Backpacking Checklist
Table of Contents
Preparation
Travel insurance
Medical care is expensive, so be sure to have coverage for the country you are visiting.
Experience
If this is your first backpacking vacation, go for long walks with a fully loaded backpack. You will need to get used to the weight on your back.
Equipment
A few weeks in advance of your trip, buy and wear the shoes you are planning on using. Walking shoes, like all other shoes, need a break-in period to avoid blistering your feet.
Gear / Equipment
Backpack.
Pick one with straps that buckle across the chest
Tent
Take a small tent in case you don't find lodging for the night.
Tarp
This can serve as an extra floor for your tent, or a place to sit and eat.
Waterproof sleeping bag / blanket.
Nights can get cold!
Walking shoes and extra socks
Protect your feet at all costs, an ordinary pair of sneakers is often not enough; good walking shoes are not a luxury but a necessity.
Flashlight.
If it gets dark, a flashlight is your best friend
Cooking and eating utensils
You may also want a small stove for cooking.
Bandages / Band-aids
Antiseptic and any medications you are on should also be packed.
Things to Pack
Sunscreen and sunglasses
Protect your eyes.
Something warm
Even in summer the evening can be cool.
Insect repellent
Certain countries have biting flies or mosquitoes that carry disease.
A camera
You'll want a record of your journeys.
A lantern and matches.
Save the batteries in your flashlight
Clothes / toiletries / grooming items
Being on the road is no excuse for scruffiness.
Energy bars/ water
For a power snack in long treks.
Miscellaneous
Passport and visa
Mandatory for backpacking in a foreign country.
Medical insurance cards
Laminate these to keep them safe.
Emergency contact info
Name and number of someone authorized to approve medical treatment in case of accident.
Your cell phone, blackberry or iPhone
One with GPS is preferable.
Dictionary
You'll need one in the language of the country you are visiting.
Safety Tips
Be wary
Even fellow travelers, if strangers, could be a threat. Backpackers have been known to have been robbed of their money or equipment.
Stay hydrated, Drink plenty of water on your trips.
Walking can be exhausting
Avoid sunburn and heatstroke
Protect yourself against the sun with sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.
Download or Print this Backpacking Checklist
Get a printable version of this checklist in your preferred format: PDF, Word, Excel, or print directly from your browser.
Details
Backpacking is the perfect way to see part of the world on a shoestring budget. Who needs the formality of a hotel when you can pitch a tent and sleep under the stars? Who needs mealtimes and dress codes when a local bistro allows you entry in jeans and T-shirt? The freedom of the open road beckons... Freedom, that’s what backpacking is all about. To be one with roads, fields and forests. Whether walking in Mother Nature’s wide open spaces or cities and villages, you see much more on foot than you do from a car or a bus. You have the time to stop and take in the details, explore shops and restaurants and talk to the locals. This checklist can help you prepare for your backpacking experience!
Tips
Like the popular saying goes … It’s all about the journey, not the destination. Backpackers often don’t even have a destination; they go where their feet take them. The right gear and apparel can make all the difference in the world when it comes to striking off into the great unknown. What is equally important is that you have a back-up plan. Should you encounter some misfortune, like having your money or credit card stolen, or have an accident, you need to have a plan of action, someone to call, and a way to get home. In addition to have contact information, it also might be a good idea to carry some basic medical details on you. For instance your blood type, allergies and details of a medical condition such as diabetes or epilepsy. It’s no fun waking up in a hospital hooked up to machines becasue you passed out from heat exhaustion and no-one knows you also have low blood sugar! It is also a good idea to have this information in the language of the country you are visiting, as not everybody can read English.
Who it's for
This Backpacking Checklist is for anyone who wants a simple, practical way to get things done without missing steps.
- Avoid forgetting - keep all your Backpacking essentials in one place (external memory)
- Save time - start from a proven Backpacking structure instead of a blank page
- Stay on track - track progress, come back later, and keep momentum
- Coordinate with others - share the list and divide responsibilities
- Learn the process - follow the steps in a sensible order, even if it's your first time
How to use it
How to use this Backpacking Checklist
- Save Backpacking Checklist to your free Checklist account so your progress is saved and synced across devices.
- Customize it in the app: remove anything that does not apply, then add your own details for Backpacking (dates, sizes, addresses, notes).
- If others are involved, invite them to collaborate and divide responsibilities.
- Work through the list: check items off as you go, and set reminders for time-sensitive steps.