I did not grow up in an outdoorsy family. We spent the occasional summer road-tripping through Colorado, sure, but I was just as likely to spend an entire school break playing Super Nintendo in my cookie-cutter suburban home. So I understand how intimidating it can feel to get into backpacking late in the game.
With national parks seeing record attendance in recent years, long gate lines and timed-entry reservations, there’s no time like the present to escape the crowds and enjoy a simpler, quieter experience in the nation’s public lands. With the right gear, backpacking can easily become a safe and comfortable sport for literally anyone who can carry 30 pounds for 2 to 3 miles. Yes, really.
My first backpacking trip at age 28 was a hilarious fiasco that involved a child-sized sleeping bag, a leather jacket and two adventurers crammed into a tiny single-person tent. I didn’t know what altitude was or that it significantly decreases your oxygen and hiking speed, so the majority of the day was spent huffing and puffing my way along a trail above 9,000 feet, wondering why I felt so gosh-darn out of shape. But I still had a blast.
The magic of skipping the crowds in favor of pristine sunsets and sunrises over crystalline alpine lakes cannot be overstated. I’m convinced that it’s the perfect antidote to our overscheduled, cell-phone-addled lives. As National Geographic Adventurer of the Year Mike Libecki told us, “We will never stop learning, and let’s not stop pursuing our passion … the time is now, why ration passion for life?”
What is backpacking and how to get started
Simply put, backpacking is when you load up your camping gear, tent and all, into a large rucksack and trek out into the wilderness to spend a night or two sleeping on the ground, away from your car. Because of this added exposure to the elements (and the fact that you’ll likely be carrying a heavy load for a few miles), having the right gear, route plan and food are essential. Here’s what our experts recommend for maximum safety and comfort.
“When backpacking/adventuring, the mystery of each moment is so important, so be prepared, and do not think of the past or future. Also, stay optimistic because challenges are part of the adventure,” Libecki says.
Plan your route
A great way to shake off some of the (very reasonable) fears surrounding your first backcountry trip or two is to select a trail or an area that you’re already familiar with. That way, you minimize variables like climate and route finding and can dial in your gear and enjoy the moment more. Utilizing a smartphone-enabled GPS app and downloading your trail map before you leave home is a great way for newer backpackers to navigate rough terrain.
“Always start small with a shorter, easier trail than you think you can handle. Not only will [it] give you the opportunity to learn how to hike while carrying an unwieldy large backpack, but it also means you’re more likely to fondly remember the adventure … and maybe do it again soon,” says CNN contributor and author of “Women Who Hike” Heather Balogh Rochfort.
Libecki, who is also a National Geographic Expeditions Expert, says to do plenty of research before heading out. “Where are water sources? What is the weather forecast? What is the climate and what is the average temperature? Do you have a satellite text/call communication device? Especially for beginners, this can be huge,” he says.
Check the weather
Unlike car camping, where you can haul a hardy tent anywhere your vehicle can manage and escape inside a lofty, dry cocoon of air mattresses and sleeping bags at night, backpacking is very weather- and temperature-dependent. Erica Zazo, an adventure writer and frequent contributor to CNN Underscored, says that having her sleep system dialed is a top priority for her. “The first backpacking trip I went on ended up being 20 degrees colder than anticipated. I did not have the right-degree sleeping bag and therefore was super cold. I also should have invested in an insulated sleeping pad to keep myself even warmer at night,” she says.
If you’re going to be out in the woods for multiple days at a time, consider investing in a satellite texting and GPS device, like a Garmin inReach Mini 2, which pairs with your smartphone and can help deliver up-to-date weather forecasts while you’re on the go. “I always take a small satellite text communication device and a small charger and my phone/camera,” Libecki says.
Dial in your gear
When it comes to choosing which gear is essential to splurge on or shove into his pack, Libecki has a time-honored mantra: “Go as light as possible, and be as comfortable as needed.” Having good footwear is key, he explains, saying to make sure that your footwear is broken in and reliable before attempting any backcountry excursion.
