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Kris and I have gone on many backpacking trips and find it helps if we have a detailed backpacking gear list with weight comparisons. It reminds us how heavy items are and whether they’re necessary to pack or should stay behind. I’ve included all the items we typically bring, like food, clothing, sleeping and cooking gear, etc. I hope this list makes it easier for you to pack and keep yourself organized. If you start thinking in terms of weight and how everything adds up, it’s easier to decide whether something’s necessary or would be nice to have but can stay at home to enjoy once you get back.
Packs (9.98 lbs)
Photo credit: Carole Ross, I’m backpacking the West Coast Trail with Kristopher.
The Osprey Aether 65 Men’s Backpack includes a rain cover, while the Osprey Ariel 65L Women’s Backpacking Backpack doesn’t. It’s important to have one backpacking because you never know if or when you’ll run into rain or snow, and you want to keep your items dry.
Tip: Put your sleeping bag and mattress in a black garbage bag to protect it from the rain or when you might potentially fall backwards into a mud puddle. You can rely on the rain cover or take extra precautions, as we do, and make sure your sleeping gear is dry once you arrive at camp. The worst thing would be to set up your tent and have your sleeping bag be wet!
| Image | Product | Price |
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1
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Osprey Aether 65 Men’s Backpacking Backpack with Raincover (4.9 lbs) |
C$449.95
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2
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Osprey Ariel 65L Women’s Backpacking Backpack (4.8 lbs) |
C$419.99
|
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3
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Osprey Ultralight Raincover for Backpack (0.28 lbs) |
C$45.05
|
Backpacking Gear (2.49 lbs)
Hiking to Snowbird Pass on the Berg Lake Trail.
We carry bear spray anytime we are in bear country. You never know when you might run into a bear. I initially had it attached to my upper strap but then realized if I fell forward, it could spray me in the face. Not wanting to chance it, I later moved it and attached it with a carabiner on my lower belt. You want it to be accessible if you should need it. I often see it attached to a strap on the back of backpacks. If you run into danger, you will have limited time and taking off your backpack to get the bear spray might cost you precious time.
Kris and I love the Sea to Summit lightweight dry bags. They come in a variety of sizes and colours. The bags are useful for putting your clothes in one, food in another, and toiletries in one too. It also makes it easy to pack your backpack by keeping everything organized and easier to find once you’re unpacking.
Those pesky mosquitoes always seem to be around when backpacking. Anyone else feel that way? We always bring DEET to protect our necks, head, clothes, wrists and ankles from getting bitten. Those seem to be where the buggers mostly like to get their blood.
| Image | Product | Price |
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1
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1 can bear spray + holster (1.73 lbs) |
$74.95
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2
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Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Bag 3-Piece Set, 3L, 5L, and 8L (0.5 lbs) |
C$74.95
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3
 |
OFF! Deep Woods Sportsmen Insect Repellent Liquid
|
C$0.00
|
Rain Gear (2.84 lbs)
Rain gear is really important when backpacking on the West Coast Trail or when heading out backpacking in the mountains. You want to prevent yourself from being wet and uncomfortable while hiking. The Columbia men’s and women’s rain pants are available on Amazon. We both like our Arc’teryx rain coats, found on their website. It is pricey though, so if you’d prefer something cheaper, the Columbia Women’s Arcadia II Jacket is a good choice for $119.99.
| Image | Product | Price |
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1
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Men’s Arc’teryx Beta LT Rain Jacket (0.80 lb) |
$500.00
|
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2
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Columbia Men’s Rebel Roamer II Pant Rain Pant (o.7 lb) |
C$79.99
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3
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Women’s Beta LT Rain Jacket (0.77 lbs) |
$500.00
|
|
4
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Columbia Women’s Storm Surge II Pant (0.57 lb) |
C$79.99
|
Clothing (6.17 lbs)
Kris really likes his Columbia Men’s Rapid Rivers Printed Short Sleeve Shirt because it is quick-drying, lightweight, and easy to move in while backpacking and hiking.
