I Trekked Solo for 3 Days With Just a Backpack, and These Are the 15 Things I’m Glad I Packed — From $9

I am an avid backpacker who has hiked and camped all over the world for the past 20 years. While most of my trips have been with my family, this year, I decided to challenge myself on a solo multi-day hiking and camping trip in Ras Al Khaimah UAE. I signed up for the Highlander UAE, one of the toughest hiking challenges in Asia, and over three days, I trekked about 40 kilometers (25 miles), ascending and descending 2,000 meters across rugged mountainous terrain. From the outset, I recognized the importance of managing the weight of my backpack, knowing it would determine whether I could complete the hike unassisted — which was a personal goal of mine.

After many product trials, I was able to narrow my backpacking checklist down to the ideal lightweight camping gear setup; it helped keep my pack weight at the recommended 10 kilograms (23 pounds) and ensure that everything that I needed fit in just one bag. Curious to know how I did it (and what made the cut)? Keep scrolling to learn more about the lightweight backpacking gear that will now make up my packing arrangement for every camping trip going forward.

Osprey Viva 45 Women's Backpacking Backpack

Since weight was my primary concern, I wanted a pack that would be simple to adjust on the fly without too many bells and whistles. Enter: the Osprey Viva 45 Women's Backpacking Backpack. Its base weight is 4.4 pounds and it has just one main compartment with a top lid opening as well as a rain cover in case of unexpected weather, which I experienced every day on the trail. What's more, it boasts a one-size-fits-all design with dual-side compression straps, dual trekking pole loops, and front panel lash loops to attach any extra gear that you don’t need on the trail.

It is ideal for shorter trips to the backcountry and has thick padding on the shoulder straps and back frame, which gives you additional support. I found the internal hydration sleeve with the hose port very handy as I could combine the Viva 45 with an external 5-liter hydration bladder seamlessly.

REI Co-op Trailmade 2 Tent With Footprint

At just under 6 pounds, REI’s Trailmade Two-person Tent was an easy choice for my backcountry hike. It also has a very simple setup that is easy to put up and take down at the campsite, making it an ideal backpacking tent. The Trailmade also has two small internal pockets to store your gear, but you can tuck your pack under the vestibule cover if you don’t want to bring it into the tent. With its 87-inch by 50-inch frame, it has the space to sleep shoulder-to-shoulder (in case you are sharing your tent with a fellow hiker) and put some gear at your feet. It also rained the first night on the trail and the tent kept out the moisture fairly well. 

Exped Ultra 1R Sleeping Pad

To pad or not to pad is probably one of the biggest debated topics among backpackers. If you want to shave off some weight from your pack, you might be tempted to skip bringing one. But thanks to great advances in camping gear technology and sleeping pads like the Exped Ultra series, you don’t need to. At just 13.4 ounces. (medium size), the Ultra 1R sleeping pad made it easy to keep my overall pack weight in check without sacrificing a good night's sleep at camp. The mat inflates to 3 inches, so it provides comfort and protection from rocky and uneven terrains.

What's more, the air chambers are oriented head-to-toe, so the pad becomes slightly wider when weighted. This pad has a durable, easy-to-use, one-way flat valve that provides a high volume of airflow to ensure that you can quickly inflate and deflate the pad.

REI Co-op Magma 30 Sleeping Bag

If there is one piece of advice that I can offer for those who want to try their hand at backcountry camping, it's to invest in the lightest but warmest possible sleeping bag because it can make or break your experience. Getting a good night’s sleep, especially when you have multiple days on the trail, is crucial for your overall hiking performance. REI’s Magma 30 Sleeping Bag is one of my favorite pieces of gear to date and, at an average weight of 1 pound 10 ounces, it has earned its place as my MVP backpacking sleeping bag. 

It is made with a recycled downproof shell and water-resistant, 850-fill-power goose down for a cozy and comfortable snooze. The durable water-repellent (DWR) finish on the shell and lining beads off moisture so you will not wake up in a damp bag. My favorite part is that the zipper wraps around the front of your chest so you have more range of motion to zip and unzip yourself from the bag without feeling claustrophobic. The inner stash pocket is great for safely storing personal items close by.

REI Co-op Flash TT Women’s Hiking Boots

I have been a Merrell hiking boot fan for as far back as I can remember, but let me tell you: it was love at first stride when I tried on the Flash TT Hiking boots from REI. Right off the bat, they were so lightweight (they come in at 2 pounds, 2 ounces) and felt like I was walking on air. They also have a sock-like feel thanks to the stretchy gussets on the tongue, and the knit uppers bring the flexible feel of running shoes that molds to your foot stride. These features also kept my feet from overheating because the knit uppers helped with breathability. The insoles are decently thick and offer good arch support. They came in handy when I had to climb boulders and rocks on the trail. 

One tip is to go half a size up if your trail is remotely technical. I had almost a 2,000-meter descent on the final day of my three-day hike, and my toes were slightly bruised due to the constant downward pressure. 

Smartwool Women's Performance Hike Clear Canyon Light Cushion Ankle Socks

After hiking hundreds of miles in my lifetime, I have come to realize that hiking socks are just as important as hiking shoes. They are the understated heroes of any great hike as they help support your feet while keeping away moisture and odor. My Smartwool Performance Hike Clear Canyon Light Cushion ankle socks gave me the comfort of merino wool and nylon while having appropriate mesh zones that add to the breathability. The seamless toes also enhanced their comfort and offered a better, more performance-oriented fit overall. 

