From time to time, people ask me what I carry in my backpack when traveling, hiking, and backpacking. This blog post holds the answer! If you’re a beginner and want inspiration on what gear to get, this blog post is for you. If you’re experienced and just want to peek into another like-minded traveler’s backpack, this is also for you.

 

This list is meant as a source of inspiration. It’s not a checklist of must-have items. Finding out what the right equipment is for you, is something only you can decide.

On the list, you’ll find the equipment we started out with and the equipment we’ve upgraded to along the way because backpacking equipment – especially lightweight – can be (IS) quite expensive, and no one starts out with the fanciest and most expensive stuff.

 

Sometimes the cheaper alternative can be just as good as the expensive equipment. But if the cheaper stuff breaks or isn’t satisfying/sufficient then you’ll have to spend money on fixing it, buying something else or something better anyways. In some cases, it’s worth spending a little extra to start with to “save money” in the long run.

 

At the bottom, you’ll find a list of three things I would splurge on from the start.

 

Disclaimer: I don’t receive as much as a penny for writing this, and the post is in no way sponsored (even though I wish it was).

 

The backpack

 

Started out with

For our first-ever backpacking trip we both bought a Mols backpack. We didn’t care much for how much it weighed, the volume, or if it was comfortable. It was cheap, and it showed. It kept getting loose, one of the sippers broke and it wasn’t a good fit for either of us.

But we had our gear with us for 12 days, and it kinda worked out.

 

Upgraded to

This was love at first sight. From the moment I tried this one on at the store, I knew I had to get it. I tried some others but none quite like this. It feels like getting a hug from behind. I saved up the money and waited patiently for it to go on sale – which luckily it eventually did.

 

The tent

 

Started out with

The first tent we owned and didn’t borrow was a very standard 4-person tent. It wasn’t built for backpacking, was very heavy, and took up most of the space of my husband’s pack.

Looking back, it was way too heavy and big – I don’t know what we were thinking about bringing it backpacking. It was quite luxurious though having so much space.

 

Upgraded to

After looking around for a while and not knowing much about what to actually look for, we bought this. We’ve brought it with us on several trips and it sparks pure joy. It’s so easy to pitch, it’s comfy and it’s warm. But best of all is that it takes up so little space!

The only “however” I can think of is that there isn’t much room to sit up and the space outside the entrance isn’t that big.

 

Footprint

To protect the underside of the tent from rocks and sticks I recommend buying a footprint that fits your tent. It also provides extra insulation and prevents moisture buildup. We brought a tarpaulin on our first trips, and they are just too big and too heavy.

 

The sleeping mat

 

Started out with

On our first couple of trips, we used an air mattress. But I wouldn’t recommend that when backpacking, that’s for road-tripping (and for bigger tents). They are big, heavy, and, difficult/noisy to inflate and often subject to leakage.

When we bought our first sleeping mats, we picked the cheapest ones. They were light and small, but that’s about it. They didn’t self-inflate, didn’t keep us warm and my husband’s shoulders were too wide for him to lie comfortably.

 

Upgraded to

Even though these only weigh 10 grams more than the first ones we had, they insulate much better (R-value is a term used to describe the ability to insulate. The higher R-value, the colder the ground can be before the cold goes through), they are thicker and generally bigger. They pack very small and are quite comfortable.

The self-inflating feature isn’t working all too well, and my husband only just fits. I know you can get them bigger, and apparently there’s also a version specifically for women.

 

The sleeping bag

 

Started out with

I’ve had a couple of sleeping bags. The first one was way too cold. I had it with me on our trip to Norway, and even though it was summer, two blankets stuffed into the bag weren’t enough to keep the cold out.

My second one was a fiber bag from the make Mols. Even though it was thicker, it still wasn’t warm enough – the extreme temperatures advertised on there definitely didn’t hold up. It took up a lot of space and was very heavy.

 

Upgraded to

After some research, I decided to buy a down sleeping bag, and I must say it’s worth every penny! It’s so warm and comfortable and I’m done freezing during the night. The only problem is that I feel like it’s very fragile (I don’t know if that’s true), and I keep it out of reach of water at all costs.

 

The footwear

 

Started out with

On our first many trips, we just wore regular everyday sneakers. Even on our hike to Trolltunga in Norway where we were met with several caution signs warning us to wear the right equipment, we went in our sneakers.

For many hikes much less challenging than the Trolltunga one, everyday sneakers are completely fine. But if you’re venturing out on longer or challenging hikes, I recommend buying a good pair of hiking shoes or boots.

