Backpacking is the perfect way to hit an adventure trail with only the quintessential necessities on your back. With backpacking, you can go hiking or camping, allowing you to broaden your horizons in new environments to enjoy a more immersive and richer outdoor experience. Backpacking requires you to be thoughtful about what to carry by establishing how long you will be going on your trip and how remote the area is.
Below is a checklist of all the requirements when going backpacking.
Essential clothing
Backpacking doesn’t require a lot of special clothing. To ensure you are comfortable and flexible, carry your fitness wear, including shoes, and a few warm clothes for the night. Find clothes that dry fast and have a moisture-wicking fabric like polyester and nylon that pulls away sweat from the body.
First aid kit
Including a first aid kit for your backpacking trip is a smart idea. During your trip, there are high chances of suffering an injury or health-related problem such as a cold, headache, fever, and stomach upset. In your kit, add bandages, basic medication, and duct tape.
Kitchen supplies and food
As you enjoy your adventure, you will want to prepare some warm meals or boil water. Carry snacks and tasty dehydrated food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Pack a small screw-on-stove, lightweight cup for your tea or coffee, a separate cooking pot, dish, and a spork to eat your meals. Remember to carry fuel and matchsticks or a lighter for your fire.
Sleeping pad and bag
After a long adventurous day, what you need is quality rest during a cold night. Pack a tent to serve as shelter from elements such as cold. Look for one that is spacious, lightweight, and easy to set up. For quality sleep, purchase a sleeping bag and add a pad to increase comfort.
Backpack
In 2021, the tourism industry is changing as more people embrace backpacking adventures while maintaining social distance. As the name suggests, the main essential is a backpack to carry all your other necessities. Choose one that is light, comfortable, and can accommodate all the essentials you will bring along. Due to weather changes that may occur, purchase a waterproof backpack or bring along a rain cover.
Water reservoir and treatment
Backpacking requires you to stay hydrated due to long travels and strenuous activities such as mountain climbing. Instead of water bottles that may occupy more space and store less water, a water reservoir is more convenient. Remember to carry treatment for your water in case you run out and need to fetch water in the wild.
Headlamp
A headlamp is an essential piece of gear during backpacking for your night adventures. If you forget, you are likely to end your trip sooner than you had planned. Instead of filling your backpack with flashlights and batteries, you can get a headlamp that is solar charged.
Bottom line
If you’re planning on going backpacking for your camping trip, ensure you have all the necessities to make it worthwhile. Create a checklist including a light backpack, headlamp, first aid kit, cookware, food, and water. Remember to bring water treatment and carry essential clothing that won’t burden you. Consider sharing the load with your friend or family members for a better experience.
Bonnie is always on the road with some amazing adventures ahead. Her favorite continent is South America and she’s passionate about culture-focused traveling and ethical and sustainable tourism. During her time in university as a research assistant for a sociology professor, she realized she can’t fully understand cultures from a safe distance. She quit her job to become a full-time “voluntourist,” which brings her to places where she can immerse in local communities and support their causes. On top of writing, one of Bonnie’s priorities is offering women advice on how to stay safe while solo backpacking.