Why do you need dishes? 

You probably want to eat while you’re backpacking, right? That usually requires something to eat on and with. 

This section covers cups, plates, bowls, sporks and spoons. And whether you should bring them at all.

Remember that more dishes means more to clean. The more you can eat out of a bag, the less you have to clean. 

The absolute minimum you’ll need if you are boiling water for drinks and food is a small pot. Use the pot to boil water for your bag meal and then boil again for a hot drink. Eat out of the bag and drink out of the pot. 

To eat from a bag, bring a long spoon or spork. The bags are usually tall so a taller utensil works better. Most utensils are short and result in sauce all over your hands. 

For cups, it depends on what you drink. If I’m not having anything hot to drink, I won’t bring a mug and just drink from my water bottle the whole time. I love a hot coffee in camp to start the day though so I almost always bring a lightweight mug. I boil water for coffee and then boil again for oatmeal in the pot. 

For plates and bowls, it depends on what you’re eating. If you’re eating bag meals or something in your 1 pot, you won’t need them. If you are sharing food, you might need something to put it all in. 

Only bring what you need

Once you know what you’re eating, you can plan your dishes. Only bring the necessities. If you are sharing food with someone else, share the weight and let them carry some of the dishes. 

Just eat in the bag

If you are eating dehydrated meals in the bag, you won’t need much for dishes outside of a pot and a long spoon. This means less dishes and easy cleanup. Many of the meal bags have some sort of foil or liner inside and can’t be burned. Pack garbage out.

Different materials

Most backpacking dishes are made out of metal or plastic. Both are durable and last a long time. Try to get lightweight where you can. 

Long spoon for bag meals

The bags made for dehydrated bag meals are usually quite tall. Some companies are catching on and making short, wide bags. If you only have a short spoon, you end up with a lot of food on your hands reaching into the bags. A long spoon or spork solves this problem. 

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Other options are a hammock with a tarp over it, or just a tarp over a sleeping bag and mat. Most people start with a tent. 

Tents give you lots of protection from the weather, bugs and small animals. 

A shelter is also part of the 10 Essentials that you should have with you at all times. It doesn’t have to be a full blown tent but a small emergency tarp or bivy works when you’re day-hiking. When you’re backpacking, you already have a tent or hammock!

Why do you need a tent? 

Sleeping in the woods requires some sort of shelter. You have a choice here. 

Lightweight

Tents are one of the heaviest things in your pack. Try to get as light as you can afford. Like all outdoor gear, lighter usually means more expensive. A bigger size also means heavier. Nice 2-person tents can be found between 2 and 4 pounds. 

Some tents can use trekking poles for some of the poles and leave the dedicated tent poles at home. This is usually a bit more work to set up but will save some weight.

How many people?

Tents are built for how many people they can hold. Many backpacking tents are 1-, 2- or 3-person. Check the floor measurements of the tents you’re looking at and see how large it is. They won’t be huge. Often just the size of 2 sleeping mats. Sometimes the 2-person tents feel more like a 1.5 person tent. 

How many doors?

Some 2-person tents have 1 door, some have 2. 2 is nice for getting into and out and having 2 vestibules, the covered area outside the tent door. 2 doors will make a tent slightly heavier but is more convenient to use. 

Can you split up the parts?

Most tents come in 3 parts: mesh body, waterproof fly, poles and pegs. Usually you can split these up between the people sleeping in the tent to even out the weight. Put the body and the fly into separate bags if you want, or all in its own compression sack to squish smaller.

You could also share the weight of other things. One person carries the tent, the other the cooking gear. Distribute the weight of shared gear as much as possible. 

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Why do you need waterproof pants?

Just as you need a waterproof jacket for your hike, you’ll likely need waterproof pants. When we’re in town and a rainstorm comes through we can run into work, the shops, or back to the car. When we’re out backpacking we won’t have that luxury.

The easiest way to stay dry is to just have waterproof pants and jacket. You can hike through nearly anything without having to worry about getting soaking wet and cold. 

Often you can get away with wet shorts or pants out hiking. But when you get into camp and you’re not moving as much, the cold sets in. Waterproof pants will keep you warm and dry.

Got space?

You’ll likely be wearing the waterproof pants over regular hiking pants or shorts. Make sure there is space underneath so you can still move your legs. 

Breathable

As with waterproof jackets, inexpensive pants won’t be very breathable. They’ll keep the water out but the moisture inside won’t be able to escape easily. Spending a little more on waterproof pants will get you something more breathable. Gore-Tex and eVent will be the best but the most expensive. I don’t typically wear my waterproof pants a lot so I just use less expensive models.

