One of the practices that Darren and I follow is to maintain a packing list. Over the years, we have had several lists floating around. We finally combined all of these into one comprehensive list that we call our “Master Packing List.” It includes everything that we could bring, grouped by category. This practice makes it easy to tailor our list for a particular trip. Thus, this packing list can be used for all types of travel, including backpacking, international travel, car camping, or simply an overnighter at a friend’s house.

Take a look at our master list by category:

Luggage

ItemSpecific ItemCostWeight
Carry-on SuitcaseEagle Creek Luggage Gear Warrior Wheeled Duffel 22$299.006 lbs
Hut / Village BackpackOsprey Packs Farpoint 40 (Darren) Osprey Packs Fairview 40 (Sandy) $185.003 lbs 2 oz
REI Trail 40 Pack (Darren) REI Trail 40 Pack (Sandy)$149.003 lbs
Wilderness BackpackOsprey Packs Exos 58 Backpack $259.002 lbs 3 oz

Darren’s Packing List

ItemSpecific ItemCostWeight
Clothing
Packing organizerSea to Summit Ultra-SIL Dry Sack$32.951.6 oz.
ShirtColumbia Men's Silver Ridge Long-Sleeve Shirt$69.008.1 oz.
Sun HoodieOutdoor Research Echo Hoodie$74.954 oz
PantsColumbia Men's Silver Ridge Convertible Pants$65.0010.6 oz.
UnderwearREI Co-op Boxer Briefs - Men's


$22.954 oz.
HatOutdoor Research Sun Runner Cap$36.003.2 oz.
Sunglasses
SocksBalega Silver Antimicrobial No-Show Compression-Fit Running Socks$20.001 oz.
Alternative socksInjinji Run 2.0 Lightweight No-Show Toe Socks$15.001 oz.
ShoesHoka One One Men's Speedgoat Trail Shoe$155.0020.6 oz. / pair
Hoka One One Men's Challenger Trail Shoe$145.0017.8 oz. / pair
PJ topREI Co-op Active Pursuits T-Shirt - Men's$29.956 oz.
GaitersUltra Gam$18.001 oz.
Walking sticksMonoprice Premium Trekking Poles - Pair$65.9018 oz.
Walking sticks (budget option)Trekology Collapsible Poles - Pair$43.99
1 lb. 5 oz.
Fanny PackREI Trail 2 Waistpack$29.953.6 oz.
Trekking glovesGrease Monkey Pro Fingerless All Purpose Work Gloves$20.541.6 oz.
Waterproof jacketOutdoor Research Men's Helium II Jacket$169.005.6 oz.
Marmot PreCip Eco Jacket$99.9510 oz
Waterproof pantsOutdoor Research Men's Helium Pants$129.955.6 oz.
All-Weather glovesSeirus Innovation Men's Hyperlite All Weather Glove$39.992.4 oz.
SandalsXero Shoes Z-Trail - Men's Minimalist Barefoot-Inspired Sport Sandal$84.9910 oz.
Fleece hatColumbia Unisex Agent Heat Omni-Heat Thermal Reflective Fleece Beanie Hat Cap$30.002 oz
Puff jacketREI Co-op 650 Down Jacket$129.0011 oz.
Base (Fleece) topColumbia Men's Klamath Range Ii Half Zip$50.0010 oz.
Base bottomSmartwool Men's Merino 150 Baselayer Bottom$85.007.2 oz.
Head lampPetzl E+LITE Emergency Headlamp$28.951 oz.
Black Diamond - Spot 400-R Headlamp$64.953 oz.
PillowSea To Summit Aeros Pillow Premium$49.952.8 oz.
Ear plugsSupceat Ear Plugs for Sleeping - Noise Reduction Soft Silicone Earplugs$18.991.0 oz.
Head netSea to Summit Mosquito Head Nets$14.950.8 oz.
Cell Phone / CameraGoogle Pixel 6
Battery chargerAnker Portable Charger, USB-C Portable Charger 10000mAh with 20W Power Delivery$29.997 oz.
GPS WatchGarmin Fenix 5 Plus$399.003 oz
Toiletries
HairbrushFolding Hair Brush With Mirror Compact Pocket Size$8.74 (pack of 2)0.6 oz
AntiperspirantDove Men+Care Antiperspirant Deodorant Dry Spray Clean Comfort 24 count $50.00 (pack of 24)1 oz.
RazorGillette Mach3 Men's Razor$7.351.8 oz.
ChapstickBlistex Medicated Lip Balm SPF 15$7.00 (pack of 3)1 oz.
SunscreenBanana Boat Sun Screen Sport Spray SPF 30Varies1.8 oz.
Mosquito repellentSawyer Products Premium Insect Repellent with 20% Picaridin (twin pack)$14.003 oz.
Battery ToothbrushPhilips One by Sonicare Battery Toothbrush$24.963.5 oz.
ToothpasteColgate Toothpaste Travel Size$13.60 (pack of 12)0.88 oz.
FlossOral-B Glide Pro-Health$20.99 (pack of 6)
SoapDr. Bronner's 2 oz Liquid Soap$3.992 oz.