 

Upgraded to

Since we’ve upgraded to real hiking boots, we use every excuse to put them on. It’s just much easier and the hike is much more enjoyable when you don’t have to think too much about walking through puddles, slipping on rocks, or getting stuck in mud.

My husband tried out several before buying because his feet are a little wide. I also tried out some, unfortunately, mine gnaw a bit after longer hikes – which is something you can only find out by wearing them.

 

Cooking system

 

Started out with

Our experience with a Trangia stove was brief and a disaster. We didn’t know what to cook on it, let alone how to do it properly. It takes up a lot of space, and it was a mess to get clean. For some, it works, but it didn’t for us.

 

Upgraded to

The Jetboil was recommended to us by a friend. It’s lightweight and can cook water really fast, so it’s great for dehydrated meals. We wanted to cook real food so as an extension we bought a small and lightweight pot set from Primus – which works well with Jetboil as long as you have a pot support.

Almost anything is possible to cook now, but we’re still learning what goes and what doesn’t – plus it’s sometimes a challenge to cook on such small things.

 

 Cooking (expansion pack)

 

Meal kits

We’ve used these a lot for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It contains two small bowls, two plates, and even a chopping board. It’s very useful, but given its odd shape, it’s often difficult for me to fit into the backpack.

 

Utensils

After melting not only one but two sporks, we figured it was time to find an alternative. Bringing “normal” cook wear seemed like a no-go because they’re just too big for those small pots. These are very practical and the perfect size.

 

Small things and nice to have

 

Headlamp

We actually haven’t used our headlamps for much else than being overhead light in the tent. But for nights when we’ve had to pitch our tent in the dark, or when it gets dark before completing a hike, or when you have to pee during the night, they’ve been a lifesaver.

 

Stuff sack

I am over the moon with these! I use them to pack our clothes – one for bigger clothes and one for smaller items such as underwear and socks. It is so easy to fit the clothes into the backpack and easy to find the clothes, you want to wear. My biggest regret is not buying these sooner.

You can of course use them for anything you like such as electronics and other small items that are keen on getting lost in the wonderous world inside your backpack.

 

Dry bags

I use these for our tent – one for the outer tent and one for the inner tent. They are great for compressing the tent, but more importantly: they keep water out and in. If your tent is wet, the dry bags make sure the rest of your stuff in your backpack won’t suffer the same fate.

I pack it in two separate bags because it’s often the outer tent that’s wet and I don’t want water on the inner tent.

 

Pillow

There are different ways to rest your head after a long day of hiking. Some use inflatable pillows, some stuff a sleeping bag sack with some clothes others simply use a jacket. We opted for some foam pillows. They take up a lot of space and are heavy (from a backpacking perspective), but we’ve allowed ourselves that luxury.

 

Sheet

Some would say it’s an unnecessary accessory since you’re already covered by your sleeping bag. And yes, if you’re neatly rolled up like a burrito it is unnecessary. But if you, like me, sometimes zip up your sleeping bag to use as a duvet, this is a must-have! You don’t stick to the mat, plus it’s extra insulation.

 

Towel

For our first trip, we used regular hand towels. It’s doable but they take up a lot of space.

We then bought some very compactable, microfiber towels, which worked out well. Except it kind of felt like drying yourself with a cloth usually reserved for glass.

That’s why we’ve upgraded (once again) to some that feel more like terrycloth. They take up about double as much space (as the microfiber ones) even though they’re not any bigger, but the experience is just better.

 

Clothesline

This is definitely a nice-to-have item. We usually dry our things by hanging them on the tent, on the guylines, or on tree branches, which works completely fine. This is mostly just for the heck of it.

 

Cleaning

Going backpacking is no excuse for not keeping your things clean – and by that, I especially refer to the cooking items. By chance, we found a small and light dish brush, and we bought some all-purpose soap that can be used for yourself, for clothes, for dishes, etc. (although I think I’m just going to stick to actual shampoo and conditioner).

 

Seating mat

Another definite nice-to-have item is this seating mat. It weighs just about nothing and takes up minimal space. For something so small and thin it actually insulates and comforts a lot in contrast to sitting on the ground.

 

Three things I would splurge on from the start

• Backpack
• Tent
• Proper footwear

It’s a jungle out there trying to figure out what gear to buy – and especially figuring out what to spend your limited budget on first. I’d say that with a backpack that fits you, some proper footwear, and a tent that’s in good condition you’re off to a good start.

 

The last thing I would buy

• Clothesline
• Towel
• Sheet for the sleeping mat

 

I hope you feel inspired and ready to shop for your own gear! All there’s left to say now is happy travels – maybe I’ll see you around!

 

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