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.
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.
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My Current Lightweight Gear List
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
The Best Hiking Gear at the Best Prices :
Backcountry.com | REI | Moosejaw.com | Amazon |
Hyperlite Mountain Gear | Patagonia | Feathered Friends |
Nemo | Vasque | Sea to Summit | Enlightened Equipment |
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