Essential Backpacking Gear: 15 Items I Can’t Hike Without

Written By: Noel Krasomil

If you’re on a quest for essential backpacking gear — the top-notch items that’ll enrich your life on the trail — you’ve come to the right place. Why? Because I’m a hopeless ultralight backpacking junkie, and I’m itching to nerd out over my 15 all-time favorite pieces of gear.

Health, happiness, and comfort in the backcountry have a lot to do with the gear you bring along. The items you pack will become your bliss or your burden every single step of the way. The choice is yours.

I’ve poured countless hours of my life and thousands of my hard-earned dollars into my backpacking habit. So, take a look through all of the lightweight, durable, and versatile gear that I bring along on my overnight trips and swear by wholeheartedly.

After my gear recommendations, I’ve included a complete backpacking checklist and a few tips to help you find some unbeatable gear of your own.

So, without further ado, here are the very best pieces of backpacking gear I’ve ever laid hands on — the essentials, if you will.