Pacific Crest Trail Gear List (Round Two) – UPDATED
I’ve come a long way since my first Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike and my first Pacific Crest Trail gear list. With the exception of my spork, anti-chafe balm, and head net, every piece of gear I now have in my pack is different (this includes my pack). I know I’ve said it before somewhere, but I’m not sure that Mac on the PCT Round 1 would recognize Mac Today.
My Pacific Crest Trail gear list this year has a couple of new gear that I’ll be trying out for the first time and a lot of tried and tested gear that I’ve grown to love and rely on. Things might (and probably will) change over the course of the trail, but this is what I intend on beginning the hike with as well as what I intend to swap out along the way.
Here are some quick notes on the gear list:
- Although many of the items below are similar to (or exactly the same as) those included in my Ultimate PCT Packing List, some items below I will be using for the first time (because I like to try new things).
- I will be using a canister stove with a separate pot (i.e. not a Jetboil-like system).
- I do not plan on starting the trail with rain pants, but I might add some in Washington if the weather gets cold and wet (or possibly earlier if things get crazy somewhere).
- I am not bringing trekking poles (more on trekking poles here).
- For longer water carries I will either add a two-liter bladder or just carry multiple 1.5-liter Smartwater bottles.
- I will be bringing some first aid materials including some bandages, topical antibiotic, and gauze, but am unsure exactly what this is going to look like – I will update when I know for sure what this is going to be.
Changes since this was first posted:
- Shelter: Swapped Big Agnes Copper Spur 2 Platinum for Hyperlite Mountain Gear Dirigo 2
- Sleeping Bag: Swapped Western Mountaineering Versalite for Western Mountaineering UltraLite
- Stakes: Swapped Vargo Titanium and MSR Groundhog stakes for Hyperlite Mountain Gear Dirigo Stake Kit
- Footprint: Dropped the Big Agnes Copper Spur 2 Platinum Footprint
- Liner: Added Western Mountaineering Tioga Silk Liner
And because I know some of you care only about how much everything weighs, here is a breakdown of the weights (note that all base weights include my 16 oz / 454 g power bank).
- Big 3: 5 lbs 10.5 oz / 2.57 kg
- Big 3 + Sleeping Pad: 6 lbs 3.3 oz / 2.82 kg
- Base Weight (Outside Sierra): 12 lbs 5.3 oz / 5.603 kg
- Base Weight (Sierra): 13 lbs 15 oz / 6.324 kg
- Base Weight + Camera Gear (Outside Sierra): 14 lbs 8.06 oz / 6.583 kg
- Base Weight + Camera Gear (Sierra): 16 lbs 1.56 oz / 7.304 kg
Below the initial list, there is a detailed list of all the items which includes descriptions and weights (this is probably what you’ll find most useful if you’re looking for PCT gear information).
The Big Stuff
Backpack
Shelter
Sleeping Bag
Sleeping Pad
Clothing
Shirt (Desert)
Shirt (Sierra Onward)
Rain Jacket
Down Jacket
Shorts
Hat
Beanie
Gaiter
Head Net
Gloves
Socks
Shoes
Gaiters
Sunglasses
Sunglasses Retainer
Camp Shoes
Carried/On Body
Fanny Pack
Fanny Pack Strap
The Backpacking Gear
Stove
Pot
Utensil
Water Treatment
Headlamp
Food Storage (Outside Sierra)
Bear Canister (Sierra)
Personal Locator Beacon
Sleeping Bag Liner
Tent Stakes
Stuff Sack (Sleeping Bag)
Gear Repair
Water Bottle
Massage Balls
The Bathroom
Trowel
Repellant
Repellant
Anti Chafe Balm
Anti Blister Balm
Lip Balm
Sunscreen
Hand Sanitizer
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Toilet Paper
Wet Wipes
The Electronics
Power Bank
Headphones
Phone
Phone Case
Wall Charger
Cable
Cable
Cable
The Camera Gear
Camera
Lens
Batteries
Memory Card
Camera
Filter
Pole
Memory Card
Camera Clip
Camera Cover
THE REST
- Rubber bands, assorted Ziploc bags, pen, Sharpie, dice (for Yahtzee!), lighter
DETAILED VIEW
I got myself an Atom Packs Mo while up in England’s Lake District and have so far been very happy with it. I brought it with me on the Portuguese Camino de Santiago and have been traveling with it for a couple months now. The PCT will be the real test for it, but I’m confident that it’s going to do well on a thru-hike (if it doesn’t, I can always fly back to England and burn down the Atom Packs workshop).
