Ten Unnecessary Backpacking Items that are worth the Weight
In partnership with REI
A list that could alternatively be titled : a list of gifts that I have given my outdoorsy friends over the years. Because I believe that gifts are meant to be just this - something unnecessary that makes life ever so slightly better. And why would we not want to make our loved ones’ lives better.
A collection of items that could easily be left at home, swapped out for lighter, more compact or makeshift versions… but the real thing makes days (and nights) in the backcountry every so slightly better. The cost of these items ranges from under $5 to over $500 - comfort can be found at any price point.
Note: I wrote this in lieu of a traditional 2023 holiday gift guide - because in all honesty there is very little that I would change from my 2022 Holiday Gift Guide(or my 2021… or my 2020… you get the picture). I think that investing in, and taking care of, great gear will help it last a lifetime (or at least more than a year or two). You can check my past years’ Gift Guides via the buttons below if you are looking for a few more ideas for your loved ones.
Ten (absolutely) Unnecessary Backpacking items
Note that you can click on any of the images in this blog to view them on rei.com. By using these links I do earn a small commission on any purchase made - at no additional cost to you.
ten. camp shoes or sandals
One of these two will always be in my backcountry camping bag. The feeling of taking off your hiking boots after a long day of carrying everything you need to survive on your back for hours on end up and down mountains… unparalleled. Slippers (or sandals and warm, thick socks) keep my toes happy and warm while I am setting up camp, mulling around, making and eating dinner and generally enjoying myself at camp.
The decision of which comes down to two questions for me:
Is there is a river crossing? If the answer is yes, always go with the Teva Classic Sandals because they can double as your river crossing shoes and will generally dry out enough to wear when you get to camp.
Am I nervous about space in my backpack? If I have the space I will always always bring my Teva ReEmber slippers.
nine. a lightweight camp chair or seat pad
More often than not I will actually bring both of these when heading out backcountry camping. But will always have my seat pad with me on backcountry camping trips, day hikes and hut trips. I never know what terrain I will be on and regardless of if it is sharp rocks at the summit of the mountain, ice and snow when transitioning mountaineering or a muddy riverbank when I need to swap my shoes on either side of a river crossing. Coming in at a mere 0.06 kg (2oz) I always have my seat pad with me.
Pro tip : when camping I lay this out at the entrance of my tent as a little welcome mat (it also keeps my feet clean when I take my shoes off and put them on).
But a lightweight camp chair, this comes with me when I know I will have downtime at camp. I own the Helinox Chair Zero - it weighs one pound and can support up to 265lbs. It is perfect for enjoying your morning coffee, reading a good book or sitting back and appreciating where you are. These chairs live full time in my car camping gear with their matching camp table but during backpacking season they do double duty and come backpacking with me more often than not.
eight. a camp pillow
I will always get pushback on this one - with people arguing that a ball of rolled up unused clothes will dot the job. And they will - but that is not what this list is about. We are not looking to get the job done - we are looking for ways to make life at camp slightly more comfortable. And a true camp pillow hits that mark.
On long backcountry camping trips in which I am worried about weight and space in my backpack I will opt for the Sea to Summit Aeros - it packs down to about the size of a tennis ball (maybe a little bit smaller) and weighs next to nothing. I typically will pop it in my coffee mug when packing - and if I want a little bit of extra padding around the inflatable centre I will pop it in the hood of a down jacket and use that as a makeshift camp pillow case.
But when I am heading out on a 1-2 night trip and care more about being comfortable than cutting weight - I will reach for a pillow with both an inflatable centre as well as a cushioned outer layer such as the Nimo Fillo.
seven. camp coffee
Camp Coffee
There are three routes to having great coffee when backcountry camping (imo) and I outlined them in this blog. But before we get started - even if you are more of a teal/hot chocolate/apple cider drinker than a coffee drinker - you will want to pick up a double walled mug. This keeps your beverage of choice warmer much longer… which you will absolutely want on chilly camp mornings and evenings. I also use the JetBoil Flash cooking system - it is super lightweight and lid clips in a small fuel and lighter so that everything you need is safely secured together.
