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Backpacker Magazine – Online Exclusive

Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike Gear List

We've got your Appalachian Trail packing list dialed. Here, take stock of what you'll need to thru-hike the trail. Just print it out and get packing.

by: Kris Wagner


CLOTHING
Synthetic short-sleeve t-shirt
  • Midweight synthetic or fleece long-sleeve top
  • Wind or rain shell (not both, under 12 ounces)
  • Rainpants (optional)
  • Lightweight synthetic trekking pants (zip-offs preferable)
  • Lightweight synthetic shorts (optional)
  • Down jacket (10 to 12 ounces)
  • Socks (two pair, one doubles as mittens)
  • Underwear (optional)
  • Wool or fleece hat
  • Sun hat
GEAR
  • Internal frame pack or frameless rucksack (3,000 cu. in. or less, 2 lbs. or less)
  • Down sleeping bag (preferably one for summer; one for colder months)
  • Short sleeping pad (60", closed foam or uninsulated air mattress)
  • Tarp or lightweight solo tent (optional)
  • Lightweight shoes with after-market insoles
  • Trekking poles (if needed for pitching tarp)
  • Headlamp (small LED)
  • Water bladder
  • Alcohol or canister stove, fuel, and lighter
  • Cookpot with lid (titanium or ultralight aluminum)
  • Spoon
  • Water treatment drops (chlorine dioxide or iodine) or inline filter
  • Single-blade knife
  • Small first aid kit (include Imodium, ibuprofen, and cold medicine)
  • Map and compass
  • Insect repellant
  • Toiletries (ear plugs too)
  • Stuff sacks (siliconized nylon)
  • Sunscreen
  • Small notebook and pen
  • Point-and-shoot digital camera
BOUNCE BOX
  • Sturdy box
  • Extra batteries
  • Extra gear (new socks, shoes, warmer clothes, etc.)
  • Bulk food (optional)
  • Packing tape, labels, and markers
  • List of mail drops and addresses


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carson
Apr 12, 2013

great info for when i go
:) :) :) :)

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Anonymous
Mar 26, 2013

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someone
Mar 26, 2013

thanks for the tings i need ill make shure i have all of it

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someone
Mar 26, 2013

thanks for the tings i need ill make shure i have all of it

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Mar 26, 2013

thanks for the tings i need ill make shure i have all of it

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John / Firewalker
Jan 29, 2013

This is a descent list of things you could forget .. it never hurts to have one. However, I did 500 miles of the AT last year and hiked with lots of successful Thru's. Go ahead and scratch map and compass off that list, just bring the AT guide book instead. You can also scratch off the Bounce box unless you have special food you want or unless you just have noone anywhere that will help you in an emergency ( eg. ripped /lost tent ) Also, scratch the insect repellent and anything extra like the sun hat(the green tunnel) and the stuff sackS .. you only need something to keep your sleeping bag dry and something to hang your food in ( you can use the same dry sack for both but swapping will be a pain)
Bring gloves if you want them .. your socks will be NASTY! ( both pair)
An excellent resource for anyone of you who will be hiking is the Appalachian trail Class of 2013 group on Facebook. Don't be afraid to join the 2012 group as well to see what people posted last year.

Good luck - remember the AT isn't just a trail, its a way of life and it begins and ends way before and way after your time in the woods.

Star Star
Joe
Jan 29, 2013

"Two pairs of socks, one doubling as mittens"? Anyone who has long-distance hiked before knows there's little chance you'll be wearing those bad boys on your hands... If you want mittens or gloves, bring mittens or gloves, and bring three pairs of socks: two to rotate (in case one pair needs to dry) and one for bed only. When packing for something like this, be careful thinking you'll get too creative with your gear, cause it probably either won't work or won't happen.

Star
Oren
Jan 29, 2013

Can anyone tell me what the point of this list is? Anyone that is even contemplating a thru-hike should be able to come up with a comparable list on their own and could use this to supplement theirs in case they might have overlooked something. The way the author portrays this list is so someone can grab it and go, but they fail to give any mention any sort of experience, thought, planning, etc. that goes along with a thru-hike.

Star Star Star Star Star
Rob
Jan 12, 2013

Need this hike!I am a 25 year old male ready for my next chapter! I am planing a April(2013) Start south to north thru-hike. I have never really hiked or camped before...but I am in good shape and in great sprits. If anyone could give me any help and or info that would be great!I dont have a huge buget for this.Please Email me at cookrob23@hotmail.com or even if you perhaps would like to tag along! -thanks-

Star Star
larkspur
Dec 10, 2012

i heard that bounce boxes where a wast of time and money

Jen
Nov 25, 2012

29 y/o living in Virginia Beach area. Looking to do some prelim training/hiking in the VA AT portion during the week. Anyone interested to join can email me at huntinghound008@hotmail.com. I'm kinda of a newb at backpacking for more than a week, but not by any means to camping or being outdoors. I also intend on bring my dslr camera and an extra lens, so if you have similar interest that would be cool too! My goal is to conquer part of the AT For a few months in the spring but I'm flexible.

john
Nov 19, 2012

i am leaving GA late march for thru hike i am 64 and in good health looking for anyone who would like a partner email at johncee1234@aol.com live in south carolina

Jeff
Nov 15, 2012

How much should I expect to spend on all this gear?

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Anonymous
Oct 05, 2012

I plan on doing the thru hike heading north bound to Maine. I will be starting in march 2016 once i graduate college. Looking for a hiking partner to plan and hike with! Let me know if your interested! beccabelaire@yahoo.com

Daniel
Oct 02, 2012

I may be dumb for this, but I plan on doing a Thru-hike starting from South florida, near Ft lauderdale/Orlando. And am planning on starting this hike in early november. I might have 1 or two others doing this trip with me, so if anyone else would care to join or comment. Please do.

Any Ideas/comments/concerns? Feel free to inform me at D.Pojoga@yahoo.com or at http://www.facebook.com/dpojoga

ieguana
Oct 02, 2012

I am 34/M experienced hiker planning a thru-hike in March 2013 going north to Maine. This is my first thru. If anyone is interested in joining, email me steve@ratdeer.com. Due to my getting married in September 2013, I am not planning on taking alot of time to stop in any 1 area. You would need to be able to hike a regular distance of 20+ miles a day with your pack and equipment on you already. Yeah, I know terrain plays apart in daily distances...

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