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Pack Shakedown: Top 5 Most Common Items Cut by the Pros
If you’re planning a NOBO thru-hike of the AT then there is a good chance you’ve heard of Mountain Crossings, the hostel and outfitter located directly on trail at Neel Gap, mile 31.3. For most hikers, it is the first resupply stop on their hike, and a chance to rethink their gear choices for their coming trek. Even just a few days on trail is enough for most people to get a sense of what is, and more importantly what isn’t, working in their setup.
In between my own adventures, I have had the privilege of calling Mountain Crossings (or “the Gap” as we employees lovingly call it) home. During hiker season and preceding months, my favorite part of the job is helping hikers dial in their kit. I’ve done pack shakedowns with hundreds of hikers, and in the process helped them to cumulatively send home thousands of pounds of gear. In doing so, I’ve noticed that over and over again, hikers ditch the same things.
If you are a prospective thru-hiker or someone who has questions about what to bring on a backpacking trip, it’s worth paying attention to this trend. Below I’ll go over some of the most common items that hikers think they need, but really do not. I’ll also present a brief list of the essentials that you should be carrying with you on trail.
Know Before You Go: The Top 5 Items Ditched at Mountain Crossings
At the end of the day what a hiker decides to carry in their pack is a personal choice. Everybody has their own mix of wanting to be lightweight, comfortable, and budget-friendly. I will never shame anyone for their gear choices, but it is my job to share my opinion. As it is during a shakedown, the following is merely advice from someone who has been there before. It’s up to you to decide whether or not you take it.
Orange Kitty, a valued member of the Mountain Crossings Team, does not judge your gear, but he does have thoughts.
1. Sleeping Bags with High-Temperature Ratings (aka warm weather bags)
I’ll admit this first one is specific to those folks who want to get an early start on their hikes and think that Georgia is perpetually warm. I was right there with you when I moved down here for my first winter. In fact, I’ll be honest — before my AT thru-hike, I didn’t even know that Georgia had mountains. But it does, and they get very cold. Without a doubt, the most common piece of gear I sell before mid-April is a warmer sleeping bag.
Here I am playing in the snow on Blood Mountain.
If you plan to get an early start and try to beat the bubble save that summer sleeping bag for later in the trail. For the early season (think January-March) you should expect temperatures below freezing every night, with occasional bouts of near-zero temperatures. Make sure you have an appropriate sleep system for winter temperatures, and learn the difference between the “comfort rating” and “survival rating” on your bag or quilt. It may not be quite as cozy as you think.
READ NEXT —
- Why February Is the Best Month To Start the Appalachian Trail
- The Top Sleeping Bags, Quilts, and Pads on the AT: 2022 Thru-Hiker Survey
2. An Outfit for Every Day of the Week
This one is a quick fix that can cut pounds off your base weight. While you can wear clean clothes every day while off-trail if you like, you really don’t need to when you’re out in the woods. You’re hiker trash, embrace it. Leave redundant extras at home unless you absolutely can’t do without.
I recommend carrying one outfit for hiking and one for sleeping/hanging out at camp. Suitable exceptions to this rule are multiple pairs of socks and underwear, but it is still wise to limit excess. Two to three pairs of each should be plenty for most thru-hikers, and many don’t carry underwear at all. Otherwise, no need to carry an extra pair of shorts or shirt. I promise that nobody on trail is going to judge you for a stain or smelling bad. We all stink. On that note, ditch the deodorant too.
3. Bush Crafting Gear
While you should absolutely be prepared to be self-sufficient in the backcountry, it is important to be realistic about what to expect. The AT is not a true wilderness experience in the traditional Hollywood sense. You will likely see people every day, and the trail is well-marked while never being too far from civilization. Your next beer and burger are only a few days away. You’re not setting out to survive for extended periods of time while completely alone.
Leave the machetes and axes at home — you will not need them. Earlier this year I helped a hiker pair down their pack, and in the process, they sent home 12 pounds of knives, a machete, and a hatchet. I personally only carry a tiny Swiss Army knife, used almost exclusively for opening pesky packaging on my food.
4. A Book
This one can be a little controversial, but for me it simply is not worth the weight. I just threw my current read (Drunk: How we Sipped, Danced, and Stumbled Our Way to Civilization by Edward Slingerland) on the scale. 12.3 ounces. It might not sound like a lot on its own, but ounces add up quickly. That’s like five Clif Bars.
Most people find they have less downtime to read than they imagined. Between setting up camp and eating dinner at the end of an exhausting day, or making friends and tramily members, most people simply do not have the time or energy to read. If you’re truly determined to knock a few books off your list while on trail I would recommend reading on your phone or listening to audiobooks. There are plenty of great apps where you can download your next read.
However, if you find yourself wishing that you had physical pages to flip through, then you can always add a paperback later. Mail one to yourself or peruse a thrift shop.
5. Redundant Gear
Pick one. You don’t need both. Photo courtesy of Taylor Bell.
While it’s not a specific item, redundant gear is likely the most common item I help hikers send home. While I encourage carrying things like a needle and thread or a patch kit, you do not need a backup for everything you carry.
I’ve met a hiker carrying three water filters and purification tablets. One will do. If for some reason something you’re carrying breaks, it will be okay. You just need to get to the next town, and there are plenty of other hikers around. I am sure at least one will be more than willing to help. Need to light your stove, but lost your lighter? Everyone else at the shelter has one. Borrow one of them until you get to that next gas station.
This same thought process applies to multiple fuel canisters, batteries, headlamps, etc. You name it and I’ve seen someone carrying three of it. Everything in your pack should serve its own unique purpose.
Bonus: “Cheap” Gear
While I understand everyone has a budget, cheap gear can carry additional costs beyond its dollar amount. Typically, these include reduced durability and increased weight. For me, high-end backpacking gear is an investment in my own comfort. A lighter pack means a happier Moose Juice(me!).
At Mountain Crossings I send home old tents, packs, and sleeping bags daily. After carrying heavy gear up those steps at Amicalola Falls and then down the grueling descent of Blood Mountain, many hikers come to the same realization. Lightweight gear is worth the price tag.
You don’t have to break the bank to go ultralight. In my opinion, the easiest way to lighten your load is to simply carry less. If you’re looking at what budget-friendly gear to buy for an upcoming hike, give this post a read Ultralight For Under $1,000.
READ NEXT —
- Backpacking on a Budget: Top Tips and Debunked Myths
- How to Plan a Budget for Your Thru-Hike: A Step-by-Step Guide
What You DO Need: Don’t forget the essentials
Backpacking can be as simple as you make it. One of the greatest impacts it has had on my life has been teaching me how to do more with less. For most of my hikes, I try to pack pretty minimalist, balancing weight and comfort, depending on the trip. I am constantly changing up my kit and trying out new items, but if I were to join the AT class of 2024 my gear list would look like this:
Shelter: Tarp/tent combo
A tent with bug protection is a good idea on the AT. Photo courtesy of Owen Eigenbrot.
On the AT I used a hammock for the first half and a tarp for the second. I would take a tarp again, but I’d likely switch to a tent at some point as the bugs started to get bad, likely something double-walled to help with condensation. If I was planning to hike during the bubble I would carry a tent the entire way for the added privacy. I’ve decided hammocks just aren’t for me.
READ NEXT — Top Tents and Shelters on the AT: 2022 Thru-Hiker Survey
Backpack: Comfort above all
Judging by my pack size, I’m either a fool or just very selective in my gear choices. Any guesses? This setup is geared towards long hiking days vs. comfortably lounging in camp.
Backpacks are so personal that it’s hard to offer advice to people without them trying a few on. I like to tell people that the best pack is the one that is most comfortable for you. If it’s lightweight, that’s just a bonus. Town stops are so frequent on the AT that huge packs aren’t necessary, but make sure that yours can fit all of your gear with room to spare for food.
READ NEXT —
Sleep System: Sleeping bag or quilt?
I switch sides practically daily on the quilt versus sleeping bag debate. On three different long trails I’ve used three different quilts. However, each and every time I hop into my mummy bag I am reminded just how cozy they can be. Starting northbound on the AT with the bubble I would take my 20-degree sleeping bag plus a silk liner. I’d pair those with a sleeping pad with an R-value of at least four. I sleep on the warm end of the spectrum, and I truly hate being cold.