Of course, great, lightweight gear comes at a high cost, which can feel like a hefty barrier to entry for many beginner backpackers. Spending big on a few key pieces (like your pack, tent and sleeping bag) can dramatically help get your base weight down so that you aren’t lugging around a 60-pound pack. “The more money you spend, the lighter and more packable your gear will be,” says Balogh Rochfort, who also runs the outdoor community WildKind, which takes parents on big adventures with their kiddos.
“I think it’s worth shelling out a little extra cash for a quality sleeping bag and tent because those are your essentials and the cheapest options will be super heavy and bulky on the trail,” Balogh Rochfort says. “I also think you can easily save some money on a sleeping pad. Sleeping pads are definitely essential but going super ultralight will cost a lot of money and will only save you a little bit of weight.”
She also recommends laying out all your gear on the floor of your living room (yes, like those Instagram photos) and cutting roughly a quarter of your items. “Beginners always tend to bring way more than they need, and you really, truly don’t need much,” Balogh Rochfort says.
Choose your meals wisely
I feel lucky that I had an Eagle Scout with me on my first foray into the wilderness of Sequoia National Park, and he sent me down the path of premade, dehydrated backpacking meals right from the get-go. Yes, they are more expensive than the soup cans and tuna packets that you’ll find at your neighborhood grocery store, but they are also lightweight, easy to prepare and loaded with the salt and protein that you’ll need after sweating it out on the trail all day.
For Zazo, dehydrated food is well worth the investment. “We ended up packing a lot of pretty heavy food on our first backpacking trip, including cans of tuna, Chef Boyardee Ravioli (gross, I know) and heaps of chili. We could have saved ourselves a ton of weight and energy by splurging on some dehydrated backpacking meals that would keep our packs lighter and our stomachs happier on the trip,” she says.
The best beginner backpacking gear
We asked a gaggle of our favorite professional adventurers and outdoor gearheads what to spend on and what to save on when it comes to kitting out your pack for backcountry hiking and camping, creating a comprehensive, no-nonsense list of the best beginner backpacking gear on the market today.
If you’re looking to save a little dough, Steep and Cheap, REI Outlet and Patagonia Worn Wear are great sources for budget-conscious outdoor lovers, but we’ve also taken pricing and durability into account in the below picks.
Read on for our favorite backpacking essentials for those new to the game.
Best backpacks
“I now pay attention to how deep and snug the water bottle pockets are on the sides of my pack,” says National Geographic Explorer Maria Fadiman, Ph.D. Over my many years of backpacking trial and error, I’m inclined to agree, and Osprey’s backpacks come equipped with some of the best side pockets in town. “A backpack with good pockets helps facilitate my ability to drink and walk simultaneously,” Fadiman says. The brand’s Renn/Rook series is moderately priced too, and backed by its All Mighty Guarantee, should anything go awry.
Balogh Rochfort is a big fan of Decathlon’s affordable camping products and recommends the Forclaz Women’s MT500 Air 45 + 10 pack for newcomers to backpacking. With plenty of space to stash and organize your gear, clothing and meals, it’s the perfect size at 55 liters total. Plus, she says it’s well-built, “compared to big-name brands that can run you over $300.” It even includes a rain cover, saving you even more cash. Looking for a comparable men’s pack? Check out the MT900.
A backpack that came up over and over again when I interviewed experts for this article, REI Co-op’s Flash 55 Pack is durable, lightweight and boasts plenty of pockets to keep your essentials close at hand. At just under $200, it’s a steal too. “The REI Co-op Flash 55 backpacking pack is an unbeatable value,” says Abigail Bliss, editor at Travel Lemming.
Best tents and shelters for backpacking
“The Trailmade backpacking bundle is a screaming deal,” Balogh Rochfort says. “You get a tent, sleeping pad and sleeping bag for $350.” The entire setup weighs in at 11 pounds, 2.6 ounces for a size regular, which is reasonable for a first-timer who’s more concerned with saving money while accruing solid gear. Worth noting: The sleeping bag and liner are made with recycled synthetic materials, which perform far better than water-sensitive down in wet environments.
