Pacific Crest Path (PCT) Ultralight Gear Record [2025]

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That is an ultralight PCT Gear record for these thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Path in 2025.

I’ve thru-hiked the PCT and accomplished the thru-hiking triple crown so my suggestions come backed with a little bit of expertise on the path relating to recommending the greatest Pacific Crest Path Packing Record.

What to pack on the Pacific Crest Path takes a little bit time and a little bit funding in cash however all the things on the Ultralight PCT Record is well accessible and fairly priced.

The Pacific Crest Path is hard. Beginning within the desert with lengthy dry sections requires you to hold heavy quantities of water. For this, you want a high quality ultralight backpack for the PCT.

Then comes the chilly excessive mountains of the Sierra which require chilly climate gear, bear canisters, and doubtlessly snow gear like an ice axe and microspikes.

Later comes Northern California which is hard on the ft. You have to to decide on the perfect climbing sneakers for the PCT to stop harm.

In direction of the tip of the path in Washington State, chances are you’ll encounter a number of rain or perhaps snow. You have to the ultralight rain gear for the PCT.

Under I’ve all the perfect gear for the Pacific Crest Path.

the perfect Tent for the PCT 2025

Total there are a number of nice light-weight tents to make use of on the PCT. You have to a tent that’s ultralight and capable of stand up to potential storms on any part of the path. A number of the Greatest Ultralight Tent for the PCT is listed under.

Greatest 1P Tent for PCT

Greatest 2P Tent for PCT

Greatest 3P Tent for PCT

Greatest Backpack for The PCT 2025

The most effective ultralight backpack for thru-hiking the PCT is one that’s not solely light-weight however sturdy sufficient to final 1000’s of miles of abuse. Under are the perfect thru-hiking backpacks for the Pacific Crest Path.

What Measurement Backpack for the PCT

The most effective measurement backpack for the PCT is round 50 liters. Nonetheless, when backpacking within the Sierra you might be required to hold a bear canister and so they turn into a good match and a bigger rucksack is healthier.

Ultralight thru-hikers will want one thing lighter from the record under. And don’t neglect an affordable trash bag to make use of as a pack liner to maintain issues dry.

Greatest Sleeping Bag for the PCT

The most effective ultralight sleeping bag for the PCT is light-weight, robust, and with a temperature score of all the way down to 20F / -6C.

When Via climbing the PCT the primary nights within the desert will be very chilly. So can the nights within the Excessive Sierra. Some nights in Northern California will probably be so scorching that you’ll not want your sleeping bag a lot.

Here’s a record of very extremely really helpful ultralight Sleeping Baggage for the Pacific Crest Path.

All of the sleeping luggage on this record are superior and can serve you nicely on the PCT. In the event you want extra information examine the complete opinions on sleeping luggage.

Greatest Ultralight Quilts for the PCT

Ultralight Sleeping Quilts for the PCT are rising in popularity. For many thru-hikers on the PCT, they’re a greater ultralight different to a heavier sleeping bag.

They’re lighter however have limitations in actually chilly climate. When the temperature will get under freezing they don’t seem to be as environment friendly at maintaining you heat. Having stated that, I want utilizing one on the PCT.

The most effective ultralight quilt for the PCT is listed under.

Truthfully, any of the backpacking quilts talked about on this record are superior and worthy of use on the PCT. In the event you want extra information try the complete opinions.

Greatest Sleeping Pad for the PCT

The most effective ultralight sleeping pad for the PCT is snug, sturdy, moderately priced, and light-weight.

If you’re like most thru-hikers you may be exhausted each evening and expertise legendary nights sleep on the path.

An Ultralight air mattress is extra snug however some individuals want light-weight foam, particularly the budget-conscious backpacker. Facet sleepers will definitely want an air mat just like the Sea to Summit Ether Gentle XT Insulated.

Here’s a record of all the perfect ultralight Sleeping mats for the PCT.

Greatest Climbing Footwear for the PCT

The most effective sneakers for the PCT are light-weight and breathable. Waterproof sneakers should not so good for this thru-hike. All of us have completely different formed ft and completely different preferences, subsequently what sneakers you are taking will rely upon many issues.

Firstly, purchase sneakers one measurement greater than regular. Your ft will swell over the times weeks and months of thru-hiking. Fallacious-fitting sneakers will trigger blisters or hotspots. You’ve been warned!

