By Michael Lanza
Sure, your backpack, boots, tent, sleeping bag, air mattress, and other backpacking gear matter a lot, and you should put serious thought into your choices when buying any of them. But little things matter, too. Various necessary accessories, convenience items, and small comforts accompany me on backcountry trips. Many years of field-testing gear have refined my sense of what I like on certain types of trips and what I will not do without anytime.
Here’s my freshly updated list of essential backpacking accessories, ranging from basics like my favorite stuff sacks, camp kitchen gear, water filters, and bear canister, to great values in a headlamp and knife, and what I sit on in camp and lay my head down on every night I sleep on the ground. You’ll find many of them available at discounted prices right now.
I don’t carry everything on this list on every trip, of course. Some, like a bear canister, I bring only when needed; others, like a plastic utensil and my favorite inflatable pillow, I always have. But what follows represent the best I’ve found of each type of accessory.
I think you may find some things in this list that you can’t go without. I’d appreciate any of your observations about the gear reviewed here, or suggestions on favorite accessories of yours that I’ve overlooked; write them in the comments section at the bottom of this story.
Inflatable Pillow
Call me soft, but an inflatable pillow goes into my pack on all backcountry trips, because these lightweight and compact models help me sleep better at an inconsequential cost in weight and bulk. The Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow ($45, 2.5 oz., large 13×17 ins.) stuffs down to the size of my fist and its fabric feels soft against my face, while the larger Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Deluxe Pillow ($60, 4.6 oz., 23.5×16 ins.) will almost feel like your pillow at home.
My newest favorite, the Therm-a-Rest Air Head Lite Pillow ($30, 2.7 oz.), packs down to smaller than a tennis ball, and inflates to a plump 12×17.5×4 inches, and the stretch-knit polyester fabric feels soft against your cheek.
The Big Agnes AXL Air Pillow ($40, 1.6 oz., 16×10 ins.) is the lightest of them all, but still inflates to a nice size; I find it comfortable enough, though it’s not as fleecy as others. The Cocoon Ultralight Air Core Pillow ($25, 3.7 oz., 13×17 ins.) is fat when blown up, slightly bulkier when packed, and has a soft, fleecy side.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking any of these links to purchase a Therm-a-Rest Air Head Lite Pillow at moosejaw.com or thermarest.com, a Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow at rei.com, an Aeros Ultralight Deluxe Pillow at moosejaw.com or rei.com, a Big Agnes AXL Air Pillow at moosejaw.com or rei.com, or a Cocoon Ultralight Air Core Pillow at rei.com.
Hi, I’m Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside, which has made several top outdoors blog lists. Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter. Join The Big Outside to get full access to all of my blog’s stories. Click here to learn how I can help you plan your next trip. Please follow my adventures on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube.
Stuff Sacks
Stuff sacks protect clothing and gear from any water that penetrates a backpack, and make organizing and loading a pack easier and faster by compartmentalizing clothing and smaller gear items, giving you fewer things to transfer in and out of a pack. They also provide a more effective way of keeping stuff dry inside your pack than a rain cover, which doesn’t fully cover a pack, can blow off, and will wet through in a sustained downpour. I always use stuff sacks, and these are the best I’ve found.
The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Dyneema Composite Fabrics Roll-Top Stuff Sacks ($40-$75, 3.7L/225 c.i. to 44L/2,700 c.i., 1-2 oz.) incredibly light, waterproof, and tough enough to withstand virtually any kind of abuse. While they’re not intended to be used as dry bags (they’re not submersible), they keep clothing and gear dry through wet conditions short of full immersion in water. HMG’s Drawstring stuff sacks ($20-$40, multiple sizes) are made with the same waterproof fabric, but have drawstring closures that are not watertight; still, they’re adequate for the needs of most backpackers and offer a lighter, more compact alternative to the roll-top sacks.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking this link to purchase Hyperlite Mountain Gear Roll-Top or Drawstring Stuff Sacks at hyperlitemountaingear.com.
