I am looking at creating my backpacking kit. I just wanted to know what people consider their top items in their backpacking kit that might not be considered “essential” (tent, clothes, cookware, etc) or what they’d recommend looking into to improve the (already great) backpacking/camping experience.
Note : alcohol is supposed to be ‘non-essential’ !
People argue over how essential or not these are, and it depends on where you plan to go, but I always carry a bear canister, even if I have the option to toss a sack over a tree branch. It doubles as a stool, which is nice, and after a really long day I don’t have to spend any time looking for the perfect tree limb and tossing a line over it. All I have to do is find a tucked-away corner and nestle it in for the night. Plus, mice can’t chew their way into it.
I also pack an inflatable pillow with a washable little pillow case (Sea to Summit Aeros). I’ve used spare clothes in a bag before, and it’s worth the slight weight penalty to have a substantially more comfortable night’s sleep.