Though not talked about frequently by thru hikers, gear does play an essential role on trail. Having the right gear on a thru hike can make all the difference in your comfort, ability to cover miles, and even tends to affect your mental attitude! Walking day in and day out with so little, really allows you to appreciate the gear that works well for you, or despise what doesn’t. What follows is some of my favorite gear that I recently used on my Continental Divide Trail (CDT) thru hike. I leave the video to do most of the explanation, but I’ll put the links to the gear after the video so you can check it out yourself.
CDT Gear:
- DIY Quilt: No link here (sorry), however, I am building a new quilt now and will have an instructional video for you eventually! The one mentioned here has been used on the PCT as well. It is 900 fp down with a water repellant coating.
- Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Hooded Down Jacket: http://amzn.to/1lS1kDW
- Leki Thermolite Argon Trekking Poles: http://amzn.to/1NID5CY This is a slightly newer version of what I have. Really though, most of Leki’s line of poles are great, give them all a look before settling in on this exact model. There are certainly lighter ones and carbon models if you can afford them.
- Snow Peak Trek 700 Pot: http://amzn.to/1lS29g8
- Snow Peak Litemax Stove: http://amzn.to/1lS2gs9
- Darn Tough 1/4 Merino Cushion Hiking Sock: http://amzn.to/1lS2oI3
- La Sportiva Wildcat Trail Running Shoes: http://amzn.to/1lS2xet
- Patagonia Capilene 4 Long Sleeve Crew Zip: http://amzn.to/1NIEWIe
- Patagonia Capilene 4 Long Johns: http://www.rei.com/product/884927/patagonia-capilene-thermal-weight-long-underwear-bottoms-mens
- North Face Brimmer Hat: http://amzn.to/21S2Hna
- Petzl Tikka XP 2 Headlamp: http://amzn.to/21S34OI This is a link to the headlamp I own (minus the rechargeable battery pack which I cannot find anywhere!). Give it a look, but know that Petzl has since updated their headlamp line with better options. I would look into their new rechargeable headlamp if I were to get a new one.
- Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter: http://amzn.to/1U8jtJH Simply the best.
- Optimus Titanium Long Handled Spoon: http://amzn.to/21S3vIT Spoons don’t get much better than this.
- Mini Bic Lighter: http://amzn.to/1U8k7Xr
- Thermarest Neoair X-Lite Sleeping Pad: http://amzn.to/21S3PHm So much comfort…
- Columbia Silver Ridge Long Sleeve Shirt: http://amzn.to/21S3WCS
- DIY Tarp: No link here again 🙁 . Check out some cottage gear companies for lightweight tarps.
- Granite Gear Crown VC 60 Backpack: http://amzn.to/1NII9r8 Can’t recommend this pack enough. Two thru hikes!
- Granite Gear Air Zipsack 16L Foodbag: http://amzn.to/1NIIs5a
- Tenkara USA Sato Fly Rod: http://amzn.to/1NIIFVX The only way to fish on trail.
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