“In general, I think budget-minded backpackers should consider looking more to tarps, instead of tents,” Balogh Rochfort says. If you’re heading out into the desert or have the luxury of a reliable, sunny forecast, consider saving weight and money on a more minimalist shelter, like Rab’s Siltarp 2, which can be pitched with your trekking poles and only weighs 1 pound.
A fan favorite for many years, REI’s Half Dome tent is reliably waterproof and durable, plus it holds up well in wind, a must when trekking through mountainous landscapes. If you’re ready to spend a bit more on a tent that’ll last you for years of heavy use, this two-person stunner is roomy, freestanding and under 4 pounds.
Best apparel for backpacking
“One way I stay prepared and protected is with lightweight long-sleeved SPF protective button-up shirts,” says Fadiman, who’s also a two-time TED speaker and a professor of geosciences at Florida Atlantic University. “I wear a tank top that goes up to my neck as a first layer, protecting my chest yet leaving room for aeration,” she says. REI’s Sahara Long-Sleeve Shirt is a cost-effective way to layer for maximum sun protection while still venting your body properly.
Loads of outdoor adventurers and thru-hikers are switching to ultralight trail runners for their expeditions, which is why Libecki suggests these weight-savvy Adidas kicks for those trying to save on weight while backpacking. “Look for [footwear] inspired by a hiking shoe and running shoe hybrid,” he says.
It might look nerdy on the surface, but a quick-drying, wide-brimmed hat for hiking and backpacking is a must, if only to protect your face and eyes from the sun’s harsh rays, which are more powerful at altitude. “It keeps me cool, helps me not need to squint, keeps the drops off when it pours and protects my skin,” Fadiman says.
You can find a comfortable, sustainably made and stylish pair of technical hiking trousers for under $100, and this design by Prana is one of my favorites of the last year. Made out of quick-drying recycled nylon, these babies are also just the right amount of stretchy, should you fancy an off-trail scramble.
One of Fadiman’s gear must-haves is a reusable rain poncho that’s large enough to drape over her pack while hiking. “Rain can emerge out of nowhere, and I can just pop on my poncho, cover my pack and I’m ready,” she says. “In the rainforest, where the rain is periodic and fierce, it has saved me and my stuff from being wet many, many times. A poncho has been very handy on the National Geographic Costa Rica Wildlife and Conservation trip,” she recalls.
If you aren’t into the business-casual vibes of button-up sunshirts, REI’s Sahara T-Shirt is a great option. Stretchy, affordable, lightweight and abrasion resistant, it’s a key piece for hikers who are venturing into the desert or above the tree line, where UV poisoning (yes, I’ve experienced that thrill) is more of a risk if you’re out all day. “This is my go-to shirt for all outdoor activities, from hiking and mountain biking to stand-up paddle boarding and camping,” Zazo says.
In my years of experience trekking through all kinds of weather and landscapes, Vasque’s hiking boots have been reliably blister-free and have required zero break-in time. The Breeze comes in a smidge cheaper than its competitors and provides the stability and ankle support you’ll need when carrying a heavy pack.
“Look for an insulated jacket with stretch that lets you reach and move naturally,” Libecki says. I’d add to that a note about how down is, ounce for ounce, the warmest, lightest and most packable filling on the market today. This down jacket by REI Co-op is under 11 ounces and boasts a wind-resistant shell for staying warm around camp when you’re cooking dinner.
“Head wrap, neck gaiter, headband, magic scarf, face bandana, neck tube…it has a lot of names and is wonderfully versatile,” Fadiman says. Buff is the OG of head wraps, so to speak, perfect for protecting your ears from cold and wind or dunking in a frigid stream to cool your neck down on hot summer days.
Made with bluesign-approved materials, REI Co-op’s Trailmade pants are a wonderful (and wallet friendly) choice for hikers who need a quick-drying, sun-protective layer. Designed to be snag resistant on the roughest trails, the pants also feature five different pockets for storing your small creature comforts.
It’s true that merino wool socks matter, but when I was first starting out on my backpacking adventures, I was shocked how difficult it was to find them for under $20 a pair. If you’re sticking to a strict budget, you can skip on merino at first and instead, nab an affordable two-pack of quick-drying, sweat-wicking synthetic socks from Decathlon.
