Basic Overnight Backpacking Checklist

Being prepared for an overnight backpacking trip is critical to your comfort and safety but it can be overwhelming trying to compile a list of all the things you may need. Experienced hikers or backpackers have probably put together their own lists, but if you’re relatively new to the hobby, having a list like the one below can be beneficial.

Your backpacking list can be broken down into these categories: Backpack, attire, sleep system, shelter, elemental protection, water treatment, sustenance, kitchen, electronics, hygiene, emergency, and miscellaneous. Let’s discuss these categories and highlight the items you should include in your overnight backpacking list.

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Some of these items may not be required for your specific backpacking trip. Likewise, you might find you need additional items not on the list (e.g., microspikes, hatchet). Bear in mind that this list reflects my own personal experience and what I typically pack on overnight trips. However, let’s discuss these items and some possible alternatives.

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Backpack

Obviously, you must have a backpack. If you’re just getting started in backpacking and want to gauge your interest level, it’s hard to justify spending a large sum on a backpack. You can go real cheap (like I did initially), or you can visit your nearest R.E.I. where they will help with your fitting and sizing of a backpack. They also have an unbeatable return policy if you conclude backpacking just isn’t for you.

Hiking Attire

The clothes you wear during your overnight backpacking trip should be moisture wicking. That means NO COTTON as it holds moisture and takes longer to dry. It is a miserable feeling having to put a sweat-soaked t-shirt back on the next morning.

Other materials like polyester, nylon, and wool wick moisture away from your body and dry quicker.

Leave your jeans at home also. When hiking, you want to be able to maneuver well around obstacles and jeans tend to be restrictive. Having pants or shorts that have some ability to stretch is beneficial, not to mention jeans are heavy!

Be sure your underwear is not cotton as well! Again, cotton presents moisture issues and that can cause chafing in uncomfortable places, possibly leading to a miserable backpacking experience.

As for your footwear, have a good pair of hiking boots, shoes, or trail-runners that are appropriately sized to prevent foot injuries. Also have a good pair of wool socks as they provide excellent cushion and keep your feet dry. Bring a second pair as well for sleeping or for a backup in case your hiking pair gets wet.

Other items to consider for your attire are a hat and sunglasses for sun protection, thermal base layers and a jacket if you’re expecting cold temperatures, and clothes to sleep in, or pajamas, since you might not want to sleep in the clothes you were hiking in all day.

Sleep System

You’ll need a sleeping bag or quilt with a proper rating for the temperatures you’ll be sleeping in. In other words, don’t have a 40° bag when temps will get down into the 20s, unless you’re willing to pack extra weight in items to help keep your warm. A sleeping bag liner is also a good idea for keeping your sleeping bag clean since you can just wash it instead of the bag, plus it can add a few extra degrees of warmth.

A sleeping pad is a necessity, even though I’ve known people to go without (and regretted it). An inflatable sleeping pad offers added comfort compared to a foam pad, but the primary purpose of a pad is to insulate your body from the ground. Your toasty sleeping bag will struggle to keep you warm if the cool ground is absorbing your body heat.

Also consider whether you want to bring an inflatable pillow, or maybe just use your backpack stuffed with clothes for a headrest. And earplugs are nice too if you have a loud snorer in the group or just want to drown out the sounds of nature while trying to get some shut eye.

Shelter

The traditional shelter is a tent along with it’s poles, rainfly, stakes, and possibly guy lines. However, there are alternatives to a standard tent such as a tent that uses your trekking poles for support, which are usually much lighter, or a hammock and tarp setup, or as I’ve recently experimented with, just a tarp by itself (though this probably isn’t the most ideal setup for a beginner).

Know that your tent may require a footprint or groundsheet. Some come with a tarp bottom but that is more common on tents designed for camping (heavier) more so than backpacking. You can buy a footprint designed specifically for your tent sometimes, but you can also buy some Tyvek wrap from your local hardware store, or maybe polycro, and cut it to fit.

If you decide to go with a hammock setup, you’ll need everything required to hang the hammock and the tarp. Additionally, if it’s going to be a cold night, you may need to add an underquilt to your sleep system.

Elemental Protection

While your shelter does protect you from the elements, this category is more specifically for protection while on the go.

It’s good practice to have some rain gear, even if you aren’t expecting any rain. It’s better to play it on the safe side and be prepared just in case. Rain gear typically consists of a rain jacket and pants and a pack cover, or maybe even just a poncho, but there are alternatives and/or additions.

A lot of people have moved to carrying ultralight umbrellas, and rain kilts have been replacing rain pants. Also, in place of a pack cover, many people are using waterproof pack liners and dry bags, allowing their pack to get wet but still keeping the contents dry.

Sunscreen, lip balm, and insect repellent are also good ideas for elemental protection since they save your skin from the sun and bug bites.

