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Ultimate Pacific Crest Trail Gear List (2021)

Ultimate Pacific Crest Trail Gear List (2021)

By Brad McCartney
Pacific Crest Trail Gear List

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Pacific Crest Trail Gear List

Here is the best Pacific Crest Trail Gear List ultralight for the thru hiker wanting to carry lightweight on the PCT. All the gear on this list would be perfect PCT gear for you to take on your thru hike.

Everything on the PCT List is easily available and reasonably priced. The PCT gear lost includes items that would only be used on small sections of the trail such as a Bear Barrel, Ice Axe or microspikes.

Included are links to extensive gear reviews on all the best ultra lightweight hiking gear for the PCT.

PCT Gear List

What is the best shelter to use on the PCT

Overall there are several great lightweight tents to use on the PCT. Below are a selection of the top 3 shelters to use on the Pacific Crest Trail

Read about the best lightweight tents for the PCT in 2021:
Best Lightweight Tents.

What is the Best Backpack for the PCT

The best ultralight backpack for thuu hiking the Pacific Crest Trail is one that is not only lightweight but durable enough to last thousands of miles of abuse. Below are the best 4 thru hiking backpacks.

Read more about the Best Lightweight Backpacks for the PCT in 2021:
Best Lightweight Backpacks.

Best Sleeping Bag for the PCT

The best sleeping bag for the PCT is lightweight, tough and with a temperature rating of down to 20F / -6C. Below are the best ultralight sleeping bags and quilts for thur hiking the PCT.

Read more about the best Sleeping Bags and Pads for the PCT in 2021:
Best Lightweight Sleeping Bags and Quilts
Best Lightweight Sleeping Mats

Cooking Gear to take on the PCT

Light and strong cooking gear is need for thru hiking the PCT. It does not need to be expensive, nor does it need to be the highest quality. It just needs to work. The list below is all you need to cook and eat on the Pacific Crest Trail.

Read More:
Best Lightweight Stoves 2021
Best Water Filters for Thru Hiking 2021

Electronics and Camera

Clothing worn and Carried

Read more:
Best Lightweight Down Jackets

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Raingear

Read more:
Best Lightweight Rain Jackets

Winter Gear , Trekking Poles, Bear Cannisters

Read more:
Best Headlamps 2021
Bear Cannisters to take on the PCT

First Aid and Misc

  • 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

Total = 375 Gram

Total weight of backpack approx  6.5 kilograms/13lb.

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

Read Next : Complete Guide to Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail – including a daily hiking journal.

More great Thru Hiking stuff:

The Best Thru Hiking Trails in the World?
Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail
Hiking the Appalchian Trail
Hiking the Continental Divide Trail
Te Araroa Trail

Got any questions? Leave me a message below and consider sharing this post or signing up to may email list.

Enjoy the trail.

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

Pacific Crest Trail Gear List

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Disclosure: There may be affiliate links on this blog post. This means I could receive a small commission if you choose to purchase an item after clicking on one of the links. There is no cost to you and this small commission helps support this website as I grow and provide free content. Thank you for your support.
Brad McCartney
Brad is an Australian who has completed the hiking Triple Crown after he hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail and Appalachian Trail. He has hiked on every continent (except Antarctica) and has cycled from Alaska to Ecuador. He is an expert on outdoor gear currently living in Sydney, Australia.

22 Comments

  1. 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

    1. 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. 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

    1. 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

    1. 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. 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 (https://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

    1. 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. 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

    1. Thanks. I just don’t get, ounces, pounds, gallons and even worse, Miles. It takes so much longer to hike 1 mile compared with 1 kilometer!

      Reply

      1. 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!

      2. 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.

      3. 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.

      4. Mark, that’s nuts. Not sure I’d ever be up for that distance. Thats like 3 marathons in 24 hours!

      5. 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!

      6. 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!

      7. There will be 50km days, I’ve already done loaded training hikes covering that distance, but more about that another week!

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