The Pacific Crest Trail Women’s Gear Guide (2021 Survey)
Pacific Crest Trail women’s gear lists oftentimes do not align exactly with the gear lists broken down in the PCT Hiker Survey Gear Guide.
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
- This year’s survey had 243 female respondents.
- 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.
- All weights (and for backpacks, capacity) for products below are for products in a size medium and/or regular unless otherwise noted.
- I only included items in the “highest-rated” section that were used by at least ten hikers.
- 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.
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.
| GEAR | FEMALE HIKERS | ALL HIKERS |
|---|---|---|
| BACKPACK | ULA Circuit | ULA Circuit |
| SLEEPING BAG | Enlightened Equipment Revelation | Enlightened Equipment Revelation |
| SLEEPING PAD | Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite – Women’s | Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite |
| INSULATED JACKET | Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 (Hooded) | Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 (Hooded) |
| SHELL | Outdoor Research Helium II | Outdoor Research Helium II |
| FLEECE | Melanzana Microgrid Hoodie | Melanzana Microgrid Hoodie |
| SHOES | Altra Lone Peak 5 | Altra Lone Peak 5 |
| SOCKS | Darn Tough Hiker Quarter Midweight | Darn Tough Hiker Quarter Midweight |
Highest-Rated PCT Backpacks
The ULA Circuit was the highest-rated pack among female hikers on the PCT this year. 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 also the most common pack overall by women on the PCT this year.
| # | BACKPACK | RATING | PRICE | WEIGHT | LITERS | MAX LOAD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ULA Circuit | 9.15/10 | $280 | 2.29 lbs | 1.038 kg | 68 | 35 lbs | 16 kg |
| 2 | Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest | 8.89/10 | $320 | 1.88 lbs | 853 g | 40 | 40 lbs | 18 kg |
| 3 | ULA Catalyst | 8.82/10 | $300 | 2.92 lbs | 1.324 kg | 75 | 40 lbs | 18 kg |
| 4 | REI Co-op Flash | 8.64/10 | $200 | 2.64 lbs | 1.191 kg | 55 | 30 lbs | 14 kg |
| 5 | Gossamer Gear Mariposa | 8.46/10 | $270 | 1.79 lbs | 814 g | 60 | 35 lbs | 16 kg |
| 6 | Osprey Aura AG | 8.45/10 | $240 | 4.18 lbs | 1.896 kg | 50 | 40 lbs | 18 kg |
| 7 | Osprey Eja | 7.82/10 | $220 | 2.56 lbs | 1.161 kg | 58 | 40 lbs | 18 kg |
Most Common PCT Backpacks
The ULA Circuit was both the highest-rated and most common pack among female hikers on the PCT this year. 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 also the highest-rated pack by women on the PCT this year.
| # | BACKPACK | RATING | PRICE | WEIGHT | LITERS | MAX LOAD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ULA Circuit | 9.15/10 | $280 | 2.29 lbs | 1.038 kg | 68 | 35 lbs | 16 kg |
| 2 | Gossamer Gear Mariposa | 8.46/10 | $270 | 1.79 lbs | 814 g | 60 | 35 lbs | 16 kg |
| 3 | Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest | 8.89/10 | $320 | 1.88 lbs | 853 g | 40 | 40 lbs | 18 kg |
| 4 | Osprey Aura AG | 8.45/10 | $240 | 4.18 lbs | 1.896 kg | 50 | 40 lbs | 18 kg |
| 5 | ULA Catalyst | 8.82/10 | $300 | 2.92 lbs | 1.324 kg | 75 | 40 lbs | 18 kg |
| 6 | REI Co-op Flash | 8.64/10 | $200 | 2.64 lbs | 1.191 kg | 55 | 30 lbs | 14 kg |
| 7 | Osprey Eja | 7.82/10 | $220 | 2.56 lbs | 1.161 kg | 58 | 40 lbs | 18 kg |
Highest-Rated PCT 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.
| # | RATING | BAG/QUILT | PRICE | WEIGHT | TEMP | FILL | FILL WEIGHT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9.64/10 | Western Mountaineering Versalite | $605 | 32 oz / 907 g | 10°F / -12°C | 850 goose | 20 oz / 565 g |
| 2 | 9.55/10 | Katabatic Flex | $410 | 22.8 oz / 646 g | 22°F / -5.6°C | 900 goose | 14.3 oz / 405g |
| 3 | 9.16/10 | Enlightened Equipment Enigma | $315 | 19.3 oz / 547 g | 20°F / -6°C | 950 duck | 13.8 oz / 392 g |
| 4 | 9.15/10 | Underground Quilts Bandit | $365 | 19.4 oz / 550 g | 20°F / -6°C | 950 goose | 13 oz / 369 g |
| 5 | 9.14/10 | REI Co-op Magma | $429 | 2.22 lb | 1006 g | 15°F / -9°C | 850 goose | 23.3 oz / 660 g |
| 6 | 9.11/10 | Feathered Friends Egret UL | $539 | 27.2 oz / 771 g | 20°F / -6°C | 950 goose | 17.3 oz / 491 g |
| 7 | 8.58/10 | Enlightened Equipment Revelation | $280 | 20.9 oz / 593 g | 20°F / -6°C | 950 duck | 14.4 oz / 408 g |
Most Common PCT Sleeping Bags
The Enlightened Equipment Revelation was the most common sleeping bag (quilt) among women 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).
| # | RATING | BAG/QUILT | PRICE | WEIGHT | TEMP | FILL | FILL WEIGHT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8.58/10 | Enlightened Equipment Revelation | $280 | 20.9 oz / 593 g | 20°F / -6°C | 950 duck | 14.4 oz / 408 g |
| 2 | 9.16/10 | Enlightened Equipment Enigma | $315 | 19.3 oz / 547 g | 20°F / -6°C | 950 duck | 13.8 oz / 392 g |
| 3 | 9.14/10 | REI Co-op Magma | $429 | 2.22 lb | 1006 g | 15°F / -9°C | 850 goose | 23.3 oz / 660 g |
| 4 | 9.15/10 | Underground Quilts Bandit | $365 | 19.4 oz / 550 g | 20°F / -6°C | 950 goose | 13 oz / 369 g |
| 5 | 9.64/10 | Western Mountaineering Versalite | $605 | 32 oz / 907 g | 10°F / -12°C | 850 goose | 20 oz / 565 g |
| 6 | 9.55/10 | Katabatic Flex | $410 | 22.8 oz / 646 g | 22°F / -5.6°C | 900 goose | 14.3 oz / 405g |
| 7 | 9.11/10 | Feathered Friends Egret UL | $539 | 27.2 oz / 771 g | 20°F / -6°C | 950 goose | 17.3 oz / 491 g |
Highest-Rated PCT Sleeping Pads
The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite (Small) sleeping pad was the highest-rated sleeping pad among women on the PCT this year. The 30D-nylon pad has an R-value of 4.2, is 2.5 in / 6.4 cm thick, weighs 8 oz / 227 g, and has a sticker price of $180. Interesting that the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite (not the women’s version but the regular(?) version) did not make the top five.
| # | PAD | RATING | PRICE | WEIGHT | R-VALUE | THICKNESS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite, Small | 9.20/10 | $180 | 8.3 oz / 235 g | 4.2 | 2.5 in / 6.4 cm |
| 2 | Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite - Women's | 9.17/10 | $200 | 12 oz / 340 g | 5.4 | 2.5 in / 6.4 cm |
| 3 | Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm | 9.00/10 | $230 | 17 oz / 482 g | 6.9 | 2.5 in / 6.4 cm |
| 4 | Sea to Summit UltraLight Insulated Mat | 8.90/10 | $149 | 16.9 oz / 480 g | 3.1 | 2 in / 5 cm |
| 5 | Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol | 8.29/10 | $55 | 14 oz / 397 g | 2 | 0.75 in / 1.9 cm |
| 6 | Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite | 8.13/10 | $200 | 12 oz / 340 g | 4.2 | 2.5 in / 6.4 cm |
| 7 | NEMO Tensor (Insulated) | 7.50/10 | $160 | 14 oz / 410 g | 3.5 | 3 in / 7.6 cm |
| 8 | NEMO Switchback | 7.42/10 | $55 | 14.5 oz / 415 g | 2 | 0.9 in / 2.3 cm |
Most Common PCT Sleeping Pads
The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite (Women’s) sleeping pad was the most common sleeping pad among women on the PCT this year. The 30D-nylon pad has an R-value of 4.2, is 2.5 in / 6.4 cm thick, weighs 12 oz / 340 g, and has a sticker price of $200. The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite (not the women’s version but the regular(?) version) was the second most common sleeping pad.
| # | PAD | RATING | PRICE | WEIGHT | R-VALUE | THICKNESS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite - Women's | 9.17/10 | $200 | 12 oz / 340 g | 5.4 | 2.5 in / 6.4 cm |
| 2 | Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite | 8.13/10 | $200 | 12 oz / 340 g | 4.2 | 2.5 in / 6.4 cm |
| 3 | Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm | 9.00/10 | $230 | 17 oz / 482 g | 6.9 | 2.5 in / 6.4 cm |
| 4 | NEMO Tensor (Insulated) | 7.50/10 | $160 | 14 oz / 410 g | 3.5 | 3 in / 7.6 cm |
| 5 | Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol | 8.29/10 | $55 | 14 oz / 397 g | 2 | 0.75 in / 1.9 cm |
| 6 | NEMO Switchback | 7.42/10 | $55 | 14.5 oz / 415 g | 2 | 0.9 in / 2.3 cm |
| 7 | Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite, Small | 9.20/10 | $180 | 8.3 oz / 235 g | 4.2 | 2.5 in / 6.4 cm |
| 8 | Sea to Summit UltraLight Insulated Mat | 8.90/10 | $149 | 16.9 oz / 480 g | 3.1 | 2 in / 5 cm |
Highest-Rated PCT Insulated Jackets
The Arc’teryx Cerium LT Down Hoodie was the highest-rated jacket among women on the PCT this year. The jacket uses 850-fill goose down with a hip-length back, nylon shell, and two zippered hand pockets. It weighs 10.9 oz / 309 g and retails for $379.
| # | JACKET | RATING | PRICE | WEIGHT | HOOD | POCKETS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arc'teryx Cerium LT Hoody (M/W) | 9.56/10 | $379 | 10.9 oz / 309 g | Yes | 2 hand |
| 2 | Patagonia Micro Puff Jacket | 9.40/10 | $249 | 8.3 oz / 235 g | No | 2 hand | 2 drop |
| 3 | Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody | 9.27/10 | $249 | 12.8 oz / 363 g | Yes | 2 hand | 1 internal chest |
| 4 | Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket | 9.08/10 | $199 | 11.9 oz / 337 g | No | 2 hand | 1 internal chest |
| 5 | Enlightened Equipment Torrid Apex | 9.04/10 | $175 | 8.4 oz / 238 g | Yes | 2 hand |
| 6 | Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 Hoody | 8.97/10 | $325 | 8.8 oz / 249 g | Yes | 2 hand |
| 7 | REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket 2.0 | 8.80/10 | $100 | 11 oz / 312 g | Yes | 2 hand |
Most Common PCT Insulated Jackets
The Mountain Hardwear Hooded Ghost Whisperer 2 was the most common jacket among women on the Pacific Crest Trail hikers this year. The 8.8 oz / 249 g 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 fifth-most-popular spot this year.
| # | JACKET | RATING | PRICE | WEIGHT | HOOD | POCKETS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 Hoody | 8.97/10 | $325 | 8.8 oz / 249 g | Yes | 2 hand |
| 2 | Enlightened Equipment Torrid Apex | 9.04/10 | $175 | 8.4 oz / 238 g | Yes | 2 hand |
| 3 | Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket | 9.08/10 | $199 | 11.9 oz / 337 g | No | 2 hand | 1 internal chest |
| 4 | Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody | 9.27/10 | $249 | 12.8 oz / 363 g | Yes | 2 hand | 1 internal chest |
| 5 | Patagonia Micro Puff Jacket | 9.40/10 | $249 | 8.3 oz / 235 g | No | 2 hand | 2 drop |
| 6 | REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket 2.0 | 8.80/10 | $100 | 11 oz / 312 g | Yes | 2 hand |
| 7 | Arc'teryx Cerium LT Hoody | 9.56/10 | $379 | 10.9 oz / 309 g | Yes | 2 hand |
Highest-Rated PCT Shells
The Arc’teryx Beta SL Hybrid was the most common shell (i.e. rain jacket) among women on the Pacific Crest Trail this year. It’s a 12.7 oz / 360 g jacket made with N40r GORE-TEX + Paclite Plus. There are pit zips, and you have two zippered hand pockets. Unfortunately, the shell appears to have been discontinued by Arc’teryx.
| # | SHELL | RATING | PRICE | WEIGHT | FABRIC | PIT ZIPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arc’teryx Beta SL Hybrid (M/W) | 9.64/10 | $425 | 12.7 oz / 360 g | N40r GORE-TEX + Paclite Plus | Yes |
| 2 | Montbell Versalite | 9.07/10 | $199 | 6.4 oz / 182 g | 2-layer GORE-TEX Infinium Windstopper | Yes |
| 3 | Patagonia Torrentshell | 8.44/10 | $149 | 13.9 oz / 394 g | 3-layer H2No Performance Standard | Yes |
| 4 | Marmot PreCip | 7.17/10 | $100 | 10.3 oz / 293 g | NanoPro 100% Nylon | Yes |
| 5 | REI Essential Rain Jacket | 7.00/10 | N/A | 8.8 oz / 250 g | 2.5-layer Nylon | No |
| 6 | Outdoor Research Helium | 6.96/10 | $159 | 6.3 oz / 179 g | 2.5-layer Pertex Shield (Nylon) | No |
| 7 | Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite 2 | 6.84/10 | $25 | 5.5 oz / 156 g | Three-layer polypropylene | No |
Most Common PCT Shells
The Outdoor Research Helium was the most common shell (i.e. rain jacket) on the Pacific Crest Trail among women this year (and the most common overall). 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.
| # | SHELL | RATING | PRICE | WEIGHT | FABRIC | PIT ZIPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Outdoor Research Helium | 6.96/10 | $159 | 6.3 oz / 179 g | 2.5-layer Pertex Shield (Nylon) | No |
| 2 | Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite 2 | 6.84/10 | $25 | 5.5 oz / 156 g | Three-layer polypropylene | No |
| 3 | Montbell Versalite | 9.07/10 | $199 | 6.4 oz / 182 g | 2-layer GORE-TEX Infinium Windstopper | Yes |
| 4 | Marmot PreCip | 7.17/10 | $100 | 10.3 oz / 293 g | NanoPro 100% Nylon | Yes |
| 5 | Arc’teryx Beta SL Hybrid (M/W) | 9.64/10 | $425 | 12.7 oz / 360 g | N40r GORE-TEX + Paclite Plus | Yes |
| 6 | REI Essential Rain Jacket | 7.00/10 | N/A | 8.8 oz / 250 g | 2.5-layer Nylon | No |
| 7 | Patagonia Torrentshell | 8.44/10 | $149 | 13.9 oz / 394 g | 3-layer H2No Performance Standard | Yes |
Highest-Rated/Most Common PCT Fleeces
The highest-rated and the most common fleece on the Pacific Crest Trail among women was the Melanzana Microgrid Hoodie. Despite only being available locally at their store in Leadville, Colorado, most hikers with a fleece had a Melly – a 12.2 oz / 346 g pullover with a hood and a kangaroo pocket in the front.
| # | FLEECE | RATING | PRICE | WEIGHT | FABRIC | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melanzana Microgrid Hoodie | 9.52/10 | $78 | 12.2 oz / 346 g (L) | Polyester | None |
| 2 | Patagonia R1 Pullover | 8.88/10 | $129 | 11.7 oz / 332 g | 93% Recycled Polyester / 7% Spandex | Quarter |
Top-Rated PCT Shoes
The HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat was the highest-rated shoe on the feet of Pacific Crest Trail women this year. They cost $145 per pair, have a 4 mm heel-toe drop, and weigh 21.6 oz / 612 g per pair. On average, female thru-hikers burned through 4.05 of these on the trail.
| # | SHOES | RATING | PRICE | WEIGHT | HEEL-TOE DROP | # USED |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat 4 | 9.20/10 | $145 | 21.6 oz / 612 g | 4 mm | 4.05 |
| 2 | Topo Ultraventure Pro | 9.00/10 | $150 | 20.8 oz / 590 g | 5 mm | 4.08 |
| 3 | Altra Lone Peak 4.5 | 8.67/10 | N/A | 21 oz / 595 g | 0 mm | 4.13 |
| 4 | Altra Timp 2 | 8.18/10 | $140 | 31.2 oz / 885 g | 0 mm | 3.82 |
| 5 | Altra Olympus 4 | 8.06/10 | $170 | 21 oz / 595 g | 0 mm | 4.22 |
| 6 | Altra Lone Peak 5 | 8.00/10 | $130 | 18.4 oz / 522 g | 0 mm | 3.83 |
| 7 | Brooks Cascadia 15 | 7.30/10 | $130 | 22 oz / 624 g | 8 mm | 4.20 |
| 8 | Topo Ultraventure 2 | 7.88/10 | $135 | 20.8 oz / 590 g | 5 mm | 3.63 |
Most Common PCT Shoes
The Altra Lone Peak 5 was the most common shoe on the feet of Pacific Crest Trail women 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.
| # | SHOES | RATING | PRICE | WEIGHT | HEEL-TOE DROP | # USED |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Altra Lone Peak 5 | 8.00/10 | $130 | 18.4 oz / 522 g | 0 mm | 3.83 |
| 2 | HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat 4 | 9.20/10 | $145 | 21.6 oz / 612 g | 4 mm | 4.05 |
| 3 | Altra Olympus 4 | 8.06/10 | $170 | 21 oz / 595 g | 0 mm | 4.22 |
| 4 | Altra Lone Peak 4.5 | 8.67/10 | N/A | 21 oz / 595 g | 0 mm | 4.13 |
| 5 | Topo Ultraventure Pro | 9.00/10 | $150 | 20.8 oz / 590 g | 5 mm | 4.08 |
| 6 | Altra Timp 2 | 8.18/10 | $140 | 31.2 oz / 885 g | 0 mm | 3.82 |
| 7 | Brooks Cascadia 15 | 7.30/10 | $130 | 22 oz / 624 g | 8 mm | 4.20 |
| 8 | Topo Ultraventure 2 | 7.88/10 | $135 | 20.8 oz / 590 g | 5 mm | 3.63 |
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Pacific Crest Trail Survey Collection
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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