I started backpacking 5 or 6 years ago with the most basic set-up possible. I’m a big believer that new hobbies shouldn’t have to break the bank, so I was using as much of my car camping gear as I could, buying only the cheaper backpacking gear. I think my first stove was about $12, compared with the easily $100+ ultralight stoves. After all, what if I didn’t stick with this hobby? 

Over the years, as it’s become clear that I’m going to continue backpacking in the foreseeable future, I’ve started replacing gear with lighter weight options or getting duplicate gear for different purposes. Most of my travel involves sleeping outside, so I figure if I spend a few hundred dollars on a quilt, that’s easily less than a three night stay in a hotel. 

Until recently, I was using the same backpacking set-up for all occasions. But, someone asked me a seemingly obvious question recently that changed the way I look at my packing lists: “What is the purpose of your trip? Is it a hiking trip or a camping trip?” The intent behind this was to say, if you’re going on a hiking trip (aka section-hiking, through hiking, or any trip where you’ll be walking for the vast majority of the day) pack your light or ultralight set-up; if you’re going on a camping trip (like hiking out to a lake to hang out, go swimming and do day hikes) then pack the cushy set-up. 

Below I’ve posted my backpacking gear list for our recent PCT hike. But, I’ve also added a special note at the end about what I do or take differently when I’m on a backcountry camping trip. I’ve also made some notes about what I like/dislike about a few of my gear choices or things I plan to change in the future. 

My base weight for hiking trips is ~11lbs whether I’m splitting gear with a hiking partner or hiking solo because I swap a few things out for lighter options if I’m on my own. The list below reflects my shared set-up which I was using this summer, so if I were to carry all these items my base weight would be ~15lbs. 

Pack: Gossamer Gear Mariposa Medium Size (29.8 oz). 

Shelter: Mountain Hardwear Nimbus Ultralight 2P Tent, semi-freestanding (45 oz, including ground cloth). I actually don’t love this tent for 2 people and probably would prefer a trekking pole tent with two vestibules (this tent has one entrance). I usually have to pee in the middle of the night, so luckily my husband can sleep through a foot in his face every night as I maneuver out. Also, after hiking enough to develop a little hiker-hobble, getting in and out of this is kind of a pain in the ass. It’s a very spacious one-person tent though.  

There are a few things I do differently for backcountry camping trips. If my load is heavy because we’re bringing something like beers for lake chillin’, I use my Gregory Pack which has a better suspension system and padding but weighs about 5lbs. That’s also the pack I use for winter camping. Ironically, I don’t carry the pillow for camping trips because I have more layers to use as a pillow that aren’t integrated into my sleep system. Lastly, we have a Mountain Hardwear Aspect 2P freestanding tent that I prefer, but weighs a pound more than the Nimbus. If we’re REALLY hanging out, I may also bring a 10×12 tarp  to build a sun shelter or kitchen area. 

When I’m backcountry camping, I bring more layers because I know I’m going to be hanging out more during the colder times of day like early morning and evenings. I bring a fleece and swap out my wool sleeping layer for a nice cotton T-shirt. I bring a slightly heavier pair of gloves for making cold morning coffee for everyone…I am always the first person up. I also bring a pair of hiking pants that I use in camp. For Spring/Fall/Winter trips I may even bring my extra cushy fleece pants. 

This list is what I use for two people. There are some differences when I’m only packing for one person here, including the Sawyer Squeeze filtration system and a lighter stove. We’ve found that for the two of us, the gravity set-up just works better for filtering the volume of water we need. 

I’ll bring a 1.5L Nalgene, which is heavier but nice for a few different reasons including durability and the ability to put hot water in it. I swap my 2L Playtpus bags out for 4L so we can make larger volumes of water for multiple cups of coffee, tea after dinner, etc. I almost always bring a bear canister into bear country if I’m camping. I figure that this is the most leave-no-trace option, I’m less likely to lose my food and the bears are less likely to get habituated to people. Plus, it makes an extremely uncomfortable camp chair that I never use (I’ve never understood this recommendation!). I understand not wanting this for higher mileage days because it’s uncomfortable and heavy, but if we’re just heading out for a chill adventure this is my storage method. 

Bifurcating these two lists has made me much more comfortable for both types of trips. I continue to make small tweaks, but this gear has worked well for me! 

Any major differences between your thru-hiking/section-hiking set-up and your backcountry camping set-up?

This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements. The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek's ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. Thanks for your support!

To learn more, please visit the About This Site page.

I’ve been section hiking the PCT for the past 5 years and the longest section I’ve done thus far is about 200 miles along the John Muir Trail. I absolutely love backpacking - the sense of accomplishment that comes from doing something physically difficult, the moments of catharsis when you get done climbing to that 12,000 foot pass and the view at the top is both beautiful and earned, the sense of peace that comes with settling into a routine on the trail, and the list goes on. I am excited to get out for a longer adventure on the trail this year! As someone who lives with Multiple Sclerosis, a degenerative neurological condition, longer days on the trail have gotten a bit more difficult these past couple of years. But, gosh darnit, I just love it. So, I’m tossing all my excuses aside and prioritizing spending a couple months on the trail this year. The plan is to hike about 650 miles from Castle Crags in Northern California to Cascade Locke. I won’t be putting down many high mileage days, but I’ll be trucking along out there and I hope you’ll follow along with me. Hey, more time to smell the roses…er, pine needles…right?!