My Backpacking Packing List: Everything I Bring on the Trail

These are the core items I bring on nearly every backpacking trip. I adjust my food and clothing depending on the length of the trip and weather conditions, but the rest of this list stays pretty consistent. Whether you’re just getting started or dialing in your own system, this should give you a solid baseline.

Shelter & Sleep System

• Sea to Summit Telos Tent
  Lightweight, breathable, and roomy enough for comfort without excess weight.

• Sea to Summit Sleeping Bag
  Warm, compact, and designed for high-performance conditions.

• Sea to Summit Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Pad
  Comfortable and packs down small—worth every ounce.

• Sea to Summit Dry Bags
  Keep clothes, food, and electronics safe and organized in all weather.

• Pillow
  A small luxury that makes a big difference after a long day on the trail.

Clothing

I build a base clothing kit and tweak it depending on the forecast and trip length.

• Himali Eclipse Sun Hoodie
  My favorite layer—breathable, protective, and perfect for sunny trails.

• T-Shirts

• Hiking Shorts and/or Lightweight Pants

• Underwear & Wool or Synthetic Socks

• Insulating Layer: Puffy or hybrid jacket for warmth

• Rain Jacket: A must-have in the mountains

Tip: Weather in Colorado changes fast. Even in summer, pack for wind, rain, and chilly nights.

Cooking Setup

• MSR PocketRocket Stove
  Small, simple, and ultra-reliable.

• Fuel Canister

• Titanium Pot + Spork

• Lighter & Weatherproof Matches

• Compact Camp Light

• Nalgene Bottle – for electrolytes or cold soaking

• Bug Spray + Thermacell – because bugs can ruin a peaceful evening

Water & Filtration

• Membrane Solutions Gravity Filter
  Gravity filters are awesome for filling up multiple bottles at once.

• Extra Ziplock Bags – Great for trash, organizing food, and gear

Navigation, Safety & Essentials

• Garmin inReach Mini
  Emergency satellite communicator and GPS—worth the peace of mind.

• Paper maps and/or downloaded offline GPS maps (I use Gaia GPS)

• Bear Spray

• First Aid Kit

• Power Bank – Keep your headlamp, GPS, and phone charged

• Extra Batteries

• Emergency Blanket – Small and light but can save your life

• Headlamp

• Trowel + Toilet Paper – Leave No Trace

• Hygiene Kit – Toothbrush, toothpaste, wipes, etc.

Download a Backpacking packing list HERE

Traditional vs Ultralight Backpacking: My Take

Let’s talk mindset. There’s a lot of talk online about ultralight backpacking—and while it’s a great style for some trips, it’s not always the best option.

Here’s how I break it down:

Traditional Backpacking

Traditional backpacking isn’t about carrying 50 lbs of gear. I still focus on lightweight, high-performance gear, but I don’t sacrifice comfort at camp. I carry a full sleep system, extra layers, and a full cook setup because I like being comfortable and prepared.

Ultralight Backpacking

A lot of people talk about ultralight backpacking as the ultimate goal. And while going ultralight has its place, it’s not necessarily the right fit for everyone—or every trip.

In my opinion, ultralight backpacking is an experienced style of backpacking. It requires you to be confident in your skills and comfortable making gear sacrifices for the sake of weight savings. That might mean skipping a stove, using a minimal sleep setup, or leaving extra layers behind. These decisions aren’t wrong, but they do trade some comfort—especially at camp—for a lighter load.

On the flip side, traditional backpacking doesn’t mean heavy gear or overpacking. I aim to use lightweight gear and Ultralight Gear that still offers comfort and reliability. For me, it's about finding the sweet spot where I'm not carrying too much weight, but I’m still comfortable enough to actually enjoy my time in the backcountry.

Final Thoughts

This list forms the foundation of every trip I take, and I only really adjust food and clothing based on how long I’ll be out and what the weather’s doing. Once your core gear is dialed, you’ll be surprised how easy packing becomes.

📺 Want to see how I pack all this gear?
Check out my video for how I pack this gear INSTAGRAM TIKTOK

Have questions about anything I use? Drop a comment or message me on Instagram or TikTok. I love talking gear.

Shop my favorite gear here
🛒 OutdoorDevin.com/gear – full list of trail-tested gear with affiliate links.

Gear is getting lighter, better, and more functional every year