Jul 19, 20203 min read

Black Backpackers Must Haves Camping

Hello! I have made a list of some of my must haves camping.

Hope these suggestions are helpful to help gear you towards some equipment and an idea what you would need for camping/ backpacking. Note that these items may not be in everyones price range, you can always find alternatives. These are what I am currently using.

I am not sponsored by any of the brands listed, I truly believe in these products.

So I am going to list off what I am currently using camping/ backpacking gear (and weight) - Almost everything is purchased from MEC.

MSR Hubba Hubba tent ($559)(1.76 kg): This awesome packed down 2- person tent. This tent is SMALL but fits 2 people comfortably. I love that this tent was two doors on each side, so your not crawling over your camping partner. Each side also has it's own vestibule. I recently took this tent camping for the first time in Jasper, and it rained for 2 days straight. I previously read reviews about the tent not holding up in the rain, but this was not the case for me.
MSR pocket rocket ($134): I bought the Starter kit from MEC and it came with 2 bowels, 2 cups, 2 sporks and 1 pot and the stove. Which is an awesome deal (I'm not sure how much this weighs if your looking for a ultra light stove).
Thermarest NeoAir Xlite woman's ($234.95) (0.34kg): The price is steep, I know. But I previously borrowed this from a friend when I hiked Assiniboine and it was the lightest most comfortable thing I have ever slept on, so I just had to buy it.
MEC -18 sleeping bag ($175): I got this on sale this is honestly the BIGGEST thing that takes up so much space in my backpack... I can only get this bag compressed in my 15L compression sack. It's worth it because I am constantly cold, I have used this summer and winter with no problems. Alternatively you can always buy a summer sleeping bag, and you can always buy a sleeping liner if you're someone who runs cold.
La Sportiva approach shoes ($174): These are honestly the best little hiking/scrabbling shoes

Side note: I also have the North Face Ultra Fast pack IV hiking boots, and they are hands down the best hiking boots I have owned.

6. Gregory Maven 65L pack ($265): This pack is my first backcountry pack and I absolutely love it. Buying the right pack is like trying on wedding dresses. Not every pack is going fit or have the specs you want. I was in MEC for about 2 hours trying on packs. The MEC employees are great, they will fill the packs your trying on with weight and let you walk around the store to help you get a feel for how hiking with it will be.

Other must to haves camping: