Budget Backpacking Gear List (Under $1,000)

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Are you just getting into long-distance backpacking and don’t want to invest thousands of dollars on high-end gear right out of the gate? Here is an example of a budget-oriented lightweight backpacking gear list that that will get you on the trail for just under $1,000.

Instead of suggesting just one item for each category, I have listed several popular options for important gear items (like backpack, shelter and sleeping bag) for you to choose from. If you would like to see the gear I use myself, check out My Lightweight Backpacking Gear List.

The Big Three (Backpack, Shelter, Sleep System)

Weight: 9-10 pounds, Budget: ~$600

These three items (technically four, if you count sleeping bag and pad separately) are the foundation of your lightweight backpacking system. They get used more than anything else, make up the bulk of your gear weight and will take the biggest chunk out of your budget.

Budget Lightweight Backpacks (Under $200)

Budget Backpacks

Budget Backpacking Shelters (Under $150)

Budget Backpacking Shelters

Budget Sleeping Bags (Under $200)

Budget Backpacking Sleeping Bags

Budget Sleeping Pads (Under $50)

Budget Backpacking Sleeping Pads

Example Big Three

Backpack: REI Flash 55 (42 ounces)
Shelter: Alps Mountaineering Lynx 1 (56 ounces)
Sleeping Bag: Kelty Cosmic 20 (38 ounces)
Sleeping Pad: Thermarest RidgeRest SOL Reg (14 ounces)

Total Weight: 9.4 lbs, Total Cost: ~$500

Clothing Worn

Weight: 2.9 pounds, Cost: ~$150

These are clothing items that are typically worn every day on the trail. Hiking clothing should be lightweight, comfortable, breathable, durable and made from synthetic fabrics, wool or silk (no cotton.) Since these items spend more time on your body than in your pack, they are excluded from the “base weight” calculation, but are included in your “skin-out weight.”

Budget Hiking Clothing

Clothing Packed

Weight: 2.3 pounds, Cost: ~$150

These are clothing items which typically spend more time in your pack than on your body. They are used primarily for staying warm and dry in inclement weather, in the evenings in camp and as spares for clothing that needs to air out between uses (like socks and underwear.) Because they are usually stored in your pack, these items are included in the “base weight” calculation.

Budget Backpacking Clothing

Cooking & Hydration

Weight: 1.1 pounds, Cost: ~$50

These items are used for cooking, eating and cleaning dishes as well as storing and treating drinking water. This example provides carrying capacity for up to 4 liters of water. You may need to adjust this up or down, depending on how much water is available where you hike.

Budget Backpacking Cooking & Hydration

Survival & Miscellaneous

Weight: 1.2 pounds, Cost: ~$100

These are items used for navigation, fire starting, first aid, gear repairs, personal hygiene, organization and other various tasks. Though some of these items may not get used very often, it is still wise to carry them, because they can make all the difference in an emergency.

Budget Backpacking Survival & Miscellaneous

Items Worn or Carried

Weight: 1.7 pounds, Cost: ~$50 (not including cost of phone)

These are non-clothing items which are typically carried in your hands or on your body. They are excluded from the “base pack weight” calculation, but are included in “skin-out weight.”

Budget Backpacking Items Worn or Carried

Consumables

Weight: ~20 pounds

These are items which get used up as you go along, so they have to be replenished regularly. Since the weight of consumables is always fluctuating, they are excluded from the “base pack weight” calculation, but are included in your “full pack weight” and “skin-out weight.”

Backpacking Consumables

Budget Backpacking Gear List Summary

Base Pack Weight: 14 pounds, Cost: ~$1,000

There are several methods for calculating pack weight. “Base weight” includes all packed gear, but does not include consumables, clothing worn and other items worn or carried. “Full pack weight” includes packed gear, food, water, fuel and other consumables. “Skin-out weight” includes everything packed, worn and carried. Here is how our example gear list stacks up:

Example Budget Backpacking Gear List

Budget Backpacking Gear List
The Big Three: 9.4 lbs, $500
Clothing Packed: 2.3 lbs, $150
Cooking & Hydration: 1.1 lbs, $50
Survival & Miscellaneous: 1.2 lbs, $100
Base Pack Weight: 14 lbs
+ Consumables: 20 lbs
Full Pack Weight: 34 lbs
+ Clothing Worn: 2.9 lbs, $150
+ Items Worn or Carried: 1.7 lbs, $50
Skin-Out Weight: 38.6 lbs
Total Cost: ~$1,000