Boundary Waters Packing List: Ultimate Guide To Everything You Need

Every year since 2020, I have embarked on a solo wilderness journey throughout the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. During my research and trial process, I found exactly what gear is necessary on any multi-day canoe excursion up North, so with that said, here is my complete guide for a boundary waters packing list.

Before I begin, it is important to know how to stay safe while in the wild. So I want to share something.

Did you know that every year, people tragically pass away in the Boundary Waters wilderness due to drowning?

The reality is that more than 90% of these individuals weren’t wearing a life jacket. Wearing a life jacket while paddling isn’t just important – it can save your life! Don’t be another statistic – put on a PFD and paddle safely.

Now that that’s clear, lets begin the fun stuff!

Preview: In this article, you will be able to see EVERYTHING that I bring with me on my wilderness canoe trip. In the end, you will also be able to see some other useful canoeing information ranging from maps, safety tips, and more.

Complete Boundary Waters Packing List

This gear list has been dialed down after many trips including a 30-day solo traverse of the entire wilderness area. I’ll put my recommendations as well as the reasoning behind the gear I brought!

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1. Canoe Gear

My solo canoeing experience was completely transformed after I discovered the Wenonah Encounter 17ft solo canoe as it seemed to be the perfect vessel for the large open-water route that I took. It proved to be immensely steady, lightweight, and reliable enough that I had no qualms about trusting it on a month-long excursion.

If I were ever to do this again, I’d use exactly the same canoe; an old preloved one purchased from Boundary Waters Outfitters.

Choosing The Right Canoe

When looking for a canoe, it is important to consider the various available models and materials. Kevlar canoes are especially popular (95% of paddlers in the BWCA) among boaters in the BWCA, while aluminum canoes are also an option worth considering. Here are the benefits/downsides of each:

Kevlar Benefits: Kevlar canoes are favored by many boaters due to their lightweight yet durable design. They offer superior speed and maneuverability, making them ideal for those who want to explore the Boundary Waters with a sense of agility. Additionally, these boats are highly resistant to abrasion and corrosion. This makes them particularly suitable for Boundary Waters conditions.

Kevlar Downsides: Kevlar boats are usually expensive and require more maintenance than their aluminum counterparts. They may also be prone to punctures, so it’s important to inspect them regularly, as well as check for any potential leaks and carry a repair kit.

Aluminum Benefits: Aluminum canoes are known for their rugged construction and excellent durability. They are often less expensive than Kevlar canoes, require minimal maintenance, and can stand up to a significant amount of rough wear and tear. Additionally, they offer impressive maneuverability in Boundary Waters conditions, making them great for those who want to explore more remote areas.

Aluminum Downsides: Although they are relatively lightweight, aluminum canoes tend to be heavier than Kevlar boats. They may also require more effort when it comes to turning and maneuvering in tight areas.

Sponge

One staple that should always be attached to your canoe- or any boat really- is a sponge. There were times when it would be drizzling when I’d be out paddling and the sponge, which was attached with a bungee cord, allowed me to prevent water from pooling in the bottom of the canoe.

Canoe Paddle And Backup

Choosing your canoe paddle can be a personal preference, but it is important to have a paddle that suits the Boundary Waters. Bending Branch offers a variety of high-quality paddles designed specifically for canoeing in Boundary Waters conditions.

The brand provides single-blade, double-blade, and bent-shaft designs that are all lightweight yet sturdy enough to handle any challenge you may encounter on the water.

It is always wise to keep a spare paddle with you while canoeing. Crafting a secondary paddle may be an option (good luck), but having one prepared in advance will make your life much easier. I attached my backup oar to the hooks located on my vessel using zip ties for added security and convenience.

Canoe Paddling Safety Tips

As I embarked on my canoeing excursions, I typically kept a rope connected from the front handle of my vessel to the back. This was an easy and effective way for me to guarantee that even if I flipped over in choppy waters, all of my bags would remain tethered firmly to the boat. A minor precaution like this can be invaluable!

Also, to add to the above, and to ensure maximum safety while paddling, it’s essential to attach a FLOATING rope from the back handle that trails in the water. This is especially important when out on wide-open lakes with strong winds – because if your canoe overturns, you don’t want it drifting away! While this may seem like only a small detail, it can be crucial for keeping yourself safe and sound.

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2. Canoe Packs

Canoe Barrel (2x)

After much consideration, I selected two 60-liter canoe barrels for my wilderness trip. They are incredibly rugged and buoyant, as well being waterproof and easily tucked away in the canoe itself. Had it been a short trip, one would have sufficed; however since this was a journey of several weeks’ duration, I opted to store all my necessary items in one barrel while keeping food reserves in the other.

All that said – if you prefer them – traditional backpack options will work just fine too!

Everything in my boundary waters packing list would fit directly into two of the canoe barrels if I was doing a trip 2 weeks or shorter. Since I had 4 weeks total of food, I had an extra small pack listed below.