Convertible pants are awesome while exercising. We highly recommend them. They provide warmth first thing in the morning, or when the weather isn’t as nice, and when it warms up, you can easily zip off the bottom half of the pants, which turns into shorts! Instead of wearing shorts and pants on top, making it very awkward to walk around, this makes it so much simpler. It saves on weight and also prevents awkwardness if you were to change from pants to shorts on the trail.
I find a Merino pant base layer handy to have for sleeping at night. Sometimes the temperature can be a bit cold at night, and having something warm can help you get a full night’s sleep.
The fleece is meant for when you arrive at your campsite or for sleeping. I always get cold once I stop exercising. I ensure I have a warm layer to wear once I’m no longer moving. It can also be helpful to wear at night to keep you warm.
| Image | Product | Price |
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1
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Columbia Men’s Rapid Rivers Printed Short Sleeve Shirt (0.5 x 3 = 1.5 lbs) |
C$44.27
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2
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Columbia Women’s Bogata Bay Short Sleeve Tee (0.45 lb x 2 = 0.9 lbs) |
C$24.92
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3
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Columbia Men’s Silver Ridge Convertible Pant (0.70 lb) |
C$94.99
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4
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Columbia Women’s Silver Ridge Utility Convertible Pant Hiking Pants (0.44 lb) |
C$107.93
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5
 |
Men’s Arc’teryx Rho LT Zip fleece (0.5 lb) |
$170.00 |
|
6
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Columbia Women’s Benton Springs Full Zip (1 lb) |
C$64.99
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7
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Women’s Merino Base Layer Crew (0.48 lb) |
C$126.99
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8
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Women’s Merino pant base layer (0.65 lb) |
C$126.99
|
Undergarments (4.7 lbs)
You can buy breathable underwear if you’d like, but for me, it comes down to a sensory issue. I find outdoor underwear fits funny and drives me nuts. For me, it’s not worth the purchase or bringing them. It’s up to you and your comfort level. You will sweat a lot when backpacking, so I highly suggest bringing one pair for each day you’ll be hiking.
To save weight in the past, I used to bring only a few pairs of socks. I found out the hard way that when your feet sweat or get wet, it’s almost impossible to dry out your socks for the next day. Putting used, wet socks on the following day, like I’ve done backpacking the West Coast Trail, is highly unpleasant!
Tip #1: Don’t focus on the weight of socks; enjoy being spoiled and having a fresh pair of socks to wear every day… trust me, you’ll thank me!
Tip #2: Bring socks with cushion under the heel; it will make hiking for hours more enjoyable.
If you’re going for a week, I suggest bringing two bras in my backpacking gear list. No need to bring a bra every day.
| Image | Product | Price |
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1
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Men’s Boxer Briefs (0.23 x 7 = 1.6 lbs) |
C$21.97
|
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2
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Women’s Jockey Underwear (0.033 lb x 7= 0.23 lb) |
C$44.00
|
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3
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Caterpillar Men’s 3-pack Half Cushioned Crew Socks (0.23 x 7 = 1.6 lbs) |
C$29.23
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4
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5 pairs of Women’s Merino Wool Hiking Socks (0.87 lb) |
C$29.99
|
|
5
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Sport Bras (0.20 lb x 2 = 0.40 lb) |
C$28.39
|
Extra Clothing (0.46 lbs)
You never know what you’ll encounter on the trail in terms of temperature and weather. You might look at the weather before leaving for your trip, but in the mountains, it constantly changes. Be prepared for everything. If the weather turns colder than you thought overnight, it’s always a good idea to bring a toque and some lightweight mitts. A baseball cap is good for the sun and to keep rain out of your eyes. It can also help keep your hood up and prevent it from coming down on your eyes.
