The Pacific Crest Trail Gear Guide: Class of 2020 Survey
Reading Time: 38 minutes Check out the most recent PCT Gear Guide here.
In the third part of this year’s Pacific Crest Trail Thru-hiker Survey, we examine hikers’ PCT gear. PCT gear lists vary widely between hikers, and (spoiler alert) it’s impossible to find a perfect list. That said, we can try.
I’ve organized this post in a way that I hope will give a comprehensive picture of what gear PCT thru-hikers are using. This post covers the highest-rated gear, most common gear, gear statistics based on different groups of hikers, the lowest-rated gear, hiker comments on gear, and finally, gear advice. The gear covered here includes backpacks, shelters, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, insulated jackets, rain jackets, stoves, water treatment, trekking poles, ice axes, traction systems, bear canisters, shoes, socks, fleeces, and PLBs.
Previously, I also included women-specific gear, but in the interest of both organization and getting this post published (and to keep this post from being absurdly long), I am going to be publishing follow-up posts on gear broken down by gender as well as gear used by couples hiking the PCT.
I am sure that some of you will come up with comparisons you would like to see that I have overlooked. I hope to make this a useful resource for PCT hikers, so if there’s anything that you think is missing, please leave a comment below.
That being said, I hope you enjoy this year’s PCT Gear Guide brought to you by the PCT Class of 2020.
Notes on the data
- This year we had 460 completed surveys – a 45% decrease vs. last year.
- Some responses have been sorted and colored to present the data in a friendlier manner (e.g. northbound vs. southbound responses).
- Not all PCT hikers meticulously document the stats of their thru-hike (yes, I’m weird). Therefore, the data is not going to be 100% accurate.
- I refer to survey respondents collectively as this year’s “class“. Remember, this is a sample and not a comprehensive survey of every single PCT hiker who intended to hike or who did hike the PCT this year.
- If they don’t currently recall anything more than math-exam anxiety, it’s suggested you familiarize yourself with the words average, median (M), and standard deviation (σ).
- For stats requiring the length of the PCT for a calculation (e.g. average mileage per day on the trail), I use 2,660 mi / 4,280 km.
- I will be releasing more detailed posts focused on PCT Hikers Who Hiked vs. Those Who Canceled, PCT Resupply, PCT Demographics, PCT Horror Stories, and PCT 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 PCT
- THRU-1: Thru-hikers who completed the entire PCT
- NOBO: Northbound thru-hikers (all)
- NOBO-0: Northbound thru-hikers who did NOT complete the PCT
- NOBO-1: Northbound thru-hikers who completed the PCT
- SOBO: Southbound thru-hikers (all)
- SOBO-0: Southbound thru-hikers who did NOT complete the PCT
- SOBO-1: Southbound thru-hikers who completed the PCT
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 PCT Gear
In addition to asking each PCT hiker what gear they used, I also ask hikers to rate each piece of gear. No point in doing what everyone else is doing if they’re all doing it wrong, right? I use this information to arrive at a top-five-pieces-of-gear 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 arbitrarily decided on – I already told you, this isn’t scientific – especially since this year saw far fewer hikers on the trail. If you’re interested in a larger sample size of PCT hiker gear, check out the 2019 Gear Guide.
Highest-rated PCT Gear List
So what does our “Highest-rated PCT Gear List” backpack have in it? And, on that note, what is our backpack?
- Backpack: ULA Circuit (41 oz / 1.162 kg | $255)
- Shelter: Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 (3 lb 8 oz / 1.59 kg | $500)
- Sleeping bag: Katabatic Flex (25.5 oz / 723 g | $410)
- Sleeping pad: Sea to Summit UltraLight Insulated (16.9 oz / 479 g | $140)
- Insulated jacket: Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 – Men’s/Women’s (8.3 oz / 235 g | $300)
- Shell: Patagonia Torrentshell – Men’s/Women’s (13.9 oz / 394 g | $149)
- Fleece: Patagonia R1 Pullover – Men’s/Women’s (11.7 oz / 332 g | $129)
- Stove: SOTO WindMaster (2.3 oz / 65 g | $65)
- Water treatment: Sawyer MINI (2 oz / 57 g / $22)
- Trekking poles: Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Z (15.8 oz / 448 g / $190)
- Ice axe: Petzl Glacier Literide (11.3 oz / 320 g | $100)
- Traction device: Kahtoola MICROspikes (11 oz / 312 g | $70)
- Bear canister: Bearikade Weekender (31 oz / 879 g | $309)
- Shoes: Merrell Moab 2 Ventilator (Low) – Men’s/Women’s (31 oz / 879 g | $100)
- Socks: WRIGHTSOCK CoolMesh II Quarter ($14)
- PLB: Garmin inReach Mini (3.5 oz / 99 g | $350)
Total weight – Big 3 (pack, shelter, sleeping bag): 7 lbs 14 oz / 3.572 kg
Total weight – Big 4 (Big 3 + sleeping pad): 8 lbs 14.94 oz / 4.051 kg
All gear (outside Sierra)*: 10 lbs 8.2 oz / 4.768 kg
All gear^: 13 lbs 13.56 oz / 6.281 kg
*This does not include ice axe, traction, bear canister, poles, shoes, or socks
^This does not include poles, shoes, or socks
In addition to the items noted above, these total base weights (that is, a backpack’s weight minus food, water, and consumables – like poop paper) are missing gear (headlamp, extra clothing, electronics, etc.). It brings us over halfway to the year’s average starting base weight of 18 lbs 0.8 oz / 8.187 kg. Note that the stove included in this list, the SOTO WindMaster, does not include the weight of a pot and the shelter in this list is for three people (was used mostly by couples).
The total price of all this gear? $2,853 (this includes one pair of shoes). The average hikers spent prior to beginning their hikes? $1,614 (M = $1,500 | σ = $1,231). Clearly, most hikers had gear prior to beginning their plans for a PCT thru-hike.
Now, a detailed look at the highest-rated gear in each of the following categories: backpacks, shelters, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, insulated jackets, shells, stoves, water treatments, trekking poles, ice axes, traction systems, bear canisters, shoes, socks, fleeces, and PLBs.
Highest-rated PCT Backpacks
The ULA Circuit was the highest-rated pack on the PCT this year – for the second year in a row. It is a 41 oz / 1.162 kg pack capable of carrying up to 68 L and 35 lbs / 16 kg of gear. It’s largely customizable and you can even have your name embroidered on yours for an extra $15.
| BACKPACK | PRICE | RATING | WEIGHT | LITERS | MAX LOAD | ACCESS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ULA Circuit | $255 | 9.31/10 | 41 oz / 1.162 kg | 68 | 35 lbs / 16 kg | Top |
| Gossamer Gear Mariposa | $270 | 8.54/10 | 32.7 oz / 927 g | 60 | 35 lbs / 16 kg | Top |
| Hyperlite Mountain Gear Windrider | $345 | 8.43/10 | 31.82 oz / 902 g | 55 | 40 lbs / 18 kg | Top |
| Osprey Eja | $220 | 8.25/10 | 41 oz / 1.162 kg | 58 | 40 lbs / 18 kg | Top |
| ULA Catalyst | $280 | 8.17/10 | 48 oz / 1.361 kg | 75 | 40 lbs / 18 kg | Top |
Highest-rated PCT Shelters
The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 was the highest-rated shelter on the PCT this year. It’s a three-person, side-entry, free-standing shelter that weighs 3 lb 10 oz / 1.644 kg. Not hiking as a couple? The Fly Creek HV UL1 was the highest-rated single-person shelter (and the second-highest overall).
| SHELTER | PRICE | RATING | WEIGHT | PACKED SIZE | HEIGHT | FLOOR | FREESTANDING |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 | $500 | 10/10 | 56 oz / 1.588 kg | 6 x 21 in / 15 x 53 cm | 43 in / 109 cm | 41 ft² / 3.81 m² | Yes |
| Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL1 | $330 | 9.67/10 | 31 oz / 879 g | 4 x 19 in / 10 x 48 cm | 38 in / 96.5 cm | 20 ft² / 1.86 m² | Semi |
| Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1 | $380 | 9.5/10 | 34 oz / 964 g | 5.5 x 17 in / 14 x 43 cm | 38 in / 96.5 cm | 20 ft² / 1.86 m² | Yes |
| Tarptent Stratospire Li | $709 | 9.4/10 | 28.6 oz / 811 g | 5 x 16 in / 12 x 41 cm | 45 in / 115 cm | 26.9 ft² / 2.5 m² | No |
| Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 | $400 | 9/10 | 35 oz / 992 g | 5.5 x 18 in / 14 x 46 cm | 39 in / 99 cm | 28 ft² / 2.6 m² | Semi |
Shelter Notes: For the weight of each shelter, I have used the packed weight – that is, the weight of the shelter including stuff sacks, guy lines, and stakes.
