Backpacking Checklist

Print this backpacking checklist before your trip into the backcountry so you make sure to have the essentials.

This wilderness backpacking checklist is the perfect place to start when planning your backcountry camping trip. My dad was so obsessed with ultralight backpacking that he started his own backpacking business. If I’ve learned anything from him it’s that your backpacking trip will be so much more enjoyable if you do every tiny thing you can to cut weight from your pack. Buy an ultralight tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and backpack if you can. Bring all the tiniest or lightweight things you possibly can. Bring travel sized toothpaste, sunscreen and bug repellent. I have even snapped half of the handle off of my toothbrush. Every little bit you don’t carry will make your trip more enjoyable. But before any of that use the backpacking packing list below to just make sure you have all of the essentials.

Print the Backpacking List

Backpacking Gear List

For best results, save the image to your computer before printing. I find it easiest to first click on the image to enlarge it, then drag and drop the image to my desktop, then print it from there.

Printables from Paper Trail Design are for personal use only. For more information on use of our printables see our copyright policy here.

Wilderness Backpacking Checklist with Utralight Suggestions

Big 4

The big four are just that, the big 4 items that you can’t avoid carrying and weigh the most. These items will likely cost you the most but with a little care they can last a lifetime and buying ultralight will save a ton of weight. For sleeping bags I would recommend something like this western mountaineering summer sleeping bag at 1 lb 3 oz rated at 32 degrees. Note that if you want to be comfortable you should add at least 10 degrees to the rating. So for this I wouldn’t take it in nighttime temps colder than the 40’s. Pay attention to the length of the bag. If you are short you can save some weight by purchasing a shorter bag. If you are tall you’ll obviously want something that fits so get a longer bag. I really like to bring a silk sleeping bag liner like this cocoon liner. For just a few extra ounces it adds more warmth and it’s easy to wash and keep your sleeping bag cleaner.

Backpack
Tent/Bivvy/Hammock
Sleeping Bag
Sleeping Pad

Emergency/Essentials

Some would call this area your ten essentials. There’s more than ten so that name isn’t amazing but it’s memorable. You will want to get a little weird trying to cut as much weight here without getting dangerous about your gear. I love carrying a couple of these tiny keychain flashlights as well as an ultralight headlamp like this for light. Bug repellent and sunscreen should be brought in tiny sizes. Make sure you have what you need but not any extra so you aren’t carrying extra weight. It might seem silly but every ounce really adds up.

Headlamp/Flashlight
Bug Repellent
Sun Screen
First Aid
Knife
Map
Compass
Whistle
Cord/Rope
Emergency Blanket
Moleskin/Blister Patches
Iodine Tablets
Mirror

Hygiene

A travel size toothpaste is more than enough. Consider bringing a half full travel size toothpaste to save an ounce. I snapped off half of my toothbrush handle to save a bit of weight. A small hand sanitizer is important for hygienic so you don’t get sick. And toilet paper is one thing you don’t want to skimp on. Roll some up and put it in a plastic bag. Bring more than you think you need because the consequences of running out are just not worth the half ounce.

Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Floss
Hand Sanitizer
Toilet Paper

Food

Growing up we ate a lot of Mountain House meals. This Mountain House granola and blueberries is my absolute favorite for breakfast. Mountain house is still great but there are also a lot of new companies making freeze dried backpacking meals that just need water. This is especially great if you have a special diet as there are more vegan, dairy free, and gluten free options emerging. You can also pack things like a ramen packet, or combine oats and chia and flax and soak them overnight or cook them up in the morning. Snacks should be energy dense. Trail mix, bars, and even candy for quick energy are great. Bring one day of backup food. We used to pack a lipton soup as a backup meal. And don’t forget your water treatment like a filter or iodine tablets.

Breakfasts
Lunches
Dinners
Snacks
Water
Water Treatment
1 Day Extra Food for Emergency

Cooking

There are a lot of different options for a camping stove but Jetboil like these are probably the most popular. It is a little heavier but it does boil faster saving time and fuel. For longer trips it might actually save weight if you have to bring less fuel. These camping sporks are my absolute favorite because you get a fork, spoon, and knife all in one.

Stove
Fuel
Lighter/Matches
Cook Pot
Utensils
Biodegradable Soap
Quick-dry Towel
Mug/Kettle Cup

Miscellaneous

You can ball up some of your clothes for a pillow if you want to save the weight. My blow up camping pad has a pillow and I just fold it over for a pillow or you can buy a blow up pillow like these. A trash bag is as simple as a gallon ziploc bag. You want to be able to seal it shut. In many locations you won’t need a bulky bear canister. You might not need gaiters. For your car key you’ll want just the key without any heavy and bulky keychains attached.

Phone
Pillow
Permits
Bag for Trash
Bear Canister (if needed)
Gaiters (if needed)
Car Key
Cash for Emergency

Clothing

The clothing you need will probably vary the most from this list. I’ve hiked in snow where I needed a winter coat with lots of wool layers. I’ve also hiked in Hawaii where all of the extra warm layers would have been ridiculous. Just be mindful of the night time temps as well as the daytime temps and bring what you need without going overboard. A hat an gloves can go a long way without adding much weight. I highly recommend hiking shoes over boots. Boots are stiff and heavy and often result in blisters.

Hiking Shoes/Boots
Socks x 2 Pair Extra
Underwear x 2 Extra
Shirt
Pants
Shorts
Fleece or Jacket
Hat/Visor
Gloves & Beanie
Rain Jacket & Pants

Optional

Not all of these items are absolutely necessary but they might make things more comfortable.

Trekking Poles
Charger
Camera
Backpacking Chair
Sit Pad
Tent Footprint
Day Pack

Personal

This isn’t an exhaustive list of the extra personal items that you might need but it covers some of the more common items people might need or want to bring.

Medications
Deodorant
Sunglasses
Reading Glasses
Menstrual Supplies
Kula Cloth
Ear Plugs

More Printables from Paper Trail Design

10 Tips for Hiking with Kids – Checkout these ideas to make hiking possible with kids.

Happy Birthday Banner – Print a happy birthday banner for free to save you time and money.

Visit Brittany @ Paper Trail Design’s profile on Pinterest.

Paper

I often get asked what paper I recommend. For regular copy paper this 5 ream case of paper is one of the better deals. For cardstock I really like this card stock paper on amazon. It is much cheaper than I have found in stores and has a good thickness for most projects without being so thick that it jams the printer.