2025 Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hike Start Gear
All the gear that’s coming with me at the start of my adventure down the Pacific Crest Trail.
I love gear. I relish researching it, it’s a joy to try it out, I love seeing what works best for me, and then curating lists to help future adventurers plan out their journeys. It’s so fun to see what gear will make it all the way to the end of an adventure and this go round, the Pacific Crest Trail.
Hi 👋 If you’re new here, I am Tristan aka “Treats 🍪” on trail.
In 2025 my partner, Barbie and I will be thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. In March of 2023, I began an adventure down the Appalachian Trail in Georgia and it changed my life. Not only because of the adventure it held, but the people I met along the way (including Barbie).
I knew as soon as I touched the Katahdin sign in Maine, that this was only the start of my thru-hiking story and I am so excited (and also nervous) to be headed out on my next adventure of thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail.
There is a lot that goes into planning a thru-hike but I’d argue that one of the most important planning aspects is your gear. A thru-hike is very much a mental challenge and you can hike a trail in any kind of gear, but I also believe that the gear you bring with you can make or break your experience. Sometimes, one little piece of gear, like changing your wet socks for dry sleep socks, can make a bad day manageable.
For those of you who followed along on my Appalachian Trail adventure, you might recognize quite a bit of this gear. While I did try to go a bit lighter for this trip, I don’t want to completely mess with what I know works for me. I am shaking up a few things and I’m excited to see what gear I love best this go round.
I love to talk about gear, so this is a long one. Sorry.
Gear that is completely NEW for this trail has been marked with a ⭐.
Without further ado… my [starting] Pacific Crest Trail Gear List:
For those of you who just want to see the weight of my gear, visit my Lighterpack here.
*some of these links are affiliate links which helps fund my PCT adventure, at no extra cost to you
Big Three
I truly thought I’d be writing about a different pack for this trail. Don’t get me wrong, I love my Osprey Eja with all my heart - it is a pretty perfect fit for me in terms of a pack, it made it all the way down the Appalachian Trail with me. However, I really wanted a lighter pack for this trail 🙃.
I tried out a ULA Circuit. I loved that it had a purple color, it was lighter, and it had rave reviews. It was a step in a lighter direction. However when I found a store to try it on and loaded it with weight, it just didn’t feel right. Maybe it would have felt different if it was my own gear instead of weight sacks? I’ll never know. It’s hard for me to buy a pack I don’t know will work if I can’t return it.
I really thought I had a winner when I tried one of Osprey’s newest releases, their Osprey Eja Pro. It’s essentially the same pack I adore but with some lighter bells and whistles. It comes in a WHOLE pound lighter than my Eja. I ordered the exact same size of my current Eja and it just didn’t feel right. The weight of my gear sloshed around and jiggled on my back.
Long story shortened, I went with my trusty Osprey Eja 58L. I know it quite literally has my back. Although I’d love to be heading out with something lighter on my back, I also want to be somewhat comfortable on this next 2000+ mile trek.
I am usually a huge gear nerd and a bit of a control freak but this time around, I let Barbie pick the tent. I weighed in, gave my thoughts and input on different options, but ultimately he made the choice on our summer home. From what I’ve seen, I really like this tent. It’s super lightweight, has a huge bathtub (we are traumatized from rain splatter on the AT), and it has the option to either be used with trekking poles or it has a kit where you can turn it into a freestanding tent. Because we’re unfamiliar with the terrain of the PCT, we’re excited to have this option if we need it.
I know a lot of couples who size up and get a 3P tent but Barbie and I just go with the 2P for a few reasons. 1. We shared a 1P Six Moons Tent when we first got together and continued to share it until the zipper gave out in Connecticut. 2. When we got a replacement for the Six Moons we opted for a Big Agnes 2P and quite honestly, we didn’t feel like it was much bigger than the 1P. Lastly, even in hostels we often share the tiny twin beds so we really don’t mind being in each other's space. 🤷♀️
I should mention that I am only 5’2 so that also makes squeezing into smaller spaces together easier. I know that a lot of what I mentioned above is not the case for many couples, but this is what works for us.
This is the same quilt I carried for the entirety of the Appalachian Trail. I loved it on the AT and I’m pretty confident I’ll love it on the PCT as well. My quilt is a 10* Enigma Quilt which means it had a sewn in toe box (like a sleeping bag) and the rest of it is like a normal quilt. I sleep cold so 10* should have me covered. Plus I am sharing a tent with my own personal heater (Barbie) and it makes a huge difference to be sleeping so close to someone else. He will also have a quilt so if it gets really cold, we can always bundle together.
Big Three Extras
Exped Ultra 3R Duo Sleeping Pad (Barbie will be carrying)
Barbie and I ended the Appalachian Trail with this sleeping pad. We love this pad because we can snuggle together without our pads drifting away in the night or one of us ending up in the dreaded pad crack. Although it is a bit on the heavier side, it’s not much different than if we were carrying two inflatable pads. We are both side sleepers so the foam pads are a no-go.
Elan Quest Stuffable Camping Pillow/Stuff Sack
Another trusty piece of AT gear, this pillow case that doubles as a stuff sack gives my clothes some extra protection and allows me to sleep more comfortably. I don’t like inflatable pillows and I sleep better with something under my head, so this stuffable pillow was the way to go for me. I had no issues with it on the AT. It’s looking a bit worn these days but still looks like it’s ready to take on the miles of the PCT. Plus at only $20 and 1.98 oz it’s a great budget option.
I use a trash compactor bag as a pack liner so that when it rains, my backpack might not stay dry, but the items in the trash compactor bag will. This is one of my simplest and also one of my favorite pieces of gear - simply because of how much of a difference it makes when it keeps my gear dry.
