Gear, Gear, and Just Some More Gear!

One might think that all these gear posts can get monotonous, but since you are reading this you know that gear might be the most interesting thing talked about between hikers. I have the wonderful privilege of working at REI in Rochester, so I get to talk a lot of gear, and it never gets old! Over the past few years, I have slowly accumulated the gear I will take on this journey. Many of the items were gifts from family and everything else is things I had already or things I purchased myself at REI.

Classic gear pic for a classic gear post.

The Big Three

The big three includes a hiker’s shelter, seep system and pack.

Pack

On this hike, I will be carrying all my “stuff” in the Osprey Lumina 45. This pack rocks! It is a woman’s specific design, which works well for my smaller frame. The pack also is one of Osprey’s lightest designs, coming in at about one pound, 12 ounces, which was definitely a selling point, and even with the lighter design, it is still extremely structured, which I like just because it is more familiar. The one downfall of this pack is that there are no hip pockets; this is to save weight I know, but where in the world am I supposed to put my snacks? So, to make up for the lack of hip pockets I invested in a stylish fanny pack from Patagonia. The fanny pack weighs in at about 3.2 ounces.

Sleeping System

Because I am young I am feeling like I can get away with just taking my trusty Therm-a-Rest Z Lite pad. OK, so it’s not just being young that has led me to stray from the inflatable sleeping pads. First, I am lazy and know that I will likely not wish to blow up or fold the pad each evening and morning. Second, when I get sleepy I get careless. Taking this fact and the fragility of inflatable pads into account I have come to the decision that I would probably end up popping the pad. And third, I absolutely can not stand the crinkling of the inflatable pads! Keeping the need for a good night sleep on the trail in mind, I have money set aside to buy myself a new (inflatable) pad if I find the Z Lite does not provide adequate comfort.

For my sleeping bag, I will take the Hyper Cat Sleeping Bag from The North Face that I got for my 16th birthday. Weighing in at 1lb 14oz the Hyper Cat is pretty lightweight for a synthetic bag. When picking out this bag I went with the synthetic material because it is easier to wash, keeps you warm when it is wet and something about sleeping in feathers kind of freaks me out. Other than the synthetic fill there are a few more things I love about this bag; the zipper goes down the center, the zipper glows in the dark and I feel like a caterpillar in a little blue cacoon!

Shelter

For the sake of ease and familiarity, I have chosen to stick with a tent for this hike. The tent I will call home for the duration of my hike is the Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL 2 mtnglo. This tent weighs about 2lbs 6oz and its footprint weighs about 4oz. The “mtnglo” feature of this tent kind of rocks – it is like having built-in fairy lights!

Clothing

“So… what are you going to wear the whole time?”

Hiking Clothes

REI brand 4.5″ Active Pursuits shorts – love these! Bonus: they are my favorite color green.

Cheap boys synthetic shirts from Walmart – I have learned that hiking shirts get destroyed, $5 Walmart shirts form the boy’s section work perfect for me!

Two pairs of Darn Tough Micro Crew socks – these are rotated for hiking.

One pair of these super soft socks that I got on sale for sleeping.

REI merino wool top and bottom – for sleeping and hiking in when it is cold.

Patagonia R1 pullover – this thing is crazy warm and since I am starting in July I will just be starting with this, no puffy. (Shoutout to my REI co-workers for convincing me to get this awesome and superior fleece!)

Outer Layers

I have never had luck with rain jackets keeping me dry and for me, the weight just doesn’t make sense when I know the jacket’s lacking sufficiency will drive me crazy. So, instead of a rain jacket, I will be taking the Patagonia Houdini. The Houdini is just a windbreaker so I have no expectation that it will keep me dry, it is also only 3.3oz!

I am thinking I will take my Columbia Rain Pants. I like them as another layer but they do weigh about 9oz which feels like a lot.

Also thinking about taking a poncho… but that a decision that is yet to be made.

Footwear

To hike in I will wear my new Altra Lone Peaks which I hated until I put in some super feet inserts and relaced adding a “Lace Lock”.

For camp shoes, I will either take my Crocs or my Tevas.

Kitchen

MSR PocketRocket

TOAKS 750ml pot – mostly I will be cooking in bags so this will be mainly for boiling water.

Spork

Small Towel

Sawyer

Dr. Bronner’s

Other Things

Black Diamond trekking poles – supper light and they lock into place which feels more stable to me than the telescope poles.

Spot Gen3

Trowel

Bug Net

iPhone X

Anker Battery

 

Not included are the stuff sacks/dry bags I am going to use.

I am sure I am forgetting a few things but this is most of everything! … I think.

Happy hiking to all!

Affiliate Disclosure

This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements. The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek's ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. Thanks for your support!

To learn more, please visit the About This Site page.

Comments 3

  • Nikki : Jun 6th

    Hi Savannah! Really interested in following your upcoming thru hike this year – especially because our sleep systems are exactly the same, aside from the sleeping pad! Will be interested to see how you do on your thru.

    Reply
  • beth : Jun 19th

    I’m started solo sobo in july too. might see you out there. I chose the same shoes; would love to know what inserts you found.

    Reply
    • Savannah Fredericks : Jun 24th

      I went with the super feet copper – they aren’t exactly zero-drop but they work well for my feet. I would recommend going to an REI or specialty running store to have your arches measured. Also, I think the SOLE brand inserts are zero-drop (but super feet will last longer).

      Reply

What Do You Think?