Gear List

This is all you need to survive in the woods for five months

A little over two years ago when we first decided that we were going to hike the PCT, gear was one of the first things we started to research. We probably should have been ordering the guide books and making lists about all the logistics that would be involved with planning a 5 month hike, but backpacking gear is way cooler than all of that. We would get giddy over finding the lightest weight trekking poles, the best sleeping pads, or the coolest stove.

Conversations would go something like this:

“Hey check out these Titanium Sporks”

“Sweet, how much do the weigh?”

“.7oz each!”

“Those are rad! We should get them!”

“Yeah!”

Then we’d high five and feel pretty great about ourselves and our brand new Titanium Sporks.  However, after purchasing our gear, while reading something totally unrelated, we would often stumble across different (better) pieces of gear and feel terrible about our poor choices. Keeping your carrying weight down is extremely important on these types of backpacking trips. It is a trade-off between comfortable living and ease of hiking – finding the optimal balance for your personal needs is critical.

We would wind up spending hours and hours comparing our titanium sporks to 6 or 7 other types of eating utensils made from aluminum, plastic, or some fancy space polymer, and we’d read pages and pages of reviews on numerous backpacking forums and list serves, only confusing our options more.

The thing about reading all the reviews on every site is that people who do long distance backpacking are crazy, and one thing that these backpackers are particularly crazy about is their gear. People will write passionate 3-page rants about how their spork is the best damn spork out there and that other people who buy other sporks are idiots who waste their money. Or, people are idiots for carrying any spork at all: “Why not save yourself the .7 oz and eat out of your hands stupid? You have perfectly good hands to eat your meals out of.” (For the record we didn’t end up taking our titanium sporks. We found something lighter…)

After many, many, many hours and days of staring at the computer screen, sifting through the reviews of every spork/stove/tent/whatever, we finalized our gear… about two weeks ago (I write this a few days before leaving for the trail). And to be totally honest, there are still a few things we are not sure of yet. So for better or worse, below you will find a portion of the Excel file that we have been using these past few years to sort our gear. I assure you that the file we actually use is much much messier and harder to read than the one below.

The gear is weighed by ounces and divided into the areas where we’ll be carrying it (for example, we won’t be carrying our rain pants in the desert), except at the bottom of each section where the total is in pounds. Weights are only included for gear for the sections in which we’ll be carrying it – e.g., our fleece jackets will weigh 0oz (will not be carried) in Southern California, but 8oz in Washington.

Don't Forget Socks

Don’t Forget Socks

PCT Gear Sheet

Products and Links SoCal Sierra NorCal OR WA

Ashleigh’s Gear

Clothing
Underwear Icebreaker Hotpants 1.20 1.20 1.20 1.20 1.20
Bra Icebreaker 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00
Short Socks Wrightsock Coolmesh II 2.40 1.20 2.40 2.40 0.00
Long Socks Smartwool Ultralight Hikers 2.20 4.40 2.20 2.20 6.60
Gaiters Simblissity LevaGaiter 1.80 1.80 1.80 1.80 1.80
Shoes Vasque, New Blance 1210?
Insoles Superfeet Active Green
Sandals Unshoes Wakova Feather 6.00 6.00 6.00 6.00 6.00
Short-sleeve Shirt Icebreaker Tech Tee 3.70 3.70 3.70 3.70 3.70
Long-sleeve Shirt Marmot Kristie (100% supplex nylon) 4.60 4.60 4.60 4.60 4.60
Down Jacket Montbell Ex Light Jacket 4.50 4.50 4.50 4.50 0.00
Fleece Jacket Mountain Hardwear Microchill Tech Zip-T 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 7.70
Shorts Mountain Hardwear Ramesa Convertibles 7.20 7.20 7.20 7.20 7.20
Pants Mountain Hardwear Ramesa Convertibles 4.30 4.30 4.30 4.30 4.30
Long-Sleeve Thermal Shirt Smartwool Micro 195 5.90 5.90 5.90 5.90 5.90
Long Thermal Pants Patagonia Merino 2 (165) 5.40 5.40 5.40 5.40 5.40
Rain Jacket GoLite 0.00 6.80 6.80 6.80 6.80
Rain Pants GoLite 0.00 0.00 0.00 6.90 6.90
Gloves DuraGloves 2.10 2.10 2.10 2.10 2.10
Rain Gloves Mountain Laurel Designs eVent Rain Mitts 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.60 1.60
Bandanas Buff 1.40 1.40 1.40 1.40 1.40
Warm Hat Mountain Hardwear Micro Dome 0.80 0.80 0.80 0.80 0.80
Hiking Hat Headsweats Race Hat 1.80 1.80 1.80 1.80 1.80
Bug Head Net Peter’s Headnets 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40
Sunglasses Random cheapo brand 0.90 0.90 0.90 0.90 0.90
Hiking
Trekking Poles Black Diamond Ulta Distance Z-Poles 9.30 9.30 9.30 9.30 9.30
Umbrella GoLite Chrome Dome 7.80 0.00 0.00 0.00 7.80
Crampons Kahtoola MicroSpikes 0.00 13.30 0.00 0.00 0.00
Packing
Dry Bag for Clothing Zpacks Medium Dry Bag 0.65 0.65 0.65 0.65 0.65
Dry Bag for Sleeping Bag Zpacks  Medium-Plus Dry Bag 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70
Backpack Zpacks ArcBlast 15.60 15.60 15.60 15.60 15.60
Backpack Rain Cover Zpacks Medium Cuben Pack Cover 0.00 1.20 1.20 1.20 1.20
Sleeping
Pillow GooseFeet Down Pillow (size medium w/ 2.5 oz down + stuff sack on the back) 2.90 2.90 2.90 2.90 2.90
Sleeping Pad Thermarest Neoair Xlite Small 8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00
Sleeping Bag Liner Cocoon Silk Mummy 4.30 4.30 4.30 4.30 4.30
Sleeping Bag & Stuff Sack Feathered Friends Egret 28.00 28.00 28.00 28.00 28.00
Hydration
Hydration Bladder & Tube 2L Platypus Hoser 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50
Water Storage 2L Sawyer, 1L Platypus 1.90 1.90 1.90 1.90 1.90
Personal Care
Prescriptions Birth Control; pain killer/muscle relaxer?
Icy Hot and/or Disposable Heat Pads?
Toothbrush & Paste Zpacks 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98
Feminine Care Diva Cup
Razor?
Deodorant?
Sponge
Wet Wipes?
Pack Towel PackTowl – Personal Pack Towel Medium 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00
Other
Head Lamp Petzl e+Lite 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Pocket Knife Baladeo 22g 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75
Journal Moleskine 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Pen Fisher Space Pen Stoaway 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17
MINIMUM CLOTHES + SHOES + TREKKING POLES (lbs.) 1.76 1.83 1.76 1.76 1.83
BASE WEIGHT WITHOUT SHARED GEAR (lbs.) 7.43 8.28 7.45 7.98 8.73