I considered switching to the lightweight Nylofume for this trek to shave a few ounces. But in the end, I went with my trusty trash compactor bag. While the Nylofume might be a little lighter, I know my trash compactor bag is more likely to make it down the trail without needing a replacement.
Justin's UL Smartwater Water Bottle
This is my second water bottle holder from Justin’s UL and I can’t say enough good things about it. It’s super lightweight and is the perfect way to keep my water easily accessible so that I can stay hydrated. I have short arms so reaching for my side pockets every time I want water is not a great hydration solution. Being able to have my water bottle right at my shoulder is perfect for quick and easy sips.
I will share, the material is so lightweight that the reason I got a second one is because my first one wore through after the constant rubbing of my pack straps. But it’s functionality and lightness made it a no-brainer to grab a replacement and to grab one for Barbie too.
Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Compression Dry Sack
One of the most important aspects of your gear (in my opinion) is keeping it dry. Which is why I love this compression sack for my quilt. It gives me peace of mind that my sleep system will stay dry. Coming from the AT which is a notoriously rainy and wet trail, I am probably overly concerned about keeping my sleeping bag dry and I could just put my quilt in my trash compactor bag… but having this extra layer of protection helps me know that no matter what the weather of the day brings, I will be sleeping dry and warm.
Sea to Summit Ground Control Light Tent Pegs ⭐
Similar to the tent, I let Barbie make the choice on tent pegs. This sounds bad, but I am not overly concerned with the type of tent pegs we use. When I headed out on AT, I used the pegs that came with my tent, not even realizing or thinking I could switch them out.
Now that I know a bit more, Barbie did choose some pegs that are a bit lighter overall but I am not sure if they function any differently than normal tent stakes. I know tent stakes are important but as long as they’re doing the job of keeping my tent on the ground, I’m happy.
After the trail, maybe I’ll do a deep dive on different tent stakes, but for now, I’m just trusting Barbie made a good pick.
We are using Tyvek for our ground sheet. I actually don’t own an actual tent footprint, I have always used Tyvek (and before the AT I used nothing 🙈).
Tyvek is essentially the material they use to wrap houses during the construction process. It’s lightweight, durable, and water resistant. In fact, my piece from the AT is still going strong and if it fit our new tent we’d probably just take it on the PCT.
Barbie and I also like the Tyvek sheet because we can sit on it in a pinch and if we want to lay out our gear we don’t always have to lay it in the dirt.
There are other lightweight options out there like polycro. I just can’t fathom using what feels essentially like plastic wrap under the tent. I’m sure it’s better than nothing, and it weighs close to nothing, but I question the durability and it’s just not for me.
Worn Clothing
They don’t make this version anymore, they are now up to the Fenix 8. I have linked the latest version. The price has skyrocketed - I probably wouldn’t get a Fenix now, though I do love mine, I don’t need quite all the bells and whistles the 8 has. I originally bought mine to train for triathlons and these days I use it to track my runs. It’s absolutely overkill for a thru-hike, but I don’t feel the need to buy a cheap watch when I wear this one everyday.
HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat Mid 2 GTX Hiking Boots - Women's*
I swear by my Hokas - they are my favorite hiking and running shoes. I thru-hiked the entirety of the Appalachian Trail in different pairs of Hoka Speedgoat Mids and besides error on my part (wearing shoes too long or not sizing up as my feet flattened), these shoes were perfect for me. Before Hoka even came out with hiking boots, I wore them as running shoes - they are the only brand of running shoe I buy, they are the only ones that don’t hurt my feet
I love these shoes and I will be starting out the trail in the same kind I ended the AT with, albeit new ones.
*I do have to make a caveat here that Hoka released a new version of the Hoka Speedgoat Mids and I tried them on… I hate them. They are essentially just a normal Speedgoat TrailRunner with a built in gaiter that is not comfy. It doesn’t feel like it offers any extra ankle support, which is why I like the mids. Much to my dismay, once I make it through my first pair I will be having to find a new brand of hiking shoes 😭
It might seem counterintuitive to have mid top shoes and gaiters, but I am like the real life PigPen (from Peanuts, think Charlie Brown). I tried to go without gaiters the first few weeks of the Appalachian Trail and would pour crazy amounts of dirt out of my shoes each night. When we went through the Nantahala Outdoor Center in Bryson City, I bought some Dirty Girl Gaiters and never looked back.
These gaiters made it from Bryson City all the way to Maine and they’ll be starting the adventure with me at the Southern Terminus. I am wearing them to keep out sand in the desert and any other trail dirt along the way.
If I’m running, hiking, or adventuring alone in any capacity I always leave wearing my RoadID. I originally bought this piece of gear when I was running triathlons in college. If something happened during a race, I wanted someone to be able to call my mom even if they couldn’t get into my phone. That’s when I found RoadID.
Essentially it's like a medical bracelet but you can put whatever info you want on there. Usually they recommend your emergency contacts, any allergies, medical conditions, and/or a fun quote at the bottom.
I love mine, I’ve had it for probably around 8 years now and it gives me peace of mind when I’m out adventuring knowing that someone could call my mom.
Injinji Women's Ultra Run Mini-Crew
Before I began my Appalachian Trail adventure, I was training for my first marathon. In the midst of all this running and very sweaty feet, I got horrible blisters, on my heels and all over my toes. I quickly tried to find a solution, not only for running but for my impending thru-hike. I tried everything and while most things failed to soothe my feet, two things did. One of them being my Injinji Toe Socks.
At one point in my life I swore I’d never use toe socks - I didn’t love the way they felt, but I knew I had to try something. Low and behold they worked surprisingly well. I wore Injinji toe socks for the entirety of the Appalachian Trail and had minimal blisters.
I now love my Injinji Toe socks and they are my go-tos for long hikes and my runs and I’m hoping they will help me ward off blisters along the PCT.
*Important Note: Injinji has many versions of their toe socks. I prefer the ULTRA RUN version because they are a bit thicker than the other ones, more comfy for me, and last a bit longer.
