Beginner's Guide To Backpacking Gear in 2025
Beginner's Guide To Backpacking Gear in 2025
Want the best way to plan your trips and navigate in the backcountry? 👉 Thanks to OnX Backcountry for sponsoring this video: https://www.onxmaps.com/backcountry/r/erichanson
Excellent Tents in Ascending Budget:
Ozark Trails tent: https://bit.ly/4hSqfUY
Featherstone Granite tent: https://amzn.to/4kh5XVW
Paria Bryce Tent: https://bit.ly/4jSjtQ2
Durston X-Dome 1+: https://bit.ly/4cxM9e7
Durston X-Mid 1: https://bit.ly/4awy4LS
Nemo Hornet Osmo Elite: https://alnk.to/6mRvfdU
Sleeping Mattresses in Ascending Budget:
El Cordion Foam Mattress: https://alnk.to/gp2H9K0
Paria Outdoors Recharge XL: https://bit.ly/3UruLQp
Flextail Zero: https://alnk.to/1N3ny18
Zenbivy UL mattress: https://alnk.to/3U2TvS4
Nemo Tensor: https://alnk.to/3niCzrb
Nemo Tensor Extreme: https://alnk.to/eZIDji7
Sleeping Bags in Ascending Budget:
Kelty Cosmic 20: https://amzn.to/4dfF2rl
AegisMax 20: https://amzn.to/43js5rY
Nemo Riff 15: Nemo Riff: https://alnk.to/eZHwMie
Quilts:
Outdoor Vitals Stormloft: https://alnk.to/5uhIllP
Zenbivy UL Bed: https://alnk.to/eOMPcMd
Backpacks in Asending Budget:
Teton Sports Hiker: https://amzn.to/43pIfkz
Naturehike 65L UL Pack: https://amzn.to/42WpLbq
Durston Kakwa 55: https://bit.ly/4bKk2GF
Outdoor Vitals Shadowlight 60: https://alnk.to/5Q7ej2i
Mystery Ranch Radix 57: https://alnk.to/7fqHJ2K
Outdoor Vitals CS40: https://alnk.to/gKRCH7c
Mystery Ranch Bridger 65: https://alnk.to/2FD0dRH
Osprey Atmos AG 65: https://alnk.to/2QylDcg
Zpacks Arc Haul 70: https://zpacks.com?aff=207
Stoves in Ascending Budget:
AOTU: https://amzn.to/3ZhnZ3c (price dropped to $7.99!)
Firemaple Greenpeak: https://amzn.to/3YH6LLr
BRS-300T: https://amzn.to/3X9Qddm
CampingMoon XD-2F: https://amzn.to/4ecqEzc (needs adapter to fit with Petrel Pot)
Triflex Adapter for CampingMoon to Petrel Pot: https://amzn.to/3GR08jG
MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe: https://alnk.to/gzW1frs
Soto Windmaster: https://amzn.to/3Xx2Al0
Jetboil Minimo: https://alnk.to/3cnRAV5
Headlamps:
Nitecore NU 25: https://amzn.to/4mcksfs
Nitecore NU 33: https://amzn.to/3EW3ukJ
Ready to hit the trail but not sure where to start? In this complete beginner’s guide to backpacking, I break down everything you need to know about gear in 2025, including the jargon.
Whether you’re planning your first overnight trip or dreaming of multi-day adventures, this video will help you confidently choose the right equipment.
Most of the above links are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. It’s a great way to support creators you enjoy!
Want to collaborate with me? You can reach me at erichanson@thestation.io
Chapters:
Intro: 00:00
Tents: 00:25
Sleeping Mattresses: 09:36
Sleeping Bags and Quilts 13:37
Navigation 22:53
Backpacks: 24:31
Stoves: 34:06
Water Filtration: 40:17
Headlamps: 43:58
I’ve been wanting to get into backpacking for years and after training on a bunch of day hikes, I’m ready to step it up and start doing overnight trips into weekend trips. This video was beyond helpful and I really appreciate the logical and candid reasons you share behind your recommendations. Thank you thank you thank you!!!
