Backpacking Checklist

By REI staff

The Ten Essentials

(for safety, survival and basic comfort)

1. Navigation

• Map (w/protective case)
• Compass

• GPS (optional)

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

• Headlamp or flashlight

• Extra batteries

5. First-aid supplies

• First-aid kit (see our first-aid checklist)
• GPS (optional)

• Skin-shielding hat and clothing
• Fleece pants (sometimes optional)

6. Fire

• Matches
• Fire starter

• Waterproof container

7. Repair kit and tools

• Knife, and/or
• Multi-tool

• 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)

Kitchen Deluxe

(suggestions primarily for campground campers)

• Coolers
• Cutting board/surface
• Paring knife
• Spatula
• Whisk
• Bottle opene
• Corkscrew
• Measuring spoons
• Hot-cold vacuum bottle
• Portable coffee/espresso maker
• Rolling ice cream maker
• Camp furniture (chairs, table)
• Dutch oven
• Tablecloth
• Lantern
• ______________________

• Kitchen organizer
• Grill rack
• Foil
• Egg holder(s)
• Biodegradable soap
• Pot scrubber/sponge(s)
• Quick-dry towel
• Drying rack; clothesline w/clips
• Trash bags; resealable bags
• Hand-crank blender
• Extension sticks/roasting items
• Camp sink
• Collapsible water container(s)
• Funnel(s)
• Saw/ax
• _______________________

Mornings

(choose according to personal tastes and needs)

• Coffee
• Dry cereal/granola
• Quick-fix oatmeal
• Breakfast bars

• Batter mix
• Syrup
• ______________________
• ______________________

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