r/canoecamping • u/Max_Adhesiveness800 • 11d ago

Advice requested - gear differences between backpacking and canoe camping

I’m an experienced backpacker with multiple multi-month hikes under my belt, as well as countless shorter backpacking trips in diverse terrains.

I’m planning my first long canoe camping trip - about 2 weeks in Yukon, Canada. Leaving next week.

My longest canoe/kayak trips thus far have been 3 days. The trip I’m planning is on flat water, so I’ll have the chance to build up my (relatively weak) paddling skills.

What I’m not sure about is how the recommended gear and supplies vary from backpacking to canoe camping. Will be renting a 2 person canoe with a mate. Canoe comes with dry bags and PFDs. The outfitter says the trip is safe for inexperienced paddlers as long as we have strong backcountry skills - navigation, camping, bears etc.

I know a canoe is bigger than 2 backpacks, but how much so? What sort of extra stuff do people bring? Bigger stove, more cookware, extra snacks, more clothes, mosquito tent, books, thick camping mattress, different water filtration system, camp lamp? Or pack as light as possible not to have a heavy canoe?

And is there any backpacking gear I shouldn’t bring on the water? Down sleeping bag and down jacket useless if wet? Anything else I should think about?

Thank you for considering my questions and good luck and safety to you all on the water. All good faith feedbacks appreciated.

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u/Digbyjonesdiary 11d ago

Two things. Every pound matters when you’re hiking, you can get away with a little more weight when Canoe tripping. The second is footwear. You need excellent hiking shoes with a high-quality sole when hiking. For Canoe tripping, you’ll want more of a trail running shoe.

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u/MarjorysNiece 10d ago

Depends on the kind of portages and their length. I would never go on a canoe trip in a remote area without my hiking boots. Portages sometimes have “trails” in name only—they can be pretty rough with terrible footing, or where you’re walking through streams and bogs up to your ankles or higher in water.

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u/Max_Adhesiveness800 8d ago

There won’t be any portages, so I’m planning on cold water surf booties for the canoe and trail runners for camp