Essential Guide to Backpacking Equipment

When it comes to backpacking, especially if you're new, there is backpacking equipment which you can often overlook. The most important attribute your backpacking equipment can have is that it must be light weight. The more miles you hike, the more ounces in your backpack begin to feel like pounds. You also want backpacking equipment that is from a reputable and well established company. The backpacking equipment you'll want to ensure you include the following: Tents, a sleeping bag, backpack, and a daypack. You'll also probably want to include these items too: Extra clothing, backpacking boots, a pair of sneakers or sandals, and rain gear.

Rain gear can include a slicker with a hood waterproof pants and even a honcho. You'll also want to include with your backpacking equipment the following: Wool socks, non-cotton liners, and insulated long underwear. Socks are a very important part of backpacking equipment, don't underestimate that. You need to have socks which are comfortable and allow your feet to breathe. You should change your socks as frequently as you can. You don't want to damage your feet because of the warmth and moisture created by backpacking. Do your feet and yourself a favor and keep your feet dry and fresh socks on your feet.

Clothes, Cooking, Extras And Miscellaneous Items Of Equipment

The type of clothing you would want to include as part of your backpacking equipment can consist of a couple of soft, light colored, comfortable tee-shirts. You'll also need non-cotton shirts too. You'll also want long pants but not jeans. It's also suggested you include a few long-sleeved flannel shirts a warm sweater or jacket and extra underwear. Just like socks, the importance of extra underwear can be overlooked. The last thing you want is to be in the middle of nowhere backpacking and not have any fresh underwear on hand to wear.

An important tip for backpacking is to make sure you dress in layers. Also, don't sleep in the clothing you were wearing during the day. To help ensure you clothes stay dry pack them in plastic bags. Don't ever wear cotton clothing when you are wet or cold. Cotton "breathes" and won't do a very good job of keeping your body temperature where it needs to be in those conditions. You need something to insulate and protect you from the elements.

Of course, you should always include food among your backpacking equipment. The best way to pack the food is in a bag which has a handle attached. At night, you want to hang this bag off of a tree. You don't want your food on the ground. It can draw insects or other types of animals.

Unless you want to be rubbing sticks or stones together for a while to make fire, don't forget matches or lighters. You'll probably want to include a stove and the stove fuel. You'll also need pots, pans, lids, and a pot tong or pot holder.

While we're on the subject of cookware, don't forget everything you need to eat with. Included among your backpacking equipment you're going to want to include plates, cups, knives, forks, spoons, and some dish detergent. You'll also probably want to make sure you have a few water bottles. The water bottles should hold two quarts of water or more. Don't forget the can opener. You don't want to find yourself settling in for the night, ready to cook a great dinner under the stars, and have no way of getting the cans open easily.

Some final, miscellaneous, backpacking equipment you should have with you include: pocketknives, a flashlight, extra batteries for the flashlight, a camera, extra film, extra batteries for the camera, a pair of sunglasses, lash straps, a decent amount of cash, and any and all prescription medications you need to take.

To round out your backpacking equipment, you should also have the following: Compass, journal with pens, swimming gear, deck of cards, whistle, nylon cords, and candles, water purifying tablets, ropes, maps, a trowel, and bug repellent. Please whatever you do, don't forget to pack a first aid kit with your backpacking equipment. Even a simple backpacking trip can turn dangerous if you don't have good medical supplies on hand if an accident does happen.

If you follow this guide, and include all of the above mentioned backpacking equipment, you should have a pleasurable, pleasant, backpacking trip. By including all the backpacking equipment mentioned, you should be well prepared for just about anything that could happen.