Backpacking Kit
Comfort
Because roughing it doesn’t have to feel rough.
Over the years, backpacking gear has gone from heavy and rudimentary (think about your parents' kits) to ultralight and minimalist (cut every possible ounce, no matter the impact). It turns out there is a growing chorus of outdoor enthusiasts who want to thread the needle: modern gear that’s not overly burdensome, but still comfortable enough to temper that feeling of roughing it. Opt for the items in our Comfort Backpacking Kit, and you might just be the envy of your campsite once you get there.
Nemo Dagger Osmo 3P ($650)
Osprey Atmos AG 65 ($370)
Nemo Disco 15 ($300)
Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft ($250)
Hoka Anacapa 2 Mid GTX ($195)
Outdoor Research Ferrosi ($110)
Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody ($345)
REI Co-op XeroCloud 3L ($189)
Black Diamond Pursuit ($170)
Nemo Moonlite Elite ($180)
MSR Switch Stove System ($140)
Platypus GravityWorks 4.0L ($135)
Sea to Summit Aeros Premium ($55)
The Nemo Dagger maxes out backcountry comfort and livability with a roomy rectangular floor plan, impressively tall peak height, and varied gear storage. And at less than four pounds, the tent doesn’t levy too harsh a weight tax.
Interior Space
Weight & Packed Size
Weather Protection
Durability
Ease of Use
Sustainability
Osprey's “classic” backpacking pack, the well-rounded Atmos (women’s Aura) prioritizes comfort and user-friendliness, highlighted by a trampoline-style mesh backpanel that distributes the load and ventilates well.
Comfort
Organization
Weight
Durability
Water Resistance
Sustainability
With an hourglass shape that provides plenty of room at the shoulders and knees, the Disco’s dimensions are a boon for side-sleepers. Ultra-soft materials and zippered vents add to the comfort-first design.
Warmth / Weight
Comfort
Features
Durability
Water Resistance
Sustainability
The backcountry has never seen this kind of sleeping comfort. The Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft’s industry-leading thickness and stretch-knit fabric are paradigm shifters, provided you don’t mind the cost and weight.
Comfort
Warmth / Weight
Packed Size
Durability
Ease of Use
Sustainability
For those who prioritize comfort, the Anacapa is a plush, breathable hiking boot from Hoka with a lot to like. Throw in a lower price tag and a lighter weight than the Kaha line, and you have yourself a winner.
Comfort
Support and Stability
Traction
Durability
Foot Protection
Sustainability
The Ferrosi is a mainstay on the trail thanks to its comfortable, stretchy construction, do-all personality, and great temperature range. The lightweight design does hamper durability, so make sure to keep them in their lane.
Comfort & Mobility
Durability
Breathability
Weather Resistance
Features
Sustainability
The Down Sweater is an iconic and versatile down jacket that fits the bill for everyday use and casual backcountry adventures. It’s not the best fit for ounce counters, but that’s not the intended audience.
Warmth
Weight & Packability
Comfort
Durability
Weather Resistance
Sustainability
With a stretchy, partial-polyester shell, the XeroCloud 3L is softer, suppler, and more moisture-wicking than most rain jackets. It’s also competitively lightweight, affordable, and comes with all the features most backpackers want.
Weather Protection
Comfort
Breathability
Weight & Packability
Durability
Sustainability
A standout all-rounder, the durable and comfortable Pursuit is ideal for hikers and backpackers who aren’t counting every ounce. The feature set is innovative and thoughtful, too, including an integrated lever-tightening tool and replaceable tips.
Comfort
Durability
Weight
Packed Size
Features
Sustainability
With reclining capabilities and a quality build, the Moonilte Elite is one of the top backpacking chairs on the market. At a total weight of just 1 pound 2 ounces (without the carrying bag), you’d be hard-pressed to find as much bang for buck in terms of backcountry comfort.
The Switch builds off of the popular all-in-one canister stove design, adding temperature control and a versatile cooking surface. Boil water using the integrated pot, or open up the integrated flip-out supports and simmer on your favorite cookware.
Why do all that squeezing or pumping when gravity can do it for you? For groups and those who prefer to focus on things other than filtering water, the GravityWorks is a great solution.
User Friendliness
Filtering Speed
Weight & Packed Size
Durability
Maintenance
Sustainability
You could go backpacking without a pillow, but that wouldn’t be very much fun. With the comfort-to-weight ratio of the Aeros Premium, it’s hard to pass up for any comfort-centric trip.
About This Kit
Backpacking Tent
Most modern backpacking tent designs feature pole structures that really open things up, but there are still notable differences between models. When evaluating the spaciousness of a backpacking tent, we look at the floor dimensions (some tents are narrower or shorter than others or taper toward the feet), the peak height (how tall the tent is at the center point), and the slope of the walls and roof.
