Post PCT: Pacific Crest Trail Gear
Post PCT: Pacific Crest Trail Gear Changes
As I expected when I posted my original gear list, a lot changed throughout the duration of my thru-hike. There were some major winners that I kept throughout the entire time and some pieces of gear that did not end up working for me.
One note on gear: gear is different for everyone and every literal body. Though I am sharing my experiences below, do what works for you! I also don’t claim to be Ultralight, though I have a few UL pieces. My goal was to balance weight and comfort and by the end of the trail, I definitely did that!
Big 3 Gear:
Backpack: Changed
Started: ULA Circuit 68L. Though I had this pack since 2022 and remains one of the most popular packs on trail - it did not end up working for me. I started the trail at 5’5″ and 135lbs, but lost weight quickly which is when my experience changed. I ended up with bruises on my hips, glutes, and shoulders. No matter the positioning on my body, packing the pack in a variety of ways - it was not comfortable. Anytime my pack was over 20lbs, I had excruciating pain which would not have boded well for the Sierra section that required heavier gear. I switched out at mile 653.
Ended: REI Flash 55L. REI gets a lot of hate from the thru-hiking community in favor of cottage brands but when I say this is the pack for me - it was one of my favorite pieces of gear. It officially had less carrying capacity as compared to the ULA Circuit, but I could fit 20% more. It was marginally heavier itself, but carried the weight much better and it felt 10 pounds (literal pounds) lighter than the ULA.
Quilt + Quilt Sheet: Changed
Started: Zen Bivy Light Bed 25 degree quilt and quilt sheet. My sleep system was a HIGHLIGHT of the entire trail. Zen Bivy is unique in that it sets up exactly like a bed. There is a sheet that wraps around your sleeping pad and has a hood that simulates a mummy bag. The quilt itself hooks on to color coded hooks on to the sheet which gives you more room and you are not as confined as in a mummy bag. I am a stomach sleeper so this has been a game changer!
Ended: Zen Bivy Ultralight Bed 10 degree quilt and 25 degree quilt sheet. While on trail, Zen Bivy released the new ultralight bed which meant that the new 10 degree bag was now similar weight as my 25 degree quilt. With the Sierra Nevada coming up, it was an easy switch. I swapped my 25 degree light bed for the 10 degree ultralight bed at mile 566.
I was actually featured on Zen Bivy’s Instagram from my time at PCT Trail Days!
Tent + Tent Footprint: Kept
Original comment: After some trial and error with Zpacks, I chose the Nemo Hornet Elite Osmo 2p and the coordinating footprint. It had the best combination of trail weight, is semi-freestanding, and enough room for a comfortable set up for 1 person.
Post PCT Feedback: I LOVED this tent. It was a highlight of the trail for me. The fabric withstood some holes even with the footprint. I will be sending this back to Nemo because of their lifetime warranty.
Sleep System Extra:
Pillow: Kept
Original comment: As mentioned above, sleep is the thing I am most concerned with hence why I have added weight to my pack in hopes that it pays dividends in nightly logged sleep time. I chose the Seat to Summit Aero UL pillow in size Large. With the hood of the Zen Bivvy Light Bed, the pillow tucks in perfectly and does not escape off of my sleeping pad in the night.
Post PCT Feedback: Loved this pillow. It was integral to my overall great sleep on trail!
Bag Liner: Sent Home
Original comment: Because I chose a 25 degree bag as my main temperature rated quilt outside of the Sierra Nevada – I wanted to add some degrees and versatility to my system. Enter a bag liner. The Cocoon Silk Bag Liner adds warmth to your sleep set up on chilly nights while you can use it by itself on warm nights. This may also help prevent wear and tear on bags/quilts as I can house my dirty self within the liner (and wash it in town).
Post PCT Feedback: I used this for the first 566 miles and sent it home when I switched to the 10 degree quilt listed above. It was great while I used it!
Sleeping Pad: Kept
Original comment: Similar to the tent, this was also a category that had trial and error. After being disappointed in the most “popular” brand and model, I chose the Nemo Tensor in size Regular Wide. It perfectly fits the quilt sheet and gives me ample space for my stomach sleeping.
Post PCT Feedback: I LOVED this sleeping pad and I will never be able to downsize from the wide size. I got 2 pinholes that lead to deflating around mile 566, but was able to easily fix them with the bathtub method.
Sierra Nevada:
Original comment: A “bear proof” can is required for this section and will be swiftly shipped home after I am out of the required zone. During the Four Pass Loop hike, I hiked with a BearVault 450 and it was nearly too small. I chose a BearVault 475 as it was the perfect combination of capacity, weight, and fit in my pack securely.