Zippers

They often have zippers on the side to help get them on over large boots. Some can zip all the way up from the top to the bottom. Full zippers like this will make them less waterproof but make them easier to get on and off.  

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Why do you need batteries and a battery pack? 

Most people take things hiking that require batteries. Headlamps, phones, GPS, satellite communicators, cameras, and radios all need to be charged at some point. 

On short tips you’ll likely be able to get through without charging anything. If you go any longer than a day or two, you’ll probably be charging something. Part of the 10 Essentials is to have backup power for essential electronic gear like a headlamp and satellite communicator. 

Bring what you need

Battery packs come in all different sizes. Some are small, fit in your pocket and charge your phone once. Others weigh 30 pounds, can charge your phone 50 times or power your house. Something small and light is good for a bit of extra juice if you happen to run out. 

Capacity on battery packs is measured in milliamp-hours or mAh. An iPhone 12 battery is 2815 mAh. 

Keep in mind that your battery is still using power when it’s turned on. When it’s off with 0% battery it would take just over 2815 mAh to fully charge it. 6000 to 8000 mAh is a great size for backpacking if you are just charging a couple things. 

How heavy is it?

Some battery packs are very sturdy but weigh a lot. For the same amount of electricity you might be able to find something lighter.

What cable do you need?

It’s nice to charge everything with the same cable. That might not be possible with an iPhone if yours uses a lightning cable. Most other devices use USB micro. Some are starting to use USB-C. 

Is it rechargeable?

Not about battery packs specifically but the devices you need to charge. Are they rechargeable? Do they have odd-sized battery packs that require special chargers or can you just plug them in with USB? If you want to recharge on the trail aim for devices that charge with USB.

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Why do you need a sleeping mat? 

Since you’re going to be sleeping outside, you need something to sleep on. We can bring a big foam mattress, or even a large inflatable mattress. There are a couple options for something small enough to fit in your backpack. 

Thin foam is the first option. The blue mats you’ve probably seen rolled up, or the folded foam mats. They are simple, never get holes and don’t need to be inflated. They’re also not very comfortable. 

Inflatable is another option. Most Therm-a-rest are inflatable as with many other brands like Exped, Big Agnes and Nemo. They pack down very small and inflate to 3 or 4 inches thick. 

Inflatable or not?

For me this is an easy question. Inflatable mats are more comfortable to sleep on. They’re also a bit more expensive and can get holes. The absolute cheapest and most durable are the rolled and folded foam mats.

Lay on and move on the fabric

If you can, test the mat in a tent in a store or friends tent. Different sleeping mat and tent materials can be very noisy when you move. I have a very lightweight tent and mat combo that I like but together they are obnoxiously loud when I move at night. Some clothes in between solved the issue but I should have tested the mat first. 

How warm?

Some mats just have air in them, some have synthetic or down feather insulation. These block all your heat from escaping down into the ground at night. Your sleeping bag has insulation but when it’s all squished by your body, it won’t keep the heat in. 

Look for an R-value on sleeping mats. Just like sleeping bags and insulation in your house, the R-value measures the insulation value. 0 to 4 is for summer or 3 season. 5 to 8 is getting up into cold and winter insulation. If you have a warmer sleeping bag, you can get away with a lower R-value. 

Go lightweight

Thicker materials and insulation add weight to a mat. Don’t go overboard with either since you have to carry it. 

Get a bag to inflate

Some mats will come with a pumpbag you can use to inflate your mat. It’s a little bit more work to blow up the mat but your mat will last longer. A pump bag like the Schnozzel from Exped is super light and doubles as a waterproof dry bag for your sleeping bag.

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Why do you need socks? 

Chances are slim that you can wear hiking boots or walk long distances without socks on. Good socks can keep your feet dry, happy and prevent blisters.

Thicker socks will also give your feet some cushion against the beating they can take on the trail as well as warmth if it’s cold. 

No cotton

Never wear cotton socks hiking. Cotton absorbs water and holds it against your skin. Warm, moist skin leads to blisters. Merino wool or synthetic is best.

Buy boots with your socks

When you go buy boots take your good socks with you. Boots will feel different with different socks. Your boots have to feel good with your feet and your socks.

Spend time testing

Spend as much time as possible breaking in your boots with your socks. Walk around the house. Do errands around town. Do small hikes. Slowly work up to the distance and weight you’ll be doing for your trip.

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Why do you need soap?

Soap is optional on the trail but it’s nice to have. You might want to wash your body on the trail or some pots and pans from a meal. 

Friendly to the environment

Make sure the soap you get is friendly to the environment, not just the Dawn you got from the kitchen. Campsuds have been my favourite for a long time but there are others out there. Look for biodegradable on the label. 

