The last year and a half was jammed with so many hikes that It’s been quite a gap between gear reviews for me. This gear review will cover the gear I used for ~11 months of thru-hiking on a wide range of trails. The gear I used in 2016/2017 took me through the Sierra High Route, High Sierra Trail, Wind River High Route, Kings Canyon High Basin Route, and Wonderland Trail in the US. The Larapinta Trail, Bibbulmun Track, Coast to Coast Track, and Tasmania in Australia. The Te Araroa and more in New Zealand. The Haute Route Pyrenees and GR5 (French Alps) in France, and Switzerland’s Haute Route. Almost none of my gear needed replacing in those 11 months, and little changed from hike to hike. Unless I was in need of an ice axe, micros, or a bear canister my Base Pack Weight was just under 13lbs. Not ultralight, but definitely a comfortable zone for lightweight backpacking.


**For a complete list of my evolution of gear, gear reviews, and current gear with prices and weights, you can go to my GEAR TAB.


I want to give a big THANK YOU to Gossamer Gear, Sawyer Products, Trail Designs, StickPic, and Dirty Girl Gaiters for supporting me. As my followers know, I am not a walking commercial for gear. I use the gear that works best for me, not just what I can get for free. These are some reputable lightweight companies with really great gear. I’m grateful to represent them and their gear on the trail. THANK YOU!!!!

I’ve attached links to each piece so you can easily click and find it online. I do 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 Mariposa is 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! It feels like a natural part of me when I’m walking for months. The Mariposa is made for 35lbs and less, but I’ve been able to do more when needed for short periods and it worked just fine. I like the variety in pockets and pouches of different sizes. There are multiple ways I can organize my gear/food/water as my weight and quantities shift for the given hike. An added bonus is that the back pad can easily be removed and used as a sit pad or extension to my sleeping pad.
Cons: Somehow the way I wear this pack, the side hip belt pockets can get rubbed by the bottom of the shoulder strap. This is not a common occurrence for most other hikers and must be a combination of my size and the way I walk. Over time, and with the extreme use of a thru hiker, the strap or side pocket can show wear from the rubbing, but I’ve always been able to mitigate it with tape if needed. I also feel like the pack looks big for me (I’m pretty small), and that I could downsize to the Gossamer Gear Gorilla (40L), but I love the option of all that storage when needed.

 

ZPacks Solplex (1lb .2oz, including 8 titanium stakes) Pros: Light and spacious! No tent is perfect, but 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 saves weight too. I love the space and the full side door with the option to leave the storm doors open (even in a light rain). I’ve used a Solplex since 2014. It is guaranteed for one thru-hike (~150 days), but I’m able to get 250-300 nights out of each of mine.

Cons: It’s expensive ($555)! Even though it is stellar in a light or steady rain, it had some problems in the downpours and horizontally gusting rain. I get splashing and/or misting that can blow up under the elevated doors. This happens rarely, and I’ve learned to setup lower to the ground when expecting heavy rain, but it is an airy tent, so things can blow in. It won’t create a puddle in those situations, but enough that I will cover things or block a mist that may be trying to come in.
Bottom Line: If you have the $$ and want to save weight, this is the tent to get. A very close second for me is the Tarptent Protrail.

 

**Note that ZPacks no longer has a 10F option and offers either 5F or 20F.
**Also, after years with a ZPacks bag, I will be upgrading to a Katabatic Gear sleeping bag in 2018 in anticipation needing to really test the limits on consistently cold nights in the Himalayas.
Pros: Very light and compact. I’ve used a ZPacks Bag since 2013. Although their temperature ratings are said to be exaggerated, I found it to be sufficiently warm. I often would just use it as a blanket and not need to fully zip it. However, it was quite cold at night on the trails I did this summer, so it was great! I’ve had this bag for three seasons, and over 300 nights. It may have lost some loft over the years, but it was still great and I plan to use as is next year too. Just heavenly!
Cons: Pricey ($359)…but worth it to save weight. As a hybrid of a quilt and sleeping bag, it doesn’t have a hood, and doesn’t zip all the way down to the foot. In place of the hood, I use a beanie, buff, and down hoodie jacket if needed. The enclosed foot box is common for weight saving, but it was an adjustment for me to have my feet somewhat restricted. On warmer nights, I’ll sleep with my feet out of the foot box. If this is a bit pricey for you, I recommend the Enlightened Equipment quilts/bags.
Bottom Line: A great bag for thru-hiking with possibly the best middle ground on price, weight, and warmth.

**NEWEST GEAR CHANGE**

This past year, I took a major step in simplification by choosing to use my iPhone SE as my sole camera. I used to use a Panasonic Lumix. Having one less piece of gear saved me $300/yr (I tend to break nice things) and 8oz of pack weight (that I then could put into the luxury of bigger battery). As a blogger, I like the ease of having my photos on my phone without needing to transfer them from an external camera. I’m not a pro at photography, and don’t know how to use the manual settings, so I’ve even found that my photos are often better with the advances of smartphones. As you can see, I also use a StickPic and phone adapter that attaches to my hiking pole for selfies and videos that show more of my surroundings. I also changed to a Pedco Ultra-pod Tripod that is easy to manipulate and also attaches to things with a velcro strap to allow for more versatility. I love this setup!

Finding the mystery hole on the 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. The XLite Women’s (men love it too!) is warmer, lighter, shorter, and more tapered . Also, there is a reflective layer within the pad that reflects body warmth back to the person laying on it. Really amazingly warm!

Cons: Also expensive, but totally worth it! People say they don’t like the crinkle of it at times, but I don’t move much and it doesn’t bother me. I know it could get a hole in it easier than other sleep pads, but I’ve only gotten 3 holes that were easy to repair (with tenacious tape) over ~700 nights of sleep.

 

GoLite Chrome Dome Umbrella (8oz)
**GoLite went out of business (now My Trail), so many US retailers, including them, now sell it online. here is the Gossamer Gear link to buying this umbrella
Pros: I was a skeptic and didn’t start using an umbrella until my third thru-hike. Now, I don’t want to leave home without it. With it, I often can avoid sweating in a rain jacket, my core stays dry, I didn’t have to put away my electronics, and I could take pictures as I please. I found a way to strap it to pack so it can be used hands free and love it! As a bonus use, I’ve found it useful in my tent as extra warm and protection from wind and rain when I open it up and prop it up in the vesibule of my tent. It does not replace rain gear, but is a great first line of defense. Especially for someone like me that can get cold quick in wet rain gear.
Cons: A bit pricey, and it is technically a luxury item, but well worth it. It is quite resilient, but be careful not to break it in high winds.

Anker PowerCore 20,100mAh Battery (12.6oz)

Pros: The luxury of POWER! Anker sells batteries of all sizes, and this one is definitely more than most would want. I often have the freedom to use my electronics all I want with this bad boy! I never tested it to the limit, but it should be able to charge my iPhone SE 9 times. That’s plenty of photos, phone calls, blogging, and night time show watching to keep me happy. It can charge anything that uses a USB and has two ports to be able to charge multiple devices at once. I also love that it has a meter that indicates in quarters how much the battery has left in it.  It is durable and reliable. I’ve now fully converted to this from using a solar charger as it’s only a few ounces heavier and well worth the ease of use. To me, the ease and security of this battery far surpasses the use of a solar charger (which I used for two years).
Cons: It can take overnight to charge it fully. I would just plug it in while eating in town to top it off, or overnight in the hotel and it would be fine. It is heavy (I call it “the brick”) and the big size isn’t necessary for most people.

 

Trail Designs Caldera Cone Windscreen and Carrier
Pros: Light, efficient, simple, and sturdy. I’m a big fan of this setup and the windscreen. I have used it since I started thru hiking.

Cons: Took some practice to use properly. It doesn’t have a simmer setting. Hard plastic container can take up space, but I use the top as a cup. The base of the container gets way too dirty/sooty to use as a bowl as advertised. I found the small fuel bottle can leak, so I use an 8oz Dasani water bottle from the store. I kept crushing the soda can stove and have switched to a Toaks Titanium Siphon Stove.

