Our Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike 2015 Gear List
This is the final list, weight, and cost of all the things we started with on our Appalachian Trail thru-hike. Although we are typically super budget conscious, we realized the importance of investing in our gear.
Let’s be honest. Sean is the gear guru. Watching Youtube gear reviews is a strange form of hell for this one. So, without further ado, may I present our 2015 Appalachain Trail Thru-Hike Gear Lists…
His
Pack – Osprey Atmos 65 – L – 3 lbs 10 oz – $187
Pack Cover – Sea to Summit (Large) – 4.6 oz – $45
Sleeping Bag – Marmot Helium (Long) 2 lbs 6 oz – $240
Sleeping Pad – Therm-a-Rest Prolite L – 1 lb 6 oz – $110
Trekking Poles – Leki Corklite Antishock – 1 lb 4 oz – $160
Headlamp – Black Diamond Cosmo – 3.2 oz (inc. batteries) – $30
Stove – MSR Pocket Rocket – 3oz – $40
Cook System – GSI Dualist – 1 lb 6 oz – $65 (inc 2 bowls, 2 cups, 1.8 L cooking pot)
Spoon – REI Campware (Long) – .5 oz – $2
1 L Water Bottle – Empty Smart Water Bottle (empty) – .5 oz – $1
Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil 20 L dry sack (empty) – 1.8 oz – $25
Waterproof Watch – $25
Lightweight basic pocket knife – 1 oz – $5
Small Microfiber Pack Towel – $15
iPhone 5 and charger (prepurchased)
Therm-a-rest Z-Seat – 2 oz – $15
Rain Jacket – Patagonia Torrentshell (Large) 13 oz – $130
Down Jacket – Patagonia Down Sweater (Large) 13 oz – $230
Clothing – all in a 13 L Sea to Summit stuff sack – approx 2.5 lbs (some will be worn, some will be carried) – approx $450
Hiking Pants – Colombia
2 Synthetic T-Shirts (North Face and Colombia)
1 Long Sleeve Patagonia Capilene
1 Quarter Zip Patagonia Capilene 4 Thermal Base Layer
Patagonia Capilene 4 Thermal Tights
2 Pair Darn Tough Hiking Socks
1 Pair Smartwool Camp Socks
1 Pair Hiking Shorts
2 Exoficcio Underwear
Smartwool Beanie
Outdoor Research Balaclava
1 Pair Gloves
Bandana
Shoes – Keen Targhee II – $125 ( x3 = $375)
Camp Shoes – Crocs – $35
Approx Weight = 21 lbs (inc half tent)
Total Cost = $2270 (inc half tent)
Pack – Osprey Aura 50 – 3 lbs 2 oz – $210
Pack Cover – Sea to Summit (Large) – 4.6 oz – $45
Sleeping Bag – North Face Synthetic 30 degree – 1 lb 6 oz – $120
Silk Sleeping Bag Liner – 4 oz – $80
Sleeping Pad – Therm-a-rest Pro Lite Women’s -1 lb – $79
Trekking Poles – Leki Women’s Jannu – 1 lb – $120
Headlamp – Black Diamond Cosmo – 3.2 oz (inc. batteries) – $30
Bladder – Platypus 1 L – 1.2 oz (empty) – $8
Water Filter – Sawyer Squeeze – 3 oz – $40
Spoon – REI Campware (Long) – .5 oz – $2
1 L Water Bottle – Empty Smart Water Bottle (empty) – .5 oz – $1
Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil 20 L dry sack (empty) – 1.8 oz – $25
AWOL AT Guide Book – $15
Waterproof Watch – $20
Light Weight Basic Pocket Knife – 1 oz – $5
Samsung Galaxy s5 and charger (prepurchased)
Small Microfiber Pack Towel – $15
Therm-a-rest Z-Seat – 2 oz – $15
Odds and Ends (toothbrushes, toothpaste, Dr. Bronner’s soap, Multivitamins, ibuprofen, moleskin, bandages, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, hairbrush, small notebook and pen, handwipes, ziplock bags for garbage) – $35
Rain Jacket – Marmot Precip – 11.4 oz – $99
Down Jacket – Patagonia Down Sweater Women’s – 12.2 oz $229
Clothing in a Sea to Summit Stuff Sack – approx 2 lbs – approx $450
Hiking Zipoff Pants
Patagonia Capilene 4 Thermal Tights
Patagonia Capilene Base Layer
1 Synthetic Long Sleeve Shirt
2 Synthetic T Shirts (Nike and Marmot)
2 Pair Darn Tough Socks
1 Pair Smartwool Camp Socks
2 Exoficcio Underwear
1 Exoficcio Sports Bra
Smartwool Beanie
Balaclava
1 pair gloves
Bandana
Shoes – Salomon X-Scream Trail Runners – $120
Camp Shoes – Crocs – $35
Approx Weight = 16 lbs (inc half tent)
Total Cost = $1963 (inc half tent)
Ours
Tent – Kelty Salida 2 – 4 lbs 9 oz – $170
Total Combined Retail Cost = $4233
Wow… $4233. Note, these are the approx retail value of these items; not necessarily what we paid. We scored some amazing deals, and we got lots of love from our families for the holidays in the form of REI gift cards. At the end of the day, we consider our gear an important investment and would rather spend a little extra money to carry a little less weight. It may seem like a lot of money; but, honestly, if you can’t afford the gear, wait until you can. Keep in mind that this is your housing and clothing expense for 5+ months.
Infinite Geography 
Pingback: The Appalachian Trail – Basic Questions Answered | Infinite Geography
Wow!
Thank you to Sean for some great advice on packs and other things. I have begun my own plan for an AT through hike in 2020. I know more than a year out but I am taking the long view that getting equipment a piece at a time. with the guides posted here for all 3 trails I have a pretty good idea of where I need to concentrate my funds the most with what I already have. Some of the basics I already have while others I did not. I am hoping to keep my weight in the low 20s food and water included. the part that has me stymied is the mail drops and how to set those up.