Pacific Crest Trail Thru Hike Gear List: 2600 Miles of Freedom

by Nomad | Last Updated: July 1, 2020

Well here you are, you have decided to start your preparations for your Pacific Crest Trail thru hike gear list by reading this post! This more than likely means you have a lot of gear to understand and organize, or maybe still looking to start your acquisition. This may feel incredibly daunting and crazy currently but you will find out later how exciting this time is in your life!

To help you make a proper decision I have built lists of good gear at the budget and higher expense but full ultralight gear. This should allow you to figure out your budget overall and make some systematic choices on what you should spend your money on for your hike.

Best Budget Gear List

For many having a spare $2000 or more to build out a set of good gear that can survive a thru-hike without having tremendous issues. While many will say that this isn’t likely and almost impossible, I have researched what people have completed a PCT thru-hike with and assembled it here to help.

Hopefully, this list will help you make some quality decisions and get you ready for the trek ahead with some solid gear.

Budget Backpack Option

• 3F UL GEAR Qi Dian Pro UHMWPE Backpack
  • Weight: 1.94 Lbs
  • Carrying Capacity: 46 + 10 Liter
  • Details: This backpack from the 3F UL Gear company uses UHMWPE material which is from the same family as Dyneema and is very durable which is perfect for a backpack. For those looking for a nice lightweight but solid backpack look no further, just note shipping is usually 1-2 months.

Budget Shelter Option

• 1P Tent – Lanshan 1P Pro Tent (Requires Trekking Pole)
  • Weight: 1.54 pounds
  • Single Layer: This helps drop the weight on the tent but there is no outer fly.
  • Details: This is my personal tent for most of my local long distance and week-long hikes, it is strong and durable. If you like a smaller tent and a good deal this is a superb choice.
• 2P Tent – Meir 2P Tent (Lanshan 2 UL Reseller)
  • Weight: 2.8 Pounds
  • Dual Layer: This tent has an inner along with an outer fly
  • Details: The Lanshan 2P UL tent is well known in the thru-hiker world as a quality tent which looks similar to many tents including the Duplex.

Budget Sleep System

• QUILT – OneTigris Featherlite Ultralight Sleeping Quilt
  • Details: The OneTigris Featherlite quilt is a good starter for those in the warmer parts of the 3 seasons and for what it provides it is pretty light at 35oz. This is a quilt that any new backpacker can purchase and get their moneys worth from without breaking the piggy wide open.
• SLEEPING BAG – Kelty Tuck 22F Degree Mummy Sleeping Bag  
  • Details: Kelty is a mainstay in the realm of budget level high performing gear, this sleeping bag is no exception as it is pretty light at under 3 lbs which taking you down to the 22 degree area where you are at the limits of 3 season camping.
• SLEEPING PAD – ECOTEK Outdoors Insulated Hybern8 – [ Our Review ]
  • Weight: 24.5 ounces
  • Details: With 2.5 inches of loft and an R-Value of 4.5, the Hybern8 provides 4 season warmth and comfort you can count on to help get you the shuteye you deserve.
• PILLOW – Klymit Luxe Pillow
  • Details: This may seem silly but over the course of 4-6 months you will love to have a nice pillow to rest your head on during the many nights out camping.
• BUTT PAD – Therm-a-Rest Z Seat Cushion
  • Details: Really one of the more overlooked and useful items is what you need to sit and not end up with wet butt issues.

Budget Cook System

• Stove – BRS-3000T Ultra-Light Titanium
  • Details: Very lightweight and able to fit easily inside a TOAKS pot like whats listed below, very easy to pack for heated meals.
• Cook Pot – TOAKS Titanium 750ml Pot
  • Details: The 750ml pot size should fit just about every hiker’s need without being a waste of space to carry.
• Spoon – TOAKS Titanium Long Handle Spoon
• Spork – TOAKS Titanium Long Handle Spork

Water Filtration

• Water Filter – Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter System
  • Details: The reason to choose this over the mini or micro is that it tends to get clogged less often and can be backflushed with any SmartWater bottle or other style sports cap.
• Water Container x2 – Cnoc Outdoors 2019 Vecto 2L
  • Details: For me, the Cnoc bags have been ultra-durable and able to squeeze without leaking or bursting.

