Appalachian Path (AT) Ultralight Gear Checklist [2025]

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It is a full Appalachian Path Gear Checklist for thru-hiking in 2025.

Beneath is a listing of the perfect to take when thru-hiking or part mountaineering the Appalachian Path. A Light-weight or Ultralight Appalachian Path packing checklist will hold your base weight round 15lb or much less.

This Appalachian Path thru-hike gear checklist is my suggestion on what gear to take thru-hiking the AT. The most important monetary funding will probably be within the huge 4. The Backpack, Tent, Sleeping Bag, and Sleeping Mat.

A smart alternative of these things will guarantee an ultra-lightweight Appalachian Path Packing Checklist. These essential concerns will result in a snug evening’s sleep and fewer stress on the physique. The Appalachian Path is already a really robust hike, make it a bit of simpler with good gear choice. What to pack on the Appalachian Path is a vital factor to speculate each money and time.

I’m presently updating my very worn-out gear – Try My Ultralight thru-hiking Gear checklist which has a base weight of lower than 11lb (5kg).

Appalachian Path Via-Hike Gear Checklist 2025

The Appalachian Path is more durable than many different thru-hiking trails in some ways. Early and late-season snow and excessive chilly are in full distinction to the acute warmth and suffocating humidity in July for a lot of sections of the AT.

Add to that the fixed rain and the potential of a former hurricane transferring over the path to drop biblical ranges of rain inflicting localized flooding.

Sure, the Appalachian Path is hard on gear. This Appalachian Path packing checklist ought to give the thru-hiker and part hiker the possibility to take a few of the finest ultralight gear for the Appalachian Path.

Then there are the lengthy rocky sections of path, overgrown sharp thickets, and uncovered ridges which make for diverse terrain that’s robust on gear. Beneath are my picks of what to pack for the Appalachian Path.

Finest Tent for the Appalachian Path

The Appalachian Path will probably be moist and for the early starters and late finishers, it will likely be chilly. There will probably be just a few occasions when thru-hikers will probably be tenting above the treeline so a full-on mountain tent isn’t obligatory. The perfect tent for the Appalachian Path will probably be light-weight, waterproof, and sufficiently big.

Finest 1P Tent for the Appalachian Path

Finest 2P Tent for the Appalachian Path

Finest 3P Tent for the Appalachian Path

Finest Backpack for the Appalachian Path

The perfect backpack for the Appalachian Path is ultra-lightweight, comfy, and sturdy sufficient to face up to months of abuse. There will probably be a number of rain on the AT so be certain that every little thing is packed inside some form of waterproof bag. I like to make use of a big compactor trash bag.

What dimension Backpack for the Appalachian Path

The perfect dimension backpack for the Appalachian Path is round 50 liters. Some folks assume it’s a nice thought to take a 70 liter rucksack however there are ample locations to resupply with meals and water on the path and a big backpack will encourage via hikers to take an excessive amount of gear. A 50-liter backpack for the Appalachian Path is the perfect.

Finest Sleeping Bag for the Appalachian Path

The perfect sleeping bag for mountaineering the Appalachian Path is a degree-rated sleeping bag round 20F. For these beginning earlier or ending later, you might get a sleeping bag rated to 10F. For part mountaineering in June or July, a bag rated to 30F or 40F can be OK.

The months of June and July are scorching and humid. It might be nice to have 2 sleeping luggage. Take one for the colder months on the path after which ship it residence for June and July and exchange it with an ultralight summer season sleeping bag. As this isn’t sensible for many thru-hikers, a 20F bag is finest.

Here’s a checklist of very extremely advisable ultralight Sleeping Baggage for the Appalachian Path.

Finest Ultralight Backpacking Quilts for the Appalachian Path

Ultralight Sleeping Quilts are standard and a greater light-weight various to a heavier sleeping bag. However they’ve limitations in actually chilly climate. I’d solely advocate an ultralight quilt in temperatures above 30F. Something under that temperature and a sleeping bag is extra environment friendly at maintaining you heat.

Here’s a checklist of very extremely advisable ultralight quilts for the Appalachian Path.

Finest Sleeping Pad for the Appalachian Path

Being comfy at evening results in a superb evening’s sleep. Nothing contributes extra to a superb evening’s sleep than a snug sleeping pad. It’s preferable to make use of an ultralight air mattress however light-weight foam makes an amazing possibility for the budget-conscious sleeper who principally sleeps on their again.

Here’s a checklist of all the perfect ultralight Sleeping mats for the Appalachian Path.

Footwear is a private alternative and what works completely for one particular person is not going to work with one other. Be cautious of any mountaineering footwear gear assessment that implies this present or that shoe is finest. Everybody’s toes are totally different.

A number of issues are sure about footwear for mountaineering the Appalachian Path. They need to be light-weight, match correctly, and never trigger blisters or hotspots.

