3-Season Backpacking Gear List:

Ideally aim for a total weight of 20 to 30 lbs. including food and water, for trips of 2-4 days. This list covers most of the items, but check with the trip leader to see if there is anything to add or omit. Some gear (tents, filters, stoves, ropes, etc.) can be shared to reduce weight. Try to keep your pack as light as possible without sacrificing safety and/or comfort.

Your 4 main items (for summer only) should weigh no more than 10 lbs. combined: backpack, tent and optional footprint, sleeping bag and sleeping pad.  Make a list and weigh every item.  In cooler temperatures you will need a thicker/heavier sleeping bag and sleeping pad.  Try to stay in the following weight ranges:

  • Pack: 2-4 lbs.
  • Tent: 2-3 lbs.
  • Sleeping Bag: 2 lbs.
  • Sleeping Pad: 1 lb.

Gear that is very light is also very expensive and you may find it more appropriate to start with gear that is a little heavier to stay within your budget.  It is better to start your backpacking experience with rented or borrowed gear so that you can better choose what will work best for you.  Once you have a better understanding of that you will be able to save up to purchase the best quality and lightest gear you can afford.

NO COTTON CLOTHING! Cotton, when wet, dries slowly, provides no insulation, can cause blisters and is heavy. Therefore, all clothing from head to toe, should be lightweight merino wool or synthetic. In particular, jeans are not appropriate for backpacking.

  REQUIRED OPTIONAL
Backpack Capacity of 2500-4000 Cubic Inches (40-65 Liters) Small Lightweight Day Pack for hikes from base camp
  Waterproof pack cover (or line pack with unscented garbage bag and put clothing and sleeping bag in compression stuff sacks inside)  
     
Shelter Seam-sealed Tent, Tarp or Hammock with Rain Fly Tarp for kitchen or rain shelter[1]
  Ground Sheet or Footprint [1]  
     
Sleeping Bag 15° to 25° spring or fall, 30° to 40° summer Sleeping Bag Liner
  Sleeping pad  
     
Clothing Broken-in Waterproof Backpacking Boots or Shoes Lightweight Camp/Water Shoes
  2-3 Pairs of Wool or Synthetic Socks and optional thin liner socks  
  1 Pair Nylon or Wool Hiking Shorts or Pants Wicking Underwear (Non-Cotton)
  Synthetic or Merino Wool T-Shirt Synthetic or Merino Wool Long Sleeve Shirt
     
  Sun or Rain Hat  
  Waterproof, Breathable Rain Jacket and Pants Gaiters
  Base Layer/Insulating layer  
  Lightweight Wool or Fleece Hat  
  Lightweight Wool or Fleece Gloves  
     
Food Breakfasts, Lunches, Dinners, Snacks and Beverages[2]  
  Stove and Fuel[1]  
  Lighter or Matches in waterproof container  
  Small, Lightweight Cooking Pot[1,2]  
  Cup/Bowl, Spork/Cutlery (avoid metal in cold weather)  
  Stuff Sack and Rope for bear bag[1]  A bear canister is required/recommended in some areas.  Check with leader before trip to make sure.  See rental list below for some places to rent/purchase canisters.  Note this link for more information about the reasons for using a canister:  Bear Cans – Adirondack Mountain Club  
  Resealable plastic bags or Small Trash bags  
     
Water 2-3 Quarts/Liters Water Filter or Purification Tablets[1]
  Water Sack or Collapsible Container  
     
Health/Safety Map and Compass Guide Book
  Whistle (Plastic) Seat Pad
  Headlamp and Extra Batteries  
  Swiss Army Knife or Small Multi-Tool  
  Bandana or Small Pack Towel  
  Sun Protection/Sunglasses  
  Bug Protection  
  Personal Toilet Items[3]  
  First Aid Kit[4]  
  Repair Kit[5]  
     
Miscellaneous   Book/Magazine
    Candle Lantern
    Camera
    Notebook/Sketchbook and pencil
    Playing Cards
    Spare pair of Eye Glasses
[1] may be shared, but don’t rely on others. bring to the trailhead.
[2] as needed, read the trip plan carefully.
[3] including toilet paper, Trowel, and plastic bags to pack out used toilet paper
[4] moleskin, bandages, ibuprofen and other over-the-counter medications, prescription medications
[5] duct tape, needles and thread, safety pins, patches.

