Zpacks Arc Zip Backpack – Halfway into my AT thru-hike, and 20 pounds leaner, my traditional Osprey pack no longer fit my waist. I upgraded to the Zpacks Arc Zip and never looked back. Sturdy lumbar support with air ventilation, interchangeable hip belts, easy top and front access, water-resistant, deep accessory pockets… the list goes on and on. Zpacks keeps upgrading the material/design, and it’s not the cheapest option, but this pack is the only one you’ll ever need/want. For big trip or small, this is my go-to pack.

Enlightened Equipment Revelation Top Quilt and Revolt Underquilt – Whether sleeping on the ground or in the air, I am all in on the quilt sleeping strategy. The design is incredibly versatile – it can lie open wide like a blanket, wrap around you with clasps like a traditional mummy bag, or even attach snug to your air mattress with no draft. The matching underquilt hugs the outside of my hammock for a toasty night’s sleep without CBS (cold butt syndrome). Plenty of colors and down fill options to choose from, and it’s a Minnesota-based company.

Dutchware Gear Chameleon Hammock – This modular all-in-one hammock design launched just before my 2018 hike and has been my go-to sleep system ever since. Beloved for its customizable and interchangeable options (various material choices, bug net, top cover, gear sling, integrated underquilt, etc.), it can handle any terrain on the trail. Paired with Dutch’s poly straps, beetle buckles, and some DIY whoopie slings, I’m good to sway between any trees at any campsite.

UGQ Winterdream Tarp – Few things bring more pride than jealousy among other hikers for one’s chosen gear. Meet the Winterdream. After 2 weeks of pummeling rain on the AT, this hammock tarp convinced 2 people to place a rush order and replace their own. The snap-shut doors keep any weather from disturbing sleep, and pitches as a tent with hiking poles if in a pinch. Paired with a ridgeline, guylines, and 6 MSR mini ground hog stakes, and my storm-proof setup is complete.  I also love UGQ’s Hanger 12 (no doors) for a lighter version on shorter trips.

Merrell MTL Long Sky 2 – I hiked the AT primarily in Salomon X-Mission 3 trail running shoes, which I loved, but have since been discontinued. Until a good Salamon replacement comes out, I’ve switched to these Merrells. Breathable mesh but reinforced toe corner, gaiter D-rings, and other features make it a great alternative.

LEKI Cressida Cork Light Poles – I thought I could get by without trekking poles for the AT… and then bought these 4 days in to the hike. Don’t be stubborn and naive like me – get good poles and your body will thank you. Cork handles are perfect for comfort, and the women’s version comes in a few ounces lighter if you’re a gram weenie.

ZPacks Pack Cover – I got this used and on sale, but if you feel like spending $85, packs matching rain cover fits well at 1.5 ounces. I also like the Seat to Summit ultra-sil model for less than half the price. Or if you trust your pack’s waterproof material, recommend the Sea to Summit ultra-sil dry bag as a pack liner instead.

Outdoor Research Helium II – Extremely light at under 6 ounces, but the trade-off is a lack of pit zips to ventilate your armpits. OR replaced my Helium II with this Helium UL model, which is a solid upgrade, but I wouldn’t recommend spending $225 if you have a cheaper alternative.

Enlightened Equipment Rain Wrap – A rain skirt is a game-changer. Don’t be fooled into buying rain pants, these are all you need and weigh less than 2 ounces. I fold it up in my breast pocket of my rain jacket and toss it around my waist as needed, cinching the drawcord and buttoning down the side.

Smartwool Merino Wool Sun Hoodie – I’m all in on merino wool… it is worth its weight in gold. Although costly, this material’s moisture management, temperature regulation and odor resistance will limit you looking and smelling like hiker trash. I upgraded from the t-shirt, for the long sleeves and head cover that are perfect for any day’s hike, hot or cold, at a fractional weight increase.

Patagonia Altiva Light Alpine Pants – Big retail brands change models often, so the closest current equivalent is the Terravia line. These are extremely lightweight and stretchy, warm but breathable, and comfortable for daily wear. On warmer trips, I’ll leave these at home and just use shorts from my secondary clothing.

Smartwool Merino Wool Briefs – See everything I said above about the sun hoodie and multiple times 10 for boxer briefs. Expensive, but worth every penny.

Darn Tough Hiker Quarter Midweight Wool Socks – With an “unconditional guarantee for life”, Darn Toughs were made for thru-hikers. I witnessed many hikers drop a mangled sock on an outfitter’s counter and walk out with a free replacement pair on the spot.

Dirty Girl Gaiters – Other brands thought they knew what was needed for gaiters, other brands were wrong. Dirty Girls are lightweight (1 oz), durable, and the perfect height to keep trail debris, bugs, and weather out of your boot. The front d-ring clip and velcro back keeps them in place perfectly without hassle.