For slender ft, the higher choices are Saloman and Brooks. For wider ft, Altra and Merrell are greatest.

Listed here are my 3 suggestions for the perfect sneakers and boots for PCT thru-hikers:

Listed here are my 3 suggestions for the perfect path runners for PCT thru-hikers:

Greatest Socks for the PCT

Darn Robust Socks are the most well-liked. They’ll put on out and with their lifetime guarantee, there may be nothing higher for thru-hiking the PCT. And perhaps you may want some gaiters to cease the small rocks and sand entering into your sneakers.

Greatest Clothes for the PCT

The most effective clothes for thru-hiking the PCT will embrace gadgets for the acute warmth of the California Desert and the sweaty warmth of Northern California. And excessive chilly of the desert mornings, the Excessive Sierra, and Washington.

Layers that it is best to take embrace a puffy down jacket, mid-layer, baselayer, climbing shirts, climbing shorts, and rain gear.

Down Jacket

Fleece Mid Layer

Baselayers

Climbing Shirts

Climbing Pants

Climbing Shorts

Greatest Rain Gear for the PCT

You may not see a lot rain on the PCT. However when it does rain you will have a high-quality ultralight rain jacket. Not solely will it shield you from the rain, however they make an awesome windbreaker on these cool days and chances are you’ll end up carrying it extra typically than you would possibly suppose.

Here’s a record of all the perfect rain jackets for the Pacific Crest Path.

Don’t neglect Rain Pants such because the Out of doors Analysis Helium Pants or the ultralight Zpacks Vertice Rain Pants.

I’ve used the Six Moon Designs Silver Shadow Carbon on some trails I like it. At solely 8 ounces it’s nicely well worth the added weight, particularly within the scorching desert of New Mexico, you’ll be able to all the time ship it house from northern New Mexico.

Cookware – Stoves & Pots for PCT

Gentle and robust cooking gear is required for thru-hiking the PCT. It doesn’t have to be costly, nor does it have to be the very best high quality. It simply must work. The record under is all it’s good to cook dinner and eat on the Pacific Crest Path.

You’ll respect 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 will have for the path.

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

Water on the PCT

As with nearly each backcountry journey, it is best to deal with the water and carry sufficient in your wants. The PCT has some very dry sections of the path that require some large water carrys and it ought to go with out saying {that a} high quality water filter will probably be wanted for the entire path. Listed here are some really helpful water remedy gadgets, water storage bottles, and bladders.

Trekking Poles for the PCT

The most effective trekking poles are ultralight and robust. Your physique will respect it once you use them on this path. The most effective trekking poles for the PCT are:

PCT Winter Gear & Bear Canisters

You could want some winter gear for the Sierra part of the PCT. Quite a bit will rely upon what sort of snow season it’s. Some individuals won’t want any of this, particularly in case you are not coming into the Sierra till late. And don’t neglect your obligatory Bear Canister.

Cameras and Electronics

With so many electronics that we tackle the path lately, it may be exhausting to resolve what to take and what to go away behind. Check out among the gadgets chances are you’ll want and observe the hyperlinks to my detailed guides about which of them are the perfect.

• Greatest Backpacking Cameras – For the photographers. Most individuals will probably be glad sufficient with the standard of their smartphone.
• Greatest Battery Financial institution for Climbing – Crucial to have a high-quality battery to recharge all of your electronics.
• Greatest Climbing GPS – Not wanted for the path as most individuals can navigate OK with a smartphone App.
• Greatest Climbing Watch – An increasing number of persons are climbing with a GPS watch. They’re nice however will want charging each evening so remember to take a transportable battery financial institution with you.
• Greatest Satellite tv for pc Messenger – Extremely really helpful for thru-hiking the PCT. Many individuals get into problem on the path and certainly one of these can save your life.
• USB Wall Charger + Cables.

First Assist and Misc

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

Purpose for a complete weight of lower than 15lb / 6.5kg. In the event you select high quality gadgets that I’ve listed above it is best to have lower than 12lb / 5.5kg as your base weight.

Meals and cooking gas will add about 1-2 kilos per day on common. Water weight is further once more, at 1 kilogram per liter!

And remember to use the Farout Guides App, formally referred to as Guthook. That is the perfect offline interactive maps for the path

Learn Subsequent : Full Information to Climbing the Pacific Crest Path – together with a each day climbing journal.

Benefit from the path.

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

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