Here's Everything You Need While Backpacking for a Few Days
1. Backpack
The Backpack you use for hauling around your gear on a three - five day adventure should hold 3000 - 4500 cubic inches. This may sound like a lot, but you will be glad you brought everything when your trip is underway.
2. 2 Water Bottles
Having 2 Water Bottles will provide you with enough water for a day's walk. If you run out of water, it is always better to refill your bottles as soon as you can find a safe spring because you will not know where the next one will be.
3. Water Purification
Bringing enough Water Filters and/or Purifying Tablets is vital on a long trip because drinking dirty, bacteria-filled water will probably be worse than not drinking at all.
4. Food
The amount and weight of food you bring on your excursion is obviously a matter of personal preference. Make sure you bring more than you would normally eat because you will be burning a lot more calories than normal on a long adventure.
5. Portable Stove & Fuel
If you bring food along that needs to be cooked, the easiest and most environmentally sound way to get the job done is to bring your own Portable Stove and Fuel.
6. Extra Fuel
Extra Fuel is another personal judgment call. The longer you will be away, the more fuel you will need. The key is to find the balance between Fuel and Food because more raw food means more fuel, which means more weight.
7. Cookware
Pots, Pans, Silverware, and other Cookware is a must when cooking, even when you are camping. This is one category that many people forget to think about.
8. Lighter/Matches
When rubbing two sticks together is just not practical, a Lighter or a Box of Matches will get your campfire roaring in no time. Plan ahead and bring enough to start more than one.
9. Tent with Footprint/Bivy Sack
A lightweight shelter is key when planning and packing for a long backpacking trip. You can choose between a Tent and Tent Footprint combination (better for groups) or a Bivy Sack (better for singles because it is basically a Tent and Sleeping Bag in one).
10. Sleeping Bag
Everyone planning on keeping warm and comfortable when sleeping will want a Sleeping Bag. There are many different options when it comes to Sleeping Bags from size to weight and color to warmth.
11. Sleeping Pad
Sleeping on the cold, hard ground is honestly not the most comfortable thing in the world. A Sleeping Pad will provide a thin layer of insulation between you and the ground and protection from those countless, annoying pebbles that would be digging into your back.
12. Flashlight/Headlamp
A light source is a good idea to have around your campsite or simply for a nighttime hike because unless you're in Alaska, it will get dark at night.
13. Lightweight Rain Jacket (Wind and Water-Proof)
A Wind and Waterproof Rain Jacket is a must when backpacking in most areas of the world because not even weathermen can know for sure when it will rain or not and wet clothes are not fun to travel in.
14. First-Aid Kit
You should bring a First-Aid Kit for the same reason you have auto insurance, accidents happen. Anti-Nausea Medicine, Aspirin, Bandages, and Antibiotic Ointment is a good start.
15. "Restroom" Supplies
If you are going to a restroom-free area, you will want to pack a few key items in a gallon baggy: 1 TP Roll, a small shovel, and some hand sanitizer. When nature calls, just take your supplies and cover it up, oh and stay at least a few hundred feet away from water for everyone's sake.
16. Clothing
Your clothing should be lightweight and moisture-wicking. I usually bring one outfit for every three days. This sounds dirty but it keeps the weight down and face it, if your outside for more than a few days, you will be getting dirty. I suggest a performance layer and a windproof layer for warm areas and add an insulating layer for cold weather. Convertible clothing is the best (zip-off pants/jacket with zip-out fleece).
17. Hiking Shoes/Hiking Boots
Wearing Hiking Shoes or Hiking Boots is a good idea because chances are, if you are hiking, there will not be much level ground and these kinds of footwear have sturdy soles.
18. GPS
A Global Positioning System is a great tool to keep you from getting lost whether you are driving down the road or climbing a mountain. Tip: Make sure to write down your starting coordinates and take them with you on your mini-adventures.
19. Knife
The uses for an everyday Knife are countless, especially when backpacking.
Just be safe...no running.
Optional Accessories:
1. Insect Repellent
Depending on where your camp location is and what time of the year you go camping, the bugs may be out like crazy, Insect Repellent will give you added protection from discomfort and possibly disease.
2. Sunscreen
We all need the sun, but we all need to be protected from it as well.
3. Lip Balm (with SPF)
Wind, Sun, and/or Dry Conditions are not friends with your lips. I suggest using Lip Balm, especially if you are not drinking enough water.
4. Backpack Rain Cover/Pack Liner
A Rain Cover will keep your whole pack covered and dry, while a Pack Liner will keep everything on the inside dry. Take your pick, they do basically the same thing but one Pack Liner will probably fit more than one pack.
