Sara’s Shocking Budget Backpacking Gear Challenge

Sara goes Backpacking to try out some $30 Amazon Camping Gear.

For this early spring backpacking trip, Sara and I headed to an upper elevation section of Arizona’s Coconino National Forest, about 30 miles southwest of Sedona. Despite it’s close proximity to the much hotter and drier desert like climate of Sedona, the 7,500 foot elevation and abundant snow melt provided an environment surprisingly similar to hiking back on our native east coast. Yes, you can actually find snow, pine trees and abundant streams in Arizona!

To get our dose of 20 degree cooler temps, along with some pockets of remaining snow, we chose to hike a section of the larger Cabin Loop Trail system.  This loop utilizes several different local trails.  One of which is the Arizona Trail, a roughly 800 mile long distance trail that traverses the entire length of the state from the Mexican border to the Utah state line.

This particular region of the AZT gave us some awesome camping opportunities right along the Mogollon Rim with stunning views down into the valley some 2,000 feet below.  To be fair though, we didn’t really spend too much time on the actual AZT.  We chose instead to create our own route along the rim, in search of drinking water and those aforementioned great views.

For gear on this trip, Sara decided to pick up several new pieces budget backpacking to test out – a sleeping pad, two person tent, and two person sleeping bag complete with pillows.  She found each of these for about $30 a piece on Amazon.  But would they get the job done for an overnight backpacking trip with our dog in tow?  Well, there’s only one way to find that out, I guess.

Oh, and the last mile or so of road to the trailhead was impassable due to a blockade of remaining snow, so that made for an interesting start 🙂

Trailhead Used
Battle of Big Dry Wash Historical Landmark & AZT Trailhead
Payson, AZ 85541
34°27’15.4″N 111°15’02.5″W

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Budget Backpacking Gear List – Go Camping for $250

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.

Simplified Budget Backpacking Gear List:

Backpack

Shelter

Sleep System

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

Water Treatment & Storage

Tools

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

Toiletries

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

Additional Budget Backpacking Gear Options Discussed 

Approximate Costs for Each System

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