33.5 oz / 950 g / Find Out More
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Dirigo 2
The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Dirigo 2 is a lightweight, two-person, dual-vestibule tent made from waterproof Dyneema Composite Fabrics. I’ve always been curious to see how well a Dyneema tent holds up over the course of a thru-hike and am hopeful that the Dirigo 2 will impress. It pitches with eight stakes and two trekking poles, but since I won’t be using trekking poles I still need to find some carbon fiber replacements to pitch this tent with.
28 oz / 794 g / Find Out More
Western Mountaineering UltraLite
After a very successful run with my Western Mountaineering Versalite, I’ve decided to change things up and go with their 20°F / -7°C UltraLite on the PCT this year. Western Mountaineering is known for being conservative with their temperature ratings (i.e. the bag will actually keep you warm down to what they claim it will) and I’m a fairly warm sleeper, so I feel like I can get away using the 20°F / -7°C UltraLite instead of the 10°F / -12°C Versalite.
29 oz / 820 g / Find Out More
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite (Regular)
The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite from Cascade Designs is going to be a new piece of gear for me on the PCT this year, but I am hopeful that it will be just as comfortable as the NeoAir Xlite and cautiously optimistic that it won’t make a ton of noise when I inevitably toss and turn on it in the middle of the night. It has an R-value of 2.0 which is on the lower side, but with my UltraLite, I don’t think I’ll need more than that to stay warm.
8.8 oz / 250 g / Find Out More
VOORMI River Run Hoodie (Desert)
Long sleeves and hood are the way to go, and the VOORMI River Run Hoodie is one of the only lightweight merino options still available to hikers. Why companies are killing off their lightweight merino hoodies, I don’t know. Fortunately Voormi gets it and has us covered (get it!? Because the long sleeves and the hood cover you? And “covered” also means like taken care of? AHAHAHAHAHA). This lightweight hoodie is, quick-drying, odor-resistant, breathable, and even has funky thumb loops. It keeps you cool in the sun and warm in the cold – what more could you ask for?
7 oz / 186 g / Find Out More
Bluffworks Meridian Dress Shirt 2.0
Leaving the desert, you are free to continue being awesome and using a hoodie, but I prefer changing things up. In the Sierra I plan on wearing the Bluffworks Meridian Dress Shirt 2.0. You might find it strange to be wearing something described as a “dress shirt” on the trail, but I’ve used this shirt all across New Zealand, Nepal, and Europe and have been very impressed/satisfied with its performance. It’s even got a chest pocket. Function and fashion. If you want to read my detailed review of this shirt, you can find it here.
I’ve learned that there’s no point in bringing a rain jacket unless it’s actually going to keep me dry and the Arc’teryx Beta SL Hybrid, through not the lightest option available, is my pick for the Pacific Crest Trail this year. Two large chest pockets, pit zips, and a little hook-like piece of fabric in the hood that keeps it from blowing off my hat in the wind all make this jacket one of my favorites thus far.
12 oz / 340 g / Find Out More
Feathered Friends Eos Down Jacket
I honestly don’t have this down jacket yet, but there’s still some time between now and when I start the PCT so hopefully I will be able to pull the trigger on it before I hit the trail. I’ve always wanted a Feathered Friends down jacket since meeting a guy in Nepal with one and the Feathered Friends Eos looks perfect for the PCT (although I wish it was available in pink).
10.6 oz / 300 g / Find Out More
These shorts have been my go-to since Garbelly introduced me to them on the Continental Divide Trail. They’ve got five pockets (one zippered and four stretchy) and (perhaps most importantly of all) I can pee out the bottom of them (i.e. I don’t have to fumble with my hip belt and fanny pack to use the bathroom; if you’re grossed out by this, you’ve got another thing coming on the PCT – prepare for bathroom talk, and lots of it).
