Backpacking Gear
Packs
- Backpack (external or internal)
- Waterproof pack cover
- Child carrier
- Daypack or lumbar/waist pack
Shelter and Sleeping
- Lightweight tent (includes poles, stakes, and guy-lines)
- Mosquito netting (for around head when sleeping under the stars)
- 9 foot by 12 foot nylon tarp with grommets if traveling with a group
- Sleeping bag (down or synthetic)
- Sleeping pad (self-inflating pads are more comfortable, but more expensive; closed cell foam pads are more durable and cheaper, but less comfortable)
- Camp pillow
- Ground cloth
Essentials
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle or hydration system (carry two quarts in mountains when water is available; one gallon per day in desert environments)
- Water purification or water filter
- Nylon cord (50 feet)
- Waterproof/windproof matches
- Flashlight (extra bulb and batteries)
- Fire starter
- Pocket knife
- Toilet paper
- Topographic map
- Compass
- Emergency blanket
- Whistle
- Signal mirror
- Emergency snacks
First Aid and Toiletries
- Antibiotics
- Antiseptics
- Tylenol
- Benadryl
- Tincture of Benzoin
- Sterile gauze pads
- Roller gauze
- Nonadherent dressing
- One-inch adhesive tape
- Steristrips
- Ace wrap
- Large compress
- Moleskin
- Second Skin
- Tweezers
- Bandage scissors
- Irrigation syringe
- Low-reading thermometer
- SAM splint
- Space blanket
- Snakebite kit
- Emergency report form
- Pencil
- Emergency phone numbers and money for a phone call
- Comb / Brush
- Toothbrush / Toothpaste
- Dental floss
- Deodorant
- Small towel
- Shaving kit
- Biodegradable soap and shampoo
- Moisturizing lotion
- Towlettes
- Sunscreen (25 spf or better)
- Lip balm
- Tampons
Clothing-First layer
- Underwear
- Long underwear (tops and bottoms in either light or midweight; synthetic is best, or wool/synthetic/cotton blend)
- Liner socks (one extra pair only)
- Wool outer socks (one extra pair only)
- Sport-specific socks (one extra pair only)
- T-shirt (cotton/synthetic blends or synthetic blends)
Clothing-Second Layer
- Wool shirt
- Fleece, Polartec, or wool sweater
- Shorts
- Long pants
Clothing-Protective Layer
- Wool, Bomber, Polartec hat
- Sun hat
- Fleece or Polartec jacket
- Parka (synthetic fill or down)
- Wool mittens
- Rain suit (jacket and pants)
- Gaitors
- Windbreaker
- Hiking boots (Men's and Women's)
Kitchen
- Backpacking stove
- Fuel/Fuel bottle
- Primer paste
- Lighter/Matches
- Windscreen
- Cookset
- Water bag (collapsible)
- Food Storage Containers
- Zip-lock plastic bags (freezer variety)
- Large spoon
- Knife
- Spatula
- Can opener (GI folding variety)
- Small whisk
- Small grater
- Pot grips
- Knife, fork, and spoon
- Plate
- Cup
- Bowl
- Cutting board (small nylon variety)
- Scrub pads
- Biodegradable soap
- Paper towels
- Aluminum foil
- Spice kit
Miscellaneous Gear/Fun and Games
- Fishing gear and license
- Thermometer
- Bandanna
- Note pad and pencil
- Camera, film, and lenses
- Binoculars
- Frisbee
- Nerf ball
- Hacky sack
- Harmonica
- Kazoo
- Animal, flower, or other field guides
- Star guide
- Mini microscope
- Magnifying glass
- Small plastic collection containers
- Aquarium net
- Sketch pad
- Pencils
- Crayons
- Colored felt-tip pens
- Gold pan and mineral book