(Updated) My (Complete!) AT Gear List

(This list has been updated as of day 12 in Franklin, NC) 

I’m hitting the trail tomorrow (a day earlier than originally planned, given the weather forecast and some external personal factors), so no time like the present for a pretty streamlined, bare-bones “gear list”, right?

If you haven’t already seen “My Hammock Camping ‘Big 3’ on the AT” post, be sure to go check that one out. 

I’ve tried to break this down into sections, I hope it helps. (I know Gear Lists can sometimes end up downright dizzying…)

Clothes: 

  • Columbia Silver Ridge Lite long-sleeve shirt: 

This is a pretty no-frills long-sleeve button-front SPF 50+ active shirt that has a tab/button combo for easy sleeve rolling on warmer days, and a small zippered pocket near the right hip/waist for easily stowing a chapstick or other small items I may want to keep nearby.

  • All in Motion (Target) athletic top:

This is a pretty basic synthetic top that drapes nicely and has a mesh panel between the shoulder blades. I bought it on clearance a long time ago, and I really like it. The seams are well-placed for backpacking, and it wicks moisture well. It’s also more durable than some of my similar light-weight athletic shirts, so I’m inclined to believe it’ll survive months of wearing a pack daily.

  • Patagonia 5” Baggies:

I got my first pair of the classic Baggies last year, and I can’t believe it’s taken me so long. As someone with short, chunky legs who frequently suffers from the dreaded “chub-rub”, they’re the first shorts I’ve had in a long time that don’t ride up, and the fabric is durable enough to last an entire thru-hike. 

  • ExOfficio Sport Mesh 2.0 Bikini Brief (x2 pair): 

I tried the wool underwear brands for “synthetic stank” reasons. It didn’t work. My skin does not seem to like wool as much as I wish it did. Easy choice here. 

  • No Boundaries (Walmart) Bonded Scoop Bra:

These bras are $11 and are absolutely incredible. I take the silly foam cups out, and it becomes one of the nicest, fast-drying sports bras I’ve ever found. With bonded seams and a lightweight fabric, I’d suggest these for any bustier hikers (like me) who can’t make the traditional light-weight hiking bras work for them.

(On-Trail Update: While I still love these as a hiking bra for day-hikes and weekend trips, I seem to be having an issue with these bras losing their shape with longer extended wear— Maybe not the best choice for a thru-hiker. I’m on the lookout for a different option, but haven’t found anything worth the swap at the outfitters or retailers along/near the trail that I’ve managed to get to.) 

  • Darn Tough socks (x3) and Injinji liners: 

I have 2 pair of Darn Tough hiker crew socks, one pair of Darn Tough athletic crew socks (as a camp/sleep sock and backup pair), and one pair of the classic Injinji toe-sock crew liners for if my feet start blistering or need a little extra protection of whatever reason.

(On-Trail Update: I’ve added another pair of Injinji liners.)

  • Topo Ultraventure 2 trail runners + Superfeet Green insoles 

I’m not actually sure how I feel about these insoles so far. I get their appeal, but sometimes I feel as though it’s hard to get my foot positioned on them correctly. We’ll see if they last. 

  • Katoolah ankle-length gaiters
  • Buff neck gaiter/sweatband/washcloth

We love this classic multi-purpose hikers’ emotional support item. 

  • Wool glasses retainer/strap
  • Black Diamond Trail Cork trekking poles
  • Handkerchief (attached to the outside of my pack, snot/sweat rag) 

Cold Layers: 

  • Odlo Natural + Kinship Warm Base-Layer Quarter-Zip Top
  • Odlo Natural + Kinship Warm Base-Layer Pants

This set is a technical merino-wool blend base layer that I find quite comfortable, and is thin/breathable enough as an active base-layer without pouring sweat– I run super warm, and this set strikes a nice balance for me.

(On-Trail Update: I’ve swapped out the zip-neck top for a crew-neck synthetic thermal base layer I found pretty cheap at Outdoor 76 in Clayton, GA. The zipper was driving me crazy whenever I’d try to wear it, which had thus far been mostly as an additional night-time cold-weather layer. Paired with the scuba hood on my Patagonia Cap Air, I think it was just too much around my throat for me to tolerate— Swapped it out and a ent home.)

