Essential Hiking and Backpacking Accessories of 2023

ESSENTIAL ACCESSORIES FOR HIKING AND BACKPACKING — FROM THE ULTRA COOL TO THE ULTRALIGHT

It’s the little things. Beyond your backpack, tent, and sleeping bag, what else should you carry? What are other things to pack that you will actually need and use? We polled backpackers with a collective 100,000 miles of backpacking to get the answers.

Note that not everything on this list is carried on every trip. Our actual packing list varies based on the length of the trip, the terrain, the season, and overall climate.

Find the entire article written by Naomi Hudetz here.

LAST UPDATED

February 7, 2025

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We’re outdoor adventurers from across the country who believe that less time researching means more time spent outdoors.

Using our own experience, field-testing, and a meta-review process that takes into account expert opinions and everyday users, we seek to bring you gear review with perspective.

Our goal is to give you recommendations for gear you will love.

Our mission is to reduce the impact on the planet by helping you buy right the first time.

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