8 Essential Knots Every Hiker and Backpacker Should Know
From hanging a bear bag to lashing a splint, these are the knots that actually earn their place in your skillset.
You don't need to be an Eagle Scout, but knowing a handful of knots makes you measurably safer and more useful in the backcountry. Practice these at home until you can tie them in the dark — because you will, eventually, need to.
1. BOWLINE — the 'king of knots.' Creates a fixed loop that won't slip or jam under load. Use it to tie a rope around your waist, secure a rescue loop, or anchor a tarp.
2. TAUT-LINE HITCH — an adjustable loop that grips under tension but slides freely when relaxed. Perfect for tensioning tent guy lines without buying mini line-locks.
3. CLOVE HITCH — fast way to secure a line to a tree, pole, or carabiner. Great for hanging a clothesline in camp or starting a lashing.
4. TRUCKER'S HITCH — gives you a 3:1 mechanical advantage for tightening a line. Indispensable for securing loads to a pack or lashing a tarp ridgeline drum-tight.
5. FIGURE-8 ON A BIGHT — the climber's loop. Strong, easy to inspect, doesn't jam. Use it any time you need a bombproof loop in the middle of a rope.
6. PRUSIK — a friction hitch that grips a main line when loaded and slides when relaxed. Used in crevasse rescue, ascending a fixed line, or as a backup on a rappel.
7. SQUARE KNOT (REEF KNOT) — joins two equal-diameter ropes for low-load applications like a bandage or shoelace. Do NOT use it for anything safety-critical — it can roll out.
8. SHEET BEND — the right knot for joining two ropes of different diameters. Stronger and more secure than a square knot when sizes don't match.
Bonus: the QUICK-RELEASE (slipped) version of any hitch lets you untie it under load with one pull — invaluable in cold, wet, or emergency conditions.