What to Pack for an Overnight Backpacking Trip

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What to Pack for an Overnight Backpacking Trip

Backpacking can be a fun and enjoyable activity when properly prepared for. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a first time novice, it’s easy to forget some of the necessities. Never wait until the last minute to get your gear ready. If you’ve ever wondered what to pack for an overnight backpacking trip, we’re here to help.

Editor’s Note: You should always remain up-to-date on proper first aid techniques. Visit RedCross.org to learn more.

#1 - Backpacking Tent

When it comes to backpacking essentials, a high quality tent ranks amongst the highest. Shelter comes into play during many situations, whether camping out overnight or just looking for refuge from a passing storm. The ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 1-Person Tent is an ultra portable option, coming in at just over 4lbs. Consisting of a two-pole design, the Lynx does a great job in providing a frustration free setup. Other notable features include #8 zippers, a loft for gear, storage pockets, guy ropes, and stakes. When packed, the Lynx comes in at around 6”x18”, allowing it to easily fit inside most backpacks. If a tent isn’t at the top of your list when trying to figure out what to pack for an overnight backpacking trip, you should probably reconsider.

#2 - Backpack

What would backpacking be without the backpack? This primary piece of the puzzle is the cornerstone of any successful nature voyage. The TETON Sports Scout 3400 Internal Frame Backpack is the ideal companion, allowing you to safely carry everything you need. Coming in at just 4.5lbs, the Sports Scout 3400’s name comes from its 3400 cubic inches (or 55L) storage capacity. It features customizable torso adjustments, and when paired with the foam lumbar support makes for a comfortable personalized fit. A dedicated sleeping bag compartment makes sure your bedding is always easily accessible. Finally, the TETON Sports Scout 3400 can be had in 3 colors – Coyote Tan, Hunter Green, and Mecca Orange.

#3 - Sleeping Bag

The beauty of backpacking is that it can take you anywhere, in any weather. As such, there are times you may find yourself in need of a warm and cozy sleeping bag. The WINTER OUTFITTERS Mummy Sleeping Bag is an affordable polyester option, covering temperatures from 40F down to 15F. The bag is constructed in multiple layers, each serving an important purpose. The shell is made of 350T water resistant polyester, along with a 350T polyester lining and 400G/M2 3D cotton filling. Coming in at only 3lbs, the Mummy Sleeping Bag stows away easily in the included compression sack. The WINTER OUTFITTERS Mummy Sleeping Bag also comes in 7 different color variations, providing the perfect personalized overnight option for everyone.

#4 - Sleeping Pad

Possibly the perfect complement to your sleeping bag, a sleeping pad serves multiple functions. Not only does a sleeping pad help increase your level of comfort, but it also works as an insulator. One of the highest rated sleeping pads on the market, the Outdoorsman Lab Camping Sleeping Pad, is tough to beat. Weighing a miniscule 16 ounces, the pad comes in at a spacious 73”x21.6”x2.2”. This allows it to fit in all types of single sleeping bags without worry. The inflatable design of the Outdoorsman Lab Sleeping Pad deflates into a compact 8”x3”x3”, making it very portable. Lastly, the pad is available in 3 different colors – orange, blue, and green.

#5 - Backpacking Stove

Out in the wilderness, the ability to cook food and boil water is invaluable. Situations may arise where it is simply inconvenient to start a full blown fire to accomplish these tasks. Portable backpacking stoves allow for quick and easy setup and teardowns, letting you get on your way faster. The Etekcity Ultralight Portable Outdoor Backpacking Camping Stove is an excellent iteration of this concept. Made of aluminum alloy and stainless steel, it can withstand high temperatures as well as heavy pots and pans. Coming in at an ultraportable 1.81”x2.36”x3.15”, the Etekcity stove is a backpackers dream come true. It also touts high compatibility, as it pairs well with any 7/16 thread single butane canisters.

