My summer 2026 hiking gear

There is a misconception that there is a standard set of equipment that works for everyone. I talked a little about this in my CDT gear post last year, but I think it’s great to revisit it as I prepare for my trip to the Sierra. I hate to break it to everyone, but there is no perfect bag for every body, nor is there a perfect base weight. The gear experience is highly individualized and people tend to choose what works best for them depending on their body type and their needs for specific trails. Since I’ll be hiking the Sierra and Tahoe Rim Trail this summer with no major snow expected, I can start thinking about what I’ll need for my adventure.

Team preparation

To properly prepare for any hike, you need to know a couple of things:

1. Number of days of absence
2. Your terrain (buggy, wet, rocky, sandy)
3. Weather conditions (rain, snow, scorching sun that melts your face)
4. Requirements and regulations (permits, bear canister requirements)
5. Yourself

The most important thing: Know yourself

Know yourself, know yourself, know yourself. Can you live without cooked foods and just cold soak them? Do you like freestanding tents or can you get away with other options? Do you tend to be cold or hot? Can you handle wearing the same socks for 5 days or will you want to change them? What level of misery do you know you can endure on the road? Some things you can plan, others you can’t. If you try a piece of equipment and don’t like it, change it and try something else. For example, I have tried ponchos twice. I don’t like them because, on the ridges, they tend to swell and I can’t see my feet, especially when there is snow. It may reduce the weight in my backpack, but I prefer to carry the weight.

My basic equipment

I promise you, just because I have it doesn’t mean you like it. However, you might consider a few things due to my equipment choices. This is my basic equipment given my body and the environments I will be placed in.

I like to pile things up and organize them. I just finished my hike through Haleakala National Park on Maui, so most of what I want is already decided.

Image source: Paige Combs, “Organized Mess,” June 2026.

The first thing I do is organize everything and start thinking about what I will do in each moment of my day. This helps me when I start getting ready and then make a note on my phone of the things I need to take the day before because I use them daily. For example, my wallet and some of my freshest foods.

main gear

My main equipment for me is my backpack, my tent, kitchen kit and my sleeping bag.

• Backpack – Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60
• Sleep System: Western Mountaineering VersaLite Sleeping Bag, NEMO Mat, and Sea to Summit Eros Lightweight Pillow
• Tent – ​​Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL – 2 people

Image source: Paige Combs, “Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL 2-Person in Sea to Summit Stuff Sack,” June 2026.

• Food Storage: BearVault and Sea to Summit Dry Bag

Image source: Paige Combs, “Kitchen Kit Items,” June 2026.

• Cookware: titanium pot, spork, off-brand Pocket Rocket

Technology

• Garmin InReach Mini 2
• Camera: Sony A7RIII with accessories (I might leave out my GoPro for this hike)
• Battery Pack – Portable Charger / Anker String
• Headlamp – NU25 UL Headlamp

Toiletries and emergency kit

Image source: Paige Combs, “My Not-So-Extravagant Toiletry Organization,” June 2026.

Image source: Paige Combs, “Poop Kit, So Basic,” June 2026.

• Poop Kit: PACT Outdoors Toilet Wipes, DirtySaw Deuce #2, Hand Sanitizer (Personal Choice)
• Emergency Aid Kit: Ibuprofen, Band-Aids, Benadryl (because bees love me), Azo (because I have chronic UTIs on the way)
• Personal care kit: brush, toothpaste, toothbrush, dental floss, nail clippers and Q-tips
• Kula Cloth – for those of us who squat when we pee

I don’t really have a sophisticated system. The interesting thing is that after walking for most of the last year, I think I have less anxiety about forgetting things. I won’t be bringing microspikes or an ice ax because it will be from mid-July to the end of August and by then there will be a designated trail for Northbounders. So I feel very comfortable with just my trekking poles and being careful when walking. BearVaults are also needed in the Sierra and Desolation Wilderness.

Complete list of detailed equipment

This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any products or services you purchase using links in articles or advertisements. The buyer pays the same price they would otherwise pay, and their purchase helps support The Trek’s ongoing goal of bringing you quality backpacking information and advice. Thank you for your support!

For more information, visit the About page of this site.