Highest-rated PCT Sleeping Bags
The Katabatic Flex was the highest-rated sleeping bag on the PCT this year. It’s a quilt – which might be scary to some of you, but Katabatic has a reputation for not skimping on their temperature ratings. At 25.5 oz / 723 g with 16.9 oz / 479 g of 900-fill goose down, it’s not a bad first choice for getting into the world of quilting. Your grandmother would be proud.
| SLEEPING BAG | PRICE | RATING | WEIGHT | TEMPERATURE | FILL | FILL WEIGHT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Katabatic Flex | $410 | 9.56/10 | 25.5 oz / 723 g | 15°F / -9.44°C | 900-fill goose down | 16.9 oz / 479 g |
| Western Mountaineering Versalite | $605 | 9.4/10 | 32 oz / 907 g | 10°F / -12°C | 850-fill goose down | 20 oz / 565 g |
| Mountain Hardwear Phantom | $520 | 9.3/10 | 33.2 oz / 736 g | 15°F / -9.44°C | 850-fill goose down | 17 oz / 482 g |
| Western Mountaineering UltraLite | $525 | 8.75/10 | 30 oz / 850 g | 20°F / -6°C | 850-fill goose down | 16 oz / 453.6 g |
| Enlightened Equipment Enigma | $315 | 8.69/10 | 21.19 oz / 601 g | 20°F / -6°C | 950-fill duck down | 13.83 oz / 392 g |
Highest-rated PCT Sleeping Pads
The Sea to Summit UltraLight Insulated sleeping pad was the highest-rated sleeping pad from the PCT this year. The 40D nylon pad has an R-value of 3.1 and comes in four sizes. They are all 2 in / 5 cm thick and the regular size weighs 16.9 oz / 479 g.
| SLEEPING PAD | PRICE | RATING | WEIGHT | R-VALUE | TYPE | PACKED SIZE | THICKNESS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sea to Summit UltraLight Insulated | $140 | 9.33/10 | 16.9 oz / 480 g | 3.1 | Air | 4 x 9 in / 10 x 23 cm | 2 in / 5 cm |
| Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite (Women’s) | $175 | 8.77/10 | 12 oz / 340 g | 5.4 | Air | 9 x 4.1 in / 23 x 10 cm | 2.5 in / 6.4 cm |
| Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm | $215 | 8.6/10 | 15 oz / 425 g | 6.9 | Air | 9 x 4 in / 23 x 10 cm | 2.5 in / 6.4 cm |
| Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite (Small) | $145 | 8.6/10 | 8 oz / 227 g | 4.2 | Air | 9 x 3.5 in / 23 x 9 cm | 2.5 in / 6.4 cm |
| NEMO Tensor Insulated | $160 | 8.11/10 | 15 oz / 425 g | 3.5 | Air | 8 x 3 in / 20 x 8 cm | 3 in / 7.6 cm |
Highest-rated PCT Insulated Jackets
The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 was the highest-rated jacket among PCT hikers this year. The jacket uses 800-fill goose down with a hip-length back, nylon shell, and two zippered hand pockets. The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 Hooded took the fifth spot this year. And, if you’re interested, there’s a newer (and lighter) Ghost Whisperer out this year – the Ghost Whisperer UL.
| JACKET | PRICE | RATING | WEIGHT | INSULATION | HOOD | POCKETS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 | $300 | 9.88/10 | 8.3 oz / 235 g | 800-fill goose down | No | 2 zippered hand |
| Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody | $249 | 9.75/10 | 12.8 oz / 363 g | 60-g PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Eco 55-100% post-consumer recycled polyester | Yes | 2 zippered hand |
| Enlightened Equipment Torrid APEX Jacket | $170 | 9.64/10 | 8.4 oz / 238 g | Climashield APEX | Yes | 2 zippered hand |
| Arc’teryx Cerium LT Down Hoodie | $380 | 9.50/10 | 10.9 oz / 309 g | 850-fill goose down | Yes | 2 zippered hand / 1 zippered internal |
| Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 Hooded | $325 | 9.25/10 | 8.8 oz / 249 g | 800-fill goose down | Yes | 2 zippered hand |
Highest-rated PCT Shells
The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L was the highest-rated shell (that’s a fancy name for rain jackets) among PCT hikers this year. It’s a 13.9 oz / 394 g jacket made with Patagonia’s H2No Performance Standard shell. It’s got pit zips, and there are two zippered hand pockets. Men’s / Women’s
| SHELL | PRICE | RATING | WEIGHT | FABRIC | PIT ZIPS | POCKETS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patagonia Torrentshell 3L | $149 | 9.43/10 | 13.9 oz / 394 g | H2No Performance Standard shell | Yes | 2 zippered hand |
| Arc’teryx Zeta SL | $299 | 9.33/10 | 10.9 oz / 309 g | Gore-Tex (2-layer) with Paclite Plus | No | 2 zippered hand |
| The North Face Venture 2 | $99 | 9.33/10 | 11.6 oz / 330 g | 2.5-layer DryVent | Yes | 2 zippered hand |
| Arc’teryx Beta SL Hybrid | $400 | 9.00/10 | 12.3 oz / 349 g | Gore-Tex Paclite, Gore-Tex Pro, & Gore C Knit | Yes | 2 zippered hand |
| Marmot PreCip Eco | $100 | 8.83/10 | 10.1 oz / 268 g | NanoPro Eco | Yes | 2 zippered hand |
Highest-rated PCT Stoves
The SOTO WindMaster was the highest-rated stove on the PCT this year (for the second year in a row). It’s a 2.3 oz/ 66 g canister stove with a push-button start and optional pot support. The reported boil time for 2 cups / 473 ml of water is under 2.5 minutes.
| STOVE | PRICE | RATING | WEIGHT | TYPE | DIMENSIONS | INTEGRATED POT | PUSH-BUTTON START |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOTO WindMaster | $65 | 9.78/10 | 2.3 oz / 66 g | Canister | 2.5 x 1.3 x 1.8 in / 6.4 x 3.4 x 4.6 cm | No | Yes |
| MSR PocketRocket 2 | $45 | 9.64/10 | 2.6 oz / 74 g | Canister | 7.25 x 5 x 4 in / 19 x 12.6 x 10.2 cm | No | No |
| Jetboil Flash | $100 | 9.43/10 | 13.1 oz / 371 g | Canister | 7.1 x 4.1 in / 18 x 10.4 cm | Yes | Yes |
| MSR PocketRocket Deluxe | $70 | 9.33/10 | 2.9 oz / 82 g | Canister | 3.3 x 2.2 x 1.8 in / 8.4 x 5.6 x 4.6 cm | No | Yes |
| Jetboil MiniMo | $145 | 8.77/10 | 14 oz / 397 g | Canister | 5 x 6 in / 12.7 x 15.2 cm | Yes | Yes |
Highest-rated PCT Water Treatment
The Sawyer MINI was the highest-rated water filter on the PCT this year. It’s a $20, 2 oz / 57 g hollow fiber filter that rids your drinking water of protozoa and bacteria (and floaties). It can be used with the Sawyer bags (included with the filter) or with compatible water bottles (Smartwater is the bottle of choice for many hikers). The Sawyer comes in two larger sizes as well, the Sawyer Micro and the (original) Sawyer Squeeze.