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For their low weight, durability, water resistance, and price, my top pick for stuff sacks are the Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Sacks ($13-$33, 1L/61 c.i. to 35L/2,136 c.i., 0.5-2.2 oz.). The 4L kept my down jacket dry inside my pack throughout four February days of backcountry skiing in the Sierra mountains around Lake Tahoe, much of the time in heavily falling snow, with me setting my pack down in deep, wet snow frequently. The pack got wet inside, but the jacket never got damp. Most impressively, I packed clothing in the 20L sack while paddling an inflatable kayak on Idaho’s class III Payette River one afternoon, and the Payette’s Cabarton stretch another day, and everything stayed dry even though the boat filled with water numerous times and we flipped twice. The 30-denier, high-tenacity Ultra Sil Cordura nylon, siliconized for durability and packability, has a hypalon roll-top closure that doesn’t wick moisture, plus fully taped seams and reinforced stitching.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking any of these links to purchase Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Sacks at moosejaw.com, seatosummit.com, or rei.com.
You don’t have to be cold at night. See my “10 Pro Tips: Staying Warm in a Sleeping Bag.”
The fully waterproof, roll-top Cascades Designs SealLine Blocker dry sacks ($15-$25, 5L/305 c.i. to 30L/1,831 c.i., 1.6-3.7 oz.) are my pick when boating or on a very wet or remote backpacking trip where there’s a risk of the sacks holding my sleeping bag, extra clothing, or other important gear going underwater (example: challenging river fords). Made with 70-denier silicone/polyurethane-coated nylon, these are very durable yet still reasonably lightweight, and have welded seams, which are 50 percent stronger than sewn seams. The block shape packs 20 percent more efficiently than rounded sacks, according to the Cascade Designs.
The lighter, 20-denier, roll-top SealLine BlockerLite dry sacks from Cascade Designs ($16-$27, 2.5L/153 c.i. to 20L/1,220 c.i., 1-2.1 oz.) are a good choice for backcountry trips where you don’t want to take a chance of a bag or clothes getting wet in a soaking rain, although they are not recommended as waterproof protection from complete submersion. On a night sleeping out under the stars in Utah’s Dark Canyon, a heavy dew fell, soaking the BlockerLite dry sacks I’d left out—including one with my electronic tablet and extra clothes in it. But the contents of the sacks stayed completely dry. I also used the 10L sack as the outermost of two sacks holding my camera one day and our lunches the next day on consecutive afternoons of paddling an inflatable kayak down two different class III sections of Idaho’s Payette River, and the exterior of the inner stuff sack (and its contents) never got damp, even though the boat filled with water numerous times and we even flipped twice. They also have the block shape, silicone/polyurethane-coated nylon, and welded seams.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking any of these links to purchase SealLine BlockerLite dry sacks at moosejaw.com, rei.com, or seallinegear.com, or SealLine Blocker dry sacks at moosejaw.com, rei.com, or seallinegear.com.
Planning your next big adventure? See “America’s Top 10 Best Backpacking Trips” and my Trips page.
The Osprey Ultralight Dry Sacks ($13-$25, 3L/183 c.i. to 30L/1,831 c.i., 1-2 oz.) have roll-top closures and are made of coated, 40-denier nylon ripstop fabric and seams that render them waterproof even when heavy rain penetrates a backpack or your pack briefly gets wet in a creek crossing; they’ll keep contents dry short of complete immersion in water. Both types have a rectangular shape for fitting more efficiently inside a pack.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking either of these links to purchase Osprey Ultralight Dry Sacks at moosejaw.com or rei.com.
Compression Sack
Many times I’ve stuffed my sleeping bag into a Sea to Summit eVent Compression Dry Sack ($30-$50, 6L to 30L, 3.7-7.4 oz.) to make it as compact as possible and ensure it will be dry on the wettest backpacking trips. The waterproof-breathable eVent membrane will pass air, so you can squeeze the sack down smaller even after closing the roll-top opening (which you can’t do with traditional dry bags). Like others, these are not designed for full immersion.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking any of these links to purchase Sea to Summit eVent Compression Dry Sacks at moosejaw.com, rei.com, or seatosummitusa.com.
Black Diamond Spot325
$40, 3 oz.
