Unlike any other trip, backpacking requires a lot of physical strength and endurance. From hiking, camping to setting up your shelter, you just have to be prepared in terms of energy and tools. However, these two have to be precised in terms of quantity.
You may have brought a lot of things to allow you to survive the trip which are those survival gears, but it will cost you too much energy to bring them all on your trip. Hence, meeting halfway is vital.
To start with, only bring essential items good for how long you will be backpacking. Create a checklist of clothes, food, water, medical supplies, sleeping essentials, lighting equipments, etc.
Your goal should be putting less things in your bag, yet make sure that you will meet your basic needs once you arrive at your destination.
Check out this recommended list of items to take on a backpacking trip.
Essential EDC Gears to Bring When Backpacking
It’s a rule of thumb that when a trip demands plenty of energy, you should be able to provide it by bringing what’s only necessary. But sometimes, the word necessary is relative.
A basic item for one may not be the same for the others. Hence, a checklist of materials to take when backpacking based on what the activity requires is the best reference you can look at.
And here they are.
Backpack
No one goes backpacking with any other type of bag except a backpack. It’s convenient and allows your hands to be free for better balance and grip.
The size of your backpack is an essential factor in the number of items you can put inside. They say a bigger backpack is always a wise choice.
However, when choosing a backpack with a large capacity, consider the type of materials and the weight of the bag.
You might want to take a bigger backpack, but it could add unnecessary added weight. So, it is still best to match your backpack size with how long you will go backpacking.
You can refer to this recommended backpack capacity for the type of backpacking you intend to do.
Weekend Trip – Choose a backpack with a capacity of 30 to 50 liters for 1-3 nights of backpacking.
Multiday Trip – A backpack at 50 to 80 liters will suffice for travel that lasts from 3-5 nights.
Extended Trip– If you plan to backpack for more than five nights, secure a backpack with 70 liters capacity or higher.
Photo by S Migaj
Injuries can be inevitable when you go on a trip. It’s even more challenging when you go backpacking because the nearest hospital or pharmacy can be miles away.
Therefore, it is imperative to bring your very own portable medical kit.
Bring the following medicines and medical items when you backpack:
- Antiseptics like iodine pads
- Sterile bandages, cotton, and gauze
- Tiny scissors or tweezers
- Hand sanitizer
- Oral rehydration salts
- Antipyretic medicine (aspirin, naproxen, ibuprofen)
- Antidiarrheal medicine
- Pain reliever
- Allergy medication (antihistamines)
You can buy medical kits for travel in your local grocery store or pharmacy. Most of these items are already packed together. Just add the missing ones and your own set of personal medications, and you’re good to go.
ORL01- Outdoor Zoomable Flashlight ( Rechargable ) 1100 Lumens
If you want to remember your backpacking trip as a fun and great experience, you better secure a quality flashlight or headlamp. Otherwise, you could find yourself in a nightmarish situation where you’re traversing the unknown – unless, of course, if you are a fan of the dark.
Nevertheless, a flashlight is a lifesaver when you are sleeping in the midst of the wilderness or the peak of a mountain.
You can’t always rely on stars for light, and they don’t give off enough light to keep your path lit anyway. So in this sense choosing a flashlight is crucial.
Don’t settle for decent. Instead, choose a flashlight that will remain on top of its game days after you start backpacking.
Here are your best options for flashlights to take when backpacking:
MRL01 – EDC FIGNER SIZE 800 LUMENS RECHARGEBALE FLASHLIGHT WITH WINDOW BREAKER
These flashlights not only illuminate your path, but they also protect you from attackers in the wild as the light they produces can startle & blind anyone. The bezzle ( window breaker )can also be used as a blunt force weapon in an emergency situation.
Unlike ordinary flashlights, the ORL01- Outdoor Zoomable Flashlight ( Rechargable ) 1100 Lumens have a dual light array that provides wide-angle and long-distance light.
MRL01 KEYCHAIN – 500 LUMENS MINI KEYCHAIN TORCH USB RECHARGEABLE LED LIGHT WATERPROOF FLASHLIGHT OUTDOOR EMERGENCY LIGHTING TOOL FLASHLIGHT
Portability and flexibility are two of the best features of the FLEXIT Pocket Keychain EDC Light.
If your priority is a flashlight, you can just clip on your waist or hang on a branch. The pocket light is exactly what you’re looking for.
a. Up to 500 Total Lumens
b. Magnetic tail can stick on the iron surface, can be the tool light and camping light
c. 10 sources of color light : white light / white flash / red light / red flash / red & blue flash / UV light, help you to deal with different kind of complex environment
d. Keychain design, can easily clip on the backpack, keychain
e. Clip on the cap can be the headlamp
OSHL301 – HEADLAMP ( WAVE CONTROL / 3 CORES / BUILT-IN BATTERY RECHARGEABLE/ RED & BLUE WARNING LIGHT)
If you are looking for a hands-free , light weight, rechargeable headlamp, then the OSHL301 Headlamp is your best option.
