Here’s a simple list of ways to store camping chairs that keeps them clean and protects them from the elements.

Don’t overthink this! Storing camp chairs isn’t rocket science. My advice is to just pick one of these ways and be done with it.

1. Use a Camping Chair Wall Storage Rack

Storing your camping chairs on the wall using this wall storage rack will save floor space and keep them easily accessible. My advice: hang it up in your garage or shed. This one can hold up to 4 large camping chairs, and looks to be quite easy to install.

2. Store Camping Chairs in Storage Bins

This is personally how I store my camping chairs — I just throw them in my camping gear box!

I recommend labeling your storage bins or keeping a simple spreadsheet to help you know what’s in them. Trust me — from years of running an outdoor gear blog I’ve accumulated SO. MUCH. GEAR. My spreadsheet that tells me which gear is in which storage bin has been a lifesaver.

3. Put Them in an Outdoor Storage Container

Invest in an outdoor storage container specifically designed for camping gear, such as this small “deck box.” One of these containers can keep your camping chairs (mostly) protected from the elements. Don’t forget to get a good padlock for extra security!

4. Keep Camp Chairs in Your Garage

Utilize a spare corner, hanger, or storage shelf in your garage to store your camping chairs. No fancy storage bin needed, just leave it there until you need it!

If you want to protect it a bit, you can cover it with a tarp or other protective cover.

5. Hang Lightweight Camping & Backpacking Chairs on the Wall with Command Hooks

Add one more thing to the endless list of Command Hook uses — hanging camping chairs. Command Hooks are a good option if you don’t want to damage your wall.

Pay attention to the maximum weight of the size you decide to go with. Some options can hold a max of 5 pounds which is adequate for small, lightweight camping and backpacking chairs (like the green REI Flexlite Chair in my pictures), but probably not burly enough for larger camping and tailgating chairs.

6. Slide Camping Chairs Under Your Bed

If you’re tight on storage space (like I am living in a 700-square-foot house), you can just slide your camping chairs under your bed.

7. Compress Them in a Vacuum Storage Bag

Vacuum storage bags are a great way to store camping chairs when you’re short on space. These bags will compress the chairs to a fraction of their original size, allowing you to store them in a much smaller space.

Plus, you can throw in other bulky pieces of camping gear like blankets. You might be tempted to also throw in things like jackets and sleeping bags, but vacuum storing sleeping bags and jackets will compress their insulation and reduce there ability to retain warmth. For that reason, I’d avoid it for those pieces of gear.

8. Put Them in Your Backyard Storage Shed

Your backyard shed is a perfect place to keep camping chairs when they’re not needed. Heck, putting them there might even cause you to use them more if they’re closer to your backyard campfire. The shed will protect them from the elements, and putting them there will keep them from cluttering up your house or garage.

When I went to my shed, I even found a little screw to even hang my chair from. Talk about nifty.

9. Put Them in a Storage Closet

I hate to be Captain Obvious here, but there’s nothing wrong with throwing your camping chairs in a linen closet! This will keep them out of the way and protected from dust and other debris. And this means they’re indoors, which will protect them more from humidity.

10. Toss Them in Your Trunk

Lastly, why not throw your camping chair(s) in your car trunk? That way you always have them when you go to the park, to a tailgate, or on an impromptu camping trip!

5 Tips for Storing Camping Chairs

1. Clean your camping chairs before putting them in long-term storage.
2. Make sure your chairs are completely dry before storing them.
3. If using a bin, label it! Like I said, if you want to get really nerdy, you can use a spreadsheet to keep track of what’s in which box. That’s what I do to manage all the gear I buy and test for this blog.
4. When possible, store them in a dry, cool, and well-ventilated area.
5. If you’re storing your camp chairs in a storage bin, you can buy silica gel packets to absorb moisture.

How to Clean Camping Chairs Before Putting Them in Storage

When storing camping chairs long-term, one important step that many people overlook is cleaning the chairs before putting them away. Not only will this help to keep your chairs in good condition, but it will also make sure that they’re clean and ready to use the next time you go camping. And who doesn’t like a clean chair to rest their bum at camp!

Personally, I like to start by giving my camping chairs a good once-over with a vacuum cleaner to remove any loose dirt or debris. Then, if I’m feeling up for it, I mix up a mild solution of dish soap and water and use a damp cloth to wipe down all surfaces of the chairs, including the seats, arms, and legs. For tougher stains or dirt, I use an old toothbrush (that I just keep in my camping gear bin) to scrub gently in order to get into all the nooks and crannies.

It’s also a good idea to pay attention to any metal parts of the chairs, such as the frame or any hinges. These areas can often get rusty or dirty, so I like to use a toothbrush to clean them and then dry them thoroughly to prevent rust.

Once I finish cleaning, I let the chairs air dry completely before storing them away. Just keep them assembled in your living room or garage for a few hours and that should do the trick. This is especially important if you’re storing the chairs in a damp or humid area, as moisture can cause mildew or mold to form.

It can be a little tedious, but cleaning camping chairs before storing them helps them last longer. It also helps the metal parts from getting all rusted and gummed up. It may take a bit of extra time and effort, but it’s well worth it when you’re ready to use them on your next camping trip.

Camping Chair Storage FAQ

How do you store folding camp chairs in the garage?

Storing folding camp chairs in the garage is easy! I give my chairs a quick clean and then store them in a labeled bin or on a spare storage shelf. I keep them in a dry and well ventilated area of the garage to ensure they stay in good condition for my next camping trip.

How do you hang camping chairs on a wall?

You can hang camping chairs on a wall using Command Hooks or wall hangers designed specifically for that purpose.

The post How to Store Camping Chairs: 10 Ideas appeared first on 99Boulders.

Last updated: Feb 23, 2022. We want to keep this directory current. If you notice any omissions, broken links, or other errors, please leave a comment letting us know.

List Filters

This directory is looong. We recommend using the filters below to narrow down the results.

Ultralight Backpacking Gear Companies

How to Use This List

Note: If you're seeing this section instead of seeing any results, it means there weren't any companies that matched your filter parameters. Give it another go.

This directory is so large that we do not recommend anyone simply scroll through the entire thing. Your finger would get tired before you even reached the Bs.

Instead, we recommend you use the list filters at the top of the page to narrow down the results to the companies that sell the type of ultralight backpacking gear you're looking for. You can filter the results by gear, country, and company type.

Once you've trimmed down the results, you can then browse through the more manageable amount of listings. Find a company that fits your needs and visit their site to see their specific gear offerings.

Shout-outs

A special thanks to programmer extraordinaire and great friend Youssef Biaz for whipping up the JavaScript to make this directory filterable

This directory took many, many hours to put together, but it would not have been nearly as comprehensive had I not had plenty of shoulders to stand on. Here are the resources I used as starting points in my research that were particularly helpful:

• Eric the Black's Directory of Cottage Industry Backpacking Gear Companies
• Section Hiker's Backpacking Manufacturers Directory
• dummey's Ultralight Directory on GitHub
• unicode25a0's List of Cottage Industry/Bespoke Manufacturers on reddit
• Alpine Science's Backpacking Gear Company Directory
• Cottage Gear Makers by Anonymous
• Awesome Companies Mega List by Anonymous

And psst, you, reader—don't forget to comment below if you notice any errors or omissions.

The post Ultralight Backpacking Gear Companies: The Complete List (Updated 2022) appeared first on 99Boulders.

The temperature is dropping, wind speeds are climbing, and snow is expected to fall in the highlands. Yet I refuse to retire my tent to the gear shed. Sure, winter is coming, but that never means it’s time to stop camping.

Trust me, I spend half the year in Durango, CO. I summit 14ers at night. I know a thing or two about how to stay warm in a tent.

Stop shivering yourself to sleep. Follow these 11 tips and feel as cozy as a flame-engulfed marshmallow all night long.

1. Take Care of Yourself While on the Trail

Our bedtime experience is directly correlated with how we treat ourselves during the day. Stay hydrated, keep your body fueled and don’t get sunburned. While it’s easy to neglect personal care for the sake of a few extra miles, all that wear and tear is going to catch up with you, in the form of a freezing cold and bad night’s sleep.

2. Get a Good Sleeping Pad

Your sleeping pad is all that is separating your body from the cold, hard ground. If you skimp on your pad you could wake up in the middle of the night shivering cold — that is, if you’re able to fall asleep at all.

In particular, get a sleeping pad with an R-value (or temperature rating) appropriate for the temperatures you’ll be camping in. For our recommendations, check out our guide to the best backpacking sleeping pads.

3. Choose Your Campsite Wisely

Knowing how the weather behaves in certain areas is the foundation to keeping warm while camping. Cold air sinks and hot air rises, so the valley floor (which also can act as a wind tunnel) is going to feel like a patch of the arctic.

What’s more, the highest points are often exposed to windy and potentially dangerous weather conditions. Avoid the windchill and pick a protected mid-elevation point.

4. Fill a Water Bottle with Hot Water

The crotch bottle, or belly bottle, is a classic warm body trick. Right before you go to bed, boil water on your backpacking stove, fill your Nalgene and shove it inside your sleeping bag. This makeshift heating pad can be tucked right up against your belly or shoved inside the front of your long johns. It’s an easy way to generate instant heat in your bag that will last all night.

Does sticking a water bottle against your crotch sound gross? Great! Now nobody will ask for a swig from your bottle during the day. Win, win.

5. Eat a Hearty Dinner and Drink Warm Liquids

I don’t know about you, but one of my favorite things about backpacking is the amount of rich, fatty, butter-filled foods I can consume without guilt. Hiking in winter temperatures means that your body may need up to 6,000 calories per day.

Plan meals high in fat, which provides more than double the amount of calories per gram than protein or carbohydrates. They’ll warm your body like an internal furnace.