Patagonia R1 Fleece Pullover Hoody – This really should be primary clothing, as I either wear it or wrap it around my waist every day. But this checks all the boxes for my cold-weather layering, and can allow me to often leave a puff jacket at home (thus moving my puffy to the luxury item category). Very warm, yet ventilable for airflow (yes, that’s a word). Tight-fitting hood acts like a balaclava, thumbholes, and moisture-wicking material.

REI Co-Op Lightweight Base Layer Top and Bottoms – Don’t overthink thermals too much. I like REI Co-Op brand because they are affordable and reliable. People will suggest a quarter-zip top, but I prefer crew-neck because I almost never wear this hiking. These are meant for night/sleep-wear or early-start-of-day-wear (before hiking body heat causes me to quickly shed the layer).

Smartool Merino 150 T-Shirt – I’m back to pushing the brilliance of Merino Wool. Although the Sun Hoody is now my daily hiker, this is still the night/sleep-wear or backup hiking shirt as needed. I wore this shirt for 5 months straight on the AT and still pack it. Don’t question the price – the odor-resistance value is priceless.

Nike Dri=FIT Unlined Running Shorts – Queue the debate! Traditional hiking pants, convertible zip-off shorts, running shorts with long underwear underneath… what to choose?! No wrong answers here, leg coverings are very personal. I just want a light-weight short (without liner!) to wear if it’s too hot for pants. You will too. Bonus, they double-dip as a swimsuit and dry extremely fast.

BRS-3000T Ultra-Light Stove – You can spend $100 on a Jetboil, $50 on an MSR Pocket Rocket, or $15 on the BRS. And wouldn’t you know it? They all boil water in roughly the same amount of time. I threw out my DIY alcohol stove for this 1 oz gem halfway through the AT, and it’s still snug in my pot today.

Keith Ti3209 900ml Titanium Mug – I am oddly specific in requirements for my pot. Must be big enough to hold a packet of ramen and small enough to double as a coffee cup. Have a lid that does not snap on, so it can be easily removed. Include a handle, but no rubber grips. And it must be titanium. Lots of pots fit that mold, and I keep trying to replace this with others, but always come back to my tried and true.

Zpacks Glacial Gear Wool Trail Rag – Some people like to double-dip a headband/buff as a camp towel, but I like to keep food smells with food items. This 10″ hand towel weighs half an ounce and can clean my pot, face, and hands after a good meal.

MSR Folding Spork – Eating utensils are a dime a dozen, but it usually comes down to a good, long spork. MSR’s plastic version is flimsier than other titanium or wooden cousins, but the fact that it folds in half is why I keep it around. I like having everything for my pot… fit inside my pot.

Swiss Army Classic SD – I don’t carry a knife for protection, wittling, or anything beyond the most basic needs. The Classic SD has all the essentials in the smallest package. If I feel like splurging for another 0.5 ounces, I’ll pack the one with a nail clipper instead.

Katahdin BeFree Water Filter – I started with Aquamira water treatment drops but got sick of waiting 15 minutes to drink. The bottles also leaked and burned a hole in my backpack (what the heck were they doing to my insides?!). The BeFree filter has not chlorine taste, no fear of burning my insides, and takes minimal pressure compared to a Sawyer Squeeze.

HydraPak Seeker 2L Water Container – Paired with the BeFree, this collapsable reservoir filters quickly and cleanly. This is my dirty water container, used to squeeze fresh, filtered water into a clean vessel for drinking.

M!GO Water Bottle – For drinking, I normally just bring a SmartWater bottle or two, but noticed brands are starting to make their own durable versions of that style. I like this one by Mazama for the screw top that makes it easier to clean.

iPhone 17 Pro – Do you really need me to tell you why to bring a phone? The camera is better than any SLR, GoPro, or point-and-shoot on the market for these purposes. I paired my phone with a waterproof case on the AT but that was overkill, any shock-proof case to protect from drops will do. This does come in orange though…

Nitecore NU25 UL Headlamp – Unless you are into night hiking (I’m not), a headlamp is more of a luxury item. If I need to light around camp at night, a cell phone does fine. But the NU25 is only 1.6 ounces, so I pack it just to be safe.

Nitecore NB10000 Gen 3 Power Bank – 10,000 mAhs can supply 3-4 good phone charges. That’s more than enough for a week on the trail, if you conserve battery with airplane and low-power modes during the day. It is ultra slim, ultra lightweight, fast charging, and has 2 ports.

