Backpacking Gear

This guide is a great overview for our Scouts and Scouters to get started with backpacking. Backpacking offers distinct challenges when it comes to gear, since it all has to fit on your back! If you're looking for a backpacking packing checklist, just click over to our Short Term - Cold Weather Backpacking Checklist .

We’ve tried to cover some of the big ticket items and other questions we regularly get from our Scouts. We’ve included links to gear items in some cases, but we are not trying to push you toward any one vendor or store. You'll see lots of links to REI because we think they provide excellent specification information on their website, but you may be able to find items for less elsewhere.

Backpackers refer to the “big three” personal items: backpack, sleep system (sleeping bag and pad), and shelter. These are crucial and often expensive items, and they also often are the heaviest items on your back. In purchasing these items, consider whether your Scout will grow out of it. If not, it may be worth investing in better quality gear that they can use for many years to come. In general, for items like tents, mattresses and sleeping bags, more expensive options are lighter weight but also more fragile.

While this isn't a formal packing list, we also mention some of the other items to consider packing on a Troop backpacking trip. Remember, ounces add up to pounds!

Backpack

The best fit is a very personal matter, given different torso heights and shoulder widths, and personal fit, so we always recommend Scouts go to a store to try options on. We recommend Scouts get a size between 50 liters (L) and 70L. Don't go smaller than a 50L pack, as a Scout/er will also need to pack a share of crew/patrol/troop gear, some of which can be bulky. Be sure to check the empty weight of the pack -- you may be surprised how much it varies.

Good and reasonably priced models to consider are the REI Co-op Trailbreak ($150) or lighter weight REI Co-op Flash series ($200).

Osprey offers several excellent but more expensive models, including the full-featured Aether ($300) and the somewhat lighter weight Atmos ($270). They emphasize lots of pockets, high durability, and very good suspension systems, but tend to be fairly heavy empty.

The Gregory Baltoro line is also known for comfortable but also heavier weight packs.

Another option is HMW Outdoors' Youth Adventure Kit ($299 to $429), which offers three options from backpack and sleeping bag and pad, to backpack, sleeping bag, and a complete range of camping gear. HMW Outdoors is a local Scouter-run business just over the DC border in Maryland.

There are now many lightweight and ultralight pack vendors selling gear targeted at serious trekkers and trail runners. For example, REI now stocks the previously niche Hyperlite Mountain Gear brand. These tend to be expensive and can be a little too fragile for rough use by youngsters, but with care a pack like this can last for thousands of miles on the trail. The Osprey Exos 58 ($220) is a nice compromise, with a lightweight body (well under 3 lbs), though people tend to either love or hate the trampoline style back panel.

For younger Scouts who are likely to grow out of their pack in a year or two, it’s probably best to with something less expensive. Some well under $100 options on Amazon with strong reviews are the TETON Sports Scout 3400 Internal Frame Backpack ($65); Amazon Basics Internal Frame Backpack in 60L capacity ($72) and 70L capacity ($82). All are made of heavy-duty materials, and we haven’t tried them personally, but the prices and ratings are good. Smaller sized Scouts can usually make do with one of REI’s kids backpack line for a year or so, but they will definitely grow out of them by the teenaged years.

Sleep System

Sleeping Bags

For an all-purpose bag for Scouting camping trips, aim for a 20°F rated "mummy" bag weighing less than 4 pounds (and preferably less than 3). The more expensive bags use lighter weight materials that compress much more for packing, but do need to be well-cared for. You can spend several hundred dollars for an ultralight bag, but that’s not really necessary for a strong-backed Scout. On the other hand, a good bag will last for many years, so in our opinion this is a place to stretch your budget if you can.

Down and synthetic options are available, and we generally recommend synthetic for Scouts because it performs better if it gets wet due to poor packing technique or a badly erected tent. Down bags can also create issues for those allergic to feathers, but their big advantages are much greater compressibility, somewhat lighter weight, and longer life, as synthetic insulations break down and lose their loft faster.

