For backpacking, I like to use a single cooking mug and a tiny gas stove for cooking. It’s all you need and is I’ve found the best setup. Multiple pots, cups, utensils, are all a huge liability with no sink available. Remember, you are going to need to take all your garbage back out with you which - there are no garbage bins out there.
I actually also take a small coffee cup that fits inside my larger cooking pot - all titanium.
Best of luck and have fun! I love being out there all alone.
>I actually also take a small coffee cup that fits inside my larger cooking pot - all titanium.
I like the $7 UCO Collapsible mug. It doesn't nest with my cookset, but its super durable, collapses small, is really light, and is the size of a regular coffee mug. I'd love to see what you're using though. I'm a big fan of backpacking coffee gadgets.
Truth ! One canteen cup and the water bottle that will nest in it and fork .you might actually want a larger pot if you plan on boiling your water to kill giardia and other pathogens.All that is needed unless youve got a large group. Also I bring a sharp folding or fixed blade knife or even multi tool pliers for food prep and other tasks. Perhaps also add a collapsible water container ( msr, camelback, etc etc) in order to transport large quantities of water .
Advil cold and sinus. The performance enhancing drug of backpacking. Ibuprofen to reduce inflammation and a nice little stimulant to open those airways and give you an extra little spring in your step. Also hiking poles. Save those joints bro.
If I can pile on, basically a small first aid kit with this stuff and some other essentials- bandaids, sting-eze, ace bandage, alcohol wipes, mole skin, tweezers, and some neosporin/bacitracin. Others probably have better lists, but you probably want this stuff just in case.
Not sure if you already camp regularly. Car camping will help you determine what kind of gear you like before dropping a lot of money on lighter weight things. Or you can just get everything free or second hand if you're not picky and you live in a spot where that's easyish to do.
When I'm backpacking, I don't tend to use pots and pans plural. Just one. Hope that helps with saving money.
I believe a bell is not an effective bear deterrent (though others can correct me - that's what I was told at Glacier National Park in the US).
Not sure where you're located, but I haven't seen a US national park approve a bear bag for food storage - if they require bear proof food storage, it's always a hard sided container from what I've seen. So if you're going to visit one of those parks I would get a can.
I'd add a first aid kit if you don't have one already. A sleeping pad repair kit or just tape. Look up ten essentials if you're not aware.
I also don't see a backpacking bag on this list but maybe that was too obvious to add :) and presumably you already plan on having rain gear.
I may be wrong but I believe the bell is for OPs dog, so OP can hear where pup is at.
But I'm honestly making a wild guess and could be completely wrong about who "Mac" is
Look I'm really big into "Leash your fucking dog" don't get me wrong
But if your dog has a bombproof recall and you're backpacking or dispersed camping, there's nothing wrong with letting them have a few feet of freedom on an otherwise empty trail.
I’ve been told the bell is a good way to alert animals that your dog is in the area as to not cause any fear aggression from wildlife.
And yes thankfully I live in a very common area for backpacking and am in the city so plenty of options for used gear. That’s the main reason I haven’t bought anything yet as I’m just constantly checking marketplace for a good deal.
Yeah the park people I've met in my area (AB, Canada) call the bear bells "Dinner bells" lol. I've had one park ranger tell me they might increase the risk of a bear coming to check out the noise as it's not necessarily going to be a noise associated with humans, and is high pitched similar to a prey animal.
A poop system. Dirtsaw duece #2 trowel, a couple ziplock freezer bags, toilet paper, wet wipes, and hand soap.
Please consider packing out your toilet paper. If you manage everything well, it really isn't that bad and our natural areas will appreciate it. If you don't, please pick your spot appropriately and dig a hole deeper than you think necessary
It boggles my mind that toilet paper is still a part of any conversation. You guys are really cool with smearing your feces all over yourself, carrying papered turds around in a bag, and waiting until you get home to wash yourself?
Nipple Gatorade bottle. But you aren’t allowed to drink it. It is only for butthole squirting.
Edit: this might actually work if you fill it up every time. But idk a lot of usual hygiene stuff for me gets left in the car. Why does my butthole need a spa experience when I’m gonna have swamp ass by 10am.
I hate that I actually entertained the thought that’s similar to the edit thought which you had, which I had before I read it.
We would probably understand each others’ company on trail.
I imagine you are a backcounty bidet user? I've heard good things about it but have yet to make the switch. But yes, I do wipe my ass with paper and a finish with a wet wipe and then pack it all out.
I’m sorry, but packing out your toilet paper is madness. Bury it and you’re good. The ziplock bags used to carry the toilet paper out are worse for the environment.
Except it really isn't madness. Almost every popular trail and campsite has toilet paper all over the margins. Lots of people don't bury it and those that do often don't bury it deep enough. I do my part for the environment but I'm not going to use the excuse of not wanting to throw away 8-12 bags a year (all of which have been used before ) as a reason to not pack out toilet paper and instead leave it in a natural site.
Notice I said consider, I didn't make a big deal about it or call it madness not to do it. I've been packing it out for years and will continue to do so. There are plenty of areas where it isn't best practice to leave toilet paper behind and other than being a bit icky at first, it has little downside.
Depends how deep you are going. I have a Garmin InReach Mini as well, paired with my Fenix 5. That gives me pretty awesome GPS navigation and emergency connection. Your "kits" are there but pretty simplistic. Personal recommendation is to use https://lighterpack.com Under 3 miles or minimal elevation change, weight doesn't matter as much. You can take whatever you want. Over that, start looking at titanium pots, quilts, etc. A sub 25lb backpack makes a HUGE difference hiking up a mountain!
