How My Appalachian Trail Thru-hiking Gear Changed from Georgia to Maine

How My Appalachian Trail Thru-hiking Gear Changed from Georgia to Maine

Tags
gearappalachian trail
Originally Published on
February 19, 2019
Summary

Curious how a thru-hiker’s gear evolves over 2,000+ miles? This post breaks down what I carried on the Appalachian Trail—from my first steps in Georgia to my summit of Katahdin. You’ll see what got swapped, what stayed, and what I still regret sending home. With real weights, prices, and trail-tested takes, this is my complete AT gear evolution—no fluff.

Inspired by this The Trek article, this post is a brutally honest breakdown of how my gear evolved over the course of my 2018 Appalachian Trail thru-hike—what I started with, what I ditched, what I loved, and what I will never carry again.

If you’re overwhelmed by gear lists, I get it. I was too. Choosing what to carry for 2,000+ miles can feel impossible—especially when you’re budgeting, battling decision fatigue, and low-key terrified of making the wrong call.

But here’s the truth no one told me: your gear will change. What works at mile 5 might suck at mile 500. And that’s normal.

So instead of trying to get it "perfect" from the start, here’s what I recommend: build your base, then let your trail experience guide your swaps.

In this post, I’m sharing:

  • My favorite ride-or-die gear
  • What I carried at the start, middle, and end of the AT
  • How much it all weighed (ish) and cost (yep, I tracked it)
  • What I’d do differently if I were starting again

Think of this as a real-life case study in how gear evolves on a thru-hike.

Favorite Gear

These are the MVPs—the pieces that earned a permanent spot in my pack:

📌

2025 Updates:

They’ve changed the design of the Osprey Eja and the Cocoon Ultra Light Travel Pillow which I used in 2019 and I don’t like the new versions of these items.

The old version I have of the Eja pack is still going strong so I don’t have any current recommendations as of August 7, 2025.

But I currently use these pillows:

I also replaced my stove with the BRS Ultralight Camping Gas Stove – 10/10 recommend.

What I Carried on My Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike (and Why It Changed)

From Amicalola, GA to Damascus, VA

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The gear I started the Appalachian Trail with

Sleep: Tent, Sleep System, and Pajamas

Item
Category
Cost (in USD)
Weight (in oz)
Tent
$300.00
48
Footprint
$35.00
5
Quilt
$270.00
18.5
Stuff Sack
$0.00
2.47
Sleeping Pad
$39.99
18
Fire Light UL Inflatable Pillow
Pillow
$9.99
3.1
Sit Pad
$2.38
1.3
Baselayer Bottoms
$25.00
15
Semi-Synthetic T-Shirt
Sleep Shirt
$0.00
5
Baselayer Top
$0.00
10
Heavy Weight Wool ‘Lifestyle’ Socks

Eat: Cook System + Food Storage

Item
Category
Cost (in USD)
Weight (in oz)
Stove
$30.00
3
Lighter
$1.00
0.4
Fuel
$4.95
7
Cook Pot
$19.00
8
404_70489
8976840001
none
Utensil
$8.95
0.4
Pot Scraper (old from Pampered Chef)
Scraper
$0.00
0.4
50 Ft Reflective Chord
Bear Hang Rope
$10.00
10
Food Bag
$60.00
7.8
Spyderco Tenacious
Knife
$0.00
4
Water Bag
$19.99
2.6
Water Filter
$39.95
3

Pack: Gregory Maven 55 $229 54oz

Poles: REI Co-Op Traverse Power Lock Cork Women's Trekking Poles $99.95

Hiking Clothes

Item
Category
Cost (in USD)
Weight (in oz)
Shirt
$20.00
Sports Bra
$14.00
Hiking Pants
$27.00
Nike Pro Women’s 8" Compression Short
Shorts
$30.00
5
Underwear
$14.00
Down Jacket
$90.00
(switched at Neel Gap)
Synthetic Jacket
$130.00
7
Rain Jacket
$0.00
4
Rain Pants
$45.00
12 (ditched at Neels Gap)
Umbrella
$39.00
8 (ditched at Fontana Dam)
Long Sleeve Baselayer
$49.99
(lost on approach trail)
Baselayer Bottoms
$39.99
Dress
$0.00
10
Synthetic hat with DriFit liner (homemade)
Hat
$0.00
EMS Liner Gloves
Gloves
$10.00
4
Buff
$—

