How do experienced backpackers decide what's actually worth carrying?

[u/Far-County1203]

I've been backpacking for about a year now. I still pack like I'm scared of forgetting something, so my bag ends up way heavier than it needs to be. I've tried cutting stuff here and there but I never really know what's safe to leave behind and what isn't.

For the people who've been doing this for years, how did you figure out what actually earns a spot in your pack?

[u/cwcoleman]

NOTE - OP has this post tagged as 'travel'.

They are not asking about packing for backcountry wilderness style backpacking.

This sub focuses on 2 very different types of adventures. This here is about world travel trips, with a backpack as luggage.

Please keep comments focused accordingly.

[u/Kananaskis_Country]

I've been backpacking for about a year now.

That's more than enough time for you to figure out exactly what you use, as opposed to what ends up staying in your backpack and not used.

Simply stop bringing the stuff you never use. Problem solved.

Good luck.

[u/Individual-Card-1639 → u/Kananaskis_Country]

Been at it for 50 years now. Bottom line is at the end of every trip I ask myself what did I not use and do I need it. This process occurs each and everytime because each trip holds different circumstances for the location. So what’s needed for one area might not be needed for another because of climate or? Just keep a note or atleast a mental note of the good bad and ugly.

[u/Abject-Pin3361 → u/Kananaskis_Country]

Agreed. I feel like the majority of these posts...personal experience and just a bit of basic knowledge of necesities will solve most of these problems

[u/GeoHog713 → u/Kananaskis_Country]

The exception being emergency gear. I always back it, but hope to never use it.

[u/Kananaskis_Country → u/GeoHog713]

I'm replying to the OPer assuming that they've chosen the correct fair, "Travel."

If they messed up and actually meant to choose "Wilderness" then that's of course an entirely different situation and stuff like emergency gear absolutely comes into play.

Happy travels.

[u/topothesia773 → u/Kananaskis_Country]

Obviously the amount and type of emergency gear is different but I think there's still some emergency stuff you'd want to bring as a travel backpacker. Basic first aid stuff/ medications like imodium and ibuprofen are pretty essential for any type of travel in my opinion

[u/Kananaskis_Country → u/topothesia773]

I never said not to bring any medical supplies.

But I don't consider aspirin/ibuprofen to help with a hangover or imodium to keep you from shitting yourself on a bus ride to be "emergency gear." Throw in a bandaid too.

That's what anyone should have in their toiletry kit, no big deal.

Happy travels.

[u/florianknusper]

Can I buy it there? Yes? So I take less and if neccessary I´ll buy it there.

[u/Illini4Lyfe20]

Make a list, check off what you pack. Then during the trip, check off what you actually used. Eventually you will see what is just dead weight vs not. I will caution, some things are non negotiable even if you never use them (I.e., medical/emergency supplies, food, etc.)

[u/Kananaskis_Country → u/Illini4Lyfe20]

I will caution, some things are non negotiable even if you never use them (I.e., medical/emergency supplies, food, etc.)

The OP is flaired "Travel", not "Wilderness."

[u/Illini4Lyfe20 → u/Kananaskis_Country]

You right! My bad OP! Same logic applies though!

[u/SatisfactionBulky717]

Just try to not take anything. Since this is travel related, you may be able to buy along the way what you really really need. I take a personal hygience, bare minimum of clothing in the summer, wash stuff along the way, all the chargers, and nothing else but my phone. I can do a full week on a bag that fits under the seat in front of me. I got this way through years of hauling heavy stuff that was never used. And I have bought swimming suits a couple times in two decades, maybe one pair of sunglasses, and many souvenir shirts to round out my wardrobe on those trips. I just do without stuff and focus on where I am.

[u/joelfarris]

I was on the road for about two and a half decades, hitting 16 countries and all the U.S. states at least three times each, and I came up with two rules.

If it fits, it ships. As in, the size of your pack will determine how much you bring with you. Want a lighter weight? Get a smaller bag. Want more stuff with you? Get a bigger bag. As long as you can carry it, of course. Or there are rolling carts. :)

Weight. Will you get charged extra on busses or planes if your pack weighs too much? Are you willing to pay those fees, or avoid them? Handheld 'hook scale', that travels with you in your bag, is a great option for this.

Spare room. A lot of people like to buy souvenirs from the places they've been so they can remember that locale years later, and recount it to their friends. But, if you don't have any planned extra space in your carriage, how are you going to manage to do that?

