Last Updated on October 29, 2024 by foxintheforest

Being a beginner backpacker feels so intimidating. The gear. The weight. The mileage. Sleeping far from anything or anyone. It’s a lot.

But here’s the thing.

It doesn’t need to be as big of a barrier to entry as it feels.

So I’m going to give you an inside look at a few things I wish I knew before I started backpacking.

This authentic look from someone who’s been wearing their house in their back for 15 years is designed to help you build confidence in your ability to get out there and backpack for the first time.

Being Younger Can Work Against You

I went on my first backpacking trip when I was 14 years old. And believe me – at the time – I was NOT outdoorsy. Or even “outside-y” as they say these days.

I had hardly camped, and I’d never carried my stuff on my back. But I got assigned a trip at a summer camp where I went on one of the MOST rugged backpacking trips in the US – the Presential Traverse.

I wanted to go because my friends were doing it.

And guess what?

I freakin’ HATED IT!

Yup, 100% swore I’d never do that again. Then about 20-plus years passed. And my partner wanted to try backpacking. I had enough skills to know how to manage myself and (with a big disclaimer) told him I’d try again.

Coming to the sport as an adult meant that I had a lot of wisdom, and self-understanding, and I was learning how to set healthy boundaries with myself.

I enjoyed it. Revealed in being out in the wilderness. But I really didn’t come into my “backpacking era” if you will until my mid to late 30s.

So if you’re using age as an excuse not to get out there, you may surprise yourself.

Pack Weight Doesn’t Matter!

I’ll say it louder for the people in the back: FORGET ABOUT PACK WEIGHT!

Seriously.

It’s a marketing scam and a social media trend.

Sure, lightweight gear is great, and you can get there, but when you’re starting out, focus on one thing:

Pack your bag correctly.

If you pack your pack correctly, you’ll hardly feel heavy loads. I usually backpack with ropes, climbing gear, or heavy water hauls (where there is no water). Carrying 60 lbs sucks, but you don’t need to focus on having a sub-30 lb pack. There is a sweet spot.

Now, of course, you don’t need (and shouldn’t) take the kitchen sink with you when you backpack. Scrutinize what you’re bringing. If you’re conscious about what you’re bringing, you won’t end up with a 60lb bag.

But that ultralightweight gear is really expensive. And it takes a few trips to dial in what you do and don’t need (everyone has a luxury item – more on that in a second). So when you’re starting out focus on the load. Here’s a quick rundown:

• Your sleep setup and the clothes you don’t need during the day go to the bottom of your bag. This sets up a “platform” for the heavy stuff.
• Put your water bladder in next (bladders are easier than bottles and keep the weight distributed better).
• Next, put the heavy items in. This is almost always your food. You want your food to sit at mid-back or just below. This sets up the pack weight to primarily be on your hips.
• You can put the heaviest part of your tent in next. I tend to put my tent on the exterior side pockets, but if you have a heavier tent, inside of your pack, close to your back is best.
• I usually put my cookware in next.
• Then on top I put any lightweight items you may need during the day (rain jacket, extra layer, sunscreen, bug spray, etc).
• I’ll keep a quick snack and lip balm in a hip belt pocket or use a fanny pack.

Bring things that serve multiple uses

One of the biggest backpacking hacks out there is bringing items that serve multiple purposes. This helps with weight. Of course, there are going to be a few things that just serve one purpose, but the more creative you are with your gear, the more efficient your kit is.

A few examples include:

• Replace your bandaids and gauze with climber’s tape and super glue. You can field repair things AND make bandages or close a deep cut.
• Wrap duct tape around your hiking pole for a quick repair kit
• A bandana or buff can be used for warmth, pre-filtering silty water, or a compress or tourniquet for emergencies, what else can you think of?

Invest in hiking poles

If you don’t already own them, you’ll want to purchase hiking poles. Frankly, they are life-changing.

This enables you to hike with your hands as well as your feet, and it really saves your joints when you’re backpacking.

I NEVER backpack without hiking poles, they take so much burden off of your body.

We have a couple of fan favorites in this house. I love my Black Alpine Carbon Corks and my partner loves his REI Traverse Trekking Poles (affiliate links FYI). Either way, we like the cork grips, but you can find anything that works with your budget. Just be sure to buy the clamp lock, not the twist lock poles (they last longer – speaking from experience)!

