The Pacific Crest Trail Women’s Gear Guide (2019 Survey)

Last year, I broke down the highest-rated and most-common gear for women on the Pacific Crest Trail as part of the Pacific Crest Trail Gear Guide, but this year I've decided to include this information in a separate post since the PCT gear guide is growing fairly long.

This year, I am breaking down the gear used by women on the Pacific Crest Trail. There's a lot that all thru-hiker gear lists share, but there are also some noteworthy differences between women on the PCT and the overall hiking population.

I've structured the data here a bit differently than I have in the PCT Gear Guide; for each item, I've first listed the highest-rated and then immediately below listed the most common. If you have any feedback on the data or how it could be improved, I'm happy to hear your thoughts (and to add to this data should something be found to be missing).

In This Post

• Notes on the data
• Highest-Rated Gear: Women vs. Overall
• Most-Common Gear: Women vs. Overall
• Women's PCT Backpacks
• Women's PCT Sleeping Bags
• Women's PCT Sleeping Pads
• Women's PCT Insulated Jackets
• Women's PCT Shells
• Women's PCT Shoes
• The Pacific Crest Trail Survey Collection

Notes on the data

• We had 335 responses total from female hikers.
• All of the gear included in the survey was used by at least ten hikers.
• I refer to survey respondents collectively as this year's “class“. Remember, this is a sample and does not include every hiker on the trail.
• If two pieces of gear have the same rating, the higher ranking is given to the piece of gear that had a higher number of users.
• If there are multiple sizes available for a given item, I use a size medium for the data presented.

Highest-Rated Gear: Women vs. Overall

Before getting into the specifics, I thought it would be interesting to look at how gear rated by women compared to the overall gear ratings from all Pacific Crest Trail hikers. Below, is a comparison of the most-common gear compared.

Most-Common Gear: Women vs. Overall

Below is a look at the most commonly used gear for women compared with the most commonly used gear overall. In case you missed it, a comparison of the highest-rated gear is just above this.

Highest-Rated Backpacks

The Superior Wilderness Designs DCF Long Haul 50 was the highest-rated backpack among women on the Pacific Crest Trail last year. The pack has a 60-liter total carrying capacity and is designed for loads up to 35 lbs / 16 kg.

Most-Common Backpacks

The ULA Circuit was the highest-rated backpack among women on the Pacific Crest Trail last year (it was the second-most-common overall). The pack has a 68-liter total carrying capacity and is designed for loads up to 35 lbs / 16 kg.

BACKPACK	PRICE	RATING	WEIGHT	LITERS	MAX LOAD	ACCESS
ULA Circuit	$255	4.56/5	41 oz / 1.162 kg	68	35 lbs / 16 kg	Top
Osprey Eja	$220	4.38/5	41 oz / 1.162 kg	58	40 lbs / 18 kg	Top
Gossamer Gear Mariposa	$225	4.04/5	30.5 oz / 865 g	60	35 lbs / 16 kg	Top
Osprey Aura AG	$240	4.33/5	63 oz / 1.701 kg	50	40 lbs / 18 kg	Top/Bottom
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest	$345	4.67/5	32.11 oz / 910 g	55	40 lbs / 18 kg	Top

Highest-Rated Sleeping Bags

The Western Mountaineering Versalite was the highest-rated sleeping bag among women on the Pacific Crest Trail last year. It's a 10°F / -12°C bag that weighs 32 oz / 907 g – 20 / 565 g of that weight is down fill.

SLEEPING BAG	PRICE	RATING	WEIGHT	TEMPERATURE	FILL	FILL WEIGHT
Western Mountaineering Versalite	$605	4.95/5	32 oz / 907 g	10°F / -12°C	850-fill goose down	20 oz / 565 g
Western Mountaineering UltraLite	$525	4.60/5	30 oz / 850 g	20°F / -6°C	850-fill goose down	16 oz / 453.6 g
Enlightened Equipment Revelation 10	$325	4.59/5	25.95 oz / 736 g	10°F / -12°C	850-fill duck down	17.28 oz / 490 g
REI Co-op Magma 15	$370	4.37/5	28.2 oz / 800 g	17°F / -8.3°C	850-fill goose down	15.9 oz / 451 g
Enlightened Equipment Enigma 10	$335	4.36/5	24.42 oz / 692 g	10°F / -12°C	850-fill duck down	16.58 oz / 470 g

Most-Common Sleeping Bags

The Western Mountaineering Versalite was the most-common sleeping bag among women on the Pacific Crest Trail last year. It's a 10°F / -12°C bag that weighs 32 oz / 907 g – 20 / 565 g of that weight is down fill.

