Getting into backpacking? Awesome! But let’s be real—starting your backpacking journey can feel a bit overwhelming.
Between route planning, hiking big miles, backcountry cooking, and yes, all the gear, there’s a lot to take in! When I first started building my backpacking setup, I had so many questions about backpacking gear for beginners.
Since then, I’ve backpacked over 100 miles, doing section hikes on the Appalachian Trail, Colorado Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and solo thru-hiked the 38-mile Trans-Catalina Trail.
I’ve tested dozens of pieces of gear over that time, some of them amazing, and others….not so great. While I’m always refining and testing my kit, I’ve dialed in a pretty great setup – and I’m sharing my favorites with you!
This guide covers my favorite essential gear to get you started in your backpacking journey.
Don’t forget to download my free backpacking gear essentials guide below, which includes a handy one-page backpacking checklist!
Disclosure: This page may contain sponsored content or affiliate links, including Amazon links, where I earn a small commission from any purchase – at no extra cost to you. This commission helps keep Brooke In Boots up and running. As always, all opinions are 100% honest and my own!
Backpacking Gear For Beginners Checklist
The hardest part about assembling your backpacking gear as a beginners is figuring out what you actually need – and what you don’t. This guide will dive into each of these items, and my suggestions for the best pieces of gear if you’re looking to invest in your first backpacking kit.
Looking for more backpacking tips for beginners? Check out 15 Backpacking Tips for Your First Backpacking Trip.
Before every trip, I use this handy checklist to double check I’ve packed the essentials for a safe and comfortable backpacking trip.
Backpacking Checklist
- Backpack (45 – 65 Liters)
- Rain cover / Pack Liner
- Backpacking Tent
- Sleeping Bag or Quilt
- Sleeping Pad
- Pillow (Optional)
- Stuff Sacks / Storage Bags
- Pee Cloth / Toilet Paper / Trowel
- Toiletries, including hand sanitizer, sunscreen, wet wipes, chapstick
- Headlamp
- Portable Battery / Battery Bank with charging cords
- SOS / Satellite Comms Device
- Hiking Shoes & Socks
- Camp Shoes (optional)
- Water Filter
- Water Storage
- Stove & Fuel
- Cooking Pot & Utensils
- Food & Food Storage
- Trash / Waste Storage
- First Aid Kit and blister care
- Trekking Poles (optional)
- Sleeping Clothes
- Daytime Hiking Clothes
- Extra Socks & Underwear
- Warm layers
- Rain Jacket / Rain Pants
- Sun Hat / Sunglasses
- Maps / GPS & Navigation
Understanding the Lingo: Base weight, Lightweight & Beyond
Backpacking comes with it’s own unique language, so before talking gear details, let’s define some of the important terms you need to know. If you don’t know these words already – I promise they’ll help you on your backpacking journey.
What is “base weight”? In backpacking, the term “base weight” refers to the weight of your gear, not including things that you use up throughout the day, like food, water, toiletries, or fuel.
It’s essentially everything you would carry in your pack on a trip, minus those consumables.
Why is this important? Well, the lighter your base weight, the easier it will be to carry on long hikes. This means you can cover more miles comfortably and with less strain on your body.
Ultralight vs Lightweight vs Traditional: Which Base Weight is Right for You?
Traditional: Traditional backpackers usually aim for a base weight under 30 lbs. Traditional backpacking gear is what you’ll find in almost every outdoor retailer like REI or Dicks. Traditional gear is typically on the heavier side, but more cost effective.
Lightweight: A base weight under 20lbs. Backpacking gear that is designed to be lighter than traditional gear but still offers some comfort features. Lightweight gear still allows you to enjoy essentials without breaking your back or the bank.
For beginners, aiming for a “Lightweight” base weight between 15 and 20 lbs is a solid starting point, striking a balance between comfort, affordability, and pack weight.
Ultralight: A base weight under 10 lbs. Ultralight gear uses incredible advanced tech to achieve the lightest possible base weight, but it comes at a price! Literally. Ultralight gear can cost hundreds, even thousands of dollars.
