Must-have Gear For Every Backpacker – With the chaos in the headlines and smartphones taking over seemingly every aspect of our lives, it’s no surprise that hiking is becoming an increasingly simple and common activity where nature lovers can completely unplug and unwind for a few days.
The number one complaint I hear from friends who want to get into backpacking is that the gear requirements create a high barrier to entry even for experienced campers. Weight matters a lot, as do essentials like an ultra-warm sleeping bag and a large trekking backpack.
Must-have Gear For Every Backpacker
I’ve been an avid outdoorsman for seven years and have tested countless pieces of gear in the field. I’ve been to every national park in the US and all seven continents, so I’d like to think I’m pretty darn knowledgeable about what works in a wide variety of climates. To compile this list of the best outdoor gear, I also recruited a few of my favorite outdoor pros to offer their must-haves.
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“A lightweight backpack provides the perfect base for all my backpacking adventures,” says author Bernadette Rankin. The REI Flash 55 has something for everyone: it’s affordable, durable, and features clever pockets. “From the highest peak in Colorado to the deepest journeys into the heart of the Grand Canyon, this backpack is one I absolutely trust,” she says.
Osprey backpacks have achieved legendary status in the outdoor world, thanks in part to their many high-quality features and the brand’s reliable All Mighty warranty. “I have this previous generation backpack and have loved it since I got it. It has tons of padding, and its weight distribution makes carrying all your gear a lot easier than you think,” says CNN Underscored editor Kai Burkhardt. Want something even more spacious? Osprey offers the same package in a 65-litre version.
For hikers who like to lug loads of gear and tasty treats deep into the backcountry (or who just want to set up a solid base camp and take a day hike from there), there’s no better option than the Gregory Baltoro/Virgo series. Not only is this backpack a rugged workhorse that has seen me along the High Sierra and John Muir trails, but it’s also damn comfortable when I’m carrying a heavy load on my shoulders.
“I think some backpackers buy a huge backpack just to get extra space, but sometimes a slightly smaller backpack can force you to pack more efficiently and avoid extra or unnecessary supplies,” says Dustin Christensen, founder of Territory Outdoor Center. Supply. Gossamer Gear’s bestselling Mariposa 60 embodies this ideal. A true ultra-lightweight bag weighing just 2 pounds, it also boasts large side pockets and a spacious top pocket for storing easy-to-reach essentials.
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Big Agnes is often a popular brand for backpackers looking for an ultra-light freestanding shelter, and the Copper Spur HV UL2 is one of the best on the market today, weighing in at 2 pounds, 11 ounces. “It’s ultra-light, compact, and surprisingly roomy, so you won’t feel like you’re sleeping in a coffin,” says Women Who Hiker author and CNN correspondent Heather Balogh Rochfort. “But it’s not cheap,” she adds.
Another great lightweight tent option, Nemo’s Dragonfly Osmo has a minimum weight of just 2 pounds 10 ounces. Yet somehow, the brand manages to fit a floor area of 29 square feet and a maximum height of 41 inches into this miniature package. The tent also comes with Nemo’s lifetime warranty.
Of course, many serious hikers choose to choose a trekking pole-supported shelter to save weight when they know they’ll be out for days at a time. “I like to save weight and space while saving my knees by using a trekking pole shelter instead of carrying a tent with my own set of dedicated poles,” says adventurer and award-winning outdoor novelist Stacy Gold. With a maximum height of nearly 47 inches and a weight of 2 pounds 6.5 ounces, it is a spacious alternative to freestanding tents.
If you’re looking for a durable tent but are willing to sacrifice some weight for more interior space, the Nemo Dagger has a fantastic weight-to-space ratio. This two-person version has enough space for two people to sleep next to each other without being squashed together, plus plenty of room at your feet for spare gear or even a dog. Burkhardt has used this tent for both backpacking and car camping, and it has withstood everything from a hurricane outside Acadia National Park to a hot Colorado summer.
