Best for

STATIC or BACKPACK

ITEM

The essentials have an asterisk *

 PRICE

Backpack*

BACKPACKS:

A Note about Backpacks: There are many backpacks out there, but the trick is to find the one that works for your Scout. Typically a 50-liter backpack is the right size for younger scouts, with a 60-liter more suited to older Scouts and adults. It is a good size and capacity for 2-3 days on the trail.  Weight is a big factor also - the lighter the better, in most cases. I recommend doing your research to help you pick the right pack. Here are some articles that may help:

PDF: Backpack Basics

Article from Boys Life: Backpack Buying Guide

Backpack

Backpack*

BSA Store Backpack Page

BSA constantly changes their stock, so this is a link to their Backpack page.  We bought a BSA backpack for our son - it has lasted him four years now (including a four-day hike into the Grand Canyon) and looks like it will serve him for years to come.

Backpack*

AmazonBasics Internal Frame Hiking Backpack with Rainfly (weight: ~5 lbs)

A good lightweight 55-liter backpack. For older scouts, there is a 65 liter version, and for adults a 75 liter version on the same Amazon page. It comes in a choice of green or black, and has a place for a hydration bladder.

Backpack*

Novosun 50L Hiking Backpack with Rain Cover (weight: 3.3 lbs)

A good medium-sized backpack, good for 2-3 days on the trail.

Backpack Rain Cover

Joy Walker Waterproof Backpack Rain Cover

If your backpack does not come with a waterproof cover, this cover will keep the rain out. Be sure to get the right size for your backpack.

Backpacking Stove and Cooking/Mess Kit*

Petforu Cooking Pot/Mess Set and Ultralight Backpacking Stove with Piezo Ignition 

A necessity for backpacking trips. The fuel and the stove fit inside this cooking set for easy backpack or camping storage. Cooking pots double as mess kit, just add spork.

Dehydrated Meals*

Mountain House Dehydrated Meals

The most popular choice for backpackers for a reason. These dehydrated meals have a 30-year shelf life, and actually taste very good.  They are lightweight, easy to make while on the trail (just boil water), easy to eat, and easy to clean up.  Lots of meal choices too.  TIP: The 'Pro Pak' or 'MCW' meals are more expensive; they are the same food as the normal pouch, they are just vacuum sealed for high-altitude hiking.  I recommend the standard meal pouches. Super Walmarts have the best selection and price (~$5 each).

Bug Spray

BullFrog Mosquito Coast Continuous Spray Sunscreen with Insect Repellent 

Sunscreen AND bugspray in one!

Compass*

Basic Compass (same as BSA compass, without logo)

The standard "Scout Compass".  It is also sold in the Scout Store.  A must-have for any well prepared scout.

Suunto MC-2  

A step up in quality from the standard scouting compass. Has declination correction scale and signaling mirror.

Outlander Packable Lightweight Daypack 

This can be folded up and packed into the backpack, then taken out and used for day-hikes.  It has plenty of room for a jacket or poncho, compass, water bottles, trail snacks, sunscreen, etc. (We use this on our family day trips.)

bayite Survival Ferro Rod Fire Starter Kit (3pk)

A must-have for any well prepared scout.

Adventure Water-Resistant First Aid Kit

Lightweight and portable. Includes moleskin for blisters, the most common ailment.

LE Headlamp LED, 4 Modes Headlight, Battery Powered

A multi-use item.  It can be carried like a flashlight, hung up, or worn on the head for hands-free lighting.  The LEDs and adjustable headstrap means it may last him a lifetime!

Outdoor Products Pack Ultimate Dry Sack (3pk)

Excellent choice for organizing a backpack.  While not completely waterproof (if you dunk it, your stuff WILL get wet), they do a good job of protecting whatever is inside from rain and random splashes.  This makes them perfect for socks and underwear!

Rain Gear

Swisswell Rain Suit (Jacket & Trouser Suit)

For static camping, wet-weather gear is recommended over a poncho, as it is more durable and makes moving around easier. A poncho is more appropriate than rain gear on backpacking trips, but for static camping good wet-weather gear is preferable over a poncho.  We have not personally used this set, but it has good reviews. To help you decide what works best for you, I recommend this article.  Scouting Magazine: How to Choose Rain Gear

Waterproof Poncho/w Backpack Cover

A less expensive alternative to rain gear is a rain poncho.  This poncho is oversized in the back to fit over a small backpack. A poncho is more appropriate than rain gear on backpacking trips, but for static camping good wet-weather gear is preferable over a poncho.

Sleeping Bag*

PDF: Sleeping Bag Basics

IMG: How to Sleep Warm

Kelty Cosmic 20 Degree Sleeping Bag

This can be used for static camping AND backpacking.  We chose this lightweight sleeping bag based on our research; my son reports that along with thermal underwear, this sleeping bag has kept him quite warm on 30-degree camping nights.

Kelty Cosmic 20 Degree Sleeping Bag (Long: up to 6-foot-6)

Same bag as the regular Cosmic 20, only longer.

TETON Sports Tracker +5F Ultralight Sleeping Bag 

We have not personally used this bag, but based on reviews and feedback it seems to be a good sleeping bag.

Mummy Ripstop Waterproof Sleeping Bag 32-60°F (Long: up to 6-foot-6) 

We have not personally used this bag either, but based on reviews and feedback it seems to be a good sleeping bag.  The longer bags are good for adults or taller scouts.

ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Series Self-Inflating Air Pad - Regular Size

Sleeping pads are a subjective thing, so be sure to shop around.  We got our son a self-inflating pad, which means he can use it for static camping or backpacking, and no pumps or blowing-up required.

