If you’re planning and packing for your first overnight backpacking trip, I urge you to read this post. Most people who have done it before would agree that the items below are an absolute must. It only takes one time without them to force into your memory the need to have them every time. I have learned some of these lessons the hard way and I want to share my mistakes with you as well as some of the items that I have found to be useful in the back country. Let’s get started with 11 items in no particular order.
#1 Shelter
It should go without saying, you have to have something to keep you out of the elements. Typically, your shelter is going to be a lightweight tent or hammock. Unless you plan on packing very light and choose to fashion one out of pine branches and logs. There are plenty of tent and hammock options to choose from online. Find one that is lightweight and comes in a nice and compact bag. One thing to keep in mind when tent shopping, is some of the higher priced tents will be designed for better ventilation which results in less condensation. My first experience with a small backpacking tent involved waking up soaking wet 6 mornings in a row during an elk hunt in Colorado. Read the reviews and research before you buy.
Check out the tent I carry here. https://sovrn.co/17gj9ur
#2 Water Filter
You have to drink water everyday whether you’re hiking or not. It becomes especially important when covering several miles in a variety of weather conditions and altitudes. The best thing I have found is to simply pack a water filtration device. These can come in many different forms, from straws, to caps, to bottles with built in filters. Don’t make the mistake that I made and carry a bunch of water. Unless you’re in the desert! Try to plan your trips around water. Use GPS or topo maps to plan for finding water.
Get your Sawyer water filter here. https://sovrn.co/10zek0m
#3 Backpacking Stove
Whether it’s a week on the trail, a half day in the duck blind, or a backyard camp out with the wife and kids, you will rarely find me without my Jet Boil camp stove. You absolutely have to have one of these, or something similar in your pack if you plan to enjoy your time on the trail.
A camp stove is a small burner that screws onto a small can of fuel such as butane or propane. These are light weight and perfect for backpacking. They can be used to cook food, pour hot water over your oatmeal or noodles, or prepare your wonderful morning Joe. They can also be used to boil water for drinking if you forgot your filtration system.
These things light right up and can safely prepare food or drinks if a fire is out of the question. Get one today!
#4 Metal cup
What good is a camp stove if you don’t have something to put on top of it. A cheap metal cup from any sporting goods store can be used to boil water or eat from. They usually come with a lid and a folding handle. Start carrying one of these and watch how many different uses you will find for it. If you follow this blog long enough you will learn all of my tricks.
#5 Backpacking Tarp
This is essential, and most likely to be missed when gathering things for the trip. Although they can get a little bulky, I could never leave without one. It can make or break a trip if the rain starts coming down.
You may have heard this called a “Rain Fly”. The list of uses for a small tarp or rain fly is too long for this post. But the main reason for making this list is simply to cover your tent or hammock. Most tents end up leaking after a while and you don’t want to risk a wet night. If you trust the tent, use it to cover gear or firewood, or extend the living quarters of your tent and fashion a front porch!
#6 Paracord
Again…….endless uses……..
I always have a bundle of paracord with me on these backpacking trips. I prefer the thinner cordage because it takes less space in the pack and is easier to work with. It can be used to hang your tarp, repair a shoelace, or God forbid make a torniquet. I don’t think there’s a survivalist on the planet that wouldn’t recommend this for bug out bag.
Forget the socks on this year’s Christmas list. Your stocking this year should have a fresh roll of paracord.
#7 Knife
If your going to bring paracord, your going to need a means to cut it. See how nicely this flows?
A knife is always a must have on any outdoor adventure. I prefer a fixed blade with a holster to keep it on me for easy access instead of burying it in my pack. You’re going to constantly have to sharpen a stick, cut paracord, prepare your meals, or if your anything like me, clean a fish for dinner.
Invest in a good quality knife and learn how to keep it sharp……… I just came with an idea for a post!
#8 Backpacking First aid kit
Duh…….we just talked about sharp knives.
#9 Headlight
The sun will go down if you’re on an overnight trip. I promise. A good headlight makes camp life so much more enjoyable. I prefer a rechargeable light over battery operated. But either way, don’t forget extra batteries or an additional charging device. You don’t want to stub your toe in the night.
Bonus tip.
A headlight will never cross your mind during the day. The sun will start to go down and you will not think about this until the visibility is very low. I recommend having the headlight in a quick access pocket on the top or outside of your pack where you can quickly get to it. Don’t be like me and empty your entire pack only to find it stuck inside your sleeping bag.
#10 Fire starting device
If you have recently purchased a jet boil, you may be thinking “Eh…. I don’t need fire”. Sometimes areas have burn bans and other restrictions on campfires. And besides, you may not plan on spending much time at camp. It may be wet and rainy. There may be no firewood to use. So needless to say, a crackling campfire may not always be on your mind with every backpacking trip.
But let me tell you, having a way to start a fire is not for pleasure, it’s for survival. If you get lost you are going to need to make a fire for cooking, boiling water, staying warm, or sending distress signals. Like having a first aid kit, this is an item that you should hit the trail without.
When I go backpacking, I like to carry three forms of fire-making equipment. A cheap lighter, stormproof match kit, and a magnesium fire starter with a striker. These items are cheap and will last a long time. Purchase these items and add them to your pack and never take them out.
#11 Sleeping Bag
Okay, so not everything has to be so serious. When we’re backpacking, we shouldn’t always be in survival mode. We are out there to have fun and enjoy ourselves while we explore this beautiful creation. So, I would always advise packing a good high-quality sleeping bag. It’s totally worth the money to pick up a high-quality, lightweight sleeping bag. Every serious backpacker has one and knows to pack it right away.
Make sure to do your research when it comes to buying a sleeping bag. These things have very specific washing instructions and even have temperature ratings. They can range from below 0 to 50 degrees F! You sure wouldn’t want to pack a 50-degree sleeping bag for an October backpacking trip in Alaska.
Honorable mentions for backpacking
There are a few other items that could be considered “debatable” when we think about the must haves of backpacking. So here are a few more items to consider keeping as part of the regulars. I plan on discussing some of these in future posts.
- Pepper Spray
- Sleeping pad
- Satellite phone
- Charging device
- Compass
- Sleeping pad
The next time you load the bag for a backpacking adventure, be sure that these items go into the pack first. These items are non-negotiable when it comes to deciding what you’re going to bring for an overnight trip. Some of these could even keep you alive. There’s about a million other things that you can play with adding to the back to get to that ideal weight, but the items in this post are not in that category. Make sure that you’re at least strong enough to carry these!
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