A man in dark clothing with a large hiking backpack hiking a trail surrounded by trees with distant mountains

Tips for First Time Backpackers

Rachel Wagner

5 min read

So, you're preparing for your first backpacking trip, and have a million questions. What do I need to pack? Is my pack too heavy? How do I even pack all of this stuff? We've all been there. Backpacking can get overwhelming from the outside looking in. Whether it's learning to navigate the terrain, how to ration your food, plus dealing with the literal weight on your shoulders, it's a lot! All backpackers are constantly learning; mistakes are made – and that's okay. We promise each trip gets better.

This guide is to help you skip some of the lessons we’ve learned the hard way. To try to prevent any curveballs, here’s what we recommend for when you plan your first trip:

1 or 2 nights to start
About 10 km of hiking per day
An established trail with reliable water sources
Established campsites if possible
Stay close to home

Young woman sitting in the doorway of an orange tent tying her hiking boots

Bring the Right Tent

If we can pass off one piece of wisdom that we’ve gained from backpacking trips, let it be this: when a tent says it’s for two people, it’s really for one person and their gear. If you want to get nice and cozy with your bud and their gear, then by all means a two-person tent will meet your needs. We would recommend opting for a three-person tent for a bit more breathing room. A bigger tent will come with a bit more weight, but we think comfort is a worthwhile reason to increase your pack weight.

If possible, do not bring your usual camping tent on a backpacking trip. Not only will it be a nightmare to set-up and re-pack, but it will be too big and too heavy even if split across multiple packs. Opt for a lighter-weight backpacking tent – try to aim for under five pounds.

Have an Emergency Contact

Someone aside from you and your hiking buddies should know your trip itinerary: where you’re going, when you’ll be there, when you should be back, and when they can expect to hear from you. Pick a parent, friend, partner or neighbour and provide them with all of this information, it'll come in handy in the event of an emergency. Consider determining agreed upon times to check-in with this contact. Just a simple “We made it to camp for today” is all that’s needed for people to know you’re safe and sound during your trip.

Overhead view of a large green hiking backpack surrounded by dry bags and camping gear

Backpacks and Packing

Did you know you can get fitted for a backpack? Just like any piece of clothing, you should try it on before you buy it. When you’re going to be carrying a heavy amount of gear on your back, the weight needs to be properly distributed across your back, shoulders and hips. If you borrow a pack, be sure to try it on (with the extra weight) before you head out on the trails. Get a feel for the padding and support. If you’re looking to purchase a pack, look into retailers that have specialists to help adjust and fit a backpack to your frame size.

You've got your backpack sorted, nice! Now, hard can it be to pack this bad boy? Though you may have been packing your backpack for at seven years old, be ready to get schooled. The bottom is where your lightest gear should live – your sleeping pad, sleeping bag and other soft, bulky gear. This builds a sturdy base that prevents gear from shifting too much. The middle of your pack, and against your back, is for your heaviest gear. This way, most of your pack weight is being supported against your back as you hike. Top of the pack, or "the brain" is where you should find the items you need frequently or in arm’s reach in case of an emergency. Snacks, a first aid kit, or sunscreen just to name a few. You can also take advantage of your pack’s exterior latch points to tack on some gear, but be careful to not become unbalanced.

Pack More Food Than You Think

Within reason, of course. You’re on your feet tackling elevation and scrambles, your body will need more fuel, plus, who doesn’t love a little snack? Granola bars or fruit can provide a quick carb boost, and foods like nuts or peanut butter have higher fat contents which are great for keeping you full for longer. Fueling your body is crucial to prevent overexerting yourself; heat exhaustion and dehydration is easily avoidable with simple with proper preparedness.

The challenge that comes with packing more food is the weight that comes with it. You want the necessary amount of food, without the unnecessary weight. Foods like oatmeal, canned fish, jerky, dehydrated pasta and rice dishes are popular picks for good reason: they’re calorie-dense meals that will fuel your day ahead without the bulk. As always, remember Leave No Trace principals as you prep and clean up after your meals.

Take Your Time

Hiking while hauling a 30 pound pack will go at a much different pace than your average day-hike. Do not less this discourage you – slow and steady wins the race (except this isn't a race). Besides, why rush your time exploring outdoors? Make time for snack breaks and water breaks, take in the views and fresh air around you as you chow down on a granola bar. Allow yourself to be present and relish your time in nature; this will make it a much more enjoyable experience for you.

A man crouched to the ground pouring water from a red cup to a stainless steel pot on a canister stove

Double-Up

It’s better to have a back-up and not need it, then not have one when you need it. We recommend making the space to double up on a few small things:

Socks: Bring at least one extra pair of socks. Wet socks and wet feet are grounds for blisters, which is the last thing you want when you’re on your feet for a lengthy portion of the day.
Lighter: These pesky guys are so small, it’s very easy for them to slip through your gear and wind up at the bottom of your bag. Having multiple can save you the headache of rifling through your bag when you’re hungry and just wanting to light your stove to get dinner going.
Shared Gear: Talk to your hiking group to confirm who's bringing what to avoid any accidental duplicates. Stoves, tents and water filters are not only heavy, but are not worth having two of, especially for just an overnighter.

Start Small

We don’t know when it became the norm to summit mountaintops right from the get-go, but we’re here to tell you that’s not necessary to be a Camp Hero in our books. If you’re just starting out backpacking, or taking gear for a test-drive, short overnight hikes close to home are your friend. The worst thing that can happen is you turn around and go home, no harm done! Pick a well-established and well-marked trail to lessen the chances of losing site of the trail or other hikers, and hopefully keep some nerves at bay. Like we mentioned earlier, hiking with a 30 pound pack makes every hike more strenuous and causes you to move at a slower pace – all the more reason to start small and work your way up as you adjust to the weight and mobility restrictions of backpacking.

A person in front of a forest background holding up a breathable, lightweight t-shirt ideal for a hiking trip

Shoes and Clothes

You just bought a new pair of hiking shoes? Awesome, now is NOT the time to break them in. The 30-second walk around the store does not compare to the hours you’ll spend on your feet navigating rocks, tree roots and other obstacles. Your hiking boots or shoes should be well broken-in before you hit the trails. To further prevent blisters and any irritation, wear wool socks to absorb sweat (yes, your feet will sweat). At the end of the day, you should feel comfortable, well-supported and protected by your footwear.

When packing clothes, try to avoid denim and cotton. Once these get wet or sweaty, it will be very difficult to get them dry again. Choose clothes made of moisture-wicking fabrics like wool or polyester. These are more odor-resistant and quick-drying, which means fewer sweat stains and less chafing. Lastly, throw a spare change of clean clothes in the car for when you wrap up your hike, future-you will be grateful.

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