Sandy’s Packing List

ItemSpecific ItemCostWeight
Clothing
Packing organizerOsprey Ultralight Dry Sack$20.002 oz.
Short sleeve shirtUnder Armour Women's Tech Short-Sleeve T-Shirt$25.004 oz.
REI Co-op Sahara T-Shirt - Women's$34.955 oz.
SleevesUltra Gam$15.001 oz.
Long sleeve shirtColumbia Silver Ridge Lite Long Sleeve Shirt$55.004 oz
Sun HoodieOutdoor Research Echo Hoodie$69.004 oz
PantsThe North Face Women's Aphrodite 2.0 Pant$80.008 oz
BraExOfficio Women's Everyday Bralette$40.001.6 oz.
UnderwearExOfficio Women's Give-n-go Sport 2.0 Bikini Brief$26.002.4 oz.
Sun hatJFH Sun Hat Headwear Extreme Condition$10.493.9 oz.
Hiking hatOutdoor Research Sun Runner Cap$30.003.2 oz.
BuffBuff Original Multifunctional Headwear$20.003.2 oz
Sunglasses
SocksDarn Tough Hiker 1/4 Cushion Sock - Women's$20.952 oz
Smartwool womens Performance Hike Light Cushion Socks$22.002 oz
ShoesHoka One One Women's Speedgoat Trail Shoe$155.0017 oz (pair)
Hoka One One Women's Challenger Trail Shoe$145.0014.6 oz (pair)
Walking sticksBlack Diamond Trail Back Trekking Poles$118.001 lb. 4 oz.
Walking sticks (budget option)Trekology Collapsible Poles - Pair$43.99
1 lb. 5 oz.
Fanny PackREI Trail 2 Waistpack
$29.953.6 oz.
Trekking glovesGrease Monkey Pro Fingerless All Purpose Work Gloves$16.001.6 oz.
Waterproof jacketOutdoor Research Women's Helium II Jacket$159.005.5 oz.
Marmot Women's PreCip Jacket$120.009.6 oz
Waterproof pantsOutdoor Research OR Women's Helium Pants$119.005.9 oz.
All-Weather glovesSeirus Innovation Men's Hyperlite All Weather Glove$39.992.4 oz.
SandalsTeva Women's Original Universal Sandal$54.9510 oz.
Warm hatMinus33 Merino Wool Ridge Cuff Wool Beanie$22.992 oz.
Puff jacketREI 650 Down Jacket$129.0010.8 oz.
Base (Fleece) topColumbia Women's Glacial Iv Half Zip$50.006.4 oz.
Base bottomSmartwool Women's Merino 250 Baselayer Bottom$110.006.4 oz.
Head lampPetzl E+LITE Emergency Headlamp$28.951 oz.
Black Diamond - Spot 400-R Headlamp$64.953 oz.
Pillow Sea To Summit Aeros Pillow Premium$49.952.8 oz
Ear plugs Mack's Pillow Soft Silicone Earplugs - 2 Pair$5.82 (2 pair)1.0 oz.
Head netSea to Summit Mosquito Head Nets$14.950.8 oz.
Cell Phone / CameraSamsung S22+
Battery chargerAnker Portable Charger, USB-C Portable Charger 10000mAh with 20W Power Delivery$29.997 oz.
Toiletries
HairbrushFolding Hair Brush With Mirror Compact Pocket Size$8.74 (pack of 2)0.6 oz
AntiperspirantDove Advanced Care Antiperspirant Deodorant Stick, Cool Essentials$42.84 (pack of 36)0,5 oz
ChapstickBlistex Medicated Lip Balm SPF 15$7.00 (pack of 3)1 oz.
SunscreenBanana Boat Sun Screen Sport Spray Varies1.8 oz.
Mosquito repellentSawyer Products Premium Insect Repellent with 20% Picaridin (twin pack)$20.893 oz. each
Battery ToothbrushPhilips One by Sonicare Battery Toothbrush$24.963.5 oz.
ToothpasteColgate Toothpaste Travel Size$13.60 (pack of 12)0.88 oz.
Soft picksGUM Soft-Picks Original Dental Picks$20.00 (pack of 270)
SoapDr. Bronner's 2 oz Liquid Soap$3.992 oz.
TowelREI Co-op Multi Towel Lite $15.952.3 oz

