This post is part of the Backpacking Gear for Beginners course. 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… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: Waterproof Pants
This post is part of the Backpacking Gear for Beginners course. 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… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: Batteries and Battery Packs
This post is part of the Backpacking Gear for Beginners course. 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… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: Sleeping Mat
This post is part of the Backpacking Gear for Beginners course. 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… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: Socks
This post is part of the Backpacking Gear for Beginners course. 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… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: Soap
This post is part of the Backpacking Gear for Beginners course. 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… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: Sleeping Bag
This post is part of the Backpacking Gear for Beginners course. 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… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: Hat
This post is part of the Backpacking Gear for Beginners course. 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… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: Garbage Bag
This post is part of the Backpacking Gear for Beginners course. Why do you need a pillow? Obviously you need to put your head on something when you’re sleeping. But it doesn’t have to be an actual pillow. Bringing a whole pillow from home will be large,… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: Pillow
This post is part of the Backpacking Gear for Beginners course. There are many items we can take backpacking that are more or less optional but are very useful at certain times. This section walks through many of these items that can make that backpacking trip a… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: Other Backpacking Gear