1. Backpack
The Backpack you use for hauling around your gear on a three - five day adventure should hold 3000 - 4500 cubic inches. This may sound like a lot, but you will be glad you brought everything when your trip is underway.
2. 2 Water Bottles
Having 2 Water Bottles will provide you with enough water for a day's walk. If you run out of water, it is always better to refill your bottles as soon as you can find a safe spring because you will not know where the next one will be.
3. Water Purification
Bringing enough Water Filters and/or Purifying Tablets is vital on a long trip because drinking dirty, bacteria-filled water will probably be worse than not drinking at all.
4. Food
The amount and weight of food you bring on your excursion is obviously a matter of personal preference. Make sure you bring more than you would normally eat because you will be burning a lot more calories than normal on a long adventure.
5. Portable Stove & Fuel
If you bring food along that needs to be cooked, the easiest and most environmentally sound way to get the job done is to bring your own Portable Stove and Fuel.
6. Extra Fuel
Extra Fuel is another personal judgment call. The longer you will be away, the more fuel you will need. The key is to find the balance between Fuel and Food because more raw food means more fuel, which means more weight.
7. Cookware
Pots, Pans, Silverware, and other Cookware is a must when cooking, even when you are camping. This is one category that many people forget to think about.
8. Lighter/Matches
When rubbing two sticks together is just not practical, a Lighter or a Box of Matches will get your campfire roaring in no time. Plan ahead and bring enough to start more than one.
9. Tent with Footprint/Bivy Sack
A lightweight shelter is key when planning and packing for a long backpacking trip. You can choose between a Tent and Tent Footprint combination (better for groups) or a Bivy Sack (better for singles because it is basically a Tent and Sleeping Bag in one).
10. Sleeping Bag
Everyone planning on keeping warm and comfortable when sleeping will want a Sleeping Bag. There are many different options when it comes to Sleeping Bags from size to weight and color to warmth.
11. Sleeping Pad
Sleeping on the cold, hard ground is honestly not the most comfortable thing in the world. A Sleeping Pad will provide a thin layer of insulation between you and the ground and protection from those countless, annoying pebbles that would be digging into your back.
12. Flashlight/Headlamp
A light source is a good idea to have around your campsite or simply for a nighttime hike because unless you're in Alaska, it will get dark at night.
13. Lightweight Rain Jacket (Wind and Water-Proof)
A Wind and Waterproof Rain Jacket is a must when backpacking in most areas of the world because not even weathermen can know for sure when it will rain or not and wet clothes are not fun to travel in.
14. First-Aid Kit
You should bring a First-Aid Kit for the same reason you have auto insurance, accidents happen. Anti-Nausea Medicine, Aspirin, Bandages, and Antibiotic Ointment is a good start.
15. "Restroom" Supplies
If you are going to a restroom-free area, you will want to pack a few key items in a gallon baggy: 1 TP Roll, a small shovel, and some hand sanitizer. When nature calls, just take your supplies and cover it up, oh and stay at least a few hundred feet away from water for everyone's sake.
16. Clothing
Your clothing should be lightweight and moisture-wicking. I usually bring one outfit for every three days. This sounds dirty but it keeps the weight down and face it, if your outside for more than a few days, you will be getting dirty. I suggest a performance layer and a windproof layer for warm areas and add an insulating layer for cold weather. Convertible clothing is the best (zip-off pants/jacket with zip-out fleece).
17. Hiking Shoes/Hiking Boots
Wearing Hiking Shoes or Hiking Boots is a good idea because chances are, if you are hiking, there will not be much level ground and these kinds of footwear have sturdy soles.
18. GPS
A Global Positioning System is a great tool to keep you from getting lost whether you are driving down the road or climbing a mountain. Tip: Make sure to write down your starting coordinates and take them with you on your mini-adventures.
19. Knife
The uses for an everyday Knife are countless, especially when backpacking.
Just be safe...no running.
Optional Accessories:
1. Insect Repellent
Depending on where your camp location is and what time of the year you go camping, the bugs may be out like crazy, Insect Repellent will give you added protection from discomfort and possibly disease.
2. Sunscreen
We all need the sun, but we all need to be protected from it as well.
3. Lip Balm (with SPF)
Wind, Sun, and/or Dry Conditions are not friends with your lips. I suggest using Lip Balm, especially if you are not drinking enough water.
4. Backpack Rain Cover/Pack Liner
A Rain Cover will keep your whole pack covered and dry, while a Pack Liner will keep everything on the inside dry. Take your pick, they do basically the same thing but one Pack Liner will probably fit more than one pack.
3-5 DAY BACKPACKING GEAR LIST:
GREAT SITES FOR BACKPACKING GEAR: