Pacific Crest Trail Gear Review: 2017 Thru-Hike
After completing my 2017 thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail, I thought I would put together a list of gear and miscellaneous items that really made my hike better, along with mini gear reviews. Hopefully this will help someone planning a 2018 or future thru-hike, or even just weekend warriors looking for a dialed-in set up for three-season backpacking.
My original lighterpack can be found here, the gear list below was compiled after the trail - my base weight came in just under 12 lbs. There were several items I only needed for portions of the trail (the Sierras and Desert especially), and keep in mind that a bounce box is always an option to reduce carried weight.
Final Gear List
The Big Three
SLEEP SYSTEM
Thermarest Z-Lite Sol ★★★★☆
I received a lot of questions from day hikers and weekend warriors about my experience this closed-cell foam lightweight sleeping pad. I had a great experience with it, but know that it's not for everyone, specifically if you are sensitive to sleeping on hard surfaces. I know I can pass out on almost anything, so this foam cell pad worked for me. However, this pad does get worn out without proper care. In Oregon, I was whipping the pad out of my bag constantly to use as a sit pad during lunch and around camp, which significantly reduced its lifespan. I replaced my first pad after 500 miles, and my second pad, which was never used as a sit pad, lasted for the remaining 2,000 miles.
PROS: affordable, lightweight, easy set up
CONS: less cushion
Enlightened Equipment Revelation ★★★★★
I loved this quilt. Loved it. I went with the 20 degree bag, and it was perfect for the entire PCT. The down is incredibly soft, I loved the versatility of the quilt, which can be fashioned into a sleeping bag with a system of zippers and elastic straps, or can be left free like a blanket over you. This also allows for substantial weight savings over traditional mummy quilts. I sleep fairly warm, so the blanket option was super comfortable for me to help regulate temperature. Every night, I looked forward to taking a snooze in my heavenly burrow of down fluff. Plus, you can customize the color options inside and out.
PROS: warm, packs down well, lightweight
CONS: none
Shelter
Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 ★★★★☆
We started the trail with this free-standing, double walled tent (Note: the exact version we used is no longer available for purchase as it is an older model. It has been replaced by the Copper Spur UL2 HV). Although the Copper Spur is marketed by REI as an "ultralight tent", it was heavy compared to our other gear that we were trying to lighten up, weighing in at 2 lbs 12 oz. However, when we were preparing to leave for the trail, we just couldn't justify the cost for a different tent and were frankly intimidated by the more difficult set ups required for tarp systems or non-freestanding tents such as a Z-Packs. The Copper Spur was incredibly easy to just "pop up" and didn't require any special site selection at all. The only downside of this tent was the weight, and the ripstop nylon fabric did retain a very musty smell. We replaced the Copper Spur with my dad's Z-Packs Duplex in Washington, and the weight savings were phenomenal.
PROS: Easy to set up, solid construction
CONS: Tapered footprint made it feel smaller, heavy
Z-Packs Duplex ★★★★☆
We picked up this tent to replace the heavier freestanding Big Agnes Copper Spur tent, and the savings in weight in our packs was extremely noticeable. We were over the moon with the tent's packability and construction. Although slightly more complicated to set up than the freestanding tent, we quickly got the hang of it after a few nights of trial and error, and meeting some other backpackers who showed us some tips and tricks for pitching the Z-Packs tent. Overall, we were really happy with how large the interior of the tent was - plenty of room for both of us to spread out. However, the lighter and delicate material did end up with a few holes in the mesh and small pin-holes in the floor by the end of the hike. It was also difficult to set up on granite or in sand, and did not perform as well as the Copper Spur or another framed tent would have during our snow storm. I was very happy with both of our tent systems, and would recommend both of them highly, depending on ultralight importance and budget for future hikers.
