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Pacific Crest Trail Gear List

My Pacific Crest Trail Gear List that I carried for the 5 months while hiking the PCT.

Not everything listed below will be carried everyday on the Pacific Crest Trail. For example, no use carrying excess water bottles in areas with plentiful water or excess warm weather clothing in the hot sections of desert. I will also hike some sections without the stove and cooking gear, as a trial to hike without warm food for several sections. Also, I have not included a Bear Barrel or other food storage method to the list just yet, nor have I added hiking poles to Ice Axe or microspikes, as I am yet to decide if I need or want them!

PCT Gear List

PCT Gear List – Shelter

Read about the best lightweight tents for the PCT in 2019:
Best Lightweight Tents.

PCT Gear List – BackPack

Read more about the Best Lightweight Backpacks for the PCT in 2019:
Best Lightweight Backpacks.

PCT Gear List – Sleeping Bag and Pad

Read more about the best Sleeping Bags and Pads for the PCT in 2019:
Best Lightweight Sleeping Bags and Quilts
Best Lightweight Sleeping Mats

Pacific Crest Trail Gear List – Kitchen

Electronics and Camera

Clothing worn

Clothing carried

First Aid, Toiletries and Misc

    • Moleskine Notebook and pen
    • Plastic snap lock bags
    • Money / ID / Credit Cards
    • Permits
    • Passport
    • Blister pads
    • Strapping Tape
    • Giardia anti-biotic
    • Foot infection anti-biotic
    • Ibuprofen
    • tweezers
    • Toothpaste
    • Toothbrush
    • Wilderness Soap
    • Deodorant stick
    • Safety Pin
    • Needle and thread
    • Superglue
    • Deet insect repellant
    • Sunscreen
    • Lip Balm
    • re-hydration tablets
    • Toilet paper
    • Trail town info
    • Sea to Summit Ultra Sil Stuff Sack
  • Total Weight 625 Grams

Total weight of backpack  7.9 kilograms.

Food and cooking fuel will add about 1 kilogram per day on average. Water weight is extra again, at 1 kilogram per litre!

*Edit – After completing the Hiking Triple Crown my gear list is much lighter, around 6kg (13lb)*

Next: Read my Complete Guide to Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail

 

More great hiking stuff:

Hiking the Appalachian Trail
Continental Divide Trail
Thru Hiking the Te Araroa Trail – New Zealand
Lightweight Hiking Gear List
BikeHikeSafari Hiking Page

Where to buy all the best gear for Hiking the Continental Divide Trail:
REI.com | Moosejaw.com |Wild Earth Australia |Amazon
| Hyperlite Mountain Gear | Backcountry.com
Traveling Overseas to go Hiking?
World Nomads Travel Insurance

Want to write your own blog about your trip? I learned how to blog from one of the best blogger in the business.
Learn How to Write a Blog.

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Enjoy the trail.

Cheers Shepherd – PCT15, CDT16, AT17, TA18-19 and still hiking.

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22 Responses

  1. Stephen Rich

    The link to the updated gear list is not working. Would you please fix it. I’m going this year and have been using your blog extensively for planning. Thanks for putting in the effort to create this.

    Reply
    • BikeHikeSafari

      Hi Stephen, I’m away from good access to Internet, I’m using my phone to answer this message. I should be in civilisation in a week or so and I’ll check out the problems with the links. Good luck with you hike in the PCT, it’s an amazing hike. If I can answer any questions you have let me know.

      Reply
  2. anna

    Hi Brad, sorry to bother you with a question while you are hiking, but i was wondering how the fly creek tent is for you? I am looking at purchasing a tent and its all a bit daunting (and pricey). Your tent decent in the conditions? Easy to set up? Thanks in advance, and thanks for your blog!

    Reply
    • BikeHikeSafari

      Hi Anna. The Fly Creek is a great lightweight hiking tent that is easy to set up, waterproof and stable in high winds. With only one entry it’s a bit difficult to enter. I prefer the copper spur. Check it out it is a better option, I will replace my tent with the copper spur in the next month.

      Reply
    • BikeHikeSafari

      Haha, a lot will be left behind over time. As if deodorant or soap will make a difference after the first week, I’m guessing about 1 kg lighter within the first week, both me and the pack!

      Reply
  4. briandwatt

    No significant comments. Most people are around 6.8Kg/15lbs so you’re a little heavier than average, but I assume you’re a young healthy guy and can handle the slight increase in weight. Then there is always the alcohol vs canister debate especially with fire bans due to the drought (http://www.pcta.org/2014/2014-pct-fire-restrictions-california-16670/). Finally I carried printed Halfmile maps and used them on several occasions, but I think you could get along without them. I just like having the (1) backup, and (2) overview that they provided. My go-to iPhone app was Guthooks first, and Halfmile second. I didn’t use PCTHYOH app although I had it.

    Reply
    • BikeHikeSafari

      I’m using guthook and halfmile on the iPhone only, no paper maps. I’ve used alcohol stoves for a while and was happy. Will have to wait and see about fire restrictions, might go stove less for a section or 2. Once again thanks for your advice

      Reply
  5. annathrax

    So nice to see weight in grams and kilos! Most of the American blogs I read are all pounds! Gives me a better idea on things. Aiming to buy a pack soon… The osprey sounds decent! Cheers and I look forward to reading your PCT adventure!

    Reply
      • annathrax

        I hear ha! I don’t get any of it either. Will be nice to follow your blog and see how many km’s you do in a day!

      • BikeHikeSafari

        It might be very hard for me to convert from Miles to Kilometers as all the maps and trail notes are in Miles. Not sure if I have the patience to convert them all the time for the blog, we shall see how I go over time. Just keep an eye on the magic number of 20 miles (32 kilometers). That’s how much I need to cover everyday on average. Although I’ve planned a slower start with less Kilometers, I mean Miles until the body is trail fit.

      • Mark Boyd (Isle of Man)

        Did an 85 mile in 24 hour walk a couple of years ago… Brutal…. I think I was wandering mindlessly at one point… No idea of what was going on. It’s called The Parish Walk and is held on the Isle of Man (GB). I made the line with 3 minutes to spare.

      • Mark Boyd (Isle of Man)

        About 1,700 start at 8am on the summer solstice weekend, and about 10% of those make it the entire way. Not many first timers apparently, so I was well chuffed! My lovely lady (Amanda who passed away 17 months ago) completed 45 miles before her feet became a mess. Awesome effort on her behalf considering she wasn’t even firing on all cylinders. I couldn’t drive for two weeks afterwards due to severe swelling of both anterior tibialis. Basically incredibly severe shin splints. I couldn’t hinge my ankles. Not good! Ha ha!

      • annathrax

        Holy shit! 20 miles is 32km? I’ve read blogs where people have done 30 miles in a day! Wow. Good luck with your kilometre/mileage!

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