Jolly Gear Triple Crown Button Down Sun Hoodie Long Sleeve | Pool Party
My go-to hiking shirts and one of my all time favorite pieces of gear. Ever since I first spotted these colorful, lightweight hiking shirts at AT Trail Days in 2022, I have been an avid fan + wearer of Jolly Gear Shirts. To me, they are like my beloved lightweight Columbia shirts but with epic patterns and designed with hiking in mind.
While the fun patterns are my favorite aspect of these shirts, I also swear by these shirts because of the hood (with a ponytail hole!), the thumbholes, and that they protect me from the sun. My one that trekked the entirety of the AT with me, made it all 2000+ miles and I wore it basically every day for 6 months. While my AT Wicked Weeds shirt has been retired I can’t wait to take the Jolly Gear Shirt that I’ve dubbed the “Treats” shirt along for my PCT adventure.
Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Mini Hip Pack
I love this fanny pack. It made it the 2200+ miles down the AT and since then has adventured to Greece, Italy, Disney World, Germany, and down many trails. It is a no-brainer to bring it with me on the PCT. This seemingly inconsequential piece of gear was and is one of my favorites from the Appalachian Trail. Between its size, weight, functionality, and fun colors (though they are a bit dulled now) this fanny pack is the perfect addition to my gear to have easy access to my phone, wallet, headphones, headlamp, mace, and sunglasses. For such a small pack it holds a lot + it’s incredibly comfortable to wear.
*Note: It seems like Patagonia might be phasing out this fanny pack. But their new Terravia Mini Hip Pack looks very comparable (and colorful!)
As you’ve probably gathered from reading a few of these descriptions, I am a sweaty gal. This definitely plays a role in my gear choices. I chose the Branwyn Busty Bra for my AT thru hike and now my PCT thru hike because it’s made with merino wool. For me this means when I get super sweaty it wicks away moisture better than most materials and doesn’t leave my chest area wet and cold. At the end of the day when I was done hiking, I did not want to be wet and cold hoping that my sports bra would dry out. Not only did this bra wick moisture better but I found it to be incredibly comfortable.
Also, this is not why I chose this piece of gear but a definite benefit is that even after 2200+ miles of wear, this bra was my least stinky piece of gear.
Patagonia Women's Baggies™ Shorts - 5" ⭐
For the PCT I am shaking it up just a little bit with my shorts and am switching from Patagonia’s Barely Baggies to the Baggies. I don’t know if it was all the treats I was consuming on the AT or all the hills I was climbing, but by the end of the AT my butt was hanging out of those baggies 🤦♀️ not only that, but I had also ripped the shorts right up the butt before Maine 😅I was a mess in the shorts department.
Anyways… to protect my dignity a little bit on the PCT I am going with the normal Baggies which are a few inches longer. I love these shorts because they’re durable (until you butt scoot all the way through NH), they dry quickly, they have pockets, and they’re incredibly comfortable.
I have heard of others having some chafing in the desert in these shorts so that could be an issue, but I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.
ExOfficio Women's Give-N-Go® 2.0 Sport Mesh Bikini Brief
This might be gross but these are one of the same pairs I took with me on the AT. They are that comfy. To be honest, I tried to order new ones and I didn’t love them as much. I’m not sure how, but they are different. ExOfficio seems to be making fewer options than they used to…
I loved these on the AT. They are super breathable, comfy, and don’t rub me in any weird ways (which will be super important for hiking in the desert). I have swam in creeks, lakes, and hiked a few thousand miles in these. I love how well they work for me and I hope they hold up to the challenge of the PCT.
GetSprints Flying Pig Hat w/ a special Grand Theft Momma Modification
A favorite piece of gear whether I am hiking or running, my GetSprints hat was a no brainer for the PCT. I thought about a wide brimmed sun hat for the desert instead, but then decided with the combination of my Pig Hat, Jolly Gear (with Hoodie), and Sun Umbrella, I think I’ll be covered (literally + figuratively).
Not only is this hat lightweight but the flying pigs bring me joy everytime I look at them. This hat is also pretty breathable and held up shockingly well when I would throw it in the wash on the AT. Although it has a bit of discoloration these days, it has held up impressively well.
BUT my most favorite thing about my hat is the love my Mom put into creating a high ponytail hole for me. I love to wear my hair high and braided up off my neck, but most hats don’t account for that. So my crafty mom sliced my hat, sewed reinforcements around the hole and *magic*, I have the perfect hat.
I wear glasses on the trail because I really don’t want to stick my fingers in my eyeball everyday with contacts. There is just no guarantee on how clean my hands are and I want to be able to see beautiful views for a very long time.
I chose Pair Eyewear for my glasses because they are relatively affordable, cute glasses, and they’re incredibly functional especially for adventures. Pair Eyewear has little magnets in them that allows me to add a Sun Top. This means I can easily magnet a sunglasses topper to my normal glasses instead of having to also carry prescription sunglasses. They’re ultralight and I don’t have to worry about sticking fingers in my eyeballs.
Kaviso x Fizan Compact Trekking Poles PCT Edition ⭐
Up until 3 weeks before starting the trail, I waffled between whether or not I was going to change up my poles for this hike. I hiked the entire AT with my LT5 Carbon Gossamer Gear Trekking Poles but I had a love-hate relationship with those poles. I absolutely loved how lightweight they were… and that was where the love ended. But that sole reason is why it was difficult to determine whether or not I wanted to try new poles.
After weeks and weeks of searching the internet for poles that wouldn’t break the bank but would maybe compete with the weight of my LT5’s I read a blog that mentioned the Fizan poles. I had NEVER heard of these in the thru-hiking community but the weight was comparable to the LT5’s and the price was a no-brainer. When I stumbled across the Special Edition PCT poles on Kaviso, I took that as a sign that these were meant to be the poles to venture down the trail with me.
