Post-Trail Gear Review: Appalachian Trail

The only items you’ll need for six months, a thru-hiker's gear list fine-tunes the essentials when it comes to living in the outdoors. Self-shakedowns occur daily and the gear talk never ends. I talked more gear specs in the six months I was on the trail than in the years leading up to my thru-hike. Observing different camp styles and gear in action, hearing from fellow hikers on what's working and what's not, is a great undercover advantage.

So what worked? What didn’t?

What was the biggest change in my pack?

And what would I do differently?

I answer all these questions here in my post-Appalachian Trail gear review and give you a peek inside what I carried for six months. I'm a bigger gear junkie since my thru-hike and I love a good opportunity to help others dial-in the gear to be successful. If you have any questions about my review or your own hiking gear, please feel free to shoot me an email. I’m happy to help with a virtual shakedown before you get on the trail!

With that said, here's my post-trail review. For greater before and after comparison, please also read my 300-mile tested gear review when I arrived in Gorham, New Hampshire.

The Backpack

ULA Equipment Ohm 2.0 in Woodland Camo (size small 28 oz.) and ULA Pack Cover (3 oz.)

My pack on the day I finished, Stover Creek Shelter mile 2,188.1

Durable and ergonomic, I love everything about ULA packs. If I could design a pack, it would look like the Ohm. The S-straps fit my narrow shoulders and most women’s bodies. At a recommended max load of 30 pounds, the Ohm was perfect for keeping my base weight low and comfortable on my back. A simple top-loading design with easy to reach side pockets, I loved the way this pack fit and I used every feature to my advantage. By the end of my hike, I was packing like an expert, efficiently pulling out snacks for the day and keeping them in my hip belt and side pockets, and staying totally organized. I could pack and unpack blindly and know how everything goes back into my pack.

The sheer fact that I purchased this pack in semi-used condition and then to withstand a thru-hike is a testament to the craftsmanship and materials that go into ULA products. The only casualty was a broken top-loader buckle which was an easy fix thanks to the help of Mountain Crossings Outfitters with 31 miles left to finish. I chalked it up to wear and tear of over 2,500 miles on this pack, considering the 300-plus miles before I purchased this pack. I called ULA to confirm the weight of my vintage pack since they no longer produce the Ohm in Woodland Camo and they confirmed a size small with a small hip belt weighs in at 28 oz.

I can’t recommend ULA enough. While I worked at Mountain Crossings, I’d fit AT hikers for ULA packs and found that everyone loved the features and fit of these packs. If I were to upgrade my pack for another trail, I might opt for the ULA Catalyst to accommodate a bear canister or extra winter hiking gear.

Pros: lightweight, fits like a glove, Woodland Camo
Cons: the top-loader buckle broke after 2,500+ miles

The Sleep System

Left to right: ENO Housefly tarp, ENO Helios Straps, MSR stakes, ENO Sub7 hammock

ENO Sub7 Hammock (6.5oz.)

ENO Helios Straps (5.7 oz.)

ENO Housefly Tarp (30 oz.)

Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol Sleeping Pad (14 oz.)

Marmot Phase 30 Sleeping Bag (17.6 oz.)

Cocoon Silk Mummy Liner (4.7 oz)

A look inside my ENO Housefly with Enlightened Equipment underquilt

I used a hammock and tarp system on my entire thru-hike and with the record-setting rain, I'm beyond grateful. Over countless downpours, I would peek under my ENO Housefly tarp to see other shelters like sitting ducks, puddles growing overnight. For this reason alone, I'm glad I was not a ground-dweller. The Housefly is aptly named for its coverage but I constantly battled over the weight of this tarp. At 30.4 oz this is a hefty tarp for a thru-hike, but I reasoned that I stayed dry and warm and that alone was well worth the weight. On nice nights, I'd keep the tarp in the stuff sack and use it as an extra pillow and enjoy the stars.

