Trail Correspondents Episode #8 | Thru-Hiking Gear: What Works, What Doesn’t, and Why (Group 1)



Today’s subject is the one that people tend to spend the most time on. Of course, we refer to gear.

We get an early look into our how our crew’s gear is treating them. They share what they’ve sent home (if anything), if they’ve added anything new, if they have any regrets… really just an overall shakedown a few weeks into their treks. This is a subject of deep passion to many of our listeners, so grab your pens and notepads, and get ready to scribble down some notes, because here comes some advice from those who’ve walked some of the walk.

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In today’s show, we hear from: 

• Frozen
  • Prefers Altra Lone Peak 3.5 over Lone Peak 4.0
• Katharine Rudzitis
  • Loves her Big Agnes tent and Osprey pack
  • Switched from AWOL Guide to Guthook App
  • Recommends earplugs
• Missy Baatz
  • Switched from hammock to tent- Big Agnes Tiger Wall 3
  • NeoAir XTherm and NeoAir Xlite
  • Osprey Atmos 65L and Zpacks Arc Haul
• Kenneth Pararo
  • Sawyer Micro
• Melissa Glass
  • Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Windrider
  • REI Quarter Dome 1
  • Enlightened Equipment Quit
  • NeoAir Xlite
  • Hasn’t used rain pants as of recording
• Nancy Alexander
  • Sent home Hennessy Hammock rain fly, upgraded to larger fly
  • Altra Lone Peak 4.0 have worn down quickly, but too comfortable to change
• Sarah Herman
  • Superior Wilderness Designs Long Haul 50
  • REI Half Dome 2
  • Xero Sandals
• Zack Munsell
  • Traded to a newer model of Brooks Cascadias and added insoles to overcome foot issues
  • Added Microspikes
  • Zpacks Duplex and Zpacks Arc Blast
• Jazmin Ortega
  • Sony A6000
  • Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 1
  • NeoAir XTherm

Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Gear List  Although some will deviate from the below gear list in one way or another, this Appalachian Trail thru-hiker gear list serves as an excellent template for prospective thru-hikers, with some products we recommend below. Quick Navigation Tents Hammocks Backpacks…Read More

Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hiker Gear ListBased on Liz Thomas's wonderful gear chapter in Pacific Crest Trials, here's a non-exhaustive list of suggested gear items for a Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike. Quick Navigation Sleeping Bags Quilts Inflatable Pads Foam Pads Shelters Backpacks Footwear Puffy Jackets Rain Gear…Read More

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Editing and music courtesy of Pauly Boy Shallcross.