Packed Clothing
Mountain Hardwear Women's Ghost Whisperer/2™ Hoody
I only used my puffy a handful of times along the Appalachian Trail. Mostly in Georgia & Tennessee and probably a few times in Maine. Although I didn’t use it super often, I loved it and it kept me warm whenever I needed it too.
Besides being super warm, it’s also incredibly light, I love that it has a hood, and although not important to the function I am also incredibly fond of the blue color.
It worked for what I needed it to on the AT and I’m hoping the function continues down the PCT.
Montbell Versalite Jacket Women's ⭐
I loved my Patagonia Torrentshell from the Appalachian Trail, it got the job done for the most part. But it wasn’t perfect, it still wetted out, and it was on the heavier side.
From what I have heard and am hoping, the PCT is a lot less rainy than the AT. Despite that fact, I loved wearing my rain jacket no matter the weather. Wind, rain, cold, I loved throwing on my rain jacket. So when it came time to choosing gear for this adventure I knew I wanted something with the same quality water protection function but that would be much lighter.
I chose the Montbell Versalite because I have heard nothing but good reviews about it. It weighs half the weight of my Patagonia, has the bells and whistles of a fancier rain jacket (like pit zips), and is still rated well for waterproofing.
Even if it’s only as good as my Patagonia, the weight change will make a difference.
I thought I was going to go with a lighter weight beanie for this trail 😅 I’ve said this about a few pieces of gear haven’t I?
I seriously was trying to go with a lighter beanie. No matter how much I researched or tried on other beanies, I couldn’t find anything that felt as warm or as cozy. Lightweight options that I found cozy, didn’t go over my ears as much as I wanted and left me chilly when the wind blew. If there wasn’t a beanie that was a few ounces lighter, I was going with what I liked. My go-to Carhartt beanie is headed down another trail.
At least I know my ears will be warm.
Mountain Hardwear AirMesh Hooded Top ⭐
This one was a tough choice to make. I love my Melanzana Micro Grid Hoodie (Melly) and I almost can’t imagine hiking a trail without it. However, I am willing to try something different. The main reasons I switched to the AirMesh is because it is half the weight of my Melly, incredibly warm, and also breathable.
My Melly is the coziest and I find it to be relatively warm. By comparison the AirMesh is cozy but besides weight I made the switch because of the breathability of Meshy. I don’t know the exact science behind it but it has little holes all over it to allow it to breathe while you’re moving. As a certified sweaty gal, I love the idea of something that will keep me warm while also keeping me cool as I climb mountains.
I’m excited about the prospect of this hoodie and have liked what I’ve experienced with it so far. But my mom is on standby to mail Melly if need be.
There is nothing like slipping on a different pair of socks than the ones you’ve been wearing all day. My Smartwool socks are cozy, thick and the perfect thing to slip on after a day of walking.
Since I am in toe socks all day, it is especially nice to have these thick ones at the end of the day to keep my feet warm. Besides being merino wool and thicker there is nothing uniquely special about these. They aren’t super light or fun colors, but they keep my feet warm at night and that makes them perfect.
I swear by my ExOfficio underwear that I took down the Appalachian Trail. I actually ordered my same exofficio underwear that I had taken on the AT… but something about it was different and I didn’t love the fit or the feel anymore. I had to find something new.
After lots of internet searching, I finally settled on trying out the Duluth Buck Naked Hipsters. They had rave reviews, were incredibly comfortable when I tried them on, and had adorable patterns (this last point isn’t that important, but I love fun undies).
Though these don’t seem quite as breathable as my beloved ExOfficio’s, they seem to be a worthy competitor and I am excited to see how they hold up down the trail.
I truly considered not bringing these this go round. I really wanted to be lighter and either ditch the camp shoes altogether or find something lighter.
Most everything that was lighter looked like it was made of cardboard (or I might as well have been going barefoot) and everything else was a similar weight. I read that some hikers just take out their insoles and wear their hiking boots as camp shoes but this sounded horrible to me. The last thing I want to do at the end of a long mileage day is put back on the shoes I’ve sweat in all day.
Screw the weight, I’m bringing the camp shoes.
The reason I love these shoes in particular is that they are incredibly comfortable and they have arch support. I obviously love Hoka shoes. Not only are they my favorite hiking boot, they’re my favorite running shoe, and I also love these recovery slides. The thick bases give me extra support like my hiking shoes and the arch support makes me feel like I’m taking care of my feet even when I’m in camp.
These shoes made it all the way down the Appalachian Trail with me and I hope they (and the sweet, sweet comfort they bring) make it down the Pacific Crest Trail.
Injinji Women's Ultra Run Mini-Crew
These are the same type of socks I mentioned above in my Worn Clothes section. I just like to pack a spare pair incase of loss, damage, dirtyness, etc. These are a different color than my main pair but serve the same function and purpose. If you get toe blisters and are prone to sweaty feet, I cannot recommend these enough.
Are these the greatest or most effective rain pants? No, but they are incredibly affordable and they get the job done. What I have learned is that most things that claim they are waterproof… are not and eventually wet out. This includes most of the fancy expensive stuff.
While I am hoping the PCT is a lot less rainy than the AT, I am primarily carrying these as wind pants or just to easily slip on during chilly mornings or evenings. They surprisingly block the chill well and if it does rain I can wear them then too.
I like these rain pants because they’ll keep my legs dry for a little while, they make great wind pants to start off a chilly morning or to end a slightly chilly evening, and if they get ruined I didn’t throw $$ out the window.
A note on the durability: My AT ones held up until I butt-scooted in them too much in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. I was able to duck tape them to help them hold til the end of the trail, but I threw them away after finishing the AT.
I actually wasn’t going to bring these but last minute, Barbie told me he was bringing his incase the sun got too hot in the desert and he needed something to cover his legs. Because I’m so sensitive to the sun, I thought this was a really good idea and ended up throwing mine in my pack.
These pants are actually a similar rust/orange color to the shorts I’m bringing along. They are super lightweight and comfortable. And although I’ve had mixed success with lightweight pants before (lots of heat rash) I’m excited to give these a try if I feel like I need some more sun protection on my legs.
Kitchen/Water
I love the long handled backpacking spoons. If you’re eating a lot of backpacking meals, instant potatoes, etc then a short spoon means you’ll potentially end up with food all over your hands trying to dig into the bag. When washing your hands becomes a luxury, dirty potato hands is not fun. For those who might be wondering, why not a spork, I prefer my spoon because I am always worried that I will poke the bag and end up with potato lap.
I loved my long spoon on the AT and here’s hoping it makes it another 2000+ miles!
I mean maybe there’s a better filter out there… but I don’t I trust any other filter as much as I trust my Sawyer. They have been making water filters for a loooong time. They might not be the fastest or the fanciest, but I never got any kind of water illness while backpacking and using mine. To me, that’s the top priority.
Besides that the filter works well to do what it’s made for, filter water, I have never had any issues with speed or functionality of my Sawyer. I love that I can connect it to my Smart Water Bottles, CNOC bladder, and the tiny little coupling tool that makes anti-gravity filtering easy. Unless someone comes out with some kind of life-changing tech, I’ll be sticking with a Sawyer for years to come.
P.S. On the AT, Barbie used a filter that was not a Sawyer and got Giardia 😵💫. He now uses a Sawyer and hasn’t had any issues since.
Sawyer WaterBottle Coupling Tool
This is one of greatest tools and hacks you can buy for your backpacking kit if you own a Sawyer Filter. It is seemingly just a tiny piece of plastic, but it easily attaches to your Sawyer Filter, your bladder (my preferred one is a CNOC (see below ⬇️)), and when all of the aforementioned is attached to a Smart Water Bottle, it allows you to gravity filter. This essentially means I can hang my water and it will filter while I go about my other camp chores.
I love this because I used to always stand and hold my water while it filtered or I used to squeeze it between my thighs which was really cold. This tiny tool makes all the difference and my backpacking life a little bit easier.
Vecto 3L Water Container by Cnoc Outdoors ⭐
As much as I love my Sawyer filter, I don’t love the collection bag that comes with it. The CNOC collection bag on the other hand is made with a nice material, offers a small opening and wide opening for water collection, works with a Sawyer, and can attach to all my things for the gravity filtration.
Sawyer does now partner with CNOC to offer a filter that comes with a 2L CNOC catch bag (if you’re getting a Sawyer and don’t already have a CNOC bag, I highly recommend grabbing this) for my PCT trip, I wanted a 3L collection bag.
I have heard lots of stories and info that in the desert there will be a lot of times when i need to do water carries. On the AT, my 2L bag was fine but if there is a long stretch without water I want to be able to carry 3L in my CNOC and 2L in my bottles. My other CNOC made it all the way down the AT and beyond. I’m hoping this one does the same.
A thru-hiker staple, Smart Water Bottles fit in a pack well, are extremely lightweight, relatively durable, and the threads lock in to the Sawyer like they were made for it.
I don’t love that these water bottles are technically single use plastic. But the ones I took down the Appalachian Trail lasted the entire 6 months I was out on trail. I do think that there are people in the midst of creating a bottle similar to the Smart Bottle that are reusable but until then, I will use this set as long as I can.
This is a smell proof bag that I put inside my food bag so that critters hopefully don’t smell and aren’t tempted by my food.
I love the idea of these and love them when they work. But inevitably the ziploc like zipper on these always stops working after a few weeks on trail. I’ll keep using them until something better comes out but i can’t say these are the greatest.
Ursack Major XL Bear Sack - 15 Liters
I love my Ursack. Although at some point for this trail I will have to carry a bear canister, I will carry my Ursack on all other parts of the trail. This bag is bear and critter proof, easy to tie on a tree, much lighter than a bear canister, and better bear proof than your typical food stuff sack.
Barbie and I both started out the AT with bear cans and by the time we were a few hundred miles in, we switched them out for Ursacks and never looked back. We had no issues the entire AT with these food bags, and hopefully we’ll have the same success on the PCT.
My Talenti Jar is acquired by buying + eating an entire jar of gelato. You’ll notice that I don’t carry a stove or a pot. I started the AT with both… I’m not sure if it was my cheap stove or the pot I was using, but everytime I cooked or made oatmeal I burned the shit out of my pot. To the point where pieces of the pot were flaking out 😵💫 It was at this point that I switched to cold soaking.
For those who don’t know, cold soaking is just when you soak things like oatmeal or ramen in normal temperature water. It takes longer, but eventually the food rehydrates and you eat it cold. I did this for most of the AT with my morning oatmeal and on the PCT I’m excited to also try it for some of my evening meals. There are some fancier options like a Vargo pot (which also allows cooking) but I’m going with the more affordable option for now.
Electronics
This is not the lightest headlamp out there. But I love the rechargeable battery, the 4 light modes, and that it holds a charge for a decent amount of time. This headlamp is also super durable. It made it before the AT, during the AT, and now it’s headed on the PCT. Durability and functionality means a lot to me - this headlamp has both.
One of the best things I can carry to give myself and my loved ones peace of mind is my Garmin InReach. This tool gives me the ability to text my loved ones when I don’t have service and has an SOS button to call for help if shit really hits the fan. It has a ton of other features as well, but those are the ones I use it for.
For what this is, this tool is relatively lightweight, easy to hang on my pack, and it truly means the world to me to use it to let loved ones know I’ve made it to camp okay. It does require a subscription plan, but the monthly fee is worth the peace of mind. I won’t go backpacking without this little GPS tool.
