Lucky P’s 2023 AT Gear List

Lucky P’s 2023 Appalachian Trail Thru Hiking Gear  

Laying all of my gear out and taking inventory of everything seems simple enough, but it can be one of the most daunting yet exciting pre thru-hike struggles. Knowing that I will succumb to stinking everyday and getting soaked to the bone = gear indecisiveness. I have finally wrapped it all up, and I am ready to hit the trail in less than 2 weeks! My gear is a collection of several items that have been with me for the past few years, with a handful of new additions and upgraded pieces. There are some pieces on my gear list that I do not need to survive, but they compliment my mental well-being on trail.

Backpack Weight

My goal is to keep my total pack weight under 25 lbs throughout my entire journey. It goes without saying and studies have shown; the heavier the pack, the less likely a complete thru-hike is achieved. However, winter months call for heavier gear. As it warms up, items are shipped home or donated to hiker boxes along the trial; weight lessens. For my personal weight analysis, I am considering “consumables” as food, water, stove fuel, and all liquids (soap, insect repellent)- anything with fluctuation. Due to a weaker right ankle, counting ounces and getting real with needed vs. unnecessary weight is an important thru-hiking preparation component. Some also consider their “worn clothing” as part of their total pack weight, however I have not.

The Complete List:

The Big Three

Backpack – Gregory Maven 55L

My Gregory Maven 55L is a previous year model that is still in great shape after over 500 section hike trail miles on the AT and CDT. Though I considered purchasing a more ultralight alternative backpack, this one fits me like a glove and supports my spine in all the right places. I cannot say I have ever had a day on trail where I disliked how it felt on my back, shoulders or hips. Upon some retrofitting adjustments (removing quite a few unnecessarily long straps and a couple interior pockets), I saved almost 4oz in weight.
*My alternative backpack choice is Gossamer Gear’s Mariopsa 60L

Shelter – MSR Freelite 2 Tent

Semi-free standing with waterproof rainfly, poles, stakes, guy lines and stuff sack. This tent has withheld several severe rain storms, snow and heavy frost on the AT. My favorite memory in it was sleeping through a 45 mph storm just outside Thomas Knob Shelter on Mt Rogers in VA. The wind was so crazy that we woke up to a couple of wild ponies hunkered down right outside the tent.*My alternative shelter choice is the Zpacks Duplex 

Sleep System – Enlightened Equipment Revelation D 850 10 Degree Quilt
ThermaRest Prolite Apex Pad 2″, Self Inflating, 3.8 R Value

A side-sleeper’s sleep system struggle (say that 10x really fast!) is REAL. When considering gear weight compromises – my sleep system is not one of them. Sleeping outdoors is definitely a learned skill. A good night’s rest on the trail is the difference between happy hiking and dragging through the miles. I made the switch from my Big Agnus Sleeping Bag to a quilt. The EE Revelation in regular wide allows for plenty of toss-n-turn room while keeping warm in below freezing temps.

• Backpack – Gregory Maven 55 (retrofitted)  2.8 lb
• Liner – Gossamer Gear Waterproof Liner 1.2 oz
• Pack Cover – Gregory Water Resistant 1.3 oz
• Shelter – MSR Gear Freelite (w/ poles, rainfly, stakes, stuff sac) 2.31 lb
• Footprint – Gossamer Gear Universal Polycryo 3.65 oz
• Quilt – Enlightened Equipment Revelation 850D 10F  20.34 oz
• Sleep Pad – ThermaRest Prolite Apex 3.8 R-value 28 oz

Packed Clothing

• Clothing Storage- Hyperlight Stuff Sack (doubles as a pillow)  1.7 oz
• Underwear (2) – Exofficio Give-N-Go Sport Mesh Briefs
• Sock Liner – Injinji Toe Liners  1.1 oz
• Socks (2) – Darn Tough Merino Wool 4.6 oz
• Bottom Baselayer – Icebreaker 200 Oasis Thermal Leggings 5.63 oz
• Top Baselayer – Smart Wool All Season Merino Long Sleeve 4.7 oz
• Rain Jacket -Outdoor Research Helium II 5.6 oz
• Rain Pants – Frogg Toggs Pro-Action Pants 7.8 oz
• Beanie – Chaos Knit 3 oz
• Sunglasses – Knock Arounds 1.48 oz
• Bug Head Net – Sea to Summit Ultra Fine Mesh  0.78 oz
• Buff (2) – Multi-use 2.32 oz