Footwear

Item
Category
Cost (in USD)
Weight (in oz)
Camp Shoes
$18.00
6
Gaiters
$23.00
Trail Runners
$130.00
(switched to Oboz Luna at Neels Gap — hated them — and then to La Sportiva Ultra Raptors in Franklin, NC)
Socks
$11.25
Sock Liners
$5.99
(ditched at Neels Gap; tried Injinji, then ditched all liners in Franklin, NC)

Electronics

Item
Category
Cost (in USD)
Weight (in oz)
Charger
$17.99
4.2
Headlamp
$17.38
3.2 (left at Boots Off Hostel; replaced with Petzl Tikka in Damascus)
iPhone 6s
Phone
$0.00
6
eReader
$0.00
3 (sent home at Franklin, NC)
GPS
$300.00
4
Headphones
$19.99
0.5
Phone Case
$29.61
1.3

Toiletries

Item
Category
Cost (in USD)
Weight (in oz)
Travel Brush from Target
Toothbrush
$1.00
0.5
Free Sample from Dentist
Toothpaste
$0.00
0.5
Charmin
Toilet Paper
$1.00
0.5
Always Radiant Infinity / Playtex Sport
Menstrual Care
$5.94
1
Old Nike T-Shirt cut up
Sweat Rag
$0.00
2
Pee Rag
$1.00
1
Hair Ties
Hair Ties
$0.00
Q-Tips
Q-Tips
$0.00
(loved having these, but didn’t always carry)
Towel
$0.00
0.9
Timex Women’s Ironman Sport
Watch
$12.95
Gold Bond Ultimate Travel Size
Body Powder
$0.00
(left at Neels Gap, never used)
Old Haircut Kit Comb
Comb
$0.00
0.8
Deuce of Spades
Trowel
$0.00
0.6
Dr. Bronner’s
Soap
$2.00
3 (ditched at Damascus, replaced, then ditched again)
Chafe Protection
$5.00
0.5 (ditched in Damascus)
Toiletry Bag
$0.00
1

First Aid Kit

Item
Category
Cost (in USD)
Weight (in oz)
Fire Kit (straw, matches, cotton ball, striker)
Emergency Fire Starter
$0.00
(ditched at Neels, unnecessary)
Duck Tape
Duct Tape
$0.00
(recommend carrying Leuko or Duct, not both)
Nail Clippers
Nail Care
$0.00
3
Tiny Tweezers
Tweezers
$0.00
0.5
Mole Skin
Blister Care
$5.00
0.5 (never used, ditched at Franklin)
Band Aids (assorted)
Wound Care
$5.00
1 (ditched at Neels — bandaids don’t stay on)
Adhesive Aid
$7.00
0.5 (ditched at Franklin, never used)
Assorted Meds (Benadryl, Tylenol, Aleve, etc.)
Medication
$0.00
1 (ditched all but ibuprofen at Franklin — bring Immodium!)
Blister Tape
$7.00
6
Electrolytes
$10.00
2 (you can also use Nuun, Emergen-C, or Salt Stick — Emergen-C is my fave)

At Harper’s Ferry

By the time I got to harper’s Ferry my thruhiking gear had changed a LOT. 1,023 miles (the ceremonial halfway) into my hike, I started wanting to reduce my base weight but also indulge in little luxuries. I started treating my hike more like a lifestyle than a short-term trip and it made it a lot more enjoyable for me.