  • Mountain Hardwear Ghost Shadow Hoodie:

A warm synthetic down hoodie with water-repellent nylon that compresses down to near-nothing and weighs in at 11oz for my women’s size XL? Yeah, sign me up.

  • Minus 33 Ridge Cuff wool beanie
  • Outdoor Research Overdrive convertible running gloves

Rain/Wind Layers:

  • Frogg Toggs Ultra Lite (jacket only)
  • Body Wrappers Warm-Up Dance Pants

Yes– Dance pants! For their weight, price, and durability, these are some of the best wind pants around.

  • On-Trail Update: Enotah Gear Co. rain overmittens

I added these at Mountain Crossings— I had wanted some for a long while but all the ones I was interested in online were sold out and I ran out of time to DIY them before leaving.

  • Patagonia Houdini windbreaker
  • Kavu Trail-running cap

This will also be my sun-cap/visor (sized up to be able to wear my Buff as a sweatband underneath in warmer months), but in the rain I’ll use it to keep my hood/water away from my face/glasses. 

  • ULA Pack cover, medium
  • FREiQ waterproof cell phone pouch

Camp Clothes:

  • Patagonia Capilene Air Hoodie
  • Patagonia Capilene Air Bottoms
  • Crocs Classic

I really feel like these all go without saying. Cap Air base layers are incredibly warm and lightweight layers, but not durable enough for active use (which won’t be a problem with this arrangement). Crocs aren’t the lightest things around, but I can’t beat the comfort and arch support after a day of hiking. 

Other/Luxury Items: 

  • Granite Gear PillowSack:

I’m a pillow person, and I love that this one can be thrown in the wash on laundry days and can serve as a stuff-sack both in my pack and overnight. I shove my puffy jacket in it in pillow mode, and stuff my electronics into the center to keep them from getting too cold overnight. It also gives me a way of being able to quickly find any items (like spare socks or my phone) that may slide around in my hammock overnight otherwise. 

  • Cocoon Silk Mummy Liner

I’m using this in the colder/starting weather to “winterize” my sleep system a little– From my overnight shakedown, it does seem to make a healthy amount of difference. 

  • Cotopaxi Bataan 3L Fanny Pack

My ULA Circuit does have hipbelt pockets, so many people would argue with my choice to bring this. But as an, erm… organizationally challenged person, I really like that I can use it to keep even more things on hand and prevent me from needing to take off my pack whenever I need items that didn’t make it on my hip-belt. I’ve also found it’s a great size and shape to keep at the top of my pack like a “brain” to keep smaller items from falling into the void inside my pack when I don’t feel like wearing it around my waist. I can easily send it home if it turns out to be overkill, but I really like its versatility so far. 

  • Dutchwear Gear PackBack & Tarp Sleeve:

The tarp sleeve is a breathable mesh sleeve that allows me to break-down/set-up camp just a bit quicker, as well as lash my tarp to the outside of my pack more easily after rain or when my pack is more full after a full resupply. The PackBack is great for allowing other wet gear like socks or rain layers to dry on the outside of my pack without risking them falling off or getting caught on low-hanging branches. 

Both of these are entirely optional, but very light-weight and invaluable in terms of their space-saving potential. (The PackBack also works extremely well as a ridgeline organizer/pocket in my hammock at night which makes it even more worth it to me. I can hang it like a traditional pouch, or double it over to work like a gear-shelf. I thoroughly recommend it to all hammock campers.)

  • Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil 4L Dry Sack (clothing storage)
  • Outdoor Products 2L Dry Bag (first aid/electronics storage)
  • Crystal Light tube w/ bubble wrap and glasses pouch (for overnight, crush-proof glasses storage)
  • Rite in the Rain waterproof mini journal & Fisher space pen backpacker keychain
  • On-Trail Update: Added an AT Passport at Mountain Crossings
  • Granite Gear hiker wallet
  • Foam sit pad (On-Trail Update: Sent this home in Hiawassee/Clayton after I added a Nemo Switchback at Mountain Crossings. I wanted the bigger short-length pad for shelter stays and stretching, but carrying both seemed like overkill for me.)
  • AWOL’s Guide, loose-leaf version (approximately the first 3rd of the pages- I’ll have the others shipped to me along the trail)

Hydration/Water Treatment:

  • Sawyer mini water filter
  • CNOC Vesica collapsible water bottle (dirty water bag)
  • 1L Smart Water bottle + DIY hydration straw (cut from an old hydration tube)
  • 12oz mini Nalgene bottle

Primary usage for this is as a hot water bottle for colder nights. Will also be additional water bottle on the occasional longer carry. 

Kitchen:

  • CloudGear “Huge” bear bag (w/ rock sack)
  • 50’ Reflective Glowire hank by Lawson Equipment

(On-Trail Update: Swapped this out for UL bear line from Enotah Gear Co. at Mountain Crossings. The UL line is unbelievably painful to pull your bag down in the morning, but cutting the weight and bulk was worth it to me. Used some of the original line to add som reflective loops to my trekking poles and sent the rest of the hank home.)

  • Smelly Proof storage/liner bags (one large, one medium)
  • TOAKS 450ml Titanium cup (w/ lid and pouch)
  • TOAKS long-handled spoon
  • Sea to Summit Cool Grip X-Mug 

Yes, I’m bringing a mug and a titanium pot. I like to be able to drink my coffee and eat my oatmeal at the same time. 

  • BRS 3000-t mini stove
  • 4oz Isopro fuel canister
  • Another handkerchief (to prevent my fuel can from rusting my cookpot)
  • Mini BIC lighter

Hygiene/Personal Care:

  • 2oz Dr. Bronners liquid soap
  • Mini toothbrush
  • Powder toothpaste
  • Various salve tubes (I have pretty sensitive, reaction-prone skin)
  • SunBum face sunscreen stick and SPF chapstick (see above)
  • Retainer case
  • Victorinox mini Swiss Army Knife
  • Mini pill case

Hygiene #2 (aka the “Sh*t Kit”)

  • Deuce of Spades #2
  • Partially dried out biodegradable wipes
  • TP
  • CuloClean backpacker bidet
  • Cora disc
  • Riveted Oak Designs “Hiker Hanky” (Kula cloth/pee rag)

First Aid:

I’m not going to get into the item-by-item detail here for the sake of time, but my first aid sack boils down to things like straw tubes with antibiotic cream, lots of band-aids, some gear-aid repair tape, back up iodine tablets for if my Sawyer fails, a pouch full of foam ear plugs (I’m a painfully light sleeper), spare zip-lock baggies, ibuprofen and various other standard ‘medicine cabinet’ pills.

  • Medications & emergency albuterol sulfate inhaler

Electronics & Chargers:

  • iPhone 11 (w/ case & screen protector)
  • Garmin Fenix 6 Pro watch
  • Garmin inReach Mini (w/ silicone cover and carabiner)
  • Anker 10,000mAh Powercore PD+ portable charger
  • Wireless headphones
  • Petzl Actic Core headlamp (w/ rechargeable battery)
  • USB-C to Lightning Charger (for fast charging iPhone and wireless headphones)
  • 6” USB-A to micro USB charger (for inReach and headlamp)
  • 3’ USB-C charger (for portable charger and watch)
  • USB-C to Garmin watch adapter
  • Anker PowerPort PD II wall charger (this is a pretty hefty duel-port USB-A/USB-C wall plug with fast-charging capacity for efficient town stops/zero days)


Well, that’s about everything! I may update this list if I realize I’ve forgotten to include something, or I add anything major to my kit along the way. 

Now to get a good night’s sleep here in the Atlanta suburbs, and drive out to Amicalola Falls tomorrow morning!

And for those wondering- My pack’s base weight (minus primary worn layers, food, and consumables) is hovering right around 17.2lbs.

(On-Trail Update: New base weight with gear swaps/additions is 18.1lb)

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