PCT 2026 Equipment List – 9 lb Base Weight

Over the years, I’ve become a bit of a gear nerd. When I first decided to hike the Appalachian Trail, I had never backpacked a day in my life. I mainly bought gear on sale at REI. I didn’t know what a basis weight was. Then I discovered the ultralight subreddit and had a breakdown in my living room when I realized that my backpack alone weighed almost as much as some hikers’ entire gear. Since then I’ve bought and re-bought gear (an expensive hobby, I don’t recommend) and finally found a setup that works for me.

My base weight (not including used clothing or consumables like water, food, and toiletries) is currently 9 pounds. Most of what I’m bringing to the PCT I used on the Colorado Trail in 2024. I’m bringing a few new pieces of gear, namely my tent, which I’ve only slept in once and still haven’t figured out how to set up properly (pray for me). I’m also going to try an umbrella since the desert sun terrifies me (as they say, you carry your fears with you).

Package (17.9 ounces)

• Nashville Cutaway Ultra 200 16” Packages — 14 oz
• Nyloflume Pack Liner — 0.9 oz
• Cotopaxi Fanny Pack — 3 oz

Shelter (15.7 oz) and Sleep (32.1 oz)

• Zpacks Hexamid Tent – 12.4 oz
• Polychrome Print — 1.5 oz
• MSR Groundhog Mini Stakes x6 – 0.3 oz each
• EE Enigma 950 20° Down Comforter — 18 oz
• Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite (Women) — 12 oz
• Sea to Summit Eros Ultralight Pillow — 2.1 oz

Packaged clothing (25.6 oz)

• Montbell Versalite Waterproof Jacket: 5.8 oz
• Senchi Alpha 90 Half-Zip Hoodie: 4.4 oz
• Montbell Plasma 1000 Down Jacket: 4.5 oz
• FairPointe Alpha 60 Tights – 3 oz
• Extra Darn Tough Socks – 2.2 oz
• Merino polish: 1.7 oz
• EE Copperfield Windbreaker Pants: 1.5 oz
• Additional underwear: 0.9 oz
• Wool lined gloves: 0.9 oz
• O Wool cap: 0.7 oz

Worn Clothes (28.1 oz)

• Altra Lone Peak Trail Runners – 8 oz
• Jolly Gear Sun Hoodie — 6.8 oz
• Trail running shorts: 4 oz
• Patagonia Sports Bra – 3 oz
• Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew Socks, 2.3 oz
• Ciele GOCap Hat – 2 oz
• Goodr Sunglasses – 1 oz
• Or ActiveIce Sun Gloves: 1 oz

Cook (14.18 oz) and water (9 oz)

• MSR IsoPro 110g Fuel – 4oz
• MSR IsoPro 110g — 3.4oz canister
• TOAKS Light Titanium 750 ml bottle — 3.3 oz
• Zpacks Bear Bag – 1.4 oz
• BRS 3000-T Stove — 0.88 oz
• NyloPro Odor Barrier Coating — 0.4 oz
• TOAKS Titanium UL Sport Spoon — 0.4 oz
• BIC Mini Lighter: 0.4 oz
• CNOC Bladder 3L — 3.2 oz
• Platypus QuickDraw Filter — 2.8 oz
• 1 liter plastic bottles x3 – 1 oz each

Electronics (18.79 ounces)

• iPhone 15 Pro: 6.6 ounces
• Nitecore NB10000 Gen 2 Power Bank – 5.3 oz
• Loading block: 3 oz
• iPhone/Watch/USB Cables: 1.5 oz
• Nitecore NU25 Headlamp: 1.59 oz
• Apple Wired Headphones: 0.8 oz

Hygiene (9.8 oz) and First Aid (3.6 oz)

• Sunscreen (travel size): 3 oz
• Toothpaste (travel size) – 1 oz
• Hand sanitizer (travel size): 1 oz
• Palette (Two 2) – 1 oz
• Wipes: 1 ounce
• CuloClean Bidet — 0.42 oz
• SPF Lip Balm – 0.4 oz
• Bamboo toothbrush: 0.4 oz
• Toilet paper: 0.5 ounces
• Eating cloth: 0.63oz
• Small Bag of Dyneema for Ditties — 0.3 oz
• Dental floss: 0.15 ounces
• Various first aid/repair: 1.6 oz
• RX Medications: 1 oz
• Ibuprofen, Imodium, Benadryl – 1 oz

Various (25.3 oz)

• Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles – 17 oz
• GG Litetrek Hiking Umbrella – 5.8 oz
• Wallet: 1.5 ounces
• GGG Sitting Pad – 1 oz

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