3.9 oz / 111 g / Find Out More
Hat
I usually end up mixing up my hats on the trail, but the important thing is that I have one. You don’t need some fancy $50 “trekking hat” to hike the PCT, you just need something that’s going to keep the sun out of your eyes and help to protect your face and eyeballs from the ball of fusion at the center of our solar system. If you’ve got a recommendation for a new hat, I’m always open to suggestions.
3 oz / 85 g
I mostly have a beanie to protect my ears from freezing in the wind. I’m not sure if I’m going to end up carrying the Outdoor Research Crest Hat for the entirety of the trail since the Polar Buff I’m bringing may prove sufficient. However, until this has been proven the case, I’ll have to bring a beanie along. I typically only use my beanie at camp and rarely hike in one (unless it’s really cold or windy – Washington?).
1.7 oz / 49 g / Find Out More
The polar buff is the original buff, but with 9 in / 22.8 cm of fleece at the end making it a bit warmer and a more versatile which is why I think I may be able to ditch my beanie. I also plan on using this as my pillow case (stuffing all of my extra clothing into it at night). I might also bring along and original buff, but that might be overkill. I’ll have to see what the conditions are like.
2.29 oz / 65 g / Find Out More
You guys, I know that wearing a head net makes you look like a complete tool (and if this is how you had to find out, I am sorry). However, when deep in mosquito country I don’t care about how dumb I look – only about how many mosquitoes are not currently in and/or on my face. The Sea to Summit Head Net is a lightweight solution with an adjustable hem that I will probably bring two of because I’ll be able to sell it for ten times the price to some sucker caught without one.
1.2 oz / 34 g / Find Out More
Outdoor Research Flurry Sensor Gloves
Not everyone considers gloves to be an essential piece of PCT gear, but for me, it’s worth carrying a little extra weight to have gloves to get me through cold mornings or freezing rain-filled days. I got myself a pair of Outdoor Research Flurry Sensor Gloves to try out on the PCT this year. They are supposedly touchscreen compatible and at least some measure of warm. Hopefully, they work out. If not, it’ll be back to the Arc’Teryx Venta Gloves.
2.8 oz / 79 g / Find Out More
Thru-hiking is practically synonymous with Darn Tough at this point and the Darn Tough 1/4 Hiking Socks are my favorite for long-distance (or really any distance) hiking. They’re comfortable, made with merino wool, have a lifetime guarantee, and offer great cushion. You will never want to buy another brand of sock. I buy these as presents all the time because you know why? Because they’re awesome. There’s no better feeling on the trail than a new pair of socks. Read my detailed Darn Tough Socks review here.
2.2 oz / 62 g / Find Out More
Merrell Moab 2 Ventilator Low (Men’s/Women’s)
The Moab 2 Ventilators from Merrell are my favorite shoe for trekking. They’re wide enough for my fat-ass foot, water-resistant (but still breathable), and have awesome tread/laces. There’s a Gore-Tex version available, but I usually stick with the standard shoes since they’re cheaper and breathe better. I’ve yet to have a blowout with these shoes (something that I see often with Altras). Note: buy whatever shoes are most comfortable for you – everyone is different.
33 oz / 936 g / Find Out More
The Kahtoola INSTAgaiter Low gaiters are hopefully going to be my new favorite gaiters. I haven’t used them yet, but they have good reviews and I like that they can be put on and removed with your shoes on (otherwise I always forget to put my gaiters back on before my shoes). I still have a pair of Outdoor Research Sparkplug Gaiters that I might use for a bit too, but these have been discontinued and I’m certain I’ll run them into the ground quickly.
33 oz / 936 g / Find Out More
As was the case with the hat, sunglasses are a personal choice. It’s not Mount Everest, it’s the Pacific Crest Trail. There’s not a “best” pair of sunglasses. However, there are good sunglasses and bad sunglasses. I’ve got these because in addition to not looking too small for my big head, I want polarized glasses for the desert sun, the hiking at altitude, and (if I’m lucky) the snow.
1.6 oz / 45 g / Find Out More
I guess the official name for this thing is an “eyewear retainer”, but we all know that just makes it sound even more lame than it already is. However, in the context of a thru-hike, these are incredibly useful. I have tried a couple different eyewear retainers and have found this one to be the most durable (the ones with prints on a piece of neoprene eventually break apart and the print falls off).