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Why do you need a sleeping bag?

Sleeping outside is going to get a little chilly. We need something to keep us warm at night. 

Sleeping bags are compact bags of insulation that keep you warm at night but doesn’t take up much space in your pack. 

Sleeping bags will be one of the largest, heaviest pieces of gear you will take. If possible get something lighter.

Another option instead of a sleeping bag is a quilt. This won’t be the duvet from home but rather a blanket made of lightweight materials like a sleeping bag. Quilts don’t have a bottom like a sleeping bag. They just attach to your sleeping mat and use that as insulation underneath you. They can be good for warmer weather backpacking.

Rectangular or mummy

There are 2 mains hapes to sleeping bags, rectangular and mummy. Rectangular are larger rectangles with squared off edges, usually without a hood. They are great for car camping in warmer seasons. They aren’t as lightweight or warm as mummy bags. 

Mummy bags are rounded around the bottom and have a hood. This saves weight in the bag, saves space inside (less to warm up) and keeps your head warm with the hood. We recommend a mummy bag for backpacking. 

Mens or womens?

Sleeping bags are usually split up into mens and womens versions. Womens bags will be shorter lengths and have slightly more insulation.

Synthetic or down

Insulation in sleeping bags is what keeps you warm. It’s either made from down feathers or synthetic insulation. 

Down feathers will be lighter, pack down smaller and be more expensive. Down feathers don’t insulate well so be careful keeping down bags dry. Most down will come with a water resistant coating that lets it dry faster. At the end of the day the warmth comes from how large, or fluffy, the down can expand, or loft. Wet feathers won’t loft as high.

Synthetic insulation is made from plastic. There are many kinds and some expand and pack down very well. Others don’t. Synthetic sleeping bags will be less expensive than down. Synthetic insulation stays lofted and warm even when it’s moist from sweat or condensation in the tent. 

Temperature

Sleeping bags are usually rated for their temperature they can keep you warm at. There are 3 different zones: Comfort, Transition, and Risk. These come from a standard test with a mannequin with base layers on. The exact temperatures you get cold at will be different for everyone but it’s a rough guide. 

The Comfort range is where a woman (women tend to sleep cooler) would be comfortable. For example this range might be down to 0 Celcius (32F). This is where you want to be sleeping.

The Transition range is where a man in a curled up position would just be able to stay warm. For example, this range might be down to -6 Celcius (20F). You can still use your bag in this range and maybe adding a bit more clothing would help. Don’t plan on doing it a lot. 

The Risk range is where hypothermia is possible. Don’t use the bag in these temperatures. In emergencies it might be your only choice so it’s better than nothing. More clothes, and sleeping bag liners will make it warmer. 

If all your backpacking will be above 0 Celcius (32F) getting a bag with Comfort rating 0 will work well. It might be a bit warm during warm summer nights but you’ll only need 1 sleeping bag. If you can afford it, getting a smaller lighter bag for warm trips will save weight in your pack. 

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Why do you need a hat? 

Hats aren’t required but they are nice to have in the sun or the rain. I’ve always got one kind of hat or another in my pack. A toque for when it’s cold, a Seattle Sombrero for when it’s raining a lot, or a baseball cap for the other times to keep the sun off. 

One of the 10 Essentials is Sun Protection. 

Clearly you don’t have to have a hat to go hiking but they are useful. 

Hat or hood

When it’s raining a lot, you’ll have your jacket hood up. If it’s raining for days, wearing a hood the whole time can get uncomfortable. It’s fine for the odd shower, but for long periods of time, it’s hard to hear anything and to see anything out the sides. A waterproof hat keeps your ears out, your peripheral vision open and your head warm but they are another item to put in your pack.

Cotton or not?

Most toques are made of cotton. Cotton will hold moisture and suck heat from your body, something we want to stay away from. Merino and fleece toques will wick water and keep you warmer. 

Insulation?

Is the hat for sun protection, rain protection, warmth, or all three? Keeping your head warm at night will be important for staying warm on cooler nights. To stay warmer in your sleeping bag, wear a toque to sleep. 

Cooling down

On hot days, dipping a hat in a cold lake or stream is a glorious break from the heat. Baseball hats are great for this. They don’t dry quickly since they’re cotton so think ahead before you soak it.

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Why do you need garbage bags?

Most trails don’t have garbage bins every kilometer so you’ll need somewhere to store your trash. Any garbage with food scent on it will need to be stashed with your food or hung in a tree over night to avoid animals. 

Use your dehydrated meal bags as garbage bags. 

Dehydrated food bags make great garbage bags after you’re done. I usually have a couple ziploc bags with me as well just in case.

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