On the AT, I carried 5 different charging chords. In an effort to save weight and to not keep track of so many chords, I did some research and was able to replace a few of my chords with adapters.
As mentioned up above, I wear a Garmin watch which has a fancy charging port. After doing some digging and researching I was able to find a tiny adapter that attached to my USB chord AND my Garmin. I’ve tested it at home and so far it works great and it’s eliminated a chord.
As mentioned above, I had lots of chords for my devices. This is another chord I replaced with an adapter. This one is for my rechargeable battery for my Petzl headlamp. In pre-trail testing it worked great - another chord down.
USB C to C with USB A adapter ⭐
My devices and charging block both have USB C ports but on a few ports of my PowerBank and on Barbie’s charger there are USB A ports. Because of this, I wanted the ability to be able to use these ports as well. This chord was not easy to find, but I’m thrilled to be able to use it to charge and only have to carry 2 chords!
This is just the standard C to C chord that comes with the new iPhones. I like the braided webbing - it seems to give some more protection to the chord.
My PowerBank is hefty but also holds a good charge. Coming in at a little less than a pound, this piece of gear definitely isn’t ultralight. To me its weight is worth the peace of mind that my gear will be charged. While it isn’t light, this bank is durable, and holds up to 4 full phone charges (or other things).
It might be overkill, but it’s what works for me.
The new iPhones have USB C ports which meant I needed new headphones. I prefer chorded to Bluetooth simply so I have one less thing to charge + I find chorded headphones easier to keep track of.
Previously, I carried my iPhone 13 but for this trail I upgraded to the 16 purely for the camera quality. While an iPhone isn’t the greatest camera you can get, I love that I can have a phone and a pretty decent camera all in one. I’m pretty happy with the camera quality so far.
Mokin USB C Charger Block 40W ⭐
On the AT, I carried a hefty but powerful Anker Wall Charger. This year I opted for lighter and bit less powerful. The main differences between this block and my old one is this one only has USB C ports and some things do require a bit longer to charge since the wattage is lower. Weight vs wattage, I went with lighter weight - we’ll see if it was worth it in the end.
First Aid | Hygiene
While I always hope i don’t have to use my KT Tape, it’s one of those items that I’m happy to have in my pack if I need it.
For those who haven’t heard of this, KT Tape is a kinesiology tape that provides support and reduces pain during athletic activities.
I normally use KT Tape for running races and usually place it on my knees and hips but it can be used in so many different ways. On the AT I used it in the White Mountains when the descents started affecting my knees.
It’s not a fix all but it definitely can give me a little more support when the trail starts to wear my body down.
This is what I swear by to put on any blisters or hot spots.
Blister bandaids, duct tape, basically any blister treatment tools does not seem to work on my sweaty feet. Leukotape is the only tool that seems to withstand the moisture and help with rubbing.
It worked for me on the AT and I’m hoping it continues to help me prevent blisters from growing on the PCT.
I am highly sensitive to bugs and this is not an end all solution to bugs, but when the little farts start buzzing in my ears, this helps me keep my sanity. It also helps keep them out of my face and when paired with my hat, it’s perfect.
It’s incredibly lightweight and gets the job done.
*I have heard later on down the trail it gets super mosquito-y so I may be getting a full on outfit if that’s the case.
As mentioned above, I am very sensitive to insects. I always carry some kind of bug protection with me. I don’t love DEET because of all the chemicals and while I would love to use all natural repellents, they don’t really cut it out here.
That is why I use Picardin. It supposedly has better ingredients than the DEET and is more effective than the all-natural brands. It works well - another product I used all throughout the AT.
It comes in a lotion and a spray. I opt for the lotion because the spray always leaks and I think I get better coverage when I have to rub in the lotion.
CereVe Sunscreen Stick
I love this face sunscreen (though I’m down to try other brands). It’s super tiny (fits in my fanny pack perfectly), 50 spf, and doesn’t make my face sweat too much. I don’t love the greasiness of sunscreen so the ease of using the stick makes me happier and makes life so much easier.
Extras : hair ties / nail clippers / sawyer O ring
These are just some little odds and ends that I might need along the way. Hair ties in case mine snap or break (I don’t want to buy a whole pack in the middle of trail). I carry a tiny set of nail clippers because once my nails start hitting the front of my shoe, it’s not comfortable and my feet don’t need to be in more pain than they already probably will be 😅 The Sawyer O Ring is a piece that seals my water filter. If I misplace the original then I could get dirty water in my bottle - I carry an extra just in case I lose the original. No water borne illnesses here.
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunscreen ⭐
As a pale, sun sensitive baby I need to protect my skin from the sun. In the same vein, I also hate greasy sunscreen.
This sunscreen came in a medium tube, is 70 spf, and said dry touch - for everything but my face I’m going to try this for the desert portion (and any other section I might need it).
I’ve never had to use this on the AT or any other backpacking trip for that matter but I like to bring it for my peace of mind.
I like this one because it has a strap that makes it easy to hold in my hand and be on the move with.
If you’ve ever slept around other hikers (or Barbie) you know that sometimes these are absolutely essential. Usually I am so tired from hiking, I fall right asleep but if I’m in a shared space or near a snore bear or am hearing weird noises at night, earplugs are a great way for me to still get that essential sleep I need.
These are nothing fancy, just ear plugs with a chord so I can keep track of them. They’re not perfect but they get the job done.
I bought this from the Dollar Store for the AT and although the mirror has since fallen out and some of the hair nubbins have broken off, this brush is still going strong. It may not quite make it down the entirety of this trail, but I’ll brush with it until it does.
I like this brush because it’s lightweight, it was incredibly cheap, and it’s been relatively durable for what it is.
Travel Toothbrush + Travel Toothpaste
Self explanatory, but your dental hygiene is still important when you’re living in the woods. Plus, I still want Barbie to want to kiss me.