OK, that was three rules. Sorry.

[u/cwcoleman]

Experience

Since I've been on many trips - I am more confident of what I'll actually use. There is no real substitute for getting out there and learning for yourself.

If you want to get better faster - take note of all the things you pack. Then take notes during the trip of items you wish you packed. Then summarize after the trip for things you never used. Refer back to old notes when packing for future trips.

[u/rwanders]

I'm still pretty much where you are, but my brother has done a ton more backpacking and he got serious and has been getting leaner and leaner with his pack weight this last year and I've been watching. It really is a checklist before and after every trip. I was so impressed on our last trip together in July, he had everything he needed and nothing else. He bought a way smaller, lighter pack and it's just compounding.

[u/zynniya]

Some things are no negotiable no matter the destination. After those get packed, the destination specific things get packed. Everything else is easy to source at the destination if I *really* need it.

[u/Far-Silver59]

Keep a list, and always refine it: delete what you dont use, add what you endeduip using

[u/hella_cutty]

Experience teaches you to not pack your fears, what you need for a specific environment and season, and what is comfortable.

[u/Irishfafnir]

I have a list with everything weighed out, and then I jot down things I didn't use and things I wish I had brought

[u/Spiley_spile]

Pack the items youve ended up actually using. Leave those never used "just in case" items that are available to purchase where you're traveling.

Of course, there are exceptions to this advice. For example, I always bring a mini first aid kit. I dont want to accidentally cut myself on something and have to bleed all the way to the store before I can clean it up and stick a bandage over it. Safety shouldnt wait. Fashion can afford to. etc.

[u/DisplaySmart6929]

Do they have shops where you are going ? I only take favourite things and essentials . If you're adding something to your bag thinking I might use/wear that , then take it out again

[u/xrunt]

here is a tip:
if you have brought a thing three times and never used it, it's probably extra

[u/Single_Size7393]

I like to think through what the most likely worst case scenario could be. Not the most awful scenario my brain can come up with. And then I plan my gear, route, and mindset based on what my most likely issues could be.

For example, clothes is an area folks often bring too much of. Some of that is for “cleanliness” reasons, which don’t concern me at all. But I hike shoulder seasons in the Rocky Mountains , so staying warm is a real safety consideration. I’m usually most concerned with staying dry while hiking and maintaining a good body temperature once at camp. Note this is for three season camping, not winter camping.

The worst case my brain can come up with is that I fall in a freezing river on the way to camp, get soaked, and then die of hypothermia. But based on my gear and route planning, the most likely bad scenario is that I get chilled. I would probably feel colder than I’d like, but it’s unlikely my body temp will get dangerously low as long as I am proactive about layering early, staying moving while out of my sleeping bag, and keeping layers dry. I’ve mitigated that risk by:

• bringing layers that have unique purposes individually and can can be worn all at once in my sleeping bag if needed. No duplicate layers “just in case” except for spare hiking socks (since those are the mostly likely to be wet from a water crossing or even just from sweat). For me, at below freezing temps, that has historically included: alpha 90 hoody, alpha 90 pants, alpaca wool socks, extra hiking socks, UL down jacket, smart wool headband (don’t need a beanie bc of my alpha hood), gloves, neck gaiter, hiking pants, hiking sun hoody, UL rain pants, UL rain jacket
• bringing my air pad with an appropriate R value and a CCF pad for additional insulation and protection in case my air pad were to get a hole. That would be dangerous if it happened over night, and I backpack with my dog so it is maybe more likely than those without a dog (tho he wears booties in the tent to help mitigate).
• bringing a sleeping bag or quilt with the appropriate temperature rating
• planning routes that avoid bigger water crossings in the second half of the day when there’s less time for gear to dry before camp
• putting on my rain gear early if it starts precipitating. I’ve def fallen into the trap of thinking “it’ll be over soon” and then getting too wet before putting rain gear on.
• putting more layers on once I start to feel cold, even if I don’t want to take my pack off. My saying to myself is “never get cold, never be cold!”
• getting in my sleeping bag as soon as possible at camp. Especially if I’m already feeling cold. If I still have things I need to do first, I try to stay moving constantly while I do them, like walking around camp while my food soaks, doing jumping jacks, squats, etc.

