Gear

My GEAR List!     Updated 12/9/2014

This is one of my favorite pages.  I have done so much research on all kinds of different packs, sleeping bags, cook stoves, shoes, ect. I feel I have come up with a good list of gear that will suit my needs to the best of my knowledge and research. I'm sure there is other items out there that might be lighter, or maybe even cheaper. These are the things I liked best. 

 I didn't own any of this stuff before hand so everything had to be purchased in preparations for this trip. I'm not really the type of person to go out and ask people what type of gear I should use. I am the type that likes to figure things out on my own. I know everyone has an opinion which is fine, but I really don't give a rip unless I'm asking for it ;) I really enjoy doing the legwork myself. Not that I'm always going to make the best choices but this way I only have myself to blame when something doesn't work out. It's just part of the process and the fun for me.  So as of now here is what I am planning on using for my PCT thru hike 2014. 

 

Big Three

(back pack, sleep bag, and tent)

Six Moon Design Fusion 65
2lbs 7oz (saved over a pound!)
paid $190 at Kick off from Sixmoons

This pack has made my life so amazing on the trail. It's fully adjustable and fits me perfectly. I just love it. Thank you Brain for designing such an amazing pack! 

Review: I really liked this pack, Yes I would recommend it to other thru hikers. I somehow managed to break the aluminum stay in the back around mile 700. I contacted Six moon and they sent me a a new one for free! I also ordered a smaller hip belt. They have great customer service. I weighted my pack leaving Bishop and it was about 47lbs! yikes. The pack carried it well. (food for 7 days and maybe 2 or 3 litres water) 

Gregory Z65

 3lbs 9oz (weight includes integrated rain cover)

The frame had rubbed through the mesh and was eating my back! It had to go. 

Memo Nocturne 15

2lbs 11oz

Cost $399 at REI

I'm super excited about this bag! I can't sleep when I'm cold so I have to have a warm bag so this is a 15 degree bag and I will have a +15 degree bag liner. This is a down bag. I think the shape of the bag will be help me sleep more comfortable. The last Mummy bag that I used was terribly restricting in the movement department. This one is unique and has some neat features check the video below. 

Click here to see my blog post about this bag w/ pictures

Review: I loved this sleeping bag. I would pry not recommend it for thru hiking. It was just to bulky, took up to much space. I ended up sending it home at mile 700, Kennedy Meadows. I bought a Thermarest

Therm-a-rest Antares 20 degree
1lb 15oz
$279 from amazon 

This was was great. it was lighter than my Nemo and was still pretty roomy. It has no insulation on the bottom side it uses the therm-a-rest  Neo air for insulation. 

Review: I would recommend this to other thru hikers. I don't think Therm-a-rest makes it anymore but it looks like it's still available for purchase online. It packs pretty small and was really warm. I usually slept with it unziped. 

Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2    UL1 (I downsized to a one person tent)
3lbs 2oz    2lbs 3oz
$399.95  $369.99 at REI
2lbs lighter than the marmot I had purchased previously. I switched to the UL1 and shaved off anothe pound. So it's 3 pounds lighter than Marmot. This tent is neat it can be set up with just the foot print and rain fly to make a shelter. I wanted a two person tent for the extra room. But decided to to save the weight. 

Review: Yes I would highly recommend this tent to other thru hikers. It's on the heavy side but it was the perfect amount of room inside. It was super sturdy. it never blew down or leaked any water even at kickoff when we got dumped on. set up is easy

The rest of the sleep system.

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm sleeping pad
15oz 
$189 at REI

Xtherm is the same price as the Exped that I originally wanted and is a 1lb lighter. The Stuff sack doubles and a pump sack. It has a high R value and reflective barriers to help keep me warm. 

Review: Yes I would recommend this to thru hikers. I would pry go with the normal (yellow) neoAir it's cheaper and a few ounces lighter. I never had a leak. the pump sack/stuff sack. that comes with it works pretty good after you figure it out. 

Sea to Summit Reactor Thermolite Mummy Bag Liner

$55 from REI

8oz

I Just really want this to add to the warmth of the sleeping bag. I don't want to have a night so cold that I can't sleep. I hate being cold when I sleep would rather sweat. On a warm night I could use this and sleep on top of the bag as well. 

Review: Yes, I would recommend this to other thru hikers. I used this and slept on top of my sleeping bag a few nights. I would get the biggest one so you can pull it over your head. it's super soft. When I was at the Saufleys I went to REI and bought a silk one and I didn't like it as much and sold it to someone. 

