I didn't stop hiking once I left the Pacific Crest Trail this summer, and since my final PCT gear list, a number of things have changed in my backpacking outfit. After hitting the Timberline Trail, Wonderland Trail, and the Wind River Range.
Fall is my favorite time of the year to hike – fewer people, fewer bugs, fewer permit restrictions, fewer thunderstorms, fewer hours of daylight, fewer temperatures, fewer water sources – all good things. Mostly good things? I might try my hand at more winter backpacking this year if I don't get too sucked into climbing in the coming months, but we'll see what happens there.
I've included a detailed list of the gear that includes descriptions and weights in the second half of this post.
The Big Stuff
Clothing
Sunglasses Retainer
Camp Shoes
Carried/On Body
The Backpacking Gear
The Bathroom
The Electronics
The Camera Gear
The Rest
DETAILED VIEW
I got an Atom Packs Mo while in England's Lake District and am very happy with it. It held up better than expected and with a trash compactor bag liner, my gear was never wet (even during periods of extended rain). This has become my new favorite bag, and I'm a huge fan of the pockets and how comfortable it is.
32 oz / 900 g
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Hyperlite Mountain Gear Dirigo 2
The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Dirigo 2 is a lightweight, two-person, dual-vestibule tent made from waterproof Dyneema Composite Fabrics. It pitches with eight stakes and two trekking poles, but since I don't use trekking poles I use two custom carbon fiber poles from Ruta Locura. The combined weight of these two poles is 8.49 oz / 241 g.
28 oz / 794 g
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Western Mountaineering UltraLite
The Western Mountaineering UltraLite is my go-to 20°F / -7°C sleeping bag. It will actually keep you warm, not just alive, as temperatures slide down closer to 20°F / -7°C. I also use a Western Mountaineering Tioga Silk Sleeping Bag Liner with this bag which adds a bit of warmth and (more importantly) protects my bag from my filth.
29 oz / 820 g
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Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite (Regular)
The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite from Cascade Designs has a 2.0 R-value and is as comfortable as one can expect an ultralight pad to be. I've gotten one puncture in it, but I was cowboy camped in an awful campsite when it happened. It packs down incredibly small and weighs just half a pound. There's a short version I may get in the future. Read my detailed review of it here.
8.8 oz / 250 g
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Bluffworks Meridian Dress Shirt 2.0
I've been rocking a Bluffworks Meridian Dress Shirt 2.0 on the trail for a while now and I'm still very pleased with it. You might find it strange to be wearing something described as a “dress shirt” on the trail, but I've used this shirt all across New Zealand, Nepal, and Europe and have been very impressed/satisfied with its performance. It's even got a chest pocket. Function and fashion. If you want to read my detailed review of this shirt, you can find it here.
I've used the Arc'teryx Beta SL Hybrid quite extensively in the rain and have deemed its performance acceptable. It does not keep items in the jackets pockets 100% dry and it's difficult to keep the hood on in wind. I'm on the hunt for something new at the moment.
12 oz / 340 g
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Montbell Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka
I'm still hoping to get a Feathered Friends Eos, but for now I'm still using my Montbell Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka from the Continental Divide Trail. It's a good (but expensive) puffy that still has enough fill to keep me warm. The zipper is currently broken which makes for sad times when it's cold, but I'm sending it in for repair. Read my detailed review here.
8.4 oz / 237 g
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The Janji 3″ AFO Split Shorts are a new addition to my pack and I am ambivalent in my feelings toward them. The pros? The are short – comfortable, and bright. The cons? The single rear zippered pocket is frustrating to use and I have my doubts about their customer service. I might migrate back to my Patagonia Strider Pros, but I'm giving the Janji shorts a shot for now.
With fall comes cooler temperatures and so I generally carry a baselayer as to not become trapped in my sleeping bag on particularly cold mornings. I love the Icebreaker 260 Tech Half Zip. It's comfortable, can be worn on it's own, and can be zipped up or down to regulate heat. You can also, sometimes, find it in colors other than black (I have a black one, a blue/gray one, and a red one – probably too many).
