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Like many people, in 2020 I spent more time outdoors than I have in any other year. This year, I dived back into backpacking for the first time in over 10 years, which meant I also upgraded most of my equipment. If you are interested in backpacking for the first time, you may feel overwhelmed by all the different options and cost. I decided to save in some areas and splurge in others (yes, this is exactly how I spent my stimulus check!). Many people suggest borrowing gear from friends or renting from places like REI before purchasing the “big three” (backpack, tent, and sleeping system). This helps you to try out gear before purchasing to make sure it suits your preferences. Like anything, YMMV. Instead of spending money on renting, I decided to make an initial investment and return if something didn’t work for me. Thankfully, I love all of the gear I purchased! Here’s a list of my top beginner women backpacking gear recommendations:
Backpacking Gear Recommendations
- Backpacking Tent: Copper Spur HV UL3
The Copper Spur HV UL3 (2020 version) is an an excellent lightweight freestanding backpacking tent–it exceeded my expectations. I had a lot of trouble finding this in stock since this is such a popular tent choice and for good reason. The three-person is the perfect roomy fit for two adults, but it could also fit a small child (or a third adult in a pinch). I love having a little extra space to spread out and the ability to stay away from the tent sides in case it rains. Dave especially appreciates comfortably sitting up without his head hitting the ceiling. He can also comfortably stretch out without his feet touching the tent (he is six feet tall, for reference). There is plenty of storage with pockets in the corners and near the ceiling for easy access to cell phone, external charger, Kindle, etc.
Perhaps my favorite thing about the Copper Spur is that there are two entrances with awning-style vestibules for even more storage space, which can be held up with trekking poles. It’s the perfect place to relax beneath the awnings with protection from the elements and a beautiful view of nature. The packed weight for the UL3 is 3 pounds 14 oz, which is hardly anything when splitting with another person. I recommend this tent without reservation to anyone–beginner or not–looking for a lightweight and spacious tent. The tent comes in olive green or orange (I have the orange).
2. Tent Footprint: A tent footprint is essential in protecting your investment. The Copper Spur UL3 2020 footprint was sold out everywhere, so I made my own with Tyvek. Check here to see if the footprint in stock.
3. Backpack: Osprey Aura AG 50
I picked Osprey Aura for my women backpacking gear recommendations because it has a lot of padding for comfort, which is perfect for beginners! The Anti-Gravity suspension makes it feel like you’re carrying way less weight than you actually are. I chose the 50 liter size over the 65 liter size to help prevent myself from overpacking. (If I have the extra space, I always feel compelled to use it.)
As a general guideline, your pack should be around 20% of your body weight, so the Osprey Aura AG 50 is the perfect capacity for me. The Osprey Aura AG 50 is perfect for anything from a weekend trip to four or five nights. I recommend the 65 liter for a longer thru-hike or if you have to carry in multiple days of water. The pack comes in challenger blue, gamma red, and vestal gray. (I have the blue and Dave has the vestal gray for the Atmos AG 65, the men’s version).
Pack Sizing Info: The first step before purchasing the pack is to find out your size, which first requires taking a torso measurement from your iliac crest (top of hip bone) to your C7 vertebra (the large protruding bone at the base of your neck). Check out more on sizing information for Osprey packs here. I assumed I would be a size XS since I’m 5’1″, but I actually ultimately picked a size S since my 17″ measurement is at the end of the XS scale.
4. Sleeping Bag: NEMO Disco 15 Sleeping Bag Women’s
I chose the NEMO Disco because their spacious spoon-shaped sleeping bags are specifically designed for side and stomach sleepers. I sleep on my stomach in an “L” position, so I knew mummy sleeping bags would be far too restrictive. The Disco is spacious and luxuriously comfortable with 650-fill-power down. I have even thought about sleeping in it during the winter at home!
The 15-degree temperature rating bag suits my needs perfectly for three seasons of backpacking (spring, summer, fall). The NEMO Disco has Thermo Gills on the top you can unzip for venting in warmer temperatures. Women tend to run cold, so a 15-degree bag is top choice for three-season women backpacking gear recommendations. There’s also a flap at the top you can place over your face if it’s especially cold outside. This down bag packs down really small compared to synthetic and fits into the sleeping bag compartment at the bottom of my Osprey Aura AG 50 pack.
5. Sleeping Pad: NEMO Tensor Insulated Sleeping Pad
I picked the NEMO Tensor insulated wide-sized sleeping bag since I sleep in an “L” shape. Three inches thickness makes for an excellent padding, especially important if you sleep on your side or stomach. The pump sack makes for easy inflation, and it is SO easy to pack away. I usually have issues getting all the air out of pads, but this is not an issue at all for the Tensor. The r-value of 3.5 provides enough insulation from the cold ground in early spring and late fall. Some people complain about some pads being too loud with crinkling sounds while sleeping, but I don’t experience that at all with the Tensor. It’s also very lightweight and takes up minimal space in my pack.