6. Keep Your Head and Feet Covered and Dry

Most heat escapes your body through the bottom of your feet and the top of your head. To prevent this, wear a dry, thick pair of hiking socks and a warm hat to bed for extra insulation right where it matters. Don’t sleep in the socks you hiked in, though, as sweaty socks are a night ruiner.

To reduce the temptation of wearing the same socks, designate a pair of sacred sleep socks that never leave the bottom of your sleeping bag. In the morning, just roll them up and pack them in with the sleeping bag. Having a permanently dry pair of socks will also give you something to look forward to at night.

7. Prep Your Tomorrow Clothes

Make it easy to start the day warm.

If the clothes you plan to wear tomorrow are dry, shove them inside the bag with you. It’ll add a few extra insulating layers to your sleep den. Plus, having warm clothes to change into will make the whole getting-ready-for-the-day thing more bearable.

If your tomorrow clothes are damp or wet, avoid balling them up in a corner where they will retain that moisture and possibly freeze stiff. Fan them out on the floor of your tent or hang them if possible.

8. Actually Use Your Mummy Bag

If you’re complaining about the cold and I can see more than your little nose and mouth poking out of the mummy bag, you will receive no sympathy from me.

I get it, you’re bunching up the extra fabric of the hood to create a pillow for your head. It’s a great way to ensure you wake up to the sound of your own teeth chattering.

Conquer your fears of claustrophobia and use your sleeping bag as it was designed. Wrap your face with the insulated hood and be amazed at how big of a difference it makes. But don’t burrow — keep both your nose and mouth outside the bag to avoid creating excess moisture on the inside via your breath.

9. Change Out of Your Day Clothes

When you’re exhausted from a full day of hiking, it’s easy to get lazy about hygiene. I’ve skipped teeth brushing in the backcountry more times than I’d like to admit.

Even still, I make it a rule to never sleep in the sweaty, wet clothes that I hiked in. Besides being gross, it’ll drop your core body temperature and make it difficult to fall asleep.

10. Fluff Your Sleeping Bag

When your sleeping bag is squished into a compression sack for 16 hours a day, the insulation will quickly flatten. This can make even a -30F rated bag feel cold in 60F weather.

As part of your bedtime routine, take time to fluff your sleeping bag and shake up that internal insulation, also checking to make sure it’s evenly distributed. If you have time in the morning or on sunny rest days, it can also be a good idea to let it dry out in the sun.

11. Play the Naked Game

No, not that one. 

While many people recommend a set of 50 jumping jacks before launching under the covers to heat your core body temperature…I think jumping jacks are stupid. Plus, getting yourself sweaty before bed is the exact opposite of what you want to do.

Instead, play the Naked Game!

How to play: Hop in your sleeping bag wearing what you intend to sleep in. Zip the sleeping bag up all the way and, from the inside of your sleeping bag, strip down to your birthday suit. Once that’s done, try to put all your clothes back on. All that squirming around in your bag will generate heat (and good laughs) in the exact place you need it to be — your sleeping bag.

For added fun, race your friends and challenge the comfort level of all your relationships!

The post How I Stay Warm in My Tent: 11 Tips from a Colorado Backpacker appeared first on 99Boulders.

“I hate my Chacos.” Why. “They don’t fit my feet right.”

I swear, if one more person tells me that, I’m going to have to write an instructional article about it…

Here’s the thing — your Chacos will fit. You’re just having a hard time pulling at those straps. Somebody has either lied to you about 1) the incredible adjustability of your new favorite adventure shoe or 2) your “impressive” finger strength. I’m not in any place to say which.

Chaco straps are incredibly easy to adjust when you first get them. But then they stick.

What is sticking? It’s the reason that you just threw your shoe across the room in frustration. They won’t move. They won’t loosen. They’re stuck.

Luckily for you, there is an easy fix to loosen them right up.

How to Un-stick Your Chaco Straps

For the sake of this demonstration, I took my Chaco Z2 sandals and flattened the toe loop, conveniently turning them into a makeshift pair of Chaco Z1s (because the main difference between the two is the toe loop). I then sat them out in the sun, rain and darkness. The straps got stuck and were cranky when I tried to make any adjustments.

How do I bring my toe loop back to its proper form?

Materials

• Squirt bottle
• Liquid fabric softener
• Water

Instructions

1) Fill a squirt bottle with a solution of half water/half liquid fabric softener

You won’t need much here. A couple of ounces will do the trick. We didn’t have any fabric softener on hand, but we did have Tide Pods, which come with fabric softener in them. If using Tide Pods like me, pop that sucker like a zit and mix it in your squirt bottle.

2) Squirt your solution down into the footbed of your stuck Chaco strap

3) Wait 1-2 minutes

You can use this time to clean up the incredible mess you made with the squirt bottle.

4) Pull with moderate effort on the strap in question

If you’re grunting like you’re maxing out in the weight room, you’ve gone too far dude. You should take a look at the next step.

5) If that doesn’t work, try twisting the strap as you pull

Tada! Adjustable Chaco straps. (If the strap still doesn’t release, repeat steps 2-4.)

6) Give your Chacos a good rinse and let them sit out in the sun to dry

FAQs

1) Why did my Chaco straps stick in the first place?

The idea behind the Chaco sandal is that once you find your perfect fit, they stay at your perfect fit. The straps sit very tightly in the foot bed and for whatever reason, they may snag or catch and get “stuck”. Squirting in the fabric softener will allow them to release. Sort of like that time when you were a kid and you stuck your head in the stair banister even though everybody warned you not to…and then it got stuck so your mom coated your head with butter to get you free. It’s almost exactly like that.

2) I feel like I’m going to rip the strap if I keep tugging. Should I keep pulling?

No. Stop. You’re done, Hulk. If your straps still won’t move after you’ve squirted in the solution and waited, repeat steps 2-4 until they loosen up. If they STILL don’t loosen up, read the next question and answer.

3) I still can’t get it. Can’t somebody else un-stick my straps for me?

Actually yes, you can send those bad boys right back where they came from by heading over to Chaco’s website and filling out a Repair Authorization Form. Just indicate that your Chaco straps are stuck and maybe let some of your frustration tears drip on the hand-written letter you’ve included with it.

The post Are Your Chaco Straps Stuck? Here’s How to Un-Stick Them appeared first on 99Boulders.

A bland camping or backpacking meal can always be spiced up a bit with some condiments. And of all the ways to carry condiments on the trail, taking condiment packets might just be the most convenient.

After all, they’re lightweight and leakproof. Plus, since they’re sealed they won’t spoil.

Here are 4 places you can find or buy condiment packets for your next camping or backpacking trip.

1. Pick Them Up for Free at Your Fast Food Joint of Choice

Before hitting the trail you can head to your favorite fast food joint to pick up a meal or a nearby gas station to pick up some trail snacks.

Then pay a visit to the condiment station and grab some extra packets of your favorites.

Some restaurants and gas stations have a better selection than others. Next time you head to one keep an eye out for which condiments they have. Eventually you’ll find a favorite.

(My personal favorite is Chick-Fil-A because they have Texas Pete Hot Sauce and individual hand sanitizing wipes.)

Though free, this route has a sticking point for some:

Understandably, some hikers view taking extra packets as stealing. Debates have been had on the ethics of it.

If that’s you and you want to avoid doing something you view as unethical, you’ll love the next option.

2. Order Condiment Packets for Cheap from Minimus.biz

As one forum commenter put it, Minimus.biz is a “hiker’s treasure trove.”

Minimus.biz is a site where you can buy travel-sized versions of nearly everything, from condiments to creamers to conditioner.

The Food & Beverage section of the site is a gold mine for backpackers. There you’ll find packets of the most sought after condiments in the backpacking world for reasonable prices — things like Marconi Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Texas Pete Hot Sauce.

Browse around for even a short amount of time and you’re likely to strike gold. In a few minutes of perusing I found individual packets of A1 Steak Sauce and some cheap nut butter packets.

The site is pretty affordable, and it even offers free shipping on all orders over just $20 to the continental US.

I’ve read about some backpackers who place a large bulk order with the site every so often. That’s how they get their condiment fix.

The best part?

No ethical dilemma to worry about.

3. Buy Condiment Packets in Bulk from — Where Else? — Amazon

I personally prefer buying condiment packets from Minimus.biz since they tend to have better prices on my favorites, but you can also find some good offerings on Amazon. Amazon’s tend to be available in large quantities only, but they work out to great per-packet prices.

200 packets of Texas Pete Hot Sauce? Oh baby!

A 150-packet variety pack of ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise? It must be my lucky day.

There are also more modest amounts of most condiments, such as 6 packets of Marconi Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

4. Visit Your Local Outfitter for a Limited Selection of Condiments

My local REI carries sriracha and nut butter packets. Though it’s likely to be a limited selection, it’s worth calling or paying a visit to your local outfitter and seeing what condiments they carry.

Or You Can Repackage Condiments from Your Pantry into Trail-Friendly Containers

Individual packets are convenient, but there’s another route altogether.

You can easily repackage the oils, sauces, and condiments you already have at home into lightweight, leakproof containers such as Nalgene travel bottles.

(Here’s an article of ours with even more ideas for containers.)

Individual packets are slightly lighter but more expensive on a per unit basis. The right method for you comes down to your personal preference.

If you’re new to backpacking, give each method a try and see what you like.

The Bottom Line

There are a number of places to get condiment packets for camping and backpacking:

• Your favorite gas station or fast food joint
• Sites like Minimus.biz and Amazon
• Your local outfitter
• Your pantry (requires repackaging)

For my own camping and backpacking trips I get condiments from all of these places.

Sometimes I’ll pick up extra hot sauce packets from Chick-Fil-A. Occasionally I’ll place an order for olive oil packets on Minimus.biz. When I stop at REI I might grab some nut butter packets. Other times I’ll repackage hot sauce or olive oil into a small travel Nalgene.

May your trail food be bland no longer.