As much as I would like to say that I only hike in shorts regardless of the conditions or temperatures, this is not the case. That said, I run hot while hiking and so instead of a baselayer, I use a pair of Icebreaker Tracer Tights. I guess they're for runners? Regardless, they keep my legs warm enough to be comfortable, but not so warm that I overheat. And if I do, it's a simple process of getting completely naked from the waist down to get them off (the con of my shorts having a built-in liner).
My dear friend and occasional hiking companion, Señor Moisture made me a custom hat with a patch granting me membership to the highly exclusive Bear Friend Society. Needless to say, it's awesome.
3 oz / 85 g
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The polar buff is the original buff, but with 9 in / 22.8 cm of fleece at the end making it a bit warmer and a more versatile. I have ditched my beanie and just use this instead. Folded over on itself, it does a good job of blocking out wind (or of being an eye mask).
2.29 oz / 65 g
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I use the polar buff as a beanie, but I use a Buff CoolNet UV+ on my neck/head/face/wrist during the mornings/evenings/cold parts of the day when the polar would be too warm. This buff is designed to be used in the sun and apparently doesn't heat up as much as an original buff, but I have trouble keeping it on the entire day (I run hot).
1.2 oz / 34 g
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I know that wearing a head net makes you look like a tool, but deep in mosquito country, I don't care about how dumb I look – only about how many mosquitoes are not currently in and/or on my face. The Sea to Summit Head Net is a lightweight solution with an adjustable hem that it's probably worth bringing two of because you'll be able to sell one for ten times the price to some sucker without one.
1.2 oz / 34 g
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Outdoor Research Flurry Sensor Gloves
Once summer ends, gloves become a necessary part of my backpacking kit. Fewer daylight hours means colder mornings and more night hiking (so scary). The Outdoor Research Flurry Sensor Glovesdo a good job at keeping my hands warm but only an OK job working my phone's touchscreen. I should probably start looking for a new pair now that I'm writing about them.
2.8 oz / 79 g
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Darn Tough 1/4 Hiking Socks are the gold standard for hiking socks. They're comfortable, made with merino wool, have a lifetime guarantee, and offer great cushion. You will never want to buy another brand of sock. I buy these as presents all the time because you know why? Because they're awesome. There's no better feeling on the trail than a new pair of socks. Read my detailed Darn Tough Socks review here.
2.2 oz / 62 g
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Merrell Moab 2 Ventilator Low (Men's/Women's)
The Moab 2 Ventilators from Merrell are my favorite shoe for trekking. They're wide enough for my fat-ass foot, water-resistant (but still breathable), and have awesome tread/laces. There's a Gore-Tex version available, but I usually stick with the standard shoes since they're cheaper and breathe better. I've yet to have a blowout with these shoes (something that I see often with Altras). Note: buy whatever shoes are most comfortable for you – everyone is different.
33 oz / 936 g
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As was the case with the hat, sunglasses are a personal choice. We're talking backpacking here, not mountaineering. There's not a “best” pair of sunglasses. However, there are good sunglasses and bad sunglasses. I've got these because in addition to not looking too small for my big head, I wanted polarized glasses for the desert sun, the hiking at altitude, and the snow.
1.6 oz / 45 g
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I guess the official name for this thing is an “eyewear retainer”, but we all know that just makes it sound even more lame than it already is. However, for backpacking, these are incredibly useful. I have tried a couple different eyewear retainers and have found this one to be the most durable (the ones with prints on a piece of neoprene eventually break apart and the print falls off).
0.6 oz / 17 g
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Camp shoes are not an essential piece of gear. However, the amount of utility and happiness having something easy to wear around camp or in town far outweighs the cost of carrying extra weight. I found these Batman Sandals at a Walmart on the CDT and have had them for almost two years now. Camp shoes do not need to be fancy. Just get something cheap, light, and somewhat durable (you probably want something that won't disintegrate if it gets wet).
