Update 2: Gear List

Gear. If you’ve ever planned a thru-hike, I’m sure you can relate when I say that this is all I’ve thought about, researched about, talked about, and dreamed about in the last few months. I think my boyfriend is going to throw me off of our third-floor balcony if I mention base weight one more time. But here we are and I finally feel like I’ve perfected my set-up for the Appalachian Trail this year. (That is until you guys start giving me your professional opinions and then I have to go buy a bunch of new shit.) In my video, I go through my entire pack, or in case you’d rather not look at my face or hear my voice, I’ve provided you with my complete gear list (with links) below.

Backpack

Organization

Shelter

Sleeping

Sleeping Pad

Sleeping Liner

Footwear

Trekking Poles

Hiking Clothes

Warmer Layers

Rain Gear

Sleep Clothes

Food, Water Accessories

Electronics

First Aid, Survival

  • Paracord Dreadlock-Tie — Homemade, 2oz
  • Ka-Bar (BK-11) Knife & Case — 4.5oz (Or should I just bring my Gerber pocket knife?)
  • Ruko Pin-On Ball Compass — 0.4oz
  • Survival Whistle — 0.2oz
  • Mini BIC Lighter — 0.4oz
  • Mini Duct Tape Roll — 0.65oz
  • Large Safety Pin — 0.01oz
  • Antiseptic Towelette — (3), 0.35oz
  • Sting & Bite Pad — (3), 0.05oz
  • Triple Antibiotic Individual Packet — (2), 0.05oz
  • Band-aids — (9), Various Sizes, 0.25oz
  • Adhesive Toe Warmers — 1oz
  • Ibuprofen — (30), 0.3oz
  • Ibuprofen PM — (20), 0.35oz
  • Birth Control — 1 Month Pack, 0.7oz
  • Daily Mutivitamin — (30), 0.8oz

Toiletries

Navigation

Other

Base Weight:  17.2 lbs

Base weight does not include: Main hiking outfit, hiking shoes, trekking poles, food, and water.

Total Cost:  $3,731.87

Cost includes everything on this list, but does not include anything else I will need to restock or replace along the way.

What’s Not On My List:

  • Stove
  • Trowel
  • Sit Pad
  • Wet Wipes
  • Deodorant
  • Bear Spray
  • Gloves
  • Pillow
  • Gun
  • Bladder
  • Headphones
  • Camera
  • Pack Cover
  • Gaiters
  • Liner Socks
  • Hat
  • Bug Net
  • GPS

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Comments 15

  • smokestack : Jan 25th

    You need soap to wash hands to avoid norovirus unless you are carrying a sanitizer rater to kill the norovirus – most don’t. Otherwise looks good

    Reply
    • Liz Kidder : Feb 2nd

      Thank you, I will definitely need to do more research on this topic! 🙂 -Liz

      Reply
  • Patti : Jan 25th

    I agree about the soap, just a tiny bottle- only takes a couple of drops but the shampoo can do double-duty. Hand sanitizer doesn’t kill noro. Also you won’t need both warm coats- I’d pick one (check out Montbell – they have some nice ultralight ones). Your rain gear is sort of heavy -there are lighter options. I’d add back in the tweezers (for ticks), lightweight gloves and a hat or buff. You can save 8-10 oz by switching to a neoair sleeping pad. Also, I used my sit pad all the time, after wearing out the seat of 2 pairs of rain pants by Franklin. Good luck!

    Reply
    • Liz Kidder : Feb 2nd

      Thanks for the tips! I am going to stubbornly take all the jackets and we’ll see if/what I end up sending home, haha! I’m always cold so Id rather start with too much in that department. I took your advice on adding in tweezers. Will be using my 2nd pair of socks as mittens if necessary, and I’m pretty set on no hat! I definitely might switch my sleeping pad like you said, more for the space than the weight! Thanks again!! 🙂 -Liz

      Reply
    • joseph Sadowsky : Feb 27th

      60 yr old guy learnin…
      Thx for advice

      Reply
  • Mittencamper : Jan 25th

    You’ve got about 100L of drybags and a 55L pack. Just sayin.

    Reply
    • DocDodge : Jan 29th

      agreed. No real heavy need for so much organization…especially things like sleeping pad stuff sacs, etc

      Reply
      • Liz Kidder : Feb 2nd

        I have SERIOUS OCD haha, but maybe the trail will force me to let go of that! Thanks! -Liz

        Reply
    • Liz Kidder : Feb 2nd

      I DID notice that and I’ve since toned it down a little, haha. Sometimes you just want some flexibility on filling different bags more or less on different days? 😛 Thanks! -Liz

      Reply
  • Roy : Jan 26th

    Looks good to me! Just bought a pair of the Moab FST lows hiking shoes myself and am looking forward to seeing how they work. Only suggestions I have are minor and personal preference: include a hat/gloves at least initially. You can always mail them home later if unneeded. Also tweezers for ticks as someone else said. Maybe a spare mini bic and an emergency backup water purification method (a half dozen potable aqua tabs weigh nothing) and some body glide and chapstick.

    Reply
    • Liz Kidder : Feb 2nd

      LOVE my Moabs! Hat- have you seen how much hair is on my head? Gloves- loved a tip I got about using 2nd pair of socks as mittens if needed (and I’m not leaving until April). Agree with you on tweezers and back up purification! Hoping body glide wont be necessary but I guess we’ll find out! Thanks! 🙂 -Liz

      Reply
  • Hugh DFukairs : Jan 30th

    personal preference, but another important necessity is a couple spare bandanas. Never know if you’ll need a sling, extra rag or a tourniquet. Better safe than sorry.

    Reply
    • Liz Kidder : Feb 2nd

      I’m still trying to CUT weight, but I’ll take it into consideration, thanks! 🙂 -Liz

      Reply
  • Rain and Sprinkle Katahdin 2016 : Feb 18th

    Tiny, mini swiss army knife includes knife, scissors and tweasors. Best wishes!
    Rain and Sprinkle

    Reply
  • joseph Sadowsky : Feb 27th

    I was looking for TP…
    Ended up learning a shitload!
    Thx

    Reply

What Do You Think?