Hold the Spot325 up against any ultralight headlamp and it offers an impressive feature set and brightness for the price. It has the three modes a backcountry headlamp should have—white beam, white peripheral, and red—and a max brightness of a powerful 325 lumens. In plain English, that means it’ll project a beam at least 200 feet, but it also has dimming capability in all modes.
Plus, the Spot325 features BD’s neat PowerTap technology that allows you to tap the right side of the casing to cycle between max brightness and the dimmed level you’ve already set, and a lockout mode to prevent accidental turning on in a pack. Lastly, it’s waterproof up to a meter underwater for 30 minutes. While not rechargeable, the Spot325 may be today’s best value in a backcountry headlamp.
Read my complete review of the Black Diamond Spot325.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking any of these links to purchase a Black Diamond Spot325 at moosejaw.com, ems.com, blackdiamond.com, or rei.com.
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All-Purpose Knife and Multi-Tools
The Swiss Army Hiker knife ($37, 2.5 oz.) gives you 13 tools, including two steel blades, three screwdrivers, bottle and can openers, tweezers, and even a small wood saw.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking this link to purchase a Swiss Army Hiker knife at moosejaw.com.
If you need the ultimate multi-tool, I like the Leatherman Wave+ ($100, 8.5 oz.). Just four inches long when closed, this updated version of Leatherman’s long-popular Wave boasts a robust set of 18 tools that all lock quickly into position, many of which get frequent use in the backcountry: two knives (straight and serrated), a saw, spring-action scissors, can and bottle openers, a medium screwdriver, regular and needle-nose pliers, and wire cutters.
If you need just a simpler, much lighter, and less-expensive tool, I recommend the Leatherman Micra ($30, 2 oz.), which measures just 2.5 inches when closed and has a 1.5-inch stainless steel blade, scissors, Phillips and standard screwdrivers, bottle opener, tweezers, and a ruler and file.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking any of these links to purchase a Leatherman Wave+ at moosejaw.com or rei.com, or a Leatherman Micra at moosejaw.com or rei.com.
Camp Stove
Simplicity often reigns supreme in the backcountry, and that’s typically how I feel about a cooking stove: keep it simple, efficient, and above all, light. The MSR Pocketrocket 2 ($45, 4 oz. with plastic case, included) boils water fast, has precise flame control for simmering, holds pots of two liters or larger stably, always fires up, and packs small. That’s why it ends up in my pack on many trips. See my complete review of the MSR Pocketrocket 2.
BUY IT NOW You can support this blog by clicking any of these links to buy an MSR Pocketrocket 2 stove at moosejaw.com, ems.com, or rei.com.
You deserve a better backpack. See my “Gear Review: The 10 Best Packs For Backpacking.”
Camp Kitchen
On backpacking trips of 80 miles through the North Cascades National Park Complex and 40 miles through Utah’s Dark Canyon Wilderness, with one companion both times, I wanted a camp kitchen setup where we could boil plenty of water and cook simple dinners, while minimizing weight and bulk. Part of the solution was the MSR Big Titan Kettle ($100, 6 oz.). A simple but durable, two-liter pot with handles that fold against its sides and a secure lid with an insulated handle, it’s big enough to cook for two, light enough for solo trips—and doubles as your bowl and (giant) mug, negating the need for carrying them. It measures 6.25×4.5 inches, and I fit a small canister stove (the MSR Pocketrocket 2), a mug, and a little food inside it in my pack.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking any of these links to purchase a MSR Big Titan Kettle at moosejaw.com, sunnysports.com, or rei.com.
On numerous backpacking trips, I’ve become a fan of the packability, low weight, and high functionality of the GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Dualist cook set ($65, 1 lb. 4 oz.). A complete cooking and eating kit for two people, it includes a 1.8-liter, non-stick, hard-anodized aluminum pot that disperses heat more evenly than titanium, with a folding handle that locks in place for cooking and securing the entire kit in transit, and a strainer lid. It also has two bowls with graduations and two insulated mugs with sip-through lids, a stove bag, and a welded stuff sack that doubles as a sink for washing. The components all stack together, measuring 5.9 in x 6.4 in x 5.9 inches when packed. I don’t bother using the two telescoping Foon utensils—I’m not a fan of spoon-fork combos, and there are better backcountry utensils (see below). But that doesn’t diminish the value, low weight, packability, and functionality of this kit.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking any of these links to purchase a GSI Pinnacle Dualist cook set at moosejaw.com, ems.com, or rei.com.
