If you’re just getting into backpacking or you’re considering some longer treks, then you may be wondering whether it’s necessary to use only expensive gear while backpacking or if you can reuse or find some cheaper options for some of the gear.
One of the big issues you’ll find is that you may require a lot of gear for the type of backpacking you plan to do and if everything you buy is higher-end equipment and expensive, the costs will quickly grow and make you rethink your entire backpacking trip.
Do You Need Expensive Gear For Backpacking?
You don’t need to only use expensive gear when you’re planning a backpacking trip, but you need to consider what items are crucial to your comfort and success on the trip and see whether you can get better quality options for those items.
Think about your backpacking trip and what could happen with cheap or poorly made gear:
- High-quality shoes or hiking boots
- Excellent quality tent
- Good quality rain/wind jacket
- Good quality sleeping bag
- Excellent backpack
If you skimp on some of the essential items, you may end up in a lot of discomforts, such as blisters on your feet from bad shoes or having extremely unpleasant and cold nights due to a poor quality tent or sleeping bag.
Your first step is to look at your backpacking trip, how long will you be gone, what type of terrain will you be walking over, what facilities will be available along the way, and create a list of items that you’ll need and then rank them by importance.
While you need to be self-sufficient, you should be looking at who else is coming with you on the trip and what items they already have and if everyone needs to buy everything, or if things can be shared, such as a tent or cooking equipment.
What Type Of Gear Is Required For Backpacking?
The type of gear you’ll need will depend on your trip, such as where you’re going and what time of year you’re going, so you don’t need to buy every single item that you find listed online for backpacking, and some items are seasonal or less important in some situations.
Basic gear that you need to buy for most backpacking trips can include:
- Hiking Boots: One of the most important things you need for a backpacking trip, you don’t need to buy an expensive pair of hiking boots, but you need a good quality pair that will keep your feet safe, dry, and warm.
Often these are expensive but can be worth the cost if you only buy one expensive piece of backpacking gear; it should be hiking boots. If you get a cheaper pair, invest in some good thick hiking socks to help.
- Tent: A good tent can be crucial to your backpacking trip; it’s going to keep you warm, dry, and out of the wind and away from bugs.
A two-person tent will be cheaper than 2 one-person tents, and you should only need a tent rated for three seasons (summer, fall, spring) which can keep costs down.
- Backpack: You’ll need a real backpacking backpack to store all of the items that you’re going to take. Ensure that there is enough room and padding for a comfortable hike, you may pay a little more for the padding, but that’s a matter of staying comfortable with 30+ lbs on your back.
- Sleeping Bag: A sleeping bag can be a cheap option; you don’t need a premium sleeping bag, just something good enough to keep you warm inside your tent. The exception is if you’re going out in very cold weather, and then you’ll need to consider a more expensive option.
- Clothing: A good quality rain or wind jacket can be helpful, though it’s possible you already have a suitable jacket. As long as the jacket is warm and waterproof, you won’t need to spend too much money.
- Emergency Beacon: If you’re going backcountry backpacking for multiple days, an emergency beacon can be an excellent once-off purchase if you get lost, hurt, or otherwise need help.
Most other items that you’ll find on backpacking lists won’t be overly expensive or won’t be crucial to your backpacking trip.
Why Is Backpacking Gear Expensive?
Most gear that is dedicated or built for backpacking is expensive to some degree due to the specialized nature of backpacking and the requirements for the gear to keep you safe and comfortable out in the elements for multiple days.
- Lightweight material is used for backpacking as you’re carrying everything on your back, so the lighter the gear, the more expensive it is but the easier it is to carry.
- Construction and special features are required for being out in the elements for long periods of time. If you want a warm jacket that is breathable, so you don’t get wet and cold while backpacking, that requires specialty features that cost more.
- Durability is essential to good backpacking gear; you are far away from shops or help, so your equipment can’t fail easily, and this durability and high-quality material used costs more than the average gear you wear around town.
It’s important to look at the features available on all the items you want and compare them to other similar items for cost as well as reviews to see whether the more expensive gear is better or if it’s just a higher price tag that isn’t needed.
How Can You Reduce Backpacking Gear Expenses?
Determine what backpacking gear you need and then look to see what items you already have and what gear your backpacking partners already have; there’s no need to purchase new expensive gear if you already have suitable items available to you.
Just remember that you need to store everything in your backpack, and larger heavy items may not be suitable for your backpacking gear requirements, such as car camping equipment.
Other options to get your backpacking gear for cheaper can include:
- Check with your family and friends to borrow gear
- Buy second-hand gear from thrift stores
- Visit army surplus stores for cheaper gear
- Price check online for the items you need to find the cheapest option
You don’t need to buy expensive gear on your first trip, but if you plan to backpack often, you may want to upgrade some of your gear over time to make your trips more enjoyable and even lighter on your back.
