15+ Beginner Backpacking Tips

Title Image - 15+ Tips for Beginner Backpackers - Larissa B in beanie with Mt Hood in background

Looking for beginner backpacking tips? You’re in the right place! Whether you have a trip planned already or are just thinking about embarking on your first backpackng trip, these tips will help you go in more prepared – and when you’re prepared, you can focus on having fun.

My first backpacking trip was also my first camping trip, ever. And in retrospect the number of mistakes I made was comical. Fortunately, I was with a group that had some experienced adventurers (and some beginners like me) and I’ve learned a lot in the years since.

Based on experience as someone who didn’t start camping until my late 20s, the following are my personal tips for beginner backpackers:

*This post contains affiliate links, if you make a purchase through one I receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. Opinions are always honest & my own.

1. Go to an Outdoor Store

Head to your closest and favorite outdoor store in-person and tell one of the staff members that you are going on your first backpacking trip and get ready for great advice! Staff at outdoor shops tend to love the outdoors and gear. Most also enjoy spreading their enthusiasm, knowledge, and personal favorites.

Don’t know where to go? Search for your nearest REI or google “outdoor gear store” and the name of your city. Can’t get to a store, become an REI Co-op Member and enjoy 1-year returns on most new items!

2. Use a Checklist

When you backpack you bring your shelter, kitchen, bed, lighting, food, and well, anything else you might need on your back. In other words, you need a lot of stuff and on your first trip, there’s a good chance that you don’t know everything you need.

Tying back to number one, on my first backpacking trip about ten years ago, a staff member at the gear shop I bought my backpack from emailed me their personal packing list for me to use. REI has a backpacking checklist here or you can google “backpacking checklist”. Some of my personal favoriet backpacking items can be found here.

3. Borrow, Rent, or Buy Used

Backpacking gear can be expensive so consider renting or borrowing a lot of your equipment. Or, if you buy, consider buying used. You don’t want to invest a month’s rent in uber-expensive gear only to realize you don’t like backpacking. Renting and borrowing also give you the opportunity to figure out what your preferences are before you invest. Check Out: 15+ Places to Find Discounted Hiking, Camping, & Other Outdoor Gear

4. Splurge on Your Pack

If you decide to buy, spend on a quality backpacking pack. Your backpack is the backbone of your gear – and will be attached to you for all of your hiking hours. It’s worth spending for a reliable pack that fits well. If you decide to buy, spend on a quality backpacking pack. Your backpack is the backbone of your gear – and will be attached to you for all of your hiking hours. It’s worth spending for a reliable pack that fits well.

Unless you know you will be embarking on a lot of longer backpacks, I am in favor of starting with a durable pack over an ultralight pack. You can then also use it for other purposes too like backpacking across Europe. Osprey is a favorite brand among many backpackers, myself included.

5. Save on Clothes

Minimize new clothing purchases. Chances are you can repackage your existing hiking or other athletic gear to work for your first backpacking trip. Your regular hiking pants/athletic leggings and exercise tops will do just fine.

Of course, there are exceptions like if you’re hiking in extreme temperatures, or if you live somewhere tropical and are backpacking somewhere that’s not, you may need to invest in warmer layers (e.g. long sleeve wool shirt, puffy jacket, etc). For additional purchases, consider buying used (e.g. Patagonia, ThredUp, or your local “gear exchange”).

6. Wool Socks

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: wool socks!! They’re more expensive but they are worth it. DarnTough and Smart Wool are my personal favorites. If in the budget, consider two pair: one for hiking and another clean pair to change into at camp.

7. Go with Experienced Friends

If possible, go on your first backpacking trip with friends that have been backpacking before, and don’t be shy about asking questions. Friends are usually more than happy to share. The vast majority of my backpacking knowledge has come from friends with the internet as my runner-up source of information.

8. No Can Do

Don’t pack cans for food. . . or any other unnecessary weight. Unlike car camping where the philosophy is often “Sure, bring it!” when it comes to packing, the opposite is true for backpacking. When in doubt, leave it out.

It is truly mind boggling how quickly items that are “really light” on their own add up to a pack weight that is anything but light. Personally, I’m still far from an ultralight packer but I’ve come a long way from my days of bringing a stainless steel water bottle then wondering why my pack is so heavy.

