Must-Read Adventure Novels for Backpacking Journey

Adventure Novels for Backpacking: There’s something timeless about hitting the trail with a good book tucked into your pack. Whether you’re solo hiking through pine-covered peaks or lounging at base camp in your Packsture fleece hoodie, a gripping adventure novel can elevate your backpacking journey. As the fire crackles and the stars emerge overhead, there’s nothing better than getting lost in a story as epic as the landscape around you.

In this article, we’ve compiled a list of must-read adventure novels that pair perfectly with your time in the wild. These stories are full of grit, courage, survival, and discovery—ideal companions for your next trek into the unknown.

Adventure Novels for Backpacking

Why Bring a Book on the Trail?

In a world dominated by screens, a physical or downloaded eBook offers a break from tech and an invitation into deeper thought. Plus, when you’re bundled up in your water-resistant shell jacket or sipping tea in your Packsture thermal base layers, there’s nothing quite like turning the pages of a story that mirrors your own sense of adventure.

Adventure Novels for Backpacking: Books are the perfect backpacking companions because:

• They’re lightweight and compact (especially e-readers)

• They enhance the introspective nature of solo camping

• They make excellent fireside entertainment

• They inspire your own journey of resilience and wonder

Must-Read Adventure Novels to Take Into the Wild

1. “Into the Wild” by Jon Krakauer

Best For: Solo hikers and seekers

A true classic of modern adventure literature, Into the Wild tells the real-life story of Christopher McCandless, a young man who gave up everything to venture into the Alaskan wilderness. Thought-provoking and raw, this book invites readers to question materialism, freedom, and what it means to truly live.

Perfect Setting: Reading in your Packsture insulated jacket beside a quiet riverbank.

2. “The Call of the Wild” by Jack London

Best For: Nature lovers and old-soul adventurers

Set in the Yukon during the Gold Rush, this novel follows Buck, a domesticated dog who gradually returns to his wild instincts. It’s a timeless story of survival, instinct, and the raw pull of the natural world.

Pair With: A hot drink at twilight, wrapped in your windproof trail parka.

3. “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed

Best For: Hikers on a personal journey

Cheryl Strayed’s memoir of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail alone is brutally honest and wildly inspirational. She captures the physical and emotional toll of long-distance hiking—and the healing power of nature.

Inspiration Level: Maximum. Read this Adventure Novels for Backpacking while lounging in your Packsture merino wool leggings after a long hike.

4. “Hatchet” by Gary Paulsen

Best For: Solo campers and survival buffs

This young adult classic is a compact yet intense survival tale about a boy stranded in the Canadian wilderness with only a hatchet. It’s a reminder of how ingenuity, resilience, and respect for nature can mean the difference between life and death.

Trail Companion: A great fireside read for Adventure Novels for Backpacking while wrapped in your Packsture puffer vest.

5. “Desert Solitaire” by Edward Abbey

Best For: Environmentalists and desert wanderers

Not a novel, but a lyrical memoir that reads like poetry. Abbey’s passionate love for the American Southwest will ignite your appreciation for solitude and the preservation of wild places.

Read It While: Watching the sun dip behind canyon walls in your UV-protective hiking shirt.

6. “The Beach” by Alex Garland

Best For: Travelers and thrill-seekers

Adventure Novels for Backpacking: Set in Thailand, The Beach follows a young backpacker chasing paradise—only to find something darker. It’s a gripping story about the thin line between utopia and chaos, and the human desire to escape the ordinary.

Mood: Edgy, exotic, and perfect for those reading in a hammock strung between trees.

7. “A Walk in the Woods” by Bill Bryson

Best For: Humor-loving hikers

Bryson’s attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail with an old friend is equal parts hilarious and enlightening. It’s a great reminder that not every adventure goes as planned—but that doesn’t make it any less worthwhile.

Great For: Lightening the mood on long trails in your moisture-wicking hiking tee.

Tips for Packing Adventure Novels for Backpacking

To avoid extra bulk or damage to your precious reads, follow these quick tips:

• Use a Kindle or lightweight e-reader for multi-book options

• Choose compact paperbacks that fit snugly in your pack

• Waterproof your book using a resealable bag or dry sack

• Only bring what you’ll read—leave the rest at home

And always pair your literary adventure with reliable, functional gear—like Packsture’s durable hiking apparel designed for comfort, breathability, and protection in all conditions.

Let the Stories Guide Your Steps toward Adventure Novels for Backpacking

Adventure Novels for Backpacking do more than entertain—they connect us to a shared spirit of discovery and endurance. Whether it’s a memoir of survival, a fictional journey into the wild, or a philosophical reflection on solitude, each book on this list echoes the same call that drew you into nature: the call to explore.

So before you shoulder your pack and lace up your boots, slip one of these titles into your gear. You never know how the right story might change your perspective—or even your path.

Adventure Novels for Backpacking: Explore the Outdoors with Packsture

At Packsture, we make more than just outdoor clothing—we make gear for adventurers, thinkers, and wild hearts. From eco-friendly rain jackets to soft, breathable base layers, our apparel is made to move with you through every chapter of your journey.

Gear up. Get inspired. And never stop exploring.