Related Articles

• 5 Leakproof Containers for Carrying Oils & Sauces When Backpacking
• 4 Easy DIY Backpacking Spice Blends for Instant Flavor on the Trail
• Backpacking Food 101—100 Food Ideas for Beginner Backpackers
• 10 Best Mountain House Meals—Ranked!
• 10 Best Backpacker’s Pantry Meals—Ranked!

The post Where to Buy Condiment Packets for Camping & Backpacking appeared first on 99Boulders.

Click on a category below to jump to the foods that best fit your needs:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Snacks
• Drinks
• Ultralight
• Vegan and vegetarian
• Freeze-dried and dehydrated
• Cheap
• Spices and extras

10 Backpacking Breakfast Food Ideas

Start your day off right and energize yourself properly with these breakfast foods.

1. Granola & Muesli

Cold cereal, anyone? These are two breakfast options which can be eaten without having to bust out the PocketRocket stove. We’ve listed our favorite pre-made options below, but there are plenty of easy recipes to be found with a simple Google or Pinterest search.

Our favorites

• KIND Vanilla Blueberry Healthy Grains Clusters — 104 Cal/oz
• Nature Valley Oats ‘n Honey Granola Crunch — 126 Cal/oz
• Bob’s Red Mill Old Country Style Muesli — 113 Cal/oz
• Bob’s Red Mill Classic Granola — 116 Cal/oz

2. Dried Fruits

Our favorites

• Banana chips — 145 Cal/oz
• Dried apple slices — 69 Cal/oz
• Dates — 79 Cal/oz
• Raisins — 85 Cal/oz

3. Bars

We’ve listed below our favorite “breakfast bars,” but any bars will do. For more bar ideas check out our guide to the best energy bars.

Our favorites

• KIND Peanut Butter Breakfast Bars — 130 Cal/oz
• Nutri-Grain Strawberry Bars — 92 Cal/oz
• Quaker Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Squares — 99 Cal/oz

4. Powdered Eggs

Thought you couldn’t have eggs for breakfast while backpacking? Think again.

Popular options

• Hoosier Hill Farm Powdered Eggs — 174 Cal/oz
• OvaEasy Powdered Eggs — 187 Cal/oz

5. Fresh Fruits

They’re bulky and heavy, but fresh fruits contain important nutrients you might not be getting elsewhere and can be a great pick-me-up when you’ve been eating lots of trail food. Make sure to eat them quickly or buy fruits, such as apples, that can last a while in your pack.

Our favorites

• Apples — 15 Cal/oz
• Oranges — 13 Cal/oz
• Mangoes — 17 Cal/oz

6. Instant Oatmeal

Instant oatmeal is a classic backpacking breakfast food. All you need to do is boil some water and stir it in and you have yourself a hot breakfast.

Our favorites

• Quaker Protein Banana Nut — 112 Cal/oz
• Quaker Maple & Brown Sugar — 105 Cal/oz
• Quaker Blueberries & Cream — 105 Cal/oz

7. Pop-Tarts

Indulge the way your parents never allowed you to.

Our favorites

• Frosted Blueberry — 109 Cal/oz
• Frosted Strawberry — 109 Cal/oz
• Hot Fudge Sundae — 112 Cal/oz
• Cookies & Creme — 112 Cal/oz

8. Freeze-dried Breakfasts

Our favorites

• Good To-Go Granola — 121 Cal/oz
• Mountain House Breakfast Skillet — 162 Cal/oz
• Backpacker’s Pantry Granola with Milk and Bananas — 130 Cal/oz

9. Instant Grits

Our favorites

• Quaker Cheddar Cheese Instant Grits — 101 Cal/oz
• Bob’s Red Mill Southern Style White Corn Grits — 97 Cal/oz

10. Pancake Mix

Don’t forget that some pancake mixes call for oil, milk, and/or eggs. If yours does, pack appropriately. The options listed below are all the “just add water” variety.

Popular “just add water” options

• Kodiak Cakes Protein Packed Flapjack and Waffle Mix — 102 Cal/oz
• Mountain Standard Power On Protein Pancakes — 109 Cal/oz
• Aunt Jemima Buttermilk Complete Pancake Mix — 95 Cal/oz

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10 Backpacking Lunch Food Ideas

The best backpacking lunch foods requires zero prep, such as trail mix, or can be used to make simple no-cook meals, such as tortillas with peanut butter and jelly.

1. Nuts & Seeds

Nuts and seeds are calorie-dense and full of good fats. Eat them solo or as part of a trail mix. If you buy some raw, consider roasting them beforehand for a better flavor and crunch.

Our favorites

• Peanuts — 161 Cal/oz
• Cashews — 157 Cal/oz
• Almonds — 163 Cal/oz
• Chia seeds — 138 Cal/oz
• Sunflower seeds — 166 Cal/oz

2. Nut Butters

Plenty of nut butters come in jars, but you can reduce bulk and weight by purchasing yours in pouches (Justin’s has lots of options); carrying it in powdered form; or repackaging it in a lightweight, leakproof container.

Our favorites

• Skippy Peanut Butter — 168 Cal/oz
• Justin’s Vanilla Almond Butter — 159 Cal/oz
• Justin’s Maple Almond Butter — 168 Cal/oz

3. Fish Pouches

Fish pouches don’t have that many calories per ounce, but they do pack a lot of protein and can be used in many simple lunch and dinner recipes. Look for the pouches of fish packed in oil for the extra calories.

Our favorites

• StarKist Yellowfin Tuna in Extra Virgin Olive Oil — 73 Cal/oz
• StarKist Chunk Light Tuna in Sunflower Oil — 58 Cal/oz
• StarKist Mediterranean Style Tuna in Extra Virgin Olive Oil — 58 Cal/oz
• Chicken of the Sea Mackerel Fillet in Soybean Oil — 34 Cal/oz

4. Jerky

In my opinion jerky is one of the best backpacking foods out there. Most varieties don’t wow in the calories per ounce department, but it’s tasty, satisfying, and full of protein. Other shelf-stable meats, such as summer sausage, also work well. We conducted a blind taste test of 10 top jerky brands — check out our results here.

Our favorites

• People’s Choice Beef Jerky — 90 Cal/oz
• Oberto Thin Style Original Beef Jerky — 70 Cal/oz
• Think Jerky Turkey Jerky — 60 Cal/oz

5. Tortillas

Tortillas by themselves aren’t too appealing, but they make the perfect base for wraps, tacos, and ‘sandwiches’ while on the trail.

Popular options

• Old El Paso Flour Tortillas — 87 Cal/oz
• Ortega Whole Wheat Tortillas — 82 Cal/oz
• Mission Yellow Corn Tortillas — 66 Cal/oz

6. Bagels

Of all the different types of breads available, bagels are the most packable. You can stuff ’em in your pack and not worry that they’ll crumble to pieces. (For the calories per ounce estimates below, we used Thomas’ Bagels, a popular brand.)

Our favorite flavors

• Everything — 84 Cal/oz
• Blueberry — 84 Cal/oz
• Cinnamon Swirl — 84 Cal/oz

7. Trail Mix

Of course. I couldn’t have a list of backpacking foods without including trail mix. Make your own at home beforehand or buy a bag of it. Trader Joe’s, in particular, makes some classics.

Our favorites

• Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter Cups Trax Mix — 142 Cal/oz
• Trader Joe’s Salty, Sweet & Nutty Trek Mix — 152 Cal/oz
• Planters Nuts & Chocolate Trail Mix — 152 Cal/oz
• Kirkland Signature Trail Mix — 151 Cal/oz

8. Cheese

Only some cheeses are appropriate to take backpacking. According to The Summit Register, you should “purchase semi-firm, firm, or aged cheeses, which have a lower moisture content. They’re sturdier, and I’ve safely backpacked with them to no ill effect.”

Good backpacking cheeses

• Cheddar — 113 Cal/oz
• Manchego — 90 Cal/oz
• Aged gouda — 101 Cal/oz

9. Bars

For those looking for backpacking lunch foods you can munch on while on the move, bars are a perfect solution. Clif and Kind bars are popular options — check out our favorite Clif bar and Kind bar flavors.

Our favorites

• KIND Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt Bar — 142 Cal/oz
• PROBAR Almond Crunch Meal Bar — 123 Cal/oz
• CLIF Crunchy Peanut Butter Bar — 108 Cal/oz

10. Chicken Pouches

Like fish pouches, chicken pouches are full of protein and make a good addition to wraps and sandwiches. You can also use them in your trail dinners.

Popular options

• Valley Fresh White Chicken Pouches — 35 Cal/oz
• Tyson Premium Chunk White Chicken Pouches — 35 Cal/oz
• Sweet Sue Chicken Breast Pouches — 30 Cal/oz

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10 Backpacking Dinner Food Ideas

For backpackers who bring backpacking cookware sets, dinner is oftentimes an opportunity to relax and cook a warm, hearty meal. To that end, most of the foods in this section are intended to be good bases that you can turn into full-blown meals by simply adding extra ingredients of your choosing.

1. Couscous

Our favorites

• Near East Roasted Garlic & Olive Oil Couscous — 110 Cal/oz
• Bob’s Red Mill Golden Couscous — 105 Cal/oz
• Near East Herbed Chicken Couscous — 110 Cal/oz

2. Instant Potatoes

As with pancake mixes, some instant potatoes call for milk and/or butter. Be sure to check the preparation instructions before purchasing.

Popular options

• Bob’s Red Mill Potato Flakes — 100 Cal/oz
• Idahoan Four Cheese Mashed Potatoes — 111 Cal/oz
• Idahoan Buttery Homestyle Mashed Potatoes — 111 Cal/oz

3. Freeze-dried Meals

Freeze-dried meals are classic backpacking dinner fare, so we dedicated an entire section to them further down the page. Here we’ve just listed a few of our favorites.