Winter Backpacking Gear List

Winter Requirements/Additions: 

  • Winter boots (Boots with a removable liner of insulation like double plastic mountaineering boots or Pac boots are strongly recommended and required by some winter leaders.  There are a wide variety of these boots on the market and not all are good ones. Discuss your boots with your trip leader to ensure they are acceptable.)    You need to be using some form of vapor barrier socks or plastic bags to keep the insulation dry in all boots.
  • -10° to -30° sleeping bag
  • Vapor barrier, if sleeping bag is down which will keep you warmer by keeping moisture and body oils out of the down insulation
  • Two to three sleeping pads, usually one or two closed cell and one inflatable (the more insulation under you the warmer you will sleep)
  • Foam Sit Pad to sit or stand on during meals (being insulated from the snow will keep you warmer)
  • Vapor barrier socks (A plastic bag over your feet will protect the boot insulation from foot sweat)
  • Snowshoes (Some snowshoes work better in mountainous terrain than others.  Discuss with your trip leader if your snowshoes are appropriate for the terrain.)
  • Crampons/Microspikes as appropriate for the intended trip
  • Trekking Poles/Ice Ax as appropriate for the intended trip
  • Thick down/synthetic jacket with hood and pants for camp (and carrying as safety gear for ascents in as warm of material as you can afford), in addition to the 3 layers of base, insulation and shell.  This gear is meant for standing around in without exercising.  Multiple layers are acceptable to achieve lots of protection.
  • Winter hat and balaclava (bring a spare for more insulation or in case one is lost)
  • Wind-proof face mask and goggles if appropriate for the trip
  • Mitten shells and liners, in addition to glove liners (add thin liner gloves to handle metal like stoves)
  • Stove Base to keep your stove from melting into the snow and improve stability.
  • Winter stove (liquid fuel only, canister stoves do not work well in cold temperatures.  You will typically need 10 ounces of fuel per person per day.)
  • Large pot to boil water (in the winter all drinking water needs to be boiled)
  • Vacuum bottle (use it for a hot drink in the morning while waiting for the first pot of water to boil or upon arrival back in camp at the end of the day)
  • Water bottle insulation (will keep your water hot/warm longer)
  • Insulated mug
  • Insulated food container – If eating freeze dried food, it keeps it warm while rehydrating and while you are eating.
  • Bring more food than you can imagine eating. Winter travel requires 5,000 to 6,000 calories a day.

Winter travel outdoors presents the serious risks of frostbite and hypothermia. In addition, the outdoor traveler has to be warm to enjoy the experience. The most difficult time to stay comfortable for many people is in camp at the end of the day, before climbing into the sack. Here are some suggestions:

  • Carry a towel to dry off and change clothes immediately upon making camp.
  • Something hot is a great help in the first 30 minutes. This can be in the vacuum bottle from breakfast.
  • If possible avoid drinking cold water in camp.
  • Right before going to bed take a quick short walk to heat yourself up before the transition to a cold sleeping bag.
  • Take a little chocolate to bed with you in case you wake up cold during the night.
  • Side zippers in layers for the legs allow you to change layers without removing boots.
  • A good source for winter backpacking information is from the ADK’s Winter Mountaineering School student handbook.  This program used to be jointly sponsored with the AMC.  Here is a link to that document:  ADK Winter Mountaineering School Student Handbook  Here is the weekend backpacking checklist:  ADKWMS Checklist  You might also contact them for good winter mountaineering training at:  ADK Winter Mountaineering School 
  • A good book reference is:  Mountaineering:  The Freedom of the Hills.  Here is a link to get it:  The Mountaineers

Equipment Rental Locations: 

New York City Area EMS Bridgewater NJ (Website) Backpacks, sleeping bags, pads, tents
  Gear to go Outfitters Buchanon NY (Website) Tents, sleeping bags down to 0F, pads, packs, snowshoes, crampons, trekking poles, microspikes, bear canisters, headlamps, stoves, pots, bowls, cups, water filters, compass
  Paragon Sports New York NY (Website) Tents, packs
         
Catskills Area Rock & Snow New Paltz NY (Website) Snowshoes, summer and winter boots, tents, packs, sleeping bags down to +5F, crampons, trekking poles, microspikes
         
Adirondack High Peaks Area Mountaineer Keene Valley NY (Website) Bear canisters, snowshoes, mountaineering boots with crampons, trekking poles
  EMS Lake Placid NY (Website) Sleeping bags, pads, tents, snowshoes, bear canisters
  ADK North Elba NY (Website) Bear canisters, snowshoes, microspikes
         
White Mountains Area EMS North Conway NH (Website) Packs, sleeping bags, pads, tents, mountaineering boots and crampons, snowshoes and poles
  IME North Conway NH (Website) Double mountaineering boots, tents, packs, sleeping bags down to -30F, crampons, various clothing items, snowshoes, trekking poles, ice axes, microspikes
         
National (shipped to your home) Outdoors Geek Denver CO (Website) Sleeping bags down to -20F, tents, pads, snowshoes, stoves, pots, water filtration, packs, bear canisters, summer boots
  Wild Ideas Union WA (Website) Bearikade bear canisters