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After hiking hundreds of miles in Glacier National Park and recently getting more into backpacking, I’ve definitely figured out which pieces of gear I actually love, what I could live without, and what makes being on the trail a whole lot easier.
I’ve separated everything into day hiking essentials first and backpacking gear farther down, so you can easily find what you’re looking for.
Here’s my TikTok on the beginner backpacking gear I bought at REI and whether I think it was worth it:
Watch my beginner backpacking gear video on TikTok
Want everything in one place? I keep all my favorite hiking and backpacking gear on my ShopMy page. 🛍️ Shop my gear on ShopMy
My Favorite Day Hiking Gear & Essentials
These are the things I like having with me for regular day hikes, especially longer hiking days.
GoMacro Protein Bars
I LOVE GoMacro bars. I’ve been eating them for years and years, and I feel like they’re one of the few protein bars that actually satisfies me when I’m hungry on a hike.
I like the ingredients, I think they taste really good, and they’re super easy to throw into my hiking bag. These have become one of my go-to hiking snacks, especially on longer days when I want something that will actually hold me over.
LifeStraw Collapsible Squeeze Bottle + Water Filter
Honestly, I LOVE this thing. It’s probably one of the best purchases I’ve made for my hiking and backpacking gear recently.
It’s lightweight, compact, and lets you filter water while you’re out on the trail. This is especially nice when you know your hike will have reliable water sources along the way.
Instead of carrying a ridiculous amount of water from the beginning, I can carry my reusable water bottle and use this to filter more water when I need it.
Obviously, you still need to plan ahead and know where your water sources are going to be, but this has been SO nice to have.
Lightweight Hiking Sit Pad
Okay, I honestly JUST got this, so I can’t give you a long-term review yet.
But I constantly see hikers carrying these and finally decided to get one myself.
It’s small enough to fit inside one of the side water bottle pockets of my backpack, and I can already see it being really nice when I want to stop for lunch or take a break somewhere where the ground is rocky, wet, cold, or just uncomfortable.
Definitely more of a “nice to have” than a necessity, but I’m excited to use it.
Headlamp
The exact headlamp I own is from a New Zealand brand, but this is an option from a reputable brand if you’re looking for one.
I think a headlamp is one of those hiking essentials you should have with you, especially on longer hikes.
You never know when a hike might take longer than expected and suddenly you’re heading back after sunset. Even if I have absolutely no intention of hiking in the dark, I’d rather have a headlamp sitting in my backpack and never need it than need one and not have it.
Portable Charger
I have this portable charger, and my favorite thing about it is that I don’t have to bring a bunch of extra cables with me. Everything is basically built into it, and you can recharge the power bank itself by plugging it directly into a wall outlet.
There have definitely been times when I’ve needed to charge my phone on the trail…probably because I take WAY too many pictures lol.
Between taking photos, using maps, and everything else I use my phone for while hiking, I think having a portable charger on deck is always a good idea.
Hand & Foot Warmers
These are just nice to have.
They’re cheap, weigh practically nothing, and can be VERY appreciated when temperatures end up being colder than you expected.
I especially like having a couple with me when I know I’ll be hiking somewhere where the temperatures can change quickly.
My Favorite Backpacking Gear
Now for the backpacking stuff!
I only started getting seriously into backpacking recently, so I’m definitely still learning. But after actually using this gear on my backpacking trips, there are already some things I’m VERY happy I bought.
NEMO Hornet 2-Person Backpacking Tent
I bought the NEMO Hornet 2-person tent, and yes, the price tag hurt a little at around $479.
You technically can fit two people in it, but honestly, I think it’s a REALLY nice backpacking tent for one person.
It weighs around 2 pounds, is super easy to set up, and doesn’t take up a ton of space in my backpack. When you’re carrying everything on your back for miles, having a lightweight tent makes a huge difference.
NEMO Tensor All-Season Sleeping Pad
I bought the NEMO Tensor All-Season Wide sleeping pad for around $259.
Before getting into backpacking, I would literally go camping and sleep directly on the tent floor.
No wonder I was uncomfortable AND cold.
After going to REI, having this sleeping pad recommended to me, and using it several times, I now realize how important a good sleeping pad actually is.
I’m a side sleeper, and this pad was recommended as a good option for side sleepers. I also move around a lot when I sleep, which is why I went with the wide version.
It has made sleeping in a tent SO much more comfortable.
