On the first backpacking trip, figuring out what to pack is tricky. I advise packing light and items that bring joy.
The biggest mistake beginners make is packing too much. The consequence is that hiking becomes challenging and not fun. While the rest of this post details everything to pack, and it will quickly feel like a lot of stuff is necessary, I can't stress enough remembering to pack light.
In addition, pack the items that will bring joy. I love listening to books on tape, munching on salty crackers, playing cards with friends at camp, and wearing sandals after a long day - these are essential for having fun. It's hard to do this and pack light. When I have trouble, I list my top 5 goals and then optimize for those goals.
Also, there are certain must-haves on a trip. If you know you are a light sleeper, bring a warm enough sleeping bag, a comfy sleeping pad, a pillow, an eye cover, and earplugs. If you don't like germs, use wet wipes, bring a new pair of clothes for each day, and ensure everything is covered (e.g., the mouthpiece for your water bladder and a cover for your toothbrush). There are also certain must-haves for your safety and health (e.g., a first aid kit or raincoat), and despite how unlikely you will use them and how much weight/space they will take up, these items always go in.
Next, don't buy too many backpacking-specific items on your first trips. You can go down a rabbit hole looking at backpacking gear, and I don't recommend that until you are sure you love the activity. Instead, use stuff you already have, borrow equipment from friends, and rent.
When packing your pack, use light, waterproof bags of different sizes to organize gear. Ziplock and trash bags work great. When searching for something in the dark or trying to find something quickly, you will be grateful you kept things organized.
If you don't read any further, then the items that I find beginners benefit the most from and are least likely to know to bring are trekking poles, a water bladder, and electrolytes. Trekking poles distribute the weight of your backpack and save your knees downhill. A water bladder encourages consistent water consumption. Electrolytes ensure you remain energized and healthy throughout your trip.
Here is my packing list with links for some of my gear. I didn't thoughtfully select each gear piece, so I've only linked the equipment I love. I recommend googling "best water filters for backpacking" or "best no cook backpacking meals" to get specific recommendations online.
Below is my commentary on what I recommend packing on your first trip. Here is the same list without comments.
Backpacking tent (with stakes, poles, rainfly, footprint) - Backpacking tents are composed of 5 essential items: a tent, poles (for propping up the tent), a footprint (a sheet placed under the tent to protect your tent and insulate yourself from a wet or cold ground), a rainfly (a sheet you put over the tent to make it waterproof) and stakes (rods you use to fasten the tent to the ground in case of wind or rain). Hammocks are lightweight and cheap, but you may not enjoy sleeping, be warm enough, or find a place to put it up. For those reasons, I'd skip the hammock for the first trip.
Sleeping bag - It's miserable to be too cold (or too hot), so it's worth getting a bag that meets your needs. If you are sleeping somewhere warm, you can consider bringing a sleeping quilt, a smaller, lighter alternative; however, these are harder to rent.
Backpack (with rain cover) - I recommend a ~50-liter backpack. Make sure you have a rain cover for the backpack if there is a chance of showers. Some packs come with one; if not, you can line your bag with a trash bag. You will wear your gear all day; if it isn't comfortable, your trip will be much less fun—Google or ask how to wear and adjust it.
Sleeping pad - I went without this for a very long time, but it keeps you much warmer at night and makes sleeping much more comfortable. If you rent or buy an inflatable one, ensure you know how to inflate it and then see how long it retains the air: test it out by inflating it and leaving it overnight with some weight on it before you go.
I don't recommend purchasing these items on your first trip since you might hate backpacking, and the above things are only for backpacking. Also, you will better understand what you want after going out several times and then make better purchasing decisions. Try to rent or ask friends if you can borrow their equipment (and be sure to clean the gear before returning it).
Water Filtration
Before you leave, make sure you understand what (if any) type of filtration is required.
Water filtration tablets or drops - Water filtration tablets/drops are cheap and reliable, and I'd recommend bringing these for your first trips instead of investing in a physical water filter.