Fadiman says that, for her, “layering clothes is key, so I can easily adjust to what is happening around me and continue on my way, feeling good.” These synthetic base layers from REI Co-op’s store brand are warm enough to sleep in on chilly shoulder-season nights and great for layering under your puffy when making dinner and watching the sunset at camp.
Best sleeping gear for for backpacking
“I recently fell in love with sleeping bag quilts because they're much lighter weight and more packable than a full sleeping bag,” Zazo says. Take for example this Ember Down Quilt from Sea to Summit that’s rated down to 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
“Founder Will Liang wanted to get into backpacking but couldn’t afford all the expensive gear at the time,” says adventure photographer and founder of Little Grunts Paulina Dao. Nearly everything on the Featherstone site is affordable and well reviewed, and the Moondance 25 Top Quilt is no exception at $230. It features 850-fill-power DownTek PFC-free duck down, and the regular length weighs just 1 pound, 7 ounces. “They also have a line of great quilts and sleeping pads, including foam pads,” Dao says. While Featherstone’s top-rated quilts are sold out right now, add yourself to the wait list so you can grab one for your backpacking adventure when they come back in stock.
Balogh Rochfort is adamant that closed-cell foam sleeping pads are a surefire way to “pinch pennies” and avoid puncture repairs in the woods. They’re durable, have a decent enough R-value (that’s the warmth rating for pads) and typically weigh less than a pound.
“I’m also a big fan of the Kelty Cosmic Down 20 sleeping bag for beginners,” Balogh Rochfort says. I agree with her wholeheartedly. Stuffed with loads of fluffy, cozy down, this ultra-soft bag will keep you toasty when temps dip below freezing during shoulder season treks. “Backpacking sleeping bags are tough, because they need to be small enough to actually fit inside your backpack without taking up too much space, and the Cosmic does that while still clocking in well under $200,” Balogh Rochfort adds. “By comparison, most backpacking bags clock in closer to the $300 mark.”
Best camp kitchens for backpacking
My first-ever backpacking stove (that I bought back in 2016) was an MSR PocketRocket, and it’s still going strong. This is also Zazo’s top pick for camp kitchen essentials. “This is a super-affordable and high-quality stove. I use it both backpacking and car camping and find that it’s extremely versatile,” she says.
Half the fun of going backpacking is selecting fun treats to enjoy when you finally get to camp, and Four Sigmatic’s instant mushroom coffee blends are a superb way to start the morning. Personally, I like the “Think” blend, which is made with lion’s mane and chaga to help with mental clarity and focus.
Soto’s Amicus Cook Set Combo provides campers with everything they need (a stove, large pot and smaller pot) for less than the price of many solo stoves on the market today. It’s a pretty sweet deal that, when you add in an MSR fuel canister, makes a complete backcountry camp kitchen.
“I’m in love with my MSR Pika Pot,” Zazo says of this featherlight (5.2-ounce) aluminum tea kettle that can easily stash a stove, lighter and tea bags. “I’m also a huge fan of Kuju Coffee on the trail, and it’s really satisfying to steep my pour-over coffee using the Pika Pot in the backcountry.”
It’s important to grab a canister or two of prepackaged camp fuel, especially if you’re backpacking somewhere with strict backcountry campfire restrictions, which these days is anywhere in the American West come August. MSR’s IsoPro has been a favorite of mine for years, with sizes ranging from an easily-packable 4 ounces to a huge 16-ounce can for group feasts in the mountains.
Austin-based travel and adventure writer Pam LeBlanc recently told me that her all-time favorite backcountry meals are made by Packit Gourmet. The brand’s commitment to high-quality ingredients and unique flavor combinations makes it easy to mix up a mouth-watering medley for dinner (curry mango chicken salad, anyone?). My current obsession? This pasta puttanesca.
Fadiman made a point of calling out how important electrolytes are for helping her stay hydrated on big adventures, which translates into her feeling good during and after her hikes. “Initially I drank water, and then more water, and then just a little bit more, and couldn’t figure out why I was still getting a headache,” she explains. “I then found electrolyte tabs. I use sugar-free flavored ones, my favorite being citrus. My body now retains the water I drink.”
