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

  • samantha 'clementine' perkins : Mar 14th

    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.

    Reply
    • Samantha Rhodes : Mar 16th

      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!

      Reply
  • Mel : Mar 15th

    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?

    Reply
    • Samantha Rhodes : Mar 16th

      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

      Reply
      • Mel : Mar 19th

        Thanks!

        Reply

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