Cooking

Jetboil flash SOL 
$119 at REI
10.5oz

This should do the trick. I hear it boils water in like 2 minutes (actually less it's amazing). I would never carry one of those stupid little alcohol stoves. (no offense if you like those just not for me) 
I bought the SOL which is a smaller version and is 10oz vs 15oz. I'm only going to use it to boil water I will cook all the food in ziplock bags to keep clean up a snap. I have a ziplock bag cozy to keep the food hot while cooking


Review: Awesome little stove. I would highly commend to other thru hikers. I never cooked in my pot so I never had to clean it. I just used it to boil water. It boils water really fast and the little canisters lasted me around 300 miles each. I used it sometimes 3 times a day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. I cooked my breakfast every morning in my tent while I was still in my sleeping bag. (I spilled the water only once and just a little bit haha)

Potato Express (zip lock bag Cozy) 
$8 at walmart

I used this to cook my food it. I would boil water in the jet boil, pour water in the zip lock that contain my food and let it sit till it was cooked. food would still be super hot even after 20 min. I love this little guy. It was my mom's idea. It was the perfect size and I could wash it with my cloths if I got any food on it. I would then transfer the ziplock to the jet boil and eat out of the jet boil. worked perfectly. 

Review: Thru hikers need one of these! I even used it to protect my avocados from getting banged up. 

Water badder and purification

Source WLP Widepac Low Profile Hydration Bladder (Purchased)

$35 at Source website
This is a one of those new revolutionary items that I have managed to find during my search. I have the 3.0L/100oz. Watch the video below it's incredible what this company has come up with. making this water bladder the best on the market. It was also featured in backpacker magazine.  Glass like film : A multi-layer Polyethylene film utilizing SOURCE's Glass-Like™ technology, which prevents bio-film build up making the system self-cleaning. SOURCE's Glass-Like™ Film is 2000% smoother than standard TPU films, with virtually no difference from glass itself.

Review: It was a nice bladder holds 3 liters like a champ... however I never could get rid of the plastic taste. pry wouldn't recommend it, despite my boasting of revolutionary item. I sent it home mile 700. 

The MSR Dromedary® 4-liter hydration bag
$35 @ REI

Since it's a low snow year in California I wanted to be able to carry more water while in the desert. I also bought the hydration hose for this as well so I can drink from the bladder while hiking along.  

Review: This is my water storage of choice I would recommend it to other thru hikers. I used this MSR the whole time (1300 miles) lots of people used the smart water bottles but I liked to drink out of the hose with the bit valve. I hate to stop and filter water so I would always fill up with at least 3 liters at a time even when water was plentiful. It was nice always having the option to carry 4 liters with out carrying 4 separate bottles. 

Sawyer Squeeze
$50 at REI
3oz.

Honestly I don't know why anyone would use any other method to clean or filter there water. This one is cheap, doesn't require batteries, won't add any off taste to water, easy to use and is super light weight. This one is a no brainer for me. I will pry carry a the mini as well. 

Review: yes, you need this... I this filter is awesome. I carried the syringe the whole time and backflushed in every town I was in just for good measure.  flowed great and you can usually find the squeeze bags in hiker boxes and in most towns. The bags eventually will start to leak. But always have a spare. The new platypus bags don't work very well with it. the threads are different. (at least the one I bought in Laguna was.) 

Electronics

Goal Zero Guide 10 Solar Charger 
$120 at REI
1lbs 3oz 
12 batteries 6oz

The batteries that come with the Guide 10 have a reserver mAh of 575 each which is 2300 for all 4. I am going to ditch the original batteries and upgrade them to some Duracell rechargeable batteries that are rated 2400 mAh EACH. 

Review: This solar charger is badass! I never turned my phone off or in airplane mode and my phone was never dead. I kept the panel on the outside of my pack to charge the battery pack. I would typically charge my phone at night from the batteries. I shorted out the battery pack with a broken iphone cable and Goal Zero sent me a new one. Great customer service. I had REI email me my receipt and I forwarded to GoalZero and I had a new pack with batteries.  I would recommend it to thru hikers who don't want to worry about their 

Black Diamond Icon ReVolt Headlamp 
$80 $50 at REI 
8oz 3.5oz 
Decided not to go with the Icon. It was just to big and bulky. I pry won't be doing a ton night hiking anyways. The ReVolt is cool it uses rechargeable batteries and can be charged from my solar panel. It's 110 Lumens  for 70 hours.

Review: Bad ass  head lamp, I would recommend it to thru hikers. I charged from my solar panel and/or in towns. it was never dead or dim. 

