A five-day backpack trip to the Great Smoky Mountains in April 2023 shows what to pack for rain and hiking, and what to leave behind.
A five-day backpacking trip to the Great Smoky Mountains can turn even a simple packing decision into a lesson about what you truly need away from home.. In April 2023. the traveler went in with a light setup and a single backpack. aiming to keep life simple while hiking. camping. and exploring nearby towns on foot.. The focus quickly became staying dry. moving comfortably through changing temperatures. and avoiding clutter—decisions shaped by both experience and an expert’s wardrobe guidance.
Because this was her first time backpacking in a natural setting. she brought in help from Millie Bentley. a capsule-wardrobe stylist. to make her packing more efficient.. Bentley’s role was practical: selecting attire suited for hiking and camping while factoring in a rainy forecast. and doing so in a way that would also work for exploring towns by foot.. The traveler also documented the outfit planning, taking photos as the gear and clothing choices came together.
Rain set the tone for nearly the entire trip, making outerwear the cornerstone of her kit.. She packed a raincoat and, crucially, layered a light puffer jacket underneath a hard-shell rain layer.. The raincoat included a large adjustable hood. plus Velcro straps that helped cinch sleeves at her wrists. a detail designed to keep inner layers dry even when conditions worsened.
The clothing plan mattered not only because it rained, but because temperatures shifted through the day.. With cool mornings and evenings followed by warmer periods. she said she benefited from layers that could be removed as needed.. That approach also extended to the materials: with rain occurring frequently. she prioritized thin. moisture-wicking fabrics that dried quickly. reducing the “wet gear” problem that can make backpack trips feel heavier than they are.
For personal care, she leaned on essentials that work well when facilities are limited.. Body wipes and a rag were key items. especially as she spent time outdoors and returned with dirt on her skin from hiking. camping. and rainy weather.. She found the set particularly useful when she went out to eat after being outside for long stretches.
Staying hydrated was handled with a simple, reusable water bottle.. The trip offered opportunities to refill at campsites and in nearby towns. and having one container made it easier to track how much water she drank.. In a backpacking setup. that kind of monitoring can be just as important as having enough water in the first place.
Footwear, too, was kept intentionally streamlined.. She packed only one pair of water-resistant trainers and wore black shoes because they matched every outfit.. By limiting the footwear count while still choosing a weather-ready option. she avoided carrying an extra pair that might not be necessary—an approach aligned with her broader goal of traveling light.
To capture the scenery, she decided her camera space was worth it, especially given the Great Smoky Mountains’ dramatic landscapes.. She brought a mirrorless camera with multiple lenses and described taking hundreds of photos throughout the trip. from waking up in a cozy cabin to ending days at a glamping resort.
She also wanted room for reflection rather than screen-based entertainment. Bringing a journal helped her unplug and stay mentally present, and by the end of the journey her notebook was nearly full with scene descriptions, anecdotes, and lessons she carried away from the days outdoors.
For downtime, a physical book provided another way to disconnect.. She packed a really good paperback. including a travel-themed book intended to keep her excited as she moved through different parts of the trip.. She said getting lost in a physical book was consistently relaxing while she spent time in tents and between activities.
Even with careful planning—and a strong sense that she had everything she needed—one item proved to be a misfit for this kind of nature getaway: her iPad.. While it was useful during the flight to the destination. she said she barely used it during the trip itself. suggesting that for this particular environment and schedule. the extra electronics brought more weight and distraction than value.
With that experience behind her. her plan for future nature trips is straightforward: keep the backpack truly lean by leaving extra electronics behind.. The overall lesson from the journey is not about traveling without comfort. but about packing with purpose—prioritizing what supports movement. weather readiness. basic upkeep. and real downtime. while trimming what doesn’t earn its place on the trail.
Great Smoky Mountains packing backpacking essentials capsule wardrobe rain gear hiking travel travel light