Backpacking for Beginners: 5 Essential Tips

If you’ve experienced camping or glamping, you might be thinking about trying backpacking next. In this guide, Backpacking for Beginners: 5 Essential Tips, I’ll walk you through what you need to know to get started. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to get out there and try it, this is it.

Preparation is key | Backpacking for Beginners: 5 Essential Tips

There is no magical ingredient to being a great backpacker, and if you ask people who do it often, you will notice everyone does it a bit differently. There are standard components that you should bring, but also bring what is best for YOU. We all have our style of doing things, so don’t worry about what everyone else is doing or what they have – your backpacking experience will look different.

1. Go With Someone Who Has Experience

When you go with someone with prior experience, you can learn a lot from them, and you can also share the load within your group, especially for food and sleeping gear. Make sure you go with someone you can rely on and who is good company; this will also ensure a better experience, as your first time backpacking.

2. Borrow or Rent Your Gear

Outdoor gear is expensive, and you will want to get a feel for what works and what doesn’t. Don’t buy all your things immediately if you can avoid doing that. Testing gear before you buy your own can also reveal what you like or dislike.

You can also rent gear from places like REI or check your local outdoor recreation store and see if they have a program that offers something similar.

3. Backpack, Tent & Sleeping Bag

The three most essential items to ensure you have a good night’s sleep and feel comfortable on your journey are a backpack, a tent & sleeping bag!

The backpack will hold it all together, so you will want it to be comfortable. How much weight you bring depends on the length of your trip and where you are backpacking. If you are unsure about the backpack portion, you can go to your local REI: they will measure you to find your backpack size and determine what is most comfortable for you.

Your tent is also essential, so a good shelter is vital. One of the most significant areas where backpackers can decrease weight is with their tent. Tents can weigh anywhere from 1 to 6 lbs.

I strongly suggest investing in the right sleeping bag. I recommend getting a sleeping bag that keeps you warm, especially if you are backpacking in higher elevation areas, where it will be much cooler. You can also rent a sleeping bag from REI.

4. Trekking Poles, Hiking Boots, Layers, and Trails

Most people prefer trekking poles for backpacking, while others don’t. I recommend trying them first; they are great for incline and higher elevation trails. They will protect your ankles and knees while you have all that extra weight on your back.

Hiking boots are great for backpacking in more challenging terrain; although trail runners are lighter, boots are safer on the trails, especially when going for miles through the mountains. Go with whatever you find more comfortable, but with a boot, you may get better foot coverage up to your ankles, paired with a suitable wool sock that provides the ultimate comfort.

When you are backpacking, you never know what you will get as far as the weather goes, so you will want to have some good layers with you in case the weather gets too cold or turns wet. I suggest getting a lightweight, waterproof, or insulated light jacket for cold weather.

When selecting a hiking trail, I advise you to start small and not push yourself too hard. Backpacking doesn’t have to be this long, crazy hike, and if you choose to do 18 miles or 6 miles, it doesn’t matter. Do what is most comfortable for you.

5. Get yourself a water filter

Water is an essential part of life, but on the trails, the stakes are high, and you do not want to fall short of this because it can become life-threatening.

Filters come in handy for these long treks for drinking and making meals. You can get water from most water sources in the wilderness, but there are exceptions, so just make sure you know before you head to your location.

In Summary

Do your research before heading out. Check the weather and road conditions, prepare maps, lay everything out, and ensure you have everything you need before packing. Remember to Leave No Trace and leave it better than you found it. Happy Trekking!