We’ve used a LOT of gear over the years. Here is a compilation of our absolute favorite stuff that’s on the market. FYI: Nobody can buy a placement on this page – everything we recommend below is based on our experience of how the items performed over the course of thousands and thousands of miles on the trail.
Shoes
Hiking: HOKA Mafate Speed 4 (These are lightweight, breathable, quick-drying, and durable. We love them!)
Trail Running: HOKA Speedgoat 6
Trail Racing: HOKA Tecton X3
Tents
Top Pick: Z-Packs Duplex (This 2-person tent is crazy light, easy to set-up, and remarkably sturdy.)
One-Person: Z-Packs Plex Solo Lite
Cold Weather: Hyperlite Ultamid (with insert).
More Affordable: Big Agnes Tiger Wall (We used this tent on the PCT)
Backpacks
Top Pick: Zpacks 50L Arc Haul (We’ve put over 5,000 miles on our Zpacks Arc Airs and they are AMAZING. They have been replaced with the very similar Arc Haul.)
Runner up: Hyperlite Unbound 40 (This pack is water resistant and super durable.)
Sleeping Bags/Quilts
Tim Sleeping Bag: Feathered Friends Hummingbird UL 20°F (Regular)
Renee Sleeping Bag: Feathered Friends Egret Nano 20°F (Small)
Quilt: Enlightened Equipment Revelation Sleeping Quilt 20°F (950 down)
Sleeping Pad
Top Pick: Nemo Switchback (This is the orange accordion-style pad that’s always strapped to the top of our backpacks.)
Runner up: Therm-a-Rest Sol (This pad is very similar to the Switchback, but it’s a little more expensive and has been harder to find lately.)
Hiking Poles
Top Pick: Black Diamond Distance Z
Runner up: Distance Carbon Z Poles (These are great, just pricey. The extra price vs. weight isn’t worth it for us, but it is for some people.)
Rain Gear
Rain Coat: Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket
Rain Pants: Outdoor Research Helium Rain Pants
Jackets
Top Pick: Enlightened Equipment Torrid
Runner up: Mountain Hardware Ghost Whisperer UL
Cookware
Pot: Olicamp XTS (1-Litre)
Stove: Olicamp ION Micro Titanium
Spork: Titanium Spork (Long)
Fuel: Olicamp Rocket Fuel (8oz) (Or whatever 8oz isobutane fuel canister is available when we resupply in town.)
Navigation
GPS Watch: Garmin fenix 8 Solar Sapphire (with built-in topographic maps and a flashlight!)
Emergency Beacon: Garmin inReach Messenger Plus
App: Wanderfreund Trails (This is only for long trails in Germany. But, we developed it so we had to include it on this list!)
Power Bank
Top Pick: Anker 10,000 mAh (The most popular and current one on Amazon. Dual-port wall plug (USB-C & USB); carried in a quart-size Ziplock bag for water protection.)
Runner up: Anker 20,000 mAh (We use this on longer stretches like Renee’s unsupported FKT.)
Note: Don’t forget your wall plug and cables if needed to charge during resupplies!
Headlamp
Top Pick: Nitecore NU21 (USB-C rechargeable)
Runner up: Petzel Bindi (USB rechargeable. We’ve tested this one for thousands of miles, but we switched to the Nitecore recently to minimize charging cables.)
Water Filter
Top Pick: Platypus QuickDraw (Fastest flow, easiest to back-flush, and has a cap for both ends that keeps water from getting into your sleeping bag on cold nights.)
Runner up: Sawyer Squeeze
Canoeing Pick: Katadyn Gravity BeFree Water Filtration System – 3 Liters
Socks
Pants
T-Shirt
Sunshirt
Mid-layer
Top Pick: Sambob Microgrid Hoodie (This hoodie is AMAZING!)
Underwear & Bra
Tim: ExOfficio Everday Boxer (Underwear)
Renee: ExOfficio Give-N-Go Bikini Brief (Underwear); ExOfficio Everyday Bralette (Bra)
Baselayers
Tim Top: Patagonia Capilene Midweight Crew
Tim Pants: Patagonia Capilene Midweight Bottoms
Renee Top: Patagonia Capilene Midweight Crew
Renee Pants: Patagonia Capilene Midweight Bottoms
Bear & Bug Protection
Bear Bag: Ursack Major (Bear-resistant bag)
Bear Canister: BearVault BV500 (Only where required)
Bear Spray: Counter Assault Bear Spray
Head Net: Sea to Summit Head Net
Bug Spray: Ben’s Spray Pump (30 percent DEET)
Sunglasses
Tim: Ombraz Classic
Renee: Ombraz Teton
Dry Bags & Sacks
Top Pick: Zpacks Roll Top Dry Bag (10″ x 18″)
Runner Up: Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Nano Dry Sack (13L)
Note: We avoid stuff sacks, but we do each carry ONE dry sack to keep our clothing dry/organized in our pack during the day and to use as a pillow at night. (In case of heavy rain, we stuff our sleeping bag in there as well during the day.)
Snow Equipment
Microspikes: Kahtoola MICROspikes
Crampons: Kahtoola K10 (Unlike most crampons, these are compatible with trail running shoes)
Snowshoes: TSL Outdoor 438 Up & Down Fit Grip
Ice Axe: Corsa Nanotec
Note: We only carry these items if needed. On our thruhikes of the CDT and PCT, we carried microspikes for the snowy sections of trail only.
Food Prep
Dehydrator: Excalibur 9-Tray
Freeze Dryer: Harvest Right Home Pro – Small
Sports Nutrition
Electrolyte Tablets: SaltStick FastChews Electrolytes
High-Carb Drink: Skratch Labs Super High Carb
Guide Book
Top Pick: Admittedly, we’re biased, but it’s definitely Thruhikers: A Guide to Life on the Trail!
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Thank you so so much for putting together this email. After your backpack recommendations I was googling the ones you had recommended and was nervous I was looking at the right ones. This quick link to websites is great to reference what you have been recommending. You both are inspirations and I stride to be as actively this summer with light weight items- but of course to enjoy the journey with the ups and downs. Thank you again. Xo