We’ve all read gear lists on the essential objects for backpacking… however have you thought of what luxurious backpacking gadgets you wish to add to your kit? Although they aren’t “must haves”, these things add a little more comfort to your backcountry camping journey. Keep reading to seek out out the highest 9 luxurious items to pack for your subsequent backpacking trip!
Disclaimer: This weblog publish is in collaboration withBackcountry.com and features some affiliate links. This means I get a small fee should you make a purchase (at no further price to you). Use code RENEE15 to get 15% off your first Backcountry order (some exclusions apply). You also can learn extra about my affiliate policyhere. Thank you for the support!
Firstly, we want to preface that you don’t want these luxury backpacking gear items. They are simply extra things many individuals select to take with them on tenting trips, but by no means mandatory. Use your decretion when selecting what suits your wants and what might be a miss.
And don’t neglect that we have a bunch of other helpful backpacking and climbing guides, in addition to some downloadable packing lists. Here are a few of our hottest:
1. Camp Shoes / Water Sandals
There aren’t many higher emotions on the earth than taking your hiking boots off after a protracted day of hiking… amirite?! Rather than should put your scorching shoes again on each time you want to depart the tent, throw on some camp sandals. It’s faster, extra breathable, and will give your toes that break they want before the hike again.
Camp sandals may be extremely light-weight and sturdy these days, so strap a pair to the surface of your pack. You won’t ever wish to go on a backpacking journey with out them again! I often pack the Birkenstock Arizona Core Sandals for around camp (there’s a men’s model, too) or if I need to use them as water footwear I will as an alternative take the Merrell Breakwater Strap Sandals or the Xero Shoes Z-Trail EV.
2. Lightweight Camp Chair
Seriously, bringing a light-weight camp chair has been THE biggest sport changer for me. Sitting on a comfortable chair at camp really permits you to enjoy that perfect campsite without having to try to place your butt completely between a rock and a tough place. Your knees, ankles, and glutes will thank you!
Although it provides somewhat weight to your pack, the additional weight has been more than value it when spending lengthy days at camp. I suggest the Helinox Zero Chair (only 1 lb 2 oz), the Big Agnes Skyline UL Chair, or the Big Agnes Skyline UL Stool.
Cold soaking or snacking for dinner? No thanks… that sort of ultralight backpacking just isn’t for me. I much favor a heat meal after an extended day of climbing. Also, it’s typically cold in the mountains at night, and treating myself to a heat meal is the least I can do after mountaineering all of these miles to camp.
My favourite for quick and simple cooking while on the trail is the Jetboil MiniMo Cooking System. It’s perfect for dehydrated meals and boils water so quickly for tea or espresso when you should heat up on a chilly morning. The Jetboil Stash is one other light-weight choice great for one-pot meals. For an ultralight possibility, the MSR Pocket Rocket is a well-liked choice, and it comes in a equipment option as properly.
I take pleasure in a nice hot chocolate in the evening and/or coffee within the morning to start the time off proper. These days manufacturers are making actually amazing, lightweight camp mugs which may be just a few ounces. If you want espresso then this one is non-negotiable. You can even pack smaller objects within the mug to save heaps of area in your pack, corresponding to headlamps, a spare pair of socks, and so forth. I personally love the Snow Peak Titanium Single Wall Mug, however the GSI Outdoors Infinity Mug and Sea to Summit Cool Grip Collapsible Mug are each great choices as properly.
When that sudden dangerous climate passes via you’ll be grateful you packed some form of leisure. A Kindle (or similar E-reader) is a comparatively lightweight way to keep entertained, and the battery lasts much longer than most different electronic devices. I personally pack my Kindle on just about every backpacking journey I take and have by no means regretted it. You may pack a physical book but the weight would likely be considerably extra.
The basic Kindle is very affordable or you’ll find a way to opt for the latest, premium edition, the Kindle Paperwhite Signature.
Heading out for a tenting trip to an alpine lake? Don’t forget your swimsuit! The chilly water is incredibly healing in your physique after a long hike, think football gamers having ice baths after a game… identical concept!