SLEEPING BAG	PRICE	RATING	WEIGHT	TEMPERATURE	FILL	FILL WEIGHT
Western Mountaineering Versalite	$605	4.95/5	32 oz / 907 g	10°F / -12°C	850-fill goose down	20 oz / 565 g
Enlightened Equipment Revelation 10	$325	4.59/5	25.95 oz / 736 g	10°F / -12°C	850-fill duck down	17.28 oz / 490 g
Enlightened Equipment Enigma 10	$335	4.36/5	24.42 oz / 692 g	10°F / -12°C	850-fill duck down	16.58 oz / 470 g
REI Co-op Magma 15	$370	4.37/5	28.2 oz / 800 g	17°F / -8.3°C	850-fill goose down	15.9 oz / 451 g
Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20	$315	4.31/5	22.54 oz / 639 g	20°F / -6°C	850-fill duck down	14.41 oz / 409 g

Highest-Rated Sleeping Pads

The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm was the highest-rated sleeping pad among women on the Pacific Crest Trail last year. It has a 6.9 R-value, weighs 15 oz / 425 g, and has a redesigned valve for 2020 (which I can confirm, is far superior to the old one).

SLEEPING PAD	PRICE	RATING	WEIGHT	R-VALUE	TYPE	PACKED SIZE	THICKNESS
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm	$215	4.74/5	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	$185	4.49/5	12 oz / 340 g	4.2	Air	9 x 4.1 in / 23 x 10 cm	2.5 in / 6.4 cm
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite (Short)	$145	4.42/5	8 oz / 227 g	4.2	Air	9 x 3.5 in / 23 x 9 cm	2.5 in / 6.4 cm
Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol (Short)	$35	4.35/5	10 oz / 284 g	2.6	Foam	20 x 4 x 5.5 in / 51 x 10 x 14 cm	0.75 in / 2 cm
Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol	$45	4.15/5	14 oz / 397 g	2.6	Foam	20 x 5 x 5.5 in / 51 x 13 x 14 cm	0.75 in / 2 cm

Most-Common Sleeping Pads

The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite was the most-common sleeping pad among women on the Pacific Crest Trail last year. It has a 4.2 R-value, weighs 12 oz / 340 g, and has a redesigned valve for 2020 (which I can confirm, is far superior to the old one).

SLEEPING PAD	PRICE	RATING	WEIGHT	R-VALUE	TYPE	PACKED SIZE	THICKNESS
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite	$185	4.49/5	12 oz / 340 g	4.2	Air	9 x 4.1 in / 23 x 10 cm	2.5 in / 6.4 cm
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm	$215	4.74/5	15 oz / 425 g	6.9	Air	9 x 4 in / 23 x 10 cm	2.5 in / 6.4 cm
Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol	$45	4.15/5	14 oz / 397 g	2.6	Foam	20 x 5 x 5.5 in / 51 x 13 x 14 cm	0.75 in / 2 cm
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite (Short)	$145	4.42/5	8 oz / 227 g	4.2	Air	9 x 3.5 in / 23 x 9 cm	2.5 in / 6.4 cm
Sea to Summit UltraLight Insulated	$130	4/5	16.9 oz / 479 g	3.3	Air	9 x 4 in / 23 x 10 cm	2 in / 5 cm

Highest-Rated Insulated Jackets

The Patagonia Down Sweater was the highest-rated insulated jacket (aka down jacket, aka puffy) among women on the Pacific Crest Trail last year. It's a hoodless, 800-fill goose down jacket weighing 12.2 oz / 346 g with two zippered hand pockets and one zippered chest pocket.

INSULATED JACKET	PRICE	RATING	WEIGHT	INSULATION	HOOD	POCKETS
Patagonia Down Sweater	$230	4.85/5	12.2 oz / 346 g	800-fill goose down	No	2 zippered hand / 1 zippered chest
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer	$300	4.64/5	7 oz / 198 g	800-fill goose down	No	2 zippered hand
Arc'teryx Cerium LT Hoody	$380	4.63/5	9.3 oz / 264 g	850-fill goose down	Yes	2 zippered hand / 1 zippered internal
Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody	$300	4.60/5	8 oz / 227 g	Synthetic	Yes	2 zippered hand / 2 internal drop
REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket 2.0	$100	4.56/5	10.8 oz / 306 g	650-fill-power down	No	2 zippered hand

Most-Common Insulated Jackets

The Hooded Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer was the most-common insulated jacket (aka down jacket, aka puffy) among women on the Pacific Crest Trail last year. It weighs 7.8 oz / 221 g, willed with 800-fill down, Nikwax Hydrophobic Down, and has two zippered hand pockets.

INSULATED JACKET	PRICE	RATING	WEIGHT	INSULATION	HOOD	POCKETS
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer (Hooded)	$325	4.41/5	7.8 oz / 221 g	800-fill goose down	Yes	2 zippered hand
Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody	$300	4.60/5	8 oz / 227 g	Synthetic	Yes	2 zippered hand / 2 internal drop
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer	$300	4.64/5	7 oz / 198 g	800-fill goose down	No	2 zippered hand
Arc'teryx Cerium LT Hoody	$380	4.63/5	9.3 oz / 264 g	850-fill goose down	Yes	2 zippered hand / 1 zippered internal
Patagonia Down Sweater	$230	4.85/5	12.2 oz / 346 g	800-fill goose down	No	2 zippered hand / 1 zippered chest

Highest-Rated Shells

The Montbell Versalite was the highest-rated shell (aka rain jacket) among women on the Pacific Crest Trail last year. It's a 5.8 oz / 165 g 2-layer GORE-TEX INFINIUM WINDSTOPPER / 10-denier Ballistic Airlight nylon ripstop jacket with pit zips and two zippered hand pockets.