0.6 oz / 17 g / Find Out More
Camp shoes are not an essential piece of gear. However, I’ve tried thru-hiking without camp shoes and the amount of utility and happiness having something easy to wear around camp or in town far outweighs the cost of carrying the extra weight. I found these Batman Sandals at a Walmart on the CDT and have had them for almost two years now. Camp shoes do not need to be fancy. Just get something cheap, light, and somewhat durable (you probably want something that won’t disintegrate if it gets wet). On the PCT, I’ll be bringing along the same pair I bought on the CDT.
6 oz / 170 g / Find Out More
The Thrupack Summit Bum has become an essential piece of my hiking kit (and my not-hiking kit – I shamelessly use it off the trail and receive nothing but complimentary stares from everyone). This lightweight fanny pack revolutionized my hiking and is now where I keep all of my snacks for the day, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, lighter, etc. It has an exterior pocket that can fit a large cell phone, two interior pockets, and it’s water-resistant. Not to mention its huge sex appeal.
2.5 oz / 71 g / Find Out More
The Thrupack Summit Bum comes with a strap, but if you want an upgrade on both your comfort and your awesomeness, then a Comfy Strap is worth the investment. This strap comes in a variety of prints, but most importantly it is stretchy (and comfy). It’s totally not necessary, but I am happy I have one.
2.2 oz / 62 g / Find Out More
I’ve been back and forth on bringing a stove or not on thru-hikes, but I’m back on the wagon for now and will be trying out my first canister stove without an integrated pot. In the past I’ve used an alcohol stove, a Jetboil, and have gone stoveless. I’m excited to try something new and am hoping that the MSR PocketRocket 2 proves as useful to me as it has to thru-hikers who filled out the PCT Survey.
3 oz / 85 g / Find Out More
TOAKS Light Titanium 650ml Pot
I’ll need something to cook in with my MSR PocketRocket 2 and I’ve decided on the TOAKS Light Titanium 650ml Pot. It is big enough for a me to make mac and cheese (possibly my favorite meal on the trail) and I can fit both a small gas canister and stove inside the pot. Plus, it’s titanium which makes it super-duper cool and uber-mega-ultralight.
2.8 oz / 79.4 g / Find Out More
Sure, you could get a plastic spoon from McDonalds, but if you want a utensil that’s going to last forever (so long as you don’t lose it), then get a Snow Peak Titanium Spork. It won’t melt, it’s easy to clean, and it’s mother fucking titanium (which means that you can use it to fight off wild animals). With this spork I can eat my trail meal like the champion while also looking like a total loser because I have a titanium spork. It’s a win-win.
0.6 oz / 17 g / Find Out More
I am going to be trying out the Sawyer Micro on the Pacific Crest Trail this year. Apparently, it has the same flow rate as the original Sawyer Squeeze but in a slightly smaller package (an improvement on the small but frustrating Sawyer MINI that originally followed the Sawyer Squeeze). It’ll probably still need constant backflushing and I expect that the flow will diminish considerably over the course of the hike, but hopefully I’m wrong.
2.5 oz / 71 g / Find Out More
I am not the biggest fan of, but I am certainly not opposed to night hiking. The BioLite HeadLamp 330 has a 230 lumen spot and a 100 lumen flood light (hence, 330). It’s USB-rechargeable (Micro USB) and is advertised to last 40 hours on low and 3.5 hours on high. It has four settings: white flood, white spot, red flood, and white strobe (you know, for scaring away the bears). The beam’s distance is 50 ft / 16 m in flood and ~250 ft / 75 m in spot. It weighs only 2.43 oz / 69 g and has a front profile of just 0.35 in / 9 mm.
2.43 oz / 69 g / Find Out More
Ursack Major Bear Bag (Outside Sierra)
A bear bag is not required nor is it necessary on the Pacific Crest Trail, but I like using one because it gives me peace of mind when storing my food. I use the Ursack Major Bear Bag more as a measure against rodents than I do bears, but it’s nice to know that bears won’t be able to get at my food either (because there are bears on the PCT outside the areas you’re required to carry a bear canister). This bag holds 10.7 L and comes in white or black. I wish I had gotten the black one because the white gets incredibly dirty.
