Beginners Guide to Backpacking
Backpacking can be a fun method of camping and hiking all in one trip. However, it can be daunting for beginners, even experienced campers, as it's a very different experience. You must carry all your gear, so it's important to prepare everything - gear, food, and water - ahead of time to ensure your first backpacking trip goes smoothly. Additionally, it's crucial to practice leave-no-trace principles while on the trail.
Choose an easy trail for backpacking
The important advice here is to choose an easier route. If the hike is too challenging, it can lead to a less enjoyable experience. If it's too easy, you'll have more time to explore the area around your camp, maybe splash around in the water nearby, read a book, and enjoy your time outside.
When choosing your first backpacking destination, consider the following tips:
Consult with experienced backpackers: Hiking guidebooks are essential resources. You can find the best selection for a specific area at local outdoor retailers.
Pick a trail close to home. You want to spend more time hiking than driving. You also want to have ample daylight hours to reach camp before dark.
Choose a short trail with just a few miles round trip: For an overnight backpacking trip, planning for shorter distances is crucial, similar to your typical day hike. This is because walking with a heavier pack is slower and more demanding.
Choose a trail with limited elevation gain: When hiking, it's essential to consider more than just mileage. Opt for a trail with minimal elevation gain compared to your usual day hike to ensure an enjoyable experience because having a heavier pack is slower and more demanding.
Ensure there's water near camp: It’s essential to ensure water is available along the trail so that you can refill as needed. This can be rivers, streams, lakes, or runoff streams (beware that runoff streams may dry up.)
Summer: For optimal conditions, plan your visit for mid-summer to take advantage of longer daylight hours and more comfortable temperatures unless your destination is prone to extreme heat or fire danger. Prioritize checking weather forecasts and be prepared to cancel or turn back if a storm is approaching.
My Tip: I use AllTrails to begin my research for trails. All trails provide all of the details you need:
Difficulty
Distance
Whether it is a loop or out-and-back trail
Elevation gain
It gives you an idea of where water may be
Photos
Navigation to trailhead
Other user reviews of the trail, such as if any sections are washed out from weather or felled trees. My favorite review to search for is if there is access to swim in nearby water, such as a river.
The pro version allows you to download trails for offline use and track your navigation.
If you sign up using my link above or here, all trails will plant two trees for every new pro member!
After my initial research with AllTrails, I go to Google. I research the trail as much as I can. Some things I research:
Water sources - are there any reported dry stretches where you must be mindful about conserving water or carry extra for that section?
Weather - day and night
Tree cover - how much sun protection do you need?
Conditions - have tons of reported fallen trees or other obstructions made it difficult to travel? Is the trail muddy or washed out from excessive rain weather?
Safety - how well traveled is the trail? Will you come across someone quickly in the event of an emergency? Are any areas of the trail closed due to wildfires or other natural events?
Are there fire restrictions in the area? This is especially important if you consider making a fire when setting up camp. Typically, a camp stove doesn’t count toward a fire restriction.
Is there cell service available on the trail?
2. Backpacking Gear
Keep your initial investment low by thrifting, borrowing, or renting the priciest items—your tent, sleeping bag, and pad. You can rent gear from REI or find a local shop near you. A quick Google search gave me a couple of options near me. You may even be able to buy gently used gear from Facebook Marketplace, Out & Back Outdoor, Gear Trade, or even REI sells used gear. As a beginner, I invested in a lot of gear and, through trial and error, found everything that worked for me. I wish I had discovered second-hand shops when I got started! However, my Osprey backpacking pack has lasted me five seasons of 3-5 average backpacking trips per summer. So there is merit to buying brand new. However, it would have been a waste of money if I didn't like backpacking!
Click here to read my Backpacking Essentials Post for my favorite items!
What Gear to Bring Backpacking
Backpacking gear must be lightweight and compact since you will carry everything as you hike. Unfortunately, you cannot repurpose all of your regular traditional camping gear. The following are essential items you'll need for any backpacking trip:
Shelter: Plan for a lightweight two-person tent to share because lightweight single-person tents are costly. You can split up the tent between you and your backpacking partner to try to divide the weight. Another option is sleeping in a hammock; this may not be as beginner-friendly as a tent. However, as long as you feel comfortable setting it up (before you head out) and you will be hiking a trail with many trees available to hand your hammock, it can be an excellent option for shelter.
Backpack: If you borrow or thrift a pack, try it first to ensure it fits comfortably. Load it up with your base weight items (shelter, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, cookware, 10 essentials, which should be under 30 pounds) and take a long day hike to test it out. If it's comfortable on the hips and the shoulders, it's probably fine for this first backpacking trip. If you decide to buy a pack, find a specialist near you to help you correctly measure a backpack to your body. Ultralight backpacking models will be less padded and have a less supportive structure than a more deluxe model. Plus, they may be incredibly pricy. If you're determined to minimize weight, look first at ultralight tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads.