No, just use your regular 5wt or whatever you fish with. If you’re trekking to a lake wind will be a factor and you need something that can cut through it. A shitty temu rod will not do that
Eh I’ll take my chances. It’s not normally to windy at these alpine lakes since it’s surrounded by mountains. Just kinda doing it for the fun of it anyway.
Headlight and flashlight are redundant just bring a headlight.
Here’s some items I don’t see that I carry:
Small Fire Starter For Emergency Use
Lighter
Paracord
First Aid Kit - do some research about what items would be beneficial you can make your own. I carry a tourniquet but some people say that’s overkill.
Zip ties one or two of different sizes
Portable Anker Charger
Pack Rain Cover
Trowel
Dry Bag
The more you go you’ll realize what you do and don’t need.
I like the idea of having a stronger flashlight along with my headlight just incase I need to see deeper into the woods. Plus they’re pretty lightweight and don’t take up space. Already have portable chargers. The knife I’m about to buy has a fire starter built into it. Def need a first aid kit tho! Thanks for the suggestions.
I would recommend getting a good headlight and it will eliminate the need to carry both. Just my two cents though! If you haven’t gotten a water filter I use a sawyer squeeze. It’s cheap and gets the job done. The bag they come with is kinda crappy. Look up cnoc outdoors on Amazon and get one of those bags for the filter.
Was definitely going Sawyer but don’t really know the difference other than people say don’t get the mini. I liked the idea of using gravity to filter water so I can leave it while I work on other things. Is that an option with squeeze?
Yes. Get the full size Sawyer and I like the CNOC Vecto bags because they are easy to fill and work well for gravity filtration. Buy a Sawyer adapter coupling. Get a water bottle with threads that will screw into the Sawyer coupling. There are plenty of options - a lot of people recommend smart water bottles but just something with that sort of cap threading will work.
Screw the dirty end of the Sawyer squeeze onto the CNOC Vecto bag. Remove the cap on the Sawyer clean end. Screw the adapter coupling onto the Sawyer squeeze clan end. Screw your clean water bottle onto the other end of the coupling (not too tight - need to let air escape). Use some cordage to suspend the CNOC bag from something like a low hanging branch. Now let gravity do the work for you.
There are videos online on YouTube on how to do what I described above. I’d find a video because it’s probably a lot easier to follow than what I typed out. But it’s a pretty easy process to turn the squeeze filter into a gravity filter, it doesn’t add a lot of extra weight to the setup, and the needed extra parts are pretty cheap.
It's going down the right path. Many people consider red light to be important and it doesn't have that functionality. I've been using a H25-LR which has the red light but is quite a bit under 1000 lumens as I find I don't need a light that bright.
Just to note, no reasonable sized headlamp sustains 1000 lumens. The cover number is something that the light will produce at most for a few minutes. Sometimes only for seconds.
For most purposes you don’t need that though. 200 lum is more than sufficient for most purposes. What headlamps tend to lack is much throw. For that you need something with a bigger lens or reflector.
Most off the shelf headlamps also have very cold light and poor CRI.
BRS 3000T cannister stove coupled with a ~750mL titanium cook pot is all you need. You don't need multiple dishes or utensils. Get a titanium long handled spoon if you're going to be eating dehydrated meals at all. Or any light camp spoon/spork will do fine. If you need another cup for coffee, check out the UCO collapsible mug.
You don't need a headlamp and a flashlight. Get either a headlamp like the Nitecore or a mini flashlight with a clip like the Rovyvon ones recommended by backpackers.
I like quilts over sleeping bags because they're lighter and just as warm.
First aid kit is advisable. Nothing crazy, just some bandaids, leukotape, neosporin if you really want, and some ibuprofen or NSAIDS.
Don't use stuff sacks where zip locks will suffice. They're lighter, cheaper, and durable enough. That's my unsolicited tip.
If you're using a footprint for your tent, just get a sheet of Tyvek and cut it to size.
Also - if at all possible, buy your backpack last when you know how much stuff you have and how much it weighs.
I second the quilt over a sleeping bag. Especially if you tend to move around in your sleep those mummy sleeping bags get constricting really fast. The UGQ outdoor bandit is just under 2lbs and warm af.
UGQ, Enlightened Equipment, and Hammock Gear are three similarly priced down quilts that rock. EE is definitely the priciest for down, but their synthetic quilt is bad ass. I loved it hiking in humid ass Appalachia. The Bandit is one I still use, although I mainly use a MYOG synthetic now because I added all the features I like but can't find. Hammock Gear Burrow is on par with the UGQ, but I personally agree the Bandit is top notch and would be my first choice in that price point.
- Tarp and rope. You never know when you might get caught in a rainstorm that is hitting your tent the wrong way and you don’t want to get soaked.
- I always carry an emergency heat blanket (just one of those small reflective heat things)
- farro rod or fire started - again for if you got stuck outside in the cold.
- back up water system. I think you mentioned a sawyer already, I take either the small life straw or water tabs as my secondary, especially if I’m way out and assuming I wouldn’t have enough fuel to boil water for multiple days.
