When the weather cools, we love to get out backpacking. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Fall is a magical time of year. The air is cooling, the leaves are changing, and the trails are quieting. While you can get away with minimal gear in the summertime, shoulder season requires some extra gear and layers. Although this is by no means a complete packing list, these are 13 pieces of gear we are always packing for autumn backpacking trips.
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Backpacking Essentials
Osprey Atmos AG 65 / Osprey Aura AG 65
When you’re hitting the trails for a thru-hike, your backpack is your most essential piece of gear. You want something that is supportive and comfortable yet provides ample storage for all of your gear. Osprey is the master of the backpacking backpack, and the Osprey Atmos AG 65 is our top pick for men, and the Osprey Aura AG 65 is our choice pack for women.
Our favorite thing about these packs is that they’re comfortable, even when fully loaded. They. feature padded straps as well as an Anti-Gravity system that works to disperse weight and balance the load. They’re also easy to adjust and find your perfect fit. The Atmos and Aura are optimally designed for storage and organization with a sleeping bag pocket that can be individually accessed. The Atmos and the Aura are a great pick for multi-day trips thanks to the generous amount of space and storage they provide.
If you’re looking for something a little different, we’ve tried a handful of other great packs through our Best Backpacking Backpacks of 2025 guide, including great budget and ultralight options.
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Super Light Hiking Poles
LEKI Skytera Trekking Poles
Although trekking poles aren’t an essential piece of backpacking gear, many people swear they can’t go without them. Trekking poles help reduce strain on your joints, aid in balance and stability, and can help you go further, faster by distributing some of the strain to your arms.
We’re big fans of the LEKI Skytera FX Carbon SL Trekking Poles. The adjustable poles are incredibly light, weighing just 6 ounces per pole. They collapse down to 16″, so they’re easy to store when not in use. The foam grips feel comfortable against the hands, and the Core Locking Device makes it so you can assemble or disassemble them in one quick pull.
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Affordable, Reliable Hiking Boots
Merrell Moab 3 Hiking Boots
A good pair of hiking boots is essential for every backpacking trip. The fit and feel of your boots can be the difference between a trip with feet covered in blisters or a great time. A pair of hiking boots that are affordable yet comfortable and functional are the Moab 3 hiking boots, available in men’s and women’s.
Unlike most hiking boots, the Moab 3s have a minimal break-in period, so you can hit the trails shortly after purchasing. The boots feature GORE-TEX lining that allows them to be simultaneously waterproof and breathable. Inspired by trail running shoes, these boots have lightweight mesh on the uppers and reliable traction underfoot.
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Our Favorite Shelter
Nemo Dagger OSMO 3P
When the skies are clear, it’s nice to sleep under the stars, but if there’s a chance of rain, a tent is essential. One of our favorite tents for backpacking is the Nemo Dagger OSMO 3P (also available in a 2-person model).
Measuring 88″ by 70″, the OSMO is incredibly spacious for a backpacking tent, while weighing just over 4 lbs. The tent offers generous headroom, and the vestibule is large enough to store your boots and pack and keep them dry. Made from recycled materials, the OSMO is incredibly durable and is quick and easy to set up.
If the OSMO doesn’t fit your needs, we tested lots of other great tents through our Best Backpacking Tents guide. The list includes great budget options, ultralight tents, and all-around great tents for the backcountry.
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Sleep System
REI Co-op Magma 15 Sleeping Bag
After your backpack, your sleeping bag is your most essential piece of gear. It ensures your warmth and comfort at night, setting you up for a fun day of adventuring. We’ve tested lots of different backpacking sleeping bags, but our favorite is the REI Co-op Magma 15 Sleeping Bag.
Sporting a premium design at a more affordable price, the Magma is a 15° F bag that will keep you warm even in the wintertime (it comes in a 30-degree version as well). This gender neutral sleeping bag is insulated with 850 fill-power down, making for a fluffy and comfy sleeping bag.
The Magma weighs 2 lbs 3.6 oz and packs down to 8 liters, which is pretty standard for a backpacking sleeping bag. Even though the Magma has a mummy-style design for maximum warmth, it’s spacious where you want it to be, making for a cozy slumber.
Check price at REISea to Summit Ether Light Sleeping Pad
If you have yet to invest in a quality sleeping pad, what are you waiting for? Your sleeping pad is your source of comfort and your first level of insulation from the cold ground. As the temperatures begin to drop, a solid sleeping pad becomes paramount.
