Backpacking can be an amazing adventure! If everything goes right, you are prepared, and you know how to pack for backpacking the potential is virtually limitless.

Backpacking!

Not to be confused with packing a carry-on backpack for traveling on an airplane or hauling all your shit around everywhere you go, backpacking as in for those of us who want to adventure and live life!

Great now we are over that hill, let’s talk about the backpacks you might want to consider and what to pack for hiking.

We all know I love the outdoors and the feeling of nature’s energy, but what about backpacking? I remember the first metal frame pack I had. It was my dad’s, he had it from the military and he was very meticulous in how he cared for it. I took it on the outdoor survival trip and being the 7th grader I was, probably ruined it for life. I had no idea anything about packs. I knew I had to fill it up and carry my sleeping bag. It didn’t matter to me it was the size equivalent of carrying my little sister on my back or how it fit. It got the job done. Experience and age have changed my perspective on this.

Both Tish and I have a smaller torso, which means those everyday backpacks rub the shit out of your neck and cause you to have a semi meltdown and I use the term semi lightly it was more like a tantrum of epic proportions that was handled very well. And can I mention there was a great lesson for me during this hike… (be inspirational no matter what the situation is, she will tell you when she has had enough).

For me, I love my internal frame pack, it has so many variables to adjust it. It also has a cushioned topside, my neck almost never gets jacked up anymore. When it does it’s due to having an offset load or something strapped to the top.

Other Options

• You could consider a donkey or apparently, there is a camel website you can join to get on the waiting list haha
• Or as discussed in an earlier post (click here to read ) your furry friends can carry a backpack as well…

Okay, so it was a short discussion about how you should fit their packs BEFORE you go to the trail. A more in-depth look at different packs could encompass a dog or a team of dogs! Choose what best fits your lifestyle. Our pups don’t have anything fancy; they are everyday backpacks to haul their water, a first aid kit, and maybe a snack. You can pick up those cooling-style vests if you are worried about them overheating on a long hot hike.

Considering our recent experiences with backpacking and fitting packs to our body types, I reached out for some expert advice. Thank you to Diane Spicer, Founder, and CEO of Hiking for Her. I asked her a whole host of questions about sizing and even a few personal questions as well. I love her outlook; she really changed my mindset on how I was approaching my outdoor adventures.

When asked what her favorite all-time hike was, she said “It may disappoint you to hear that my favorite hike is the next one I’m planning to take, regardless of where it is. I don’t get attached to the label “favorite” because I’d rather remain open to adventure than spend time reliving the past.” What an amazing answer! Great advice for all of us to follow.

As you can imagine I was even more excited to learn about Diane’s process on backpacking.

Gear

I asked her if she has a favorite for gear. I always say I have a favorite pack, and it has its own rescue story as does most of everything I have, we kind of found each other. This reinforced for me, Diane’s advice that no matter what anyone recommends, to find rock-solid gear that fits you and your adventures.

She spends more upfront, for lasting comfortable functional gear. I agree as we found, buying the everyday gear like that cause of the semi meltdown mentioned earlier that is not functional, and it costs much more in the long run. It was not just the sore neck but also the emotional strain.

Diane really stressed the fact and I totally agree “Don’t just grab a pack because someone recommends it, spend time comparison shopping and be sure the features you need are what you are paying for.”

Fitting into your pack

Considering the meltdown, I asked Diane if she had any tricks or sizing methods she followed for choosing her gear.

She has a petite frame and struggles as well to find a pack that fits her well. She focused on the sternum strap and hip belt, where our focus on the neck was so strained we didn’t even bother to pay attention to these things.

That is until our latest adventure to Topaz Mountain. Tish had the meltdown pack loaded up with water and picks and all things needed to find Topaz. She had some extra motivation to find Red Beryl and we headed straight up the cliff face. This day in particular we made it to the cave! 4 hours later after finding a massive amount of Topaz and one Red Beryl and a 2000 foot gain on a slick rock face, the realization of that old saying what goes up must come down, was now a reality for us.

That damn cheap pack, what to do as it is the main cause of loss of balance and sits/rubs directly on the neck… Well, we ended up doubling up the packs on me so I could carry both to allow us to safely descend.

I found Diane’s article Best Adjustable Hiking Gear: Customize To Your

Personal Specs very informative when it comes to sizing and fitting into your pack. When interviewed she did pass on a small tidbit of insider information. She said eat a hearty breakfast, go to the outdoor store, (REI, SCHEELS, Bass Pro) and try on pretty much every pack you can to see how they fit, feel, their features. She said “Tighten and loosen every strap, wear it around the store and imagine where you will stash your lip balm, take it off and on several times, bend over in it, see where it hits your particular curves and valleys. When you narrow it down to two packs that will work, you’ve done well!”

 Location

When I think of location so many possibilities come to mind. The glaciers of Alaska, the Highlines of Montana, the deserts of Utah, the 14ers of Colorado… the list goes on and on. Is it possible to have just one pack?

No! Good old red can be used for all of these, but do I want to haul her and all her glory for a single day? That is like trying to pick the same fur baby dog to take every time… I can but is it really the best choice? It’s like Diane said chose the volume of pack that fits your trip and the amount of gear you want to carry.

Pack List

And what to pack for backpacking. Diane has a massive amount of information directed at what to pack for backpacking on Hiking for Her. When I asked her what is in her personal checklist for her day pack, naturally it is second nature for her. I am happy to know we are not the only ones who leave our packs on the ready. She too keeps it packed at all times and only needs to add food before heading out.

For our gear checklist, we have this at the minimum on a day trip…

Gear Checklist Day Trip

€ Water (Camel Back Style)

€ Water Purifier of choice

€ First Aid Kit

€ Snacks/Protein Bars

€ TP

€ Fire Building Kit

€ Socks

€ Map/GPS

€ Whistle

€ Pocket Knife

€ Flashlight

€ Cable Saw

€ Space Blankets

Extras

 Don’t forget to check out Diane’s website and sign up for her monthly newsletter! It’s awesome!

>> https://www.hiking-for-her.com/dayhike-checklist.html
>> https://www.hiking-for-her.com/hiking-equipment-list.html
>> https://www.hiking-for-her.com/hikingpacklist.html

Our Links to gear… as always some of these links help feed us! It costs you the same but we get a little too 🙂 

Gear Survival Lantern Link 

Life Straw Link

Alderleaf Wilderness College Wilderness Survival Skills Course

Now get out there and doIToutside! 

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