My Ever-Evolving Gear List
Flashback three years ago when I just started learning about this concept of “thru-hiking”. I remember sitting, at embarrassing unplanned hours, on various hiking forums. Those moments started to plant seeds and fester into this current dream –> now reality. I loved (and still love!) getting ideas from other hiker gear posts of how to mold my personal gear collection in order to fit my needs. Now, 38 days out from stepping foot in Georgia, and I’m composing one of those same gear post for some aspiring future hikers. It’s amazing how our life endeavors bring us full circle; how that cycle continues for others as I hope this list will aid freshman and maybe even junior status hikers alike.
For those that want a breakdown of gear:
Winter/ Starting Base Weight: 18.08 lbs
… and with that, here’s the list:
Shelter
Sleeping System
Marmot Hydrogen 30 Degree Down Bag–
Sea to Summit Thermolite Reactor Liner – adding +25°… I found that I sleep cool. Once warmer weather hits, I’ll probably ditch my sleeping bag and just use this.
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad–
Pack
2 Trash Compactor bags- used to line the inside + sleeping bag compartment
Shoes
Lowa Renegade Mid Hiking Boot– I will most definitely switch these out for lighter ones somewhere in the hike… but I’m used to these for the time being
“Croc Look-a-Like”– camp shoes from Walmart
Clothing
Base Layer- Synthetic Basylayer top and bottoms (Walmart brand)
Underwear- 2 pairs, synthetic Walmart brand
Bra- generic brand
Synthetic Long Sleeve Shirt- from Goodwill; my primary hiking shirt
Icebreaker Half Zip w/Hood- Mid layer
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Jacket – Insulating layer
Marmot Precip Rain Jacket (Womens) – Rain and Wind Layer
Buff –
Marmot PreCip Full Zip Rain Pants– Rain and Wind Layer
Socks: 3 pairs total- 2 pairs of Darn Tough and one Smartwool pair (which will live in my sleeping bag)
Nike Running Shorts– from Goodwill; my primary hiking bottoms
Kitchen System
Ultra-Sil Dry Sack 13L – Food Bag
Snow Peak Trek 700 Titanium– Cooking Pot
Isobutane Fuel Canister- it fits into the 700 mug perfectly, along with the stove
Utensil- Fastfood Plastic Spoon
Sea to Summit X Mug– I need my tea in the morning 🙂
Parachord for Bear Hanging
2 Bic Lighters-
Hydration System
2 SmartWater Bottles-
Sawyer Mini Filter– although it does have a slow filtration rate, I take the time to appreciate wherever I stop
3L Platypus Reservoir – removed the attachment hose and using only at camp
Personal Care/First Aid
Hygiene Bag- small toothbrush, 0.5 oz toothpaste, chapstick, 1 oz Dr. Bronner’s Castille soap, sunscreen, PackTowel Ultralite (cut in half)
Diva Cup– this is a game changer ladies!
First Aid Kit (Homemade)- it includes: 0.5 oz antibiotic ointment, moleskin, medical tape, band-aids, steristrips, ace bandage, 4×4, 3×3, 2×2 gauze pads, ibprofen/tylenol, alcohol wipe, gloves, needle, ear plugs
Tools
BlackDiamond Spot 90 Lumen Headlamp–
Leatherman StyleCS Multitool– so light and comes with the essentials; shears, file, small blade, tweezers, bottle opener, and mini screw-driver
REI Traverse Powerlock Cork (Womens)– only taking one of the trekking pole pair
MSR Blizzard Tent Stake– used as a trowel
AWOL’s NOBO 2016 Guidebook- Section cut out, Springer –> Damascus, VA
ID, money, debit, medical, and WFR card
Luxuries
Nikon Coolpix AW120 Waterproof Camera–
Journal+Pen+Small Paintbrush
Samsung Galaxy S5 w/ Lifeproof Case-
Charging Bag – external battery pack (debating on taking this… it accounts for a huge chunk of this weight), chargers for phone and camera
Headphones-
** Many of my small items/electronics and paper goods are stored in various pouch sizes from Loksak – lightweight, waterproof pouches, but more durable than plastic bags
And that’s it! I’m sure that I’ll be making tweaks here and there before the end of March. If I see anything while out and about to switch in to chip away at the base weight, then my list will evolve. But there comes a point when you just have to take a step back and breathe. I find myself constantly being reminded that the gear isn’t necessarily getting myself to Katahdin.. that’s my will and feet’s job.