NEMO Disco 15 Sleeping Bag
I got the NEMO Disco 15 Men’s Regular for around $299.
Clearly, I was not kidding about all the NEMO gear.
I really like this sleeping bag because it’s warm and comfortable. I used it on nights that got down to around freezing, and it did a great job keeping me warm.
Before buying this one, I was using a much cheaper sleeping bag rated around 50°F. It worked for warmer camping trips, but I would have been FREEZING if I had brought it on my recent backpacking trips.
If you’re going to be backpacking somewhere with colder nights, your sleeping bag is one piece of gear I personally wouldn’t cheap out on.
Sea to Summit Inflatable Pillow
I got this inflatable Sea to Summit pillow, and it’s super lightweight and tiny when it’s deflated. It’s also really easy to blow up and has made sleeping in the backcountry much more comfortable.
Do you need a backpacking pillow? Probably not.
You can always stuff some clothes together and use those as a pillow. But if you’re okay spending around $50 for a little more comfort, I really like this one.
You can also attach it to your sleeping pad, which I think is SUPER clutch because your pillow isn’t sliding around the tent all night.
My Backpacking Cooking Setup
Tiny Backpacking Stove
This thing was around $10 on Amazon, and honestly, when I first bought it, I wasn’t even sure how well it was going to work.
But I LOVE this little thing.
It comes in a tiny orange box, barely takes up any room in my backpack, and is really simple to set up and use.
For the price and size, it has been such a good little addition to my backpacking setup.
Camping Pot
This is the camping pot I use with my little stove. It’s simple, compact, and does exactly what I need it to do for backpacking meals.
Backpacking Stove Fuel
You can usually find compatible fuel canisters pretty easily at outdoor stores, so you definitely don’t have to order them online.
For short backpacking trips, I normally just need one small canister and it lasts me a while.
Just make sure the fuel you buy is compatible with your specific stove before using it.
My Favorite Backpacking Meals
Chicken Coconut Curry
I loved this chicken coconut curry. After hiking all day, a warm meal just hits differently, and this one was really good.
I also really like the Mountain House curries, although I couldn’t find the one I normally get on Amazon.
Pad Thai
This Pad Thai also hits. Definitely another one I’d bring backpacking again.
Backpacking Food Storage & Weather Gear
Lightweight Bear Hang Rope
This is a nice, lightweight bear hang rope that comes with a carabiner already attached, which is a bonus.
If you’re backpacking somewhere that requires or uses food hangs, having a lightweight rope like this makes things easy.
It’s simple, effective, lightweight, and a good price.
Important: Food-storage rules vary depending on where you’re backpacking, so always check the current regulations for your specific backcountry campsite or park before your trip.
Waterproof Dry Sacks
I like having waterproof sacks for organizing and protecting my stuff, especially on backpacking trips where rain or snow is possible.
They can also be useful for keeping food and scented items together when you’re using an approved food-storage setup.
I really appreciate having that extra layer of protection when the weather decides not to cooperate.
Backpack Rain Cover
I personally have a simple rain cover from REI, but this one looks like it would do the trick if you’re looking for an affordable option.
After backpacking in questionable weather, I definitely appreciate having something that helps keep my backpack and everything inside it from getting soaked.
Do You Actually Need All This Backpacking Gear?
If you’re new to backpacking like I was, it can feel like you suddenly need to buy EVERYTHING.
You really don’t.
There are things on this list I consider much more important, like a good sleep system, water filtration, a headlamp, and the gear you need to stay safe and comfortable for the conditions you’ll be hiking in.
Then there are things like my inflatable pillow and sit pad that are more about making the experience a little more comfortable.
As I try more gear, I’ll keep updating this page with the things I genuinely love.
See this gear in action
- My first backpacking trip in Glacier (and what I packed)
- Bowman Lake to Kintla Lake via Boulder Pass
- Underrated day hikes in Glacier National Park
Ready to gear up? You can find everything from this post on my ShopMy page. 🛍️ Shop my gear on ShopMy
Hiking gear FAQ
What gear do I need for my first backpacking trip?
The big four are a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad and a backpack, plus a way to filter water, a simple stove, rain gear and bear spray in bear country. You don’t need to buy everything at once.
Do I need a water filter for hiking in Glacier?
Yes. Always treat water from lakes and streams. I use my LifeStraw squeeze bottle on almost every hike, especially long ones like Comeau Pass.
