The Cheapest Way to Start Backpacking: How to Get on the Trail Without Breaking the Bank
Think backpacking is an expensive hobby? It can be—but it doesn't have to be.
One of the biggest misconceptions about backpacking for beginners is that you need hundreds or even thousands of dollars in specialized outdoor gear before you can take your first overnight trip. The truth is, you can start backpacking on a budget by borrowing, renting, buying only the essentials, and choosing lightweight gear that serves multiple purposes.
At Near Zero, we believe getting outdoors shouldn't require years of experience or a garage full of gear. If you've been curious about backpacking but haven't wanted to invest a fortune, here's how to get started without breaking the bank.
Start With What You Already Have
Before buying anything, take a look around your house.
You may already own some of the basics you'll need for a beginner backpacking trip.
A water bottle can work as your first hydration system. Athletic clothing can become hiking layers. A fleece jacket can serve as a warm midlayer. A basic headlamp, first-aid kit, rain jacket, or even an old backpack may be useful while you're learning what works for you.
The goal of your first trip isn't to build the perfect ultralight backpacking setup. It's to get outside and learn.
Once you've completed a few trips, you'll have a much better idea of what gear is worth upgrading.
Borrow the Expensive Stuff
If you have friends or family members who hike or camp, ask what gear they have sitting unused.
Backpackers often accumulate equipment over the years, and there's a good chance someone you know has a tent, sleeping pad, backpacking stove, or other gear collecting dust.
Borrowing can save you hundreds of dollars while helping you figure out what you actually like.
It's also a great way to avoid the classic beginner mistake of buying something because it looks useful online—only to discover that you don't actually need it.
Consider Renting Backpacking Gear
If you don't have friends with gear, backpacking gear rental can be one of the most affordable ways to try the hobby.
Renting lets you experience an overnight trip without committing to the full cost of purchasing a complete backpacking setup.
Near Zero's Rental Program is designed with this idea in mind. Backpackers can choose from different kit sizes and rental lengths, making it possible to get the gear you need for a weekend adventure without buying everything upfront.
For someone planning their first backpacking trip, renting can answer an important question:
Do I actually like backpacking?
Find that out before investing hundreds of dollars in equipment.
Buy the Essentials First
If you're ready to purchase your own gear, don't try to buy everything at once.
Start with the equipment that makes an overnight trip possible:
- Backpack
- Tent or shelter
- Sleeping bag or quilt
- Sleeping pad
- Water storage
- Food and cooking system
- Headlamp
- Basic first-aid supplies
- Appropriate clothing
- Navigation and emergency essentials
You don't need the most expensive version of every item.
In fact, budget backpacking gear can be a great place to start. Focus on reliability, weight, comfort, and functionality rather than buying the newest or most expensive product.
Look for Gear That Does More Than One Job
One of the easiest ways to save money is to choose versatile gear.
A quilt, for example, can function as a sleeping bag, blanket, or two-person sleep system depending on the design. A lightweight backpack can work for overnight backpacking trips, weekend camping, and travel.
Multipurpose gear means fewer things to buy—and less weight to carry.
That's one reason lightweight backpacking has become so appealing to beginners. Ultralight backpacking gear isn't only about shaving ounces from a pack. Carrying less can also mean simplifying the number of items you need in the first place.
Don't Confuse Expensive With Better
A $500 backpack doesn't automatically make a better backpacker.
The same goes for tents, sleeping bags, cooking systems, and other outdoor equipment.
When you're starting out, prioritize:
Safety → functionality → comfort → weight → extras
You don't need titanium everything. You don't need the latest carbon-fiber trekking poles. And you definitely don't need every gadget marketed to outdoor enthusiasts.
Start simple.
As you gain experience, you'll discover where spending a little more money makes a meaningful difference for you.
Start With a Short Overnight Trip
Your first backpacking adventure doesn't need to be a week-long wilderness expedition.
In fact, a 24-hour outdoor escape can be the perfect introduction.
Choose a relatively short trail with an established campsite. Ideally, pick somewhere within a reasonable driving distance from home. That way, if you forget something or discover that you need a gear upgrade, you're not committed to a week in the wilderness.
A short overnight trip allows you to practice:
- Packing your backpack
- Setting up camp
- Cooking outdoors
- Managing your water
- Sleeping outside
- Navigating a trail
- Breaking down camp
- Carrying your gear
You'll learn more from one overnight trip than you will from hours of scrolling through backpacking gear reviews.
Buy Used Gear
Another way to build a cheap backpacking gear setup is to buy used.
Outdoor gear can have a long life when it's properly cared for, and experienced backpackers frequently sell equipment when they upgrade.
Check local outdoor gear resale shops, gear exchanges, community groups, and reputable secondhand marketplaces.
For safety-critical equipment, however, know what you're buying and its history. Items such as climbing equipment and helmets have different considerations than a backpack or cooking pot.
Spend Money on the Things That Matter Most
If you have a limited budget, don't spread your money evenly across your entire gear list.
Spend strategically.
A good night's sleep can make a huge difference, so a comfortable sleeping pad and appropriately rated sleeping bag or quilt may be worth prioritizing.
Likewise, a backpack that fits properly can make carrying your gear much more comfortable.
But you may be able to save money on things like utensils, storage bags, or other small accessories by using items you already own.
Backpacking doesn't have to be expensive to be enjoyable.
Consider a Backpacking Bundle
One of the challenges for beginners is figuring out exactly what they need.
Instead of researching dozens of individual products and trying to determine whether everything works together, a backpacking bundle can simplify the process.
Near Zero's Adventure Bundle takes 10 essential backpacking items and packs them into the TR50 backpack, creating a ready-to-use starting point for new backpackers.
The idea is simple: less research, less guesswork, and less time trying to figure out what belongs in your pack.
For beginners who feel overwhelmed by the amount of gear available, a bundle can be an easier way to get started.
So, What Is the Cheapest Way to Start Backpacking?
The cheapest way to start backpacking is not to buy an entire backpacking setup on day one.
Instead:
- Use what you already own.
- Borrow gear from friends and family.
- Rent equipment when possible.
- Buy used gear.
- Purchase only the essentials.
- Choose versatile, lightweight equipment.
- Start with a short overnight trip.
- Upgrade gear as you gain experience.
The biggest investment you need to make when you're starting isn't necessarily financial.
It's simply deciding to go.
You don't need the perfect backpacking gear setup. You don't need years of experience. And you don't need a garage full of expensive outdoor equipment.
You just need enough gear to safely spend a night outside—and the willingness to Get Out & Go.
Start With Less. Go Further.
At Near Zero, our goal is to make backpacking, camping, and hiking more accessible by creating lightweight, easy-to-use gear that takes some of the guesswork out of getting outside.
Because adventure shouldn't be intimidating.
Pack less. Adventure more.