*Updated January 1, 2023
3 Season Ultralight Backpacking Gear
*Updated for 2023
I have a basic 3 season gear list for backpacking and long-distance hiking. Depending on the hike, I substitute, eliminate or add gear to accommodate the conditions and elements that are expected. For example, for rugged terrain or off-trail routes, I trade my lightweight hiking poles for stronger ones, trail runners for a lightweight approach shoe, and a hiking skirt/shorts for pants. My base weight (gear without water and food) varies from 10 to 12 pounds.
Big 3, Kitchen, Hydration, Electronics
Backpack, Shelter, Sleeping
- BACKPACK | Gossamer Gear Gorilla (fits half size bear canister) (review) or
- BACKPACK | Gossamer Gear Mariposa (fits a full size bear canister nicely in the pack)
- SHELTER | Zpacks Plexamid or Gossamer Gear DCF ‘The One’
- STAKES | MSR Ground Hog Stakes
- SLEEPING BAG | Zpacks 20 degree/standard width/ medium length
- SLEEPING PAD | Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite Women’s
- PAD | Gossamer Gear Thinlight Pad (Great multi-tasker: use backpack back pad, slips under sleeping pad for extra warmth and protection, use as a lounging or stretching mat)
- PILLOW | NEMO Fillo Elite Pillow
- FOAM SIT PAD | Sit Pad
- HIKING POLES | Gossamer Gear LT5 Carbon
- BUG NET | Sea to Summit Head Net with Insect Shield
- CLOTH | Kula Cloth
Kitchen
- STOVE | BRS-3000T
- POT| TOAKS 650ml Titanium Light Pot
- UTENSIL | TOAKS Titanium Folding Spork
Hydration
- WATER FILTER | Sawyer Squeeze (review)
- WATER BOTTLE | 2 Smart Water Bottles
- WATER STORAGE | Platypus Ultralight 2 liter Collapsible Water Bottle
Electronics
- SATELLITE COMMUNICATOR | Garmin inReach Mini (review)
- CAMERA/PHONE | iPhone 13pro with charger cord and headphones
- MINI TRIPOD | Jellyfish Jelly Grip Mount with Tripod with Jelly Long Legs
- CHARGER | Nitecore NB10000
- HEADLAMP | Nitecore NU20 360 Lumens Rechargeable Lightweight Rechargeable (review)
- USB PLUG IN | USB Wall Charger Dual Port
- COMPASS | Suunto M-3g Global Pro Compass
- WATCH | Garmin Instinct 2 Solar
First Aid, Repair, Toiletries & Misc.
First Aid/Repair
- ESSENTIAL OILS | (Lavender, Peppermint, Helichrysum and Melaleuca)
- KNIFE | Swiss Army Classic Knife
- LIGHTER | BIC Mini
- TAPE | DCF tape (repairs most anything) & Leukotape (blisters and first-aid)
- BAND-AIDS | Waterproof Tough Strips Band-aids (blister prevention & care)
- MISC. | Ibuprofen, Benadryl, extra pair of contacts, extra velcro for attaching Dirty Girl gaiters, extra gasket for Sawyer Squeeze
Toiletries
- LOTION | Neutrogenia Hand Cream
- SUNSCREEN | Banana Boat Kids Sport 50 Stick
- LIP BALM | Blistex Five Star Lip Protection
- SOAP | Dr. Bronner’s Organic Liquid Soap
- TOOTHBRUSH | GUM Travel
- TOOTHPOWDER | Uncle Harry’s
- TROWEL | TheTentLab The Deuce
- WIPES | Huggies Natural Care Fragrance Free Baby Wipes
- HAND SANITIZER | Purell 1 ounce
- TOILET PAPER BAG | Ziplock Bag (DIY how to)
- BANDANA | Cotton
Misc. Gear
- STORAGE BAGS | Ziploc Bags Variety Pack
- PACK LINER | Large unscented heavy duty trash bag
- SMALL CONTAINERS | Mini Dropper Bottles, Micro Dropper Bottle Set, 1/2 ounce pot with lid, Pill pouches
- ODOR PROOF SACK | LOKSAK – OPKSAK Storage Bag
Rockin’s Clothing Worn & Packed
Clothing (worn)
- SHIRT | Columbia PFG Bahama
- SKIRT | Purple Rain
- UNDERWEAR | Bike Shorts
- SUN GLOVES | Outdoor Research Sungloves (review)
- GAITERS | Dirty Girl
