A key part of being prepared in the outdoors is bringing the 10 essentials, a collection of must-have items that will help you stay safe, whatever nature throws at you. Regardless of where you’re going or what you’re doing, the National Park Service says you should always carry things like extra layers, a first-aid kit, navigation tools, water and water treatment, and so on.
As someone who loves a good gear debate, I asked the rest of the staff (aka gear nerds) at GearJunkie what their eleventh essential was. I wanted to know what people considered an absolute must-have product beyond these 10 basic safety items, and I was surprised by their answers.
Next time you pack for a trip, consider bringing one of these pieces of gear. Adding a few ounces to your bag for comfort, entertainment, or fun is always a good call in our book.
GearJunkie Staff’s Eleventh Essentials
Backpacking Chair
I know I don’t need a chair when I’m backpacking, but I’ve never regretted bringing one. After a long day of hiking, relaxing in the Helinox Chair Zero LT is true luxury. It provides lower back support and keeps my bum off the cold, hard ground, all while adding barely a pound to my pack. — Mary Andino, Staff Writer
Open Earbuds
I don’t normally plug my ears while actively hiking (and definitely not while hunting), but the SkullCandy Push 720 Open Earbuds let you hear the world around you. I use them as an audiobook-based emergency sleep aid if wind or fellow campers’ snoring threatens to keep me up all night. And if I’m covering hours of monotonous miles, they’re there to stave off boredom.
The charging pouch keeps them protected and tops up their little internal batteries. I like that the buds don’t need to be charged directly — you can charge the case while using the buds. — Justin Park, Ski & Hike Editor
Paperback Books
Reading a book out in nature is one of my favorite feelings in the world, and I wouldn’t sacrifice that on a backpacking trip just to save weight. I always carry a paperback book with me: It strikes inspiration on the trail and helps tire me out when I’m up and anxious in my tent about the noises that go bump in the night.
I only bring thought-provoking books that inspire reflection. Currently on rotation is Joan Didion’s The White Album, which was absolutely transformative to read in the Sierra backcountry. — Teaghan Skulszki, Social Media Editor
Portable Fridge
While a disposable cardboard cooler with ice works adequately for the length of camping trips I tend to do, after buying a small, cheap portable fridge a couple of years ago, I can’t imagine going back. Now I don’t have to deal with a ticking clock on things staying cold or worry about buying ice mid-trip.
My current fridge, the ICECO 58, has two zones, so I can use one side as a freezer, which makes bringing things like frozen Trader Joe’s meals really easy and convenient, too. — Kyle Hyatt, Motors Editor
Welding Gloves
It may seem absurd, but a $20 pair of welding mitts has become a camp staple. Not only are they great for protecting hands when grabbing brush and hacking through firewood, they’re a must for moving anything on or off the fire, whether it’s a pot, tinfoil-wrapped meal, or smoldering log. — Adam Ruggiero, Editor-in-Chief, The Send
DIY Repair Kit
I concocted this little emergency repair kit while living in Central America. Simply get a package of dental floss, and then use several wraps of duct tape to attach three or four needles to the side of the floss. Now, you have thread, needles, and tape ready for emergency repairs. And if everything goes as planned, you’ll have dental floss to get that jerky out of your teeth. — Sean McCoy, Editor-in-Chief
Condiments
I can choke down a lot of mediocre backcountry food, but I’d rather not. Tiny bottles of balsamic glaze and sweet chili sauce go with me on just about every backpacking, hunting, and camping trip.
Between the two, I can make freeze-dried meals, wraps, trail lunches, and whatever else I’ve cobbled together taste exponentially better. The extra weight is worth it; they take up very little space and do more for camp morale than most things in my pack. — Rachelle Schrute, Hunt & Fish Editor
Nestout Power Bank
Waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof, the canteen-shaped power banks from Japanese brand Nestout nearly always find their way into whatever pack I’m using. I’m not terribly meticulous about making sure my phone charges overnight, so I often end up starting adventures with my phone almost dead.
Whether I’m cycling, hiking, or paddling, the Nestout 10,000mAh power bank ensures I always have a camera, trail maps, GPS, and everything else we increasingly rely on smartphones to provide. — Andrew McLemore, Associate News Editor