The sun in the desert (and along the rest of the PCT) is a powerful being. And since we won’t be wandering through the green tunnel on this trail, I’m trying to protect my lips.
I am bringing these along purely as backup water filtration. If something happens to my Sawyer or if there is water in the desert that looks particularly funky, I want this to be able to purify the water or be able to double purify it. I don’t want to end up with some kind of water borne illness like Giardia.
Pills/Meds/Supplements : Ibprofen/Zyrtec/BC/Iron
I use Ibprofen for what ails me (though I try not to use it unless I really need it). Zyrtec is for my seasonal allergies or any other allergies I might encounter along the trail. And my Iron is for during my menstrual cycle when my immunity and iron levels get low.
I wasn’t going to bring a Swiss Army knife this trip but then I asked myself, how would I cut my cheese blocks for lunch? 😅 Into the first aid kit it went.
I also do use the scissors to cut my Leukotape and I might need the tweezers at some point (but I hope not).
Toilet Kit
For those who don’t know, a Kula Cloth is a pee cloth that is meant for anyone who squats when they pee. Some people think it's gross, others think it's unhygienic, but I freaking love mine and it changed the game for me when peeing outdoors.
The first great thing about Kula Cloths is that they are in fact very hygienic. The side you wipe with is made with an antimicrobial silver-infused absorbent material and quite honestly I felt cleaner wiping with this than with TP. Besides that Kula’s are hygienic, they are easy to clean, easy to access when you have to go, and help you follow LNT so you’re not one of those people that leaves TP on the trail 🤮. Did I mention they have super fun designs on them?
Bottom line, if you are someone who squats when you pee, this is a great way to keep yourself dry and relatively clean in the backcountry.
Note: I have read that some people think you have to pee on the Kula? Just in case there is confusion, pee on the ground when in the woods and then wipe with the Kula. It is not meant to act as a diaper.
I don’t carry TP on the trail, I only carry wipes and my Kula Cloth. It may sound crazy, but I use less wipes than I do TP and I feel a whole hell of a lot cleaner. And feeling somewhat clean when living out in the woods, means a lot.
& yes, I do pack out every single wipe, Leave No Trace every day. & especially leave these beautiful places we recreate in, better than you found them ❤️
I love being hiker trash but that doesn’t mean I have to be completely dirty. I use this for cleaning my hands after using the bathroom, before eating, and to make sure my hands are as clean as possible when using my menstrual cup. I just grab a mini one in town every time I am close to running out.
It’s not a big piece of gear, but it has a big job of keeping my hands clean and that’s pretty dang important.
There are lots of trowels out there but this one is light, serrated, and gets the job done. What more could I ask for?
Before embarking out on the Appalachian Trail, I debated what would be the best thing to use to manage my period while out on trail. I hate pads, they feel like giant diapers. Tampons feel like pulling a wad of cotton out of you know where. Reusable pads or period underwear sound nice in theory but would be a mess to deal with on trail. That meant it was time to try a menstrual cup again.
I had tried a different brand of menstrual cup years prior and hated it. Since then I have learned more about my body and found a cup that works for me. Quite honestly, my Saalt cup has been a complete game changer for me during my period on AND off the trail. It’s comfortable, it doesn’t leak, I can do all of my activities without any discomfort, and I save so much money not having to buy other products every month.
I will admit there is a bit of a learning curve to using a menstrual cup and even a bit more so when using it out in the woods, but now that I have one, I will never go back to standard period products.
WAG BAG ⭐
I became a true thru-hiker twice on the AT and definitely popped a squat in some wildly inconvenient places. As mentioned above a few times, I am a huge proponent of Leave No Trace. I know that on the PCT there will be some longer stretches of alpine zones where I won’t be able to dig catholes. Unfortunately for me, sometimes nature calls without warning and in those situations where my stomach decides to betray me, I want to be respectful to mother nature. I am taking a WAG BAG in the case that mother nature calls in a bad spot.
Luxury Items/Watercolor Stuff
ArtToolKit The Demi Palette w/ paint ⭐
One of my big goals for this trek is to create while I’m out there. This means that I want to spend some time doing things like painting or writing about my adventure. I think creating can help you connect with a place even more thoroughly and what better way to commemorate my adventure?
In order to paint while on the go, I am traveling with the tiny, ArtToolKit Demi Palette. This palette is a bit smaller than my one from the AT but will still hold 8 paint colors and still have lots of room for mixing. But my favorite thing about this mini palette is that it was created in collaboration with artist Max Romey and the palette has hiker footprints on the top and the message “paint it forward” on the bottom. Something about that just makes it more special to carry along this hiking journey.
Moleskine Art Watercolor Album, Hard Cover, Pocket (3.5" x 5.5")
I love this watercolor sketchbook. It has quality paper and it’s compact which makes it the perfect companion for adventure. Last hike, I used this book more to keep stickers safe than I did to paint 🫣this time, if I don’t use it more than twice, it’s getting sent home. I want to paint more to document my journey, but if I don’t use it, then it’s not worth the weight.
Tombow Water Brush / Pencil / Pigma Micron / Postcard Pen
I picked the Tombow as my water brush for this trip for a few reasons. I like that the brush portion is smaller than that of most water brushes. And it has really good control of the flow of water - I find that I am not accidentally squeezing more water out of it like I am with other brushes.
My pencil is just a standard, plastic mechanical pencil that I’ve had for forever. This is for sketching.
Pigma Microns are made with “permanent, fade resistant, chemically stable, pigment-based ink that will not bleed or run if liquids are spilled on or applied to the document after the ink has dried” all important aspects when living in nature. These are to add a little extra, small details to my paintings or to write journal entries. I plan to use this notebook as a mix between a sketchbook and a journal.