When convenience and packability take priority over weight, my pick is the Sea to Summit X-Set 31 ($110, 1 lb. 6 oz., for two to four people). The set’s 2.8L/3-quart pot is made with collapsible, heat-resistant, food-grade silicone walls that lock in place, and a 6063-T6, hardened alloy aluminum base. I’ve boiled water, cooked pasta, soups, mac ‘n’ cheese and other messy dinners and found the pot easy to clean, and pouring hot water from the pot was a breeze, with no spills. Both of the 0.7L/22-oz. X-Bowls and 0.5L/16-oz. X-Mugs have collapsible sides, allowing them to nest inside the X-Pot; the entire set packs down to 8.4 inches in diameter and 1.5 inches tall.
See my complete review of the Sea to Summit X-Pot Set 31.
On backpacking trips in Wyoming’s Wind River Range and Utah’s Dark Canyon Wilderness, the similarly collapsible Sea to Summit X-Seal & Go Cup ($17, 3 oz. medium, 4 sizes) became my go-to mug for hot drinks. Made of durable nylon and food-grade silicone, and holding 14 fluid ounces (415ml) when opened, the cup has a threaded lid that forms an airtight seal to keep a drink or food hot, and it’s calibrated to use as a measuring cup. Collapsed, it measures slightly more than a half-inch (17mm) thick. The X-Seal & Go cups all nest inside the next-largest size.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking any of these links to buy the Sea to Summit X-Set 31 or other X-Pot sets at moosejaw.com or rei.com, and any size Sea to Summit X-Seal & Go Cup or individual X-Cups at moosejaw.com, ems.com, or rei.com.
Be comfortable on your hikes. See my review of “The 5 Best Rain Jackets For the Backcountry.”
Utensil
You gotta eat, and I extend my preference for carrying the bare necessities in gear right down to my eating utensils.
My top picks are:
The Light My Fire Spork ($3, 0.5 oz.), which is the cheapest option short of disposable plastic ware (which won’t last nearly as long).
The smart, indestructible, and lightweight Optimus Sliding Long Spoon ($8, 0.5 oz.), which, at under seven inches long, is ideal for eating from a bowl or mug, but extends to over nine inches for digging into a food pouch.
And the very packable Jetboil Jetset Utensil Kit ($10, 1.3 oz. for all three pieces), which includes a collapsible spoon, fork, and spatula (I don’t often carry the spatula, but sometimes it’s handy).
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking any of these links to purchase a Light My Fire Spork at rei.com, an Optimus Sliding Long Spoon at moosejaw.com, a Jetboil Jetset Utensil Kit at outdoorplay.com or rei.com.
Plan your next great backpacking adventure in Yosemite and other flagship parks using my expert e-guides.
If you own an MSR liquid-fuel stove, the nine-inch (23cm) stainless steel MSR Alpine Long Tool Spoon ($10, 1.5 oz.) is good not only for digging out food at the bottom of deep mugs or pouches without getting your fingers in your meal (or food on your gloves), its handle doubles as a jet and cable tool for repairing your stove. In a pinch, you could also use this sturdy utensil as a deadman to help stake out a tent in snow or with rocks.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking this link to purchase an MSR Alpine Long Tool Spoon at ems.com.
I can help you plan the best backpacking, hiking, or family adventure of your life. Find out more here.
Water Bag
No one likes carrying a large amount of water very far in the backcountry, but when I have to do it, I use an MSR Dromedary. Available in three sizes, 10 liter ($50, 10 oz.), 6 liter ($45, 9 oz.) and 4 liter ($40, 7 oz.), these tough sacks have never sprung a leak inside my backpack, thanks to 1,000-denier fabric (that’s BPA-free) and a tight seal on the screw cap. Strong perimeter webbing makes it easier to carry or hang in camp, and when empty, they roll up compactly for storage in your pack. Every backpacker should own one; there will come a day that you’ll need it—whether you like it or not.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking either of these links to buy an MSR Dromedary at moosejaw.com or rei.com.