Optional
Physical water filter - If you plan to backpack a lot, water filters tend to be faster and have tastier water than tablets. I wouldn't necessarily buy this on your first trip, but it's nice to have if you continue. You can't rent these easily, but a friend may let you borrow theirs. Make sure to try this out at home before you bring this outdoors.
I recommend bringing the capacity for ~3 liters of water. Some more challenging treks and desert areas will require more - be sure to read about the water availability, exposure, and conditions before you leave. There are two common container types, bottles and bladders, and I compare both below.
Smart water bottle (or Nalgene) - I always bring at least one bottle. Bottles are easier than bladders to filter bad water, chug from, and clean if you put electrolyte tablets into them. Smart water bottles are a cheap and lighter alternative to Nalgenes.
Optional
Water bladder - If you are only bringing water filtration tablets or drops, then only bring water bottles since you won't be able to easily and quickly filter water with the bladder. If you get a physical water filter, I'd highly recommend purchasing a water bladder. Bladders are lightweight, compact, and (unlike a bottle) encourage you to drink water throughout your day. I'd buy a 3-liter bladder. Friends tell me this is the most helpful piece of equipment to stay hydrated and that they love it for day hikes as well, but, unfortunately, I would leave this behind backpacking until you get a physical water filter.
Food
Pick foods you love to eat - if something grosses you out, don't bring it! If you have dehydrated meals or foods you've never tried on the menu, I'd recommend trying the food at home. Sometimes, the meals can be bland and require extra spices or sauce. Sometimes, the food is gross, and you know to avoid it.
For your first backpacking trip, I'd recommend bringing food that doesn't require special equipment. Warm food and drink are necessary when you are on a long trek, or it's freezing, but ideally, neither of those qualities is true about your first trip. Unless you can rent, borrow, or be confident you will continue to backpack, I don't think buying backpacking kitchen gear (e.g., a stove) makes sense. I didn't use a stove for my first couple of trips and had a lovely time.
Next, I'd recommend packing enough food for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks for each trail day, plus one extra day. Your extra day of food can be lightweight food that you like less so that you don't eat it unless you need to. It's always good to have more food than you need if something goes wrong or you get hungry.
In addition, I recommend bringing a fully cooked burrito (or ready meal you enjoy) for the first night's dinner if you are doing one or two nights. Having something familiar that doesn't require cooking/washing is excellent on the first night out.
Lastly, friends often ask how much food they should pack and how many snacks to bring. The quantity always depends on your body and the trail. I recommend eating ~50-300 calories for ~1-2 hours of walking. I generally eat 100 calories every 1.5 hours. Often, I pack ~5 snacks and then eat bites of my snacks every so often. Below are example snack combinations I brought.
4 Bars, Dried fruit
3 Bars, Candy, Nuts
3 Bars, Candy, Chips
Most beginners overpack snacks for fear they will be hungry - hopefully, the above can help you calibrate. Below are specific meal recommendations.
Snacks
Nuts
Trail Mix
Bars
Dried Fruit
Chips
Crackers
Candy
Breakfast
Granola
Poptarts
Pre-made cold brew coffee or tea - This is the worst part of not bringing a stove. Consider getting a pre-packaged coffee or tea drink if you can't go without it.
Breakfast (with a stove)
Oatmeal - I like 1 packet of flavored instant oatmeal (my favorite is Apples & Cinnamon), 1 packet of instant grits, nut butter, cinnamon, and fruit.
Coffee or tea
Lunch
My go-to is tortillas, salami, and cheese.
Bread/Tortilla/crackers
Salami/tuna
Cheese - Hard cheeses like parmesan stay the best.
Nut Butter - Available freeze-dried, but generally, I pack regular peanut butter. You can repackage a big jar yourself or buy Justin's small packets.
Jelly
Hot sauce
Hummus - Also available freeze-dried, never tried though.
Dinner
Pre-made dinners - Like burritos or pasta salad
Similar meal to lunch
Dinner (with a stove)
Below are meals that are easy to find, cheap, light & quick. To save space in your pack, you can repackage the items in ziplock bags.
Mashed Potatoes - I usually bring freeze-dried mashed potatoes (Like the Idahoan brand sold at most supermarkets), extra seasoning (like Mr. Dash), hard cheese, and jerky. This meal is speedy!