Bathing fits actually don’t weigh much or take up much area, so think about throwing one in in your subsequent backpacking trip. Or if you feel snug, you would simply swim in your underwear. My go-to swimsuit is the Left On Friday Sunday One-Piece, or you could opt for a bikini, or the Patagonia Baggies Shorts for extra protection and flexibility.
After that dip in the chilly alpine lake you’re going to need to dry off. Sure you can simply air dry, however have you ever felt the wind in the mountains? Brrrr. There are quite a few brands out there creating lightweight and quick-drying towels such as the Sea To Summit Tek Towel. This goes to be a regular in my pack from right here on out when there’s a chance I could also be swimming.
For me, packing a camp pillow is a no-brainer. I know some people will call this a bit “extra”, however nobody I know who brings a pillow out tenting with them has ever regretted it. At lower than 2oz, actually there’s no reason not to.
The Exped Ultra Pillow is a great ultralight inflatable pillow option, while the Sea To Summit Aeros Premium Pillow is even more deluxe and comfortable. For a more reasonably priced possibility, the Stoic Groundwork Pillow continues to be light-weight and really comfy! You could go for extra of a compressible pillow however they often weight slightly more.
Bonus tip: Up your comfort recreation by inflating the pillow solely midway, wrapping it in a Buff, then stuff that with a down jacket. This is SO far more comfortable and provides no extra weight as you’ll probably have one thing like a buff and a down jacket with you already.
This is unquestionably not a necessity, however I’ve discovered a mini lantern is really nice to have on a backpacking journey. You can leave it in a single place, so you don’t should dig around for it at midnight such as you would possibly with a headlamp. The mild is commonly more delicate and dispersed too, so it’s great for contained in the tent at evening or when cooking a meal at camp. You’re additionally not going to blind your camp buddy when you turn to look at them, which is a pleasant bonus.
Some of our top backpacking lantern recommendations are the Snow Peak Mini Hozuki Lantern, the Black Diamond Moji R + Lantern, and the MPOWERD Luci Lux Lantern.
More Comfort Backpacking Items
There are undoubtedly some other “comfort” or luxurious objects that individuals choose to take backpacking. Some more gear pieces and equipment to consider:
What Else To Bring On a backpacking journey
So we coated the “luxury” backpacking gear record. Now let’s talk about different backpacking essentials! Much of what you pack and wear for a backpacking trip shall be similar to what you’d pack for a day hike, with a couple of added gadgets.
I even have a complete guide and packing record for beginner mountaineering essentials, so be positive to verify that out. That information contains my recommendations for one of the best hiking sneakers, light-weight and warm layers, and the Ten Essentials.
Choosing your backpacking gear depends on a quantity of elements, like how a lot you want to carry (weight), how lengthy you’ll be backpacking, and the price of gear. I know that backpacking gear is type of costly, so I’m sharing some budget-friendly gear recommendations in addition to lightweight backpacking choices. Since you’ll be carrying all of your gear (clothing, food, shelter.. everything!) you’ll wish to spend a while figuring out your finances and researching gear earlier than making purchases. And I’m right here to assist with that!
When factoring in your general base weight your pack *ideally* shouldn’t weigh more than about 20 % of your body weight. (For instance, when you weigh 150 kilos, your pack should not be over 30 pounds). This is a common rule to follow if you need to have a pleasant backpacking experience and never be too sore afterward. Remember that you can improve your gear over time and substitute heavier objects with more lightweight alternatives.
Don’t overlook to use code RENEE15 to get 15% off your first Backcountry.com order! (some exclusions apply) Click here to buy my favorites.
My favourite lightweight pack for backcountry tenting is the Osprey Lumina 60L Backpack (men’s model available right here.) For a bit extra support and features, I like the Osprey Kyte 46L Backpack (men’s version available right here.) If you want to pack quick and light, Hyperlite Mountain Gear makes nice ultralight and durable backpacks. I advocate the Granite Gear Crown 2 60L Backpack as a budget-friendly option for a great backpacking pack. I often additionally use the Hyperlite Versa Hip Pack connected to my pack’s waist strap for simple entry to essentials (aka snacks and chapstick!)