Our favorites

• Mountain House Beef Stroganoff — 129 Cal/oz
• Good To-Go Thai Curry — 112 Cal/oz
• Backpacker’s Pantry Fettuccini Alfredo with Chicken — 111 Cal/oz

4. Corn Spaghetti

Corn spaghetti is highly recommended by long-distance hiker Ray Jardine in his book, Trail Life. As he puts it, “not once did [corn spaghetti] fail to provide the energy we needed, and never did we tire of eating it.”

Popular options

• Sam Mills Corn Spaghetti — 98 Cal/oz
• DeBoles Corn Spaghetti — 105 Cal/oz
• Le Veneziane Corn Spaghetti — 101 Cal/oz

5. Instant Refried Beans

Instant refried beans are a popular camping and backpacking food. They’re tasty, filling, high in fiber, calorically dense, and can be paired well with a number of other common trail foods. We recently taste tested the top brands, and you can find our rankings and reviews in our guide to the best instant refried beans.

Our favorites

• Santa Fe Bean Co. Instant Southwestern Style Refried Beans — 113 Cal/oz
• Santa Fe Bean Co. Instant Fat Free Vegetarian Refried Beans — 104 Cal/oz

6. Ramen Noodles

Love ’em or hate ’em, a package of ramen noodles is a popular backpacking dinner, and with good reason. They are lightweight, easy to prep, and frighteningly cheap.

Our favorites

• Chicken ramen — 125 Cal/oz
• Beef ramen — 125 Cal/oz

7. Instant Rice

Popular options

• Minute White Rice — 105 Cal/oz
• Uncle Ben’s Instant Brown Rice — 100 Cal/oz

8. Dehydrated & Freeze-dried Vegetables

Dehydrated veggies make great additions to most any hot backpacking dinner.

Our favorites

• Harmony House Backpacking Kit
• PackitGourmet Vegetable Blend — 10 Cal/oz
• Mountain House Fire Roasted Vegetable Blend — 117 Cal/oz

9. Mac & Cheese

The quintessential comfort food tastes that much better after a long day of trekking.

Our favorites

• Kraft Easy Mac — 102 Cal/oz
• Knorr Cheesy Cheddar Pasta — 104 Cal/oz
• Mountain House Macaroni & Cheese — 142 Cal/oz

10. Tortellini

Tortellini + rehydrated vegetables + pouched chicken + seasonings = yum.

Our favorites

• Barilla Three Cheese Tortellini — 111 Cal/oz
• Barilla Cheese & Spinach Tortellini — 111 Cal/oz
• Trader Joe’s Italian Tortellini with Mixed Cheese Filling — 113 Cal/oz

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10 Backpacking Snack Ideas

You’ll be burning so many calories per day on the trail that it’ll be important to eat enough to maintain your energy. Consistently snacking is an easy way to do that.

1. Bars

Bars make their third appearance on the list because they are simply that versatile and convenient.
There are plenty of brands and flavors, too, so it’s easy to mix things up and not grow too tired of them.

• KIND Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt Bar — 142 Cal/oz
• PROBAR Almond Crunch Meal Bar — 123 Cal/oz
• CLIF Crunchy Peanut Butter Bar — 108 Cal/oz

2. Chocolate & Candy Bars

Who doesn’t love a good Snickers bar while on the trail? If you’re hiking in warmer climates, opt for candies that are less likely to melt.

Our favorites

• Snickers — 138 Cal/oz
• Payday — 142 Cal/oz
• Peanut M&M’s — 144 Cal/oz
• Pretzel M&M’s — 132 Cal/oz

3. Roasted Chickpeas

A bag of roasted chickpeas is a great healthy backpacking snack that still packs a heavy caloric punch.

Popular options

• Biena Sea Salt Roasted Chickpeas — 125 Cal/oz
• The Good Bean Sea Salt Roasted Chickpeas — 120 Cal/oz
• Biena Honey Roasted Chickpeas — 125 Cal/oz

4. Jerky

Our favorites

• People’s Choice Beef Jerky — 90 Cal/oz
• Oberto Thin Style Original Beef Jerky — 70 Cal/oz
• Think Jerky Turkey Jerky — 60 Cal/oz

5. Chips & Crackers

Fritos and Pringles are popular trail foods, but you can also go for healthier options such as multi-grain crackers.

Our favorites

• Fritos — 160 Cal/oz
• Stacy’s Pita Chips — 130 Cal/oz
• Crunchmaster 5-Seed Multi-Grain Crackers — 132 Cal/oz
• Cheddar Cheese Pringles — 150 Cal/oz

6. Nuts & Seeds

Our favorites

• Peanuts — 161 Cal/oz
• Cashews — 157 Cal/oz
• Almonds — 163 Cal/oz
• Chia seeds — 138 Cal/oz
• Sunflower seeds — 166 Cal/oz

7. Nut Butters

Our favorites

• Skippy Peanut Butter — 168 Cal/oz
• Justin’s Vanilla Almond Butter — 159 Cal/oz
• Justin’s Maple Almond Butter — 168 Cal/oz

8. Trail Mix

Our favorites

• Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter Cups Trax Mix — 142 Cal/oz
• Trader Joe’s Salty, Sweet & Nutty Trek Mix — 152 Cal/oz
• Planters Nuts & Chocolate Trail Mix — 152 Cal/oz
• Kirkland Signature Trail Mix — 151 Cal/oz

9. Fresh Fruits & Veggies

Pack and handle your fresh foods carefully and eat them relatively quickly.

Our favorites

• Apples — 15 Cal/oz
• Oranges — 13 Cal/oz
• Carrots — 12 Cal/oz

10. Granola

Our favorites

• KIND Vanilla Blueberry Healthy Grains Clusters — 104 Cal/oz
• Nature Valley Peanut Butter n’ Dark Chocolate Protein Granola — 124 Cal/oz
• Bob’s Red Mill Classic Granola — 116 Cal/oz

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10 Backpacking Drink Ideas

Since carrying extra bottles full of liquid would be heavy and bulky, when I say “backpacking drinks,” I’m mostly talking about mixes or concentrates that you’d mix with treated water. Except, of course, for beer, whiskey, and backpacking cocktails.

1. Instant Coffee

Instant coffee doesn’t taste as good as the actual stuff, but it sure is convenient. We recently did a blind taste test of 7 top brands. You can see our rankings in our guide to the best instant coffee for camping. And for those who want a real cup of joe on the trail, check out our favorite backpacking coffee makers.

Our favorites

• Alpine Start Original Blend
• Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee Mix
• Mount Hagen Organic Fairtrade Instant Coffee

2. Tea

Our favorites

• Yerba mate (in the morning)
• Trader Joe’s Irish Breakfast (in the morning)
• Chamomile (in the evening)

3. Electrolyte Powders & Mixes

Electrolyte powders and mixes are a great way to replenish the nutrients lost through sweat. They can also cover up any unpleasant taste in your filtered water. For our recommendations, check out our guide to the best electrolyte powders.

Our favorites

• Vitalyte Electrolyte Replacement Drink Mix
• Skratch Labs Sport Hydration Drink Mix
• Ultima Replenisher Mix

4. Juice Mixes

Mixes like these can help cover up any unpleasant taste in your treated water.

Popular options

• Crystal Light — 1 Cal/oz
• Tang — 90 Cal/oz
• Country Time Lemonade Mix — 100 Cal/oz

5. Hot Chocolate

Hot chocolate makes for a great reward after a long day of hiking. I like adding powdered milk to mine to make it creamier.

Popular options

• Nestle Hot Cocoa Mix — 113 Cal/oz
• Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa Mix — 122 Cal/oz
• Ghiradelli Hot Cocoa Mix — 112 Cal/oz

6. Electrolyte Tablets

You’ll be doing lots of sweating while on the trail, so maintaining good electrolyte levels is important for muscle function.

Our favorites

• Nuun Active — 10 Cal/tablet
• Medi-Lyte Electrolyte Replacement Tablets — 0.5 Cal/tablet

7. Protein Powder

In the search for foods with high calories per ounce, some backpackers turn to junkier foods that don’t contain much protein. Supplementing with protein powder can be a good way to ensure you’re getting enough.

Popular options

• Optimum Nutrition Protein Powder — 110 Cal/oz
• Nutiva Hemp Protein Powder — 85 Cal/oz
• Vega Chocolate Protein Powder — 103 Cal/oz

8. Hot Cider

Popular options

• Alpine Spiced Apple Cider — 108 Cal/oz
• Mott’s Hot Spiced Cider — 108 Cal/oz

9. Beer Concentrate

I’ve never personally tried beer concentrate, but if you want to enjoy a trail or summit beer without the bulk and weight of a full can, this might be the way to go. Pat’s Backcountry Beverages appears to be the most popular brand in the space so we’ve listed their flavors below.

Pat’s Flavors

• American Logger
• Pale Rail
• Black Hops

10. Good Ol’ H₂0

Of course, water is the most important backpacking drink of them all. We’ve listed below some popular products used for purifying it. Don’t forget a good ultralight water bottle to carry it in.

Popular options

• Katadyn BeFree
• Sawyer Squeeze
• Aquamira Chlorine Dioxide Tablets
• SteriPEN

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10 Ultralight Backpacking Food Ideas

The best ultralight backpacking foods are those that are high in energy and low in weight — in other words, foods that provide lots of calories per ounce. Since fat contains nine calories per gram while carbohydrates and proteins only contain four, popular ultralight backpacking foods tend to contain lots of fat.

1. Nuts & Seeds

Yes, nuts and seeds (and nut butters) are once again making an appearance. It’s not that I’m unoriginal, it’s that they truly are great for backpacking. They pack well, last a long time, and contain lots of calories per ounce.

Our favorites

• Peanuts — 161 Cal/oz
• Cashews — 157 Cal/oz
• Almonds — 163 Cal/oz
• Chia seeds — 138 Cal/oz
• Sunflower seeds — 166 Cal/oz

2. Nut Butters

Our favorites

• Skippy Peanut Butter — 168 Cal/oz
• Justin’s Vanilla Almond Butter — 159 Cal/oz
• Justin’s Maple Almond Butter — 168 Cal/oz

3. Olive Oil

At 250 calories per ounce, olive oil is perfect for adding calories and healthy fats to any meal or snack. You can buy it in packet form or repackage what you have at home into a leakproof container.

