What I’ll Be Carrying on the Trail
I understand that a gear list post is the most unoriginal subject matter for a backpacking website, however, it is almost obligatory. Every year, countless hikers post about their gear and tack on their almighty gear square image. Although it is repetitive, I do find it to be helpful to others wanting to dial in their pack or getting into backpacking in general. I spent countless hours researching and testing gear over the past few years, plus my 240-mile section hike of the AT last year. These things in mind, I kind of deserve to partake in sharing my gear list like my peers this 2018 season. To many people, a gear list is just a compiling list of equipment, but to a hiker these lists are a big personal victory. I am not ultralight, but I can say that I am so glad to be done counting ounces. Without further ado, here is my 2018 thru-hike Appalachian Trail gear list.
Sleep and Shelter System
Tent: Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL 2 – https://www.rei.com/product/895955/big-agnes-fly-creek-hv-ul-2-tent
Sleeping pad: Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Ultra – https://www.rei.com/product/105157/big-agnes-insulated-air-core-ultra-sleeping-pad
Quilt: Enlightened Equipment Revelation 850DT 10 Degree – https://enlightenedequipment.com/revelation-850dt-10-purple-black/
Pack and Trekking Poles
Pack: Osprey Atmos AG 65L – https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/product/131476/osprey-atmos-ag-65-pack-mens
Trekking poles: Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Poles – https://www.rei.com/product/112568/black-diamond-trail-ergo-cork-trekking-poles-pair-womens
Cook System
Bear bag: Zpacks Bear Bagging Kit – http://www.zpacks.com/accessories/bear_bag.shtml
Stove: Jetboil MicroMo Cooking System – https://www.rei.com/product/100030/jetboil-micromo-cooking-system
Stuff sack: Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil – https://www.rei.com/product/777725/sea-to-summit-ultra-sil-dry-sack
Spoon: Sea to Summit Alpha Light – https://www.rei.com/product/782241/sea-to-summit-alpha-light-spoon-long
Lighter: Bic Mini, bought at gas stations or grocery stores
Water System
Filter: Sawyer Squeeze – https://www.rei.com/product/103050/sawyer-squeeze-water-filter-system
Water bladder: Platypus 70 fl. oz bottle – https://www.rei.com/product/820769/platypus-platy-water-bottle-70-fl-oz
Bottles: Two one-liter Smart Water bottles, bought at gas stations or grocery stores
Medical, Hygiene Kit
Trowel: TheTentLab The Deuce of Spades – https://www.rei.com/product/101795/thetentlab-the-deuce-of-spades-backcountry-potty-trowel
Towel: REI Co-op Multi Towel Lite Medium – https://www.rei.com/product/832933/rei-co-op-multi-towel-lite-medium-22-x-125
Soap: Dr. Bronner’s Organic Liquid Soap – https://www.rei.com/product/730925/dr-bronners-organic-liquid-soap-travel-size
Bug spray: Ben’s 30 percent DEET insect repellent – https://www.rei.com/product/868585/bens-bens-insect-repellent-30-percent-deet-34-fl-oz
Also: Wet wipes, comb, Band-Aids, moleskin, baby powder, tape, duct tape, ibuprofen, ear plugs, needles, tweezers, nail clippers, thread, dental floss, lip balm, toothpaste, toothbrush, hair ties, extra caps, and safety pin.