Canoe Barrel Pack

I needed a canoe barrel pack to be able to portage effectively, so I had no choice but to double-portage each time given that my pack could only carry one barrel at once. Fortunately, the quality and craftsmanship of this particular piece were truly remarkable – it exceeded my expectations in every way! I couldn’t be more pleased with its performance.

Smaller Pack

I opted for the Petzl Transport 45 Liter Backpack because of its convenient size. It did exactly what I needed, but any comparable-sized bag would have been just as great! Additionally, shorter trips would allow for different packing methods.

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3. Sleep System

Sleeping Pad

Foam pad. You can’t beat the durability and I personally sleep better on them. I like them because foam pads are incredibly durable and can withstand the rigors of any terrain, and they give you added versatility when it comes to packing items for Boundary Waters excursions because you can use them as a seat around camp.

Sleeping Bag

Marmot Trestles 20 Degree Sleeping Bag: Perfect bag for paddling. The fill is synthetic and will still insulate when wet, yet the bag is still lightweight and packs down well enough. Synthetic insulation sleeping bags are a popular choice for Boundary Waters canoe trips due to the fact that they retain their warmth even when damp or wet. This makes them ideal for Boundary Waters Canoe Trips where you may tip a canoe!

Waterproof Compression Sack

To keep my sleeping bag and extras dry in the event of a spill, I opted for a 30-Liter Sea To Summit Compression Sack. This waterproof sack was more than enough to guarantee that my sleeping bag and clothes wouldn’t be left sopping wet!

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4. Shelter

Tent

I brought my favorite tent, the Nemo Dagger 2-Person tent. This includes the tent body, rainfly, stakes, poles, and guylines as well as 100 feet of paracord for tying out my tent during storms.

After using this tent for several years, I still find that I love it as much as I did when I purchased it. It is lightweight, durable, spacious, and versatile.

A hammock and tarp (10×12)is another common setup on other boundary waters packing lists as well!

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5. Clothing

Teva Sandals: Proved to be super efficient and durable/stable enough for portaging. Wet exits are a must for kevlar canoes, so any water shoes are essential.

Darn Tough Socks(2): These are always my go-to socks as they are 100% wool and have a lifetime warranty. I used an unknown brand of wool socks. Dry socks are important after a long day of wet feet.

Exoficio Boxers(2): My go-to underwear. They are great.

Duluth Long Pants: I wanted quick-drying, lightweight, and durable pants, which is precisely what Duluth had. Duluth brand pants fit me better than other brands.

Arcteryx Belt: Bombproof belt, but any belt would do.

Arcteryx T-shirt: I wear this under my sun hoody and around camp in the evening. I love the comfort of a regular t-shirt.

Rab Sun Hoody: I’m not too fond of button-up long-sleeve shirts as I find them highly uncomfortable. Sun hoodies are comfortable, block UV rays, and can be a part of your layering system.

Alaskan Hardgear Rain Jacket: This is a bombproof rain jacket that is not a typical raincoat. Any high-quality rain jacket will do- I was testing this one for a future adventure!

Garmin Watch: I used my watch mainly to set alarms each day. However, many other uses (like GPS) could be extremely helpful.

Astral Paddling Life Jacket: I wore this at all times. Too many people die in ways that could have been prevented had they been wearing a life jacket. Wear it..always!

Fleece Jacket: I used a regular Arcteryx Fleece zip-up jacket that is perfect for mild insulation on chillier nights.

Buff: This is a piece of gear I bring with me no matter the occasion. It is a versatile piece of gear and a part of staying warm for me.

Swim Trunks: Just any old pair of swim trunks if you decide to go swimming in some of the lakes!

Rain Pants: I rarely use rain pants but they are a good item to have to either block rain, bugs, or wind.

Baseball Hat: I never wear sunglasses (Unless I absolutely need to) so a nice wide-brimmed hat is essential for me.

Mosquito Headnet: I used a cheap mosquito headset as bugs have never bothered me too much. However, if mosquitos are usually a huge nuisance to you, I would recommend investing in a high-quality bug-proof system.

Flip flops: as camp shoes

Sunglasses: with a hard case and Croakies. Sunglasses are a must for Boundary Waters canoeing trips as the sun’s reflection off the surface of the water can make it difficult to see clearly.

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6. Camp Kitchen

I prefer to cook over the fire, so I brought my large stainless steel pot. In case of a fire ban (like what happened during the trip), I also had my smaller titanium one ready. That’s why it is important to bring canister fuel. Tools like tongs allow for easier fish cooking when you are choosing to catch your dinner in the wilderness.

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7. Hydration

Sawyer Water Filter/ Smart Water Bottle And Back-flusher: In the future, I would switch to an LED purifier as the water is already so clear that filtering or boiling becomes a hassle. With an LED purifier you are good to go after waiting a few minutes. I’d filter large particles with a bandana and let the LED do the rest.