| WATER TREATMENT | PRICE | RATING | WEIGHT | TYPE | DIMENSIONS | MEDIUM | REMOVES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sawyer MINI | $20 | 9.09/10 | 2 oz / 57 g | Squeeze/Straw | 1 x 5 in / 2.5 x 6.6 cm | Hollow fiber | Protozoa and bacteria |
| Sawyer Squeeze | $35 | 9.01/10 | 3 oz / 85 g | Squeeze/Straw | 2 x 5 in / 5 x 13 cm | Hollow fiber | Protozoa and bacteria |
| Katadyn BeFree | $40 | 8.21/10 | 2.3 oz / 65 g | Bottle | 11.3 x 3.5 x 2.8 in / 29 x 9 x 7 cm | Hollow fiber | Protozoa and bacteria |
| Sawyer Micro | $28 | 6.33/10 | 2.5 oz / 71 g | Squeeze/Straw | 1 x 6 in / 2.5 x 15 cm | Hollow fiber | Protozoa and bacteria |
Highest-rated PCT Trekking Poles
The Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Z were the highest-rated trekking poles on the PCT this year. They have a carbon fiber shaft, cork handles, Black Diamond’s Z-Pole Speed Cone locking mechanism, weigh 15.8 oz / 448 g, and collapse down to 15.7 in / 40 cm. These poles are the foldable kind – not the collapse into themselves kind (hopefully, this most excellent description makes sense to you).
| TREKKING POLES | PRICE | RATING | WEIGHT (PAIR) | SHAFT MATERIAL | HANDLE MATERIAL | COLLAPSED LENGTH | LOCKING MECHANISM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Z | $190 | 9.80/10 | 15.8 oz / 448 g | Carbon fiber | Cork | 15.7 in / 40 cm | Z-Pole Speed Cone |
| Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork | $130 | 9.41/10 | 18 oz / 510 g | Aluminum | Cork | 27 in / 69 cm | External lever lock |
| Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork | $180 | 9.19/10 | 17.1 oz / 485 g | Carbon fiber | Cork | 24 in / 61 cm | External lever lock |
| Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber | $60 | 9.04/10 | 15.6 oz / 442 g | Carbon fiber | Cork | 26 in / 66 cm | External lever lock |
| LEKI Micro Vario Carbon | $200 | 9.00/10 | 16.09 oz / 456 g | High modulus carbon | Foam | 15 in / 38 cm | External lever lock |
Highest-rated PCT Ice Axes
The Petzl Glacier Literide was the highest-rated ice axe on the Pacific Crest Trail this year. It’s an 11.3 oz / 320 g, 50 cm long axe with a straight anodized aluminum shaft and a steel adze. It might not be right for everyone since it only comes in one size (50 cm), so, fortunately, there are four other options available to you.
| ICE AXE | PRICE | RATING | WEIGHT | MATERIAL | LENGTHS | SHAFT SHAPE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petzl Glacier Literide | $100 | 9.33/10 | 11.3 oz / 320 g | Heat-treated steel/aluminum 7075 | 50 cm | Straight |
| CAMP USA Corsa | $120 | 8.75/10 | 7.2 oz / 204 g | Aluminum head/shaft | 50, 60, 70 cm | Straight |
| Black Diamond Raven | $85 | 8.56/10 | 15.9 oz / 452 g | Stainless-steel head/aluminum shaft | 60, 65, 70, 75 cm | Straight |
| Grivel G1 | $75 | 8/10 | 15.8 oz / 449 g | Carbon steel/Ergal 7075 aluminum | 58, 66, 74 cm | Straight |
| Black Diamond Raven Pro | $110 | 5.33/10 | 13.8 oz / 392 g | Stainless-steel head and spike/aluminum 7075-T6 shaft | 55, 60, 65, 70 cm | Curved |
Highest-rated PCT Traction Systems
The Kahtoola MICROspikes Traction System was the highest-rated traction system on the Pacific Crest Trail this year. It’s an over-the-shoe, spikes-on-the-bottom system that weighs 13.1 oz / 371 g. It comes in four sizes and has stainless steel spikes.
| TRACTION DEVICE | PRICE | RATING | WEIGHT | MATERIAL | SIZES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kahtoola MICROspikes | $70 | 9.26/10 | 13.1 oz / 371 g | Stainless steel, elastomer | S, M, L, XL |
| Hillsound Trail Crampons | $70 | 8.00/10 | 15.7 oz / 445 g | Carbon steel, stainless steel, elastomer | S, M, L, XL |
| Snowline Light Chainsen Crampon | $60 | 8.00/10 | 8.57 oz / 243 g | Stainless steel, elastomer | S, M, L, XL |
| Kahtoola K 10 Hiking Crampons | $100 | 4.47/5 | 21.5 oz / 610 g | 4131 Chromoly steel | One size |
| Yaktrax Pro | $30 | 7.00/10 | 4.4 oz / 125 g | Rubber and steel | S, M, L, XL |
Highest-rated PCT Bear Canisters
The Bearikade Weekender was the highest-rated bear canister on the PCT this year (for the second year in a row); it’s also insanely expensive at $288. It’s made of carbon fiber, has a 10.6 L capacity, and weighs 31 oz / 879 g. One difference between the Bearikades and other bear canisters is that the Bearikade’s lid does not completely come off.
| BEAR CANISTER | PRICE | RATING | WEIGHT | CAPACITY | MATERIAL | DIMENSIONS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bearikade Weekender | $288 | 9.71/10 | 31 oz / 879 g | 10.6 L | Carbon fiber | 10.5 x 9 in / 27 x 23 cm |
| Bearikade Expedition | $350 | 9.67/10 | 36 oz / 1.021 kg | 14.7 L | Carbon fiber | 14.5 x 9 in / 37 x 23 cm |
| BearVault BV450 | $70 | 9.00/10 | 33 oz / 935 g | 7.2 L | Polycarbonate | 8.7 x 8.3 in / 22 x 21 cm |
| Garcia Bear-Resistant Container | $75 | 8.00/10 | 43 oz / 1.219 kg | 10 L | ABS polymer | 12 x 8.8 in / 30 x 22 cm |
| BearVault BV500 | $80 | 7.48/10 | 41 oz / 1.162 kg | 11.5 L | Polycarbonate | 12.7 x 8.7 in / 32 x 22 cm |
Bear canister notes: Bear canisters must be carried north of Lone Pine, but most hikers begin carrying them at Kennedy Meadows. Bear canisters have to be used south of Bridgeport – accessible via Sonora Pass. However, one additional place they must be carried is in Lassen Volcanic National Park (but only if you plan on camping in the park).
Highest-rated PCT Shoes
The Merrell Moab 2 Vent (Low) was the highest-rated shoe on the PCT this year. They are halfway between a boot and a trail runner and weigh 31 oz / 879 g per pair. On average, thru-hikers burned through three pairs of these on the trail, which seems low, but having used these shoes extensively myself, I can attest to their durability. There’s a waterproof version available if you’re into that, as well. Men’s / Women’s
| SHOES | PRICE | RATING | WEIGHT (PAIR) | HEEL-TOE DROP | WATERPROOF | AVERAGE NUMBER USED |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merrell Moab 2 Vent | $100 | 9.17/10 | 31 oz / 879 g | — | No | 3.00 |
| Topo Athletic Ultraventure | $130 | 8.80/10 | 20.8 oz / 590 g | 5 mm | No | 5.50 |
| Brooks Cascadia | $130 | 8.67/10 | 21.4 oz / 607 g | 8 mm | No | 5.00 |
| Altra Lone Peak | $120 | 8.54/10 | 21 oz / 595 g | 0 mm | No | 5.04 |
| Salomon X Ultra 3 Low Aero | $120 | 8.40/10 | 25.75 oz / 730 g | 11 mm | No | 5.50 |
Shoe Notes: Even if you knew for certain that each pair of your shoes would last you 700 mi / 1,125 km, buying yourself four pairs of shoes at the start of the hike would be a risky decision – 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.
