The Continental Divide Trail Gear Guide: Class of 2021 Survey

Notes on the data

• This year’s survey boasts the most-ever respondents with 216 completed surveys – a 23% increase vs the previous high.
• Some responses are sorted and colored to make the data friendlier (e.g. northbound vs. southbound).
• I ask that respondents do their best to accurately respond to the survey. Not every person answers every question and not every answer is guaranteed to be 100% accurate (e.g. someone may mistakenly report 11 instead of 12 zero days).
• I refer to survey respondents collectively as this year’s “class“. Remember, this is a sample and not a comprehensive survey of every person on the CDT.
• This survey does invoke some math. I suggest you familiarize yourself with the words average, median (M), and standard deviation (σ).
• For stats requiring the length of the CDT for a calculation (e.g. mileage/day), I use 3,100 mi / 4,280 km.
• More detailed posts focused on CDT Gear, CDT Resupply, CDT Horror Stories, and CDT Advice in the coming weeks. If you would like to be notified of new surveys, click here.

Labels differentiating hiker segments:

• THRU: Thru-hikers (all)
• THRU-0: Thru-hikers who did NOT complete the CDT
• THRU-1: Thru-hikers who completed the entire CDT

If no label has been appended to a data point, then I used all data collected (i.e. it also includes section hiker data).

Highest-Rated CDT Gear

In addition to asking each Continental Divide Trail hiker what gear they used, I ask hikers to rate each piece of gear. No point in doing what everyone else is doing if none of them are happy with their choices, right? I’ve used the results to construct a top ten list for each of the categories surveyed.

NOTES ON THE DATA

• All weights (and for backpacks, capacity) for products below are for products in a size medium and/or regular unless otherwise noted. For ice axes, I used whichever available length was closest to 60 cm.
• I only included items here that were used by at least five hikers. Why five? Because that’s the number I decided on. If you’re interested in more common gear, you can find it below.

Highest-Rated CDT Gear List

Here’s what this year’s “Highest-Rated CDT Gear List” backpack had in it – and what that theoretical backpack was.

• Backpack: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Windrider (1.87 lbs | 848 g | $320)
• Shelter: Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 (2.69 lbs | 1.22 kg | $500)
• Sleeping bag: Katabatic Flex (22.8 oz / 646 g | $410)
• Sleeping pad: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm (17 oz / 482 g | $230)
• Insulated jacket: Montbell Alpine Light – Men’s/Women’s (12.1 oz / 342 g | $219)
• Shell: Montbell Versalite – Men’s/Women’s (6.4 oz / 182 g | $199)
• Fleece: Patagonia Capilene Air Hoody – Men’s/Women’s (6.9 oz / 196 g | $149)
• Shoes: Topo Ultraventure 2 – Men’s/Women’s (20.8 oz / 590 g | $135)
• Socks: Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Midweight – Men’s/Women’s ($19)
• Stove: SOTO WindMaster (2.3 oz / 65 g | $65)
• Water treatment: Aquamira (3 oz / 85 g | $15)
• Bear canister: Ursack AllMitey (9.5 oz / 269 g | $140)
• Trekking poles: Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork (18 oz / 510 g | $140)
• PLB: Garmin inReach Mini (3.5 oz / 99 g | $350)
• Ice axe: Black Diamond Raven Pro (14.2 oz / 406 g | $120)
• Traction: Hillsound Trail Crampons (15.7 oz / 445 g | $69)

Total weight – Big 3 (pack, shelter, sleeping bag): 6.26 lbs / 2.838 kg
Total weight – Big 4 (Big 3 + sleeping pad): 7.32 lbs / 3.320 kg

All gear (minus snow gear): 10.05 lbs / 4.559 kg
All gear^: 11.92 lbs / 5.406 kg
*This does not include ice axe, traction, poles, shoes, or socks
^This does not include poles, shoes, or socks

Highest-Rated CDT Backpacks

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Windrider was the highest-rated pack on the CDT this year. It comes in 45, 55, and 65-liter capacities, in two colors (the black is slightly heavier), has mesh exterior pockets, and can comfortably carry a load of up to 40 lbs / 18 kg. Two similar packs from Hyperlite Mountain Gear, the Southwest and Junction, were the third and fifth highest respectively.

Highest-Rated CDT Fleeces

The Patagonia Capilene Air Hoody was the highest-rated fleece this year – a hooded pullover with no pockets that runs $149 and weighs 6.9 oz / 196 g. That said, just 40% of people on the Continental Divide Trail this year brought a fleece.

Highest-Rated CDT Shoes

The Topo Ultraventure 2 (Men’s/Women’s) were the highest-rated shoes on the CDT this year. It is a trail runner with a 5 mm heel-toe drop that weighs 20.8 oz / 590 g per pair. On average, thru-hikers burned through just over five pairs of these on the trail.

Shoe Notes: Even if you knew for certain each pair of your shoes will last you 700 mi / 1,125 km, buying yourself four pairs of shoes at the start of the hike is risky – what if the shoes aren’t as comfortable as you thought? What if your feet swell? What if you die?

