Appalachian Trail Gear
Appalachian Trail Gear + Changes
Despite having already done one thru-hike, the Appalachian Trail climate is completely different than the Pacific Crest Trail. I focused on rain protection and water mitigation in some of my changes. 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.
Here is my Pre-PCT Gear List and my Post-PCT Gear List if you are interested!
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:
REI Flash 55L. This is the same pack as I used on the PCT, although my original one broke. The right shoulder strap was threadbare by North Carolina. A friend emergency shipped one to the NOC just before the Smokies. I still love this pack, but I am curious about some other ones - stay tuned!
Quilt + Quilt Sheet:
Zen Bivy Ultralight Bed 10 degree quilt and 25 degree quilt sheet. In New York, I was drying out both my quilt and quilt sheet in a dryer - following instructions of Low/Ultra Low temperature - and the quilt sheet melted. Though I stuck a huge piece of duct tape over it, the quilt sheet is unsalvageable. It was disappointing to follow care instructions and have the product fail. I used just the quilt for the remainder of the trail, but at that point - it is just like any other quilt.
Tent:
ZPacks Altaplex: I switched up my tent from the PCT in preparation for more precipitation. I wanted a waterproof tent and the ZPacks delivered. Because I am a relatively short person, I got the corresponding singular tent pole due to my trekking pole not being tall enough. Overall, I liked the tent and the setup. But when taking into consideration that I needed the tent pole and it requires 6+ stakes to set up… is it actually any lighter than freestanding tents?
Sleep System Extra:
I used this Sea to Summit pillow and all ultralighters can pry this pillow from my well-rested hands.
Sleeping Pad: Changed
Started: Nemo Tensor Trail in Regular length but Wide. This pad caused me trouble from the start of the trail. It got holes in North Carolina (patched) and Tennessee (patched). But in Pennslyvania, it got slow leaks that I could not find. This lasted for over 600 miles before I finally gave up and bought a new one. I did at least 6 bathtub methods to find the leak and it never surfaced.
Ended: Nemo Tensor Trail in Regular length and width. Though I had been holding on to a wide pad, I actually ended up liking the regular width. Saved some ounces and saved space inside my tent.
Food + Water System:
Bear Can: Changed
Prior to the trail, I had heard that it was inundated with black bears (I only saw 1!) so I carried my BV475 until Vermont. Heading into the hard climbs of the Northeast scared me about my pack weight so I sent my bear can home and switched to a regular stuff sack to hang.
I used this Jetboil Stash system on the PCT and still love it!
Although I lost several sporks on this trail, I kept getting the same Sea to Summit item.
I used the Katadyn BeFree and still love it. I had to replace it halfway on the trail but it is still worth it. These have about 1500 miles in their life, based on my experience.
This Explorer rechargeable lighter still works for me!
Clothes:
Sun Hoodie: I started off with the sun hoodie, but quickly realized that the humidity was not made for them. These do best in the dry, exposed, sunny climates - which is not the east coast.
Hiking Shirt: I primarily hiked in this North Face tech shirt, unless I knew I was going to be above treeline. A short sleeve option was vital to my homeostasis in the heat/humidity.
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. I did end up sending these home in Vermont because I had just accepted that I was to get wet.
Pants: REI Trailmade – LOVE THEM.
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 gloves for cold mornings.
Buff: Classic buff – can be used for so much!
Base Layer: REI 185 Merino Wool top + bottom. Cozy, soft, and a good price point. I sent these home in Damascus, Virginia after making it through the Smokies.
Camp Shoes: Still love my Teva Universal Sandals
Hiking Shoes: I remain faithful to my Brooks Cascadias in a wide size. On the PCT, my feet grew a lot! Sized up 1.5 sizes total and from normal to wide width - so don’t be surprised if you need to size up!
Shorts: Kept the same shorts from the PCT and love these North Face sunrises!
Rain Coat: Kept my Patagonia Houdini + emergency poncho. Added a trash bag for bag coverage.
Mid Layer: Started with my Senchi 120 Alpha but sent that home in Marion, Virginia to switch out for a Sambob Biz Alpha 90
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:
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 have the Garmin Fenix 7S Pro Sapphire Solar 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 and Spotify Premium
First Aid + Toiletries + Misc:
Kept:
Multitool: Gerber Stakeout Tool, heavy but thorough.
Towel: I have very sensitive acne prone skin so I’ll be carrying a personal towel dedicated to my face cleanliness. I still get acne but hey, better than nothing.
Bathroom Kit: UL trowel, Kula cloth, and Portowipe compressed towels.
Trekking Poles: Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork – so nice!
Luxury:
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 and I used it frequently in the deluges on the Appalachian Trail.
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. Not that it actually helped with how many holes my Nemo had in it but..
Necklace: Maybe the most important and sentimental thing I am brought on the trail is a memorial necklace that contains ashes of my paternal grandparents that passed in 2023 and my dad that passed in 2024.
As demonstrated above, don’t be scared by changing gear. Use your resources and decide what is best for YOU.
xoxo Leeann / Kanga
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Start of the Appalachian Trail
End of the Appalachian Trail
