My AT 2022 Gear List
Everyone’s favorite, the gear list! I poured a lot of research and time into selecting my gear for my thru-hike, and I hope to help others in the same way! That being said, gear is so personal that any one gear list will not work for two different people. I’m guessing I’ll make ditches and switches throughout my time on trail. All applicable gear has been treated with Sawyer Permetherin.
Drumroll please………
Pack:
I love this pack because of all the removable/adjustable features. I took off the brain to save a few ozs.
Sleep system:
- Gossemer Gear The One Tent, with polycro groundcloth
- Thermarest Xtherm pad
- Western Mountaineering Versalite Sleeping Bag (cold weather), UGQ 30 degree quilt (warm weather)
- Sea to Summit bag liner
Initially I had planned on using my UGQ quilt throughout my hike, but I used it on a shakedown in Maine last summer and was chilly. I wasn’t super uncomfortably cold but felt like I needed something warmer for the beginning of my hike. The liner is to keep things cozy and clean.
Food/Drink:
- MSR Pocket Rocket Stove
- Toaks Titanium Pot, titanium spork, rubber pot scraper, BIC lighter
- DCF Food bag from Etsy (Ultralight Sacks), with rock bag
- Sawyer Squeeze filter, two smart water bottles, 2L CNOC bag
I don’t love cooking on trail (due to laziness), but definitely still want coffee in the morning for now. My pot is pretty small for that reason, only 650ml. I’ll probably send my stove home once it the weather warms up (can you see the trend of being worried about being cold?).
Clothes:
- LL Bean Merino Longsleeve
- Ridge Merino Short sleeve
- Ridge Merino compression leggings
- Patagonia baggies shorts
- Sleep leggings
- Lululemon sports bra
- 2 pairs Icebreaker underwear
- REI Rainier Rain Jacket
- Marmot Precip Eco Rain Pants
- Patagonia Micro Puff jacket
- Patagonia Synchilla lightweight fleece
- Smartwool beanie
- Outdoor Research Gloves
I found it really difficult to find good information on what clothes people brought on their thru-hike, which is why I’ve included a full list. That being said, clothing is incredibly personal, so you should take all this with a grain of salt. For example, I prefer to have more layers on top and hike in leggings over pants. Clothing is definitely my heaviest category so I plan to send home layers as soon as I can. My worn weight (ie. what I wear day one), will depend on the weather and how I’m feeling that day!
Footwear
- Saucany Peregrine Trail Runners
- 3 pairs Darn Tough Socks
- 1 pair Injiji sock liners
- Camp shoes
I had an ankle/achilles injury in December, which makes me pretty much unable to wear the increasingly popular zero-drop shoes. I’ve been testing these trail runners for a few months and I really like them! I have heard great things about the Injiji liners, and plan on putting them on only if I feel blisters beginning to form. My camp shoes are random slides from Target.
Hygiene
- Toothbrush/toothpaste, hairbrush/hair ties, nail clippers, toilet paper, Wet Wipes, trowel, hand sanitizer
I have curly/frizzy/tangled hair and plan on keeping it in braids as much as possible. A hairbrush is pretty necessary for me, and I might add a mini conditioner as well. If you have any tips for dealing with curly hair while on trail please comment below!
First Aid
- Bandaids, Neosporin, Medicine (Zyrtec, ibuprofen, Benadryl), KT tape, Tiger Balm, permethrin bug spray
I am pretty prone to allergies and sore muscles, hence the antihistamines and KT tape/tiger balm combo. I prefer KT tape over leukotape because I can use it for blisters and to support my ankles and knees. I cut it to size with nail scissors.
Repair Kit
- Sewing kit, glasses repair kit, sleeping pad repair kit, duct tape, extra o-ring for water filter
Glasses repair kit a must for glasses wearers!!
Electronics
- iPhone 13
- Nitecore Ultraslim Powerbank
- Headlamp
- Freestyle Shark watch
- Garmin inReach mini
- Wall charger and cords
- Headphones
My power bank is definitely on the smaller size, only 10,000 mAh, so I am crossing my fingers it is enough. Its super small and light so I will get a second one if needed. My Garmin is for super emergencies only and I keep it powered off for the most part, but on the front of my pack. The reasoning for this is that if I need to use the SOS button, I will be able to take an extra 15 seconds to turn it on. The watch is just something I already wear 24/7 so it would be weird to take it off for my hike.
Other
- Leki Lite Core-tec Trekking poles
- Chums wallet
- Sunglasses
- Buff
- Bucket hat
- Fabric mask
Sunglasses are prescription, and the poles are also used for my tent. I’ll keep my mask in a ziplock bag and reserve it for when needed in town and hitches.
That’s it! I have a lot to learn along the way so if you have any suggestions, please let me know in the comments. I am excited to see where all this gear will carry me!
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Comments 2
I also use the Saucony Peregrines after finding that zero drop didn’t work for me and I love them! Best of luck on your thru hike!
Maya, re: your curly hair. Just a suggestion for once the weather turns warm. I know you’re young but many young women seem to be shaving their heads these days, many for fashion and/or feminist statements. For you, it would be practical. First of all, you could lose all of the acoutraments (sp?) you need to keep your hair in braids, second it would much cooler on hot summer days and also tend to keep bugs from getting tangled in it. You’d only have to do it once since it would grow back along the rest of the hike. I know many women think of their hair as an extension of themselves but on the trail, you sort of leave those social/emotional mores behind. None of your fellow hikers will care and maybe they’ll even laud you for your bravery as well as your practicality. And think of how much of a “new experience” from your norm that would be!
Good luck on the trek, be safe but most importantly, have fun!