Ramen - I love eating ramen. To mix it up from store-bought, you can make your sauce or add other fixings.
Mac & Cheese - I don't like mac & cheese, but many friends swear by it on the trail and bring hot sauce packets to spice it up.
Kitchenware
Bring whatever you need to make your above meals! Some alternatives to the below include plastic cutlery and a plastic container as a bowl/cup. Don't use plastic if your meals are too hot - instead, opt for lightweight bowls and cups already in your kitchen cabinet.
Spork - or spoon and fork!
Knife
Cup
Bowl - You can also double your bowl as a mug.
Knife - I only bring a knife if I need to use it for cooking, usually cutting cheese. However, many include it in their first-aid kits. I'd recommend only bringing one for the first couple of trips if you need it for cooking.
Washing up
You want to do all your washing away from water sources and make sure to bury any extra food or food-contaminated water.
Baby wipes - I usually rinse my cutlery with water and then wipe it down with baby wipes: make sure you read the brand label before using it on dishes. You can also use baby wipes to clean yourself. If you are going for a short time, you can rinse dishes out with water and let them air dry. Lastly, you can try biodegradable soap for washing; however, this requires more time since you shouldn't wash near water but also need water as part of the process.
Ziplock bag for trash - You must take out all your trash. If you have tea bags or apple cores, it's nice to have a ziplock bag to put all the garbage into so you don't have to smell the decaying bits.
There are some basics you will need but then make sure to pack for the worst case. You don't want to end up too wet or too cold.
Underwear
Bra
Hiking pants - I always recommend wearing pants over shorts, even if it's hot. Pants protect against the sun, poisonous plants, and bugs. I don't advise leggings since they are warmer and don't breathe.
Sun hoodie - I highly recommend this if you like hiking. My hoodie is my favorite piece of outdoor gear I own. It reduces the amount of sunscreen I need to wear and keeps me cool. You can instead wear a long-sleeved shirt or a t-shirt plus sunscreen. I wouldn't buy this item unless you are committed to hiking and worried about sun protection.
Pairs of socks - I love having a clean pair of socks at night and a new pair every two days when hiking.
Sleep/camp outfit - I like bringing a pair of leggings/shorts and a shirt for sleeping. I love changing at camp, even if I can't shower!
Fleece - I like bringing a warm fleece with a hood. I love having a hood since if it's cold or loud, I can put the hood up, and it keeps me warm and the sound out.
Windbreaker/light layer - I generally bring one more light jacket in addition to my fleece in case it gets frigid. If you don't own a windbreaker or something like that, bring another warm layer of some variety.
Hat/Visor - I highly recommend bringing a visor for long-haired folks. It gives you sun cover (and rain cover!) without making your head sweat and your hair get gross.
Hiking shoes - I hike in trail runners but pick whatever works for you.
Sandals/Crocs
Optional
Depending on the conditions, you may want to bring these extra pieces of clothing:
Long underwear - This can be nice to jump into at camp or wear under hiking pants if it's cold.
Down jacket - I prefer one with a hood.
Gloves - Warm gloves can make a huge difference for me in the morning if it's below freezing.
Hiking gloves - I have never used these before, but they protect against the sun and help if you are clutching trekking poles.
Warm hat/headband
Swimsuit - You also can swim in shorts and a sports bra/t-shirt.
Raincover (jacket and pants) - If there will be light showers, I will bring a rain jacket. If it rains all day, I recommend having rain pants as well.
Bandanas - Bandanas are excellent as multipurpose tools: you can store a sandwich in there, wet it and cover your neck while walking, blow your nose into it, and towel off with it.
Buff - Protects against the sun, keeps you warm, and can act as a sleep mask.
Gaiters - If you go up fields with lots of loose gravel and rock, gaiters keep pebbles out. They also keep your shoes tied.
Health & Safety
First-aid kit - I bought a pre-made first aid kit and added some items to it (cough drops, electrolytes, Pepto-Bismol, extra ibuprofen).
Toothbrush - It's nice to bring a travel-size one but bring your regular toothbrush if you don't have a smaller one.