Choosing a backpacking tent might be one of the most challenging items of kit. This is often the heaviest single piece of kit, and ultralight tents can be fairly dear. But, it’s absolutely worth the investment if you’ll be utilizing it frequently! My favorite 2-person tent is the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 2, good for sleeping 2 people in most seasons. A more lightweight various in the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL 2P (or there is a 1 Person version). The Eureka Tetragon NX 2 and Eureka Suma Tent are both good decisions for a more inexpensive backpacking tent.
If I am backpacking solo, I love the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL 1P Tent, or some other alternate options are the MSR Carbon Reflex 1 Tent and the Marmot Tungsten UL Tent. If you’ve the flexibility to invest in an ultralight tent, the Hyperlite UltaMid 2 Shelter is a tremendous option for an ultralight 2-person tent. Though it’s not essential for a little bit of snow and chilly climate, you can even spend money on a heavy-duty 4-season tent like the MSR Access Tent for extra excessive winter adventures with heavy snow and harsh winds.
Similar to choosing a tent, you have lots of selections in relation to deciding on a sleeping bag, like warmth score and fill material (down vs. synthetic.) For 3-season camping (aka, most of the 12 months aside from intense winter camping) the NEMO Disco 30 Sleeping Bag is a great selection (men’s version available here.) The Marmot Ouray 0F Down Sleeping Bag is a well-liked choice for winter tenting (find the men’s model right here.)
My favorite option for 3-season backpacking is the Western Mountaineering Apache 15F Down Sleeping Bag – it’s expensive, however I truly have undoubtedly obtained my money’s value as I use it almost year-round! There are definitely some great affordable options on the market, like the Stoic Groundwork Sleeping Bag and the Kelty Cosmic 20F Sleeping Bag (men’s version right here.)
One of my prime suggestions is to make use of a compression bag such as the Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil Compression Dry Stuff Sack to maintain your sleeping bag as compact as potential in your backpack (as properly as shielded from any moisture).
My favourite sleeping pad for summer backpacking and the shoulder seasons is the Sea to Summit Ether Light Insulated Sleeping Pad. I suggest this one a lot because it’s a women’s particular shape and great for aspect sleepers which may be tricky! They also make a men’s model which I also advocate.
In the tremendous cold months, I use the Sea to Summit Ether Extreme with a closed cell pad underneath for extra heat. For a number of price range choices, take a look at the Therm-a-Rest Trail Scout, the Stoic Clutch Air Mat, or the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol.
We already covered cooking stoves and mugs in the luxury gadgets, but you can’t neglect consuming utensils like a spork and bowl. I love the Snow Peak Titanium Spork or Sea to Summit Spork and Knife for light-weight options. The Sea to Summit Collapsible Bowl is ideal for chowing down on some easy backpacking meals and then packing away.
Dehydrated meals are an excellent possibility for lightweight, quick dinners when you’re within the backcountry. I actually love Mary Jane’s Farm Outpost meals as a end result of they don’t have plenty of added ingredients that some other manufacturers do, they usually don’t go away you feeling bloated and gassy (no fun!). Good to Go meals are one other good option with simple elements.
Hiking snacks are tremendous important that will help you keep fueled and energized throughout the day. I love to snack on nut butter filled Clif Bars, Pro Bar Bolt Chews, GoMacro bars, Honey Stinger Waffles, and nut butters. I at all times use an Ursack for meals storage, though there are some areas that require bear canisters. When I backpack in these areas I use a Medium Bear Vault.
Pro tip: I all the time attempt to pack a trash bag and gloves to choose up and take away any trash that I discover on the paths. This is an efficient method for us to lessen our impression on the natural setting and assist preserve our favourite hiking trails.
Drink bottle & Water filter
Typically I use a Hydro Flask 32oz Trail Water Bottle or a Hydrapak Recon 1L Water Bottle. Sometimes I use a hydration reservoir/bladder since they’re simpler to drink from while mountaineering, and I will use my water bottle to drink Nuun electrolytes. In the winter I may even use a Nalgene as a drink bottle as a result of you should use it for hot water and tuck it into your sleeping bag to remain additional toasty!
