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Amateur Backpacking
24
items A beginner’s guide to backpacking for short trips—2 to 5 days of trails, tents, and learning the ropes without overpacking or overthinking. Perfect for anyone new to the trail who wants to survive—and actually enjoy—the experience.
Sections
6
Sleeping Options
Food & Water
Hygiene
Clothing
Backpacks
Extras
Sleeping Options
This is a great low cost alternative to fancy backpacking bags! The key to a great sleeping bag is that it doesn’t weigh down your pack but still keeps you warm at night.
oaskys 3-Season Camping Sleeping Bag
I love this text! I went ahead and bought the extra footprint as well. If you are camping with two people you can separate the poles so one person can take them and the other carry the tent. I lost a pole in the porcupine mountains and was able to ca...
Backpacking Tents
There is nothing worse than a bad sleeping bad after a long day of hiking! I’ve tried lots of low cost options and have always been disappointed. This one is my go to.
Klymit Insulated Static V Lite Inflatable Sleeping Pad
Hammocks are a good alternative option to tents as long as you know there will be a variety of ideally spaced trees where you are going! They are easy to carry.
ENO Hammocks for Every Adventure | Serious Comfort
These newer straps are far superior to the older ones with dangling loops. A must have for any brand hammocks
Hammock Straps & Hammock Accessories | ENO
Food & Water
Always my favorite camp stove! I’ve tried generic ones and they just don’t work as quickly or last as long.
Jetboil
I often take freeze dried food with me and this tool works great for using those bags!
Tapirus Spork Tactical Green 3-in-1 Utensil
If you are going somewhere with no potable water it is important to have a way to filter it for drinking and cooking. Sawyer products have never let me down.
Sawyer Products Mini Water Filtration System
This is an amazing kit that lets gravity do the work on filtering your water.
Shurex Gravity-Fed Water Bag for Sawyer & LifeStraw
I’ve tried lots of brands and I always come back to this old stand by.
Mountain House
This is a good option for a protein packed trail snack.
Nakee Butter Focus Keto Peanut Butter 6-Pack
Hygiene
Perfect for clipping to your backpack! These have helped me so much over the years.
CIRCE CARE Silver Infused Pee Cloth for Women
If you don’t have the space to carry a full roll of toilet paper in your pack and you’re trying to keep the load light these age a great option.
Portawipes Coin Tissues 50 Pack w/ 5 Cases
You will never regret taking this with you! If your feet get wet or you get a little sand in your shoes you will thank me!
KT Tape Blister Prevention Black
A good option for long haired hikers!
Batiste Dry Shampoo
Clothing
These are a great light weight option for hiking. I opt for pants even on hot days to protect my legs from scratches and bugs, particularly black flies.
Women's Quick Dry Lightweight Water Resistant Hiking Cargo Pants
Backpacks
This is my day pack I use for general camping or long bike rides. It’s very comfortable and even has a spot for bike tools. I just love it.
Raven 14 - Women's Mountain Biking Hydration Backpack
I always pack my bag with multi colored waterproof bags to I can find what I need quickly on the trail (one color for food, one color for clothes, etc) and all my gear is protected from the rain.
Outdoor Waterproof Bag for Kayaking & Hiking
Extras
These are great if you need to repair or backpack
Osprey Hydraulics Hose Magnet Kit Replacement
Your pack shouldn’t weigh more than 20% of your body weight. It’s important to weight it before you go (with your water steady!)
travel inspira Digital Hanging Luggage Scale
I don’t take a chair on long hikes but if it’s just a few miles I will carry a chair. These are surprisingly comfortable and nice after a long day. However if weight is an issue I leave it behind.
MOON LENCE 4th Gen Ultralight Camping Chair
I like to spray my gear down at the start of the camping season, especially since we have a lot of ticks in the spring.
Insect Repellents
There are several versions of Thermocell products on the market for all types of camping (including one that clips to your backpack). These are the best insect repellent I have ever used.
Backpacker Mosquito Repeller
I love having these on hand while packing to help scrunch things into place.
Wisdompro 2-Pack Heavy Duty Sleeping Bag Straps