Free Backpacking Gear List Template (Excel & Digital) - 2025 Guide
Free Backpacking Gear List Template (Excel & Digital) - 2025 Guide
Planning your next backpacking trip and need to organize your gear? A good gear list template saves time, prevents forgotten essentials, and helps you pack smarter. This guide provides free templates and shows you how to create the perfect backpacking checklist.
Why You Need a Gear List Template
Benefits of Using a Template
Never forget essentials: A comprehensive checklist ensures you pack everything you need for safe, comfortable trips.
Save time: Stop starting from scratch each trip. Use a template and customize as needed.
Track weight: Monitor your pack weight and work toward ultralight goals.
Share with partners: Coordinate group gear and avoid redundant items.
Learn from experience: Note what you used, didn't use, and need for next time.
What Makes a Good Gear List Template?
The best backpacking gear list templates include:
Essential Elements
- Category organization: Group items logically (shelter, sleep, cooking, etc.)
- Weight tracking: Columns for item weight and total weight
- Quantity fields: Track multiple items (3 pairs of socks, 5 stakes)
- Checkboxes: Mark items as packed
- Notes section: Record brand, condition, or special instructions
- Consumables tracking: Separate food, water, and fuel
- Worn items: Mark gear you'll wear vs pack
Advanced Features
For power users, look for:
- Multiple trip templates (weekend, week-long, winter)
- Base weight calculations
- Budget tracking (cost per item)
- Links to buy or replace items
- Shared group gear designation
- Weather and season filters
Free Backpacking Gear List Templates
Option 1: Excel/Google Sheets Template
Best for: People who like spreadsheets and offline access
Features:
- Fully customizable
- Automatic weight calculations
- Works offline
- Easy to share via email
Basic Template Structure:
| Category | Item Name | Qty | Weight | Total | Packed | Notes |
|----------|-----------|-----|--------|-------|--------|-------|
| Shelter | Tent | 1 | 1200g | 1200g | ☐ | 2P |
| Shelter | Stakes | 8 | 10g | 80g | ☐ | Titanium |
Download link:
- Download CSV Template - Works with Excel, Google Sheets, Numbers, and any spreadsheet software
Option 2: Printable PDF Checklist
Best for: People who prefer paper lists or don't have devices in the field
Features:
- Print and check off items as you pack
- Bring into the field for reference
- No digital device needed
- Weather-proof if laminated
Standard categories included:
- The Big Three (shelter, sleep, pack)
- Cooking system
- Water treatment
- Clothing layers
- Navigation
- First aid & safety
- Toiletries & hygiene
- Miscellaneous
Option 3: Digital Gear Management (Recommended)
Best for: Modern backpackers who want smart features and mobile access
Why digital beats spreadsheets:
- Automatic calculations - Base weight, total weight, cost totals
- Mobile access - Check your list anywhere, even offline
- Gear database - Don't manually enter common items
- Multiple packs - Weekend trip, thru-hike, winter packs
- Visual analytics - See weight breakdown by category
- Community features - Browse other hikers' lists for ideas
- Always up-to-date - Cloud sync across devices
Top digital tools:
BackpackPeek (our recommendation):
- Free tier: Up to 25 gear items
- Automatic base weight calculation
- Multiple pack templates
- Import from LighterPack or Excel
- Mobile-optimized
- Try it free →
LighterPack:
- Free and simple
- Good for basic lists
- Limited mobile experience
GearGrams:
- Comprehensive database
- Paid subscription required
Complete Backpacking Gear List Categories
Here's what to include in your template:
The Big Three (60% of base weight)
Shelter:
- Tent, tarp, or bivy
- Stakes (count each one)
- Guylines
- Groundsheet/footprint
- Repair kit (seam sealer, patch)
Sleep System:
- Sleeping bag or quilt
- Sleeping pad
- Pillow or stuff sack pillow
- Pad repair kit
Backpack:
- Main pack
- Rain cover or pack liner
- Stuff sacks (if used)
Cooking System
- Stove
- Fuel canister or bottle
- Pot or cook system
- Spork or utensils
- Bowl (if separate from pot)
- Lighter or matches (bring 2)
- Bear bag or canister (where required)
Water Treatment
- Water filter or purifier
- Water bottles (type and size)
- Hydration bladder (if used)
- Water treatment tablets (backup)
Clothing Layers
Base layer:
- Top
- Bottom
- Underwear (hiking + 1 spare)
- Socks (hiking + 1-2 spare)
Insulation layer:
- Fleece or puffy jacket
- Insulated pants (winter)
- Warm hat
- Gloves
Outer layer:
- Rain jacket
- Rain pants
- Wind shirt (optional)
Navigation & Safety
- Map (paper backup)
- Compass
- GPS device or phone
- Emergency whistle
- Emergency shelter/bivy
- Signal mirror
- Personal locator beacon (optional)
First Aid & Hygiene
- First aid kit
- Medications (personal)
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm
- Toilet paper
- Trowel
- Hand sanitizer
- Toothbrush and paste
Lighting & Electronics
- Headlamp
- Extra batteries
- Phone
- Battery bank
- Charging cables
- Camera (optional)
Tools & Repair
- Knife or multitool
- Repair kit (duct tape, safety pins, needle)
- Trekking poles (if used)
Miscellaneous
- Watch
- Sunglasses
- Notebook and pen
- Book (optional)
- Games or cards (optional)
Seasonal Gear List Variations
Your template should adapt to different seasons:
Summer Gear List
Add:
- Sun hat
- Extra sunscreen
- Bug net or mosquito headnet
- Insect repellent
Remove:
- Heavy insulation
- Winter sleep system
- Microspikes/crampons
Base weight target: 10-15 lbs
Winter Gear List
Add:
- 4-season tent or winter shelter
- Cold-weather sleeping bag (-10°F or lower)
- Insulated sleeping pad (higher R-value)
- Extra insulation layers
