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Lightweight Backpacking Packing List
For backpacking, less is more. You don't need every creature comfort or every piece of equipment sold at the local outdoors store. Remember that everything you pack adds more weight to your pack, which is more you'll need to carry every step of your journey.
| Item | Location | Notes | |
| Worn | |||
| Nylon long-sleeved shirt | Worn | Nylon dries quickly and keeps you warmer than cotton; cotton works in hot environments but kills in cold or wet environments | |
| Hiking pants | Worn | Again, nylon and other synthetics dry quickly and cotton kills | |
| Hiking socks | On feet | High density wool worn inside out work best | |
| Sock liner | Under socks | Hikers prone to blisters may benefit from a thin poly sock liner under their wool socks | |
| Light hiking shoes or trail runner shoes | On feet | Light, comfortable and durable enough; heavy duty boots are generally not necessary | |
| Quick release nylon strap belt | Through pant belt loops | Light weight; can be used to secure cargo, as tourniquet, etc | |
| Waterproof wrist watch | Left wrist | Waterproof is really preferred; alarm may be useful if you are on a time schedule | |
| Wrist compass | On wristwatch | Attached to watch strap; usually sufficient for most backpacking | |
| Sunglasses | Worn | If not sunny, pack them | |
| Backpack | Generally worn | Take your time to find a good fitting pack | |
| Mini LED light | Right shoulder strap | Used to signal in group or see in dark | |
| Bottle of water | Side pocket | A durable Gatoraid bottle works just fine and is lighter and cheaper than a fancy Lexan bottle | |
| Wallet | Outer compartment | Small amount of emergency cash, ID, calling card, laminated contact list and keys (if taken); placed in Ziploc bag | |
| Knife/mutlitool | Outer compartment | So many uses; small pocket knife sufficient; Rambo knife not needed | |
| Toilet paper | Outer compartment | Stored in Ziploc bag | |
| Female hygiene products | Outer compartment | Needed if female and menstruating; kept in own Ziploc bag | |
| Snacks (trail mix, bars) | Outer compartment | A small amount in a Ziploc bag; don't go overboard | |
| Map | Outer compartment | Take just what you need; stored in Ziploc bag or waterproof | |
| Lightweight pen | Outer compartment | Used to leave notes and mark maps | |
| Bug cream | Outer compartment | Extended release DEET is best; store in bear bag at night | |
| Real compass | With map | Take if planning on orienteering | |
| Headlamp | Outer compartment | Allows you to walk and see at night; good for nocturnal potty runs | |
| Bear bag | Main compartment | See Below | |
| Plastic trash compactor bag | Main compartment | Used to keep clothing dry | |
| Waterproof jacket | Main compartment | Breathable material such as Gortex is preferred; this is a must in potentially wet environments | |
| Soft jacket or pullover | Main compartment | Packed when climate/conditions mandate; should fit under outer jacket | |
| Extra shirt | Main compartment | Synthetic quick drying preferred | |
| Extra pants | Main compartment | Synthetic quick drying preferred | |
| Thermal underwear | Main compartment | Synthetic or wool; need dependent on climate | |
| Shorts | Main compartment | Wear when washing and drying pants; used as swim suit | |
| Trekking socks x 3 | Main compartment | High density wool preferred | |
| Hygiene Kit | Main compartment | See Below | |
| Extra Ziploc bags | Main compartment | Used to separate and waterproof any number of things; take a couple of small ones and a couple of larger ones; freezer bags are more durable than regular bags | |
| Camp Towel | Main compartment or hung from pack to dry | Fast drying; used to dry body and wring out washed clothing | |
| Water bladder | Main compartment | Enough to carry a days worth of water; more is needed when traveling through areas that have limited water points | |
| Stove | Main compartment | Choice of stove depends on many factors; gas canister stoves are the easiest to use and preferred for most backpackers | |
| Stove fuel | Main compartment | Remember that you will need enough to heat meals as well as beverages and it may be cold out there; don't over pack unless in sub freezing environments | |
| Cook pot | Main compartment | See Below | |
| Mug | Outer compartment | Titanium preferred for light weight; allows you to drink nice not beverages | |
| Sleep pad | Outside of pack | Not only provides comfort, it insulates back from ground | |
| Sleep bag | Bottom Main compartment | Down in dry environments, Synthetic in wet environments | |
| Compression bag | Main compartment | Used for sleeping bag; if room is not a concern, a plastic trash compactor bag can be used | |
| Shelter | Main compartments | Silnylon tarp usually sufficient | |
| Bug net | Backpack | Depending on where you are backpacking, may be required | |
| Tent stakes | Main compartments | Titanium hooks are very lightweight; Coated or painted with bright orange to make finding easier; store in piece of corrugated cardboard | |
| Tarpline | Main compartment | Used to set up tarp | |
| Space blanket | Main compartment | Used as ground cloth; can be used blanket or separate tarp | |
| Daypack | Variable | If pack does not have removable top, you may wish to pack a very small pack to use as a day pack | |