A single-wall metal water bottle is an essential piece of gear to bring on Boundary Waters canoe trips. It allows for cooking directly on the fire, eliminating the need for a traditional stove. This type of water bottle is made from lightweight yet durable stainless steel, and you can make a homemade, insulated sleeve that prevents burns and helps keep drinks hot or cold for longer.

Ditch your plastic water bottles! They suck for real wilderness use.

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8. Electronics

Electronics Bag: Featuring all the essential items for a BWCA trip, including a GoPro kit, tripod to steady camera shots, personal locator beacon for safety precautions and charging cords for watches and phones, cameras, etc. . Plus don’t forget about your headlamp. I brought a solar panel to stay charged up.

Camera Bag: In order to document my journey, I chose to attach my Waterproof camera bag (waterproof dry bag) to my canoe. Within this bag, I carried my camera, a GoPro, extra SD cards, and one extra GoPro battery. While this was certainly not necessary, having my camera handy proved to be effective when I caught a quick video of a bear when I turned a corner.

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9. Navigation

National Geographic Maps: With National Geographic Maps, I finally have the perfect maps for my Boundary Waters packing list. It’s essential to bring along hard copies of these maps; even though digital versions are handy too, they won’t suffice in all scenarios. As a result, don’t forget your paper ones when you head out on an adventure!

Garmin Inreach: I never leave home without my Garmin Inreach, which in this case was always secured to my life jacket. This device lets me stay connected with loved ones and sends out an SOS signal in times of danger or distress – proving to be essential while exploring the unknown.

Compass: I never found it necessary to use the compass but I believe it is wise to have and be trained on using it.

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10. First Aid/Toiletries

Medicines: When engaging in wilderness medicine, it’s wise to have a comprehensive selection of over-the-counter items on hand; think Benadryl, Nyquil, Dayquil Ibuprofen, and Neosporin. Also, it proved to be valuable to understand the medicinal plants of the area.

Toiletries: 45 SPF Sunscreen (2), Mini Toothpaste Tubes(2), Floss, Toothbrush, Tweezers, Nail Clippers, Bag with TP, Etc.

NOLS Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Book: This is the go-to guide for wilderness medical emergencies and first aid situations. It outlines essential principles, provides detailed information on medical assessments and treatments, and covers all aspects of wilderness medicine.

The comprehensive book also contains an array of helpful checklists, diagrams, and illustrations to help make the most of the Wilderness First Responder training.

It’s important to remember that Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness trips can be unpredictable, and being prepared for any situation is essential.

You are ahead of the curve since you are researching my Boundary Waters Packing List. This will give you a basis to start on and will allow you to learn from my mistakes.

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11. Fishing

Spinning rods/reels are the most popular style of a fishing reel in the BWCA because of their versatility and ease of use. These rods allow you to cast a variety of baits and lures, in addition to natural bait, making them an ideal choice for Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness fishing trips.

My fishing gear collection comprises of a lightweight tackle box with jigs, spoons, lures, leaders, and white curly-tail plastic worms. Additionally, I have a filleting knife for cleaning fish along with pliers for convenience. Moreover, I made sure to include the wire stringer so that all my catches are safely kept in one place.

Quick Tip: Don’t String fish through their gills, instead poke the stringer through the bottom of their mouth. The fish will be alive and fresh longer.

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12. Food

When it comes to camping in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, it is essential to bring the right type of food. Olive oil, canola oil (for fish), honey, and powdered greens are all excellent options for adding healthy fats and nutrients to your meals.

For a protein boost, bring along some protein bars or powdered peanut butter and supplement it with freshly caught fish.

Searching for a sweet snack solution? Dehydrated mangoes, apples, bananas, blueberries, and pineapple are all great options.

If you’re looking to keep things simple in meal prep or want something easy to make on the go – Readywise and Mountain House dehydrated meals are my go-to options.

For those seeking more of a fishing adventure, Andy’s fish breading is an excellent choice for coating freshly caught fish. Oatmeal, trail mix, instant coffee, and vitamin C packets are also on my essential Boundary Waters packing list food items.

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13. Miscellaneous

• Hand Axe
• Canoe Anchor
• Carabiners (4)
• Permit And Fishing License
• Journal And Pen
• Book
• Bear Spray
• Hand Saw
• Fixed Blade Knife
• Gorilla Glue
• Gorilla Tape
• Knife Sharpener
• BIC Lighter Backup
• Ferrocerium Rod

All of these items have self-explanatory uses.

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14: Portaging

• Canoe Yoke

A canoe yoke is a device used to create an even weight distribution across the back of a canoe while carrying it. It allows the user to easily portage the canoe while keeping the load balanced and stable. The yoke can be adjusted to fit various-sized canoes, allowing for an even weight distribution regardless of the vessel size.

Mine was a Wenonah yoke made specifically for my canoe!

Anyways, the Boundary Waters wilderness is a place of incredible beauty and adventure, and the items you bring can make all the difference in having an amazing experience or not. I hope this Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness packing list guide has been useful to help plan your next canoe trip.

Good luck and stay safe.

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