Glossary / Glossary Categories / Backpacking

Backpacking

59 terms

Browse definitions, examples, and related concepts for 59 backpacking terms commonly used in camping and backpacking.

Key Terms at a Glance

Term Definition
backpacker tan A tan acquired from wearing a backpack while hiking, leaving distinctive tan...
backpacker trash A lighthearted term used to describe hikers who embrace the dirtiness,...
backpacking essentials Basic items that are necessary or highly recommended for a successful and...
backpacking food Food specifically packaged and prepared for backpackers, typically...
backpacking gear Equipment and supplies used for backpacking, including backpacks, tents, and...
backpacking life A lifestyle that emphasizes long-distance hiking with a backpack, often...
backpacking meals Meals specifically designed for backpacking, typically lightweight and easy...
backpacking stove A small, portable stove designed for cooking or heating water during a...

backpack

noun

A bag that has shoulder straps allowing it to be carried on one’s back.

backpacker

noun

A traveler who carries their supplies in a backpack. They typically hike in the backcountry but sometimes backpack...

backpacker tan

noun

A tan acquired from wearing a backpack while hiking, leaving distinctive tan lines on the shoulders and back.

backpacker trash

noun

A lighthearted term used to describe hikers who embrace the dirtiness, simplicity, and freedom of the backpacking...

backpacking

noun

Hiking with all of one’s gear and supplies contained in a backpack.

backpacking essentials

noun

Basic items that are necessary or highly recommended for a successful and safe backpacking trip.

backpacking food

noun

Food specifically packaged and prepared for backpackers, typically lightweight and easy to cook.

backpacking gear

noun

Equipment and supplies used for backpacking, including backpacks, tents, and sleeping bags.

backpacking life

noun

A lifestyle that emphasizes long-distance hiking with a backpack, often involving camping in the wilderness.

backpacking meals

noun

Meals specifically designed for backpacking, typically lightweight and easy to prepare.

backpacking stove

noun

A small, portable stove designed for cooking or heating water during a backpacking trip.

backpacking trail

noun

A trail that is suitable for backpacking, often longer and more challenging than a regular hiking trail.

backpack pocket

noun

A general term for any pocket on a backpack, used for organizing and storing items.

backpack weight

noun

The total weight of a hiker’s backpack, including all gear, food, and water.

base weight

noun

The weight of a backpack and its enclosed/attached gear. Consumables (food, water, fuel) are not included in one’s...

boot packing

verb

The act of compacting snow by walking or stomping with boots, often to create a supportive surface for skiing or...

bounce box

noun

A box or package that long-distance hikers mail ahead to themselves at various resupply points, containing...

daypack

noun

A small backpack designed to hold essential items for one day of hiking or other activity. Contents might include...

extended section hike

noun

A long-distance hike covering a significant portion of a trail, but not the entire route.

external frame backpack

noun

A type of backpack supported by a rigid frame on the pack’s exterior portion. These frames are built from aluminum or...

fanny pack

noun

A small zippered nylon pouch that’s attached to a belt and worn on the hips. Smaller ones can contain money, EDC...

fastpacking

noun

A combination of trail running and backpacking, in which lightweight gear is used to cover long distances quickly,...

frame pack

noun

A style of backpack that uses an aluminum or fiber framework to create structure and help distribute weight.

hydration pack

noun

A backpack or vest designed to carry a hydration bladder and allow easy access to water during physical activities.

internal frame backpack

noun

A type of backpack supported by stays within the enclosure. These stays form the pack’s shape and make it more...

long ass section hike (LASH)

noun

A term used by hikers to describe a lengthy section hike, often covering a significant portion of a long-distance...

long section hike

noun

A hike that covers a long distance but does not cover the entire trail.

mail drop

noun

A pre-arranged shipment of supplies, often food and gear, sent to a designated location for pickup by a long-distance...

packed

adjective

Filled with items and ready for travel or use.

packed size

noun

The size of a collapsed tent and its contents. This measurement helps convey how easy a tent is to carry.

packed weight

noun

The total weight of an item, such as a tent, when packed with all components and accessories.

packing

verb

The process of organizing, arranging, and loading gear and personal items into a backpack for a hike or outdoor trip.

packing gear

noun

The process of selecting and organizing equipment for a trip or activity.

packing list

noun

A list of items to be packed for a trip.

pack it in, pack it out

noun

A promise to take out everything you bring into nature. This idea is one of the original doctrines of backcountry...

pack-out bag

noun

A bag used to pack out trash and waste from a campsite, often required in wilderness areas.

pack tan

noun

A tan line resulting from wearing a backpack during extended outdoor exposure.

pack up

verb

The act of gathering and packing all belongings and equipment.

pack weight

noun

The total weight of a hiker’s backpack, including all gear, clothing, food, and water.

partial thru-hike

noun

A hike that covers a significant portion, but not the entirety, of a long-distance trail.

partial thru-hiker

noun

A hiker who completes a significant portion, but not the entirety, of a long-distance trail or route.

resupply

noun

The act of obtaining additional food, gear, or supplies while on a long hike, often by stopping in a town or having a...

resupply box

noun

A package containing food, gear, and other supplies, often sent ahead by hikers to be picked up during a...

resupply cache

noun

A hidden stash of food, water, or other supplies left by a hiker or a support team for retrieval during a...

section hike

noun

A hike that covers a portion of a longer trail or route, usually completed over several days or weeks.

section hiker

noun

A person who hikes specific sections of a long trail or route, often with the goal of eventually completing the...

section hiking

noun

The practice of hiking a long-distance trail in segments or sections over time, rather than in one continuous journey.

slackpacking

noun

The act of hiking without carrying a full backpack, typically with the assistance of a support vehicle or person to...

snowpack

noun

A seasonal accumulation of snow on the ground, often measured in terms of depth, density, and stability.

thru-hike

noun

A long-distance hike completed end-to-end in a single trip, typically covering hundreds or thousands of miles.

thru-hiker

noun

A hiker who partakes in thru-hiking.

thru-hike trail

noun

A trail specifically designed or designated for long-distance, end-to-end hiking, often covering significant...

thru-hiking

noun

Hiking an established trail over a long distance from one end to the other over an extended period. Some famous...

ultralight backpacking

noun

A style of backpacking in which hikers carry light and least gear to increase the miles they can cover. Ultralight...

ultralight gear

noun

Outdoor equipment designed with minimal weight in mind, often used by hikers aiming to reduce the overall load they...

ultralight hiker

noun

A hiker who practices ultralight backpacking, using the lightest and simplest gear possible to enhance enjoyment and...

ultralight hiking

noun

The practice of hiking with extremely lightweight gear and equipment to minimize weight and increase efficiency.

ultralight tent

noun

A tent that uses a design and materials that prioritize weight reduction. Ultralight tents typically house 1 or 2...

ultralight (UL)

adjective

Referring to a lightweight approach to backpacking or hiking, emphasizing minimal gear and a low overall pack weight.
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