Highest-rated PCT Socks
The favorite sock among PCT hikers this year was the WRIGHTSOCK CoolMesh II Quarter. These have a light cushion and are made of 70% polyester, 27% nylon, 3% Lycra spandex. They are also the least-expensive socks on the list.
| SOCKS | PRICE | RATING | WEIGHT (PAIR) | MATERIALS | CUSHIONING |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WRIGHTSOCK CoolMesh II Quarter | $14 | 9.67/10 | N/A | 70% polyester, 27% nylon, 3% Lycra spandex | Light |
| Injinji Trail Midweight Mini-Crew | $16 | 9.13/10 | N/A | 58% Nylon, 39% CoolMax polyester, 3% Lycra spandex | Medium |
| Darn Tough 1/4 Cushion | $18 | 9.07/10 | 2 oz / 57 g | 61% merino wool, 37% nylon, 2% Lycra spandex | Medium |
| Smartwool Hike Light Crew | $19 | 8.80/10 | N/A | 69% merino wool, 30% nylon, 1% elastane | Light |
Highest-rated PCT Fleeces
This. is my first year including fleeces as part of the gear survey, but as they’re something a lot of hikers bring with them on their thru-hikes, I feel it will be helpful to include them here. The Patagonia R1 Pullover was the most popular fleece this year – a half-zip, hoodless, single-chest-pocketed, fleece that runs $129 and weighs 11.7 oz / 332 g.
| FLEECE | PRICE | RATING | WEIGHT | MATERIALS | ZIP | POCKETS | HOOD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patagonia R1 Pullover | $129 | 9.89/10 | 11.7 oz / 332 g | 93% recycled polyester, 7% spandex | Half | 1 zippered chest | No |
| Melanzana Microgrid Hoodie | $73 | 9.60/10 | 12.2 oz / 346 g (L) | 100% polyester | No | Kangaroo | Yes |
| Kuiu Peloton 97 | $99 | 9.50/10 | 5 oz / 142 g | 100%(?) polyester | Half | None | Yes |
| The North Face TKA Glacier Quarter-Zip Pullover | $59 | 9.33/10 | 7.6 oz / 215 g | 70D x 70D recycled polyester | Quarter | 2 hand | No |
| Arc’teryx Delta LT Zip-Neck Pullover | $115 | 7.25/10 | 9.3 oz / 265 g | Polartec Classic 100 (100% polyester) | Half | 1 arm | No |
Highest-rated PCT Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs)
Not all hikers carry personal locator beacons (or satellite messaging devices), but most probably should. The Garmin inReach Mini was the favorite on the Pacific Crest Trail this year. It has an easy-to-use mobile app, two-way messaging, offers tracking features, and weighs just 3.5 oz / 99 g. It requires a subscription that can be paid monthly or annually.
| PLB | PRICE | RATING | WEIGHT | MESSAGING | MAPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin inReach Mini | $350 | 8.47/10 | 3.5 oz / 99 g | Two-way | No |
| Garmin inReach Explorer+ | $450 | 8.30/10 | 7.5 oz / 213 g | Two-way | Yes |
| SPOT Gen3* | $150 | 6.29/10 | 5 oz / 142 g | One-way (presets) | No |
*The Spot Gen3 has been replaced with the Spot Gen4 which is said to have more tracking features, a new enhanced mapping interface, and improved water resistance.
The Most Common PCT Gear
Now that we’ve looked at which pieces of gear hikers liked best, let’s examine what gear was the most commonly used by Pacific Crest Trail hikers. Remember, this is the most commonly used gear – simply because something was common, this does not necessarily translate to it automatically being the “best” (or even good). That said, it probably does translate into it being cool – so there’s that.
The only piece of gear to occupy both the highest-rated and most common position is the Sawyer Squeeze. That said, there is still a lot of overlap between the highest-rated and the most commonly used pieces of gear.
The Most Common PCT Gear List
- Backpack: Osprey Exos (44.4 oz / 1.259 kg | $220)
- Shelter: Zpacks Duplex (19 oz / 539 g | $599)
- Sleeping bag: Enlightened Equipment Revelation (20.88 oz / 592 g | $280)
- Sleeping pad: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite (12 oz / 340 g | $185)
- Insulated jacket: Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 (Hooded) (8.8 oz / 250 g | $325)
- Shell: Outdoor Research Helium II (6.4 oz / 180 g | $159)
- Fleece: Melanzana Microgrid Hoodie (12.2 oz / 346 g (L) | $73)
- Stove: MSR PocketRocket 2 (2.4 oz / 68 g | $45)
- Water treatment: Sawyer Squeeze (3 oz / 85 g / $35)
- Trekking poles: Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork (18 oz / 510 g / $130)
- Ice axe: CAMP USA Corsa (7.2 oz / 204 g | $120)
- Traction device: Kahtoola MICROspikes (11 oz / 312 g | $70)
- Bear canister: BearVault BV500 (41 oz / 1.162 kg | $80)
- Shoes: Altra Lone Peak (21 oz / 595 g | $120)
- Socks: Darn Tough 1/4 Cushion (2 oz / 57 g | $18)
- PLB: Garmin inReach Explorer+ (7.5 oz / 213 g | $450)
Total weight – Big 3 (pack, shelter, sleeping bag): 5 lbs 4.28 oz / 2.389 kg
Total weight – Big 4 (Big 3 + sleeping pad): 6 lbs 0.28 oz / 2.729 kg
All gear (outside Sierra)*: 8 lbs 8.55 oz / 3.871 kg
All gear^: 12 lbs 3.74 oz / 5.549 kg
*This does not include ice axe, traction, bear canister, poles, shoes, or socks
^This does not include poles, shoes, or socks
In addition to the items noted above, these total base weights (that is, a backpack’s weight minus food, water, and consumables – like poop paper) are missing gear (headlamp, extra clothing, electronics, etc.). It brings us over halfway to the year’s average starting base weight of 18 lbs 0.8 oz / 8.187 kg. Also, the stove included in this list, the MSR PocketRocket 2, does not include the weight of a pot.
The total price of all this gear? $2,909 (this includes one pair of shoes). The average hikers spent prior to beginning their hikes? $1,614 (M = $1,500 | σ = $1,231). Clearly, most hikers had gear prior to beginning their plans for a PCT thru-hike.
Now, a detailed look at the most common pieces of gear in each of the following categories: backpacks, shelters, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, insulated jackets, shells, stoves, water treatments, trekking poles, ice axes, traction systems, bear canisters, shoes, socks, fleeces, and PLBs.
