If you are new to backpacking, it can be overwhelming when you start to look into all the gear you need. I would definitely recommend borrowing gear for your first trip to make sure it’s something you enjoy. But when you decide backpacking is something you enjoy and want to continue doing, it’s helpful to know what gear is worth the splurge!
Shelter
One of the heaviest pieces of gear you will carry on a backpacking trip is your shelter. The two main shelters are a tent and a hammock. A tent is typically heavier than just a hammock. But when you account for the bug net and rain tarp you may need, a hammock setup can be comparable in weight. If you want to get a lighter weight tent, you will have to pay a significant amount more money for it. Usually it’s about $100 for every pound you drop in weight.
You can find an inexpensive, nylon hammock pretty much anywhere and it will work fine! A hammock is not something I would splurge on personally. However, if you absolutely love hammock camping and it’s something you plan on doing no matter the weather, it would be worth the splurge to get a good, lightweight tarp, and mosquito net.
Sleeping Bag
If there is one thing I am willing to splurge on, it’s things to help me sleep. A sleeping bag is an important part of you sleep system. There are two main kinds of sleeping bags, a down filled sleeping bag or a synthetic filled sleeping bag. I almost always recommend a down sleeping bag.
Down is the plumage that comes from underneath a goose or duck’s belly. It is very lightweight, can compress down much smaller than synthetic, and has the best warmth to weight ratio. It’s also more expensive than synthetic sleeping bags.
Sleeping Pad
Another important part of your sleep system is your sleeping pad. This is another piece of backpacking gear that is definitely worth the splurge because it is crucial to helping me have a good night’s sleep. And when I sleep good I am able to hike more miles and enjoy my trip that much more.
A good sleeping pad is one that is insulated, comfortable, and lightweight. Even if you plan on only ever backpacking in the summer or in the desert, temperatures still drop at night and the ground can suck the heat out of you. So I like to spend a little more to have an insulated sleeping pad.
Finding a comfortable pad that is also lightweight can be tricky, and it usually means it costs more. Lightweight gear is crucial when it comes to backpacking, but like I mentioned, my sleep is very important to me. So I spend more money on a comfortable sleeping pad that is made of a lightweight material so I’m not packing a big heavy pad.
If you are hammock camping, you can use a sleeping pad which is what I do. But it can be annoying because it slips around and isn’t the perfect shape. They do make special shaped pads for sleeping in a hammock and those are nice because you will be totally covered. But if you want to make a real investment and up your hammocking game, an underquilt is a great piece of gear! It’s basically an open sleeping bag you strap underneath the hammock and does a great job keeping you warm.
Hiking Shoes
You are on your feet a lot when backpacking. It’s so important to have hiking shoes or boots that are comfortable and you can hike long miles in. There are a few different shoes that you can wear when backpacking: boots, trail runners, and hiking shoes. My personal preference is trail runners, but they are not for everyone. Boots are the most popular because of the high top and they can be expensive.
You don’t want to just wear any old shoes you have backpacking. You have a lot of weight on your back and you it can make you unstable. It’s important to have good tread and a supportive shoe. So even if you have a pair of shoes you already like, make sure they’re not too worn out. If they are, it might be time for a new pair.
Backpack
It probably makes sense that the bag you’re carrying everything in should be something you like. When I went on my first backpacking trip, I had an old Lowe Alpine pack we got off Craigslist. It did the job and I had fun on my trip. But when I upgraded to a nice Osprey pack, it made a big difference. The pack fit me better, and it was an updated suspension system. Because of that, I recommend not going cheap on a pack if backpacking is something you plan on doing a lot.
You don’t have to break the bank to get out and enjoy an overnighter in nature. But if you want to skip the trial and error, this backpacking gear is worth the splurge and you will be happier in the long run! If you have any questions about backpacking, contact me here or shoot me a message on Instagram.
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