The Ultimate Backpacking Gear Guide - Everything You Need For Hiking as a Family
Many people don’t know that you can legally set up camp for free in certain locations throughout the state. We didn’t either! We learned a few years back and took our first trip when our daughter was only 2 months old. We have (thankfully) learned so much since that first trip. It was pitch black when we arrived at our campsite, we shared a yoga mat sized sleeping pad, packed way too much food and it was definitely an experience we will never forget.
Backcountry camping is defined as camping in a more remote area, lacking the conveniences of frontcountry campsites such as running water, restrooms and showers. They can have hardened campsites that have been set aside for drive up campers (like us), or just designated land for backpackers. I will have a separate post sharing how to find camping spots and other recourses. But this post is going to be about the gear we have learned that we need for camping in the backcountry. Keep in mind that we haven’t tried every piece of gear in the market, but we have learned to invest in quality gear and we do believe in the items below. If you are looking to start hiking, camping (whether it’s in backcountry or campsites), or if you are already an outdoor lover but want my opinion on gear, then this post is for you!.
Packing for an overnight trip can be overwhelming, especially if you have a baby or a toddler (or both), so I am going to try and help you as much as I can. We have a ton of friends who camp & hike too and with every trip, we all learn from or mistakes, what gear works (and what gear doesn’t work), and we now have a solid list to reference! I’ll have a checklist at the end of this blog post for you to save or download to use for your net adventure.
I do want to mention that has taken us years to collect and invest in all of the gear we own and use today. When we first started camping, we used what we had around the house, hand-me-downs, or borrowed gear from family. Now, we use the second-hand programs offered by REI, Patagonia, or The North Face, and ask for gift cards during special occasions. Don’t be afraid to do the same! If you are working on building your perfect camping tub without spending all your savings, here are some helpful tips:
Buy gear that lasts. Buying gear from dependable brands with quality materials will save you money in the long run because they will last for years, have warranty, or many dependable companies will offer repairs should anything go wrong (like REI, Osprey, Patagonia, Arc’teryx, MSR, Marmot, and more).
Buy at the right place. We like to recommend places with easy returns, knowledgeable staff, and a huge selection! Bonus points if there is a co-op and you get loads of benefits.
Shop Sales. Companies always do one HUGE sale a year, with little sales in between around holidays. Learn to budget and save by a holiday deadline for gear that you might not be able to find at the used sales.
The Ten Essentials:
There are ten essential items that you should always pack in your bag, whether it be camping or backpacking. Thankfully, they don’t weigh that much and can be distributed among a group. These items are especially important in case of emergencies, so it’s best to practice packing them and always having them on hand. These items are: navigation (map, compass, altimeter, GPS device, etc.), headlamp, sun protection (hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen), first aid kit, knife, fire (matches, lighter, and stove), shelter (tent), extra food, extra water, and extra clothes.
Since we camp and hike as a family, I have included options for everyone! If I didn’t recommend an equivalent for everything below, feel free to ask any questions in the comments section and I’ll share my answer there.
This is making me want to pack up and head out, I’m stoked to talk about our favorite gear!
Backpack (for Day Hikes):
Things we look for in features are mesh in the back and/or straps for breathability, a place for a hydration reservoir (important), all the pockets, at least 20L of space, and has some sort of waist strap - thankfully, these bags have all of that and more. The first is unisex and has lighter support around the waist, while the other two are women and men specific and have a more supportive waist strap.
Backpack (for overnight trips):
When we were shopping for our bags, the REI worker said “if there is anything you end up realizing that you need a spot for on your first few hikes, Osprey has probably already thought of it.” We’ve gone on about 10 trips with our Osprey bags now and LOVE them so much. A good quality, comfortable backpack makes ALL the difference when you are heading out on an overnight adventure. I truly think Osprey bags are the best out there and I know I’m not the only one who agrees. The top part of their bags actually turns into a small day bag! Another reason we love Osprey is because if something happens to our bags, they will fix (or replace) it.
Backpack (with children):
Given that someone has to carry our child while the other carries our gear, we found it crucial to start by finding a solid child carrier (bonus if it had room to pack some gear). We bought the Osprey Poco AG Child Carrier because it was HUGLY marked down at an REI garage sale event, then we signed up for the Co-op to receive a coupon as well. Space is a little tight in this one, in my opinion, but it does the job and we survive! But if we were out shopping again, I would definitely get the Plus. Although the extra empty space under the AG has allowed us to strap my sleeping bag down below.
Tent:
Our tent is borderline backpacking friendly, but it works for us. We love the Coleman brand and their items have always proven to be quality for us (it’s lasted 2 dogs and a baby for almost 2 years!). Despite it not being a packing tent, it is still very lightweight and quick to set up! They do not make our color anymore, so I have linked a similar one.
But, I will also recommend another quality tent as well. It’s a two-person, lightweight (3lbs), spacious, and can withstand any weather (although winter is not recommended), three-seasons tent - the MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2 Tent.
