Make Sure That You Choose The Right Gear For Your Backpacking Trip

by Ric Henderson

Backpacking is a great experience, but if you ask someone that has packed too much stuff, they will tell you that it is one of the worst

things that you can ever do.  It is not the trip that was bad, it was their lack of preparation that made the trip a negative experience.  The best tip that you will ever get in regards to backpacking is to make sure that your pack is set up appropriately and that you are not carrying unnecessary items with you.

The first thing to consider when you are setting up your back is how long you are going to be going for and what type of trail you are traveling on.  There are always basics that you are going to need, such as a flashlight, first aid, etc…, but if you are going on a trail that has prepared cabins, you are obviously going to pack differently that you would if you are forced to camp outdoors each night.

One of the first things that you are going to learn as you get into backpacking is that you need to pack light gear.  Saving a few ounces here and a few ounces there can make all the difference.  If 16 items are packed that weigh 2 ounces less than an alternative, you have just shaved 2 pounds off your pack.  That may not seem like a lot, but when you are hiking 10 miles up hill, you will definitely start to feel it.

A common mistake of first time backpackers is to pack too much clothing.  Get it in your head that you are going to be outdoors and you will truly be roughing it.  While you will want to change underwear and socks, you can easily wear the rest of your clothing for several days.  If you are hiking with water sources close by, you are only going to need two sets of clothing.  You will be wearing one set and the other will be in your pack.  At the end of the day, you can change and wash them out to dry overnight.  That is your wardrobe for the duration of the trip.

In addition to clothing, you will want to make sure that you pack things that have multiple uses.  This will decrease your load and allow you to pack much lighter.  For example, cord is something that you will want to have.  It can serve as a bag tie, clothesline and also be used in emergencies to tie off a splint.

Something else to think about is using candles instead of flashlights or lanterns.  They are super lightweight and are a light source that can also be used as a fire starter and when you have to waterproof something, you can melt down the candle and cover the item in wax.

One item that you absolutely want to have is duct tape.  On a backpacking trip, this is something that will be used for a variety of reasons.  You can use it as a bandage for an injury, it can seal holes in clothing or your sleeping gear and in a true emergency, it can be used as insulation.

Another item that is a must have is some type of plastic matting or sheet.  Instead of sitting or lying down on a wet area, the plastic can be put down as another layer.  You can turn it into a rain coat if you get hit with an unsuspecting storm and it can also serve as a shelter.  This is a perfect example of the type of gear that you need to pack. If it has only one use, try and find something else as a substitute.

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