 

Caldera and Toaks Stoves

**NEW GEAR CHANGE**
Another big change for me this year was my stove. I still use the Caldera Cone setup, but I found that I crush the soda can stove too much.  Pros: The Toaks Titanium Siphone Stove burns more efficiently and hotter. I found that I am able to save fuel in efficiency, and I’m better able to pour unused fuel back into my container once I snuff it out with my pot. REALLY like this stove!
Cons: The Toaks stove doesn’t have an added base for stability, so BE CAREFUL to set it up so it doesn’t tip over.

 

Pros: Wonderful! Small, light, gets the job done.
Cons: Careful not to burn things to the thin bottom.

 

 

Yes, that is a mini-chapstick! Sold by Gossamer Gear.

 

 

 

 

Pros: Light, long for reaching into bags of food, not metal (I have an aversion to metal spoons scraping pots and in general use on the trail for some reason).
Con: There is maintenance if you want it to stay glossy, but I don’t do that.

 

Pros: I’ve used a Sawyer Squeeze since 2013. I prefer the Squeeze over the Mini. The extra ounce is worth having for more efficient filtering. I’m still in shock that something so light and small can accomplish such an amazing feat of filtering water! I also want to note a great trick to use when backflushing the Squeeze or Mini. I have a picture here as a visual aide. Many hikers try to find alternates to backflushing that would avoid carrying the syringe that comes with the Squeeze. I found out about a great one recently! If you carry a SmartWater water bottle, which many hikers do, there are some that have flip cap tops (.7L bottles). They coincidentally have a spout that fits perfectly with the Sawyer Squeeze spout. Instead of carrying the plunger, I now will just carry this extra cap I can put on my SmartWater bottle and I can squeeze the water from my clean water bottle through the Squeeze to backflush it….wonderful! Sawyer just came out with their Cleaning Coupling that does the same thing with just a Squeeze and not the mini…I still prefer my method, but nice to see they have made this adapter that will now come with the full Squeeze kit (not compatible with the mini).
Cons: For an impatient thru hiker not wanting to sit still, it takes time to filter through any filter. Some prefer drops, but with how often I’m on the trail, I’ve decided against daily chemicals. 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 every month or so.
Bottom Line: It’s the best option out there for a light and efficient filter! Note, for even more protection (yet heavier), Sawyer has come out with a whole new line level of filters this year. Check them out! 

 

Sawyer and Platypus Water Bladders
Pros: Light and collapsible. I preferred the Platypus bags because the are slightly more durable and clear so I can see the contents.
Cons:  All bags used for squeezing eventually break at the seal where the bag connects to the mouth, but they did last half the hike this time. The Platypus bladders are sturdier, but the threads can be less adaptable to the Sawyer Squeeze and strip over time. Both bags will wear over time, and the Sawyer ones have a shorter lifespan. I know ahead of time this wear and tear will happen, so I have new ones in my bounce box. I have found the Platypus bladders are also easier to tape up when they get a hole. I actually would recommend the Evernew Bags that can be tough to get online. I just forget each year to do that and grab the Platypus at the last minute.

 

Gossamer Gear Ultralight Mini Dropper (0.2oz)
I carry one little dropper of bleach for treating water if I need to save time or for emergencies if I lose/break my filter. I put in two drops per liter and let it mix for 20mins before I drink. This used to be my main purification until I decided it might not be good on my stomach in the long run.

 

Sandisk iXpand Flash Drive(64GB) (1.1oz)
Pros: It’s a flash drive that works with an iPhone. This drive functions as my external hard drive. It can hold maps, guidebooks, data sheets, songs, movies, photos, etc. It is 64GB worth of storage and it plugs into the charging port of the iPhone to be able to view or download whatever you like from one device to the next. There is an iXpand app that’s free that it runs through. It has a USB port so you load it and can transfer data also just like a regular flash drive. Sooo worth the 1.1oz addition to my pack weight! I know many of you will cringe at this, but I loved using it for movies and shows that I’ve downloaded to watch in my tent at night or during some downtime.
Cons: It does require charging through a USB port. When using it to watch movies on the iPhone, it plugs into the charging port, so you cannot charge while using the device. It’s easier just to download from the drive to the phone and then watch so you can simultaneously charge. There were a few times a map file was too large to open on the iPhone. I don’t know if that was an app limitation or and iPhone limitation. If using a case, you may need to remove it to fit the prong in the lightning port.

