Gear
11 AT and PCT Thru-Hikers Share Their Favorite Gear
As the 2023 thru-hiking season draws to a close, we’ve asked our Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail finishers to share which gear items became their favorites during their journeys....
You Show Me Your Appalachian Trail Gear and I’ll Show You Mine
Winter Start on the Appalachian Trail Considerations After an abundance of advice and research I think my base pack is ready for a winter start. Knowing that nature will do...
Broken on the AT: Gear That Breaks At 2,000 Miles (And The Gear That Doesn’t)
The Appalachian Trail is a rugged trail and is hard on gear. Here are the things that you might expect to get broken on the AT.
Pack Shakedown: Top 5 Most Common Items Cut by the Pros
Find out what pieces of gear are most commonly sent home after a pack shakedown at Mountain Crossings on the AT.
The Evolution of My Gear at the Half Way Point
If you ever want to hear a thru-hiker ramble on for an hour or two, just ask about their gear. Not to overexaggerate, because I’m not, but our gear is...
The Slow Descent and Ascent Into Erwin, I-19, and Madness
Day 31 Today felt great! Hiking by myself without having to feel like I need to catch up with others or meet them based on plans is so freeing. I...
Hammock vs. Tent for an Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike
Creamy peanut butter or crunchy? Fiscal responsibility or new ultralight quilt? Gale or Peeta? These are the dilemmas that keep me up at night. Back when I was getting ready...
Top Stoves, Filters, and Power Banks on the Appalachian Trail: 2022 Thru-Hiker Survey
Each year here at The Trek, we ask long-distance hikers on the Appalachian Trail (AT) about the stoves and water filters they used on their 2022 thru-hike. This year we...
The Top Sleeping Bags, Quilts, and Pads on the Appalachian Trail: 2022 Thru-Hiker Survey
Each year here at The Trek, we ask long-distance hikers on the Appalachian Trail (AT) about the sleeping systems they used on their 2022 thru-hike. This post will cover the...
Top Tents and Shelters on the Appalachian Trail: 2022 Thru-Hiker Survey
Each year here at The Trek, we survey long-distance hikers on the Appalachian Trail (AT) about the shelter systems they use. In this post we’ll cover the trends from the...