2024 Outdoorsy Women’s Summer Gear Guide - Part two : Backcountry Camping
As we kick off outdoorsy girl summer in the northern hemisphere.
This is all of my backcountry camping gear that I will be using this summer. If you are in the market - I have personally tested every single piece of gear on this list and trust it with my life (and comfort).
A note : A lot of the items I have are years old so I have updated them with the current version which is likely much better but different colourways.
And if you ever have any questions or anything you love that you think needs to be added to this list - leave a comment below or send me an email!
The Ten Essentials are fully outlined here in my Ten Essentials Blog Post. All ten should, in some capacity, be with you on every hiking and backcountry camping trip.
Camp Pillows
Seat pad or camp chair
Lantern + Fairy Lights
Satellite Phone + Subscription
Sunglasses
SMITH Bobcat Sunglasses (sporty)
Raen Remmy Sunglasses (fashionable)
First Aid Kit
I attached a few to get you started below. However, building your own is always better - that way you know what is in it and can buy higher quality products. The band aids in the first aid kits for instance tend to be small and plastic and dry out within about a year and should be replaced often and with larger, cloth, bandages. Also check drug expiration dates!
I keep a small medical kit that I have doctored up as well as a blister kit in my backpacking bag. Some suggestions for this include:
Tweezers – pulling splinters, thorns or ticks
1 sheet or roll of moleskin – most common hiking injuries are blisters.
Afterbite dressing - bug bites are another common hiking injury
Pill capsule containing Painkillers, Allergy, Pepto, ASA (for heart attacks).
Duct tape – don’t bring the whole roll, wrap duct tape around a small cylinder such as tent pole.
Quick Clotting Gauze – hemostatic gauze for large trauma (you can actually use women’s menstrual pads for this - a tip from a firefighter)
March Battle Wrap - high performance compression wrap for large trauma used by the military.
Large 3” bandage – for minor deep cuts.
Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
(plus enough for one extra day)
This is all about personal preference. But I did write a blog with some of my favourites and will note that if you purchase 8 or more backpacking meals at REI - you receive a 10% discount.
Snacks
Energy bars, energy gels, beef jerky, sour patch kids (any candy really), mixed nuts, olives, chocolate bars (on day one before they melt), dried fruit and hard cheese are some of my current go-to trail snacks.
Verb Energy Bars - You can use my code “vagabondhearts” for 30% off of your first order, Patagonia Organic Chile Mango, Patagonia Lightly Smoked Venison Links, Patagonia Spicy Buffalo Jerky, Vital Proteins Collagen Protein Powder
Electrolytes
Liquid IV
LMNT (pronounced element)
Water Filtration
Water Bottles and Bladders
I like to use Nalgene bottles. In colder temperatures they can be filled with hot water and double as a hot water bottle - and the smaller (16oz) is perfect for electrolytes.
For summer use only, the hose will freeze in colder temperatures. I also really like the Camelback bladders however, they only attach to Camelback branded backpacks. The Osprey is a more universal attachment.
Camp Kitchen
GSI Outdoors Essential Spoon - Long
Insulated Stainless Steel Mug (heavier but will keep your coffee hot)
Titanium Single Wall 300 Mug you may also want these to protect your lips as the mug gets really hot.
Coffee Maker
I will go with either the Aeropress (and bring pre-ground coffee) or you can check out my full Instant Coffee blog - they tend to be a little pricier but there are some really great (and uber lightweight) options when it comes to coffee. In all honesty - without being able to control water temperature and weights the instant will generally turn out better than any of the below brew methods.
Toilet paper, trowel, wag bag…..
What you will need in this respect varies quite a bit depending on where you are going and the facilities provided - some drive up campgrounds offer full bathrooms with heated showers - no need for a trowel or wag bag. However, in some remote alpine and desert areas you are not legally able to leave human waste and will need to carry out your no.2’s. This can be intimidating at first but with a little preparation it is nothing to worry about. I wrote a blog going into more details that you can check out via the link below.
Camera gear
I have an entire (updated blog on exactly what I bring in my camera bag with me!
All of the remaining miscellaneous items you may want or need including:
Cards, book, journal, tablet, headphones, printed permit (if required), ear plugs,ID, cash, keys, cellphone.
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!
