I’ve been asked a lot about what it is I have in my pack since my gear from the Pacific Crest Trail or Everest Base Camp isn’t necessarily up-to-date or applicable to my current setting (yes, sadly the -20°F/-29°C sleeping bag has been shelved until winter). First, I’ve simply listed everything, and below I have more detailed descriptions of the items including photos, pros/cons, weights, prices, and links.
The gear described here is suitable for both thru-hiking and day hikes (in case you have separation anxiety with your gear).
If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions (I’m always looking to try new things), then leave a comment and let me know.
THE BIG STUFF
- BACKPACK | Osprey Exos 58 (REVIEW)
- SHELTER | Mountain Hardwear SuperMegaUL 1 (REVIEW)
- SLEEPING BAG | Mountain Hardwear Phantom 15
(REVIEW) - SLEEPING PAD | Therm-A-Rest Z-Lite SOL
- LINER | Sea to Summit Reactor Plus
- TREKKING POLES | Black Diamond Alpine Ergo Cork
THE KITCHEN
- UTENSIL | Snow Peak Titanium Spork
I have converted to stoveless backpacking for reasons that can be found here.
THE CLOTHING
- HEADWEAR | Double Mountain Gray Flat Brim Fitted Ballcap
- HEADWEAR | Mountain Hardwear Dome Perignon
- SUNGLASSES | RayBan RB2140 Wayfarer (54mm)
- JACKET | Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Jacket (REVIEW)
- SHIRT | Columbia Freeze Degree Long Sleeve Shirt
- PANTS | Mountain Hardwear Mesa Convertible Pants V2
- SHOES | New Balance MO889
- INSOLES | Superfeet Wide Green Premium Insoles
- SOCKS | Darn Tough Vermont Men’s 1/4 Merino Wool Cushion Hiking Socks x 2 (REVIEW)
- UNDERWEAR | Under Armour Men’s HeatGear Sonic Compression Shorts (x 2)
THE SMALLER STUFF
- HEADLAMP | Princeton Tec Remix
- MULTITOOL | Leatherman Skeletool CX
- RAINCOVER | Osprey UL Raincover
- WATER TREATMENT | SteriPEN Ultra
- WATER BOTTLE | Platypus PlusBottle 1 Liter Water Bottle
- WATER BOTTLE | Nalgene Wide-Mouth Canteen (48-Ounce)
- HYDRATION | Platypus Drinking Tube
- STUFF SACKS | Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Stuff Sacks (2.5L, 9L)
- SLEEPING BAG STUFF SACK | Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Nano Dry Sack (15L)
THE ELECTRONICS
- PHONE | LG Nexus 5
- BATTERY | Anker 2nd Gen Astro3 12800mAh
- CAMERA | Canon EOS 60D
- CAMERA | Canon 50D
- LENS | Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM SLR
- TRIPOD | Joby Gorillapod
- ACCESSORY | Peak Design Capture Camera Clip x2 (REVIEW)
- STRAP | Peak Design Camera Hand Clutch Strap
- MISCELLANEOUS | Spare battery, micro USB cord, mini USB cord
THE MISCELLANEOUS
Toothpaste, toothbrush, cards/cash, Mini Bic, rubber bands, notebook, pens, Ziplocs
DETAILED VIEW
OSPREY EXOS 58 (M)
PROS
Comfortable, lightweight, detachable hood, stretchy mesh pockets, wide enough for bear canister or winter sleeping bag, lifetime warranty
CONS
Not an ultralight pack, poorly designed sleeping pad attachment strap
42 oz / 1.19 kg / $220 US
MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR SUPERMEGAUL 1
PROS
Lightweight, easy setup and breakdown, freestanding, mesh pocket, enough space to sit upright (barely)
CONS
No room for backpack inside, included stakes not durable, expensive
31.8 oz / 908 g / $350 US
MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR PHANTOM 15 (R)
PROS
Warm enough for summer months, compressible 800-fill down, lightweight, lots of room, built-in pocket, dries quickly (moisture due to condensation, not submersion)
CONS
Expensive
33 oz / 935 g / $500 US
THERM-A-REST Z LITE SOL
PROS
Inexpensive, comfortable, room enough to lay flat, versatile (as a quick mat or water sliding device)
CONS
Bulky when compared to blow-up pads, flattens out over time
14.5 oz / 411 g / $45 US
SEA TO SUMMIT REACTOR THERMOLITE LINER
PROS
Adds warmth, can be used in lieu of sleeping bag on hot nights, makes bag more comfortable, keeps bag cleaner
CONS
Adds unnecessary weight
8.1 oz / 229 g / $58 US
BLACK DIAMOND ALPINE ERGO CORK TREKKING POLES
PROS
Cork grip prevented hands from becoming filthy (as happens with rubber grips), easily adjustable, locks never failed under stress
CONS
Never used for going downhill, I think I prefer poles with shocks (more fun to lean into whilst stopped)
19.9 oz / 564 g / $140 US
MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR GHOST WHISPERER DOWN JACKET
PROS
Awesome jacket – incredibly warm, lightweight, and compressible (and works wonders as a pillow), waistband drawstring, elastic cuffs, and turtleneck ensure maximum warmth
CONS
Mountain Hardwear’s sizing is not the best, expensive
7.2 oz / 204 g / $300 US
COLUMBIA OMNI-FREEZE SHIRT
PROS
Comfortable, lightweight, quick-drying, convertible sleeves
CONS
Columbia’s “omni-freeze” gimmick does not actually keep you cooler in my opinion, eventually my pack wore holes in the back of the shirt, expensive for what it is
9.6 oz / 272 g / $95 US
NEW BALANCE 889 TRAIL RUNNERS
PROS
Comfortable, wide (come in 4E), durable, good tread, Vibram sole
CONS
The insoles are not very good, I would recommend Superfeet as replacements, discontinued
12 oz / 340 g / $85 US
DARN TOUGH 1/4 HIKING SOCKS
PROS
Comfortable, wool, lifetime guarantee, great cushion
CONS
You will never want to buy another brand of socks
7.2 oz / 204 g / $20 US
SUPERFEET WIDE GREEN PREMIUM INSOLES
PROS
Offer more support than generic inserts (and arch support), don’t easily come up out of the shoe, comfortable
CONS
They don’t last forever, out of the box they need to be cut to fit your shoes
0.42 oz / 12 g / $45 US
UNDER ARMOR 9″ COMPRESSION SHORTS
PROS
Comfortable, effective at preventing chafe, rarely begin to smell, dry quickly, can be passed off as shorts
CONS
An inside seam on one pair tore (still usable, will replace)
4 oz / 113 g / $30 US
MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR MESA CONVERTIBLE PANTS V2
PROS
Convertible, lightweight, comfortable, zipper pocket, quick drying
CONS
Belt loops aren’t the strongest (one has ripped), MH’s sizing is off (too large) – or I’ve lost a lot of weight
10.6 oz / 300 g / $75 US
MOUNTAIN HEARDWEAR DOME PERIGNON BEANIE
PROS
Warm, good at blocking the wind, comfortable for sleeping, can be worn multiple ways
CONS
A bit heavy for what it is, not entirely necessary
2.8 oz / 80 g / $36 US
PEAK DESIGN CAPTURE CLIP
PROS
Makes carrying a DSLR incredibly comfortable and easy, it’s durable, lifetime warranty
CONS
Nothing, this thing is awesome.
3.5 oz / 100 g / $60 US
SteriPEN ULTRA
PROS
Kills protozoa, bacteria, and viruses, quick and easy to use, rechargeable (no heavy batteries)
CONS
Does not remove sediment, doesn’t work with murky/cloudy water, need container to fit, reliance on technology
4.94 oz / 140 g / $100 US
PRINCETON TEC REMIX HEADLAMP
PROS
Bright, doesn’t eat through batteries, multiple settings, adjustable beam direction
CONS
No red light (didn’t realize then when purchasing), no strobe
2.9 oz / 83 g / $30 US
LEATHERMAN SKELETOOL CX
PROS
Sharp, locking blade, clip, changeable bit, externally accessible tools
CONS
Heavy, but I carry in a pocket, pliers have yet to be useful – I’d prefer scissors
5 oz / 142 g / $90 US
OSPREY UL RAINCOVER
PROS
Packs into itself, drawstring and button to cinch, can protect bag in vestibule from puddles
CONS
Could be replaced by a trash compactor bag (which I may do soon)
2.8 oz / 80 g / $30 US
PLATYPUS PlusBOTTLE 1L
PROS
Compatible with drinking tube, foldable, lightweight, pull/push cap option
CONS
Difficult to clean, expensive, can be difficult to fill from some streams
1.3 oz / 38 g / $17 US
PLATYPUS DRINKING TUBE
PROS
Flexible, durable, transparent, inexpensive
CONS
Difficult to clean and gets moldy if not stored properly
2.02 oz / 57.5 g / $13 US
SEA TO SUMMIT ULTRA-SIL NANO DRY SACK (13L)
PROS
Waterproof, durable, roll-top
CONS
Not necessary
1 oz / 28g / $13 US
SEA TO SUMMIT ULTRA-SIL STUFF SACKS (2.5, 9L)
PROS
Lightweight, drawstring closure, have never had one tear or break on me
CONS
Not completely necessary, expensive for what they are
.4 oz, 11g / .7 oz, 20g / $9, $14 US
Am I doing anything right? Something wrong? Did I miss anything? Do you have any suggestions? I will update this again next season and as things continue to change in my pack.
Comment below and let me know what you think!
Disclosure: Your trust is important to me and that’s why I only recommend products I love and personally use. This page contains affiliate links which means at no additional cost to you, I may receive small commissions for purchases made via these links. This helps keep the site up and running.