Ibex Women's Merino 24-hour Short-sleeve Low Crew Tee 

The Ibex women's Merino 24-hour short-sleeved low crew tee is my go-to for spring and warm-weather hiking, and it certainly didn’t disappoint in the hot UAE climate. Merino wool is naturally moisture-wicking, thermoregulating, odor-resistant, and breathable, so I knew that I could get by with wearing it for multiple days. It is form-fitting and soft, making it a great base layer to be paired with a light jacket in the morning (and worn by itself during the day as the temperature rises).

I also appreciated the curved hemline because it helped the shirt fit more comfortably over my hips without riding up, especially with my pack on. Ibex uses a proprietary steaming process on the wool fabric, creating a cool-to-the-touch feel that's more versatile in different climates. This is one apparel item that I know I am going to reach for repeatedly.

The North Face Women’s EA Dune Sky 9-inch Tight Shorts

These women's North Face shorts are made with soft, 80 percent recycled fabric and enhanced with the brand's moisture-wicking Flash Dry technology. This makes them ideal for hiking and other outdoor activities, especially in warm weather. After hiking 13 kilometers on the first day, I appreciated the fact that my thighs were not chaffed thanks to the breathable fabric and 9-inch inseams of these tights.

They are also fitted at the waist and thighs to keep them from riding up. The non-compressed, stretchy fit made these shorts extra comfortable, especially as the day progressed and my body continued to retain water. The drop-in side thigh pockets fit my phone and a small tube of sunscreen for easy access.

Kuhl Freeflex Roll-Up Women’s Pants

Kuhl's Freeflex roll-up pants were my one pair of back-up clothing, so I am glad that I was able to pack them in. The nights in the arid mountain desert got super cold, especially on the first night on the trail when it rained; the roll-down feature of these pants saved the day. They also have a comfortable stretch and I slept in them without feeling constricted. What's more, the Kuhl pants offer sun protection and are made with a sweat-wicking fabric, allowing them to easily double as hiking pants during the day.

These pants also have a wide waistband with internal drawcord adjustment, so I could wear them in the early morning over my hiking shorts to ward off the cold. The bottom leg-opening is wide at 15.5 inches, which means that they fit comfortably over high-top hiking shoes.

Tifosi Swank Sport Sunglasses

If you worry about losing or damaging your expensive sunglasses on the trail, then get yourself a pair of the Swank Sport sunnies from Tifosi. They have shatterproof, polycarbonate glare-reducing lenses and 100 percent UVA/UVB protection from harmful sun rays. At less than 1 pound, they are perfect for all-day comfort and easily stashing in your pack. They come in over 25 different colorways and lens tints, so there are many options to choose from.

Leki Makalu Lite Cork Trekking Poles

Even if you are hiking on relatively flat terrain, a pair of trekking poles is a great piece of gear to keep handy. They help take the pressure off your knees and make for a smoother, sturdier stride, especially if you are traversing long distances. The Leki Makalu Lite Cork Trekking Poles feature adjustable lengths and are lightweight (weighing in at just 9 ounces). The cork surface absorbs sweat while allowing for maximum grip and control, something that you'll be grateful for when going downhill. Adjustable lock security skin straps can be looped around your wrists as added support and to keep the poles in place when you're in the groove (or tackling a sharp descent).

LifeStraw Peak Squeeze Water Filter System

Water was my biggest concern on my multi-day backpacking hike. While the water bladder in my pack provided most of what I needed during the day, I supplemented my hydration with the LifeStraw Peak Squeeze Water Filter System. I felt very safe knowing that the water I was refilling was clean as the micron filter removes 99.9 percent of all bacteria and microplastics along with silt, sand, and cloudiness.

The membrane microfilter also lasts up to 500 gallons before needing replacing, so I know that this one is coming with me on all of my hikes going forward. I hooked the squeeze bottle to the easily accessible mesh pocket of my pack for hassle-free accessibility, eliminating the need to stop or unload the pack to grab the water bottle.

Primus Essential Trail Stove Kit

The Primus Essential Trail Stove Kit has been my go-to camp kitchen setup for years, even when I hike with my family or in a group. It is lightweight and, more importantly, compact in that all of the different parts of the stove kit stack up and fit neatly when not in use. It is an ideal backcountry stove and cooking kit for one to two people and includes a stove, a 0.5-liter aluminum pot, and a skillet all-in-one. You'll just need to buy the fuel separately if you are flying internationally with this kit.

CamelBak Horizon 12-ounce Camp Mug

While I can make do without a lot of creature comforts on the trail, one thing that I can't give up is my morning cup of coffee. Thankfully, I remembered to pack my CamelBak Horizon Camp Mug and clipped it to one of the many loops outside my backpack for easy access. On both days of the hike, I passed by many fellow hikers who were taking a coffee break and were only too happy to share some with me. It also comes in handy as a makeshift bowl when needed.  

Black Diamond LiteWire Carabiner

I have been using carabiners for my camping, hiking, and overall travel gear for years now. They are a great inexpensive tool to clip those little odds and ends items to your bag or camping pack securely without any second thought. I used them to clip my coffee mug, my jacket, and even my hiking bib number on the outside of my pack for easy identification. Having them handy was super convenient and helped give me hands-free access to all of the things that make it out of the pack during the hike.

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