Pacific Crest Trail Thru Hike Gear List: 2600 Miles of Freedom
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 […]
Last Updated: 1 month ago
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Details: Merino wool is amazingly comfortable and helps to regulate temperature better than synthetic fibers. Icebreaker makes quality products and these are no slouch.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Details: Merino wool is amazingly comfortable and helps to regulate temperature better than synthetic fibers. Icebreaker makes quality products and these are no slouch.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
About Nomad
Hey I'm Nomad and this is my website all about hiking and taking back the outside world. I love being outside and having the smell of the woods around me which led me to decide to gain my independence again from the high tech world we live in, come and join me!
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We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Some of the links on this website to REI, HMG, and many gear vendors which are "affiliate links". This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a small affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally or believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
