Backpacking for Beginners: How to Get Started, Tips & Gear

Disclaimer: This is a beginner’s backpacking guide based off my 9 years of experience. I learned backpacking (backcountry/ wilderness camping in 2015) and have been on countless trips across, and I’m here to share everything you need to know to get started including mistakes I made.

If you are looking to transition from day hiking to overnight camping in the mountains, this guide is to help you get started with planning and a gear list, but if you want to see what I personally pack, jump over to my other guides here:

• Tiff’s Personal Backpacking List: My starter gear set, non-ultralight (2015-2018)
• Ultralight Backpacking Guide: Pack Lighter, Move Faster (2018-present)

Make sure you plan for the right weather when planning your first backpacking trip. Look up what elevation your campsite is at (do not simply google the city you will be in), because it’s always colder at high altitude. Click here for my hiking resources guide including my favorite weather websites.

Tips for Your First Backpacking Trip

• For starters, I’d recommend going with someone who has been before if it’s your first time.  It helps to have a veteran around to help guide you with the best possible experience. If you don’t enjoy your first trip and you don’t know what you are doing, you likely won’t want to try again.
• Pick an area you are familiar with. Make sure you check if there is a permit system for your intended trail.  
• Many people have asked me how I trained to backpack; hiking trails with elevation gain and walking on an inclined treadmill both help.  
• Remember that when you actually get out there, it’s just you and other fellow backpackers out there… so know your limits and know it’s ok to turn around if you’re not comfortable.
• Once you get to a good camp spot, I always like to pitch my tent, blow up my inflatable sleeping pad, and lay out my sleeping bag right away so I won’t be too tired when I’m relaxed after dinner.
• According to experts at REI, your overall backpack weight should not be more than 20% of your body weight, others say it should not be more than 25%. As a relatively smaller hiker, I will say that’s a very low weight limit which I can hit easily, but I’d recommend aiming to be under 30% for general 3-season backpacking (winter camping/ mountaineering will be heavier).
• Remember, the lighter your gear, the more expensive it is. I’d estimate about 1 lb of weight savings is roughly $100.
• Share gear with your partner when you can. This includes a tent, cook system, water filter, and maybe even your food storage bag if only going for one night.

Learn from my mistakes

• Wear pants/ leggings: this is something you may not realize, but your legs will get really dirty if you wear shorts which will make you the camp experience less pleasant. You can always bring wipes but this saves you a lot of cleaning work.
• Do not bring a change of clothes to hike out in – it’s extra space and weight.
• Don’t overpack on food — it gets heavy. Carry only what you need and make sure your foods are all dense with high calories.
• Don’t overpack on water if you know where your water sources are. 1 liter of water weights about 2 lbs which adds up

Below I’ve listed the gear you will need to acquire as a beginner backpacker, my personal gear list, and food recommendations.

♥ If you have any questions, feel free to ask me in the comments below.
♥ If you just want to know my recommendations/ what I like to use, scroll to the bottom or click here. 🙂

Backpacking Gear List

New to backpacking? Here’s the rule of thumb I have noticed – the lighter the gear, the more expensive it is… and remember, you are carrying everything on your back!  Ultralight backpacking is always a good option for backpacking but it comes at a price.  Everything is a live-and-learn process.  

If you are new to the wonderful world of backpacking, you probably don’t want to drop too much money at first which is understandable, just get a decent starting set of gear and upgrade along the way once you’ve figured out how much you want to invest into this new hobby.  You also have the option to rent your backpacking gear: REI offers great gear rentals!  This is a good option to test out items if you are unsure if you want to spend a lot of money on something you may not want to keep up with.

Now here’s what you’ll need:

• Tent – lightweight, backpacking purpose.
  • 3 season: built for spring, summer, fall
• Sleeping bag – ladies, get a women-specific bag if you can.  You’re probably looking at a 3-season sleeping bag until you get more comfortable to go in the winter, which you would then invest in that ridiculously expensive (but totally worth it) winter bag.
  • Down vs synthetic: main difference – down material is warmer but synthetic isn’t totally useless when it’s wet (unlike down feathers, synthetic dries faster) and synthetic tends to be cheaper.  If you are going to be in damp/wet conditions, go with the synthetic.  Otherwise, down feels better if you run cold as I do.
  • Storage at home: do not keep it compressed in the little compression bag you hit the trails with!  Keep it inside the bigger stuck sack it comes in, this way it helps keep your bag fluffy.
• Sleeping pad – get an insulated one, it makes a huge difference!  Each pad has an R-value which measures the thermal resistance of the pad; the higher the number, the warmer you’ll be.  A rating of 5/10 means you can sleep on snow and not feel the cold.  Personally, I don’t like the mummy-size pads even though this will save some weight and breath for you.  Also for winter, I hear you should get a foam pad to go under your air pad.
• Overnight backpack – 50 liters is good for 1-3 nights.  There are sizes and proper ways to adjust your pack to your body so stop by REI (or your nearest backpacking equipment store) and have them size it for you.  There’s also a proper way to pack your bags and strap it on.  Many modern, lightweight backpacking packs have a sleeping bag compartment on the bottom of the backpack, and everything else on the inside big pouch should be packed with the lightest items on the bottom and heavier on top-middle up against your back so the weight doesn’t hurt your lower back.
• Hiking shoes & socks – hiking socks make a big difference as opposed to wearing normal workout socks and you can’t go wrong with merino wool. 
• Headlamp (& extra batteries if you don’t have a rechargeable one)
• Portable Stove & propane – you cannot buy propane online; go to a gear shop or walmart
• Layers – This really depends on where you’re going, but these are the essentials I always like to have with me
  • Baselayer
  • Down jacket (or another softshell insulating jacket)
  • Rain jacket
  • Gloves
  • Hat/beanie
  • Neck warmer/ buff/ scarf/ bandana
  • Pants – as a girl, I know we struggle to look cute while hiking, and let’s be honest… hiking pants aren’t really cute.  I always wear leggings.

Optional (but recommended):

• Hydration pack – sometimes this is more convenient than reusable water bottles. I like the Osprey ones better than Camelbak due to ease of closure.
• Battery pack – if you rely on your phone for pics
• Bear canister – find out ahead of time if it’s required or not
• Hygienic necessities: toothbrush, toothpaste, toilet paper, trash bag to pack it out, sunblock, etc
• Quick-dry towel
• First aid kit – I took a Wilderness First Aid Certification course and the two main pieces I learned to have if you are building your own kit was gauze and tape, but of course, you will want more than just that so do your own research to build out your kit. Highly recommend Moleskin, too!
• Pocket knife (personal preference)
• Hiking poles
• Water filter
• Fork / spork/ eating utensil
• Sunglasses
• Bug Spray

Food

This will vary depending on how many nights you are backpacking and your taste, but basically, anything lightweight and high in calories will do the trick.  Freeze-dried meals are good options because it’s super light and you can cook them right in the bags for convenience by just adding hot water. Remember that you are carrying the fuel so make sure you check how long it will take to cook up your meals (like rice may take a while).  

For lunch, you probably want to keep it quick and light, so you can get back on the trail soon without any food coma but again, you know your body best.  Reward yourself with a yummier full-size meal for dinner!  I find it helpful to pack up your snacks and meals in separate ziplock bags, for easy access and to save space (especially spices). & Don’t forget snacks!!

Here are some meal ideas:

Breakfast:  banana, oatmeal, granola, cereal with powdered milk, bread/ pastries

Lunch:  sandwiches (salami & bread work well because salami is the only deli meat that does not need to be refrigerated and provides a lot of fat and protein), tuna packets, pre-cooked bacon, jerky, granola bars

Dinner:  Freeze-dried meals, dehydrated meals, ramen, tuna packets, spam, summer sausage, couscous, quinoa, instant rice, freeze-dried vegetables, curry, soup

Snacks:  granola bars, protein bars, rice cakes with almond butter or peanut butter, nuts, dried fruits, granola, fruits (even though they weigh more), jerky

*Random food tip:  if you are only going for one or two nights, you can freeze half of your water bladder and slip any deli meats against the inside so it creates a temporary cooler.

Backpacking for Beginners FAQ

Tiff’s Personal Backpacking List

Other Gear Guides

• Crampons vs Microspikes: Differences and When to UseMarch 24, 2024
• Finetrack Review: The Ultimate Baselayer for Those Who Sweat a Lot Even in the ColdFebruary 21, 2024
• 61 Best Gifts for Hikers (Recommendations from an experienced hiker)December 7, 2023
• Best Down Booties for Backpacking and Cold Weather CampingDecember 1, 2023
• 12 Best Sleeping Bags For Cold Weather (2024)November 21, 2023
• Best Hiking Underwear for Women 2024 – Tested by an Avid Female HikerOctober 25, 2023
• New 2024 Bestway Inflatable Sleeping Pad ReviewsAugust 25, 2023
• My Favorite Gear from the REI Memorial Day Sale 2021May 21, 2021

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