Mark’s Gear

Clothing
Shoes Montrail Mountain Masochist II/La Sportiva Wildcat 23.80 23.80 23.80 23.80 23.80
Insoles Superfeet Orange
Sandals Unshoes Wakova Feather 6.00 6.00 6.00 6.00 6.00
Underwear Smartwool Medium Boxer Briefs 1.80 1.80 1.80 1.80 1.80
Short Socks Wrightsock Coolmesh II 2.40 1.20 2.40 1.20 0.00
Long Socks Smartwool Ultralight Hikers 2.30 4.60 2.30 4.60 6.90
Gaiters Simblissity LevaGaiter 1.80 1.80 1.80 1.80 1.80
Short-sleeve Shirt Golite Merino Wool 4.30 4.30 4.30 4.30 4.30
Long-sleeve Shirt GoLite Paparoa 8.60 8.60 8.60 8.60 8.60
Fleece Mountain Hardwear Micro Chill 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 8.00
Jacket Montbell Ex Lite 5.60 5.60 5.60 5.60 0.00
Pants/Shorts Convertibles Mountain Hardwear Mesa Smallx30 13.80 13.80 13.80 13.80 13.80
Long-sleeve Thermal Shirt Ibex Medium Stripe 150 Zip 5.90 5.90 5.90 5.90 5.90
Long Thermal Pants Icebreaker Small 150s 5.10 5.10 5.10 5.10 5.10
Rain Jacket Golite Malpais and Golite Current Mountain 0.00 6.90 6.90 6.90 6.90
Rain Pants GoLite 0.00 0.00 0.00 6.90 6.90
Gloves DuraGloves 2.10 2.10 2.10 2.10 2.10
Rain Mitts Mountain Laurel Designs eVent Rain Mitts 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.60 1.60
Bandanas Buff UV with insect shield 1.40 1.40 1.40 1.40 1.40
Warm Hat Mountain Hardwear Micro Dome 0.80 0.80 0.80 0.80 0.80
Hiking Hat Arcteryx Escapa Cap 1.90 1.90 1.90 1.90 1.90
Bug Head Net Peter’s Headnets 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40
Sunglasses Nike 7065 Prescription 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00
Hiking
Treking Poles Black Diamond Ultra Distance Z-poles 9.50 9.50 9.50 9.50 9.50
Umbrella GoLite Chrome Dome 9.80 9.80 9.80 9.80 9.80
Crampons Kahtoola MicroSpikes 0.00 13.40 0.00 0.00 0.00
Packing
Dry Bag for Clothing Zpacks Medium Dry Bag 0.65 0.65 0.65 0.65 0.65
Dry Bag for Sleeping Bag Zpacks  Medium-Plus Dry Bag 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70
Backpack Six Moons Swift 19.00 19.00 19.00 19.00 19.00
Backpack Rain Cover Z-Packs Medium 0.00 1.10 1.10 1.10 1.10
Sleeping
Pillow Klymit Cush 3.40 3.40 3.40 3.40 3.40
Sleeping Pad Klymit Inertia X-lite 6.10 6.10 6.10 6.10 6.10
Sleeping Bag Liner Cocoon Silk Liner 4.30 4.30 4.30 4.30 4.30
Sleeping Bag & Stuff Sack Feathered Friends Hummingbird 28.00 28.00 28.00 28.00 28.00
Hydration
Water Storage 2L Sawyer, 2L Platypus, 1 Gatorade 4.10 4.10 4.10 4.10 4.10
Personal Care
Toothbrush & Paste Z-Packs 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98
Sponge
Pack Towel PackTowl – Personal Pack Towel Medium 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00
Other
Head Lamp Petzl e+Lite 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Multi-tool Leatherman Style CS Multitiool 1.40 1.40 1.40 1.40 1.40
Journal Rite in the Rain 3.60 3.60 3.60 3.60 3.60
Pen Fisher Space Pen Stoaway 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17
MINIMUM CLOTHES + SHOES + TREKKING POLES (lbs.) 3.63 3.70 3.63 3.70 3.70
BASE WEIGHT WITHOUT SHARED GEAR (lbs.) 8.10 9.44 8.60 9.13 9.35