Lightweight Gloves
Even in summer in the mountains, you often need a pair of light gloves to fend off cool temps, wind, and rain, and the Seirus SoundTouch WindStopper All Weather Glove ($50, 2 oz.) is a great pick. They’ve proven ideal for me in cool temps on backpacking trips from late May in Utah’s Dark Canyon Wilderness to September in the Wind River Range, and on chilly trail runs. The WindStopper fabric used in the hand section of the glove (but not in the short, wicking gauntlet) is waterproof—which many lightweight gloves are not—the forefinger has touchscreen sensitivity, and the ToughTek palm adds durability.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking this link to purchase a pair of Seirus SoundTouch WindStopper All Weather Gloves at ems.com.
When you’re hiking or running in temps from around freezing into the 40s, the Black Diamond Mont Blanc Gloves ($25, 2 oz.) hit a sweet spot for high breathability with some weather resistance. A weather-resistant shell fabric on the back of the hand and digits sheds light precipitation and blocks some wind, while the stretch palm and cuff release perspiration and dry quickly; and the cuff seals snugly around the wrist. A silicone grip pattern covers the entire palm and grabbing side of the digits, for easily holding onto poles and bottles. And the thumb and forefinger tips have excellent touchscreen sensitivity. Sizing is average, with a skin-tight fit that doesn’t feel too tight because of the stretch, which also helps accommodate different hand types.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking any of these links to purchase the Black Diamond Mont Blanc Gloves at moosejaw.com or ems.com.
Bear Canister
A bear canister is required in an increasing number of public lands, among them California’s High Sierra (including the John Muir Trail, Yosemite, and Sequoia-Kings Canyon national parks) and in some campsites in Olympic and Grand Teton national parks. A canister also provides convenient, infallible food storage anywhere. Made from an impregnable transparent polycarbonate, the Bear Vault BV500 ($80, 2 lbs. 8 oz.) stores up to a week’s worth of food for one person (with judicious packing), has clear walls for finding items, and has two tabs in the screw-top lid to provide redundant protection against a bear getting into it.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking any of these links to purchase a Bear Vault BV500 bear canister at moosejaw.com or rei.com.
Lightweight First-Aid Kit
A first-aid kit can seem like something that just adds bulk and weight to a pack without getting used—but when you really need one, you don’t want to be without it. The compact but well-designed Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight Watertight .9 Medical Kit ($36, 12 oz.) resolves questions of utility versus weight. Contained in two layers of waterproof packaging in this kit are various wraps and bandages, a trauma pad and wide elastic wraps, blister treatment, an irrigation syringe and wound closure strips, medications for diarrhea, stomach issues, pain, and inflammation, and, of course, a mini roll of duct tape. I suggest adding a small tube of antibiotic ointment, but otherwise, this is a complete first-aid kit that doesn’t occupy excessive pack space.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking either of these links to purchase a nture Medical Kits Ultralight Watertight .9 Medical Kit at ems.com or moosejaw.com.
Protect your expensive gear when traveling. See my “Review: The Best Gear Duffles and Luggage.”
Hydration Bladder
Hydration bladders have largely differed in capacity and durability, and shared the trait of being inconvenient to clean. The Gregory 3D Hydro hydration bladder ($34, 3L/100 oz., 6 oz.) stands out for being designed with ease of use as priority one. Made with flexible, durable, and light metallocene PE, with an internal divider that stands up when empty, this bladder can be left uncapped to dry out like a hard-sided water bottle after use—the best way to prevent the growth of bacteria that can quickly ruin a bladder.