Remember, you can buy shoes using this thing called the internet and have them mailed ahead on the trail (to a post office, hotel, local outfitter, trail angel, etc.) once you know that you’re going to need a new pair. If you encounter an emergency situation, you can always buy locally or simply wait around for your shoes to show up in the mail.

Many shoe companies (Altra and Brooks, in particular) release a new version of their shoes on an annual basis. The current version, at the time of publication, of the Altra Lone Peak is the 6, the current version of the Altra Olympus is the 4, and the current version of the Brooks Cascadia is the 16.

Highest-Rated CDT Socks

The favorite sock among Continental Divide Trail hikers this year was the Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion (Men’s/Women’s). These have medium and are made of 61% merino wool, 36% nylon, and 3% Lycra spandex. The second-highest-rated sock was the Darn Tough Hiker Quarter Midweight
(Men’s/Women’s), a shorter version of the same sock.

Highest-Rated CDT Food Storage

No, you are not legally required to carry a bear canister on the Continental Divide Trail. However, this doesn’t mean not carrying one is always the wisest decision. Of the 14% of hikers who carried protection for their food, the favorite was the Ursack AllMitey Bear and Critter Sack. A 10.7-liter bag made of spectra and kevlar that weighs 9.5 oz 269 g.

Highest-Rated CDT Trekking Poles

The Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork were the highest-rated trekking poles on the CDT this year. They have an aluminum shaft, cork handles, an external level lock locking mechanism, weigh 18 oz / 510 g, and collapse down to 27 in / 69 cm. There is also a women’s version available.

Highest-Rated CDT Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs)

The Garmin inReach Mini was the highest-rated personal locator beacon on the Continental Divide Trail this year. The smaller, lighter version of the Explorer+, the mini is an awesome piece of equipment that can be used for two-way messaging, navigation, tracking, and as an SOS device. It weighs 3.5 oz / 99 g and requires a monthly (or annual) subscription to function properly.

The Most Common CDT Gear List

• Backpack: Gossamer Gear Mariposa (1.79 lbs / 814 g | $270)
• Shelter: Zpacks Duplex (1.19 lbs / 539 g | $699)
• Sleeping bag: Enlightened Equipment Revelation (20.9 oz / 593 g | $280)
• Sleeping pad: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite (12.5 oz / 354 g | $200)
• Insulated jacket: Enlightened Equipment Torrid Apex (M/W) (8.4 oz / 238 g | $175)
• Shell: Outdoor Research Helium (M/W) (6.3 oz / 179 g | $159)
• Fleece: Melanzana Microgrid Hoodie (12.2 oz / 346 g | $78)
• Shoes: Altra Lone Peak 5 (M/W) (21 oz / 595 g | $130)
• Socks: Darn Tough Hiker Quarter Midweight (M/W) (2 oz / 57 g | $19)
• Stove: MSR PocketRocket 2 (2.4 oz / 68 g | $50)
• Water treatment: Sawyer Squeeze (3 oz / 85 g / $39)
• Bear canister: Ursack AllMitey Bear and Critter Sack (9.5 oz / 269 g | $140)
• Trekking poles: Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork (17.1 oz / 485 g / $190)
• PLB: Garmin inReach Mini (3.5 oz / 99 g | $350)
• Ice axe: CAMP USA Corsa (8.2 oz / 232 g | $120)
• Traction device: Kahtoola MICROspikes (11 oz / 312 g | $70)

Total weight – Big 3 (pack, shelter, sleeping bag): 4.29 lbs / 1.944 kg
Total weight – Big 4 (Big 3 + sleeping pad): 5.07 lbs / 2.3 kg

All gear (minus snow gear)*: 7.9 lbs / 3.584 kg
All gear^: 9.1 lbs / 4.128 kg
*This does not include ice axe, traction, bear canister, poles, shoes, or socks
^This does not include poles, shoes, or socks

The Gossamer Gear Mariposa was the most common backpack on the Continental Divide Trail this year – up from third last year. It is a 1.79 lbs / 814 g pack capable of carrying up to 60 L and 35 lbs / 16 kg of gear. The Mariposa was the fifth-highest-rated pack by CDT hikers this year.

Most Common CDT Shelters

The Zpacks Duplex was the most common shelter on the CDT this year. It’s a $700, two-person, side-entry, 19 oz / 539 g shelter that requires two trekking poles to set up. This was also the most common shelter on the CDT last year. It’s made from .51 oz/yd² Dyneema Composite Fabric and required eight stakes to be set up (not included in the $700 price tag).

Most Common CDT Sleeping Bags

The Enlightened Equipment Revelation was the most common sleeping bag (quilt) on the CDT this year. The Revelation is highly customizable and comes in a variety of lengths, widths, temperature ratings, fill-powers, and colors. What’s the difference between the Revelation and the Enigma? The Enigma has a sewn footbox (i.e. the Revelation can be laid completely flat).

