The 7 Things You Need to Start Backpacking | Outside

The best way to get started with backpacking is by making sure you’ve packed all the right essentials. Outside contributor Bryan Rogala walks us through the items he brings on every adventure.

Of course, the first supply you need for any backpacking trip is fairly obvious: a backpack. Invest in one that’s sturdy enough to hold up during bad weather or rough conditions. Bryan recommends a 50-60 liter pack– large enough to fit all your essentials without getting too heavy. You’ll also need a two-person tent, 20-degree sleeping back, and sleeping pad to ensure you have a comfortable place to rest. Then, for the smaller (but equally important) items: Pick out a high quality backpacking stove for cooking on the trail, bring some moleskin for blisters, find a comprehensive trail map of the area you’re visiting, and (last but not least) fill a small bottle with whiskey for some post-hiking relaxation.

Click the link below to read Bryan’s full column:

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[mikedeman]

If you ditch the sleeping bag and the tent, you can take 6 bottles of whiskey . . . . . .

[Sentient.Sentinel]

The 7 Things an alocoholic Needs to Start Backpacking | Outside

[jdcopier]

No flashlight/headlamp, first aid kit, rain poncho, or matches/fire starter. But can't forget the whiskey! Yeah, definitely not my definition of 'essentials.'

[bigchunk]

Went backpacking for the first time and lived. What a great experience. Brought way too much water, but I didn't want to play with cutting it close.

[cynoodles]

When I trip and stab my eye out on a jutting branch I always use my moleskin to stop the bleeding. Good tips

[onefastcyclist]

Good advice! I've gone backpacking with my wife for many years and we divide items with my larger pack carrying the tent, cooking pots, cups & dishes and water filter. She carries the food, stove & fuel. We both carry our bedding, sleeping bags and our own rain gear etc.. However, at the beginning of a 6 day trip, her pack may be heavier, but it gets lighter each day - the tent doesn't! A Big Agnes Copper Spur 2 is the BEST two person + border collie tent one can buy today!

[davidabbottofficial]

He didn't mention a headlamp because you can soak the end of a stick in the whiskey. Great torch and saves grams.

[cziegle]

Thanks for posting the video. Very helpful.

[MrSamcro]

Nice vid, for me personally I’d always use a waterproof bag liner to keep my gear separate from hydration bladder for obvious reasons, everything is individually packed into dry bags this makes organising and finding gear easy plus’s repacking a wet tent into a pack won’t soak everything especially on a multi day hike

[TheFadilj]

I like this vid cause you showed all the main (90%) components of what to pack and showed how to pack them. You dumbed it down and made it soooo easy. The comments shared compliment the leaning. E.g. others sharing and adding to their experiences. I feel more confident to jump right into backpacking now. Thanks for the vid I've given you a thumbs up.

[gchowder]

Thanks!
No nonsense.. gets right to the point!
Awesome video!
:D

[fisherhatakeyama]

This video helped so much in my backpacking. Thank you so much!

[fletcherbrown]

Perfect! Nice and simple, to the point, hittings the basics, nice pace, great video, and audio, not overwhelming us with and loud.heart-pounding music and best of all, not trying to sell a bunch of gear. Thanks!! Subscribed.

[Elsa-djdp]

The packing/ weight distribution info was SUPER helpful. tysm!

[NEDS-ADV]

A bloody good job mate that’s the point and realistic that’s what it’s all about living and learning top vid bud 👍🤘🤘🇦🇺

[Gpknives]

Contractor's Bags (heavy duty trash bag) make a great option for an inexpensive and durable waterproof bag liner. A small roll of heavy duty duct tape is excellent for on the fly repairs.

[eggasmonster]

When I first started backpacking I started with a hammock! It was wonderful!
I’m also in Ontario, lots of trees

[cipher]

6:18 brilliant, no longer have desire for a kickstand, thank you!!!

[AndyOutdoorsChannel]

I got the basspro 1 person tent they had a few years ago and just went ahead and fully waterproof sealed it with a couple layers of the spray and seam sealed all the seams, threads and essentially everything that could leak at possibly on inside of tent. And a 30⁰ mummy style sleeping bag with a sleeping bag fleece liner because I sleep warm even at home. And then I forget the pad. All for one person as basic sleeping stuff and then a 3 person for me and my significant other when she wants to come and a queen air mattress. Thanks for the video.

[__-pljg]

Its always fun to watch other peoples "essentials" and packing methods even if I don't agree with them. Personally I like to put all the heavy stuff at the bottom of my pack. And although I would never waste space on heavy liquid like Whiskey I do love my chair...my wonderful 1.2lb "essential" chair.