Well, I set a date for my Appalachian Trail thru-hike…Mid-Late February of 2020. Originally I was going to do it solo, but after finding out my husband will definitely be retiring now on December 31, 2019, from the Army, I now have a hiking partner! UPDATE August 2019: He was offered a job and took it, so I am back to being Solo! So this will be my solo Appalachian Trail Gear List! UPDATE March 2020: The pandemic has forced us all off the trail as they have closed not only large sections of the trails but all hotels, hostels, etc… Looks like this will now be postponed until 2025 when I hike it with my husband after he fully retires.
My preliminary Appalachian Trail gear list changed over the last 1.5 years since I first made this post. After figuring out what works and what doesn’t thru shakedown hikes, this is my final gear list! UPDATE March 2020: LOL, gotcha! I made some changes while on the trail and will reflect it in the updates below with what I decided to change out in the first 50 miles.
My full pack-out weight including 5 days of food and 1.75L of water is 28 pounds (not too shabby considering everything I am carrying! This is also the lightest I have ever been)!
For my base weight and links to each item, see my lighterpack list.
Shelter / Sleeping / Pack
Pack: Osprey Eja 58
Pack Liner: Nylofume Bag
Tent: TarpTent StratoSpire Li (with stakes & bags); UPDATE: Ended up changing this to the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2
Footprint: Polycro cut to size
Sleeping Bag: EE Revelation 0 Degree
Quilt Straps: Part of Sleeping Bag Weight
Sleeping Pad: Paria ReCharge S (R-value = 4.3)
Sleeping Bag Liner: SeaToSummit Reactor Compact Plus
Pillow: Sea To Summit Aeros Ultralight
Dry Bag / Pump Sack: Sea to Summit Air Stream Pump Dry Sack || To keep quilt dry & to inflate pad because after a long day, I am already out of freaking breath
Clothing – Worn
Top: Columbia Long Sleeve
Pants: Columbia
Underwear: Fruit of the Loom EverLight
Bra: Hanes Seamless
Socks: Injinji Micro Crew 2.0
Shoes: Merrell Moab FST
Clothing – Packed
Extra Underwear: Fruit of the Loom EverLight x 2
Base Layer Top: TERRAMAR Women’s Cloud Nine Extreme Scoop Neck Top
Base Layer Pants: Patagonia Capilene Midweight
Rain/Wind Jacket: OR Helium II
Rain/Wind Pants: Marmot Precip (Women’s)
Rain Mitts: REI Minimalist GTX Mitts
Puffy: Sierra Designs Whitney Jacket
Fleece: Patagonia Crosstrek 1/4 zip
Sleep Top / HW BaseLayer: Patagonia Capilene Thermal Baselayer
Sleep Bottom / HW BaseLayer: YogiPlace Fleece Lined Thermal Tights
Sleep Socks: Dedicated Sleep Socks – Icebreaker Merino Hike Socks
Water/Camp Shoes: Generic Water Shoes
Extra Socks: Injinji Toe Socks & Darn Tough
Beanie
Buff
Gloves: Fleece / Walmart
Cooking
Stove: BRS 3000
Pot: TOAKS 750ml Pot
Fuel Canister: MSR
Pot & Cooking Cozy: Homemade =)
Lighter: BIC
Spoon: Toaks Long Handle Polished Spoon
Food Bag: Zpacks Bear Bagging Kit (with cord)
Opsak Bags: 12×20 Odor Proof Bag Liner
Bandana/Rag: PackTowl Nano
Water Filtration
Filter: Sawyer Micro Squeeze
Backup: Aquatabs
Bottle: 750 ml Life Wtr Bottle – Empty
Bottle: 1L Smart Water Bottle – Empty
Electrolytes: EnduroPacks Liquid Electrolytes
Dirty Container & Scoop: CNOC 2L Bag
Repair Kit
Needle & Thread
