After two previous thru-hike attempts of the Pacific Crest Trail, you’d think I have my PCT gear list dialed in. And I do! But every year, gear comes out in pretty new colors and there’s always shiny new things to try. Here’s my gear as it stands today, but feel free to check back to see what exchanges I make as I research new gear and new colorways. You can also check out my list on LighterPack.
My PCT gear list is divided into categories:
BIG 3 is the three most important categories – tent system, sleep system, and backpack system. I’m using “system” here to indicate that the tent is more than just one piece – it’s the body, the rain fly, the foot print, the poles, the tent stakes, and the bag for the tent stakes. This category collectively is typically composed of the heaviest items in the backpack, and therefore the foundation of a backpacker’s base weight.
WEAR is gear not carried in or on the backpack, and is considered standalone “worn weight.” It is not included in the calculation of total base weight.
CLOTHES | packed includes the plethora of extra clothing I always bring.
TECH includes anything and everything electronic.
KITCHEN includes all the items I need to eat, as well as my water filtration system.
CLEAN is how I plan to stay fresh and pretty for myself, and the camera.
AID is a little packet of all the things I hope I don’t need on trail.
SECTIONAL gear is not included in the base weight, and incorporates items needed only through certain parts of the trail, not throughout the trail in its entirety.
PCT NOBO 2024
- Category Weight
-
BIG 3
8.12 lb
-
WORN
3.06 lb
-
CLOTHES | packed
2.81 lb
-
TECH
1.61 lb
-
KITCHEN
1.43 lb
-
CLEAN
0.48 lb
-
AID
0.17 lb
-
SECTIONAL
3.38 lb
-
-
BIG 3
Weight qty -
Backpack ULA Circuit Medium - 68L 40
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Backpack Liner Hefty Trash Compactor Bags 18 GAL 2.3
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Tent Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL1 31.9
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Tent Footprint Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL1 Footprint 3
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Sleeping Bag Western Mountaineering Versalite 10° F - Long 34
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Sleeping Bag Liner Sea to Summit Adaptor COOLMAX - Mummy 8.8
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Sleeping Pad Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol - Short 9.9
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
WORN
Weight qty -
Hat Sunday Afternoons 2.6
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Sunglasses Knockaround Premiums Sport Polarized 0
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Neck Gaiter BlackStrap Daily Sun Tube 1.7
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Long Sleeve Shirt Lululemon Swiftly Tech - Turquoise 5.3
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Bra Hanes ComfortFlex Wireless Moisture-Wicking 0
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Fanny Pack
Homemade
3.1
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Leggings Under Armour Project Rock HeatGear 6.2
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Undies Ex Officio Hipster Give-N-Go 2.0 Sport Mesh - Azul 1.1
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Socks Darn Tough Micro Crew Light Cushion 2.8
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Liner Socks Injinji Liner Crew Toesocks 0
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Trail Runners HOKA Challenger 8.1
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Ankle Gaiters Dirty Girl Gaiters 0
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Trekking Poles TrailBuddy - Yellow 18.1
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
CLOTHES | packed
Weight qty -
Ole Grey Beanie 0
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Mid-layer Melanzana MicroGrid Hoodie 10.3
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Rain/Wind Pants Thrifted 4.9
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Socks (2nd Pair) Darn Tough Micro Crew Light Cushion 2.8
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Liner Socks (2nd Pair) Injinji Liner Crew Toesocks 1.2
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Undies (2nd Pair) Ex Officio Hipster Give-N-Go 2.0 Sport Mesh - Admiral 1
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Shorts
Thrifted
0
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Tank Top
Thrifted
0
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Waterproof Gloves Black Nitrile 6 mil 0.6
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Down Jacket Montbell Plasma 1000 - Women's 4.2
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Rain Jacket Zpacks Vertice - Orange 6.3
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Compression Stockings 3.5
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Mini Towel 0.6
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Hyperlite Stuff Sack Pillow 1.4
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Camp Shoes 8.1
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
TECH
Weight qty -
Garmin InReach 8.6
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Nitecore NU25 Rechargeable 1.9
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Phone
0
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Phone Case
0
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Headphones
0
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Emergency Whistle 0.2
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Anker 20,000 mAh 12.6
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Charging Cables 0.6
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Anker Quick Charge 3.0 39W Dual USB Wall Charger
1.4
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
ID, PCTA Permit, Credit/Debit Card, Cash - in a small ziploc
0.5
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
KITCHEN
Weight qty -
Vargo BOT Ti Cooking Pot 700 mL 4.6
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
BRS Ultralight Ti Gas Stove 0.9
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Fuel Canister 6.7
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
BIC Mini Lighter 0.6
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
TOAKS Ti Long Handle Spoon 0.5
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Victorinox NailClip 580 1.3
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
LIFEWTR Bottles 1L with Sports Top 1.4
oz2- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Cnoc 2L Vecto Bladder 2.8
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter 2.6
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Food Bag
0
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Gallon Ziploc Bags
0
oz2
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
CLEAN
Weight qty -
Burt's Bees Lip Balm Ultra Conditioning 0.3
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Hand Sanitizer with Aloe 2
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Dr. Bronner's Toothpaste 1
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Oral-B Glide Dental Floss 0.2
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Doctor Plotka's Toothbrush Travel Size 0.5
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Hair Ties (3) 0.01
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Folding Brush No handle 0.7
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Deuce of Spades Trowel 0.6
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Toilet Paper 2
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Antiseptic Towlette 0.01
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Plastic Bag
0.2
oz2
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Wet Wipes
0
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
AID
Weight qty -
Rawlogy Cork Massage Ball 1.9" 0.6
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Safety Pin 0.01
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Leuko Tape 1.5
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Anti-Biotic Ointment 0.03
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Benadryl 0
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Vitamin I (Ibuprofen) 0
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Personal Rx Meds 0
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Garden of Life Multivitamin Women's Once Daily 0
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Immodium 0.01
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Super Glue Mini 0.01
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
SPF 70 Sunscreen 0
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Tenacious Tape Gear Patches 0.01
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Ditty Bag
0.2
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Duct Tape
0.1
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
First Aid & Burn Cream
0.01
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Paracord, 2 ft
0.01
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Velcro, 2 in
(for gaiters)
0.01
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Needle & Thread
0.01
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
DCF Tape
0.01
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Aquatabs
0.01
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Sting Relief
0.01
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Band-Aids
0.1
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Earplugs
0.01
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
SECTIONAL
Weight qty -
BV500 41
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
CAMP Snowline Chainsen Trail Light Microspikes 4
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Mosquito Head Net Sea to Summit 0.9
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Mosquito Suit 5.3
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Cnoc 2L Vecto Bladder 2.8
oz1- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
indicates “worn” gear, and doesn’t contribute to base weight calculation.
indicates “consumable” items and doesn’t contribute to base weight calculation.
Hopefully you found something for you on my PCT gear list!