- SHOES | La Sportiva Mutant
- INSOLES | Protalus
- SOCKS | Injinji Sport Original Weight Mini-Crew (review)
- SCARF | Original Buff Headwear (review)
- HAT | Trucker
- SPORTS BRA | Patagonia Barely Bra
- SUNGLASSES | Revo Dexter
Clothing (packed)
- RAIN JACKET | Arc’teryx Norvan SL Hoody
- WIND JACKET | Montbell Tachyon Parka Windshirt
- RAIN/WIND PANT | Montbell Versalite Pants
- GLOVES | Mountain Hardwear Power Stretch
- DOWN JACKET | Montbell Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka
- SLEEP SHIRT | Echo Hoodie (review)
- TIGHTS | Lululemon Align Tight
- EXTRA SOCKS | Injinji Sport Original Weight Mini-Crew (review)
- SLEEP SOCKS | Ridge Merino
Dan’s Clothing Worn & Packed
Clothing (worn)
- SHIRT | Outdoor Research Echo Hoodie
- PANTS | Outdoor Research Ferrosi
- UNDERWEAR | SAAX
- SUN GLOVES | Outdoor Research Sungloves (review)
- GAITERS | Dirty Girl
- SHOES | Solomon Speedcross 6
- SOCKS | Injinji Sport Original Weight Mini-Crew (review)
- SCARF | Original Buff Headwear (review)
- HAT | Trucker
- SUNGLASSES | Revo Dexter
Clothing (packed)
- RAIN JACKET | Arc’teryx Norvan SL Hoody
- WIND JACKET | Montbell Tachyon Parka Windshirt
- RAIN/WIND PANT | Montbell Versalite Pants
- GLOVES | Mountain Hardwear Power Stretch
- DOWN JACKET | Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Jacket
- SLEEP SHIRT | Echo Hoodie (review)
- SLEEP BOTTOMS | Shorts
- EXTRA SOCKS | Injinji Sport Original Weight Mini-Crew (review)
- HAT | Beanie
- SLEEP SOCKS | Ridge Merino
Shared Gear
Gear I trade out of my regular lightweight backpacking kit when hiking and sleeping with another person.
- TENT | Zpacks Duplex
- STOVE | Jetboil Flash
Backpacking in Rough Terrain or Routes
Gear I add or trade out to my regular lightweight backpacking kit for rocky, sandy, and uneven terrain.
- APPROACH SHOE | La Sportiva Womens TX3 Approach Shoe(review)
- HIKING PANTS | prAna Halle Pants
- LIGHTWEIGHT GLOVES | Gorilla Grip Gloves
- HIKING POLES | Fizan
Food/Bear Protection As Needed
- BEAR BAG | Ursack Major Bear Bag
- ODOR PROOF SACK | LOKSAK – OPKSAK Storage Bag
- BEAR CAN | BearVault BV500 Food Container
- BEAR CAN | BearVault BV450 Food Container
- BEAR CAN | Bearikade The Weekender
- BEAR CAN | Bearikade Scout
Snow and Cold Weather Gear
Gear I add to my regular lightweight backpacking kit for cold and/or wet conditions Fall/Winter/Spring.
- SLEEPING PAD | Neo Air XTherm
- WATERPROOF GLOVES | Showa 282 Temres Insulated Gloves or Showa Best 282 Atlas TEMRES Insulated Gloves
- GLOVES | Outdoor Research PL400 Sensor Gloves
- RAIN PANTS | Montbell Versalite Mens Size Small
- HAT | Beanie
- DOWN PANTS | Winter Warm packable Down Pants
- DOWN BOOTIES | Tapasime Down Booties
- FLEECE | Patagonia R1 Air Zip Neck
Traction
- MICROSPIKES | CAMP Chainsen Light
- ICE AXE | Petzl Summit 2 Ice Axe
- CRAMPONS | GRIVEL Air Tech New Classic Crampons
- SNOW SHOES | MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes
Peak Bagging | Rock Scrambling Gear
- HELMET | Black Diamond Vapor Helmet (review)
- APPROACH SHOE | La Sportiva Womens TX3 Approach Shoe(review)
- LIGHTWEIGHT GLOVES | Gorilla Grip Gloves
- TIGHTS | Hereafter Legging
- BACKPACK | Kumo 36 Superlight Backpack (size small)
Outdoor Hiking and Gear Favorite Blog Posts
- 2020 Hiking Favorites
- 2018 Hiking Favorites
- 2015 Hiking Favorites
- 2014 Hiking Favorites
- 2013 Hiking Favorites
- 2012 Hiking Favorites
- 2011 Hiking Favorites
- 2010 Hiking Favorites