Here is a comfortable and lightweight CDT gear list. I used most of these items on my thru hike of the Continental Divide Trail. Some other items are additions that will be perfect for the CDT gear list.
Table of Contents
CDT Gear List
Shelter + Pack + Sleep System
- Nemo Hornet 1 Person Tent – 850 Gram.
- Osprey Packs Exos 48– 900 grams (minus the brain lid).
- Western Mountaineering Ultralite 20F / -7C – 29oz / 820g
- Nemo Tensor Insulated – 14oz/410g
- Nemo Elite Pillow– 78 Grams
- Pack Liner/Garbage bag – 60 Grams.
Cooking Gear
- 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
Electronics and Camera
Apple iPhone XR unlocked + headphones + cable 149 grams.- Sony RX100 + spare battery + case + spare memory card 473Grams.
- Anker 10000mAh Battery Bank plus wall charger- 155 grams (5.47 oz)
Clothing for the CDT
- Outdoor Research Filament Hooded Jacket – 281 grams.
- PrAna Stretch Zion Convertible Pants – 430 grams.
- ExOfficio Underwear 85 grams
- Darn Tough Merino Wool Socks48 grams
- Vasque Men’s Inhaler II Low Hiking Shoe with custom orthotics 790 grams
- Smartwool Base Layer Pants – 150 grams
- Smartwool LS Shirt– 255 grams.
- Merino Wool Midweight Balaclava – 60 grams
- Patagonia Strider Shorts – 119grams
- Fleece Gloves – 65 grams
- PCT Sunhat 55 grams – A great lightweight sunha
- Sunglasses – 50 grams
Rain Gear for the CDT
- 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 for the CDT
The CDT Gear List will also include winter to deal with the super cold temperatures. The Continental Divide Trail is the coldest of the 3 Triple Crown Thru Hiking Trails. So be prepared for the cold.
- 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)
- Black Diamond Raven Ice Axe with Grip = 485 grams
- Kahtoola MICROspikes = 340 grams
- MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoe = 1800grams
First Aid, Toiletries and Misc
- Plastic zip lock bags
- Money / ID / Credit Cards
- Permits
- Blister pads
- Strapping Tape
- Giardia anti-biotic
- Foot infection anti-biotic
- Ibuprofen
- tweezers
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush
- Safety Pin
- Needle
- Deet insect repellant
- Sunscreen
- Lip Balm
- Toilet tissue
- Trail town info
- Total = 375 Grams
Total weight of backpack = 6.6 kilograms / 14.5 pounds.
Food will weight approximately 1kg per day.
Water will weight 1kg per litre.
I’m very happy with my CDT hiking gear list, but of money was no object I would change a couple of things.
How much does you gear list weight? What gear would you change?
Let me know in the comments section below
More of the Best info on Thru Hiking the CDT:
Complete Guide to Thru Hiking the CDT
Continental Divide Trail Resupply Guide
CDT Gear Review
Hi Brad :) so great that you are able to do the CDT. Good luck with it :) Can’t wait for all the posts.
I was wondering if you are using any tracking devices (like for GPS or so) or any specific Apps during the hiking days on the PCT or now also on the CDT?
Thanks and take care :) Yvonne
Thanks Yvonne, my iPhone is my GPS. I use the guthook app for trail navigation and I use pocket earth pro for side trails and town navigation. They both work great. So I don’t carry any paper maps.
Hey Brad, I was thinking of you this past Wednesday – I live about 90 minutes from the Paradise Valley Cafe on the PCT (mile 152) where it crosses Hwy 74 in So Cal. I was up there for a day hike and saw about a dozen thru-hikers hitching a ride to Idyllwild (to bypass the closed section and for weather concerns). I also saw a few on the patio at the Cafe. Hope you have good memories of that section. I’m looking forward to your CDT journey. Soon!
God bless you, mate. Be well.
Mike M, Riverside, CA
Nice hiking around there, and please tell me you stopped for a burger at Paradise Cafe, the best burgers on the PCT. I guess you have hundreds of miles of the pct all within a short distance of your place. I’ve heard there are slightly more hikers this year than last. I have fond memories of the pct and could easily hike it again.
I see you changed your tent from copper spur to hornet. Did the old one break or any other particular reason besides the weight? I’m considering about getting the copper spur and I’d like to hear your “long term” impressions :)
The BA Copper Spur is a great tent and I’m sure it will serve you well. I hiked with many people who used one on the PCT. Of the many that were on the PCT, I only heard of 1 that had a problem with a broken zip. The tent was replaced, I think, free of charge. So that’s good to know. I have used it extensively on the second half of the PCT and for the last several months cycle touring. It has several small holes which would be fair wear and tear. I have patched them. The tent did develop a tear on the mesh where it joins the zipper. It has proved difficult for me to repair without stitching material over it. It could also be attributed to wear and tear, possibly. I haven’t heard of other people with that problem. Apart from that it is a great tent, it will serve you well should you choose to buy one. I suspect you should be able to do at least 2 long distance through hikes (5000 miles) with the Copper Spur, maybe more.
After the PCT hike I started searching for a tent to take on the CDT. I had several things that were important in my choice. First, it had to be a tent, not a tarp. Second, easy to erect in bad weather. Thirdly, side entrance. Finally, lightweight. The Nemo hornet is 1 pound lighter than my previous tent. I hiked with several people on the PCT that used the Nemo Hornet. They all had great things to say about it. So I did some research and decided that I would buy that tent. Prior to buying the tent I approached Nemo and they supplied me with the tent to use in the CDT. I’m very thankful for their support and I’m sure the tent will serve me well.
So, I wasn’t unhappy with the Copper Spur and I think it is a good ‘long term’ tent. I just like the Specifications of the Nemo better. It also has good long term reports from other hikers I know and trust.
I hope that helps.
Cool, thanks for the assesment! The Hornet sure sounds interesting too but availability “out here” is not that good.
Great! what about merrel moab ventilator? :-)))
I used them in the PCT. They were a great show. Vasque have been kind to supply me with their Vasque Inhaler Low hiking shoe for the CDT. I hope to get great service out of this shoe. I will let you know.
Do you have sleeping clothes or no?
Yes I do. They are listed in the items I will only use in cold weather. When hiking the pct last year I had sleeping clothes but rarely used them. Only if my hiking clothes were wet or it was very cold. So I will only take them when I expect very cold weather. I spent most of the time sleeping in my hiking clothes. This will mean I will need to wash my sleeping bag to keep it clean and retain its warmth and loft. On the PCT I washed my bag twice while on trail, as well as before and after the trail. I suspect I will start carrying my sleeping clothes at some time after the first 600 miles. But I will let the weather dictate when I will start carrying them.
Ooh some new stuff I see! Exciting! Can’t wait to follow this one! Stay safe and enjoy mate!
Yeah, I’m a little bit lighter this year. My gear I mean.