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Outdoors for Beginners backpacking for beginners backpacking tools Gear Articles

7 Best Backpacking Tools:

7 best backpacking tools

Best Backpacking Tools

When going on a backpacking trip, it is essential to have the proper tools.   During my first trek through the backcountry, I struggled with purchasing poor gear that would break down on me while on the trail.  Fortunately, I’ve detailed the 7 best backpacking tools you need to bring on your next trek below.  

7 best backpacking tools

Leatherman Wave Plus Multitool

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A high-quality and sturdy multi-tool is a must whenever venturing into the backcountry.  The uses for these are endless from preparing meals to fixing equipment.  There are many varieties of multitools on the market but my pick is the Leatherman Wave!

Paracord:

Paracord is another must-have tool for any backpacking trip.  Like the multitool paracord as many different utilities such as making a bear hang, setting up shelter, or even acting as a shoelace!

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Bear Vault Bear Canister

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Proper food storage is essential when going on a backpacking trip, especially in bear country.  Although some parks will allow you to make a bear hang, this bear canister is an excellent catch-all for food storage since it is widely accepted in most of America’s national parks.   To learn more about food storage, read “How To Store Food While Backpacking.“

Foxelli Headlamp

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Honestly, you will likely be okay with any headlamp you purchase as it is a simple piece of technology (basically a flashlight on your head) but nevertheless an essential piece of equipment for hiking or setting up camp at night.  Here is the one I have used that has served me well for the past six years:

Stuff Sack

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This waterproof stuff sack is the perfect combination between a dry bag and a stuff sack.  Use it to save space or to make a bear hang.  Either way this is a must have tool for your next backpacking trip. 

Garmin Watch

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Okay, while this is a bit of a luxury item, I will NEVER be caught in the backcountry without my Garmin watch.   It has so many incredible features, such as GPS navigation, activity recording, and remarkable battery life.  A Garmin watch is more than worth the investment if you are a serious backpacker.  

Anker Power Bank

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A power bank is a must-have for all your electronics when out on the trail.  Pictures are important!  What I love about the Anker is that it can provide you with several charges and works excellently, especially on a multiday backpacking trip.   Not only that but it is also lightweight and easy to pack!

Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links, and if you go through them to make a purchase or a booking, I may earn a commission. Using these links DO NOT affect the cost of the product/booking. The price remains the same affiliate link or not.

Ultimate Backpacking Gear Guide

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Outdoors for Beginners backpacking for beginners backpacking tools Gear Articles

Should You Bring A Knife Or Multitool Backpacking?

should you bring a knife or multitool backpacking

Should You Bring A Knife Or Multitool Backpacking?

Having a knife or a multitool when you are out in the backcountry is considered one of the ten essentials when hiking.  But a question many new backpackers ask is whether you should bring a knife or multitool backpacking. 

While both options have their benefits, over the past five years of backpacking, I have concluded that a multitool is the better option for a backpacking trip.  I came to this conclusion when backpacking the Wonderland Trail in Mt Rainier National Park.  During this trek, I was suffering on account of my toenails being way too long, which was making me miserable with every step downhill (gross, I know).  Fortunately, thanks to my Leatherman multitool, I could give these bad boys a quick cut on our next snack break, allowing me to enjoy the rest of my hike pain-free. 

This experience highlights the multitool’s fantastic versatility and utility for backpacking trips.  If I only had a knife, I would’ve been miserable the entire hiking trip and may have even wound up losing a toenail.  To be clear, I am not saying that knives are useless during backpacking trips.  Just that, between the two, multitools have far more functionality when backpacking, making them the better option when hiking through the backcountry.  

should you bring a knife or multitool backpacking

Bringing A Knife On A Backpacking Trip

Knives have several different potential uses on a backpacking trip. Some of which include:

  • Excellent for cutting and preparing food
  • Opening packages
  • Breaking down wood branches for fires
  • Cleaning fish (if fishing on your backpacking trip)

The primary benefit of having a dedicated knife when backpacking is that they are typically sharper and sturdier than the blade that comes with a traditional multitool.   This extra power can come in handy in some situations, but those situations are few and far between on your typical backpacking trip.

