Backpacking is听expensive.听You鈥檒l likely shell out at least $600 by the time you invest in a听decent pack, stove, sleeping bag, and tent.听Thankfully,听there are affordable听ways to solve some of your backwoods needs. Here鈥檚 a list of eight items that I grab from my house every time I hit the trail.
Trash Compactor Bags ($4.30 for 5) and Oven Bags ($2.30 for 2) 听
I don鈥檛 cook听with . I use them to protect water-sensitive听gear听like cameras and first-aid kits听in my pack听because听they鈥檙e sturdier than Ziplocs. I also use ,听which are tougher than听normal ones,听to keep larger items听like听sleeping bag and clothing听from getting wet. They鈥檙e cheaper and work better in a downpour than a backpack听rain shell.听
Vaseline ($3.20 for 2.5 Ounces)
Yes, you can buy fancy anti-chafing cream for your thru-hike, or you can just slap听a little of this stuff on any rubbing body parts. It will also soothe burns and other minor irritations. Even better, Vaseline is petroleum based, so it鈥檚 flammable and makes a great fire starter if your kindling isn鈥檛 cooperating.
Wet Wipes ($5 for 30)
Trailside bathroom breaks are a lot better with wet wipes, and they鈥檙e great for a dirtbag shower before you head back into town. Make sure you buy 听if you鈥檙e leaving them in a hole you dug in the wilderness. Or you can get regular ($11 for 500) if you鈥檙e packing them out.
Tyvek ($0.89 Per Foot)
Tyvek, the material听builders use to make听houses听waterproof,听is cheaper鈥攁nd significantly lighter鈥攖han a regular tarp. Note: If you buy Tyvek听by the foot,听you鈥檒l have to tape sections together to make your own tent footprint or bivy mat.
Razor Blade ($6.70 for 100)
I pack a听razor blade as a backup, in case I break or lose my main knife. Wrap it in some cardboard and duct tape, and it will help you cut everything from sausages to听bandages. And at just a few grams, you won鈥檛 even notice it鈥檚 there.
Hair Ties听($2 for 14)
Long-haired backpackers likely know this trick. For everyone else, heads up: durable nylon hair ties are great for attaching things like rain jackets to the outside of your pack听(loop the tie through an outside attachment point and stuff your jacket so the听elastic band holds it in place).听You can also use them to keep plastic bags in place around food and valuables or听roll them around a tent or poles if you lose your stuff sack.
Needle and Thread ($9 for a Set of Needles and 1,500 Yards of Thread)
If you don鈥檛 want to bring a full sewing repair kit on your backpack trip, I听suggest taking a basic needle and thread,听just in case your jacket, tent, shoes, or sleeping bag fall apart on the trail. Tip: Choose a and 鈥攖hey鈥檙e more durable鈥攁nd听then听store your needle capped with a small chunk of wine cork.
Bleach ($2.40 for 64 Ounces)
Bleach is an extremely effective backup for听killing bacteria and viruses in water. It鈥檚 also cheap and likely already听in your laundry room. 听If you find yourself in an emergency鈥攕ay your normal water purifier stops working鈥攜ou can substitute听two drops of bleach per听liter of clear water.