PROS: Ultralight, roomy
CONS: set up, site selection, not ideal for snow
Gossamer Gear Polycro Footprint ★★★★★
We used a sheet of polycro as our groundsheet, opting not to purchase the Big Agnes footprint or going with a sheet of Tyvek. I was super impressed with how this thin sheet of plastic (feels about as thin as the cellophane wrapper on a pack of cigarettes) held up over the thru-hike being used as a groundsheet for the Copper Spur and the Z-Packs. By the end of our hike, it had several tears in it, but it only started falling apart with 500 miles to go. For such a lightweight option, it performed beautifully. I would highly recommend this material for a groundsheet.
Backpack
ULA Circuit ★★★★☆
The Circuit utilizes a 1.2oz carbon fiber and Delrin suspension hoop in conjunction with a dense internal foam frame and a single aluminum stay to provide back panel support, maximum load control, weight transfer, and pack rigidity without limiting your range of movement. Personally, I found that the back panel was plenty of support and I ended up removing the aluminum stay halfway through my hike to create a quasi-"frameless" pack. My pack weight was over the 30-lb recommended limit only once, and that was in the Sierras weighted down with extra clothing, a bear canister, and 7 days of food. This 75-liter pack had more than enough volume to carry everything I needed for the entire hike. This pack was tough and showed no signs of wear after my thru-hike. The Circuit lacks many bells and whistles, but I appreciated its simplicity. It was a no-brainer pack that I felt confident selecting for my hike, and had no issues with it during the trail.
PROS: tough, comfortable
CONS: could be lighter, would add shoulder pockets
Kitchen
JetBoil MicroMo ★★★☆☆
I was generally happy with this stove, however, if I were to hike again, I would consider going no-cook and re-hydrating my food cold.
Snow Peak Titanium Spork ★★★☆☆
If I were to hike again, I think I would purchase a long handled spoon instead. I don't think I ever used the little prongs that make the spoon a spork, and many times I wish I had a longer handle when eating out of meal pouches.
Snow Peak Titanium 450mL Mug ★★★★☆
I paid extra for the ultra lightweight version of this mug, and the weight savings was worth it. Loved this mug, perfect size and weight. A SmartWater bottle fit perfectly inside and I stored the mug in the side pockets of my backpack underneath my water bottle.
Tupperware Food Storage Container ★★★★☆
We used disposable plastic Tupperware as our bowls due to their lightweight nature - plus, they fit most of our dehydrated meals perfectly.
EverNew Water Storage 2l ★★★★☆
We typically used SmartWater 1-liter bottles as our water bottles for the entire hike, however, when we entered the desert, we needed to increase our water capacity. We then carried two 2-liter EverNew bladders to expand our carry capacity to 6 liters per person, enough to hydrate us through 30-mile water carries. We selected the EverNew bladders due to their lightweight construction - CamelBaks and the Sawyer pouches are bulkier and heavier options - and were really happy with their performance.
Sawyer Water Filter ★★★★☆
We used the Sawyer Water filter, as did practically everyone we met on trail. The filter screws on perfectly to a Smart Water bottle and we just drank through the filter. As a couple, we originally thought we could get away with using one filter, but we quickly decided it was best if we each had one. The Sawyer filters perform well as long as you don't strain their capabilities - filtering crappy pond water will affect your flow rate. Also it is important to bring your Sawyer into your sleeping bag if temperatures are predicted to dip below freezing - once frozen, the filter is useless. We carried iodine tablets as a back-up purification source in the desert.
OPSAK Food Storage Bags 28inx20in ★★★★☆
I stored all of my food in odor-proof ziplock bags, and avoided eating in the tent. This resulted in us having minimal rodent issues compared to some of our friends. When used properly, these food storage bags make food essentially "invisible" to critters, and I enjoyed the extra peace of mind. They do wear out fairly quickly though, especially if you store food in them during the day in your pack. I had to replace my OPSAK about 4 times throughout the hike.
Z-Packs Bear Hang Kit ★★★★☆
I selected Z-Packs bear hang kit for areas where a bear hang was recommended, as I wanted an ultralight option. The cord that came with the kit was used as a clothesline as well so we did not need to carry extra cord.