- Winter gloves and liner gloves
- Balaclava or face mask
- Insulated water bottles
- Microspikes or crampons
- Ice axe (if needed)
- Warmer clothing system
Base weight target: 15-22 lbs (more for safety)
Shoulder Season (Spring/Fall)
Balance:
- 3-season tent
- 20°F sleeping bag
- Medium insulation
- Rain gear essential
- Extra warm layer
Base weight target: 12-18 lbs
Trip Length Gear Templates
Customize your list based on trip duration:
Weekend Trip (2-3 days)
Simplified packing:
- Can carry heavier comfort items
- Minimal clothing changes needed
- Smaller first aid kit acceptable
- Food: 2-3 lbs
Week-Long Trip (5-7 days)
Moderate optimization:
- Balance comfort and weight
- Extra clothing layer needed
- More comprehensive repair kit
- Food: 8-12 lbs (or resupply plan)
Thru-Hike (Weeks to months)
Maximum efficiency:
- Every ounce matters
- Ultralight gear essential
- Town clothes (minimal)
- Resupply strategy critical
- Food: 5-7 days between resupplies
How to Create Your Personal Gear List Template
Step 1: Start with a Base Template
Use one of the templates above or create your own with these columns:
- Category
- Item Name
- Brand/Model (optional)
- Quantity
- Weight per Item
- Total Weight
- Packed (checkbox)
- Notes
Step 2: Add Your Gear
List everything you currently own or plan to bring. Include:
- Exact item names
- Actual weights (weigh everything!)
- Current condition
- Replacement date (if known)
Step 3: Organize by Category
Group items logically:
- The Big Three first
- Then systems (cooking, water, navigation)
- Clothing together
- Miscellaneous last
Step 4: Calculate Weights
Add formulas to automatically calculate:
- Total weight per item (qty × weight)
- Category subtotals
- Base weight (excluding consumables and worn)
- Total pack weight (including food, water, fuel)
Step 5: Create Trip Variations
Save different versions for:
- Summer backpacking
- Winter camping
- Weekend trips
- Thru-hiking
- Ultralight attempts
Step 6: Refine After Each Trip
After every trip, update your template:
- ✓ Mark what you actually used
- ✗ Note what you didn't need
- + Add forgotten items
- → Swap out gear that didn't work
Digital Template: Smart Alternative to Excel
While Excel templates work, modern digital tools offer significant advantages:
Why BackpackPeek Beats Spreadsheets
1. No setup required
- Start with pre-filled gear database
- Common items already have specs and weights
- Just select and add to your pack
2. Mobile-first design
- Works perfectly on phones
- Check your list while packing
- Access anywhere, even offline
3. Automatic calculations
- Base weight computed instantly
- Category breakdowns visualized
- No formula errors
4. Multiple pack management
- Weekend pack
- Winter pack
- Thru-hike pack
- Switch between them easily
5. Community features
- See what other hikers bring
- Compare your setup to similar trips
- Get gear recommendations
6. Import existing lists
- Upload from LighterPack
- Import Excel/CSV files
- Don't start from scratch
Create your free digital gear list →
Gear List Template Best Practices
Do's
✅ Weigh everything accurately - Use a digital scale, don't estimate
✅ Update after each trip - Note what you used and didn't use
✅ Include backup/safety items - First aid, emergency shelter, repair kit
✅ Separate consumables - Track food, water, fuel separately
✅ Mark worn items - Shoes, clothes, trekking poles don't count in base weight
✅ Share with partners - Coordinate group gear to avoid duplicates
Don'ts
❌ Don't use manufacturer weights - They're often optimistic
❌ Don't forget small items - Toiletries and misc items add up fast
❌ Don't over-pack "just in case" - Bring what you need, not what you fear
❌ Don't use the same list year-round - Adjust for seasons
❌ Don't skip the review process - Learn from each trip
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best format for a gear list template?
It depends on your preference. Excel/Google Sheets offer the most flexibility. Digital apps like BackpackPeek provide automatic calculations and mobile access. PDF checklists work well for simple trips.
Should I create multiple gear list templates?
Yes! Create separate templates for:
- Weekend vs multi-day trips
- Summer vs winter camping
- Different activity types (backpacking, car camping, bikepacking)
- Personal vs group trips
How detailed should my gear list be?
Be specific enough to pack efficiently. Include individual items (each stuff sack, every stake) rather than broad categories. This helps with weight tracking and ensures nothing is forgotten.
Can I use someone else's gear list template?
Yes, but customize it to your needs. Every hiker has different comfort levels, experience, and trip requirements. Use templates as starting points, not final solutions.
How do I track shared group gear?
In your template, create a "Group Gear" category and note who's carrying what. Digital tools like BackpackPeek make this easier with collaboration features.
Get Your Free Gear List Template Today
Ready to organize your backpacking gear? Choose the option that fits your style:
Option 1: Traditional Template
- Download CSV/Excel Template
- Comprehensive gear list with formulas
- Manual tracking and calculations
- Works with any spreadsheet software
Option 2: Digital Tool (Recommended)
- Create free BackpackPeek account →
- Automatic weight tracking
- Mobile access
- Pre-filled gear database
- Import existing lists
Start building your perfect gear list today!
Related Articles:
- Pack Weight Calculator: How to Calculate Your Base Weight
- 10 Essential Gear Items for Your First Backpacking Trip
- The Complete Guide to Ultralight Backpacking
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About the Author
David Demers
Member since December 2025