Most Common PCT Backpacks
The Osprey Exos was the most common backpack on the Pacific Crest Trail this year – for the second year in a row. It is a 43.4 oz / 1.230 kg pack capable of carrying up to 58 L and 40 lbs / 18 kg of gear. The women’s version of this pack (despite this one being marketed as unisex), the Osprey Eja, was one of the highest-rated packs this year.
| BACKPACK | PRICE | RATING | WEIGHT | LITERS | MAX LOAD | ACCESS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osprey Exos | $220 | 7.40/10 | 43.4 oz / 1.230 kg | 58 | 40 lbs / 18 kg | Top |
| ULA Circuit | $255 | 9.31/10 | 41 oz / 1.162 kg | 68 | 35 lbs / 16 kg | Top |
| Gossamer Gear Mariposa | $270 | 8.54/10 | 32.7 oz / 927 g | 60 | 35 lbs / 16 kg | Top |
| Osprey Atmos AG | $240 | 7.70/10 | 69 oz / 1.956 kg | 50 | 40 lbs / 18 kg | Top/Bottom |
| Hyperlite Mountain Gear Windrider | $345 | 8.43/10 | 31.82 oz / 902 g | 55 | 40 lbs / 18 kg | Top |
Most Common PCT Shelters
The Zpacks Duplex was the most common shelter on the PCT this year. It’s a $600, two-person, side-entry, 19 oz / 539 g shelter that requires you to use two trekking poles to set up. This was also the most common shelter on the PCT last year. It’s made from .51 oz/yd² Dyneema Composite Fabric and required eight stakes to be set up (not included in the $600 price tag).
| SHELTER | PRICE | RATING | WEIGHT | PACKED SIZE | HEIGHT | FLOOR | FREESTANDING |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zpacks Duplex | $599 | 8.48/10 | 19 oz / 539 g | 7 x 13 in / 18 x 33 cm | 48 in / 122 cm | 28 ft² / 2.6 m² | No |
| Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 | $400 | 9/10 | 35 oz / 992 g | 5.5 x 18 in / 14 x 46 cm | 39 in / 99 cm | 28 ft² / 2.6 m² | Semi |
| Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1 | $380 | 9.5/10 | 34 oz / 964 g | 5.5 x 17 in / 14 x 43 cm | 38 in / 96.5 cm | 20 ft² / 1.86 m² | Yes |
| NEMO Hornet 2 | $370 | 7.63/10 | 38 oz / 1.077 kg | 5.5 x 19.5 in / 14 x 50 cm | 39 in / 99 cm | 27.5 ft² / 2.55 m² | Semi |
| Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 | $450 | 7.57/10 | 43 oz / 1.219 kg | 4 x 19 in / 10 x 48 cm | 38 in / 96.5 cm | 20 ft² / 1.86 m² | Semi |
Shelter Notes: For the weight of each shelter, I have used the packed weight – that is, the weight of the shelter including stuff sacks, guy lines, and stakes.
Most Common PCT Sleeping Bags
The Enlightened Equipment Revelation was the most common sleeping bag (quilt) on the PCT 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).
| SLEEPING BAG | PRICE | RATING | WEIGHT | TEMPERATURE | FILL | FILL WEIGHT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enlightened Equipment Revelation | $280 | 8.44/10 | 20.88 oz / 592 g | 20°F / -6°C | 950-fill duck down | 14.41 oz / 409 g |
| Enlightened Equipment Enigma | $315 | 8.69/10 | 21.19 oz / 601 g | 20°F / -6°C | 950-fill duck down | 13.83 oz / 392 g |
| REI Co-op Magma 15 | $379 | 8.00/10 | 36 oz / 1.021 kg | 17°F / -8.3°C | 850-fill goose down | 23.45 oz / 665 g |
| Katabatic Flex | $410 | 9.56/10 | 25.5 oz / 723 g | 15°F / -9.44°C | 900-fill goose down | 16.9 oz / 479 g |
| Western Mountaineering Versalite | $605 | 9.40/10 | 32 oz / 907 g | 10°F / -12°C | 850-fill goose down | 20 oz / 565 g |
Most Common PCT Sleeping Pads
The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite was the most common sleeping pad among Pacific Crest 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 third-most-common pad on the trail this year.
| SLEEPING PAD | PRICE | RATING | WEIGHT | R-VALUE | TYPE | PACKED SIZE | THICKNESS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite | $185 | 8.11/10 | 12 oz / 340 g | 4.2 | Air | 4.1 x 9 in / 10 x 23 cm | 2.5 in / 6.4 cm |
| Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite Sol | $45 | 7.86/10 | 14 oz / 397 g | 2 | Foam | 8 x 3 in / 20 x 8 cm | 0.75 in / 1.9 cm |
| Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite (Women’s) | $175 | 8.77/10 | 12 oz / 340 g | 5.4 | Air | 9 x 4.1 in / 23 x 10 cm | 2.5 in / 6.4 cm |
| Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm | $215 | 8.60/10 | 15 oz / 425 g | 6.9 | Air | 9 x 4 in / 23 x 10 cm | 2.5 in / 6.4 cm |
| Sea to Summit UltraLight Insulated | $140 | 9.33/10 | 16.9 oz / 480 g | 3.1 | Air | 4 x 9 in / 10 x 23 cm | 2 in / 5 cm |
Most Common PCT Insulated Jackets
The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 (Hooded) was the most common jacket among PCT hikers this year. The jacket uses 800-fill goose down with a hip-length back, nylon shell, and two zippered hand pockets. The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 (without a hood) took the third-most-popular spot this year. Between the two of them, the Ghost Whisperer was the clear hiker uniform in 2020. Men’s / Women’s
| JACKET | PRICE | RATING | WEIGHT | INSULATION | HOOD | POCKETS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 Hooded | $325 | 9.25/10 | 8.8 oz / 249 g | 800-fill goose down | Yes | 2 zippered hand |
| Enlightened Equipment Torrid APEX Jacket | $170 | 9.64/10 | 8.4 oz / 238 g | Climashield APEX | Yes | 2 zippered hand |
| Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 | $300 | 9.88/10 | 8.3 oz / 235 g | 800-fill goose down | No | 2 zippered hand |
| Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody | $299 | 8.88/10 | 9.3 oz / 264 g | 65-g PlumaFill 100% polyester | Yes | 2 zippered hand / 2 internal drop |
| Patagonia Nano Puff | $199 | 9.17/10 | 11.9 oz / 337 g | 60-g PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Eco 55-100% post-consumer recycled polyester | No | 2 zippered hand / 1 internal zippered chest |
Most Common PCT Shells
The Outdoor Research Helium II was the most common shell (that’s a fancy name for rain jackets) on the PCT this year. It’s a 6.4 oz / 182 g jacket made with a 2.5-layer Pertex waterproof breathable laminate. There aren’t pit zips, and you have just a single zippered chest pocket, It was also the lowest-rated rain jacket besides the second-most-common shell, the Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite2 which is hardly in the same league as the rest of the jackets. But hey, do what makes you happy. Men’s / Women’s
| SHELL | PRICE | RATING | WEIGHT | FABRIC | PIT ZIPS | POCKETS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoor Research Helium II | $159 | 7.70/10 | 6.4 oz / 182 g | 2.5-layer Pertex waterproof breathable laminate | No | 1 zippered chest |
| Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite2 | $25 | 6.88/10 | 5.5 oz / 156 g | Three-layer polypropylene | No | None |
| Marmot PreCip Eco | $100 | 8.83/10 | 10.1 oz / 268 g | NanoPro Eco | Yes | 2 zippered hand |
| Patagonia Torrentshell 3L | $149 | 9.43/10 | 13.9 oz / 394 g | H2No Performance Standard shell | Yes | 2 zippered hand |
| Montbell Versalite | $200 | 9.00/10 | 6.4 oz / 182 g | Gore-Tex Infinium Windstopper | Yes | 2 zippered hand |
Most Common PCT Stoves
The MSR PocketRocket 2 was the most common stove on the Pacific Crest Trail this year. It’s a 2.6 oz / 74 g canister stove that you need a lighter to ignite. The push-button start version, the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe, was the third-most-common stove. The reported boil time for one liter of water is 3.5 minutes.
