Ultimate Backpacking Gear List

JUMP TO: SHELTER / BACKPACK / SLEEP SYSTEM / KITCHEN / CARRIED CLOTHING / WORN CLOTHING / TOOLS & ACCESSORIES / BATHROOM / ELECTRONICS

Author: Sam Brilleman

In the build up to a big trip, there are few things more exciting than figuring out your gear requirements, accumulating that gear, and then packing it all up in readiness for hitting the trail.

There is no universal, perfect, gear list for multi-day backpacking trips. The ideal gear depends on the individual, their preferences and experience, and the destination, including the expected type of environment and conditions.

Nonetheless, there are some gear manufacturers and products that simply blow the competition out of the water.

Below is a list of the gear items that we pack for our multi-day backpacking trips. These are the items we believe outrank the competition and that we have come to rely on.

Your mileage might vary, but we hope that these top picks help highlight some of the epic products out there for the lightweight backpacker.

Whatever you decide, may it lead you towards happy endeavours on the trail!

If you want to read about more of the gear we love, check out some of our favourite gear reviews:

Shelter

Best 2-Person Shelter: Zpacks Triplex
More Info: Best Backpacking Tents

Backpack

Best Backpack (<5 days between resupply): Zpacks Arc Haul Zip
Best Backpack (5+ days between resupply): Aarn Natural Balance Bodypack
More Info: Best Backpacks

Sleeping Bag / Quilt

Best Sleeping Bag: Feathered Friends Lark UL
Best Hoodless Sleeping Bag: Feathered Friends Flicker UL
Best Ultralight Quilt: Katabatic Gear Alsek
More Info: Best Sleeping Bag Brands, Best Hoodless Sleeping Bags, Best Backpacking Quilts

Sleeping Pad

Best Overall Sleeping Pad: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite
Best Cold-Weather Sleeping Pad: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm
More Info: Best Sleeping Pads

Sleeping Accessories

Best Pillow: Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow Premium
Best Hood (for hoodless sleeping bags): Zpacks Ultralight Goose Down Hood
Other things to remember: repair patches for sleeping pad
More Info: Best Backpacking Pillows

Kitchen

Best Water Purifier: SteriPEN Adventurer Opti
Best Backpacking Stove: MSR Pocket Rocket 2
Best Cookware: Evernew Ultralight Titanium Pots
Best Cutlery: Sea to Summit Alphalight Spork
Best Bowl / Dish: Sea to Summit XL Bowl
Best Dish Cloth: 1/4 of a Lightload Pack Towel
Other things to remember: mini lighter or fire-starter, stove windshield

Carried Clothing

Best Waterproof Jacket (Overall): Arc’teryx Beta LT Jacket (12.2 oz)
Best Waterproof Jacket (Ultralight): Patagonia Storm Racer (7 oz)
Best Waterproof Pants (Full length zipper): Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Pants (10.0 oz)
Best Waterproof Pants (3/4 length zipper): Berghaus Paclite Pants (8.0 oz)
Best Waterproof Pants (Ankle zipper): Outdoor Research Helium Pants (6.5 oz)
Best Waterproof Gloves: Montane Minimus Mitt (1.55 oz) or Zpacks Vertice Rain Mitts (0.71 oz)
Best Insulating Jacket: Feathered Friends Eos
Best Insulating Baselayer: Smartwool Merino 250 Quarter-Zip Top
Best Warm Hat: Zpacks Micro-Fleece Hat
Best Warm Gloves: Any generic Fleece Flip-Top Mittens
Best Sleeping Socks: Zpacks Goose Down Booties or PossumDown Bushman's Friend Socks
Best Neck Warmer: Smartwool 150 Neck Gaiter or any generic Fleece Neck Warmer
Best Bug Net: Sea to Summit Nano Head Net
More Info: Best Down Jackets

Worn Clothing

Best Short Sleeve Baselayer: Smartwool Merino 150 T-Shirt or Icebreaker Tech Lite Crew Shirt
Best Women’s Short Sleeve Baselayer: Smartwool Merino 150 Top
Best Men's Underwear: Smartwool Merino 150 Boxer Briefs
Best Women's Underwear: Smartwool Merino 150 Bikini & Icebreaker Meld Zone Sports Bra
Best Hiking Socks: Bridgedale Wool Fusion Ultralight Socks
Best Men's Hiking Shoes: La Sportiva Ultra Raptor Trail Running Shoes
Best Women's Hiking Shoes: La Sportiva Ultra Raptor Trail Running Shoes
Other things to remember: sun hat, spare socks
More Info: Best Hiking Shirts, Best Men’s Hiking Underwear, Best Women’s Hiking Underwear

Tools & Accessories

Best Gear Storage: Sea to Summit Ultra Sil Dry Sacks
Best Pocket Knife: Opinel No. 6 Stainless Steel Pocket Knife
Best Head Torch: Black Diamond Spot 325
Best Trekking Poles: Gossamer Gear LT5 Carbon Trekking Poles
Best Compass: Suunto M-3 D Leader Compass
Other things to remember: sunhat, sunglasses, backup lighter or fire-starter, cable ties, thread & needle, repair tape (e.g. fabric tape, electrical tape, or cuben tape)
More Info: Best Pocket Knives

Bathroom

Best Overall Bug Spray: Ben's Spray Inspect Repellent
Best Natural Bug Spray: 2B Insect Repellent
Best Towel: Lightload Pack Towel
Other things to remember: toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, sunscreen, lip balm, toilet paper, blister plasters, first aid kit

Electronics

Best Personal Locator Beacon (with two-way messaging): Garmin inReach Mini 2-Way Satellite Communicator
Best Personal Locator Beacon (without two-way messaging): Ocean Signal rescueME PLB1
Best Ultralight Camera: A good smartphone camera — you’ll probably be carrying it anyway! For instance the latest Samsung Galaxy or iPhone are likely to be as good, if not better, than most portable digital cameras you can buy.
Best Overall Camera: Panasonic Lumix LX10
Best Tough Camera: Olympus TG-6 Waterproof Camera

MORE INFORMATION

Hopefully these recommendations can help make your hiking trips lighter, safer, and more enjoyable.

If you are interested in a detailed 75+ item backpacking gear checklist, then consider signing up to our mailing list and we’ll send one through! You can sign up here if you wish.

If you loved this article, then you'll likely love reading some of our other gear-fiend related articles:

Or check out some of our other backpacking tips:

Whatever you decide, happy hiking and take care out there in the wild!