Lastly, you will need a approach to filter water when refilling. I like to make use of the Katadyn BeFree Water Filter with the Hydropak Seeker 4L Water Bladder. You also can use purification tablets, though these typically take longer to filter and might depart an aftertaste to your water.
Some folks think about these elective however I personally swear by them for hiking, especially with a heavy backpack. I use the Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Poles often and love them. The Kelty Upslope Poles are a great budget-friendly option! Often I will stash one pole hooked up to my backpack and simply hike with one, leaving one hand free to take iPhone photos, eat snacks, or help scramble over rough terrain.
Having a clean, cozy set of garments to change into after an extended day of climbing feels extra nice. I reside within the Icebreaker Long Sleeve Crewe, and the Stoic Merino 1/4 Zip Shirt is one other nice option that’s more inexpensive. These Icebreaker Thermal Leggings are super cozy and warm. I maintain my sleeping clothes in a dry bag to verify they are always dry when I get to camp even if my pack gets somewhat moist in rain or a creek crossing.
These are definitely elective, but are nice to offer you and your family members some peace of thoughts especially when you’re within the backcountry. I’ve used both the Garmin inReach Mini and the SPOT Gen4 Satellite GPS Messenger. The Garmin has extra features like two-way messaging, but both units are nice options to have in case of emergency.
You’ll need a headlamp once the solar goes down! I actually have used the Petzl Actik Core Headlamp for years, and I like it. The Petzl Tikkina Headlamp is a more budget-friendly possibility that works great. I additionally prefer to bring a lantern that I can hang in my tent or campsite for further light, particularly through the winter months when daylight is far shorter.
I don’t bring much, but you’ll doubtless need to pack a couple of issues like sunscreen, moisturizer, contact lens holder, toothbrush, cleansing wipes, and so on. I maintain these organized in a small pouch, like this one from Topo Designs. For backcountry bathroom needs I pack a trowel, toilet paper, wipes, Kula Cloth, and a zip lock bag to pack out dirty bathroom paper.
Pro tip: You can use a contact lens holder to store small quantities of liquids like sunscreen, moisturizer, and different lotions!
No matter how far I’m mountaineering, I at all times carry a small first assist equipment with essential gadgets like blister plasters and emergency provides. Recommended light-weight first aid package. If you’re fortunate, you could never have to use this, however it’s greatest to be ready. It’s also sensible to pack some bug safety, like bug spray. If I’m hiking someplace that I know the mosquitos might be unhealthy, I will pack my bug headnet too.
It’s wise to hold Bear Spray when in bear nation. Typically trailheads and nationwide parks may have lots of info posted when that is necessary. Note that it’s necessary to wear bear spray at your waist or shoulder strap, and not in your backpack out of attain. I typically will carry pepper spray as a type of protection when not in bear country, especially if I am backpacking solo.
Everyone’s system for carrying their camera gear backpacking is a little different, so here’s what works for me! I pack my digicam and lenses in a Topo Designs Camera Cube. When carrying my digicam for simple access I use a Peak Design Leash Camera Strap and both the Moment Strohl Mountain Light Camera Loader or a Peak Design Capture Clip and Plate (I think this one is extra comfortable on my pack waist strap.
Lastly, you may wish to leave a small bag in your automotive with a couple of objects to freshen up at the finish of your backpacking trip. My go to objects in my post-hike equipment embrace a set of fresh, comfy clothes, face/body wipes, hand sanitizer, deodorant, further water, and snacks.
Want more packing & gear tips?Check out our guides on what to wear climbing, automobile tenting gear necessities, how to plan a national parks trip, day hiking essentials, and one of the best mountaineering shoes.
Now you’re able to hit the trails! Save this backpacking luxury gadgets record for your subsequent trip, and have fun! Leave a comment below and share your favorite comfort backpacking items. It’s enjoyable to hear to what other people bring!