Backpacking Gear Checklist for Beginners

Backcountry Packing Guide for Beginners

The mountain snow is thawing, the leaves are blooming, and the birds are singing… which can only mean one thing: it’s hiking season! It’s time to find adventures in the backcountry.

For backcountry pros, this means it’s time to dust off the hiking boots, check your sleeping pad for leaks, and mentally prepare to eat a lot of oatmeal in the backcountry. And for those preparing for their first hiking or backpacking year, don’t worry, the oatmeal really isn’t that bad. And, we’re here to provide a backpacking gear checklist for our first trip!

Of course, there is plenty more to do. This backpacking gear checklist is a helpful guide with some introductory tips for backcountry packing, including what to pack, what’s nice to have, and what to eat (besides oatmeal).

Cover photo by Therese Chevalier

Backpacking Gear Checklist

What you must pack

Whether you’re going for one, two, or five nights, a few non-negotiables must find their way into your pack. In fact, that’s precisely where you should start when packing– with the actual backpack you will be bringing. 

Backpack

A 30-50 litre backpack is suitable for overnight hikes. For 2-3 nights, you’ll likely want something in the 60l range. Depending on the hiker’s size, size of their gear and how smart you pack, you could go up to an 80l backpack is recommended for 3-5 night backcountry trips.

Some backpacks come with an attached rain cover. Otherwise, make sure you pack one. You don’t want your pack and gear to get wet in the rain!

Tent

Solo hikers can save a bit of weight by opting for a one-person tent rather than a two-person tent, although two-person tents are more roomy and comfortable, particularly when you need to hide from mosquitoes. Three-season tents are fine for beginners, assuming you’re planning your backpacking trip for the summer.

When choosing a tent, make sure it has a covered outdoor vestibule. This will create a good spot to store your backpack and boots for the night and give you more space inside for sleeping.

Looking for a tent that’s made in Canada? Check out Durston Gear.

Sleeping bag

If you’re camping in the mountains, a warmer bag is better. Nights can be surprisingly cold at high elevations, even in summer! When choosing a bag, check the temperature COMFORT rating. This rating will show the temperature at which you can comfortably sleep. The extreme rating is more of a survival rating. You don’t want just to survive; you want to thrive!

This article gives a great explanation of sleeping bag ratings and how they work.

Sleeping pad

Sleeping pads aren’t just for comfort; they also help keep you warm. Choose one with a good R-rating (at least 3.5) if you plan on camping in spring, autumn, or the mountains. Many great sleeping pads are on the market, and Nemo sleeping pads offer a comfortable, lightweight, and insulated option.

Stove and fuel

Single-burner gas canister stoves are lightweight and easy to use. If you eat mostly dehydrated meals that just need boiling water, a Jet Boil might be a good addition to your pack. 

If you’re hiking with another person or a group, break off into “cooking groups.” Two people can easily share a stove and fuel, and help divide the equipment between packs to lighten the load.

Cooking and eating supplies

You should have one lightweight pot, bowl, spoon (or spork) and cup. You can also share a pot with your backpacking buddy. Pack a tiny cloth or sponge and wilderness-friendly soap to wipe down your dishes after each use.

You’ll also need something to carry your water, like a water bottle or bladder. Staying hydrated on the trail and in camp is vital!

Water treatment

You should treat all water in the backcountry. Even if water looks crystal glear flowing out of a mountain stream, you never know if an animal pooped (or died) in the water upstream. Bacteria still exist, and they can make you VERY sick.

Although boiling water is fine at camp, you should also have a method for filtering water on the go. You can top up your water bottle or bladder while hiking as needed. A water filtration bladder is an excellent addition to the backcountry kitchen for larger groups. You can fill the bladder up in the creek or lake, hang it on a tree, and have it run through a filter and out of your backcountry tap! For one or two people, a pump filter works great.

Clothing

Of course, clothing is another must-have. The exact assortment of clothes depends on the season, trip duration, and terrain. However, you should always have a base layer, a mid-layer, and an outer layer.

The base layer sits on your skin and keeps you warm on cold days. These should be moisture-wicking, so no cotton. Your mid-layer includes insulating pieces like a puffy vest, jacket, or lightweight fleece (Wuxly makes some great options). Finally, your outer layer is a wind-breaker or waterproof jacket. Rain paints are also a smart idea.

You want to bring at least one change of clothing. That way, if you get sweaty or wet from the rain, you’ll have a backup. For sleeping, consider a thin set of baselayers that you keep clean and dry the entire trip. Bring at least two pairs of socks (wool is best to prevent blisters) and underwear. For longer trips, you can rinse things off as you go.

10 essentials

There are 10 essentials you should include in your backpacking gear checklist:

• Hiking poles
• Navigation: A waterproof map, GPS, tracking app, etc. You can have one per group.
• Headlamp (plus extra batteries)
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• First aid kit
• Knife
• Matches or a lighter (keep them in a waterproof bag)
• Emergency food (protein bars work great)
• Bear spray

Choosing hiking boots

You want good support, so prioritize fit, comfort and durability. Your boots should feel snug, but not tight and ensure there’s room to wiggle your toes! Your feet will swell a little, which is why you want a bit of wiggle room. For multi-day backpacking trips, you might want to choose a boot with good ankle support and supportive midsoles. Ensure it’s breathable, water resistant and a comfortable weight.

Some nice-to-haves on your backpacking gear checklist

Your nice-to-haves/little luxuries are going to be very personal to you. Some hikers will gladly carry camp chairs and fresh fruit up a mountain, whereas others would never dream of carting around all that extra weight. Over time, you’ll figure out what things you wish you had, what luxuries you’re prepared to hike in, and what items would be nice but aren’t worth the weight.

Here are some backpacking luxuries for you to consider:

• Inflatable pillow
• Camping sandals or Crocs. It feels so good to get out of those hiking boots!
• Battery charger
• Camp chair (like this one from Woods)
• Coffee maker
• Fresh fruit and vegetables
• Book or e-reader

Overnight vs multi-day backpacking 

You will bring, more or less, the same items on multi-day backcountry trips as you do on overnight hikes. The main difference is that you will need more clothes and more food. You’ll likely need a larger backpack with greater capacity to accommodate these extra items.

For longer trips, it’s especially important to bring a way to charge your phone. This could be a power bank or a solar charger. Phones are navigation tools, extra lights, ways to jot down memories, and cameras. If you’re bringing an e-reader, it’s nice being able to charge that, too.

What to eat (and why it matters)

Hiking is a strenuous activity, especially with a backpack that weighs 10% of your body weight (FYI, it should never weigh more than 20%). You need to fuel your body well. Don’t try to make your bag lighter by skimping on food. Hiking becomes much, much more challenging when you’re hungry.

Dehydrated meals are a backcountry staple. They’re lightweight, easy to use, and nutritionally balanced. You know exactly how many calories and how much protein are in every meal. High-energy snacks, like protein bars, trail mix, jerky, and even candy, are a must for refuelling in between meals. Backpackers love chocolate.

This article by Jet Boil shares some smart backpacking food ideas, including options for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.

Happy Trails

We hope you found this backpacking gear checklist helpful. While this list was created with backpacking in mind, it can also be used for backcountry paddling trips. Just remember your drysacks, PFD and other water-proof paddling gear. Have an awesome adventure!