NOTE: This is my gear list when I began the CDT. The final and updated gear list (likely much more useful) can be found here.
It's finally complete, my Continental Divide Trail gear list.
I didn't think I would ever be prepping for another thru-hike (and especially not for the CDT), but now the time has come for me to set off on yet another trans-USA footpath connecting the Mexico to the Canada.
I've completely revamped my gear for this hike and am using almost entirely new equipment compared to my most recent gear list. This is to 1) give me (and you) a better understanding of what's available and what works in what conditions and 2) simply try some new things (like the CDT).
Despite my wanting (and often preaching) to carry as little as possible, it appears I have amassed a rather large amount of gear for this hike. However, a big weight culprit is my camera gear and equipment – all of which I hope to put to use in a thorough documentation of the trail. Time will tell if all of this gear makes its way to Canada or not.
Remember that this is my pre-departure list, so things may be looking a little (or a lot) different when the hike is finished. There are a few items I already expect will be dropped or switched out from my pack along the way, and I will update appropriately when/if those times come. The snow gear is another thing I am not sure if I will end up needing, but if I end up hitting snow in Northern New Mexico and/or Colorado, the gear listed below is what I will be carrying.
A detailed description of (most) items can be found below the initial list. As always, comments, questions, and the like are welcomed in the comments section at the end of this post.
THE BIG STUFF
- BACKPACK | Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Southwest (Medium, White)
- SHELTER | Big Agnes Copper Spur 2 Platinum
- SLEEPING BAG | Western Mountaineering Veraslite (Regular)
- SLEEPING PAD | Sea to Summit UltraLight
(Regular)
CLOTHING (WORN)
-
- HEADWEAR | Double Mountain Fitted Baseball Cap
- SUNGLASSES | RayBan RB2140 Wayfarer (54 mm)
- TOP | Icebreaker Cool-Lite Sphere Long Sleeve Hood (Medium)
- SHORTS | Prana Ansa
- UNDERWEAR | Icebreaker Anatomica Long
- GAITERS | Outdoor Research Sparkplug
- SOCKS | Darn Tough 1/4 Hiking (Review)
- SHOES | Merrell Moab 2 Vent Low Hiking Shoes
- INSOLES | Superfeet Wide Green
CLOTHING (PACKED)
- HEADWEAR | Icebreaker Apex Hat
- RAIN JACKET | Montbell Torrent Flier (Large)
- DOWN JACKET | Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka (Large)
- WIND JACKET | Montbell Tachyon (Large)
- PANTS | Montbell Dynamo
- UNDERWEAR | Icebreaker Anatomica Long
- SOCKS | Darn Tough 1/4 Hiking (Review)
- BUG PROTECTION | Sea to Summit Head Net
SNOW GEAR (IF NECESSARY)
- GAITERS | Outdoor Research Crocodiles
- SNOWSHOES | MSR Revo Ascent
- ICE AXE | Black Diamond Raven Pro (65 cm)
- MICROSPIKES | Kahtoola MICROspikes (Large)
- SOCKS | Sealskinz Waterproof Hiking Mid Length Sock
THE KITCHEN
- STOVE | Jetboil MiniMo
- UTENSIL | Snow Peak Titanium Spork
- FIRE | Mini Bic
- STORAGE | Assorted Ziplocs
THE OTHER STUFF
- TREKKING POLES | Black Diamond Ergo Cork
- HEADLAMP | Petzl Tikka XP
- WATER TREATMENT | Sawyer Squeeze
- WATER BOTTLE | 1L Smart Water bottle x2
- KNIFE | Petzl Spatha Knife (Review)
- BEAR SPRAY | Frontiersman Bear Spray
- FOOD BAG | Ursack S29.3 AllWhite Bear Bag
- STUFF SACK | Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Stuff Sack (9L)
- STAKES | Vargo Titanium x6
- STAKES | MSR Groundhog x2