Thank you very much for your videos. I have enjoyed them very much.
I am new to the outdoors, and I am looking for a sleeping bag. I just got the Helsport alta spring Pro. But when I got it and used it for the first time, I nearly got a panic attack. I didn’t realize that sleeping bags where so constricted 😅 do you have any suggestions of a sleeping bag that has more room to move around in.
I am from Denmark, but many of the brands u recommend and use I am sure I can find here also.
Once again Thank you very much for your videos😊😊
A very thorough and to the point video. Thank God you’re so pragmatic about that. Kudos.
You missed the best part of the Sawyer water filters. The technology they use is amazing, the filter holes are just large enough to let water molecules through while filtering out viruses. It’s incredible! Literally the best filter on the market and is used all across the world where water quality is poor.
My best advice is to spend your money and weight penalty on sleep.
i just open my sleeping bag and use it as a quilt
Just subscribed to your channel. Like the way you compare gear. Looking at taking my two young daughters backpacking/camping for the first time. Your gear guide was super helpful. I’ll be watching in the future. Thanks for the info.
Very informative video. Learned a few things. Thanks!
What, no pillow talk? Ha!
Sleeping pad and bag… buy once cry once.
"Amazon is a reasonable place to buy camping gear," and billionaires tried to force the sale of millions of acres of public land dude using the money we gave them to lobby our leaders. There might be nothing more untrue than the phrase, "these are affordable."
Is it true I shouldn’t keep my sleeping bag in the stuff sack all the time??
Some sleeping bags are rated for a comfort temp not a survival temp so it’s crucial to know what the brand you’re looking at uses.
Dude, its raining and you got all those tents up. Thats dedication! Airing out and drying all those tents when you get home.
I have the Featherstone Obsidian 1p tent if Im not with my wife. It is a great $120 tent. The pitch is a little finicky because the pole hits two of the four corners while fixing to one point halfway on the foot end of the tent. The bathtub floor relies on staking out all four corners rather than MSR Hubba/Elixir tents that use the four corner pole structure to keep the bathtub sides vertical. But really not a huge deal for the price.
Thank you for the great info
39:55 in my opinion, those stoves are a waste of money. I can always find wood to burn in my stove. And I do not have to carry empty cans through the woods or see them laying along the ground near a path.
If you are too lazy to carry out your trash. Stay out of the woods.
Nice video, thank you 😊
I bought a naturehike star river 2 UL. Next is my ugq 20*quilt, I’m looking for a sleeping pad also. Give me some recommendations.
I’m a muscular guy and grew up splitting wood. 2lbs isn’t worth $500
Eric you and Miranda are the instigators of me buying all sorts of cool gear! Thanks so much for sharing. I’m very interested in the new Durston tent and investigating that further. Do you know how people can check out gear in person before buying? It’s a big investment and I don’t know if it will work well until I try it. At a minimum, crawl inside! Thanks for your great videos – I really enjoy them!
Hey what do you think of the nature hike cloud up 2 pro ?
You didnt put the water filtration links
My recommendation for a complete backpacking beginner is start with whaterver reasonable kit you have available to see if you even like backpacking. Replace parts of your kit according to your likes and needs as you gain experience. Do not overthink things as a beginner. Listen to your own experience instead of some opinionated and overzealous community.
Thank you so much of such a genuine episode. I am just starting up and I really enjoyed ur video. Super helpful to form my bases on this topic. All the best!
Sooo many loooong commercials…
Great advice.
Great video! My top tip is buying the best pad you can afford. Alongside my Hilleberg Unna, the best gear I ever bought. *Both are +10yrs old and still going strong btw, something to consider when buying ‘expensive’ gear.
