16 Expert Thru-Hikers Reveal Their Favorite Gear for Long Trails

Mo “Hummingbird” Wynne | Favorite Gear: Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 

• MSRP: $449.95
• Weight: 35 oz

“I could probably rave about my tent for a whole hour, but here are the main things I love about it: This thing has held up through all kinds of weather and is still kicking after more than 1,000 miles and 100+ nights on the AT! It’s quick to set up and feels sturdy at a relatively light trail weight. From 70 mph wind gusts to absolute downpours, I’ve stayed dry and cozy through it all.

“After (inevitably) discussing gear with fellow thru-hikers, I’m also glad that I’ve never had any issues with condensation. That alone is huge — I don’t worry about my sleeping bag developing that mildewy smell that seems to affect everything on the AT. I personally feel best when my tent is organized before going to sleep, so the built-in interior mesh pockets are perfect for storing items like clothing, my headlamp, charging accessories, my earrings, etc. The two-person tent is comfortable for me, and I like having two vestibules!”

Shop the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2

Demetra “Night Whisperer” Tzamaras | Favorite Gear: Kula Cloth and REI Packmod Rainshield Pocket

• Kula Cloth MSRP: $22.95
• Weight: 0.63 oz

“(My top gear pick is) tied between my Kula Cloth and my waterproof REI shoulder strap phone holder. The Kula Cloth is a must for anyone who squats to pee outside. It’s more eco-friendly and much easier to deal with than toilet paper when I just need to pee. It is also machine washable.

“The REI phone pocket has come in handy with the rainy weather. I still have easy access to my phone for photos and FarOut, but don’t have to worry about my phone being soaked and destroyed.”

Shop the Kula Cloth

Luke “Blues Clues” Widolff | Favorite Gear: Seek Outside Gila 3500

• MSRP: $429
• Weight: 43 oz (minimum weight)

“This pack carries any load comfortably. The external frame and robust hip belt transfer the load to my hips extremely well, and I can make adjustments to set the load where I want it. The strong materials look like they will hold up over the course of the hike. For being so overbuilt, the weight of the pack isn’t bad either.”

Shop the Seek Outside Gila 3500

Scout “Spark” Cook | Favorite Gear: pStyle Pee Funnel

• MSRP: $11.99
• Weight: 0.8 oz

“It makes peeing on trail super easy and comfortable! Best purchase I’ve ever made in my life, and I sing its praises to everyone it might be useful to!”

Shop the pStyle Pee Funnel

Kevin Tremaine | Favorite Gear: Superior Wilderness Designs Ultralight Long Haul 50L

• MSRP: $355
• Weight: 28.6 oz

“Highly customizable; with a full food carry it still is very comfortable. I can fit 6 Smartwater bottles in the side pockets if needed.”

Shop the SWD Ultralight Long Haul 50L

Prune “Pixie” Carpentier | Favorite Gear: Drop + Durston X-Mid 1P Tent (2020 model)

• MSRP: $234
• Weight: 28 oz

“Easy to pitch, not too heavy, survived a few storms and always kept me dry.”

Editor’s note: The current version of this tent is the Durston X-Mid 1 Ultralight Tent.

Shop the Durston X-Mid 1

Mack “Pot Luck” McGhee | Favorite Gear: Katabatic Flex 22

• MSRP: Starts at $429
• Weight: Starts at 21.3 oz

“So light, so versatile, works from 22 to 70 degrees.”

Shop the Katabatic Flex 22 Quilt

Return to top.

Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hikers’ Favorite Gear

Kirby Oliver | Favorite Gear: Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 Ultralight Backpack

• MSRP: $275
• Weight: Starts at 30.7 oz

“It’s rare to find a lightweight pack that also has a solid and sturdy frame (not a bent wire or thin stay). It’s very comfortable, and at 50L, is the perfect capacity for me.”