I think you either love hammocks or you love to hate hammocks. Personally, I'm a lover. I can get comfortable in just about any position, side, stomach, or diagonally in a hammock. The ENO Sub7 is a narrow lightweight hammock at 6.5 oz and definitely takes some adjusting if you're comfortable with more generous material, such as the ENO Doublenest. While I did experience an unfortunate rip straight down the middle 465 miles in, REI was able to overnight me a replacement to Rutland, Vermont. ENO no longer makes the Sub7, better yet, the Sub6 is the next best option. Even lighter at 5.8 ounces, the Sub6 is a great hammock for ultralight backpacking.

For insulation, I used the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite closed-foam pad. I loved being able to pitch my hammock, throw in the Z Lite, fluff up my Marmot sleeping bag, and crash. I cut a 3-panel section from the original Z Lite and would use it as a seat pad around camp or as a foot mat under my hammock where I'd step out in the mornings.

At first, I really loved my Marmot sleeping bag. It was actually my favorite piece of gear next to my ULA backpack. Lightweight and perfect in the beginner summer months, the temperature rating was ideal. Towards the fall and end of my hike, I wish I invested in a loftier and warmer bag.

Pros: lightweight, dry, dry, and DRY, Marmot Phase 30 perfect for the majority of this hike, Therm-a-Rest pad makes for great sun-napping
Cons: Sub7 rip, debatable tarp weight, Marmot Phase 30 not as lofty or warm enough in the end

Later add-on

10° Enlightened Equipment Revolt Under Quilt (16.72 oz.)

The first real night I remember my sleep system wasn’t warm enough was October 19th, the night before McAfee Knob in Virginia mile 1,477.8. The Z Lite wasn't enough and I was feeling cold air under my butt and up the sides of my shoulders. I was pretty miserable and not sleeping well. I needed a solution ASAP. After chatting with fellow hammock users and talking the usual gear talk, I ordered a 55” (short) 10° Enlightened Equipment Revolt under quilt to the post office in Pearisburg, Virginia. I heard great things about Enlightened Equipment and saw many quilts in use on the trail. I didn’t have a lot of time to research options so I was counting on this under the quilt.

The under quilt setup was extremely simple and adaptable to pretty much any hammock. The hooks attach to loops on both ends of the Sub7 and adjustable shock cords add tension where you need it. I liked that I could lay in my hammock and fine-tune the shock cord to prevent a draft. Just as I remember my first cold night, I remember the first night with my under quilt: warm sleepy bliss. I was thrilled and this option worked out great for the remainder of my hike.

The downside was adding more volume and weight to my pack, so that required a slightly different re-packing method. I kept the under quilt attached to the hammock and stuffed both items into a stuff sack. At $265, I really expected this under quilt to elevate my sleep system. For barely two months of use, I’m not 100% I’d go for this option again. I found that the 55” length was likely too short for me considering I’m 5’7 (60”) tall and either my head or feet extend beyond the quilt while I was in my hammock. This wasn’t a total dealbreaker since I sleep curled up and on my side most nights.

Again, now that I’m planning a 2019 thru-hike of the Continental Divide Trail, this under quilt is pointless since I won’t be using a hammock setup. I wish I had invested my money into a standard quilt such as the Revelation or Enigma by Enlightened Equipment. That way, the great lasting quality of Enlightened Equipment products would carry me into my next adventure as a ground-dweller on the CDT.

Pros: lofty and super warm
Cons: expensive, the short length (55”) was likely not enough for me, I can’t use the under quilt on my CDT thru-hike

Enlightened Equipment under quilt and ENO Sub7 hammock. My last night on the AT, Stover Creek Shelter mile 2,188.1

The Cook System

Optimus Titanium Long Spoon

Optimus Terra Solo Cook Set

DIY alcohol stove

For the longest time I was stoveless and for good reason. I prefer to eat as soon as I’m hungry and with little clean-up. Once the weather took a turn for the cold, my DIY alcohol stove saved my sanity countless times. A hot cup of morning coffee or hot Knorrs dinner with squeeze butter and crumbled cheese crackers was a delightful reward at the end of the day. Benefits to making your own alcohol stove include saving weight and money versus a pricey fuel canister stove setup.

