Beginner Backpacking Gear Essentials List: What You Need To Bring
Trying to prepare for your first backpacking trip and feeling overwhelmed? This backpacking gear list is based on trial and error ever since our first trip, plus everything I learned as a beginner.
My goal is to give you a step-by-step packing list that you can easily follow. At the end, I’ve also included a handy pre-trip checklist that will help you prepare logistically and mentally for your backpacking trip.
We still use this packing list till today, and I’m very happy with how we’ve balanced backpacking essentials with some upgrades and luxury items that make camping fun. I’ve also included product recommendations based on what we personally use and love, as well as popular alternatives.
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Essential backpacking gear for beginners
Here are the first few essentials to prepare before any backpacking trip.
1. Backpack
Getting your first hiking backpack can be a bit daunting, and I’ve found it useful to go to a physical store to try them out. It also helps you to familiarize with all the cool features of the backpack – like load lifters, hip belts, and torso length adjustments. In addition, we like to use a trash bag as a cost-friendly waterproof pack liner.
We’ve always wanted to go on multi-day backpacking trips, so a 50-65L capacity pack was the sweet spot for us. Since we don’t intend on going ultralight in the beginning, we looked for features like an internal frame, adjustable torso for a comfortable fit, and lots of pockets.
After using the Osprey Aura AG 65 for multiple backpacking trips, I’ve found the anti-gravity suspension to be really comfortable. The weight sits on my hips and I can instantly feel the load relieved from my shoulders when I tighten the straps.
While deciding which backpack to get, the fact that Osprey offers lifetime warranty made it an easy “yes” for me. The quality is also very good to begin with and so far I’ve had no issues at all.
Click here to shop: Osprey Aura AG 65 (women) | Osprey Atmos AG 65 (men)
2. Tent
Another gear item that you should prioritize is a backpacking tent. Before you go on your trip, make sure to practice pitching it in your living room or backyard before your trip.
We picked this tent (the older SL 2+ version) because it’s spacious enough for 2 people for car camping, but also light enough to take with us backpacking. Since it’s a freestanding tent, it was really intuitive for us to set it up as beginners, and I could even do it on my own after a few tries.
This tent comes with a full rainfly so that you’ll be kept dry even in wet weather, and also has a footprint to protect the fabric of the tent case. Another key feature we looked out for was the ventilation, because I hate waking up to water dripping on my face in the morning.
I also like that it is tall enough such that we can both sit upright comfortably and even hang a lamp from the ceiling of the tent. It also held up well during a windstorm we got caught in, where gusts were above 40 miles per hour. That was the moment I decided I could whole-heartedly recommend this tent to friends.
- Weight: 4 lb 13.3 oz
- Width: 52 inches
- Price: $299
Click here to shop: REI Half Dome 2 Tent
3. Sleeping bag or quilt
Pick a sleeping bag that best suits the conditions you plan to backpack in.
Paria Thermodown 15 Quilt
I’ve always wanted to try a sleeping quilt after seeing lots of reviews about it online. It’s lighter and more comfortable to toss around in, and I liked the idea of using the quilt as a blanket around camp. The Paria Thermodown 15 Quilt costs less than $200, which is excellent value for its warmth and weight.
- Fill: 700 fill power
- Weight: 2 lb 6 oz (regular size)
- Comfort temperature rating: 35 F (my estimate for women)
- Price: from $179.99
However, I would take the temperature rating with a grain of salt because it has not gone through the industry-standard ISO testing. It’s also a unisex sleeping bag, which matters since women’s sleeping bags tend to be rating differently from men’s. Hence, I’d assume it’s closer to a 30 F rating for the purposes of comparing with other brands.
If I were to get a sleeping bag instead, I’d go for the NEMO Disco 15. This one has some room for your to still toss around in your sleep, and has the potential to keep you warmer than a quilt. It’s also one of the more wallet-friendly options, and you can often find this sleeping bag on sale. Get this if you plan to go on 3-season backpacking trips.
