Home › Gear kits › Alaska Backpacking Kit
Chugach Cache gear kit · Prices checked Oct 19, 2026
Three-season trips in wet, windy bear country: bear canister, real rain gear, and a tent that handles a coastal storm.
Totals are before tax and use the size or version listed on each item. Shipping not included for: Counter Assault 44-Foot Bear Spray (10.2 oz).
Alaska backpacking is mostly about staying dry, staying warm when you're wet, and keeping food away from bears. Trails are rare and creek crossings aren't. This kit is for multi-night trips from June through September, in places like the Chugach, Talkeetnas, Kenai, and Denali.
Prices change. We checked every price and Alaska shipping quote on the product page on Oct 19, 2026 (Palmer, AK 99645 cart quotes where the store allowed it). Sales end and sizes sell out, so check the price before you buy.
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Image: Hyperlite Mountain Gear
Pack · Buy once, cry once
Waterproof Dyneema pack body, so a full day of rain doesn't soak your sleeping bag.
$420
Alaska shipping: Free standard shipping to AK on orders $50+ (Garage Grown Gear policy, confirmed in cart).
View at Garage Grown Gear →
Image: Hilleberg
Shelter · Buy once, cry once
Light Hilleberg that still shrugs off coastal storms. Sold by an Anchorage shop.
$895
Alaska shipping: $15 flat Alaska shipping, or pick it up in Anchorage.
View at Barney's Sports Chalet (Anchorage) →
Image: Big AgnesValue pick, still premium
Freestanding, roomy, light. Pitch it out of the wind.
$599.95
Alaska shipping: Free standard shipping to AK in our cart test.
View at Big Agnes →
Image: Western Mountaineering
Sleep · Buy once, cry once
Light, warm, lasts decades. A 20°F rating covers most Alaska summer nights in the mountains.
$640
Size/version priced: 5'6" length; 6'0" $660, 6'6" $685
Alaska shipping: Free standard shipping to AK on orders $50+ (Garage Grown Gear policy, confirmed in cart).
View at Garage Grown Gear →
Image: NEMOValue pick, still premium
Roomy spoon shape. Add a liner or puffy for cold nights.
$279.95 · 30°F Regular
Alaska shipping: $30 flat ground to AK/HI (NEMO cart quote).
View at NEMO →
Image: Therm-a-Rest
Sleep · Buy once, cry once
Light pad with an R-value of 4.5, enough for cold ground and shoulder-season nights.
$209.95
Size/version priced: Regular
Alaska shipping: Free FedEx Ground to AK in our cart test (Cascade Designs store).
View at Cascade Designs (Therm-a-Rest) →
Image: BearVault
Bear safety · Buy once, cry once
Clear, tool-free bear canister. Required in parts of Denali's backcountry and smart everywhere else.
$99.99
Alaska shipping: Free USPS shipping to AK in our cart test.
Denali lends canisters free with a backcountry permit.
View at BearVault →
Image: BearVaultValue pick, still premium
Smaller and lighter, for 2 to 3 nights.
$89.99
Alaska shipping: Free USPS shipping to AK in our cart test.
View at BearVault →
Image: Counter Assault
Bear defense · Buy once, cry once
Largest common can, 44 ft range. Carry it on your chest, not in the pack.
$62.99
Alaska shipping: Won't ship to Alaska. Bear spray is hazmat, and the cart offered no AK shipping. Buy it in Alaska (most sporting goods stores carry it). You can't fly with it either.
View at Counter Assault →
Image: Outdoor Research
Clothing · Buy once, cry once
Full side zips let you vent on the climb without taking the jacket off in the rain.
$182 $260
Alaska shipping: Free USPS Priority to AK in our cart test (OR: free ground on $125+).
$182 sale price on select colors; others $260.
View at Outdoor Research →
Image: Outdoor Research
Clothing · Buy once, cry once
Full side zips, so they go on over boots in a squall.
$210
Alaska shipping: Free USPS Priority to AK in our cart test (OR: free ground on $125+).
View at Outdoor Research →
Image: Outdoor Research
Clothing · Buy once, cry once
Synthetic insulation that still keeps you warm when it's damp, which is the normal state up here.
$235
Alaska shipping: Free USPS Priority to AK in our cart test (OR: free ground on $125+).
View at Outdoor Research →
Image: Smartwool
Base layer · Buy once, cry once
Midweight merino that stays warm damp and doesn't stink after a week.
$87.50 $125
Alaska shipping: $17.50 to AK (cheapest option in our cart test).
Sale price on select colors; full price $115–$125.
View at Smartwool →
Image: Kenetrek
Boots · Buy once, cry once
Waterproof leather hiker with enough support for off-trail tundra and talus.
$325
Alaska shipping: $37.00 USPS Priority Mail to AK in our cart test.
View at Kenetrek →
Image: Darn Tough
Socks · Buy once, cry once
Merino, made in Vermont, lifetime guarantee. Bring dry pairs for every two days.
$78
Alaska shipping: Free standard shipping to AK in our cart test.
View at Darn Tough →
Image: MSR
Cook · Buy once, cry once
Stove, pot, and mugs that nest together. Simple and reliable.
$104.95
Alaska shipping: Free FedEx Ground to AK in our cart test (Cascade Designs store).
Buy fuel canisters in Alaska. They can't be shipped.
View at Cascade Designs (MSR) →
Image: Platypus
Water · Buy once, cry once
Fast squeeze filter for glacier-silty creeks and tundra ponds. Keep it from freezing in fall.
$54.95
Alaska shipping: Free FedEx Ground to AK in our cart test (Cascade Designs store).
View at Cascade Designs (Platypus) →
Image: Petzl
Light · Buy once, cry once
Bright, rechargeable, simple. You'll need it from August on, when the dark comes back.
$54.95
Alaska shipping: Free standard shipping to AK on orders $50+ (Garage Grown Gear policy, confirmed in cart).
View at Garage Grown Gear →
Image: Black Diamond
Trekking poles · Buy once, cry once
Third and fourth legs for braided-river crossings and steep tundra.
$229.95
Alaska shipping: Free standard shipping to AK on orders $50+ (Garage Grown Gear policy, confirmed in cart).
Buy BD from Garage Grown Gear, not direct. BD's own store quoted $87+ to ship small items to Anchorage.
View at Garage Grown Gear →
Image: Black DiamondValue pick, still premium
Aluminum, a bit heavier, about $100 less.
$129.95
Alaska shipping: Free standard shipping to AK on orders $50+ (Garage Grown Gear policy, confirmed in cart).
View at Garage Grown Gear →
Image: Garmin
Navigation & safety · Buy once, cry once
Two-way satellite texting and SOS where there's no cell service, which is most of Alaska. Needs a Garmin subscription (extra, monthly).
$349.99
Alaska shipping: Free standard shipping to AK on orders $50+ (Garage Grown Gear policy, confirmed in cart).
View at Garage Grown Gear →
Image: Sea to Summit
Bugs · Buy once, cry once
Fine mesh stops no-see-ums as well as mosquitoes. In June and July you'll be glad you packed it.
$17.95
Alaska shipping: $8.95 to AK by itself; free with the rest of a $50+ Garage Grown Gear order.
View at Garage Grown Gear →