Expert Advice > REI's Ultralight Backpacking Checklist
REI's Ultralight Backpacking Checklist
The Ten Essentials
(for safety, survival and basic comfort)
1. Navigation
- Map (w/protective case)
- Compass
2. Sun protection
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Sunglasses
- Skin-shielding hat and clothing
3. Insulation
- Jacket or vest (preferably synthetic)
- Fleece pants (sometimes optional)
4. Illumination
5. First-aid supplies
- Skin-shielding hat and clothing
- Fleece pants (sometimes optional)
6. Fire
- Duct tape strips on bottle, poles
8. Nutrition
- Extra day's supply of food
- Spare energy bars, gels, trail mix
9. Hydration
- Water bottle and/or hydration reservoir
- Water filter or other treatment system
10. Emergency shelter
- Reflective blanket (or tent, tarp or bivy sack)
Beyond the Essentials
(Note: Not every person will carry every item)
- Backpack
- Tent, tarp or bivy sack
- Stakes and guylines
- Footprint
- Sleeping bag
- Stuff sack or compression sack
- Sleeping pad
- Whistle
- Ice axe
- Trekking poles
- _________________________
- Meals
- Energy food
- Powdered drinks
- Stove
- Fuel
- Cook pot
- Utensil(s)
- Measuring cup/mug
- Food-storage sacks or canister
- 25 to 50-foot nylon cord
- _________________________
Clothing options
(base choices on trip length, possible weather extremes)
- Wicking T-shirt
- Wicking underwear
- Quick-drying pants/shorts
- Long-sleeve shirt (for sun, bugs)
- Hat
- _________________________
- Insulating jacket or vest
- Waterproof/breathable shell
- Waterproof/breathable rain pants
- Bandana of buff
- Gloves or mittens
- _________________________
- Light-hiking or trail-running shoes
- Socks (synthetic or wool)
- _________________________
- Gaiters (if needed for conditions)
- Water sandals (if needed for fords)
- _________________________
Personal options
- Insect repellent
- Headnet
- Headnet
- _________________________
- Sanitation trowel
- Biodegradable soap
- Toothbrush
- _________________________
Other possibilities
- Permits
- Route description or guidebook
- Camera
- GPS receiver
- _________________________
- Two-way radios
- Cell or satellite phone
- Cash and credit card
- Trip itinerary left with a friend
- _________________________
For an expanded backpacking gear list, see REI's Backpacking Checklist.
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