 Iphone 5c, mini tripod, and fold up key board. 
$50 /excludes iPhone

1lb 3oz with chargers and lifeproood case. 
I can use the phone holder with a stick pic as well to take videos and pics of me when no one else is around. Iphone is going to double as camera. 

Review:  Iphone 5c- was great. no issues. used it to update my blog. I used the blogpress app. The app was a few bucks but worth it. 
Lifeproof case- saved my ass. I dropped my phone in a lake! and the case is in fact water proof haha. 
Square jelly fish tripod- worked great for attaching my phone to my stick pic. 
folding keyboard- was fantasic for blog post. it was also rechargeable from my solar charger. I think i charged it 3 or 4 times in 3 months. I would recommend all of these items if you plan on keeping a blog/journal everyday. It helped alot and was worth the pound of weight for me. Keeping a daily journal has meant more to me than I ever could have imagined. I read this blog and I'm back on the trail. It brings back  memories I would pry forget. The weakest ink is better than the strongest memory. 

Spot Connect

$150 at REI $99 a year for service

5oz

Spot is the GPS tracker that I can use to check in with everyone back home. Every night with my phone I can send an I'm ok message to everyone with my location. Worst case get into some big trouble send a sos message for help. With the connect I can also send text messages from anywhere on the trail cell service or not. That service is an extra fee of course. My parents bought this for me. I was going to put this last on my list of things to maybe get. So they felt it was important for peace of mind. 

Review: I would recommend this to a thru hiker that is also carrying an iphone. With the connect I could send a custom message to my friends and family everytime I checked in. I could Tell them I was ok or complain about how tired I was lol. It was fun coming up with something to say everynight before bed when I checked in with my location. I also linked it with trackleaders so I could post my position on my blog with a map. click here

Random stuff

Alite Mayfly Chair 
$90 at REI
1lb 4oz

I know I will pry catch some crap for this haha. But you know what I like the most about camping? is sitting in a comfy chair around the fire. I'm looking forward to sitting in my nice Alite Chair shooing the shit with everyone at camp. plus I figured I could use it to set my pack on to keep it off the ground if it's wet or muddy. to me this 1lbs 4oz is nothing compared to the value it has to me to have it and use it. The chair and I am going to Canada no matter what people say about us ;) (if I would have made it that far)

Review: I can tell you I did in fact get a lot of shit from the chair even a trail name, LaZboy. it did carry a burren of the weight. I did put it in my bounce box at Bridgeport, which I regretted within the first 5 miles of being back on the trail. I picked it back up in Beldon. Having this chair was just such a nice little treat. to sit and take a break in comfort was awesome. I would recommend it, but it carries a burden of the weight like I said. I will carry on the PCT next time.  

Komperdell Cork Trekker poles
$48 at Sierra Trading post 
1lb 8oz

I bought these cause I wanted a cork grip and the price was right at almost half price the original MSRP. at 12oz each they feel really light in my hands. 

Review: They worked just fine, I worn the tips down to the plastic and I no longer could us my stick pic and I couldn't find any replacements so I wouldn't recommend them. I would say that I recommend trekking poles in general to thru hikers. 

Clothing

Columbia Powerfly down puff jacket
$119 at Sportsmen's warehouse
16oz

Omni-heat, 800 down fill. This jacket is awesome, super warm. I love the idea behind the whole Omni-heat concept. I think it's the wave of the future. Under Armour has inferred so I think every company is going to have there version of reflective heat system soon. 

Click here to see blog post and see pictures

Review: Jacket was great I hated the color. It was super warm but it was a little big and heavy. I would not recommend. I'm going to get one that packs a little smaller and get one with a hood. and any color than green. I Couldn't hike with in on, instant sweat. 

 Outdoor Research Foray Rain jacket
$215 @ REI
15oz
I really love the fit of this jacket. I really wanted the gray. Decided to go with the black. It's Gore-Tex. It has pit zips to help release some heat.

Review: I really like the jacket and it would have been great if it was rainy (but it wasn't). I could have used something a lot lighter. I found it would give me cold sweats, the gore-tex is like plastic. I eventuly got a wool long sleeve shirt to keep it from touching my skin which helped. I wouldn't recommend it to thru hikers. I would bet it would be better later on in wetter weather. 

Columbia Sportwear Omni-heat Midweight base layer shirt.
$31 from Sierra Trading Post
7oz

 I bought this to sleep in and wear as base layer on a cold day. 