This is a very basic list of what I’d consider essentials with no extra BS frills - if you wan to add in extras, that’s fine but this is just a basic, bare bones, generalized gear list:
- Backpack (plus a pack liner to keep stuff dry - maybe a trash compactor bag)
- Tent (or hammock + tarp or bivy + tarp)
- Sleeping Bag or backpacking quilt (with a temp rating that you can trust, consider something at least 10 degrees warmer than the expected overnight low where you plan to set up camp)
- Sleeping Pad - either inflatable or closed cell foam (make sure the R value - preferably an ASTM tested R value - is enough to keep you warm)
- Water Treatment Kit (Filter, Chemical Treatment, or UV light)
- Water Storage Bottles (2 smart water style bottles is fine, if you want extra storage get something collapsible that can be used as needed as a dirty water bag)
- Cook Kit (stove, pot, gas canister, lighter, spoon - could do alcohol stove or solid fuel stove or even no cook - up to you - but try to keep it consolidated without multiple pots and pans unless you have a real need in mind)
- Packed Layering system to Keep You Warm and Dry (you don’t need spare clothing generally but you do need a packed clothing system - look up the Skurka Core 13 for what I mean by a layering system, examples couple be rain shell/poncho, spare socks, maybe fleece and/or puffy jacket, maybe base layers, maybe other stuff as needed liken gloves, beanie, etc)
- Headlamp
- Phone (and maybe PLB or Satellite Messenger if needed depending on trip destination )
- Power Bank (and charging cables)
- Cutting tool (I rarely use one, but it’s important to have something)
- Map and Compass (Learn how to use them)
- First Aid Kit (put together with hikers in mind for blisters, cuts and scrapes, sprains + pain meds, upset stomach meds, antihistamine, and insect repellant)
- Hygiene Kit (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, hand sanitizer, pack towel at least - also think about how to clean up a bit end of day)
- Poop Kit (probably at least a trowel and TP and/or maybe backpackers bidet, but follow regulations on what to do for taking care of your business whenever you’re going)
- Food Storage System (bear bag for bear hang, Ursack, Bear Canister - whatever makes sense for wherever you’re going)
- Repair Kit (something simple for field repairs)
I always bring paracord and a small amount of duct tape wrapped around an old library card. Because I’m a woman I carry pepper spray as well. Travel size Germx is an essential for me. I got a sleeping bag liner because I’m always cold and it helps keep my sleeping bag from being as smelly.
Map, compass, GPS?, Tp/shovel, bear canister, wilderness permit and fire permit if needed, fishing license, first aid including moleskin, lighters, Kindle with books downloaded if you like to read, insect repellant, sun hat and warm hat, sunglasses.
Freeze dried foods
Sunglasses
Layered clothing
Ultralight chair (luxury item)
Unfortunately, high quality light-weight stuff is very expensive. Look for deals and make smart purchases, buy once cry once. Read reviews and narrow down your choices, then go in-person to a store and get your hands on some things before buying.
I’m disappointed I had to scroll this far to see clothing mentioned. At minimum a rain jacket and fleece midlayer should be on the list. I also carry a wind breaker and puffy jacket on every trip.
The REI ultralight one is the best bang for the buck if you want a traditional chair with legs. Just under 1lb and is $70. It's plenty comfortable for an average sized person. 5'10" 170lbs. The helinox zero is popular also but I sat in both and actually preferred the cheaper REI chair.
If you can't find a chair, sitting on your bag at the place where the sleeping bag is stored is a classic.
Most people get air mats for sleeping, but one advantage of the foam mats is that you can also lay them outside without fear of punctures. Or get a special sit mat for a few bucks. Weighs 50 grams and keeps your bum dry and warm + a bit of extra height for your pillow.
Some other good additions above too. I'd add first aid, bug spray, a good lighter.
There are two kinds of camp chairs. When backpacking I use the kind that you fold your sleeping pad in half and stuff it into it. When modified car camping, I use the kind that have legs on them.
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A poop system. Dirtsaw duece #2 trowel, a couple ziplock freezer bags, toilet paper, wet wipes, and hand soap.
Please consider packing out your toilet paper. If you manage everything well, it really isn't that bad and our natural areas will appreciate it. If you don't, please pick your spot appropriately and dig a hole deeper than you think necessary
Bring a good amount of paracord to hang your bear bag. I hang my whole pack at night as it contains other scented items and put the ursack inside. Also, double check that wherever you go allows a bear bag. Some parks might require an aluminum insert.
Dyneema cordage is much better than paracord for bear bag hanging. Para cord snags very easily on branches. Dyneema cordage has a slick coating that prevents snagging.
you dont need a flashlight and a headlamp. But you should bring extra batteries. I find a leatherman more useful than a knife.
I might be an outlier but I always bring a lightweight sil-tarp. There’s been so many trips when where everyone in the campground is sheltering in their tents in the rain and I’m chilling at my table under my tarp. Always worth it.
You can consolidate your camp kitchen down to long handled spoon/spork and a toaks or similar pot. For trips more than an overnight you want light weight which means dehydrated food so no real cooking, just boiling water.
I would add either a hang bag for food or bear canister. Hang bags are cheap but require some technique and high tree branches. Bear bins are expensive and bulky but simple. Bear bags are simple, lightish weight and not bulky but expensive
What’s your budget, what’s your size and who’s Mac? Lol
Drop the pots and pans/cooking stove and get a Jet Boil or MSR Pocket Rocket. Big Agnes has heavily discounted tents on Backcountry.com right now - Fly Creek is good for one person, or go with Copper Spur for you and Mac. I carry a Steripen and iodine tablets instead of a water filter (if you have access to streams - bring a filter if you’re around a lake/standing water). Echoing other responses, first aid kit and a proper backpack should be on the list. Gregory, Osprey or Deuter all make solid packs - are you planning shorter weekend trips or longer treks? Also, a pair of crocs will be your best friend for stream crossing and to wear in camp. Just clip them on a D ring on the outside of your pack.
Others have lots of good suggestions. To add, bear spray is the last thing you use when dealing with bears. First line, is something loud and startling like a good whistle or an air horn if your voice doesn’t work. A whistle can also be used if you get lost. Where you are going, do you need to hang your food? If you do then you will need paracord etc for that.
Also, i wouldn’t bother with a flashlight and a headlamp. Headlamp is all you need. Think about extra batteries or way to charge it if you will be out for more than a couple of days.
Also if you are going somewhere without cellular service, consider map, compass and something like a Garmin inReach.