Different Types Of Backpacking Knives:

The two different kinds of knives used in backpacking are fixed and foldable blades.

What Are Fixed Backpacking Knives?

Gerber Fixed Backpacking Knife

Fixed knives are knives sold in a singular piece in a fixed position.  Unlike your multi-tool and foldable knives, fixed knives always have the blade exposed, thus requiring a sheath to keep it safely tucked away when not in use.  This can make them a bit more cumbersome to pack due to their awkward size and inability to fold down.

However, the benefit of using fixed knives is that they are typically more robust and have more cutting power than their foldable counterparts.  This added strength can be helpful in situations requiring more cutting force, which could damage a less durable multi-tool and foldable knife.  

Foldable Backpacking Knives

Spyderco Delica Folding Knife

Foldable knives are the other option you have for a backpacking knife.  These pack down much better than their fixed counterpart and can be clipped to your belt or pants.  The major drawback to foldable backpacking knives is that they have a bit less cutting power than fixed blades. 

Multitool Uses When Backpacking:

The multitool is my preference for a backpacking trip because I find they have much more functionality when out on the trail with their variety of different tool bits.  Not only that, but nearly all multitools contain a blade that can be used for many of the same things a dedicated knife can. 

I have used a multitool for a ton of different things while away on a backpacking trip, such as:

  • Preparing food
  • Opening packages
  • Cleaning nails
  • Cutting nails
  • Opening a bear canister
  • Bottle opener
  • Repairing broken gear 

The versatility of a quality multitool cannot be overstated.  They are convenient to have when backpacking and can perform the functions of a knife and so much more.

Different Kinds Of Multi-Tools

Like all backpacking gear, many different options are available for purchase.  Multitools can vary significantly on the different types of bits they provide, weight, price, and quality, so it’s important to know what functions you would need your multitool for before purchasing one.  The two most popular brands of multitools on the market are Leatherman and Swiss Army Knives. If you are looking to buy a multitool, I would go with one of the following:

Can You Bring Both A Knife And Multi-Tool Backpacking?

So say you want the best of both worlds.  The strength of a survival knife and the utility of a multitool can you bring both on a backpacking trip?  You absolutely can as long as bringing both makes sense for the kind of trip you are going on.    

Personally, my backpacking trips never necessitate bringing a dedicated knife as well as a multitool, so I leave my knife at home.  But if you think having both would be useful for you or want to be extra prepared, bringing both is doable as long as you are okay with the excess weight. 

Final Thoughts:

At the end of the day you need to be selecting the gear that is best suited for the particular backpacking trip you will be going on and the personal preferences of the hiker.  I am a bit of a minimalist and since there has never been much of a need for having a survival knife on my trips I never bring them backpacking and a multitool serves me just fine.  

But if you are a fisherman and want to clean and cook fish, you catch while backpacking or you want to be extra prepared maybe then bringing a heavier duty knife in addition to a multitool may be better for you.

Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links, and if you go through them to make a purchase or a booking, I may earn a commission. Using these links DO NOT affect the cost of the product/booking. The price remains the same affiliate link or not.  Thanks for supporting my small business!

Do You Bring A Knife Or Multitool On Your Backpacking Trips?

Ultimate Backpacking Gear Blog

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Outdoors for Beginners backpacking for beginners backpacking tools Gear Articles

Do I Need A Hatchet For Backpacking? (2022)

do i need a hatchet for backpacking

Do I Need A Hatchet For Backpacking?