Electronics

• GPS – Garmin Inreach Mini
  • Details: This is a very important item that costs a lot but it is a safety item that can be activated and allow anyone to find you. It also allows you to message loved ones even without signal and show them progress to let them know you are safe.
• Headlamp – Nitecore NU25
  • Details: I love the Nitecore as it can be charged from the same battery as my phone charger, it doesn’t need additional batteries which lessens my load.
• Power Bank – Anker PowerCore 26800 3 Port Charger
  • Details: Three ports and 26k will allow you to keep everything charged even over 5-7 days of travel away from a town or recharge.
• Wall Quick Charger – Anker 30W PIQ 3.0
  • Details: This wall charger is a 30 watt which means less time on a charger to get back to full, allowing you to shorten up time spent in town charging.
• Camera Tripod – Pedco UltraPod Lightweight Camera Tripod
  • Details: This is helpful if you are documenting your trip for nice stable shots, not just for YouTube, nice to have for reflection later.
• Waterproof Camera – GoPro Hero8 Black
  • Details: This is helpful if you are documenting your trip for nice stable shots, not just for YouTube, nice to have for reflection later.
• Apple SD Card Reader

Budget Clothing – Special

• Rain Jacket and Pants – FROGG TOGGS Ultra-Lite2 Rain Suit
  • Details: Frogg Toggs are super inexpensive and lightweight, a staple for many on all the big three trails
• Puffy Jacket – Amazon Essentials Lightweight Puffy Jacket
  • Details: While not the most exciting jacket, it has the ability to keep you warm just like the other guys like Ghost Whisperer or the Torrid Jacket for a fraction of the cost.
• Buff – Merino Wool Face Mask, Multifunctional Neck Gaiter
  • Details: A buff helps to be cover from the sun when needed, a towel when you need and overall just an amazing multi-use tool for any hiker.

Budget Clothing – Worn

• Underwear – ExOfficio Men’s Underwear
• First Layer Sock – Injinji Men’s Run Lightweight Mini Crew
• Second Layer Sock – Darn Tough Hiker 1/4 Cushion Sock
  • Details: Darn tough socks just last, they are perfect to take on a long-distance hike.
• Shoes – Altra Men’s Lone Peak 4.5
  • Details: Find yourself a good pair of trail runners for good quality hiking. I love the Lone Peak series as they fit me to size without needing to size up.
• Base Layer (Pants) – Icebreaker Merino Men’s Men’s 200 Oasis Leggings W Fly
  • Details: Merino wool is amazingly comfortable and helps to regulate temperature better than synthetic fibers. Icebreaker makes quality products and these are no slouch.
• Base Layer (Shirt) – Icebreaker Merino Men’s 150 Zone Merino Wool Base Layer Long Sleeve T-Shirt
  • Details: As with the above, investing in good Merino Wool will help you out over the long trek.
• Shorts – Under Armour Men Woven Graphic Shorts
  • Details: Aim for these to be lightweight and I prefer pockets, this is a purely personal choice.

Additional Gear

• Camp Shoes – Barerun Barefoot Quick-Dry Water Sports Shoes
  • Details: Super inexpensive and very light which can roll up and fit into a spare area in your pack without being bulky or heavy.
• Gloves – OZERO Men’s Winter Thermal Gloves
• Trekking Poles – Foxelli Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles
  • Details: Cork grip helps to give grip while absorbing sweat which should help cut down on hand blisters.
• Micro Spikes – Unigear Traction Cleats
  • Details: These should be shipped to yourself along the way and not carry with from the beginning but in the snow, they are super helpful.
• Ditty Bag – Small Dry Bag
• Bear Bag Kit – Selkirk Design Ultralight Food Bag Hanging System
• Bear Canister – Bear Vault BV500
  • Details: Required for specific sections on the PCT, suggest you plan on shipping to yourself to use for the areas as required. Then once complete ship home.
• Leuko Tape
• Towel – PackTowl Nano Towel
• Trowel – TheTentLab New Improved Deuce II
  • Details: Practice proper LNT to ensure nature is kept clean as intended.

Personal Items

• Chapstick (50SPF+)
• Sunglasses
• Lighter
• Small First Aid Kit
• Toilet Paper
• Toothbrush/Paste
• BugNet (Face Cover)
• Bronners Biodegradable soap
• Insect repellent

Best Ultralight Gear List

If you have the budget available this gear can help you by being ultralight but ultra-useful and long-lasting. These items are typically a significant upgrade from the budget options above but you are going to spend much higher amounts of money sometimes to only shave ounces.

Any of these would be a super solid upgrade and would be what I would aim to get moving forward after assembling your full budget gear, or if you have some wiggle room now grabbing a big three-item could help weight immediately.

Ultralight Backpack Option

• ULA OHM 2.0
  • Details: The Ohm 2.0 is a perfect backpack for an ultralight hiker and provides ample ability to carry gear while maintaining a low overall weight.
• HMG 2400 WINDRIDER / HMG 2400 Southwest
  • Details: The Windrider and Southwest are 40L packs which are perfect to make a thru-hike while carrying less overall weight.
• HMG 3400 WINDRIDER / HMG 3400 Southwest
  • Details: The Windrider and Southwest are 55L packs which are perfect to make a thru-hike while carrying more overall items or weight.
• Zpacks Arc Blast 55L Backpack
  • Details: The range of Zpacks backpacks are all very nicely suited to long-distance hiking. Due to being made of DCF they last a long time, are waterproof, and are exceedingly light in weight.

Ultralight Shelter Option

• High Quality 2 Person Tent Options
  • ZPacks Duplex Tent
    • Details: The Duplex is a very large favorite from the thru-hiking community, This tent is proven to last through any distance hike with minimal issues and is a standout.
  • HMG Dirigo 2 Tent [ Our Best Tent for AT Review ]
    • Details: The Dirigo 2 is a direct competitor to the Duplex for Hyperlight Mountain Gear, It is a solid tent which has withstood numerous thru-hikes from the AT and PCT.
  • Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Tent [ Our Review ]
    • Details: Big Agnes is huge on the thru-hike scene and the Tiger Wall UL2 lives up to their long line of tents and unlike the other two tents above requires no trekking poles
  • NEMO Dragonfly 2 Tent [ Our Review ]
    • Details: NEMO makes some of the nicest quality tents on the trail which live up to all the needs and expectations of a thru-hiker. The large space and quick setup and teardown are helpful to fast camp breakdowns.
• Hammock Options
  • Hennessy Hammock Explorer Ultralight Asym Zip Hammock
    • Details: Hennessy creates an awesome asymmetrical hammock which allows you to lay flatter and comfortably than a normal hammock.
  • Hennessy Hammock Ultralite Backpacker Asym Zip Hammock
    • Details: Hennessy creates an awesome asymmetrical hammock which allows you to lay flatter and comfortably than a normal hammock.
  • Kammok Mantis Ultralight All-in-One Hammock Tent
    • Details: Lighter than your tent and easier to set up, the portable Mantis Ultralight hammock tent takes camp set up to 60 seconds with a knotless suspension

