The Essential Backpackers Packing List

Food | Yoga | Destination | Reviews

When we first started backpacking, we were so excited but didn’t have all the right gear. And we did a lot of research on what is the best lightweight gear for backpacking, and this is a list of what we found to be the best!

Through some trial and error, we’ve learned a lot more about the best travel gear.

We look for durability, quality, and good value when it comes to purchasing new gear. But, sometimes investing in high-quality gear that costs a little more is much more worth it as it lasts longer.

Food is also important to us. Good quality food. So we always have the best options to offer you there!

The Essential Backpackers Packing List

General Packing List

Product Recommendations

These are our essential backpacking gear recommendations. Gear and food that has been successful for our backpacking and other travel trips.

Gear

• Backpacks: Osprey packs (Osprey Atmos Ag 65)
  • Anti-Gravity suspension – to feel like you are carrying less weight than is in your pack
  • Trekking pole attachment
  • Lots of storage compartments
  • Lots of ventilation
  • Comfortable and very fitting!
• Backpack Rain Cover: Osprey UltraLight Raincover

• Shoes:
  • John & I both personally wear our Earth Runners almost everywhere! Walking, hiking, errands, you name it. And they allow you to be even more grounded while also added just enough support to protect you from rocks and allow your feet to be natural and free!
  • Lightweight trail runners: There are a lot of different brands out their, and I am all about the barefoot shoes, but recently have been having issues with my IT band so needed to try something with a little more support to make sure I don’t have any issues during my hike! Salomon (Men and Women) is an aggressive and supportive, yet lightweight hiking shoe.
  • Lems shoes is also a good option for hikers who like barefoot shoes!

• Tent: The Nemo Hornet 2 Tent, a 3 season, 2 person tent that weighs 1 lb 15 oz and is easy to set up!

• Water Filter: Sawyer Filter, they’re cheap, lightweight, easily portable and you can drink right from them. I recommend purchasing extra pouches.
• Trekking Poles: We purchased ours at the mountaineer in Keene, NY. Not necessary, but if you have joint issues, they can come in handy!
• Cooking Supplies:
  • Solo Stove Lite
  • TOAKS Titanium 1300ml Pot
  • TOAKS Titanium 750ml Pot
  • TOAKS Ultralight Titanium Spork
  • Cleaning Sponge
  • Lighter
  • Knife

• Guidebook & Maps: You can purchase these locally or online!
• Toiletry Supplies:
  • Toilet Paper & Trowel
  • Biodegradable Camp Soap
  • Toothpaste & Tooth Brush
  • Bug spray
  • First Aid Kit – Ultralight and watertight!
• Headlamps: We recommend the Black Diamond Headlamp or the Nitecore NU25 360 Lumen Triple Output Lightweight, Rechargeable Headlamp, and extra batteries!
• A Book or Journal!
  A Lightweight Solar Charger

Food

Where do we start with food. As many of you may know, John and I have a strict diet, (our own version of Paleo), and we try to eat all local and organic food, and for backpacking, that is hard to find! So I purchased some dehydrated meals on REI and Amazon, that support our needs, but I also attempted to dehydrate my own meals. As you may know, backpacking meals are pretty expensive, and not always filled with the best ingredients. So I found dehydrating meal to be cheaper and knowing exactly what is going into them is important to me, but they do take a lot of time! Keep an eye out for the post on how to dehydrate your own meals!

• Wild Zora Freeze-Dried Meals: AIP compliant freeze dried meals are the best backpacking meals I have found for people with strict diets. They use all good ingredients, and free-range/grass-fed meat. You can find these on Amazon, or sometimes REI has deals on them! They make breakfast, lunch/dinner meals and snacks.

• Dehydrating Meals: Dehydrating meals isn’t all that complicated, but it is time-consuming and you would need a dehydrator or a stove with a dehydrating setting to do this. This will save money but is not always the most convenient. We dehydrated ground beef, eggs, peppers, and potatoes. Recipes to come!
• Epic Bars: High protein meat snacks! You can also go to Barefoot Provisions to order!
• Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee: AMAZING and full of nutrients!
  Here is a referral link to get $ off your first order!

• MUD/WTR: MUD/WTR is a great coffee alternative with all organic ingredients. This gives you energy and focus but without the jitters and the crash. This is our go-to “coffee”
• Fruit and Nut Hemp Bars: These organic hemp bars are perfect for pre or post- workouts, like hiking! They’re clean, made with quality ingredients and powerful nutrition with an amazing taste!
• Collagen Peptides Powder: Really good for your cartilage, bones and joints, and I just add a scoop to our hot meals or hot drinks, and you can’t even notice it!

Leave No Trace

• Pack it in, pack it out.
  • Bring a bag for food waste and garbage
• Dispose of Waste Properly
  • Dig a 6-8 inch cathole, at least 200 ft from water, camp and trails & bury.
• Leave What You Find.
  • Plants, rocks, animals.
• Respect Wildlife
  • Observe from a distance
• Respect other backpackers!

Check out our very first backpacking trip!

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