The Ultimate Backpacking Gear List For Beginner Women Hikers

The Osprey Aerial Plus 60 is a go-to for women backpackers. The pack has Osprey’s superb fit and comfort system with easily adjustable hip-belts and shoulder straps for a close-to-body carry that helps stabilize a heavy load. Plus, the top lid detaches and converts to a day pack for any mini adventures from basecamp.

Even if you don’t normally use hiking poles, they are extremely helpful on longer hikes for both the uphill and the downhill (seriously, your knees will thank you!). Plus, they can be a nice barrier for any animal encounters. Look for lightweight aluminum, collapsible options for easy packing and comfortable all-day use.

The Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL1 is a three-season, one-person tent that is easy to set up and still lightweight and sturdy. It has a large side door and vestibule to make getting in and out very easy. Plus, Big Agnes has started using a solution-dyed fabric that reduces energy consumption and water use during creation.

Made for side sleepers, the Big Agnes Sidewinder SL 20˚ is a mummy bag that was specifically designed for women in regards to shape and how and where it’s insulated to help reduce cold spots. The bag is both warm and comfy and lightweight and packable. 

Don’t skimp on your sleep set. Opt for the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite, which was made for women—it comes in a shorter size and has a higher R-value for cold sleepers, the value that measures the capacity to resist heat flow through the pad. The pad is ultralight, super packable, and 2.5 inches thick. Plus, it comes with a stuff sack that doubles as an air pump so you can save your breath.

A backpacking pillow like this one can make a huge difference in your quality of sleep. If you’re running out of pack space though, bring a small pillowcase to stuff your extra dry layers in for makeshift comfort.

The Salomon Predict Hikers are made to keep your feet comfortable and safe on any hike. They have maximum cushion, light and flexible foot support, and are waterproof with Gore-Tex technology.

A good pair of socks is key to a backpacking trip. Bring one to hike in, one for camp, and one extra just in case. The Damascus ¾ Crew sock by Farm to Feet has light, targeted cushion made from merino wool for odor-resistance and moisture-wicking properties. Plus, the materials are completely sourced from US ranchers.

The Prana Alana pants are not just functional, but also quite stylish. They are a slim, mid-rise cut with stretchy, durable fabric that is both quick drying and has a UPF rating of 50+ (meaning it offers major sun protection). And if you are getting a bit toasty, the legs roll up and snap for a capri-style look.

No matter how warm a trek might be, it’s always wise to bring a lightweight, puffy layer for cold nights or chilly winds.

No matter how warm it is during the day, a night in the mountains can get quite chilly. Always pack a pair of gloves, like the Jack Wolfskin Artist Ecosphere Gloves that are made from recycled fleece and have reinforced palms for durability. These also come in handy if you’re scrambling and using your hands over rough, cold, wet rock. 

Pop a hat on once you get to your campsite to set the tone for a cozy night. The fleece-lined Polar Powder II Beanie by Columbia comes in six fun prints with a fun pom-pom on top, and uses Columbia’s Omni-Heat Infinity advanced thermal reflective technology for added warmth.

Even if rain isn’t in the forecast, bringing waterproof and windproof gear is a must so you’re prepared and can keep your other layers dry. With the Merrell Whisper Rain Jacket, you won’t have to sacrifice weight or space. The jacket stuffs into its own pocket, has four-way stretch, and a longer back length for added coverage and protection.

Although you won’t always need microspikes, running into an icy or slippery trail without them can be quite scary. The Kahtoola Microspikes are lightweight and use 12 stainless steel spikes to grip the gnarliest of trails. Stretch them out easily over any shoe and feel instantly stable and secure.

Nathan Sports is known for their top running essentials, and now they’ve launched their first-ever line of polarized sunglasses for athletes. The polarized shades are flexible, lightweight, and impact-resistance. Basically, perfect for hiking.

The PocketRocket Deluxe Stove Kit by MSR is easy to use with a push-start ignition and is lightweight enough for backpacking. The fast-boiling stove, fuel canister, and pot handle all nest into the 1.2 liter pot that works for one or even two people for a compact cooking solution.

Dehydrated meals, like these from Good To-Go, are a great option when you want a fast, hot meal that doesn’t feel like a combo of snacks. Whatever you choose to bring, aim for food that you’ll actually want to eat, that has high protein, fat, and salt.

Water is just one of the 10 essentials you need backpacking and using a bladder in your pack provides easy access to hydration without having to take off your pack. The 2L Hydration Bladder from Nathan is BPA free, is easy to fill, and has a high-flow bite valve. Just remember, if it’s cold out, the straw may freeze. That’s when you’ll want steel water bottles with you for easy access to your hydration no matter the temp.

Although getting into the wilderness does mean disconnecting, having some sort of distraction is nice when solo trekking. Load up your phone with podcasts, music, and books, and use the Anker PowerCore Solar 20000 to quickly and easily charge your phone. The 18-watt charger is water-resistant, dust-proof and small—it’s about the size of a large phone and weighs 1 pound, but can charge two devices at once. You can charge it up at home or in the sun.

The 330 Headlamp from Biolite is quite a game changer when it comes to headlamps—it’s slim and lightweight with an extremely low profile, so there’s no bouncing or clunkiness. It has a max output of 330 lumens, plus four lighting options, including red night vision. The headlamp charges via micro USB port.

A good multitool is both a complete asset and a comfort. The Signal by Leatherman includes a fire starter, hammer, one handed blade, saw, wire cutters, can opener and bottle opener, and emergency whistle. Plus, it comes in fun colors and has a built-in carabiner to easily attach to your pack.

When backpacking, you’ll need to re-up on water while you’re on the trail, meaning you need a filtration system. Most filters take a long time to use or lots of muscle to keep pumping. The Katadyn BeFree bottle, however, is lightweight, has a built-in, super easy-to-use filter, and comes in a variety of sizes.

When sweating all day, you’ll lose lots of important electrolytes that your body needs to recover. Mix Gnarly Nutrition Fuel20 powder with about 12 ounces of water for 100 calories, made up of carbs for quick energy, as well as sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium.

This reusable, anti-microbial pee cloth is a must-have for trekkers who squat to pee. You’ll save space and weight not having to pack in (and out!) toilet paper, and it has a waterproof side for clean hands while wiping. Just hang it on the outside of your pack when the sun’s out to dry.

Garmin is a top choice for all things GPS related, and the inReach Mini doesn’t disappoint when you want the ability to communicate in areas without cell service. The lightweight and compact satellite communicator has two-way messaging, an SOS emergency setting, location tracking and sharing, and even weather updates, when you purchase a monthly or yearly subscription to the satellite network.