Toothpaste - Same comment as the toothbrush.
Floss - I like flossing, and I bring floss since it takes up no space. However, if you are a consistent flosser, it's unlikely to matter if you don't floss while you are on your short trip.
Toilet paper or wet wipes - It's possible to use water as toilet paper, but it feels a lot less sanitary, so I don't recommend doing this on your first trip.
Hand sanitizer - Small bottle to use after you go to the bathroom and before you eat.
Trowel - Small shovel used to dig a hole in the ground to poop in or bury extra food.
Sunglasses
Sunscreen - Make sure you have adequate sun protection. I've recently been leaving the sunscreen behind and instead covering my face with a bandana or buff in the sun, but it's less comfortable walking uphill.
Electrolytes - I don't recommend skipping this. As I said before, it keeps you energized and aids with recovery. I bring 1-3 servings per day.
Additional personal items (like glasses, prescriptions, etc.)
Additional items based on conditions - Read online whether there is anything else you need, like mosquito repellent or bear spray!
Optional
Headlamp - I don't recommend bringing this on the first trip since smartphones can double as headlamps. Eventually, consider purchasing one since it's much easier to use a headlamp when hiking in the dark, cooking at camp, and playing cards with friends :)
Duct tape (strips of it, not a whole thing of duck tape) - Helpful for patching and fixing various broken items.
N95 mask - Fires can unexpectedly happen in the Pacific Northwest in the summer and fall.
Personal locator beacon - These devices enable you to call SOS if you get into trouble. It's essential if you are alone and in a remote area; I would not buy it for a popular, short trip.
Ziplock bag for sanitary products - If you are on your period, I'd recommend bringing a ziplock bag for all your garbage. And even if you aren't on your period, it's nice to have a bag for your sanitary needs separate from regular trash, and I always bring this on longer trips.
Map - Always bring one as a backup if something goes wrong. Also, physical route maps are helpful for planning and navigation; however, I rely primarily on a digital map.
Optional
Compass - I don't recommend bringing this since you aren't likely to use it. Only take this if you want to navigate the route with a compass.
Personal Items
Phone - Your smartphone is a flashlight, trail map, route description, plant identifier, star map, audiobook, and more - use your phone to minimize what you carry!
Extra battery for phone - You likely won't need this for one-night trips, but it's always good to have just in case something goes wrong.
Charging cord for extra battery with the phone
Car Keys - Some people choose to leave these at their car or the trailhead, so it doesn't get lost. If you pack this in your backpacking bag, put it in one safe location and don't move it until you return to the car.
Permit
Cash and credit card - I'd recommend bringing some money on the trail in case you need it.
Trekking poles - As I mentioned earlier, they can make your trip a lot easier by distributing the weight of your pack as you walk. Poles are helpful for uphill and downhill and are great for day hiking.
Optional
Games - Bring cards, cribbage, or other games to play at camp.
Headphones - I love listening to music and books on tape, especially at challenging parts. I recommend bringing ones that don't require charging, so you don't have to worry about them running out of battery.
Reading material - It's great to bring a kindle or magazine to read at camp. You can alternatively download some books onto your phone.
Pillow - You can instead stuff your sleeping bag with clothing as an alternative.
Earplugs - Campsites can be loud—think the partiers in a next-door campsite or your tentmate stepping out to pee in the middle of the night and unzipping the tent door or wind. I find my jacket with a hood blocks out enough sound, but I know this doesn't work for everyone.
Watch
I recommend leaving this last set of items in the car so you can use them when you arrive at the trailhead or return back.
Driver's License
Cash - I'd recommend bringing some 1s, 5s, 10s, and 20s since many parking lots are cash only and don't have change. There also may be some shops/eateries that are cash only.
A change of clothing - It's lovely to come back and change into clean clothing after dirt bagging.
2-3 liters of water - You never regret extra water in the car for the ride in and going home.
Snack - Do not leave food in the car in bear country; otherwise, it's a nice gift for yourself when you return.
Have questions on how to get started or any of the above? Please message me directly, and I'm happy to try to help :)
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