#6 - Water Purifier / Filter

If drinkable water doesn’t make it onto your list of backpacking essentials, then you should probably rethink your priorities. There are times that boiling your water only gets you so far. While the boiling process makes water much safer to consume, nothing beats being able to run it through a filtration system first. Luckily, the market is saturated with portable water purifiers, though not all of them are worth your money. With that said, due to their reputation and quality, we’ve chosen the Sawyer Products Mini Water Filtration System. Sawyer features a 0.1 Micron high-performance inline filter that fits in the palm of your hand. It can remove 99.9999% of all bacteria, and 100% of microplastics. The filter is rated up to 100,000 gallons, so you have peace of mind knowing it will last for ages. It is also available in 6 different colors. This mini water filter is definitely a backpacking must have to add to your supplies!

#7 - Water Bottle / Reservoir

With clean water at the ready, being able to properly store it should be the next thing on your list. The problem is that most water containers are big and bulky. This is where a collapsible solution comes into play. The 4-Liter Hydrapak Seeker Collapsible BPA & PVC Free Water Storage Bag is an extremely flexible option. It can withstand a wide variety of temperatures, from below freezing to 140F. Since it is also PVC and BPA free, your water will always taste pure, with no weird chemical tastes. It is also compatible with most 42mm threaded water filters on the market.

#8 - Navigation and GPS

The last thing you want when venturing out into the unknown is to get lost. While we always suggest having a map handy, there are more high-tech methods of keeping your bearings straight. The Garmin Foretrex 401 Waterproof Hiking GPS is the ultimate solution when it comes to navigation. The Foretrex 401 offers up to 17 hours of battery in GPS mode, and has an optional heart rate monitor. It includes a “TracBack” feature that lets you retrace your path, allowing for a confusion free exit. Other notable features include trip computer, sunrise/sunset times, hunting/fishing info, compass, and altimeter. Its high sensitivity GPS receiver allows reception in the heaviest of tree cover.

#9 - First Aid Kit

All too often backpacking trips get cut short due to minor injury. Without treatment, even the smallest of cuts has the potential to make you very, very ill, or worse. Having a first aid kit at the ready is absolutely mandatory and could end up saving your life. The Small First Aid Kit by Surviveware is compact, portable, and lightweight. It includes a staggering 100 total must have first aid supplies for your backpacking needs, making it an all-in-one medical solution. Somehow Surviveware has crammed all of these life-saving supplies into a 5.5”x7.5”x3.5” form factor weighing only 1lb. The inner contents are waterproof, and the kit as a whole is FDA approved.

#10 - Hiking Boots

A common mistake amongst novice backpackers is the misconception that your choice of footwear isn’t important. This couldn’t be further from the truth. A high-quality pair of hiking boots are not only rugged, but keep your feet warm and dry. The problem with suggesting a pair of boots is that there are so many brands it’s impossible to choose just one. This decision will likely come down to brand loyalty or price range, and there’s no shame in that. Just know the importance of well-made hiking boots, and make owning a pair a very high priority. Nobody wants trench foot or frostbitten toes!

#11 - Waterproof Matches

Being able to start a fire, whether it be for warmth or cooking, is not only a backpacking essential, but survival as well. Two of the more common solutions to this conundrum are waterproof matches and fire starters. For the match side, we’ve chosen the UCO Stormproof Match Kit, which comes with 25 matches, case, and 3 strikers. These matches feature an extended length for greater safety when starting a fire, and will relight after full submersion.

#12 - Firestarter

On the fire starter side, the überleben Zünden provides an amazing alternative to traditional magnesium based strikers. It uses a proprietary metal blend that’s durable, reliable, and an extremely important piece on this list of backpacking essentials. It produces a massive shower of sparks, making ignition a breeze. The überleben Zünden backpacking firestarter is a fantastic tool and features a large real wood handle for a tight grip. No matter which route you choose, you simply can’t go wrong with either one of these options. You can read our review here.

