backpacking tips

Generally speaking, prices go up as both the temperature limit and weight decrease.

Researching the terrain, wildlife, and regulations can go a long way to keeping you safe and comfortable. Going into bear country? If you’re using tampons or pads, you will need to pack them out, so be sure to bring an extra plastic, sealable bag to put used items. Of course, you’ll also need a pack to put everything in. With water, you may pack all of your own clean water (if it’s a short trip or there aren’t any water sources where you’re going) or you may need to purify your own water from a backcountry source.

You can also check with your local outdoor retailer to see if they offer a similar program. The other categories may start to feel less and less important when you realize how much you’ll already be carrying. Go have some fun. It takes a while to learn how to efficiently packing your pack and using your gear. “There’s a huge learning curve to figuring out what you do and don’t need,” McIntosh says. 11. I started with a Teton synthetic bag and later invested in an Enlightened Equipment quilt that was lighter and took up less space in my pack. It sounds so simple, but it’s actually a really helpful strategy to make sure you’re packing everything you need but not too much that you don’t. REI gives a good break down of the importance of each item here. D - Dry: Most backpacks aren’t waterproof, and you’ll want to keep your essential items, if not all of your items, dry. Check the website of whatever park or trail system your visiting to get all the information you need so that you can adjust your gear accordingly. ; Pick a place close to home. And make sure to consider the 11th essential (according to me): hygiene. Navigation, sun protection, insulation, lighting, first aid, fire, tools, food, water, and shelter make up the standard list of The 10 Essentials, which was created by The Mountaineers, a Seattle-based organization for outdoor adventurers. SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. She recommends repurposing things you already have at home instead of investing in specialized items right off the bat—a nifty folding lightweight spork seems legit, but a spoon you already have will suffice. Once you’ve stuffed that inside, put medium- to heavy items like your tent, water bladder, cooking gear, and food (that you won’t be eating while you hike) on top of the lightweight items. Fleming has had luck with the Big Agnes Copper Spur 2.

Backpacks, tents, and sleeping bags are all big things that are necessary, so it’s key to find ones that are lightweight. I like the The Deuce. 5. Sleeping bags can surprisingly get very expensive.

Cost can be a big barrier for people to start backpacking, but that doesn’t need to be the case, Fleming says. On my trip last year, I opted for a super compact one-person tent, the NEMO Hornet 1. The former hiker might want to bring less (since they won’t have time for extra entertainment items anyway), where the latter hiker might want to pack a good book or a more elaborate meal. But it was only two years before that I went on my first backpacking trip. That goes for both what you put in your pack and the length of your first trip. And it’s also important to note that when it comes to big brands (like REI and Osprey) and common styles, you can often find them lightly used on eBay, CraigsList, or at used gear stores.

That means if you’re carrying a liter of water in a side pocket—which weighs 2.2 pounds—you’ll want to make sure you even out your other side pocket with something that weighs similarly, or you could start feeling the pack tug uncomfortably to the heavier side. Before you start planning your first backpacking trip, it is tempting to think about … Get exclusive workouts, fitness tips, gear and apparel recommendations, and tons of motivation with our weekly fitness newsletter. sleeping, layering) and others bury it loose in with their sleeping bag. There’s often a “comfort rating” and a “lower-limit rating” on bags, the latter of which refers to the lowest temp that a warm sleeper would be comfortable with—so not necessarily you.

I could barely lift my pack, it was so heavy, and my sleeping pad swayed precariously every time I took a step. Here’s what they (and I) want you to know.

When it comes to backcountry bathroom tactics, make sure you’re familiar with leave-no-trace principles. If you’re just peeing, a popular option for women backpackers is to bring a “pee rag”—usually a bandana or half of a quick-drying cloth. It's not covered in the 10 essentials, but you do have to consider it when you pack. For packs, Fleming suggests looking at Deuter and Osprey models like the AirContact 70 or the Talon 44. But I do wish I had known a little about packing before I took my first trip.

“Your backpack should never weigh more than 40 percent of your body weight,” Fleming says. Tips for backpacking and hiking, with insights from our readers backpackers, and reviews of all the equipment you’ll need to go to the great outdoors. Some people organize their clothing into separate bags based on what its purpose is (i.e. And while I recommend starting light and adding stuff that you miss, I should also say that I’ve never met a first-time backpacker who didn’t bring way too much heavy gear with them. Roll your things up tightly so that they take up as little space as possible, and consider using a compression or stuff sack for things like clothes (and of course, your sleeping bag). Topics Hiking Backpacking Outdoor Exercise Sign up for our SELF Motivate newsletter Get exclusive workouts, fitness tips, gear and apparel recommendations, and tons of … 3. “It’s up to preference,” McIntosh says. If you have friends who backpack, see if they’d be open to letting you borrow some of their gear. But packs are personal, and it comes down to the right pack that fits you and your needs.

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