Updated:
This is my complete Appalachian Trail Gear List. Most of this gear is not new and has withstood 1000s of miles of hiking and cycle touring. A lot of this gear is still with me after hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in 2015 and the Continental Divide Trail in 2016 and some has been with me for the last 3 plus years as I’ve hiked and cycled my way from Alaska to Argentina. If I’m using the gear then I believe in it. My Lightweight hiking Gear list base weight is around 6kg (13lb).
Click here to read about all my hikes
Appalachian Trail Gear List
Shelter + Pack + Sleep System
Nemo Hornet 1 Person Tent
– 850 Gram.
Osprey Packs Exos 48– 900 grams (minus the brain lid).
Nemo Nocturne 15F / -9C Down Sleeping Bag = 1060 grams.
Nemo Matress
– 355 Grams
Therm-a-Rest Stuff Sack Pillow– 77 Grams
Pack Liner/Garbage bag – 60 Grams.
Here is a list of Best Lightweight Hiking Backpacks
Footwear
I change up my hiking shoes that I wear depending on the conditions I am likely to face. If the weather is cold and or wet then I like the waterproof GoreTex boots. A lot of other long distance hikers disagree with me on waterproof boots, they work great for me. If the weather is more tropical then I like the non waterproof shoe.
Vasque Breeze III Low GTX Shoe with custom Orthotics
– 982 grams
Darn Tough Merino Wool Socks
48 grams x 3
Clothing
Outdoor Research Filament Hooded Jacket – 281 grams.
PrAna Stretch Zion Convertible Pants – 430 grams.
Smartwool Base Layer Pants – 150 grams
Smartwool LS Shirt– 255 grams.
Reebok unpadded Cycle Shorts – 85 grams.
Merino Wool Midweight Balaclava – 60 grams
Patagonia Shorts – 119grams
Gloves – 65 grams
PCT Sunhat 55 grams – A great lightweight sunhat
Sunglasses – 50 grams
Rain Gear
Outdoor Research Helium II Jacket 180 Grams
Outdoor Research Helium Pants 153 Grams
Six Moon Designs Silver Shadow 8 oz. Ultralight Hiking Umbrella
– 227 Grams
Trekking Poles and Snow Gear
Leki Micro Vario Carbon Trekking Poles 413 grams (pair)
Petzl – TIKKA Headlamp
= 85 grams (Only carried later in the trail when I hope to make bigger miles, I’ll use my camera light at other times)
Kitchen
Evernew Ti DX Stove Titanium 86 Grams.
Snow Peak Trek 900 Titanium Cookset with homemade aluminum foil lid 114 Grams.
Sea To Summit X-Mug – 78 grams
Titanium Spoon
12 Grams
Gerber STL 2.0 Knife 28 Grams
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter System 85 Grams
Steripen rechargable– 140 grams
Katadyn Micropur Water Purifier Tabs
20 Grams.
Bic Lighter – 20 Grams – A necessary item, obviously.
600ml Coke Bottle to store alcohol for stove – 27 grams
During the hot sections of the Appalachian Trail I will go ‘Stoveless’, using a small plastic peanut butter jar to rehydrate food, this should save about 200 grams of weight and a lot of extra weight in fuel that I will not need to carry.
Electronics and Camera
Apple iPhone 5S 16GB + headphones + cable + LifeProof Case 149 grams.
Canon PowerShot G16 + spare battery + case + spare memory card
473Grams.
Power-Gem 10000mAh Ultra Light – 155 grams (5.47 oz) 
Anker 24W Dual USB Wall Charger + Cables 65 grams.
Other Gear
Plastic zip lock bags
Money / ID / Credit Cards
Blister pads
Strapping Tape
Giardia anti-biotic
Foot infection anti-biotic
Ibuprofen
tweezers
Toothbrush and Toothpaste
Safety Pin
Needle
Deet insect repellent
Sunscreen
Lip Balm
Toilet tissue
How heavy is your baseweight? What gear would you like to change?
Let me know in the comments section below.
You might like to read:
Appalachian Trail Gear Review
My current Lightweight Hiking Gear List
The Complete Appalachian Trail Blog
My Appalachian Trail Gear List weighs about 6kg (13lb).
Get more stuff like this
Subscribe for hiking and bicycle touring updates direct to your email inbox.
Thank you for subscribing.
Whoops, Something went wrong.
Could you tell us the source of the music used in the documentary?
It music score was really good.
Thanks!
I used a website called Epidemicsound to source all the music. Great music choice
Sorry to bother you while you are on a hike, but just wanted to ask about your water purification as I am preparing for my first multi day hike in a long time! I see you have a sawyer and a steripen. I thought you only needed one and not he other? On the cape to cape they have water tanks, so they should be ok, but I’m not sure if i should invest in a filter or just do tablets for the 7 days on trail. Any tips appreciated, but no rush as i know you are in trail. X
I only use the steripen in hotels while cycle touring nowadays. The Sawyer is great but make sure it is inside your sleeping bag, of it freezes it will break and you won’t know till you get sick. Another option is bleach, just a couple of drops per litre (it’s the cheapest option) and tablets.
I use the Sawyer and carry some tablets as an emergency backup, it works well for me. If you plan on more hikes in the future then Sawyer is great, stay away from Steripen, it’s over rated in my opinion.
Thanks for the reply Brad. There is so much advice and reviews out there, it’s easier just to ask someone who is living it and using the products at this very moment, cheers.
Travel well!
Cheers
Cool…. let´s go for it !!!!Buen camino !!!!!!!
Thanks Paulo
Looks like you are a very light weight minimalist for sure and always finding ways to eliminate weight. Does your personal body weight change much from start to finish of an adventure?
My body weight will drop. On other trails I’ve lost as much as 15kg (35lb). I’m not too heavy fir the start of this hike so I’ll probably lose 10kg (22lb).
Exciting, have fun !
No need for bear spray here I guess (Deer spray ?)
There is a GoPro on the picture. Are you carrying it plus the camera ?
No bear spray but repellent fir the ticks. Yes, I’m carrying two cameras
looks good! best of luck and look fwd to your feeds from the trail!
Thanks Andy