#13 - Knife

For knives, it’s very hard to beat the 110 Folding Hunter Knife by Buck. With a time tested and classic design, this little beauty can handle everything you throw at it. Toss it in your backpack or pocket. Either way, it takes up such a small amount of space you won’t even realize it’s there.

#14 - Multitool

If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution, then the Leatherman Wave Plus is a great multitool for backpacking. It features 18 extremely useful tools, ranging from saws and pliers, to screwdrivers and scissors. Take either of these solutions with you once and you’ll never know how you lived without them.

#15 - Sunscreen

This is something that probably doesn’t immediately come to mind when planning what to pack for an overnight backpacking trip. Unless you plan to only be out during the night, then you should consider some sunscreen. You want to actually enjoy your backpacking trip, right? Sunburns make that awfully hard to do, don’t they? Nothing will ruin your overnight activities (and sleep) quite like the horrible feeling of a sunburn.

This one is rather self explanatory, and the options here are numerous. Here we’ve chosen Banana Boat Ultra Sport SPF 50 Sunscreen. Why? Well for one, we actually use it ourselves. For two, it’s water resistant up to 80 minutes, which helps it stay put in all sorts of conditions. Why SPF 50? I can’t speak for everyone, but if I didn’t know better I’d say I could get a sunburn indoors. The more protection, the better. You’re there to enjoy your adventure, not to be a painful tomato.

#16 - Insect Repellent

Do you like getting chewed on by insects? Chances are you’re probably like me and not a real fan. Mosquitoes and other biting insects can really make your outdoor experience a miserable one. Not to mention, some of those little guys can carry some really nasty things, like the Zika Virus. Sawyer Products’ Premium Insect Repellent features 20% Picaridin, is long-lasting, and fragrance free. Anyone that has used repellents in the past knows that some of them just smell horrible. Sawyer Products touts 12 hours of effectiveness against mosquitoes and ticks, and 8 against flies, gnats, chiggers, and sand flies. An essential addition to any backpacking kit.

#17 - Safety Whistle

Whether you’re running solo or out alongside a buddy, communication is extremely important. You may find yourself in a situation where your voice just isn’t enough to cut it. Being able to signal you need assistance can be the difference between life and death. In this scenario, a safety whistle could make all the difference in someone hearing you in your time of need. This Shoreline Marine Safety Whistle is designed to work whether wet or dry thanks to its pea-less build. Its bright orange coloring also makes it extremely hard to lose. You can even buy them in packs of 12 and share the love!

#18 - Paracord

This one is huge, and an ABSOLUTE must have to go with your backpacking essentials. The amount of uses for paracord are astronomical. Where do I even begin? The core on some varieties can be used as fire kindling. You can use it to tie your food stash high in the air and away from bears. How about paracord hunting traps and snares? Maybe a homemade survival bow? You can even use it for fishing line and making your own fly lures. This stuff is an absolute godsend, and any backpacker, camper, or survivalist worth their salt should never be without it. This 7 strand 550lb Type III Nylon Paracord by PARACORD PLANET fits the bill and is extremely affordable. It’s available in lengths of 10 to 100 feet. Not to mention, it comes in TWENTY-NINE different colors.

#19 - Hand Crank NOAA Weather Radio

Weather can change in the blink of an eye. No matter how clear the forecast was when you set out, disaster can always loom right around the corner. The ultimate solution is a hand crank NOAA Weather Radio. These handy devices come in many shapes and sizes, some of them being ultra portable. With included hand cranks and solar panels, you can stay informed any time, any place. Don’t become a weather related statistic. Stay safe and know how and when to prepare. Beyond the weather, these devices usually feature flashlights, emergency sirens, and SOS signals, making them perfect for backpacking trips.

#20 - Water Purifying Tablets

Capping off our list of backpacking essentials, we have another option to help quench your thirst when drinkable water is hard to come by out on the trail. These Germicidal Water Purification tablets from Potable Aqua are a quick and easy alternative to carrying around an entire filtration system. Coming in at under $12 for 100 tablets, you’ll have an easy to access system when the moment arises.