Backpacking epitomizes the fusion of hiking with backcountry camping, offering a gateway to a more immersive outdoor adventure beyond the confines of traditional car camping. Unlike day hiking, the essence of backpacking lies in shouldering all of life’s necessities within your pack as you traverse the wilderness.
To prepare for your inaugural backpacking excursion, here are some guidelines to set you off on the right path:
- Opt for a Beginner-friendly Destination:
- Select short overnight trails in proximity to your residence for convenience and ease.
- Acquire essential gear through borrowing or resourcefulness to minimize expenses.
- Strategize Your Food Supply:
- Source just-add-water meals from outdoor retailers like Bushtukah or opt for simple cooking options from regular grocery stores.
- Pack ample snacks to fuel your journey along the trail.
- Ready Yourself for the Trek:
- Condition yourself by hiking with a fully loaded pack.
- Obtain necessary permits and acquaint yourself with Leave No Trace principles.
While the presence of an experienced companion can enhance safety and enjoyment, venturing solo is entirely feasible and the focus of this discourse. Nonetheless, it’s advisable to bring a friend along for added security and camaraderie, irrespective of their backpacking expertise.
* Note that this guide excludes travel-style backpacking, which emphasizes urban essentials for extended touring.
- Pick an easy backpacking destination

- Consult with Seasoned Backpackers:
- Tap into the knowledge of hiking club members or your local Bushtukah store personnel for trip recommendations.
- Utilize hiking guidebooks available at local outdoor retailers for comprehensive insights.
- Prioritize Proximity:
- Opt for destinations close to home to minimize travel time and maximize hiking hours.
- Aim for trails with shorter distances and modest elevation gains to accommodate the added challenge of a heavier pack.
- Opt for Established Trails and Campsites:
- Choose well-traveled trails with established campsites to ensure accessibility and assistance in case of emergencies.
- Ensure Adequate Water Sources:
- Verify the reliability of nearby water sources, prioritizing lakes or rivers over streams or springs prone to drying up.
- Consider Weather Conditions:
- Favor mid-summer expeditions for extended daylight hours and favorable weather conditions, while remaining vigilant about potential hazards.
- Explore “Walk-in” Campgrounds:
- Transition gradually into backpacking by utilizing campgrounds within a short distance from car campgrounds, available in select state and national parks.

2: Get Essential Gear and Clothing
What to Pack for Backpacking
Selecting gear for backpacking requires careful consideration due to the necessity of lightweight and space-efficient items. Unlike car camping gear, which tends to be bulkier, backpacking gear prioritizes compactness to accommodate the constraints of your pack. Keep in mind that when hiking with a companion, gear such as tents, pots, and stoves will be shared, optimizing weight distribution. Here’s a list of essential items for any backpacking excursion:
Tent: Opt for a two-person tent for shared use, as it offers a lighter and more economical choice compared to two individual tents. Choose a tent suitable for three seasons (spring, summer, and fall), avoiding four-season tents designed for mountaineering, which may be excessive for your current needs.
Backpack: If you’re borrowing a backpack, ensure it fits well by trying it on beforehand. Load it with various items totaling around 30 pounds, then embark on a lengthy test hike. If it feels comfortable around the hips and shoulders, it should suffice for your initial backpacking venture.
Should you decide to purchase a backpack, seek assistance from a Bushtukah pack specialist who can measure your torso for a proper fit. Avoid the allure of ultralight models for your first backpack, as they tend to have less padding and structural support compared to more robust alternatives. If weight reduction is a priority, focus instead on ultralight options for tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads.
Sleeping Bag: When contemplating a purchase, weigh the advantages and disadvantages of down fill versus synthetic fill, particularly concerning the anticipated weather conditions. Opting for a synthetic fill sleeping bag for your initial purchase is advisable due to its versatility and typically lower cost compared to down alternatives.
Sleeping Pad: Ensuring a restful night’s sleep hinges on adequate cushioning and insulation. Simply relying on a pool float won’t suffice for warmth. When purchasing a sleeping pad, weigh the merits of various types: closed-cell foam pads, insulated air pads, and self-inflating pads. Opt for a closed-cell pad if you can comfortably sleep on a firm surface, as it offers significant weight and cost savings. For a balanced blend of comfort and value, consider a self-inflating pad. Further insights can be found in our guide on Choosing the Right Sleeping Pad.
Stove: If you own a lightweight single-burner camp stove, weighing less than a pound, it should suffice for your inaugural backpacking excursion. When considering a purchase, prioritize fuel type selection before stove model. Gas-canister stoves are popular among beginners due to their affordability and ease of use. Remember to pack a full canister or bottle of the appropriate fuel type for your stove. For more detailed guidance, explore our article on Selecting the Ideal Backpacking Stove.
Water Treatment: Even seemingly pristine water sources can harbor contaminants, necessitating treatment in the wilderness. While borrowing a filter is an option, for your first trip, opt for a lightweight and straightforward solution such as chemical treatment: tablets or drops added to a bottle to purify water. Delve into the intricacies of selecting and utilizing water treatment gear in our comprehensive resources on Choosing a Water Filter or Purifier and Filtering Water.
Kitchen Supplies: Cut costs by repurposing camping gear or sourcing items from thrift shops or your home kitchen (avoiding delicate china). Pack essential pots, pans, plates, cups, and utensils required for preparing and consuming planned meals. Include a small sponge and biodegradable soap for dishwashing, ensuring it’s done away from camp and water sources. A compact towel also proves invaluable for various tasks.
What Clothing to Bring