Popular brands

• Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil — 250 Cal/oz
• Kirkland Signature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil — 250 Cal/oz
• Zoe Extra Virgin Olive Oil — 250 Cal/oz

4. Powdered Milk

Powdered milk can be mixed into a meal or drink for extra calories or used as a milk replacement for those foods or recipes (e.g. instant potatoes) that may call for milk.

Popular options

• Nido Milk Powder — 151 Cal/oz
• Hoosier Hill Farm Whole Milk Powder — 142 Cal/oz
• Milkman Low Fat Dry Powdered Milk — 106 Cal/oz

5. Summer Sausage

Summer sausage refers to any sausage that can be kept without refrigeration. It doesn’t have as many calories per ounce as the other ultralight foods on this list but is a popular calorie-dense source of protein.

Popular options

• Old Wisconsin Beef Summer Sausage — 100 Cal/oz
• Vermont Smoke & Cure Uncured Summer Sausage — 85 Cal/oz

6. Meal Replacement Bars

They’re tasty, require no prep, and provide a good balance of macros. The only downside is they’re pretty expensive. We’ve listed our favorite meal replacement bars below, but any types of bars will work.

Our favorites

• PROBAR Almond Crunch Meal Bar — 123 Cal/oz
• Greenbelly Meal Bars — 114 Cal/oz
• PROBAR Koka Moka Meal Bar — 123 Cal/oz

7. Calorie-dense Grains

For dinner, things like pasta, couscous, and instant potatoes make great bases. For breakfast, muesli and granola work well and require minimal prep.

Our favorites

• Near East Roasted Garlic & Olive Oil Couscous — 110 Cal/oz
• DeBoles Corn Spaghetti — 105 Cal/oz
• Nature Valley Peanut Butter n’ Dark Chocolate Protein Granola — 124 Cal/oz
• Bob’s Red Mill Old Country Style Muesli — 113 Cal/oz

8. Chocolate & Candy Bars

Our favorites

• Snickers — 138 Cal/oz
• Payday — 142 Cal/oz
• Peanut M&M’s — 144 Cal/oz
• Pretzel M&M’s — 132 Cal/oz

9. Chips & Crackers

Our favorites

• Fritos — 160 Cal/oz
• Cheddar Cheese Pringles — 150 Cal/oz
• Crunchmaster 5-Seed Multi-Grain Crackers — 132 Cal/oz
• Stacy’s Pita Chips — 130 Cal/oz

10. Nutella

Use going ultralight as an excuse to eat all the stuff you would never eat at home. At 153 Cal/oz, that includes, of course, Nutella.

Available online at

• Amazon.com
• Walmart.com
• Target.com

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10 Vegan & Vegetarian Backpacking Food Ideas

Finding vegan and vegetarian backpacking foods isn’t too difficult, actually. Many popular backpacking foods, such as nuts, are already vegan-friendly. Others, such as trail mix and freeze-dried meals, have vegan and vegetarian options.

1. Dried Fruits

Our favorites

• Banana chips — 145 Cal/oz
• Dried apple slices — 69 Cal/oz
• Dates — 79 Cal/oz
• Raisins — 85 Cal/oz

2. Dehydrated & Freeze-dried Vegetables

Our favorites

• Harmony House Backpacking Kit
• PackitGourmet Vegetable Blend — 10 Cal/oz
• Mountain House Fire Roasted Vegetable Blend — 117 Cal/oz

3. Vegan Jerky

Popular options

• Primal Strips Meatless Vegan Jerky — 74-108 Cal/oz
• Louisville Vegan Jerky — 70-80 Cal/oz

4. Nuts & Seeds

Our favorites

• Peanuts — 161 Cal/oz
• Cashews — 157 Cal/oz
• Almonds — 163 Cal/oz
• Chia seeds — 138 Cal/oz
• Sunflower seeds — 166 Cal/oz

5. Nut Butters

Our favorites

• Skippy Peanut Butter — 168 Cal/oz
• Justin’s Vanilla Almond Butter — 159 Cal/oz
• Justin’s Maple Almond Butter — 168 Cal/oz

6. Vegan & Vegetarian Freeze-dried Meals

Good To-Go is a brand we like that makes a lot of tasty diet-friendly meals.

Popular options

• Outdoor Herbivore meals
• Backpackers Pantry Chana Masala — 92 Cal/oz
• Alpine Aire Santa Fe Black Beans & Rice — 98 Cal/oz

7. Calorie-dense Grains

Our favorites

• Near East Roasted Garlic & Olive Oil Couscous — 110 Cal/oz
• DeBoles Corn Spaghetti — 105 Cal/oz
• Bob’s Red Mill Old Country Style Muesli — 113 Cal/oz

8. Vegetarian Instant Refried Beans

Our favorites

• Santa Fe Bean Co. Instant Southwestern Style Refried Beans — 113 Cal/oz
• Santa Fe Bean Co. Instant Fat Free Vegetarian Refried Beans — 104 Cal/oz

9. Vegan Trail Mix

Our favorites

• Trader Joe’s Cashew Macadamia Delight Trek Mix — 132 Cal/oz
• Trader Joe’s Omega Trek Mix — 142 Cal/oz

10. Fresh Fruits & Veggies

Our favorites

• Apples — 15 Cal/oz
• Oranges — 13 Cal/oz
• Mangoes — 17 Cal/oz

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10 Freeze-dried & Dehydrated Backpacking Food Ideas

Freeze-dried meals are perfect for when all you want to do for dinner is just add hot water and wait. Below we’ve listed popular brands with some of their most popular or promising meals.

1. Mountain House Meals

Mountain House makes some of the tastiest freeze-dried meals available. We know because we taste tested their 10 most popular offerings and ranked them from best to worst. See our rankings here or read on to learn about other MRE brands.

Our favorites

• Beef Stroganoff — 129 Cal/oz
• Breakfast Skillet — 142 Cal/oz
• Chili Mac with Beef — 121 Cal/oz

2. Backpacker’s Pantry Meals

We also taste tested the 10 most popular Backpacker’s Pantry meals and ranked them from best to worst. We learned that Backpacker’s Pantry has plenty of offerings for people with dietary restrictions. You can take a look at our rankings for more info on their meals.

Popular options for backpacking

• Cajun Chicken with Rice — 97 Cal/oz
• Beef Stroganoff with Wild Mushrooms — 84 Cal/oz
• Granola with Milk & Bananas — 130 Cal/oz

3. Good To-Go Meals

Good To-Go makes tasty and nutritious freeze-dried backpacking meals that cater to plenty of special diets (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and pescatarian backpackers take note). We taste tested 11 of their meals — check out our rankings here.

Our favorites

• Thai Curry — 112 Cal/oz
• Mexican Quinoa Bowl — 103 Cal/oz
• Indian Vegetable Korma — 115 Cal/oz

4. Fruit Leather

Popular options

• Stretch Island Fruit Leather — 91-101 Cal/oz
• Simply Balanced Fruit Strips — 91 Cal/oz
• Trader Joe’s Organic Fruit Wraps — 101 Cal/oz

5. Instant Anything

I can’t remember the last time I went on a backpacking trip without instant mashed potatoes.

Popular options

• Instant Refried Beans — 113 Cal/oz
• Instant Potatoes — 111 Cal/oz
• Instant Rice — 105 Cal/oz

6. Powdered Eggs

Our favorites

• Hoosier Hill Farm Powdered Eggs — 174 Cal/oz
• OvaEasy Powdered Eggs — 187 Cal/oz

7. Outdoor Herbivore Meals

All of Outdoor Herbivore’s meals are either vegan or vegetarian.

Promising options

• Apple Quinoa Oatmeal — 123 Cal/oz
• Chunky Chipotle Chili — 102 Cal/oz
• ‘Cheddar’ Mac — 100 Cal/oz

8. Jerky

Our favorites

• People’s Choice Beef Jerky — 90 Cal/oz
• Oberto Thin Style Original Beef Jerky — 70 Cal/oz
• Think Jerky Turkey Jerky — 60 Cal/oz

9. Paleo Meals To Go Meals

Promising options

• Mountain Beef Stew — 129 Cal/oz
• Summit Savory Chicken — 99 Cal/oz
• Cliffside Coconut Berry — 154 Cal/oz

10. AlpineAire Meals

Popular options

• Creamy Beef & Noodles with Mushrooms — 113 Cal/oz
• Santa Fe Black Beans & Rice — 98 Cal/oz
• Sierra Chicken Pasta — 90 Cal/oz

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10 Cheap Backpacking Food Ideas

Most of the foods in this section aren’t particularly nutritious. I’d never recommend eating them exclusively. But hey, if you’re on a budget, these are your best options. Side note — store brands are your friends here!

1. Peanuts

Large tubs of peanuts work out to be, in some cases, over 1000 calories per dollar.

Online options

• Planters Dry Roasted & Salted Peanuts — 160 Cal/oz
• Planters Honey Roasted & Salted Peanuts — 160 Cal/oz

2. Cheap Peanut Butter

Look for Jif, Skippy, or store brands. Buy large jars if possible.

Popular cheap options

• Skippy Natural Peanut Butter — 168 Cal/oz
• Jif Peanut Butter — 168 Cal/oz
• Skippy Peanut Butter — 168 Cal/oz

3. Ramen Noodles

You knew this would be on the list before you even saw it, didn’t you?

Our favorites

• Chicken ramen — 125 Cal/oz
• Beef ramen — 125 Cal/oz

4. Olive Oil

Go for a large, cheap jug of the stuff.

Our favorites

• Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil — 250 Cal/oz
• Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil — 250 Cal/oz
• Kirkland Signature Pure Olive Oil — 250 Cal/oz

5. Pop-Tarts

Go for a box of the cheaper flavors or a large variety pack. Of course, the store brand options are also fair game.