The Nemo Dagger OSMO stands out in livability thanks to its combination of vertical walls, a high ceiling, and a long floor. In addition, two oversize vestibules make camp organization easy. We’ve included the three-person version here given this kit’s comfort orientation. Two adult backpackers can make do in a two-person tent, but the 3P feels downright luxurious, and you can bring more gear inside the tent if you so desire.
Sleeping Bag
When choosing a comfortable sleeping bag, make sure you take the silhouette into account. Minimalist mummy bags are light but can be quite constricting, even for those who don’t toss and turn a lot at night. Nemo has nailed the comfort formula with the Disco: The hourglass shape (wider at the shoulders and knees) is spacious and accommodating for all types of sleepers, the vents offer a convenient way to regulate temperature, and the oversized draft collar adds coziness on cold or windy nights. You can find a lighter bag, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a cozier one.
Next up is the temperature rating. Shivering in your sleeping bag is a surefire way to keep yourself up at night and start the next day tired, so we recommend that most people play it safe. For mountain missions, higher elevations, and anything but peak summer weather, a 15-degree bag provides plenty of wiggle room (plus you can always dump heat thanks to the Disco’s aforementioned zippable vents). Nemo also offers a 30-degree version of this bag for those backpacking exclusively in mild temperatures.
Sleeping Pad
In terms of backpacking comfort, no piece of gear is more important than your sleeping pad. Ultralight models can be notoriously thin and crinkly, skimping on materials to achieve the lowest possible weight and packed size. But Therm-a-Rest aimed to please the comfort-seeking crowd with the 4.6-inch thick NeoLoft Sleeping Pad. This pad is 1 to 1.5 inches thicker than most other air pads on the market and has a soft knit face fabric. One of our editors slept on the Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft for a month straight while traveling and found it to be almost as comfortable as her mattress at home. For what you get, it’s impressively lightweight (1 lb. 9 oz.) and packable, but it is still on the bulky side compared to the rest of the market. For those eyeing weight, the Sea to Summit Ether Light XR Insulated ASC is a healthy 3.9 inches thick and comes in at just over a pound.
Backpacking Pack
Your backpacking pack has a very direct impact on how your body feels both during and after you haul yourself and your gear to your backcountry campsite. In terms of what makes a backpacking pack comfortable, the backpanel has the most contact with your body, and can range from simple foam (many ultralight models), to more robust foam and padding (budget and mid-range models), to full-on suspension systems with all of the bells and whistles (like Osprey has done with the “Anti-Gravity” system found on the Atmos AG 65 in this Comfort Kit). This suspended mesh system cradles your back and offers excellent load distribution and top-of-the-line airflow—it’s the best in the business.
A few more variables related to backpack comfort: The shoulder straps and hipbelt also come into direct contact with your body, and higher-end packs like the Osprey Atmos AG 65 tend to incorporate premium materials and padding that feel better after miles on the trail. You’ll also want to get the right fit—some packs come in multiple sizes to best align with your torso, others have adjustments on the pack itself that allow you to lengthen or shorten the pack, and some have both. Last but not least, packing your pack well can make a difference. Try to put bulky items at the bottom, heavy items above that, and things you’ll need (depending on the organization of the pack), up top or in your easily accessible exterior pockets.
Speaking of packs, we’d be remiss if we didn’t at least mention weight theory here. The Osprey Atmos AG’s luxurious suspension system and robust materials come with a weight penalty (the pack is 4 lb. 9.8 oz.). One of our favorite minimalist packs, the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest, comes in at a scant 2 pounds 2.2 ounces for the 70-liter version. However, it has a simple foam backpanel with no breathability to speak of, a streamlined hipbelt and shoulder straps, and far fewer storage options (it’s basically just one large sack with exterior pockets). We have one annoying editor in the corner screaming, “2.5 pounds less on your back may be more comfortable in the end than that fancy Anti-Gravity backpanel!” but it’s a slippery slope, and that guy also sleeps on a bed nearly as stiff as a board. Get a life, bro, and stay away from our Comfort Kit.
Cushy Footwear
You’ve gotta keep those dogs happy, but Hoka goes beyond that. Originally a trail running brand from the French Alps, Hoka is now based in California and has a full lineup of max-cushioned hiking footwear, too. The Anacapa 2 Mid GTX is one of the most comfortable hiking boots we’ve tested. You get excellent padding and separation from the ground, grippy Vibram traction, and premium Gore-Tex waterproofing to keep your feet dry. And for those who don’t need the support (and bulk) of a proper boot, the Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX is one of our favorite hiking shoes on the market and also gets a 5 out of 5 comfort rating.
Apparel
Whenever you go backpacking, you’ll need two jackets: one for insulation and one for weather protection. On most mountain trips, you’ll wear your insulated layer during breaks or around camp, while your rain shell comes out when the weather turns (hopefully less often, but it’s best to be ready).