- GROUNDSHEET | Polycryo
THE ELECTRONICS
- PHONE | Nexus 6P
- POWER | Anker PowerCore+ 20100 USB-C
- DATA LOGGER | Kestrel Drop D2
- PLB | SPOT Gen3
- HEADPHONES | Bose SoundSport In-ear
- CABLE | USB Type-C
- CABLE | Micro USB
- CHARGER | Tronsmart USB Type C Wall Charger
THE CAMERA GEAR
- CAMERA | Sony Alpha a6500
- LENS | Sony E-Mount 20mm F2.8 Prime
- TRIPOD | JOBY GorillaPod Original
- EXTRA BATTERIES | Wasabi Power Battery x2
- MEMORY | SanDisk Extreme 16GB SDHC UHS-I Card x2
- ACCESSORY | Peak Design Capture Clip (Review)
- COVER | Peak Design Shell (Review)
THE BATHROOM
- TOILET PAPER | Make it soft
- TOOTHBRUSH | Travel size
- TOOTHPASTE | Travel size
- HAND SANITIZER | Travel size
- SUNSCREEN | Travel size
THE OFFICE
- CARDS | Credit/Debit
- RUBBER BANDS | Quite useful
- DUCT TAPE | Basically first aid
- NOTEBOOK | Write stuff down!
- PEN | Pilot G2 0.7
- DICE| 5 for Yahtzee!
DETAILED VIEW
Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Southwest
Hyperlite Mountain Gear's 3400 Southwest is a lightweight 55-liter pack made from waterproof Dyneema Composite Fabrics. I got the Southwest instead of the Windrider (the same pack but with mesh outside pockets) because of what Tasmania ended up doing to the mesh pockets on my Osprey Exos 58 (it destroyed them). The Southwest has Dyneema Hardline pockets instead of mesh (more durable). I still love my Exos (which is being repaired), but I figured I would give something new a shot on the CDT.
32.4 oz (918 g) – $340 US
FIND IT AT: Hyperlite Mountain Gear
Big Agnes Copper Spur 2 Platinum
After braving the Pacific Crest Trail in a one-person tent, I'm officially converted to a two-person tent. And I still want something freestanding. The Copper Spur 2 Platinum is one of the lightest freestanding tents on the market and I trust that Big Agnes has made a product that will hold up to the rigors of a thru-hike. If it doesn't, you'll certainly be hearing about it in my post-CDT gear list (or beforehand).
37 oz (1.05 kg) – $599 US
FIND IT AT: REI | Backcountry.com | Amazon
Western Mountaineering Versalite
I've waited a long time to upgrade my sleeping bag, and I could not be happier with Western Mountaineering's Versalite. This 10°F / -12°C bag is incredibly well built and very warm for how little it weighs. I am not a fan of having to sleep in my clothes, and I'm confident that this bag will keep me warm during cold nights in the desert and in the Rockies. Have I mentioned it's incredibly sexy?
32 oz (907 g) – $575 US
FIND IT ON: Backcountry.com | Amazon
The Sea to Summit Ultralight is not the warmest pad available (R-Value 0.7), but it is one of the lightest (12 oz / 350 g). In my opinion, it's also one of the most comfortable. I don't think the low R-Value will be an issue because the Versalite is a very warm sleeping bag at 10°F / -12°C. If things get cold and I'm camping on snow a lof I might trade for the warmer NeoAir XLite in Colorado. Time will tell.
12 oz (350 g) – $99 US
FIND IT AT: REI | Backcountry.com | Amazon
Icebreaker Cool-Lite Sphere Long Sleeve Hood
For me, the Icebreaker Cool-Lite Sphere is the perfect hiking top. It's made of a wool, tencel, nylon blend which keeps the material cool on the skin while also insulating. It dries three times faster than Icebreaker's standard wool blend. I can roll up the sleeves easily or hike with them down for sun protection or warmth. The same goes for the hood. I really just want to avoid having to apply and reapply sunscreen.
