Sunday, August 3, 2025

Appalachian Path (AT) Ultralight Gear Listing [2024]


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It is a full Appalachian Path Gear Listing for thru-hiking in 2024.

Beneath is a listing of the very best to take when thru-hiking or part mountain climbing the Appalachian Path. A Light-weight or Ultralight Appalachian Path packing record will preserve your base weight round 15lb or much less.

This Appalachian Path thru-hike gear record is my advice on what gear to take thru-hiking the AT. The most important monetary funding shall be within the huge 4. The Backpack, Tent, Sleeping Bag, and Sleeping Mat.

A clever selection of these things will guarantee an ultra-lightweight Appalachian Path Packing Listing. These essential concerns will result in a snug evening’s sleep and fewer stress on the physique. The Appalachian Path is already a really powerful hike, make it a bit of simpler with good gear choice. What to pack on the Appalachian Path is a crucial factor to take a position each money and time.

I’m at the moment updating my very worn-out gear – Take a look at My Ultralight thru-hiking Gear record which has a base weight of lower than 11lb (5kg).


Appalachian Path Via-Hike Gear Listing 2024

The Appalachian Path is harder than many different thru-hiking trails in some ways. Early and late-season snow and excessive chilly are in full distinction to the acute warmth and suffocating humidity in July for a lot of sections of the AT.

Add to that the fixed rain and the potential of a former hurricane shifting over the path to drop biblical ranges of rain inflicting localized flooding.

Sure, the Appalachian Path is hard on gear. This Appalachian Path packing record ought to give the thru-hiker and part hiker the possibility to take a few of the greatest ultralight gear for the Appalachian Path.

Then there are the lengthy rocky sections of path, overgrown sharp thickets, and uncovered ridges which make for diverse terrain that’s powerful on gear. Beneath are my picks of what to pack for the Appalachian Path.


Greatest Tent for the Appalachian Path

The Appalachian Path shall be moist and for the early starters and late finishers, it is going to be chilly. There shall be a number of occasions when thru-hikers shall be tenting above the treeline so a full-on mountain tent is just not crucial. The most effective tent for the Appalachian Path shall be light-weight, waterproof, and large enough.

Greatest 1P Tent for the Appalachian Path

Greatest 2P Tent for the Appalachian Path

Greatest 3P Tent for the Appalachian Path


Greatest Backpack for the Appalachian Path

The most effective backpack for the Appalachian Path is ultra-lightweight, comfy, and sturdy sufficient to face up to months of abuse. There shall be plenty of rain on the AT so be certain that every little thing is packed inside some type of waterproof bag. I like to make use of a big compactor trash bag.

What dimension Backpack for the Appalachian Path

The most effective dimension backpack for the Appalachian Path is round 50 liters. Some folks suppose it’s a nice concept to take a 70 liter rucksack however there are ample locations to resupply with meals and water on the path and a big backpack will encourage via hikers to take an excessive amount of gear. A 50-liter backpack for the Appalachian Path is the very best.


Greatest Sleeping Bag for the Appalachian Path

The most effective sleeping bag for mountain climbing the Appalachian Path is a degree-rated sleeping bag round 20F. For these beginning earlier or ending later, you might get a sleeping bag rated to 10F. For part mountain climbing in June or July, a bag rated to 30F or 40F can be OK.

The months of June and July are scorching and humid. It could be nice to have 2 sleeping luggage. Take one for the colder months on the path after which ship it house for June and July and change it with an ultralight summer time sleeping bag. As this isn’t sensible for many thru-hikers, a 20F bag is greatest.

Here’s a record of very extremely beneficial ultralight Sleeping Luggage for the Appalachian Path.


Greatest Ultralight Backpacking Quilts for the Appalachian Path

Ultralight Sleeping Quilts are well-liked and a greater light-weight various to a heavier sleeping bag. However they’ve limitations in actually chilly climate. I’d solely advocate an ultralight quilt in temperatures above 30F. Something beneath that temperature and a sleeping bag is extra environment friendly at holding you heat.

Here’s a record of very extremely beneficial ultralight quilts for the Appalachian Path.


Greatest Sleeping Pad for the Appalachian Path

Being comfy at evening results in a very good evening’s sleep. Nothing contributes extra to a very good evening’s sleep than a snug sleeping pad. It’s preferable to make use of an ultralight air mattress however light-weight foam makes an ideal possibility for the budget-conscious sleeper who principally sleeps on their again.

Here’s a record of all the very best ultralight Sleeping mats for the Appalachian Path.


Footwear is a private selection and what works completely for one particular person is not going to work with one other. Be cautious of any mountain climbing footwear gear evaluation that implies this present or that shoe is greatest. Everybody’s ft are totally different.

A number of issues are sure about footwear for mountain climbing the Appalachian Path. They need to be light-weight, match correctly, and never trigger blisters or hotspots.

For slim ft, the higher choices are Saloman and Brooks. For wider ft, Altra and Merrell are greatest.

