weights, you can go to my gear tab.
I’ve attached links to some of the primary gear so you can easily click
and find it online. I just want to say that gear
preferences are a very personal thing and that everyone needs to find
what fits
them the best. Just because I use it doesn’t mean it’s guaranteed to
work for others. There’s a great variety out there and this is what has
worked for me.
Pros: The only pack I’ve ever had that
didn’t give me pain when it was fully loaded and there were times I
didn’t even feel like I was wearing a pack! I like the
variety in pockets and pouches of different sizes. There were multiple
ways I could organize my gear/food/water as my weight and quantities
changed over a leg. An added bonus is that the back pad can easily be
removed and used as a sit pad or extension to my sleeping pad.
rubbed by the bottom of the shoulder strap. This is not a common
occurrence for most other hikers. Over time and with the extreme use of a
thru hiker, the strap wore through the bottom of the shoulder straps near my hips and I used duct tape to prevent it from rubbing through. I also feel like the pack looks big for me (I’m pretty small), and that I could downsize to the Gossamer Gear Gorilla, but I love the option of all that storage when needed.
Pros: Light and spacious! It has become my favorite tent for a few reasons. A full bathtub floor and storm doors to make it fully enclosed. No need for a groundsheet so that saved weight too. Loved the space and the full side door with the option to leave the storm doors open (even in a light rain).
Bottom Line: If you have the $$ and want to save weight, this is the tent to get. A very close second is the Tarptent Contrail, which I LOVE.
Pros:Oh man, I didn’t think it could get any better than my Marmot
Helium bag and then I found this baby! It is sooo warm and puffy. Very
light and small. It doesn’t have a hood, but I was fine without it using my beanie or down hoodie. It is very warm and I often
would just use it as a blanket and lie directly on my sleeping pad. It
was nice as a claustrophobic person to feel less restricted and still be
warm. Just heavenly!
to the foot to save weight, but I like to stick my feet out the bottom
as I sleep, so that was an adjustment. I would just pull my feet out and
use it as a blanket sometimes. Overkill on the AT and used as a blanket almost all trail.
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Women’s Sleeping Pad
Pros: Quite possibly my favorite piece of gear! Allowed me sink into the
comfort of a bed every night. Light and compact. I upgraded to the
XLite Women’s because it is lighter, shorter, and tapered so I had more
room in my tent. Also, there is a reflective layer withing the pad that
reflects body warmth back to the person laying on it. Really amazingly
warm!
in it easier than other sleep pads, but it’s now made it through two thru hikes I didn’t have a problem all
trail.
Pros: Oh man, I can’t believe it took me this long to get an umbrella! My favorite new piece of gear for sure and I don’t know that I’ll ever hike a long trail again without it. It especially enhanced the enjoyment on the AT as it poured many times while the top of me stayed dry and I didn’t have to put away my electronics and could take pictures as I pleased. I found a way to strap it to pack so it can be used hands free and loved it! Many ask how it worked in the brush and I found it to not be a problem as I am shorter, but I’ve also known taller hikers who also did just fine. Even if it was 3wks between rains, it was worth carrying for what it did for my moral in a day of rain. A couple bonus uses are for protection from strong sun, added protection in my tent vestibule, somewhere to throw ditty bags when packing up on a wet ground morning, and a nice hitching sign when written on with permanent marker, ha! It was not used in place of rain gear and I also used a light rain jacket when in cold rain.
Caldera Cone Stove Set
Pros: Light, efficient, simple, and sturdy. I’m a big fan of this setup and also used it on the PCT & CDT. I no longer use a cozy that I ordered separately that is pictured. No need.
simmer setting, so care is needed for doing more than boiling water.
Hard
plastic container can take up space, but I used the top as a cup. The
base of
the container gets way too dirty/sooty to use as a bowl as advertised. I
bought a larger bottle to hold fuel for longer legs, but it still fits
in the container. Sometimes the fuel would leak a bit through the threads of the tiny bottle, but
it just evaporates when I open it.