9.7 oz (275 g) – $120 US
FIND IT ON: | Amazon
I've struggled to find a comfortable pair of hiking shorts for a while now, but I am currently very happy with the Prana Ansa shorts. They're stretchy, they dry quickly, they can help you to blend in while sneaking around town, and they have back pockets (my last pair did not, a mistake).
6.8 oz (193 g) – $69 US
FIND THEM ON: Backcountry.com | Amazon
Icebreaker Anatomica Long Boxers
I've said it before, but I'm intent on converting my wardrobe to merino and after wearing compressing shorts for the past four years I've finally upgraded myself to the Icebreaker Anatomica Long Boxers. They're comfortable, 83% merino, and everything in its place while I'm hiking. They also make a great swimsuit (if you're at the motel – because everyone knows it's swimsuit optional in the mountains).
2.5 oz (71 g) – $50 US
FIND THEM AT: REI | Backcountry.com | Amazon
Outdoor Research Sparkplug Gaiters
I go back and forth on gaiters a lot, but for thru-hikes I think they're a good idea. I don't know if I'll end up replacing these when they ultimately begin to fall apart further up the trail (hopefully Outdoor Research will replace them under warranty?), but at least in the desert I will be happy with some Sparkplug Gaiters keeping debris out of my shoes. I'll try to take good care of them, but who knows how long they'll last.
1.2 oz (34 g) – $20 US
FIND THEM ON: Backcountry.com | Amazon
By the end of my Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike nearly everyone was wearing Darn Tough socks. I expect the Continental Divide Trail will be much the same. These socks are comfortable, made with merino wool, have a lifetime guarantee, and offer great cushion. You will never want to buy another brand of socks. Read my full review here.
2.2 oz (62 g) – $20 US
FIND THEM AT: Darn Tough | REI | Backcountry.com | Amazon
The Moab Vent 2 Low hiking shoes are my favorite shoes for trekking. They're wide enough for my fat-ass foot, water-resistant (but still breathable), and have awesome tread/laces. There's a Goretex version available, but I am sticking with the standard shoes since they're far cheaper and breathe a bit better.
13 oz (369 g) – $100 US
FIND THEM AT: REI | Backcountry.com | Amazon
Superfeet Wide Green Premium Insoles
I started using the Superfeet Wide Green Premium Insoles early in my first thru-hike when I was having foot, toe, and blister problems – and I've been using them ever since. I can't say 100% whether or not they're responsible for increasing my comfort, but I'm happy to have them along.
1.6 oz (45 g) – $50 US
FIND THEM AT: REI | Backcountry.com | Amazon
The Apex Hat is a one-size-fits-all beanie capable of fitting over my 7 5/8 head. It's lightweight, warm, stretchy, and best of all, merino.
2.33 oz (66 g) – $30 US
FIND IT ON: Amazon
The Torrent Flier is an awesome sub nine ounce (255 g) Gore-Tex rain jacket. It has one chest pocket, pit zips, an adjustable hem, and adjustable hood. I expect to encounter a lot of weather on the CDT so I am going with the Gore-Tex Torrent Flier instead of a slightly lighter non-Gore-Tex jacket. Let's hope the extra bit of weight does well to keep me confortable.
8.6 oz (243 g) – $269 US
FIND IT AT: Montbell
Montbell Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka
Sure, Montbell's Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka may have an obnoxiously long name, but it makes up for it by being incredibly warm and comfortable. It literally feels like the jacket is hugging me (and no, not because it's too small). It has two zippered hand warmer pockets, elastic cuffs, and an adjustable hem. It's also a little crinkly (like a bag of potato chips), but hopefully that eases with time (and so long as it's warm, I don't mind).