 

Sandisk Sansa Clip MP3 Player (1oz)
Pros: She Sansa Clip has always been 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. Even takes mini sd cards so people were able to send me more songs and audiobooks. Saves me the battery usage on my phone. Usually less than $50, so easy to replace for someone like me that tend to lose or break things often.
Cons: Doesn’t hold as many songs as more expensive players unless you buy a mini sd to put in it. I keep a file of all my songs on my SanDisk Flash Drive to pull into it if I lose or break it and have to get a new one since it isn’t stored online like iTunes. The power button can be depressed in the pack without knowing it, and run the battery down. Big annoyance…

StickPic (.8oz)
I’ve had a lot of people ask how I shoot my selfies and videos while I walk. I use 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 carabiner. 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. I have the adapter they also sell that holds your phone.

 

Pros: Loved this bag! Having a wide mouthed food bag is a nice convenience. It makes it easy to organize my food in it and it was waterproof. I use gallon and quart sized ziplocs to further organize my food in the bag.
Cons: Expensive…Over a thru hike, the cuben fiber it is made of will probably wear. I have found that I can make it two summers of 4-6 months of backpacking before I need to replace it.

 

Gossamer Gear Stuff Sacks (0.3-0.7oz)
Pros: With how much I can lose gear, I’m a stuff sack fan. I was skeptical at first, but they worked out great and were incredibly light.
Cons: It would be nice to have different colors. Each size has a different colored drawstring, but they are slightly sheer enough to know which is which. Careful with sharp things that could puncture them.

 Sawyer Stay Put Sunscreen 30 & 50 SPF
I am very pale and require a lot of sunscreen. I’m used to sweating the sunscreen off and reapplying it every couple of hours, but then I finally used the Sawyer Stay Put Sunscreen! It is awesome! I used the 50SPF in the very strong sun of New Zealand and was totally fine. I carried the 8oz bottles for the long legs, but most could get away with just the small tubes that would last me a couple weeks. It is pricier than most sunscreens, but that is because just a little bit goes a long way. I always reapply halfway though the day, but I’m pretty sure it isn’t necessary. Sawyer’s site has great detailed videos on their products and how to use them. This is a highly reputable company and product. You can find it at REI, so I really recommend you give it a try and read/watch more about it.

Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent
I have always been paranoid about using Deet and the effects it can have. Sawyer uses Picaridin and I felt much better using it! I like that it comes in these small spray bottles basically the size of a marker. Again, Sawyer is a company that puts out quality products. They have detailed information on their technology and reasoning for the ingredients that they use and I recommend giving it a look to learn more about the quality of their products. They have a variety of insect repellents including lotions, so check it out.

iPhoneSE (4oz)
Pros: Amazing to me such a little thing can do so much! Service is best with Verizon. It was my own personal computer, phone, camera, alarm clock, and GPS all in one. I love being able to Skype or FaceTime family or friends. If I’m hiking with another iPhone user, we can airdrop photos to one another without any service needed. Of course watching TV in my tent is a great plus! Just amazing, love it!
Cons: It can drain quickly using the GPS.

 

Pros: Light, simple, has a red light option and various flash setting. Got the job done.
Cons: Not intended for night hiking as it isn’t that bright (but now it has been improved and I’ll be testing that out next season). The thin string cord hurt my head if I used it for long, but now they are sold with a more comfortable strap.

