Backpacking doesn’t have to be stupid expensive. And you don’t necessarily need a bunch of specialized, single-use gear. In fact, you can save a ton of money with some of our favorite money-saving backpacking hacks.
These are practical, easy-to-do ideas we’ve picked up over years on the trail—and they’ve saved us hundreds of dollars without sacrificing comfort or safety. Whether you’re planning your first backcountry trip or just want to lighten your spending (and your pack), these hacks can help you stretch your budget and still get outside.
8 Backpacking Hacks
Camp Lantern
Instead of a lantern, drop a headlamp in a white water bottle (or red to preserve night vision).
This simple trick casts a warm, ambient glow across your tent or campsite—no need to shell out for a fancy LED lantern. Bonus points if your headlamp has multiple brightness settings. Check out this list of some of the best headlamps we’ve tested.
Tent Footprint
Don’t buy a dedicated tent footprint (read about what a tent footprint is here), cut one out of leftover house wrap from a construction site. House wrap like Tyvek is waterproof, durable, and super lightweight. Just ask around—construction sites often toss scraps you can upcycle into your own custom-sized footprint. Of course you’ll need a tent on top of that – here’s some of our favorites.
Camp Cutlery
Forget a pricey titanium spork or dedicated mess kit; just grab some cutlery and a plastic plate or bowl from your kitchen cabinets. It’s one of the easiest substitutions you can make. As long as you’re not hauling your grandmother’s china, kitchen gear holds up just fine in the wild. When you’re ready to upgrade to ultralight cookware, here’s a few we definitely think you should check out.
Camp Pillow
Use a stuff sack full of extra clothes instead of a camp pillow (though these 8 camp pillows are perfect for backpacking). Honestly, this works so well we sometimes forget pillow alternatives even exist. Just turn the sack inside-out if it has rough seams, and enjoy a comfy, dual-purpose headrest. If you prefer to get a proper camp pillow that uses compressible fill or one that’s inflatable, here’s a few we recommend.
Stuff Sacks
Instead of buying stuff sacks, sew your own from leftover fabric or repurpose sleeping bag compression sacks. Not only is this cost-effective, but you can customize sizes to suit your packing style. Old rain jackets or tent bags also make great material.
Meals
Skip the overpriced backpacking meals and make your own (get our free plant-based cookbook when you subscribe here). DIY meals let you control ingredients, cut sodium, and pack way more calories per ounce. Pre-mix them at home and rehydrate in a freezer bag or pot on the trail.
Hiking Shorts
You don’t need expensive clothing; your old running shorts and a tech shirt from Goodwill will do (plus, the most sustainable gear is used gear). We’re all for supporting outdoor brands doing it right—but you don’t need to break the bank to stay cool and dry. Thrift stores are treasure troves of trail-ready gear if you know what to look for. And depending on what you find, it may need properly cleaned and re-waterproofed. For that, check out our guide here.
Fire Starters
Don’t splurge on fire starters when corn chips work just as well! Yes, seriously. Fritos, Doritos—basically any greasy snack chip—ignite easily and burn surprisingly long. Keep a few in your pocket as an emergency backup or snack-turned-survival tool.
Hack your whole pack or pocket one or two swaps for your next trip. Which ones will it be?! Have you tried any? 🤔 (The corn chips have been a lifesaver for us on many a camping trip! 😅)
Let us know your go-to trail hacks—we’re always looking to add to our dirtbag budget backpacking toolkit.
Watch the video version of this roundup on YouTube
