I am looking at creating my backpacking kit. I just wanted to know what people consider their top items in their backpacking kit that might not be considered “essential” (tent, clothes, cookware, etc) or what they’d recommend looking into to improve the (already great) backpacking/camping experience.
Note : alcohol is supposed to be ‘non-essential’ !
I love to take a small carabiner or two, clipped onto the outside of my pack. They’ve been surprisingly helpful. I also often bring some ziplock bags in different sizes. They’re mostly useful on longer hikes.
Small lightweight collapsible chair with good lower back support… Even if you bring a hammock, after a couple of days you’ll appreciate sitting up straight… Lightweight waterfilter like the sawyer squeeze… Eliminating carrying liquids is gold
How about posting your pack list when you get done and folks can make suggestions? In the meantime, I have a bunch of little trinkets I take with me, but as far as “heavy” or bulking nonessentials I consider worth their weight:
- backpacking chair for sure
- pocket chainsaw
- Jetboil zip: compact, affordable, great for quick boiling to make coffee, tea, oatmeal, noodles, or freeze-dried food (especially so you can stay in the tent longer on cold mornings)
- shemagh- lots of uses as a scarf, towel, bag, etc
- Sawyer filter
- frogg toggs rain suit - cause getting drenched stinks
Here’s some small stuff you might not think of that’s great to have
- Paracord
- sawdust compressed fire starter
- gorilla tape and zip ties
- head lamp
- Moleskin for blisters and hot spots
- a small towel (if no shemagh-)
- plastic bags
Happy Trails!!!
It’s gotta be my Helinox Chair Zero. Sure, I’ve got to turn in my Ultralight credentials by bringing it, but damn, it sure feels great to sit comfortably, enjoy a nice cup of coffee in the morning relaxing and reclining in comfort, or chatting by a fire over dinner while sitting in pure comfort.
I don’t always bring it backpacking, but when I do, I never regret it.
Cheers.