Listed here are my 3 suggestions for the very best sneakers and boots for the Appalachian Path.

Listed here are my 3 suggestions for the very best path trainers for the Appalachian Path.


Socks for the Appalachian Path

It is a no-brainer. Darn Powerful Socks are the preferred for good cause. Certain you might attempt one other model and magnificence however there’s each likelihood that you’ll simply return to Darn Powerful. If you’re beginning very early within the season chances are you’ll want a pair of Mountain climbing Gaiters for defense from the chilly and snow.


Greatest Clothes for the Appalachian Path

The most effective clothes for thru-hiking the Appalachian Path is one thing that entails layers. There shall be excessive warmth and humidity in mid-summer and excessive chilly and early or late-season snow. Layers embody a very good rain jacket, puffy down jacket, mid-layer, and baselayer.

Appalachian Path hikers are particularly susceptible to reeking of very unhealthy physique odor. This may be diminished by utilizing Merino Wool Baselayer however they aren’t beneficial for areas with excessive humidity. All layers together with down jackets ought to have a point of climate safety for the sure rain that shall be encountered.

Layers that it’s best to take embody a puffy down jacket, mid-layer, baselayer, mountain climbing shirts, mountain climbing shorts, and rain gear.

Down Jacket

Fleece Mid Layer

Baselayers

Mountain climbing Shirts

Mountain climbing Pants

Mountain climbing Shorts


Greatest Rain Gear for the Appalachian Path

The Appalachian Path will see plenty of rain so be ready with high quality rain gear. When it does rain you have to a high-quality ultralight rain jacket. Not solely will it defend you from the rain, however they make an ideal windbreaker on these cool days and chances are you’ll end up sporting it extra typically than you may suppose.

Here’s a record of all the very best rain jackets for the Appalachian Path.

Don’t overlook Rain Pants such because the Out of doors Analysis Helium Pants or the ultralight Zpacks Vertice Rain Pants.

I’ve used the Six Moon Designs Silver Shadow Carbon on the Appalachian Path and I like it. At solely 8 ounces it’s effectively definitely worth the added weight, particularly within the hotter sections of the path when it’s too scorching and humid for rain gear.


Cookware – Stoves & Pots for Appalachian Path

You’ll recognize a heat meal at evening and perhaps a scorching espresso or tea within the morning. Listed here are some cookware units, stoves, pots, and different gear you have to for the path.

You’ll recognize a heat meal at evening and perhaps a scorching espresso or tea within the morning. Listed here are a few of the greatest cookware units, stoves, pots, and different gear you have to for the path.


Water on the Appalachian Path

Total the water high quality on the AT is affordable and there aren’t many dry sections requiring a heavy water carry. As with virtually each backcountry journey, it’s best to deal with the water and carry sufficient to your wants. Whereas on the Appalachian Path, I bought sick a few occasions from not filtering water. Listed here are some beneficial water therapy units, water storage bottles, and bladders.


Trekking Poles for the Appalachian Path

To scale back put on in your physique a very good high quality set of trekking poles needs to be used. Listed here are the very best choices for the AT:


Snow Gear and Bear Canisters for the AT

If you’re beginning very early or ending very late chances are you’ll need to take into account some specialist snow gear to make the journey a bit extra comfy. This gear may be despatched house when the climate warms up. And take into account a bear bag to stop bears or rodents from consuming your meals on the path.


Cameras and Electronics

With so many electronics that we tackle the path as of late, it may be laborious to determine what to take and what to depart behind. Check out a few of the gadgets chances are you’ll want and observe the hyperlinks to my detailed guides about which of them are the very best.


Different Gear

  • Plastic zip lock luggage
  • Cash / ID / Credit score Playing cards
  • Blister pads
  • Strapping Tape
  • Foot an infection anti-biotic
  • Ibuprofen
  • Tweezers
  • Toothbrush and Toothpaste
  • Security Pin
  • Needle
  • Deet insect repellent
  • Sunscreen
  • Lip Balm
  • Rest room tissue


Benefit from the path.

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


BikeHikeSafari Gear Evaluate Course of

The creator, Brad McCartney from BikeHikeSafari is a small unbiased adventurer and outside gear tester who owns and runs BikeHikeSafari.com.

BikeHikeSafari is just not half of a big weblog community and is proudly unbiased. All critiques on this web site are unbiased and sincere gear critiques of out of doors merchandise by the creator.

The creator, Brad McCartney is a really skilled triple crown thru-hiker, adventurer, and bike tourer having spent 1000s of nights sleeping in a tent and sleeping bag (Learn extra). He was a supervisor of an out of doors retail retailer and could be very skilled in what’s essential when utilizing and testing gear for critiques like this.

BikeHikeSafari won’t ever obtain any cash for critiques and they don’t settle for sponsored critiques on this web site. All of the feedback concerning the gear critiques are from the creator based mostly on his years of expertise. Hope this unbiased evaluation was useful for you.

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