Traditionally, backpacking is just a form of cheap travel but now it has become a recreational activity and some even do it for inspiration and some do it for passion. You spend a majority of your time on the road (or trail) with everything you need to survive on your back.

Often you're far away from home which makes it critical that you don't leave anything behind. So the most important tip for beginners is probably to have everything you need for your trip. You should at least have all of the Ten Essentials. There are other tips as well that will make your backpacking trip a smooth and comfortable one. The first one will help you make sure that you don't leave anything behind.

A checklist will make sure that you don't miss anything important. They're not just for beginners; even experienced backpackers need a list and theirs are usually a more refined and organized version.

It's never a good idea to pack without a checklist whether you're a beginner or a pro. Or else you might end up taking things that you don't need and leave behind what you actually need.

Having everything you need for the trip doesn't mean you have to pack heavy. We often see a lot of backpackers with large and heavy looking packs but the experienced backpackers like to travel light and wear tennis shoes.

A folding camping chair may be great for sitting around the campfire but more often than not such comforts are outweighed by the discomfort over ten miles in addition to your other luxuries. This doesn't mean you should leave behind these luxuries, just don't take all of them.

If something helps you sleep at night like a camping mattress or a camping pillow then take them with you because a good night's sleep is important.

As you gain more experience, you'll learn that some things can be safely left behind without regret or horrible consequences. You should at least try backpacking light once so you can feel the difference. If you're used to carrying a heavy pack, you'll probably feel like you can almost fly without that much weight.

One way to keep it light is by taking lightweight versions of everything including toiletries. It's sometimes considered a skill to use equipment with multiple functions like trekking poles that can be used as tent poles.

Speaking of trekking poles, to use them is another important tip for backpacking beginners. The poles distribute some of the weight to the arms so that you're not relying too much of your leg muscles. Another advantage of using trekking poles is that you burn more calories than when not using them so they're great especially when you want to lose weight fast.

Depending on where you're going and for how long, your pack can weigh as little as 10 pounds or even less. However, you should reduce your pack weight slowly over time.

Refrain from taking along expensive electronic equipment like your laptop because of the risk of damage and theft. You might want to take a digital camera or digital camcorder to capture the moment but be careful not to leave it inside your backpack unattended.

Blisters are your worst enemy on a backpacking trip. It's better to prevent them than to treat them and the best way to prevent blisters from happening is by wearing comfortable boots or shoes and breaking them in.

You should break in your boots a few weeks before using them for the actual backpacking trip. The best method of breaking in is by doing it slowly; wearing them on short hikes on flat ground and then progressing to rugged terrain with a load on your back as the boots get softer and your feet gets tougher.

If your pack is heavy, you might need to wear heavier boots to support your ankles. The less you carry, the more comfortable and lightweight your footwear can be.

This is especially important if you've just bought new gear. A camp stove should be tested to make sure that it works as it should and you should be familiar with your backpack and they should fit you right and feel comfortable.

You should also test your clothing to see if they work well with the movement you make as you carry your pack both when you're fresh and when you're tired.

Backpacking can be tough, requiring a lot of physical strength and stamina. If you don't get yourself in shape before you go on a backpacking trip, you may have a hard time reaching your destination for the day or you may not reach your target at all.

One of the best way to prepare for a backpacking trip is by doing hikes with a full pack weight or more on. You can also try running and some strength conditioning exercises.