No need to splurge on specialized “hiking clothes” for your inaugural backpacking excursion. Simply sift through your fitness wardrobe and seek out garments crafted from moisture-wicking, quick-drying fabrics like nylon and polyester. (Moisture-wicking materials draw sweat away from the skin, promoting dryness.) Eschew cotton, as it absorbs water and dries slowly when wet, potentially leading to chilling and, in extreme cases, hypothermia.
When assembling your backpacking attire, organize it into layers:
- Base Layers: Essential for regulating temperature, especially as warm days can transition into chilly nights.
- Hiking Layers: Opt for nylon pants (roll-up or zip-off), T-shirts, a sun shirt, and a sun hat.
- Insulation: Include a puffy vest or jacket, a lightweight fleece pullover, and warm headgear and gloves.
- Rainwear: Ensure you have a waterproof and breathable jacket; whether to pack rain pants depends on the weather forecast (rainwear also doubles as mosquito protection).
Layering enables swift adaptation to changing weather conditions and provides robust defense against sudden storms bringing cold and rain.
If you have a preferred pair of non-cotton athletic tights or yoga pants, they can serve as either your base layer or hiking pants. However, note that when worn as pants, they lack convenient storage pockets and are more susceptible to snagging on brush or abrasion from rocks.
For further insights into selecting backpacking attire, consult our comprehensive guide on What to Wear Backpacking.
Footwear Selection:
Given the critical importance of foot comfort, footwear stands as your top priority. While some backpackers advocate for supportive over-the-ankle boots, others prefer lightweight trail running shoes. Explore the ongoing debate between Hiking Boots vs. Trail Runners to inform your decision.
Ensure your boots or shoes are well broken-in before embarking on your journey. Wear wool or synthetic socks, and consider bringing a pair of ultralight shoes or water sandals for camp wear (and creek fording).
2: Backpacking food planning

For an overnight backpacking excursion, prepare provisions for dinner, breakfast, and a couple of lunches. While freeze-dried backpacking meals offer convenience (simply add boiling water), they can be costly. Opt for grocery store alternatives to save money, considering that perishable items like fresh eggs are impractical without a cooler. Explore our guide on Meal Planning for Backpacking for further insights.
Avoid canned food due to its weight, and estimate your food consumption accurately to prevent overpacking, which adds unnecessary bulk to your load. However, ensure you have extra food to sustain an additional day in the wilderness. Here are tailored meal-planning suggestions for your inaugural backpacking trip:
Dinner: Seek out all-in-one meals such as packaged noodle or rice entrees. Transfer boxed meals to plastic bags for compact packing.
Lunches and snacks: Pack high-calorie, high-protein energy bars and trail mix for sustained energy during the day. Keep lunch simple with trailside snacks for a longer break. Other lunch options include bagels, jerky, dried fruit, and nuts.
Breakfast: Choose from cooked options like pancakes or hot oatmeal from a mix, or opt for convenience with breakfast bars. Consider whether to prioritize a warm, nourishing start to the day or an early start on the trail. For caffeine, instant coffee or tea bags provide a simple solution.
Wildlife Precautions: Exercise caution on the trail by maintaining a respectful distance from animals and avoiding interference with large mammals and their offspring. At night, secure all food and scented items away from camp to deter wildlife. Use a spare stuff sack and nylon cord to hang provisions from a high tree branch or utilize a bear canister to prevent rodents from pilfering food, even if bears aren’t a primary concern.

3: How to get ready for your backpacking trip
Prepare yourself thoroughly to ensure a successful backpacking experience by focusing on physical, mental, and logistical readiness. Follow these guidelines to ready yourself for your upcoming trip:
Physical Preparation:
- While you don’t need to train for a marathon, recognize that backpacking can be physically demanding. Undertake numerous day hikes, ensuring you can comfortably handle trails with similar distances and elevation gains as your planned trip.
- Prior to your journey, embark on several pre-trip hikes of comparable difficulty while carrying a backpack loaded with 30-plus pounds.
- Consider exploring our Backpacking Training Tips and Exercises article for workout ideas, although such comprehensive training may not be necessary for your first excursion.
Mental Preparation:
- Familiarize yourself with your equipment in advance. Practice pitching your tent, operating your stove, and filtering water before embarking on your trip.
- Acquire basic first aid skills and familiarize yourself with map and compass navigation, as these abilities will prove invaluable, even if you don’t pursue further backpacking adventures.
Logistical Planning:
- Arrange transportation to and from the trailhead and ensure you obtain all necessary permits, particularly for popular destinations. Consult with the local land management agency to ascertain permit requirements and glean insights into trail conditions and fire restrictions.
- Share your trip plan with a trusted friend or family member, detailing your itinerary and expected return time to expedite assistance in case of emergencies.
Packing Preparation:
- Avoid last-minute packing by loading your backpack several days prior to your departure. Refer to our guide on How to Pack and Hoist a Backpack for useful loading tips.
- Weigh your packed backpack to ensure it doesn’t exceed 20 percent of your body weight. If it surpasses this threshold, scrutinize your checklist and eliminate non-essential items.
By adhering to these preparatory steps, you’ll enhance your readiness and enjoyment of your backpacking adventure.