Shop the Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50

Sifre van Teeffelen | Favorite Gear: Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket

• MSRP: $179
• Weight: 12.4 oz

“Even though it’s rained only twice on trail so far, I love my raincoat. It has been useful in the windy parts around Tehachapi, and most importantly: it is the only clothing that mosquitos can’t bite through!”

Shop the Women’s Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket

Shop the Men’s Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket

Abby “Shitwater Fireball” Evans | Favorite Gear: Town Shirt Red Eft Sun Hoodie

• MSRP: $85
• Weight: 7.5 – 9 oz 

“It’s lightweight and breathable. It also has a kangaroo pocket and a button that keeps the hood up on windy days. And it has salamanders on it!”

Shop the Town Shirt Red Eft Sun Hoodie

Kurt T Bachmann | Favorite Gear: Lowa Renegade GTX Mid Hiking Boots

• MSRP: $255
• Weight: 39.2 oz (pair)

“Very comfortable, zero foot issues. Everything has lasted except the boot laces, which I replaced easily.”

Shop the Men’s Lowa Renegade GTX Boots

Shop the Women’s Lowa Renegade GTX Boots

Sakari “Paws” McGregor | Favorite Gear: Arc’teryx Nuclei Hoody

• MSRP: $350
• Weight: 11.5 oz

“Best for early morning coffee brewing. Lightweight and packs small.”

Shop the Men’s Arc’teryx Nuclei Hoody

Shop the Women’s Arc’teryx Nuclei Jacket

Return to top.

Continental Divide Trail Thru-Hikers’ Favorite Gear

Rebecca “TBD (The Best Daughter)” Ellis | Favorite Gear: Altra Lone Peak 8 Trail Running Shoe

• MSRP: $140
• Weight: 9.16 oz (pair)

“Between this pair of shoes and my Altra Superior 5 trail runners, I have not had any major problems with my feet or ankles in almost 900 miles! My first pair of shoes (Altra Superior 5s) lasted me 700 miles before I needed a new pair. I switched to the Lone Peaks for a little bit more cushion on the frequent road walks.

“I love Altra shoes, and I am excited to run my first marathon this October in the VIA Olympus 2 road running shoes, which I got to try on while in an REI along the trail.”

Shop the Women’s Altra Lone Peak

Shop the Men’s Altra Lone Peak

Kate “Big Catt” Riley | Favorite Gear: Tumble On Outfitters Alpha 90 Fleece

• MSRP: $115
• Weight: Not listed

“A favorite piece of backpacking gear has to be something you look forward to using every day. I picked up my Alpha 90 Fleece Mid-Layer from a small cottage outfitter in Chama, NM along the CDT. Mitch and Johnathan sew their packs and mid-layer only blocks away from the shop, their overwhelming joy adding to the experience of wearing one of their creations.

“In the mountains of the CDT I practically live in this layer, paired with my sun shirt for sleeping, breaks, and in town. On cold mornings, it’s a perfect mixture of breathability and warmth for that first half-hour of walking before those first warm rays of sun. Then, it gets shoved into my mesh pocket for the lunch break, dinner, and camp.”

Shop the Tumble On Outfitters Alpha 90 Fleece

Maja “Pinecone” Horstkotter | Favorite Gear: Katabatic Gear Flex 15 Degree Quilt

• MSRP: Starts at $459
• Weight: Starts at 24.1 oz

“The key to strong hiking is good rest. This quilt keeps me cozy warm, and the hydrophobic treatments mean I don’t have to worry too much about moisture/condensation.”

Shop the Katabatic Flex 15 Quilt

Al “Lookout” Marriot | Favorite Gear: Enlightened Equipment Enigma Apex Custom Sleeping Quilt

• MSRP: Starts at $220
• Weight: Starts at 9.51 oz

“Super warm and vegan friendly.”

Shop the Enlightened Equipment Enigma Apex Custom Quilt

Return to top.

Featured image: Photo via Kelsy Filler, graphic design by Chris Helm