PACK LIKE A PRO:
BACKPACKING GEAR
CHECKLIST
1. THE 10 ESSENTIALS 3. LUXURY ITEMS
☐ Shelter: Tent, tarp or bivy ☐ Camp pillow
☐ Navigation: GPS unit, compass and paper map (don’t rely ☐ Battery pack
exclusively on anything with batteries) ☐ Book/E-reader
☐ Hydration: Water treatment, water bottles and/or reservoir, ☐ Camp chair
backup treatment (like tablets) ☐ Camera
☐ Fire: Lighter/matches, stove and fuel
☐ Food: About 2-2.5 pounds/day plus some emergency rations 4. LOCATION-DEPENDENT/SEASONAL ITEMS
☐ First aid kit: Pain/inflammation medication, disinfectant wipes, ☐ Bear can
tape/bandages, blister care, insect repellent, etc. ☐ Fleece jacket
☐ Headlamp and extra batteries ☐ Rain pants
☐ Sun protection: Sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses and hat ☐ nsulated pants
☐ Pocket knife ☐ Wind shirt/pants
☐ Extra clothes/layering system: Rain jacket, insulated jacket, ☐ Camp sandals/shoes
long underwear top and bottom, extra socks and ☐ Insulated booties
underwear, warm hat and gloves ☐ Sleeping bag liner
☐ Personal towel
2. OTHER ESSENTIALS
☐ Backpack 5. ON YOUR BODY
☐ Sleep system: Sleeping bag or quilt, sleeping pad ☐ Hiking shirt: Wicking wool or synthetic, never cotton
☐ Cookware and utensils ☐ Hiking bottoms: Fast-drying convertible pants, shorts,
☐ Rain cover and/or waterproof pack liner skirt or kilt
☐ Bandana ☐ Hiking socks
☐ Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, wet wipes, ☐ Hiking boots or trail runners
biodegradable soap ☐ Wicking underwear
☐ Gear repair kit ☐ Sports bra
☐ Bathroom kit (lightweight trowel, toilet paper, hand sanitizer ☐ Hat
and pack-out baggies) ☐ Sunglasses
☐ Trekking poles
☐ Trail gaiters (optional)
PACK A BACKPACK CHEAT SHEET
1. Lay out all your gear, adapted to your trip 6. Fill out the body of the pack with the lightest items, including
(use the checklist so you don’t forget anything). lightweight clothes, camp towel or light toiletry items.
2. Make sure all pack compression straps are as loose as 7. Put lighter items on the top of your pack and in the lid that
possible. you may need access to while you’re hiking, including first
3. Fill your hydration reservoir and place it in your pack. aid, snacks, a rain jacket, sunscreen etc.
4. Stuff your sleeping bag in the bottom of your bag. Fill out the 8. Fill out your pockets with water bottles, tent poles, snacks,
space with a small sleeping pad, camp clothes and/or a pack cover, bathroom kit and other lightweight items you’ll
camp pillow. want to grab quickly.
5. Layer your heaviest gear against the back of the pack, 9. Cinch down pack compression straps to secure your load.
including camp food, your cook system and tent body.
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