My first hike, please help

[u/No_Excitement8974]

Hi everyone, I’ve been dreaming of going on camping trips for a very long time I’ve been following a lot of bloggers and so on. And now I’ve finally started slowly gathering everything I need for it. Right now, I already have a 65-liter hiking backpack, a two-person tent, a sleeping bag, a knife, and mosquito repellent. My question for those in the know is: what else do I need for my very first overnight trip-something comfortable but not over the top-just to try getting out for 1–2 nights and figure out for myself how much this appeals to me? Thanks in advance.

[u/Zehbs]

Is that your full gear list? I would question whoever you are following then. If not I would post the entire thing here as it is missing a lot and include things you are planning on getting. It would also help if you list where you plan on hiking because what I carry in a desert does differ from a desert vs. high alpine, etc.

[u/Glad_Distribution978 → u/Zehbs]

You need something to sit on, even a cheap foam pad from hardware store will save your mood at camp. Also don't forget a way to make water safe to drink, you can't just trust streams like in old movies. For first trip just bring more snack than you think and some way to start fire, that's enough to have good time without carrying whole store

[u/No_Excitement8974 → u/Glad_Distribution978]

I see, thanks. I was afraid the list would be much longer😄😄😄

[u/verymisteriousgirl → u/Glad_Distribution978]

you really dont need to buy a special sit pad. just sit on your backpack or grab a cheap piece of reflectix if you want to keep your butt warm

[u/No_Excitement8974 → u/Zehbs]

It’s just that no matter where I look for information about my first camping trips, the packing lists vary so much. Some lists have so many items that it’s hard to imagine how you could carry them all on foot, while others have so few items that it’s hard to see how you could survive even six hours with just those, So I’m curious to hear directly from people who’ve been on hikes about what I should pay attention to on what you might call a “trial hike.” The reason I have such a small amount of gear is that I’ve only just started putting together my “hiking kit,” so to speak. To answer your question, I’m planning to take my first hike to a small forest with a stream - it’s usually completely deserted there, and there definitely aren’t any aggressive animals. I think it’s a great option for a first-time hike, but I could be wrong.

[u/Zehbs → u/No_Excitement8974]

Most of my brand recommendations here are assuming you are based in the US.

Then the biggest thing you are missing is a sleep pad. Personally I prefer an inflatable one that is insulated from Nemo or Thermarest, I wake up constantly sleeping on foam pads. Inflatable pillow is a must for me, some people just stuff their extra clothes in a stuff sack and use that, but I have a big head that smashes things flat.

Headlamp with redlight lets me do things at camp at night with my hands free. The red light is nice since it preserves your night vision to a degree and you have less bugs flying around you.

Another thing you will need is water filtration, if the water is relatively clean and there is no chemical pollution I personally recommend the Sawyer Squeeze, paired with a bag and the blue adapter so you can just set it up to filter via gravity, I usually carry 1-2 smart water bottles to carry my filtered water. I carry a Nalgene when I know it will be cold overnight so I can boil some water and sleep with it.

Rain gear: either a Poncho when I know I there isn't much undergrowth in an area or a rain jacket, skirt. My bag is water proof so I just use a contractor trash bag as extra security to keep things dry. If your backpack company has a rain cover I would buy that.

Clothes: No Cotton. I prefer to wear long sleeves since I hate wearing and reapplying sunscreen. I prefer to wear trucker baseball cap with a sun shade to protect my neck. I also prefer to clothes that are 100% nylon as it is super breathable and lightweight but it is expensive. I do not like wearing knit clothes, some people swear by a sun hoody but I find bugs have an easier time biting through clothes that have some elasticity to them. I have 2-3 pairs of wool socks. I always carry a lightweight down jacket and depending on how cold it will be I will also carry a fleece. I always carry a buff as well. Mosquito head net is a must as well.

3+ night trips I only wear one set of clothes, but carry a thermal top and bottom to sleep in clean clothes.

1-2 night trips I carry one extra set of clothes.

Stuff sacks: 1 for my clothes/electronics and a compression sack for my sleeping bag to make more room in my bag.

Cook kit: backpacking stove, pot, and titanium long handle spoon. I rehydrate my food in pouches for convenience so I don't have to clean my pot. A small lighter, piezo igniters break so having an extra ignition source for your stove is nice to have.

Poop kit: 2 one gallon zip lock bags, toilet paper and a titanium trowel. store everything in the gallon ziplock. Pack your TP out in the second gallon bag. Hand sanitizer, sometimes soap. Use soap as far away as you can from any water source, biodegradable soap is more in reference to how it breaks down in soil, and the surfactants in any soap is really harmful to aquatic life.

Ursack or bear can for food protection, you may not have any aggressive animals, but rodents and small mammals will chew through your bag, or tent to get at any food they can smell so I still store my food/ toiletries outside my tent and bag at camp. A budget option would be a stuff sack , rope and carabiner to do a bear hang.

First aid kit/repair kit: Gear repair tape, needle/thread, expired quickclot (I get it for free), leukotape (for blisters), Ibuprofen, Imodium, tick key, and a small pocket knife.

Battery bank to charge my headlamp, phone.

Optional stuff: chair or sit pad, an e-reader/book, wired earbuds I only use one earbud to listen to podcasts/audiobooks, an small electric pump for my sleeping pad.

I highly recommend trekking poles if you are doing hikes with significant elevation changes as descending with a full bag on your back is hard on your ankles and knees. I personally experience noticeably less pain when I use them.

[u/No_Excitement8974 → u/Zehbs]

Thanks for such a detailed guide - it's definitely going to be very useful to me. There were some things I hadn't even thought about until I read about them))

[u/Agerak → u/No_Excitement8974]

REI has some very good guides as well, worth a look. Also it will vary depending on where you are and your climate. Won’t need a coat/jacket in South East Texas (generally), will 100% need extra dry bags in PNW, will need extra insulation and a good sleep system if you’re at altitude.

[u/Bobcattrr]

Baby steps! I suggest the first couple times: camp at a campground close to trails. Check out federal and state campgrounds. Pretend you are out in the middle of the Appalachian Trail, hike your 10 miles or whatever, yet have water, a cooler of food, and a car nearby. You will figure exactly your own list in short order. It is fun, get out there! Also, check out Homemade Wanderlust on YT, start with her early videos, what a gold mine of info.

[u/No_Excitement8974 → u/Bobcattrr]

Thanks, I'll definitely check out the channel you recommended)

[u/EDCTechie]

Wow! A first time camping experience will be great. Some additional items that will be worth bringing include:

Sleeping bags, a rain jacket and warm layers as Fall is approaching, plenty of water, cookware and utensils, a first-aid kit, and essentials like a toothbrush and toiletries.

That’s just a start though. There are resources online you can use as well with prepared camping lists. Feel free to let me know and I’ll suggest some.

[u/No_Excitement8974 → u/EDCTechie]

Thank you so much - I didn't expect there to be so many great people here. Unfortunately, that's not the case in my own circle, though I think it's because of where I live. I just need to pick up a few more things, and then I'll be able to fully enjoy my first vacation of this kind)