As Backpacker editors, we’re gearheads. We test a lot of gear, and we still salivate over the shiniest, newest, lightest pieces of backpacking equipment as much as the next hiker. More often than not, it’s the big and flashy items that get the most attention: backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, pads. Those foundations to a backpacking kit are surely important, but on the trail, smaller, oft-forgotten items can make all the difference in comfort and enjoyment. The following gear might not be as sexy as an ultralightweight shelter or newfangled pack, but we think it deserves some recognition.
A bandana-sized towel
For Editor-in-Chief Adam Roy, the Nomadix Bandana Towel mixes style and function. The microsuede is more absorbent than a traditional cotton bandana, and with a UPF 50+ rating, offers some sun protection when worn around the neck. More packable than a full-sized towel, it offers versatile function with a minimal weight penalty.
Perfect hiking underwear
Waterproof shells and packable insulation get all the hype, but the smallest garment on your body can do the most for your comfort on trail. The best backpacking underwear (I prefer wool or a wool blend like Branwyn’s Essential Bikini or Ibex’s Natural Bikini) is moisture-wicking, odor-resistant, and provides comfort for all-day walking. When packing for a hike, my underwear choice is never an afterthought.
A tea candle
Fire bans span much of the backpacking season across the west, but you can still achieve a cozy vibe in camp with this item that weighs almost nothing. “It’s a mini, personal alternative to a campfire,” says Associate Editor Will Brendza. The flame may not be powerful enough for roasting marshmallows, but it will bring a romantic glow to your campsite without the need to scavenge for dry wood.
Mini cosmetic cases
“Tiny flip-top cosmetics cases or contacts cases are good for storing just a couple days worth of toothpaste or medication,” says Roy. Plus, you can buy 100 of them for just $14.
A do-it-all charging cable
Electronics are a must for modern backpackers, and keeping them all charged on a long trip can be a pain. A 3-in-1 cable allows me to pack a single charging system for my phone, e-reader, and headlamp, even though they all have different charging ports. A tiny, weightless adapter for my Garmin watch rounds out the system, so I can pack a single cable instead of four.
A comfy sleep mask
A good night’s sleep can make or break a trip, which is why Senior Gear Editor Benjamin Tepler loves this Kitsch Satin Sleep Mask. “I use it when I need to nap during the day, go to bed extra early, or want to sleep in on-trail,” he says. “This particular eye mask is wrap-around rather than a strap-style, which lets me side-sleep without being harassed by the adjustment clips found on other eye masks.”
A Dyneema dog bowl
A water bowl made from high-end ultralight materials migh seem unnecessary, but the Lifetime Bowl from Atlas Pet Company has become one of the most unsung treasures in my gear collection. It doesn’t leak, and I can stick it in my pants pocket, dog’s pack, or clip it to the leash or my backpack so it’s always at the ready. The material is featherweight and tough, which is great, since the bowl accompanies me and my pup on every adventure from afternoon bike rides to long-distance backpacking trips.
Tiny scissors
Multitools are great, but for many trips, they’re overkill. Roy makes do with miniature scissors, especially when traveling long distances for a backpacking trip. “They can do most tasks a knife can do but are also allowed on planes,” he says.
A headlamp diffusion sack
With this simple item, you can turn your headlamp into a lantern, leveling up evening camp activities like card games or dominoes (“as fun as cards, but less likely to get wet,” says Roy).
A specialized long spoon
By the time they reach camp, most hikers are so hungry they’ll eat with a stick. But a proper utensil can make the freeze-dried dinner experience seamless. Brendza loves the GSI Outdoors Essential Backpacking Spoon, which is long-handled to reach the bottom of a pouch, and features spatula-like silicone edges for scraping up every morsel. “I always thought a spoon was just a spoon, but this little number with the rubber edge changed everything,” he says. “Now I can squeegee my dehydrated meal bag to scoop up every last drop of nutrients.”
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