Appalachian Trail gear basics
The Appalachian Trail runs about 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine. Most of the gear decisions come down to a few items.
Weight
Every pound is carried for months. Weigh your pack before you start and question everything you are not sure you need.
Water
Water sources on the AT are frequent, so most hikers carry one or two liters and filter as they go.
Weather
Expect cold nights in the mountains of the South in spring and long stretches of rain anywhere. Pack for wet and cold, not for the forecast.
Food storage
Some sections require bear canisters at certain times of year. Check current rules from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy before you go.
Picks on Amazon
- Sawyer Squeeze Water Filtration System (SP131)Screw-on filter with three pouches; one of the most common water filters on long US trails.
- MSR PocketRocket Deluxe StoveAbout 3 oz canister stove with a pressure regulator and push-button ignition; fuel canister sold separately.
- Altra Lone Peak 9+ Trail Running ShoesZero-drop trail runner with a wide toe box and a Vibram Megagrip outsole.
- Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite2 Rain SuitVery cheap and light jacket and pants; breathable, but tears on brambles, so treat it as a consumable.
- Nitecore NU25 MCT UL HeadlampUltralight USB-C rechargeable headlamp, up to 400 lumens, warm, neutral, cold and red light.
- Nitecore NB10000 Gen II Power BankSlim 10,000mAh power bank with USB-C and USB-A outputs, popular with ultralight hikers.
Check the current price, version and seller on Amazon before you buy.