
I’m attempting to set the unsupported speed record, or “unsupported fastest known time”, on the Ozark Trail, which is a 230-mile hiking trail through the Ozark Mountains in Missouri. The current FKT is 4 days, 11 hours, and 28.5 minutes, so to get the record I have to do it faster than that. To mazimize my chances of success, I’ve put a LOT of thought into what gear I’ll bring along to minimize my pack weight and maximize my chance of success.

Backpack: Zpacks Arc Air 50L DCF Backpack with 2 Belt Pouches (discontinued, replaced by the 50L Arc Haul)

Quilt: Enlightened Equipment Revelation Sleeping Quilt (950 down / 20F / Regular / Slim / Draft Collar)

Sleeping Pad: Nemo Switchback (Closed-Cell Foam / Short)
Ground Sheet: A piece of Tyvek.

Electronics:
- Garmin InReach Messenger Plus
- Garmin Fenix 8 51mm Solar GPS Watches
- Nitecore NB 10,000 Power bank (10,000 mAh) and Anker Power Bank (10,000 mAh)
- Nitecore NU25 400UL Headlamp
- Petzl Bindi Ultralight Headlamp
- iPhone 16 Pro for maps and photos/videos
- GoPro Hero 12
- Cables
- Tiny Anker Wall Plug (just in case)

Hiking Poles: Black Diamond Distance Z Trekking Poles – Pair

Worn Clothing:
- Sun Hoodie: Smartwool Activemesh Sun Hoodie
- Shorts: REI Trailmade Shorts
- Socks: Darn Tough Micro Crew Midweight Hiking Socks
- Underwear: ExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0
- Gators: Dirty Girl Gators
- Shoes: HOKA Mafate Speed 4
- Hat: Baseball Hat by SaltStick
- Sunglasses: Ombraz

Dry Sack with Extra Layers (also used as a pillow):
- Dry Sack: Zpacks Roll Top Dry Bag (10″ x 18″)
- Socks: Darn Tough Micro Crew Midweight Hiking Socks (2), Smartwool Performance Hike Light Cusion (2), REI Ecomade Coolmax EcoMade Lightweight (1)
- Underwear: ExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0 (1)
- Base Layer: Smartwool Classic Thermal Base Layer bottom & top.
- Puffy: Mountain Hardware Ghost Whisperer UL
- Headwear for Sleeping: Buff
- Rain Coat: HOKA Tecsky Rain Jacket

Water & Cooking
- Water bottles: Smartwater bottles (1L x4)
- Water purification: Potable Aqua iodine tablets
- Cold-soak jar: Mini Nalgene (doubles as muscle-roller)
- Utensil: Snow Peak Long Spork


Restroom:
- Poop Shovel: The Deuce #2
- Hand Sanitizer

First Aid Kit (small amounts of necessary items, including Ibuprofen)