| STOVE | PRICE | RATING | WEIGHT | TYPE | DIMENSIONS | INTEGRATED POT | PUSH-BUTTON START |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSR PocketRocket 2 | $45 | 9.64/10 | 2.6 oz / 74 g | Canister | 7.25 x 5 x 4 in / 19 x 12.6 x 10.2 cm | No | No |
| Jetboil Flash | $100 | 9.43/10 | 13.1 oz / 371 g | Canister | 7.1 x 4.1 in / 18 x 10.4 cm | Yes | Yes |
| MSR PocketRocket Deluxe | $70 | 9.33/10 | 2.9 oz / 82 g | Canister | 3.3 x 2.2 x 1.8 in / 8.4 x 5.6 x 4.6 cm | No | Yes |
| SOTO WindMaster | $65 | 9.78/10 | 2.3 oz / 66 g | Canister | 2.5 x 1.3 x 1.8 in / 6.4 x 3.4 x 4.6 cm | No | Yes |
| BRS-3000T | $17 | 8.56/10 | 0.88 oz / 25 g | Canister | 1.97 x 1.18 x 1.3 in / 5 x 3 x 3.3 cm | No | No |
Most Common PCT Water Treatment
The Sawyer Squeeze was (by far) the most common Pacific Crest Trail water filter this year – of the fourth year in a row. It’s a $35, 3 oz / 85 g hollow fiber filter that rids your drinking water of protozoa and bacteria (and floaties). It can be used with the Sawyer bags (included with the filter) or with compatible water bottles (Smartwater is the bottle of choice for many hikers). The Sawyer comes in two smaller sizes as well, the Sawyer Micro and the Sawyer MINI.
| WATER TREATMENT | PRICE | RATING | WEIGHT | TYPE | DIMENSIONS | MEDIUM | REMOVES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sawyer Squeeze | $35 | 9.01/10 | 3 oz / 85 g | Squeeze/Straw | 2 x 5 in / 5 x 13 cm | Hollow fiber | Protozoa and bacteria |
| Katadyn BeFree | $40 | 8.21/10 | 2.3 oz / 65 g | Bottle | 11.3 x 3.5 x 2.8 in / 29 x 9 x 7 cm | Hollow fiber | Protozoa and bacteria |
| Sawyer MINI | $20 | 9.09/10 | 2 oz / 57 g | Squeeze/Straw | 1 x 5 in / 2.5 x 6.6 cm | Hollow fiber | Protozoa and bacteria |
| Sawyer Micro | $28 | 6.33/10 | 2.5 oz / 71 g | Squeeze/Straw | 1 x 6 in / 2.5 x 15 cm | Hollow fiber | Protozoa and bacteria |
Most Common PCT Trekking Poles
The Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork were the most common trekking poles on the PCT this year. They have an aluminum shaft, foam grips, an external lever lock, weigh 18 oz / 510 g, and collapse down to 27 in / 69 cm.
| TREKKING POLES | PRICE | RATING | WEIGHT (PAIR) | SHAFT MATERIAL | HANDLE MATERIAL | COLLAPSED LENGTH | LOCKING MECHANISM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork | $130 | 9.41/10 | 18 oz / 510 g | Aluminum | Cork | 27 in / 69 cm | External lever lock |
| Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork | $180 | 9.19/10 | 17.1 oz / 485 g | Carbon fiber | Cork | 24 in / 61 cm | External lever lock |
| Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber | $60 | 9.04/10 | 15.6 oz / 442 g | Carbon fiber | Cork | 26 in / 66 cm | External lever lock |
| Black Diamond Trail | $100 | 7.07/10 | 17.3 oz / 490 g | Aluminum | Cork | 25 in / 64 cm | FlickLock |
| REI Co-op Flash Carbon | $139 | 8.80/10 | 14.8 oz / 420 g | Carbon fiber | Foam | 27 in / 69 cm | External lever lock |
Most Common PCT Ice Axes
The CAMP USA Corsa was the most-commonly found ice axe on the Pacific Crest Trail this year. It’s the lightest ice axe on the list at 7.2 oz / 204 g and has an all-aluminum construction. The $120 axe has a straight shaft and comes in lengths of 50, 60, and 70 cm.
| ICE AXE | PRICE | RATING | WEIGHT | MATERIAL | LENGTHS | SHAFT SHAPE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAMP USA Corsa | $120 | 8.75/10 | 7.2 oz / 204 g | Aluminum head/shaft | 50, 60, 70 cm | Straight |
| Black Diamond Raven | $85 | 8.56/10 | 15.9 oz / 452 g | Stainless-steel head/aluminum shaft | 60, 65, 70, 75 cm | Straight |
| Grivel G1 | $75 | 8/10 | 15.8 oz / 449 g | Carbon steel/Ergal 7075 aluminum | 58, 66, 74 cm | Straight |
| Petzl Glacier Literide | $100 | 9.33/10 | 11.3 oz / 320 g | Heat-treated steel/aluminum 7075 | 50 cm | Straight |
| Black Diamond Raven Pro | $110 | 5.33/10 | 13.8 oz / 392 g | Stainless-steel head and spike/aluminum 7075-T6 shaft | 55, 60, 65, 70 cm | Curved |
Most Common PCT Traction Systems
The Kahtoola MICROspikes Traction System was the most common traction system on the Pacific Crest Trail this year (in addition to being the highest-rated). It’s an over-the-shoe, spikes-on-the-bottom system that weighs 13.1 oz / 371 g. It comes in four sizes and has stainless steel spikes.
| TRACTION DEVICE | PRICE | RATING | WEIGHT | MATERIAL | SIZES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kahtoola MICROspikes Traction System | $70 | 9.26/10 | 13.1 oz / 371 g | Stainless steel, elastomer | S, M, L, XL |
| Kahtoola K 10 Hiking Crampons | $100 | 4.47/5 | 21.5 oz / 610 g | 4131 Chromoly steel | One size |
| Hillsound Trail Crampons | $70 | 8.00/10 | 15.7 oz / 445 g | Carbon steel, stainless steel, elastomer | S, M, L, XL |
| Snowline Light Chainsen Crampon | $60 | 8.00/10 | 8.57 oz / 243 g | Stainless steel, elastomer | S, M, L, XL |
| Yaktrax Pro Traction System | $30 | 7.00/10 | 4.4 oz / 125 g | Rubber and steel | S, M, L, XL |
Most Common PCT Bear Canisters
The BearVault BV500 was the most common bear canister on the Pacific Crest Trail this year (for the fourth year in a row). It has an 11.5 L capacity and is made from polycarbonate (transparent blue plastic). The lid can be removed without any tools (or coins) and measures 12.7 x 8.7 in / 32 x 22 cm.
| BEAR CANISTER | PRICE | RATING | WEIGHT | CAPACITY | MATERIAL | DIMENSIONS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BearVault BV500 | $80 | 7.48/10 | 41 oz / 1.162 kg | 11.5 L | Polycarbonate | 12.7 x 8.7 in / 32 x 22 cm |
| BearVault BV450 | $70 | 9.00/10 | 33 oz / 935 g | 7.2 L | Polycarbonate | 8.7 x 8.3 in / 22 x 21 cm |
| Bearikade Weekender | $288 | 9.71/10 | 31 oz / 879 g | 10.6 L | Carbon fiber | 10.5 x 9 in / 27 x 23 cm |
| Bearikade Expedition | $350 | 9.67/10 | 36 oz / 1.021 kg | 14.7 L | Carbon fiber | 14.5 x 9 in / 37 x 23 cm |
| Garcia Bear-Resistant Container | $75 | 8.00/10 | 43 oz / 1.219 kg | 10 L | ABS polymer | 12 x 8.8 in / 30 x 22 cm |
Bear canister notes: Bear canisters must be carried north of Lone Pine, but most hikers begin carrying them at Kennedy Meadows. Bear canisters have to be used south of Bridgeport – accessible via Sonora Pass. However, one additional place they must be carried is in Lassen Volcanic National Park (but only if you plan on camping in the park).