Review: I couldn't really hike in this shirt It would give me cold sweats lol. You sweat then your cold cause your wet. but your still sweating. I didn't really use it to sleep in. I bought a OR wool long sleeve shirt that was great to sleep in and wear whenever. I kept it in my bounce box. I wear it a lot now that I'm home. ;)

Brooks Rev III shirt
$38 from REI

I really like this shirt I will wear this everyday to hike in. It's really soft lightweight mesh fabric that wicks moisture.  

Review: I kept this shirt as a sleeping shirt. I don't think I ever actually hiked in it. 

REI Sahara Convertible Pants with No-Sit Zips

$31 From REI

Lots of pockets and the material of the pants fells great I really like they way they fit and they have a small black belt that came with the pants. I will more than likely be wearing these pants for the whole hike. I got them on clearance sale to so that was a bonus. Normally these pants are $60

Review: I would recommend these to other thru hikers. I ended up putting them in my bounce box in bridgeport. I just hiked in my Under armour shorts. They where nice in the poodle dog brush hell areas, and when it was chilly over the mountain passes. 

  

Injinji RUN 2.0 Midweight & Lightweight Mini-Crew Socks

$14.00 X 4 @ REI

I love these sock so much. At first trying on toe socks made me gag a little. But I'm good to go Know I am going to be carrying about 4  5  pairs on the trail. Socks weigh in at like an ounce or something so I'm taking extra. 

Review: Zero blisters in 1300 miles. that speaks for it's self. I wear toe socks all the time now. get toe socks. 

Brooks Cascadia 9 
$120 x 6 @ REI

I have heard so much about these shoes I had to get a pair and try them myself. So far I like them. It feels a little weird buying a pair that is 2 sizes bigger than I normally would wear. I thought in this case it would be good to listen the advice of those that have hiked before me. Who ever designed this shoe is a freaking genius. On the the Tongue of the shoe there is two little loops the lace goes through which keeps the tongue in the center so it doesn't fall to one side. it's the most amazing thing I have ever seen. Why didn't anyone think of that sooner. I would get so annoyed with other shoes having the center the tongue constantly.  


Review: 566 miles... Good shoes, just not for me though. they really had no cushion. you don't feel the rocks at all but they are just solid and the toe box is rather small. I believe they contributed to my Mortons Neuroma. 

Altra Lone Peak 
$115 from REI.com

I have a new love and it's a shoe! I have never had a shoe on my foot that feels this GOOD. Super happy I am going to go the rest of the PCT in These and it's big brother Olympus. My foot has grown since I have gone 700 miles I now fit a size 11 perfect. (I used to wear 9.5-10) I highly recommed these to everyone. even everyday wear.

Plus they leave a sweet foot print on the ground. 

Review: Great shoes! toe box is amazing. I would higher recommend. the built in Velcro for dirty girl gators in a huge plus. I have the Lone peak 1.5's the 2.0's look even better. Altra is where it's at. I found the sole to be a little thin and I wanted even more cushion so I got the Olympus...

Altra Olympus
$130 from REI.com

Super Cushion shoes! amazing and I love them. 

Review: I wish I had them from the start. They may have helped me with my foot pain in the begining. IDK. At first they feel a little weird cause the of the front toe rocker. but That goes away after about 20 miles and they feel normal. I still wear them around home. I could walk through water and they would dry really fast. I  would recommend them to other thru hikers. however I would switch to the lone peaks for the sierra's and switch back after Tuloume. If it where me. 

Vivobarefoot Ultra running shoes
$55 @ Amazon

Camp Shoes, these are barefoot running shoes. They are amphibious, good for river crossing. I've been wearing these to run in to help toughen up the feet. So far I like them a lot. 

Review: Haha I carried them over 1000 miles and wore them 2 times for 3 river crossings. I walked a mile in them on the trail. I worn them a few times in town like twice when I washed my shoes in the wash machine. Camp shoes what a joke. My hiking shoes where more  comfortable and I just started  to walk through any water with just my shoes on and walk dry. It was nice, kind of like icing your feet to bring the swelling down. ;) I don't recommend. 

Other stuff I carried that I would Hight recommend:

- dirty girl gators, just awesome, you need these to help keep your sanity. 
- Buff, so versatile. 
- Sea to summit long handle spoon. 
- Vagisil, yup vagisil. great for the chafe. I only had to chafe like 3 or 4 times. but when you got it you need Vagisil. 
- baby wipes for the butt, and wet ones (red or yellow package) for the hands and feet at night. eliminates smelly feet and butt. lol. I always carried enough to use freely and clean up before bed. 

Happy trails Class of 2015 may your journey be long and amazing. IF you only make it half way such as I did, you will still have the time of your life, and have memories you will keep with your forever.