I loved the green coated handles on these Optimus cook pots when I wanted to cook over the fire so removing the pots was easy and cool to the touch. The 2nd skillet-style pot was great to sauté a Salmon packet in butter and add to a pasta side.

The Optimus titanium long spoon is the cherry on top to this whole system. I rave about this spoon in My Top Thru-hike Essentials, enough said.

Pros: DIY alcohol stove is inexpensive and easy to make, duel cook pots made simultaneous hot drinks and hot dinners possible, the long spoon is bomb-proof
Cons: my DIY alcohol stove is not as fuel efficient as say a Toaks Alcohol Stove but it still did the trick, duel cook pots likely unnecessary

The Self-care Bag

I call it the self-care bag, the items you use to help yourself feeling like a human. My self-care bag changed and simplified over my thru-hike. In the end, I only carried the bare basics.

My first-aid kit also simplified. I prepared for infinite blisters but only had a few over the course of my hike. I mostly kept a few bandaids and alcohol wipes for scrapes and cuts. If I felt a hot-spot develop, I’d patch on a square of duct-tape which was wrapped around my trekking pole.

Cotopaxi Del Día Dopp Kit including:

Creative Solutions hairbrush

Blossom Menstrual Cup (not pictured)

Toothbrush

Toothpaste and floss

Nail/cuticle clippers

Eye drops for my monthly contact lenses

Baby powder for my hair

I used my Cotopaxi dopp kit long before my hike as a must-have travel accessory and I loved having it with me on my thru-hike. I brought this bag to Costa Rica, Dominica, and now on my AT thru-hike. Rigging a hip belt and this dopp kit could also function as a fanny pack.

Or, you can simply nab the Cotopaxi Bataan Del Dia (pictured below). I’m considering a one-of-a-kind colorway Bataan for my upcoming thru-hike of the Continental Divide Trail. This will function as my wallet and self-care bag in one. This way, I can flawlessly carry the essentials if I’m running a quick food resupply, grabbing a shower, or doing laundry in town.

Pros: fun Cotopaxi one-of-a-kind colors, the Creative Solutions Pocket brush is still my favorite brush before, and post-trail, Blossom Menstrual cup meant ZERO tampon waste on the trail (yay!)
Cons: none!

The Wardrobe

Puffy Jacket: Cotopaxi Fuego Down Insulated Jacket

Rain Gear: Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite2 Rain Suit

Hiking clothes: Patagonia Lightweight Capilene Half-zip and/or layered with Appalachian Gear Company All-Paca shirt with purple Cuddl Duds and/or layered with Cotopaxi Crux Shorts, and alternating between 2 pairs of Smartwool socks, these and these, plus basic Walmart sports bra

Designated sleep clothes: black Cuddl Duds ClimateRight top and bottom, 1 pair of Darn Tough Appalachian Trail socks

Extra: Cotopaxi Quito Active tank

Accessories: Appalachian Gear Co. beanie, wool gloves, Buff

Shoes: Altra Lone Peak 3.5 (hiking) and Teva Universal Slides (camp) - see my post about Altra: My Relationship with Trail Runners

These biggest changes in my wardrobe included gradually adding cold-weather elements, like a hat, gloves, and warmer layers. My southbound hike started in the middle of June in perfect Cotopaxi shorts and tank-top weather. By October, I was ready to trade my puffy vest for a puffy jacket and warmer sleep clothes.

I got my Cotopaxi Fuego Down Insulated jacket in Marion, Virginia mile 1,657.2 on November 1st. Until then, I was only using my Marmot Women’s PreCip Rain Jacket and an older version of The North Face Thermoball vest. Cotopaxi, a brand I've sported since day one, came to the rescue and in true Highlight-fashion, I got something colorful yet functional. The 800-fill hooded Fuego Down Jacket provided all the warmth I needed and peace of mind, only a puffy jacket delivers. Better yet, the DWR (durable water-resistant) coating held up in misty mornings and blowing rime-fall and -4 windchill in the Smokies.