| Image | Product | Price |
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1
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Outdoor Research Swift Cap – Lightweight UPF Sun Hat with Breathable Mesh (0.16 lb) |
C$34.95
|
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2
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Merino Wool Toque (0.20 lb) |
C$30.00
|
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3
 |
Minus33 Merino Wool Glove Warm Base Layer (0.099 lb) |
C$29.99
|
Toiletries (0.83)
Toiletries are an easy place to save on space in my backpacking gear list. Instead of bringing huge toothbrushes, toothpaste, or a hairbrush, bring travel-size items. Sometimes, I skip the hairbrush altogether and use my hands instead. For travel-size deodorant (o.10 lb), I feel like it’s up to you if you should bring it or not. It might depend on the company that you have with you on your trip. The nice fresh deodorant will last about five minutes before you’re back to sweating and smelling gross again. It might be more useful to put it on at the end of the day before sharing a tent and going to sleep. I often wonder if it’s worth having a bit more weight for a nice smell that will quickly dissipate.
I’ve included some toiletries in the table below. Glasses/case (0.10 lb) or contacts (0.10 lb) aren’t something you find on Amazon, but if you need them, of course bring them. I sometimes bring a few elastics (0.10 lb) in case one breaks. I love my hair up in a ponytail. The worst thing would be to have my hair hanging around my neck and unable to get a breeze while hiking.
The toilet paper and hand sanitizer only come in bulk on Amazon, but you only need to take the amount you need for the hike.
| Image | Product | Price |
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1
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Travel-size toothbrush (0.10 lb) |
C$7.99
|
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2
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Crest Cavity Protection Toothpaste, Regular Paste (0.28 lb) |
C$6.98
|
|
3
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Charmin Toilet paper (0.25 lb) |
C$33.49
|
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4
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Hand sanitizer (0.10 lb) |
C$19.99
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5
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PUKCLAR Polarized Sports Sunglasses for Men and Women (0.10 lb) |
C$29.99
|
Breakfast (5.03 lbs)
Don’t mind the hair…sometimes my hair is too short for an elastic, and I start off the day looking a little funny.
The instant oatmeal packages are heavy but provide sustainability until lunchtime. I typically eat two packages, and they keep me full for the morning. Hot chocolate is a nice treat to warm you up first thing. If you like coffee, feel free to exchange the hot chocolate for that. Kris and I both don’t drink it, which is why I don’t have it listed here.
| Image | Product | Price |
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1
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Quaker Instant Oatmeal 4 Flavour Variety Pack
|
C$15.79
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2
 |
CARNATION Rich And Creamy Hot Chocolate (0.1 lb x 2 = 0.20 lb) |
C$5.47
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Lunch (2.32 lbs)
You don’t get to eat a lot of fresh food while backpacking. On the first day, however, I included it in my backpacking gear list to enjoy food like fresh peas!
Tuna packages are so easy to bring backpacking. They keep well and are lightweight. They make an easy protein to have on the trail.
Tip: There is often juice at the bottom of the tuna package to keep it fresh, so keep in mind when putting it on your wraps.
We found that Beef Jerky stays fresh longer if you buy multiple packages instead of opening a bigger package and leaving it open for a couple of days. It makes it an easy, protein-rich lunch. Adding Babybel makes for a quick meal. I often bring multiple snacks and pick and choose which one I’d like to eat for lunch. If it’s cold, you can heat up a cup of soup for lunch. We also like to have it as an emergency food if we need to warm up throughout the day.
| Image | Product | Price |
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1
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Jack Links Teriyaki Beef Jerky (0.66 lb x 2 = 1.32 lbs) |
C$24.45
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2
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Lipton Chicken Noodle Cup-A-Soup Office Pack, 22 Packs
|
C$19.99
|
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3
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Tuna Creations, Ranch, Single Serve Pouch (0.16 lb) |
C$10.98
|
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4
 |
Yupik Roasted Salted Mixed Deluxe Nuts (0.44 lb) |
C$6.73
|
Snacks (1.56 lbs)
Honey Stinger energy chews are full of different flavours, chewy and provide energy. It’s one of my favourite snacks! Even if they come in a pack of 12, we go through them quickly. Granola bars offer a variety to pick from. I like to bring pineapple chunks, as they’re salty and chewy, and relatively healthy. The Ritz peanut butter sandwiches can make a nice addition to your lunch or be eaten as a snack.
