Beginners Guide To Backpacking
You love your day hikes, but you’re ready to take it to the next level and backpack. Planning your first backpacking trip can be a little nerve-racking and there’s a lot of factors to consider. What gear do you need? Where should you hike? How do you know when to stop?
Don’t let it feel overwhelming. Planning your first backpacking trip is super exciting! You’re going to get that much closer to nature and the experience will for sure become a core memory. This guide covers everything you need to know from how to plan your trip, meals to eat, packing tips, and more!
Overlooking the trail to Havasupai in Arizona.
How To Pick The Trail
Selecting the right location and trail for your first backpacking trip is a critical step in ensuring a positive and enjoyable experience. There’s several important things you’ll want to consider before picking the trail.
Skill level: Assess your skill level and fitness. As a beginner, you’ll want to pick a trail that matches your ability, and be honest with yourself. I’d recommend picking a trail that is moderately difficult with manageable elevation gain. Overestimating your capabilities can lead to exhaustion quickly which will ruin your experience.
Distance and duration: For your first backpacking trip, you’ll want to opt for a shorter route that you can comfortably complete in a day or two. This allows you to get a feel for carrying a backpack, setting up camp, and navigating the terrain without committing to being out in the elements for an extended period of time.
Accessibility: For my first backpacking trip, I had never hiked the trail before, but I did a lot of research on it prior to backpacking it so I felt like I had a good understanding of what I was in for. If you can’t pick a trail you’ve done before, that is okay! Just make sure you do a decent amount of research so you can get as familiar with the area as possible. However, if you are able to backpack a trail you’ve hiked before, that may be a good option just because that’ll be one less unknown variable.
Water source: Check the availability of water sources along the trail. You’ll want to make sure you have access to water not only for drinking but also for cooking. Knowing where reliable water sources are located can help you plan your route. If there isn’t fresh water available, you can bring purification equipment, like these straws.
Reviews and recommendations: I know I talked about this above but it is super important. If you’re planning to backpack a trail you’ve never hiked before, definitely research reviews and recommendations from others who have been on the trail you’re considering. Look on AllTrails, Reddit, and other online forums to find information. I also really like searching for the trail or location on Instagram and then looking at the most ‘recent’ posted photos. This can help give you an idea of what the weather and conditions are like.
How To Pack
Hiking to Havasupai in Arizona.
My first backpacking trip ever was when I trekked to Havasupai in Arizona (pictured above). For those who aren’t familiar with the hike, it is 20-miles roundtrip. Overall, it was an amazing hike and something I’ll never forget. The scenery and red canyons were just absolutely stunning! I’m so happy I made the decision to do it.
But my biggest mistake? Overpacking! Oh my god, I overpacked so much and my pack was way heavier than it needed to be, partly because I simply brought too much stuff but also because I didn’t have the right type of gear. I’ll never forget the shoulder pain I experienced.
I like to think of packing for a backpacking trip as an art. You’re trying to balance preparedness and minimalism. You need to be efficient, but ensure you have the essentials without carrying unnecessary weight. In simpler words, it is a bit complicated.
The best approach for your first backpacking trip is to borrow gear from friends or rent gear. You could also buy secondhand, which is what I did for a lot of my initial gear. I really like Worn Wear by Patagonia and have gotten some amazing deals through the site, including stuff that is basically brand new but discounted. Another option could be to use an online resale platform, like Rerouted, which will help you find gear for sale in your area.
Once you’ve decided you’re ready to invest in high-quality gear, or even just a few pieces to start, you can use the below recommended list which is crafted for beginner backpackers:
Multi-day backpack: One of the most important pieces of gear for backpacking, if not the most important, is your backpack! You’ll want something that is designed to carry all your gear and keep you comfortable for long distances. I really like Osprey (here is a great option) or Teton (another great option here).
Water Bladder: This is another really important piece of gear. I’ve purchased numerous cheap, horrible quality bladders in the past and they always leak or make the water taste awful. Not fun. Definitely invest in a CamelBak — they’re not much more money than the cheap-o ones and they’re significantly better. This is the one I’ve been using for years.
Sleeping bag: Just like your backpack, make sure your sleeping bag is high-quality. There’s nothing worse than carrying a pack for 10+ miles and then having a terrible nights sleep. Big Agnes is my go-to for all sleeping gear — I highly recommend! Here is a bag similar to the one I use. Some other great brands are Marmot, Sierra Designs, REI Co-Op (I have a few REI-Co-Op bags), or Sea to Summit.
Sleeping pad: I hate to be a broken record, but your sleeping pad is also critical. My first backpacking trip I actually didn’t bring a sleeping pad because my bag was already so overpacked, and it was a mistake! My back was killing me the next day. Your sleeping pad not only keeps you comfortable but it also keeps you warm at night and helps to recirculate your body heat. I also recommend Big Agnes for pads. This is similar to the one I use.
Tent: This is a really great option for beginners that is inexpensive and will get the job done while you’re still testing the waters of backpacking. When you are ready to purchase a higher-quality tent, I recommend Big Agnes again. They’re definitely an investment but worth the money and they’ll last years (we’ve had ours for four years now).
