The three pieces of gear that quietly decide how your entire trip will feel
I still remember the first overnight backpacking trip where everything felt harder than it should have. My pack dug into my shoulders, I slept poorly, and by morning I was questioning every decision that led me there. Nothing had gone wrong exactly. No storms, no injuries, no navigation errors. The problem was simpler than that. My big three were wrong. Once I learned that lesson, backpacking became less about enduring discomfort and more about actually enjoying the miles.
If you spend any time around backpackers, you will hear the phrase “the big three” come up again and again. It sounds dramatic, but it is earned. These three items shape nearly every part of your experience on the trail.
Why the big three matter so much
Backpacking is a balance between comfort, weight and reliability. The big three are the heaviest and most impactful items you carry. They affect how your body feels while hiking, how well you sleep at night and how protected you are from the elements.
When these items work together, everything else feels easier. When one of them fails, the entire trip feels off. I have watched strong hikers struggle simply because one of their big three did not suit their needs.
The big 3 items in backpacking
1. Backpack
Your backpack carries everything, including your comfort and patience. Fit matters more than brand or features. A well fitting pack distributes weight evenly, keeps pressure off sensitive areas and allows you to move naturally on the trail.
I once swapped packs with a friend for a short section of trail. Within minutes I understood why he loved his setup. The same weight felt lighter simply because it sat correctly on my body.
2. Shelter
Your shelter is your protection from weather, wind and bugs. It is also your private space at the end of a long day. Whether simple or complex, a good shelter keeps you dry, blocks wind and gives you a sense of security when conditions change.
I have seen moods improve instantly once a hiker crawled into a dry, stable shelter after a long, wet day. That psychological comfort matters more than most people realise.
3. Sleep system
This includes your sleeping bag or quilt and sleeping pad working together. Sleep is recovery. Without it, every step the next day feels heavier. Temperature ratings, insulation type and pad thickness all play a role in how well you rest.
I once underestimated nighttime temperatures and slept poorly for two nights straight. The miles were still manageable, but the joy was gone. That experience permanently changed how I think about sleep systems.
How these three work together
The big three are not independent. A heavier shelter may require a sturdier pack. A bulky sleep system affects volume and balance. When backpackers talk about “dialing in their kit,” they are usually talking about refining how these three interact.
Once they are balanced, everything else becomes easier to optimise.
Three real moments that highlight the big three
1. The overloaded pack
A hiker once carried a pack that was slightly too small for their gear. Items shifted constantly, causing shoulder pain within hours. A better fitting pack would have changed the entire trip.
2. The stormy night
During an unexpected storm, a reliable shelter kept one hiker dry while another struggled with pooling water. The difference in morning morale was dramatic.
3. The restful sleeper
One backpacker woke refreshed after a cold night because his sleep system matched the conditions perfectly. Another spent the morning stiff and exhausted after tossing and turning. Same trail, very different outcomes.
A quick aside about chasing weight savings
Ultralight gear can be wonderful, but comfort and reliability come first. Cutting weight makes sense only after the big three work for your body, your climate and your style of hiking. The lightest option is not always the best option.
My personal takeaway after many miles
The big three are the foundation of backpacking. Get them right and everything else feels manageable. Get them wrong and even short trips feel like work. When backpackers talk about loving the trail, they are often really talking about how well their big three support them along the way.