Cooking & Water Filtration

• Stove/Pot – Jet Boil Flash System 13.1 oz
• Fuel – Isobutane/Propane 7.13 oz
• Sport – Vargo Titanium UL  0.3 oz
• Food Bag – Hilltop Pacs Bag (Dyneema) & Bear Hanging Kit 1.3 oz
• Water Bottle Sleeve – Zpacks  0.56 oz
• Water Bottles (2) 1 Liter Smart Water Bottle 2.4 oz
• Water Filtration – Sawyer Filter w/ Cleaning Coupling 3.3 oz
• 2L Bladder – Cnoc Outdoors Vecto 2.6 oz
• UL Coffee Filter – GSI Outdoors 0.39 oz

Miscellaneous

• Dental Care – Mini Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Floss 1.62 oz
• Deuce of Spades Trowel – Digging Cat Holes in the Forest 0.6 oz
• Backcountry Bidet – Culo Clean 0.42 oz
• Multipurpose Soap – Dr. Bronner’s Biodegradable  2.0 oz
• Mini Shampoo – Hostel/Campground Showers 2.0 oz
• Pack Towel – Microfiber Cloth 0.74 oz
• Hair Brush – Mini Wet Brush  3.49 oz
• Body Glide – Anti Chafe 1.45 oz
• First Aid Kit – Luekotape, Alcohol Pads, Misc. OTC/Meds, Qtips, Moleskin, Safety Pin 1.75 oz
• Aquaphore – Lip/Skin Protectant 0.46 oz
• Multipurpose Tool – Victorinox Swiss Army Knife, Scissors, File, Tweezers 0.78 oz
• Trekking Umbrella – Six Moon Designs Rain/Sun Protection 6.8 oz
• Cork Massage Ball – Luxury Item 0.7 oz
• Sit Pad – Gossamer Gear 1.9 oz
• Insect Repellent – Sawyer Picaridin Lotion 2.61 oz
• Razor – Gillette Mini 0.49 oz
• Earplugs – 2 pack 0.14 oz
• Tick Patrol – Tick Remover 0.18 oz
• Ditty Bag – Dyneema Waterproof Rolltop Stuff Sack 0.67 oz

Electronics

• Cellphone – iPhone 12 Pro 6.78 oz
• GPS Tracking/SOS – Garmin InReach Mini 2 (Vday Gift from my Husband vs my old Explorer)  3.5 oz
• Headlamp – Nitecore NU25 400 (Rechargeable) 1.98 oz
• Headphones – Apple EarPods  0.8 oz
• Power Bank (2) – Nitecore NB10000 Gen 2 – 10.58 oz
• Recharge – Various Cords/Charging Block 3.2 oz
• Waterproof Storage – Hyperlight Versa Dyneema Fanny (straps removed/attached to backpack) 2.86 oz

Average Weight of 5 Days Food & Water

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snack, Vitamins 4.8 lbs
• One Full Liter H20 – 32 oz

Worn Items (Not Included in Pack Weight)

• Puffy – Patagonia Hooded Micro Puff
• Socks – Injinji Liner & Darn Tough
• Gloves – Smart Wool
• Bottoms – Merino Wool off brand
• Icebreaker Underwear
• Branwyn Merino Performance Bra
• Top – Longsleeve Smart Wool Mid Layer (switch to Patagonia Capilene Cool warm months)
• Shorts – Patagonia Baggies (over merino bottoms)
• Gaiters – Dirty Girl
• Hiking Boots – Keen Targhee (switching to Altra Lone Peaks in WV)
• Trecking Poles – Foxelli
• Hat – SunDay Afternoons Trucker

Maps & Apps

• Maps – FarOut Guide App coupled with Gaia GPS App
• Tracking – Garmin Explorer App (safety/family piece of mind)
• Audible – Pre downloaded books (for when the miles start to get arduous in the green tunnel and early camp nights)
• Dictation Speech to Text (A more streamlined user-friendly interface to save and edit my verbal thoughts on my phone prior to copy/paste posting on town days)

Happy Trails! See you out on the Appalachian Trail in less than 2 weeks!
Lucky P 

Comment Below: What Is or Would Be YOUR Luxury Item of Choice?

EDITED UPDATE: Answers to many questions about my trail maps, apps, “consumables”, and backpack weight added to this post 🙂