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Here’s everything on outdoor experts' checklists for hitting the trails.

Ultimate Backpacking Packing List

Credit:Travel & Leisure

Keep reading below to find our comprehensive packing list as well as expert tips and advice.

If you’re prone to neck issues, you might want to packa camping pillowas well.

I’m 5-foot-3-inches, so it’s always a challenge for me.

Nemo Dagger Osmo 2P Tent

Credit: Amazon

Weighing just over 1 pound, this comfy pad won’t take up much space in your backpack either.

I’m a pretty minimalist backpacker.

No matter the season, Grace will bring one or two jackets for backpacking trips.

A NEMO Dagger OSMO Lightweight Backpacking Tent on the ground

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Taylor Fox

So sometimes I take that and I can just hang it off my pack, Grace said.

I always just have one extra pair of socks with me during the day.

Its our favorite lightweight rain jacket that provides a strong protection against the elements without sacrificing mobility.

The inside of a NEMO Dagger OSMO Lightweight Backpacking Tent

Grace brings a rain jacket no matter the predicted weather for a trip.

Best Packable Jacket

L.L.Bean Womens PrimaLoft Packaway Jacket

Backpacking in cooler seasons orhigh altitudes?

Be sure to bring a warm, insulated,packable jacketlike L.L.

A NEMO Dagger OSMO Lightweight Backpacking Tent in a clearing

Bean’s PrimaLoft Packaway Hooded Jacket (mens versionhere).

Plus, it packs down to a fraction of its original size, which is perfect for backpacking.

Similarly to backpacks, Grace advises trying on a variety of hiking boots to find the right pair.

A NEMO Dagger OSMO Lightweight Backpacking Tent on the ground

Theres no better feeling than sitting down after trekking for hours and peeling off your socks and hiking shoes.

The brands Contagrip MA outsoles have intricate traction for stability on a variety of terrain.

We love that the shoes are broken in and can be worn right out of the box.

The inside of a NEMO Dagger OSMO Lightweight Backpacking Tent

Its what I’ve had for the last four years.

I’ve never had an issue with it.

I love it it’s light and it’s easy.

A NEMO Dagger OSMO Lightweight Backpacking Tent in a clearing

Small accessories can have a big impact when youre out backpacking.

A smallpocket knifecould also prove useful.

Having that ability to see in the dark, you just need a good headlamp.

Therm-a-rest Hyperion 20F/-6C Ultralight Down Mummy Sleeping Bag

Credit: Amazon

You need a good source of light, whether that’s a headlamp or something else, Grace stressed.

For preventive measures, supplement this kit with abug spray.

That versatile fanny pack you bought for a Eurotrip may work perfectly for shorter day hikes, for example.

Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Pad

Credit: Sea to Summit

Give thatnew set of walkie-talkiesa tryout before taking it on a backcountry trek.

My advice is to find somebody somewhere in the hiking community, she shared.

That’s how I got into it.

A person carries the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Pad in its bag

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim

The key to keeping your backpack light is to avoid overpacking by only bringing the necessities.

Anna picked products to highlight based on her own knowledge as well as T+L testing.

She also interviewedLeilah Grace, the vice president of theAmerican Perimeter Trail.

A person weighs the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Pad and bag

A person rolls up the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Pad

A hand measures the width of the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Pad

Hands press on the corner of the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Pad

A person lies on the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Pad

A person places the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Pad into a tent

A person folds up the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Pad

A person carries the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Pad in its bag

A person weighs the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Pad and bag

A person rolls up the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Pad

A hand measures the width of the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Pad

Hands press on the corner of the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Pad

A person lies on the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Pad

A person places the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Pad into a tent

A person folds up the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Pad

REI Co-op Traverse 60 Pack for Women

Credit: REI

Sea to Summit Ultra-sil Travel Day Pack

Credit: REI

A Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Travel Day Pack lying on the floor

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Jill DeForest Colvig

A Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Travel Day Pack lying on a stone floor

A Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Travel Day Pack lying on the floor

A Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Travel Day Pack lying on a stone floor

Columbia Women’s Switchback III Jacket

Credit: Amazon

Columbia Women’s Switchback III Adjustable Waterproof Rain Jacket

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim

Columbia Women’s Switchback III Adjustable Waterproof Rain Jacket

Columbia Women’s Switchback III Adjustable Waterproof Rain Jacket

Columbia Women’s Switchback III Adjustable Waterproof Rain Jacket

Amazon Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis Long Sleeve Crewe Thermal Top for Women