Harper’s Ferry 2018
Harper’s Ferry 2018

Sleep

Item
Category
Cost (in USD)
Weight (in oz)
Tent
$225.00
23
Footprint
$9.00
4.5 (only used 3 times, kept until Maine)
Tent Stakes
$11.00
2.5
Quilt
$270.00
18.5
Sleeping Bag Liner
$67.95
14 (picked up at NOC, wasn’t warm — hated it)
Sleeping Pad
$140.00
15
Pillow
$30.00
3.1 (BEST THING I’VE EVER BOUGHT)
Sit Pad
$0.00
1.6

Eat

Item
Category
Cost (in USD)
Weight (in oz)
Stove
$30.00
3
Lighter
$1.00
0.4
Fuel
$4.95
7
Pot
$39.00
4
Utensil
$8.95
0.4
Food Bag
$23.95
4.7
Spyderco Tenacious
Knife
$0.00
0.36
Water Bag
$19.99
2.6
Water Filter
$39.95

Pack

Item
Category
Cost (in USD)
Weight (in oz)
Backpack
$176.00
26
Pack Cover
$35.00
3
Trekking Poles
$99.95

Clothing

Item
Category
Cost (in USD)
Weight (in oz)
Hiking Top
$39.00
(caused severe rashes – not recommended for sensitive skin)
Sports Bra
$22.00
Nike Pro Women's 8" Compression Short
Base Layer Bottoms
$30.00
(initially helpful for chafe, eventually slipped and caused rashes — ditched)
Insulated Jacket
$139.00
7
Rain Jacket
$0.00
4
Long Underwear Top
$39.99
4 (also caused rashes — not recommended)
Long Underwear Bottoms
$0.00
6 (great budget wool layer)
Semi-Synthetic T-Shirt
Sleep Shirt
$0.00
5 (still bring it on every trip)
Socks
$0.00
3
Synthetic Hat (DriFit-lined, homemade)
Warm Hat
$0.00
Neckwear
$0.00

Footwear

Item
Category
Cost (in USD)
Weight (in oz)
Camp Shoes
$18.00
6
Gaiters
$23.00
Trail Runners
$78.00
(partial sponsorship)
Socks
$0.00
3

Electronics

Item
Category
Cost (in USD)
Weight (in oz)
Charger
$17.99
4.2
Headlamp
$29.95
3
iPhone 6s
Cell Phone
$0.00
6
GPS
$300.00
4
Headphones
$19.99
1
Phone Case
$35.00
1.3

Toiletries

Item
Category
Cost (in USD)
Notes / Weight
Travel Brush from Target
Toothbrush
$1.00
Dollar Store Toothpaste
Toothpaste
~$1.00
Toilet Paper
Hygiene
Free
(Grab where you can — post office, hiker boxes, etc.)
Always Radiant / Playtex Sport
Menstrual Products
(Restocked in town as needed)
Old Nike T-Shirt (cut up)
Snot/Sweat Rag
$0.00
Pee Rag
~$1.00
(Added a GoGirl in PA — highly recommend GoGirl or PStyle)
Hair Ties
Hair Accessories
$0.00
(Still useful even after cutting hair in MA)
Towel
Timex Women’s Ironman Sport
Watch
$12.95
Gold Bond Ultimate Spray
Anti-Chafe
$4.00
(Used during Shenandoah heat rash/salt chafe)
Old Haircut Kit Comb
Comb
$0.00
Deuce of Spades
Trowel
$0.00
Healing Ointment
$0.00
6oz
Organizer Bag
$0.00
1oz

First Aid Kit

Item
Category
Cost (in USD)
Weight (in oz)
Nail Clippers
First Aid
$0.00
3
Tweezers
First Aid
$0.00
0.5
Blister Tape
$7.00
5
Emergen-C
Electrolytes
$4.00
2

From Grafton Notch, ME to Katahdin:

By the time I hit the last few hundred miles of the trail, I was wrecked — and not just from the walking. I’d come down with Giardia, needed real rest, and had to make a quick detour home to Fryeburg, ME to recover (and play maid of honor in my best friend’s wedding — glamorous timing, right?).

image
image

While I was home, I scrubbed my gear, swapped out anything moldy or broken, and picked up a few winter essentials. The nights were getting cold, and I knew the hundred mile wilderness and Baxter State Park weren’t going to cut me any slack.