| Cook Pot | Titanium and aluminum are nice and light; use the pot as a bowl if cooking fancy meals or to just boil water for freezer bag meals; store cook gear in pot when packed; keep in small stuff sack and hang with bear bag | ||
| Windscreen | Cook pot | Needed for any stove | |
| Waterproof match case | Cook pot | Even waterproof matches need protection from water | |
| Waterproof matches | Waterproof match case | Even if your stove comes with an igniter, bring in case you need to start campfire | |
| Match strip | Waterproof match case | Used to ignite match; take even if you have strike anywhere matches | |
| Tealights | Cook pot | Used for night time lighting, heat and simmering foods | |
| Thermal pads | Cook pot | Used to lift and move pots; can be made from several layers of rags sewn together | |
| Fire starter | Film canister | Fill a film canister with Vaseline impregnated cotton balls; use to start fire in survival situation or to start camp fires | |
| Bear Bag | Nylon bag with enough cord to tie bag to high branch; ballistic material generally not needed if hanging food from tree | ||
| Food | Bear bag | Dehydrated and stored in freezer bags; put all in bear bag | |
| Spork or spoon | Bear bag | Makes eating grub so much easier | |
| Cord | Bear bag | Used to tie bag to high branch | |
| Seasoning | Bear bag | Minimize to small salt/pepper shaker and possibly small hot sauce bottle | |
| Hygiene Kit | Backpack | Nylon stuff sack; hang with bear bag | |
| Toothbrush | Soft Bristles are easy on the gums | ||
| Toothbrush holder | protects bristles | ||
| Small tube of toothpaste | Small travel tube | ||
| Bottle of liquid soap | Use for washing, laundry and dish washing if needed | ||
| Disposable razor | If male and would like to shave; use soap lather to shave or pack shaving cream | ||
| Mini nail clippers | Take if on longer trips | ||
| Mini GUM dental floss container | Used for flossing, sewing and as string (such a for holding up bug nets) | ||
| Prescription meds | Carried if needed - this would also include extra glasses, contact lenses, birth control pills, etc. for those that need these; all stored in Ziploc bag | ||
| First Aid Kit | Backpack | Small zippered nylon case; everything kept in Ziploc bags; kept minimal | |
| Assortment of dressings | Ziploc 1 | Band-Aids, Steri strips, 4x4 gauze pads, 2x2 gauze pads | |
| Single use Betadine packet | Ziploc 1 | ||
| Betadine on cotton tipped applicator | Ziploc 1 | ||
| Alcohol swabs | Ziploc 1 | ||
| Antibiotic ointment pack | Ziploc 1 | ||
| Small roll of medical tape | Ziploc 1 | Many uses - secure dressings, splinting, taping sprained ankles, make rope | |
| Safety pins | Ziploc 2 | Used to hold dressings and slings together; close large wounds; clear tongue from obstructing airway | |
| Premium grade moleskin | Ziploc 2 | Put on ideally prior to blister formation; several precut | |
| Sterile needle | Ziploc 2 | Carried in 3rd world countries for injections and used to remove slivers, pop blisters, etc. | |
| Sterile suture pack | Ziploc 2 | Silk with needle attached - can be used to sew skin or gear | |
| Sewing needles | Ziploc 2 | Heavy duty stainless steel keep in mini plastic holder; kept here so it doesn't get lost, but can be used to sew skin in a pinch | |
| Vinyl Exam gloves | Ziploc 3 | 4 in own Ziploc bag - why get someone else's blood or body fluids on your hands? | |
| Roll of sterile gauze | Ziploc 4 | Air squeezed out of package and stored in own Ziploc bag; used to pack, cover and wrap larger wounds as well as make slings, tie up splints and make tourniquets | |
| ACE warp | Ziploc 5 | Used to warp dressings or injuries | |
| Small bottle of Betadine | Ziploc 6 | Kept in small Ziploc bag; used to disinfect wounds and water in a pinch; works better when diluted so a little goes a long ways | |
| Medication card | Ziploc 7 | laminated; reminds you dosages and when and how to use meds | |
| Selection of meds | Ziploc 7 | sample or blister packs of Katadyn chlorine dioxide (water purification), loperamide (Imodium), Tylenol (paracetamol or acetaminophen), ibuprofen (Advil), ciprofloxacin (for bacterial diarrhea) - if in areas of risk: metronidazole (Flagyl of amebic dysentery), Mebendazole (Vermox for worms), a bottle of doxycycline for malaria, and/or other meds; all kept in small Ziploc bag | |
| Common Additions to List | |||
| Extra clothing | Backpack | Needed if really cold | |
| Sunscreen | Backpack | Need dependant on individual and weather | |
| Camera | Backpack or pocket | Compact is easier to carry; may also require extra batteries or film | |
| Mini can opener | Hygiene kit | US military type is very small, with less mass than many coins; allows you to eat canned foods, which are not ideal for packing - but give you a pot/mug | |
| Hat | Backpack | Protect wearer from sun, cold, bugs and hides messy/dirty hair | |
| GPS | Backpack | Some backpackers can't navigate without one; these then to take away from backpacking and require batteries and an extra set if you can't navigate without one | |
| Notepad | Backpack | Journal type or waterproof; used to right notes, etc.; keep in Ziploc if not waterproof | |
| Paperback, religious text, etc | Backpack | Kept in Ziploc bag | |
| Camp tools | Backpack | Generally not needed unless living in the outback for a long period of time | |
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