As you gain experience, you’ll discover your own sweet spot and decide if going ultralight is right for you.
Backpacking Packs for Beginners
A good pack should be comfortable, spacious enough for your essentials, and ideally designed with adjustable features to fine-tune the fit as you go.
Look for one with a supportive hip belt, well-padded shoulder straps, and a lightweight internal frame to support your pack weight.
Look for beginner-friendly packs are often in the 50–65L range—big enough to hold your gear without being too bulky.
Don’t forget to protect your pack (and stuff) from rain & snow with a pack cover. You can also opt to use a heavy-duty trash bag to line your pack from the inside.
My Favorite Backpacking Packs for New Backpackers
They Eja 58L pack by Osprey is my current pack of choice. This pack has a robust suspension system that makes it more comfortable to carry heavy loads, but still weighs less than 3 lbs! There are tons of storage pockets, and the removable top pocket means you can reduce this to about a 52 L pack for shorter trips.
I’ve used this pack for 50-mile section hikes of the Pacific Crest Trail, thru-hiking the Trans-Catalina Trail, in Colorado, and even hiking hut-to-hut in the White Mountains. She never lets me down!
Gregory Deva 60L (Traditional)
You’ll spot the Gregory Deva 60L pack everywhere on the trails! Its comfortable with plenty of storage for an overnight or extended trip. If you’re looking for an introductory backpacking pack, this is a great option.
With a 60L capacity, you should have more than enough room in this pack. I highly suggest not getting a larger pack – if you can. In my experience, a bigger pack is just wasted weight and too great a temptation to over-pack!
If you’re looking to dip your toe into lightweight gear, but don’t want to spend big bucks – this bag is the best deal on the market, priced at under $200. The entire pack weighs 2lbs 11 oz.
Unlike other ultralight packs, this one includes adjustable torso and load lifter straps, meaning you can get a customized fit for a more comfortable carry.
Backpacking Tents for Beginners
When it comes to backpacking tents, beginners should look for a balance of weight, durability, and ease of setup.
A good tent will be lightweight enough to carry without breaking your back but sturdy enough to handle unexpected weather. Look for a freestanding or semi-freestanding tent, like the ones I suggest below, as these are easier to set up on different terrains.
For solo trips, a one-person tent works well, but if you prefer a bit more room, a two-person tent offers extra space without a huge weight penalty.
My Favorite Backpacking Tents for New Hikers
Nemo Hornet Osmo 2P (Lightweight)
After trying out some awful 1 person tents, I switched to the Nemo Hornet Osmo, a semi-freestanding 2 person tent. It was love at first night.
I do not have a single criticism of this tent, except that it would be a bit tight for 2 people, but perfect for 1 person plus room for their gear. There are pockets for your gear and headlamp, and excellent ventilation, even in very humid or rainy conditions.
It’s exceptionally easy to set up, holds up very well in strong winds (I had the pleasure of testing that out on a windy night on the Trans Catalina Trail!), and weighs only 2lbs 8oz (without footprint).
If you plan on hiking with another, spring for the 3 person version, which weighs 3lbs 5oz.
The REI half Dome SL2+ tent is a perfect backpacking tent for beginners, with a price point that should make anyone happy.
It’s completely freestanding making it very easy to use, spacious, and has plenty of space for 2 people plus their gear. The 2p size weighs about 4lbs and is reasonably priced at $349.
Sleeping Bags & Sleep Systems
A comfortable and reliable sleep system is essential for a good night’s rest on the trail. Your sleep system includes your sleeping bag or sleeping quilt, pillow, and sleeping pad.
Sleeping Bags for Beginning Hikers
Choosing the right sleeping bag means balancing warmth, weight, and cost.
Down and synthetic bags each have their pros and cons—down bags are lighter and pack down smaller but tend to be pricier and lose insulation when wet, while synthetic bags are bulkier but handle damp conditions better and come at a more budget-friendly price point.