There are lots of great sleeping pads out there, but an option we love for cooler weather is the Sea to Summit Ether Light XR Insulated ASC Sleeping Pad. The pad weighs 1 lb 0.6 oz and packs down to 4.3 x 8.1 inches, while still delivering 3.9 inches of thickness. The pad has an R-value of 4.1, making it a great three-season option that’s plenty warm for fall camping. Thanks to its incredible comfort, the Ether Light was our top pick sleeping pad in our Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads guide.
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Exped Ultra Pillow
When you’re backpacking, a pillow isn’t a necessity, but it’s a luxury you’ll definitely appreciate having. A good night’s sleep will set you up for a great day on the trails — a comfy pillow will help you achieve that.
The Exped Ultra Pillow is a lightweight and compact backpacking pillow that is quick and easy to inflate. The Ultra pillow sports an anatomic shape with inner baffles that help keep your head centered throughout the night. The pillow also has fabric eyelets that allow you to attach it to compatible sleeping pads. After a good night’s sleep, the pillow packs down so small that you can fit it in the palm of your hand, taking up minimal space in your pack.
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Warm and Functional Apparel
Smartwool Hike Classic Socks
A good pair of hiking socks is a game-changer when it comes to long days on the trail. Not only do they provide warmth, but hiking socks also help support your feet and prevent blisters. Our hiking socks of choice for backpacking trips are the Smartwool Hike Classic Socks.
Made from merino wool, the Hike Classic Socks will keep your feet warm whether wet or dry. They sport flat-knit seams to help prevent rubbing and blisters, and they feature full cushioning, which provides warmth, durability, and protection. If the Hike Classic Socks are too cushioned and warm for your liking, we have lots of other favorites in our Best Hiking Socks guide.
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REI Rainier Rain Jacket
Backpacking in the fall may deliver incredible views, but it often comes with less than ideal weather. When you’re setting out for a trip in autumn, a rain jacket is a must. And the REI Rainier Rain Jacket is one of our favorites.
Made from 100% recycled ripstop nylon, the Rainier jacket is both windproof and waterproof. The jacket is breathable, so you can wear it while you hike, and has pit zips for those times when you really need to air out. The Rainier features internal and external pockets, an adjustable hood with a visor, and adjustable cuffs, so you can find a perfect fit. When you don’t need it, the Rainier packs down into its own pocket for convenient storage.
Check price at REIArc’teryx Cerium Hoody
A puffer jacket is the ultimate backpacking layer. Their warmth-to-weight ratio is incredible, and they typically pack down small. One of our favorite puffy jackets to pack for backpacking trips is the Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody.
Filled with hybrid insulation comprised of 850-fill down and Coreloft synthetic insulation in wet-prone areas (armpits, shoulders), the Cerium Hoody is quite possibly the best lightweight puffer out there. The jacket weighs just 11.9 ounces and packs down into an included stuff sack, making it easy to store when you aren’t wearing it. The warmth for the weight is impressive, and it’s comfortable enough to wear for backpacking, climbing, skiing, and everything in between.
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Camp Kitchen
Sea to Summit Frontier Cook Set
After a long day of hiking, a hot meal always hits the spot. Whether you’re cooking up a pre-packaged backpacking meal or making your own creation, you’ll want a solid cook set. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better option than the Sea to Summit Frontier Cook Set.
Made with EU food-grade silicone and a hard anodized aluminium base, the entire set is collapsible and packs down into one pot. The five-piece kit includes a 2-liter pot, two collapsible bowls, and two collapsible cups, weighing a grand total of 18.6 ounces.
Check price at Sea to SummitMSR PocketRocket Deluxe
When you’re backpacking, especially on long trips, every ounce counts. Your stove is an essential piece of gear, but the lighter, the better. Weighing in at just 2.9 ounces, the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe is one of the lightest stoves on the market and, consequently, one of our favorites.
In addition to its light weight, the PocketRocket has folding pot supports, so it packs down incredibly small (it literally fits in your pocket). The push-start ignition makes it easy to start, and the temperature is easy to regulate thanks to the control knob. The PocketRocket boils water rapidly, and the wide burner ensures everything heats evenly. If you prefer something different, we’ve tested lots of other great stoves through our Best Backpacking Stoves guide.
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Astronaut Ice Cream
Backpacking is a lot of work. Rewarding, yes, but challenging. That’s why, whenever we set out for the back country, we always pack a sweet treat.
A great dessert for backpacking is Astronaut Ice Cream. The freeze-dried treat is ready to open and eat, without the need for rehydration, so you can enjoy it anytime, anywhere. Astronaut Ice Cream is incredibly lightweight and tastes exactly like an ice cream sandwich, making for a great trail snack.
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Fall means changing leaves and the perfect time to get out in the backcountry. Photo: Nathan Lemin//The Inertia
Related: Backpacking Reviews | Camping and Hiking Reviews
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