Midweight Backpacking Gear List (15 lb Base Weight)

Here is an example of a midweight backpacking gear list that you can use for everything from overnight hikes to thru-hikes. Midweight backpacking gear works great for hiking trails like the Pacific Crest Trail, John Muir Trail and Appalachian Trail between late Spring and early Fall.

Instead of suggesting just one item for each category, I have listed several popular options for the most important gear categories (like the big three and clothing) 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: 8-9 pounds, Budget: ~$1,000

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.

Midweight Backpacks (Under 4 pounds)

Midweight Backpacks

Midweight Backpacking Shelters (Under 3 pounds)

Midweight Backpacking Shelters

Midweight Sleeping Bags (Under 3 pounds)

Midweight Sleeping Bags

Midweight Sleeping Pads (Under 1.5 pound)

Midweight Sleeping Pads

Example Big Three

Backpack: ULA Equipment Circuit (41 ounces)
Shelter: REI Quarter Dome 1 (39 ounces)
Sleeping Bag: Big Agnes Anvil Horn 15 (37 ounces)
Sleeping Pad: Nemo Tensor Insulated Reg-Wide (19 ounces)

Total Weight: 8.5 lbs, Total Cost: ~$1,000

Clothing Worn

Weight: 4 pounds, Budget: ~$300

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.”

Hiking Shoes

Hiking Shoes

Hiking Socks

Hiking Socks

Hiking Insoles

Hiking Insoles

Hiking Shirts

Hiking Shirts

Hiking Pants

Hiking Pants

Hiking Underwear

Hiking Underwear

Hiking Hats

Hiking Hats

Hiking Sunglasses

Hiking Sunglasses

Clothing Packed

Weight: 3 pounds, Budget: ~$700

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.

Midweight Insulated Jackets

Midweight Insulated Jackets

Midweight Rain Jackets

Midweight Rain Jackets

Midweight Base Layer Tops

Midweight Base Layer Tops

Midweight Base Layer Bottoms

Midweight Base Layer Bottoms

Other Clothing Packed

Other Clothing Packed

Cooking & Hydration

Weight: 1.8 pounds, Cost: ~$250

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.

Lightweight Backpacking Cooking & Hydration

Survival & Miscellaneous

Weight: 2 pounds, Cost: ~$700

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.

Lightweight Backpacking Survival & Miscellaneous

Items Worn or Carried

Weight: 1.6 pounds, Cost: ~$150 (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.”

Lightweight 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

Midweight Backpacking Gear List Summary

Base Pack Weight: 15.4 pounds, Cost: ~$3,150

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 Midweight Backpacking Gear List

Midweight Backpacking Gear List
The Big Three: 8.5 lbs, $1,000
Clothing Packed: 3.1 lbs, $700
Cooking & Hydration: 1.8 lbs, $250
Survival & Miscellaneous: 2 lbs, $700
Base Pack Weight: 15.4 lbs
+ Consumables: 20 lbs
Full Pack Weight: 35.4 lbs
+ Clothing Worn: 4 lbs, $350
+ Items Worn or Carried: 1.6 lbs, $150
Skin-Out Weight: 41 lbs
Total Cost: ~$3,150