Community Overview
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. On the Hive Index it ranks #5 in the Hiking communities list. It is the 2nd largest community in the Travel topic page and the 3rd largest community in the Outdoors topic page.
Roughly 67K members have joined in the past year. Popular discussion topics include Backpacking, Travel, and Gear. Common discussion themes are Advice Requests and Solution Requests. Product recommendations often mention backpack, hiking boots, and quilt.
On Reddit
5.5M Members
Community Topics
- Travel, 58 communities, 611 views per month including community pages
Travel
58 communities for Travelers
611 / mo - Outdoors, 47 communities, 449 views per month including community pages
Outdoors
47 communities
449 / mo - Hiking, 36 communities, 116 views per month including community pages
Hiking
#536 communities for Hikers
116 / mo
Community Features
This community has a forum
Subreddit Analysis
via GummySearchYearly: +67K members
Growth: +1.2% / year
Member 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: 47K members
2013
+16K new
2014
+20K new
2015
+18K new
2016
+18K new
2017
+198K new
2018
+512K new
2019
+791K new
2020
+645K new
2023
+1.8M new
2024
+1.2M new
2025
+238K new
2026
+47K new
Past year (monthly)
- Jul: 0 members
- 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: 2K members
July 2025
+0 new
August 2025
+56 new
September 2025
+0 new
October 2025
+414 new
November 2025
+9K new
December 2025
+9K new
January 2026
+9K new
February 2026
+9K new
March 2026
+10K new
April 2026
+9K new
May 2026
+10K new
June 2026
+2K new
Themes
- Advice Requests23 posts in the past month
- Nemo Fillo Elite vs Nemo Fillo
- Mystery Ranch 75L or Black Diamond Mission 55L?
- Need some new gear advice
#123Advice RequestsNemo Fillo Elite vs Nemo Fillo · Mystery Ranch 75L or Black Diamond Mission 55L? · Need some new gear advice - Solution Requests4 posts in the past month
- Help me lighten my pack weight please
- Cracked adjustment screws on Ferrino trekking poles – where to find replacements?
- Independent Huayhuash: hiring mule and arriero without agency?
#24Solution RequestsHelp me lighten my pack weight please · Cracked adjustment screws on Ferrino trekking poles – where to find replacements? · Independent Huayhuash: hiring mule and arriero without agency? - Self-Promotion1 post in the past month
- I built a free map for checking USFS fire danger and restrictions by ranger district. Looking for feedback
#31Self-PromotionI built a free map for checking USFS fire danger and restrictions by ranger district. Looking for feedback - Opportunities1 post in the past month
- Huayhash Trek Plan and Logistics!
#41OpportunitiesHuayhash Trek Plan and Logistics! - Money Talk1 post in the past month
- Spending/budget on finished 3.5 month trip in SEA
#51Money TalkSpending/budget on finished 3.5 month trip in SEA
Topics
- Backpacking127 posts in the past month
- Successful backpacking trip with my son!
- Backpacking Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park
- My backpacking Log
#1127BackpackingSuccessful backpacking trip with my son! · Backpacking Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park · My backpacking Log - Travel53 posts in the past month
- Travelling Europe: Seeking budget recommendations?
- Europe or Southeast Asia for my first solo travel?
- Munich travel for 3 days
#253TravelTravelling Europe: Seeking budget recommendations? · Europe or Southeast Asia for my first solo travel? · Munich travel for 3 days - Gear49 posts in the past month
- What do you do with your old gear?
- Need some new gear advice
- Gear List for 6 days on the Foothills Trail
#349GearWhat do you do with your old gear? · Need some new gear advice · Gear List for 6 days on the Foothills Trail - Advice44 posts in the past month
- Need some new gear advice
- Seeking advice for a trip to Picos de Europa
- Ready to hang the proverbial microfiber towel? Need advice
#444AdviceNeed some new gear advice · Seeking advice for a trip to Picos de Europa · Ready to hang the proverbial microfiber towel? Need advice - Hiking37 posts in the past month
- Hiking Zion: West Rim Trail Campsite 6
- Hiking bags for chihuahuas??
- Hiking
#537HikingHiking Zion: West Rim Trail Campsite 6 · Hiking bags for chihuahuas?? · Hiking
Flair
- Travel106 posts in the past month
- Camping under a snow mountain in Sichuan, China
- Europe’s anti-tourism backlash spreads beyond Spain
- Patagonia Argentina
#1106TravelCamping under a snow mountain in Sichuan, China · Europe’s anti-tourism backlash spreads beyond Spain · Patagonia Argentina - Wilderness94 posts in the past month
- What is your biggest mistake in campsite selection?
- Kalalau Trail
- Got engaged on the trotternish ridge while backpacking the skye trail!🏴
#294WildernessWhat is your biggest mistake in campsite selection? · Kalalau Trail · Got engaged on the trotternish ridge while backpacking the skye trail!🏴
Product recommendations
- 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 ?
- Backpack recs?
#14backpackWhat size backpack (in liters) is best for 3 weeks backpacking Europe? (hostels, trains, etc.) · Recommend first backpack for hiking ? · Backpack recs? - hiking boots4 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?
#24hiking 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? - quilt4 posts in the past month
- Quilt System Recs?
- Sleeping System/Quilt Recs
- Sleeping System/Quilt Recs
#34quiltQuilt System Recs? · Sleeping System/Quilt Recs · Sleeping System/Quilt Recs - sleeping bag3 posts in the past month
- Sleeping Bag Recs
- Sleeping bag + tent recs? Durable, versatile & cheap for casual use
- Intermediate Backpacker: Sleeping Bag or Quilt, & Recs
#43sleeping bagSleeping Bag Recs · Sleeping bag + tent recs? Durable, versatile & cheap for casual use · Intermediate Backpacker: Sleeping Bag or Quilt, & Recs - tent2 posts in the past month
- Tent recs for 3 tall dudes.
- Sleeping bag + tent recs? Durable, versatile & cheap for casual use
#52tentTent recs for 3 tall dudes. · Sleeping bag + tent recs? Durable, versatile & cheap for casual use
View full analysis on GummySearchSynced 6/3/2026
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
- 3
- Visitors
- 1
- Referrals
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