My Top 10 Favorite Backpacking Tips (From a Backpacking Instructor)

Hi Kula Cloth friends!

Anastasia here, the founder of Kula Cloth -- I'm a former park ranger and backpacking instructor and I am SO PASSIONATE about helping folks get outside!  

Last week, I had the pleasure of teaching a beginner backpacking class, and it got me thinking about how many people are gearing up for backpacking season right now.

Whether you're brand new to backpacking or just looking to refine your system, these are some of my favorite backpacking tips that make trips smoother, more efficient, and honestly… way more enjoyable.

So, without further ado... here are my top 10 favorite backpacking tips!  

1. Fill All Your Water at Camp Right Away

When you get to camp—after you set up your tent and toss your sleeping gear inside—the very first thing I do is go retrieve water.

I fill up all of my bottles, my stove, and bring a full gravity filter back to camp so I don’t have to keep going back and forth to the water source all evening.

You can always dump water you don’t need… but multiple trips to a stream in the dark? Not fun.  

I use a Katadyn Be Free 3.0 L Gravity Filter while I'm backpacking, and I usually use a hydration bladder in my pack, and I carry a CNOC collapsible water bottle to fill at camp and keep in the tent with me overnight.  

2. Set Up Your Bear Hang Before Dark

If you’re not using a bear canister, do yourself a favor and set up your bear hang while it’s still light out.

Do not wait until dusk to try to fling a rock attached to paracord over a branch.

Just… trust me on this one.

If you are hanging your food, I recommend becoming proficient at the PCT method for setting up a bear hang.  If a canister is required, I highly recommend checking out BearVault's products -- they have a brand-new collapsible bear canister that is a pretty slick product!  

3. Use a Food Cozy for Better Meals

I always use a food cozy to rehydrate my meals. My favorite is the Discovering Wilderness food cozy, which is really lightweight and packable.  

It keeps your food warmer (which = more delicious), and it prevents the very real risk of spilling food all over your jacket while trying to balance a hot meal in your lap.

Also: way easier to stash a cozy in a bear hang or canister than a food-covered jacket.

4. Use a Pillow Strap for Better Sleep

One of my favorite pieces of backpacking gear is a pillow strap.

It holds your pillow in place so you’re not chasing it around your tent all night (I've been there, and it sucks!).

Better sleep = an entirely better backpacking experience.  

(And yes… stay tuned. There may be a fun Kula x Pillow Strap collab coming 👀)

5. Dry Damp Gear Using Your Body Heat

If you have a clean, damp Kula Cloth, socks, or gloves, place them against your bare skin inside your base layers.

I usually tuck items against my thigh or stomach, and by morning, they’re dry.

Your body heat is incredibly effective—and this trick is a total game changer on multi-day backpacking trips.

6. Pack Your Sleep System Before You Get Out of Your Tent

When I wake up and know I’m heading out, I stay inside my sleeping bag and immediately start packing up. I deflate my sleeping pad and pack my sleeping bag before I even get out of the tent.

That way, while I’m eating breakfast, everything is basically ready to go.

No yard sale. No chaos. Just efficiency to help you get on the trail more quickly (and far less stressfully!).  

7. Protect Your Hydration Hose from Critters

If your pack is sitting in your vestibule overnight, tuck your hydration hose and bite valve inside your pack.

Mice and other critters love chewing on those things.

And discovering your bite valve has been eaten off mid-trip? Not fun.  I've been there, and it also sucks.  

8. Dry Socks Using Trekking Poles

When you arrive at camp, turn your damp socks inside out and place them over the tops of your trekking poles.

Stick the poles in the ground and let the socks dry in the sun.

It’s simple and super effective and having dry socks on a backpacking trip is the BEST!

9. Use Trekking Poles (Seriously, Just Do It)

If you’re not using trekking poles, this is your sign.

They take pressure off your knees, improve balance, and can help reduce swelling in your hands while hiking.

I personally use the Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles—they’re an investment, but mine have lasted over 10 years.

And if your pole tips wear down? You can replace just the tips. No need to buy a whole new set.

10. Always Pack a Treat

Always. Always. Always.

I usually bring a couple of homemade cookies or some chocolate, and it is worth it every single time.

Morale is a real thing out there. Cookies (or your favorite treat) is worth the extra weight!

Bonus Tip: Dance in Your Camp

This one might be the most important of all.

After dinner, when the light gets soft and the day starts winding down… put on a song in your head (or on your phone if you have one) and just dance a little.

There is something about moving your body out there—in the quiet, in the middle of nowhere—that feels really, really good.

Final Thoughts on Backpacking Tips for Beginners

Backpacking doesn’t have to be complicated. When it comes down to it, you already know how to backpack. Distilled down to the basics its simple: walk, breathe, eat, drink, pee, poop and sleep.  That's it!  You already know how to do those things!  

A few small adjustments—like better camp setup, smarter packing systems, and simple gear tricks—can completely change your experience.

And the more comfortable and dialed your systems feel, the more space you have to actually enjoy where you are.

Which…ya know...  is kind of the whole point.

From the bottom of my heart, I hope that you have the most BEAUTIFUL backpacking adventures!  Most importantly -- let me know how they go, and feel free to share YOUR favorite backpacking tips too, I'd love to hear them!

Love,

Anastasia