Water Treatment

You could bring all the water you need in however many bottles, but that amount can vary depending on the length of your trip and temperature. Therefore, I recommend at least two 1-liter bottles and a water filter.

A filter is a staple in a backpacker’s bag since you can carry less water and refill at a water source. Along with your filter, you’ll need a container to collect water, usually a collapsible bag, that threads directly onto your filter.

It’s also a good idea to carry a backup way to treat your water, such as purification tablets that you drop into your water and wait for it to do it’s work, or you can use a chemical solution like iodine or chlorine drops. If nothing else, you can always boil your water, but keep in mind these methods don’t filter out solids.

Sustenance

No need to elaborate too much here. You’ll need food and water but how much depends on your plan. Whether you’re cooking or electing to eat cold, no-heating-required foods, make sure to have enough for meals and snacks. If you plan on hiking a good amount of miles, some energy boosting snacks are a must.

Remember to bring something to replenish electrolytes! It can be a Gatorade or, if you want to save weight, a water packet that contains electrolytes. There are also certain foods that can serve this purpose, like bananas or avocados, but it’s usually not convenient to carry these in your pack because of the potential of getting crushed and making a mess.

Kitchen

If you want a hot meal after a day of hiking then you’ll need the proper equipment. Obviously, you’ll need a pot and a cooking utensil, which can also serve as your eating tool. You’ll need a stove, fuel, and a method for igniting a flame, preferably a lighter.

You can go stoveless and bring food that doesn’t require heating, or maybe you want to cook over an open fire. Either way, having a fire starter should be in your bag because an emergency might dictate needing a fire for safety or survival. It’s also a good idea to have a backup fire starter; maybe a second lighter, matches, or a ferro rod, if you are skilled in using one.

Be aware that cooking over an open fire may not be an option if the area you’re backpacking in has had recent rainfall. Be prepared in case this happens!

Additional items to bring are a knife for cutting, biodegradable soap for cleaning your dishes, and a rag to use as a potholder and for cleaning.

Electronics

Most of us don’t want to leave home without our phones, plus they serve as a multi-purpose tool; GPS, maps, camera, or whatever useful apps you may have. A phone generally can serve all your electronic needs, but you may want to consider a dedicated camera if you want better quality photos.

Bring a portable battery charger as well, plus all cables needed to charge any device you plan on taking. Make sure your battery charger is fully charged before leaving on your backpacking trip!

Your phone can also serve as a flashlight, but it’s still a good idea to bring a flashlight or, what I prefer, a headlamp which leaves your hands free for tasks like night hiking or setting up a tent. Remember to pack extra batteries!

Hygiene

Things like a toothbrush and toothpaste are necessary, but deodorant probably won’t do you much good unless you plan on having a means to bathe.

Bring toilet paper (a partial roll should be enough) and a hand trowel for digging a cathole if you have to go #2, or you can use a stick. Hand sanitizer and wet wipes are also nice to have, plus you can use the wet wipes for spot bathing.

Emergency

Make sure to pack a first-aid kit. While no one plans on getting injured, accidents do happen and, when they do, you need to be prepared. A basic kit should have some adhesive bandages, gauze, bandage wrap, tape, and alcohol or alcohol wipes, plus you want to include some kind of pain reliever like Ibuprofen or Tylenol. Also, antibiotic and anti-itch creams, allergy relief, Imodium, and tweezers should be part of your first-aid kit.

It’s always a good idea to keep a physical map and compass in your emergency supplies too. You may be hiking a well established trail, but many people have gotten lost when they didn’t expect to. And if you do get lost or get injured off trail, having a whistle to alert others who may be nearby can be a life saver.

Paracord can prove useful in negative situations, as well as having a few yards of duct tape and a needle and some thread for gear repairs. While it might not be a life or death situation, having some duct tape to repair a leaking air mattress or tent may feel like a life saver, and a needle and thread can be used to sew up torn clothing or a ripped backpack.

Miscellaneous

Trekking poles are pretty iconic when it comes to backpacking, but are not required. However, they serve to reduce impact to your knees and can help you with your balance. You can also try using a hiking staff as an alternative.

Having a dry place to sit is a luxury, but one worth having. Bring a foam sitting pad as they are cheap and lightweight and you’ll be glad you did.

You’ll also be glad to have some camp shoes. When you get to camp after a long day of hiking, you’ll love nothing more to be able to kick off your hiking shoes and air out your feet with some flip-flops or crocs.

And to wrap up our list, a bear bag kit will be a good idea if you are in bear country, or even a bear canister. Some places may require one over the other, so check with the local ranger or expert to inquire about what is necessary where you’ll be backpacking.

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And that’s it! A basic overnight backpacking checklist. Remember to tailor the list to your needs based on your plan, and, if you find there is anything I have forgotten or feel should be included in the list, please add it to the comments below. Thanks for reading!