| Image | Product | Price |
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1
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Honey Stinger Organic Energy Chews, Fruit Smoothie, Pack of 12 (0.11 lb x 7 = 0.77 lb) |
C$32.39
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2
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Nature Valley – Double Chocolate
|
C$12.47
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3
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Ritz Peanut Butter Sandwiches (0.086 lb) |
C$3.98
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4
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Thai Tropica Soft Dried Baby Pineapple (0.35 lbs) |
C$12.99
|
Supper (0.77 lbs)
The total weight for the suppers is the packaged food pouches. For packaged food, some are ok and when pressed for time, they can pass as an acceptable supper, but they are mostly salty. Compared to the dehydrated home-cooked meals we make, they don’t come close for enjoyment.
There are so many easy meals to make, which is why we like to include them in our backpacking gear list. We like to dehydrate chicken, hamburger, and pork for meat and peas, corn, green beans, and carrots for vegetables in our Salton Electric Food Dehydrator. With the meat, we like to make different meal combinations:
- Couscous + chicken + peas + corn + green beans (0.40 lb)
- Uncle Ben’s rice + chicken + corn + green beans + carrots (0.40 lb)
- Polenta Cheese Stew (0.40 lb) seen in the picture above.
The flavour is much better fresh, and after you cook the meat and veggies and put them in the dehydrator, the rest is easy to pack for the trip.
| Image | Product | Price |
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1
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Mountain House Rice and Chicken, Freeze Dried Emergency Food (0.26 lb)Mountain House freeze-dried meals are easy to prepare. Simply add the indicated amount of hot water and your gourmet meal is ready in less than 10 minutes. Simple, delicious, and nutritious. Have a gourmet meal wherever you go. Perfect for camping and hiking. |
C$23.95
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2
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Mountain House Pad Thai with Chicken, Freeze Dried Emergency Food (0.24 lb)Mountain House freeze-dried meals are easy to prepare. Simply add the indicated amount of hot water and your gourmet meal is ready in less than 10 minutes. Simple, delicious, and nutritious. Have a gourmet meal wherever you go. Perfect for camping and hiking. |
C$21.71
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3
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Mountain House Beef Stroganoff, Freeze Dried Emergency Food (0.27 lb)Mountain House freeze-dried meals are easy to prepare. Simply add the indicated amount of hot water and your gourmet meal is ready in less than 10 minutes. Simple, delicious, and nutritious. Have a gourmet meal wherever you go. Perfect for camping and hiking. |
C$23.25
|
Cooking Gear (4.03 lbs)
I calculated the Primus OmniFuel II Stove instead of the MSR Whisperlite Stove in the total cooking gear calculations as it works better with the GSI 2L pot. You can still make it work with the Whisperlite as we’ve done in the past, but it’s more wobbly as it doesn’t sit as nicely as the Primus OmniFuel II Stove, which is why we upgraded. You’ll need a Primus fuel bottle to accompany the Primus OmniFuel II stove for it to work.
We like the GSI Escape 2L Pot in our backpacking gear list because it’s collapsible and saves space. It provides enough room for us to rehydrate our veggies and meat and cook a delicious meal at the campsite.
| Image | Product | Price |
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1
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GSI Escape 2L Pot 1.13 lbs |
C$88.50
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2
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MSR Whisperlite Stove (0.73 lb) |
C$189.95
|
|
3
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Primus OmniFuel II Stove (0.77 lb) |
$299.95
|
|
4
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Primus Fuel Bottle (1.13 lbs) |
C$34.95
|
|
5
 |
Redbird Strike Anywhere Matches (1 lbs) |
C$29.99
|
Utensils (o.58 lb)
The Sea to Summit bowl and mug are also collapsible, fit inside each other, and can be placed into the pot to save space. The spork makes it easy to eat with, either as a fork or a spoon. We like to clean up using a sponge to wash dishes, a small cloth for drying, and environmentally friendly soap while spending time outdoors.