8.4 oz (237 g) – $379 US
FIND IT AT: Montbell
I've never carried a wind jacket before, but at only 1.6 oz (45 g) Montbell's Tachyon Jacket deserves a chance (it weighs half of what my beanie weighs). I hope it will prove useful in light rain as well as shielding me from the wind, but that might be asking too much. It packs down to basically nothing and breathes acceptably from what I've experienced so far.
1.6 oz (45 g) – $99 US
FIND IT AT: Montbell
I used to have a pair of heavy rain pants that just made me sweat and question why I was wearing them in the first place. For the CDT I'm going with Montbell's Dynamo Wind Pants to fight the cold and (sometimes) the rain. They aren't designed to be worn as rain pants, but I think they'll handle the occasional cold drizzle (or maybe freezing downpour). I don't know if I'll have these at the end of the trail, but they're coming along for the first bit (and probably through Colorado).
2.6 oz (75 g) – $79 US
FIND THEM AT: Montbell
Basically a must, the Sea to Summit Head Net is a small, lightweight, and basic piece of equipment with a very important job – to keep insects off your head and out of your face holes. I've had the same one for years and usually just keep it stuffed into my pocket and ready to deploy.
0.8 oz (23 g) – $10 US
Outdoor Research Crocodile Gaiters
After a terrible experience with some garbage Sea to Summit gaiters in Tasmania, I've decided to go with the recommendation of a friend and go with Outdoor Research's Crocodile Gaiters for the CDT. They're made with Gore-Tex have gotten excellent reviews. I'm not entirely sure they will be necessary, but if I get to Northern New Mexico/Colorado and there's a ton of snow, then these are the gaiters I'll have.
10.2 oz (289 g) – $79 US
FIND THEM AT: REI | Backcountry.com | Amazon
My god. Something that weighs nearly a third of everything else in my pack? Apparently, hiking in the snow without snowshoes can be a very miserable experience – one that I do not intend to endure. Ideally, the entire time I have these with me (if I end up needing them), they'll be on my feet. I'm going with the MSR Revo Ascent Snowshoes because they were recommended to me by an experienced snow walker. I'll let you know how they work out.
4 lbs 4 oz (1.928 kg) – $240 US
FIND THEM AT: REI | Backcountry.com | Amazon
Black Diamond Raven Pro Ice Axe (65 cm)
I'll be needing some practice with this guy before I get somewhere that I'm going to need it, but I've decided on a 65 cm Black Diamond Raven Pro Ice Axe for trekking over the snow-covered passes of the CDT. It's (relatively) lightweight, has a flat head, and a straight aluminum shaft. None of these things (except the weight) mean much to me now, but we'll find out in time whether I made a good choice.
14 oz (407 g) – $99 US
FIND IT AT: REI | Backcountry.com | Amazon
I've used Kahtoola MICROspikes for trekking over snow and ice before in Nepal, and it would appear that I'll need to be using them again for some sections on the CDT. So snowshoes AND MICROspikes? Yeah, I guess so, but worse-case scenario I end up carrying these for a bit and not needing them. Then, they get sent back to CA and put back in a box.
11.9 oz (407 g) – $69 US
FIND THEM AT: REI | Backcountry.com | Amazon
SEALSKINZ Waterproof Hiking Mid Length Sock
Did you know there's suck a thing as waterproof socks? Neither did I, but now I own some! Yes, I have a pair of SEALSKINZ Waterproof Hiking Mid Length Sock to (hopefully) keep my feet from becoming wet and freezing in the snowy mountains expected on the CDT. I did a lot of research in deciding which waterproof socks to go with and eventually landed with SEALSKINZ. Hopefully, they live up to the hype.
4.9 oz (139 g) – $35 US
FIND THEM ON: Amazon
The Jetboil MiniMo is the stove you want if you're into making everyone else jealous. Incredibly quick boiling times, a simmering function, a built-in strainer, an attached cup, a low-profile pot that the stove packs into – the MiniMo has it all.
