How to Build a Pack

Building a backpacking kit can feel overwhelming. Between tents, stoves, sleeping bags, and endless ultralight gear options, it’s easy to get lost in details or spend more than you need. The truth is, your “perfect kit” doesn’t appear overnight - it evolves as you discover what works best for you, your budget, and the trails you hike.

The first step is thinking about what kind of backpacker you are, or what kind you’d like to be. If you’re a weekender, doing short one to three night trips, comfort and affordability usually matter more than shaving every ounce. If you’re tackling longer, multi-day or weeklong hikes, balance becomes more important: you’ll want gear that isn’t too heavy, but you don’t want to sacrifice comfort. And if you’re considering a thru-hike, where you’ll be covering hundreds or even thousands of miles in a single trip, ultralight quickly becomes a priority, since every ounce adds up day after day. Even if you’re not sure yet, you’ll learn by experience, and borrowing gear from friends can help you get a feel for what kind of backpacker you’ll become before you make a major investment.

A good way to start is by focusing on the Big Three: your shelter, your sleep system, and your backpack. These three items make up most of your base weight, and finding workable solutions here lays the foundation for the rest of your kit. For shelter, beginners often start with affordable, slightly heavier tents like the Kelty Late Start 2P, which is reliable and won’t break the bank. As you refine your kit, you might upgrade to ultralight options such as the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2. When it comes to sleep systems, a budget-friendly synthetic bag and foam pad can get you on the trail quickly, but as you gain experience you may want to invest in a down quilt like the Katabatic Flex 30 paired with an inflatable pad like the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm for better warmth and comfort. For backpacks, a sturdy 60–65 liter pack like the TETON Sports Explorer 65L will work when you’re carrying bulkier gear. Bulkier sleeping bags, foam pads, and larger shelters require a bigger packs, while lighter, more compressible quilts and ultralight shelters can fit into 40–50 liter packs. Before you buy a new backpack, it’s smart to gather all your gear and see how much space it takes. As you upgrade to lighter, more compact items, you can downsize to efficient ultralight packs like the Hyperlite Southwest 55. The key is always matching your pack size to your actual gear, not the other way around. Check out the Entry Budget Backpacking Kit for more insight to building your first pack.

Borrowing and testing gear is one of the smartest things you can do before making big purchases. Try sleeping on both a foam pad and an inflatable pad to see what kind of comfort you need. Borrow a roomy tent for one trip and a minimal ultralight shelter for another, and notice how much space matters to you - pay attention to size around you, the headspace, number of doors and vestibules. Cook with a Jetboil one weekend and a small pocket stove like the Soto WindMaster the next to learn what kind of cooking setup fits your trail style. Everyone’s tolerance for weight and comfort is different - you won’t know what feels right until you’ve tested it yourself.

Once the Big Three are sorted, you can round out your kit with the rest of the essentials. Cooking systems can be as simple as an alcohol stove or canister stove paired with a basic aluminum pot, or as refined as ultralight stoves and titanium cookware that maximize efficiency and cut weight. Clothing often starts with layering items you already own, like synthetic base layers, fleece, and a rain shell, but many backpackers eventually move to technical fabrics such as merino wool or ultralight down jackets that balance comfort with weight savings. For water treatment, budget-conscious hikers may lean into the convenience of filters such as the Sawyer Squeeze or Katadyn BeFree. Navigation and safety basics always include a paper map and compass, but many hikers upgrade to GPS apps or even satellite communicators like the Garmin inReach for added security in remote areas.

As you’re building your kit, always factor in where you’ll be hiking and how warm or cold it’s likely to get. High-altitude or shoulder-season trips demand more warmth in your sleeping system and reliable insulating layers, while desert hikes call for sun protection and extra water capacity. In wet environments, synthetic insulation and dependable rain gear can make all the difference. A good rule of thumb is to prepare for the lowest temperatures or most extreme elements you might encounter, not just the averages or ideal.

Most importantly, remember that your backpacking kit will evolve with every trip. Keep notes on what you actually used and what stayed buried in your pack, then replace the least efficient or heaviest item each season as your budget allows. The goal isn’t to have the lightest or most expensive kit - it’s to have a kit that works for you. The more you hike, the more you’ll refine your system, learning how to balance weight, comfort, and cost in a way that makes sense for your adventures.