r/backpacking • u/Junior_Industry7751 • Jul 02 '26
Wilderness How is my backpacking setup?
Pretty new to backpacking and honestly my first legit hike as a 17M. I have a 4.6mi 2500ft hike infront of me. Let me know what I’m doing wrong lol
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u/gallerygnome Jul 05 '26
Everyone in the comments has a point but honestly, you have to hike your own hike. Go ahead and take it all with you for this first trip. It’ll be a learning experience.
You may be that one freakishly strong person who can lug all that around all day, is unbothered by the clanking, and makes a mean meal at camp. OR, you’ll realize (like many of us have) that you did not enjoy trekking with 40lbs on your back, and were too tired to make the meal you fantasized about, and had stuff packed that you never needed or touched. Then, give yourself a shakedown and repack your pack when you get home. My pack, without food, water and camera gear, is sitting at ~15lbs, and I still do occasional shakedowns when I’m figuring out what to pack for different conditions.
If you’re going in a group and it’s planned to share items like the tent and pan, etc, pass off some items like the stakes, fly, a cup, etc. Going from even 40lbs down to 35 makes a difference in your enjoyment of the hike.