Sleeping Pad:
We recently invested in quality sleeping pads and OOOOO talk about game changer. Not only do sleeping pads help you stay comfortable, but they also act as insulation to keep to warm and away from the cool ground. Please Note: Babies need a firm surface for safe sleep. Babies can sleep on self-inflating camping pads or foam camping pads, however inflatable camping mattresses are not suitable for babies.
Therm-a-Rest NeoAire XTherm Sleeping Pad
Sleeping Bag:
We use to camp with the Coleman sleeping bags. But, since we’ve been hitting the trails more than we are driving up to camp, we thought it was about time we invested in some lighter sleeping bags. Sleeping bags can literally last you years if you make the right choice and you take care of them. My Coleman sleeping bag was from when I was going camping with my parents (I don’t know the true age but at least over 7 years old)! We invested in these Marmot 0 sleeping bags to keep us warmer during our early spring and late fall hikes. They both have 650-fill-power duck down, are water repellent, and have a 0F (-18C) rating. They are a little on the warm side for summer, but they have ventilation zippers. Marmot bags also specify which side the zipper is on because you can buy opposite zippers and connect the sleeping bags!
Sleeping Bag (for children):
When we first started camping with our daughter, we would just use a snowsuit or an insulated sleeping sack. However, that didn’t allow me to sleep well at night wondering if our daughter was warm enough. So eventually I would just pull her into my sleeping bag while I slept half out of it. But at least she was warm! A full nights rest is important, especially if you have a full day of hiking ahead of you. I knew we needed to invest in a sleeping bag for our kids, one that was long lasting, warm, and will keep my kids safe at night. I wanted to invest in Morrison sleeping bags, but our daughter had outgrown them at the time (at the time of writing this, I see they now sell 4-6 year old sleeping bags now!). So our oldest daughter has the REI Co-op Down Time 25 Down Sleeping Bag and our youngest is in the Little Mo 20 Down Baby Sleeping Bag. If you will be camping with a baby younger than 6 months, I also suggest the Reima Down Sleeping Snowsuit for 0-12 months and rated for 35 to -5F.
Camp Stove:
Between our friends and our own camp stove, we’ve tried quite a few! Honestly, we like them all. I don’t think you need a name brand, but my opinion may change over time as we use ours more. I read hundreds of reviews and it seems like any camp stove will boil water within minutes and be easy to use. We invested in the Coleman camp stove, I know MSR has some quality stoves, and our friends got a whole bundle for a good budget cost on Amazon.
MSR IsoPro Fuel Canister Refil
Camp Pillow:
We are notorious for forgetting to pack a pillow camping. We finally invested in self-inflating pillows and our heads are thanking us. We’ve spent so many trips using our sweaters, dry bags, or anything else we could find (I admit I tried to use Evelyn one time and she pushed me away). We bought the REI Camp Dreamer Pillow and it’s been a dream for sure! The pillow keeps its inflation for multiple days, is super soft, and the pocket doubles as a silky, quilted pillow case (bonus: they match our sleeping bags!). Having a camp pillow will literally change the way you sleep, I promise this will be the best purchase you’ll ever make! Don’t wait as long as we did!
Water Bottles/Reservoirs:
Charlie doesn’t leave the house without his Hydro Flask water bottle, whether it be a short trip or on a backpacking trip, and I use the CamelBak 3L reservoir on every trip. 3L seems to be the perfect amount for Evelyn and I because she is usually on my back, so we just split the same reservoir.
Water Filters:
Water Filters - yes they are necessary! Especially hiking where we normally do because the water isn’t the cleanest. Thankfully, there are so many options on the market today. You can get a bottle, the straw, tablets, all kinds and they are perfect for day hikes or overnight camping trips.
Headlamp & Lantern:
Headlamps are something we’ve most recently needed since backpacking. We didn’t expect to be out after dark on our very first trip, but camp ended up being a bit further than we expected and we were very quickly tiring. We had to use the flashlight on our phone! I was terrified. Thankfully we have headlamps now though, and these ones are rechargeable, lightweight, and has multiple levels of brightness. We also love this solar crush light when we are hanging out around the tent.
Trekking Poles:
This is an item that I have greatly underappreciated until now. After deciding that I wanted some poles to help with the weight of Evelyn, an REI salesperson said it could really help with our safety too because the poles extend to help with balance in difficult situations, help distribute weight, and reduce the impact on my joints.
Black Diamond Trail Pro Trekking Poles - Women’s
Mugs:
I always bring my insulated coffee mug with me on every camping trip, for both coffee and tea. My insulated coffee mug was bought originally for home because our morning cups tend to be forgotten as a busy mom, and this cup will keep my drink warm for HOURS. But I also love to take it camping for the same reason.
Coffee:
Honestly, we just drink the Starbuck instant coffee mix when we are out camping. Or, my mom just gifted me individual tea pyramids as well that I love! But if you want to bring your own coffee grinds, here’s a few options:
Utensils:
We love our UCO Switch Utensil Set! We got it about 6 years ago now as a gift and we take them everywhere. But there is also a long handle spork for backpacking too.