REI Magma 15 / 30 (Lightweight)
The REI Magma 15 or 30 just might be the best value 3-season backpacking sleeping bags on the market. They’re lightweight, packable, and ultra warm. I’m a very cold sleeper and this is the first bag I’ve used that actually keeps me completely warm on cold nights.
Backpacking Pillows
Now SOME might say a backpacking pillow is optional, but for the over-30 crowd (including me), even the idea of sleeping on the ground without at least some sort of pillow is enough to send my neck into spasm.
These backpacking pillows will provide comfort and warmth, and in the case of the Nemo Fillo Elite, be nearly as good as your at-home pillow!
This Nemo Fillo Elite Pillow is the second best thing to your own bed, thanks to the 1 inch of memory foam on top of the inflatable pad. At 9oz, its on the heavier side, but in my opinion, it’s worth every ounce!
Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow
A fully inflatable pillow that doesn’t feel like sleeping on a balloon, the Sea to Summit Premium Pillow weighs less than 3 ounces (Regular size) and has a comfortable fabric topper that feels nice against your face.
When I’m looking to cut a little weight in my pack, this is the pillow I use.
Sleeping Pads
Sleeping pads are a critical part of your backpacking sleep system. Not only do they provide comfort, they insulate you from the cold ground. Your sleeping bag only does half the battle of keeping you warm at night – the rest is up to your sleeping pad.
R-value is a measurement used to rate the warmth of sleeping pads. The higher the R-value, the more insulating and warmer the pad will be. An R-value of 2-3 is usually sufficient for warm weather. If you’re camping in colder conditions, I suggest an R-value of 4 or higher.
Sea to Summit Comfort Lite Sleeping Pad
The Sea to Summit Comfort Lite Pad strikes a great balance between warmth and weight. At 1lb 5 oz (Regular) the Comfort Lite inflatable pad is only slightly larger than a water bottle, with an impressible 3.9 R-value, meaning you’ll stay warm in all but the coldest conditions.
A favorite among backpackers, and the most recent addition to my backpacking kit, this 13oz pad is super packable and boasts an impressive 4.5 r-value. At just over $200, this pad is an investment, but its an excellent investment for a good night’s sleep.
Cooking & Water Basics for Beginning Backpackers
Food is fuel, and when you’re putting in big miles while carrying 20+ lbs on your back, every calorie counts!
Water Filtration Systems
First things first: water. Drinking untreated water in the wilderness can expose you to harmful bacteria and parasites, so a reliable water filtration system is a must.
Look for filters that are lightweight, easy to use, and effective against common contaminants; squeeze filters or gravity systems are beginner-friendly and pack down small.
Remember, never cross-contaminate your clean and dirty water storage!
Easily filter water in seconds using the Sawyer Squeeze System. Fill one of the included water storage bags with water from your source, like a stream or lake and squeeze it into your clean water storage, like a water bottle.
The included water storage bags are less than ideal, so pair it with the compatible CNOC bag for the perfect water filtration setup.
Backpacking Cooking Systems
For cooking, a compact camp stove and a lightweight cooking pot are essential.
All-in-one systems like the Jetboil Flash are a popular choice among backpackers for their efficiency, boiling water in minutes and taking up minimal space.
Pair your stove with a lightweight spork and a collapsible cup for sipping hot coffee at sunrise or enjoying a cozy tea before bed. These basics are easy to pack, light in your pack, and make mealtime as enjoyable as the trail itself.
Essential Backpacking Electronics
When you’re deep in the backcountry, the right electronics can be literal lifesavers—plus they make navigating and capturing memories easier.
When I head out into the backcountry, I always bring the following:
- A battery bank
- My phone, with maps downloaded for offline use.
- A satellite messenger and SOS device
- Headlamp
Portable Power
A portable battery bank is essential for keeping your phone, GPS, or other devices charged over several days. Opt for a lightweight, durable model with enough juice to last between resupplies.
I keep all my electronics charged for days with this 20000mAh power bank by Anker. This one includes USB and USB-C charging ports. This power bank can fully charge my iPhone 4 times – more than enough power for all my electronics for 4-5 days on the trail.
