Gear & Preparation
Backpacking Packing Lists
What to Bring
There is no single correct packing list. The right gear depends on where you are going, how long you will be out, what the weather is doing, and what kind of hiker you are. What works for a fast weekend in the Superstitions will not work for a week on the Arizona Trail, and what works for me in February may not work for you in February.
Before you start adding things to your pack, it helps to adopt a few hard truths.
Weight is pain, and luxury is comfort.
Every item you carry will either slow you down or make your life better. The question is not whether an item is nice to have. The question is whether the comfort it provides in camp is worth the pain of carrying it on the trail. A camp chair is wonderful at 7 p.m. and miserable at 10 a.m. Only you can decide where your line is.
If it does not come out of your pack today, it probably should not go in your pack.
Food you will eat tomorrow, emergency equipment, and a few small exceptions aside, every item you carry should be used during the day or at camp. Unused gear is dead weight. Dead weight teaches you what you actually need.
Each item should earn its place.
The ideal piece of gear does more than one job. A puffy jacket keeps you warm on breaks and comfortable in camp. A trekking pole holds your tarp up. A bandana wipes sweat, filters grit from water, and doubles as a napkin. Not every item can multitask - your water filter will probably never have a second use - but most of them should.
This page is laid out by system.
Use the cards below to explore each gear system. Each one explains the choices, the tradeoffs, and the questions that help you decide. Use the sections that match your trip. Skip the rest. The goal is not to bring everything. The goal is to bring the right things.
What you carry will change over time. When you start, it is easy to look at gear as a shopping problem - ACME Gear Warehouse sells a lot of cool stuff, and the internet has strong opinions about all of it. With experience, you stop asking "what should I buy?" and start asking "what does this trip actually require?" The environment becomes your teacher. A cold desert night, a windy ridge, a dry camp, and a blown-out shoe will tell you more than any gear list ever could.
How to Use These Lists
Start with the non-negotiables
These are the items that should go on every trip, no matter where you are going or for how long. They cover shelter, sleep, water, safety, and navigation.
Adjust for your trip type
A short trip is not always a light trip. A potluck basecamp or a research trip can outweigh a minimal thru-hike. Let the purpose of the trip drive the gear, not just the number of nights.
Adjust for season and terrain
A cold desert trip in February needs warmer sleepwear and insulation. A summer trip near Flagstaff still needs sun protection but less warm clothing at night.
Don't pack your fears
Beginners often carry backup items for every possible scenario. Experienced backpackers carry fewer, higher-quality items and know how to use them. Build confidence, not bulk.
Trip Type
Most trips fall into one of two categories. The gear you carry depends on whether you are hiking to a place and staying there, or covering ground every day.
Destination
You hike to a fixed location, set up camp, and stay there. Then you hike back out. This could be a single overnight, a long weekend, or even a week at a basecamp.
- Pack size depends on trip length, not daily mileage
- Comfort in camp matters more than ultralight speed
- You can carry fresh food, a larger shelter, or a few luxury items
- Still resist the urge to bring everything you own
- Even an overnight benefits from a light, disciplined load
Distance
You cover ground every day. This could be a three-day section hike, a long section of the Arizona Trail, or a full thru-hike.
- Every ounce adds up over repeated miles
- Resupply strategy drives food and fuel planning
- Lightweight, durable gear becomes more important
- Water carries, battery life, and foot care are critical
- Pack only what you will use between resupply points
The Non-Negotiables
These belong on every trip, no matter the destination, distance, or season. They are your foundation.
- Shelter & sleep: a shelter, a sleeping bag or quilt rated for the expected low, and a pad with enough R-value
- Water & hydration: enough carry capacity for the route, a treatment method, and knowledge of your sources
- Navigation tools: a way to know where you are and where you are going - map, compass, GPS, or phone with offline maps
- Safety & emergency: a first aid kit matched to your training, a headlamp, a whistle, and a way to call for help
- Pack protection: a pack sized for the trip, a rain cover or liner, and waterproof stuff sacks
- Weather-appropriate clothing: a base layer, an active layer, insulation, and a shell
Core Gear Systems
Each system below links to a deeper page. Start with the ones that matter most for your next trip.
Backpacks
- Internal, external, and frameless options
- Sizing for your torso and trip length
- Fit, testing, and load adjustment
Shelter
- Tents, tarps, hammocks, and bivy sacks
- Freestanding vs. stake-dependent
- Double-wall, single-wall, and vestibules
Sleep
- Sleeping bags, quilts, and ratings
- Sleeping pads: self-inflating, foam, R-value
- Ground cloths, pillows, and sleep layering
Clothing
- Layering: base, mid, shell
- Materials and fabrics that work
- Sun coverage and sleep clothes
Footwear
- Boots, trail runners, and approach shoes
- Fit, socks, and break-in
- Gaiters and camp shoes
Water
- Bottles, bladders, and reservoirs
- Filters, purifiers, and chemical treatment
- Planning water carries in dry terrain
Kitchen
- Stoves, fuel types, and cookware
- Cold-soaking vs. hot meals
- Food storage, cleanup, and water for cooking
Navigation Tools
- Map, compass, GPS, and phone apps
- Phone-only vs. paper backup philosophies
- Headlamp, batteries, and route storage
First Aid & Safety
- Building a kit matched to your training
- Signaling, fire, and emergency shelter
- Communication devices and emergency planning
Small Stuff
- Knife, multi-tool, and repair kit
- Toiletries, trowel, and trash management
- Extras that actually earn their place
Organization & Care
How you pack, carry, and maintain your gear matters as much as the gear itself.
Packing & Cargo
- Heavy items near your spine
- Frequently used items near the top
- Dry bags, stuff sacks, and left-right balance
Gear Care & Maintenance
- Cleaning packs, bags, and shelters
- Storage, drying, and seam sealing
- When to repair vs. replace