How much does backpacking cost?
A proper start · 2 things
That is buying your own. Trying it first costs about $500.
Backpacking cost at a glance
What it takes to try backpacking, what it costs to keep going, and what a first year adds up to. The kit above is what buying your own costs today.
- Trying it first$500The cheapest sensible way in, before you buy your own.
- Each month after$20The things below, as you keep going.
- First year$740The kit plus twelve months, for about 312 hours of backpacking.
What you keep spending on
- Gear hirePaid per trip rather than bought once.$60/trip
Cost per hour
$2 an hour
A first year costs about $740 for roughly 312 hours. At $500 to start, backpacking costs more than 96% of the 396 hobbies we price.
What each thing is for
Everything you might buy for backpacking, what it is for, and which of our guides covers it.
- Stove SystemEssentialCanister stoves are the modern standard.Our pick: Best Backpacking Stove →
- Sleeping PadEssentialAir pads for comfort and warmth.Our pick: Best Backpacking Sleeping Pad →
- Buy this firstStove SystemCanister stoves are the modern standard.
- Ways to save
- Borrow first · Rent or borrow gear at the facility for your first few sessions, before you buy anything.
- Pay as you go first · Gear hire is $60/trip, and you buy nothing to do it.
- Tick what you have · The kit above drops anything you already own out of its total.
- Read before the big one · Our gear guides pick one thing for most people, then a cheaper and a fancier option.
Hobbies that cost about the same
Backpacking cost questions
How much does backpacking cost to start?
About $500, taking the cheapest sensible option for each thing you need.
How much does backpacking cost each month?
About $20 a month once you're going, for classes, fees or materials.
Is backpacking an expensive hobby?
382 of the 396 hobbies we price cost less to start, and the middle one is $30. With about $20 a month on top, a first year is about $740, which makes backpacking one of the pricier hobbies to get into.
What should I buy first for backpacking?
Our guides to backpacking gear pick one thing for most people, then a cheaper and a fancier option, with what each is for.