6 oz / 170 g
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The Thrupack Summit Bum has become an essential piece of my hiking kit (and my not-hiking kit – I shamelessly use it off the trail and receive nothing but complementary stares from everyone). This lightweight fanny pack revolutionized my hiking and is now where I keep all of my snacks for the day, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, lighter, etc. It has an exterior pocket that can fit a large cell phone, two interior pockets, and it's water-resistant. Not to mention its huge sex appeal. Read my detailed review of it here.
2.5 oz / 71 g
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The Thrupack Summit Bum comes with a strap, but if you want an upgrade on both your comfort and your awesomeness, then a Comfy Strap is worth the investment. This strap comes in a variety of prints, but most importantly it is stretchy (and comfy). It's totally unnecessary, but I am happy I have one.
2.2 oz / 62 g
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I've been back and forth on bringing a stove, but I'm currently on the wagon and have been happy with the MSR PocketRocket 2. That said, I don't feel as comfortable cooking in my tent as I did with my Jetboil MiniMo (note: do NOT cook inside your tent).
3 oz / 85 g
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The MSR Titan Tea Kettle is nice because I can fit both a small can of gas and the MSR PocketRocket 2 inside it (and close the lid). It has a locking position the rubber-covered handle on the lid can be placed in while cooking which makes removing it without burning yourself possible. Plus, it's titanium which makes it super-duper cool and uber-mega-ultralight. The only bad news is that there are no measurement lines inside the pot. Lame.
4.2 oz / 119 g
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Sure, you could get a plastic spoon from McDonalds, but if you want a utensil that's going to last forever (so long as you don't lose it), then get a Snow Peak Titanium Spork. It won't melt, it's easy to clean, and it's mother fucking titanium (which means that you can use it to fight off wild animals). With this spork I can eat my trail meal like the champion while also looking like a total loser because I have a titanium spork – win-win.
0.6 oz / 17 g
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I am not impressed with the Sawyer Micro Squeeze and need to move back to the original Sawyer Squeeze, but I still haven't gotten around to getting myself a new one. Maybe I should just limit my hiking to areas where filtering water isn't required. I'm coming back, New Zealand!
2.5 oz / 71 g
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The BioLite HeadLamp 330 has a 230 lumen spot and a 100 lumen flood light (hence, 330). It's USB-rechargeable (Micro USB) and is advertised to last 40 hours on low and 3.5 hours on high. It has four settings: white flood, white spot, red flood, and white strobe (you know, for scaring away the bears). The beam's distance is 50 ft / 16 m in flood and ~250 ft / 75 m in spot. It weighs only 2.43 oz / 69 g and has a front profile of just 0.35 in / 9 mm.
2.43 oz / 69 g
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I brought the Garmin inReach Mini as my Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). It weighs just 3.5 oz /99 g and has 2-way texting (which works well), tracking (also works well), and SOS capabilities (fortunately, haven't had to test this). The only catch is that it requires a (paid) monthly plan to function.
3.5 oz / 99 g
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Western Mountaineering Tioga Silk Sleeping Bag Liner
I don't think a sleeping bag liner is necessary, but I carried a Western Mountaineering Tioga Silk Sleeping Bag Liner for a couple of reasons: 1) to keep my Western Mountaineering UltraLite Sleeping Bag clean (because having and eventually washing a dirty sleeping bag is no fun), and 2) because most of the time I'm too warm for my bag and just sleep on top of it (with a liner).
3.6 oz / 102 g
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Hyperlite Mountain Gear Digigo/Ultamid Ultralight Stake Kit (set of 8)
These are tent stakes. These stakes are made from aluminum, lightweight, and are 8 in / 20.3 cm long. The heads are drilled to give you the option of attaching a cord to each of the stakes (I did this). Having the “best” tent stakes will not make your hike any better or more successful. They are just tent stakes. I managed to break one of these early in the hike and Hyperlite Mountain Gear did me a solid and replaced it.
