Awesome Beginner Backpacking Gear for less than $200
If you are looking to start backpacking, you have likely come to the realization that the necessary gear can be quite expensive. But do not fret! There are many inexpensive and quality options for beginner backpacking gear that can help jump-start your newfound hobby. Here is a quick list of the “big 4” items to help you get started without breaking the bank.
| Backpack | Outdoor Products Arrowhead | ~$40 |
| Sleeping Bag | REVELCAMP Sleeping Bag | ~$23 |
| Sleeping Pad | Wellax Sleeping Pad | ~$40 |
| Tent | RCP Trekker 2.2 Tent | ~$50 |
The backpacking gear l listed above are great for beginners because they will help you gauge your interest in the hobby before sinking a large investment into top notch gear. As a bonus, everything listed is lightweight. I even started backpacking with a couple of these items myself. While I have upgraded since then, I still think these items are perfect for beginner backpackers.
Of course, there are other items you may need as a new backpacker, but many you probably already have or can obtain for a low cost. And other items typically deemed essential, like a water filter or a rain jacket, do not have to be if you plan accordingly.
For example: You will not need a water filter if your trip is short and you bring enough water. And you will not need rain gear if the weather will be clear (though I still recommended packing a poncho at a minimum, just in case).
So, in this article, we are focusing on the major and/or required items: Backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad (check out why you need one), tent, and trekking poles (these are required for the tent I recommend). However, I will briefly touch on a few other recommended items, but for a complete list, check out this basic overnight backpacking checklist.
Hiking Backpack
It all starts with a backpack. Without one, it will be impossible to carry the rest of your gear. To spare your wallet, the Outdoor Products Arrowhead is a serviceable beginner backpack that should fit all your gear if you stick to the items on this list.
This was my first backpack and it worked well for me, even when carrying the BearVault BV500 bear canister. It has a 46L capacity which is within the sweet spot of 40L to 60L I would recommend. Depending on your gear, you may have to utilize all the features this pack has to carry everything, but if I could carry a bear canister, a closed-cell foam sleeping pad, and a free-standing 3-person tent, then there is no excuse for why anyone else can’t.
While the Outdoor Products Arrowhead does not fit for what I want in a backpack now, for a piece of beginner backpacking gear, you cannot go wrong for the price. You may even be able to find this pack in your local Wal-Mart.
Sleeping Bag
You can waltz into Wal-Mart or some other big box store not named REI for a sleeping bag, but what they offer is bulky and takes up too much space in a pack. In fact, most cheap sleeping bags are. That is why the REVELCAMP sleeping bag is such a steal in my opinion. Not only is this sleeping bag cheap, but it is lightweight (2 lbs) and packs down nicely.
The REVELCAMP sleeping bag is not the warmest sleeping bag, but when camping at temperatures above 50-degrees, it is warm enough. While being advertised as warm down to 40-degrees, do not push it!
I have upgraded to a quilt since, but my blue REVELCAMP sleeping bag is still hanging in my closet and I do not plan to let it go. I will still use it when the weather is too warm to bother with my quilt.
Sleeping Pad
Next item on my beginner backpacking gear list is the Wellax Ultralight Sleeping Pad. This is not the sleeping pad I started with, but if you can spare 20-30 extra dollars, this pad is worth it over a closed-cell foam one.
The Wellax sleeping pad is great for new hikers because you are getting a pad that would cost two to three times as much if it had another brand name on it. It is ultralight, cheap, and overall, much more comfortable than the cheaper alternatives. While not a perfect sleeping pad, it is serviceable. Check out my full review of the Wellax Sleeping Pad.
However, if you want to spend less, a closed-cell foam pad is better than no pad at all. I started out with this blue foam pad from Stansport and it served its purpose of insulating me from the ground and providing some cushion. It won’t fit into your backpack like the Wellax but strap it on the outside and you are ready to go.
Tent
The tent I started backpacking with is no longer available, but it was a basic dome tent I bought for around $50, yet weighed only 4 lbs. While this tent worked well (I still own it), I believe there are better options available now. If I were starting over as a beginner backpacker, I would choose the River Country Products (RCP) Trekker 2.2 tent.