Evernew Titanium Pot (.9L)
Pros: Light and collapsible.
almost perfect. Strong and good size, but over a month or two used with
the Sawyer, the threads stripped and leaked slightly when I’d try to
squeeze through the filter. I knew ahead of time this wear and tear would happen, so I had new ones in my bounce every two months.
Bottom Line: Nothing will last a whole hike, but they are the best options. Both bags seem comparable in durability, but I prefer the translucence of the platypus where I can see how much is floating in them.
grab water and then choose to filter it at my convenience…often in the
warmth of my sleeping bag in my tent at night.
time to filter through any filter and I preferred bleach drops to save
time. I tended to use my filter when there were lots of debris or floaties, which wasn’t often on the AT. With the really gritty stuff, my filter was slower, but that’s
understandable. Take extra care to sleep with it at night when it’s
below freezing so it doesn’t freeze. With the excessive filtering needed on a thru hike, you will need to replace the bags probably mid hike.
Panasonic Lumix DMC ZS19
Pros: LOVE this camera! A great wide angle that captured more than any other camera I’ve
ever had. Great quality video. Sturdy shutter over the lens that is less
likely to get dented or stuck opening/shutting with the bumps of a thru
hike. I loved the powerful zoom that also worked in video mode. Also,
loved the ease with which I could take panoramic shots! I was frequently asked what camera I used by blog followers as the quality of the photos are excellent.
Eye-Fi SD Wi-Fi Card
Pros: Nifty little SD card that gives me the ability to transfer my
pictures from my camera to my iPhone for blogging or sending out
pictures.
Cons: This particular card would load ALL my pictures from the
day, but I found out that you can set it to load individual photos, but it’s time consuming and not worth the pain. I heard other SD cards (EZ Share) let you choose individual photos and some cameras now have this function built into it. I’ve been fine with this and have just stuck with it for now. Just great that my camera quality photos can jump to my phone so easily!
Pros: One of my favorite pieces of gear! It would greatly impact my hike
if I didn’t have this little guy. Held all my songs and
audiobooks easily. Also, small and clips to clothes or pack for easy
use. Plus, it plays and records radio! Even takes mini sd cards so
people were able to send me more songs and audiobooks.
Cons: Doesn’t hold as many songs as more expensive players unless you buy a mini sd to put in it.
StickPic
I had a lot of people ask how I shot my selfies and videos while I was walking. I
used the awesome StickPic. It allows you to attach your camera to the
end of your hiking pole for both pictures and video. Love it! You can order it online.
Careful, they are easy to lose, so I recommend putting it on a
carabeener. Also, if you lose the nut that tightens it to your camera,
you can use medical tape on the screw and it tightens just fine.
Sea to Summit
Ultra Sil Dry Sacks
Pros: My sacks have lasted me four years and three complete thru hikes.
They come in various sizes and colors for organizing small
things. Light, resilient, and water resistant. Those who used Cuban
fiber sacks
had difficulty with them shredding apart.
one I had drove me nuts at night and in the early morning because I always had
trouble finding it in my tent or pack.
iPhone5 (with LifeProof Case)
Pros: Amazing! Service is best with Verizon. It was my own personal
computer, phone,
camera, alarm clock, and GPS all in one. Quick and easy panoramic shots
and I really liked how vivid some of the
scenic pictures were too. Good video when my real camera wasn’t working.
I loved being able to Skype or FaceTime family or friends. Of course
watching TV in my tent is a great plus! Just amazing, love it!
have Verizon). Just
keep it in airplane mode whenever possible. I wouldn’t use it as my
primary camera or video recorder, but it works great if you are looking
for an all-in-one option.
always protected. I never submerged it under water, but it says it’s fully waterproof…Totally worth carrying!
 |
| My headlamp and pocketknife are different than what’s pictured here. |
MSR Packtowel Nano
of a luxury item as my bandana often did the trick just fine.
SPOT-Personal Locator Device
basis. I know of hikers who had to use theirs to get emergency help from Search
and Rescue, and it works. The customer service is very attentive and helpful.
make sure it sends. It will go from flashing two lights to just one if
it works. It worked every night on my trip, but would take longer under
trees. There is no way to check for sure that it sends, but that’s many small PLBs work. They are intended for use when there is no other way of
contacting help. I trust it and think it’s completely worth carrying on the AT, but I am considering getting a DeLorme inReach for more remote hikes as it can do two way messaging and I’ve been hearing lots of positives about it lately.