There are many kinds of backpacking gear out there, and with so many people telling you different things to buy, it can be challenging to know what is necessary and what is not.  New backpackers ask a common question: “do I need a hatchet for backpacking?”.  Let me save you all a lot of time and money:

No.  You most certainly do not need a hatchet to go backpacking.  I can say that over the past several years that not only have I never used one but I never ran into a situation where I was like “damn I could really have used a hatchet right about now”. 

do i need a hatchet for backpacking

3 Reasons Why You Do Not Need A Hatchet For Backpacking

You do not need a hatchet for backpacking for the following reasons:

  1. Little to no functionality
  2. Adds unnecessary weight to your pack
  3. Waste of money

Little To No Functionality

The first and perhaps the biggest reason why you don’t need a hatchet for backpacking is that THERE IS NO USE FOR IT.   As I said over the past five years of backpacking, I have never required one, but to drive the point home, let’s go over any possible reason for bringing a hatchet backpacking and discuss why you do not need one.

Cutting Wood From Trees To Make A Fire?

Under no circumstances should you be cutting away branches from a tree to make a fire as it is a violation of leave no trace principles.  Typically if you are allowed to make a fire in a park, you are only to use downed and dead wood for your fire. 

Many outdoor companies advertise using a hatchet to help split firewood at camp.  However, I would argue that if you are following, leave no trace, and are only collecting downed dead wood.  You should be able to break the wood either by hand or by swinging it against a rock. 

Can I Use A Hatchet For Hunting Game While Backpacking?

Listen, I am no hunter, but I am a backpacker, and when backpacking, you should be bringing all of your meals with you!  Also, I am pretty sure that killing animals while in the backcountry does not adhere to the leave no trace principles.  

Do I Need A Hatchet For Self-Defense Against Wild Animals While Backpacking?

No.

Let me start by saying that animal attacks in the backcountry are extremely rare, especially if you are storing your food correctly.  But if an animal approached you aggressively, the best defense would be a form of bear spray, which can be launched from a distance, not hand-to-hand combat with a hatchet!  You aren’t Leonardo Dicaprio in The Revenant. Leave the hatchet at home. 

Do I Need A Hatchet To Help Set Up Camp When Backpacking?

No.

There is no utility in a hatchet to set up camp.  Nowadays, all modern camping equipment can be set up using your hands. No hatchet is necessary for setting up a typical shelter.

Do I Need A Hatchet To Cook or Prepare Food When Backpacking?

Do you use a hatchet for cooking or preparing food at home? Of course not!!! There should be no reason why you need a hatchet to help cook or prepare any of your meals while backpacking.

Like I Said Not Much Utility In Bringing A Hatchet Backpacking

Okay, I know I had a little bit of fun with those questions, but I hope it got my point across that there is not much utility in having a hatchet on a backpacking trip.  If this wasn’t enough, let me go over some other reasons why you should leave the hatchet at home.  

A Hatchet Adds Unnecessary Weight To Your Pack

Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned ultralight backpacker, no one wants to carry more weight than necessary. As I explained in detail, there is not much functionality to bringing a hatchet on a backpacking trip, so save yourself the pack weight and leave the hatchet at home. Better yet, leave it on the shelf at REI.

Waste Of Money

It should go without saying that spending something on something you don’t need and won’t use is a waste of it.  Save your cash, buy good backpacking gear you would need, and use in the backcountry in our backpacking gear guide.

Now, If You Still Really Want A Hatchet...

Okay, I know I tore apart hatchets pretty badly there, but it is truly not something you need to bring with you on a backpacking trip.  That being said, if you think they are pretty cool and still want to get one check out some of these. 

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Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links, and if you go through them to make a purchase or a booking, I may earn a commission. Using these links DO NOT affect the cost of the product/booking. The price remains the same affiliate link or not.

I Hope That Helps! What Do You Think About Bringing Hatchets Backpacking?