The RCP Trekker 2.2 weighs 3 lbs 6 oz and costs $50, the same price I paid for my heavier and bulkier dome tent. It is a 2-person tent, but even if you will be the only one sleeping in it, you will appreciate the extra space.
Note that this tent does require trekking poles to setup, which brings us to our next piece of beginner backpacking gear.
Trekking Poles
Trekking poles are not necessary to start backpacking, but if you will be using a tent like the one listed above, you will need a pair. If not, ignore this section.
My first pair of trekking poles is no longer available on Amazon, but there are other great options like the Hiker Hunger aluminum trekking poles, which sell for under $40. I recommend these because of the cork grip and flip locks that make adjusting them fast and easy.
Other Backpacking Gear for Beginners
Up to this point, our beginner backpacking gear comes in at just under $200! Not bad, especially considering you can still go with a cheaper sleeping pad. However, there are some other items you will need or may want. Let us take a minute to highlight some of these.
Stove
There are plenty of stove-less options, but if you want a hot meal then you should have a stove (unless cooking on a campfire). The BRS ultralight stove is one of the best bargains in the backpacking world, costing less than $20 and weighing less than an ounce! Keep in mind you will need a fuel canister as well. These can be purchased for less than $5 at REI for a 3.9oz can.
Pot and Cooking/Eating Utensil
If you are going to cook a meal, you need something to cook it in. You also need something for stirring and eating. Wal-Mart and other stores with camping sections usually have cheap kits that work fine, or you can check out the G4Free Camp Cookware set on Amazon for under $15. There are plenty of options for a cooking and eating utensil online too, or you can just bring what you have at home or even use a plastic spork.
Clothing
You might already have a shirt and pair of pants that will working for backpacking. If not, you can find some low-cost options at Wal-Mart. Heck, hit up a Goodwill if you need to. You want clothing that is NOT made from cotton. This goes for your socks and underwear, too.
Hiking Boots or Shoes
For a beginner, you do not need a $150 pair of hiking boots. If you have a pair of sneakers with some decent grip, you will be fine. While they will not serve you as well as footwear dedicated to hiking, I believe you can get by with them short-term, or at least long enough to prove your interest in backpacking isn’t going away.
Rain Gear
If the area you are hiking in is not subjected to unpredictable weather, you may not have a need for a rain jacket or pants. However, bring a poncho at a minimum. They are cheap and weigh nothing. Or you can buy a Frogg Toggs Rain Suit for a little more than $20.
A backpack rain cover is also important for keeping the contents of your pack dry. Combine this with a waterproof pack liner and/or dry bags for your moisture sensitive gear, food, and clothes.
Water Filter
The Sawyer Squeeze is the most popular water filter amongst backpackers, but you may not need one just to get started. Whether or not you need water treatment depends on if your trip warrants more water than you are willing to carry (water is heavy). If you do need to collect water, again, the Sawyer Squeeze or Mini Squeeze are the best options in my opinion, but you can also use Aquamira or water purification tablets.
First-aid Kit
Hopefully, you already have basic first-aid equipment. Bring a few bandages or a way to wrap wounds, plus some pain reliever. It isn’t a bad idea to have a complete kit like this one, just in case.
Portable Charger
Depending on how much you use your phone, you may want to have a method for recharging while on the trail. A portable charger with 5,000mAh, like the Anker PowerCore 5000, should be enough to charge your phone a time or two.
Flashlight or Headlamp
Pack a flashlight or a headlamp. You SHOULD have one of these at your disposal already, but if not, you can find the cheap mini flashlights at Wal-Mart for a couple of bucks. If you can spare the expense, go with a headlamp. The GearLight LED Headlamp 2-pack is a great deal on Amazon. You should also bring some extra batteries.
Awesome Backpacking Gear for Beginners
This beginner backpacking gear list proves that you do not have to drop big bucks to get started. While I am sure that you will choose to upgrade your gear if you stick with backpacking, I do not think you can have a better gear list with such a low cost. So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and trek on!
