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’ !
When I feel like bringing a luxury item, it’s my Helinox Chair Zero. Every pound counts, but at my age being able to sit for a few hours without my back hurting too much helps a lot.
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
did you find a good one with a good weight/size ratio ?
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An elastic band and a racquetball for stretching and myofascial release. 10-20 minutes effort in the evening helps me sleep better and get moving faster in the morning.
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.
Paracord always comes in handy.
I don’t think I’ve ever made a camping trip where I wasn’t glad I brought a bunch of Paracord along.
It’s pretty much “essential” to me at this point.Other stuff that I find essential, but not everyone might have on their list.
- Headlamp is probably something everyone has, but just in case.
- Dry bag and compression sack. Fit more into your pack and keep your stuff dry. A spare dry bag for the dirty laundry stuff.
- Stormproof matches, they have more in common with road flares than traditional matches. Lighters fail, wind blows them, etc. The huge storm matches never let me down. Overkill? Sure. I like to overkill my firestarting.
- If I’m going car camping where space and weight isn’t as limited: a bag of charcoal and a chimney starter. I’ve started roaring fires in heavy rain. Many a friend were made on camping sites this way.
- As we rely more on technology, my next buy is probably a portable solar charger.
A real pillow, like the thermarest compressible foam pillow. Not an air filled pillow. I need a proper pillow for a good sleep.
A tiny air pump by FLEXTAILGEAR. So nice for the mattress and pillow, and doubles as a hanging tent light.
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