Credit: Amazon

REI Co-op Trailmade Fleece Jacket

Credit: REI

A person wearing the REI Co-op Trailmade Fleece outdoors

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Stuart Haas

A person wearing the REI Co-op Trailmade Fleece outdoors

REI Co-op Trailmade Fleece on a wood floor

A person wearing the REI Co-op Trailmade Fleece outdoors

A person wearing the REI Co-op Trailmade Fleece outdoors

REI Co-op Trailmade Fleece on a wood floor

L.L.Bean Women’s PrimaLoft Packaway Jacket

Credit: L.L. Bean

Back view of a woman wearing an L.L. Bean Women’s PrimaLoft Packaway Jacket

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Brit Haines

A hand holds an L.L. Bean Women’s PrimaLoft Packaway Jacket

A hand holds a folded up L.L. Bean Women’s PrimaLoft Packaway Jacket

An L.L. Bean Women’s PrimaLoft Packaway Jacket folded inside an open suitcase

Back view of a woman wearing an L.L. Bean Women’s PrimaLoft Packaway Jacket

A hand holds an L.L. Bean Women’s PrimaLoft Packaway Jacket

A hand holds a folded up L.L. Bean Women’s PrimaLoft Packaway Jacket

An L.L. Bean Women’s PrimaLoft Packaway Jacket folded inside an open suitcase

Helly Hansen Brona Pants

Credit: Amazon

A person walks outside while wearing the Helly Hansen Women’s Brona Softshell Pants

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Kristin Cleveland

The back of the Helly Hansen Women’s Brona Softshell Pants

The waist on a pair of Helly Hansen Women’s Brona Softshell Pants with the tags on

The bungee cords on the bottom of the Helly Hansen Women’s Brona Softshell Pant legs

A pair of Helly Hansen Women’s Brona Softshell Pants with the tags on

A person walks outside while wearing the Helly Hansen Women’s Brona Softshell Pants

The back of the Helly Hansen Women’s Brona Softshell Pants

The waist on a pair of Helly Hansen Women’s Brona Softshell Pants with the tags on

The bungee cords on the bottom of the Helly Hansen Women’s Brona Softshell Pant legs

A pair of Helly Hansen Women’s Brona Softshell Pants with the tags on

Amazon Darn Tough Micro Crew Midweight Wool Socks

Credit: Amazon

Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid Gore-tex Women’s

Credit: REI

A person wears Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid Gore-Tex Hiking Boots on top of a white carpet

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Anna Popp

Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid Gore-tex

Salomon X Ultra 4 Gore-tex

A person wears Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid Gore-Tex Hiking Boots on top of a white carpet

Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid Gore-tex

Salomon X Ultra 4 Gore-tex

Merrell Women’s Speed Eco Hiking Shoe

Credit: Merrell

A pink and black Merrell Speed Eco Hiking Shoe sits on a Merrell shoe box

A pink and black Merrell Speed Eco Hiking Shoe sits on a Merrell shoe box

Bedrock Cairn Adventure Sandals

Credit: Bedrock

A person stands in a stream wearing Bedrock Cairn Adventure Sandals

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Michael Weisbaum

Bedrock Cairn Adventure Sandals sitting on a woven mat

A person stands in a stream wearing Bedrock Cairn Adventure Sandals

Bedrock Cairn Adventure Sandals sitting on a woven mat

MSR PocketRocket Deluxe Ultralight Camping and Backpacking Stove

Credit: Amazon

Snow Peak Titanium Mini Solo

Credit: Snow Peak

MSR AutoFlow XL10L Gravity Filter

Credit: Amazon

Healthy Human Vacuum Insulated Double Walled Thermos

Credit: Amazon

Person drinking from the Healthy Human Vacuum Insulated Double Walled Thermos

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph

Finger looped through the carabiner on the Healthy Human Vacuum Insulated Double Walled Thermos

Healthy Human Vacuum Insulated Double Walled Thermos displayed on a marble counter

Person drinking from the Healthy Human Vacuum Insulated Double Walled Thermos

Finger looped through the carabiner on the Healthy Human Vacuum Insulated Double Walled Thermos

Healthy Human Vacuum Insulated Double Walled Thermos displayed on a marble counter

Backpacker’s Pantry Freeze-dried meals

Credit: REI

Amazon Garmin GPSMAP 67i

Credit: Amazon

Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes

Credit: REI

BioLite HeadLamp 425

Credit: REI

Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight Watertight .3 Medical Kit

Credit: Amazon

REI Co-op Traverse Trekking Poles

Credit: REI