14 oz (400 g) – $135 US
FIND IT AT: REI | Backcountry.com | Amazon
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. Eat your trail meal like the champion you are.
0.3 oz (8.5 g) – $10 US
FIND IT AT: REI | Backcountry.com | Amazon
Black Diamond Ergo Cork Trekking Poles
I've had the Black Diamond Ergo Cork Trekking Poles since halfway through the Pacific Crest Trail (my other poles were left in a hitch's car) and they're still holding up quite nicely to the rigors of the trail. I've gone back and forth on what I think about hiking with trekking poles, but I think it would be wise of me to begin the CDT with a pair.
18 oz / 510 g – $120 US
FIND THEM AT: REI | Backcountry.com | Amazon
The weather-resistant, 180 lumen Tikka XP has a wide beam, a focused beam (they can be used separately or together), and a red light (with flashing modes for all lights). It takes 3 AAA batteries and because of “constant lighting technology”, the beam does not weaken as the batteries are used up.
4.2 oz / 119 g – $50 US
FIND IT ON: Amazon
The Sawyer Squeeze has been around a while now, and despite it not being my favorite filter, it makes the most sense for thru-hiking (unless you're into bleach or just not ever filtering). It's definitely better than the Sawyer MINI for a long-distance hike, and it does a good job of removing all the awful disgustingness (usually cow poo) from sketchy water sources. You can screw it onto a water bottle and just squeeze water out into another (clean) container. It's that easy – and it's lightweight and compact.
3 oz (85 g) – $39
Some people may like bringing multi-tools, but the only thing I ever used on mine was my knife. I have since converted to carrying a Petzl Spatha Knife and I have been very happy with its cheese-cutting performance (and price). It might not be completely necessary, but it's definitely useful and I enjoy having a knife with me on the trail (bear fights etc.).
1.4 oz (40 g) – $40 US
FIND IT AT: REI | Backcountry.com | Amazon
I'm not sure if carrying bear spray is exciting or terrifying, but in Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana, I will have with me a canister of Frontiersman Bear Spray. This bear spray comes with a holster (others do not) which is nice because what good is bear spray if it's inside of your pack? Hopefully, having this makes me at least feel safer, but even more hopefully, I hope I never have to use it.
12.5 oz (354 g) – $35 US
FIND IT AT: Amazon
Ursack S29.3 AllWhite Bear Bag
So what's an Ursack S29.3 AllWhite Bear Bag? Well, it's basically a bear-proof (and rodent-proof) food sack. It's not approved for use in Yosemite which means it's no good on the PCT, but on the CDT there aren't any requirements for bear canisters so the Ursack is fair game. I have it mostly for rodents, but I guess it may come in handy to keep bears out of my food too? They will still be able to crush my food, but they won't be able to get to it (if the Ursack is properly secured to something – like a tree).
7.7 oz (218 g) – $79 US
FIND IT AT: REI
Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Stuff Sack (9L)
I am a fan or organization, and the lightweight Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Stuff Sack is what I use to carry my clothing (I used to have other ones for my food and electronics as well). It's water-resistant and durable (so long as you keep sharp/pointy objects away from it) and it turns into my pillow at night.
.7 oz (20g) – $18 US
FIND IT AT: REI | Backcountry.com | Amazon
Most of you probably have your phone situation sorted, but that doesn't mean I can't still plug my current (and favorite) phone, the Nexus 6P. This phone takes spectacular photos (it could easily be your camera replacement on the trail), has a decent battery life (especially on airplane mode), and allows me to do all the Halfway Anywhere updating I need to do (when I get service/wifi). The only thing is that it's huge.
6.31 oz (179 g) – $500 US
FIND IT ON: Amazon
I know, the Anker PowerCore+ 20100 USB-C is incredibly heavy and a lot of you may have trouble with the justification of such a large power bank. However, I do have my reasons. One, I am charging my camera via this powerbank and my camera's battery only lasts around 350 shots. Two, this power bank supports USB-C which means it will charge from the wall 20% faster. Three, it supports rapid charging for my phone (full in under two hours). Hopefully, I don't regret bringing this beastly (but awesome) battery.
