Let’s talk about team. I didn’t start backpacking until about 3 years ago. However, I have the help of two friends (Rocket Man and Call Me Ishmael) who have over 50 years of backpacking experience. They invested in me, answered my many questions, and stressed the importance of minimizing the weight of my backpack.
After a couple of years and several multi-day backpacking trips, I have gotten my gear. I feel very comfortable with my equipment to start the AT. I’m sure I’ll tweak some things along the way, but I’ll be surprised if I need to make significant changes.
I’m bringing a couple of new pieces of gear, but the rest I’ve tested on various hikes and during my Foothills Trail test hike in October 2025. So… let’s get started and discuss what I’m starting with on my AT 2026 hike.
Pack
Nashville package cut 30L
Nashville package cut 30L
I love this package! I have taken it on every backpacking trip to date.
The owners of Nashville Pack are amazing! Especially since this was the first pack I bought. I had no idea if the package would work for me. When I took all the measurements suggested on the website, my torso length was right in the middle of two sizes. I ordered a smaller size, but when I received it, the backpack just didn’t feel right. After a few email exchanges with Grant, they allowed me to return my made-to-order package and order the next larger size that fit perfectly.
This backpack has vest-style straps for running. In my experience, these straps work to distribute the weight across the chest rather than the shoulders. I don’t use a hip belt, but you can buy it as an accessory.
Some backpacks I’ve tried don’t work well for me because I have a super short torso (I’m only 5’4″…I swear I used to be 5’6″ but I’ve shrunk with age). I really like that Nashville Pack custom makes their backpacks for 3 different torso sizes… and 4 different strap sizes. This allows you to achieve the perfect fit for your body type.
Based on my testing, I wouldn’t recommend this backpack if you’re going to need to carry more than 25 pounds total…including food and water. You may be able to do this with an optional hip belt, but I haven’t tried it.
Shelter
Durston X-Mid Pro 1
Durston X-Mid Pro 1
Alright…you’ll see a common theme with these first two articles…I love this tent! More info: Click3here. This tent is by far my favorite piece of equipment I own.
It’s lightweight, extremely wind resistant, and I’ve had no problems with the setup on different terrain including CT and AT. For a single person tent, the interior is huge and the extra vestibule space is fantastic. When I started taking this tent on my trips, Rocket Man was so impressed with it that he bought one.
Pachallama tent stakes
Carbon fiber: 2 grams each
This is a choice I hope I don’t regret. Unlike almost all the other gear I carry, I haven’t used these stakes on a backpacking trip. I saw them at Garage Grown Gear and they were 2 grams each…I just couldn’t resist.
I tested them at home in the garden after a good rain with a sustained wind of 20-25 mph. They behaved very well… so I’m going with them. We’ll see…
sleep system
Enigma Illuminated Equipment 40 degrees
Enigma Illuminated Equipment 40 degrees
Maybe you’re saying to yourself… «40 degree duvet, he must be crazy, he’s going to freeze to death.» Well, I field tested my sleep settings down to 20 degrees and slept very well. This could be because I am a very warm sleeper, but when I pair this quilt with the rest of my sleep system and my clothing, I feel quite warm.
I plan to bring only this quilt and not change it along the way for a warmer or cooler one. I can always adapt if necessary.
NEMO Tensor Elite
NEMO Tensor Elite mummy shorts
I have found that backpacking has many advantages for short, small, and light hikers like me. On the contrary, in normal life not so many. For example, I had to learn to survive in high school because the worst thing in high school is standing out. As the shortest person in my high school (my freshman year I was much shorter than even the shortest girl), I couldn’t help but stand out in a school of 2,500 students. This was not a good thing… 😊
The advantage of a short person is to save base weight without making compromises. A great example of this is my sleeping mat. I have the short mummy version of the Tensor Elite. I can fit comfortably in it without my feet hanging off the end.
Big Sky International Pillow
Big Sky Ultralight Pillow
Finding the right pillow is something that has taken me more trial and error. I feel like I’ve tried every pillow on the market.
If you are interested in more details here, I made a video on my YouTube channel describing all the pillows I tried with their pros and cons. It probably deserves a post of its own… I’ll try to do it if I have time before I go.
Needless to say…the Big Sky pillow is the most comfortable ultralight pillow I have ever found. I also understand that a pillow is a very personal piece of equipment, like shoes, you really need to try them on yourself.
Gossamer Gear Thinlight Foam Pad
Gossamer Gear Thinlight Foam Pad
One of the things I look for to save on base weight is individual pieces of equipment that serve multiple purposes. This foam pad is the most versatile piece of equipment I own.
I use it as part of my sleep system to add friction (so I don’t slide across the tent floor during the night) and insulation. I use it as a mat to sit on. I use it as a yoga mat. I use it to have stability in my backpack against my back.
It’s a great piece of equipment!
radiant blanket/floor cloth
Marathon Radiant Blanket by the Yard
I ran my first half marathon in December 2025. When I crossed the finish line, they gave me a radiant blanket to wear because it was so cold. In these conditions, you can lose body heat extremely quickly when you stop doing physical exercise.
It wasn’t until I was on the way to my truck after the race that I had this thought…this could be a great piece of equipment that could double as a radiant barrier and ground cloth when I stay in shelters as part of my sleep system.
I haven’t used it in the field yet… but I have high hopes. The other great thing…it’s super lightweight.
Other equipment
I’ve included my full gear list at the end of this post. There is so much more I could write, but this post is already long enough.
In other posts, I will write about other things in my backpack like electronics, cooking system, water filtration, first aid kit, repair/emergency kit, and hygiene kit.
There are several videos on my YouTube channel that talk in detail about some of this other gear that you might be interested in. My goal is to share what I have learned and, at the same time, learn from others.
If you made it this far… Thank you very much for reading!