Sleep

Item
Category
Cost (in USD)
Weight (in oz)
Tent
$225.00
23
Tent Stakes
$11.00
2.5
Quilt
$270.00
18.5
Sleeping Pad
$140.00
15 (purchased on Amazon — rectangular version tends to be cheaper)
Pillow
$30.00
3.1 (replacement after original was ruined in dryer in Hot Springs)

Eat

Item
Category
Cost (in USD)
Weight (in oz)
Stove
$30.00
3
Lighter
$1.00
0.4
Fuel
$4.95
7
Pot
$39.00
4
Utensils
$8.95
0.4
Food Bag
$23.95
4.7
Spyderco Tenacious
Knife
$0.00
3.6
Water Storage
$12.00
1.1
Water Filter
$39.95
3

Pack

Item
Category
Cost (in USD)
Weight (in oz)
Backpack
$176.00
26
Pack Cover
$10.00
5.5
image

Poles Black Diamond Trail Shock Pro (Women's) $99.95 17oz (Check Amazon for better pricing)

I still use these in 2025!! And I also put snow baskets on them in the winter and use them for backcountry skiing. These are the best most durable trekking poles!

Clothing

Item
Category
Cost (in USD)
Weight (in oz)
Top
$123.00
Sports Bra
$22.00
2
Bottoms
$22.00
4
Underwear
$10.00
3
Underwear
$14.00
2
Jacket
$139.00
7
Rain Jacket
$8.00
4
Long Sleeve Baselayer
$30.00
4
Baselayer Bottoms
$0.00
4
Semi-Synthetic T-Shirt
Sleep Shirt
$0.00
5
Socks
$0.00
3
Synthetic Hat with DriFit Liner (made by my mom)
Warm Accessories
$0.00
4
Neckwear
$0.00

Footwear

Item
Category
Cost (in USD)
Weight (in oz)
Camp Shoes
$18.00
6
Gaiters
$23.00
1.1
Trail Runners
$78.00 (Partial Sponsorship)
Socks
$0.00
2 (1 oz per pair)

Electronics

Item
Category
Cost (in USD)
Weight (in oz)
Charger
$17.99
4.2
Headlamp
$29.95
3
iPhone 6s
Cell Phone
$0.00
5
GPS Device
$300.00
4
Headphones
$19.99
0.5
Phone Case
$35.00
1.3

Toiletries

Item
Category
Cost (in USD)
Weight (in oz)
Travel Brush from Target
Toothbrush
$1.00
0.5
Free Sample from Dentist
Toothpaste
$0.00
0.5
Free where you can find it
Toilet Paper
$0.00
0.5
Always Radiant Infinity / Playtext Sport
Menstrual Products
$5.94
0.5
Old Nike T-Shirt cut up
Sweat Rag
$0.00
0.2
Pee Rag
$1.00
0.5
Hair Ties
Hair Accessories
$0.00
Q-Tips
Personal Hygiene
$0.00
Towel
$0.00
0.9
Timex Women’s Ironman Sport
Watch
$12.95
6
Deuce of Spades
Trowel
$0.00
0.6
Dr. Bronner's
Soap
$2.00
3
Chafe Protection
$5.00
0.5
Healing Ointment
$0.00
4
Toiletry Bag
$0.00
1

First Aid Kit

Item
Category
Cost (in USD)
Weight (in oz)
Nail Clippers
First Aid
$0.00
2.5
Tweezers
First Aid
$0.00
0.5
Ibuprofen + Vitamins
Medications
$0.00
0.5
Blister Tape
$7.00
6
Emergen-C
Electrolytes
$4.00
3

What’s in My Pack Now: My 2025 Gear List

image

These days, I’m not thru-hiking 2,000 miles. I’m just weekend backpacking with my dog and my fiancé. My gear has changed a lot since the Appalachian Trail, and honestly, so have my priorities.

I still love the outdoors, but I’m not about to commit to another 6-month long thru-hike again any time soon. My current backpacking setup is lighter, simpler, and way more comfort-focused. Whether I’m heading out for a quick overnight or dreaming about a future 2–3 week section hike, this is the gear that works for me now – in 2025.

image
image
image
image

If you're looking for a dialed-in weekend backpacking gear list, this is it. Designed for casual adventures, trail dog logistics, and sharing snacks with someone you love. But a lot of it could work for a thru-hike!