Food:
We love to check Sierra Trading post, REI, even the grocery store before our hiking and/or camping trips for all of our food. We purchase backpacker’s meals, energy bars, DIY backpacking meals, and other ideas.
Power Bank:
Never ever ever ever leave without your power bank, even if you are staying at a site with electricity. You just never know what is going to happen! We always bring one to charge our phones, camera (GoPro), and headlamp if needed.
GPS:
If you are going to areas without any service, it’s best to get a GPS. These options are precise, come with preloaded TOPO maps and two way messaging (perfect for those with loved ones at home to let them know you are safe). Obviously these are a little more than the basic options, which are perfectly acceptable too: digital compass, barometric altimeter, and accelerometer. Note: Subscription purchase is required for the SOS and text features.
First Aid:
First Aid is part of the Ten Essentials and best to invest in. Everyone in the group should have their own medical kids (this includes dogs and kids). This one is light and inexpensive.
Adventure Medical Mountain Series Medical Kit
Bear Protection:
Our first bear protection device was an old bucket my grandmother lent us. You couldn’t get the lid off without using excessive force! We’ve since upgraded to a bear bag and bear spray. Do not leave anything that smells in the tent - this includes food, cosmetics, toiletries, baby products, etc. If you need to hang your food properly, here’s a step-by-step guide: How to Hang a Bear Bag in 4 Steps
Insect and Sun Protection:
Also a necessity: inspect and sun protection. Mineral sunscreens are best for your skin and the environment!
Extras:
These items aren’t completely necessary, but they will help! We have both Osprey rain covers for Charlie’s bag and for Evelyn’s carrier. I always bring my camera gear, which you can read what is in my full camera bag here - but I usually just bring my GoPro or my camera with a few lenses (depending on the length of the trip). We love our dual head leash for the pups and any UV protectant clothing for Evelyn.
Hiking boots/shoes:
I was gifted Merrel Hiking shoes and boots for Christmas a few years ago now and I love them! They go on every trip with me (and haven even been all over Japan for 3 weeks straight). That being said, boots are difficult to recommend since everyone’s preferences and comforts are so different. What may work for me, might be different for you!
Sandals:
I decided to invest in some sandals for our big river trip last year. When I started digging around to find the best sandals, Chaco and Teva were the top recommendations. But my budget wasn’t really there for either of those options. I also knew that we would be kayaking for 3 days straight, so I didn’t want to invest in something that expensive that I might ruin or lose. Well I found CAMEL CROWN on Amazon and they ended up being my FAVORITE shoes! I literally wear them every day now, they are comfortable, they have stayed so clean despite how often I wear them, and are durable. These are my new favorite shoes, and might I say dupe?
Update: These sandals lasted 4 years before I had to purchase new ones.
Base Layers:
I’m not going to link any base layers because everyone has different tastes and comforts. But if you want to know what I gravitate towards, we prefer natural materials for environmental reasons. I like to wear thin, warm, long sleeve undershirts in the cooler months and tanks/athletic tops in the warmer months.
We always pack an extra layer too. I love to wear fleece/flannels as a warmer layer. Down jackets are another good warm layer and can last years, even decades, if taken care of properly - making them well worth the price.
Rain Jacket:
Rain Jackets are another layer that will last you years and are well worth the investment!
Leggings:
I am almost always wearing leggings or my hiking pants on our trips! I prefer Lululemon or Fabletics for leggings, biking shorts, and regular shorts, and I always catch them used on ThredUp or Poshmark.
Hiking Pants:
If I’m not wearing leggings, I’m wearing these durable, stretchy, comfortable, water repelling pants! Also our must-have investment this year. We wanted to find ways to pack as little clothing as possible, and these pants do the trick. They have 5 pockets (one with a zip), fold up to capris (with buttons to hold in place), have a relaxed fit and reinforced knees for durability.
Socks:
I think it’s no secret that we love our Darn Tough Vermont socks! They have a lifetime guarantee, meaning if you don’t like the socks, if something under warranty were to occur, you can return them for another pair - no strings, no conditions. Charlie had something weird happen to his socks, and they sent us a gift card to pick out some new socks!
Headgear:
I love collecting baseball caps from our travels. Right now I love wearing my bucket hat! I also love my Carhartt beanie during the cooler months.
If this is your first time backcountry camping, I want to reiterate that I’m not suggesting you go out and get every piece of gear listed today. Bookmark this page, save up, and invest over time. Keep an eye out for sales and used gear, or borrow from friends who already have them. The most important thing is that you always have and pack the Ten Essentials - everything else can wait. Also, don’t forget about the Leave No Trace Principles - leave it better than you found it. These guidelines help minimize our impact on the outdoors and they are:
Plan ahead and prepare
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Dispose of Waste Properly
Leave What You Find
Minimize Campfire Impacts
Respect Wildlife
Be Considerate Of Others
