Gear List Time!
For the Gear Geeks
Check out my full gear list here:
I’m one of those people that goes way down the rabbit hole of gear, then at some point come back up for air and makes a purchase based on what’s on sale.
Talking gear lists is like meta-gaming to some. You can get pretty deep into gear, weighing the cost of items in dollars and ounces, obsessing over getting your base weight under 10lbs.
For me, choosing my gear was like designing my character in a video game (my favorite part) – but it quickly became reality on my first overnight with my new gear and I got to really see how valuable every piece can be to make or break your experience outdoors.
First, the iconic top-down view of my gear laid out:
This picture doesn’t include the nitty-gritty layout of my first aid situation or my puffy jacket, leggings, etc. And my hiking poles are unfortunately covered in mud in my car… But you get the idea. Turns out, backpacking doesn’t take very much stuff!
In reality it only takes a (prohibitive for some!) couple hundred dollars of fancy gear (and that’s on sale), a passion for option comparison, and some spreadsheets comparing cost and weight. But when you lay it all out after everything is all together, it doesn’t look like much!
Believe it or not, this gear (mostly purchased on Amazon or from REI’s 4th of July sale) cost me just under $1,000, and all together (with the missing pieces not pictured above) weighs about 18 lbs. For someone who was not totally obsessing over weight or trying to be ultralight, that’s pretty good!
For some, this adventure (or burden) of breaking into a new hobby/lifestyle/sport like backpacking is what stops people from getting into the outdoors in general. The cost is real, and the options for gear are endless. For me, the cost is one of the reasons why I never got into backpacking until deciding to make it my life for 6 months.
Luckily, I had a starting point (and probably $300 of savings) in my hand-me-down REI UL 45 backpack. Without that backpack, I may have been price-intimidated and choice-paralyzed out of even starting this journey!
For the Graphics Geeks
Here is the same picture of my gear, now numbered with bubbles and descriptions!

Fig 1. Outline of gear types and my personal selection. Do you love it or is it too busy? Be honest.
If you’re into backpacking, you know the Big Three make up the majority of your weight, and weight can mean everything when it comes to keeping up with miles and staying strong over the course of a long journey. “Every ounce counts” as the Ultralighters say.
In case you’re new here, the Big Three are made up of your backpack, your shelter, and your sleep system (see Fig. 1). For me, this is my hand-me-down UL (ultralight) REI backpack, my hammock (heavy compared to some UL tents), my underquilt, and my quilt.
For a lot of backpackers who choose the more traditional tent, they can shave weight by using their hiking poles as tent poles, sleeping just on a Therm-a-rest type foam pad instead of something inflatable (and surprisingly heavier), and buying the lightest, most expensive backpack out there.
These choices can make a lot of sense! And I’m certain I will find things in my pack to shed to lose weight as I learn more through experience.
But for now, I am happy with my base weight and my heaviest item, my 5lb hammock system, as my shelter.
What are Luxury Items?
It may seem like the rest of my items are also “essential”, but when it comes to backpacking, even a toothbrush handle can be seen as “luxury”. So far, my luxury items include:
- Sleep mask
- Earbuds
- Joey gear sling to keep my backpack off the ground and safely tucked under my hammock at night (also helps keep things dry)
- Backpacking stove
- Some small items in my first aid and toiletries kit
- A battery pack to recharge my phone – could be considered essential if I am relying on my phone for GPS, maps, emergency, etc.
Wow! Such luxury. A stove??
Yes, to some, even an 18oz backpacking stove (and the fuel you have to carry) becomes luxury when you can cold soak dehydrated meals or just eat tortillas and peanut butter for meals.
And to be honest, while I love having hot, freshly rehydrated meals after a day in the cold air hiking, I can definitely imagine the hot and sweaty summer having me pack up my stove, underquilt, and quilt to ship home when even thinking about a hot meal is too much.

The author, very happy and warm under the down quilt that was bought ON SALE for ONLY $230. Sheesh. You pay for lightweight quality when you buy backpacking gear, that’s for sure.
So will this gear be the same gear I finish with in Maine? Likely there will be some changes, but based on my (limited) usage so far, I’m very happy with my personalized backpacking experience with these items, and I can’t wait to use them more once spring arrives!
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Comments 9
One thing I’ve noticed other’s do is use their Z-Lite sleeping pad as an additional layer in their hammock on really cold nights. Yes, your underquilt will help, but sometimes you need a bit more warmth to keep you comfortable. So, throw that in your hammock and you’re good. To keep it from slipping around, get some silicone caulk and put beads of the caulk on a number of points of the sleeping pad.
Yes, I’ve seen this too from other hammockers! I’m sure in temps below 40 it would be an excellent addition to add protection from the cold. So far when testing my gear, I’m just using it as a sit pad while I make breakfast, which is also great to keep my butt from freezing on colder days as well.
I like how you arenβt just following the popular crowd of name brand items. Off brands are often equal or better quality and much cheaper because you aren’t paying for the name. Just do proper research! Lots of people only grab name brands and waste money. Good luck and have a great adventure!
Thank you! I noticed there’s a lot of trends in the backpacking world as I started doing my research, but there are tons of brands out there and they all seem great with similar features to more well known brands.
No mid-layer (such as a fleece jacket or long-sleeve wool shirt)? No sleep clothes? No extra pair of socks? I don’t see even one pair of socks, or trail runners/boots. No gloves? Not sure when you plan to start, but I’ve spent many nights and early mornings at well below freezing in Georgia in the spring. Your T-shirt and puffy combo won’t cut it if you encounter those temperatures. I even got snowed on in the Smokies – in May.
Cheaping out on clothes to keep you warm and safe isn’t a good idea, regardless of weight or saving a few bucks.
Hi Stephen! I appreciate the feedback. You’re right, when I published my gear list it wasn’t as thorough as it could be and I didn’t add some of my “worn” items because I was just concentrating on “what’s in my pack”. I was also keeping my footwear secret until my next post. π
In my gear testing trips, I have slept in my sports bra, 32 Degrees leggings, long-sleeve shirt, socks, and on colder nights added my puffy jacket, and I was warm in my hammock. I also hike warm and have never found myself having the need for a fleece mid-layer on day hikes. I totally am open to having my mind changed by time on trail and running to the closest town for more layers for evenings and mornings though! But just today I wore my long sleeve base layers and my puffy and was totally warm on a sub-freezing hike. Time will tell if I need to add more layers for sure!
I have added the weight of my extra socks and gloves to my gear list as well as my current shoe choice. π
I responded to your comment on my post asking about your setup and then I found this post! π I love reading through what other people bring. It looks like you have a pretty solid setup! Good luck to you on your thru! So exciting!
Thank you so much Shannon! I’m sure I’ll learn a lot about what works and what doesn’t and make changes along the way. I appreciate your support!
Very cool to see a hammocker! I hammock camped for a long time, though I decided to go tent for the AT.