Backpacking season is right around the corner here in the Pacific Northwest (and has already started in many other places). Whether you’re going out for a short weekend trip or planning on putting some miles in over a week+, here are my backpacking must haves!
Let’s start with your backpack and hiking boots; these are two items I strongly suggest purchasing in person so that you can try them on before buying and make sure you have the right fit. If either of these are uncomfortable, it will really hinder your experience. Here are some suggestions of where to start:
For your backpack, you’ll likely want a pack that will carry 55 – 65 L. REI no longer carries the exact version of the backpack I have, but two similar ones are the Trailbreak and the Flash 55. Another great brand for backpacking is Osprey; they can be on the pricier side, but they have some truly great packs like the Aura AG 65, and they do have a more affordable pack, the Renn 65. Now, if you’re wanting to log some serious miles, ultralight gear might be the way to go; this Hyperlight Mountain Gear Southwest Pack comes in at at 2 lbs and is pretty popular for PCT through hikers. Not sure what to look for in a backpack? REI has a very helpful article on How to Choose and Fit a Backpack.
There are A LOT of options when it comes to hiking boots, which can be a bit overwhelming, but also the most important backpacking item to be comfortable! Backpacker wrote a great article about Choosing the Right Pair of Hiking Boots to help get you started. The La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX are very similar to the hiking boots I wore on the Oregon section of the PCT and I found them to be pretty comfortable – didn’t get a blister until the very end when I was going down some serious elevation. I’ve also been a fan of Columbia’s Newton Ridge Plus hiking boots. If you’re not needing or looking for ankle support, and you’re wanting to move quickly, you can try out something like Keen’s Explore Waterproof Hiking Shoes.
Now, let’s talk tents, sleeping bags and pads! If you’re wanting to go the ultralight route, the REI Flash Air 1 tent is a great and affordable option, and the Nemo Hornet Elite 1 is a popular but more expensive option. If you’re planning on backpacking with a partner or a dog (or want that as an option at some point), I would recommend a two or three person tent. I used the Mountain Hardware Nimbus UL 2 for backpacking the Oregon section of the PCT, and it was perfect for Maisy (my dog) and me! The REI Quarter Dome or Half Dome are also great options.
This is the sleeping pad I use and love, the REI AirRail Plus, it’s self inflating which I think is an important feature to have. If weight is a factor, you might want to go with something like the Klymit Static V Luxe sleeping pad or the Sea to Summit Ultralight Insulated Air sleeping pad. Another popular option are these folding pads like the Expend FlexMat.
I had purchased my sleeping bag for the general sake of a sleeping bag, not with backpacking in mind, that said, I have loved my North Face Cat’s Meow 20 sleeping bag; it’s cozy, has a temperature rating of 20 degrees F and maximizes compressibility so you can easily cram it into your backpack. Again, if you’re wanting something more lightweight, the REI Magma 30 or the Nemo Aya 30 would be a better way to go.
Some important smaller items that you won’t want to be without include a headlamp, medical kit, whistle-compass, stormproof match kit, sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, a large REI Multi-Towel, bear spray, and a trowel. I’m going to spend more time talking about mosquito repellant options; I made the mistake of trying bands and natural oils (I didn’t want deet to be on my skin when I wasn’t going to be showering often, and while that was a reasonable wish, it was also a mistake). Mosquitos can be a huge nuisance when they’re swarming you, and also when they leave you covered in bites. I may have ended up going over-kill, but these items work and made the rest of my backpacking trip SO much better! First, a mosquito repellant for your body: Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellant works against mosquitos, ticks, biting flees, and gnats. You can also pre-treat your clothing and gear with the Sawyer Insect Repellent Treatment for Clothing. A mosquito Head Net with Insect Shield is also great for the times of day when mosquitos are at their worst. The Thermacell Backpacker Mosquito Repeller connects to a Fuel Canister and is perfect to have once you’ve set up camp, while the Thermacell Portable Mosquito Repeller is handy to have while hiking if the mosquitos get particularly bad.
These items aren’t a necessity, but they’re nice to have: Goal Zero Nomad 5 Solar Panel or OtterBox Fast Charge Power Bank, Columbia Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles, and an inflatable pillow like the Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow. If you’re doing a through hike like the PCT, it’s probably a good idea to have something like the Garmin GPS Map 66i. Let’s talk food and water! For your kitchen, I would recommend the MSR PocketRocket 2 Stove that attaches to a small Fuel Canister. I used the GSI Outdoors Halulite Minimalist II System Cookset to do all of my cooking in and also eat directly out of; it comes with a spork, insulating sleeve, and silicone pot gripper. My favorite food brands while backpacking were Backpacker’s Pantry, Good-To-Go, and MaryJanes Farm (organic option) – I was honestly impressed with the variety in vegetarian meal options, and found the food to be pretty tasty! Sawyer makes the best water filtration systems, you can choose either their Squeeze System or their Mini Water System (which is much more advanced than the old porcelain filters that you had to hand pump… which is what I used). And last, but not least, apparel. You’ll want to keep it simple and light! I’d suggest one to two pairs of pants, and possibly a pair of shorts depending on where you’re hiking; prAna Halle Pant and Summit Pant are some of my favorites because they can be full length or cropped. You’ll want two to three shirts; I was a fan of the Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake 3/4 Crew because they’re super soft and breathable. For socks and underwear, I think cotton is the best fabric to go with, and three pairs of each is probably good depending on how long you’re out for – these items are easy to wash in a stream or lake. If you’re a female, I’d recommend one “sports” bra – True and Co fabric is buttery soft and so breathable, I preferred it over a regular sports bra.
And there you have it! These are all of my backpacking essentials.
*These are not affiliate links – I’m not making any money from this post. This is an honest review of products I’ve used or witnessed while backpacking.*
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