For insulation, down still leads the pack in warmth-to-weight ratio, making it our go-to for most backpacking trips. True ultralight down jackets can feel a bit crinkly due to their paper-thin fabrics, while cheaper models use lower-quality materials that feel flat and less supple. If comfort is a top priority, look for high-fill down (800-fill or higher), which provides better loft and softness, and stick with reputable brands like Patagonia or Arc’teryx for premium fabrics and construction. Of course, comfort isn’t just about feel—you’ll also want enough warmth for your conditions and a fit that allows easy layering without bulk.
Rain jackets don’t often fall into the “comfortable” category, but some come surprisingly close. The REI Co-op XeroCloud 3L is one of the most wearable shells we’ve tested, with a soft, stretchy fabric and quiet jersey backer that feels great next to skin—we’ve even worn it over a t-shirt. If comfort is your goal, steer clear of stiff, heavy-duty hardshells, and note that most 2-layer rain jackets will lag far behind in breathability.
Trekking Poles
Trekking poles are often underrated, but they can make your backpacking trip a lot more enjoyable. They add stability on uneven or steep terrain and help distribute your weight more evenly, reducing the impact on your legs and knees. Many fastpackers prefer a single pole for efficiency, while most backpackers opt for two for maximum support.
Since you’ll be holding them for hours at a time, grip comfort is key—and wrist straps come in a close second. Budget trekking poles often use rubber or basic foam grips, which can feel slick when wet and don’t mold to your hand like cork does. The Black Diamond Pursuit gets this balance just right: the cork grip is well-contoured and sized appropriately (the M/L version even features a larger handle), while the algae-infused foam extensions make it easy to adjust your grip on steep climbs. Soft wrist straps, premium materials, and generous adjustability round out one of the most comfortable and capable trekking poles we’ve used.
Backpacking Chair
When you roll into an epic backcountry campsite, you can either be the person everyone envies—the one with the chair—or the person sitting on a wet log (if you’re lucky enough to find one). The Nemo Moonlite Elite weighs just over a pound yet will likely become one of your most cherished pieces of gear. It offers rare reclining capabilities for its weight and packs down small enough to fit in a shove-it pocket or next to a water bottle holster. For all but the most demanding backpacking trips, a chair like this is a game-changer—and we rarely hit the trail without it.
Backpacking Pillow
Sure, you can ball up your rain jacket or dirty hiking pants and call it a pillow—but a lightweight backpacking pillow can mean the difference between tossing all night and actually getting some REM sleep. We’ve tested plenty, and Sea to Summit consistently leads the pack for combining real comfort and quality in a small, trail-friendly package. The Aeros Premium Pillow is soft against the skin, thoughtfully contoured for good sleeping posture, and available in three sizes starting at just 2.7 ounces for the regular (#worthit). Inflation and deflation are quick, and the removable cover makes it easy to wash between trips. Even for those who don’t consider themselves “comfort seekers,” this might be the most essential non-essential item in your pack.
The simple answer is weight. A roomier tent uses more material, a cushier backpack relies on a heavier suspension system, and a plush sleeping pad adds thickness—and therefore ounces. Even small luxuries like a pillow or backpacking chair add up. The products in this kit are high-quality and far from the heaviest on the market, but a comfort-oriented setup will always weigh more than a minimalist one. For comparison’s sake, the Comfort Backpacking Kit weighs 22 pounds 2.7 ounces when totalled up, while our Ultralight Backpacking Kit weighs well under half at 8 pounds 15 ounces.
When deciding where to draw the line, think about your pack weight tolerance and the type of trips you’re planning. If you’re hiking five or six miles into a great backcountry campsite and basecamping for a few days, comfort pays off. But if your route involves big mileage or significant elevation gain day after day, shaving pounds will do more for your enjoyment than a thicker mattress or heavier tent. In short, moderate trips pair well with comfort-oriented gear, while true “epics” demand a lighter touch.
It’s also worth noting that comfort-focused gear tends to come with a higher price tag. Premium materials, extra features, and refined designs make this equipment cozier—but also more expensive. If keeping costs low is your priority, check out our Budget Backpacking Kit, which focuses on price and value above all else.
Is the Comfort Backpacking Kit for You?
The Comfort Backpacking Kit was carefully curated to highlight gear with top comfort ratings in each category (or the closest equivalent, like “interior space” for tents). It’s designed for those who want to experience the backcountry without sacrificing a good night’s sleep, trail comfort, or relaxation around camp. Your pack will be heavier than our Ultralight and Ultralight Curious Backpacking Kits, but the tradeoff is worth it—especially on short- to mid-distance trips where comfort matters most.
To explore more kits, those looking to save should see our Beginner / Budget Backpacking Kit, and our staff-favorite backpacking items can be found in our Editors’ Picks Kit.
