We love the MegaLite for nearly any backpacking scenario imaginable.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
Backpacking Gear Checklist
Whether you are prepping for your first overnight backpacking trip, gearing up for a long thru-hike, or fall somewhere in between, it never hurts to double-check your gear against a good checklist. Below is our backpacking expert editors’ gear checklist that you can use to make sure you’ve got all your essentials. You’ll find that list below or you can download one of our PDF checklists:
Our list includes everything we consider essential for a successful backpacking trip, along with a few optional items for you to consider. You will want to tailor your selection to fit the length, difficulty, and expected weather conditions of your trip.
Backpacking Shelter and Hiking Gear
Backpacking pack
Rain cover or dry bag
Tent + poles, stakes, rainfly, guylines
OR
Bivy sack
Ground tarp
Sleeping bag
Camping pillow (optional)
Hiking poles (optional)
Backpacking Food and Hydration
Water bottle or hydration bladder
Water filtration system
Food for every day +1
Backpacking stove + fuel
Cookware
Spork
Mug or cup
Biodegradable soap + sponge (optional)
Bear bag or bear canister
Coffee + tea supplies (optional)
Backpacking Safety and Navigation
First aid kit
Headlamp
Extra batteries
Power bank or solar charger (optional)
Backup water treatment method
Emergency firestarter
Personal locator beacon (optional)
Map
Compass
GPS watch or handheld GPS (optional)
Pocket knife
Multi tool
Gear repair kit
Emergency shelter
Permits (if required)
Safety whistle
Bear spray (optional)
Trail guidebook (optional)
Copies of your route (give one to a friend and stash one in your car)
Backpacking Clothing
Moisture-wicking underwear
Sports bra
Hiking socks
Breathable t-shirts
Long-sleeved sun shirt
Hiking shorts
Hiking pants
Hiking shoes or hiking boots
Sun hat
Midweight fleece jacket
Down jacket
Sunglasses
Sandals (optional)
Camp clothes (optional)
Warm hat
Baselayers
Gloves (optional)
Windbreaker (optional)
Rain jacket (optional)
Rain pants (optional)
Bandana (optional)
Toiletries
Trowel + toilet paper + waste bag
Hand sanitizer
Toothbrush + toothpaste
Wet wipes (optional)
Sunscreen + lip balm with SPF
Menstrual products
Prescription medication
OTC painkillers
Blister care
Bug spray (optional)
Brush or comb (optional)
Extra hair ties (optional)
Extras
Cell phone
Camera
Binoculars
Journal
Daypack
Backpacking chair
Hammock
Quick dry towel
Exploring Colorado’s Rocky Mountain wilderness with the Aura AG 50.
Credit: Briana Valorosi
Best Backpacking Gear
If you read that list and noticed that there are a few things you are missing, or just feel that it is time to upgrade your decades-old gear (there’s only so much a roll of duct tape can fix), we have bought and tested the top products for hiking and backpacking available today. Our expert outdoors team has put each piece of gear through its paces, battling against weather, altitude, temperature swings, and trail fatigue to find out which ones make the cut. For each of your most considered backpacking items, we can help you find the right fit.
Hiking Gear
Finding the right backpack is one of the most essential backpacking trip decisions. Getting the right balance in weight, storage, cost, and comfort is key, but needs to fit with your intended use and budget. We’ve tested more than 200 of the best backpacks of all different types, putting each through an intensive evaluation and rating process.
Backpacking packs are designed to carry large loads (30-50 pounds) for multiple days and usually range between 50-80 liters in capacity. If you plan to hike long distances with smaller loads, see below for ultralight packs.
Your choice of backpack should be durable, easy to use, and most of all, comfortable.
Credit: Sam Schild
Backpacks (Unisex/Men’s)
Many backpacks are designed to be used by either men or women, with a unisex design. Most men use this kind of pack, while most women prefer a pack designed specifically for women (see our picks below). Here are our reviewer’s favorite backpacking backpacks.
Best Overall Backpacking Backpack
Granite Gear Blaze 60
Best Bang for the Buck
REI Co-op Flash 55
Key differences, particularly in shoulder and hip belt-positioning, are what set women’s specific packs apart from unisex styles.
Credit: Sam Schild
Backpacks Designed for Women
Most, but not all, women will prefer a pack designed specifically for a woman’s body. Women’s packs typically offer shorter torso lengths, narrower shoulder widths, and waist belts designed for the angle of women’s hips. Below are our top picks from our review of the best women’s backpacking backpacks.