Trekking Poles: Definitely bring poles with you, even if there’s very little elevation gain on the hike you’re planning to do. They’ll help your knees and will make carrying your pack more manageable. You probably already own some since you day-hike, but if not here’s a good example of a pair you can bring that is inexpensive.
First Aid Kit: You don’t want to bring a big, clunky first aid kit that’ll take up a lot of space in your pack, so opt for something small and compact like this. It’ll save you weight and space. If you don’t want to bring a kit, at least bring a variety of bandaid sizes, athletic tape, antibacterial ointment, antihistamines (like Benadryl), anti-inflammatories (like Ibuprofen), and alcohol wipes.
Jetboil: You need a Jetboil to make your food, which I talk about a little bit later, but this is the one I use and it is amazing! Not only for backpacking, but this is a great item to have just for regular car camping.
Backpacking Spork: The sporks will come in handy for eating your freeze-dried meals (I talk more about this below). I like these!
Bag Balm: This is my secret weapon for avoiding blisters while hiking and backpacking! I usually get terrible blisters on hikes, even after just a few miles, but bag balm really saves me! All you have to do is slather it on your bare feet and then put your hiking socks on. Yes, it feels disgusting in your sock and is messy, but I’m telling you you will not get blisters if you do this! Instead of bringing the entire tin which will take up space in your backpack, slather a bunch into a ziplock baggie and bring it with you. I promise it is worth it!
Headlamp and extra batteries: Make sure you bring a headlamp with you so you can see in the dark! Plus it keeps your hands free so you can cook, set up your tent, or whatever else you may be doing in the dark. Luckily, these are super inexpensive. Here’s what I have.
Bear spray: This is dependent on where you’re backpacking but if you’re in bear country, you need bear spray. The nice thing about purchasing this is you can bring it along on any of your day hikes where you think you may need it, or on your car camping trips.
A map/GPS: You don’t need to have a printed out map of the area you’re hiking in, but at least download Offline Maps onto your phone as a bare minimum so you can reference where you are without cell service. If you’re going to be gone for a while and think your cell battery may die, then go the printed out map route so you can orient yourself throughout your journey.
Biodegradable soap and toiletries: Having eco-friendly, biodegradable soap is extremely handy not only to wash your dishes but also yourself! You’ll be happy you can wash your hands before eating dinner. I carry this Dr. Bronners soap whenever I backpack. Make sure you use it at least 200 yards away from any water source though!
Plan Your Food
Backpacking Catalina Island (the TCT).
For backpacking you’re going to want to get freeze-dried backpacking food which is the lightest and most compact option to carry. All you need to do is add hot water to them, which is why the Jetboil I talked about above under the packing list is necessary. Definitely don’t bring canned food or anything that could be too heavy or complicated to make out on the trail. Simplicity is key.
I know freeze-dried food doesn’t sound particularly appetizing, but I promise some of them are actually really good! The Mountain House Rice & Chicken meal pictured above is actually one of my favorite freeze-dried meals. Mountain House and Backpackers Pantry are my go-to brands. Backpackers Pantry has a great selection of vegan options, too. REI has a lot of backpacking meals in store but if there isn’t one nearby, you can just order them off of Amazon.
The important thing to keep in mind when selecting your meals is making sure they have high protein and calorie content. You want to get as many calories in as possible since you’re burning so many while you backpack, and having a high protein content meal will keep you full for longer so make sure you’re looking at this when selecting your meals.
My recommendation is to bring a freeze-dried meal for breakfast and dinner and then for lunch bring high-calorie protein bars that are easy to eat on the trail. CLIF Bar or RXBar are really good options.
Other Tips
Backpacking Catalina Island (the TCT).
Get physically ready: You’ll want to have a few challenging hikes under your belt before backpacking for your first time. I recommend doing day-hikes that are longer in distance compared to what you’re planning to backpack so you can handle the trail with ease. You can even over-pack your typical day-pack so the weight is heavier which will help you get use to carrying a large bag. Or even better, day-hike with your backpacking backpack on.
Get mentally ready: Make sure you’re mentally prepared that you’ll be outside for a few days (depending on how long you’re planning to go for), and won’t be showering. It’s one thing to tell yourself you’re going backpacking, but it’s another thing to actually digest what you’re about to be doing and mentally prepare for what it’ll be like.
Tell someone where you’re going: This is critical to ensure your safety! Make sure you tell someone you trust where you’re going, what route you’ll be taking, and when they can expect you back. This way, if something goes wrong while you’re out there, someone back home is able to get you help if you don’t return when expected. Don’t let this scare you, but it is better to be over-prepared and over-communicative before you go.
Pack ahead of time: Don’t wait until the night before to pack. Pack your backpack a day or two in advanced so you can make sure you’ve optimally packed your bag, grab any supplies you may realize you’re missing, and get a feel for how heavy the pack is. This will also give you time to adjust the straps on your bag as needed.
Have fun! Backpacking is such a great experience and a great achievement. You’re going to have a great time!