Solar Charger Power Bank

Perfect for recharging your phone or electronic devices while in the field.  This power bank is recharged with the solar panel and it can then charge a typical cell phone 5-7 times on a single charge.  Unlimited phone recharging while nowhere near an outlet!

Suggestion - attach it to the top of your backpack and let the power bank charge while you hike.

Coleman Sundome 2 Person Tent (weight: 6lbs)

A note about tents:  "Two person" tents are actually the perfect size for one scout and his gear.  They are lighter and better suited to backpacking, but can be used for static camping as well.  So if you want versatility, a two-person backpacking tent is your best bet - it can be used for both backpacking and static camping.  If your scout wants to share a tent, a four-man tent is a better option (although a bad choice for backpacking, due to the added size and weight).  Seam sealer recommended.

This tent weighs 6 lbs, and is a good alternative to the lighter, but more expensive tents.

Wader Two Person Tent Waterproof

This tent is low-cost, easy to assemble, and weighs about 4.4 lbs.  This is a three-season tent, meaning that it`s ideal for use during spring, summer, and fall.

Kelty Grand Mesa Two-person Tent (weight ~5lbs)

My personal favorite and the tent I recommend the most.  This tent weighs just under 5 lbs.  Kelty costs more, but it is a higher-quality tent that is better made and will last much longer.  (My son used a Kelty tent for several trips, including a four-day hike in the Grand Canyon, and it performed superbly!)

Go2gether Trekking Poles Telescopic Aluminum Alloy

There are tons of trekking poles out there.  These are a good balance between cost and performance.  I recommend aluminum poles for younger boys, as they are about the same weight as carbon fiber but are a bit more durable.

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

The straw-style filter design lets you turn up to 1,000 liters of contaminated water into safe drinking water.
No aftertaste: doesn’t use iodine or iodinated resin chemicals
Removes 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria, including E. coli and salmonella
Removes 99.9% waterborne protozoa, including Giardia and Cryptosporidium
NOTE: LifeStraw will only remove bacteria and waterborne parasites, not chemicals.

Mess Kit*

GSI Outdoors Cascadian 1 Person Tableset

If you have a backpacking cooking set, that can double as a mess kit.  Otherwise, use this for static camping.

Coleman Ridgeline III Camp Bed Folding Camping Cot

This is definitely a camping luxury, and may be more for parents than scouts.  It is large and comfortable to sleep on, but it is heavy (by camping standards).  The cot is suspended by springs, so no bars across your back.  The pad is two inches thick and quite comfortable.  The legs/feet are rounded and spread your weight more evenly over the floor of your tent, which makes it less likely to gouge the floor.

SUBOOS Gen 2 ULTIMATE LED Rechargeable Tent Lantern

When recharged with a solar charger, you have unlimited light.  I have not personally tested how long the light lasts on each charge, but the light is a good brightness for the inside of a tent (there are two settings, the higher uses more power).

Tip: Use this with a solar power bank for unlimited (and free!) rechargings.

Kiwi Camp Dry Heavy Duty Water Repellent (Seam Sealer)

Ideal for tents, tarps, boots, hunting apparel, outdoor gear, boat covers, and patio furniture.  Keeps water out, allows material to breathe.  Silicone bonds to leather/fabric to create an extremely tough water barrier, while still allowing it to breathe.

Columbia Boy's Silver Ridge III Convertible Pant

Convertible pants allow you to unzip the bottom half of the legs and have shorts.  The scout store sells the 'offical BSA' pants, but these are just as good.  And cheaper.

Hanes Men's Long Sleeve Cool Dri T-Shirt UPF 50+ (Pack of 2)

Excellent wicking shirt!  Very lightweight and comfortable.  The long sleeves give UV protection, but the material is so breathable, you wont notice you are wearing long sleeves.  Works well as a base for layering warmer clothes, or as a hot-weather shirt.

Darn Tough Men's Merino Wool Hiker Boot Sock Full Cushion Socks (cold weather)

Yep, these are expensive socks.  But they are the most comfortable hiking socks you can get, and they are guaranteed for life.  They are made from Merino wool, which is a wonderful improvement over regular wool in terms of wicking, moisture, heat, and comfort. 

These cold weather socks have cushioning on top and bottom, adding some cushion between the top of your foot and your shoe.  The feeling really is amazing, it feels like little clouds inside your shoes!  Splurge for a pair or two for hiking trips, even if you're not a scout - your feet will thank you.  More about Merino Wool.

A Note About Cotton Socks:  Avoid cotton socks for hiking!  Cotton does not wick moisture away from your skin, so blisters are much more common.  It doesn't retain heat when it gets wet, so sweat and chafing becomes a painful issue.  Cotton also holds moisture, so it takes longer to dry.

Darn Tough Vermont Men's Coolmax Micro Crew Cushion Sock (warm weather)

Same quality comments as the cold weather socks.  These warm weather socks are cushioned on the bottom, but allow more airflow over the top, keeping your feet cooler, drier, and more comfortable.  Use a good trail shoe that breathes well for the best result.

Duofold Men's Mid-Weight Moisture-Wicking Thermal Underpants

Pretty basic thermal underwear; good wicking to keep moisture away from skin.

Duofold Men's Mid Weight Moisture-Wicking Thermal Undershirt

Pretty basic thermal underwear; good wicking to keep moisture away from skin.

Shoes

PDF: Outdoor Footwear Basics)

ASICS Men's GEL Venture 5 Trail Running Shoe

For warm weather hikes I recommend a good trail-running shoe rather than over-ankle hiking boots.  Also, avoid leather or other non-breathable shoe fabric as they take a long time to dry.

These shoes are lightweight and they breathe very well, which helps them dry fast if they get wet or sweaty.  Paired with some Darn Tough warm weather socks is about as comfortable as your feet can get on a hike!