| Image | Product | Price |
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1
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Sea to Summit Frontier Ultralight Collapsible Bowl
|
C$29.95
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2
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Sea to Summit Frontier Ultralight Collapsible 12 Ounce Camp Cup (0.12 lb) |
C$19.95
|
|
3
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Snow Peak Titanium Spork (0.02 lb) |
C$17.46
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4
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1 sponge for washing dishes (0.02 lb) |
C$13.98
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|
5
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1 cloth for drying (0.15 lb) |
C$11.99
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6
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Original Campsuds (0.13 lb) |
C$14.99
|
Tents (o.88 lb)
The picture above shows our Marmot Limelite 3P (Old Style) tent with poles, ground sheet & pegs at 7.20 lbs. Though it’s much heavier than MSR tents, I like having more fabric to keep me warm, especially when backpacking in the mountains. I find the mesh can make it feel really cool at night and has prevented me from sleeping. If you don’t get cold, MSR tents that have more mesh, making them lighter, might be a good option for you. We like having a 3-person tent for the two of us to provide us with space and a refuge when we get bad weather backpacking, and it offers a safe place to hang out.
| Image | Product | Price |
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1
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MSR Ultralight Backpacking Tent (0.88 lbs)Lightweight and Ultralight: Weighing just 0.88 lbs, this tent is designed for backpacking and hiking with minimal weight. |
C$333.50
|
Sleeping Gear (6.38 lbs)
The Exped mattresses are so comfy for sleeping on. They provide a barrier between the floor of the tent and your back so you don’t feel the cold air. It’s puffy enough that it feels like you aren’t sleeping on the ground, which I find is a plus. It’s easy to inflate with a bag and only takes a couple of minutes. It comes in a mummy size and a rectangular shape, depending on your needs. The mummy fits right to your body but saves on space. The rectangular shape is a bit heavier but roomier. It compacts to a nice size to pack in your backpack.
We love our down sleeping bags because they are lightweight, pack very small, and are warm, making them ideal to include in our backpacking gear list. Having an inflatable pillow makes all the difference to getting a good night’s sleep.
| Image | Product | Price |
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1
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Exped Ultra 1R Lightweight Sleeping Cushion, Lichen, Medium | Ultralight Sleeping Mat for Summer Camping Comfortable (0.88 lb) |
C$248.22
|
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2
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One Bag 5F / -15C 3-in-1 Insulated Sleeping Bag – Water Repellent, Down Insulation, Compression Sack (3 lbs) |
C$419.40
|
|
3
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Kelty Cosmic 20 Down Mummy Sleeping Bag for Backpacking, Campers (2.19 lbs) |
C$305.18
|
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4
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Ultralight Inflatable Pillow (0.31 lb) |
C$25.99
|
Footwear (6.57 lbs)
I used to have 100% Gore-Tex hiking boots but often found them stiff and not breathable. Since making the switch, La Sportiva Women’s Nucleo Hiking boots are much better. I love the ankle support for scrambling; it offers waterproofing while also being flexible and breathable. When it’s muddy and wet, gaiters offer additional protection to keep your boots and feet dry. If you cross large creeks, sandals are a good option to use while you cross, keeping your hiking boots for when you’re back on the trail.
| Image | Product | Price |
|
1
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La Sportiva Women’s Nucleo High II GTX Wide Hiking Boots, Oak/Topaz (1.68 lbs) |
C$448.08
|
|
2
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Men’s Moab 3 Hiking Shoe (2.6 lbs) |
C$150.00
|
|
3
 |
Outdoor Research Women’s Crocodiles (0.49 lb) |
C$109.95
|
|
4
 |
Men’s Newport H2 Sandals (1.80 lbs) |
C$130.00
|
Water System & Filtration (6.83 lbs)
Photo credit: Carole Ross
My backpacking gear list includes a couple of options for Water System & Filtration.
We used to use a hand pump but wasted so much time pumping that our hands hurt and kept us from being productive elsewhere at the campsite. The pump would often get dirty, and we’d have to clean it.
