Here is everything we brought on a 4 day, 3 night backpacking trip with our 2.5 year toddler.

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Trip: Juan De Fuca Trail, Vancouver Island, British Columbia (In and Out to Mystic & Bear Beach)
Length: 4 days, 3 nights
Temperatures: 20°C/68°F daytime high, 10°C/50°F nighttime low
Precipitation: None
Dates: June 27-June 30th, 2023
Distance: Day 1- 2km, Day 2- 7km, Day 3- 7km, Day 4- 2km

Camping Gear

Backpacks

His: Stone Glacier Sky 5900
Hers: Gregory Deva 70

Here are some other great options:
•Osprey Ariel 65 (This used to be my go-to pack)
•Gregory Amber 65
•Gregory Baltoro 65

Tent

We have had our MSR Hubba Hubba 2 person tent for many years now. We can sleep with 2 adults and 1 small toddler quite easily in it. We will likely need a lightweight 3 person tent as she grows.

Here are some other great options:
•Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 2-Person Tent
•Nemo Dagger OSMO 3-Person Tent
•Sea To Summit Telos TR2 2-Person Tent

Sleeping Gear

Pads: Therm-a-rest NeoAir® Topo™ Luxe Sleeping Pad. Aster and I slept together on this. We have a regular wide version and it’s perfect for the two of us. Reid slept on a Therm-a-rest NeoAir® XTherm™ NXT MAX Sleeping Pad overtop of a Therm-a-rest Z-lite. We couple them together with a Therm-a-rest Synergy Coupler.

Therm-a-rest Vela™ Double 32F/0C Quilt

Therm-a-rest Corus™ 32F/0C Quilt

MEC Camp Pillow. Aster and I each had one.

Therm-a-Rest Air Head Down Pillow

Cooking Gear & Food

MSR Pocket Rocket Stove Kit + fuel + lighter
Bowls from the MSR Stove Kit above
Sea to Summit Collapsible Bowl
MSR folding forks
Sea to Summit utensil set
GSI Outdoors Infinity Backpacker Mugs x3
Hydroflask Large
Kuju Coffees (2 a day for Reid and 1 a day for me)
Nuun Sport Hydration Tablets
Sawyer Water Filter
Platypus Water Bladders
Small cotton reusable wipes

Check out my blog post – 3 Night Backpacking Meal Plan With a Toddler – to see everything that we brought for food on this trip.

Clothing

Myself

Hiking

Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights HD
Under Armour Long Sleeve Sun Shirt x2
Lululemon High Neck Tank Top
Hiking Shorts (from Homesense, no idea the brand)
Smartwool hiking socks
New Balance Sports Bra

Sleep

MEC T3 Tights
MEC T2 Shirt

Outerlayers

Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody
New Balance Fleece
Campbrand Goods Ribbed Hat
Patagonia Rain Jacket

Footwear

Zamberlan 996 Vioz Gore-Tex Backpacking Boots
MEC down booties
Crocs

Accessories

Winnebago Dad Hat
MEC Gaitors
Kula Cloth

Aster

Hiking

WeeWoollies Baselayer. Aster wore the one she woke up in to hike for the day
Smartwool socks

Sleep

WeeWoollies Baselayer. Fresh one for each night so she didn’t smell like food in the tent.
1 Carter’s Fleece Onsie. This came off as soon as she woke up (and we put on her full fleece suit for the morning) so that this would remain clean for then next night.
Jan and Jul Beanie (use domcarson2410 for a discount on Jan and Jul)
Miles the Label Merino Beanie

If she were younger, she would have worn her Morrison Outdoors Mini Mo Sleeping bag but we need a size up and haven’t bought one yet. I highly recommend one though. Use code DOMCARSON10 for 10% off.

Outerlayers

Jan and Jul Fleece Bunting Suit (use domcarson2410 for a discount on Jan and Jul)
Jan and Jul Thin-lined Rain Suit
Patagonia Down Jacket

Footwear

New Balance Runners
Walmart Rain Boots
Jan and Jul Fleece Booties (use domcarson2410 for a discount on Jan and Jul)

Accessories

Jan and Jul Sunnies
Jan and Jul Hat

Reid

Hiking

MEC Hiking pants
Smartwool T-shirt
Kuiu Long Sleeve T-Shirt

Sleep

Kuiu Full Zip Wool Leggings
Kuiu Heavy Weight Long Sleeve
Sitka Core Heavy Weight Hoody
Smartwool Socks

Outerlayers

Firstlite Synthetic Down Jacket
Kuiu Rain Jacket

Footwear

Scarpa GTX Hiking Boots
Crocs

Accessories

Hat
Cabela’s Gaitors

Safety Items/Other

Garmin In Reach
Petzl Headlamp
Thermacell
Mineral Sunscreen
Bear Spray & Holster
Bug Spray
Trail Magik
Medical Kit & a homemade safety kit with kid medicine (tylenol, benadryl, an epi pen, etc)

Toiletries

Diapers. We brought 4 per day which we didn’t need but it was nice to have a buffer. If she were younger, I would have brought more, but she is somewhat potty trained at this point which is nice.
Wipes
Bum Balm
Toothbrushes & Toothpaste

Camera Gear

Sony a7iii + Sony 35m 1.4 GM
Sirui Tripod
Cotton Carrier StrapShot
IPhone 14

Check out my Ultimate Guide to Camping With Babies Blog if you’re looking to get started heading out with your little one!