Most Common CDT Sleeping Pads

The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite was the most common sleeping pad among Continental Divide Trail hikers this year. This air pad has an R-value of 4.2, weighs 12 oz / 340 g, packs down to 4.1 x 9 in / 10 x 23 cm, and is 2.5 in / 6.4 cm thick. The Women’s version was the second-most-common pad on the trail this year and the small version was the fifth-most-common.

Most Common CDT Fleeces

The most common fleece on the Continental Divide Trail, for the second year in a row, was the Melanzana Microgrid Hoodie. Despite only being available locally at their store in Leadville, Colorado, most hikers with a fleece had a Melly – a 12.2 oz / 346 g pullover with a hood and a kangaroo pocket in the front.

Most Common CDT Socks

Darn Tough dominated Continental Divide Trail hikers’ feet this year with the Darn Tough Hiker Quarter Midweight (Men’s/Women’s) being the most commonly used model. They are made of 60% merino wool, 38% nylon, 2% spandex, have a medium cushion, cost $19 a pair, and have an unconditional lifetime guarantee.

Most Common CDT Bear Canisters

Since only 14% of hikers carried bear-specific food protection with them on the CDT, our numbers for this category are the lowest of any piece of gear. This category is the only one of the survey (besides the PLBs) where the highest-rated and most-common are exactly the same in terms of ranking. Yes, there are only two pieces of gear that were widely enough used to make the list, but I felt it worth pointing out nonetheless. The most common food protection was the Ursack AllMitey Bear and Critter Sack. A 10.7-liter bag made of spectra and kevlar that weighs 9.5 oz 269 g.

Most Common CDT Trekking Poles

The Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork was the most common trekking pole on the Continental Divide Trail this year. They have a carbon fiber shaft, cork grips, an external lever lock, weigh 17.1 oz / 485 g (per pair), and collapse down to 24 in / 61 cm.

Most Common CDT Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs)

The Garmin inReach Mini was the most common personal locator beacon on the Continental Divide Trail this year. The smaller, lighter version of the Explorer+, the mini is an awesome piece of equipment that can be used for two-way messaging, navigation, tracking, and as an SOS device. It weighs 3.5 oz / 99 g and requires a monthly (or annual) subscription to function at full capacity.

Base Weights

Base weight. The thing that completely defines some hikers, that others have difficulty defining, and that others still don’t care about at all. Basically, how much your backpack weighs when fully loaded with your gear, minus food, water, and/or consumable weight (like your poopy paper).

Some hikers will tell you the best gear is the lightest gear and that there’s no benefit to carrying any “unnecessary” weight in your pack. Others will tell you ultralight gear is little better than badly-sewn-together garbage and that having quality gear (without regard to weight) is the only way to live your best trail life. They’re both right and they’re both wrong. The “right gear” is the gear that works for you (and that you’re happy with).

Ultimately, yes, carrying a lighter pack is more enjoyable than carrying a heavy pack. However, not having the proper gear if/when you need it can quickly eliminate any benefit realized from having a lighter pack. The base weight for you is the one you’re the happiest carrying. Anyone who tries to tell you otherwise has no business telling you so.

STOP HERE

Gear Stats

We’ve gone over the highest-rated gear, most-common gear, and the base weights of hikers on the Continental Divide Trail this year, and now we’re going to talk a bit about some gear specifics.

Hikers Using Fully Freestanding Shelter

What’s a freestanding shelter? It’s a shelter (i.e. tent) that needs only its poles to be set up – no stakes required. This year’s highest-rated shelter, the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2, is freestanding. What does that mean? It means it can stand on its own (without being staked down).

This year’s most common shelter, the Zpacks Duplex, is not freestanding. It requires two trekking poles and eight stakes to be set up correctly. Here’s the breakdown of which percentage of hikers were using a freestanding shelter (I counted semi-freestanding shelters as 0.5 in the calculation).

Stoves on the CDT

It may come as a shock, but not all hikers on the trail carry stoves. Yes, cheese, tortilla, and Sriracha combinations may be all you need to power your hiking machine (yourself) on the trail. Here’s what hikers did as far as stoves this year.

• 77.7% Carried a stove
• 11.2% Stoveless the entire trail
• 5.1% Started with a stove but went stoveless at some point
• 5.1% Started stoveless but got stove on hike
• 0.9% Alternated

Support the Survey

I get a lot of people asking every year how to support the surveys and beyond sharing them with your close-knit bubble of weird hiker friends, the best way to support the survey is to contribute via Patreon. You’ll get access to exclusive posts, discount codes, live streams, and super extra cool stickers so that everyone will know how cool you are.

If you’re not into Patreon, that’s cool, you can instead Venmo @halfwayanywhere, Cash app $halfwayanywhere, or PayPal [email protected]

This is not expected. The data collected in the survey will always be free and accessible to everyone who wants/needs it. That said, your support is very much appreciated and helps to pay the website (and survey) bills.

Continental Divide Trail Survey Collection

• CDT Survey Results
• Gear Guide
• Thru-Hike Resupply Guide
• Hiker Horror Stories
• Advice for Future Hikers
• Discrimination on the Trail
• All CDT Survey Posts