Popular online options

• Frosted Strawberry — 109 Cal/oz
• Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon — 119 Cal/oz
• Pop-Tarts Variety Pack

6. Sunflower Seeds

Look for bulk, shelled options. Nuts.com has great bulk options if you buy online, while Amazon’s selection is limited.

Online options

• Nuts.com Bulk Raw Shelled Sunflower Seeds — 160 Cal/oz
• Nuts.com Bulk Roasted Sunflower Seeds — 180 Cal/oz

7. Store Brand Sugar Candy

If you think I snapped this photo while browsing the aisles of my local Walmart, you’d be right.

Online options

• Great Value Gummy Bears — 92 Cal/oz
• Great Value Mini Marshmallows — 95 Cal/oz

8. Grandma’s Mini Cookies

Our favorites

• Grandma’s Vanilla Creme Minis — 137 Cal/oz
• Grandma’s Mini Cookies Variety Pack

9. Store Brand Cookies & Pastries

In my experience, Great Value — Walmart’s private label — reigns supreme in the category of cheap, high-calorie food.

Online options

• Great Value Twist & Shout Chocolate Sandwich Cookies — 133 Cal/oz
• Great Value Fig Bars Cookies — 103 Cal/oz

10. Cheap & Store Brand Chips

Online options

• Santitas Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips — 140 Cal/oz
• Frito-Lay Variety Pack
• Great Value Bite Size Tortilla Chips — 150 Cal/oz

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10 Backpacking Spices, Seasonings, & Extras

A little seasoning goes a long way in making your backpacking meals tastier and more exciting. We’ve mostly listed our personal preferences, so we recommend using this section as inspiration.

1. Garlic Powder

Garlic powder makes any savory meal instantly taste better. I recommend it over garlic salt since many packaged and freeze-dried backpacking foods already contain lots of sodium.

Popular options

• McCormick Garlic Powder
• Simply Organic Garlic Powder
• Kirkland Signature Granulated California Garlic

2. Olive Oil

Olive oil provides 250 calories per ounce and is full of good fats. Need I say more?

Popular options

• Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil — 250 Cal/oz
• Kirkland Signature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil — 250 Cal/oz
• Zoe Extra Virgin Olive Oil — 250 Cal/oz

3. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil packs 244 calories per ounce and is another oil that you can incorporate into your meals for extra calories. You can also try powdered coconut milk to add calories and coconut flavor.

Popular brands

• Viva Naturals Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil — 244 Cal/oz
• Island Fresh Organic Virgin Coconut Oil — 244 Cal/oz
• Nutiva Organic Coconut Oil — 244 Cal/oz

4. Nutritional Yeast

Despite the off-putting name and appearance, nutritional yeast is quite tasty. The flavor is often described as subtly cheesy and nutty. It makes a good substitute to parmesan cheese and can be sprinkled on top of many backpacking meals. Best of all, it’s a good source of protein, dietary fiber, and many different vitamins

Popular brands

• Bragg Organic Nutritional Yeast — 80 Cal/oz
• Sari Foods Nutritional Yeast Flakes — 80 Cal/oz
• Bob’s Red Mill Large Flake Nutritional Yeast — 80 Cal/oz

5. Taco Seasoning

Taco seasoning or any pre-made seasoning is useful for adding instant flavor to a dull meal.

Popular brands

• Old El Paso Original Taco Seasoning Mix
• Simply Organic Southwest Taco Seasoning Mix
• McCormick Premium Taco Seasoning

6. Condiment & Sauce Packets

Before hitting the trail, run into your fast food joint of choice and grab some of your favorite condiments. You can also buy them elsewhere. If you’re worried about the packets bursting, place them in a Ziploc bag.

Our favorites

• Mayonnaise
• Mustard
• Chick-Fil-A Sauce
• Taco sauce

7. Hot Sauce

Just a couple drops of hot sauce can spice up any food.

Popular options

• Frank’s Red Hot Sauce
• Tabasco sauce
• Sriracha sauce

8. Protein Powder

Our favorites

• Optimum Nutrition Protein Powder — 110 Cal/oz
• Nutiva Hemp Protein Powder — 85 Cal/oz
• Vega Chocolate Protein Powder — 103 Cal/oz

9. Powdered Milk

Powdered milk is a great way to add flavor and calories to your morning coffee.

Our favorites

• Nido Milk Powder — 151 Cal/oz
• Hoosier Hill Farm Whole Milk Powder — 142 Cal/oz
• Milkman Low Fat Dry Powdered Milk — 106 Cal/oz

10. Your Favorite Spices & Seasonings

The spices, seasonings, and flavorings mentioned above reflect our own personal preferences. By no means is this a definitive list. Feel free to carry whichever spices and seasonings you prefer. You can also make some good spice blends for backpacking food.

Other popular options

• Salt & Pepper (of course)
• Lemon pepper seasoning
• Onion powder

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Now It’s Your Turn — What Are Your Favorite Backpacking Foods?

We’d love to make this article even more comprehensive, so if you have a favorite backpacking food that we didn’t list above, let us and other readers know about it in the comments below!

Or maybe you have a go-to backpacking meal recipe that you can easily make from some of the above foods. If so, we want to hear about it! We’re backpackers, too, and we love hearing about new recipes.

Or, if you have a question or comment about anything in this article, share your thoughts below and I’ll be sure to respond.

The post 100 Backpacking Food Ideas for Beginner Backpackers appeared first on 99Boulders.

Match Type

Safety Matches

Strike Anywhere Matches

Image

Reactive Ingredients: Match Head

Potassium chlorate

Phosphorus sesquisulfide and potassium chlorate

Reactive Ingredients: Striking Surface

Red phosphorus

None

Possible Striking Surfaces

Special striking surface included with matches (e.g. side of matchbox)

Any rough, hard, and dry surface (e.g. side of matchbox, wood, rock, brick)

After purchasing strike anywhere matches for some side-by-side tests to find the best strike anywhere matches available today, I began to wonder:

“How are strike anywhere matches different from safety matches?”

I figured other people would be wondering the same thing, too, so I decided to research the differences.

Here’s what I found out.

What Are Safety Matches? What Are Strike Anywhere Matches?

To start, let’s define what safety matches and strike anywhere matches are.

Safety matches are matches that will only ignite when struck against a specially prepared striking surface like those found on the sides of matchbooks and matchboxes. For this reason, they are also known as “strike on box matches.” They are the most common type of match available today. They are the type you probably have in your kitchen or camping gear stash right now.

Safety matches also have a couple derivations beyond simple kitchen matches. Safety matches is a sort of umbrella term, underneath which you find waterproof matches and stormproof matches.

Strike anywhere matches are matches that will light from friction against any suitable striking surface. In this case, “suitable” means hard, rough, and dry. For example, in our tests to determine the best strike anywhere matches available today, we struck matches against rock, wood, brick, and even other matches with success.

Should You Buy Safety Matches or Strike Anywhere Matches?

Are you interested in purchasing safety matches or strike anywhere matches for camping or another outdoor activity?

If so, I recommend you buy safety matches. However, not just any old safety matches, but high-quality ones such as waterproof matches or, even better, stormproof matches (stormproof matches are waterproof and windproof).

Why do I recommend safety matches?

Simple: strike anywhere matches are hard to come by nowadays. Many brands have been discontinued. The only brand widely available in the US at this time is Diamond Greenlight Strike Anywhere Matches. According to Jarden Home Brands, the maker of Diamond Greenlights, here’s where you can find Diamond brand products:

You can find a few brands of strike anywhere matches online but I suggest you read about why I’ll never buy them online again before going that route. Overall, strike anywhere matches are a hassle — sometimes an impossibility — to find in the US.

Safety matches, on the other hand, can be found in most big-box retailers or outdoors stores. While buying matches to test for this site, I found quality waterproof matches and stormproof matches at Walmart, Academy, REI, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Gander Mountain. I’m sure you could also find them at Target, Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shop, and any local mom-and-pop outdoors store.

Is One Type of Match Inherently Better than the Other?

Finally, you might be wondering if safety matches are inherently “better” than strike anywhere matches, or vice versa.

The short answer? No.

The long answer is that it depends on what you mean by “better.” If you want matches that are reliable and easy to light, for example, there are brands of both safety matches and strike anywhere matches that fit that description.

If you want matches that are capable of lighting in adverse weather, then safety matches are better, particularly the waterproof and stormproof varieties.

However, if you’re searching for matches that can light on as many surfaces as possible, then clearly strike anywhere matches are better in that regard.

For most people, though, who simply want matches that are reliable and easy to light, a good brand of safety or strike anywhere matches will work.

The post Safety Matches vs. Strike Anywhere Matches: What’s the Difference? appeared first on 99Boulders.

Not too long ago, I picked up a cheap silicone travel bottle from Walmart. I wanted something to take backpacking that would hold the olive oil needed to prep my nightly couscous.

Big mistake.

After ending up with an oily mess in my backpack, I decided to go back to the drawing board. I researched and then tried out the most popular containers hikers use to carry oils and sauces.

I learned that carrying oils and sauces with you when backpacking doesn’t have to be messy. You just need to know which containers work.

Here are 5 leakproof, ultralight options you can use on your next trip into the backcountry.

1. Nalgene Travel Bottle

If you just need to take a small amount of oil or sauce, a tried-and-true option is a bottle from the Nalgene Medium Travel Kit.

This kit is a collection of leakproof plastic bottles with capacities of 1, 2, and 4 fluid ounces. Having bottles of varying capacities makes minimizing bulk and weight a cinch — you can always select the lightest and least bulky container that meets your needs.

The bottles are all compact, lightweight, durable, and dishwasher-safe. I’ve found them to be the perfect size for short camping and backpacking trips, such as overnighters or weekend excursions. They’re also versatile and suitable for holding pretty much anything, from spices to alcohol stove fuel to biodegradable soap and shampoo.