Essential Backpacking Apps & Navigation
Learning to use old-fashioned topographic maps is a skill every advanced backpacker should know. But if you’re starting out on well-marked and well-traveled trails, navigation apps and downloaded maps are sufficient.
GPS apps like Gaia GPS or AllTrails can be downloaded on your phone, allowing offline access to maps and routes.
Beginner friendly with over 100,000 hiking and backpacking trails, AllTrails is the most widely used navigation app by hikers and backpackers. The app is free to use, but you’ll want to upgrade to AllTrails+ to track your progress, and download routes for access offline.
Get AllTrails+ (the most used trail app on my phone!) to download all your trail maps for offline use. Use my promo code brookeinboots30 to get 30% off your annual AllTrails+ subscription!
Far Out is the most used app for long-distance hikers on trails like the Pacific Crest Trail or Continental Divide Trail.
Far Out also has a growing list of map sets for shorter trails like the Trans Catalina Trail and day hikes. The best part is crowd-sourced beta on things like water sources and campsites.
Satellite Messenger Devices
You never want an emergency to occur in the backcountry, but in case one does, you absolutely need a way to communicate with the outside world. I never leave my house for the trails – even on day hikes – without a satellite emergency communication device.
A satellite device is an investment ($400 + monthly subscription) but I cannot imagine backpacking without it.
This small device allows you to send and receive messages, track your location, and even directly contact search & rescue. I use it to check in with my family every night.
Headlamp
When nature calls in the middle of the night, or you want to stay up late around the campfire, having a light source like a headlamp is a must while backpacking.
Look for one that’s bright enough for night hiking, like this one, but with adjustable settings to save battery. Rechargeable headlamps will be lighter than those that require traditional batteries.
Backpacking Toiletries, Gear Repair & First Aid Essentials
When it comes to toiletries, first aid, and gear repair, think only the essentials. In my experience, luxuries like makeup or deodorant are extra weight that won’t make or break your trip but will certainly weigh you down.
A mini first aid kit and gear repair kit means you can handle mishaps and minor emergencies before returning to civilization.
Toiletries
Inside my toiletry kit, I include:
- Hand sanitizer
- Face and Body wipes, like the Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes
- Moisturizing Sunscreen
- Travel toothbrush and toothpaste tabs
- mini hairbrush and extra hair ties
- chapstick
- mini nail clippers
- Kula Cloth & toilet paper or more Wilderness Wipes
- trowel
- waste bag (remember, pack out your TP!)
- personal medication like asthma inhalers
- If you’re a person who menstruates, always bring a tampon or two just in case. Backpacking can wreck havoc on your body’s schedule.
First Aid Kit
A ziplock with the essentials will do – but if you want an all-in-one kit ready for your next adventure, these ultralight and waterproof kits have everything you need for small scrapes, cuts, burns, and bug bites.
Inside my first aid kit, I always include:
- pain relievers like aspirin or ibuprofen
- topical antibiotic ointment (Neosporin)
- antihistamines (Benadryl) for allergic reactions
- bandaids
- tweezers
- moleskin and Leukotape for blister care
Gear Repair
Inside my gear repair kit, which I keep with my toiletries, I include:
- duct tape
- knife
- gear patches
- safety pins
You can also find this nifty all-in-one ultralight gear repair kit, here, which includes needle & thread, one yard of gorilla tape, and gear and sleeping pad patches.
Conclusion
Getting started with backpacking gear may seem like a challenge, but with the right essentials, you’ll be well-prepared for an unforgettable adventure.
Whether you’re choosing your first pack, setting up a cozy camp, or packing that lightweight stove, every piece of gear you add to your kit is a step toward building your confidence and comfort on the trail. Remember, there’s no rush—start with the basics, test what works best for you, and upgrade as you go.
More Favorite Hiking Gear & Hiking Tips
Searching for the perfect pack or hiking shoes for your next adventure? Want tips to stay safe on your next hike, or maybe try your first backpacking trip? Check out more hiking gear guides and hiking tips:
