When I first received into thru-hiking again in 2017, I used to be underneath the impression that when to procure all of your gear, you have been set for all times. Earlier than 2017 I had by no means gone backpacking. I went into my native REI and spent effectively over $1,500 on gear. I wanted all the pieces: a backpack, a tent, a sleeping bag, a sleeping pad, footwear, and all the little odds and ends as effectively.
On the time I believed that this gear would final me perpetually. It felt like an funding on this new interest. However as I continued thru-hiking over time and the miles started so as to add up, I noticed that almost all mountain climbing gear isn’t meant to final multiple thru-hike. Many objects gained’t even maintain up for that lengthy.
All of my gear “pack-sploded” on the town on the CDT. Proven is my Pa’lante Desert pack, stuff sacks, Zpacks tent and meals bag, and Topo footwear.
After my first lengthy hike in 2017, I didn’t go on one other 1,000+ mile stroll till 2022, once I launched into the PCT for the second time. This time I received a brand new backpack and tent and another ultralight gear to considerably lower my pack weight.
As soon as once more, I believed that every one of those purchases have been effectively price it as a result of I might have this gear “perpetually.” Most of that new gear did survive your complete Pacific Crest Path in 2022.
It wasn’t till the next 12 months, because the miles added up on the Japanese Continental Path (ECT), that lots of these objects started failing. But regardless of the lengthy miles, there have been nonetheless many items of drugs that I had had your complete time and that have been nonetheless going robust.
It was round that point that I started realizing that, whereas some gear can’t maintain up for multiple thru-hike, different items are extra hardy.
9 Lives, Sidequest, and me on the CDT. Utilizing among the gear that I’ve put 1000’s of miles on!
In 2024, I accomplished my Triple Crown of thru-hiking. I’ve now hiked the PCT, AT, and CDT — together with some extra miles as effectively. And a few of my gear really survived your complete Triple Crown!
After years of thru-hiking and finishing over 12,000 miles, I’m right here to inform you which gear objects held up for your complete Triple Crown. And which objects have been in a position to maintain up for a number of trails. Climbing gear is extremely costly, so figuring out which objects may provide an extended life is vital on the subject of saving cash as a thru-hiker.
Drying out all of my gear after a flash flood. You’ll be able to see my Zpacks Plex Solo tent, quilt, and sleeping pad.
11,000 – 12,000+ Miles: The Gear That Survived the Triple Crown and Past
Petzl Headlamp With Rechargeable Battery
I’ve been utilizing the identical headlamp for over 12,000 miles. It was the very first headlamp I ever purchased, again in 2017 earlier than my first thru-hike. It at all times held cost effectively and had sufficient battery to outlive even day after day of evening mountain climbing. Even on nights once I walked for 10+ hours in the dead of night, it nonetheless had battery left afterwards.
Initially, my headlamp got here with AAA batteries, which I changed in each city. However over time I noticed it might be cheaper and simpler to get a chargeable battery piece. I nonetheless have this headlamp as we speak and it really works as nice because it did on the day that I purchased it.
Sporting my Petzl headlamp on high of Mt Huge, the 2nd highest level within the Rocky Mountains, Colorado.
Anker 20000 Energy Financial institution
In 2017 on my first thru-hike, I didn’t even deliver an influence financial institution with me. That was how inexperienced I used to be on the time. As a substitute, I simply used my telephone as little as potential and introduced a digital digital camera for images. After I received to city, that was my alternative to cost up.
In 2022, I lastly realized how vital a charging financial institution was. I bought the Anker 20000 energy financial institution due to its preferrred stability cost retention, charging pace, and weight.
Over time I’ve watched many hikers have points with their Nitecore energy banks failing randomly. However my Anker 20000 energy financial institution survived your complete time. Solely this 12 months, once I was caught in a flash flood on the CDT, did this energy financial institution lastly die. And that’s solely as a result of it was absolutely submerged in water for a protracted whereas. Apart from that, this energy financial institution held up by way of 11,000 miles.
The brand new 20000 Anker energy financial institution that I had to purchase after the flash flood. However the older mannequin is definitely my favourite. It holds cost for much longer and weighs a bit much less.
Zpacks Plex Solo Tent
On the PCT in 2017, I used a barely heavier freestanding tent. In 2022, I made a decision to make a serious improve and buy the Zpacks Plex Solo tent, which is a DCF one-person tent weighing 13 ounces.
I learn on-line that oftentimes, DCF tents solely maintain up for one thru-hike. However after mountain climbing your complete PCT, my tent was nonetheless going robust. I saved utilizing it all through your complete 5,600-mile Japanese Continental path in 2023. On the end of that path the tent was nonetheless having no points and labored completely. So I introduced it out this previous 12 months on the Continental Divide Path.
The Plex Solo is fairly costly if you first have a look at the worth. However contemplating that it held up for 11,000 miles, I feel the worth is effectively price it. Solely in direction of the tip of the CDT did I begin noticing small pinholes forming within the DCF. I might be retiring the tent this 12 months, however it held out for for much longer than I might have ever anticipated. $600 might appear to be some huge cash to spend on a tent, but when you’ll be able to use it for three-plus lengthy thru-hikes, it’s actually definitely worth the cash.
My Zpacks Plex Solo tent on the CDT. By this level, I had already put over 10,000 miles on this tent.
MSR PocketRocket Range
On my first ever thru-hike, I really used a white gasoline range. Which may be good in sure areas and climate however is reasonably cumbersome and complex to make use of. On the PCT in 2022, I switched to the MSR PocketRocket when my white gasoline range failed.
The PocketRocket within reason priced and pretty light-weight. And even after utilizing it each single day, typically greater than as soon as per day, for your complete Triple Crown, it nonetheless works.
You could find barely cheaper off-brand fashions on-line. However I don’t suppose it might essentially be price it in the long term. My MSR range was clearly a top quality piece of drugs, and it stood the check of time. Even after 11,000 miles, the range nonetheless works completely with none points.
Cooking dinner utilizing my MSR PocketRocket range.
REI Joule Sleeping Bag*
After I first received into thru-hiking in 2017, I bought the REI Joule sleeping bag. It isn’t the lightest bag available on the market, however it was fairly inexpensive and labored completely for me. I wound up utilizing it for my total 1,300-mile hike in 2017. Then I used it once more on your complete PCT in 2022. I even used it for the primary 4,000 miles of the Japanese Continental Path in 2023. After that I converted to a extra ultralight quilt, which saved me numerous weight and lot of area in my backpack.
However again in 2017, as a brand new thru-hiker who wished an inexpensive bag that would stand up to massive mileage and nonetheless be pretty gentle, the Joule was excellent. It’s nonetheless in nice form even after utilizing it for greater than 7,000 miles. The one motive I ended utilizing it was as a result of I wished to attempt a lighter and smaller quilt.
Personally, I desire the extra ultralight quilts these days. However once I was nonetheless stepping into backpacking, a conventional mummy bag labored excellent for me.
*Ed. observe: The REI Joule has, sadly, been discontinued. Sigh. The Magma is REI’s present line of down backpacking mummy baggage.
3,000 – 6,000 Miles: The Gear That Survived 1 – 2 Via-Hikes
Despite the fact that a handful of my gear objects survived your complete Triple Crown (and extra), that’s not typical for all backpacking gear. Many items will solely maintain out for one or two thru-hikes, tops. That doesn’t imply that these objects are poor high quality — surviving one lengthy thru-hike, not to mention two, continues to be fairly an accomplishment!
Most backpacking gear is just not made with the intention of holding up for over 3,000 miles. I had many improbable items of drugs that held out for 3,000 – 6,000 miles. Which is sort of a protracted life contemplating the wear and tear and tear that thru-hikers put their gear by way of when utilizing it each single day for months on finish.
Therm-a-Relaxation NeoAir Xlite Inflatable Sleeping Pad
I’ve most likely gone by way of seven or eight sleeping pads throughout my thru-hiking profession. In my expertise, you usually have to switch your sleeping pad 1-2 occasions on a protracted hike. That is normally due to the pad getting punctured by some type of plant or natural materials alongside the path. Oftentimes you will discover the opening and patch it to increase the lifetime of your pad. However that’s not at all times potential.
Of all of the pads I’ve tried, I’ve discovered the Therm-a-Relaxation NeoAir Xlite Sleeping Pad to final the longest. On the CDT this 12 months, I had the identical Xlite for your complete 2,700-mile path. This is identical sleeping pad that I carried final 12 months for 1,700 miles throughout Alabama and Florida. Which suggests this pad held up for nearly 4,500 miles in whole! And it nonetheless works nice.
Granted, that won’t at all times be the case with Therm-a-Relaxation sleeping pads. On the ECT final 12 months, I went by way of 2-3 pads over 5,600 miles because of both punctures or delamination. However, if you’re very cautious about the place you camp, it’s potential to make your sleeping pad maintain out.
One of many patches that I placed on my Therm-a-Relaxation sleeping pad on my own. That prolonged the lifetime of the pad to carry out for greater than 4,500 miles.
Certain, manufacturing facility errors and delamination are potential. Fortunately, Cascasde Designs (Therm-a-Relaxation’s guardian firm) has nice customer support and can substitute your pad without cost if it fails because of manufacturing facility error. Or you may pay $20 to have the corporate professionally patch your pad. Contemplating the price of sleeping pads, I feel that’s a terrific choice. A minimum of you recognize that your $220 piece of drugs is underneath some type of a “guarantee.”
One other patch that I put onto my sleeping pad. I did this when the pad was 1,700 miles previous, and the patch held for 3,000 miles extra!
Patagonia Capilene Cool Every day Hoodie
Throughout a thru-hike, your gear will get an unimaginable quantity of damage and tear. However so do your garments! On my first lengthy hike, I went by way of a pair completely different shirts over 1,000 miles. Then, in 2022, I attempted a Patagonia lengthy sleeve hoodie for the primary time. I used to be shocked to see that the shirt simply held up for a whole thru-hike.