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Outdoors for Beginners backpacking for beginners backpacking tools Gear Articles

How To Track Your Mileage While Backpacking 4 Different Ways.

how to track your mileage while backpacking

How To Track Your Mileage While Backpacking? (4 Different Ways)

Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links, and if you go through them to make a purchase or a booking, I may earn a commission. Using these links DO NOT affect the cost of the product/booking. The price remains the same affiliate link or not.

how to track your mileage while backpacking

If you are a fitness nerd like myself and obsessed with collecting data points throughout workouts surely the question of how to track your mileage while backpacking has come across your mind at some point.  Fortunately for you, there are a ton of different ways to do this!  The major ways you can keep track of your mileage while backpacking includes:

Recording your hike through a fitness app or smartwatch

Or

Knowing your mileage before going out on the trail

Keeping Track Of Your Mileage Backpacking Using A Smartwatch:

There are a ton of different smartwatches available on the market that can track your mileage backpacking.  But for this article, I am going to focus on the two most common ones.  

  • Garmin smartwatch
  • The Apple Watch

A Garmin Watch

Garmin is a major player in the smartwatch market, with many different models available for purchase.  I will specify the details of the Garmin Fenix as it is the watch I use.   Garmin watches are designed with fitness and outdoor enthusiasts in mind, so they have great functionality when it comes to hiking or backpacking.  

Not only can you track your mileage while backpacking with the Garmin Fenix, but you can also see your:

  • Pace
  • Elevation profile
  • Hiking time
  • GPS Location
  • Calories burned
  • Average heart rate
  • Training effect
  • And more!

Pros:

  • Excellent battery life will last about 14 days while tracking, give or take, depending on the version and other watch features you use while hiking. 
  • It gives a TON of data points.
  • It can sync with other fitness apps such as the apple health app and Strava.

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Low screen resolution compared to the applewatch

The Apple Watch:

One of the most popular smartwatches on the market, the Apple Watch has several different features and downloadable apps that can be useful for any backpacker.  

To record a hike, you don’t need to download anything extra you can just go to the workout app that comes pre-installed and select “hike.”  While tracking with your Apple Watch, you will be recording several data points, including elevation gain, distance, and average heart rate.  You can also upload your workouts to different fitness apps such as Strava.  

I will say one of the significant drawbacks of the Apple Watch compared to a Garmin Watch has to be the battery life.  If you are recording a hike using an Apple Watch on the trail for more than a day it will require additional charges using a power bank, whereas a Garmin watch can last multiple days of continuous tracking without needing a charge.  

Pros: 

  • High-resolution colorful screen
  • User friendly

Cons: 

  • Poor battery life ~6hrs will require a charge when backpacking multiple days
  • Fewer data points compared to the Garmin
  • Expensive

Recording Your Mileage While Backpacking Using Strava:

The super-popular fitness tracking social media app Strava is an excellent way to track your backpacking mileage.  All you need to do with this one is to have the app downloaded on your smartphone and start it when hiking.

 You will get helpful data on your hike such as your time hiked, average speed, and of course your total mileage.  After recording your hike you can then share it on the social media app to flex with your friends.   

Pros:

  • Free to download
  • Easy to use
  • Can flex on your friends

Cons:

  • Can only last as long as your phone battery.
  • Few data points.

Tracking Your Mileage Backpacking With A Map:

map and compass

Another way of measuring your backpacking mileage would be by simply mapping your route and elevation prior to your hike (which you should be doing anyway)  while it may not be as accurate as using a smart device in tracking your exact mileage and data points t will give you a general overview of how much mileage you covered over the course of your backpacking trip.  

Pros:

  • Free (other then map expense)

Cons:

  • Not as accurate as the above options especially if you are exploring side trails or venture off-trail during your trip
  • No other data points.  You just get the elevation gain and mileage that you can read on a map.

That's All!

Although tracking your mileage isn’t a necessity for your backpacking trip, it is fun to see how far you hiked and to keep track of your progress as a hiker.  Let me know how you track your hikes in the comments section below! 

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