For slender toes, the higher choices are Saloman and Brooks. For wider toes, Altra and Merrell are finest.

Listed here are my 3 suggestions for the perfect sneakers and boots for the Appalachian Path.

Listed here are my 3 suggestions for the perfect path trainers for the Appalachian Path.

Socks for the Appalachian Path

It is a no-brainer. Darn Powerful Socks are the most well-liked for good motive. Certain you might strive one other model and magnificence however there’s each likelihood that you’ll simply return to Darn Powerful. In case you are beginning very early within the season you might want a pair of Mountaineering Gaiters for defense from the chilly and snow.

Finest Clothes for the Appalachian Path

The perfect clothes for thru-hiking the Appalachian Path is one thing that entails layers. There will probably be excessive warmth and humidity in mid-summer and excessive chilly and early or late-season snow. Layers embody a superb rain jacket, puffy down jacket, mid-layer, and baselayer.

Appalachian Path hikers are particularly vulnerable to reeking of very unhealthy physique odor. This may be lowered by utilizing Merino Wool Baselayer however they don’t seem to be advisable for areas with excessive humidity. All layers together with down jackets ought to have a point of climate safety for the sure rain that will probably be encountered.

Layers that you need to take embody a puffy down jacket, mid-layer, baselayer, mountaineering shirts, mountaineering shorts, and rain gear.

Down Jacket

Fleece Mid Layer

Baselayers

Mountaineering Shirts

Mountaineering Pants

Mountaineering Shorts

Finest Rain Gear for the Appalachian Path

The Appalachian Path will see lots of rain so be ready with high quality rain gear. When it does rain you have to a high-quality ultralight rain jacket. Not solely will it defend you from the rain, however they make an amazing windbreaker on these cool days and you might end up carrying it extra usually than you may assume.

Here’s a checklist of all the perfect rain jackets for the Appalachian Path.

Don’t overlook Rain Pants such because the Outside Analysis Helium Pants or the ultralight Zpacks Vertice Rain Pants.

I’ve used the Six Moon Designs Silver Shadow Carbon on the Appalachian Path and I adore it. At solely 8 ounces it’s properly definitely worth the added weight, particularly within the hotter sections of the path when it’s too scorching and humid for rain gear.

Cookware – Stoves & Pots for Appalachian Path

You’ll admire a heat meal at evening and perhaps a scorching espresso or tea within the morning. Listed here are some cookware units, stoves, pots, and different gear you have to for the path.

You’ll admire a heat meal at evening and perhaps a scorching espresso or tea within the morning. Listed here are a few of the finest cookware units, stoves, pots, and different gear you have to for the path.

Water on the Appalachian Path

General the water high quality on the AT is cheap and there should not many dry sections requiring a heavy water carry. As with nearly each backcountry journey, you need to deal with the water and carry sufficient to your wants. Whereas on the Appalachian Path, I acquired sick a few occasions from not filtering water. Listed here are some advisable water remedy units, water storage bottles, and bladders.

Trekking Poles for the Appalachian Path

To scale back put on in your physique a superb high quality set of trekking poles ought to be used. Listed here are the perfect choices for the AT:

Snow Gear and Bear Canisters for the AT

In case you are beginning very early or ending very late you might wish to contemplate some specialist snow gear to make the journey a bit extra comfy. This gear may be despatched residence when the climate warms up. And contemplate a bear bag to stop bears or rodents from consuming your meals on the path.

Cameras and Electronics

With so many electronics that we tackle the path as of late, it may be exhausting to determine what to take and what to depart behind. Check out a few of the gadgets you might want and comply with the hyperlinks to my detailed guides about which of them are the perfect.

• Finest Cameras for Mountaineering – For the photographers. Most individuals will probably be joyful sufficient with the standard of their smartphone.
• Finest HikingBattery Financial institution – Crucial to have a high-quality battery to recharge all of your electronics.
• Finest GPS for Mountaineering – Not wanted for the path as most individuals can navigate OK with a smartphone App.
• Finest GPS Look ahead to Mountaineering – Increasingly more persons are mountaineering with a GPS watch. They’re nice however will want charging each evening so you’ll want to take a transportable battery financial institution with you.
• Finest PLB and Satellite tv for pc Messenger – Extremely advisable for thru-hiking the AT. Many individuals get into issue on the path and one in all these can save your life.
• USB Wall Charger + Cables.

Different Gear

• Plastic zip lock luggage
• Cash / ID / Credit score Playing cards
• Blister pads
• Strapping Tape
• Foot an infection anti-biotic
• Ibuprofen
• Tweezers
• Toothbrush and Toothpaste
• Security Pin
• Needle
• Deet insect repellent
• Sunscreen
• Lip Balm
• Bathroom tissue

Benefit from the path.

Cheers Shepherd – PCT15, CDT16, AT17, TA18-19, and nonetheless thru-hiking.

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