Top 5 Everyday Backpacking Essentials

We hike all over and don’t have the luxury of many items found in a hiker’s pack or on our bodies for that matter. We have to rely on everyday items in our pack that can serve their purpose just as well. Through our journeys, some of these items have become must-have backpacking essentials on all our trips. Read the list to find out the top five!

1. Bandana

I have always hiked with a bandana even after having a tiny person join me in my wandering. It doesn’t matter if the bandana is red, black, tie-dyed. All that matters is that there is one in the pack.

Keeps the head cool

in the warmer weather, it helps keep the body temperature down. It feels amazing when dipped in a cool mountain stream and placed on the head. Read this interesting article about what color clothing or in this matter, bandana, one should wear in the heat

A Bandage

I fell on my wrist in the woods the other day. All my body weight (about 175 pounds), went down onto my wrist. Determined to get to the summit, I took out my trusty bandana and found a strong stick. I measured the stick on the underside of my hand so it would stabilize my wrist. Then I snapped it to size. I took the bandana and wrapped it around my hand and wrist. Afterward, I slid the stick underneath. I tucked the bottom and top of bandana over the stick so it wasn’t poking me. I was able to summit and then turn around and make it back to the car.

(TMI) to wipe

Sometimes there just isn’t enough TP or we forget to pack it. Bring a small bag to put the rag in after finished and proceed on or dig a hole and bury if completely destroyed. Obviously burying is only in dire situations.

Swelling

Dip the bandana in water and wrap it around the area that is swollen. I have personally used this technique for stings and my daughter fell and banged up her knee. In case anyone was wondering, she was fine and running through the woods again after a mile break.

Collect things or carry stuff

If a person needs an extra small bag, it’s simple to make what I like to call a hobo bag.

Protect the body parts

to keep the ears warm, it can be wrapped around the head like a headband and simply put it over the ears. Covering the head protects against the sun. Around the neck can help in cold. Around the face for dust or harsh conditions.

Sending out an S.O.S

Brightly colored bandanas can be used to wave as an SOS device to get peoples attention

Have a use for a bandana and we missed it? We would love to hear about it!

2. A Sanitary Napkin

Sorry men, you heard it correctly. Pads are not just for Aunt Flow. They are obviously great for absorbing and so in the awful chance of a bad cut, slap at pad absorbing side down onto the cut. Wrap your bandana around it to hold in place. If you have first-aid tape, even better. However, a person can also use Duct Tape if losing a few hairs isn’t a big deal. There is also difference besides pads and liners. A panty liner, is for very light leakage and works great on smaller injuries. Both pads and liners can be found at the store for very affordable. Often times even the local dollar store has them. Just make sure to get unscented.

a note from the files:

I have to chuckle at this one because in College, my best friend was stationed in Afghanistan and my church at the time made a care package for the platoon he was in. I received a message from him thanking me but he mentioned that they sent a bunch of pads and tampons and there were no females. So we said that the pads were for injuries and the tampons for noise cancelation. To this day, I still have the funniest image stuck in my head.

3. Duct Tape–Another Great Essential

That leads to the third necessary everyday item in the pack. Has anyone ever heard of the 101 uses for duct tape? Not only does it come in a million and one patterns and colors to fit everyone’s personality, but it’s also highly practical.

Toes

Ever gotten a nasty blister hiking? Some people just slap the duct tape on the blister. I don’t go this route as I think about when the duct tape is taken off. The blister might come off too. One word. Ouch. But applying a piece of mole foam or anything soft (a piece of that pad) and tada.

Fixing gear

My original child pack carrier is covered in duct tape. It holds straps together and other areas on the pack. It’s awesome for all types of gear mishaps. Just please don’t use it on things like rock climbing gear. That gear breaks, call it a day.

Cups

That’s correct! A person can make a cup from duct tape. Find a rock or bottom of a water bottle or anything that can be envisioned as a cup. Wrap the tape around the sticky side out. Then apply the tape sticky side in so the two sticky sides are together. Slide it off of whatever you used to form to the cup and use.

Read about some other clever uses of duct tape over at Back Door Survival!

4. The Great White (or whatever you have on) Sock

Now this part might get a little TMI again (too much information.) But here we go.

Water Filtration

Sometimes the water is extra nasty. I ran across a pump on the Appalachian Trail once and the water was red coming out of the pump. Talk about a little too much iron in the water. Filter first through a sock and then use your water filtration system. Water might still taste gross. However, at least the sock catches the big chunks first. Just filter into one bottle then pump that water into a fresh bottle.

Screaming Poops in the Woods- (TMI Part)

It has happened to the best of us. I had it happen on the Appalachian trail in a pine forest. Stomach cramps up and oh no, it’s on. One of my friends even said he has used one like a glove to wipe better. If you are a short distance from the car and concerned about the environment, then bag it. However, sometimes if there is still a long road ahead, dig a hole and bury it. So like its friend the bandana, it’s great for those bathroom emergencies. The sock is just a little bit more heavy-duty

Napkins or Toilet Paper

Napkins can be used for many purposes from the first go to in a bathroom situation to writing a note if need be in the woods. It can also help start a fire. The best part is, as a mom, I always have napkins lying around my car and they usually don’t cost me a cent! Toilet Paper is also readily available in every household. If there is no toilet paper in your house, I don’t want to know. No one reading this better still be corn-cobbing it.

Bonus Tip for Mom Hikers

A Change of clothes for your little one. A mom never knows when their child will have the mood strike them to leap in the biggest mud puddle or have a little potty accident in the woods. Also, remember that children don’t process the weather as adults do. In fact, read all about hiking with children in the winter. It has lot’s of cool tips!

Summing Up

These are just a few of our favorite everyday backpacking essentials. Do you have any favorite everyday items that you like to bring with you hiking? We would love to hear about it!

Hope you enjoyed reading. Feel free to look around some more at even more cool content and we would love for you to follow our journey on YouTube and Social Media! Until next time, Peace, Love and French Fries, Adventures of Abby Girl