Things I Wish I Knew Before My First Backpacking Trip...
Tips to stay warmer, pack lighter, and feel more dialed in on your next trip
Hey friend, welcome back to the Big Adventure Club ☀️
I just ran the Cascade Lakes Relay: 220 miles through Central Oregon. I showed up not knowing anyone on my crew, but there’s nothing like spending 30 straight hours running, cheering, napping in vans, and having 3:30 AM heart-to-hearts to make strangers feel like friends. I’m still recovering from running on no sleep, but my heart’s so full.
Now I’m gearing up for a week of backpacking and camping. Revisiting some of my favorite spots and exploring a few new ones. So it felt like the perfect time to share the little trail hacks I always come back to. The underrated, learned-it-the-hard-way tricks that make your pack lighter, your sleep warmer, and your trip just a little easier.
Equip Your Adventure
Backpacking Hacks Nobody Talks About
A few tricks that make the trail feel easier, comfier, and a little more dialed in.
Let’s be honest: there are a lot of backpacking tips floating around, but some of the most helpful ones? I had to learn the hard way over my 7 years of backpacking. Here are a few low-key hacks that have made my trips way better. The kind you won’t always find in gear checklists:
Repack all your toiletries
Don’t bring a full pack of wipes or that giant toothpaste tube — bring just what you need.
One wipe per day (+1 extra just in case)
Toothpaste tabs instead of a tube
→ Toothpaste tabs I use (I love these for the texture + minty after-feel)
And yes, you can just bring the toothbrush head. Leave the electric base at home
Bandana = elite multitool
Wear it around your neck for sun protection, sweat-wicking, and temp regulation. You can also use it as a headband or emergency sling. Truly underrated.
Pack sandals in your outer pouch
You’ll never regret having camp shoes. Use them to cross streams or slip into something breezy at the end of a hike. They dry fast, weigh little, and make basecamp way more comfortable.
→ lightweight backpacking sandals
Cold at night? Try this combo:
A warmer sleeping bag (remember: 20°F rating ≠ 20°F comfort)
Zipper-compatible bags if you backpack as a pair (Sea to Summit makes great ones)
A sleeping bag liner. They add warmth and keep your bag cleaner. I wash my liner after every trip and way prefer it to the sticky feel of my bag fabric
Wear the same outfit every day (seriously)
Unless you’re out for more than 5 nights, rewear your clothes. Tops, bottoms, socks, just change your underwear. You can rinse clothes if you’re by water and let them dry in the sun. Clothes are bulky and heavy, so keep it simple.
Find a fleece + puffy combo that works for you
My current go-to is a lightweight grid fleece paired with the Cotopaxi puffy I’m always wearing. Cozy, breathable, and warm enough for chilly mornings or alpine nights.
→ Sunshirt (light layer)
→ Grid fleece (mid layer)
→ Puffy jacket (outer layer)
A microstove is worth the investment
Trust me, cold soaking sounds efficient… until you’re eating cold oats or couscous for the third meal in a row. A tiny stove like a PocketRocket is lightweight, easy to use, and makes a hot meal or drink feel like luxury in the backcountry. Worth. every. ounce.
Got any hacks you swear by?
Leave them in the comments. I love collecting genius trail tips from this community.
Leaving Notes
If you’re heading out on your own overnight soon, whether it’s your first trip or your fiftieth, I hope these tips help you feel a little more prepared (and maybe even a little smug when you pull your sandals from your outer pouch or whip out toothpaste tabs like a pro).
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See you next week,
Lauren (@laurensbigadventure)