JOBY GripTight Micro Stand – I don’t think they make this anymore, but this tiny Joby phone stand is a fun lightweight accessory for photography while solo. It folds up to the size of your thumb when not in use, and pairs well with a StickPick trekking pole attachment I use for walking videos.

Ailkin High Speed 2-Port USB Charger – You may not think a choice in wall charger matters, but hear me out. Fast charge for quick town stops, dual-port for phone + whatever, and you can prop your phone on top while it’s charging so it doesn’t dangle to the floor. A+ product design for hikers.

ACR ResQLink PLB-375 – There are plenty of more popular GPS locator devices, and most these days can also send transmissions. But ACR doesn’t require a subscription fee and the battery is good for years. This is my pack it and forget it item to ease the mind of loved ones.

Sea to Summit Mosquito Head Net – They didn’t have a permethrin-soaked one when I bought it, but that is a nice improvement. If you cowboy camp, summit any of the Presidential peaks in the White Mountains, or really decide to hike in the Northeast anytime in the summer, be glad you have this 1 oz. lifesaver.

Ben’s 100 Max Formula DEET – And for every other part of your body, there is Ben’s 100. A fingernail-size amount dabbed on exposed neck and limbs is enough for hours of protection. Though you may want to avoid reading the very scary warning label.

Mini Dropper Bottles – I love these tiny containers for all my camp liquids. On a weekend trip, 0.33 ounces is plenty. I fill one with Banana Boat SPF 30, another with Dr. Bonner’s Unscented Liquid Soap, and the tiny 0.2 ouncer with toothpaste.

Bodyglide Original Anti-Chafe Balm – Nothing worse than starting off on 10 miles of hiking to realize the chaffing is too much to bear. A little bit of this between the thighs in the morning and there’s nothing to worry about. A must-have for the first few weeks of any thru-hike.

Pickleball – You just walked all day and your feet are killing you. Kick off your boots and roll your arches on the hard plastic polymer of America’s favorite new sport ball. It’s light as a feather, durable enough to withstand one’s body weight, and delivers the euphoric massage you crave.

First Aid Kit – A small ziplock bag with a couple of basic items. I’m not packing worries like having to splint a broken limb, just the basics to deal with scrapes and bruises. Bandaids, Leukotape, Alcohol Pads, Ointment, tweezer, etc.

Med Kit – A few days worth of the essentials for my common ailments in the woods. Ibuprofen, Zyrtec, Tylenol PM, Imodium, Prednisone, After Bite, and a prescription asthma inhaler.

Repair Kit – Nothing fancy, if something breaks down, I will deal with it (or without it). For everything else, there’s Duct Tape, needle & thread, paperclips, safety pins, tiny clips/toggles, velcro, ziplock baggies, rubber bands, and a plastic kitchen garbage bag.

Toiletry Kit – A travel toothbrush, travel floss, foam earplugs, Chapstick lip balm with SPF, toilet paper, trowel, water bottle bidet attachment (IYKYK), and a stuff sack to hold them.

Closed Foam 4-panel Sit Pad – Weighs less than 1 ounce and is the soft difference between a relaxing break and a painful rest. I’ll usually bring for a seat or a pillow, given just how convenient and versatile it is.

Brunton ECHO Zoom Pocket Monocular – For that moment you think you spot a grizzly up on the ridge… but aren’t quite sure. At just 3.5 ounces and 30x zoom, sometimes it’s nice to see more than a grainy, pixelated photo.

Zpacks Ultralight Camp Shoes – I’ve tried a half-dozen different camp shoes. And as much as I think I want them, they usually just become wasted space and weight. Water crossings and night wear work just fine with my normal hiking shoes. These fold flat and barely weigh more than 2 ounces, so I’m giving them a try… for now.

Tarptent ProTrail – it doesn’t happen often, but if I know there aren’t going to be trees, I will swap my hammock and tarp out for an ultralight trekking pole tent. I like the Durston X-Mid 2 or Zpacks Duplex as well, but I use the ProTrail for its sleek design, high durability, and low ground pitch.

Nemo Tensor Regular – If I’m sleeping in a tent or a shelter, I like to have an ultralight pad to go with it. Picked up this Nemo in Damascus after a month on the AT, and still toss it in the pack today when needed.

Alpenblow Micro Inflator – Has any product line seen more innovation in the 21st century than sleeping pad inflators? This little 3D-printed gem is brilliant, plugs into your phone, and fills your pad in seconds.

Waterproof Terrain Ankle Socks – These really do work, and are better than any other waterproof socks on the market I’ve seen. If you are planning to walk through rain for multiple days, this may help.

Missouri Meerschaum Country Gentleman – Is there evern a better feeling than kicking off your boots after a long day of hiking and having a smoke from a corn cob pipe? No, the answer is no.