Backpacking Essentials Packing List

All The Essentials for a Backpacking Trip

Heading in to the wilderness on your next big adventure or city hopping through Europe? We've put together a backpacking essentials checklist to help you stay organized. While packing for an outdoor getaway can be overwhelming, you can keep track of all your must-have items in a comprehensive shopping list. Whether you're heading for an overnight backpacking trip or extended hiking endeavor, preparation is key to a successful adventure, and this list is here to lend you a helping hand and save you time and stress in the run up to your travels. Venturing in to the wilderness or backpacking through continents requires careful planning and light packing- our list provides a checklist of the absolute essentials you can't live without on your next great adventure. Covering some outdoor essentials with some recommended extras thrown in for good measure, here's a list of 24 items to never leave at home on your upcoming backpacking trip.

Backpacking Essentials Checklist

Here's a backpacking gear shopping list for all your outdoor essentials.

  • Tent
  • Sleeping bag
  • Sleeping mattress
  • Map & compass
  • Whistle
  • Pocket knife
  • Torch
  • Lighter
  • Matches
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent
  • Toilet paper
  • Towel
  • Sunglasses
  • Sun hat
  • Utensils
  • First-aid kit
  • Binoculars
  • Camera
  • Fleece
  • Rain poncho
  • Swimming shorts
  • Book
  • Walking pole