Welcome to our 2025 backpacking gear guide and backpacking checklist! In this blog post we’re sharing all of the best backpacking gear for 2025, as well as a helpful backpacking checklist to assist you with packing before a trip. Below we break down everything we use regularly for our backpacking trips in the Pacific Northwest, and beyond.

In this post, we only share links to gear we’ve tried, tested, and love. I hope you find this resource helpful as you invest in your backpacking gear setup!

This post is part of our outdoor gear guide series, where we’re sharing a breakdown of ALL of our favorite gear. You can find additional components of the series (including our hiking gear guide, and adventure photography gear guide) here.

Gwyn and Ami’s 2025 backpacking gear guide

How our 2025 backpacking gear guide is organzied

In order to quickly help you find what you need, our 2025 backpacking gear guide is organized into five major sections:

• Backpacking packs, tent, and sleep system
• Food and cooking supplies 
• Miscellaneous backpacking gear and essentials 
• Backpacking clothing
• Backpacking checklist

We own, and highly recommend, all of the items below. Only our favorite gear made this list. I hope you find this 2025 backpacking gear guide helpful for planning your next adventure. Let’s dive in!

Backpacking packs, tent, and sleep system

Backpacking tents and footprint

Our first big purchase together was an REI Half Dome 2P tent and footprint, which we bought in May 2015! We used it for nearly 10 years, which is a testament to its durability and versatility. I genuinely think the Half Dome is the best option on the market for beginner campers and backpackers. The price point is hard to beat when it’s on sale, and the iconic tent has a LOT of thoughtful features included. The three person version is great if you have pets or kids. 

We also recently got a Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3 Tent, which is super light and easy to set up. I recommend getting the footprint to protect the bottom of the tent from rocks and sticks. 

Backpacking backpacks and rain covers

We use and love the Gregory Amber 68 for women (the Gregory Paragon 70 is the men’s version). These packs are comfortable, durable, and reasonably lightweight. They can also fit everything you need for a single or multi-day backpacking trip. We’ve also had great luck with REI Co-op branded packs in the past! Make sure to get a rain cover if your pack doesn’t come with one.

We also own and like the REI Traverse 60 pack, which includes a rain cover.

Sleeping bags

I HIGHLY recommend the Sea to Summit Spark 0F Down Sleeping Bag (unisex). This bag is ultra warm (rated down to 0F!) and plush, so it will keep even the coldest sleepers toasty. You can see our Instagram review of these sleeping bags here. We also recommend the REI 15 Magma Sleeping Bag, which we have used in the past.

Sleeping pad

We own and love the Ether Light XR Pro Insulated ASC Sleeping Pad by Sea to Summit. We both sleep cold, so we love the pad’s robust R-value (aka “insulation power”). It’s easy to blow up using the integrated stuff sack system. You can see our Instagram review of these sleeping pads here. If you don’t need this level of insulation then the Ether Light XR Insulated ASC Sleeping Pad is a great alternative. 

Food and cooking supplies 

Stove, fuel, and pot

The Jetboil Flash cook system has been our go-to for over a decade. This lightweight and compact camp cooking option comes with a single burner and a dedicated pot. It also boils water in under two minutes! It works with Isobutane-propane as the fuel source. In general, we prefer small lightweight canisters for short backpacking trips.

For beginners looking to cut costs on a new backpacking setup, consider packing cold soak and pre-prepared food items instead of purchasing a dedicated stove, pot, and fuel source.

Bear canister

When backpacking you need to protect your food from critters. This includes not just bears, but also smaller animals, like mice! A bear canister is our go-to, and we love the canisters from BearVault. They’re lightweight, come in several sizes, and are effective. However, they can be tough to open.

Utensils

If you plan to eat anything other than pre-prepared foods like bars, you’ll need a utensil for camp. The Sea to Summit Frontier Ultralight Long Handle Spork is a great option. The long handles are essential for getting food out of dehydrated food packages without covering your hands in food.

Mug

Our go-to mug for camp is the REI Co-Op Camp Mug. They’re not the lightest option on the market, but they ARE cute and insulated, which makes them a great option for savoring your morning camp coffee or oatmeal. Many other metal and enamel mugs get far too hot to drink from or hold, so I recommend avoiding those. 

Biodegradable soap

Dr. Bronner’s is my favorite soap, both at home and in the backcountry. It’s a great biodegradable option for cleaning dishes (or your body on long trips!). Just make sure not to use it next to, or in, a water source.

Miscellaneous backpacking gear and essentials 

Headlamp

We own many headlamps, but the Black Diamond Storm 500-R Rechargeable Headlamp is the one we fight over (we only have one!). It’s lightweight, compact, waterproof, and USB rechargeable. We also own and like the Petzl Actik Core Headlamp.

Water filter

The Katadyn BeFree 1.0 Liter Filter Bottle is our favorite filter on the market. It doubles as a water bottle, and is lightweight, packs down small, and filters quickly and easily. It has a flow rate of 2 liters per minute. The HydroPak Flux bottle and filter combo is also a good option. It has a 1.5 liter capacity, but it’s heavier and has a lower flow rate. For backpacking trips consider bringing two filtration methods in case one breaks.

Hydration reservoir 

Hydration reservoirs are annoying to clean, but I still find them to be a great way to carry water for longer backpacking trips where water sources may be more scarce. I think HydraPak’s HydraSleeve Reservoir is one of the best options on the market. It’s lightweight, durable, and comes with an optional insulating sleeve. Single-walled water bottles are also a good option for trials with abundant water.

