Published July 20, 2026 02:46 pm
If you want to flex your creative muscles, backpacking is the perfect exercise. Navigation, packing, planning and logistics all require out-of-the-box thinking. And when it comes to gear, ingenuity is only limited by your imagination. Sure, you can spend hundreds, even thousands of dollars on higher-end equipment that’s lighter, more durable, and streamlined for travel – but some of the most useful pieces of kit are the cheapest, most widely available, and, often, not designed with backpacking in mind.
Over the years at Backpacker, we’ve seen some amazing tricks, like ultralight shelters made of Tyvek, improvised first aid kits, Frisbees used for everything from plates to emergency paddles, and tent parts used as trowels. Here are seven more gear hacks that cost next to nothing and may just kick your backpacking up a notch or two. What these hacks may lack in technology and engineering, they make up for in sheer resourcefulness.
If you have more ideas like this, we want to hear them. Leave a comment with your favorite gear hack or tip, and we may add it to the list.
Tennis balls and PVC are cheap massage tools you can take anywhere
When I drop my pack at my destination, the first thing I wish I had was a masseuse. Less than that, the next best option is something like self-myofascial release Tools (SMR) – Read: Tennis balls and sections of PVC pipe. Lie on your back, place a tennis ball under the knots of your shoulder muscles. Then, move your body around to give yourself a targeted massage.
The PVC works as a muscle roller. Break out that myofascial tissue in your thighs, calves, your spine, and your hips. it hurts so good. A 3 to 4 inch diameter section of PVC pipe that is three inches long is ideal for the roller. You can get them cut at your local hardware store. Pro tip: Wrap it in duct tape, and it’ll also become an extra tape roll. Extra Pro Tip: Use your ski straps to secure your roller to the outside of your pack.
take a hot bath
This is not a very sustainable hack and may irritate environmentally conscious people. But I’m including it because of its sheer simplicity. If you’re yearning for a hot shower but don’t have access to one, you can make your own bathhouse out of black plastic trash bags. Pour a few gallons of water into one and leave it in direct sunlight for several hours. When you are sure it is hot, hang it from a tree and make a few small holes in one corner. The resulting spring of hot water will do good to your soul.
You may be able to reuse the bag once or twice by tying the corner of the bag that had the hole in it. Or, just commit to single-use. It’s best to use this tip as a treat or in a pinch rather than a daily ritual. (Editor’s note: It’s not as cheap or light, but Sea to Summit’s Pocket Shower This is a reusable option if you’re committed to forest bathing on a regular basis.)
Ski straps are your best friend
These rubbery belt-like straps, originally designed to keep skis together, are one of the most functional supplies you can own. I’ve used them to fix broken hiking poles, replace a broken sternum strap, attach items to the outside of my pack, secure the pack to a car roof rack, and more.
You’ll get more use out of these utility strips than you might expect. And they are easy to pack. I usually wrap them around the shoulder strap like a roll of tape, so they’re accessible. You can also store them on hiking poles. A standard 12-inch length strap, similar to from voilCost about $8. You can also buy their packages different sizes For $22 to $25.
Fishing hook and line serve as an emergency sewing kit
Maybe you catch a fish, maybe you don’t. Either way, a fishing hook and line is a useful addition to any backpacking kit. Not only can it be an essential survival supply, but it also serves as a sewing kit. Take a cork, put some hooks in it and wrap fishing line around it. Boom! You have a spool of thread and a “needle”. Avoid monofilament fishing line. There will be no lumps in it and it can break easily. braided fishing line, such as reaction tackleA heavy-duty nylon will mimic thread, hold knots better and sit flat.
Of course, you can also stick an actual sewing needle into the same cork and wrap sewing thread around it next to your fishing line. It’s useful to have both, but if you only bring one, the fishing line is at least dual-purpose.
If your hiking pants tear up the crotch, or your pack gets torn completely, you’ll be thankful for this great field repair trick. (Just make sure you know the basics of sewing, too.)
Zip-Top Bags Are the Most Compressible Dog Bowls
There are plenty of compressible dog bowls out there, but none are as cheap as simple zip-top bags. Open it up, roll the top in half and the bag will become a makeshift bowl. When your puppy has finished drinking or eating, empty it and roll it back up. They disappear when stuffed into a backpack or pack pocket. And, of course, they’re reusable. When you get home, clean it in the sink and save it for your next backpacking trip or day walk with your dog.
Plastic Shower Caps Make Great Boot Covers
Plastic shower cap (like you can find cheap Amazon or free at some hotels) make excellent boot covers. Elastic stretches across the toe and heel, and plastic keeps mud, dirt, and sand inside. If you want to bring your shoes inside the tent for any reason, this is a useful trick. It’s also great for when you get back to your car and change your dirty shoes.
T-shirt and seam grip can prevent the pillow from slipping
I constantly have this problem that my pillow slides over my sleeping pad at night. To avoid this, I’ve started using a t-shirt to hold it in place. I fit the shirt over both the pillow and the pad, and voila! The pillow remains in place throughout the night. You can bring a clean t-shirt specifically for this purpose, or, if you’re not afraid of the smell, just use the same t-shirt you’re already wearing. Alternatively, you can also use some points seam hold On a sleeping pad to help your pillow stay in place. Take advantage of both of these tricks for maximum pillow protection.
