Backpacking is unlike any other sport. It definitely has its own levels, techniques, and can be personalized to anyone’s skillset. Everyone has their personal preferences when it comes to backpacking, aspects you like more than others, so you integrate them into your backpacking trips and avoid others, which is part of the fun. Once you discover what’s best for you, you set yourself up to have the best outdoor experience possible! 

 Levels of Backpacking

Backpacking skill levels are based on experience. The number of trips you’ve taken, how challenging previous trips have been, and how you feel about each of them, will help to determine what level you’re at personally. This is something that’s different for everyone. This is not a competition (besides with yourself). That’s the beauty of backpacking! There is no international classification system, check-offs, or committees dictating what you need to know as a backpacker. You get to hike your own hike, and no one is keeping score!

Backpacking Trip Categories

Backpacking trips can be categorized in various ways to describe the length and type of trip. Knowing what you want for your experience is also important when it comes to preparation. Different backpacking categories can include:

• Overnight or weekend backpacking trips
• Base camping
• Loop hiking trips
• Out and back trips or Yo-Yo hikes (turn around and retrace steps once you've reached a destination, in the opposite direction)
• Section hiking (doing one portion of a lengthy trail system at a time)
• Thru-hiking (complete a long trail in one go, sometimes involving thousands of miles)

Number of People/Type of Group

• Solo backpacking
• Dual hiking trip
• Backpacking getaway with your significant other
• Group hiking

You can mix and match any of these attributes to make the best hiking experience for yourself and the people you hike with. You might want to stick to an easier trail for a first-time solo hike, or perhaps getting a group together for a challenging thru-hike is more your speed. The confidence you have on the trail is key!

Not only do your trip details factor into this, but the gear you bring with can help increase your confidence. Do you have high-quality gear, or are you new to the sport, and building up your collection of hiking gear? You definitely want to be confident in your gear as it will allow you to have a worry-free hiking experience.

The reliability and quality of Littlbug camping stoves will help provide that confidence on your next trip out on the trails! Our stoves are versatile, and built to work with either sticks and twigs or alcohol burners, so if you run out of alcohol, you can always find some fuel beneath your feet! Our stoves are made out of durable material, and are made to last trip after trip. If you’re using nature’s fuel (sticks and twigs), we also recommend adding in a Fire Bowl that fits your Littlbug stove. This helps us Leave No Trace when exploring the backcountry. 

When it comes to outdoor skills the more you bring along, the less you have to carry. Skills don't break and they're never left behind. They don’t leak, they don't tear, and they don’t get wet!

What are some things that you make sure to include in your plans for your backpacking trips?