Most Common PCT Shoes
The Altra Lone Peak was the most common shoe on the feet of Pacific Crest Trail hikers this year – for the fourth year in a row. They cost $120 per pair, have a 0 mm heel-toe drop, and weigh 21 oz / 595 g per pair. On average, thru-hikers burned through 5.04 of these on the trail. Men’s / Women’s
| SHOES | PRICE | RATING | WEIGHT (PAIR) | HEEL-TOE DROP | WATERPROOF | AVERAGE NUMBER USED |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altra Lone Peak | $120 | 8.54/10 | 21 oz / 595 g | 0 mm | No | 5.04 |
| HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat | $145 | 8.36/10 | 21.6 oz / 612 g | 4 mm | No | 5.50 |
| Topo Athletic Terraventure | $120 | 7.56/10 | 21.6 oz / 612 g | 3 mm | No | 4.80 |
| Merrell Moab 2 Vent (Low) | $100 | 9.17/10 | 31 oz / 879 g | — | No | 3.00 |
| Brooks Cascadia | $130 | 8.67/10 | 21.4 oz / 607 g | 8 mm | No | 5.00 |
Shoe Notes: Even if you knew for certain that each pair of your shoes would last you 700 mi / 1,125 km, buying yourself four pairs of shoes at the start of the hike would be a risky decision – 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.
Most Common PCT Socks
This is my first year collecting data on socks and the most-commonly found sock on the Pacific Crest Trail is no surprise, it’s the Darn Tough 1/4 Cushion. They are made of 61% merino wool, 37% nylon, 2% Lycra spandex, have a medium cushion, cost $18 a pair, and have an unconditional lifetime guarantee. Men’s / Women’s
| SOCKS | PRICE | RATING | WEIGHT (PAIR) | MATERIALS | CUSHIONING |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darn Tough 1/4 Cushion | $18 | 9.07/10 | 2 oz / 57 g | 61% merino wool, 37% nylon, 2% Lycra spandex | Medium |
| Injinji Trail Midweight Mini-Crew | $16 | 9.13/10 | N/A | 58% Nylon, 39% CoolMax polyester, 3% Lycra spandex | Medium |
| Smartwool Hike Light Crew | $19 | 8.80/10 | N/A | 69% merino wool, 30% nylon, 1% elastane | Light |
| WRIGHTSOCK CoolMesh II Quarter | $14 | 9.67/10 | N/A | 70% polyester, 27% nylon, 3% Lycra spandex | Light |
Most Common PCT Fleeces
As with socks, this is the first year I’m including fleeces as part of the gear survey, and as with socks, the most common fleece is no surprise – the Melanzana Microgrid Hoodie. Despite only being available locally at their store in Leadville, Colorado (with the exception of this year), most hikers who had a fleece had a Melly – a 12.2 oz / 346 g (L) pullover with a hood and a kangaroo pocket in the front.
| FLEECE | PRICE | RATING | WEIGHT | MATERIALS | ZIP | POCKETS | HOOD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melanzana Microgrid Hoodie | $73 | 9.60/10 | 12.2 oz / 346 g (L) | 100% polyester | No | Kangaroo | Yes |
| Patagonia R1 Pullover | $129 | 9.89/10 | 11.7 oz / 332 g | 93% recycled polyester, 7% spandex | Half | 1 zippered chest | No |
| Kuiu Peloton 97 | $99 | 9.50/10 | 5 oz / 142 g | 100%(?) polyester | Half | None | Yes |
| Arc’teryx Delta LT Zip-Neck Pullover | $115 | 7.25/10 | 25.75 oz / 730 g | Polartec Classic 100 (100% polyester) | Half | 1 arm | No |
| The North Face TKA Glacier Quarter-Zip Pullover | $59 | 9.33/10 | 7.6 oz / 215 g | 70D x 70D recycled polyester | Quarter | 2 hand | No |
Most Common PCT Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs)
The Garmin inReach Explorer+ was the most common personal locator beacon on the Pacific Crest Trail this year. The waterproof Explorer+ is a serious piece of equipment that can be used for two-way messaging, navigation, tracking, and as an SOS device. It weighs 7.5 oz / 213 g and requires a monthly (or annual) subscription to function at full capacity.
| PLB | PRICE | RATING | WEIGHT | MESSAGING | MAPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin inReach Explorer+ | $450 | 8.30/10 | 7.5 oz / 213 g | Two-way | Yes |
| Garmin inReach Mini | $350 | 8.47/10 | 3.5 oz / 99 g | Two-way | No |
| SPOT Gen3* | $150 | 6.29/10 | 5 oz / 142 g | One-way (presets) | No |
*The Spot Gen3 has been replaced with the Spot Gen4 which is said to have more tracking features, a new enhanced mapping interface, and improved water resistance.
Highest-rated vs. Most Common Gear
How do the highest-rated and most common Pacific Crest Trail gear lists stack up? As with previous years, it appears most hikers opted for lighter gear, but that those who carried heavier gear were often happy with their choices. The eternal struggle between comfort and weight in the world of thru-hiking marches forward.
| PCT GEAR | HIGHEST-RATED | MOST COMMON |
|---|---|---|
| Total cost | $2,853 | $2,440 |
| Total weight – Big 3 | 8 lbs / 3.629 kg | 5 lbs 3.94 oz / 2.380 kg |
| Total weight – Big 4 | 9 lbs 0.94 oz / 4.108 kg | 5 lbs 15.94 oz / 2.720 kg |
| All PCT gear (outside Sierra)* | 10 lbs 10.2 oz / 4.825 kg | 7 lbs 4.74 oz / 3.310 kg |
| All PCT gear^ | 13 lbs 15.56 oz / 6.338 kg | 11 lbs 3.37 oz / 5.085 kg |
NOTE: The shelter used in the “Most Common PCT Gear” list requires two trekking poles and eight stakes to be set up (not included in the base weight). The highest-rated tent is freestanding and does not require trekking poles.
*This does not include ice axe, traction, bear canister, poles, shoes, or socks
^This does not include poles, shoes, or socks
Base Weights
Base weight. The thing that completely defines some hikers and that others have difficulty defining. Basically, how much your backpack weighs when fully loaded with your gear, minus food, water, and/or consumable weight.
You can find hikers that will tell you that the best gear is the lightest gear and that there’s no benefit to carrying any “unnecessary” weight in your pack. You can also find hikers that 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.
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 deserves to fall down stairs.
| THRU | THRU-1 | THRU-0 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| BASE WEIGHT (START) | 18.05 lbs / 8.187 kg | 18.95 lbs / 8.596 kg | 15.88 lbs / 7.203 kg |
| BASE WEIGHT (END) | 16.46 lbs / 7.466 kg | 16.94 lbs / 7.684 kg | 14.96 lbs / 6.786 kg |
| CHANGE (%) | 1.59 lbs / 721 g -8.8% | 2.01 lbs / 912 g -10.6% | 0.92 lbs / 417 g -5.8% |
Gear Stats
We’ve gone over the highest-rated gear, most-common gear, and the base weights of hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail this year, and now we’re going to talk a bit about some gear specifics.
Average Backpack Size
First, a bit about backpacks. Hikers’ most common complaints when it came to backpacks this year? Packs were uncomfortable with heavy loads, packs were too heavy (as in the packs themselves), and chafing at the hips. How can you avoid these same woes on the trail? Probably the best advice you can give anyone preparing for a thru-hike – get out there with your pack on and hike (with a heavy load).
THRU
54.1
(M = 55 | σ = 11)
THRU-1
55.3
(M = 55 | σ = 10)
THRU-0
53.1
(M = 57 | σ = 12)
Hikers Using Fully Freestanding Shelter
What’s a freestanding shelter? It’s a 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 UL3, is freestanding. This year’s most common, the Zpacks Duplex, is not. There are also shelters that are semi-freestanding, like the second-most-common shelter, the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2. This means that it will stand on its own without stakes, but requires stakes to be properly set up.
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).
THRU
46%
THRU-1
48%
THRU-0
42%
Sleeping Bag Temperatures
All of the highest-rated and most common sleeping bags (and quilts) on the Pacific Crest Trail this year were between 10°F and 20°F (-12.2°C to -6.7°C). Which bag will be best for you depends on a lot – how warm of a sleeper are you? Which sleeping pad do you have? Are you sleeping in your clothes? With another person? In a small tent? Big tent? With a dog? Sasquatch? Here’s what this year’s class had.
