bug repellent & bug net
Tenacious Tape
Tarp cover for camp
Food
Camp provisions - you eat more than you think backpacking!
Extra day’s food for emergencies
Snacks
Reusable plastic bags
Navigation Tools
Compass
Waterproof Map
GPS
Emergency satellite receiver
Download area maps on Google Maps
Personal Items & Toiletries
Toilet paper / wipes
Sunscreen
Trowel
Feminine products
Toothbrush & toothpaste
Prescription meds
Contacts & solution
Hair ties, comb
Nail clippers
Ear plugs
Watch with alarm
Sleeping Arrangements
Sleeping Bag & Stuff Sack
Sleeping Pad
Camp Pillow
Sleeping pad patch kit
Camping Kitchen
Camp Stove & Fuel
Lighter
Pot and Pan with lids
Cooking utensils
Camp Mug
Spoon, fork, knife, spork
Biodegradable soap
Spices
Bear bag or BearVault
Flask
Garbage Bag
Water Filtration & Hydration
Water filtration device
Backup water filter
Water bottle(s) & or water bladder
Iodine tablets
Entertainment
Books
Kindle
Journal
Cards
Headphones
Clothing & Footwear
Hiking Boots
Camp Shoes
Moisture wicking shirts - t-shirts and long sleeve
Rain coat
Rain pants
Wool baselayers
Fleece Jacket
Down Jacket
Gloves
Hats (baseball and winter)
Hiking pants or shorts
Moisture wicking underwear
Hiking socks
Liner socks
Camp socks
Sunglasses
Croakies
Bandana or Buff
Small pack towel
Emergency & First Aid
Band Aids
Gauze & gauze wrap
Antibiotic ointments
Medical tape
Latex gloves
Tweezers
Moleskin or 2nd skin
Antihistamines
Antidiarrheal medications
EpiPen if necessary
“And I blessed God that I was free to wander, free to hope, free to love. ”
Backpacking Tips & Tricks
No doubt as you were reviewing the checklist you had questions pop up on a few of the items. You also may have thought, “How the heck am I supposed to fit all of this $%^* into my pack?!?”. Not to worry, we’ve been right there with you!
Take A Load Off Fannie
As you’re packing your bag, try not to forget that you’ll need to carry everything you stuff in your bag on your back for many miles, days at a time. While it is important to make sure you have everything you’ll need to be safe and comfortable, it’s also important to cut out anything that’s not a necessity. There are lightweight versions of almost everything you would need for backpacking; they can be expensive, but are worth investing in if your pack just seems too heavy. A good rule of thumb is to make sure your bag isn’t more than 25% of your bodyweight - it can be challenging to get to this point. Don’t be discouraged if you aren’t quite there yet. I rarely make that benchmark (damn camera gear). Work with your hiking buddies to make sure you aren’t doubling up on unnecessary equipment and that the weight is distributed evenly between you.
Practice Makes Perfect
The last thing you want to do is get out into the backcountry and realize you don’t know how to use your camp stove or your water filtration device. Whenever you purchase a new piece of gear, put it to the test at home, on a day hike, or on a car camping trip. You should know your gear like the back of your hand so there aren’t any issues mid trek.
This also applies to the gear you decide to bring - as you gain backpacking experience you will know what you need to bring on your next trip and what you should leave behind.
Leave No Trace
Many of us go backcountry backing for the same reasons - we want to escape from the crowded city and spend time in a natural, pristine place. It recharges our soul and provides us with much needed solitude. Don’t ruin that experience for others - always respect the rules of the park and leave it the way you found it. Always pack out everything you bring in. Cover up firepits as needed. Make sure you pitch your tent in designated tent camping areas. If the park allows dispersed camping, try to pitch your tent on a non-vegetated surface like a rock or a gravel area.
This includes your human waste. Always bring a trowel to bury your feces with, and pack out your toilet paper. The last thing anyone wants to see on their hike through the backcountry is a giant pike of human turds.
Clothing
I’m always working to improve the clothing that I bring on my trips. I always seem to have too much and don’t wind up wearing half of it. In response, I’ve devised a pretty solid system that has served me well in the past. On shorter trips - 2 - 4 days - I’ll bring two sets of clothing, one for hiking, one for camp. There’s no better feeling at the end of the day than slipping out of my sweaty clothes and into my nice, clean camp clothes. Each set of clothing includes a t shirt and a pair of pants or shorts, a pair of underwear, and a pair of socks.
On longer trips I’ll pack an additional shirt along for when my first hiking shirt undoubtedly gets soiled. In both scenarios I’ll always bring an extra pair of underwear and socks. I also pack along my highly compressible down jacket, my rain jacket, and wool baselayers in case of cold.
Depending on the conditions you will be hiking in you may need to adjust your clothing to the environment. When in doubt, give the ranger station a call to ask what conditions are normally like during the time you will be visiting and ask them for recommendations on what to bring.
Food
Food is another item that gets challenging. The dehydrated camp meals are lightweight, compact and you can cook them in the bag, but personally I don’t love them. They are loaded with sodium and frankly aren’t the best food (although everything does taste better when you’re backpacking). It’s super easy to make your own camp meals. Dehydrated fruits and veggies work great, and you can cook things like pasta, quinoa, rice, and beans with just a camp pot, stove / fire, and some water. The only con of making your own meals in a camp pot is that you’ll need a little more gas than you would with a dehydrated meal. Dehydrated meals make a great emergency meal in case you have to stay out longer than planned.
For breakfast, you can’t beat oatmeal. It’s highly packable, lightweight, and easy to whip up. Again, you can premix your own oatmeal at home and avoid the sugar loaded packets that you buy in stores.
In my opinion lunches are best when you don’t have to spend the time to cook them up. Things like crackers and cheese, peanut butter and jelly tortilla rollups, or veggie tacos are all great options. Pair that with some dehydrated fruit and you’ll be ready to tackle your afternoon of hiking.
Snacks are important to keep you going when you need a burst of energy. Dense, calorie packed healthy options like almonds or other nuts are a great option. Overall, it’s important to remember that whatever you put into your body is going to be used instantly for fuel and overnight to help your muscles recover. The more you focus on curating healthy food options for your trip, the more enjoyable your experience will be.
There are tons of things that go into prepping for a backpacking trip, but after doing it a few times you’ll be a seasoned pro. Inevitably, however, our human nature leads us to forget something we never thought we would leave behind. Don’t forget to bookmark this page and revisit it before your next trip to ensure you’ve got everything you need for a stress free journey!
Looking for help choosing your next adventure? Check out more Journeys in Fantasium for tips, tricks, and ideas for your next expedition.