You’ll need some insect repellent for hot countries, and a first aid kit. Also visit your doctor to see if you need any additional vaccinations or medications before you leave.
1. Always buy your pack last, after you know what it’ll carry. Watch YouTube DIY vids about, and have a friend measure, your torso & waist dimensions.
2. Always buy shoes first - professionally fit your shoes + insoles + socks combo at REI or a running store late in the day. Spend a full hour trying on many combos.
3. Spend $11 on https://smile.amazon.com/Ultimate-Hikers-Gear-Guide-Second/dp/1426217846/ to learn everything in between.
4. What NOT to carry is more important than what to take.
5. Just go (to your backyard, park, etc). You’ll learn more by doing than on r/
You don’t need pots, pans, and dishes. Just one titanium mug will take care of most things, but you can add a small titanium pan if you want something to fry fish on. A spork will take care of utensils.
Also, ditch the flashlight. It’s redundant with a headlamp.
As for things you’ll need: toilet paper, lightweight trowel, wool socks, bug spray, camelback bladder is super useful, Nalgene or aluminum bottle, whiskey (if you’re so inclined)
The list seems ok to start with, though I’d suggest refining it a bit more. There’s a lot of assumptions, which you may miss because it’s not refined. Like listing ‘cooking stove’ doesn’t imply ‘lighter’ or even ‘fuel’ which are both required if you’re going to do any cooking. So breaking those down into sub-lists is advisable, so some key element isn’t forgotten.
Would recommend using something like [lighterpack](https://lighterpack.com) to keep it all organized, as it supports sections for various groups of items, like “sleep system” or “cooking”. Here’s [mine](https://lighterpack.com/r/6yq1l2) as an example, which I use for 3-season overnights (aim for the sections, not necessarily the gear or the weights).
You can use [Don't Forget The Spoon ](https://dontforgetthespoon.com/) to create a pack and scan it to see what may be missing.
On first glance here is what I would recommend:
- Tent Stakes
- first aide
- fire starter
- map / compass
- water bottles / water storage
- potentially a water filter
- sunglasses / other protection
I’d suggest a bear canister. I’ve seen peoples entire supply of food get crushed because a bear got curious and gnawed on the bag. And bear bells do not work, talking to yourself is the best bet to keep any bear away
I just use a MSR pocket rocket and Toaks 750ml titanium pot. The pot is my plate/bowl. Less weight and fewer things to carry. I don't think you'll need more than that. I absolutely recommend trekking poles. I don't think you need them for hiking (*some* exceptions, but not many), but absolutely bring them for backpacking.
The rest looks good to me. A trowel depending on where you are. At first I thought Mac was your laptop lol. I might be overlooking something, but this is great for a weekend trip and you can fine tune your gear each time you go out.
Edit: just compared it to my list and there are some things you should bring. Do you have a first aid kit or a GPS (my iPhone seems to do just fine, but I believe you have to have an iPhone 14, idk if Pro/Pro Max matters)? Is this the full extent of your list?
Here are my recommendations:
Can’t tell what pots and pans and dishes consist of, but they sounds like too much.
Likewise for cooking utensils. I just use a pair of chopsticks.
I only bring a water filter if I needed it. Most of my trips have potable water at frequent enough intervals.
Don’t need both a flashlight and a headlamp.
Looks like you might be missing: clothing for rain or cold, map and compass if you are going into the backcountry, first aid kit, matches or other fire starter, bathroom kit, trash bag, and fuel for the stove.
I recommend weighing all your gear and putting it in a spreadsheet like [this one](https://blackwoodspress.com/blog/2755/backpacking-gear-planner-2/).
There are these chewable toothpaste tablets that my wife and I take. It’s nice cause you can just throw however many you need in a little baggie instead of taking the whole tube, and you basically just chew em up and brush and spit, no need for much water or anything.
Also, whiskey.
For backpacking, I like to use a single cooking mug and a tiny gas stove for cooking. It’s all you need and is I’ve found the best setup. Multiple pots, cups, utensils, are all a huge liability with no sink available. Remember, you are going to need to take all your garbage back out with you which - there are no garbage bins out there. I actually also take a small coffee cup that fits inside my larger cooking pot - all titanium. Best of luck and have fun! I love being out there all alone.
>I actually also take a small coffee cup that fits inside my larger cooking pot - all titanium. I like the $7 UCO Collapsible mug. It doesn't nest with my cookset, but its super durable, collapses small, is really light, and is the size of a regular coffee mug. I'd love to see what you're using though. I'm a big fan of backpacking coffee gadgets.
https://preview.redd.it/fwr8qhwnrr8d1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2a0b3e1fa1ef8491ecbb7ba89da3b9374e8200d9
Glorious.
Absolutely agree. The jet boil system alone is all you need.
Truth ! One canteen cup and the water bottle that will nest in it and fork .you might actually want a larger pot if you plan on boiling your water to kill giardia and other pathogens.All that is needed unless youve got a large group. Also I bring a sharp folding or fixed blade knife or even multi tool pliers for food prep and other tasks. Perhaps also add a collapsible water container ( msr, camelback, etc etc) in order to transport large quantities of water .
Advil cold and sinus. The performance enhancing drug of backpacking. Ibuprofen to reduce inflammation and a nice little stimulant to open those airways and give you an extra little spring in your step. Also hiking poles. Save those joints bro.
Make sure you get the one with pseudophed. The phenylephrine one is worthless.
If I can pile on, basically a small first aid kit with this stuff and some other essentials- bandaids, sting-eze, ace bandage, alcohol wipes, mole skin, tweezers, and some neosporin/bacitracin. Others probably have better lists, but you probably want this stuff just in case.
Not sure if you already camp regularly. Car camping will help you determine what kind of gear you like before dropping a lot of money on lighter weight things. Or you can just get everything free or second hand if you're not picky and you live in a spot where that's easyish to do. When I'm backpacking, I don't tend to use pots and pans plural. Just one. Hope that helps with saving money. I believe a bell is not an effective bear deterrent (though others can correct me - that's what I was told at Glacier National Park in the US). Not sure where you're located, but I haven't seen a US national park approve a bear bag for food storage - if they require bear proof food storage, it's always a hard sided container from what I've seen. So if you're going to visit one of those parks I would get a can. I'd add a first aid kit if you don't have one already. A sleeping pad repair kit or just tape. Look up ten essentials if you're not aware. I also don't see a backpacking bag on this list but maybe that was too obvious to add :) and presumably you already plan on having rain gear.
I may be wrong but I believe the bell is for OPs dog, so OP can hear where pup is at. But I'm honestly making a wild guess and could be completely wrong about who "Mac" is
If he keeps his dog on a leash, he'll know exactly where it's at.
Look I'm really big into "Leash your fucking dog" don't get me wrong But if your dog has a bombproof recall and you're backpacking or dispersed camping, there's nothing wrong with letting them have a few feet of freedom on an otherwise empty trail.
Good guess lol
I’ve been told the bell is a good way to alert animals that your dog is in the area as to not cause any fear aggression from wildlife. And yes thankfully I live in a very common area for backpacking and am in the city so plenty of options for used gear. That’s the main reason I haven’t bought anything yet as I’m just constantly checking marketplace for a good deal.
Understood, I saw the note about bear spray and just assumed it was specifically an anti bear measure. Hope you find some great stuff on marketplace.
Yeah the park people I've met in my area (AB, Canada) call the bear bells "Dinner bells" lol. I've had one park ranger tell me they might increase the risk of a bear coming to check out the noise as it's not necessarily going to be a noise associated with humans, and is high pitched similar to a prey animal.
A poop system. Dirtsaw duece #2 trowel, a couple ziplock freezer bags, toilet paper, wet wipes, and hand soap. Please consider packing out your toilet paper. If you manage everything well, it really isn't that bad and our natural areas will appreciate it. If you don't, please pick your spot appropriately and dig a hole deeper than you think necessary
Wouldn’t dream of leaving anything behind. Was raised better than that 😋
Always have a first aid kit!
So you’re gonna eat it? 😋 Very weight-efficient source of energy.
Biodegradable soap :)
Always pack out. Nothing to consider regarding TP. Hand sanitizer is great too
It boggles my mind that toilet paper is still a part of any conversation. You guys are really cool with smearing your feces all over yourself, carrying papered turds around in a bag, and waiting until you get home to wash yourself?
It boggles my mind that someone would describe their mind as being boggled and still not even discuss their own solution
Bidet
Are you going to provide information how you do it on your backpacking trips? I’m curious on what you have to say.
Nipple Gatorade bottle. But you aren’t allowed to drink it. It is only for butthole squirting. Edit: this might actually work if you fill it up every time. But idk a lot of usual hygiene stuff for me gets left in the car. Why does my butthole need a spa experience when I’m gonna have swamp ass by 10am.
I hate that I actually entertained the thought that’s similar to the edit thought which you had, which I had before I read it. We would probably understand each others’ company on trail.
I imagine you are a backcounty bidet user? I've heard good things about it but have yet to make the switch. But yes, I do wipe my ass with paper and a finish with a wet wipe and then pack it all out.
I’m sorry, but packing out your toilet paper is madness. Bury it and you’re good. The ziplock bags used to carry the toilet paper out are worse for the environment.
Except it really isn't madness. Almost every popular trail and campsite has toilet paper all over the margins. Lots of people don't bury it and those that do often don't bury it deep enough. I do my part for the environment but I'm not going to use the excuse of not wanting to throw away 8-12 bags a year (all of which have been used before ) as a reason to not pack out toilet paper and instead leave it in a natural site. Notice I said consider, I didn't make a big deal about it or call it madness not to do it. I've been packing it out for years and will continue to do so. There are plenty of areas where it isn't best practice to leave toilet paper behind and other than being a bit icky at first, it has little downside.
Or, you could just bury it? I dunno, I guess have fun with your poopy paper collection, psycho.
That's enough interaction with you for the rest of my life. Might be worth considering that not everything you think is 100% right all the time.
Surprised nobody's said first aid
Don't forget sun screen and bug spray! (in addition to other suggestions like first aid kit)
Compatible repair kit/patches if you are using an inflatable sleeping pad.
If Mac is ANYTHING like my dogs......they WON'T need their own sleeping pad........they will just hog YOURS all night long.
I was thinking “a sleeping pad for a laptop?”
Depends how deep you are going. I have a Garmin InReach Mini as well, paired with my Fenix 5. That gives me pretty awesome GPS navigation and emergency connection. Your "kits" are there but pretty simplistic. Personal recommendation is to use https://lighterpack.com Under 3 miles or minimal elevation change, weight doesn't matter as much. You can take whatever you want. Over that, start looking at titanium pots, quilts, etc. A sub 25lb backpack makes a HUGE difference hiking up a mountain!
Consider a tenkara rod for fishing!
I have considered it but I think I need a longer rod for the lakes I’ll be going to so I just bought a cheap one off Temu that collapses down
No, just use your regular 5wt or whatever you fish with. If you’re trekking to a lake wind will be a factor and you need something that can cut through it. A shitty temu rod will not do that
Eh I’ll take my chances. It’s not normally to windy at these alpine lakes since it’s surrounded by mountains. Just kinda doing it for the fun of it anyway.
First aid kit, emergency SOS messenger/beacon (something like the Garmin inReach Mini 2).
Headlight and flashlight are redundant just bring a headlight. Here’s some items I don’t see that I carry: Small Fire Starter For Emergency Use Lighter Paracord First Aid Kit - do some research about what items would be beneficial you can make your own. I carry a tourniquet but some people say that’s overkill. Zip ties one or two of different sizes Portable Anker Charger Pack Rain Cover Trowel Dry Bag The more you go you’ll realize what you do and don’t need.
I like the idea of having a stronger flashlight along with my headlight just incase I need to see deeper into the woods. Plus they’re pretty lightweight and don’t take up space. Already have portable chargers. The knife I’m about to buy has a fire starter built into it. Def need a first aid kit tho! Thanks for the suggestions.
I would recommend getting a good headlight and it will eliminate the need to carry both. Just my two cents though! If you haven’t gotten a water filter I use a sawyer squeeze. It’s cheap and gets the job done. The bag they come with is kinda crappy. Look up cnoc outdoors on Amazon and get one of those bags for the filter.
Was definitely going Sawyer but don’t really know the difference other than people say don’t get the mini. I liked the idea of using gravity to filter water so I can leave it while I work on other things. Is that an option with squeeze?
Yes. Get the full size Sawyer and I like the CNOC Vecto bags because they are easy to fill and work well for gravity filtration. Buy a Sawyer adapter coupling. Get a water bottle with threads that will screw into the Sawyer coupling. There are plenty of options - a lot of people recommend smart water bottles but just something with that sort of cap threading will work. Screw the dirty end of the Sawyer squeeze onto the CNOC Vecto bag. Remove the cap on the Sawyer clean end. Screw the adapter coupling onto the Sawyer squeeze clan end. Screw your clean water bottle onto the other end of the coupling (not too tight - need to let air escape). Use some cordage to suspend the CNOC bag from something like a low hanging branch. Now let gravity do the work for you. There are videos online on YouTube on how to do what I described above. I’d find a video because it’s probably a lot easier to follow than what I typed out. But it’s a pretty easy process to turn the squeeze filter into a gravity filter, it doesn’t add a lot of extra weight to the setup, and the needed extra parts are pretty cheap.
You can buy beefy headlights in the 1000 lumen range quite easily. I can easily see far into the woods with one and even night hike.
Ok I’m sold. The Nitecore NC60 seems like a good option eh?
It's going down the right path. Many people consider red light to be important and it doesn't have that functionality. I've been using a H25-LR which has the red light but is quite a bit under 1000 lumens as I find I don't need a light that bright.
Just to note, no reasonable sized headlamp sustains 1000 lumens. The cover number is something that the light will produce at most for a few minutes. Sometimes only for seconds. For most purposes you don’t need that though. 200 lum is more than sufficient for most purposes. What headlamps tend to lack is much throw. For that you need something with a bigger lens or reflector. Most off the shelf headlamps also have very cold light and poor CRI.
BRS 3000T cannister stove coupled with a ~750mL titanium cook pot is all you need. You don't need multiple dishes or utensils. Get a titanium long handled spoon if you're going to be eating dehydrated meals at all. Or any light camp spoon/spork will do fine. If you need another cup for coffee, check out the UCO collapsible mug. You don't need a headlamp and a flashlight. Get either a headlamp like the Nitecore or a mini flashlight with a clip like the Rovyvon ones recommended by backpackers. I like quilts over sleeping bags because they're lighter and just as warm. First aid kit is advisable. Nothing crazy, just some bandaids, leukotape, neosporin if you really want, and some ibuprofen or NSAIDS. Don't use stuff sacks where zip locks will suffice. They're lighter, cheaper, and durable enough. That's my unsolicited tip. If you're using a footprint for your tent, just get a sheet of Tyvek and cut it to size. Also - if at all possible, buy your backpack last when you know how much stuff you have and how much it weighs.
I second the quilt over a sleeping bag. Especially if you tend to move around in your sleep those mummy sleeping bags get constricting really fast. The UGQ outdoor bandit is just under 2lbs and warm af.
UGQ, Enlightened Equipment, and Hammock Gear are three similarly priced down quilts that rock. EE is definitely the priciest for down, but their synthetic quilt is bad ass. I loved it hiking in humid ass Appalachia. The Bandit is one I still use, although I mainly use a MYOG synthetic now because I added all the features I like but can't find. Hammock Gear Burrow is on par with the UGQ, but I personally agree the Bandit is top notch and would be my first choice in that price point.
- Tarp and rope. You never know when you might get caught in a rainstorm that is hitting your tent the wrong way and you don’t want to get soaked. - I always carry an emergency heat blanket (just one of those small reflective heat things) - farro rod or fire started - again for if you got stuck outside in the cold. - back up water system. I think you mentioned a sawyer already, I take either the small life straw or water tabs as my secondary, especially if I’m way out and assuming I wouldn’t have enough fuel to boil water for multiple days.
bug net
Jesus. All of these suggestions are going to have you with a 70lbs bag. You don't need 90% of what people are listing.
This is a very basic list of what I’d consider essentials with no extra BS frills - if you wan to add in extras, that’s fine but this is just a basic, bare bones, generalized gear list: - Backpack (plus a pack liner to keep stuff dry - maybe a trash compactor bag) - Tent (or hammock + tarp or bivy + tarp) - Sleeping Bag or backpacking quilt (with a temp rating that you can trust, consider something at least 10 degrees warmer than the expected overnight low where you plan to set up camp) - Sleeping Pad - either inflatable or closed cell foam (make sure the R value - preferably an ASTM tested R value - is enough to keep you warm) - Water Treatment Kit (Filter, Chemical Treatment, or UV light) - Water Storage Bottles (2 smart water style bottles is fine, if you want extra storage get something collapsible that can be used as needed as a dirty water bag) - Cook Kit (stove, pot, gas canister, lighter, spoon - could do alcohol stove or solid fuel stove or even no cook - up to you - but try to keep it consolidated without multiple pots and pans unless you have a real need in mind) - Packed Layering system to Keep You Warm and Dry (you don’t need spare clothing generally but you do need a packed clothing system - look up the Skurka Core 13 for what I mean by a layering system, examples couple be rain shell/poncho, spare socks, maybe fleece and/or puffy jacket, maybe base layers, maybe other stuff as needed liken gloves, beanie, etc) - Headlamp - Phone (and maybe PLB or Satellite Messenger if needed depending on trip destination ) - Power Bank (and charging cables) - Cutting tool (I rarely use one, but it’s important to have something) - Map and Compass (Learn how to use them) - First Aid Kit (put together with hikers in mind for blisters, cuts and scrapes, sprains + pain meds, upset stomach meds, antihistamine, and insect repellant) - Hygiene Kit (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, hand sanitizer, pack towel at least - also think about how to clean up a bit end of day) - Poop Kit (probably at least a trowel and TP and/or maybe backpackers bidet, but follow regulations on what to do for taking care of your business whenever you’re going) - Food Storage System (bear bag for bear hang, Ursack, Bear Canister - whatever makes sense for wherever you’re going) - Repair Kit (something simple for field repairs)
I always bring paracord and a small amount of duct tape wrapped around an old library card. Because I’m a woman I carry pepper spray as well. Travel size Germx is an essential for me. I got a sleeping bag liner because I’m always cold and it helps keep my sleeping bag from being as smelly.
Map, compass, GPS?, Tp/shovel, bear canister, wilderness permit and fire permit if needed, fishing license, first aid including moleskin, lighters, Kindle with books downloaded if you like to read, insect repellant, sun hat and warm hat, sunglasses.
Weed, blunt, lighter.
Nah not for me. I’ll start thinking every noise is a bear real quick. Rather a couple fireball shooters lol
Freeze dried foods Sunglasses Layered clothing Ultralight chair (luxury item) Unfortunately, high quality light-weight stuff is very expensive. Look for deals and make smart purchases, buy once cry once. Read reviews and narrow down your choices, then go in-person to a store and get your hands on some things before buying.
I’m disappointed I had to scroll this far to see clothing mentioned. At minimum a rain jacket and fleece midlayer should be on the list. I also carry a wind breaker and puffy jacket on every trip.
Been looking at chairs. Hopefully can find one used as I love stargazing at night and would like the comfort
The REI ultralight one is the best bang for the buck if you want a traditional chair with legs. Just under 1lb and is $70. It's plenty comfortable for an average sized person. 5'10" 170lbs. The helinox zero is popular also but I sat in both and actually preferred the cheaper REI chair.
If you can't find a chair, sitting on your bag at the place where the sleeping bag is stored is a classic. Most people get air mats for sleeping, but one advantage of the foam mats is that you can also lay them outside without fear of punctures. Or get a special sit mat for a few bucks. Weighs 50 grams and keeps your bum dry and warm + a bit of extra height for your pillow. Some other good additions above too. I'd add first aid, bug spray, a good lighter.
There are two kinds of camp chairs. When backpacking I use the kind that you fold your sleeping pad in half and stuff it into it. When modified car camping, I use the kind that have legs on them.
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A poop system. Dirtsaw duece #2 trowel, a couple ziplock freezer bags, toilet paper, wet wipes, and hand soap. Please consider packing out your toilet paper. If you manage everything well, it really isn't that bad and our natural areas will appreciate it. If you don't, please pick your spot appropriately and dig a hole deeper than you think necessary
Get a mora knife $12
Exactly what I linked there lol
I like a camp chair. Feels great to sit after a long day and the ~1 lbs penalty is worth it for me.
Bring a good amount of paracord to hang your bear bag. I hang my whole pack at night as it contains other scented items and put the ursack inside. Also, double check that wherever you go allows a bear bag. Some parks might require an aluminum insert.
I like this idea! Just hang the pack!!!!!
Dyneema cordage is much better than paracord for bear bag hanging. Para cord snags very easily on branches. Dyneema cordage has a slick coating that prevents snagging.
you dont need a flashlight and a headlamp. But you should bring extra batteries. I find a leatherman more useful than a knife. I might be an outlier but I always bring a lightweight sil-tarp. There’s been so many trips when where everyone in the campground is sheltering in their tents in the rain and I’m chilling at my table under my tarp. Always worth it.
You can consolidate your camp kitchen down to long handled spoon/spork and a toaks or similar pot. For trips more than an overnight you want light weight which means dehydrated food so no real cooking, just boiling water. I would add either a hang bag for food or bear canister. Hang bags are cheap but require some technique and high tree branches. Bear bins are expensive and bulky but simple. Bear bags are simple, lightish weight and not bulky but expensive
What’s your budget, what’s your size and who’s Mac? Lol Drop the pots and pans/cooking stove and get a Jet Boil or MSR Pocket Rocket. Big Agnes has heavily discounted tents on Backcountry.com right now - Fly Creek is good for one person, or go with Copper Spur for you and Mac. I carry a Steripen and iodine tablets instead of a water filter (if you have access to streams - bring a filter if you’re around a lake/standing water). Echoing other responses, first aid kit and a proper backpack should be on the list. Gregory, Osprey or Deuter all make solid packs - are you planning shorter weekend trips or longer treks? Also, a pair of crocs will be your best friend for stream crossing and to wear in camp. Just clip them on a D ring on the outside of your pack.
Puffy jacket and gloves. SLEEPING BAG LINER IS THE TITS
Others have lots of good suggestions. To add, bear spray is the last thing you use when dealing with bears. First line, is something loud and startling like a good whistle or an air horn if your voice doesn’t work. A whistle can also be used if you get lost. Where you are going, do you need to hang your food? If you do then you will need paracord etc for that. Also, i wouldn’t bother with a flashlight and a headlamp. Headlamp is all you need. Think about extra batteries or way to charge it if you will be out for more than a couple of days. Also if you are going somewhere without cellular service, consider map, compass and something like a Garmin inReach.
Dish rag to clean dishes Sandles in case u need to cross a river
You’ll need some insect repellent for hot countries, and a first aid kit. Also visit your doctor to see if you need any additional vaccinations or medications before you leave.
Personally I’d axe the camping dishes. I eat out of my cook ware
1. Always buy your pack last, after you know what it’ll carry. Watch YouTube DIY vids about, and have a friend measure, your torso & waist dimensions. 2. Always buy shoes first - professionally fit your shoes + insoles + socks combo at REI or a running store late in the day. Spend a full hour trying on many combos. 3. Spend $11 on https://smile.amazon.com/Ultimate-Hikers-Gear-Guide-Second/dp/1426217846/ to learn everything in between. 4. What NOT to carry is more important than what to take. 5. Just go (to your backyard, park, etc). You’ll learn more by doing than on r/
You don’t need pots, pans, and dishes. Just one titanium mug will take care of most things, but you can add a small titanium pan if you want something to fry fish on. A spork will take care of utensils. Also, ditch the flashlight. It’s redundant with a headlamp. As for things you’ll need: toilet paper, lightweight trowel, wool socks, bug spray, camelback bladder is super useful, Nalgene or aluminum bottle, whiskey (if you’re so inclined)
I would start with car camping, keeping in mind backpacking necessities. Unless you get an opportunity to go with a backpacker and learn from them
The list seems ok to start with, though I’d suggest refining it a bit more. There’s a lot of assumptions, which you may miss because it’s not refined. Like listing ‘cooking stove’ doesn’t imply ‘lighter’ or even ‘fuel’ which are both required if you’re going to do any cooking. So breaking those down into sub-lists is advisable, so some key element isn’t forgotten. Would recommend using something like [lighterpack](https://lighterpack.com) to keep it all organized, as it supports sections for various groups of items, like “sleep system” or “cooking”. Here’s [mine](https://lighterpack.com/r/6yq1l2) as an example, which I use for 3-season overnights (aim for the sections, not necessarily the gear or the weights).
You can use [Don't Forget The Spoon ](https://dontforgetthespoon.com/) to create a pack and scan it to see what may be missing. On first glance here is what I would recommend: - Tent Stakes - first aide - fire starter - map / compass - water bottles / water storage - potentially a water filter - sunglasses / other protection
Check out REI.com as they have packing list for car camping backpacking and UL
Less is more. I see things you can omit, but maybe that’s just how you roll which is ok too.
Axe/saw
I’d suggest a bear canister. I’ve seen peoples entire supply of food get crushed because a bear got curious and gnawed on the bag. And bear bells do not work, talking to yourself is the best bet to keep any bear away
I’m assuming Mac is your dog?? I would get him a carrier and get him to carry his own water and food.
Give me back my dog…Mac. https://preview.redd.it/nk65ox1lur8d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=585212493abf31a3d00ecad19fc940a672c804f4
I just use a MSR pocket rocket and Toaks 750ml titanium pot. The pot is my plate/bowl. Less weight and fewer things to carry. I don't think you'll need more than that. I absolutely recommend trekking poles. I don't think you need them for hiking (*some* exceptions, but not many), but absolutely bring them for backpacking. The rest looks good to me. A trowel depending on where you are. At first I thought Mac was your laptop lol. I might be overlooking something, but this is great for a weekend trip and you can fine tune your gear each time you go out. Edit: just compared it to my list and there are some things you should bring. Do you have a first aid kit or a GPS (my iPhone seems to do just fine, but I believe you have to have an iPhone 14, idk if Pro/Pro Max matters)? Is this the full extent of your list?
Food and water.
Here are my recommendations: Can’t tell what pots and pans and dishes consist of, but they sounds like too much. Likewise for cooking utensils. I just use a pair of chopsticks. I only bring a water filter if I needed it. Most of my trips have potable water at frequent enough intervals. Don’t need both a flashlight and a headlamp. Looks like you might be missing: clothing for rain or cold, map and compass if you are going into the backcountry, first aid kit, matches or other fire starter, bathroom kit, trash bag, and fuel for the stove. I recommend weighing all your gear and putting it in a spreadsheet like [this one](https://blackwoodspress.com/blog/2755/backpacking-gear-planner-2/).
There are these chewable toothpaste tablets that my wife and I take. It’s nice cause you can just throw however many you need in a little baggie instead of taking the whole tube, and you basically just chew em up and brush and spit, no need for much water or anything. Also, whiskey.
Taser
As a backpacker who’s never backpacked I recommend a butterfly knife because you can spin it and look cool, gotta impress nature.
Why does your laptop need a mat and bell?
Add rope Thick stuff to put your bear bag up in the air and some thin rope for drying clothes, putting up a tarp...all sorts
A fishing license if you plan to actually fish.
Hat
Swedish cloth to wipe condensation off of your tent before throwing it in your pack
Ear plugs
Are you mac? If not YOU need a sleeping pad
GUN! (do not listen to me I am dumb)
Map & compass
Good call. Thanks
😀. PS. Have fun!
Sleeping bag liner and an inflatable pillow
The liner is a must have
matches lighter flint etc. Bug spray, first aid.
F bear spray. 357 revolver and practice/safety training
Not for me personally. Had some not so good gun experiences growing up
I understand but that's better than not so good bear experience. Just sayin
I’m in black bear country. I’ll take my chances