SOBO Gear List (After Some Shakedown Time)

Gear list

We had planed to post our gear list pre trip, but after running a bit short on time thought it would make more sense to make this after a we have a few miles under our belts. Our theory from the start was to balance weight with comfort since there will be two of us to split shared gear between and we started with respectable pack weights of just under 20 lbs. But after a few weeks on the trail we have found that there are a few things we thought we would want that we have found to be unnecessary, and also have decided to trade out a few items. Below is a list of what we are actually carrying now on trail. Full disclosure, JD works for Honey Stinger which is a sister company to Big Agnes, so a lot of our gear was donated or purchased at a discount.

Big Three

Both

Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL 3 with footprint

Angie

Big Agnes Cross Mountain 45 (had used Roxy Ann 15 through the Whites)
Big Agnes Air Core pad

JD

Big Agnes Cross Mountain 45 (had used Zirkel 20 long at higher elevations)
Big Agnes Q core pad long

Packs

Angie

Gossamer Gear Mariposa
Mountainsmith rain cover

JD

Granite Gear Crown VC 60
OR rain cover

Cookware

MSR aluminum pot. We have had this set forever that consists of one three liter pot and one 1.5 liter pot. We will just be carrying the 1.5 liter pot with the lid and the handle from here on out.
MSR Pocket Rocket
MSR medium fuel canister
Sea to summit titanium sporks
Ursack bear sack
Katadyn Base Camp Water Filter

Clothes

Angie:

Big Agnes Yarmony Puffy
Black Diamond Stormline Stretch Raincoat
OR Helium Rainpants
Patagonia Lightweight Capilene Crew
Patagonia Quandry Hiking Pants
Smartwool T-shirt
Patagonia Tank Top
Patagonia Strider Shorts
Smartwool Socks x 2, Darn Tough Socks x 1
Smartwool Neck Gaiter
Smartwool PhD Seamless Strappy Bra
3 pairs of Smartwool Underwear and 2 pairs of Exofficio underwear
Smartwool Glove liners
Smartwool PhD Calf Sleeves (I wear these every night when I sleep)
Crocs for camp shoes

Angie Worn Clothes:

Patagonia Baggies
BAP T-Shirt
Buff Headband / Big Agnes Trucker Hat
Brooks Cascadia Trail Runners (used La Sportiva Nucleo High GTX boots through Maine and New Hampshire)
Lululemon Sports Bra
Dirty Girl Gaiters
Crocs

JD:

Big Agnes Shovelhead down coat
OR rain coat
OR Helium Rain Pants
Smartwool 150
Smartwool t-shirt
Patagonia Baggies
Darn Tough socks
LL Bean long johns
Smartwool buff
Trucker hat
Exofficio underwear x two
Flip Flops (had been Crocs)

JD Worn Clothes:

Patagonia Baggies
Darn Tough socks
Patagonia featherweight t-shirt
Inov8 Roclite 290 (had been Salewa Mtn Trainer boots for Maine and New Hampshire)

Electronics and comfort item

iPhones
2 lightning cables
Battery pack and cable
Pillow – Angie
Nikon w-1 camera with two batteries
Black diamond revolt headlamps

Personal items

Tooth brushes
Toothpaste
Bronners
Razor – Angie
Floss
Face Lotion – Angie

Misc.

Gerber pocket knife – Angie
Benchmark Pocket Knife – JD
Deuter water bladders
Sea to Summit bug head nets
Repair Kit – gear tape, patch kits, needle and thread, etc.
Medical Kit – Various bandages, antiseptics, KT tape, etc.
5 dry sacks each in various sizes
Helinox Passport Trekking Poles (Angie)
Helinox Ridgeline Trekking Poles (JD)

Pants

There are mixed feelings here. I started with a pair of camping pants and a pair of camp pants in addition to rain pants. I am now of the opinion that rain pants and long johns are more than sufficient. If ticks become a problem though I can see myself possibly getting a very thin pair to hike in. Angie was planning to keep her yoga pants since she has hiked in them a couple of times and has enjoyed it, but recently decided to ditch them. She now just has a pair of camp pants she is hanging on to. She is also down to 5 pairs of underwear.

Bear bag

The heaviest item we are dropping is the aluminum liner for our Ursac. We have been putting it inside of a dry sack at night before hanging it to hide the smell better and to keep the ursac from getting saturated with water when it rains while still providing protection should a bear or rodent get to it. From what we can tell the liner isn’t totally necessary, and it more than doubles the weight of the ursac. This will also allow for my food bag to fit inside my pack.

Shelter

Having a three-person tent and double vestibules is key for us. It gives us enough space for us to sleep comfortably and protect all of our crap from the elements. Anything smaller would cause some problems. Staying in shelters can be great, especially if it’s raining, but it is really nice to have the option to pitch a tent and get some of your own space as well.

Boots

Starting SOBO I cannot recommend them more highly. Maine and New Hampshire are rooted and rocky as hell. Yes, hiking in trail runners is all the rage right now with the young-go-hards, but trust me, starting out in boots will give you a bit of a thicker sole and added ankle support while your legs get used to carrying your pack over tough terrain. This can also help you avoid taking extra zeros as you get settled in. There has been more than one NOBO that we passed in the Whites that commented on our boots being a good choice.

Camp shoes

Get a pair! Your feet are going to hurt, there is no way to avoid it. You might as well give them a break at the end of a long day of hiking.