This innovative match box size headlamp’s weight is only WEIGHT : 36g ( 1.27 oz), but it already with rechargeable Li-ion battery inside
Built-in IR Sensor, without touching the OSHL301 headlamp, you already can control the on / off freely.
Water
One of the things you should never forget when backpacking or hiking is water. Hydration is a critical part of any outdoor activity.
But the amount of water you need to secure depends on the distance of the trail and the hours you need to hike.
One liter of water for a 2-hour backpacking trip is a good rule of thumb. However, you need to consider other factors for your water needs, such as age, sweat rate, etc.
Among the necessary items you need to carry backpacking, you shouldn’t limit your water intake, mainly if it will prevent you from moving forward.
Your clothing primarily protects you from the weather and the heat of the sun.
However, it is still imperative to put on some sunscreen and wear headgear to protect you from scorching sunlight. You can also have sunglasses for extra protection against glare.
You can never underestimate the multiple uses of knives when backpacking.
First, it provides added protection for your safety. You can use it to cut food, open packets and camp meals, cut ropes, cut branches, and more.
Our FDK4 Knife also has the HANDLE BUCKLE BELT CUTTER & WINDOW BREAKER
It goes without saying, but a folding knife is your number one choice for backpacking or any outdoor activities.
Do not bring regular kitchen knives, as they can cause more harm than good when you’re trekking.
Consider a multi-tool knife or a Swiss Army Knife that comes with other folded tools such as scissors, saw blades, nail files, screwdriver, tweezers, etc.
Fire is an essential part of backpacking or camping. Hence, creating fire should be a skill you’re prepared to use.
While it is pretty interesting to start a fire from scratch, in most cases, it’s preferable to use fire starters to do it fast. You can bring classic fire starters such as a lighter or matchsticks.
Likewise, you can choose to bring fire starter kits that come with cotton wool, petroleum jelly, lighter, waterproof matchsticks, Ferro rod, etc.
Not like the original one, our EL01 has built-in Li-ion battery, rechargeable, can be charged with your power bank, laptop, solar panel, you will never afraid of running out of power.
Built-in flashlight, also can help to to deal with the darkness when you are hiking & camping.
IPX7 water proof
Navigation Tools
A clear direction is crucial for a successful backpacking trip. While the GPS app is always a good tool for navigation, it may not be completely accessible if you are hiking in obscure remote areas.
Your best option is to bring a good old compass. If you have a GPS receiver, by all means, take it with you when backpacking.
Moreover, make sure you have your watch with you, a whistle, and an altimeter.
Power bank and Extra Batteries
Most electronics nowadays are rechargeable. These include lighting devices, your phone, and more.
So, bringing a portable power bank or extra batteries if you have a device that relies on swappable power is essential to have a steady source of power.
Things You Shouldn’t Bring When Backpacking
While we stress the essential items to bring when backpacking, it is also imperative to identify things you shouldn’t bother bringing on the trip.
At times, you may be tempted to add more stuff or use inappropriate items that are more accessible, but there could be more consequences than you think.
Check out the following items you shouldn’t bring when backpacking.
Excessive Clothes
It may be fun taking pictures during your backpacking trip with different outfits. But as mentioned earlier, comfort goes on top of fashion when it comes to clothing. Bringing lots of clothes can literally weigh you down.
Jewelry
Valuable items like jewelry are not safe to bring when backpacking. The risks of losing them are high. They could get snapped out by a twig, fall in the mud, or get misplaced.
Inappropriate Shoes
We have established how footwear is critical for comfort and movability when backpacking. Hence, wearing flats, sneakers, and other inappropriate shoes can cause physical strain on your feet that might delay your movement or even cause injuries.
Heavy Lighting Devices
Lighting is crucial in camping or backpacking, but it doesn’t mean that you have to bring bulky lighting devices. Instead, stick with portable flashlights and headlights.
Bulky Books
Books weigh up to five pounds. Therefore, bringing them during a backpacking trip is an inconvenience you don’t want to add.
Summary
Backpacking requires only essential items. Otherwise, you will be burdened with extra weight from unnecessary stuff, making your trip less fun than it should be.
Before the date of your backpacking trip, make sure to have a checklist of the necessary items that fit the number of days and type of terrain you will hike on.
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This is very useful info for the Backpacker, thanks for sharing.