My Appalachian Trail Gear List

One of a Billion AT Gear Lists on the Internet Today

All our stuff (minus food and water) for the next 4 months

If you search "backpacking gear list" on your preferred search engine (s/o to Ecosia, which donates 100% of its profits to organizations and nonprofits that focus on reforestation and is carbon negative; I've made it my default search engine on my phone and laptop and it does everything you need it to do but has better environmental contributions), you will find a million lists by a million people. Everyone has the basics - backpack, footwear, sleeping system, clothing, water filter, food storage - but that looks different to every hiker. Some hikers go ultralight, which means they carry what they need, only what they need, and the lightest version of those items. While I appreciate the minimalist approach, I do not currently partake in ultralight hiking because it doesn't make sense for me.

Here's my personal gear list for everything I will have with me for the duration of the hike:

(Links with a star next to them lead to affiliate links; that means that if you shop for gear through those links, I get a cut of the profit with no additional cost to you!)

Big 4 + Big 4 Adjacent

The Big 4 refers to the three essential items for backpacking: backpack, sleeping shelter, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad. Everything else serves a function, but either reinforces comfort or serves the same purpose during a day hike.

Pack

• Osprey Aura Anti-Gravity Backpack *

• Osprey Ultralight Pack Cover *

Sleep

• REI Co-op Half Dome 3 Tent *

• REI Co-op Joule 21

• Therm-a-rest NeoAir XLite - Short *

• Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil 20L Dry Sack *

Tip: Many of these items were purchased at REI's anniversary sale for a large discount. Because these items tend to be the most expensive part of a backpacking list, try to look for them on sale, or even secondhand! Facebook Marketplace often has good backpacking gear at low prices.

Clothing

When backpacking, you really just need one day-to-day outfit and some layers. I am bringing a few extra pieces for now because the weather in southern Georgia is going to be really unpredictable, and I'd rather send stuff home later than not have enough now.

Tops

• moisture-wicking short sleeved shirt

• moisture-wicking long-sleeved shirt

• sports bra

• Patagonia Lightweight Synchilla Snap T Fleece Pullover

• Marmot PreCip Jacket *

• Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket *

• pajama shirt

Bottoms

• REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants *

• Brooks Chaser 3" Running Shorts *

• underwear (x7) + baggie to separate clean from used

• pajama shorts

Footwear

• Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid Gore Tex Boots *

• Darn Tough Cushion Micro Crew socks * (x3)

• Teva Hurricane XLT sandals *

Head & Hands

• Sunski Makani polarized sunglasses *

• Buff *

• gloves

• beanie

Tip: This is absolutely the section in which you can get most items secondhand or use items you already have in your closet. My short-sleeved shirt, long-sleeved shirt, and sports bra were all thrifted and have been used for running for years, and many other items were acquired from depop (a secondhand clothing app), REI's used section, or Facebook Marketplace.

Food & Water

Except... not the actual food and water. I plan to cold-soak the whole trail, which means I won't be cooking anything, but rather filling a jar with dehydrated food and water and allowing it time to rehydrate my meals.

Food

• BearVault BV450 *

• Sea to Summit Spork *

• peanut butter jar

Water

• MSR Guardian Purifier Pump

• Katadyn Gravity BeFree Water Filtration System *

• Platypus 2L Reservoir *

• Contigo Autoseal 24oz Stainless Steel water bottle

Safety & Health

Contrary to popular belief, I promise I'm taking measures to ensure my safety and wellbeing.

Safety Items

• Garmin inReach *

• Energizer headlamp

• Black Diamond Trail Back Trekking Poles *

• Cold Steel Finn Bear Knife

• pepper spray

• face mask

Med Kit

• bandages

• ibuprofen

• antibiotic ointment

• alcohol wipes

• mole skin

• tweezers

• knee braces

• ACE wrap

• golf ball

• tick key

Tip: This section is highly personal to everyone's needs. I'm bringing knee braces because I've historically had knee issues, but plenty of people will do without. I'm hoping that very few of the items in my med kit will be used, but I'd rather have them and not need them than the other way around.

Toiletries

Not the most glamorous, but something that I'll use every day, so that's something.

• bamboo toothbrush

• toothpaste

• comb

• The Deuce Trowel

• toilet paper + baggie for used

• menstrual cup

• hand sanitizer

• lip balm

Tip: Again, this section is fairly personal for everybody, but I think bringing items like deodorant or body wash is futile. May as well embrace the nastiness rather than carry something that won't be used (and, even if used, won't be very effective). That's just me, anyway.

Electronics & Miscellaneous

Even though we'll be in the backcountry a lot of the time, we still will need a way to charge our phones and electronic devices when we get to town. Thru-hiking is so high tech these days...

• Garmin Forerunner 230 watch

• earbuds

• deck of cards

• paperback book

• journal

• pencil, pen, Sharpie

• foldable bluetooth keyboard

• iPhone charger

• watch charger

• micro USB charger

• battery bank

• extra set of AAA batteries

Tip: Since we'll be spending a lot of time at camp, we want to have a lot of options for things to do. Even though hiking is going to take up a good chunk of the day, we want to focus on how the end of the day will be spent as well. We're not sure how many people we'll meet, but we know that we like to play cards, journal, and read, so we're bringing stuff to do that. Again, if we're not using anything, we can just send it home later!

Final Takeaway

Gear is wildly expensive and wildly subjective. Just because I'm using it doesn't mean it's what you should use. Just because I'm using it now doesn't mean I will always use it. Just because I'm using it doesn't mean it will even work for me. I've only been backpacking a few times, so I'm sure there will be lots that I learn and upgrade as I go along. Time will tell!

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