Our Favorite Backpacking Gear for the Pacific Northwest
After years of backpacking throughout the Pacific Northwest—in sunshine, rain, wind, cold, and just about everything in between—we’ve figured out which pieces of gear we always reach for. These are the products we’ve personally used, trusted, and would recommend for your next adventure!
Discover the Wandering Washingtonian's Favorite Backpacking Gear for the Pacific Northwest! (2026)
After hiking and backpacking throughout Washington and the Pacific Northwest, we’ve learned that the right gear can make the difference between an incredible trip and a very long night in the mountains.
This isn’t meant to be an exhaustive list of every piece of backpacking gear available. These are pieces of backpacking and camping gear that we’ve personally used and enjoyed on our own adventures.
Pacific Northwest conditions can change quickly—sun, rain, wind, cold nights, and muddy trails can sometimes all happen on the same trip—so we tend to favor gear that is dependable, comfortable, and versatile.
Backpacking Gear We Use
Sleeping Bags
NEMO Disco 15 Sleeping Bag – Men's
The NEMO Disco 15 has been one of our go-to sleeping bags for backpacking. We like having a 15-degree bag in the Pacific Northwest because mountain temperatures can get surprisingly cold, even during summer.
NEMO Rave 15 Sleeping Bag – Women's
The women's counterpart to the Disco, the NEMO Rave 15 offers similar warmth and comfort and has worked well for chilly nights in the mountains.
Sleeping Bag Liners
A sleeping bag liner is one of those pieces of gear that we didn't fully appreciate until we started using one. It can add some warmth on colder nights while also helping keep your sleeping bag cleaner.
Sea to Summit Thermolite Reactor Extreme Liner
This is the liner we prefer when we're expecting colder temperatures.
Sea to Summit Thermolite Reactor Compact Plus Sleeping Bag Liner
A good option when you want some additional warmth without carrying quite as much bulk.
Sleeping Pad
Sea to Summit Comfort Light Insulated Sleeping Pad
A comfortable sleeping pad is worth carrying, especially after a long day on the trail. An insulated pad also helps prevent the ground from pulling heat away from you during cold mountain nights. We find it super easy to inflate.
Backpacking Pillow
Cocoon Ultralight Air-Core Pillow
Is a backpacking pillow absolutely necessary? No. Are we much happier when we have one? Definitely.
The Cocoon Ultralight Air-Core gives us a little extra comfort without taking up much space in our packs.
Backpacking Tents
We've used both two-person and three-person backpacking tents. Although a larger tent weighs more, we do appreciate the extra room on trips with Oakley or during stretches of bad weather.
MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2
The Hubba Hubba has long been a popular backpacking tent because it strikes a nice balance between weight, livability, and weather protection.
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3
When we're willing to carry a little more tent in exchange for additional space, a three-person tent can feel surprisingly luxurious for two backpackers. We love this tent, however, we find the zippers are more prone to snagging than our MSR tent.
One thing we recommend: don't forget the footprint. Pacific Northwest campsites can be rocky, wet, muddy, and abrasive, and a footprint can help protect the bottom of your tent.
Backpacking Cooking System
Jetboil Flash
We've also used an MSR WindBurner Stove System, but over time we've found ourselves reaching for the Jetboil more often.
It's simple, fast, and particularly convenient when most of your backpacking meals involve boiling water for dehydrated food, coffee, or hot drinks.
Few things taste better than a hot meal after hiking all day.
Backpacking Water Filter
MSR MiniWorks EX Water Filter
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filtration System
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filtration System
We’ve found ourselves reaching for the Sawyer Squeeze Water Filtration System more and more when packing for our adventures. It’s lightweight, easy to use, and doesn’t require you to stop and pump water at the source like the MSR MiniWorks, which makes filtering water on the trail much more convenient.
Regardless of which system you choose, we strongly recommend researching water availability before every hike. Streams marked on maps can be seasonal, and late-summer water conditions in the Pacific Northwest can be very different from conditions earlier in the year.
Bear Canister
BearVault BV500
BearVault BV500 Food Container
We've also owned a Garcia bear-resistant container, but we prefer the BearVault because of its wide opening and transparent sides.
Being able to see what you're looking for without unloading the entire container is a small feature that becomes surprisingly useful in camp.
Bear-storage requirements vary depending on where you're backpacking, so always check the regulations for your specific destination before heading out.
Headlamp
Petzl Tikka
A headlamp is an essential piece of gear for us, even on hikes where we have no intention of being out after dark.
We've had enough hikes end later than expected to know that you don't want to rely on your phone flashlight in the backcountry.
We also recommend carrying extra batteries or making sure your rechargeable headlamp is fully charged before leaving.
Backpacking Packs
Osprey Ariel AG 65 – Women's
Osprey Ariel AG 65 Pack – Women's
Gregory Zulu 40 – Men's
A backpack is one piece of gear we wouldn't recommend choosing solely based on an online review.
Everyone's torso length, body shape, and preferred fit are different. If you're buying your first backpacking pack, we highly recommend being professionally fitted at an outdoor retailer such as REI and trying several packs with weight inside them.
A pack that fits someone else perfectly may be miserable for you.
Camp Hygiene
Sea to Summit Pocket Shower
For longer camping trips, having a simple way to rinse off can feel like a luxury.
As always, be mindful of Leave No Trace principles when washing in the backcountry and keep soaps—even biodegradable ones—away from lakes, rivers, and streams.
Satellite Communicator / Emergency Gear
Garmin inReach
Garmin inReach Explorer+ 2-Way Satellite Communicator
We always carry our Garmin inReach when we head into the backcountry, and after one particular experience, we won’t travel without it.
While hiking, we came across an unresponsive hiker in an area without reliable cell service. Because we had the Garmin, we were able to communicate with emergency dispatchers, who coordinated with the National Park Service to get rescuers to the scene.
That experience completely reinforced why we carry a satellite communicator. We were incredibly grateful to have a way to reach help when a phone wasn’t an option.
One important tip: always test your Garmin before heading out. Make sure it’s charged, your subscription is active, messages are sending properly, and you know how to use the SOS and communication features before you’re in a situation where you actually need them.
It’s a piece of gear we hope we never need in an emergency—but after seeing firsthand how valuable it can be, our Garmin comes with us on every backcountry adventure.
Hammock Setup
ENO DoubleNest Hammock
ENO Atlas Hammock Suspension System
ENO Atlas Hammock Suspension System
There are few better ways to spend an afternoon at camp than sitting in a hammock after a long hike.
Just be sure to use tree-friendly straps and follow any hammock regulations at your campsite.
A Few Thoughts Before Buying Backpacking Gear
You absolutely do not need the most expensive gear to start backpacking.
If you're new to backpacking, we'd prioritize spending money on the items where comfort, fit, and safety matter most: your backpack, sleeping system, shelter, footwear, and emergency gear.
Start with what you have, rent or borrow gear when possible, and gradually figure out which pieces are worth upgrading for the kinds of trips you actually enjoy.
That's essentially how we've built our own gear collection over the years.
And remember: the "best" backpacking gear is ultimately the gear that fits you, works for the conditions you're heading into, and makes you comfortable enough to keep exploring.
Have a Piece of Gear We Should Try?
We're always interested in discovering new backpacking and camping gear.
Have something you never head into the mountains without? Let us know—we'd love to hear what we're missing.