A cheap, but very important (to me) piece of gear, is a Bic pen that won’t smear when writing my mom a postcard from every single town stop we make 💌 just like on the AT 🥰
I love snail mail and there’s nothing like receiving a handwritten note in your mailbox instead of a bill.
If you followed along on my AT journey, you might know that I mailed a postcard to my mom at every town stop. By the end of the trail, her refrigerator was covered in postcards that I had sent along my journey. I have every intention of doing the same on the PCT and maybe a few other special people will get some Treats snail mail too 🥰
I love this sit pad because it’s super lightweight and adds just a little bit of comfort to outdoor adventures. It’s great for lunchtime breaks, sitting down at camp after walking all day, and Barbie and I actually like to use them as little doormats to step out of our tent 😅
This is definitely a luxury item that I could probably leave at home, but it’s also so light that it’s a no-brainer to toss it in my pack for a little bit more comfort.
Extras
Chums Wallet
This is the same wallet I carry on a day to day basis. It’s nothing super fancy or super ultralight, but i like to believe it helps keep me organized and it’s not super heavy.
I like that it has two separate zipper sections so I can keep my cards and my cash organized and that it has a loop that I could clip it to the inside of my fanny pack if I wanted to.
These are one of my favorite and simplest pieces of gear. I bought them for the AT on a whim and an attempt to organize my gear - they make such a simple difference in keeping my items together and my gear organized. I have two larger ones and one smaller one. Green for all my first aid, dark purple for my poop kit, and blue for my hydration. They are incredibly lightweight, surprisingly durable (for how light they are), and the colors are too fun.
*these can sometimes be hard to find as I think Granite Gear might be discontinuing them (which would be so sad)
I use this bag to carry my electronics on trail. It isn’t wholly waterproof but it does provide some protection (and it always goes inside my compactor bag). But I really bought it because I love the purple color. It’s so fun and makes my electronics bag easy to find.
PCT Permit ⭐
A permit is required to thru-hike the PCT. This is different than the AT and is quite a process but I’m choosing to believe it lessens the impact on the trail 🤷🏼♀️
Once we get a permit, we have to print out a copy and carry a physical copy the entire trail. We could be stopped at any time by a ranger and asked for it. It isn’t ideal, but it’s how it works on the PCT so I’ll carry it.
California Fire Permit ⭐
This is also required if you are using a camp stove on the PCT. Although I am not carrying a stove, since Barbie is and I could be using it, I went ahead and got the permit. It was free and took 5 minutes. I’m all for going through processes like this if it helps protect the places I’m recreating.
*we were told by a ranger on trail that if we were using a lighter or a stove without one of these we would get fined $$$
Gear for Sierras/Desert
Bear Canisters are required for the Sierra section of the PCT. So for that section I will be trading out my Ursack for a Bear Canister.
Barbie and I both started out the AT with bear canisters. I actually don’t mind them. I think it’s great protection for the bears (the wilderness is their home first) and the canisters make great seats. However, I don’t love that they are so gosh darn heavy or that I have to play Jenga to get all my food to fit.
But they’re required, it’s important for my safety, and the critters who inhabit that section of trail so this big ol’ bear canister will be coming with me for the Sierra section. Who knows, maybe I’ll love it.
Silver Shadow Carbon Umbrella ⭐
I am very, very pale. I am also very sensitive to the sun, getting sunburnt, and I don’t love the heat 🤣 I essentially was not built for being in the desert, but here we are.
Because of all these reasons, I am carrying a sun umbrella with me on the Pacific Crest Trail desert section. I have heard there is little to no shade in many sections and even if this umbrella can provide the tiniest bit of relief it will be worth the weight.
I chose this umbrella because it was pretty darn lightweight and I liked the shape of the coverage piece + handle. I’ve never hiked with an umbrella before so this could be interesting, but I’m excited to give it a go down the PCT.
Gossamer Gear Handsfree Umbrella Clamp ⭐️
I have this handy little tool is so I can attach my umbrella to my pack and still have the use of both hands for my trekking poles. I could technically hold the umbrella but I really like the idea of still being able to hike normally with this on my pack.
Even though I bought a Six Moons Umbrella I opted for Gossamer Gears Umbrella Clamp because it seemed like it would hold the umbrella in place better and that it was a bit sturdier.
For most of the Sierras we’ll be traversing through some snow and ice. The Kahtoola MicroSpikes will offer me a bit more grip and traction during these potentially slippy sections.
Though we don’t get too much snow or snow hiking in WNC, we do get a little bit and I have tested out hiking in these in wintery conditions (probably nowhere near as intense as the sierras, but better than nothing).
If we were starting earlier in the season I might have opted for crampons but I am hoping 🤞🏻 that by the time we get there spikes will be perfect.
I’m going to be honest, I know absolutely nothing about ice axes. A lot of hikers opt for the lightest Corsa ice axe available which I’m sure is fine. I however opted for this one because it had a bit better ratings and it seemed to have a toothier axe which looks better for self-arresting 🤷🏼♀️
Athleta Altitude Stash Tight in Polartec® Power Stretch®
They no longer make these leggings 🥲 (you might be able to find a similar kind). But they are warm, fleece lined, and have pockets. What more could a girl want?
These aren’t super lightweight, and mine have two holes in them after the AT, but I find them to be incredibly comfortable and warm.
PHEW, that is all the gear that I am starting out with for my adventure down the Pacific Crest Trail! If you made it this far, thank you so much for reading - hopefully you found it interesting or even better, it inspired or excited you about a new piece of gear!
I can’t wait to hit the trail and see how ALL this awesome gear shakes out!
Treats 🍪
Love this! Reminds me of the foraged chicken of the woods mushroom and ramp recipe inspired from my Appalachian Trail thru hike. check it out:
https://thesecretingredient.substack.com/p/what-my-great-grandfathers-memoir