Footwear
Shoes: Altra Lone Peak 3.0 Trail-Running Shoes – https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/product/123316/altra-lone-peak-30-trail-running-shoes-womens
Gaiters: Dirty Girl Gaiters – https://dirtygirlgaiters.com
Camp shoes: Fake “Crocs,” bought from Walmart
Carried Clothes
Base layer bottoms: Patagonia Capilene Midweight Long Bottoms – https://www.rei.com/product/118324/patagonia-capilene-midweight-long-underwear-bottoms-mens
Base layer top: Patagonia Capilene Midweight Zip-Neck Long Top – https://www.rei.com/product/117734/patagonia-capilene-midweight-zip-neck-long-underwear-top-womens
Shorts: Patagonia Baggies – https://www.rei.com/product/897510/patagonia-baggies-shorts-womens
Socks: Darn Tough Micro Crew – https://www.rei.com/product/825037/darn-tough-micro-crew-cushion-hiking-socks-mens
Sock liners: Injinji Liner Crew Socks – https://www.rei.com/product/881305/injinji-liner-crew-socks
Puffy: Arc’teryx Cerium LT Down Hoodie – https://www.rei.com/product/117169/arcteryx-cerium-lt-down-hoodie-mens
Raincoat: Marmot PreCip Rain Jacket – https://www.rei.com/product/859278/marmot-precip-rain-jacket-mens
Camp socks: Thick wool socks
Underwear: ExOfficio Give-N-Go Sport Mesh Bikini Briefs – https://www.rei.com/product/895783/exofficio-give-n-go-sport-mesh-bikini-briefs-womens
Mittens: Manzella Adventure 100 WindStopper – https://www.rei.com/product/837941/manzella-adventure-100-windstopper-mittens-womens
Worn Clothing
Socks: Darn Tough Micro Crew – https://www.rei.com/product/825037/darn-tough-micro-crew-cushion-hiking-socks-mens
Shorts: Patagonia Baggies – https://www.rei.com/product/897510/patagonia-baggies-shorts-womens
Sock liners: Injinji Liner Crew Socks – https://www.rei.com/product/881305/injinji-liner-crew-socks
Underwear: ExOfficio Give-N-Go Sport Mesh Bikini Briefs – https://www.rei.com/product/895783/exofficio-give-n-go-sport-mesh-bikini-briefs-womens
Winter hat: North Face Salty Dog Beanie – https://www.thenorthface.com/shop/salty-dog-beanie?variationId=ZZR#hero=0
Summer hat: Columbia Union Brook Booney Hat – https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/product/123681/columbia-union-brook-booney-hat
Buff: https://www.rei.com/product/691367/buff-original-multifunctional-headwear
Winter extras: Fleece one-quarter zip and Patagonia Capilene Midweight Long Bottoms – https://www.rei.com/product/118324/patagonia-capilene-midweight-long-underwear-bottoms-mens
Glove liners: Smartwool Merino 250 – https://www.smartwool.com/shop/merino-250-gloves-sw018017?variationId=010
Miscellaneous
Electronics: iPhone, LifeProof case, GoPro Hero 5, charging cables, power bank, headphones, and adapter.
Headlamp: Black Diamond Cosmos – https://www.rei.com/product/117626/black-diamond-cosmo-headlamp
AT NOBO 2018 Guidebook: https://theatguide.com
Spot tracker: https://www.findmespot.com/en/
Pack cover: Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Cover – http://www.seatosummitusa.com/product/?item=Ultra-Sil%26reg%3B+Pack+Cover&o1=0&o2=0&o3=202-32
Others: Timex watch, pen, journal, Bible, repair kit, hand sanitizer, pepper spray, and small pocket knife.
Disclosure: I have not been sponsored nor do I represent these companies in any capacity. These are the items that I feel work best for me, and they may not work best for you. I do not recommend copying anyone’s gear list for your personal use without testing out items prior to a trip to ensure your own safety.
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Comments 5
I carried much of the same stuff as you will be carrying! I suggest you drill a hole (or use a existing one) to place a carabineer thru for your crocs so they can dangle off your pack. You never know if you’ll need the extra room in the pack. My crocs had a heel strap to make that part easy.
That’s a very good idea! I will probably use one of the existing holes so I can preserve the shoes a little longer on trail. Thanks for the advice!
Hi Samantha, thanks for this – the way you’ve broken items down into groups is really helpful. What is your pack base weight, with the above gear?
My winter base weight is 19 pounds, but I will lose a pound or two in the summer season. For the weight breakdown check this out: https://lighterpack.com/r/9crk60
Thanks!