My Backpacking Gear List – A Lightweight & Comfortable Approach (2026)
This is my complete list of backpacking gear with info about what I like about each item, updated for 2026.
Your Guide to Hiking, Backpacking & Camping in the Pacific Northwest
My Complete Day Hiking Gear List
This hiking gear list covers what I typically carry on day hikes, along with how I adapt it for hot or cold-weather conditions.
My Favorite Freeze-dried Backpacking Meals
These freeze-dried backpacking meals are my favorites for their flavor and nutrition – and their lack of preservatives or additives.
Review: Gastro Gnome Backpacking Meals
Gastro Gnome’s flavorful, well-crafted meals set them apart from many backpacking brands, with a comfort-food approach that goes beyond typical freeze-dried meals.
Review: Peak Refuel Meals
Peak Refuel offers freeze-dried meals with homestyle flavors, more protein than many backpacking meals, and plenty of options featuring foods I enjoy on outdoor trips.
Outdoor Gear Companies
This outdoor gear company list includes smaller cottage industry companies with innovative gear, larger companies with a wide range of products, and local outdoor retailers in Portland, Oregon.
Guide to Planning Backpacking Trips
Learn how to plan a backpacking trip, from choosing a destination and route to considering your experience, seasonal conditions, and creating a detailed trip plan.
Oregon and Washington Public Lands: Hiking & Backpacking Resources
Planning a hiking or backpacking trip? This complete list of links to national forests, wilderness areas, and national parks in Oregon and Washington brings public land resources together in one place.
What’s in My Camping Essentials Bin
Everything I need for a trip — from compact electronics and lighting to other small camp items — stays together in one organized bin, ready to grab and go.
Tarp Setups for Rainy Trips & Emergencies
Practical tarp setups for rainy camping and backpacking trips, plus simple emergency shelters using trekking poles, guylines, and stakes.
My Hiking & Backpacking Footwear: What I Wear in Every Season
This guide covers what to look for when choosing hiking footwear, along with my favorite trail runners and hiking shoes for different conditions.
Sleep Baselayers for Camping and Backpacking (2026)
My favorite sleep baselayers for camping and backpacking — from ultralight fleece layers to warmer options for colder nights.
How to Layer for Hiking: Creating a Lightweight, Flexible System
Lightweight layers make it easier to adjust to changing weather and activity levels, helping you stay comfortable from the start of your hike to the finish.
Hiking Mid-Layers I Recommend (2026)
Mid-layers for hiking provide lightweight insulation and breathability, helping regulate body temperature on the trail. These are the hoodies and pullovers I use and recommend.
My Favorite Insulated Jackets for Hiking & Backpacking (2026)
Insulated jackets are a key component in a good layering system for hiking. When choosing jackets, I look for options that are lightweight and pack down small so they are easy to stash in a backpack.
What to Wear for Cold Weather Hiking
While we tend to think of needing bulkier outerwear in the cold weather, wearing lightweight layers provides options for different types of conditions encountered.
Review: Nitecore NB10000 Gen 4 Power Bank
The Nitecore NB10000 is an ultralight, trail-friendly power bank that packs strong charging capability into a compact design built for backpacking, hiking, and everyday carry.
My Favorite Women’s Hiking Tops (2026)
My favorite hiking tops are lightweight, provide full coverage from the sun, and feature a high amount of breathability and wicking properties so I don't get overheated when exerting.
Review: Alpine Fit Fastpacker Alpha 90 Hoodie
A versatile mid-layer made with ultralight Alpha Direct fabric, this women’s-specific hoodie provides warmth and breathability without adding much weight or bulk.
Review: Outdoor Vitals Zulu Down Jacket
An ultralight down jacket with excellent warmth for its weight, the Zulu uses a seamless baffle design and high-loft Muscovy duck down for efficient, reliable insulation.
My Top Picks for Backpacking Sleeping Pads (2026)
With so many sleeping pads available in different styles, sizes, weights, and R-values, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. These are the sleeping pads I’ve used and recommend for different priorities, from lightweight comfort to maximum warmth.
My Favorite Camp Lighting Gear
Tips for choosing camp lighting, plus my favorite lanterns, string lights, and headlamps for a well-lit campsite.
Review: REI Flash Shade Hoodie
The REI Flash Shade Hoodie combines UPF 50+ sun protection with an open, breathable fabric that helps keep me cool on warm-weather hikes.
What to Wear Backpacking
Learn how to layer when backpacking to stay warm, dry, and comfortable, without overpacking. With the right layering system, you can carry less while being ready for changing conditions on the trail.