My AZT Gear List – The Trek

No other topic is more controversial than what equipment is best for a hike. Some hikers will make decisions based on weight, brand, what other people are wearing, color, what they already have, etc. Every decision is personal, and as long as you have what you need to survive (also highly contested!), who cares what people are packing? But, if you’re curious, here’s what I’m packing for my NoBo AZT hike.

My Big 4 Tried and True

Since this isn’t my first hike, I already have a ton of gear that works for me, including my Big 4. The Big 4 includes my backpack, tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad, as these are some of the most important gear needed to survive and be comfortable, as well as the four things that typically weigh the most and take up the most space. While they aren’t the lightest or most popular on the trails, these are the things that have worked for me for thousands of miles. I did some research and considered some changes, but ultimately decided not to update anything this time.

I use a ULA Circuit backpack, Big Agnes Copper Spur HV 1P and Tyvek Ground Sheet (helps protect my tent from sharp desert things), a Western Mountaineering Versalite sleeping bag (temperature rating 10* because I sleep cold), and a women’s Thermarest NeoAir Xlite short sleeping pad. My Big Four weight is 7.2 pounds.

Cook and drink

I like to cook on the road. I like hot coffee in the morning and a hot dinner in the evening. I like to know that if I get too cold on the trail, making some hot water to drink could be a way to prevent hypothermia or at least lessen my discomfort. I use an Evernew Titanium pot, an MSR PocketRocket stove and the MSR folding bucket ever made. I also have a lightweight bowl/cup from another kitchen kit I bought over a decade ago and I don’t know what it is. All of my food is stored in a ZPacks roll-top food bag that I sleep with inside my backpack and inside my tent when I’m not in bear country. Arizona has some black bears, but they are not generally seen along the AZT. I keep a small swiss army knife in my pot so I can cut the cheese and apples with the small knife and use the file on my nails. Small scissors are also useful.

Having a high quality water treatment system is absolutely It is essential in the AZT considering that many of the water sources are tanks full of algae and bugs and cow ponds full of cow stuff. I bought a new Sawyer water filter for this trip in hopes that I wouldn’t have any problems filtering the water. I also carry the syringe to wash the filter after each use (something less necessary on other trails since the water sources are much less dirty). As further back, and something I don’t usually bring, I also have AquaMira drops to use after filtering water from the crudest sources. I found that I am a little clumsy when filtering water and sometimes I accidentally drop some unfiltered water into my clean water. AquaMira can help kill any giardia that I accidentally drip into my bottle. I made it through my first AZT hike without any stomach issues and I’d like to keep it that way.

Clothes

My hiking outfit has barely changed in 9 years of hiking and over 5,000 miles of trails. I’ve always worn Under Armor running shorts, two pairs of Darn Tough socks (I have one to wear while the other dries in the back of my backpack), an unpadded Under Armor sports bra (the padding doesn’t dry out and is very unnecessary), and Brooks Cascadia trail runners.

For the AZT, a sun hoodie is a must and I’m using the same brand I wore for my first AZT hike, but I bought a new color. I literally bought 15 different sun hoodies in 2024 and tried them all on before choosing the best one for me: the TYR Women’s SunDefense Hoodie. I like the feel of the material, the length of the sleeves and thumbholes, the place where the shirt hits my hips and isn’t too tight, and the way the hood fits.

For added sun protection, I looked for a cute hat that was made with a lightweight, absorbent material and couldn’t find a cute one that was under $40, so I picked up a plain blue one from REI for $23. I also love REI’s Goodr sunglasses.

I changed my insulated jacket this year and chose the Simond Women’s MT100 Hooded Padded Jacket. I hope a $100 jacket can perform as well as the usual $400 Ghost Whisperer I’ve used in the past (RIP old jacket with broken zipper).

I stick with my usual raincoat because it does, in fact, rain in the desert. My trusty Marmot PreCip is bright red and can also be used to indicate that aerial assistance is needed (mostly jokingly, but also not). Lihat juga zxc4. I also have a pair of wind pants from Enlightened Equipment that I got as a gift and they work well over my shorts when it’s cold in the morning.

For sleepwear, I have a Capilene top and bottom from Patagonia, Darn Tough sleep-only socks, and a beanie from Outdoor Research.

A new addition to my kit is a FarNorte Alpha Cruiser Fleece. I had never worn a fleece before. I’m really looking forward to trying it, especially while I’m at camp or on a break, as I tend to get really cold as soon as I stop walking. At a measly 4 oz, it seems like a no-brainer to try.

Hygiene

Dirty days on the PCT

I usually get pretty dirty on the trail and use a handkerchief in a stream to clean myself. I find this a challenge in the AZT, since sources of running water are scarce. I will never put my dirty handkerchief in a tank that other people are going to drink from. Shame on the people who do this. I love my Kula cloth to clean myself after peeing and I use baby wipes after pooping (and obviously save the used ones).

My biggest hygiene needs are teeth cleaning and contact lenses. Obviously, I’ll bring a toothbrush (I have a very lightweight travel one that has a small case to keep it clean), toothpaste, and dental floss. I have worn contact lenses on every hiking and backpacking trip and will continue to do so for as long as my eyes allow me to. I carry a small bottle of contact solution, a lens case, and an extra pair of lenses in case I lose one or it breaks. Mine are supposed to be changed every 2 weeks, but I’ve generally been able to make them last a month in 20 years of using this same brand of lenses. I’ll put an extra pair in a box that I’ll ship about halfway.

Electronics

I rely on my cell phone for FarOut and Gaia, which I use for navigation, as well as the million photos I take. I bring a 20k Anker charger to keep it charged. It will usually last 4-5 days with moderate to heavy use. I also wear my Apple Watch because I like to collect data (HR, kilometers and elevation walked, sleep, etc.). I use Apple AirPods while hiking and keep them in transparent mode to easily hear what’s going on around me while listening to an audiobook.

My luxury item is my Kindle. I could use the app on my phone, but I find this drains the battery very quickly. At 4 ounces, I’m happy to sacrifice a little extra weight for something I use at every meal and at camp. I love, love, love reading on the go. Since AZT is a fairly isolated experience, I find I have a lot of time to read.

Other things

For safety, I use a Garmin inReach so I can chat with important people and SOS is required. I think the iPhone will end up replacing this in the future with its excellent satellite messaging capabilities, but for now, I think it’s an important safety tool that I needed as a solo hiker.

I’ve made a homemade first aid kit that won’t save my life in a true emergency, but it will have things that will be useful: some band-aids, gauze pads, ABX triple ointment, alcohol swabs, benadryl, and immodium. I try to avoid doing things that cause harm, but I know that accidents can happen. I once made a tourniquet out of a handkerchief and a stake and saved a man’s life in the middle of nowhere. I’m resourceful and have some training.

My other luxury item is my Fillo Elite pillow. I used to always use a bag with extra clothes, but since I no longer carry extra clothes, I found that it didn’t work well for me. The pillow has been an amazing addition to my sleeping setup and weighs only 3 oz.

Oh, and my trekking poles! The Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork trekking poles have been my favorite since the PCT; just be careful, I discovered on the Colorado Trail that porcupines love to chew on cork.

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