Most “backpacking 101” guides are written by experts who forgot what it’s like to not know anything. We took the opposite approach: we read 400+ first-timer threads on r/CampingGear and r/WildernessBackpacking, tagged the most common questions, and answered them in order of how confusing they actually are.
What you actually need (and what you don’t)
The Big Three: shelter, sleep system, pack. Get these three right and the rest is small detail. Most beginners overspend on stoves and underinvest in sleeping pads — that’s exactly backwards.
The Reddit-tested 0 starter kit
You can absolutely backpack on a budget. The community-favorite cheap setup: REI Half Dome SL 2+ ($329), Kelty Cosmic 20 sleeping bag ($170), Klymit Static V pad ($55), Osprey Rook 65 pack ($175). Total: $729 if you buy new. Half that if you watch REI Garage Sales for 60 days.
The five mistakes every beginner makes
- Packing too much food (you eat less than you think)
- Buying boots without breaking them in
- Skipping the sleeping pad
- Camping near water (cold + bugs + ground hardness)
- Trying a 15-mile day on trip one