The Pacific Crest Trail Gear Guide: Class of 2021 Survey

Notes on the data

• This year’s survey boasts 654 completed surveys – a 41% increase vs. last year.
• 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 PCT.
• 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 PCT for a calculation (e.g. mileage/day), I use 2,660 mi / 4,280 km.
• More detailed posts focused on PCT Gear (including breakdowns of women-specific gear and couples’ gear), 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

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 Pacific Crest 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 ten hikers. Why ten? Because that’s the number I arbitrarily decided on – I already told you, this isn’t scientific. If you’re interested in more common gear, you can find it below.

Highest-Rated PCT Gear List

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

• Backpack: ULA Catalyst (2.92 lbs | 1.324 kg | $300)
• Shelter: Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2 (1.94 lbs / 879 g | $370)
• Sleeping bag: Western Mountaineering UltraLite (30 oz / 850 g | $525)
• Sleeping pad: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite – Women’s (12 oz / 340 g | $200)
• Insulated jacket: Arc’teryx Cerium LT Down Hoodie – Men’s/Women’s (10.9 oz / 309 g | $379)
• Shell: Enlightened Equipment Visp – Men’s/Women’s (5.6 oz / 158 g | $200)
• Fleece: Arc’teryx Delta LT Zip Neck – Men’s/Women’s (7.8 oz / 221 g | $115)
• Shoes: Oboz Sawtooth II Low – Men’s/Women’s (31.2 oz / 885 g | $115)
• Socks: Darn Tough Light Hiker Quarter Lightweight – Men’s/Women’s ($19)
• Stove: SOTO WindMaster (2.3 oz / 65 g | $65)
• Water treatment: Platypus QuickDraw (2.2 oz / 63 g | $35)
• Bear canister: Bearikade Weekender (31 oz / 879 g | $333)
• Trekking poles: Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Z (15.8 oz / 448 g / $190)
• PLB: Garmin inReach Explorer+ (7.5 oz / 213 g | $450)
• Ice axe: CAMP USA Corsa Nanotech (8.9 oz / 252 g | $160)
• Traction: Snowline Chainsen Pro Crampon (9.1 oz / 257 g | $65)

Total weight – Big 3 (pack, shelter, sleeping bag): 6.74 lbs / 3.055 kg
Total weight – Big 4 (Big 3 + sleeping pad): 7.49 lbs / 3.395 kg

All gear (outside Sierra)*: 9.72 lbs / 4.409 kg
All gear^: 12.78 lbs / 5.866 kg
*This does not include ice axe, traction, bear canister, poles, shoes, or socks
^This does not include poles, shoes, or socks

Highest-Rated PCT Backpacks

The ULA Catalyst was the highest-rated pack on the PCT this year. It has a 75-liter capacity, weighs 2.92 lbs | 1.324 kg, can carry a maximum load of 40 lbs . 18 kg, and costs $300. It’s somewhat customizable and you can even have your name embroidered for an extra $15.

Highest-Rated PCT Shelters

The Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2 was the highest-rated shelter on the PCT this year. It’s a two-person, front-entry, semi-freestanding shelter that weighs 1.94 lbs / 879 g. Despite it being a two-person shelter, it was used frequently by solo hikers.

Highest-Rated PCT Shoes

The Oboz Sawtooth II Low (Men’s/Women’s) was the highest-rated shoe on the PCT this year. They are halfway between a boot and a trail runner and weigh 31.2 oz / 885 g per pair. On average, thru-hikers burned through five pairs of these on the trail. There’s a waterproof version available if you’re into that, and a high-top version as well.