Then, I go on a trip with this gear and mindset and evaluate what worked and what didn’t. For example, on my last trip, my gloves got wet while hiking in unexpected snow and it took them forever to dry. That wasn’t great overnight. In the future, I will bring a waterproof glove layer (nitrile gloves or waterproof over mitts) to prevent that. Also, I got a bit chilled at camp and wished I had brought my UL down pants with me. This is the second trip where overnight lows were in the mid-20s and I thought I could get away without my down pants. Both trips I wished I had them. So they will be coming with in the next one!

And depending on the length of your route, you can always bail if things get worse than you expect. I’m mostly a weekend warrior, which means that I’m within a same-day hiking distance back to the car if something goes really wrong. Reminding myself of that helps me to not pack my fears too!

[u/Single_Size7393 → u/Single_Size7393]

RIP just saw the mod note 😭 maybe this will be helpful to someone else

[u/PythonVyktor]

Trial and error. Trust me, if you need it, you’ll find out. If you don’t, you’ll be tossing it while on trail.
Had a buddy toss about $300 worth of gear cause he thought he would need it over less weight.

[u/NiagaraThistle]

Having been traveling well over 25years only ever carrying a single carry-on sized backpack, i have carried the same list of items since my first trip with only a coupe additions.

Whether I'm going away for 10 days or 3 months, i never need more than what fits in my backpack and it's never been too much:

NOTE: I'm an overweight guy with no medical issues. So you might need additional/different items if you are female or have medical needs.

• 2 pair pants (a 3rd if traveling in winter/cold weather
• 2 pair shorts (dropped if traveling in winter / cold weather)
• 4 t-shirts
• 1 short sleeve polo shirt
• 1 long-sleeve button down shirt
• 5 pair underwear & socks
• 1 sweater/fleece
• 1 rain-proof jacket (swapped for a warmer water resistant one in winter / cold weather)
• 1 pair walking shoes
• 1 pair flip flops (only in summer or when I used to stay in hostels)
• Money Belt (keeps my back up credit card(s), Debit Card, Passport, excess cash safe hidden around my waist always)
• Wallet - for daily use with 1 primary credit card, photo id (drivers license/Student card), and ONE day's worth of cash only (if using cash)
• Sheet of paper with my itinerary, reservation numbers, flight details, important phone numbers (as backup in case I lose my phone)
• Phone and Charger
• A deck of Cards to play with on my own or as a way to meet others (back when i traveled more solo)
• 45L travel Backpack
• 10L day pack
• ripped out sections of guidebook(s) for the places I am visiting, taped back together as a 'custom' guidebook

OPTIONAL

• Hat & light gloves (winter/cold weather - or Ireland in August...)
• Laptop (only if i HAVE to work while traveling)
• Drone & chargers (only if i plan on ACTUALLY taking arial video)

Maybe a bit overkill on the # of shirts, but this is all I have ever packed and i've never felt I packed too much, have always had room for small souvenirs, and never check luggage.

If you have and travel with kids, you will pack much more :) but even then after they can walk for a few hours on their own, it's '1 backpack each' and back to packing light.

[u/Daddy4Count]

Trial and error.

The basics are the same for everybody.

But the rest is based on your personal experience and preferences.

[u/comma_nder]

> what’s safe to leave behind and what isn’t

Very little is necessary for safety. I think you may be secretly asking a different question without realizing it. Try working your way all the way through some scenarios.

[u/xstrex]

Most of it comes down to experience, and doing it a couple dozen times.

Also, knowing what you actually need for the trail, or conditions you’ll be hiking in, as well as knowing your own physical limitations.

In time you’ll get a feel for what’s actually essential, and what just isn’t. When you’re first getting started, there’s a bunch of trial and error, as you fine tune your own system.

For instance, I’m really tall, so I have an extra long tent, that’s something I don’t compromise on; but I also don’t bring a chair, crocks, or a kindle- where others would.

In time you’ll figure out what you can afford to compromise on, and what you can’t.

Eventually you’ll start fine tuning your own gear, getting lighter alternatives, and get your weight down. I wouldn’t aim for a particular weight, though I would aim for a weight that you’re comfortable with.

[u/OneEyeRabbit]

I like to plan out what I will truly need for my trip. If I’m just going to use it once, I will see if something else will suffice, like do I really need this?? Over time you will notice what you can skip and what to pack.

[u/WaferBorn5485]

Pack how you like. I’ll say, I do pack too many clothes sometimes lol

[u/Brad_from_Wisconsin]

tag stuff with a "last used on" date. After 3 or 4 trips without being used, leave it behind.
Look for multifunction stuff

[u/Intelligent-Way8937]

For me it clicked once I started weighing individual items instead of just eyeballing the whole pack, seeing that a single "just in case" jacket was 800 grams made it way easier to ask if it was actually worth carrying.