- Fill: 650 fill power
- Weight: 3 lb 5 oz
- Comfort temperature rating: 15 F
- Price: $299.95
Click here to shop: NEMO Disco 15 Sleeping Bag
4. Sleeping pad
If you’ve ever camped without a sleeping pad before, you’ll know how important it is to have that layer of insulation between your sleeping bag and the ground. It’s also a must-have for anyone using a quilt.
Nemo Tensor Ultralight Insulated Wide
The industry standard testing for sleeping pads measures insulation by their r-values. I tend to sleep cold, so I decided that I needed to have at least r-value of 4. In addition, the width and the thickness of the pad also makes a big difference. I recommend using a pad that’s 25 inches wide, and 3 inches thick for the best night’s sleep.
I got this one used from REI’s re-supply, since it would’ve been quite expensive to buy brand new. Sadly it seems to be discontinued in 2025, but it’s worth looking for secondhand. Almost every outdoor influencer loves and recommends this pad – and I’ve had a great experience with it so far and love how lightweight it is.
- R-value: 4.2
- Weight: 1 lb 3 oz
- Price: $199.95
My only complaint is that the valve is so difficult to close and open that I’m worried I’ll use too much force and rip the entire sleeping pad one day. Hence I’ve been very careful with it even if it hurts my fingers sometimes.
NEMO Switchback foam sleeping pad
In addition to the inflatable sleeping pad, I layer on this foam pad that has r-value of 2. This brings my entire system up to 6.2 r-value, which has worked well even at freezing temperatures.
- R-value: 2
- Weight: 10.5 oz (short)
- Price: $49.95
REI Helix Insulated Air sleeping pad
This is my number one recommendation for beginner backpackers because it’s so comfortable and doesn’t have a premium price tag. It’s really easy to inflate and pack away, and I’ve had no complaints with this one. I’m glad my husband and I got different sleeping pads so we could compare between the two.
- R-value: 4.9
- Weight: 1 lb 5 oz
- Price: $169
Click here to shop: REI Helix Insulated Air sleeping pad
Luxury gear items
- Sleeping bag liner: Sea-to-Summit Fleece liner (adds another 5-8 F of warmth)
- Camp pillow: NEMO Fillo Pillow
- Backpacking chair: Helinox Chair Zero
Cooking gear
5. Backpacking Stove + Gas
In addition to your backpacking stove, make sure to bring gas and a spare lighter in order to cook during your backpacking trip.
Eventually we decided to invest in a good stove because having fire for food and melting ice is so important, and we can’t afford for it not to work in cold temperatures or high altitude. I know that another part of this equation is the type of gas we bring, but at least having a good stove gives us peace of mind.
I’m really impressed by how quickly the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe boils water, and its ability to work well even with wind helps us use our fuel more efficiently. It also has a built in piezo ignition so we don’t even need to bring a lighter along.
Click here to shop: MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe
If you’re on a budget, the BRS stove is a tiny but mighty backpacking stove. We weren’t picky at the start, and it worked as expected for something that cost less than $20.
6. Backpacking pot and utensils
I don’t think you need to spend a lot of money on a backpacking pot because there are so many affordable and lightweight options.
We take this one car camping and backpacking all the time because it comes with 2 stackable cups that fit inside the pot. It’s also the perfect size for a portion of instant noodles.
If you just need to boil water to make your backpacking meals, this 750ml Toaks pot is all you need – plus it’s very light.
We like bringing a spork, though a long spoon would be really useful for reaching into backpacking meal bags.
7. Bear canister (if required)
- Bear Canister: BearVault BV450
- Scent-proof trash bag for food waste
Click to shop here: BearVault Bear Canister
Food and water
8. Water Filter
Sawyer Squeeze + CNOC 2L bladder filter system
We started with the mini version of the Sawyer Squeeze, and found it painful that it takes so long and we have to keep buying plastic water bottles to use with it each time. Finally when there was a sale we upgraded to this bladder filter system that’s easy to fill up, and makes it effortless to get clean water.