Sea to Summit Insect Shield Head Net
net…trust me! Using a fully brimmed hat is the most effective. My neck
and ears get bit unless I use my buff to cover them. I
hardly used it the whole AT, but was very happy to carry it the whole
way just in case!
Leatherman Style CS Multitool
Pros: Small, light, has multiple tools (including
scissors!), and has a carabeener to clip it to my bag for easy access.
just adds extra weight…but those were the same hikers who borrowed mine many times!
iFlash 4 USB Quad Port Charger
Pros: Allowed me to charge four different things at the same time from one outlet.
Cons: Added weight and took up space in my pack. Didn’t charge as fast
as directly plugging one USB into a socket because it splits the charge.
Bottom Line: It’s a luxury item, but one I use frequently!
OR Helium II Rain Jacket
Pros: VERY light and compact.
because it has no vents. Also, to save weight, there are no side
pockets. I used it many mornings as a quick warm up layer and it’s definitely my stinkiest piece of gear, ha! It is as good as any other rain jacket and I’ve used a version of it on each of my thru hikes. I combined it with an umbrella on the AT and it was perfect! Not sure I’d have it as my only rain protection without an umbrella on the AT though. It’s a bit thinner and less insulated than other heavier jackets.
use it the whole trip and
find yourself finishing closer to October, I recommend sending yourself a
warmer
jacket up north or waterproof it again before you hit the northern rain.
Sierra Design Hurricane Rain Pants
Mountain Hardware Ghost Whisperer Jacket
Pros: Small, light, compact, warm, resilient, awesome! I think it is
still the lightest down jacket on the market. Made for a great pillow at
night too! I think I used it maybe 1/4 or so of the days I was on the AT, so it was mainly a pillow, but I get cold easily and it was really worth carrying.
I get cold easily, but many hikers saved the weight without the hood.
Balega Socks
I loved these socks. They are just basic running socks. My feet had bad reactions to wool and
these were great. They would generally last four legs or more depending on the terrain/distance.
Seirus Hyperlite All-Weather Gloves
so I suggest getting a pack of latex gloves to wear over the gloves in the rain
or in the mornings when taking down a wet tent. The latex ones lasted a long
time, but I threw a new set in each resupply just in case. A simple thing that
made my days so much more enjoyable! I hardly ever needed these on the AT…
ExOfficio Underwear
and I had a third for sleeping.
Diva Cup-Feminine Hygiene
Okay ladies, just like you, I worried about how I’d handle
my monthly period on the trail. If you have to deal with it, then I suggest the
Diva Cup. Look it up. I would definitely practice using it before going on the
trail if you’ve never used it before. I like it because it’s minimal, I don’t
have to worry about accumulating trash, and depending on the day, I could go
the whole day without having to worry about it. I love that it is
environmentally better AND saves me money. I have converted to using it in
everyday life and I really recommend it.
Nike Pro Core Sports Bra
doubles as a great swim top.
Teva Mush II Thong Sandals
backpacking if I didn’t have dry clean sandals to put on at the end of the day
and middle of the night for bathroom runs. I saved a lot of weight switching to these from Crocs and they were super comfy!
Cons: Wearing them with socks is a pain. I usually just slipped all my
toes to the side of the thong when I needed to walk at camp.
Montrail AT Plus Hiking Shoes
discontinued! I’m working on finding shoes to replace these, which fit
my wide feet perfectly…
Lynco L405 Sports Orthotic Insoles
I knew I’d need some type of added support to hike the trail and another
hiker told me about the Lynco Insoles. I am a neutral walker and tend
to need something for the ball of my foot. These are very unique and I
recommend using them for a good month before the trail if your feet are
new to them. They have a lump under the upper part of the arch of your
foot. There are other styles for different needs. The unique form takes
some getting used to, but I found them to feel great and also relieve a
lot of the pressure on the ball of my foot. Totally worth the price for
me. I bought a new pair with each pair of shoes. Many people bought
insoles more/less often than that though. It’s a matter of personal preference.