I remember one of the adult scout leaders having a pump filter when I was a kid and we all thought it was the absolute craziest thing for nearly $200
Now lifestraws cost $20…
Crazy still, imho.
I bought a naturehike star river 2 UL. Next is my ugq 20*quilt, I’m looking for a sleeping pad also. Give me some recommendations.
All the gears u have reviewed in this video, is it applicable for both men and women? I asked because being female I am trying to set up my gear for hiking. Thank you
Thanks for the video. Very helpful for us beginners 👍
Dude I’m just thankful you took the time to record such a great video, thanks man
I found a brand new hubba hubba nx2 for 200 on facebook marketplace should i get it
So inviting🔥
What about a good external battery for charging phone (camera)?
I bought the Exped Lightning 45 and am totally regretting it since it doesnt have a big pocket. I think I want the Hyperlite 40, but I am scared to pull the trigger on another expensive bag. ahhhh, too many options.
As a geology student, I used the Kelty Cosmic 20. It’s great for the price and lasted me a solid ten years! I survived montana summer nights at 12,000 ft and lots of use in Colorado.
After all those years, I’m going to upgrade to a Western Mountaineering bag, but I’m glad I started with a budget option.
Went to look for the granite tent and it’s $37-$130 all sold out everywhere 🤣😢 classic
Disagree. Purchase the best and lightest gear that you can afford. The same thing is true for people who begin playing guitar and purchased cheap guitars. They end up having a terrible experience and give up.
My tip, go to Decathlon. You can never go wrong with Decathlon when you’re starting. From the decathlon setup, you can upgrade over the years to brands like MSR and Nemo
I bought the Featherstone tent last year and I love it. I used it for car camping and it rained moderately the whole night and I didn’t have any leaks.
I know you are not a quilt guy. I love mine. I bought a relatively budget hammock gear 20 deg. quilt. I was very warm and comfortable at 29 degrees. overnight. I did pair my a sleeping pad with a z-fold pad and had really good ground insulation. Ive since upgraded my pad, but the quilt was awesome. Nice intro to backpacking video. I had a very budget start and just upgraded one piece of gear for every major hike. A beginner has great budget options today.
Got a discount on a Jetboil Sumo for $108 and I haven’t looked back.
Yes, it is big, but I can do lots of normal cooking in it for 2-4 people without having to worry about overflow
The first thing I did for my tent was to cut out a footprint on some six mil. Plastic to protect the bottom. I can’t imagine putting my tent straight on the ground. O degree rated Goose down is the only way,paired with a sleeping bag liner even. I never needed an inflatable mattress but stuffing my shirt with my clothes to make a pillow is awesome.
DUDE!!! This is a really good video for people just starting out! I can not express how wonderful today’s gear is and the weight savings. Back in the day just our stoves weighted several pounds, yes I know it’s hard to the younglings to understand, go look up the specs on a Coleman multi fuel stove or I’ll do it for you, 2.7 pounds and that’s before fuel. Even the gear that’s considered not great today is a vast step forward. A 40 to 50 pound base weight was common, the heaviest I’ve seen was 87 pounds but he had gear for his wife and kids.
I really want the Durston X-Dome 1+ – but it’s always out of stock!
You can get it with short poles and SOLID interior (Thank you!)
I have a small ADV motorcycle with 14+14 liters pannier bags and I need to fit my camping gear + other stuff in them.
I have the Clostnature Polaris Lightweight Backpacking Tent from amazon. Very similar to the one you have and works awesome
Close cell super thin foam sleeping mat is what we had in the Army. I never once used it (wasn’t doing much sleeping anyway lol)
Does anyone think there’s a number amount that can get you started in the woods for a couple days? Like If I had a budget of 1000 dollars could I be good in the woods for a few days a month?
Hey Eric, recently discovered your channel! Looks pretty neat.
I see what you’re saying about ultra light backpacks. Have you also considered backpacks designed around comfortability like the Fjalraven kanken? The wooden support frames on it are a game changer.