Shared Gear

Shelter
Tent Zpacks Hexamid Twin 22.03 22.03 22.03 22.03 22.03
Hydration
Water Purification System Sawyer Squeeze 4.70 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50
Cooking
Lighter Mini Bic
Stove (alcohol) Trail Designs Calendra Sidewinder (stove + windscreen + stakes + pot grabber) 4.10 4.10 4.10 4.10 4.10
Cook Pot Open Country 2 Quart Hard Anodized Pot 6.20 6.20 6.20 6.20 6.20
Pot Cozy Anti-Gravity Gear from Trail Designs 1.20 1.20 1.20 1.20 1.20
Mug MSR Titan Cup 1.90 1.90 1.90 1.90 1.90
Bowl MSR Titan Kettle 3.30 3.30 3.30 3.30 3.30
Utensils LightMyFire Titanium Spork x2 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50
Dry Bag for Food Zpacks Blast Food Bag (12.3 L) x2 2.80 2.80 2.80 2.80 2.80
Odor-proof Sacks for Food LOKSAK OPSacks
Cleaning Sponge
Navigation
Compass Suunto M-2 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Maps Halfmile
Guidebooks
Safety
First Aid Kit Homemade
Whistle On headlamp/Pack 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Bear Canister 2 BearVaults 0.00 82.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Gear Repair
Duct Tape Duct tape
Superglue Krazy Glue
Needle and thread
Rope/Cord 45 ft 3mm Cord 2.80 2.80 2.80 2.80 2.80
Other
Sunscreen Sunscreen in small tube/REI
Bug Repellent Natrapel – REI
Liquid Soap Sea to Summit Citronella Wilderness
Trowel Qiwiz Potty Trowel 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30
Spare Photon Light Princeton Tech 0.21 0.21 0.21 0.21 0.21
Multi-Vitamin Kirkland
Electronics
Personal Locator Beacon ACR ResQLink+ 5.20 5.20 5.20 5.20 5.20
Technical Watch Suunto Core 2.20 2.20 2.20 2.20 2.20
Camera Sony CyberShot HX30V 8.70 8.70 8.70 8.70 8.70
Camera Case SealLine E-Case (small) 1.75 1.75 1.75 1.75 1.75
Stick Pic Stic pic 0.38 0.38 0.38 0.38 0.38
SD Cards Sony SF16NX/TQM 16 GB SDHC Class 10 Memory Cards 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20
Batteries Watch/Headlamp: Panasonic CR2032 lithium batteries (2 at a time)
Camera: Sony NP-FG1
1.40 1.40 1.40 1.40 1.40
Power Charger Zagg Sparq 6000 7.70 7.70 7.70 7.70 7.70
Cell Phone and Charger Mark’s Droid 4.80 4.80 4.80 4.80 4.80
MP3 Player x2 Ipod Nano 1.10 1.10 1.10 1.10 1.10
TOTAL WEIGHT OF SHARED GEAR (lbs.) 5.14 10.19 5.07 5.07 5.07
TOTAL WEIGHT OF ALL GEAR CARRIED (lbs.) 20.68 27.91 21.11 22.18 23.15
PER PERSON WEIGHT OF ALL GEAR CARRIED (lbs.) 10.34 13.95 10.56 11.09 11.57

 

2 thoughts on “Gear List

  1. Lydia

    Wow. I’m curious as to how you decided who you ended up taking advice from as far as gear was concerned?

    Reply
  2. Jamie Haney

    Hey Guys! I loved reading your blog. I was wondering what host you used to create your website, and how much it was, if you don’t mind me asking. I really like the simplicity and the layout, which is what I would like to do to my blog, and turn it into a website.

    Thanks! And congrats on finishing the trail 🙂
    Jamie Aka Positive

    Reply

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