First of all, make sure you have enough clean water for the entire trip, so bring a water treatment tool with you. (You can find portable filters and tablets at any outdoor store.) You can store your H2O in a hydration bladder, which Carney says is a fun way to save weight and space in your backpack. Putting it in a reusable bottle is also an option. Carney and Haywood choose metals because they are durable and plastic-free.

Then comes the fun part, the food! Trail snacks are a must, and you can save on tedious packaging by making them ahead of time and storing them in reusable Stasher pouches (great for small things like nuts) or Beeswax wraps (great for sandwiches and cheese). Trail mix with peanut M&Ms, apple slices with old gouda, and homemade gluten-free protein brownies are all fuel you’ll find in these adventure packs. Coffee is optional for some people on the go, but if you’re not one of them, Sullivan says Canyon Coffee’s instant coffee is the best of the best.

Nut butter sandwiches are a great option for lunch, while dinner can be your chance to get a little fancier. Garcia notes that while freeze-dried meals are standard camping fare, homemade pre-prepared meals tend to be healthier, tastier, and contain less packaging. She heads to the bulk container section of her local grocery store to stock up on staples like oats, rice, and dry pasta before traveling. You can fill these basic ingredients with non-perishable items such as nuts, canned fish, freeze-dried vegetables, and spices. Just add boiling water and you have a meal.

Lightweight, portable Jetboils are a popular cooking system among many backpackers, and Garcia also recommends the Seed and Summit X-Pot, made from heat-resistant collapsible silicone. “I really like that pot because you can bake things in it and you can also use it to boil water, so it serves more than just a purpose.” Be sure to pack a reusable fork and spoon (or spork!) to gobble it all up.

This post What To Pack For A Weekend Hike: Simple & Eco-Friendly Checklist was original published at “https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/weekend-camping-list”