REI Trailbreak 20 is cheap and good quality, but does not compress as small as more expensive bags.

Marmot Trestles Elite is at a very good price-quality balance ($158) .

There are many other manufacturers and huge ranges of price. Sea-to-Summit, NEMO, and Big Agnes, are all reputable but more expensive than the REI and Marmot options above.

Some hikers prefer to use backpacking quilts, which are down or synthetic blankets that often are sewn shut at the bottom (foot end). These are more weight-efficient because the part of the sleeping bag you are laying on doesn’t really keep you warm because the insulation is compressed by your body weight. (That’s why we use sleeping pads underneath!) Quilts are lighter weight and smaller than sleeping bags, and can be more comfortable in hot weather, but they can be a little tricky to use in colder weather.

For all sleeping bags or quilts, check the temperature rating. Quality bags should list an "EN" or "ISO" standardized temperature rating. They may show a "comfort" and a "limit" rating, with limit meaning the coldest temperature at which it will keep you alive but not happy. Women's bags are usually more fully stuffed for a given temperature rating, because the average woman sleeps colder than the average man -- if a bag shows only one rating number, assume that for a men's bag that number is the "limit" rating, and for a women's bag it is the "comfort" rating. Other than the temperature ratings, the differences between men's and women's bags are pretty small.

Sleeping Pad

Aim for something that weighs less than 2 pounds, as many car camping mattresses are quite a bit heavier and very bulky.

Therm-a-Rest Original Z-Lite Sleeping Pad is the inexpensive ($39) and lightweight standard. Most Scouts find it sufficiently comfortable. The downside to it is that it folds up into a large block so you will need to bring straps to attach it to the outside of your backpack. It’s basically impossible to damage.

An expensive but versatile option is the inflatable Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad ($149 to $229), which is lightweight (12oz), compresses quite small and is quite comfortable. But like most lightweight gear, it requires careful handling.

There are many self-inflating pad options in the $100 range or less, including the REI Stratus ($89) or AirRail ($99) self inflating mattresses.

Other good manufacturers to consider are NEMO and Sea-to-Summit and Kylmit (through REI or direct).

Quality sleeping pads will display an "R-rating" that measures insulation value. Something in the 1-2 range is for summer only, from 3 to 4 is good for spring and fall, and 6 and up are good for all four seasons. A thicker and warmer pad is a bit heavier and bulkier, but will otherwise still be comfortable in summer. If Scouts buy a 3-season pad, and later begin backpacking and camping trips in colder weather, it's easy to bring both an inflatable mattress and a thin foam pad like the Z-lite or even a yoga mat. The warmth ratings are basically additive.

Shelter

For most backpack trips, the troop will provide tents, but some Scout/ers prefer to bring their own.

A fair number of Troop 98 Scouts now prefer camping hammocks. If a Scout wants to use a hammock on the trail, please practice setting up and sleeping in the hammock before the outing. A camping hammock generally requires either an insulating pad to line the hammock with or an "under-quilt" that hangs beneath the hammock material to provide insulation. It should also have some form of rain fly/tarp. When setting up your hammock, Scout/ers should use tree-safe straps, as well as place sticks in between straps and the tree to prevent stress marks on the bark.

Other Items

There's always other things to fit in your backpack, and here's some of them.

• Waterproof Stuff Sack or compression sack. Cubic inches inside the backpack are precious once we start adding crew gear and food, and compression sacks let you squeeze puffy things like sleeping bags and clothing down to their minimum size. Typically, a 15L compression sack will fit a decent sleeping bag, but you should check specifications.

