Gear Overview

Written By Chase Silberbusch

Definitions

  • Big 4 = backpack, shelter, sleeping bag, sleeping pad

  • Base Weight = total weight of your loaded pack, minus the consumables (think food, water, and fuel)

    • Lightweight = base weight 20 lbs or less

    • Ultralight = base weight 10 lbs or less

    • Superlight = base weight 5lbs or less

The Big 4

The Big 4 are the 4 most important items in your inventory: backpack, shelter, sleeping bag/quilt, and sleeping pad. The lighter you go, the more likely you are to finish the trail. I would recommend you learn from my mistakes and get good-quality, ultralight gear right from the start. I was trying to save money, but ended up getting new lighter gear anyway, about halfway through the PCT. Click here to see a review of the gear I used on the PCT.

  • Backpack (40-60 Liters): Look for comfortable, lightweight options. Be careful with the carrying capacity; the more space you have, the more likely you are to fill, which leads to a heavier pack. For most trails, I recommend a ceiling of 55L. Popular choices include:

  • Shelter: A sturdy, waterproof tent or hammock is essential. While you can use a 1 person tent, this option can feel cramped. Whichever shelter you choose will be your home for the next few months, so you want to have space. I’d recommend a 2-person tent - who knows, maybe you can even have a slumber party with trail friends and share the space. Top choices include:

    • Durston X Mid 2

    • Durston X Mid Pro 2

    • Zpaks Duplex

    • Gossamer Gear 1/2 person tents

    • Nemo tents

    • Warbonnet Blackbird hammock with a quality tarp.

  • Sleeping Bag/Quilt: A sleeping bag or rated down quilt that offers the best balance of weight and warmth for nights. Popular choices:

  • Sleeping Pad: An insulated, inflatable pad is recommended for comfort on rocky ground and insulation in the shoulder seasons. Good choices:

    • Nemo Tensor Insulated

    • Big Agnes Q-Core SLX

    • Sea to Summit

Check out this article by REI for more info on picking out your Big 4 setup.

Other Considerations:

  • Waterproof Everything: Rain is likely. Pair your shelter with a pack liner (like a trash compactor bag) to keep your sleeping system dry, or use dry bags like the Sea to Summit Dry Bags.

  • Trekking Poles: Essential for the steep, muddy, and rugged, root-filled trails. Some of the shelters also utilize your hiking poles to prop up the structure, so choose something sturdy. More expensive does not always mean better. Recommendations:

  • Footwear: This might be the most important choice to make. You will wear your shoes every day, and finding a pair that fits your needs is crucial to enjoying the trail. If you are doing a long trail, you will have to get a new pair every 600-1000 miles (although I saw some people push their shoes further). Almost everybody on trail wears trail runners - approximately 86% of hikers on major trails like the Appalachian Trail (AT) wore them in 2025. They are popular because they are lighter than boots and dry faster in wet conditions. If you have weak ankles, consider finding a pair that offers ankle support. Another thing to consider is zero-drop vs supported shoes; click here for more on that. Popular options:

    • Altra Lone Peak 9 - zero drop

    • Altra Lone Peak 9+s (they last a bit longer with the Vibram sole than the regular)

    • Altra Olympus 6 - zero drop, but offers more cushion with the thicker heel

    • Hoka Speed Goat 6

    • Topo Traverse

Chase Silberbusch
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PCT Gear Review