7.6 oz / 215 g / Find Out More
BV450 (Sierra)
The one piece of gear that every thru-hiker wishes they didn’t need to carry, the bear canister is a requirement for hiking in the Sierra (or if camping in Lassen National Park). I’m planning on bringing a BearVault BV450. It has a 7.2-liter capacity and doubles as an excellent stool. It also stops the bears. I’m hoping to make it easily between resupplies with this instead of the larger BV500, so we’ll see how that goes.
33 oz / 936 g / Find Out More
I’m going to be bringing a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) and this time around I’ll be trying out the Garmin inReach Mini. It only weighs 3.5 oz /99 g and has 2-way texting (hopefully won’t be using this much but it may be useful for trailhead pickup coordination), tracking, and SOS capabilities. However, it also requires the purchase of an additional monthly plan to function (which I’ll ultimately end up paying for as well).
3.5 oz / 99 g / Find Out More
Western Mountaineering Tioga Silk Sleeping Bag Liner
I don’t necessarily think that a sleeping bag liner is completely necessary, but I will be bringing a Western Mountaineering Tioga Silk Sleeping Bag Liner with me on the PCT for a couple of reasons: 1) to keep my Western Mountaineering UltraLite Sleeping Bag clean (because having and eventually washing a dirty sleeping bag is no fun), 2) because there’s a small chance I’ll need a small warmth boost during the coldest of nights, 3) because most of the time I’m too warm for my bag and just sleep on top of it (with a liner), and 4) because this liner is soft against my skin and makes me sleep like a baby.
3.6 oz / 102 g / Find Out More
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Digigo/Ultamid Ultralight Stake Kit (set of 8)
These are tent stakes. These stakes are made from aluminum, lightweight, and are 8 in / 20.3 cm long. The heads are drilled to give you the option of attaching a cord to each of the stakes (I’m probably going to do this). Having the “best” tent stakes will not make your hike any better or more successful. They are just tent stakes.
0.4 oz | 12.7 g (each) / Find Out More
Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Sack (13L)
Even with a pack liner it’s a good idea to keep your sleeping bag in a dry sack (because your sleeping bag literally keeps you alive at night). A Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Sack does the trick for me. These stuff sacks are both lightweight and durable. They are not designed for submersion, but using one inside of your pack will keep your sleeping bag dry. These stuff sacks have roll tops and come in six different sizes.
1.4 oz / 40 g / Find Out More
You just use a store-bought plastic water bottle on the PCT? Yes. And you use it over and over again until the label has fallen off and it’s practically turned into a sock before you replace it (and, of course, you decorate it with cool stickers from everywhere you’ve been on the trail). Smartwater (and LIFEWATR) bottles are quite structurally sound compared to something like the collapsable Arrowhead bottles and they slide easily in and out of backpack pockets (if you’ve never been thru-hiking before, this may not sound important, but trust me, it is). You can also put a Sawyer Micro directly on the top and filter out of one bottle into another. That said, I’m using a plastic bottle and killing the environment so I’m going to hell.
The term “luxury item” get thrown around a lot by thru-hikers when talking about their PCT gear. One of my luxury items? RAWLOGY Cork Massage Balls. These cork balls measure 2.5 in / 6.35 cm across and weigh 1.4 oz / 40 g each. Not light enough for you? There is also a 1.9 in / 4.82 cm version that weigh 0.9 oz / 25 g each. Best to bring the pair so that you can give one to your new best friend on the trail.
1.4 oz / 40 g / Find Out More
Tape. An often overlooked, but incredibly useful thing to have with you on a thru-hike. Tear your down jacket? Tape! Rip your tent? Tape! Need to shut up your hiking partner? Tape! Just don’t bring an entire roll. I like Gorilla Tape because it’s incredibly sticky, waterproof, and thick. I’ve used this to patch a hole in my shorts before and the tape didn’t come off even after multiple washes. That said, get whatever tape you want – just bring some (because you can’t have any of mine).
I’ve talked a lot about pooping in the woods and packing out your toilet paper in the past, and I will probably continue to do so. Backcountry poops aren’t the glamorous, but they are an unavoidable reality of trail life. A lot of people don’t bring a trowel saying that a shoe, a rock, a trekking, pole or whatever will substitute. Sometimes this will be the case, but other times you are not going to be able to dig a proper cat hole (aka a hole for your poop).
