Basic backpacking gear checklist
26 June 2008 15:05
Carry the right items to be practical, but stay light enough for the experience to be enjoyable.
Water
Flexible Platypus-style reservoirs are the best as they expand according to the amount of water in them, and also have deceptively sizable capacities.
Big rucksack
Make sure you have enough room for your gear! Take it all to the gear shop if you have to, and at the very least try the ‘sack on with plenty of weight inside. For a versatile rucksack for trips of varying length, you’ll be looking at a ‘sack that’s around 65-75 litres.
Walking poles
These highly underrated knee-sparers remove a huge amount of weight from your swivelly bits with the minimum amount of effort from your upper body, and when you’re carrying a big ‘sack, you need all the help going. If you haven’t tried ‘em, have a go – you’ll be amazed.
Stove
It’s all well and good taking a stove the size of a flea, but don’t forget fuel: you may have to source it wherever you’re going, so don’t pick an obscure brand. Also, don’t trade off boil-time for compactability – it’s a false economy you’ll regret on the hill.
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Mug
Get a decent-sized one – you can fill it with other things when packed to save space, and if you’re going super-light it can double as a bowl.
Pans
Watch what you spend. There are plenty of hideously pricy titanium pans that are lovely, granted – but they offer minimal weight saving on aluminium pans that are a fraction of the price. You’ll probably only need one, and it can double as a bowl.
Food
Heavy, ready-to-eat foods such as Wayfayrer meals are tastiest, but if you’re going light and long you’ll probably want something light (iedehydrated). Bear in mind you’ll need clean water to cook it though – with Wayfayrers you don’t.
Cutlery
Airline-style cutlery is fine for short trips, but buy a light aluminium or Lexan (plastic) set and you’re sorted for good. Consider whether you actually need to take a knife too.
Two lighters
Don’t take any chances – if you’re eating dehydrated food and your lighter packs in, you’re stuffed – so pack a spare. And some matches.
Trousers
It’s essential these are made of quick-drying fabric. Most backpacking is a late spring to early autumn affair, so you can get away with light, loose trousers that offer minimal warmth.
Sleeping bag
Down sleeping bags are warm and compact, but they become useless when wet, so do consider a synthetically insulated bag. A 3-season is a good middle-of-the-road option: fairly compact, and versatile enough for year-round use.
Tent
Think about portability, but also space. You’ll often find a small 2-man tent is ideal for one person and their stuff, because – remember – on a backpacking trip, you’ll be lugging more gear.
Sleeping mat
The ground drains body heat fast. Absolutely essential for warmth and comfort is a mattress: the self-inflating sealed type provide the best insulation but are heavier and pricier than closed-cell foam types.
Don’t forget
When backpacking, use the same core items as a hill-walker, like walking-specific socks and base layers. Also, carry a map, compass, first aid kit and water.