Platypus GravityWorks Group Camping Water Filter System, 6-Liter
On our recent trip to Berg Lake, we were recommended the Platypus GravityWorks Group Camping Water Filter System, 6-Liter (0.77 lb). I used it with my friend on the Skyline Trail, and it works like magic. The water filters quickly from the dirty bag into the clean bag, and we spent about 10 minutes in total getting 6L of water filtered. It was so easy and so much less of a hassle. I wish we would have discovered this system earlier. It was so user-friendly. It can filter while you cook supper. The 6L allows you to have water for drinking, refilling water bottles or bladders, cooking supper, heating up hot chocolate and coffee. It was so handy to have so much filtered water accessible to us in a short amount of time. If you don’t have one yet, I’d recommend buying one.
I’ve used a CamelBak in the past, but I often found it’s hard to take in and out of the pack. It needs to be the first thing you pack, as it goes inside the backpack. You can’t see how much water you’ve been drinking. Friends have shared with me that they’ve also experienced a leak in their CamelBak. So not only does it make everything wet, but you also don’t have water to hydrate you.
I now use a Hardside Hydration Wide Mouth Nalgene Swig Rig (previously found on Amazon but is currently unavailable; I now found it on this website). It works as an attachment to a Nalgene Tritan Silo Wide Mouth 1.5 L bottle (0.46 lb). The water bottle easily fits on the outside of your backpack. You can see how much you’re drinking. It’s easy to refill, with fewer chances of leaking. It’s easier to pour water out than a CamelBak. I like my new setup much better.
| Image | Product | Price |
|
1
 |
3L CamelBak Crux Water Reservoir Hydration Bladder (5.60 lbs) |
C$55.00
|
|
2
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Platypus GravityWorks Group Camping Water Filter System, 6-Liter |
C$199.95
|
|
3
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Nalgene Tritan Silo Wide Mouth 1.5 L bottle (0.46 lb) |
C$21.17
|
Safety (4.23 lbs)
A first aid kit is always a good idea to have with you in case you get hurt and cut and need a band-aid or get injured on the trail. A Petzel headlamp is useful in the morning or evening when it gets dark. It’s nice to be able to rely on it in case your phone dies.
A Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (0.60 lb) is really good for taking nice pictures without having to worry about carrying a bulky camera. I like to bring a power bank to charge my phone when it runs low on battery. I often take many videos and pictures, and I like to track my route too, which drains my battery by the end of the day. Sometimes I carry an Anker solar panel, but you need to make sure you’ll get enough sunlight for it to be worthwhile, since it’s heavier than the power banks.
We haven’t purchased an inReach mini satellite yet, but I have friends and family who have one and like it. It allows you to communicate with your loved ones if you don’t have cell phone reception. With all the wildfires we hear about every summer, I’m now considering it as a safe way to stay in touch.
| Image | Product | Price |
|
1
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First Aid Kit (0.40 lb) |
C$29.95
|
|
2
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Petzl Tikkina (0.20 lb) |
C$26.95
|
|
3
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Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (0.48 lb) |
C$1,299.00
|
|
4
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inReach Mini 2, Lightweight and Compact Satellite Communicator, Hiking Handheld, Black (0.22 lb) |
C$464.66
|
|
5
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Charmast Power Bank with Built-in 4 Cables, 10000mAh Portable Charger (0.53 lb) |
C$25.89
|
|
6
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Anker Solix Solar Panel PS30 (2.4 lb) |
C$99.00
|
Final Thoughts
Building the right backpacking gear list takes some trial and error, but knowing the exact weight of every item makes it so much easier to decide what earns a spot in your pack and what stays home. Small swaps add up fast: a lighter tent or having a Nalgene Swig Rig instead of the CamelBak. Together they can shave pounds off your total load without sacrificing comfort or safety on the trail. Use this backpacking gear list as a starting point, then adjust it to fit your own trips, climate, and comfort level. The more you backpack, the more your list will evolve, and that’s part of the fun. Happy trails!
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