Black Diamond Trail Ergo Trekking Poles
they worked out great. I like the ergonomic cork handles and flick
lot! I only had to replace one tip all trail, which says a lot for the rocky AT. They also doubled as my poles for my tent. There are pricier
versions of these made of carbon. Mine were aluminum.I had the same poles last me through both the CDT and AT. The cork handles came loose at the end of the AT and I had to glue them back, but I’m amazed at the durability.
White Sierra Teton Trail Convertible Pants
made it through the whole trail. It was nice to have the option of shorts or
pants. They have lots of pockets for my gadgets and snacks. The only pants I
could find that weren’t form fitting and tight in the thighs. I wish they came
in XS because they ran a bit big in the waist for me and became very loose toward the end of the hike.
Smartwool Microweight Pajama Top/Bottom
It took me forever to buy these pricey pajamas, but they were perfect
and saved me many ounces off what I was using before. The pants are
slightly sheer and I’d only wear them in my tent. Both could be used in
emergency for extra warmth. For half of the hike, they were overkill and not necessary, but I get cold easily and was happy to have them.
Andiamo skins (unpadded) biker shorts(black)
wear for swimming. A suggestion from the maker is that if they are being used
for hiking, cut off the tight elastic band on the thighs. Just don’t cut them too high as they will ride up on the thighs if you do. I’ve always used these and they save me from a lot of chafing issues.
Dirty Girl Gaiters
I recommend buying two pairs and switching halfway. I once tried to go a week
without them and I couldn’t stand all the debris that got in my shoes. Also,
without them, my socks were quick to get holes in them. Just a fun company and unique patterns to fit everyone’s personality.
The A.T. Guide
It seems that 90% of hikers on the AT use the AT Guide
and solely that (without maps) to hike the trail. I know it’s shocking
that people don’t carry maps, but the trail is so well marked that it
isn’t needed and if you go off, the blazes are a different color and you
quickly realize it and turn around.I am in no way telling you to enter
the woods without maps, but I am telling you that’s what most hikers do.
I would never go without some kind of map and I used an app which I’ll
recommend below for GPS backup. Some like the pocket profiles for an
overview, but they are in no way needed to hike and the detailed
elevation charts are on each page. It’s a great guide and also includes
all the town info you would need. It can be purchased Nobo or Sobo and
with the option of having it bound as a book or loose leaf if you plan
to ship the pages in sections. Only $15 and a steal for all that it
gives you! I scanned it and had it on my phone as a backup and ended up
using the scanned version instead and had the paper ones as backup.
There is even an option to buy a pdf version that I heard has links that
go directly to the website or phone number when you touch it. There are data books and companion guides created and sold by the ATC,
but I rarely saw one in use and only heard about how they were not as
helpful as the AT Guide. It is unfortunate as I know many would like to buy a product made by the ATC, so there is that option if you
are one of those people.
Guthook’s AT Hiker App
Um…Guthook’s AT Hiker App
is AWESOME!!! It isn’t necessary to have this app to successfully hike
the trail, but it certainly makes it a lot more enjoyable. I used this
app just as much, if not more than the AT Guide. The two of them
combined give you all the info you could possibly want. At the touch of a
button, you can see your location on a topo map or elevation chart.
There is a plethora of information as he has marked shelters, unofficial
campsites, towns, water sources, viewpoints, road crossings, photos,
and pretty much anything you can think of. This would not be in place of
maps or a guide as it doesn’t have all the same sites and sources in
the guide, but it is a great supplement and sometimes has more info not
listed in the guide. I know it seems pricey, but just buy one section
and you’ll be hooked! I loved seeing exactly where I was on a climb and
the locations of the unofficial campsites which aren’t mentioned
anywhere else. No service is required as it works off your phone’s GPS.
He also has the app available for many other trails including the PCT
and CDT. If you still aren’t sure, here is the link to video demos of the app in action.
