Appalachian Trail Gear List
With that in mind, I’ve compiled a suggested packing list for aspiring thru-hikers on the Appalachian Trail. In addition, I include a few links for what brands work best. For a longer, more detailed post about what I carried on the Appalachian Trail, check it out here.
BASIC Thru-hiker gear list
The Big Four
Electronics
- Phone/Camera
- Battery bank and wall charger
- Headlamp
- Charging cords
- Headphones
Clothes
- Hiking shirt
- Hiking shorts/pants
- Hat
- Trail runners
- Socks (1 worn, 1 sleep, 2 extra)
- Sleep shirt
- Sleep leggings
- Rain jacket
- Rain pants
- Insulated jacket
Water & Cook System
- Water Filter
- 4-liter capacity bottles or platypus
- Stove
- Cooking pot
- Long handle spoon
- Lighter
- Fuel
Products/First-aid
- Hand sanitizer
- Band-aids, Neosporin
- Sunscreen
- Bug repellant
- Ibuprofen, Benadryl, etc.
Miscellaneous
- Guidebook
- Sit pad for camp/breaks
- Umbrella
- Trekking poles
- Trowel
- Hairbrush/comb
- Toothbrush
- Bandana
Things to Consider
Sleep shelter
On the AT, I slept in a hammock. On the CDT, I slept in a tent. Simply, the trail and terrain could influence your choice of sleep shelter. It's easy to find great hammock camping on the AT, but not easy on all of the CDT.
Cook System or Stoveless
On the AT, I endeavoured to go stoveless, meaning that I didn't carry a fuel cannister or a stove. Instead, I opted to cold-soak my dinners or rehydrate meals in a Talenti jar. My go-to dinner starts with instant potatoes and then add cheese, crunchy chips, a tuna packet, or Spam. First thing in the morning, I'd make instant oatmeal, cranberries, and a breakfast essential and let that hydrate for an hour or so. Right when I take my first morning break, I'll pull out the oats and eat a hearty breakfast.
Weather
When preparing for a thru-hike, whether northbound, southbound, or flip-flop, I find it helpful to gauge your weather timeline and pack accordingly. For example, when I hiked south from Mt Katahdin in June, I carried a synthetic vest rather than a full sleeve puffy jacket. When I was in Virginia in October, I sent myself a hooded down jacket to help with increasing colder temperatures.
I mention an umbrella in the list above simply because I would never thru-hike without one! I didn't pick one up until Harper's Ferry on the AT. Once I had one, I understood! Keeping your head dry is everything.