Ultralight Sleep System

• QUILTS
  • EE Enigma Quilt –  [ Our Review ]
    • Details: The EE Enigma features a sewn closed footbox area which is helpful for people who have a tendency to colder feet.
  • EE Revelation Quilt –  [ Our Review ]
    • Details: The EE Enigma features an open instead of closed footbox area which allows for greater movement. Though through a shock cord you can pull the footbox closed.
• SLEEPING BAGS
  • EE Convert
    • Details: The Convert from EE is a hybrid quilt and sleeping bag and can change into a sleeping bag, basically a convertible, hence the name.
  • Mountain Equipment Xeros Sleeping Bag
    • Details: This is a solid 0-degree mummy bag that is going to help you survive those cold desert nights into the Sierras.
• SLEEPING PAD
  • Therm-A-Rest Neo Air 
    • Details: The Neo Air is a hiker favorite for being supremely low in weight and small in size making it easy to add to smaller backpacks.
  • NEMO Tensor Alpine Air
    • Details: The Nemo Tensor is available in multiple forms which allows you to match it up against your needed use. Whether your trip is in Spring, Summer, Fall or even Winter there is a version of this pad that will fit your need to perfection.
  • Big Agnes Insulated Q-Core
    • Details: Larger outside air chambers keep you cradled in the middle of the pad. On a scale of 1.0 – 9.5, the Insulated Q-Core pad has an estimated R-value of 5
• Sea to Summit Aeros UL Pillow
  • Details: The Aeros pillow is a high-value luxury item to ensure quality sleep while on the trail for months as it provides you a better sleeping experience.
• Therm-A-Rest Z Seat
  • Details: Definitely need to have a seat for those times when you take a break from hiking and don’t want your butt to get soaked.

Ultralight Cook System

• Stove – BRS-3000T Ultra-Light Titanium
  • Details: Very lightweight and able to fit easily inside a TOAKS pot like whats listed below, very easy to pack for heated meals.
• Cook Pot – TOAKS Titanium 750ml Pot
  • Details: The 750ml pot size should fit just about every hiker’s need without being a waste of space to carry.
• Spoon – TOAKS Titanium Long Handle Spoon
• Spork – TOAKS Titanium Long Handle Spork
• Zpacks Cuben Food Bag (w/line)

Water Filtration

• Water Filter – Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter System
  • Details: The reason to choose this over the mini or micro is that it tends to get clogged less often and can be backflushed with any SmartWater bottle or other style sports cap.
• Water Container x2 – Cnoc Outdoors 2019 Vecto 2L
  • Details: For me, the Cnoc bags have been ultra-durable and able to squeeze without leaking or bursting.
• 2 – 1L Disposable Water Bottles (SmartWater Bottles, or similar)

Electronics

• GPS – Garmin Inreach Mini
  • Details: This is a very important item that costs a lot but it is a safety item that can be activated and allow anyone to find you. It also allows you to message loved ones even without signal and show them progress to let them know you are safe.
• Headlamp – Nitecore NU25
  • Details: I love the Nitecore as it can be charged from the same battery as my phone charger, it doesn’t need additional batteries which lessens my load.
• Power Bank – Anker PowerCore 26800 3 Port Charger
  • Details: Three ports and 26k will allow you to keep everything charged even over 5-7 days of travel away from a town or recharge.
• Wall Quick Charger – Anker 30W PIQ 3.0
  • Details: This wall charger is a 30 watt which means less time on a charger to get back to full, allowing you to shorten up time spent in town charging.
• Camera Tripod – Pedco UltraPod Lightweight Camera Tripod
  • Details: This is helpful if you are documenting your trip for nice stable shots, not just for YouTube, nice to have for reflection later.
• Waterproof Camera – GoPro Hero8 Black
  • Details: This is helpful if you are documenting your trip for nice stable shots, not just for YouTube, nice to have for reflection later.
• Apple SD Card Reader

Clothing – Special

• Rain Jacket – Outdoor Research Helium II Jacket
  • Details: This jacket packs into its own pocket so small that you can fit it into your pants pocket. But once you put it on it shines and belies its weight.
• Rain Pants – Arc’teryx Zeta SL Rain Pants
  • Details: The Arc’teryx Zeta SL pants for men combine light and packable portability with breathable, storm-stopping protection so you’re never caught with your pants down when foul weather strikes.
• Puffy Jacket – Torrid Apex Jacket
  • Details: Equally at home on an alpine approach and a windswept lake, the Torrid APEX Jacket offers warmth, wind protection, and moisture resistance at an ultralightweight. Designed to keep you warm while keeping your pack light, the jacket starts at just 7.75 ounces