READ NEXT —
Clothes
Myself, Lifeguard, and Showman rocking our rain gear.
Again this is one that varies dramatically between hikers. I like button-up sun shirts for all weather. Then, either running shorts or lightweight pants depending on the season, but not both. I’ll typically carry two pairs of underwear and three pairs of socks. For sleeping I like synthetic base layers. Wool is great too. Nothing cotton. Ever.
In addition to my hiking and sleeping clothes, I always carry a mid-layer, puffy jacket, and a rain jacket. I’ll carry rain pants, gloves, and a winter hat in colder months, but typically go without.
Miscellaneous
That pretty much covers the big items in my pack, but there are still a few odds and ends. I’ll add a very minimal first-aid kit, toilet kit, a spoon, water filter, Garmin, sunscreen, bug spray, food storage, and a power bank. Other than that, I don’t need it enough to justify carrying it.
READ NEXT —
Take A Hike: No really, go for a hike first
My Tramily (left to right: Spud, Lifeguard, Moose Juice (me), Showman, Waffles) at Springer. We made it and you can too.
That’s what works for me, but it’s important to figure out what works for you. My favorite piece of advice to give (and coincidentally my favorite diss) is to go take a hike. Test your setup before you leave for your big adventure so that you can take the things that matter and leave behind the things that don’t. You can save a lot of pain, both physically and financially, by listening to the experts and doing it right the first time. However, experience is always the best teacher. Still, you don’t need to wait for AT Day 1 to begin the learning process.
At the end of the day, what you choose to carry is up to you. Just remember to have fun and that help can be found anywhere you’re willing to ask for it. Thru-hikers are a great community, ready and excited to help each other.
Featured image: A Moose Juice photo. Graphic design by Zack Goldman.
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Comments 12
Yup, I sorted mine recently, still find redundency. Your thought/preference; tent or hammock? Running a hammock, considering a 3 season tent. What say you Moose Juice?
I used a hammock for the first half of the AT and just a tarp for the second, but made the switch to a three-season tent for my subsequent hikes. I’ll be sticking with my tent for the future, I like the privacy and space it provides especially when I’m waiting out a storm.
Looking forward to meeting you in February, see if you can help us out on completing the AT!!!
See ya then! Biggest key to a sucessful hike is having the right attitude, but be sure to take your gear out on a few shakedown hikes before February.
It’s a dumb choice for pack weight, but I’ll always bring a paperback. I started with Dune on the JMT (the Litany Against Fear was a great thing to have stuck in my head coming down the Half Dome cables!) and have read through most of that series now. Even if time is short it’s still crucial alone time to wind down at the end of the day.
Don’t take the whole book. Cut out some pages and put more in your resupply boxes and either trash the ones read or send them home.
Really helpful, thanks for sharing. I get cold and then find it difficult to warm up again, so the sleeping bag section particularly helpful. My current sleeping bag is three seasons and survival rather than comfort when the temperatures get anywhere near zero. I am thinking of adding a lightweight quilt to this for March and April on the AT next year and then posting back one or the other later on. It’s an extra 400 g but I know that the cold and lack of sleep will be miserable. Any thoughts?
I would look at adding a sleeping bag liner before adding a quilt, little more friendly to the wallet and might just do the trick.
Ditto on the bag liner
I have had my pack items laid out in a long line for a week now and believe I have “reduced” my pack as much as possible, but, will still give it a look over before re-packing. At 73 (will be 74 during the hike starting 11 April) less is much better on my back. Thanks for your blog.
I always read posts regarding through hiking, simply because that happens to be the subject most people write about. I’ll probably never do a through hike, so I have to consider the differences between my hikes, and a through hike. Living in Utah means on my hikes, there will be no cell coverage, no next town, and more than likely no other humans. I cannot borrow a lighter from a friend, or a water filter, so I actually do carry doubles of some critical items. The 2oz weight of an additional water filter, and the few grams of an extra lighter is well worth carrying, in my opinion. Still, I enjoy reading accounts of through hikes, and I have used the tips I glean many times to lighten my pack…
If you absolutely think you need to take a book to read, don’t take the whole book. Just cut out some pages, put some more in your resupply boxes and once read either trash them or send them back home if you want to keep the book.