Post PCT Feedback: The BV475 worked well for me. It ended up fitting sideways in the middle of my pack, which helped distribute the weight well. I never got my bear can checked in this section, but I entered the Sierra Nevada earlyish on May 12th and exited on June 11th. It was nearly too small for some of the longer carries I did.
I want to note that the BV475 is not an officially approved bear proof canister per the National Parks Service as it has not yet been tested by the NPS. If you choose to use the BV475, you could be in violation.
Original comment: This is probably the neatest ‘looking’ gear on the whole list. Depending on the Sierra Nevada snowfall, going over passes can be extra nerve-racking. The ice axe is used in a few ways; as a trekking pole on the high side of a snow crossing, as a tool to carve out boot track, and finally as a self arrest tool if I slip. I chose the Black Diamond Raven in 70cm as I wanted something sturdy and long enough to support me if I ever need to use it in an emergency situation.
Post PCT Feedback: I have no complaints about this ice axe. It was great and unfortunately I had to self arrest a few times - I was thankful for something so sturdy. I did add the bumpers to make this a bit safer when out of use.
Original comment: I will have microspikes for the desert section of the trail (yes there is snow!) but for deeper snow, I will add proper crampons as my foot traction tool – Kahtoola 1/2″ spikes. These make a huge difference in stability on snow.
Post PCT Feedback: I learned something new on the trail - I never had crampons. I always only had microspikes. Microspikes were enough for me for the majority of the Sierra Nevada, but I wish that I had proper crampons for Forester and Mather Pass.
Original comment: My goodness my eyes are sensitive to the sun so it was vital to me to make sure I could see the trail properly with sun shining on the snow. I chose the Sunski Treeline Polarized and I am excited to see how they perform.
Post PCT Feedback: I ended up loving these so much that I just kept them for the remainder of the trail.
Original comment: I mentioned that I would be using a 25 degree quilt for the majority of the trail, but I will switch out the 25 degree in favor of a 10 degree quilt for the Sierra section. I would rather be too warm and have the capability to shed layers than the opposite.
Post PCT feedback: I switched to the 10 degree quilt a bit early and kept it through the remainder of the trail.
Food + Water System:
Stove + Cook Pot: Kept
Original comment: Though the ultralight thru-hikers that cold soak have my admiration, I need a stove. Throughout camping adventures, the regular Jet Boil has been reliable – so why ruin a good thing! Because of this, I chose the Jet Boil Stash which came out relatively recently.
Post PCT feedback: I loved it and used it for the entire trail.
Spork: Kept
Original comment: Who knew I would think about utensils so much – landed on the Sea to Summit Alpha Light Spork with the long handle.
Post PCT feedback: Kept and had no complaints.
Food Bag: Changed
Started: I’m sure I will have DCF jealousy with my hiking companions, but I chose a simple 20L REI stuff sack.
Ended: Switched to Sea to Summit 20L - it had a bigger opening. It did not hold up too well as there are a lot of holes in it now.
Water Filter: Changed
Started: Sawyer Squeeze. Check out Sawyer’s philanthropic work – they are a company worth supporting.
Ended: Switched to Katadyn BeFree around the 1100 mile mark, it went much faster than a SS and was more streamlined.
Water Storage: Changed
Original comment: I will have 5.5L water carrying capacity between a CNOC 2L bag and 2x 1.5L SmartWater bottles, along with a 700ml SmartWater bottle strapped to my shoulder strap.
Post PCT feedback: Got rid of the 2L CNOC bag when I switched to water filters. Ended the trail with 3L total carrying capacity (2x 1.5L SmartWater bottles)
Lighter: Kept
Original comment: Rechargeable Explorer lighter
Post PCT feedback: Loved it, though got made fun of for it not being ultralight.
Paracord: Sent Home
Original comment: 30′ for a solid bear hang.
Post PCT feedback: It was precious that I thought I would be able to do bear hangs in the desert. Sent this home early on.
Clothes:
Kept:
Sun Hoodie: The amount of research that has gone into my sun hoodie choice is comical. After all of it, I landed back where I started on the REI Sahara Shade. The synthetic fabric is quick dry and the price is great. Only complaint is that the synthetic material does lend itself to smelling badly as compared to natural materials. Sorry to all of those on trail I offend!
Ended up having 3 REI Sahara sun hoodies but needed to end with Mountain Hardware sun hoodie because REI was out of them.
