What’s the best way to explore the great outdoors? A backpacking trip that’s filled with breathtaking views, peacefulness, and the feeling of being connected to nature. But before you lace up your boots and head out on the trail, check out these 11 proven travel tips from a popular online forum to make your next backpacking trip a success even as a first-timer.
1. Bring Two Phones
One thing that isn’t readily available in the wilderness is electricity. So this tip for bringing two phones will help you save battery. Use one phone to take videos and photos because doing so will drain the battery quickly. Use your phone with the nicer camera for this (obviously) but have an older or cheaper one readily available for maps, texting, itineraries, and more.
This way, you’ll often end the day with both phones on about a fifty percent charge instead of entirely dead. Bonus tip: bring a tiny USB C-to-C cable; both phones can charge each other, so you don’t need to use a battery bank.
2. Use a Passport Travel Wallet
When backpacking in the wilderness, less is more. This is where a passport travel wallet will come in handy. Get one that opens with the fold on the shorter side to fit notes and boarding passes without folding them up awkwardly. Having everything important in one place also means you won’t have to dig through your bag when finding something.
3. Bring a Poncho
Again, less is more. So instead of bringing a thick raincoat to shield you from the weather, pack a “single use’ poncho that you can purchase on Amazon or at the Dollar Store for very cheap. They might be labeled as single-use, but you can use them repeatedly. They take up much less space than a raincoat and are cheaper, so it is a cost-effective tip, too.
4. Mini Carabiners Are Your Friend
Adding mini carabiners to any loops outside your bag is a great backpacking travel tip. These can be used to attach anything else with a loop to your backpack, freeing up your hands.
5. Bring a Drawstring Bag
This tip is great if you plan to spend days or weeks backpacking. Bring a lightweight, thin bag with drawstrings with you. It should fold up easily before using it, which is a space saver. Use this bag for your dirty clothes. This way, they can be kept separate from your clean clothes, and you won’t have to dig through your bag to find what you need to wash when the time comes.
6. Work Remotely When You Can
If you can work remotely, take advantage of this. Not only will you save more vacation days for a future trip, but you will also appreciate these rest days when the time comes.
7. Wear Sandals
This tip might not be for everyone, depending on the terrain you will be crossing, but if you wear sandals, you don’t need to pack any socks. This is a great space saver if you need it.
8. Use the Cloud
Taking photos or videos on a phone that automatically backs up with Google Photos or iCloud is a big time saver. It is way better than manually loading to an SD card every day. Also, your phone adds metadata that makes searching for moments easier.
9. Pack Smaller Electronics
I know I sound like a broken record, but less is more with a trip like this. Earbuds take up a lot less space than headphones do. Plus, you won’t have to deal with wires. Get a smaller battery bank instead of a big one. The good ones can be slightly expensive but are worth it if you need the room.
10. Use Foldable Water Bottle
If you get a foldable water bottle, it takes up much less space when empty. Be sure to get a good one, or your water will taste awful.
11. A Quick Caffeine Fix
When you’re out in the middle of nowhere, a cup of hot coffee or tea can be just the pick-me-up that you need to get going. But if you’re looking for a more convenient solution, try caffeine tablets or chocolate-coated coffee beans!
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