Sleeping bag: If you buy a bag, research the pros and cons of downfill vs. synthetic fill, especially regarding the weather conditions you're likely to encounter. For your first bag, synthetic is a good choice because it's versatile and generally more affordable than down. The most important thing to look at is the cold weather rating of the sleeping bag compared to where you are planning your trip (look at overnight temperatures), and keep in mind your comfort. I sleep cold, so I often have a colder-rated sleeping bag AND layers I can take off if I get too hot.
Sleeping pad: Cushioning and insulation are critical criteria for a sleeping pad. You can choose between foldable foam or an inflatable sleeping pad. I like to have an inflatable sleeping pad because it is easier to pack.
Stove: You can find tons of camping stoves online that will work well. My beginner stove was around $15 + the fuel canister. A backpacking stove is different than a traditional camping stove because it is lightweight and compact.
Water Filter: There is only so much water that you can carry at one time in your pack, so it is crucial to purchase a water filter. I have used the Sawyer Squeeze for many years, and it fits perfectly on a smart water bottle to repurpose a water bottle for the “dirty water” side of the filter. Not only can you drink directly from the filer, but you can also squeeze water into your water bladder.
Kitchen supplies: I have found that the best backpacking meals only require hot water for rehydrated meals. So titanium cups and long-handled sporks are the best cookware for me! I want the most effortless cleanup possible, not only because I like it easy but because it makes it easier to leave no trace. I’ll go into more detail regarding food in the food section. Whatever cookware you decide should be compact and lightweight. Titanium is preferred because it is ultralight and cools down extremely fast!
What Clothing to Bring Backpacking
You don't need to purchase special "hiking clothes" for your first backpacking trip. Look through your fitness wear and find clothing made of moisture-wicking, quick-drying fabrics like nylon and polyester. Moisture-wicking fabric pulls sweat away from the skin to keep you dry. Avoid cotton, which absorbs water and takes a long time to dry when wet. This can make you cold and, in a worst-case scenario, lead to hypothermia.
Your backpacking clothing should be grouped into layers:
Next-to-skin base layers (aka long underwear): Important because even warm days can end with cold nights. I usually wear what I already have: leggings and long-sleeve shirts.
Hiking layers: This can be very individual. Research the trail and determine if the trail has tons of shade, and then decide if you want to worry about reapplying sunscreen or if you would rather wear lightweight activewear that covers your body, such as leggings/pants, a t-shirt, or a long-sleeve shirt. What you wear is super personal; ensure all materials are NOT COTTON.
Insulation: Puffy vest or jacket, knitted hat (beanie), or gloves if needed.
Rainwear: Rain jacket or an oversized poncho that is large enough to cover you and your pack while wearing it. This can double as a ground cover if you need it!
The advantage of layering is that it lets you quickly adapt to changing conditions. It also enables you to assemble a robust clothing defense against storms that move in suddenly, bringing cold and rainy weather while also adding to the bulk/weight of your pack.
My gear choice for an overnight backpacking trip is to hike in shorts & a tee shirt/tank top (unless there’s no tree cover, I hike in nylon pants and a super lightweight/moisture-wicking long-sleeve tee shirt.) I have rain gear and a long-sleeved tee shirt that is accessible if I get cold while hiking. Then, I pack my base layers, leggings, fleece pants, puffer jacket, and extra socks. I tend to sleep in almost all of the clothing I bring to take off layers if I get cold while I sleep. I do not sleep in the socks I wear while hiking. I set them out to dry overnight and sleep in a different pair. I have hiking socks and sleeping socks. Any active-wear style or wool socks will likely dry quickly and not hold onto odors, so it is the easiest way to bring minimal gear and still have an extra pair if you get your hiking socks wet!
What Shoes to Bring Backpacking
Footwear is crucial because your feet are essential for a successful trip. Some backpackers prefer supportive over-the-ankle boots, while others opt for lightweight trail running shoes. Make sure your boots or shoes are well broken in before you go. Wear wool or synthetic socks, and consider bringing a lightweight pair of shoes or water sandals to wear around camp and fording creeks. I have chosen high-top hiking boots, but they tend to be heavier. But I have been doing tons of research on trail runners. I may switch when I purchase a new pair. This piece of backpacking gear is such a personal preference!
Basic Backpacking Checklist
Click here to Download Backpacking Checklist
3. Backpacking Food
For an overnight backpacking trip, plan for dinner, breakfast, snacks, and a couple of lunches. Premade freeze-dried food is your lightest and most accessible option (add boiling water) for entrees, but it's also pricey. Save money by going to the grocery store instead. You won't have a cooler, so perishable things like fresh eggs can't be on the menu.
Avoid canned food (too heavy) and try to accurately project how much you'll eat because an excessive amount of food adds weight and bulk to your pack. You need some extra food—enough for an added day in the wilds. Here are some specific meal-planning tips for your first backpacking trip:
Dinner: Look for all-in-one meals such as packaged noodles or rice entrees. Boxed meals can be removed and placed in a freezer bag for easier packing. Knorr sides with packaged chicken (or other packaged protein of choice) in a foil pack or mac n cheese and little smokeys can be good budget options.
