Backpacking Gear Guide 2025 (& our first official newsletter!!)

Our favorite backpacking recommendations for 2025

Author

Operation Adventure (Isabel & Sentry)
April 12, 2025

WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME to "Operation Newsletter"- aka your new favorite monthly dose of adventure!! Thank you guys so so much for subscribing and joining us over here! Our goal is to put out 1 (ish) newsletter a month and bring you all of our favorite outdoor tips, tricks, and things we've been loving in the current season we’re in. & since we are currently gearing up for an epic Spring backpacking season- I figured our first letter should be all about... backpacking!!

***At the end of this newsletter you’ll find a FREE backpacking checklist in downloadable PDF form***

p.s. this newsletter is so long and so full of info that google clips it in your email!! be sure to click “view entire message” at the bottom to see the whole thing!!

All the Goods in This Email

Our Backpacking Gear Recommendations for 2025

Alright you guys- we have been backpacking for over 8 years now and to say we have nailed down the PERFECT backpacking gear list would be a complete lie… we learn something new every single trip we go on and call me crazy but I kind of think that is one of the most beautiful things about backpacking.

The whole point of backpacking is to find a way to rely on yourself and your partner to survive. It’s about learning to adapt, to improvise, and how to make suffering… fun?! lol so ANYWAY… here is what’s in our 2025 backpacking gear line-up (for now) & everything we’d recommend for this season!

A note on underconsumption: This newsletter is PACKED FULL of recommendations and links for new gear, however you absolutely do not need fancy or expensive gear to get outside. A borrowed tent, a thrifted pack, your regular sneakers, and some instant noodles can still get you a pretty incredible sunset and a quiet morning in the woods. So if you’ve already got what you need, use it! This guide is just here to give you an idea of what we’re currently loving and to guide you IF you’re looking to purchase or upgrade your gear!

OKAY LET’S DO IT!!

***Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission (for which we are very grateful for) at NO extra cost to you 🙏 

The Backpack

A good backpacking pack is one of the most important investments you can make for your backpacking set up.  The right pack will distribute the weight evenly, reduce the amount of strain on your back and shoulders, and keep your gear organized and easily accessible on the trail.

Best for Multi-Day Trips: 

Best for One Night/Weekender:

Ultralight Option:

Shelter

Having a good tent is essential for backpacking because it is what keeps you dry, warm, and safe from the elements. We have used Big Agnes tents for years now and recommend it for absolutely everyone!!

Sleep System

Your backpacking sleep system includes a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and sometimes a liner or quilt that all work together to keep you insulated and comfy through the night. On colder trips we will use down sleeping bags, but on warmer trips we like to take our down quilts to save some weight when we don’t need the extra warmth!

Best solo setup:

Best for couples:

Best Sleeping Quilts:

Optional:

Water

There are a ton of different types of filters out there but we have found that the squeeze filter system is the best overall for backpacking specific trips since its super lightweight and easy to use.  For our water system, we bring both a bladder with a hose and a Nalgene bottle to keep on the outside of our pack.

Water Filter:

Water Reservoirs:

Camp Kitchen

The basic backpacking kitchen setup includes a lightweight stove, fuel, a pot, utensils, and a reliable food storage system.  Depending on the trip and the meals we’re planning for, we might mix up the type of stove or if we bring a pot vs a pan, but here are all of the items we own and cycle through every trip!

Navigation & SOS

Good navigation gear is key to making sure your backpacking trip stays on track. Having a satellite SOS device lets you call for help in an emergency—even if you have zero cell service.

Camp Light

A headlamp is a must-have for setting up camp, cooking, or going to the bathroom in the dark. We also use a blow-up solar lantern for a little cozy, tent light.         

First Aid

A first aid kit is one of those things you hope you won’t need—but you’ll be glad to have if you do. We love these pre-made kits as a starter pack, but they don’t offer a lot of personalization.  We will go through it and add in some extra stuff based on the type of trip it is and what we might need!

Toilet Kit

Duty calls- even in the backcountry. There are different toileting requirements depending on the area you plan to travel to so make sure you check those BEFORE your trip as it will dictate what items you’ll take with you. A trowel, wag bag, toilet paper (or wipes), and hand sanitizer are the basics to a good toilet kit.

Toiletries

I honestly thing toiletries are the most forgotten items when it comes to backpacking.  These are our non-negotiable toiletry items that we bring on every trip

Other

Cheap and Easy Backpacking Meals

OKAY let’s talk backpacking meals!!!! When we first started backpacking we were so so poor. We couldn’t afford those fancy pre-packaged dehydrated meals- so our only option was to piece together our own cheap grocery store meals… and honestly we have come up with some BANGER grocery store meals over the years! Here are our favorite go-to, CHEAP, grocery store backpacking meals that we keep in the rotation on our trips!

🍜 Instant Ramen + Peanut Butter + Soy Sauce Packets

Ramen hits in the backcountry every time. Add a scoop of peanut butter and a splash of soy to ramen for a makeshift pad thai that’s super quick, easy and delicious!

🌯 Tortillas + Tuna Packets + Hot Sauce (or mayo)

Simple, salty, and good protein—this is our go-to trail lunch. We use flavored tuna packs to mix it up every time.

🥣 Instant Mashed Potatoes + Bacon Bits + Powdered Cheese

The ultimate comfort meal. Instant potato’s loaded with bacon bits and good ole powdered cheese (sometimes we will add tuna/chicken too)- a staple in our household!

🍚 Instant Rice + Chicken Packets

A lightweight burrito bowl on the go! Literally so easy and SO yummy!

🥜 Instant Oatmeal + Peanut Butter

High-calorie oats for breakfast anyone?! This is pretty much what we eat every morning on the trail. We each bring two packets of instant oatmeal per day and add PB (sometimes honey and/or banana chips as well).

🍝 Mac & Cheese + Powdered Milk + Tuna Packets

Weirdly good. Instant Mac & cheese + powdered milk for creaminess (optional) & some tuna for bonus protein.

🍕 Trail Pizza

Tortilla base + tomato sauce + pepperoni + Cheetos. Heat it up in your pan for warm pizza or just eat it cold… good either way!

🥫Couscous + Bouillon Cube + Chickpeas

Lightweight and nutrient-dense, this one’s great if you are vegetarian.

🧀 Ritz Crackers + Pepperonis + Cheese Block

Charcuterie, but make it backpacker-style. Perfect for a quick trail lunch or when you’re too tired to bring out the stove.

🫘 Tortillas + Refried Beans (Pouch) + Hot Sauce + Fritos

We love a good trail nacho burritos. Spread refried beans on a tortilla, add Fritos for crunch, and drizzle with hot sauce for some flavor!

Free Backpacking Checklist

As promised- here is our FREE downloadable backpacking checklist in PDF form!! Use it as a guide for your next trip :)

What’s Coming Next Month

Next month’s newsletter will include something you guys have been requesting for MONTH’S now… our car camping set up!!! We are going to share everything we use in our setup + give you guys a MASSIVE discount on our detailed “how-to” blueprints!!

And as always- our DM’s on IG are open! Feel free to ask us any questions you may have and we will happily answer to the best of our ability!

Happy Adventuring!!

Isabel & Sentry