Best Overall Backpacking Backpack for Women
Osprey Eja 58
Best Bang for Your Buck
Osprey Renn 65
If you want to shave ounces off your backpack weight, a smaller-capacity ultralight pack might be the way to go.
Credit: Justin Simoni
Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight backpacks are for experienced hikers that want to reduce weight and carry only the bare essentials. These packs are best suited for light pack loads of 10-25 pounds but can work reasonably well for heavier loads too. If your pack load is above 30 pounds, we’d recommend a traditional pack. But, if moving light and fast is your thing, then our favorite ultralight backpacks are right up your alley:
Best Overall Ultralight Backpack
Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60
Best Bang For Your Buck
Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50
Trekking poles allow you to incorporate your upper body into your hike, adding balance and stability when needed.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Trekking Poles
Trekking poles have risen from obscurity and are now a key piece of gear for hikers, backpackers, trail runners, trekkers, and climbers. They allow you to incorporate your upper body into uphill travel and help absorb shock on your knees while descending. Here are the top picks from our trekking pole review.
Best Overall Trekking Pole
MSR DynaLock Ascent Carbon
Best Overall Women’s-Specific Trekking Pole
Leki Cressida FX Carbon
Over the last decade, we’ve tested hundreds of tents to uncover the best models.
Credit: Jessica Haist
Tents for Backpacking
Our experts have put hundreds of the best tents to the test, and can help you find just the right balance between weight, comfort, packed size, and cost. Whether you are looking for a traditional backpacking tent or the lightest possible shelter you can find, we’ve got you covered.
Backpacking Tents
Your tent can make all the difference on a backpacking adventure. A traditional backpacking tent is designed to protect you from the weather as well as provide you with a comfortable spot to hang out in the backcountry. Here are three of our favorite backpacking tents from our latest review:
Best Three-Person Backpacking Tent
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3
Best Two-Person Backpacking Tent
SlingFin Portal 2
Best Bang for Your Buck
NEMO Aurora 2
Some ultralight tents only provide the bare minimum by way of shelter, but sometimes that’s all you need.
Credit: Justin Simoni
Ultralight Tents and Shelters
An ultralight tent can provide you shelter from the storm while weighing less than 2 pounds. While more expensive, the best ultralight tents are perfect if want to carry as light a load as possible. Here are our top picks from our latest review:
Best Overall Double Wall Ultralight Tent
Tarptent StratoSpire Ultra
Best Overall Single Wall Ultralight Tent
ZPacks Duplex Flex Upgrade
If you are camping alone and don’t have a hiking partner to share the tent weight, it can make sense to go with a smaller, lighter shelter, like a bivy sack.
Credit: Brian Smith
Bivy Sacks
If you are packing solo, a bivy sack can be a comfortable, lightweight, smaller alternative to a tent and can be just as waterproof and durable. Here are the top picks from our review of the best bivy sacks:
Best Overall Bivy Sack
Outdoor Research Helium Bivy
Best Bang for Your Buck
Katabatic Gear Piñon Bivy
Doubling as a sleeping place and a camp chair, a hammock can be a great way to save weight and space in your pack.
Credit: Elizabeth Paashaus
Hammocks
Whether you’re an ultralight hiker, a comfy camper, or a backyard bum, we’ve got the best hammock option for you and your budget. Here are our three favorites:
Best Hammock for the Backcountry
Warbonnet Original Blackbird
Best Hammock for Backyards
ENO Skyloft
Credit: ian McEleney
Sleeping Bags and Pads
The perfect night’s sleep on the trail can be elusive, especially when trying to minimize the weight of your pack. Our backcountry experts spent thousands of nights, sleeping in the top models on the market, to help you choose the right now.
Backpacking Sleeping Bags for Unisex/Men
Sleeping bags are one of the most critical components of your backpacking kit. And, choosing the right bag is arguably one of the best ways to reduce weight. Here are our top picks for backpacking sleeping bags designed for men/unisex:
Best Overall Backpacking Sleeping Bag
Western Mountaineering MegaLite
Best Budget Down Sleeping Bag
Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 15
Warm and cozy and ready to snuggle up in our sleeping bag for a good night’s rest.
