Now, to the big four.

Backpack

There are all kinds of backpacks. You should try on as many as you can before buying one. Because there are all sorts of body types, the pack that works great for one person may not be best for the next. Fit and comfort are essential. Also important are size and weight. Most packs you’ll find are internal frame packs. There are also external frame and frameless packs.

For your first pack, I would suggest an internal frame pack. External frames, once the standard, are now scarce. They still have their proponents, but most choose internal. Internal frames ride closer to the body and tend to be significantly lighter than their external counterparts.

Frameless packs are the choice of many experienced backpackers who opt for the lightest gear possible. As a beginner, I would not recommend starting with frameless because these packs are designed to carry the minimum amount of lightweight gear. Typically, you’ll need time to work out what you want and need in your pack through trial and error. Frameless packs don’t leave a lot of room for error.

My first internal frame pack was an Osprey Aether 70, which was a comfortable pack and fit perfectly. It was also relatively heavy. On my first serious backpacking outing as an adult in the 100 Mile Wilderness in Maine, I think my pack weighed in around 45 pounds with four days of food and water. That may not sound heavy. But, trust me, it is. The “70” represents the number of liters in pack volume. I did not need a 70-liter pack; neither do you. Note: None of this applies to mountaineering, which is a different sport.

The Aether 70 is a great pack, but overkill for my purposes. I started trying different options. I purchased and returned a couple before settling on one from a cottage maker, a ULA Circuit. You can find ULA here.

The Circuit was 68 liters. So yeah, I know, I only shaved two measly liters off my pack. However, the Aether 70 weighed 4 lbs. 12 0z. The Circuit weighs 2 lbs. 9 oz. I saved over two pounds of weight without sacrificing a lick of utility or comfort. When you’re hiking hundreds of miles, two pounds is a lot.

The ULA Circuit is the pack I recommend to new backpackers. It is relatively light, comfortable, and sturdy. It can carry up to 35 pounds without issue, so it is versatile. It is also reasonably priced.

I am now considering going to an even lighter pack. My options include packs from ZPacks, Hyperlite, and other cottage makers. Check out other makers too. These are just the two I am currently entertaining.

Shelter

Shelters are just as varied as packs, if not more so. The main options are tarps, tents, and hammocks. Where you live and plan on doing most of your backpacking should inform your choice. For example, if you live in the desert and plan to do a lot of dessert backpacking, a hammock is not the right choice. You need trees to use a hammock.

Of the three, I recommend a tent for new backpackers because of their versatility.

It is hard for me to recommend a tent for newbies because I have never been fully satisfied with my tent choice. I am eyeing a tent from ZPacks based on several recommendations from fellow hikers.

My first tent was an REI Quarter Dome 1. The currently available version weighs in at two pounds fourteen ounces. I believe the earlier version I used was heavier. My second was a Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1 at two pounds 15 ounces. My current tent is a Six Moon Designs Skyscape Trekker, which weighs in at twenty-eight ounces.

Some tents, like my Trekker, require hiking poles to set up. If you don’t have or don’t want to use trekking poles, make sure you get a free-standing tent that does not rely on trekking poles for pitching or one that offers alternative poles for pitching.

Tents can get expensive. There are many good options from both mainstream retail brands and cottage makers. All those mentioned above are serviceable options. Because I’ve never been fully satisfied with the tents I’ve purchased, I recommend buying a tent that is a good mix of lightness and value to get you started.

Sleeping Pad

Sleeping pads come in two primary versions, inflatable or not. Both have plusses and minuses. Inflatable pads tend to be more comfortable and pack smaller. However, they can be vulnerable to punctures. Traditional pads, made from foam, are more durable and more versatile. For example, they can be used as a seat pad. But they compress over time and are bulky.

I have used both types. My first pad was a Therm-a-Rest ZLite foam pad, and my current choice is a Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite. The difference in weight is not a lot, but I find the XLite considerably more comfortable.

Some people splurge for more luxurious pads, as opposed to lighter pads. It all depends on how you sleep and what you’re comfortable with, which you won’t know until you get out there. There is an argument to be made that if you splurge anywhere in your gear, the sleeping pad is one place to do so. It’s hard to put a value on a good night’s sleep.

REI is an excellent place to try out a variety of pads, including the Therm-a-Rest pads.

Sleeping Bag

I hate sleeping bags. Specifically, I hate mummy bags. The overwhelming majority of backpackers use mummy bags. If you are okay sleeping on your back and being cinched up inside your bag, a mummy bag is your best choice.

The weather you will encounter should dictate your choice. If you are new to backpacking, you may want to avoid winter treks until you know what you’re doing.

Many backpackers have at least two bags. One is for warm weather, and the other is for cooler or cold weather. There are also two types of filler for bags, synthetic and down. Down is lighter and more compact, but less insulating when compressed or wet. Synthetic is bulkier and weighs more, but still insulates well when wet.

For your first bag, I would suggest something in the range of 20–30 degrees in temperature rating. Throw in an insert of silk or other material, and you can endure somewhat colder temps or sleep on top of your bag in the insert in warmer weather. This way, you can cover a wide range of temps without purchasing more than one bag.

It’s important to note that a 30-degree bag does not mean you’ll be comfortable if it is 30 degrees outside. You will almost certainly not be. These numbers are not hard and fast and are famously fuzzy and open to the interpretation of the individual.

I like to have my arms free, and I sleep on my side. I also tend to roll around like an alligator in my sleep. If you’re like me, you may prefer a backpacking quilt. Quilts allow for more movement and flexibility, and there are many excellent options. My current choice is the Enlightened Equipment Revelation quilt.

So, those are the big four. I am always seeking to lighten my load. Some ultralight backpackers go to extremes to cut every ounce and gram possible from their weight. I would call myself a light backpacker. I want my gear to be as light as possible without sacrificing too much comfort or utility. As you’ll find, there is plenty of room to go lighter without resorting to counting every gram. Also, of course, the big four is just the beginning of the gear vortex.