In addition to my puffy, it’s safe to say, my Frogg Toggs also saved me in the Smokies. I purchased the rain suit over Hiker Thanksgiving in Hot Springs, North Carolina mile 1,916.4. The hem of the pants tore up pretty easily but the jacket held up great until the end.

As far as base layers go, I straddled the high and the low spectrum, for example, Patagonia Capilene and Cuddl Duds from Walmart. Thru-hiker clothes are nearly ruined by the end of a hike and it’s debatable what items are worth investing in. I purchased my Patagonia Capilene baselayer over 3 years ago and the only casualty was a campfire burn and holes on the right forearm sleeve. Otherwise, it’s still in decent shape and I plan to take it on my next hike. Furthermore, the inexpensive Cuddle Duds I purchased in Marion, Virginia were showing their wear and pretty stretched out by the end. If you’re on a budget, it’s not a bad way to go.

Now as I prepare for another trail, I’m investing in Outdoor Research rain gear, gloves, and waterproof mittens. These are items I wish I had on the Appalachian Trail instead of the cheap versions that I carried. The wool gloves I bought at an Army/Navy store in Marion, Virginia were fine in a pinch but now that I have time to prepare, I plan to upgrade.

Pros: I loved having colorful pieces on the trail, the Cotopaxi brand is great for adding a fun yet utilitarian touch, Cuddl Duds are inexpensive and functional
Cons: I wish I had warmer layers EARLIER, time-consuming to find the right layering system, the bottoms of my Frogg Toggs were torn up and trashed by the end

Miscellaneous

Hiking umbrella: I went through a few trail umbrellas and I was thankful for each and every one. If anything, I wished I carried one earlier. I recently bought a Six Moons Designs trekking umbrella for the Continental Divide Trail and I’d totally recommend one of these for the Appalachian Trail. While sun exposure is not as big an issue on the AT, keeping your head dry does wonders for trail morale. As a bonus, you can check your phone or eat a snack under your umbrella. Looking back, an umbrella was one of the best items I carried on the trail - see my post about My Top 5 Thru-Hike Essentials.

Anker PowerCore 13000: At only 9 oz., the PowerCore 13000 was perfect for the Appalachian Trail. Recharging my iPhone 6s at least 4-5 times, was enough for the time between towns and resupply. For the Continental Divide Trail, I will upgrade to the Anker PowerCore 20100.

Bose SoundSport in-ear headphones: In my opinion, the BEST headphones for a thru-hike. My saga with headphones begins when I sadly lose a pair of wireless Bluetooth headphones in Maine while navigating through a thick blowdown of trees and branches. Without realizing it, they were gone after a branch brushed them from my neck. After that, I went through a few junky pairs from the Dollar General before I got the Bose. These changed my life. I fall asleep to lo-fi chill music on the trail and these totally elevated my sleep experience. Hiking in the windy rain is no longer an irritant due to the nearly sound-canceling effects. There’s a microphone feature and you don’t need to charge them. I used these from New York until Georgia and I only wish I had them sooner. Pricey at $78, but totally worth it.

Petzl Activ Headlamp: Rechargeable plus a red light feature and I totally love my Petzl headlamp. I had this lamp before the trail and the battery lasts for days and works great for night hikes and at camp. If I were to upgrade, I’d go for the newer and lighter Petzl Activ rechargeable headlamp with 300 lumens.

Cnoc 2L Water Pouch & Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter - I rave about the Cnoc and Sawyer combo in my top thru-hike essentials. I never hike without these two items!

Conclusion

Gear and clothing are a natural learning curve over the span of a thru-hike. Learning what works for you and what will keep you comfortable and safe are lessons only the trail can teach. Overall, I’m really happy to learn a layering system and a gear haul that worked for my southbound thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail.

If you’re preparing for a southbound thru-hike, please feel free to ask a question or leave a comment below! I’d love to hear from you. Also, if you found this review helpful, please share it with a fellow SOBO! #SOBOlivesmatter

Happy trails,

Highlight

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