0.4 oz | 12.7 g (each)
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Hyperlite Mountain Gear Pillow Stuff Sack (Large)
I use the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Pillow Stuff Sack to carry my extra clothes and as a pillow (with my down jacket and rain jacket inside) at night. I am usually too lazy to turn it inside out to access the felt part (the pillow part) each night, but I am always happy when I do.
1.69 oz / 48 g
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Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Sack (13L)
Even with a pack liner it's a good idea to keep your sleeping bag in a dry sack (because your sleeping bag literally keeps you alive at night). A Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Sack does the trick for me. These stuff sacks are both lightweight and durable. They are not designed for submersion, but using one inside your pack will keep your sleeping bag dry. These stuff sacks have roll tops and come in six different sizes.
1.4 oz / 40 g
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Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Stuff Sack (2.5 L)
I use a Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Stuff Sack to keep my cables and electronic-related things organized inside my pack. Sometimes, I use a Ziploc bag for this, but they always end up breaking – also, plastic, etc.
0.4 oz / 11 g
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Sea to Summit TPU Accessory Case (Large)
Keeping my phone dry (and functioning) in the rain can be a pain in the ass, so I use a Sea to Summit TPU Accessory Case to help me with this problem. It's easy to open and I can still use my phone's touchscreen through the plastic. However, it is difficult to dry the inside out should you get it wet.
1.2 oz / 34 g
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Opinel No. 6 Stainless Steel Pocket Knife
For a long time I went back and forth on carrying any sort of multitool or knife. I think I'm a solid, “yes” at the moment; I need something to cut my cheese. The Opinel No. 6 Stainless Steel Pocket Knife was and still is my cheese cutting device and I'm quite happy with it. You can even get it in different colors. Very exciting, I know.
0.99 oz / 28 g
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Since I used an MSR PocketRocket 2, I needed to carry a lighter (I should probably carry one regardless). I carried a Mini Bic. It is like a regular Bic, but mini. You know, because ULTRALIGHT. I guess I could just carry like five matches instead and that would be even more ultralight, but I'll stick with the lighter.
0.39 oz / 11 g
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Noso Puffy Patch Lil' Bits Gear Repair Kit
I discovered Noso Puffy Patches earlier this year and they're pretty sweet. Ripped your puffy, sleeping bag, or just want to decorate your gear? Instead of some duct tape, why not fix things up with a cat? A bird? A dude riding a bucking horse? They're a lightweight solution to hemorrhaging feathers from your gear.
0.35 oz / 10 g
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Tape. An often overlooked, but incredibly useful thing to have with you on a thru-hike. Tear your down jacket? Tape! Rip your tent? Tape! Need to shut up your hiking partner? Tape! Just don't bring an entire roll. I like Gorilla Tape because it's incredibly sticky, waterproof, and thick. I've used this to patch a hole in my shorts before and the tape didn't come off even after multiple washes. That said, get whatever tape you want – just bring some (because you can't have any of mine).
You just use a store-bought plastic water bottle on the PCT? Yes. And you use it over and over again until the label has fallen off and it's practically turned into a sock before you replace it (and, of course, you decorate it with cool stickers from everywhere you've been on the trail). Smartwater (and LIFEWATR) bottles are quite structurally sound compared to something like the collapsable Arrowhead bottles and they slide easily in and out of backpack pockets (if you've never been thru-hiking before, this may not sound important, but trust me, it is). You can also put a Sawyer Micro directly on the top and filter out of one bottle into another. That said, I'm using a plastic bottle and killing the environment so I'm going to hell.
The term “luxury item” gets thrown around a lot, and that's okay. One of my luxury items? RAWLOGY Cork Massage Balls. These cork balls measure 2.5 in / 6.35 cm across and weigh 1.4 oz / 40 g each. Not light enough for you? There is also a 1.9 in / 4.82 cm version that weigh 0.9 oz / 25 g each. Best to bring the pair so that you can give one to your new best friend on the trail.