THRU
17.8°F
-7.9°C
(M = 18/-7.8 | σ = 7.67)
THRU-1
18.2°F
-7.7°C
(M = 19/-7.2 | σ = 7.37)
THRU-0
17.6°F
-8°C
(M = 18.5/-7.5 | σ = 8.06)
Stoves on the PCT
It may come as a shock to some of you, 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.
- 78.8% Carried a stove
- 9.6% Stoveless the entire trail
- 9.6% Started with a stove but went stoveless at some point
- 1.9% Stove for Sierra only
Luxury Items
Pacific Crest Trail hikers obsess over their gear lists and what goes into their packs, but most everyone has something that could be considered a luxury item by someone else. Some people believe their phone to be an essential and multifunctional piece of gear while others may scoff at the idea of using one to take photos, listen to music, and use GPS in the wilderness. Here are the most popular “luxury items” on the trail this year.
- Battery pack 89.94%
- Pillow 53.46%
- Camp shoes 50.31%
- Journal 26.42%
- Towel 25.79%
- Massage ball 22.64%
- Sleeping bag liner 20.75%
- Town clothes 11.32%
- Deodorant 8.81%
- Book 7.55%
- Kindle 7.55%
- Fishing pole 4.40%
- Down pants 3.14%
- Cards 1.89%
- Harmonica 0.63%
Gear Advice
To wrap up this portion of the gear breakdown (posts on couples’ gear and gear broken down by gender are on the way), I have advice from this year’s PCT Class on gear choices and gear lists for future PCT hikers.
- A bug head net is an absolute must.
- Rawlogy cork massage ball was a VIP piece of gear.
- I used a fanny pack, it was PRICELESS.
- Gear matters a lot less than the internet will have you believe. Make sure you are buying high quality and light items, but the specific flavor of shelter or backpack or trekking poles will not make or break your hike. Physical and mental strength will get you to Canada, not a $600 shelter.
- Don’t be afraid to pack a bunch of stuff, you can always mail it back home!
- I used a bidet, not TP.
- Badger Balm magically prevents blisters and rot and halts butt chaffing on the spot.
- My down pants were a lifesaver on cold nights – especially useful in the desert and in Washington.
- If you’re happy with what you have, don’t stress, and don’t let anyone tell you you’re wrong. Just try to be efficient so you don’t carry dead weight – the meaning of “dead weight” is different for each person!
For more on gear, check out the Ultimate Pacific Crest Trail Packing List.
Support the Survey
Every year, I get a lot of people asking how to support the surveys. 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 Venmo @halfwayanywhere, Cash app $halfwayanywhere, or PayPal moc.erehwynayawflah@tcatnoc
This is not expected. The data collected in the survey will always be free and accessible to everyone who wants/needs it. Your support is much appreciated and helps pay the website (and survey) bills.
If there is anything you can think of that would make this information more useful (or any more gear-related cross-referencing you would like to see), then please leave a comment below and let me know.
Pacific Crest Trail Survey Collection
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I’m currently researching shoes and would love to see more than the 5 you list. Is it possible to have access to additional data? Also, since the shoe budget can be greatly affected by how many miles you get out of each pair, it would be nice to see the top shoes for “miles per dollar” based on cost per pair and number of pairs per thru-hike. Thanks!
Awesome feedback! I have just published the Class of 2021 results which has a lot more data as far as shoes go. I will also follow things up with a more detailed post on shoes where I break down miles/$.
Here’s the new data: https://www.halfwayanywhere.com/trails/pacific-crest-trail/pct-gear-guide-2021/
Looks like the Arc’teryx Delta LT fleece has the incorrect weight listed. I carried it on my PCT thru, and I think its closer to 10 oz than 25. (9.7 oz on the Arc’teryx website I think?) Thanks for making this list every year!
Right you are – fixed! Working on this year’s right now!
I don’t understand how the Mini got rated higher than the Micro. I’ve hiked with both and we now have two Micros we carry and the Minis are destined for a hiker box.
Of course my wife and I are finishing up the AT this year (249 miles to go) and won’t do the PCT until next year but I’m really curious.
it would be interesting adding something like `success rate` to each gear listed … for example, it seems osprey exos is not really that well-loved … but if there is 95% success rate, maybe it doesn’t matter … just a suggestion :)
This is a good idea, indeed. And I wouldn’t even need to ask anymore questions! That said, it would be more interesting than anything…like most of the data :)
Mac, thanks for the fantastic survey as usual! I use these to research gear for general backpacking as well, and they’ve been indispensable. Being able to balance satisfaction ratings against cost, I’ve been able to put together a great loadout for a decent price.
Happy to hear you’ve been making good use of the data!
I don’t know if it’s been done before, but I would love a question about how many mAh people had in their battery packs, on average, and if they were happy with it! Just came back from a 4 day and a half snowshoeing trip and somehow managed to get through my entire 10000 mAh pack that I have no problem taking in summer despite being careful, airplane mode, and keeping things warm. It’s made me concerned – maybe I get access to ressuplies too often in the summer and just didn’t notice – so I really want to know what people do for 7 day stretches!
I’ve seen 20,000mAh plenty on the trails, and in Lighterpack loadouts. Seems like a lot of people carry multiple electronics: headlamp, phone, camera, PLB, smartwatch, bluetooth headphones, Kindle. Bloggers seem to go as high as 30k-40k mAh due to all their camera gear.
On the note of keeping batteries warm, unless it’s in your coat while hiking and in your sleeping bag at night, you’re likely going to see a noticeable drain in the colder months. Daytime temps of 40-50F are enough to make an impact, and one night of near freezing temps can drop a 10,000maH battery to zero charge.
Is there a reason “lowest-rated gear” didn’t make it on the survey this year?
There wasn’t enough data from people who were actually on the trail this year to provide any definitive “lowest-rated gear”. Hopefully, it will make a comeback in 2021 :)
The list reads like a how to on spending just about as much as you can for thru hiking gear. For virtually the same weight, there are all sorts of great, durable and highly rated options that cost $1000 less or more. Apparently hikers were forbidden from watching anything on budget backpacking, even ultralight.
Sure?
@christopherhaak:disqus . . . It would be nice if you also included links to reviews rather than just making a statement like that. I watch many reviews on cheaper gear and read reviews as well and I still choose to by based on suitability rather than price. I did buy the lightest and cheapest stove . . . to bad I don’t carry a stove.
There are at least 10 reviews on youtube for gear lists that are light (not ultralight) for as low as $320. For $500 there are multiple ultralight gear lists. My own gear was about $400 for the big three and cooking. There is absolutely no need now to spend the kind of money that folks are spending. You can get very good quality gear that is extremely light for ~$500 and for a little bit more get absolutely fantastic gear. Clothing wise, you can get great gear at both SAM’s and Costco that is virtually identical to the big $ stuff in many of these lists. Some people just have way too much money to spend, or want to be trendy.
When you make a claim, it’s on you to also provide the data. You haven’t done that. Post some links to these lists so others can benefit from your vast knowledge, rather than making the same statement over again.
Good stuff as always. It may be of interest to note that the Petzl LightRide is just the shortest (50cm) of the PetzlGlacier Ice axes if you like the axe but want a longer handle (60, 68, 75) for a little extra weight and an included tether. Also the CAMP Corsa has been redesigned for winter 2020 season addressing some of its common complaints and splitting it into three variants CORSA, CORSA RACE and CORSA ALPINE. It seems REI is currently still selling the older model.
All good to know! Looking forward to seeing the new gear.
Looks like a lot of people have blown off UL, and you need to double check your Copper Spur tent weights.
Check and check. Thank you!
i think they are still wrong ;) either you had in mind copper spur 2
not 3 or you need to update the weight, it’s about 1800g, not 1500 as
you suggest :)
I believe you but I cannot seem to find where it is I’ve made this mistake – care to point it out?