0.6 oz / 17 g / Find Out More
Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion
I’ve found the Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion to be effective against mosquitoes in the past and so it has earned a spot in my pack for the PCT. Picaridin doesn’t stink like DEET, but I have found that this lotion washes off very easily with rain or river crossings. It’s also a bit heavy, but to keep the mosquitoes away I’ll do anything.
5 oz / 142 g / Find Out More
Ben’s 100 Max Formula – 95% DEET
Some people carry backup water filters. Some people carry backup fire starters. I carry backup insect repellant. Ben’s 100 Max Formula Insect Repellent is 95% DEET and despite me not liking DEET, it works. This is my failsafe against having to go crazy from mosquitoes.
2 oz / 57 g / Find Out More
Bodyglide Anti-Chafe Balm (0.8 oz)
The worst thing on the Pacific Crest Trail is chafe (and more specifically, ass chafe). Thankfully, there is Bodyglide Anti-Chafe Balm to alleviate the suffering. There’s also a “For Her” version that appears to be the exact same thing but it’s also “rich in vitamins A, B, E, and F”. I’ll actually probably end up bringing that version. Why would I want to deny my sensitive skin those rich vitamins?
2.5 oz / 71 g / Find Out More
Bodyglide Foot Glide (0.8 oz)
I haven’t used Bodyglide Foot Glide yet, but I am hoping that it helps to alleviate whatever blister problems I find myself having on the PCT. I will be very surprised it if ends up meaning zero blisters, but I would also be very happy. Let’s all hope for this outcome.
2.5 oz / 71 g / Find Out More
On the PCT you’re going to want a lip balm with SPF. I enjoy Burt’s Bees SPF 15 Lip Balm. The desert sun, the Sierra elevation, and the snow (if you find any) will ravage your beautiful lips if you aren’t careful to take care of them. It doesn’t matter which lip balm you get, so long as you get one with SPF.
0.8 oz / 23 g / Find Out More
Coppertone SPORT SPF 50 (3 oz)
Sunscreen for the PCT should be broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB), it should be designed to not run off when you sweat (because yes, you will sweat), and it should ideally be SPF 50 (above SPF 50 provides only marginal additional protection at an often much more expensive price). I like the consistency of Coppertone SPORT SPF 50 (I don’t really like Banana Boat). But I’ll probably just end up getting a refillable tube and stealing sunscreen from hiker boxes.
3.2 oz / 91 g / Find Out More
Dr. Bronner’s Organic Hand Sanitizer
If there’s one thing I can say my hiking partner Mr. Appa taught me, it’s that he taught me about Dr. Bronner’s Organic Hand Sanitizer. It’s a spray-on hand sanitizer that makes my hands smell lavender-y and (hopefully) cleans them.
2 oz / 57 g / Find Out More
I like the GUM Travel Toothbrush because it folds into itself for storage and packs away easily. However, once the bristles start to wear they get stuck in the brush when closing it. Still, I typically use one of these on the trail since they can fit easily in my pocket, fanny pack, or backpack.
1 oz / 28 g / Find Out More
In case you were unaware, there are small versions of toothpaste available. You do not need to bring a huge tube of toothpaste on the PCT. You can get something like this travel size toothpaste in many of the towns along the trail. Or you can just do the super-uber-duper-mega ultralight savage thing and not brush your teeth.
1 oz / 28 g / Find Out More
Charmin Ultra Soft (Toilet Paper)
Oftentimes I have to take what I can get in terms of toilet paper on the trail, but if I ever get the choice, it’s Charmin Ultra Soft for the win. Keeping clean will minimize butt chafe and maximize your poo-free-ness on the PCT. I’ll probably pack out an entire roll (or two?) at the start (remember to pack out your used toilet paper).
Sea to Summit Wilderness Wet Wipes
It took me a while to come around, but damn, having some Sea to Summit Wilderness Wet Wipes (or really any wet wipes) can be life saving in the backcountry. In addition to ensuring the cleanest of bums following a backcountry waste disposal (I told you there would be lots of poo talk on the PCT), they can be used to clean your disgusting feet to help keep them blister-free. But as with toilet paper, just remember to pack them out.