Start small

If you’re nervous, listen to that. First, it’s completely normal. But second, and most importantly, there is NO NEED to tackle the toughest route for your first trip.

You’ve got a lot to learn about YOURSELF that no one else can really gauge for you. These are the personal aspects of backpacking.

What’s your pace? Do you prefer a long push then a break, or several small breaks?

Where do you like to backpack? Here’s a great story. I’ve always enjoyed backpacking in Colorado – I’ve done over a quarter of the Colorado Trail – a big thru-hike here, but there were some things that I never really got on board with.

After a while, I started to really not enjoy backpacking the way I wanted to. And then, I discovered backpacking in the desert.

I CANNOT get enough of desert backpacking – especially in the Grand Canyon. And to be fair, in the backpacking world, this is not a popular opinion.

It took me three trips to the Grand Canyon to backpack below the rim. Since then I’ve done several hard routes in the area. Even though I was an expert at sleeping in a tent, I had to do a few warm-up laps to figure out how to navigate such rough, remote terrain.

I wouldn’t have discovered what really makes me enjoy backpacking had I not been willing to experiment a little bit.

Don’t go out there expecting to be an expert who understands everything – we are all learning about ourselves. Be open to what the landscape and experience have to teach you about yourself, and ignore whatever chatter is loud on social media (ya, that includes me).

Research your area

The more homework you do the better prepared you’ll feel. Backpacking is (mostly) just putting one foot in front of the other. So the act of backpacking isn’t difficult, but the terrain and trail you’re on requires specific knowledge and skill.

First, look at the area and landscape. You’ll want to confidently answer the following questions:

• Are there any special weather considerations for the area?
• What is the ideal time to backpack?
• Do I need special gear such as a sun umbrella, rain poncho, or extra water bladders?
• What do I need to know about the wildlife and plant life? Do I need to take anything such as bear spray or a hang bag? Remember: The small critters can be the most destructive.
• What do I need to know about the type of terrain in the area?

Next, you’ll want to look up your specific route. Make sure you know the following:

• Are there any special permits I need?
• How do I access the trailhead? Is parking an issue?
• Do I need to carry any special gear such as a bear canister?
• Are there any steep sections? Sunny sections? Water crossings? Or any other hazards?
• Looking at a map, where can I camp? Are there flat spots near water?
• What does my water management look like?

At the end of your research, you can develop a backpacking trip plan that has all of the details in one place.

Rent or Borrow Gear

Don’t let gear be a reason to not go on your adventure. There are AMPLE resources for renting or borrowing gear. Outdooor shops and guides often have a gear rental program – REI’s rental program for memebers is quite great as well.

If you are getting to the point where you’re looking to purchase gear, I would start with your pack. That’s the most important aspect of any backpacking gear list.

After that, dial in your sleep system. Your sleeping bag and sleeping pad are so important and worthy place to spend money. Choosing a sleeping bag is quite a process, but make the decision that’s best for you.

Finding someone to go with

Rightly so, not everyone wants to get out and sleep in the dirt. But trust me, there are people out there who are looking for a buddy just like you.

Making friends is challenging – especially as an adult. Making outdoor friends, that you can stand sleeping net to while covered in stink? A totally different challenge!

I’ve gotten outside a lot of different ways, from solo trips to guided tours. And to be frank, I can count the friends on one finger that would backpack with me. But it’s about quality, not quantity.

A few places to look for buddies include:

• Local Facebook groups about hiking or backpacking. If you live in an outdoorsy area, there are plenty of groups.
• Going on guided backpacking tours – particularly ones within a niche such as women-only, queer, POC, age-based, etc.
• Convincing your friends to go and TRY with you. Pick something small, and manageable, and bring a special treat of some kind to sweeten the deal.
• Look for local groups that go on trips to areas you’re interested in. You’ll meet local people who are into the same thing you are.

Believe in yourself!

This is my biggest tip yet! Believe you can do it!

Listen, you’re carrying your house on your back and being self-reliant. There is a part of every trip that sucks.

One of my recent suck-fests was when we hiked from Aspen to Crested Butte, only to find that the trail was absolutely covered in snow. We knew there would be some snow from our research, but we encountered more than we expected!

But it was the one time we had to get out that year because we had a small child, so we made the most of it. And it was one of my favorite adventures.

So believe in your ability to do hard things. Endure unexpected hiccups, and find the fun. It’s always about the journey.