Its magnetized bite valve comes with a magnetized mating clip that mounts onto the sternum strap of almost any pack, holding the hose in place when hiking (although the magnet doesn’t hold when hiking hard or running); and the valve has a sliding lock to prevent leakage and dripping. Plus, the lightweight, plastic frame at the top end of the bladder provides a handle for easily refilling it—although I found it can be tricky to top off—and has a rectangular slot large enough to quickly clip a bladder inside a pack’s sleeve. Lastly, a plastic hangar at the point where the hose attaches near the bottom of the bladder rotates outward for hanging it to dry. All in all, a very smart reinvention of a standard hiking tool.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking either of these links to purchase a 2L or 3L Gregory 3D Hydro hydration bladder at moosejaw.com or ems.com.
From a four-day, 25-mile backpacking trip on the Thunder River-Deer Creek Loop off the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, to a three-day, 39-mile backpacking trip in Wind River Range, and numerous dayhikes, I’ve found the CamelBak Crux 3L Reservoir ($35, 3L/100 oz., 8 oz.) as tough and utilitarian as they come.
The self-sealing mouthpiece valve delivers water quickly and never leaked or dripped when I left it unlocked, and the cap reliably screwed on tightly and leak-free every time. The valve locking mechanism shifts easily using one hand. It has a baffle to minimize sloshing, a push-button release of the hose for cleaning, and Hydroguard antimicrobial treatment in the reservoir and tube to inhibit bacterial growth. Plus, you’d have to make a concerted effort to puncture or damage this polyurethane bladder.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking either of these links to purchase a 2L or 3L CamelBak Crux Reservoir at moosejaw.com or ems.com.
Low Gaiters
For three-season backpacking, low gaiters (not high ones, like you’d use in winter) are indispensable for helping to keep feet dry in rain or when wet trailside vegetation constantly brushes your lower legs, or for simply keeping stones and other detritus out of your boots. Get a model that’s tough and water-resistant but reasonably breathable, like the Outdoor Research Flex-Tex II Gaiters ($55, 6 oz.). Made with an abrasion-resistant nylon, they have a hook-and-loop closure reinforced with top and bottom tabs, a drawcord top to seal them tight, and a durable BioThane instep strap that won’t get shredded by talus, scree, or rocky trail.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking this link to purchase the Outdoor Research Flex-Tex II Gaiters at moosejaw.com or outdoorresearch.com.
Got an all-time favorite campsite? See “Tent Flap With a View: 25 Favorite Backcountry Campsites.”
Collapsible Water Bottle
There have been other collapsible water bottles, but the wide-mouth HydraPak Stash Bottle 1L ($25, 3 oz.) has a distinctive, solid plastic top and base, giving it rigidity when filled with water. That means you can stand it up, which translates to convenience in the backcountry. When empty, the flexible walls collapse and the base clicks into the top, shrinking it down to slightly larger than a hockey puck for stowing away in your pack. Plus, the Stash Bottle is BPA and PVC free. The 750ml Stash bottle is $20.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking either of these links to purchase a HydraPak Stash Bottle 1L at moosejaw.com, or a 750ml Stash bottle at moosejaw.com.
Water Filter Bottle
The convenience factor of the LifeStraw Go Water Bottle With 2-Stage Filtration ($45, 8 oz.) has lightened my pack weight by letting me carry less water—and it’s not because I drink any less. The ease and quickness of dipping, filling, and immediately drinking from the 22-ounce Go bottle—and not having to take time to treat water with a traditional filter—means that, wherever there are fairly frequent water sources along a hike, I can chug some water at the creek, top off the bottle, and resume hiking. Consequently, I don’t end up treating more water than I’ll need before reaching the next source, and my pack’s lighter. The LifeStraw Go’s two-stage, hollow-fiber, 0.2-micron filter membrane with activated carbon removes virtually all bacteria, protozoa like giardia and cryptosporidium, and organic chemicals like pesticides and herbicides.
See my complete review of the LifeStraw Go Water Bottle With 2-Stage Filtration.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking either of these links to purchase a LifeStraw Go Water Bottle With 2-Stage Filtration at moosejaw.com or rei.com.
Water Filters
I don’t like chores, especially any that I have to do before, during, or at the end of a long day of hiking. That’s why I prefer gear that does the work for me, like the Katadyn Base Camp Pro 10L Gravity Filter ($100, 12 oz.)—which is my default water filter of choice on trips with two to five people. Assembly takes less than a minute, then fill the bag with water (one fill accommodates the group), hang it from a branch, and hold a bladder or bottle at the end of the outlet hose; the 0.2-micron, pleated glass-fiber filter dispenses a liter of treated water in a minute or less. Caveat: Use it only with clear mountain water; silted water (think glaciated and desert rivers) clogs it fast.