Sleep

Item
Category
Cost (in USD)
Weight (in oz)
Tent
$225.00
31 oz
Sleeping Bag
$500.00
1 lb 1.8 oz
Sleeping Bag
$199.00
2 lbs. 11 oz
Sleeping Pad
$140.00
15 oz
Pillow
$64
2.5 oz
Pillow
$44.95
9.2 oz

Eat

Item
Category
Cost (in USD)
Weight (in oz)
Stove
$15.00
1
Lighter
$1.00
0.4
Fuel
$4.95
7
Pot, Untensil, Koozie
$34.95
6
Food Bag
$23.95
4.7
Knife
$74.00
5
Water Filter
$39.95
3

Pack

Item
Category
Cost (in USD)
Weight (in oz)
Backpack
$176.00
26
Pack Cover
$10.00
5.5

Poles Black Diamond Trail Shock Pro (Women's) $99.95 17oz (Check Amazon for better pricing)

I still use these in 2025!! And I also put snow baskets on them in the winter and use them for backcountry skiing. These are the best most durable trekking poles!

Clothing

Item
Category
Cost (in USD)
Weight (in oz)
Top
$123.00
Sports Bra
$22.00
2
Shorts
$22.00
4
Pants
$99.00
3
Jacket
$139.00
7
Long Sleeve Sun Shirt
$49.00
6.4
Baselayer Bottoms for sleeping
$0.00
4
Semi-Synthetic T-Shirt
Sleep Shirt
$0.00
5
Socks
$26.00
3
Synthetic Hat with DriFit Liner (made by my mom)
Warm Accessories
$0.00
4
Neckwear
$0.00

Footwear

Item
Category
Cost (in USD)
Weight (in oz)
Camp Shoes
$80.00
8
Trail Runners
$86.00
Socks
$0.00
1

Electronics

Item
Category
Cost (in USD)
Weight (in oz)
Charger
$17.99
4.2
Headlamp
$29.95
1.6
GPS Device
$300.00
3.5
Headphones
$129.95
0.9

Toiletries

Item
Category
Cost (in USD)
Weight (in oz)
Travel Brush from Target
Toothbrush
$1.00
0.5
Free Sample from Dentist
Toothpaste
$0.00
0.5
Free where you can find it
Toilet Paper
$0.00
0.5
Menstrual Products
$29.99
1
Old Nike T-Shirt cut up
Sweat Rag
$0.00
0.2
Pee Rag
$35.00
0.5
Hair Accessories
$0.00
Q-Tips
Personal Hygiene
$0.00
Towel
$0.00
0.9
Watch
$70
5
Deuce of Spades
Trowel
$0.00
0.6
Soap
4
Chafe Protection
$17.00
3
Healing Ointment
$0.00
4
Toiletry Bag
$0.00
1

First Aid Kit

Item
Category
Cost (in USD)
Weight (in oz)
Nail Clippers
First Aid
$0.00
2.5
Tweezers
First Aid
$0.00
0.5
Ibuprofen + Vitamins
Medications
$0.00
0.5
Blister Tape
$7.00
6
Immodium
Anti-Diarrhea
$10
0.5

What I Learned From Carrying My Life for 2,000+ Miles

image

Thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail taught me that your gear is just a starting point – not a final answer. Every item in my pack went through its own journey, just like I did. Some gear was perfect from day one. Some I cursed and ditched within weeks. And some surprised me by sticking around all the way to Katahdin.

If you’re planning your own AT thru-hike (or any long-distance backpacking trip), here’s my two cents: there’s no such thing as a “perfect” gear list – just the right gear for you, right now. You’ll learn, adapt, swap, and figure it out as you go. Heck, my gear has changed a lot in the past 6 years since my thru-hike too.

Use this post as a resource and reality check. See what worked, what didn’t, what I wish I’d done differently—and most importantly, what stayed with me all the way.

Your gear will evolve. You will too. Let the trail teach you.