DeLorme (Now Garmin) inReach SE Satellite Messenger (6.7oz)
Pros: Leaving home without my inReach would be like not wearing a seat belt in my mind. The inReach allows you to text message or send coordinate tracks from just about anywhere. It uses the Iridium satellite system, which has worked for me all over the world. I can’t say enough about this device More detailed product reviews are out there and comparisons to the next level up, the inReach Explorer, so my review is that IT WORKS! I liked knowing my messages or waypoints were received as it gave me notice when it was. Also, being able to communicate with someone in civilization for emergencies is gold. I found I was using it for arranging times for hitches or having my family order gear for me to get in town. It was also great when the person I was communicating with had one too. Then we both could communicate where phones wouldn’t have service. Another great thing is that it can give you a weather report from anywhere you are. Great battery life! Has a built in battery and I could just charge that in town, but it really does take a long time for the battery to go down if you are just using it to check in at night. You can pair it to your smartphone via the internal Bluetooth on each device and then you can text like you normally would rather than using the clunky keys on the inReach. There are sliding scales for subscriptions depending on the level you will be using it.
Cons: It is heavier than most other PLBs. Garmin has now taken over production, and they are heavier than this model. It isn’t cheap, but well worth it! I will note that one catch is that if you want it to work with a public Trackleaders map like I have embedded on my site, you will need to send out a track point, and my subscription has that at 10 cents/track, which is reasonable. The screen is small, so I never used it as a GPS, but I’ve heard it isn’t ideal. The keys are archaic, clunky, and time consuming if you are trying to type a message, so I paired it by Bluetooth to my iPhone and texted that way.

 

Sea to Summit Insect Shield Head Net (1.3oz)

Pros: It saves you from bugs!
Cons: This is probably the one piece of gear I carry that I hardly ever use (I’ve been fortunate), but it’s a life saver when needed. Don’t accidentally rub your eyes with the head net if it’s treated…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.

 

 

Gossamer Gear Backpacking Pocket Knife (.8oz)
Pros: Small, light, has multiple tools (including scissors!). The knife is even quite sharp.
Cons: Could be considered by some to be a luxury item that just adds extra weight…but those were the same hikers who have borrowed mine many times!

 

Pros: Allows 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!

 

 

   

Deuce of Spades Backpacking Trowel (.6oz)
Pros: Light and purposeful.
Cons: If it’s a hard packed rocky area or desert terrain, this may not be as effective as a hiking pole or a more sturdy trowel for digging cat holes.


Montbell Torrent Flier Rain Jacket (8oz) *No longer in production for women.
Pros: I used the same Montbell Torrent Flier rain jacket the last three summers with decent amounts of rain, and it’s been amazing! My lighter rain jackets lasted one or maybe two seasons, and the Torrent Flier easily lasted three. I used to carry the lighter OR Helium II, which is sufficient for the US Triple Crown Trails, but for trails with heavier colder rain, I love this jacket. I liked having the pit zips and the chest pocket is a must have for me in a rain jacket. It did a good job of keeping my phone and maps dry. I completely recommend this as a heavier duty rain jacket.
Con: Montbell seems to have stopped production (at this moment) on the women’s torrent flier. I will likely replace it this coming season with another Montbell jacket that is comparable once I see what they come out with in the spring.

 

Pros: I love these rain pants! I have always used these pants and they work great. They tend to last me 2-3 seasons before needing to be replaced. I can get cold quick in rain, so these are great for throwing on and off quickly with ankle zippers to easily get them on over my shoes.
Cons: The ankle zippers can get stuck if you get too much mud and grit in them. Try to rinse them out when you can.

Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Jacket (7.2oz)
Pros: I’ve used the Ghost Whisperer since 2013. Small, light, compact, warm, resilient, great! I think it is the lightest down jacket on the market. Made for a great pillow at  night too!
Cons: Expensive. It does the trick while hiking, but it is down and needs to kept dry. It’s not for extended time in below freezing temps, but has been sufficient for me, especially when paired with my rain jacket for added warmth.
Bottom Line: The Ghost Whisperer has served me well, but with recent innovations, there are possibly synthetic options now that are comparable in weight and warmth. I may be switching to a synthetic option so I don’t have to worry as much about getting it wet or sweating in it.

 

Balega Socks (1.2oz)
I love these socks. They are just basic running socks, but as a runner, that’s what I’m most comfortable wearing. My feet have bad reactions to wool and these were great. They don’t last as long as thicker socks, but I stretch them as long as I can and have them in my resupplies.

Seirus Hyperlite All-Weather Gloves (1.8oz)
I really liked these gloves! No gloves are truly waterproof, so I suggest getting a pack of Nitrile gloves to wear over the gloves in the rain or in the mornings when taking down a wet tent. The Nitrile ones lasted a long time, but I throw a new set in each resupply just in case I tear them. A simple thing that made my days so much more enjoyable!