Clothing – Worn

• Underwear (x2 Minimum) – ExOfficio Men’s Underwear
• First Layer Sock (x2 Minimum) – Injinji Men’s Run Lightweight Mini Crew
  • Details: For those who don’t know the Injinji socks are awesome as they go between your toes helping to keep blisters from being able to start between toes.
• Second Layer Sock (x2 Minimum) – Darn Tough Hiker 1/4 Cushion Sock
  • Details: Darn tough socks just last, they are perfect to take on a long-distance hike.
• Shoes – Altra Men’s Lone Peak 4
  • Details: Find yourself a good pair of trail runners for good quality hiking. I love the Lone Peak 4 as they fit me to size without needing to size up.
• Base Layer (Pants) – Icebreaker Merino Men’s Men’s 200 Oasis Leggings W Fly
  • Details: Merino wool is amazingly comfortable and helps to regulate temperature better than synthetic fibers. Icebreaker makes quality products and these are no slouch.
• Base Layer (Shirt) – Icebreaker Merino Men’s 150 Zone Merino Wool Base Layer Long Sleeve T-Shirt
  • Details: As with the above, investing in good Merino Wool will help you out over the long trek.
• Shorts – Under Armour Men Woven Graphic Shorts
  • Details: Aim for these to be lightweight and I prefer pockets, this is a purely personal choice.

Additional Gear

• Camp Shoes – Barerun Barefoot Quick-Dry Water Sports Shoes
  • Details: Super inexpensive and very light which can roll up and fit into a spare area in your pack without being bulky or heavy.
• Gloves – OZERO Men’s Winter Thermal Gloves
• Trekking Poles – Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Z
  • Details: A favorite from the 2019 thru-hikers the Carbon Z is now stronger with improved joint support and more durable, making it the ultimate in folding-pole performance.
• Micro Spikes – Unigear Traction Cleats
  • Details: Microspikes are very necessary when in the Sierras and the snow is or has fallen, it helps you keep your footing even when the melt is occurring.
• Ditty Bag – Small Dry Bag
• Ice Axe – Trango Raptor
  • Details: The Raptor is the top-of-the-line ice and mixed tool from Trango. It features a comfortable molded grip and high-quality pick that penetrates the hardest ice.
• Bear Bag Kit – Selkirk Design Ultralight Food Bag Hanging System
• Bear Canister – Bear Vault BV500
  • Details: Required for specific sections on the PCT, suggest you plan on shipping to yourself to use for the areas as required. Then once complete ship home.
• Leuko Tape
• Towel – PackTowl Nano Towel
• Trowel – TheTentLab New Improved Deuce II
  • Details: Practice proper LNT to ensure nature is kept clean as intended.

Additional PCT Resources

PCT Resource Page – Our all-inclusive page which has everything we post about the Pacific Crest Trail available to make sure you have the most information possible.

What Is The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)? – Our short guide to help you understand the trail and make sure you aren’t missing something vital.

Final Thoughts on the Pacific Crest Trail Thru Hike Gear List

Choosing to start your plan to hike the Pacific Crest Trail is awesome, it takes supreme courage and belief in ones-self. This belief is what will carry you through the tough days, the rainy days, the painful days, and much much more.

I would love to hear from you who have already started planning and assembling gear for those who have completed the hike. If starting what would you want to hear to help you to know the most upfront from someone who has completed the trail?

My own planning has begun for 2021 and I have begun to update and prepare my gear, my fallback should I not get a permit is to switch to the Appalachian Trail instead. I can’t wait to share this with everyone!

Nice to meet you, my trail name is Nomad the founder of Nomad Hiker and I love being outdoors and exploring nature! I now want to help spread that love through information back out to everyone to help them feel the same excitement with the world that I feel while in the back country. My current goals are to thru hike all the trails in the greater Texas region and to show everyone it is easily achievable at any age!