22. Pre-Filter Murky Water

Every backpacker should have some way of purifying water (the LifeStraw bottle and Sawyer water filtration system are two great options). We often imagine ourselves drinking from pristine mountain streams, but sometimes you may be forced to collect water so sludgy that it might clog your filter. That’s no good. 

It’s always wise to carry a pre-filter of sorts; something you can run water through to remove the big particles so your regular filter can do its job. A coffee filter or bandana is great for this purpose, and any piece of cloth will work in a pinch. 

23. Beat Mosquitoes

Plenty of hiking trips have been ruined by relentless mosquitoes. Any time you plan on spending time in the woods, it’s best to devise some way of warding off these little bloodsuckers.

A good repellent that contains plenty of DEET usually does the trick, but if you’re not into putting chemicals on your skin, there are a few natural remedies worth trying. Burning sage leaves has been shown to be effective, and numerous plants including basil, rosemary, citronella, and lemon balm can help deter mosquitoes. 

24. Mark Your Bottle To Stay Hydrated

It’s easy to forget to drink enough water out on the trail. It helps to add markings to your water bottle so you can stay on top of your water intake. 

Nalgene bottles are great because they already have markings on them that measure how much water is inside. But you can add your own time-of-day markings using marker or tape to keep tabs on how many liters of water you want to drink by the hour. 

25. Bring Car Clothes

No matter the length of your backpacking trip, you’ll be endlessly grateful for some clean clothes to change into at the end. If you’re leaving your car parked at the trailhead, keep a fresh set of clothes in the vehicle for just that purpose. If you’re having someone pick you up after your trek is done, ask them to bring some with them.