See my complete review of the Katadyn Base Camp Pro 10L Gravity Filter.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking any of these links to buy a Katadyn Base Camp Pro 10L Gravity Filter at moosejaw.com, nrs.com, or rei.com.
Of course, there are times when you need a pump water filter in the backcountry, such as when dealing with silted water, or when you have to treat a large amount of water (for a group of three or more people or when water sources are far apart). The MSR Hyperflow Microfilter ($100, 9 oz.) stands out for its speed and compact size. Measuring just 7×3.5 ins., and lighter than many competitors, this hollow-fiber filter pumps three liters per minute, removing protozoa, bacteria, and particulate matter (though not viruses or chemicals), and leaves no taste. It comes with a Quick-Connect Bottle Adapter for pumping directly into a variety of containers, including all MSR hydration bladders and Nalgene bottles.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking any of these links to buy an MSR Hyperflow Microfilter at moosejaw.com, ems.com, or rei.com.
It’s hard to beat the speed, convenience, and packability of the Katadyn BeFree Water Filtration System 0.6L bottle ($40, 2.5 oz.). Measuring just 9x3x3 inches and weighing under three ounces, it filters up to two liters per minute just by squeezing the collapsible, BPA-free flask, delivering a strong stream of water. It will even pour through the mouthpiece—albeit more slowly than squeezing, of course—by just tilting it upside-down, even when the bottle is nearly empty.
The .01-micron microfilter protects against harmful organisms like bacteria and cysts and has a projected life of 1,000 liters. Replacing the filter is easy—it pops out and a new one pops in. No backflushing or tools needed. Clean it occasionally by swishing the EZ-Clean Membrane around in water. For long-term storage, clean the filter by squeezing a flask full of clean (tap) water containing either one Micropur tablet or four drops of bleach through the filter.
There’s also the larger BeFree Water Filtration System 1L ($45), BeFree Water Filtration System 3L ($60), and ultra-convenient Gravity BeFree Water Filtration System 3L ($70).
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking any of these links to purchase a Katadyn BeFree Water Filtration System 0.6L bottle, 1L bottle, or 3L bottle at moosejaw.com, or a BeFree Water Filtration System 3L or Gravity BeFree Water Filtration System 3L at rei.com.
On a 39-mile, mid-September backpacking trip in Wyoming’s Wind River Range, I pulled out the pocket-size MSR TrailShot Microfilter ($50, 5 oz.) frequently to sate my thirst within seconds, enabling me to carry less water on my back. Small enough to stuff inside a side pocket on a daypack, it cranks out a liter in a minute. It’s ideal for one or two people on a fast-paced outing where time efficiency and minimizing weight are top priorities, like an ultra-dayhike, an ultralight backpacking trip where water sources are frequent, or a long trail run or adventure race. You have to get down low to the ground to place the input end of the hose in a stream or other water source and drink directly from the filter’s spout, or use the TrailShot to pump water into a bottle or bladder. It removes bacteria like E. coli and protozoa like Cryptosporidium. MSR projects its life at up to 2,000 liters.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking any of these links to buy an MSR TrailShot Microfilter at moosejaw.com, sunnysports.com, or rei.com.
Camp Chair
Light and small enough to carry into the backcountry, the Helinox Chair Zero ($120, 1 lb. 1 oz. , not including 1-oz. stuff sack) will force you to ask yourself why you’d ever tolerate squatting on a rock or log in camp again. The chair consists of a fabric seat that slips over a shock-corded pole structure that forms the chair’s back and legs; and it assembles quickly, like a hubbed tent pole system. The result is a comfortable seat that’s 20 inches wide, 19 inches deep, 25 inches tall, and whose bottom rises 11 inches above terra firma—unlike chair kits that, while less bulky, are often no lighter, and place your butt at ground level. It also, impressively, has a carrying capacity of 265 pounds, although 200-pounders might find the chair a little tippy, and packs down to 14x4x4 inches, roughly the dimensions of a modern air mattress. Unless you’re ultralight backpacking or thru-hiking, having a comfortable chair in camp may seem well worth the effort of carrying 17 ounces.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking this link to purchase a Helinox Chair Zero at moosejaw.com or rei.com.