Clothing
Running Shorts (Lululemon Tracker Short V) ★★★★★
I loved these shorts. Super comfortable, super basic, and held up extremely well for the entire thru-hike. They only started fading after three months of direct sun exposure.
REI Co-Op Sahara Shirt ★★★☆☆ (replaced ExOfficio shirt on trail)
This shirt was pretty "meh" overall. I replaced my Bugs Away shirt with this one in Washington as I wanted something that fit me a little better. The sleeves were smaller on the Sahara shirt, but the dye faded very quickly and bleached out. However, this shirt was pretty tough and I didn't have any tears in it.
Marmot Pre-Cip Pant ★★★★☆
The zippers on the sides made these very easy to get on and off. The pockets were roomy and useful. Overall, very happy with these rain pants - they kept me warm, dry and protected from bugs. The inside lining did peel away a bit, but it didn't effect the performance of the pants. On another thru-hike, I might consider going for a more ultra-light option such as the Anti-Gravity gear pants, but I don't think the sizing would be small enough for me.
REI Co-Op Fleece Lined Leggings ★★★☆☆
These leggings were pretty "meh" and I carried them mostly to sleep in during colder temperatures. I rarely hiked in these as they were difficult to put on and off. I'm not sure I would bring these again, but I do feel like a warmer pant layer was necessary for sections of the trail - I carried these as a security blanket.
Cotton Town Shirt ★★★★☆ (added during trail)
I started the trail without a "town shirt", or extra shirt that you could wear in town while your hiking shirt was being laundered. I thought it was a waste of precious weight to carry an extra shirt - but it was well worth the convenience.
Fleece: Patagonia Micro-D Fleece ★★★★★
I chose the Patagonia Micro-D Fleece over the more popular fleece option, the Patagonia R1, because the R1 did not fit me properly and I really prefer to have full-zip layers. The Micro-D was very light, and worked well in my layering system to keep me warm.
Down Jacket: Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer ★★★★★
The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer was definitely part of the 2017 PCT uniform, and it performed well. Almost everyone on trail had one of the rainbow colors of this lightweight, packable down jacket. I found the warmth value to be perfect for my needs on the PCT, and the jacket itself is extremely comfortable. I ordered the jacket in black, which helped reduce the appearance of dirt on the sleeves.
Outdoor Research Helium II Rain Jacket ★★★★★
I replaced my heavier Sierra Designs rain jacket with the 5.5-oz Helium II right before my thru-hike (found this jacket on sale), and was really thankful for the weight savings. This rain jacket performed superbly, wore comfortably and did a great job keeping me dry with minimal wet-through (mostly around the sleeves).
IceBreaker Merino Long Sleeve Half Zip 200 Weight ★★★★☆ (used only in Sierras)
I picked up this warmer wool layer after our snowstorm in Yosemite to prepare for hiking and sleeping in below freezing temperatures in the Sierras. This layer was comfortable and soft, and performed great. However, it was much too warm to carry for the majority of the trip, and I bounced this layer back with our bear cans once we exited the Sierras.
Buff ★★★★★
I loved my Buff. I used a half-size Buff and wore it as a headband, around my neck. I used it for everything - to keep my ears warm in the Sierras, over my eyes as a sleep mask at night, dipped it in cold water to keep my neck cool on hot days, used it as a wash cloth, hankerchief, etc. This was a total workhorse and one of my favorite pieces of gear on the trail.
Sea to Summit Mosquito Head Net ★★★★★
Well worth the money (cheap) and weight carried (light). Will save your sanity. My only regret is not buying the ultra-sexy full body bug net.
Outdoor Research Sun Gloves ★★★★★
Here's where my vanity and paranoia set in to influence my gear purchases. Apparently, hands are where you first start to show signs of aging. And everyone knows how damaging the sun can be. I was hesitant at first to purchase sun gloves because I thought they would be uncomfortable and hot, but I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable they were. I also noticed a big difference in my hands compared to other thru-hikers hands, with the tell-tale "trekking pole tan" where the tops of your hands get weathered and dark. Since I was wearing long sleeves as well, it helped me avoid a hand tan as well. I'm really bummed I lost these in a hotel room on the trail and will definitely re-purchase for another hike.