Puffy: Not the most ultralight, but I already had a Patagonia Down Sweater and it works great.
Rain Pants: Three words – Amazon Dance Pants. I am an Extra Large.
Pants: REI Trailmade – LOVE THEM.
Needed to size down by mile 266
Hats: I have both a running hat for the sun/warmer days and a Smartwool beanie for chillier ones.
Gloves: I have both warm REI Polartec gloves for cold mornings and REI sun gloves to help save my skin.
Buff: Classic Icebreaker buff – can be used for so much!
Base Layer: REI 185 Merino Wool top + bottom. Cozy, soft, and a good price point. This outfit will be my primary sleeping clothes.
Camp Shoes: It was a debate between Crocs and sandals – then Teva introduced their classic Universal Sandal in slim which was the winner!
Hiking Shoes: Altras? No. Hokas? No. Brooks Cascadia? Yes! Their durability, trail availability, and mid-sole rock plate made them a no brainer.
My feet grew a lot! Sized up 1.5 sizes total and from normal to wide width.
Changed:
Shorts:
Started: Similar to the sun hoodie, tried a lot of active shorts and REI’s Active Pursuits 4.5″ inseam are the winners!
Ended: These REI shorts were great until they were too big! I now hike in The North Face Sunriser 2.5”
Rain Coat:
Started: Also not ultralight, but I also already had the Patagonia Torrent Shell.
Ended: Switched to Patagonia Houdini + emergency poncho
Mid Layer:
Started: Melanzana pulled some hipster nonsense with their scheduling system to shop in store in Leadville, CO (lol @ a 6 month wait), so I went with a Mellie knock off in Mountain Hardware Tunic. I got a size Large because these microgrid fleeces tend to shrink.
Ended: The Mountain Hardware Tunic was great but too heavy. Switched to the Senchi Alpha120 for the Sierra Nevada and Senchi Alpha60 for the remainder of the trail.
Socks:
Started: Much to my dismay with my Smartwool loyalty, Darn Tough won out. 3 pairs; 2 for hiking, 1 for sleeping.
Ended: Turns out I am allergic to hiking in wool socks day over day. Luckily DarnTough has a synthetic material (CoolMax) that worked for me.
Electronics: I kept everything listed here!
Battery Pack: 2x Nightcore 10000.
Cords + Charger: Double USB-C wall charger. 2x USB-C to USB-C cords, USB-C to Micro-USB, and USB-C to Garmin.
Headlamp: I wanted something rechargeable and that did not require batteries; I chose the Black Diamond Storm 500-R.
Watch: I’ve had the Garmin Fenix 7S Sapphire Solar for over a year and continue to be obsessed with the data.
Satellite Communicator: Garmin InReach Mini 2. This allows me to send messages to my Home Support Person and has SOS capabilities. Stay safe!
Subscriptions: FarOut PCT Map, Spotify Premium, and Kindle Unlimited.
First Aid + Toiletries + Misc:
Kept:
First Aid Kit: This will be an iterative process based on what I need but I am starting with a basic backpacking first aid kit.
Multitool: Very Boy Scout of me; Gerber Stakeout Tool.
Towel: I have very sensitive acne prone skin so I’ll be carrying a personal towel dedicated to my face cleanliness.
Lol still got the worst acne of my life on the trail - oh well!
Bathroom Kit: UL trowel, Kula cloth, and Portowipe compressed towels.
Trekking Poles: Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork – so nice!
Changed:
Paper Maps: In addition to the FarOut PCT map and guide, I will have the National Geographic section paper maps with me. My Support Person will be sending them in various resupply boxes.
FarOut ended up being much more helpful!
Luxury:
Kept:
Fanny Pack: This is to add more hip belt space and to have something to carry around town stops!
Sun Umbrella: This also feels like a necessity.
Sit Pad: This versatile item will be used as a sitting pad but also underneath my inflatable sleeping pad to eliminate sliding around and popping protection.
Necklace: Maybe the most important and sentimental thing I am bringing on the trail is a memorial necklace for my grandparents that recently passed. I am excited to bring part of them along on this journey and I know they will be a source of support for me during hard times.
Changed:
Kindle: This feels like a necessity, not a luxury but at 7oz I guess it is a luxury. I love reading and this is one of the best things I can do as self care on the trail!
Sent this back around mile 1100. I knew that I would be doing bigger mileage days and would not have as much time to read.
As demonstrated above, don’t be scared by changing gear Use your resources and decide what is best for YOU.
xoxo Leeann / Kanga
