I love talking about gear and this blog is specific to my PCT sleep system: Of all the gear I carry, my sleep system is the one I trust the most no matter how far I go. Sleep is everything on the road (and out of the way… I need 8-10 hours straight if I’m expected to interact with other humans).
If I don’t recover well at night, the next day’s miles are twice as hard. Comfort in a sleep system is not a luxury: it is a survival strategy.
So, here’s the sleep system I’m bringing to the PCT:
Shelter: Durston X-ONE 1
Weight: 25.4 ounces
This tent hits the sweet spot of low weight, excellent weather protection, and a ridiculously intuitive pitch. It keeps my backpack light and uses trekking poles instead of tent poles (a plus, less gear to carry because I’ll already have my trekking poles with me). The double-wall design controls condensation and the polyester fabric does not sag when wet. It has two vestibules for storing gear, doors on both sides, and sets up quickly after a long day of hiking. I’m 5’3 and it’s the perfect size 1 person tent – I have plenty of room without feeling crowded. In general, it is simple and reliable.
*Durston has some of the best customer service I have ever experienced and truly treats customers as part of the backpacking community.
Quilt: Enlightened Equipment Riddle ~ 10°
Weight: 22 ounces
I use an Enlightened Equipment 10° down Enigma quilt with a sewn-in footrest – it’s incredibly lightweight, very packable, and impressively warm for its size. The sewn-in footwell keeps my feet warm without drafts, while the duvet design reduces weight compared to a traditional sleeping bag. It offers a lot of versatility: on warmer nights, I can vent easily and on cold nights, I can seal it up and rely on it. Overall, it’s a streamlined and reliable sleep system that copes well with the wide range of temperatures I expect on the trail.
Sleeping pad: Nemo Tensor
Weight: 1 pound 3 ounces
The NEMO Tensor Sleeping Pad (in the regular width) has been my go-to pad for the past few years. As a side sleeper, the extra width gives me room to move around without feeling like I’m going to fall over, and it’s noticeably more comfortable than most ultralight mats I’ve tested. It’s also surprisingly quiet, which makes a big difference after a long day where I just want to sleep without that creaking noise. It’s small and makes my setup feel light.
Pillow: Accelerated Ultralight
Weight: 1.8 ounces
I’ve had the Exped Ultralight pillow for a couple of years and it’s a great size for a restful night’s sleep. It’s incredibly small, almost nothing, so it barely takes up any space or weight in my backpack. Pro tip: I use my buff as a pillowcase so no additional equipment is necessary.
That’s my sleep system for the PCT: light, comfortable and reliable. (and some howling at the moon every night like the wild animal that I am). If you’re curious about the rest of the gear I’ll be carrying on the trail, you can check out my lighter package here (still doing some equipment testing to be as up to date as possible today).
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