What’s in Your Brain? And 10 Items That You Might Consider Putting In There

by Brad Lane + · Published March 31, 2015 · Updated March 30, 2015

brainssss The “brain” of you backpack is the pouch on the top of your pack that provides easy access to your most used items. And depending on your style of backpacking, where you’re traveling, and your minimalist efforts, the contents of the brain varies from backpacker to backpacker. And while some things you’ll never want to carry around (i.e. dumbbells, chocolate milkshakes, & wine glasses), there is a handful of equipment you might consider stowing away with you on your next big trip. And here for today, to pick and choose what’s right for you, are 10 items you might consider putting in your backpacking brain:

Water Resistant Survival KitComing in at 0.80 lbs., this lightweight survival kit has a little bit of everything to have you ready for just about anything. With a multi-tool, waterproof matches, flashlight, and much more, this survival kit can be handy, and it allows you to mix and match a bit with the rest of your supplies to make sure you can find a way out of any tight situation.

Ultralight and Watertight Adventure Medical KitIn any great medical kit for long distances, the most important thing you can pack is the knowledge of how to use everything in there. This particular set comes with the basics you might need on a long distance hike, including but not limited to tweezers, mole skin, and antihistamine. Each trip will require different medical needs, so don’t be afraid to pull out and put new things into this medical kit to match your adventure.

Paracord Survival Strap BraceletChances are you probably will never need to unravel your strap bracelet (which fits on your wrist just as well as in your brain), but if you do need it, you’ll be glad you have it. Possible uses for a long paracord can include emergency shelters, extra shoelaces, impromptu food hangs, and various jerry-rigging needs.

Petzl E+Lite Emergency HeadlampFor anyone that has camped out overnight in the backcountry, you know that there are no streetlamps to light your way to the bathroom late at night. Having a reliable light source plus a backup in the backcountry is a necessity when traveling far, and the Petzl E+Lite is a great, lightweight headlamp to stick in your brain as an emergency backup or as your primary source of light.

Hoyle Waterproof CardsTwo things are almost always guaranteed on long-distance backpacking trips: (1.) you will be spending a lot of time in the elements, and (2.) you will have some downtime in those elements. Hoyle’s waterproof cards are just the ticket for these guarantees, giving you hours of lightweight fun while not worrying about ruining your paper cards as you play by the river.

KindlingThere are many products to help you get your fire going in the backcountry including items like Lightning Nuggets or Tinder Quick, but for a resourceful camper you don’t necessarily need to shill out the money for kindling. Many items around the house act as a great fire starter including dryer lint, crayons, and cotton balls. Whatever you choose, be sure to have some emergency kindling and fire starter packed for your long distance trip.

Potable AquaPotable Aqua is one the lightest methods you can carry for purifying water. And while some don’t appreciate the fine taste of iodine in their drinking water, feel free to pack your own water filter with your supplies, but keeping a bottle of Potable Aqua as a backup is always a good idea to ensure you have clean drinking water throughout your trip.

Sol Escape BivySpace blankets are fine, but to truly feel the security sought after in an emergency shelter, the Sol Escape Bivy is the way to go. Available as your primary sleep system in warm conditions, the Sol Escape Bivy is lightweight, well-crafted, and can help you retain that vital body warmth in emergency conditions.

Suunto MCb CompassMuch like a medical kit, if you are going to pack a compass with your things, you better know how to use it. Suunto has a wide Compass Collection to choose from, but the MCb is a great place to start your orienteering practice. Especially needed if you’re traveling off trail, don’t forget to supplement the compass with the designated maps of the area you’re traveling through.

Rite in the Rain Outdoor NotebookThe trail can be a great spot to organize your thoughts and put some words down on paper. The problem with traditional notebooks is that they don’t often stand up to the weather and conditions that backpacking can provide. This is where all Rite in the Rain products come in handy. With heavily tested paper that lives up to its name, rite in the rain notebooks are perfect for documenting your soul searching journey.