Backpacking is something that everyone should experience at least once in their lives. We all love to travel, and we’ve all experienced the standard traveling setup where you have tons of luggage and fancy hotels. With backpacking, you take with you only the necessities, carry it in one backpack, and take on travel from a completely new perspective, where simplicity is key and you’re able to form a greater bond with nature and your surroundings.

In order to be able to have the fullness of backpacking experience, it’s important that you are organized and know what it is that you’ll be needing on your journey. To do this correctly, you need to understand what kind of a trip you’ll be taking, the terrain you’ll be heading out to, and the weather conditions. It is advisable that you also do a bit of research on what kind of gear is used on such trips. Reviews at Gear Signal are comprehensive and give you a bit of insight on how to become more knowledgeable about backpacking. It can get a bit confusing and daunting to make sure that you carry what you need without over packing so that your bag isn’t too heavy for you to hold. This is why we’ve made a list of the 7 most essential items that are definitely worth dishing out some cash for.

1. Backpack

Backpack

If you’re going to go all out on anything, then it definitely needs to be in the backpack, because this is the base for everything that you are going to carry. It’s important that you look for a backpack that is lightweight and waterproof as well. These are especially designed to carry heavy weights without tearing, and have plenty of compartments so that you are able to be more organized. They have a place where you can store the sleeping bag and tent as well, while distributing the weight evenly in a way so that it doesn’t put too much pressure on your back.

2. Sleeping Bag

It’s important that you look into getting the right kind of sleeping bag. There are high quality items available that are designed in a way that it provides complete insulation as well as leg space. You’ll find that there are also some that are gender specific, and it’s a good idea to go for one of those as they provide much more comfort. Don’t forget that they have to be waterproof as well.

3. Multi Tool

A multi-tool is another item that you should spend an extra buck on because you need to ensure that it has all the features you need and can endure the test of time and usage, because you’ll be utilizing it a lot. For backpacking, it’s advisable that you go for a foldable multitool because this is the type that has the most options. It will have a knife, scissors, a can opener, bottle opener, and even a compact small screwdriver.

4. Tent

Tent

This is a given. You need to have a quality tent with you on all your backpacking trips because this is where you wind down at the end of the day and get your rest. There is a ton of options, so make sure that you look into the details carefully to pick the best one for you. Look for a tent that is lightweight but spacious, and make sure that it’s made from durable material so that it can endure all kinds of weather conditions.

5. Clothes

When traveling as a backpacker, the clothes that you wear are extremely important because they need to be comfortable and convenient for the terrain that you are covering. This means you’re going to have to dish out for appropriate shoes, socks, jackets and pants, as well as headgear such as beanies and caps. You need to make a list of all of the items of clothing that you will need so you only carry what you need, but also make sure that you actually have everything you need.

6. First Aid Kit

It is beyond crucial that you have a high quality first aid kit that has everything that you might need in any kind of emergency situation. Remember, you might be traveling to isolated locations where there won’t be quick access to hospitals or pharmacies, so do your research and ensure that you have everything you need in case you fall ill or incur an injury of any kind. It won’t hurt to invest in taking a first aid course as well before you travel.

7. Power Bank

Being reachable and being able to know where you are and where you’re going is of the utmost importance. Having a decent tracking GPS device and a good phone is of no use to you if you’re unable to charge them. This is why you need to make sure that you get a strong and long lasting power back that will take on a heavy load of recharging. It would even be advisable to have 2 on you, just to be safe.

Going on a backpacking adventure is something that will require all of your strength and attention because you’re testing your body and pushing it to its limits sometimes. This is why it’s important that you make sure that you are well prepared and that you pack all the correct items that will help give you convenience and comfort, regardless of where you are.

So don’t go for budget items, especially when it comes to the 7 items mentioned above, because you’ll find that sometimes, spending a little bit more will go a long way in terms of quality. You will be able to utilize lightweight objects that will actually make the backpacking journey that much easier. Sometimes, items that are cheaper are not guaranteed to live through harsh conditions or may even be faulty and get ruined very easily. You’ll also find that the things you spend a little extra cash on will live a lot longer because they are made with more expensive materials and their creators go out of their to make sure that they are convenient for backpacking experiences.