Another comparably packable and light camp chair, the REI Flexlite Chair ($100, 1 lb., not including one-ounce stuff sack), assembles and packs away just as easily as the Helinox Chair Zero—for 20 bucks less. The ripstop nylon mesh seat fabric breathes well, there’s a little pocket for a book, and the aluminum frame appears sturdy. REI claims it has a weight capacity of 250 pounds, but I found it a bit more wobbly than the Chair Zero under the weight of my 160 pounds—although a friend weighing around 180 sat in and liked it.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking this link to purchase an REI Flexlite Chair at rei.com.
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Windproof, Waterproof Emergency Matches
The UCO Titan Matches ($10, 3 oz.). will fire up in any downpour, no matter how wet. Each thick, four-inch-long match provides 25 seconds of wind and waterproof burning; they even relight after being submerged in water. The kit includes 12 matches, three replaceable strikers, a waterproof case that floats, and a cord that attaches to a lanyard.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking this link to purchase UCO Titan Matches at rei.com.
Sun and Bug Hats
On hot days from the Grand Canyon in spring and fall to the intense alpine sun in mountains like the High Sierra, I always wear a wide-brim hat to keep my squash from baking—which makes a big difference in how I feel over the course of hours hiking in such heat. And my pick is the Outdoor Research Papyrus Brim Sun Hat ($34, 3 oz.). The well-ventilated paper straw fabric allows air to pass through and my head to release heat, keeping me cooler, and the Supplex lining keeps sweat out of my eyes. It’s rated UPF 50+ for sun protection, the removable chin cord keeps strong gusts from stealing it, and it doesn’t bump against the top of my backpack when I’m hiking.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking any of these links to purchase an Outdoor Research Papyrus Brim Sun Hat at moosejaw.com, outdoorresearch.com, or rei.com.
Sometimes we wander into beautiful places in nature that are @#&*! full of biting insects. When the bugs are robbing you of your happy face, bust out an Outdoor Research Bug Helios Hat ($55, 4 oz.). It’s first and foremost a sun hat, with breathable, wicking fabric and a UPF rating of 50+ (although it’s not as cool as OR’s Papyrus Brim Sun Hat, above). But when the skeeters and other tiny nasties crash the party, just release the no-see-um bug mesh. It hangs over your face, head, and neck while the hat’s brim keeps it off your face, and tucks away unnoticed when unneeded. While the mesh has a gauzy effect that makes it a little difficult to see fine details in the landscape, it sure beats eating bugs.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking any of these links to purchase an Outdoor Research Bug Helios Hat at moosejaw.com or outdoorresearch.com.
Flask
Got a favorite sipping beverage you like to have in the backcountry? Mine is single malt scotch whisky, and I carry it in a GSI Glacier Stainless Hip Flask ($30, 7.5 oz., 6 fl. oz., 4×1.2×5 ins.). With a mouth wide enough to pour into directly from the bottle, this stainless-steel flask has a leashed screw cap and a classic, curved shaped, and comes with a soft stuff sack. Steel is heavy, yes, but leaves no taste like plastic can. One caveat: With such a narrow base, it’s tippy, so adhere to the rule that one never sets a flask down with its cap open.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking this link to purchase a GSI Glacier Stainless Hip Flask at campsaver.com.
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See also my recommended backpacking gear checklist and menus of all of my reviews of backpacks, backpacking boots, hiking shoes, tents, and sleeping bags.
Want to make your pack lighter and all of your backpacking trips more enjoyable? See my story “A Practical Guide to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking.” If you don’t have a paid subscription to The Big Outside, you can read part of that story for free, or click here to download that full story without having a paid membership.
NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See my Gear Reviews page at The Big Outside for categorized menus of all of my reviews and my expert buying tips.
