Budget Backpacking Gear List. Go camping for under $300 – Tarp Camping, Tent Camping, & Hammock Camping options shown.

Check out my live gear list on LighterPack.com for weights, prices, descriptions and product links.

• Printable List in PDF Format: Sintax77’s Budget Backpacking Gear List in PDF
• Spreadsheet friendly list in CSV Format: Sintax77’s Budget Backpacking Gear List in CSV format
• Even more gear lists can be found on my Gear List Page.

Simplified Budget Backpacking Gear List:

Backpack

• 65L Backpack, Scandinavian Gear 

Shelter

• Tarp, 8 x 10
• Tent Spike, Aluminum 
• Guylines w/ tensioners 

Sleep System

• Sleeeping Bag, Animato 40
• Ground Cloth, Tyvek 6′ 
• Sleeping Pad, Foam (lots of options out there for $7 to $15)

Storage

• Bear Bag Line (25′ guyline leftover from tarp setup, and small carabiner)
• Bear Bag – 13 gal trash bag
• Zip-lock Bag – Sandwich
• Zip-lock Bag – Gallon

Cooking & Eating

• Matches – Waterproof
• Cookpot, DIY (see my previous vid)
• Paper Towel Squares
• Windscreen, DIY Aluminum
• Spoon – Plastic Fast Food
• Lighter, Disposible

Water Treatment & Storage

• Water Bottle – 1.5 Ltr, Disposable
• Katadyn BeFree Water Filter System

Tools

• Compass, Brunton Classic 
• Knife, Folding Pocket 

First Aid

• First Aid Kit
  (Adhesive bandages, 1 gauze bandage, superglue, neosporin in straw tube, tealight wax candle, 6 doses benedryl, 10 doses ibuprofen, spare water bottle cap)
• Sunscreen – 30 SPF 10ml bottle https://dutchwaregear.com/product/eye-dropper-bottles/
• Fire Starter, DIY (dryer lint and wax, or cotton balls with vasoline)
• Bug Spray – 100% Deet Mini Bottle 

Clothing (Packed, not worn. For spare, sleeping, rain)

• Frogg Toggs Ultralight Rain Jacket 
• Underwear – Synthetic (1 Pair)
• Shorts
• Shirt, Long Sleeve -Lt Wgt
• Shirt, short sleeve
• Hat, Beanie – Lt Wgt Fleece
• Wool Socks – Lt Wgt (1 pair)

Lighting

• Headlamp, Olight H05 AAA

Toiletries

• Toilet Paper
• Toiletry Kit
• Wet Wipes
• Hand Sanitizer

Additional Budget Backpacking Gear Options Discussed 

• Sleeping Pad Upgrade – Therm-A-rest Z-Lite
• Low Cost Hiking / Trekking Poles 
• 2 Person Tent Options:
  • Kelty Salida Venture Tent 4.5 lbs
  • Coleman Sundome Tent -half the cost, but 7.25 lbs
• Hammock Options:
  • Dutchware Half-Wit Hammock Body
  • Dutchware Chameleon Hammock System 
  • Dutchware “Flippin the Bird” Hammock 
  • Standard Nylon Tree Strap Suspension with Cinch Buckles (simple and works with all hammocks above)
• DIY Reflectix Pot Cozy Materials:
  • Reflectix Wrap
  • Reflectix Tape

Approximate Costs for Each System

• Tarp Camping version $248
• Kelty tent version $317
• Hammock Version $352