PCT Gear Layout

After months of dialing things in, this is the kit I’ll be carrying north from Mexico to Canada.

Preparing for a thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail is about more than just putting gear into a backpack. It is about learning what you truly need to live outside for months at a time while walking one of the most legendary trails in the world. Stretching roughly 2,650 miles from the Mexican border at Campo, California, to the Canadian border in British Columbia, the Pacific Crest Trail crosses deserts, high alpine passes, deep forests, and some of the wildest landscapes in North America. In this post, I’m breaking down exactly what I’m carrying for my own PCT journey. From the Big Four that form the backbone of any backpacking setup to the smaller pieces of gear that make life on the trail easier, this is the system I’ve built after months of research, testing, and preparation. My goal is to keep my pack light, functional, and reliable so I can focus on the real reason for being out there: walking north through some of the most beautiful wilderness on the planet.

THE BIG FOUR

In backpacking, the “Big Four” refers to the four pieces of gear that usually make up the majority of a hiker’s pack weight: your backpack, shelter, sleeping bag (or quilt), and sleeping pad. These items are the foundation of your backcountry system because they determine how you carry your gear, where you sleep, how warm you stay, and how comfortable you are at night. Since they account for most of the weight on your back, experienced backpackers often focus on optimizing these first, choosing lighter and more efficient options to reduce overall pack weight while still staying safe and comfortable on the trail. For long-distance hikes like the Pacific Crest Trail, dialing in the Big Four can make a massive difference in daily energy, mileage, and overall enjoyment of the journey.

Durston X-Mid 1 Solid

The Durston X-Mid 1 Solid is a lightweight, storm-ready one-person backpacking tent built for hikers who want dependable protection without carrying extra bulk. Its solid inner helps block wind, drafts, and blowing dust, making it a strong choice for colder nights and shoulder-season trips. With a smart trekking-pole design, generous interior space, and easy setup, the X-Mid 1 Solid delivers comfort, simplicity, and trail-tested performance for backpackers who want to move light and sleep well.

ULA Catalyst Backpack

The ULA Catalyst is a legendary ultralight backpack designed for long-distance hikers who need durability, comfort, and smart storage on the trail. With a spacious 75-liter capacity, supportive frame, and large mesh exterior pocket, it carries heavier loads with surprising comfort while still keeping overall pack weight low. Trusted by thousands of thru-hikers on trails like the Pacific Crest Trail, the Catalyst balances rugged construction with thoughtful design, making it an excellent choice for extended backcountry adventures.

Exped Ultra 6.5 Sleeping Pad

The Exped Ultra 6.5 sleeping pad is built for backpackers who want maximum warmth and comfort without adding unnecessary weight to their pack. With an impressive R-value of 6.5, it provides excellent insulation from cold ground, making it ideal for early-season, alpine, and shoulder-season adventures. Its lightweight design, compact pack size, and vertical air chambers create a stable and supportive sleep surface, helping hikers recover and stay warm after long days on the trail.

Marmot 30° Down Sleeping Bag

The Marmot 30° down sleeping bag is designed to keep backpackers warm and comfortable during cool nights in the backcountry. Filled with lightweight, compressible down insulation, it delivers excellent warmth-to-weight performance while packing down small in your backpack. Its mummy shape helps retain heat efficiently while reducing excess bulk, making it a dependable choice for three-season backpacking trips and long-distance hikes where warmth, weight, and packability all matter.

THE BIG FOUR ( 128 OZ or 8 LBS)

• ULA Catalyst 75L Backpack (44 Oz)

• Durston Gear X-Mid 1 Solid Tent (31 Oz)

• Marmot 30° Sleeping Bag / Quilt (32 Oz)

• Exped SynMat Plus (R-6.5) Sleeping Pad (21 Oz)

CLOTHING

• Puffy Jacket (15 Oz)

• Rabbit Run T-Shirt (4.6 Oz)

• Hiking Shorts (8.4 Oz)

• Creeper Hiking Socks/Sleeping Socks ( 2.0 Oz/ 2.7 Oz)

• Wind Breaker/Rain Layer (6.0 OZ)

• Wide Brim Sun Hat (2.0 Oz)

• UL Sunglasses (1.0 Oz)

COOKING + WATER

• Jetboil Flash Stove System ( 13.1 Oz)

• Fuel Canister (7.0 Oz)

• PCTA Mug (2.7 Oz)

• Titanium Spoon (0.7 Oz)

• 2x Smart Water Bottles (0.25 Oz)

• Sawyer Mini Filter System (2.0 Oz)

• Bear Vault Bear Canister + 7 Days of Food ( 125.0 Oz)

• 3-4 Liters of Water (48.0-64.0 Oz)

SAFETY + EXTRAS

• Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles (11.0 Oz)

• First Aid Kit (2.0 Oz)

• Nitecore Headlamp (1.65 Oz)

• Knife (8.0 Oz)

• Lighter (0.6 Oz)

• Trowel (0.24 Oz

• Inflatable Pillow (3.0 Oz)

• Sleeping Bag Liner (4.0 Oz)

ELECTRONICS

• iPhone Air (5.8 Oz)

• 30,000 mAh Power Bank (12.0 Oz)

• Flexible Solar Charger (12.7 Oz)

• Garmin inReach Mini (3.5 Oz)

CAMERA KIT

• Canon R With Battery and Memory Card (23.3 Oz)

• 50mm f/1.8 Lens (5.6 Oz)

• DJI Action 4 With Battery and Memory Card (5.1 Oz)

• Extra Batteries (2.5 Oz)

Packing My Food!

Each box is set up for six days and includes roughly:4 packs of Top Ramen3 packets of Cream of Wheat4 Instant Oatmeal Packets1 Knorr Rice Meal1 Kraft Macaroni + Cheese Quick Mash Potato Mix2 Large bag of peanuts6 Peanut Butter packets1 Cup Powered Gatorade2 Starkist chicken pouches2 meal bars 20G protein bar4 Fruit strips2 Welch’s fruit snacks2 Bag Dried bananas and mixed fruit1 Bag of Cheese puffs2 Pre Made Freeze Dried Mountain House Meals1 Packet of Instant Pudding and powdered banana

Each box comes out to roughly 14,500 to 16,000 calories total, or about 2,400 to 2,600 calories per day over six days.
The full Seven-day carry weighs 8 pounds 7.7 ounces.