Pad/Tent/Bag Repair
Duct Tape: Located on Trekking Poles
Sawyer O Ring: Extra O Ring for Water Filter
Multi-Tool: Swiss Army Knife Classic SD
Hygiene / Comfort
Toothbrush: Travel Size
Toothpaste: Travel Size
Hand Sanitizer: Clorox Spray Hand Sanitizer (proven to kill Noro)
Poop Scoop: Deuce of Spades
FUD W/ Holder: Freshette
Peri Bottle: Used instead of TP (changed it to a neti pot)
Hairbrush & Mirror: Found at Dollar Tree
Baby Wipes: For doing #2 & end of the day clean up
Feminine Hygiene Products: (5 Days)
Sunscreen/Lotion: Sunscreen & Lotion Combo / Aveeno
Soap: Dr. Bronner’s – Unscented – Put in dropper bottle
Chapstick
Q-Tips
Eye Drops
Sun Glasses: Cheap Sun Glasses
Ear Plugs: Foam
Hair Tie & Headband
Tweezers: Part of Swiss Army Knife
Nail Clippers: Baby Nail Clippers
Nail File: Baby Nail File
Hot Hands: For the cold months
Snot Rag: Bandanna
First Aid & Medical
Prescription Meds
Band-aids: Multiple sizes
Aleve: 9 days worth
Aspirin
Pepto Tablets: Anti-Diarrhea, Heartburn
Benadryl: For any allergic reactions
AZO: For UTI’s
Leukotape
Quick Clot
Safety Pins: 1 Large, 1 Small
Alcohol Wipes: x2
Antibiotic Ointment: Individual Packets (2)
Desitin Ointment: Travel Size – Fixes just about every skin issue ever!
Emergency Matches
Wiffle Ball: Pressure Point Release & Muscle Massage
Silica Gel Bag: To help remove moisture from the kit
Dry Bag: Osprey 3L Dry Bag (For First Aid, Hygiene, Electronics, & Repair Kit Supplies)
Emergency Items
Locator Beacon & GPS: InReach Explorer+
Emergency Whistle: Located on Pack
Emergency Blanket: Because I am starting in the Winter
Compass
AT Guide Book: With PDF version for mobile phone
Electronics
Phone: iPhone 11 Pro With Case
Power Bank: Power ADD 10000mAh
Power Bank: ZMI PowerPack 10000mAh
Charging Block: Anker 12W Mini Dual Plug
Electronic Cords & Cables: Phone, GPS, Batt Pack, Headlamp
Tripod: Pedco UltraPod
Macro Lens (Cell Phone): Moment Macro Lens
Earphones: Generic
Watch: Garmin Fenix 5s
ZipLock Bag: Freezer Quart Size (for extra protection)
Misc. Stuff
Trash Bag: Gallon Ziplock Bag
Headlamp: Nitecore NU25 (modified headband)
Umbrella: Undecided If I will be taking one
Wallet: Litesmith
Bug Spray: Repel (1fl oz)
Sit Pad / Sleeping Pad-Pad: Used under the sleeping pad for puncture protection & added warmth. Cut to size.
Bug Net: Sea To Summit HeadNet
Trekking Poles: Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork
Pen (for writing): Pen & Stylus
Fanny Pack
MicroSpikes: Kahtoola
AT Passport: Something Fun to Work On
Am I missing something from my Appalachian Trail Gear List? Comment below and let me know!
Clothing || DITY Bag || Cook System || Water Filtration System || Electronics || Sleep System ||
That’s quite a list. 2020 Sounds like it’s so far away but I know it will come fast :)
It does! You are right though, it will be here before I know it!
I love reading about the Appalachian Trail and the history of it. You seem like your well prepared and will have a great time for sure.
Thank you! I hope so! Still a lot of gear testing to do, but I think I am getting there!
Wow, this sounds like it is going to be such an amazing trip! I definitely want to get more into hiking in the future as well, but I don’t even know where to get started I feel like!