You can hang it up and walk away, take a break, or go for a swim while waiting for your water to filter. The CNOC bag is also a huge upgrade from the free plastic bags provided with the usual Sawyer Squeeze, as it’s made of a rugged material and even works well in shallow water.
Click here to shop: Sawyer Squeeze + CNOC bladder filter
Some people like water bladders, but we just stick to our Nalgene water bottles for backpacking.
9. Meals and snacks
- Energy bars
- Backpacking freeze-dried meals
- Instant coffee, ramen, oatmeal, dried fruits, etc.
Toiletries
Remember to pack out all your trash and leave no trace – even if you’re a beginner backpacker.
10. Poop kit
- Toilet paper
- Poop trowel
- Wet wipes
- Leak-proof trash bags
- Feminine products
11. Sun protection and hygiene
- Sunscreen
- Hand sanitizer
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Lip balm
Make sure to learn how to do your business in the wild before going on your first backpacking trip.
Hiking gear
Invest in high quality gear that you can use for day hikes as well as backpacking trips to get the most bang for your buck.
12. Trekking Poles
Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Poles
We chose this one because it’s not too expensive and has great reviews on Amazon. It’s also not too heavy and I use these for balance when crossing streams and hiking through early season snowpack.
13. Offline Maps
Important: you’ll want to make sure you have access to offline maps because there’s no cell service in the backcountry.
Many experience backpackers will recommend Gaia or CalTopo maps, but from my experience – the learning curve is not as steep for AllTrails. It’s not always the most accurate, but if you’re going to be on established trails that are well mapped out and documented, I think it’s a resource to start with.
Download offline maps via AllTrails Plus
Physical maps
You can purchase physical maps ahead of your trip – like this one that I got for our Yosemite backpacking trip.
14. Safety and health essentials
This piece of safety gear is pricey, but worth it for peace of mind when adventuring in the wilderness. The Garmin inReach Mini 2 is our SOS and satellite communication device, though it requires a monthly satellite plan subscription.
Click here to shop: Garmin inReach Mini 2
If you’re hours away from the nearest hospital, a Global Rescue can deploy a field rescue to your location and get you safely to care. There’s no claims process involved unlike traditional insurance, so you don’t need to think twice or waste time figuring out the logistics of getting help.
Other safety and health essentials:
- First aid kit
- Multi tool
- Mosquito repellent
- Headlamp
Clothing and shoes
15. Daytime hiking outfit
16. Layering System
- Base: Sweat-wicking layer
- Mid: Fleece or down jacket
- Outer: Rain jacket/shell
Avoid cotton for backpacking because it’s very absorbent and stays wet for a long time. It might not be a big deal in summer when it’s just an annoying feeling – but it can be dangerous during colder seasons.
Click here to shop my go-to hiking gear
17. Sleep Clothes
- Fresh set of base layers just for sleeping
- Extra clean underwear and socks
Electronics
18. Mobile phone essentials
- Phone
- Portable charger
- Charging cables
19. Camera and lights
- Camera gear + extra batteries + capture clip
- Lamp
Our pre-trip preparation checklist
Before you hit the trail, make sure you:
- Â Book permits (get availability notifications here)
- Â Choose route + download offline trail maps
- Decide on campsites
- Â Check campfire rules
- Review trail/weather conditions (snow, fire, water sources)
- Confirm if WAG bags are required
- Â Treat clothes with permethrin (if bug situation is bad)
- Â Prep food + restock medication supply
- Clear space on phone/camera
- Charge all devices
- Pack your backpack
- Print permits + know where to park
- Leave a copy of your itinerary with someone you trust
Conclusion: Backpacking gear for beginners
We didn’t have all of this when we just started backpacking as a beginner – most of our initial picks were budget-friendly gear. However, we’ve come to appreciate the quality and assurance of having good gear, and have since started investing in more of them.
That said, you really don’t need the fanciest gear to enjoy backpacking – just the essentials that are functional and keep you safe. Use this list to save time during your next backpacking trip prep, so that you can start enjoying the outdoors with more confidence and less stress.