When I started out backpacking and gathering new gear, I found this website that I thought would be helpful for those who like to organize and see the logistics/break down of everything. Make lists full of gear names, weights, save links, ect. Thought I’d share: https://www.geargrams.com/
Final note, I know when I was starting to plan out my gear, I appreciated hiker’s gear videos. I’m more of a visual person, and seeing how things compared in size, how things compacted down, their reasoning for certain gear, and how people organized everything in their pack was very beneficial than just lists and lists of text. Let me know if this would be helpful for ya’ll and I’ll get a link out there. Thanks!
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Comments 6
What is the paintbrush for?
There is no Macgyver or multi-use thought process with bringing this. Just the fact that I love to make art. One of my small luxuries for sure 🙂
Not sure if you’re wanting feedback on your gear list but I’ll make a couple of suggestions based on my thru-hike. Your overall list is pretty on point and especially your shelter and sleep system look good, similar to mine which I loved especially the Neoair pad!
These suggestions are mainly just personal choice as your gear will still get you to Katahdin fine but just thought I’d share for you and others.
I’d take and use both hiking poles – helps with balance and can help stop falls, takes weight off and helps you to hike faster.
I used the sawyer mini also but wish I had the bigger one. Most people either had the big one or changed to it. It’s hard to appreciate the things around you when you’re fighting with your bottle to squeeze water through it!
Cut the guide book up and take probably just Springer to Damascus with you to begin with. And/or download Awols guide onto your phone and just use that.
I liked to use a small sponge instead of a pack towel. Can dry off a damp tent, clean cook pot, clean yourself and is easy to replace in towns when it starts getting dirty.
You may want to consider a pack cover. A wet pack is hard to dry, is not nice to bring into your tent or shelters and weighs more. And it’s another level of protection to keep everything inside your pack dry.
Maybe just use your phone camera instead of bringing a second one.
I sent my power pack home at mountain crossings. If you fully charge your phone it should last between towns depending how much you use it. Just keep it on airplane mode and try not to keep the screen on too long. However if you’re making a lot of phone calls or browsing the internet you may need the power pack.
You might want to get a long handle titanium spoon. Easier to eat with and won’t break.
The thermorest sack leave at home. It’s not worth the hassle of trying to fold it into it every day. Just roll the thermorest up and put it inside you pack liner.
Also it’s a good idea to learn how to bear bag before you go. The PCT method works best. Helps to have a small sack (you could possibly use your sleeping liner sack) to put the rock in to through it over the branch.
Hope some of these tips are helpful. Enjoy your hike!
Hi Kiwi!! Thank you so much for your feedback!! I appreciate it so much as I think my nerves are starting to set in, which aren’t beneficial to my brain remembering everything haha.
My “one trekking pole set up” comes from this past summer’s backcountry trip. That was the first time i tried using poles and I learned how by only utilizing one pole. It’s now muscle memory; purely personal preference.
I am definitely going to take your advice in regard to cutting up the guidebook! Actually, I’m planning on leaving the trail in Damascus for 4 days (I’m in a wedding!) And then re-enter at that same point. I can change out to the 2nd half of my guidebook at that time!
Also, I’ve never really had to bear bag in my previous trips so i agree, practicing is essential!
Thanks for all of your tips!!! Sincerely, Andi
I would like to see a video of packing everything into the pack! Best of Luck!
I used to carry a similar Leatherman but never used it. Now I carry the tiniest Swiss Army knife – saves a few grams.
I also carry a warm weather bag plus a liner. If you get cold just put on all of your layers.
Good luck.
Andy