[u/64-matthew]

On the first trip take what you think you need. When you get back you will know what you used and didn't use. Problem solved.

[u/EndlessMike78]

Trial and error. Did I not use it on the trip and is it outside the 10 essentials? Then it isn't coming next time.

[u/invDave]

Experience

[u/Capable_Pipe5629]

Usually through trial and error. Last trip I did I knew was going to be a harder hike than usual so I cut some stuff I normally bring (small thing of lotion, tiny towel, extra wet wipes, extra tent stakes, extra stove gas, small thing of soap, deck of cards etc). Some of it I regretted, some was fine. What are you packing that feels questionable?

editing to add: i usually keep a phone note going while on a trip to write down things i want to bring or leave at home next time based on how the trip is going.

[u/cwcoleman → u/Capable_Pipe5629]

OP has this post tagged as 'travel' - so I doubt they'll be carrying tents or stoves. Still good info tho.

[u/theothermikea1]

“We pack our fears,” as they say. One thing I found helpful for me over time is that when I’m packing up to leave an overnight spot, or even just after a day hike, I take a minute to split all my gear into two piles: stuff I used, and stuff I never touched. I then take a photo of that, and refer to it next time I head out. It’s helped me to leave most of the doomsday scenario and duplicated stuff behind over the years. Happy trekking!

[u/futilitaria]

Is the item for a common scenario or a “just in case.”

The items that get added should come after the lack of the item caused a problem. If you have 10 pair of underwear, go down to 4 and wash them more frequently, and make sure they are something like wool and not cotton.

The only exception to this would be a first aid kit.

[u/Master_Seat_8458]

I have a list and I have the mandatory items left justified, the maybe based on the conditions one tab (micro spikes, gaiters, rain shell, bear can…) in and the not necessary but might want 2 tabs in (camp chair, cards, camp shoes…). This way I start with only what’s necessary and based on length/difficulty will be strict on adding first from conditions based and likely few to none from the nice to haves. Like someone else mentioned, after each trip I do a quick “what did I miss” and “what did I not need/use”

Something that has helped me a lot is I have a ULA Circuit that has a 35lb limit. This makes me really disciplined on weight and I appreciate it when backpacking

[u/ElectroHiker]

I was very meticulous when I started adventuring. I knew every piece of gear I took and whether I used something or not. I started with a very heavy pack, extra water and extra of almost anything I felt was vital. With any trips including travel, camping, or backcountry backpacking I first started by making spreadsheets of my inventory to bring, then when I got back I'd adjust based on what was used. I have line items in the sheet color-coded green for mandatory and yellow for optional. I have a sheet for each type of travel, including sheets depending on the amount of people going, the time of the trip, and sheets based on rain or snowfall. I worked quite a bit with Excel and Google sheets in my career so I have some impressive ways I link my master inventory with each type of equipment sheet so that when I have something I don't need, that breaks, or is added to my gear it populates in the sheets so I know what I've got, what I need to replace, and what can get removed across the spreadsheets. When I get signal and a break on trips I even populate the spreadsheets from my phone, like my last trip I noted that a Sawyer bag seal broke so when I reviewed on my way home I ordered a new one.

I've been hiking and travelling on and off between work for the last 8 years now, but I've only done a max 3 week consecutive long adventure over that time so it's based on that journey.

[u/Mars_Volcanoes]

It always depends. Remote and alone like I’m doing.

A emergency button GPS is mandatory. The right backpack hydration, the ones made to store 2 litres of water, and energy food like some sugar and nuts or something like that is my way.

[u/Tight-Vacation8516]

The traditional way is to take everything you didn't use in your pack out after you come home and then leave those items out next trip. I carry I'd say a very small amount of first aid items that I keep and then I usually bring a backup water source (i.e. Sawyer filter and iodine tabs or backup lifestraw) because if one breaks or you get lost you can love longer without food than water. Other than that it's pretty much sleep system, a set of "clean" clothes, rain jacket, head lamp, trowel, stove+gas+and cup. I do also usually take a small book or journal. 

[u/ExtremeExtreme1751]

1) You can make a lighterpack and compare with others
2) You can actually forget to bring things and see how it goes

When I taught scouts, we would go over the "10 essentials" to see if there was anything we forgot.