Nalgene also makes a Small Travel Kit that doesn’t include the 4-fluid-ounce containers. And you can also purchase individual bottles at REI stores.

2. MiO Bottle

Not looking for an entire bottle kit?

Consider an empty MiO bottle.

MiO is a liquid water flavoring that comes in a lightweight yet durable plastic container. Just pop the top, pour out the contents, wash the bottle, and it’s all set to hold roughly 1.5 fl oz of hot sauce, olive oil, or your flavoring of choice.

3. Platypus SoftBottle

Sometimes you just wanna bring along a whole lot of olive oil.

Maybe you’re setting out on a thru-hike. Maybe you’re prepping food for lots of people. Maybe you’re craving the calories.

In these situations, a Platypus SoftBottle is the best option. It’s a leakproof, ultralight, and compressible bladder available in two sizes: 0.5-liter and 1-liter.

I particularly love this option for large quantities because as you use it up it takes up less and less space in your pack. Eventually it’ll reach a point where it can fit inside your backpacking cook pot, reducing its added bulk to zilch.

4. Reusable Food Pouch

Designed for baby food, reusable food pouches are similar to Platypus bladders except for one important difference. You fill them up from the bottom via a resealable zipper, rather than from the top.

The zipper on my pouch didn’t leak at all when I tested it. Though to be frank I’d be worried about the zipper wearing down over time and springing a tiny leak.

It’s hard to beat the size and weight of these pouches though. And you do earn style points for taking a panda pouch with you on the trail…

…at least in my book.

5. Mini Soda Bottle

A mini soda bottle: you might have one in your fridge or recycling bin right now. (If not, you can find packs of 8- or 12-fluid-ounce soda and water bottles at most grocery stores.)

Congrats, it’s now your oil or sauce container. Just wash it and peel off the label.

Plastic bottles are cheap and lightweight — a 12-ounce plastic Coke bottle weighs 0.88 oz. They’re reliable too: I occasionally use a 12-ounce soda bottle as my alcohol fuel container and have never had a problem with it leaking.

Individual Pouches: An Alternative to Plastic Containers

A classic pre-trip ritual for many backpackers is to grab a meal at a nearby fast food joint before driving to the trailhead.

Why?

To ransack the restaurant’s condiment station.

You can find the classic condiments there of course, but some restaurants such as Chick-fil-A also put out individual packets of hot sauce. To get your hot sauce fix on the trail you might not even need to bring an extra container with you. Just pick up some free packets.

I’ve never seen individual packets of olive oil at a fast food restaurant, but you can find them online. Marconi packets are a popular option among backpackers which you can buy in bulk. You can no doubt find individual packets for sale online of whatever oil, sauce, condiment, or flavoring you want to take.

This method is lightweight, non-bulky, and convenient. The only downside is the increased amount of food waste you’ll need to pack out.

The post 5 Leakproof Containers for Carrying Oils & Sauces When Backpacking appeared first on 99Boulders.

Learning how to hang a hammock takes only a few minutes. And for most common hammock spots — think trees, porches, balconies, and posts — you only need one piece of gear.

Here are 4 of the best ways to hang a hammock.

1. How to Hang a Hammock in a Tree

What You Need

• Hammock straps

Steps

1. Locate two trees about 10-14 feet apart. They should be thick enough that they won’t bend when you hang your hammock from them.

2. Wrap one of the straps around one of the trees, then feed the end with the attachment points through the loop on the opposite end. Pull the strap tight around the tree.

3. Repeat the process with the other strap on the other tree.

4. Clip your hammock to both straps. Get in and see how it feels! Make any needed adjustments, such as reclipping the straps to higher or lower attachments points.

Full instructions: How to Use Hammock Straps

2. How to Hang a Hammock on a Porch or Balcony

What You Need

• Hammock straps or rope

Steps

1. Locate two spots on your porch or balcony railing that are about 8-9 feet away. (You may have to use trial and error to find the best distance.)

2. Wrap one of the straps (or tie a piece of rope) around the railing at one of the spots. Feed the attachment points through the loop on the other end and pull tight (or tie your knot of choice in the rope)

3. Repeat Step 2 with the other strap (or other piece of rope) at the other spot of the railing.

4. Clip your hammock to both straps or pieces of rope. Lay down and see how it hangs! Make any adjustments, if needed, such as moving one of the straps closer or further away.

Note: Using rope or hammock straps can damage your porch or balcony railing. We haven’t tested it, but putting a towel under the straps may prevent this. You’ve been warned!

3. How to Hang a Hammock with Posts

There are two main ways to hang a hammock from posts:

1. With hammock straps
2. With hardware

I’ll show you both.

What You Need (If Using Hammock Straps)

• Hammock straps

Steps (If Using Hammock Straps)

1. Install a couple sturdy hammock posts about 8-9 feet apart. (Or, if you’re lucky like me, locate a couple wooden fence posts in your backyard that are the right distance apart.) You could also install just one and wrap the other end of your hammock around a tree.

2. Wrap one of the straps around one of the posts, then feed the end with the attachment points through the loop on the opposite end. Pull the strap tight around the post.

3. Repeat the process with the other strap on the other post.

4. Clip your hammock to attachment points on both hammock straps. Lay down, make any necessary adjustments, then relax!

What You Need (If Using Hardware)

• 2 eyelets or fishhooks
• Drill and drill bits

Steps (If Using Hardware)

1. Install a couple sturdy wooden posts about 8-9 feet apart.

2. Drill a pilot hole for your eyelet or fishhook in one of the posts. Drill it about 5 feet off the ground.

3. Screw your eyelet/fishhook into the post. (I like to use a screwdriver here for leverage.)

4. Install the other eyelet or fishhook in the other post following the same steps.

5. Clip your hammock to both pieces of hardware using carabiners. Hang easy!

Tip: I recommend erring on the side of installing posts too far apart rather than too close together. You can always use rope, straps, or chains to extend your hammock.

4. How to Hang a Hammock on a Stand

What You Need

• Hammock stand

Steps

1. Assemble the hammock stand according to the instructions. (In the video I assemble a common design of portable hammock stand.)

2. Hook your hammock to both ends. Get in and see how it feels. Make any necessary adjustments, such as moving the hooks closer together or further apart.

7 Tips for Hanging a Hammock Right the First Time

1. Check with local land managers to make sure you can hang your hammock there. Some public lands, such as city and state parks, don’t allow tree hammocking.

2. Inspect the trees and surrounding area. If hanging your hammock from trees, check for sensitive plant life, animal nests, and potential hazards like poison ivy. Make sure the trees aren’t dead and won’t bend when you lay down in your hammock.

3. Aim for a 30-degree angle between the strap and the ground when you’re in the hammock. This angle gives you the best chance of a comfy hang. The tighter you hang the hammock, the harder it is to get in and the more constricting it feels.

4. Aim for the bottom of your hammock being 18 inches off the ground when you’re in it. This makes getting in and out easy and reduces the chances that you hurt yourself if you fall out. A couple good rules of thumb: locate trees that are 10-14 feet apart and wrap your straps 5-6 feet off the ground.

5. Use tree-friendly hammock straps. When tree hammocking on public lands, use tree straps that are at least 0.75″ wide and made of straps that go around the tree. According to Leave No Trace, this limits the tree girdling and damage to the bark. Check out our guide to the best tree straps for our recommendations.

6. Only hang one hammock from a tree at a time. We’ve all seen the photos of stacked hammocks. They look fun to do, but doing so stresses the trees. Not to mention the risk of falling from up high.

7. Use good hammock carabiners to clip your hammock to the straps or hooks. Many hammocks come with carabiners or S hooks. If yours doesn’t, you’ll need to pick up a pair to be able to clip your hammock to the attachment points.

The post 4 Best Ways to Hang a Hammock (w/ Videos) appeared first on 99Boulders.

Learning how to use hammock straps takes only a few minutes. You just need some tree-friendly hammock straps, a hammock, and a couple trees to hang your hammock from.

I’ll show you how to do it with some step-by-step photos and videos.

Let’s get to it!

Step 1: Wrap One of Your Hammock Straps Around a Tree

Unwind one of your straps and wrap it around a tree.

Tip: It’s recommended that you hang your hammock high enough that the bottom of it is about 18 inches off the ground. To achieve this, you’ll usually want to wrap your straps at a height of around 5 or 6 feet.

Step 2: Feed the End with the Attachment Points Through the Loop on the Opposite End

Locate the end with the attachment points.

Feed the end with the attachment points through the loop on the opposite end.

Step 3: Pull the End with the Attachment Points to Tighten the Strap Around the Tree

You want to pull your strap pretty tight so it doesn’t slide down the tree.

Make any adjustments, if necessary. For instance, you may want to raise or lower the strap. I like to adjust mine so that the spot where the strap exits the loop points toward the other tree.

You just hung your first hammock strap! Now you repeat the process for the other one.

Step 4: Repeat Steps 1-3 for the Other Hammock Strap

Wrap the other strap around the other tree. Feed the end with the attachment points through the loop on the other end. Pull the strap tight and make any adjustments, if necessary.

Here’s a sped-up video of the complete process:

Now both straps are set up! Time to hang your hammock.

Step 5: Clip Your Hammock to the Straps

Clip your hammock’s carabiners to one of the strap’s attachment points. Pull the other end of the hammock over to the other tree and clip it to the other strap.

Get in your hammock and see how it feels!

Make any adjustments to improve the angle or height of your hang. You can change which attachment points your hammock is clipped to, raise or lower the straps, or even tie one of the straps around a different tree.

For instance, I decided to lower my hammock by a couple attachment points on one end.

And just like that…

…you’re done! You now know how to use hammock straps.

Get in your hammock and RELAX. You’ve earned this.

I’ve focused on using hammock straps to hammock in trees. But you can also use these same steps to hang your hammock from porches, balconies, wooden posts, and more.

