PCT Gear List 2022

What I carried on my Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike and how to find affordable gear

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Pack, Tent, & Quilt

• Backpack — Waymark THRU · 40L (hip belt, 4 way stretch lycra pocket)

• Tent — Z Packs Triplex (big enough for 2 hikers)

• Quilt — Enlightened Equipment Enigma Quilt (20 degrees)

What I Carried

• Tent Stakes — MSR Mini Ground Hog Stakes (10)

• Trekking Poles — Black Diamond Trail Trekking Poles

• Sleeping Pad — Nemo Tensor 20R

• Water Filter — Platypus Quickdraw (didn’t use bladder)

• Headlamp — NiteCore NU 25

• Water Bladder — CNOC Vecto 2L Water Container

• Trowel — Tent Labs Trowel

• Pack Liner (trash compactor bag)

Clothing

• Sun Hoodie — REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie

• Shorts — Patagonia Baggies (REI Used Gear)

• Rain Jacket — Enlightened Equipment Visp Rain Jacket

• Undies (2 pair) — ExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0 Bikini Briefs

• Socks — Darn Tough Micro Crew Lightweight Hiking Sock

• Shoes — Topo Athletic Terraventure 3 Trail-Running Shoes 

• Hat — Sunday Afternoons Vaporlite Stride Cap

• Fanny Pack — Single Pocket Scrappy Pack by Hartford Gear (similar)

• Croakies — Croakies Guatemalan Eyewear Retainer

• Sunglasses — Goodr

• Sports bra — Nike sports bra (bought on Poshmark)

• Beanie — Rab Logo Beanie

• Puffy Jacket — Mountain Hardwear Puffy (similar)

• Sleep Shirt + Pants (basic t-shirt and lightweight pants)

• Camp Shoes (free plastic Birkenstock knock-offs)

Miscellaneous

• Wired headphones

• Luekotape (for blisters)

• Pee cloth — Kula Cloth Reusable Antimicrobial Pee Cloth

• Inflatable Pillow — Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow

• Power bank — Anker PowerCore 10000 Portable Charger

• GPS Tracker - Garmin InReach Mini 2

• Charging cube — Anker Dual Port 12W Wall Charger with Foldable Plug

• Toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrush, floss, chapstick, retainer)

• Sunscreen (3oz. tube of whatever we could find in town)

• Hand Sanitizer

• Wallet (ID, credit, debit card, & insurance cards, permit, cash)

• Journal - Moleskine Classic Notebook, Soft Cover, Large (5 x 8.25")

What I Added in the Sierras

• Base Layer Leggings — Icebreaker 150 Merino Wool Leggings

• Base Layer Top — Firstlite merino wool base layer

• Microspikes — Kahtoola EXOspikes Traction System

• Thick Wool Sleep Socks

• Head Mosquito Net

• Bear Can — BearVault BV500 Food Container

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Finding Affordable Gear

Thru-hiking the PCT can be pricey, especially if you’re trying to be as ultralight as possible. My primary recommendation is to prioritize your big three — a good tent, a warm quilt, and a solid backpack. You’ll get your money’s worth out of them every single day.

Beyond that, it’s fair game!

Try to use what you already have on hand and try to buy used.

• I loved Poshmark and REI Used Gear. I really wanted the mid-length Patagonia baggies (held up GREAT), but I couldn’t find them new anywhere. So, I bought a used pair on REI Used and loved them.

• All your gear is going to wear down, and buying new doesn’t mean it will last the whole trail. Buy smart, and don’t fall in love with your hear ;)

• Buy Darn Tough socks — the sock exchange is clutch and I used it multiple times (free new socks if your socks get holes in them, which they will!).

• When in doubt, buy less. You can always buy things on trail if and when you need them. The first week is a test drive — hike, learn and adapt.

• Blister bandaids do not work. I repeat. Blister bandaids. DO. NOT. WORK. Carry Leukotape for blister care instead.