Backpacking
Basics List

ItemSpecific ItemCostWeight
TentBig Agnes Copper Spur UL3 Tent$579.953 lbs. 8 oz.
Tent padCustom (Tyvek) - Fits Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3$22.00
Sleeping bagREI Co-op Magma Trail Quilt 30$329.001 lb. 4 oz.
Sleeping padSea to Summit Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Mat$139.9515.5 oz.
Satellite communicatorGarmin inReach Mini$349.993.5 oz.
First aid kitHomemade
Clothing insect repellentSawyer Products Premium Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent$19.99
Repair kitHomemade
MicrospikesKahtoola MICROspikes Footwear Traction$74.9510 oz.
Bear canisterBear Vault Bear Resistant Food Canister$94.952lbs 9oz.
UrsackUrsack Major Black Bear Bag $124.958.8 oz.
Opsak (two bags)LOKSAK - OPSAK Storage Bag, Re-Sealable and Odorless Protection$16.49
Backcountry Trowel The Deuce of Spades Backcountry Potty Trowel$24.950.6 oz.

Backpacking
Cooking List

ItemSpecific ItemCostWeight
StoveJetboil Flash Camping and Backpacking Stove Cooking System$124.9513 oz.
FuelJetboil Jetpower 4-Season Fuel Blend$17.007.2 oz
Water bottles (we buy this product for the container and not the water)Smartwater 1L1.2 oz. each
Collapsible water bottlesEVERNEW Water Carry System, 900ml$12.991 oz.
HydraPak Seeker - Collapsible Water Storage (2L/70oz)$22.002.7 oz.
SoapDr. Bronner's - Pure-Castile Liquid Soap (Peppermint, Travel Size, 2 ounce)$3.992 oz.
ScraperMSR Alpine Dish Brush/Scraper$7.951.6 oz.
Collapsible BucketSea to Summit 10-Liter Folding Bucket, Collapsible Camp Kitchen Bucket$29.952.8 oz
Water pre filterPentek Polypropylene Filter Bag$13.891.6 oz
Water filterSawyer Products PointOne Squeeze Water Filter System$45.998 oz.
Katadyn BeFree Collapsible Water Filter Bottle$49.952.3 oz.
HydraPak 42mm Filter Cap - Water Filtration Accessory$35.002.0 oz.
SporksTOAKS Titanium Long Handle Spork with Polished Bowl$12.950.65 oz
CupsSea to Summit X Mug$25.002.7 oz.

Backpacking
Favorite Food List

In addition to the items below, we are big believers in bringing as much “real” food as possible. One of our favorite places to stock up is at Trader Joe’s grocery stores. There, we can buy dried fruit, nuts, veggie chips, jerky, coconut oil packets, cookies and even hand sanitizer. The photo above shows our Trader Joe’s items for our Arizona Trail trek.

ItemSpecific ItemCostWeight
DinnersGood To-Go Varies - around $15.50 per individual type for double serving
6.6 oz
Mountain House 6 pack pouches Varies - around $60.00 per flavor for 6 pack double serving
4 to 6 oz
BreakfastsBobo's Oat Bars All Natural, Gluten Free 6 Flavor Variety, 2 of Each Flavor$32.88 (pack of 12)3 oz each
Good-To-Go Granola 6 pack pouches$39.95 (pack of 6)4.8 oz each
CoffeeStarbucks Via Italian Roast Coffee$46.75 (50 packets).11 oz each

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