Tents, and Sleeping Pads, and Socks, Oh My!

In the very near future, I will be setting off to start my first thru hike. Like all hikers, I have been focusing on my gear to ensure that I have all of the items, and that I am personally comfortable with my base weight. I’ve loaded and unloaded my pack more times than I can count. My gear has been laid out in piles and sorted over and over again. I’ve made list after list and crossed off item after item on my google sheet and/or my construction paper “to do” list. One minute I feel ready, and then a minute later, my mind begins to overthink and overanalyze each gear choice again. 

The Pacific Crest Trail will be my first long hike. I have experience with short overnight backpacking trips and tons of car camping. My preparation for the PCT has required me to purchase new gear with different requirements. Throughout this experience, I have learned a lot.

 

Top 5 Things I have Learned

Information Overload + the Brain= Overthinking:

There is so much information out there regarding gear. I have read, watched and listened to every blog, podcast, YouTube video, and Facebook post and then watched and listened again. This was extremely helpful for guidance as I was making decisions on my gear. At the same time, I found that I needed to step away and make decisions based on my own needs, comfort levels, and desires. What works for one hiker may not work for another. Also, what works for a hiker who starts in May might not work for a hiker who starts in March.

 

Test Your Gear:

This is an obvious one for most hikers and so important! I had purchased a tent… one of the top rated tents for the PCT and was so excited for it to be delivered. As soon as it came, I set it up in the backyard. Well…. I attempted to set it up! For several days, I took the tent into the back yard and tried to pitch it. At one point I had all the stakes in, trekking poles up, and everything taut (so I thought). Then, a gentle breeze came and down my tent went. This tent was highly rated, but I learned it is not the tent for me. I have since returned that tent and purchased another one and it’s perfect for my experience level and what I need!

 

Shop for Gear Over time:

If you are able, shop for gear over a period of months. I started to purchase gear 8 months ago once I made the commitment to myself to hike. This will allow you to shop for discounts. I was able to capitalize on sales around the holidays or seasonal sales. I found too, that when I was able to shop over time, that I was less likely to make impulsive decisions. Sign up for rewards at various stores when you can. I was able to get smaller gear from points earned.

Additionally, as annoying as it may be, I subscribed to every gear company’s email and text list. This was also helpful to receive notifications of various sales. 

If you have ample time to pick up gear, you may be fortunate to have a holiday or  birthday during that time where a loved one just might give a gift card or two to help. “Santa” was very thoughtful this year…. Just saying! 😂

 

You Make the Final Decisions:

At the end of the day, the gear choices you make are your choices. Going back to number 1, I had to stop overthinking and overanalyzing. With the amount of information out there I had to be very intentional to ensure that I made decisions based on what I wanted. This was very true with what people consider “luxury items”. There is gear I am initially choosing to bring that may not be the norm because of their weight. However, these items are important to me, and I feel will make me more comfortable so I can enjoy the journey. I had to really accept the fact that “that’s ok!”

 

It is what it is:

Finally, I learned I needed to accept that my gear will realistically not be perfect. I will learn as I go and probably need to swap out or discard gear. I can do as much preparation regarding gear, but at the end of the day, the trail will inform me of my needs!

 

Quick overview of some of my gear: 

Here is a quick snapshot of just some of my gear. 

Big 3: Pack, Shelter, and Sleep Set Up

• Pack: Bonfus Framus 58L pack
• Shelter: Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL
• Quilt: Katabatic Alsek 22* Quilt
• Sleeping Pad: Big Agnes Rapide SL 
• Pillow: Nemo Fillo Elite

Worn Clothing: 

• Shirt: Columbia Silver Ridge
• Shorts: Random pair of running shorts from Target
• Underwear: Efficio Give-N-Go Sport (2 paris)
• Socks: Darn Tough ( 2 pairs)
• Gaiters: Dirty Girl Gaiters
• Trail Runners: Altra Lone Peak 8
• Hat: Random hat from a National Park in Utah
• Sunglasses: Goodr and Chums strap

Packed Clothing:

• Puffy: Enlightened Equipment Torrid 
• Fleece: Senchi Alpha 90 Hoodie
• Wind/Rain/Shell: Frogg Togg Xtreme Lite jacket and Enlightened Equipment Cooperfield pants
• Base Layers: Smartwool Classic Merino Wool top and bottom
• Cold Weather Hat: Smartwool Beanie
• Gloves: Outdoor Research Flurry Sensor Gloves and Zpacks Vertice Rain Mitts
• Sleep Underwear: Merino Wool Boxer Briefs 
• Camp Shoes: Mayfly sandals and Bombas ankle socks 
• Town Clothes: Random polyester shorts and t-shirt

 

With additional gear items such as electronics, cookware, first aid and miscellanous items, my baseweight is 12.3 pounds.