Things You’ll Find in an Experienced Prepper’s Backpack during Hiking

Being a prepper does not always mean preparing and waiting for Doom’s Day to come. During a hike, dangers might come along the way. You can consider yourself a prepper once you plan, organize, and ready food, materials, and other essentials significant for survival.

People with excellent survival skills and techniques, like experienced preppers, bring the most relevant and life-saving materials to the hike.

Planning to go for a trek, yet unsure whether you are sufficiently prepared or not? We composed a list for you to know what you’ll find inside an experienced prepper’s backpack.

Water

bottled water

We all know the significance of water to all living things. Humans cannot go three days without water. It is the most important thing on the list that a prepper must carry inside their backpack.

Bringing water may seem bulky and heavy to most of us. And, often, hikers would rely on the water provided by nature on the hiking site, especially if they did not bring enough.

However, regardless of how fresh-looking and clear the water is in the pipe or well, please do not drink it right away. It may contain parasites, bacterias, and other pollutants that can be harmful to your health.

Therefore, bringing a water filter or purifier with you is essential. There are different handy and portable water purifiers available in the market. There are pump purifiers, UV light purifiers, water purifier bottles, straw-type filters, or chemical purifiers to choose from.

Also, make sure to consider the size, portability, and the space allotted for it inside your backpack to land on the best hiking water filter.

Food

beef jerky

Aside from water, food is also a significant element to survive. It is essential to anticipate untoward incidents during a hike or camp, although we all do not want them to happen. It is better to come prepared than to be sorry.

It is recommended that hikers bring healthy, easy to prepare, ready to eat, dry, and energy-filled food. Peanut butter, almonds, meat jerky, walnuts, oats, energy bars, trail mix, and dried or frozen veggies, and fruits are some of the foods you can pack inside your bug-out bag.

Although spam is a not-so-healthy option, still try to fill them with you; they are the most non-perishable ones!

You can also bring to MREs since they are easy to prepare, yet you can’t rely on them when it comes to flavor. Moreover, make sure to pack food suitable for a week or two to consume. You can have a meal plan and ensure to destroy the most perishable ones first.

First Aid Kit

first aid kit

You cannot guarantee your safety when going into the wilderness. Sometimes adventure also means taking risks and coming home with minor scratches or injuries; they are part of the experience!

Because of this, you must always come prepared, most especially when untoward accidents come in the way and might bring serious wounds or injuries.

Bringing a first aid kit is crucial. However, the equipment will not serve its true purpose if you have less to no idea about first aid. Ensure that you do a drill or practice with your hiking team before actually walking into the woods.

The said first aid kit must contain the following:

  • Bandages
  • Medical tapes
  • Antiseptic or Alcohol Wipes
  • Tweezers
  • Dressing or Gauze
  • Antihistamine and Pain-relief or Anti-inflammatory pills
  • Diarrhea medications
  • Medical Gloves
  • Safety Pins
  • CPR Mask
  • Electrolyte

The things mentioned above are some of the vital products your first aid kit must contain. Another consideration is to make your first aid bag waterproof to ensure that everything inside is dry.

Safety Paraphernalia

flashlight when hiking

Being a prepper means having the ability and skill to prepare for the event they walk in. Their backpack contains the appropriate and survival-ready materials fit for the disaster they are anticipating.

Nevertheless, when traversing the wilderness, anything could happen – getting trapped, lost, and attacked by a wild animal and other untoward instances. Therefore, the following things can offer a huge help whenever the rescue is not around, or you are still waiting for it.

Illumination

Of course, you cannot see anything in the dark. It is vital to have rechargeable or solar-powered portable lights during the hike.

It lights up the trail as well as serves as a signal to your other members. Lights with intense beams can scare wild animals away when flashed directly into their eyes.

Whistle

Whistles are lightweight yet very helpful during fight or flight situations. Having a loud whistle during a disaster can aid you in drawing attention for rescue. You can hang it ready on your neck. It is best if you buy a plastic one to avoid rusting and ensure durability.

Mask

Although it may seem unusual to have a volcanic eruption and air chemical pollution nearby during the hike, it is still best to bring a breathing mask with you. There are tiny particles brought about by the air that can cause danger to the body, most especially to the lungs when inhaled.

Filtration masks can filter 99% of dust, fumes, pollens, and smoke that can cause allergic reactions to some.

Mirror

The mirror can attract and reflect planes and other people. It is a true lifesaver! Each of us for sure watched a survival-themed movie that used a mirror to ask for rescue. A signaling mirror will not take much space in your backpack. Bring one.

Pocket Knife

multitool knife

Pocket knives are multi-tools and compact. A pocket knife has a long lift of benefits and is used mainly during a hike, camp, or travel. It can even fit inside your pocket. Some of the best examples of this tool are leatherman and swiss knife.

It has screwdrivers, files, scissors, knives, and other tools that can be used for shelter building or fire making and even opening food supplies and other essentials. Also, it can assist you during self-defense moments! It can even withstand woodwork.

Sun Protection

sunscreen

Gear yourself up during hiking, Protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun. Wear and bring appropriate hiking clothes, pack sunglasses, a cap, and lip balm with you.

And most significantly, buy a sunblock with more than SPF 15 protection. Make sure it can also protect you from UVA and UVB rays brought by the sun. Do not forget to reapply sunblock every two hours.

Shelter

backpack for prepper hiking

In choosing the perfect shelter for your hike, always consider these two things: portability and trek style. It is crucial to know whether or not a shelter fits your bag; you do not want to hike on trails with another bulky bag in your hand.

Moreover, it is essential to foresee and be knowledgeable of the hike and place you are going into. In this way, you can pick the most appropriate and convenient shelter.

Hammocks

Hammocks are the most efficient and lightweight alternative among all shelter types. You need to find two adjacent trees to attach your hammock. Also, do not forget to bring a trap; set it over your hammock for sun and rain protection.

Tent

Tents can be divided into two categories: double-walled and single-walled tents. However, if a certain prepper wants everything inside their backpack, single-walled tents are recommended.

Under this category, some hikers suggest that a bivy or bivouac sack is perfect for hikers camping individually. A bivy is a tiny waterproof tent sack you can snug yourself into. It provides an additional 4 to 8 degrees of warmth to your sleeping system.

Sleeping bag

Sleeping bags are closely similar to bivy. They are insulated best to accommodate a person. A regular sleeping bag is about 6-feet long, and it is perfect during cold weather, especially in high-altitude mountain terrains. You can close this bag with the use of a zipper.

Firestarter

starting fire in the wild

Fire when immersing into the woods adds a considerable percentage to your survival. Therefore it is crucial to pack flint striker, matches, or a lighter inside your backpack.

Fire can give warmth, light, and safety during the night. Its smoke can drive away insects like mosquitoes and can also be a daytime signal. Fire can also help in cooking and let you enjoy a hot meal, especially in the morning.

Duct Tape

duct tape

Duct tape can be of great help during repair, may it be for your backpack, tent, clothes, and other gears. It is waterproof and can also be a fire starter. Duct tape can also serve as a first-aid staple and help close up big wounds to stop bleeding.

Two-way Radio Transmitter and Navigator

You cannot guarantee a robust mobile signal during the whole hike. Remember that communication and direction are critical, especially between you and your company, over the entire adventure.

Avoid being lost, and ensure that you can call someone whenever undesirable situations happen. Pack the walkie-talkies and navigator with you.

Be genuinely prepared during the hike

Sufficiently preparing for the hike creates a positive and great experience for you and your fellow hikers. The things mentioned above are truly life-saving and significant. However, do not forget to prepare your mental and physical health before joining long hikes and challenging trails.

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