1.4 oz / 40 g
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I've talked a lot about pooping in the woods and packing out your toilet paper in the past, and I will probably continue to do so. Backcountry poops aren't the glamorous, but they are an unavoidable reality of trail life. A lot of people don't bring a trowel saying that a shoe, a rock, a trekking pole or whatever will substitute. Sometimes this will be the case, but other times you are not going to be able to dig a proper cat hole (that's a hole for your poop).
0.6 oz / 17 g
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Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent Spray (6 oz)
I use Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent Spray to keep me sane and free of itchy red spots (and ticks). The active ingredient is picaridin and, unlike DEET, it doesn't smell, melt plastics, or make you want to gag. I like the spray because I can use it on my head and shoulders when the bugs get really bad and start biting through my clothes.
6.3 oz / 179 g
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Bodyglide Anti-Chafe Balm (0.8 oz)
The worst thing on the trail is chafe (and more specifically, ass chafe). Thankfully, there is Bodyglide Anti-Chafe Balm to alleviate the suffering. There's also a “For Her” version that appears to be the exact same thing but it's also “rich in vitamins A, B, E, and F”. Just try to remember to apply before the chafe parade starts.
2.5 oz / 71 g
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When EXTREME WALKING in the outdoors, you're going to want a lip balm with SPF. I enjoy Burt's Bees SPF 15 Lip Balm. The elements will ravage your beautiful lips if you aren't careful to take care of them. It doesn't matter which lip balm you get – just get one with SPF.
0.8 oz / 23 g
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Coppertone SPORT SPF 50 (3 oz)
Sunscreen should be broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB), it should be designed to not run off when you sweat, and it should ideally be SPF 50 (above SPF 50 provides only marginal additional protection at an often much more expensive price). I like the consistency of Coppertone SPORT SPF 50 (I don't really like Banana Boat). What do you like? Not being sunburned? Excellent.
3.2 oz / 91 g
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Dr. Bronner's Organic Hand Sanitizer
If there's one thing I can say my hiking partner Mr. Appa taught me, it's that he taught me about Dr. Bronner's Organic Hand Sanitizer. It's a spray-on hand sanitizer that makes my hands smell lavender-y and (hopefully) cleans them.
2 oz / 57 g
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A lot of people don't talk about (or don't bring) any kind of first aid, but it's a good thing to have some antibiotic ointment around for when you slice your hand open whilst cutting off some of that sweet and delicious cheese. I carry a small tube or Neosporin Ointment to fight off the infections. Have I used it? Yes. So is it worth carrying? Sure.
1 oz / 28 g
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It's not a bad idea to have a couple of Band-Aid Bandages tucked away somewhere in your pack for stopping the bleeding that will inevitably occur out of somewhere on your body during your hike.
Carrying a bit of 3M Medical Tape won't cost a lot in terms of weight, but it can be very helpful should you slice something open and have a need for more than just a Band-Aid. I guess I could have just relied on my Gorilla Tape, but I'm obviously not that cool.
I like the GUM Travel Toothbrush because it folds into itself for storage and packs away easily. However, once the bristles start to wear they get stuck in the brush when closing it. Still, I typically use one of these on the trail since they can fit easily in my pocket, fanny pack, or backpack.
1 oz / 28 g
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In case you are unaware, there are small versions of toothpaste available. You do not need to bring a huge tube of toothpaste whilst hiking. You can get something like this travel size toothpaste in many of the towns along the trail. Or you can just do the super-uber-duper-mega ultralight savage thing and not brush your teeth.
1 oz / 28 g
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Charmin Ultra Soft (Toilet Paper)
Oftentimes I have to take what I can get in terms of toilet paper on the trail, but if I ever get the choice, it's Charmin Ultra Soft for the win. Keeping clean will minimize butt chafe and maximize your poo-free-ness. I usually pack out an entire roll – definitely way too much (remember to pack out your used toilet paper).
Sea to Summit Wilderness Wet Wipes
It took me awhile to come around, but damn, having some Sea to Summit Wilderness Wet Wipes (or really any wet wipes) can be life saving in the backcountry. In addition to ensuring the cleanest of bums following a backcountry waste disposal, they can be used to clean your disgusting feet to help keep them blister-free. But as with toilet paper, just remember to pack them out.