Safety and Navigation devices

The Garmin InReach Messenger Plus is a great option for off-grid communication in an emergency. See our full video review of this device and it’s features here. We also both have a Garmin fenix 8 AMOLED Sapphire, which we use for tracking our hiking mileage and for its mapping and GPS features.

Bathroom supplies

Your specific bathroom needs will vary by trail and local rules/amenities, but our setup usually includes a WAG bag, or a trowel, toilet paper/wet wipes, and ziplock baggies to pack out the TP. We also love our Kula Cloths, which are reusable antimicrobial pee cloths. You use them to wipe after peeing in the backcountry, and they ensure you’ll never have damp underwear again. Don’t forget hand sanitizer! 

First aid supplies

You should always carry a handful of first aid essentials with you! You can put together your own DIY first aid kit for backpacking or, if you want a ready-made kit, this is a great option!

Sunscreen

I’m a big fan of La Roche-Posay sunscreens and, in particular, their Anthelios Mineral sunscreens. However, lately I’ve been gravitating to Dermatone products, which are more tailored to outdoor recreation needs. Dermatone’s sport sunscreen is my new go-to for everyday adventures, and their Skin Protector Balm is my number one sunscreen recommendation for cold weather and wind.

Mosquito repellant

We do our best to avoid DEET because of health concerns AND its impact on our gear. Our preferred insect repellant is Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent. This spray is relatively inexpensive, effective, and easy to use. We also carry mosquito head-nets on treks we think will be especially mosquito-prone.

Bear spray

We often hike in grizzly country, so bear spray is essential. Counter Assault brand is our go-to for a long spray duration and a trusted product. We also carry this in areas known for mountain lions.

Hiking poles

We don’t use hiking poles on every trip, but they are especially helpful on hikes with lots of elevation gain and loss. They’re also great for especially rocky or icy trails. REI’s Trailmade Trekking Poles poles are a great introductory option. 

A lightweight knife

Knives are often overlooked in a backpacking setup, but can be essential for gear repair, first aid, and even opening food packaging. If you get a quality knife it can last for decades. 

Camp Chair (optional)

Having a camp chair is always our “luxury item.” It’s not essential, but it does offer some much-needed comfort after a long day on the trail. We love our lightweight camp chairs from REI.

Some optional items to consider

Everyone will have different needs and creature comforts when backpacking. However, some extra items to consider include lightweight camp shoes or sandals, permits and ID (if needed), an emergency bivvy, a gear repair kit, a camping pillow, and a small quick dry towel. 

Backpacking clothing

We wear the same items backpacking that we wear camping. You can find all of our favorite hiking and backpacking clothes at the link below.

Gwyn and Ami’s 2025 backpacking gear guide checklist

Below you can find our full backpacking gear guide checklist to help you when you’re packing! Using a checklist like this helps ensure you don’t forget anything. If our guide doesn’t jive with you, you can use REI’s comprehensive backpacking checklist, which is organized a bit differently. 

Trail tip: Please note that this is a general guide. Certain conditions (such as backpacking in the snow) will require a more specialized backpacking checklist and gear guide.

The ultimate backpacking checklist

Looking for a printable version of our backpacking checklist? Click here!

Backpacking pack, tent, and sleep system checklist

• Tent, rainfly, stakes, and ground tarp/footprint
• Backpacking backpack
• Backpacking pack rain cover
• Sleeping bag or quilt
• Sleeping pad
• Camping pillow (optional)

Backpacking food and cooking supply gear checklist

• Stove, fuel, and pot (if planning hot meals)
• Bear canister
• Utensils
• Mug
• Biodegradable soap
• Food, snacks, coffee/tea
• Water for drinking and meals
• Lighter/matches (optional)
• Small sponge (optional)

Miscellaneous backpacking gear and essentials checklist

• Water filter, and backup purification method
• Hydration reservoir or bottles 
• Headlamp
• Safety and navigation devices (such as a Garmin InReach)
• Bathroom supplies (WAG bag, Kula cloth, baby wipes/toilet paper, hand sanitizer, trash bag)
• First aid supplies and any medications you take
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Sunscreen
• Chapstick 
• Ziplock and trash bags
• Face wipes (optional)
• Menstrual products (as-needed)
• Electronics (camera gear, phone recharger, etc.)
• Mosquito repellant or bug net (optional)
• Bear spray (optional)
• Hiking poles (optional)
• A lightweight knife (optional)
• Lightweight camp sandals (optional)
• Permits and ID (optional)
• Emergency bivvy (optional)
• Gear repair kit (optional)
• Camp chair (optional) 
• Small quick dry towel (optional)

Backpacking clothing checklist

• Warm outer layers (puffer jackets, fleece, etc.)
• Hiking shoes
• Socks
• Underwear
• Sun shirts or regular tops
• Pants or shorts
• Hat for sun or warmth
• Sunglasses (optional)
• Rainwear (optional)
• Long underwear (optional)
• Gloves (optional)

Looking for a printable version of our backpacking checklist? Click here!

I hope you found our 2025 backpacking gear guide to be helpful! This post is part of our outdoor gear guide series, where we’re sharing a breakdown of ALL of our favorite gear. You can find additional components of the series (including our hiking gear guide, and adventure photography gear guide) here.