Pro tip : on hot summer days it also keeps your drinks cooler longer.
seven and a half - the only backcountry camping spoon you will ever use again
I have actually started bringing two of these with me on every backcountry camping trip because more often than not I will gift one to my camp buddy. The longer handle keeps your hands clean when digging deep into dehydrated meals and the silicone spoon acts as a spatula enabling you to get every last little bit of goodness.
And if you are wondering which backcountry camp meals are worth giving a try, you can find my list of favourites here.
six. a camera and/or binoculars
For me, a camera feels more like a necessity and less like a luxury item… in all honesty it feels more like a luxury when the camera says home. But it is an unnecessary item for most that enables you to capture and remember your adventures. And for those looking for less permanent and more reach - a set of binoculars for scouting adventures and spotting wildlife is a great backcountry pastime.
Note: I know that camera gear is a deeply personal (and expensive) investment - I have my go to camera gear listed here. But decided to include a few of my favourite camera accessories. My capture clip - which safely secures my camera to my backpack strap while hiking for easy access. And my carbon tripod - which has a built in phone holder to quickly capture photos and videos.
five. tent lights… even better - fairy lights
This is one that I oftentimes do not end up using with how long the summer days are up in the Canadian Rockies but that, as the seasons change, comes in so handy. A small dome light for those alpine starts or a set of (solar powered) fairy lights for evenings hiding from the bugs, listening to podcasts and swapping stories.
four. a hammock
This one is a 50:50 for me - a lot of the places that I go and camp do not have trees to support hammocks. But I have never once regretted packing it with me. It is a fun change up to hang out and lounge, take an afternoon nap or when someone (me) forgot their sleep pad that one time… it made a great plan b bed.
three. a nightcap
A canned cocktail (or mocktail), a bladder of wine or a flask of whiskey before bed. Especially on those warm summer nights - a little something special is always worth the weight. Just ask my mother and her two bladders of red wine that accompany her on every backcountry camping trip.
two. a comfortable outfit for camp
We all know that having a pair of base layers stashed away in our bags to sleep in not only keeps us warmer and dryer but also keeps our sleeping bag (or quilt) clean. But what about that in-between time - before bed but after we have finished hiking. Getting out of hot sweaty clothes before they are cold and wet… I like to bring an intermediary outfit. I typically reach for a comfortable cotton sweatshirt (or fleece) and a pair of joggers. Since we aren’t sweating in these - material matters less and comfort is key.
one. a book(or ebook), a journal, a game, a deck of cards
I have recently become obsessed with Monopoly Deal. I say this in a very serious way that I have a problem. On a rainy camp trip I forced Mike and Jess to play several dozens of hands while I was on a winning streak, this was only fun for one person and I imagine you can guess who that was.
Generally I will pack at least a deck of cards to play with friends, maybe a game of pigs and, especially when camping alone, a good book to dig into.
pro tip: one of my favourite gifts to receive is from my friend Elle. She is an avid reader and will often underline, highlight and dog ear her books. And if she thinks I will like them - she will then gift them to me. There is something truly special about reading a book “with” her while I am alone in the backcountry. So if you love to read - consider passing your favourites along to friends. This is a super thoughtful and sustainable gift.
bonus. a trash bag
I have a trash specific dry bag that clips onto the outside of my backpack on every hike. This keeps my belongings and the trail both clean. A few years ago I was in Switzerland and learned about an annual cleanup day that the schools in most alpine towns and villages have. It is in the spring after the ski season is done, and before the hiking season begins and the cows go up into the alms. This is taught as, not a condemnation for the skiers over the winter who dropped gloves and poles, or that a granola bar wrapper flew out of their pocket - but a general acknowledgement that we are all responsible for the care of the outdoor spaces.
*Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission on any purchase made - at no additional cost to you. As always, all ideas and opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own. Thank you for your support!
