I Asked 357 Backpackers What Gear Beginners Should Actually Buy

I asked 357 backpackers what beginner backpacking gear they would actually recommend, and the results were a lot more interesting than a normal “best backpacking gear” list. Instead of building this list from my own opinions, this video shares the 6-month results from the Your Trail Buddy beginner backpacking gear survey. Backpackers of all experience levels helped choose the most trusted beginner gear for packs, tents, sleeping bags, quilts, sleeping pads, water filters, stoves, rain gear, footwear, socks, headlamps, trekking poles, and more. This is not about finding the most expensive ultralight gear or copying what every YouTuber uses. The goal is simple: help new backpackers figure out what gear is actually worth buying, what gear experienced hikers trust, and what beginner backpacking mistakes to avoid. In this video, we look at the most recommended beginner backpacking gear from brands and products like REI Flash 55, Durston Kakwa, Durston X-Mid, Osprey packs, Enlightened Equipment quilts, Zenbivy sleep systems, Therm-a-Rest sleeping pads, NEMO Tensor, Sawyer Squeeze, MSR PocketRocket, BRS stove, TOAKS pots, Darn Tough socks, Frogg Toggs rain gear, Nitecore headlamps, Cascade Mountain Tech trekking poles, Altra Lone Peak, Topo, Hoka, Merrell Moab, and more. The survey will stay open through the end of 2026 so we can keep building one of the most useful beginner backpacking gear resources possible. Fill out the backpacking gear survey here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA... To be eligible for future giveaways, fill out the survey, leave your email at the end so I can contact you if you win, and comment on this video. Durston has already offered to provide a product for the one-year survey video giveaway, and I’m also talking with Zenbivy about possibly adding more gear to the next giveaway. Comment below: What one piece of beginner backpacking gear would help you the most right now? A backpack, tent, quilt, sleeping pad, water filter, or something else? If you’re new to backpacking, you don’t need a perfect gear list. You just need a simple, reliable backpacking kit that helps you get outside, stay comfortable, and actually want to go again. #BackpackingGear #BeginnerBackpacking #BackpackingTips #HikingGear #BackpackingForBeginners #UltralightBackpacking #CampingGear #BestBackpackingGear #YourTrailBuddy #Backpacking Beginner Backpacking Topics Covered: best beginner backpacking gear, beginner backpacking gear list, backpacking gear survey, best backpacking backpack for beginners, best backpacking tent for beginners, best sleeping bag for backpacking, backpacking quilt, best sleeping pad for backpacking, Sawyer Squeeze water filter, backpacking stove, backpacking footwear, backpacking rain gear, backpacking socks, hiking gear for beginners, backpacking gear mistakes, affordable backpacking gear, ultralight backpacking gear, backpacking gear recommendations.