SHELL	PRICE	RATING	WEIGHT	FABRIC	PIT ZIPS	POCKETS
Montbell Versalite	$200	4.07/5	5.8 oz / 165 g	2-layer GORE-TEX INFINIUM WINDSTOPPER / 10-denier Ballistic Airlight nylon ripstop	Yes	2 zippered hand
Marmot PreCip Eco Jacket	$100	4.00/5	8.7 oz / 247 g	Waterproof/breathable, PFC-free Marmot NanoPro recycled nylon	Yes	2 zippered hand
Patagonia Torrentshell	$130	3.88/5	10.6 oz / 301 g	2.5-layer waterproof, breathable H2No Performance Standard recycled nylon	Yes	2 zippered hand
Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite2 Rain Jacket	$25	3.70/5	9 oz / 255 g	Three-layer polypropylene	No	None
Outdoor Research Helium II	$160	3.51/5	5.5 oz / 156 g	Pertex Shield+ 2.5-layer waterproof breathable laminate	No	1 zippered chest

Most-Common Shells

The Outdoor Research Helium II was the most-common shell (aka rain jacket) among women on the Pacific Crest Trail last year. That said, it was also the lowest-rated of the five most-common jackets. It is 5.5 oz / 156 g, has one chest pocket, and a Pertex Shield+ 2.5-layer waterproof breathable laminate.

SHELL	PRICE	RATING	WEIGHT	FABRIC	PIT ZIPS	POCKETS
Outdoor Research Helium II	$160	3.51/5	5.5 oz / 156 g	Pertex Shield+ 2.5-layer waterproof breathable laminate	No	1 zippered chest
Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite2 Rain Jacket	$25	3.70/5	9 oz / 255 g	Three-layer polypropylene	No	None
Marmot PreCip Eco Jacket	$100	4.00/5	8.7 oz / 247 g	Waterproof/breathable, PFC-free Marmot NanoPro recycled nylon	Yes	2 zippered hand
Patagonia Torrentshell	$130	3.88/5	10.6 oz / 301 g	2.5-layer waterproof, breathable H2No Performance Standard recycled nylon	Yes	2 zippered hand
Montbell Versalite	$200	4.07/5	5.8 oz / 165 g	2-layer GORE-TEX INFINIUM WINDSTOPPER / 10-denier Ballistic Airlight nylon ripstop	Yes	2 zippered hand

Highest-Rated Shoes

The HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat was the highest-rated shoe among women on the Pacific Crest Trail last year. On average, hikers used 4.81 pairs of the Speedgoat which weigh 21.6 oz / 612 g a pair and have a 4 mm heel-toe drop.

SHOE	PRICE	RATING	WEIGHT	HEEL-TOE DROP	WATERPROOF	AVERAGE NUMBER USED
HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat	$145	5/5	21.6 oz / 612 g	4 mm	No	4.81
Brooks Cascadia	$130	4.56/5	21.4 oz / 607 g	8 mm	No	4.69
Altra Timp	$140	4.25/5	17 oz / 482 g	0 mm	No	5.08
Altra Lone Peak	$120	4.14/5	21 oz / 595 g	0 mm	No	4.65
Topo Athletic Terraventure	$120	4.00/5	16.04 oz / 455 g	3 mm	No	5.00

Most-Common Shoes

The Altra Lone Peak was the most-common shoe among women on the Pacific Crest Trail last year. On average, hikers used 4.65 pairs of the Lone Peak which weigh 21 oz / 595 g a pair and have a 0 mm heel-toe drop.

SHOE	PRICE	RATING	WEIGHT	HEEL-TOE DROP	WATERPROOF	AVERAGE NUMBER USED
Altra Lone Peak	$120	4.14/5	21 oz / 595 g	0 mm	No	4.65
Altra Timp	$140	4.25/5	17 oz / 482 g	0 mm	No	5.08
Brooks Cascadia	$130	4.56/5	21.4 oz / 607 g	8 mm	No	4.69
Topo Athletic Terraventure	$120	4.00/5	16.04 oz / 455 g	3 mm	No	5.00
HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat	$145	5/5	21.6 oz / 612 g	4 mm	No	4.81

Support the Survey

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

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

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

The Wrap Up

Overall, there's a lot of overlap in the gear used by women and the gear used overall – particularly when looking at the most-common gear. Hopefully, this helps some of you decide what might be worth trying (or not trying out on the trail).

If you have any questions, suggestions, concerns, or awe-inspiring statements to make regarding the data here (or the data in the PCT Survey Gear Guide), then leave a comment below and let me know.

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