Backpacking hiking is a brilliant way to see the great outdoors but whether your planned trip is a major expedition or a day hike, getting the right backpacking gear to suit your trip is extremely important. Before going to the sports and outdoor store it’s always best to plan out the trip first and get it down in notes together with a map marking the trip.
Take these with you to the store so you can talk it through with the store personnel who will advise you on the backpacking gear you will need for your trip. I would advise buying quality equipment and should you get into a tricky situation, you will be thankfull you did. You don’t have to buy the most expensive backpacking gear, just don’t buy the cheapest.
A hike through Europe following the Alps as they wind their way through several Countries is obviously going to need more equipment than a weekend in your nearest National forest but one thing both trips will need is a good quality backpack to keep all that backpacking gear in. Wherever you are going on your trip, imagine the worst scenario and prepare for that. At the absolute minimum you should be taking a first aid kit, flashlight, sunscreen, matches, knife and a compass as well as EXTRA food, water and clothes.
For hikes off the beaten track or for long distances you are going to need all the above essentials plus plenty of other backpacking gear such as a tent and sleeping bag, cooking utensils, pots and pans. The type of tent and sleeping bag will depend on the climate and territory you are heading for.
Many hikers now include a GPS (Global Positioning System) in their backpacking gear. The prices have dropped over the last few years which has put a hand held GPS within the price range of many backpackers. If you can afford one, they are well worth their money and can tell you instantly where you are on the planet to within a few yards.
There is one other piece of backpacking gear that I always recommend everyone adds to their backpack: A survival guide. It doesn’t have to be the ultimate reference book that ways 10 pounds and takes up half the room in your backback. A small pocket guide will do and it just might save your life if you run into difficulty.
Always take your cell phone with you too even when you know there will be no reception in the area you are hiking to. There have been many cases where people lost have been tracked down by the rescue party thanks to the signal given off by their cell phone.
You can learn more about backbpacking gear by listening to our audio recording in the player below. Just click on “Backpacking Gear.”
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