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If you’re vegan, have a down allergy, or just like to wear a synthetic bag, check out Nemo’s Forte Endless Promise Sleeping Bag. It’s surprisingly lightweight for a down alternative bag, weighing just 2 pounds for a regular-length bag that’s rated for temperatures up to 35 degrees Fahrenheit. “It’s amazingly compact, warm, and has lots of little details like the collar and unrestricted shape that make it very comfortable,” says Burkhardt.
When people ask me what my favorite camping purchase under $100 is, I always mention the super cozy Fillo Elite pillow from Nemo. He single-handedly saved me from neck pain and cranky morning walks in the desert. Packed to the size of a lime and weighing 2.8 ounces, I easily toss it into my backpack.
“I use a camping blanket instead of a sleeping bag. It’s lightweight and versatile, so I can easily use it whether I’m sleeping in a tent or hammock, in cool or warm weather,” says Christensen. The Corus blanket can withstand temperatures up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit and is warm enough to keep most campers happy for three seasons of use, while boasting an ultra-light weight (1 pound, 10 ounces for the regular size) that can suit serious travelers. thirsty when they travel long miles.
It’s not the cheapest (or quietest) mat on the market, but it is one of the lightest and most comfortable, and after two years of hiking thick alpine trails in the Sierra Nevada and trying to reduce pack weight, I can safely say that Therm’s NeoAir XLite The -a-Rest is my favorite sleeping pad in my gear closet. And thanks to the R-value of 4.5, it is warm enough for expeditions in the off-season.
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“I’ve only once made the mistake of going on an altitude hike in the early months of the year without a winterized camping pad,” says Contravans founder Kurt Bradler. That’s why he wholeheartedly recommends the Rapide SL Insulated Sleeping Pad from Big Agnes, which weighs just 1 pound 3 ounces in the regular size. Plus, the high-volume valve makes it easy to inflate and deflate as you tune in and out.
“If you’re strict about size and weight but still want to take a pillow with you, you can’t beat this pillow from Outdoor Vitals,” says Burkhardt. “It’s comfortable enough to inflate in two and a half breaths and packs down to less than a pair of socks.” At 2.6 ounces, it even outweighs my favorite Fillo Elite.
Kelty’s Cosmic Down Sleeping Bag is a soft, ultra-warm and affordable sleeping bag that’s great for beginners and seasoned outdoor enthusiasts alike. “It’s rare to find a down sleeping bag for under $200, and the Cosmic Down is cozy and comfortable,” says Rochfort.
Along with my ultralight camp stove, GSI’s Pinnacle Dualist Cooking Set was one of the first things I bought when I first started my overnight camping adventure almost seven years ago. To this day, I still use it regularly as its insulated bowls, strainer with lid, and properly sized saucepan are the perfect companions for overnight hikes with a partner in tow. It’s also great for car camping.
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Personally, I was a die-hard Pocket Rocket girl for five years until I spent three weeks hiking the JMT and saw Jetboil. If you primarily use the pot for boiling water and don’t need a larger container (like the Pinnacle Dualist), this is a great all-around solution that even comes with a push-button fuel ignition button.
Erica Zazo, a Chicago-based writer and frequent CNN Underscored contributor, actually prefers her ultralight Pocket Rocket 2 stove over the popular Jetboil cooking system. “I like the smaller stove better because it’s more compact and saves a lot of weight on my backpack,” she says. Just don’t forget to take a few cans of fuel with you.
Having tried just about every dehydrated meal on the planet, I’ve found Backpacker’s Pantry to be the best of the widely available brands you’re likely to find at your local gear store. During my years of peak camping and traveling in the Rocky Mountains, the flavor of Pad Thai has always been a big hit, and it’s vegan.
Featuring the best warmth-to-weight ratio of any Patagonia jacket (at just 9.3 ounces), the Micro Puff Hoody is a fantastic down alternative that’s eco-friendly and ultra-packable. “I’ve been a die-hard fleece-plus-shell or down guy for years, depending on the weather, but the combination of light weight and high-temperature versatility (along with what the Micro Puff has)
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