About r/backpacking
A subreddit for traveling backpacking and wilderness backpacking, not restricted to one or the other. All posts must be flaired "Travel" or "Wilderness"
The community at a glance
r/backpacking is a Subreddit for Travelers, Outdoors, and Hikers with roughly 5.5M members. It uses a forum format for communication. It is the 2nd largest community in the Travel topic page, the 3rd largest community in the Hiking topic page, and the 3rd largest community in the Outdoors topic page.
Roughly 83K members have joined in the past year. Popular discussion topics include Backpacking, Travel, and Struggling. Common discussion themes are Solution Requests and Advice Requests. Product recommendations often mention hiking boots, backpack, and sleeping bag.
Community Topics
- Travel, 66 communities, 748 views per month including community pages
Travel
66 communities for Travelers
748 / mo - Outdoors, 50 communities, 387 views per month including community pages
Outdoors
50 communities
387 / mo - Hiking, 36 communities, 164 views per month including community pages
Hiking
36 communities for Hikers
164 / mo
Community Features
This community has a forum
Subreddit Analysis
via GummySearchMember growth over time
All time (yearly)
- 2013: 16K members
- 2014: 20K members
- 2015: 18K members
- 2016: 18K members
- 2017: 198K members
- 2018: 512K members
- 2019: 791K members
- 2020: 645K members
- 2023: 1.8M members
- 2024: 1.2M members
- 2025: 238K members
- 2026: 66K members
Past year (monthly)
- Aug: 56 members
- Sep: 0 members
- Oct: 414 members
- Nov: 9K members
- Dec: 9K members
- Jan: 9K members
- Feb: 9K members
- Mar: 10K members
- Apr: 9K members
- May: 10K members
- Jun: 14K members
- Jul: 6K members
Themes
- Solution Requests9 posts in the past month
- Has anyone used the Steri Pen when backpacking?
- 2 night backpacking trip food
- It seems that everyone seems to talk about the garmin in reach mini 2, is there a affordable option that simply does the job of "oh man im in trouble press button"
#19Solution RequestsHas anyone used the Steri Pen when backpacking? · 2 night backpacking trip food · It seems that everyone seems to talk about the garmin in reach mini 2, is there a affordable option that simply does the job of "oh man im in trouble press button" - Advice Requests5 posts in the past month
- Will my English stop me from making friends while solo travelling?
- What to expect/weather in San Juans this early july?(and would love recomendations)
- Sleeping Pad Advice
#25Advice RequestsWill my English stop me from making friends while solo travelling? · What to expect/weather in San Juans this early july?(and would love recomendations) · Sleeping Pad Advice - Opportunities1 post in the past month
- Looking for trekking partners! 38F planning a Kedarkantha Trek + Rishikesh trip. Prefer solo travelers or a small, friendly group who enjoy trekking, camping, and exploring. If you're interested in joining or already planning a similar trip, drop a comment or DM. Let's make it an amazing adventure!
#31OpportunitiesLooking for trekking partners! 38F planning a Kedarkantha Trek + Rishikesh trip. Prefer solo travelers or a small, friendly group who enjoy trekking, camping, and exploring. If you're interested in joining or already planning a similar trip, drop a comment or DM. Let's make it an amazing adventure!
Topics
- Backpacking20 posts in the past month#120Backpacking
- Travel10 posts in the past month#210Travel
- Struggling9 posts in the past month#39Struggling
- Annoying7 posts in the past month#47Annoying
- Gear7 posts in the past month#57Gear
Flair
- Travel49 posts in the past month
- First trip with son!!
- Langtang Trekking in Nepal 🇳🇵🇳🇵🥾🗻
- Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
#149TravelFirst trip with son!! · Langtang Trekking in Nepal 🇳🇵🇳🇵🥾🗻 · Hertfordshire, United Kingdom - Wilderness48 posts in the past month
- Me, my brother, and 6 friends backpacked the tallest mountain in New York
- REI Outlet Steal
- I carried a cast iron skillet to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
#248WildernessMe, my brother, and 6 friends backpacked the tallest mountain in New York · REI Outlet Steal · I carried a cast iron skillet to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
Product recommendations
- hiking boots5 posts in the past month
- Best hiking shoes for long backpacking trip? 🥾
- Recommended shoes/ boots for Grand Teton National Park.
- Can anyone recommend some hiking boots for a guy with wide feet?
#15hiking bootsBest hiking shoes for long backpacking trip? 🥾 · Recommended shoes/ boots for Grand Teton National Park. · Can anyone recommend some hiking boots for a guy with wide feet? - backpack4 posts in the past month
- What size backpack (in liters) is best for 3 weeks backpacking Europe? (hostels, trains, etc.)
- Recommend first backpack for hiking ?
- Anyone recommend this backpack? - Mountain Warehouse Voyager 50L Wheelie
#24backpackWhat size backpack (in liters) is best for 3 weeks backpacking Europe? (hostels, trains, etc.) · Recommend first backpack for hiking ? · Anyone recommend this backpack? - Mountain Warehouse Voyager 50L Wheelie - sleeping bag3 posts in the past month
- Which would be the best sleeping bag choice?
- Sleeping Bag Recs
- Sleeping bag + tent recs? Durable, versatile & cheap for casual use
#33sleeping bagWhich would be the best sleeping bag choice? · Sleeping Bag Recs · Sleeping bag + tent recs? Durable, versatile & cheap for casual use - tent2 posts in the past month
- Tent recs for 3 tall dudes.
- Sleeping bag + tent recs? Durable, versatile & cheap for casual use
#42tentTent recs for 3 tall dudes. · Sleeping bag + tent recs? Durable, versatile & cheap for casual use
Community Reviews
Frequently asked questions
- Who is r/backpacking for?
- Best for Travelers and Outdoors and Hikers enthusiasts looking for a Reddit-based community with forum discussion.
- Is r/backpacking free to join?
- This listing is not marked as paid-only. Access rules and any fees are decided by the community.
- How many members does r/backpacking have?
- Roughly 5.5M members, based on figures reported by the community or its host. Member counts are approximate and change over time.
- What platform is r/backpacking on?
- r/backpacking runs on Reddit. Reddit communities (or "subreddits") are forum-based groups on the popular social news aggregation, web content rating, and discussion website Reddit. Reddit is commonly known as "the front page of the internet". Users submit content to the site such as links, text posts, and images, which are then voted up or down and discussed by other members. From investing Reddit communities, to professional ones, to ones just for laughs, you're likely to find a community for you on Reddit.
- What topics does r/backpacking cover?
- On the Hive Index, r/backpacking is organized under Travelers, Outdoors, Hikers.
- How do I join r/backpacking?
- You can join r/backpacking by clicking this link, or pressing the "Go to community" button above.
- What are the Travel communities like?
- Communities for travelers planning trips, sharing itineraries, and swapping tips on everything from budget backpacking to luxury travel. You will find subreddits for specific regions and travel styles, Discord servers for nomads and expats, and Facebook groups for niches like solo female travel and budget flights. Active communities for both trip planning and general inspiration.
Monthly Stats
- 4
- Views /mo (-20%)
- 4
- Visitors /mo (0%)
- 0
- Referrals /mo (-100%)
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