Packing List: What I Bring Backpacking

If anyone needs all the hiking snacks, bandaids, a speaker, another pair of moisture-wicking shorts, a beer…there’s a good chance it WAS in my backpack. That is until the weight took it’s toll on my body and I had to come to terms with my overpacking tendencies. I’ve had backpacking trips where I had to drag my backpack the last couple miles and walk barefoot because my gear was so heavy and painful. The gear you have and what you pack is so important to truly enjoying your trek into the wilderness.

It’s all about hitting the trail with only your life’s essentials (food, shelter, fire, water) and nothing more. So here it is…a list of my go-to’s, my TRIED AND TRUE gear and items for an epic backpacking experience.

FOR THE TREK

BACKPACK (Hyperlite 3400 Southwest): the lightest/most comfortable backpack known to man. I love the pockets in the front for easy access. This is the only backpack that doesn’t give me back and shoulder pain, even if I pack on the heavier side.
DRY BAGS: I pack everything into dry bags inside my backpack for extra protection from a leaky camelbak or rain. It’s so much easier to find things in your bag when it’s separated in dry bags by clothes, food, sleeping bag, etc.
SHOES (Merrell Vapor Glove 4): The only shoes i’ve ever hiked in that don’t give me blisters and bruises. Hiking boots and sneakers leave my feet screaming but barefoot shoes are the closest thing to hiking barefoot with lightweight protection.
TREKKING POLES (optional): I didn’t understand why people used these until I tried them for myself. Holy knee savers!! These are especially useful on descent and takes pressure off the joints. I love that they retract so I can put them in my backpack during rock scrambles.
MAP (All Trails): I download a digital trail map on All Trails and print it if it’s a longer trek. I’m pretty good with directions and reviewing trails before I head out but always prep for the just-in-case scenarios, especially on trails that don’t have cell service.
HEADLAMP (Petzl or Black Diamond): Bring extra batteries! Hiking in the dark is asking for an ankle sprain…
CELLPHONE & CAMERA

BACKCOUNTRY KITCHEN

KNIFE (Benchmade): always good to have
FIRE (Zippo): lighter/matches. I love this Zippo Windproof lighter, it’s a baby torch and works in the windiest of situations.
STOVE/FUEL (Optimus Crux Lite): This little set up is gold and so lightweight! I prefer this over a Jetboil for backpacking because of how compact it is. It includes the fuel, stove top, and pot (everything fits securely in the pot). I usually boil water on this to pour into my Good To Go dehydrated foods and also make tea!
SPORK: or make chop sticks with some branches if you forget..been there, done that.
FOOD: Good To Go Foods, apples, snackssss, Nuun Tablets (sometimes put in my camelbak)

FOR CAMP

SHELTER: tent (Kelty Dirt Motel 2), hammock with bug net (Grand Trunk), or under the stars. In the summer I bring my hammock but also love just sleeping on the ground (sleeping pad is a must here).
SLEEPING BAG (REI Coop Zephyr 20): I love this bag (3lb) and it’s machine washable! After much research this was the best option for me and I love it! I wouldn’t use it in temps lower than 17 degrees (F). I also love this bag for a lighter option (2lb): Kelty Galactic 30.
SLEEPING PAD (Klymit Insulated Static V): It takes like 15 breaths to blow this badboy up and packs into a little burrito-sized pouch. This can make all the difference when sleeping on the ground. Note: I don’t use this in the hammock only in tent and sleeping under stars.

WATER

WATER RESERVOIR (Camelbak 100oz.): My backpack has a section in the back to hook this on.
WATER BOTTLE (OtterBox Elevation 28 Growler): Unless I’m hiking along a river, I feel like you can never have enough water on hand.
WATER PUMP (Katadyn Vario Water Filter): There needs to be a water source on the trail to use this. I’ve used it in streams and rivers. Note: all AMC Huts in the white mountains of New Hampshire have a drinking water spout for refills.

CLOTHING

Moisture-wicking layers (top, shorts, pants, socks, headband buff, hat)
Rain Jacket (Merrell Whisper Rain Jacket): This is the best jacket ever. it doesn’t get that gross sticky feeling inside like other rain jackets. Super lightweight and comfy.
Puffer Jacket (Mountain Hardwear Hotlum Hooded Down): I always pack this puffer, even in the summer, because you just never know if the weather will take a turn, especially on the White Mountain Presidential Range.
Fleece (Merrell Trek Tencel): I usually wear this at the start of a hike and shed it after I warm up.

HYGIENE/FIRST AID

BANDAIDS/TAPE
HAND SANITIZER: I make my own DIY version of this DoTerra On Guard Sanitizer.
BUG SPRAY: I also make my own DIY bug spray. Witch hazel + lots of bug-repelling essential oils. Holler if you want the recipe.
WIPES (with resealable bag to pack out): for the lady bits
TOOTHBRUSH/PASTE
HAIRBRUSH: I don’t always bring a hairbrush, and when I don’t you better believe I walk out of the woods with dreadlocks by day 2.

And now for some photos from my most recent backpacking trip along the Presidential Range in the White Mountains…

Boil the water and pour into Good To Go Foods (this is the vegetarian PAD THAI) it’s UNREAL. Also pictured, my Merrell Vapor Glove 4 barefoot shoes.

Best backpack EVER!!! worth every penny.

The sleeping pad comes in handy for watching the sunset in ULTIMATE comfort.