That is an ultralight PCT Gear record for these thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Path in 2024.
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 in relation to recommending the finest 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 out there 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 probably snow gear like an ice axe and microspikes.
Later comes Northern California which is hard on the ft. You’ll need to decide on one of the best mountain climbing footwear for the PCT to stop damage.
In the direction of the tip of the path in Washington State, chances are you’ll encounter a lot of rain or perhaps snow. You’ll need the ultralight rain gear for the PCT.
Under I’ve all one of the best gear for the Pacific Crest Path.
one of the best Tent for the PCT 2024
General there are a number of nice light-weight tents to make use of on the PCT. You’ll need a tent that’s ultralight and capable of face up to potential storms on any part of the path. Among 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 2024
One of the best 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 one of the best thru-hiking backpacks for the Pacific Crest Path.
What Measurement Backpack for the PCT
One of the best measurement backpack for the PCT is round 50 liters. Nevertheless, when backpacking within the Sierra you’re required to hold a bear canister and so they change into a good match and a bigger rucksack is healthier.
Ultralight thru-hikers will choose one thing lighter from the record under. And don’t overlook an inexpensive trash bag to make use of as a pack liner to maintain issues dry.
Greatest Sleeping Bag for the PCT
One of the best ultralight sleeping bag for the PCT is light-weight, robust, and with a temperature ranking of all the way down to 20F / -6C.
When Via mountain climbing the PCT the primary nights within the desert might be very chilly. So can the nights within the Excessive Sierra. Some nights in Northern California will probably be so sizzling 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 properly on the PCT. For those who want extra information test the total opinions on sleeping luggage.
Greatest Ultralight Quilts for the PCT
Ultralight Sleeping Quilts for the PCT are gaining popularity. For many thru-hikers on the PCT, they’re a greater ultralight various 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 preserving you heat. Having mentioned that, I choose utilizing one on the PCT.
One of the best ultralight quilt for the PCT is listed under.
Actually, any of the backpacking quilts talked about on this record are superior and worthy of use on the PCT. For those who want extra information try the total opinions.
Greatest Sleeping Pad for the PCT
One of the best 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 folks choose light-weight foam, particularly the budget-conscious backpacker. Facet sleepers will definitely want an air mat just like the Sea to Summit Ether Mild XT Insulated.
Here’s a record of all one of the best ultralight Sleeping mats for the PCT.
Greatest Climbing Footwear for the PCT
One of the best footwear for the PCT are light-weight and breathable. Waterproof footwear will not be so good for this thru-hike. All of us have totally different formed ft and totally different preferences, subsequently what footwear you are taking will rely on many issues.
Firstly, purchase footwear one measurement greater than regular. Your ft will swell over the times weeks and months of thru-hiking. Fallacious-fitting footwear will trigger blisters or hotspots. You might have been warned!
For slender ft, the higher choices are Saloman and Brooks. For wider ft, Altra and Merrell are finest.
Listed here are my 3 suggestions for one of the best footwear and boots for PCT thru-hikers:
Listed here are my 3 suggestions for one of the best path runners for PCT thru-hikers:
Greatest Socks for the PCT
Darn Powerful Socks are the most well-liked. They may put on out and with their lifetime guarantee, there’s nothing higher for thru-hiking the PCT. And perhaps you may want some gaiters to cease the small rocks and sand entering into your footwear.
Greatest Clothes for the PCT
One of the best clothes for thru-hiking the PCT will embrace gadgets for the intense 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 you must take embrace a puffy down jacket, mid-layer, baselayer, mountain climbing shirts, mountain 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 want 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 sporting it extra usually than you may assume.
Here’s a record of all one of the best rain jackets for the Pacific Crest 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 some trails I like it. At solely 8 ounces it’s properly well worth the added weight, particularly within the sizzling desert of New Mexico, you’ll be able to all the time ship it house from northern New Mexico.
Cookware – Stoves & Pots for PCT
Mild and powerful cooking gear is required for thru-hiking the PCT. It doesn’t should be costly, nor does it should be the very best high quality. It simply must work. The record under is all it is advisable to cook dinner and eat on the Pacific Crest Path.
You’ll respect a heat meal at evening and perhaps a sizzling espresso or tea within the morning. Listed here are some cookware units, stoves, pots, and different gear you will want for the path.
You’ll respect a heat meal at evening and perhaps a sizzling espresso or tea within the morning. Listed here are a number of the finest cookware units, stoves, pots, and different gear you will want for the path.
Water on the PCT
As with nearly each backcountry journey, you must deal with the water and carry sufficient on your wants. The PCT has some very dry sections of the path that require some massive 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 therapy gadgets, water storage bottles, and bladders.
Trekking Poles for the PCT
One of the best trekking poles are ultralight and powerful. Your physique will respect it once you use them on this path. One of the best trekking poles for the PCT are:
PCT Winter Gear & Bear Canisters
You might want some winter gear for the Sierra part of the PCT. Quite a bit will rely on what sort of snow season it’s. Some folks is not going to want any of this, particularly in case you are not coming into the Sierra till late. And don’t overlook your obligatory Bear Canister.
Cameras and Electronics
With so many electronics that we tackle the path lately, it may be laborious to determine what to take and what to depart behind. Check out a number of the gadgets chances are you’ll want and observe the hyperlinks to my detailed guides about which of them are one of the best.
- Greatest Backpacking Cameras – For the photographers. Most individuals will probably be pleased sufficient with the standard of their smartphone.
- Greatest Battery Financial institution for Climbing – Essential 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 – Increasingly more persons are mountain climbing with a GPS watch. They’re nice however will want charging each evening so make sure 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 issue on the path and one in all these can save your life.
- USB Wall Charger + Cables.
First Help 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
Goal for a complete weight of lower than 15lb / 6.5kg. For those who select high quality gadgets that I’ve listed above you must have lower than 12lb / 5.5kg as your base weight.
Meals and cooking gasoline will add about 1-2 kilos per day on common. Water weight is additional once more, at 1 kilogram per liter!
And make sure to use the Farout Guides App, formally often called Guthook. That is one of the best offline interactive maps for the path
Learn Subsequent : Full Information to Climbing the Pacific Crest Path – together with a every day mountain climbing journal.
Benefit from the path.
Cheers Shepherd – PCT15, CDT16, AT17, TA18-19, and nonetheless thru-hiking.
BikeHikeSafari Gear Evaluation Course of
The creator, Brad McCartney from BikeHikeSafari is a small unbiased adventurer and outside gear tester who owns and runs BikeHikeSafari.com.
BikeHikeSafari isn’t half of a giant weblog community and is proudly unbiased. All opinions on this website are unbiased and trustworthy gear opinions of out of doors merchandise by the creator.
The creator, Brad McCartney is a really skilled triple crown thru-hiker, adventurer, and bike tourer having spent 1000s of nights sleeping in a tent and sleeping bag (Learn extra). He was a supervisor of an outside retail retailer and could be very skilled in what’s necessary when utilizing and testing gear for opinions like this.
BikeHikeSafari won’t ever obtain any cash for opinions and they don’t settle for sponsored opinions on this web site. All of the feedback in regards to the gear opinions are from the creator based mostly on his years of expertise. Hope this unbiased evaluation was useful for you.