Critical things to have in your backpack

Are you waiting for the ground to thaw a little bit so you can throw your backpack over your shoulder and set off on an adventure?  Wild camping and backpacking holidays are so much fun, aren’t they?

There is a lot that needs to go into a backpack though.  It’s not a case of tent, underwear, and good to go.  There are a lot of things to consider.  Here is a list of things to make sure you have on your backpacking camping holiday.

Food for the trail

If you are out in the wild, you will need a good supply of food.  For the moments you are walking, you will want to make sure that in your backpack you have the chance to snack little and often.

Packing jerky, protein bars, or nuts will be able to sustain you as you’re moving.  Plan for larger lunches, however.

Water bottles and water supplies

The last thing you want to ruin out of in the wilds is water.  There will be plenty of rivers, streams, or springs on your journey.  Not all running water is immediately fit for consumption, however.  It is always good to have a water purifier, or chemical treatment to make sure you don’t dehydrate.

You need to attempt, when moving with the backpack on, to make sure you have enough water for half a litre an hour.  So make sure you have water at all times.

Hygiene and health kits

It would be a bad idea to go off wandering without at least packing a first aid kit.  Wooded areas, and other places that you might consider backpacking have sharp debris you can cut yourself on, or loose parts where you could roll your ankle.

Your first aid kit must be able to keep wounds clean, stop bleeding, and prevent foreign bodies from entering your body.  Make sure there are plasters, bandages, sting sprays, and eye wash in there.

Clothes for all season

It doesn’t matter how high the sun is in the sky, there is always the chance for a massive drop in temperature, or a sudden downpour.  The last thing you want is to get caught out and risk hypothermia or exposure.  Make sure that you have plenty of clothes to change into just in case the weather lets you down.

Soaps and cleaning liquids

You need different types of soaps.  You need body soap and dish soap.

If you collect any scratches on your way through the wilds, you will want to make sure they don’t go septic.  Have antiseptic soap to clean your body and any, even superficial, wounds.

Moreover, if you don’t clean your eating, cooking, or drinking utensils you run the risk of food poisoning.  Bacteria loves food, and without cleaning them out, you could get ill.

Without being crass, toilet paper

You never know when you might to heed the call of the wild.  The last thing you want to do is find yourself in a tricky situation.

Having biodegradable toilet paper will make your life much easier, especially if you are in the middle of a hike and you feel the need to relieve yourself.

For your camping essentials check out our shop.  Or contact us with any enquiries.