Credit: Ian McEleney
Backpacking Sleeping Bags Designed for Women
Women’s products are starting to catch up with the unisex market and are coming in hot with lightweight materials, high-quality down, and creative features to give you a better night’s sleep. The best women’s sleeping bags are cut differently to fit a female form better — they are a bit wider in the hips (an average of 2 inches) and narrower in the shoulder (an average of 2-6 inches less). A better fit helps your body warm the air inside the bag more efficiently. Here are the bags that stood out most in our review testing:
Best Overall Women’s Sleeping Bag
Feathered Friends Egret UL 20 – Women’s
Best Value for a Down Sleeping Bag
Sierra Designs Get Down 20 – Women’s
Some ultralight sleeping bags can pack down to the size of a water bottle, and they’re probably lighter, too.
Credit: Justin Simoni
Ultralight Sleeping Bags
While the top ultralight sleeping bags are ideal for backpacking, they are also great for any outdoor sports that require a “light is right” ideal. Long-distance thru-hiking, bike-packing, fast-packing, and bike touring have become somewhat commonplace, and ultralight sleeping bags are one of the pieces of a lightweight kit needed to make these adventures happen. Here are some of our favorites from our latest review:
Best Ultralight Hooded Mummy Bag
Therm-a-Rest Hyperion 20
Most Versatile Quilt
Feathered Friends Flicker 40 UL
Even if you decide to forego the tent, a sleeping pad is something most backpackers would consider a must-have item, both for warmth and comfort.
Credit: Sam Schild
Backpacking Sleeping Pads
There are a mind-boggling number of pads out there today. Our best backpacking sleeping pads review breaks down each of the competing sleeping pads by comfort, weight, packed size, durability, and more. Here are the top picks from our latest review:
Best Overall Sleeping Pad
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT
Best Bang for the Buck
Klymit Static V2
A comfortable sleeping pad creates a barrier between you and the ground, adding cushion and an extra layer of insulation.
Credit: Ian McEleney
Backpacking Sleeping Pads Designed for Women
Choosing a woman’s specific product is a smart and easy way to maximize your gear without increasing the weight of your pack. Sleeping pad manufacturers have taken this into account when designing pads specifically for women. Here are our top picks from our best women’s sleeping pad review:
Best Overall Women’s Sleeping Pad
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT – Short
Best Bang for the Buck
Therm-a-Rest Trail Lite – Women’s
This stove is less stable than the competition. Our testers recommend using smaller volume (less than 1L) cookware.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Backpacking Kitchen and Camp Gear
Once you arrive at your day’s destination, you’ll set up your camp. One essential piece of gear is going to be a quality backpacking stove, and you may want to indulge in a comfy (yet lightweight) chair for chilling at your campsite. Below, you’ll find our picks for those and other smaller items you might consider.
Backpacking Stoves
A canister stove is our favorite choice for almost all backpacking trips. They are lightweight, small, and easy to use. But, there are a lot of competing products, and our review of the top backpacking stoves can help you make a smart choice.
Best Overall Backpacking Stove
Soto Windmaster
High Value and Ultralight
Soto Amicus
Nothing beats being able to lounge after a long day on your feet.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Backpacking Chair
If you are a backpacking weight-weenie, then a chair is just too much of a luxury to consider. But, for the rest of us, the joy of having a comfortable place to sit while in the backcountry can motivate a passionate search for best backpacking chair. We’ve got you here with our top picks:
Best Overall Backpacking Chair
Big Agnes Skyline UL
Best Bang for the Buck
Moon Lence Backpacking Chair
Credit: Amber King
Backpacking Water Filters
Carrying water (and making sure it’s safe to drink) is the most basic and essential backpacking need. We look at everything from the best backpacking water filters to options that weigh less than a cell phone and can be used in seconds. Be sure to check out our review of the top water bottles and best hydration bladders, too.
Best Overall Filter for Personal Use
Sawyer Squeeze
Best Overall Filter for Group Use
Platypus GravityWorks
Best Bang for the Buck
Aquamira Water Treatment Drops
Credit: Bligh Gillies
Backpacking Footwear and Clothing Essentials
Happy feet make for a happy hike. We do side-by-side comparisons of a wide range of the best backcountry footwear, whether you are going 10 miles or 1000+. In addition to footwear, finding the right clothing layers for men and clothing options for women can make bad weather a mere nuisance and not a morale crusher. Check out our How to Layer Clothing to Keep Warm article to help develop a strategy to stay warm.
A good pair of hiking boots will give you the confidence to hike in all kinds of conditions.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Men’s Hiking Boots
Hikers with concerns about twisted ankles, or previous ankle injuries, will want a stable, supportive boot. And, we’ve tested hiking boots like nobody ever has before with hundreds of miles of hiking over all kinds of terrain. Below are our three favorite men’s hiking boots from our review:
Best Overall Hiking Boot
Hoka Kaha 2 GTX
Best Bang for the Buck
Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof
Hiking boots provide the traction and support needed for heavy loads and technical terrain.
Credit: Trish Matheny
Women’s Hiking Boots
For some women, a pair of top-rated hiking shoes may result in the most efficient use of energy, but others will find that boots, now in lighter weight models, provide added support that leads to greater comfort and enjoyment on the trail. Below are the best women’s hiking boots:
Best Overall Women’s Hiking Boots
La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX – Women’s
Best Bang for Your Buck
Merrell Moab 3 Mid WP – Women’s
Bringing along a packable down jacket is an easy way to bring along a warm layer for shoulder season trips without adding too much weight.
Credit: Kaylee Walden
Down Jackets
Down is the lightest and warmest insulator you can find, but not all down jackets are created equal. We’ve spent months testing more than 100 of the best down jackets for both men and women to find our favorites.
Best Overall Down Jacket for Men
Rab Electron Pro
Best Overall Down Jacket for Women
Rab Neutrino Pro – Women’s
Layering up is key to staying ahead of unpredictable weather, and a great layering system starts with the perfect base.
Credit: Justin Simoni
Men’s Base Layers
A quality base layer is the kick-off point of having functional clothing set up for getting outside to play. Our expert review will help you find the perfect base layer top to regulate body temperature, wick away moisture, and keep you comfortable.
Best Overall Base Layer
Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino 1/4 Zip
Best Synthetic Bang for Your Buck
REI Co-op Midweight Half-Zip
Whether worn alone or under a second shirt, a good baselayer keeps you warm while also wicking away excess moisture.
Credit: Trish Matheny
Women’s Base Layers
A solid base layer top sits right next to your skin, and its biggest job is to keep moisture off your skin while providing comfort. Our picks will help you find the best women’s base layer top that’ll have you lookin’ fine while keeping you safe from cold weather.
Best Merino Wool Base Layer
Black Diamond Solution 150 Merino Quarter Zip – Women’s
Best Synthetic Base Layer
Arc’teryx Rho Hoody – Women’s
For cooler early morning starts and summit power poses, long underwear will do the trick.
Credit: Justin Simoni
Men’s Long Underwear
A set of the best long underwear are a fundamental ingredient in staying warm and comfortable while outside playing in a range of temperatures and environments, and, as such a critical piece of gear, they deserve the same level of respect.
Best Overall Long Underwear for Men
Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Bottom
Best Synthetic Bang for the Buck
REI Co-op Midweight Bottoms
Thermals can double as camp loungwear as well as a second layer for cooler hiking days.
Credit: Gus Landefeld
Women’s Long Underwear
Perhaps one of the most important pieces of gear to consider is the one that sits next to your skin. The best women’s long underwear do their job by wicking away moisture and transporting it away from your skin to ensure that you stay dry.
Best Merino Women’s Long Underwear
Icebreaker 200 ZoneKnit Merino Thermal Leggings – Women’s
Best Synthetic Women’s Long Underwear
Patagonia Capilene Thermal Weight Bottoms – Women’s
Backpacking Electronics
The right trail tech can offer peace of mind and aid navigation, especially in bad weather. Our experts test the best satellite messengers as well as the top solar chargers and GPS watches.
Satellite Messengers
Many of us go to the wild to escape the tether of modern communications, but we may still want the ability to keep in touch or call for help in an emergency. Enter the array of satellite messengers, personal locator beacons, and other backcountry communication technologies. We’ve been testing these devices for almost 10 years, and below are our favorites.
Best Overall Beacon with Custom Messaging
Garmin inReach Messenger
Occasional Activation Bang for the Buck
ACR Bivy Stick
Ideally, your backcountry charging needs are pretty minimal, but if you want to be able to snap photos and use your GPS watch, a portable solar charger can power the electronics you decide to bring with you.
Credit: Chris McNamara
Portable Solar Chargers
If you are in the backcountry and have devices you want to keep charged, check out some of the best portable solar chargers to stay juiced up. Here are our favorites.
Best Overall 100-Watt Solar Charger For Camping
Jackery SolarSaga 100
Best Overall Portable Solar Charger
BigBlue SolarPowa 28
Different GPS watches can be more or less featured, so be sure to check out the details to choose the right one for you.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
GPS Watch
If you want a navigation system that fits on your wrist, tracks your heart rate, logs your miles, and allows you to track your stats later, a GPS watch could be a good investment. Our favorite models for backcountry use feature a dedicated ABC (Altimeter, Barometer, and Compass) and bread-crumb mapping, and offer essential info at a glance.
Best Overall GPS Watch
Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar
Best Bang for the Buck
Garmin Forerunner 955
While testing backpacking backpacks is serious business, arriving at your camp while the sun is shining is cause for celebration.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Why Trust GearLab
At GearLab, we love a good backpacking adventure. Hiking in the mountains and venturing deep into the backcountry is in our blood, and it’s our pleasure to hit the trails. We start the process by doing extensive research on the top products on the market. We then narrow down our selection to only include the best of the bunch. We purchase each item and start rigorous side-by-side testing. For each category of products we test, we establish a series of metrics to score each product in an unbiased way. More than a dozen gear experts have each brought their unique experience and outdoor know-how to help create this list. Our team of testers includes a variety of climbing and hiking guides, outdoor educators, serial thru-hikers, a kinesiologist, and everything in between.
Our main contributors are Ben Applebaum-Bauch, Elizabeth Paashaus, Sam Schild, and Trish Matheny. Lead reviewer Ben Applebaum-Bauch got his professional start in the outdoor industry by purchasing and maintaining gear for guided backpacking trips. He later became a guide himself, leading multi-week backpacking, cycling, and canoeing trips throughout northern New England and maritime Canada. Elizabeth Paashaus considers backpacking the gateway to her love for the outdoors, and has now been backpacking for over two decades. She knows the ins and outs of the outdoor gear industry from her time as a hiking and climbing guide in Estes Park, Colorado, and her work in retail management, which gave her a broad range of experience with different types of gear. Sam Schild is a trail runner, backpacker, and mountain biker who was drawn to the outdoors through a 7,000-mile cross-country bike tour, which quickly led to bikepacking and then backpacking. He has thru-hiked the Colorado Trail, not once, but three times, along with the Pacific Crest Trail, Grand Enchantment Trail, and Continental Divide Trail, and numerous shorter backpacking trips thrown in for good measure. Sam has logged more miles in hiking boots and backpacks than most people dream of. Trish Matheny is an adventure addict who has logged mile after mile on foot backpacking, hiking, and ultra-running. Our experts have spent much of the last decade (or more) in the backcountry developing expertise in mountain survival and have extensive knowledge about what gear is necessary to have a comfortable and successful backpacking trip.
Backpacking can be your ticket to untouched spaces and enjoying the quiet of the wilderness.
Credit: Elizabeth and Adam Paashaus
Packing Tips
Each trail is going to be a bit different, and the same trail may be different in different seasons. The weather, duration, trail difficulty, and distance from help should all be taken into account when deciding how much and what type of gear to bring.; you’ll want to do your research ahead of time and fine-tune your packing list before each trip. Pack enough food and snacks for every day you plan to be out, and then one day extra. It is also smart to check your trail guide for the frequency of available water so you know how large of a water storage container you’ll need to pack. When it comes to clothing, remember the old saying, “cotton kills.” Aim for lightweight, breathable, and quick-drying fabrics that won’t lose their insulation properties when wet. Synthetic or wool materials are great.
Pre-trip: Take care of personal grooming before you head out (trim your nails, shave, cut your hair, etc). Though small tasks, they will help you avoid being uncomfortable during your hike and allow you to cut down on the number of toiletries you bring.
When in doubt, make sure that you’ve got the ten essentials, and you’ll be set. These include some version of navigation, sun protection, insulation, illumination, first-aid supplies, fire, repair kits and tools, nutrition, hydration, and emergency shelter. Once you’ve got these areas covered, any additional items you decide to bring simply depend on how many pounds you’re willing to carry.
Finding the best backpacking gear means actually using it on long trips through the backcountry.
Credit: Elizabeth Paashaus
Get Out There!
We hope this summary of our favorite backpacking gear has been helpful. We have a number of other gear lists in key outdoor categories from hiking to climbing coming soon. In addition, be sure to see our Buying Advice articles for most major categories where our experts guide you through selecting the perfect type of backpacking gear for your needs. See you on the trails!
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