Army Surplus Wool Gloves ★★★☆☆
These were great for the low price ($4.99), and lasted longer than Vinny's expensive SmartWool glove liners. I also picked up a pair of dish gloves for waterproofing and additional warmth in the Sierras.
Arc'teryx Wool Hat
Darn Tough Merino Wool Coolmax Socks ★★★★☆
I used about three pairs of these socks on my thru-hike. If I were to hike again, I would make sure to also buy at least one crew sock, as I ended the hike with a gnarly sock tan. These socks were a little too warm and thick for some of the desert sections and starting out in Oregon, but they worked great. I only wore a hole through one of the socks.
Fox River Sock Liners ★★★★☆
I picked up a pair of these in Wrightwood to combat the swelling of my feet (and therefore, blisters) in the desert. I liked these socks as they were very comfortable, but a hole appeared in the toes after about 3 days of wear. I would reccomend bringing thin or silk sock liners as an alternative to the Darn Tough wool socks for the hotter climates, especially if you are prone to blisters.
Brooks Cascadia 12s ★★★★☆
I started the hike wearing Brooks Cascadia 11s, but after wearing through my first pair, I realized I needed a half size larger. Amazon didn't stock my new size in the 11s, so I ordered 12s instead. I thought these shoes were perfect for the PCT. Altra Lone Peaks were the most popular shoe by far on the trail in '17, however, for people without wide feet, the toe box is unnecessarily generous in the Altras. I found the Brooks had great tread and were comfortable. I generally got about 500-900 miles out of the trail runners, and would recommend replacement at the 600 mile mark.
Technology
Anker PowerCore Slim II 10000 ★★★★★
Lightweight and portable, could fully charge my iPhone 7 about 3.5 times. Would highly recommend this charger to anyone attempting a thru-hike. At the time of purchase, it was the lightest 10,000mAh power bank on the market.
Anker 5-Port USB Hub ★★★★☆
When we first started the hike, we each had one of these lightweight USB hubs. We decided that we only needed one, and it was useful especially in situations where there was only one plug available.
Charging Cables
Go-Pro Hero 5 Black ★★★☆☆
The Go-Pro took amazing videos, and the editing app made it possible for Vinny to create high-light reels of our time in the Sierras and Washington while on trail! However, I personally did not use the Go-Pro as much as I wanted to, as it was a pain to get out of my bag. I tried to remedy the problem by using a handlebar attachment to attach to my trekking pole, but using the Go-Pro didn't fit in with my thru-hike as seamlessly as I anticipated. If you are someone who regularly documents and is used to filming, I would highly recommend the Hero 5.
PROS: great quality video, editing app on iphone great for hikers
CONS: remembering to film!
Garmin InReach Explorer ★★★★★
I highly recommend the Garmin InReach Explorer as a safety tool and satellite communicator while on trail. The InReach tracks your location and updates a website with your exact coordinates and a satellite image, can send and receive text messages over satellite, and has an SOS button that alerts the authorities in case of emergency. Having the InReach helped me feel safe in the backcountry, even though we never needed to use the SOS button. It also helped us assist other hikers on the trail who did not have ways of contacting loved ones in case of emergency. There are several communication plans available for the InReach. We opted for the Recreation Plan, which let us send an unlimited number of pre-set text messages, and 40 individual messages along with unlimited tracking points. Every night, we sent a "we're alive and fine" text to our parents, which included a link to our exact coordinates. I really liked this feature and it ended up creating a nice map of everywhere we camped on the trail.
FitBit Alta HR ★★★★★
I was looking for a fitness tracker to see my progress on the trail, and wanted one with a heart rate monitor, small in size, and had a clock face so I could use it as a watch. The FitBit Alta HR was perfect for me, and it never ran out of battery during the thru-hike. I did have one issue with the tracker when it started adding up my steps for the days instead of re-setting at midnight, but once I reset the tracker it worked fine.