Lunches and snacks: Bring high-calorie, high-protein energy bars, and trail mix to munch on during the day because backpacking burns a lot of metabolic fuel. Keep things simple by making lunch a trailside affair with ample snacks and a more extended rest. Ramen for lunches is my favorite since it rehydrates SO fast and is easy to digest. I love jerky, trail mix, candy, and snack protein bars.
Breakfast: This can range from a cooked entrée (pancakes, anyone?) to hot oatmeal, which can be mixed into two or three breakfast bars. You must weigh the advantages of starting your day warmed up and fueled up versus hitting the trail earlier. If you can't go without your caffeinated beverage, your most straightforward option is an instant coffee mix or tea bag. I love setting aside some time in the morning to have coffee and breakfast as the sun rises before heading back on the trail. I love having instant oatmeal (unpackaged into a qt sized freezer bag) or cereal/granola with powdered milk (add water; in high elevation, water will get cold overnight, and it feels like a fresh bowl of cereal and milk!) and for coffee I choose to have a collapsible pour over/filter situation for making coffee with powdered coffee creamer.
Wildlife Precautions: On the trail, follow common-sense measures like keeping a respectful distance away from animals and caring not to come between large mammals and their young. At night, secure all food and scented personal products away from camp. Often, this is done by putting everything in a spare stuff sack and then using some nylon cord to hang it from a high tree branch. You can also use a bear canister to secure things, even if the main concern is rodents stealing your food. Read this blog post regarding bear safety.
I prefer dehydrated/freeze-dried meals, so I pack all meals in qt-size freezer bags because they can withstand boiling water. So all I have to do is boil water, dump it in the bag, rehydrate it, and then eat it right out of it. It makes it easier to eat, but clean up is so easy. I like to separate meals and snacks in gallon freezer bags, so I have an extra bag for packing out trash. All I do is zip up the used freezer bag and place it in an extra gallon-sized freezer bag. I don’t have to worry about sanitizing and cleaning up dishes. Less water is needed, and food scraps are left on the ground, attracting critters to the trail. I backpack with ONE titanium cup, so I make my breakfast first, eat out of the freezer bag, and then make coffee using that cup.
4. Getting Ready for the Trip
Set yourself up for success by taking steps to be sure you're physically, mentally, and logistically prepared for your trip. To get ready for backpacking, follow these tips:
Get physically ready: You're not training for a marathon, but even a short trip can be physically demanding. At a minimum, do plenty of day hikes and comfortably handle trails at a distance and elevation gain similar to your planned trip. Do at least a few pre-trip hikes of similar difficulty wearing a backpack with 30-plus pounds.
Get mentally ready: Familiarize yourself with your gear ahead of time. Pitch your tent, fire up your stove, and filter water before you go. Ensure you know how to use ALL of your gear beforehand; learning how to use your gear on the trail can be very stressful!
Figure out your logistics: Besides figuring out your ride to and from the trailhead, you must ensure you have all the necessary permits. Popular destinations are especially likely to require them. Check with the local land management agency to learn what's needed—land managers are also an excellent resource for updated trail conditions, fire restrictions, and other valuable intel. Ensure you know if you will be in bear country and if a bear canister is required.
Leave a trip plan with a friend or family member: Include details about where you're going and when you expect to be back. That gives them a jump on alerting help if you ever need it.
Pack early: Don't wait until the night before loading your pack. Do your pre-trip pack loading several days in advance, then weigh it to be sure you didn't overdo it. A rule of thumb is that it should weigh no more than 20 percent of your body weight. If your pack weighs well above that mark, look hard at your checklist and see what you can scrap. I aim for my base weight (all gear before water and food) to be around 15-20lbs, knowing I prefer to carry more than enough water so I can comfortably hold the weight of my pack with all of my gear, food, and excessive water.
5. Leave no Trace
Leave no trace means leaving the wilderness area/trail better than you found it.
Do not leave any trash - pack it out.
Do not camp within 200ft of any water source.
Do not do any restroom business within 200ft of any water source - dig a 6-8in deep hole to bury any waste. Pro-tip: do not wait until it’s an emergency; you want to give yourself time to dig the hole.
If you come across trash you did not leave, pick it up and pack it out.
Backpacking can be a fun camping and hiking experience that combines both activities into one trip. However, it can be pretty daunting for beginners and even experienced campers due to the need to carry all your gear. Researching your trail thoroughly and preparing your gear, food, and water in advance is essential to ensure your first backpacking trip goes smoothly. Additionally, remember to practice leave-no-trace principles while on the trail. I hope this helps you have the best first backpacking trip!
Check out these Backpacking Blog Posts:
Springtime Backpacking - 4 Things to be Prepared
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