9. Share the Load

Consider sharing a tent and divide the tent pieces for carrying purposes. Certain items like a stove or jet boil can be shared among members of the group so not everyone has to bring one. Just be sure to communicate clearly regarding who is responsible for bringing what. And, real talk: don’t rely on what the one friend that always forgets things to bring an important group item.

One item I never divide up: lighter! Always better to have more than to rely on one that runs out or gets wet.

10. Don’t Skimp on Safety

The one place you should not cut down is on safety essentials. The same ten essentials for day-hiking should be brought backpacking with appropriate adjustments. For example, if you carry a day hike first aid kit you’ll want to upgrade to a backpacking first aid kit either by adding to the kit or buying a pre-filled kit. Outdoor specific kits will typically tell you the number of people and days they are designed to cover.

11. Share Your Itinerary

Always share your itinerary (as in the trails you’ll be on) and intended return time with someone responsible who is not going on the backpacking trip. When giving your return time consider that you may not have cell service for part of the drive back – and leave a little wiggle room. It’s rare to finish exactly when you think you will.

A satellite communicator like the GarminInReach, or similar device, is a smart (albeit pricey) way to keep others apprised of your whereabouts and safety.

12. It’s Not a Race

Enjoy the process. Take snack breaks and view breaks as desired. Tell your fellow backpackers when you need a break (a lot of times, other people want too and will be happy you brought it up!) It is not a race, it’s a fun adventure.

13. Sleeping Pad is for More Than Comfort

On my first backpacking trip, I did not buy or borrow a sleeping pad because I thought it was just for comfort and as long as I could lay horizontal I’d be fine. And, I was, but I subsequently learned that a sleeping pad is for more than just comfort: it helps keep you warm by helping prevent heat loss into the ground. Also, it’s actually pretty nice to be comfortable while you’re sleeping. I currently use one of the less expensive Klymit pads and it works great!

14. Know the Bathroom Basics

Learn how to “properly” go to the bathroom outdoors. Ugggh my least favorite topic but there are things that aren’t common knowledge if you didn’t grow up backpacking.

For supplies, bring toilet paper, ziplock bag, trowel (small light shovel like this one), hand sanitizer, and if applicable, period supplies. For extra female hygiene consider a Kula cloth.

Whether urinating or defecating, stay 200 feet from bodies of water. Avoid campsites and trails as well. When defecating, dig a cat hole 6-8″ deep, do your thing, and cover the hole. There’s a split in whether it’s OK to use biodegradable TP and leave it in the hole or whether you need to pack it out (i.e. take it with you – which is what the ziplock bag is for.) The trend is towards packing it out.

Here are some more detailed resources on how to go to the bathroom backpacking:
Great overview: The Three P’s: How to Pee, Poop, and Period in the Backcountry by Miss Meghan Young
Make it less gross: 4 Ways to Make Packing it Out Less Gross by Backpacker.com

15. Consider Your Fitness Level

Have an understanding of what you’re getting into and analyze whether it is within your fitness capabilities. Review the length and elevation change you’ll be covering each day of your trip, and honestly evaluate whether it is within your fitness capabilities.

For example, if the intended trail covers 10 miles and about 2k of elevation each day and you’ve never hiked more than 3 miles and don’t know what 2k of elevation means, it may be better to start with an easier trail. There’s a huge range in intensity of backpacking trips and choosing one that fits your fitness level can make the difference between a fun trip and a suffer-fest.

16. Clean Water

Put some thought into where your clean water will come from. You’ll need to either bring it all with you (not that common except for short, dry trips) or have a filter to make natural water sources potable. The Sawyer Squeeze is a favorite among many. I currently use the Platypus Quickdraw (bc Sawyer Squeeze was out when I went to buy it. Groups often go with a gravity filter. Others in your group may have filter options that an be used communally but make sure you ask so you don’t get in a precarious situation.

17. Research the Basics

Even if someone else is planning the trip, do some independent research. It will help ensure you are prepared and provide a stop-gap for things the group leader may have simply overlooked. It’s also good practice for planning your own trips. At a minimum, research: recent trail conditions (AllTrails is a good source), weather, water sources, permit requirements, other requirements (e.g. bear canisters), and how buggy you can expect it to be.

Last but not least HAVE FUN and ENJOY being a beginner!! here’s something really special about the first time you carry everything you need for the night on your back. Take photos, journal your thoughts, and soak it all in. I love backpacking and hope you do too! If you don’t well, at least you’ll have a solid basis for your opinion.