Backpacking Essentials - Pack List
January 29, 2008 by: Josh
Question: Jamion from Chattanooga, TN asks: “What do you pack for a backpacking trip?”
Jamion, the three things to remember about backpacking are: weight, weight, and weight! You want to pack as light as possible, but still have the items you need. There are a few mandatory items you never want to go without. I have gone in on a day trip and lost my way around, turning into an overnight trip. You always want to be prepared for anything that could happen, because sooner or later it will. For day trips I can usually carry everything within 10 to 12 pounds. For overnight, you will probably double that.
If you go with friends, it helps to plan out your pack lists in advance. You can save on weight by distributing the load. You can always carry 2 of everything, just in case. Besides the clothing aspect of your trip you can have a perfect pack with everything you need, for around $200.
Below is my pack list. You may click on the items to see the actual products I use, or just print the list off for your next trip. Be safe and always over prepare!
Below is a list of mandatory items to bring on every backpacking trip, whether a day trip or overnight:
• Pack - Kelty Red Cloud 5000 Backpack
• Hiking boots - The difference in a good and bad pair of boots, is a broken ankle!
• Emergency blanket - Coghlan’s Emergency Blanket
• Trioxane tabs - used by the military, great for starting fires
• Water proof matches/lighter
• Flashlight/extra batteries/extra bulb - Browning Black Ice 5 LED Headlamp
• Compass - Silva Polaris Compass
• Map of area
• Water bottles (2) - Narrow-Mouth Lexan Water Bottle (32oz)
• Water purifier or purification tabs - Katadyn Hiker Pro Microfilter
• TP inside waterproof bag - zip lock bags work great
• Multi-purpose Knife - Buck Multi-Function
• Pocket sized mirror - Coghlan’s Featherweight Mirror
• Food - pack as if you are going overnight
• Wire ties - just in case you need to attach that knife to a stick and make a spear
• Safety pins
• Lightweight first aid kit - Bass Pro Shops First Aid Kit
• Parachute rope - I like to carry 20′ to 30′
Add these items if you are going overnight:
• Sleeping Bag - Paul Bunyan 10 Degree Bag
• Lightweight tent - Bass Pro Shops Hiker
• Backpacking stove/extra parts - MSR PocketRocket Stove
• Stove fuel
• Mess kit/utensils
Optional Items:
• Hiking sticks -
• Camera/film - You never know what kind of wildlife you might see
• Toothbrush/toothpaste
• Flare gun/flares
• Sleeping pad - Therm-A-Rest Fast and Light Series ProLite 4
• Pack lantern
• Small sewing repair kit
• Wire saw - Coghlan’s Pocket Saw
• Insect repellant
• Hand gun - If gun laws/seasons permit
• Journal
• Brilo pad - for cleaning
• Mole skin - for blisters
• Basic survival book - small compact book
• Watch
• Small Tarp
Weather dependent items:
Cold weather
• Fleece or wool jacket - Fleece helps with the wind, wool is preferred for the warmth
• Long under wear - 2 tops & 1 bottom, I prefer polypropylene
• Wool socks - 2 pair
• Wool gloves
• Wool beanie
• Lip Balm - I prefer the ones with sunscreen
Rainy Weather
• Rain poncho - I like the really light, inside the pouch kind
Tips for backpacking:
• Always let 2 people know where you are going and when you will be returning.
• It helps to purchase a topographic map of the area and become familiar with it, before you start your trip.
• Get a journal; keep a log of where you go. It’s always fun looking back years later to remember your adventures!
Check out my profile and view my pack list, here.
- Josh
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Read the Comments
Comment from Joe | January 29, 2008 | 11:10 am
Great article and great gear list! Now I’ve really got the itch to get out there. Like your site.
JS
Comment from JarisMenzeel | January 29, 2008 | 11:20 am
Your gear was well thought out. I like to use Coghlan’s sierra saw. I have used the same one for years now. It has never bent and has stayed pretty sharp. I think I have cut through more wood with it than a Canadian lumberjack. Also you can’t beat the lightness and efficiency of the MSR’s pocket rocket stove. - Jaris
Comment from Allan Houston | April 1, 2008 | 7:52 pm
Four things to include: 1) a toothbrush, after a day or two it’ll make a difference and can be use for cleaning things other than teeth, if neccessary 2) always get your doctor to fill a general antibiotic prescription in case you come down with a regular run-of-the-mill infection that can turn into something bad enough to ruin a hunt, or two days of being lost 3) always an ace bandage, it can bind up brokn bones, brace a collar bone, hold a bangage tight against a bleeding wound, be used as an emergency “string” and even used around a purple ankle 4) and maybe most important a police whistle - you can toot longer than you can hollar - - these four things weigh very little, but make big differences
some extra considerations are: of course cell phones etc are also important and I think that at least one big chest size hadwarmer is needfull - it can get you thru a cold wet night - a good compass will have a mirrow, substitute a stainless steel flash plate - fishhooks can be helpful and just a couple with some 10-pound test line weigh very little - finally, if snow is possible and you have no sun glasses, you can get the thin little eyeglass-shaped sheet that your optometrist gives you to wear behind your glasses after an eye exam to protect dilated pupils
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