I don't dwell too much on being super-uber-exceptionally-dooper ultralight because I know that my battery pack will always be something I have (for now) The RAVPower 26800 Power Bank is a 26800mAh battery with three USB ports and a USB-C port (that can be used to both charge the battery pack and also to charge a device). It has pass through charging which means you can charge devices while you also charge the battery, and since it uses a DC 5V/2A input to charge, it will charge more quickly than other comparable battery packs. I use this to charge my phone, headphones, camera, and headlamp on the trail and I literally can't remember it running out of juice before needing to be recharged (but I'm still too scared to try a smaller battery pack).
16 oz / 454 g
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Sure, using headphones on a thru-hike might mean that you don't hear that mountain lion sneaking up behind you, but not using headphones means hours of boredom. Are headphones worth the risk? Probably? If you are going to use headphones on the trail, do yourself a favor and switch to Bluetooth headphones (I took a long time to make the transition, but now I can't go back to wires). My biggest concern with Bluetooth headphones is the battery life, and the Anker SoundBuds Curve will last nearly the entire day (if hiking from sunrise to sunset and using them the entire time) – a quick charge with lunch will make sure they last. I've had multiple pairs (Anker is good about replacing products that die prematurely) and am still a happy customer.
0.8 oz / 23 g
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I don't use a cellphone case to make my phone more aesthetically pleasing; I use a cellphone case to protect my phone. The OtterBox Defender Series does exactly that. It's not waterproof like my old case (supposedly) was, but my phone is apparently water resistant? This is why I got the Sea to Summit TPU Accessory Case as well.
3 oz / 85 g
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I look for three things in a wall charger and the AMLINK Quick Charge 3.0 has all of them. What are they? 1) more than one output, 2) a quick charge compatible USB-C input, and 3) a folding plug (to avoid accidentally stabbing a hole in or tearing your gear inside your pack). There are lots of wall chargers that fit this description. The only problem? It's pretty heavy. I should probably invest in a lighter one.
6.1 oz / 173 g
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I've been using the Sony a6500 for a couple of years now and I've been very happy with it. It's relatively lightweight, compact (fits in my jacket pocket), has in-body stabilization, 4K movie recording, and (maybe best of all) it can be recharged via USB (i.e. with my battery pack).
14.25 oz / 404 g
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Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS
I got the Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS after bringing a prime lens on the CDT and realizing that I wanted something with a better focal length range for hiking. This lens takes beautiful photos is relatively lightweight (not full-frame compatible), but it's still not my ideal lens. Perhaps one day I'll have enough money to upgrade.
10.9 oz / 308 g
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The Peak Design Capture Clip is practically part of my backpack, I never take it off. It makes carrying my camera incredibly easy and saves me from having to open my pack to access my camera or having it hang annoyingly from a strap around my neck. There's also an attachment for a GoPro if I decide I want some POV video (or if I need a dash cam for my inevitable fight with a bear).
3 oz / 84 g
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Peak Design Shell (Small)
To me, the Peak Design Shell is an essential piece of equipment with Peak Design's Capture Clip. The Shell comes in three sizes and is designed to keep your camera dry in the rain (in addition to protecting it from the sun, dust, would-be robbers, and snow should you be so (un?)lucky. It can be a little tricky to adjust the zoom and focus with the Shell on and I usually end up removing it each time I take a photo (I've become very good at removing and putting on this cover). It's made from a stretchy fabric that will also help to prevent nicks or abrasion when you inevitably bash your camera against a rock.
2.4 oz / 68 g
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The Wrap-up
So what do we think? Do you have any suggestions, critiques, or questions on the gear? I'm always happy to talk gear – though I'm often hesitant to admit it. Leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts.
I'm looking to make some changes for 2020 and am still deciding what my big hike is going to be (it's between the Great Divide Trail, Hayduke Trail, and then Pyrenean Haute Route).
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