I’ve used a Patagonia Cool Every day hoodie on each hike of the Triple Crown, and every time it has held up for the entire path. Even after sporting it each single day, I’ve solely ever gotten a small gap or two within the shirt. By the tip of a hike, the shirt could also be sun-bleached or soiled, however it’s at all times in a single piece. Over the course of a thru-hike, I usually undergo 2-4 pairs of shorts, however just one Patagonia Capilene Cool Every day hoodie!
Climbing down the path in my Patagonia Capilene Cool Every day hoodie. I wore the identical model of hoodie on the entire Triple Crown.
Topo Terraventure Sneakers
Usually, you don’t have to switch very many items of drugs mid-thru-hike. Certain, gear can randomly fail, or you may lose it. However the one merchandise you’re assured to repeatedly substitute over the course of a thru-hike is your footwear, and that price can add up rapidly.
I’ve hiked round individuals sporting each sort of shoe possible: Altras, Hokas, Topos, Merrells, Salomons, and so forth. Over time, I’ve witnessed many thru-hikers changing their footwear each 200-500 miles. That will imply buying 5-8 pairs of footwear for one 2,000-2,600-mile thru-hike.
Model new Topo Terraventure footwear.
Personally, I’ve at all times been an enormous fan of Topo Terraventure footwear. Not simply because I like the best way that they match and really feel, however as a result of I at all times get round 800 miles out of 1 pair of Topos. This implies I solely want to switch my footwear 2-4 occasions, relying on the size of the path. Final 12 months, I solely went by way of about seven pairs of Topo Terraventures on the 5600-mile ECT.
If you do the mathematics compared to different shoe manufacturers, I saved effectively over $1,000 through the use of Topos. If I have been changing footwear as typically as my friends, I doubtless would have gone by way of virtually twice as many footwear.
Two pairs of Topo Terraventures. My mountain climbing buddy had worn his for therefore lengthy that they needed to be duct-taped collectively. This mannequin can final actually lengthy, in my expertise.
Backpacks
I can’t say that I used anybody backpack for the Triple Crown. The truth is, I’ve used three completely different packs over the past 12,000 miles of backpacking. However every one held out for a number of thru-hikes and was very top quality.
Osprey: In 2017 I bought a 65-liter Osprey backpack. Certain, it was heavier and bulkier than different backpacks. However on the time, so was my gear! I used to be carrying a lot further weight in miscellaneous gear that the extra cushioned Osprey pack was excellent. It’s nonetheless in nice situation to this present day as effectively.
ULA Catalyst: After I launched into the PCT once more in 2022, I attempted out the ULA Catalyst. It weighs barely lower than the Osprey however nonetheless has a 65L capability. This meant I might nonetheless comfortably carry my heavy and ponderous gear; it even match a bear canister inside horizontally. That was very handy for the Pacific Crest Path. I used that pack for your complete 2,500-mile hike.
I introduced it onto the Japanese Continental Path the followingyear and used it for 4,000 miles. After over 6,500 whole miles of backpacking, the ULA Catalyst was nonetheless in nice form. I in the end determined to modify to a lighter and smaller backpack to assist encourage me to downsize. However the ULA Catalyst was nonetheless working simply positive.
Pa’lante desert pack: My subsequent pack was the Pa’lante desert pack, which weighs simply over a pound. It has a a lot smaller capability, which I most well-liked. The diminished quantity helped me to downsize the remainder of my gear significantly. I used this pack for the remainder of the Japanese Continental Path (1,700 miles) and your complete Continental Divide Path (2,700 miles). This implies the Pa’lante desert pack has to date held up for about 4,500 miles. It’s nonetheless in nice form and will simply be used on one other lengthy thru-hike.
Rocking my Palante desert pack alongside the path.
Selecting a backpack for a thru-hike is a troublesome resolution that nobody could make for you. Private choice on the subject of model, whether or not or not it has a body or hip belt, and the load capability are all vital elements. However there are various improbable manufacturers that make high-quality packs that may stand up to the check of time.
The identical goes for the opposite “massive three” gear objects, your tent and sleeping bag or quilt. Many firms make high quality gear that may maintain up for 1-2 thru-hikes, or perhaps much more. Do your analysis and hearken to different long-distance hikers who’ve really examined the gear in the one means anybody can: by taking it out on these lengthy trails and utilizing it each single day.
My Zpacks Plex Solo tent setup, with all of my different gear beneath it contained in the tent.
Via-hiking could be a very costly interest, relying on the kind of gear you buy and the way you utilize it. I feel many people attempt to reduce corners to economize on gear. Which can be a terrific plan within the quick time period, however not essentially for the lengthy haul, particularly for those who suppose you intend to do multiple lengthy hike.
In case your purpose is to only do one lengthy path in your lifetime, you may most likely get away with utilizing some barely cheaper and fewer high-quality gear. However for those who intend to do multiple lengthy path, and even the Triple Crown, I might recommend investing in increased high quality gear. It could price extra upfront, however you may be much less prone to have to switch it throughout the center of considered one of your thru-hikes.
Featured picture: Picture by way of Peg Leg. Graphic design by Zack Goldmann.
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