Note: I used the popular ENO Atlas straps and ENO DoubleNest hammock in this tutorial. But these instructions will work for almost any hammock and hammock tree straps.

How to Use Hammock Straps in a Tree-Friendly Way: 7 Dos & Don’ts

Hammocking can damage trees. To limit your impact, here are some Leave No Trace-approved tips to keep in mind when using hammock straps.

1. DO use tree-friendly hammock straps. These straps are at least 0.75″ wide and made of webbing that goes around the tree to minimize damage.
2. DO make sure your area allows tree hammocking. Some public lands, such as some city and state parks, have banned tree hammocking.
3. DO inspect the trees and ground for sensitive plant life, wildlife dwellings, and potential hazards such as poison ivy or beehives. Ideally, the trees and surrounding area have little to no ground cover.
4. DON’T hammer or screw anything into trees. Your straps will stay up by themselves.
5. DON’T use straps made from non-tree-friendly material. Materials such as rope or plastic cords can damage tree bark.
6. DON’T wrap your straps around dead trees or trees with dead branches. You could get hurt if a branch were to fall.
7. DON’T wrap your straps around trees that bend or trees in wet areas. You could potentially uproot them by hammocking from them.

When used appropriately, hammock straps generally have a minimal impact on the environment. Leave No Trace, in reference to hammock camping, calls hammocks a good example of “minimum impact shelters.”

So follow these tips, then rest easy knowing you’re leaving only a tiny footprint.

The post How to Use Hammock Straps: 5 Steps (w/ Videos!) appeared first on 99Boulders.

No one treats sleeping bags quite as terribly as I do. In my day, I have broken all the rules of proper care techniques, including every single tip listed here.

Luckily for you, I spoke to real experts to learn how to extend the lifespan of your sleeping bag — Jeff Blakely from Brooks-Range Mountaineering and Kimberly Cunningham from Warmlite. They both forgave me of my sins and set my bad habits straight.

You want that $200+ piece of equipment to really last? (You know, that really important one that prevents frostbite and hypothermia and stuff.) Follow these 8 tips.

1. Keep Your Sleeping Bag Dry

“When you are using the bag, the biggest concern is to check for any wetness and to dry it out as soon as you can,” says Cunningham. When you’re out in the field, opt for a compression sack that is both durable and waterproof.

Likewise, when you’re not in the field, you need to remove your sleeping bag from its compression dungeon and store it somewhere dry, loose and cool. “Hang it in a closet, or loosely rolled in a breathable sack.” She stores hers under a bed with a sheet wrapped around it.

2. Don’t Treat It Like a Blanket

As hard as this is for me to admit, your sleeping bag is a technical piece of backpacking equipment, not a baby blanket. Treat it as such.

“Bags are very durable,” says Blakely, “but you must treat them with care if you want them to last a long time.” Dragging your bag around camp like you’re Linus Van Pelt from the Peanuts is a surefire way to wear and tear your gear. The bag will stretch, the fabric will rub thin and you will be very unhappily cold in the early morning hours.

If you wanted a blanket, well, you should have bought a Rumpl.

3. Stop Washing It So Often

According to Blakely, you should treat your synthetic bag just like you treat a synthetic jacket, washing only when dirty.

How do you know when it’s time? Besides the smell, “synthetic bags will get body oils imbedded inside the fibers, which causes a loss of loft and warmth.” When this happens, you’ll definitely notice.

4. Try Alternative Cleaning Techniques First

All of those years of smell-testing your clothes in college have led you to this moment. If you’re suffering from stink but not ready to wash, try alternative methods first.

Cunningham recommends that, “if you feel that the interior fabric could use a little sprucing up, you can just wipe it down with a cloth and warm water. But it isn’t necessary to wash the bag very often because the interior fabric (vapor barrier) keeps any over heat from going through the fabric and contaminating the down with sweat.”

If you’re not able to give the bag a wash, bathe it in the sun instead. A few hours of airing out in the fresh air can disinfect and deodorize more sustainably and safely than any washer. If a pesky coffee stain is your only problem, tackle that beast by spot cleaning with your hands and a biodegradable soap.

5. Learn How to Properly Wash It

The easiest way to do wash a bag is to take it to the bathtub. According to Cunningham, “use a mild soap such as Woolite and warm water. Wash one layer at a time by letting it soak for a few minutes and then gently agitate it.  Never squeeze the bag to get any extra water.”

Always hand wash if possible and never use a front-loader washer, as these have been known to tear or snag a baffle.

To dry, take your bag outside and hang it on a line or branch. You can gently break apart the clumps of down on the inside, but ultimately, let nature runs its course.

6. Avoid Getting Too Close to the Campfire

Why is my puffy jacket covered with gear patches? Because I like campfires and have never learned my lesson.

No matter how small or contained of a fire you think you’ve made, sparks pop all the time and a burn mark can be the beginning of the end for any sleeping bag. Avoid catching fire by leaving the bag in the tent where it belongs.

7. After Your Trip, Avoid Storing It Compressed

“Compression stuff sacks destroy sleeping bags,” says Blakely. “When you compress [a synthetic bag] the fibers in the bag, they can break or take a heat crimp. Both will affect loft.” Even worse, when you compress a down bag, “the down fibers are easier to break. [Compression] is a quick way to turn an 800 fill bag into a 500 fill bag.”

A hot, wet and compressed sleeping bag is a breeding ground for bacteria, mold and mildew. Water damage, though sometimes reparable, is generally as permanent as it gets.

Allow your sleeping bag to get as dry as possible in the morning and remove it immediately from its waterproof sack after big trips. Nothing is worse than the smell of mildew or the damaging effects of mold, not even your week-old hiking socks.

8. Use as Intended

Come on, guys. Just sleep in the thing, pack it up, roll it out and repeat. Treat it kindly and love your gear. Most of the time, it will love you right back.

The post 8 Expert Tips to Extend the Lifespan of Your Sleeping Bag appeared first on 99Boulders.

Here’s a free backpacking gear list spreadsheet and weight calculator to help you plan and pack for your backpacking trips.

View our backpacking gear list spreadsheet in a new tab.

How to Use Our Backpacking Gear Spreadsheet

Step 1: Make a Copy of the Spreadsheet

Open the spreadsheet.

Click File then Make a copy.

Name your copy, select the Google Drive folder you want to save it in, then click OK.

Your copy will open in a new tab. Now you can edit it however you want!

Let’s look at what is included in the spreadsheet.

Categories

I’ve structured the spreadsheet to allow you to organize your gear into categories.

Each category has the following fields:

• Name: The name of the category, which you can change at any time
• Weight: This is the base weight total for that category, meaning it excludes the weight of items marked as WORN or CONSUMABLE
• Unit: The unit (lb, oz, g, kg) for the category’s base weight total. The spreadsheet will auto-convert the total as you change units.

The spreadsheet has some pre-populated categories. These are just for inspiration. Feel free to edit them however you’d like.

Gear Items

Under each category you’ll add your backpacking gear items.

Each gear item has the following fields:

• Item: Input the item’s name
• Description: Add an optional description
• Worn/Consumable: Mark an item as WORN, CONSUMABLE, or neither (indicated by “-“)
• Weight: Input the item’s weight
• Unit: Choose from lb, oz, g, and kg. The spreadsheet will auto-convert totals as you change units.
• Quantity (“QTY”): Input the item’s quantity

I’ve pre-populated each category with some popular items. And added some extra blank rows in each.

Weight Calculator

The weight calculator is a table in the top right of the sheet. It automatically calculates the weight of your backpacking gear as you fill out your list.

It’s broken down by:

• Base Weight: Weight of your pack minus worn and consumable items
• Worn: Weight of items marked as WORN
• Consumable: Weight of items marked as CONSUMABLE
• Total: Weight of everything you’re carrying in your pack and on your body, also called “skin-out” weight

There are also two pie charts beneath the calculator:

• Base Weight: Base pack weight broken down by category
• Total Weight: Total “skin-out” weight broken down by base, worn, and consumable weight

The charts, like the calculator, will auto-update as you add your gear.

Step 2: Add Your Backpacking Gear

How to Add a Category

To add another category, copy an existing category.

Paste it at the bottom of the sheet.

Change the category name.

Locate the gear weight calculator in the top right of the sheet.

Add a row to the bottom of the category rows and above the totals. (Remove any unwanted borders, if necessary.)

Set the cell in the “Category” column equal to the cell with the category name.

Set the cell in the “Weight” column equal to the cell with the category weight.

Copy-paste the cell contents from the above cell for the weight unit column.

Update the “Base Weight” SUM function to include the bottom cell.

How to Add a Piece of Gear

To add another piece of gear to a category, just add it in a blank row. Add a description, if you’d like.

Mark whether it’s WORN or CONSUMABLE. If it’s neither, leave “-” selected from the dropdown menu.

Type in its weight. (You’ll notice its weight automatically gets added to the category total, weight calculator, and weight charts.)

Change your units, if desired.

Change the quantity, if desired.

Easy!

Step 3: Calculate Your Backpack Gear Weight

Once you’ve added all your items and their details, you can use the backpacking weight calculator to see how much your gear weighs.

You can also look at the weight pie charts beneath the calculator for a visual breakdown of your base weight and total (“skin-out”) weight.

Seeing your weight totals in these ways is incredibly helpful. Knowing your current base pack weight is the critical first step in reducing it!

Step 4: Check Off Items as You Pack Them

You’ve probably noticed by now the checkboxes to the left of each gear item.

These nifty things mean your gear spreadsheet can double as a backpacking gear checklist!

So, next time you’re packing for a backpacking trip, check off each item as you pack it. (You could also print it out and mark off each item by hand…but why not save some paper and do it digitally?)

That’s right — this backpacking spreadsheet is a gear list builder, weight calculator, AND trip checklist all at once! (Take that, LighterPack. )

The post Backpacking Gear List Spreadsheet (w/ Weight Calculator) appeared first on 99Boulders.