Are you seeking to wow the thru-hiker in your life with a platinum-level backpacking gear present this vacation season? We’re right here to assist. Every of those high-end backpacking gear morsels is certain to be a winner with the one you love. As a result of generally it’s important to both go large or go dwelling.
That is our present information for objects over $300, however assist the one you love gear up for his or her subsequent large journey at any funds:
Enlightened Gear Enigma Quilt
- MSRP: $270-$630
- Weight: 9-34 oz
- Temp score: 0-50°F
- Insulation: 850 or 950 fill-power goose down
Enlightened Gear is nearly synonymous with high quality, ultralight thru-hiking quilts, and the Enigma isn’t any exception. The Enigma is similar to EE’s beloved Revelation quilt, besides it has a totally sewn footbox (versus the Revelation’s drawstring fashion) to maximise heat. Like most EE merchandise, it’s absolutely customizable: you select the temperature score, dimensions, cloth, fill energy, and different options so that you get the precise product you need. Like most bespoke merchandise, it takes some time to get your quilt after ordering, so put your order in a month or two forward of time (inventory quilts ship sooner). And like all EE quilts, the Enigma is on the market with artificial insulation.
Learn our evaluation of the Enlightened Gear Enigma quilt.
READ NEXT — Gear Wars: Quilts Vs. Sleeping Bag
Gossamer Gear The Two
- MSRP: $320
- Weight: 23.5 oz
- Materials: Silnylon
This coveted ultralight tent weighs solely a pound and a half. However its palatial inside dimensions can have you questioning how the legal guidelines of physics may enable such a factor to be actual. Silnylon development helps Gossamer Gear maintain The Two ridiculously inexpensive regardless of being some of the succesful shelters on the market.
“I extremely advocate this tent for any hiker who’s seeking to begin shaving their base weight, with out breaking the financial institution.” — Katie Kommer
Learn our evaluation of The Two right here.
READ NEXT — Find out how to Select a Tent for Via-Mountain climbing
Patagonia Storm10 Rain Jacket (Ladies’s | Males’s)
- MSRP: $329
- Weight: 7.4 ozgirls’s | 8.3 ozmen’s
“The Patagonia Storm10 Rain Jacket is a featherweight, weatherproof jacket that doesn’t skimp on the bells and whistles. I cherished this jacket as a result of it nonetheless maintained its spectacular ultralight standing, whereas additionally providing a modern design full with an adjustable hood, backpack-compatible pockets, and adjustable cuffs. Plus, it even stuffs right down to the scale of a 21-ounce Hydro Flask, which I discovered mighty spectacular.” — Ariella Nardizzi
Learn our evaluation of the Storm10 Jacket right here.
- MSRP: $350
- Battery life: 45hrs of full GPS; 17 days common use
The battery lifetime of the Coros APEX 2 is what units this GPS-enabled watch other than the competitors. For those who’re on the lookout for a tool to trace your exercises or thru-hike, then think about slapping this watch in your wrist. By some means the complete function set, together with GPS monitoring, music, health metrics, offline maps, and industry-leading battery life all suits right into a pleasingly modern bundle.
READ NEXT — Which GPS Watch is Greatest for Via-Mountain climbing?
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 Down Hoodie (Ladies’s | Males’s)
- MSRP: $360
- Weight: 7.8 ozgirls’s | 8.8 ozmen’s
- Insulation: 800 fill-power goose down
Not solely does it have a dope title, however the Ghost Whisperer stands out as one of many lightest puffy jackets available on the market. The hooded model is just a few tenths of an oz heavier than its hoodless counterpart. We predict the numerous added heat of the hood justifies that nominal enhance in weight. For thru-hikers who worth weight financial savings, this puffy is the gold customary.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40
Hyperlight Mountain Gear has been some of the widespread backpack producers amongst thru-hikers for a number of years now. Their über-popular Southwest line of backpacks has stood the check of time, and has confirmed repeatedly that HMG gear is prepared for something. The model’s latest backpack, the Unbound builds on that strong basis, making actual enhancements on a traditional.
“HMG did a terrific job with the Unbound 40. It’s simply my favourite of their backpack choices, largely due to the improved facet pockets. Nevertheless, nearly all the opposite variations between this pack and their others (Junction, Southwest, and Windrider) are enhancements in my guide as effectively. Whereas all of the tweaks are comparatively minor, they make a noticeable distinction day-after-day when within the backcountry. HMG sought to construct a pack for thru-hikers, and so they succeeded.” — Owen Eigenbrot
Learn our evaluation of the Unbound 40 right here.
MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoe (Ladies’s | Males’s)
- MSRP: $390
- Weight: 4 lb. 3 oz. – 4 lb. 12 oz.
- Max Load: 220-280 lb.
Snowshoes for thru-hikers? You betcha. Granted, solely a choose few are diehard sufficient to aim a full-on thru-hike within the snowy depths of winter. However even when your thru-hiker can’t use these unhealthy boys on their lengthy path of alternative, chances are high they’ll need to maintain the magic going after they get dwelling. These rugged backcountry snowshoes are mild, grippy, and featured sufficient for steep, variable terrain, even within the deepest snow. Good for four-season adventures.
Wish to be taught extra? We wrote a evaluation of the Lightning Ascents to your studying pleasure.
Zpacks Arc Haul Extremely 60L (Ladies’s | Males’s)
- MSRP: $399
- Weight: 21 oz
- Quantity: 47L fundamental pocket, 13L outer pockets
Zpacks changed the outdated gridstop Arc Haul with the extra sturdy, barely lighter Arc Haul Extremely in 2022. Ultralight stays present secure weight switch from shoulders to hips, whereas the Lycra again panel retains the pack suspended off your again for airflow — a lot wanted throughout scorching or humid hikes. The pack doesn’t have hip belt pockets (boo!) however will be personalized with non-obligatory add-ons like a hip belt pouch or fanny pack. Zpacks’ suspension system continues to impress. The Arc Haul Extremely carries weight extraordinarily effectively for one thing so mild: 40 kilos of carrying capability in a scant 22-ounce bundle is tough to argue with.
Learn our evaluation of the Arc Haul Extremely 60L right here.
Large Agnes Tiger Wall UL1 Tent
- MSRP: $400
- Weight: 34 oz
- Materials: Silnylon
There’s a motive Large Agnes is among the most distinguished names within the backpacking tent market: their shelters are light-weight, sturdy, and designed right down to the final element. The Tiger Wall builds on Large Anes’ widespread Fly Creek mannequin with a crosspiece that provides ample headroom whereas protecting the tent’s weight effectively in hand. Via-hikers love this tent after a protracted day on the path. It’s dependable, easy to arrange, and luxuriously snug.
Arc’teryx Cerium Down Hoodie (Ladies’s | Males’s)
- MSRP: $400
- Weight: 10.2 ozgirls’s | 11.8 ozmen’s
- Insulation: 850 fill-power goose down
Arc’teryx is way from the most cost effective title in backpacking attire. However the price ticket is justifiable when you think about the premium supplies, meticulous design, and well-executed development of every garment. For example, this jacket encompasses a beneficiant serving to of premium 850-fill down with artificial insulation included in moisture-prone areas (armpits, cuffs, hood, and many others.).
Garmin InReach Mini 2
- MSRP: $400
- Weight: 3.5 oz.
The InReach Mini graces many a thru-hiker shoulder strap — peace of thoughts in a compact, 3.5-ounce bundle. We love that Garmin makes use of the dependable Iridium satellite tv for pc community to grant hikers full connectivity even after they’re miles away from the faintest cell sign. Not like another GPS beacons, the InReach allows two-way textual content communication so you’ll be able to keep in contact along with your family members. It additionally has useful options like climate forecasting and, in fact, superior navigation.
“It is perhaps on the costly facet for a present, however can you actually put a price ticket on the peace of thoughts you’ve figuring out a cherished one is secure? Offers you the power to contact dwelling or search and rescue wherever you may must.” — Moose Juice
Katabatic Gear Flex 22 Ultralight Quilt
- MSRP: $360-$465
- Weight: 21-26 oz
- Insulation: 850 or 900 fill-power down
For those who’re on the lookout for a quilt that may nearly do all of it, Katabatic Gear’s Flex 22 is a good alternative for the whole lot that three-season backpacking can throw at you. With a deal with high-quality development and materials, Katabatic quilts are a few of the most sturdy and comfy ultralight quilts available on the market, and their temperature rankings are constantly rated as conservative. To not point out, the pad attachment system is among the finest within the biz.
“I feel Katabatic makes a few of the finest quilts available on the market. Their Flex sequence is a good choice for these seeking to lengthen a single quilt throughout a wide variety of circumstances. The considerate design and efficient pad system are value the additional value over a few of the cheaper opponents, for my part.” — GPS
Learn our evaluation of the Flex 22 right here.
- MSRP: $430
- Weight: 35 oz
- Materials: Silnylon
The Hornet has a flexible footprint and may match into tighter areas than a few of the broader pitches. That is technically a semi-freestanding tent (just like the Tiger Wall) versus having all corners of the tent arrange with poles. You’ll need to stake out the footbox for a full pitch. The design is total much like the BA Tiger Wall, however the Hornet makes use of particular proprietary materials and shaves a few ounces because of its cut-out fly design. The Hornet was up to date in 2023 with Nemo’s proprietary Osmo cloth, a ripstop nylon and polyester composite that’s presupposed to be extra waterproof and fewer more likely to sag when moist.
Therm-a-Relaxation Parsec 0 Sleeping Bag
- MSRP: $529
- Weight: 38 oz
- Insulation: 800 fill-power goose down
Trek Author Colleen Goldhorn says, “I assumed I used to be destined to all the time be chilly when winter tenting. This bag has opened up so many doorways when it comes to having a snug evening’s sleep in chilly, snowy circumstances and has given me the arrogance to increase my tenting and backpacking season into the snowier months. I can’t say sufficient good issues about this bag – it’s extremely heat and stuffed with Nikwax hydrophobic down.” Learn her evaluation of the Therm-a-Relaxation Parsec.
Zpacks Plex Solo Tent
- MSRP: $599
- Weight: 13.9 oz
- Materials: DCF
The Plex Solo is among the lightest, absolutely enclosed tents you’ll discover anyplace. It definitely isn’t low-cost, however the fancy DCF materials is tough to beat for stormworthiness and lowering weight. The small footprint additionally helps this factor nestle into tight spots, and the single-pole development makes it one of many best trekking pole shelters to pitch alone.
“After sleeping on this tent for roughly 100 nights throughout my NOBO thru-hike of the AT, I can verify that it’s superior and sturdy. It was simple to pitch in small locations, saved me protected by way of some horrendous downpours, and was total a pleasure to make use of. A mouse nibbled a gap by way of the bug mesh, however aside from that, the Plex Solo has carried out flawlessly and has many nights left within the tank.” — Owen Eigenbrot
Learn our evaluation of the Plex Solo right here.
Feathered Mates Swallow UL 20 Sleeping Bag
- MSRP: $629
- Weight: 27 oz
- Temp score: 20°F
- Insulation: 950+ fill-power goose down
You will have observed that this sleeping bag is on the upper finish of the value spectrum for… something? Hear us out. Feathered Mates is among the high names in sleeping baggage and down merchandise usually. Their title is just about synonymous with glorious high quality. This proper right here is the Ferrari of sleeping baggage. Insulated with 16.7 ounces of a few of the highest high quality down cash should purchase, the Swallow earns constant rave evaluations for its light-weight, plushy heat and considerate design options.
Learn our evaluation of the Swallow UL 20 right here.
Garmin fenix 7 Multisport GPS Watch
- MSRP: $650
- Battery life: As much as 57 hours in GPS mode
Garmin’s GPS watches come outfitted with health options like coronary heart charge monitoring, in addition to navigation options like topo maps, GPS monitoring, altimeter, barometer, and compass. Not solely is the bottom mannequin extraordinarily succesful, however there are various completely different variations, which function a mishmash of upgrades together with bigger shows, longer battery life, photo voltaic recharging, and extra sturdy screens:
ZPacks Duplex Tent
- MSRP: $669
- Weight: 19 oz
- Materials: DCF
You might say the Duplex is the quintessential UL thru-hiking tent. This single-walled trekking pole shelter is about as mild because it will get and spacious sufficient to accommodate a pair or one very luxurious thru-hiker. Slicing-edge Dyneema cloth is sturdy, ultralight, and waterproof. Zpacks now additionally gives a Duplex with zippered doorways as effectively.
Trek Author Rachel Shoemaker says, “I used to be actually hesitant pre-trip (PCT) with whether or not I ought to fork out the money for the Duplex. What actually appealed to me, although, was the assure that I’d by no means have to fret about its efficiency within the rain (DCF is legit) and the way extremely roomy (and lightweight) it’s. Because it seems, I don’t remorse going with the Duplex one bit—it held up SO effectively on the PCT, and I’m hoping to proceed utilizing it for a lot of journeys to come back.”
Learn our evaluation of the Duplex right here.
Disclosure: Most of the merchandise reviewed on this website, together with a few of the above, had been offered without spending a dime for the aim of evaluation. This listing was initially revealed on 12/7/20. It was up to date on 11/24/21 by Kelly Floro, after which once more on 11/23/23 by Owen Eigenbrot.
Featured picture: Graphic design by Chris Helm.
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