Overnight Pack
What's in my Pack?
Overnight camping is one of the best ways to try out new gear, enjoy spending time around a campfire, and sleep under the stars. If you’ve never backpacked before, it’s also the perfect way to ease into the experience.
When doing an overnight, it’s typically a shorter hike focused more on the experience than making distance, completing a trail, or goals like that. Because of that, you can enjoy bringing along more gear or luxury items than you might for a week-long trip.
Since my first backpacking trip in 2011, I’ve spent hundreds of nights hiking across the U.S. In that time, I’ve seen a lot of gear–and also when that gear’s gone bad. Here’s some of my favorite gear for an overnight trip–and why I love it!
The 10 Essentials
No matter what length trip you go on, it’s always vital to bring the 10 essentials for an overnight hike–and it’s also why I’ve listed them here first.
Navigation - Make sure you have maps, a compass, or some other source of navigation for where you’ll be camping. It’s also important to make sure you have your permits if that’s required!
Sun protection - Sunscreen, a sun shirt, a hat (like my favorite Kavu strapcap), etc. Make sure the sun can’t get to you!
Insulation - Something for when it cools down at night. This will depend a lot on what season you’re in. For colder weather, I love my Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Jacket, or during the summer, a pullover fleece.
Light - Have a flashlight or headlamp available for those night hours. Make sure it has a red-lamp to protect your night vision and to use in camp around others. I use the Black Diamond Cosmo.
First-aid supplies - First-aid is important! This kit by Adventure Medical Kits is already pre-packaged for an overnight backpacking trip. Make sure you include any personalized medications or prescriptions you have. I also include iodine tablets in my first aid kit for a water purification backup.
Fire supplies - Make sure you have matches or lighter and some fire-starter.
Repair kit - Duct tape, air mat repair kit, and a sewing kit are my go-tos! You never know when you may need to tape a boot sole back on (true story), patch a hole from a mouse (also a true story), or patch a midnight hole in your mat(yes, also a true story).
Nutrition - Always make sure you have a little extra food in case you end up being delayed. Since food isn’t listed in the Build-a-Pack, I’ll go into more detail about that at the bottom of the article.
Hydration - My favorite water filter is the Katadyn BeFree, and I often use an Osprey water bladder to store my clean water. Another popular water filter is the Sawyer Squeeze.
Shelter - This would be your tent, sleeping bag, and mat. I’ll get into a bit more detail about that below.
Main Gear
Backpack System
It’s not likely that you’ll forget your backpack, but you want to make sure it’s appropriately sized for you. This can easily be done by REI staff or on your own. When purchasing a backpack, have someone help you measure your torso length to find the correct size.
For an overnight hike, I recommend a backpack around 40-50L.
Camp Sleep System
Overnight trips are perfect for trying out different camp systems. If you’ve ever wanted to try out a hammock, now’s the time! I’ve usually been a tent girl–and the REI Half Dome is an excellent choice. It’s well-known, well-tested, and stands up to whatever you may throw at it.
Finding the perfect sleeping bag can be a bit tricky. Backpacking means balancing warmth, weight, and packability. You’ll want the temperature rating to be about 10°F lower than the coldest conditions you expect. Down insulation has the best warmth-to-weight ratio but can be pricey. Synthetic insulation is often more affordable and provides a better wet-weather performance. I personally use the Mountain Hardwear Bishop’s Pass sleeping bag.
Your sleeping mat can make or break your camping experience! My favorite is the EXPED Ultra 3R. It can take you down to temperatures of 20°F, is incredibly comfy, and durable. In fact, it lasted my AT thru hike and I’m still using the same mat today!
Last but not least, don’t forget a pillow! You may have thought that you had to leave those comforts behind, but with inflatable pillows, you can bring one wherever you’d like.
Camp Kitchen
Your camp kitchen will depend on what kind of cooking you like to do. I usually do simple recipes that include boiling water and adding in some sort of noodle or grain as the base. If you do freeze-dried meals, you’ll use the same set-up.
However, if you like more hands-on cooking, add in an aluminum skillet for more cooking without adding too much extra weight.
I also prefer camping with a spork and using a collapsible mug for any of my warm drinks.
Included in my camp kitchen is my gallon ziplock bag that I use for trash and my bear can or bear hang that I use to keep my food safe from any critters
Hiking Gear and Accessories
The hiking accessories you take with you depend a lot on your preferences. You’ll want to make sure you pack bear spray (if needed), your pocket knife or multi-tool, some rope to hang wet clothes on, and your trekking poles.
This is also where you can add all of your fun gear! Bring that Helinox backpacking chair, a card deck or dice, a lightweight hammock to swing next to a river in, or whatever else you prefer.
Again, this is an overnight hike! You do have to pack anything you want to take, but you don’t have the same weight restrictions or concerns as you would if you were backpacking for a week or longer.
Electronics
My one note about electronics: Remember the dry bag to store them in. It’s always a sad day if your expensive gear gets wet in a sudden rainstorm! It’s always a good idea to bring extra batteries as well. Should your headlamp go dead in the middle of the night, you’ll be thanking yourself.
Access to an SOS device, such as a Garmin InReach, could potentially save your life.
Toiletries
Toiletries vary for each person. I always end up forgetting something, so here’s my full list so you can also avoid the discomfort of forgetting toilet paper on a weekend-long trip.
Trailhead gear
You won’t see this gear listed in the pack; however, don’t underestimate the power of a good trailhead gear kit!
Post-hike snacks
Gallon of water - Use to refill any empty water bottles and to clean off a bit
Clean clothes
Dry shoes
Parking pass
Itineraries - 1 on your car seat, and 1 for a trusted friend or family member
What I'm wearing
Your hiking clothes will always depend on your location, the season, and the weather. In the middle of summer, you don’t need your thick winter gloves. However, I’ve learned a couple things the hard way.
Hypothermia is even a thing in the summer: always have a dry pair of clothes you can change into at night. Summits are much colder than the valleys, and weather can be unpredictable; be prepared for temperatures to drop, wind chill factors, and sudden rain.
When you’re hiking, avoid cotton. Cotton soaks up water and holds onto it, and is not quick drying.
Did I pack enough food?
Often, the issue that I see when backpacking is over-packing food. In short, you worry about getting hungry and then pack much more food than what you need!
When packing food, aim for 2,500–4,000 calories per person per day, which is roughly 1.5-2.5 lbs of food per person. A menu could look like this:
Breakfast - Can be quick and easy. I often do instant oatmeal and a protein or energy bar.
Lunch - Doesn’t need a stove. Think of trail mix, a peanut butter and honey, tortilla, or some summer sausage and cheese. below.
Dinner - Is tasty and filling. Freeze-dried backpacking meals are a great option, as is ramen, pasta, couscous, or other easily hydrated foods. There’s no limit to the delicious foods you can make in the backcountry!
Snacks - Can be as easy as dried fruit, granola bars or protein bars, trail mix, jerky, and more. If the weather is hot, it may be helpful to bring electrolyte mixes as well.
Ready to start building your perfect pack?
Use this pack as a starting point for your own pack and customize it to be the perfect pack for you!
