Do you need a sleeping bag for backpacking?

Are you looking to camp? If not, then there is no need for you to bring a sleeping bag. If you are attempting to pack your first backpack, there is only one rule you need to follow regardless of climate, time of year or country you are traveling to: pack light, pack light, pack light.



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No! Don't bring a sleeping bag unless you plan to camp and/or will be facing cold temperatures. You shouldn't need a sleeping bag for most hostels (you use bedding that is provided, sometimes free and sometimes not).

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In summer, if it is hot, I just sleep in my shorts. Usually I wear a tank top under my hiking shirt, so often I sleep in that also. That and the layer of clothing keeps my sleeping bag a lot cleaner inside. In winter, I many time sleep with my down jacket on, inside my bag, with hat, liner gloves and down socks on.

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Plus, having a large, light item at the bottom of your pack perfectly sets you up to be able to pack your heaviest gear at the center of your shoulder blades. So, first thing's first: put your sleeping bag at the bottom of your pack.

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Ideally, a lightweight backpacker should try to keep their sleeping bag in the 2-3 pound range and their pad around 1-1.5 pounds. Ideally, your whole system will be 4 pounds or less. When you are trekking up steep mountains with everything on your back, every pound will matter!

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It is best to wear a fresh and dry base in your sleeping bag to keep it cleaner and to keep you warm in chilly nights. These clothes should fit well, better if these fit loosely, so as to not cut off circulation, and to help trap heat closer to your body.

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Managing toilet paper: Place TP in a waste bag to pack out. (Places where burying your TP is allowed are becoming scarce—only do it if your cathole is sufficiently deep and you're absolutely certain land managers say that it's acceptable practice.)

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