The Ultimate/My Backpacking Checklist for Backcountry Hiking

The Ultimate/My Backpacking Checklist for Backcountry Hiking

Less will always be more when it comes to backcountry hiking.

The first time I went backcountry hiking vs the second time was significantly more enjoyable and it was all in the pack. I had to learn for myself.

It’s the little things that count. Essentials like the sleeping bag and sleeping pad should be ones that were made for backcountry hiking and that are as lightweight as possible.

Here’s my backpacking checklist for backcountry hiking, specifically for a three-night, four-day trip. You can always adjust accordingly. I used this as a guide to tackle my latest backcountry hike, the Four Pass Loop.

This was everything I needed. No more, no less.

Hope this helps you on your packing journey. Happy trails to you!

🥾 Clothes 🥾

Keep in mind, that I’m a chic, so aspects of some of these lists will be catered to other ladies. I’ll trust you’ll get the gist if you’re not a lady.

  • 1 Pair of Leggings
  • 1 Pair of Fleece-Lined Hiking Pants | Mostly the fleece piece if you’re one to get cold at night. Having something to sleep in that is cleaner than what you hiked in all day is really nice too
  • Hat
  • 1-2 Dri-Fit Tanks
  • 2 Long Sleeve Base Layers | 1 for day hiking, 1 clean(ish) for sleeping in
  • 5-6 Undies | These take up essentially no room and don’t add weight, so I’m okay having extras. Especially if mother nature/aunt flow/T.O.M. graces you with her presence.
  • 3-4 Hiking Socks (Smartwool and DarnTough socks are the brands I own and love) | It’s nice to have 1 clean pair to change into at night. If you can swing it, 1 clean pair for at least the first 3 days can be a game-changer
  • Down Jacket
  • Rain Jacket
  • Beanie
  • Hiking shoes
  • Pair of hiking-friendly material shorts or “skort” | I’ve recently found that I LOVE hiking in skirts that are lined with shorts. So wildly comfy and practical! | Check out Sierra stores for just what you need at reasonable prices
  • Lightweight sandals for changing into at night | Chacos are nice for this and river crossings
  • 1 Clean Anything for the drive back home (to keep in the car)

🎒 Gear 🎒

🧻 Toiletries 🧻

  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Sunscreen
  • Bug spray
  • Face wipes
  • Lady products
  • Ziploc and/or plastic bags for TP
  • Extra Ziplocs
  • 1-2 large Ziplocs for trash

🥜 Food 🥜

  • Peanut butter packs
  • Nuts 
  • Trail mix
  • Dried fruit: Dried mangos, bananas, apples
  • Dried food: 3-4 dry food meal packets
  • 1-2 Cliff Bars or Energy Bars per day
  • Gummy Bears/Candy
  • Instant Oatmeal
  • Pepperoni
  • Plastic Spoon
  • Plastic Cup
  • Energy liquid or gels

Full disclosure: Those links you’re seeing above in this blog post are affiliate links that *might* help support this blog one day. I promise to only post links out to brands and exact items I love and personally use. Pinky promise.

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A little something about us

We are Mike and Natalie. We’re not exactly sure where we’re going or what we’re looking for, but we are sure of one thing – that there’s too much world to spend all of your time in one place. Here’s a little bit about the way we do life.