The Important Backpacking Checklist
A backpacking checklist is a great tool that saves us time and frustration as we plan our backpacking trips. Unlike your typical vacation, you don’t have the luxury of being able to stop by the store and grab that one piece of gear you forgot. You don’t want to be in the middle of nowhere about to start dinner when you realize you forgot one of your backpacking essentials!
The backpacking gear on our checklist is suited for 3-season trips. Many items on our checklist are optional. In the end, what stays on your list depends on what type of trip you are taking and how much you are willing to carry.
| 3 Season Backpacking Checklist | | CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE PDF VERSION |
Pack
| | | __ Backpack | __ Bungee cords | | __ D-rings | __ Stuff sack | | __ Waterproof pack cover | |
Sleeping/Shelter
| | | __ Pillow | __ Sleeping bag/bivy sack | | __ Sleeping pad/ground cloth | __ Space blanket/bag | | __ Tent/Tarp | |
Gear
| | | __ Compass | __ Cord/rope | | __ Fire starter | __ Fishing license/gear | | __ GPS (optional) | __ Head lamp | | __ Lantern | __ Map | | __ Pocket knife | __ Signal mirror | | __ Small flashlight | __ Sun glasses/goggles | | __ Trekking pole | __ Trowel | | __ Waterproof matches/lighters | __ Whistle |
Miscellaneous
| | | __ Batteries | __ Camera/accessories | | __ Cards/games | __ Clothes Pens | | __ Garbage bags | __ Guidebook/notes | | __ Paper/pencil/pen | __ Reading material | | __ Ziplock bags | |
Cooking/Food
| | | __ Bear bag | __ Breakfast x____ | | __ Condiments | __ Cookware | | __ Dinner x____ | __ Drinking cup | | __ Eating utensils | __ Electrolytes | | __ Emergency food | __ Lunch x____ | | __ Pot holder | __ Pot scrubber | | __ Snacks | __ Stove/fuel | | __ Tea/coffee/cocoa | __ Water bottle/canteen | | __ Water purifying agent | |
Clothing
| | | __ Boots | __ Camp shoes | | __ Fleece Cap | __ Gloves | | __ Jacket | __ Long underwear | | __ Long-sleeve shirt x___ | __ Pants x____ | | __ Rain gear (poncho, pants, etc.) | __ Shorts x____ | | __ Short-sleeve shirt x____ | __ Sock liners x____ | | __ Socks x____ | __ Sun Hat | | __ Swimming shorts/suit | __ Underwear x____ |
Personal Items
| | | __ Backpacking towel | __ Brush/comb | | __ Deodorant | __ Feminine hygiene products | | __ Glasses/contacts/contact solution | __ Hair accessories | | __ Hand sanitizer | __ Insect repellent | | __ Lip balm (with sun protection) | __ Lotion (non-scented) | | __ Soap | __ Sun block | | __ Toilet paper | __ Toothbrush/paste/powder | | __ Watch | |
First Aid
| | | __ Antibiotic ointment | __ Antihistamine | | __ Anti-itch ointment | __ Antiseptic wipes | | __ Assorted adhesive bandages | __ Assorted gauze pads | | __ Blister treatment | __ Butterfly bandages | | __ Fine point tweezers | __ Medical tape | | __ Pain relief medicine | __ Safety pin/needle |
* Visit our
Backpacking First Aid Kit page
for a more extensive first aid kit list.
| Extra | | | ___________________________ | ___________________________ | | ___________________________ | ___________________________ | | ___________________________ | ___________________________ | | ___________________________ | ___________________________ | | ___________________________ | ___________________________ |
Additional Tips
- When going over the backpacking checklist for your trip, make sure your equipment works and you aren't low on consumable items such as sunscreen, insect repellant, etc.
- If you are unsure about what to include from the list, do a test run. Pack your backpack with all the things you think you might need. Take a hike to see how you feel. If the pack is cumbersome or too heavy, reevaluate the items you packed.
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