16 oz (454 g) – $69 US
FIND IT ON: Amazon
When I first saw the Kestrel Drop D2, I thought to myself, “Hey, that's neat” and so I bought one. What does it do? It's this small device that attaches to your backpack (or wherever) and takes note of the temperature, humidity, heat index, and dew point at a set interval (2s, 5s, 10s, 20s, 30s, 1min, 2min, 5min, 10min, 20min, 30min, 1hr, 2hr, 6hr, or 12hr). I just like data and want to be able to see how the weather changes over the course of the trail. There's an iOS/Android app so that you can get information and view trends in real time. Should be neat.
1.2 oz (34 g) – $99 US
FIND IT ON: Amazon
Yes, carrying a personal locator beacon (PLB) goes against all the ultralighters out there, but fortunately, I'm not one of them (yet). I am mostly carrying a Spot to track my progress along the CDT and to be able to look back at data from the hike (and so that my grandmother can sleep at night). The company that makes Spot apparently has egregious customer service, but I'll give them a shot. Review to come.
4.2 oz ( g) – $150 US
FIND IT AT: REI
The Bose SoundSport In-ear headphones are my current go-to pair of headphones for hiking. The may look a bit strange at first because of the way they fit into your ear, but I've come to really enjoy them. They don't have to be jammed deep into your ear canal to deliver great audio quality and they still allow me to hear enough of what's going on around me when the volume is down lower. The attached microphone works well and I have yet to hear any complaints from people on the other end of the phone.
0.6 oz (17 g) – $99 US
FIND THEM ON: Amazon
Tronsmart USB Type C Wall Charger
Maybe I'm going too far, but yes, I think about the wall charger that I bring with me when I travel or am thru-hiking and my current charger of choice is the Tronsmart USB Type C Wall Charger. It has one USB port and one USB C port which enables fast charging for both my phone and my (giant) power bank. It also has a foldable plug which is nice.
2.4 oz (68 g) – $15 US
It's been a long time coming, but I finally sold my bulky DSLR and got myself a mirrorless camera. The Sony Alpha a6500 body weighs in at just over 14 oz (400 g) and packs an impressive amount of photo/video quality into quite a small package. It takes Sony E-mount lenses and has a 24.2MP APS-C senson with 5-axis in-body image stabilization. It shoots 4k video and boasts 11fps continuous shooting to 269 frames. Now it's time to put this thing to work.
14.25 oz (404 g) – $1400 US
FIND IT ON: Amazon
As much as I would love to have an awesome zoom lens for the CDT, I just can't justify the weight. Instead, I've gone with the Sony E-Mount 20mm F2.8 Prime. It's incredibly compact and almost puts the a6500 on par with the size of a point-and-shoot camera. I expect its low-light performance to be good and will hopefully be able to capture some beautiful images of the trail to share with you all.
2.4 oz (69 g) – $349 US
FIND IT ON: Amazon
Yet another affront to all that is preached about bringing as little as possible, I am bringing a JOBY GorillaPod Original out on the trail. It's designed for use with a point-and-shoot, but it will work with my current setup. I hope to be using it frequently (and to produce some videos of the trail). If I end up never using it, then it will be sent back to storage.
1.7 oz (48 g) – $20 US
FIND IT ON: Amazon
I love Peak Design's Capture Clip. It lets me attach my camera to my shoulder strap and easily access it at any time. It's a far cry from having to put down my pack and take out my camera or carrying it on a strap around my neck. Read my full Capture Clip review here.