• Pack Cover (Waterproof) that fits your pack or a trash compactor bag to go inside it (which must be closed with a twist tie or short bungee)

• Small stuff sacks to organize gear

• Pillow: while diehards insist on a sack stuffed with dirty clothes or a bagged-up puffy jacket, many prefer a lightweight inflatable pillow like this one: https://www.rei.com/product/866771/sea-to-summit-aeros-pillow-premium

• Water Bottles: backpacking with two reusable 1L water bottles is the standard. Nalgenes are study and easy to handle. Some brands of convenience store "disposable" bottled water like Smartwater can actually be reused hundreds of times and are much lighter weight than Nalgenes. Depending on the length of the trip, climate, and availability of water at campsites, Scouts may need to carry more water capacity, which is often easier to carry in a water bladder rather than more bottles. Playtpus, CNOC, CamelBak, and many other companies make bladders. Unless Scouts feel strongly about having a drinking tube, a simple bladder that carries extra water to be poured into a bottle later is probably fine.

• Flashlight or Headlamp - this is another area where it is possible to spend a bunch of money, but you probably don’t need to. Biolite makes rechargeable headlamps that are lightweight and rugged. The Black Diamond Spot is high quality, reasonably bright, and about $30 https://www.rei.com/product/117627/black-diamond-spot-headlamp. Energizer and Duracell both offer decent headlamps for about half that price, though they will likely be somewhat heavier. Technology here continues to advance fast, so this is less of a long-term investment.

• Trekking Poles w/rubber tips (especially popular among the over 40 set...)

• Compass: inexpensive, lightweight and adequate.

• Pocketknife: a big heavy knife is excessive for backpacking (and usually for Scouting in general!). Go with a single blade folding knife, a thin Swiss Army style, or a very light multi tool like the Gerber Dime or Leatherman Squirt. The troop will typically have a heavier multitool in crew gear for bigger repairs and handling hot pots with pliers.

Clothing

• Base Layer/long underwear synthetic or wool top and bottom (for cold days, high altitude, sleeping) - Costco usually has inexpensive options from the brand 32 Degrees.

• Rain jacket and pants: if you want to spend a substantial amount for a nice jacket, the $100 Outdoor Research Helium (6oz) is very highly regarded and very light. The Frogg Toggs Ultralight 2 is quite inexpensive (~$15 for top and bottom) and almost equally light, though it is not as breathable or sturdy..

• Underwear - long distance hikers swear by the ExOfficio Give and Go underpants, but they are fairly expensive. Whatever brand you choose, definitely go for synthetic, as cotton tends to lead to chaffing.

• Fleece top - a lightweight (100 wt) zip up is good and inexpensive; the Troop 98 fleece (200 wt) is a great option too for colder weather!

• Shirts - Bring moisture wicking fabrics that also provide sun protection are the key here (it doesn't need to have a formal SPF rating, as long as it has some substance to it. Avoid cotton. Usually one shirt worn and one in the pack is sufficient for most trips, especially in drier climates where it's easy to rinse out one shirt and quickly dry it.

• Hats - Lightweight baseball cap or wide brim hat for sun protection. Synthetics are lighter and cooler. It often also makes sense to bring a wool or fleece hat or headband even in spring and fall, since it can get chilly at night.

• Bandana or “Buff” tube headgear is nice for sweat control and miscellaneous tasks like grabbing a hot pot.

Footwear

• Boots or sturdy trail running shoes: too many options and variation for us to make a recommendation, other than make sure they fit and break them in before any trip

• Socks: the best options for backpacking are light to medium weight wool.

  • We love smartwool, but Costco sells a 3 pack of fine merino wool hiking socks that are almost as comfortable for much less.

  • Danish Endurance Merino Wool Cushioned Hiking Socks ($29 for 3 pack)

• Liner Socks: Scouts who are prone to blisters should bring a pair of lightweight silk or polypropylene sock liners

• Camp Shoes: Closed toed shoes must be worn at all times while on the trail and in camp, but boots/hiking shoes can get hot and sweaty after a long day on the trail. Having a pair of lightweight, closed-toe shoes with good ventilation (e.g. Crocs, water shoes, garden clogs) can be nice.