I try not to dwell too much on being super-uber-exceptionally-dooper ultralight because I know that my battery pack (almost literally a brick) will always be something I want to have with me. The RAVPower 26800 Power Bank is a 26800mAh battery with three USB ports and a USB-C port (that can be used to both charge the battery pack and also to charge a device). It has pass through charging which means you can charge devices while you also charge the battery, and since it uses a DC 5V/2A input to charge, it will charge more quickly than other comparable battery packs. I use this to charge my phone, headphones, camera, and headlamp on the trail and I literally can’t remember it running out of juice before needing to be recharged (but I’m still too scared to try a smaller battery pack).
16 oz / 454 g / Find Out More
Sure, using headphones on a thru-hike might mean that you don’t hear that mountain lion sneaking up behind you, but not using headphones on a thru-hike means many hours of boredom. Are headphones worth the risk? Probably? If you are going to use headphones on the trail, do yourself a favor and switch to Bluetooth headphones (I took a long time to make the transition, but now I can’t go back to wires). My biggest concern with Bluetooth headphones is the battery life, and the Anker SoundBuds Curve will last nearly the entire day (if hiking from sunrise to sunset and using them the entire time) – a quick charge with lunch will make sure they last. I’ve had multiple pairs (Anker is good about replacing products that die prematurely) and am still a happy customer.
0.8 oz / 23 g / Find Out More
The Lifeproof Fre Case isn’t available for every phone, but I love that there’s one available for mine. This thing makes your phone virtually indestructible. It protects from dust, drops, and water (and bears?). The clear plastic front hasn’t given me any problems (except sometimes when soaking wet), but the fingerprint reader cover on the back can be temperamental at times.
1.3 oz / 35 g / Find Out More
Anker PowerPort II Wall Charger
I look for three things in a wall charger and the Anker PowerPort II Wall Charger has all of them. What are they? 1) more than one output, 2) a quick charge compatible USB-C input, and 3) a folding plug (to avoid accidentally stabbing a hole in or tearing your gear inside of your pack). There are lots of wall chargers that fit this description, but as with the case with the headphones, Anker customer service has been good to me in the past so I’m sticking with them for now.
5.3 oz / 150 g / Find Out More
I’ve been using the Sony a6500 for a couple of years now and I’ve been very happy with it. It’s relatively lightweight, compact (fits in my jacket pocket), has in-body stabilization, 4K movie recording, and (maybe best of all) it can be recharged via USB (i.e. with my battery pack).
14.25 oz / 404 g / Find Out More
Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS
I got the Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS after bringing a prime lens on the CDT and realizing that I wanted something with a better focal length range for hiking. This lens takes beautiful photos is relatively lightweight (not full-frame compatible), but it’s still not my ideal lens. Perhaps one day I’ll have enough money to upgrade.
10.9 oz / 308 g / Find Out More
Do I really need two cameras? Three if you count my cell phone? Yes, I do. The GoPro weighs practically nothing and it takes awesome photos. It fits in my fanny pack and is great for timelapse, taking photos in the rain or in situations where my larger camera would not be practical (but when I still need a photo with quality better than my phone can deliver).
4.1 oz / 116 g / Find Out More
The Peak Design Capture Clip is practically part of my backpack, I never take it off. It makes carrying my camera incredibly easy and saves me from having to open my pack to access my camera or having it hang annoyingly from a strap around my neck. There’s also an attachment for a GoPro if I decide I want some POV video (or if I need a dash cam for my inevitable fight with a bear).
3 oz / 84 g / Find Out More
Peak Design Shell (Small)
To me, the Peak Design Shell is an essential piece of equipment with Peak Design’s Capture Clip. The Shell comes in three sizes and is designed to keep your camera dry in the rain (in addition to protecting it from the sun, dust, would-be robbers, and snow should you be so (un?)lucky. It can be a little tricky to adjust the zoom and focus with the Shell on and I usually end up removing it each time I take a photo (I’ve become very good at removing and putting on this cover). It’s made from a stretchy fabric that will also help to prevent nicks or abrasion when you inevitably bash your camera against a rock.
2.4 oz / 68 g / Find Out More
Disclosure: 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 to pay the bills and keep the site up and running.