ExOfficio Underwear (1oz)
Loved em! The only time I’ve needed to buy new ones is because I keep losing them. Don’t ask me how…I tend to carry two pairs so I can wear one and wash the other.

Diva Cup-Feminine Hygiene (0.7oz)
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.
Pros: 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.
Con: Not as quick and clean as tampons to remove and reinsert, but you’ll get a routine down.

Nike Pro Core Sports Bra
I’ve always used this sports bra. One is all I need and it’s great. Also, it doubles as a great swim top.

 

Heaven:) OMG, such wonderfulness!

 

Teva Mush II Thong Sandals (5.3oz)

Pros: Some consider camp shoes a luxury. I can’t imagine enjoying 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.
 La Sportive Bushido (Men’s) Trail Running Shoe
Pros: Good grip and sole for the off trail high routes I was doing. Pretty much the only shoe I could find to fit my unique width with bunions. Men’s size seemed even wider.
Cons: Not as cushioned as I’d like. I wore through the mesh toe box fairly quickly on brushy trails, and needed to stitch them with dental floss.
Bottom line: I don’t recommend these unless you have a wide foot and Solomons or Altras don’t work for you.

Lynco L405 Sports Orthotic Insoles
I 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. Expensive, but totally worth the price for me. I would get a new pair every ~1000mi. It’s a matter of personal preference. I know these have helped some hikers with plantar fasciitis. I’ve always used them and never had foot issues.

Fizan Compact Trekking Poles (11oz)
Pros: It took me awhile to buy into the concept of twist lock poles, but these are great!!! I’ve put my poles through the ringer, and these have definitely passed the test. I also use them nightly for my tent poles.
Cons: I wish they had cork handles. The black material rubs off on my hands when my hands are damp or sweaty. Also, my old Black Diamond poles were ergonomically angled and I miss that. I don’t miss the heavier weight though! Difficult to find in the US, so try Massdrop.

 

 

Hiking clothing is very personal for each hiker. I LOVE having a basic long sleeved wicking shirt (in my lucky hiking navy color). Turns out that doesn’t exist for women, so I buy what I can find, and if it’s a men’s size, I get it altered to fit me. I love this one Mountain Hardwear makes!

 

 

White Sierra Teton Trail Convertible Pants
These are the only hiking pants I’ve ever used, but I may be changing…
Pros: The only pants I could find that weren’t form fitting and tight in the thighs. Yes, they are baggy on me, but I like that. I still have a pair I’ve worn at least 5yrs. It was nice to have the option of shorts or pants with the zip offs. They have lots of pockets for my gadgets and snacks.
Cons: The newer version of these pants (2 summers ago) were disappointing, lower quality, and fit differently. I’m hoping to buy new ones that were more like the previous version…

 

Smartwool Microweight Pajama Top/Bottom (5oz each)
It took me forever to buy these pricey pajamas, but they are 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. They tend to last 2 thru hikes before needing to be replaced.

 

 

Andiamo skins (unpadded) biker shorts(black)
Nice for added warmth and those who experience chafing. They were also great to 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. My advise it to not 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. Also great for swimming!

 

Dirty Girl Gaiters (1oz)
Pros: Love em! I recommend buying two pairs and switching halfway on long hikes.  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.
Cons: The adhesive for the velcro can wear off in sandy dusty conditions. I carried extra velcro that comes with the gaiters, but have not had to use it much. Using Shoo Goo or Gorilla Glue helps keep them on there.

 

GAIA GPS App
My phone has become my sole GPS these days, and GAIA is my go to app for navigation.
Pros: This is a really great one to use once you learn how to use it. It is used while the phone is offline. I found it to be quick and easy to both load and use once I learned the ropes. I soo prefer this to the GPS! It is colorful, user friendly, and time efficient in loading.
Cons: It can soak up phone battery quickly if used over an extended amount of time. It also can take up a lot of storage depending on how many maps and tracks you load. Only an issue if you have a phone with little extra storage space.


 **NOTE: There are a few small items and seasonal items not on this review that I carry (like first aid or an ice axe for those instances).*** 

**For a complete list of my evolution of gear, gear reviews, and current gear with prices and weights, you can go to my GEAR TAB.


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