3.5 oz (100 g) – $60 US
FIND IT AT: Peak Design | Amazon
Using the Peak Design Capture Clip in the backcountry, I basically consider having the Shell a requirement. It protects the camera from dirt, water, airborne cow poop particles, and anything else nature has to throw at your expensive piece of photography equipment. I've never had any problems with a camera being damaged by the elements while using the Shell and Capture Clip – even in heavy rain.
2.4 oz (68 g) – $40 US
FIND IT AT: Peak Design | Amazon
And that's it!
I will be following this post up with a spreadsheet of the gear for those of you who are more into that kind of thing. Again, if you have any comments or questions about the gear list, then be sure to leave a comment or get in touch!
Disclosure: I only recommend products I love and have personally used. 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.
If you’re looking for company for a couple days, Kody and I would love to go on an adventure. Good luck man and let me know!
You and Kody are always welcome on adventures (so long as you’re packing out beers).
Just want to share a warning about the Nexus 6P. It’s my current phone and I love it in every way, except for a bug that starts appearing at about a year old once Nougat is installed. The phone will suddenly die with low battery despite having 50+ % battery remaining. Won’t restart till plugged into charge, at which point it reports plenty of battery. This bug happens especially easily in cold temps, when taking photos and/or GPS tracking. Google and Huawei seem to be in a private battle over whether it’s a hardware or software issue, and nothing has been done about since it was first reported in the fall 2016 (1000s have since reported it). As much as I love this phone, I wouldn’t rely on it for a thru-hike.
I have heard about this defect and have yet to experience and failures so far. Hopefully, the phone holds out and I don’t need to buy myself a new one just yet. Good looking out!
Hi Mac, excellent article, thanks so much for your time and effort. I’m curious why you’re going with such a warm sleeping bag? I would think that the WM UltraLite or Alpinlite might be a better fit? Are you a cold sleeper or am I miscalculating how cold nighttime temperatures will get on a CDT thru-hike? Thanks again, have an awesome start to your trek, and I look forward to more CDT updates!
I am sure that I could have gone with a slightly lighter bag, but I chose the Versalite because now I have a bag that I can comfortably use with a low R-Value pad and a bag that I can confidently use in shoulder seasons or colder climates without having to bust out my enormous winter bag. At night I would rather unzip my bag because I’m warm than bundle up because I’m cold, but everyone’s different. That being said, this bag is still lighter than the 15°F/-9°C bag I had before.
Nice! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. I have no doubt you’ll love the Versalite. Western Mountaineering makes exceptional sleeping bags as you well know. Take care and I look forward to more posts.
So far it’s working great. This bag is awesome (and the zipper is magical).
All the best for your new adventure Mac!
Thank you!
I’ll be interested in your Kestrel review as I thought hard about buying one. One thing that turned me off is that I figured the temps would be all over the board with the inconsistency of shade and direct sun on the trail. Please let us know how you like it! -GoalTech
So far it’s been working well. I think it’s off a little bit if in direct sunlight, but it seems to be working to my satisfaction thus far.
debating on the exos 58 but and was looking at the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Southwest as well as a few other ultra lights for doing the JMT. Do you think the Hyperlite is worth the extra money and or rides better? Curious about your thoughts.. Thanks, TJ
Honestly, I like them about the same right now. The HMG is a little lighter and waterproof, but the Exos has better pockets and the awesome airspeed ventilation system. Go with what’s more comfortable.
I noticed you list a sleeping bag liner on the PCT list but not here. Have you changed your mind, or is the versalight so warm that a liner would put you at risk of heat stroke? I love the idea of keeping most of the dust and funk out of a super expensive bag, yet you’re one of the few people I’ve seen who recommended using one.
I got rid of the sleeping bag liner for this hike for a couple of reasons:
1) I now have a warmer sleeping bag
2) I wanted to shave some weight from my pack
3) I used the liner mostly to keep my bag clean and I’ve accepted that I will have to wash my bag after the trail.
When I begin traveling after the trail I will probably adopt a liner again, but for the CDT I’m surviving without one.