#	SHOES	RATING	PRICE	WEIGHT	HEEL-TOE DROP	# USED
1	Oboz Sawtooth II Low (M/W)	9.50/10	$115	31.2 oz / 885 g	15 mm	5.50
2	HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat 4 (M/W)	8.75/10	$145	21.6 oz / 612 g	4 mm	4.89
3	Topo Ultraventure Pro (M/W)	8.62/10	$150	20.8 oz / 590 g	5 mm	4.89
4	Topo Ultraventure 2 (M/W)	8.59/10	$135	20.8 oz / 590 g	5 mm	4.57
5	Salomon XA Pro 3D (M/W)	8.57/10	$130	24 oz / 680 g	11 mm	4.00
6	Altra Lone Peak 4.5 (M/W)	8.44/10	N/A	21 oz / 595 g	0 mm	5.37
7	Altra Olympus 4 (M/W)	8.24/10	$170	21 oz / 595 g	0 mm	4.66
8	Altra Lone Peak 5 (M/W)	8.14/10	$130	18.4 oz / 522 g	0 mm	4.58
9	Brooks Cascadia 15 (M/W)	8.11/10	$130	22 oz / 624 g	8 mm	4.89
10	Merrell Moab 2 Ventilator (M/W)	8.08/10	$100	31 oz / 879 g	N/A	3.80

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.

Many shoe companies (Altra and Brooks, in particular) release a new version of their shoes on an annual basis. The current version 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 PCT Socks

The favorite sock among Pacific Crest Trail hikers this year was the Darn Tough Light Hiker Quarter Lightweight (Men’s/Women’s). These have a light cushion and are made of 52% nylon, 44% merino wool, and 4% spandex. The second-highest-rated sock was the crew version (Men’s/Women’s) of this same sock.

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 $333. 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 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. 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 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 / 447 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).

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 Explorer+ 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 7.5 oz / 213 g. It requires a subscription that can be paid monthly or annually.

The Most Common PCT Gear List

• Backpack: ULA Circuit (2.29 lbs | 1.038 kg | $280)
• 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 oz / 340 g | $200)
• Insulated jacket: Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 (Hooded) (M/W) (8.8 oz / 250 g | $325)
• 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: BearVault BV500 (41 oz / 1.162 kg | $93)
• 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): 4.79 lbs / 2.171 kg
Total weight – Big 4 (Big 3 + sleeping pad): 5.54 lbs / 2.511 kg

All gear (outside Sierra)*: 7.8 lbs / 3.537 kg
All gear^: 11.56 lbs / 5.244 kg
*This does not include ice axe, traction, bear canister, poles, shoes, or socks
^This does not include poles, shoes, or socks

The ULA Circuit was the most common backpack on the Pacific Crest Trail this year – for the second year in a row. It is a 2.29 lb / 1.038 kg pack capable of carrying up to 68 L and 35 lbs / 16 kg of gear. The Circuit was the third-highest-rated pack by PCT hikers this year.

Most Common PCT Shelters

The Zpacks Duplex was the most common shelter on the PCT 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 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 $700 price tag).

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).

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 and the small version was the fifth most common.

Most Common PCT Shoes

The Altra Lone Peak (Men’s/Women’s) was the most common shoe on the feet of Pacific Crest Trail hikers this year – for the fifth year in a row. They cost $140 per pair, have a 0 mm heel-toe drop, and weigh 21.2 oz / 601 g per pair. On average, thru-hikers burned through 5.04 of these on the trail.

Most Common PCT Socks

Darn Tough dominated Pacific Crest 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 PCT Bear Canisters

The BearVault BV500 was the most common bear canister on the Pacific Crest Trail this year (for the fifth 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 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 Trekking Poles

The Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork was the most common trekking pole on the Pacific Crest 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 PCT Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs)

The Garmin inReach Mini was the most common personal locator beacon on the Pacific Crest 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.

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.

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 Fly Creek HV UL2, is semi-freestanding. What does that mean? It means it can stand on its own (without being staked down), but it requires at least a few (in this case, two) stakes to be set up all the way.

This year’s most common shelter, the Zpacks Duplex, is not. 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 PCT

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.

• 70.2% Carried a stove
• 12.2% Stoveless the entire trail
• 10.9% Started with a stove but went stoveless at some point
• 4.9% Started stoveless but got stove on hike
• 1.7% 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.

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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.

Pacific Crest Trail Survey Collection

• Pacific Crest Trail Survey Results
• Gear Guide
• Women’s Gear Guide
• Couples’ Gear Guide
• Thru-Hike Resupply Guide
• Hiker Stat Breakdown
• Hiker Horror Stories
• Hikers’ Lowest Moments
• Hikers’ Best Moments
• Advice for Future Hikers
• Discrimination on the Trail
• All PCT Hiker Survey Posts