HL Fenix 50 Headlamp ★★☆☆☆
Because I hate hiking at night, I rarely used the headlamp outside of camp. I sent back my headlamp in Washington and replaced it with a Micro Photon light.
Micro Photon Light ★★☆☆☆
This light is a really small pen light, and I used an attachment to clip it onto my cap as a headlamp. The light is pretty dim and not great for night hiking, but it works okay as a light source in camp, supplemented by the iPhone flashlight. Once the battery died a second time I didn't replace it and just used the iPhone for a flashlight and avoided hiking at night.
iPhone 7
Guthooks App ★★★★★
This app was amazing and completely replaced paper maps for us on the trail. The comments were up to date and the navigation was extremely helpful in the snow.
Z-Packs Tablet Zip Pouch ★★★★★
I used this ultralight Dyneema waterproof zip bag as a trail "wallet", carrying all of my tech accessories so they stayed dry. I felt better about using something sturdier, rather than just a Ziploc bag.
Miscellaneous
Trekking Poles
This is a frequent question that gets asked. Many weekend hikers or day hikers have never used trekking poles while hiking before, and before I left on the PCT I had never used poles either. However, they are practically a necessity on any long distance trail. The forward propulsion negates any extra weight, plus they help with balance, tent support, and "proving" you are not just a bum while hitch-hiking.
Flip-Flops
I originally was not planning to carry camp shoes, but all the inviting lakes in Oregon and Washington swayed me, and I purchased flip-flops in Washington. I sent these back once we got to the Sierras.
Mini Leatherman ★★★★★
This multi-tool was incredible, and had everything I needed for the hike in a really small and cute package. Highly recommended.
Emergency Blanket
Emergency Fire Starter (only in the Sierras, never used)
Compass (never used)
Hand Sanitizer
Tent Repair/Sewing Kit
Montbell Sunbrella (would recommend a long-handled version that can attach to the pack)
Handkerchief
Pack Towel Mini ★★★☆☆
We picked up Pack Towls in the Sierras as a fear response to being wet and cold. Realistically, I was fine using my handkerchief and Buff as towels and this was unnecessary weight.
Safety Pins (2)
Very useful to clip wet socks to the outside of your pack to dry.
Floss
Half Toothbrush
CVS sells travel toothpaste and toothbrush kits, where the toothbrush comes in two parts. Discarding the second part is a great, easy way to make an ultralight toothbrush and you can replace this easily on trail.
Travel Toothpaste
Chapstick
Kahtoola Micro-Spikes ★★★★☆
We used these in Oregon in icy patches of snow. I only used these micro-spikes less than a handful of times on the trail, but your experience may vary as every snow year is different.
I also purchased an ice axe with the intent of having my parents send them to me should I need it, but by the time we reached the Sierras there was no more snow.
We picked up our bear vaults in North Kennedy Meadows and sent them back in Lone Pine. The 500 fit most of our food, and any excess I placed in the OPSAK away from camp. Bear safe food storage is required for Yosemite and the John Muir Trail, so while I would prefer not to carry it, I did not want to risk a ticket from a ranger.
Medical Kit
Band-Aids
I only used band-aids in the beginning of the trail to combat bug bites. I don't think I used a band-aid after my 200th mile, since they wouldn't stick well to my dirty legs.
Wet Wipes
Neosporin
Advil
Also known as Hiker Candy.
DayQuil
Never used.
Pepto-Bismo
Alcohol Wipes
I used these a lot to stay clean and keep minor abrasions sanitized.
KT Tape
ACE Bandage
Never used, thankfully.
Gauze
Never used.
Medical Tape
Vagisil
Despite the connotations, Vagisil is the strongest anti-bacterial available over the counter. It also includes anti-itch properties, making it great for small abrasions and bug bites.
Body Glide
We purchased the mini version available at REI specifically for feet. We only used Body Glide in the beginning of the hike, when it was hot and our feet had yet to callous. Once we went through about two bottles of Body Glide, we never replaced it again.
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