Sometimes, warming up your cold hands and belly with a bowl of hearty curry (with a view of the Milky Way, no less) is the best part of backpacking, and, after years of trial and error with just about every dehydrated food company on the market, I’ve formally decided that Good To-Go makes a fabulous option. Loaded with coconut milk, veggies and 10 grams of protein per serving, it’s a true backcountry delight.
Best accessories for backpacking
“For women, I always recommend a Kula Cloth because it makes peeing outside so much easier and you don't have to worry about toilet paper or messy bathroom situations,” Balogh Rochfort says of this quick-drying, antimicrobial cloth that’s a godsend for many female thru-hikers. Plus, they come in funky prints so you can show off your style on the trail.
After more than six years of heavy road-tripping, backpacking and hiking, I can safely say that Black Diamond’s super-bright headlamps have yet to steer me wrong. The Astro 300 is one of the brand’s most reasonably priced at only $20, and while it’s not the brightest in the lineup, it’ll definitely do the trick.
“You don’t have to invest in a huge water filter for your first time or shorter backpacking trips,” Zazo says. The Sawyer Mini, which weighs in at a scant 2 ounces, was the first filter I ever purchased for overnight hikes in California’s national parks, and it did the job just fine for my first two years. Zazo adds that the Katadyn BeFree 1.0 L and MSR MiniWorks EX are worth the extra cash when you’re ready to spend more.
As Libecki mentioned, we’re blessed with a wide variety of tech-savvy solutions to safety issues that most backpackers didn’t have access to 20 years ago. Garmin’s inReach Mini 2 is a prime example of this. Not only does it wirelessly connect with your phone in the backcountry for go-anywhere texting but it can also provide up-to-the-minute weather predictions. It also boasts an emergency SOS rescue button, has a digital compass and weighs a mere 3.5 ounces.
If you’re not full-on counting grams for a big summit attempt, having an extra rechargeable lantern for cooking or reading inside your tent can be a nice, mood-setting addition to your kit, and Zazo loves this tiny, stormproof 200-lumen lantern by Black Diamond. “It’s small enough to fit into your pack without taking up too much space and has a built-in hook so you can hang it into the top of your tent,” she says.
After testing basically every filter and water bottle on the market earlier this year, I have to say that I was impressed with Katadyn’s BeFree Filter and how quick and easy it was to use. It was Balogh Rochfort’s top pick for backcountry filtration systems too. “Squatting at the side of a river while hand-pumping clean water for 30 minutes is the worst, and it’s so nice to just hang the bag from a tree and let gravity do the rest,” she says.
After years of extreme adventures in far-flung locales, Libecki says that nabbing a “heavy-duty power bank with solar-charging capabilities” is incredibly important to him so he can charge his USB-compatible devices. Personally, I recommend skipping the pricier Goal Zero stuff if you’re a beginner and instead opting for a well-rated model on Amazon, like this one from Blavor.
Even if everything is planned perfectly in the wilderness, it’s critical to have a lightweight first aid kit in your bag, just in case the unexpected strikes. Libecki says that he’s always prepared for first aid and unexpected situations, and also packs a “lighter/matches, thin and strong cord, a knife, an emergency blanket (the super-small, light space material), a headlamp with extra batteries [and] a small roll of duct tape.”
“These are fabulous inventions,” Fadiman says. Especially if you’re out for longer than a single night, it’s important to remember that even the most comfortable shoes can start to give blisters once you get hot, sweaty and dirty. “When I feel a little hot spot start, or even a full-blown blister, I paste one of these on and the relief is immediate. I can then put my boots back on and continue to happily hike,” she says.
Are you the kind of hiker who prefers to sip as you walk rather than stopping to grab a large water bottle? Me too, friend. This Crux 2-liter design was one of the very first things I ever purchased at REI, and, 10 years later, it’s magically still going strong. Worried about cleaning it? “I make sure to wash out the tubes (one option is vinegar) to prevent fungus from growing in them,” Fadiman says.