6. Pillow: NEMO Fillo Pillow
If you’re really trying to shave off weight, you can skip a pillow and instead stuff clothes or a puffy jacket into the hood of your sleeping bag, but I consider a pillow an essential item. (I’m one of those people who always brings my own pillow to hotels!) Are you sensing a trend with NEMO? That’s no mistake–NEMO is my favorite brand for a comfortable sleeping setup in the wilderness. Unlike other pillows, the NEMO Fillo Pillow is part luxury foam and part inflated to provide the perfect ergonomic sleeping surface. I also love that it comes with its own integrated stuff sack that’s attached so you never lose it. It packs down tiny to the size of a potato! The pillow comes in four colors. I have the “abyss,” which is a blue-green color.
7. Trekking Poles: TrailBuddy Trekking Poles
Don’t sleep on trekking poles! They are the backpacking gear item you didn’t know you need. Trekking poles help with stability and support while hiking, especially on mountainous terrain. You can also use trekking poles to clear branches/cobwebs or to test the ground ahead to make sure it is secure. Many tents, like the Big Agnes Copper Spur, use trekking poles to hold up awnings. The TrailBuddy poles are lightweight, pack down small enough to store, and have comfortable cork handles. Their customer service is also amazing and the price is low compared to the “splurge” options from brands like Black Diamond. They have a variety of colors (I have black).
Backpacking Cooking Gear Recommendations
8. Water Filtration: Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter System
There are a lot of water filtration options, including pills, squeeze bottles, etc. I chose the Platypus GravityWorks filter because it passively filters water using gravity without dedicating time to pumping like other systems. There are two bags labeled “clean” and “dirty” to make it clear which water is safe to drink. I use the 4.0L even when only backpacking with one other person because I drink a lot of water and prefer spending less time stopping to filter water. The GravityWorks system filters down to 0.2 microns and meets EPA standards for removal of bacteria and protozoa.
9. Stove: MSR PocketRocket 2 Ultralight Stove
I love this tiny little stove! It’s very portable, it burns fuel efficiently, it’s wind-resistant, and it boils water in just over three minutes. There isn’t much more you could want in a stove. I’ve been very happy with the PocketRocket 2, and so have my parents.
Stove Fuel: You can’t use the stove without the fuel! The MSR IsoPro fuel affixes to the stove easily. I recommend buying it in-store if you can. The price is always more expensive online because the flammability requires ground transport.
10. Cooking Pot: TOAKS Titanium 750ml Pot
This TOAKS titanium 750ml pot is arguably the best of its kind on the market. It has everything you could want in a backpacking cooking pot: it’s lightweight at only 3.9 oz, it’s the perfect size to boil enough water for make two freeze-dried meals at a time, and it comes with measurement marks on the side. I’m really glad I decided to upgrade my old pot that was way cheaper but weighed a lot more.
11. Cup: TOAKS Titanium 450ml Cup
We love the TOAKS cups for all the reasons we love the cooking pot. The titanium is high quality and lightweight. The handle is easy to hold (there’s even an indentation designed for your pinky finger). We use our cups for coffee/tea/hot chocolate as well as hot breakfast.
12. Eating Utensil: Snow Peak Titanium Spork
Sporks are perfect for backpacking so you don’t have to carry the weight of a spoon and fork. I like the Snow Peak brand since the titanium is lightweight, durable, and well-crafted with premium titanium from Japan.
13. Food: Mountain House Adventure Meals
The pasta primavera is my favorite freeze-dried meal from Mountain House (I don’t eat meat), but there are a bunch of other meal options. A few of their other bestsellers are the chili mac with beef, beef stroganoff, and chicken and dumplings (Dave’s favorite).These meals are shelf stable and last 30 years! The meals are really tasty for dinner after a long day of backpacking. They are also simple–just add water! You can also make your own freeze-dried meals if that’s more your style. This dehydrator has been recommended to me by a few friends as a great option with easy cleanup.
Backpacking Toiletries Recommendations
14. Wet Wipes: Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes
I love using these Sea to Summit wipes to clean by body before getting into my sleeping bag; it’s the closest thing to a shower while backpacking! These wipes don’t leave a sticky residue like some other brands do. They are unscented, so you do not need to worry about putting them into a bear bag or critter bag before bed. These wipes are designed to be gentle on both your skin and the environment. While these wipes are compostable, I recommend always practicing Leave No Trace principles: pack it in, pack it out.
15. Trowel: TheTentLab Deuce #2 UL Trowel
I won’t lie–I avoided backpacking for a long time specifically to avoid using the bathroom in the great outdoors. Once I got over that fear, I realized it isn’t a big deal at all and is not worth worrying about. A quality trowel like the Deuce is lightweight, sturdy, and won’t cut into your hands while digging a 6-inch cat hole. You can choose between three sizes #1, #2, and #3. I actually have the #3 since it is the most comfortable to hold, but it weighs a little more (1 oz for the #3 and only 0.6 oz for the #2).
16. Female Urination Device: pStyle Stand to Pee Device
Okay, so this one is most definitely not a required item by any means and isn’t for everyone, but a female urination device has been a game-changer for me while backpacking. There was no way I could write about women backpacking gear recommendations without including this. I was resistant to the idea at first, but I was intrigued enough by the 2400+ positive Amazon reviews to give it a try. I practiced using this at home first to be safe, but the pStyle is really easy to use. It’s especially perfect for colder weather since it allows you to remain fully clothed while using it! I have the cloud color to keep it discreet, but there are a bunch of colors available.
Those are my top women backpacking gear recommendations for 2021. If you have any other favorite backpacking gear that has worked for you, share in the comments!
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