Month: April 2025

Introduction

On the Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trail, the gear chosen by hikers in one year is often heavily influenced by whatever gear was popular the year before and reviewed or getting good word of mouth.  On the Continental Divide Trail, the gear choisen is heavily influenced by the gear a backpacker finished the last trail with.

This essay reviews the surveys of what gear was used in 2024 with my thoughts.

The gear items are listed from most common to less common. So “name1”>”name2” only means that name 2 was less common. I don’t include all the choices, only the top choices. Always assume an etc. and that there are more alternatives.

Tents

• On the AT, as of 2024, Durston is number one tent, followed by Big Agnes and then Zpacks.
• Looking at history for the AT in 2017 it was Big Agnes>Big Agnes>Zpacks>REI>Nemo>. That said, “other” was 22.5% of all tents used and there were lots of tent choices listed.
• PCT: Duplex >Durston (multiple types)>Big Agnes>Etc. (generally, assume an “etc. or “other” on every list as I’m only listing the most popular items).
• CDT: Zpacks Duplex > Durston >others (Durston now covers six models of the XMid, but for 2024 there were only four XMid Models).
• For comparison, the CDT 2017: Zpacks Hexamid was the most used and that is a tent not even on any surveys now.
• Happy6 and I started our first thru-hike attempt with a Big Agnes Copper Spur, went to a Zpacks, then a Durston and now hike with a Zpacks.
• When we got started we used an REI half dome I got for $25 and then a Mountain Hardware Ghost (discontinued now) then the Copper Spur. We also owned and then returned a Golite tent.
• So we’ve been through a number of tents.

Free standing or semi-freestanding tents were once 90% or so of the tents on trail. Now the leading tents are trekking pole tents that are not freestanding at all. The REI Quarterdome used to be very common.  It has almost vanished from long trails.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the Quarterdome.

Durston tents are spreading in popularity.  Zpacks remains strong.  Big Agnes and REI tents continue to fade with lighter tents taking their place. Those tents are still great for weekend and similar use and many are happy thru-hiking with them.

Finally, I’ve met people successfully hiking with Ozark Trails and Lanshan/River Trekker tents.

Sleeping Bags/Quilts

• AT:  Enlightened Equipment (massively first place) quilts, some other choices.
• PCT: Enlightened Equipment >Katabatic>REI Magma>etc.
• CDT: Enlightened Equipment>Katabatic (highest rated).
• I started with Feathered Friends and am still using that bag. My wife and I use bags that can zip together and that we use as quilts or as bags depending on the weather.

Enlightened Equipment quilts have been popular for a long time.  REI (Magma, Igneo) has had some years on and off (on sale it is a great deal). I’ve used quilts for a section hike but they don’t work well with a partner.

I would recommend them to people hiking solo.

Sleeping Pads

• AT: Thermarest is the leader.  Nemo is in second place.
• PCT: Thermarest>Thermarest>Nemo>Nemo>etc.
• CDT: Thermarest, first four spots, then Nemo.
• CDT 2017: Thermarest
• I started with a Thermarest and am still using one.  I also own a Nemo, but so far prefer the Thermarest.

In pads, Thermarest  has dominated, Nemo remains a strong second. While “pads” includes closed cell and inflatable pads, inflatable pads dominate what is used, and the more someone has hiked, the more likely they are to use an inflatable pad.

I used to estimate that 25% of hikers could be happy with closed cell pads but the surveys make it look like less than 10%. You can always try them out and see.

Backpacks

• AT:  Osprey >ULA/Hyperlite (tied)>Gossamer Gear>Durston>misc. others.
• PCT: ULA>Osprey>Hyperlite>Durston
• CDT: Gossamer Gear Mariposa > Durston Kawka > ULA > Osprey > Hyperlite (Hyperlite is also the highest rated).
• CDT 2017: ULA>Hyperlite>Exos
• I started with a Gregory, moved to Osprey when we decided to thru-hike (first an Exos, then Levity), then Hyperlite (which is a great pack) and currently am on my second Durston.

ULA and Osprey have been popular packs.  Hyperlite has been popular, but is expensive and is seen as a premium pack.  Durston packs are spreading in popularity.

Rain Gear

• AT: Frogg Toggs, Outdoor Research, etc.
• PCT: Frogg Toggs > Outdoor Research > Montbell Versalite >Torrentshell>Visp (13 brands had enough use to be rated as well as listed).
• CDT: Frogg Toggs > Outdoor Research > Montbell Versalite (the highest rated)>Visp.

Frogg Toggs has been a perennial favorite on trail.  The brand is cheap.  It works. Lots of  upgrade paths.  Versalite has been the natural upgrade for many and is often highly rated. There are many rain jackets. Often there is a trade-off between weight, price and performance.

I’ve happily used thePacka.com, ARC’TERYX, Lightheart Gear, and a Visp. I’ve also had some Outdoor Research jackets that were ok. Happy6 also used a Versalite.

The problem is that the lighter jackets all wear out after significant use. I’ve written on wind shirts and how at 1.7 ounces they are worth it to not wear your rain jacket out early.

Stoves

• AT: MSR (190), Jet Boil (59) BRS (37 users – but highest satisfaction this year).
• PCT: MSR> BRS> Soto>MSR>Etc.
• CDT:  MSR>Soto>BRS
• CDT 2017: MSR>Jetboil

MSR pocket rockets have been surprisingly enduring.  BRS is very similar to the MRS stove, but less expensive.  Soto stoves continue to have a presence.  BRS has been successful, though it is relatively recent. MSR and Soto can be considered premium brands.

We use a BRSlike stove we got on the Pinhoti from GasOne when our stove failed. We own MSR, Jetboil and Soto stoves. Each has a good place.

Pots

I think they should be surveyed.  There is a lot of variety in the things used for pots. Pots, cups, mugs and more are all used. A Stanco Greasepot is about as cheap and as light as a pot for two gets.

For one person various mugs that double as pots are a good choice.

Fleeces

• AT: Not surveyed. 
• PCT:  Senchi>Senchi>Melanzana> Patagonia R1>Etc.
• CDT:  Melanzana Microgrid Hoodie (12 ounches!?!)>then the next three positions are various alpha direct fleeces by Senchi Designs.

Alpha Direct fleeces have become very popular since coming out of nowhere as they are a relatively recent development.  Senchi has a great build quality for a fleece.  Mellies (Melanzana fleeces) are popular.  I went by the store, but they are expensive, heavy and I’m not a fan of the esthetics.

I’ve used a lot of fleeces through the years and different trails have varieties in what works best for me.

The Senchi alpha direct has great build quality, fits well and is really light. It layers well and offers a lot of flexibility.

Sun Hoodies

Not Surveyed. 

A sun hoodie is essential for two of the trails, not needed/used really on the AT.  Mountain Hardware makes some solid sun hoodies that I like. 

Jolly Gear has gotten very popular and I’m currently using one of their milder appearing sun hoodies.

Otherwise, everyone is selling a sun hoodie. Alpaca, Merino, Capaline, Polyester, Bamboo Fibers, Rayon and many other fabrics are being turned into sun hoodies.

Ideally you want light weight fabric that will wick sweat away and not hold it.

Camp Shoes (“crocs” or flip flops)

• AT: Seems like everyone has a pair of crocs (but the topic has not been surveyed).  Various off-brand or “clones” are lighter, cheaper, and better for backpackers.
• PCT: 53% carry camp shoes.
• CDT: 39% carry camp shoes.

I go back and forth on camp shoes and I’ve tried a number of them.

In addition to the ones you can buy in a store, there are do it yourself camp shoes that are lighter still than the ones you buy.

Water Treatment–an essential

• AT:  Sawyer Squeeze is #1, followed by Katadyn. Sawyer squeeze really dominates on the AT.
• PCT: Sawyer>Katadyn>Platypus>etc.
• CDT: Sawyer>Platypus>Katadyn.
• CDT 2017: Sawyer>Aqua Mira>Sawyer>Katadyn (chemical treatments have gotten less popular over time).
• I started with a Sawyer Mini (friends don’t let friends buy a mini), moved to the Micro (not bad) and currently use a Katadyn BeFree.  I started with iodine chemical back-up (from a hiker box) and currently use Aqua Mira (first the liquid, but I now use the pills) as a back-up.

Sawyers last longer but filter slower. The Aqua Mira pills weigh less than the liquid and are just as fast.

Puffies

• AT: Not surveyed. Ghost Whisperer used to be pretty standard. Many do without a puffy however.
• PCT: Enlightened Equipment Torrid > Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Hoody. There are a lot of brands used.
• CDT: Enlightened Equipment Torrid > Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Hoody.  Lots of others brands used by just a few.

Some hike with just a fleece and no down jacket. Others hike with just a jacket and no fleece. Most hikers carry both, with the jacket used only in camp for warmth when not hiking.

The big variance is really cheap but heavy, “standard” (Ghost Whisperer or similar) and then super premium.

Trekking Poles

• AT:  Black Diamond>Leki>REI>Cascade Mountain Tech>Gossamer Gear
• PCT: BDx3>Cascade Mountain Tech>BD>etc.
• CDT: Three of the top four are Black Diamond , #3 is Cascade Mountain Tech
• I started with Aluminum, Cork Handled Black Diamond, then Leki (available at the outfitter when I lost one of the BD) back to BD Aluminum Cork, moved to BD Carbon (because it was available when I sheared off one of the BD aluminum) and I’m now using Cascade Mountain Tech because my BD broke (I fell on it) and I had them available from an impulse buy.

Black Diamond is a clear leader, with their cork handled carbon poles the most common/well regarded poles. There are lots of alternatives, some of which are surprisingly good and dramatically less expensive. REI, Foxelli and Cascade Mountain Tech are all solid alternatives.

Shoes:

• AT:  Topo, followed by Altra and then Hoka.  Merrill is a distant fourth place, other brands even further off.
• AT 2017: Salomon>Altra>Books>Merrell
• PCT: Altra>Hoka>Altra>Brooks Cascadia>Topo>Topo>etc.
• CDT: Altra>Hoka>Topo

Some times a brand or model (like Cascadia) becomes very popular for a time.  If build quality fades or the brand gets “improved” it often drops out of the public eye and may or may not return (like Cascadia seems to be doing).

Merrell used to be a lot more popular than it is now. Generally people have shifted to more cushioned shoes.

Shoes/trail runners have pretty much completely replaced boots in case you are wondering why the surveys don’t cover hiking boots.

Other gear

There are lots of other gear items that could be surveyed. Pack liners. Hats/beanies/etc. Sun gloves. Sun glasses.

There is gear that is surveyed that I did not comment on such as socks. Every survey is flooded with socks. Darn Tough has slowly squeezed out the competition because they have a lifetime replacement warranty.

Traction devices (micro spikes and crampons) get surveyed. The results vary from year to year in what people use and how happy they are. Ice Axes. Bear Canisters get surveyed but the more expensive, the happier people are with them. Many people balk at the more expensive ones.

Power banks are evolving. Headlamps have evolved too. Black Diamond used to dominate, now it is Nitecore.

Hiking shorts and pants are pretty much fungible. Buy some that fit.

Long handled spoons are used by almost everyone but they are pretty much the same.

Tent pegs have two types. Titanium shepherds hooks for soft soil (the Appalachian Trail) and DAC aluminum pegs (like Groundhogs) for other soil.

Conclusions

There is a wide range of gear that will see you through a thru-hike. It can be fun to compare trails or to compare “best of” lists.

My best suggestion is to go with popular picks and choose one you are comfortable with.

But. But. Almost every choice currently popular was not that popular in the past. In addition, a number of garage manufacturers or niche players produce great gear.

There are many routes to success with gear.

Just so nobody misses it, here are instructions to bypass San Jacinto entirely on foot.

From the Fairway Market complex, take a right onto Village Center Drive to South Circle Drive, turn right on South Circle Drive, follow to where it joins the 243.

Briefly follow the 243 to Tollgate Rd. Turn right onto Tollgate Rd. Tollgate becomes Apel Rd. near The Idyllwild Arts school. There is a bridge where you should get water, just before entering the arts school grounds.

Apel road is public but the arts school is posted no trespassing. I checked with administrators there regarding the road and it is used by the public, just don’t venture onto the art school property.

This is a private school for underage children, not a college. Paved Apel road becomes a dirt road. At the top of a small rise, 5S06 (Idyllwild Control Road) will appear to your right.

On your left is a small shed. Turn right onto the 5S06. Take 5S06 to 5S10 (Red Hill Truck Trail) to 5S09 (San Jacinto Ridge Rd.) At this Junction, 5S10 bears sharply right to Pine Cove. You just want to keep going straight onto 5S09 (downhill).

There is a campground (Yellow Post 1) to the left, just prior to crossing the South Fork San Jacinto River. You will reach a junction of the 5S09, the 5S07 and the 4S10 (Indian Creek OHV).

The 5S07 is clearly marked as going to Hemet.

Do not take the 5S07. Instead take 4S10, to the right and uphill.

4S10 is deeply rutted in places and a substantial climb. There is a piped spring running water across the road very early on.

This is cave springs. Get water here. Follow 4S10 to 4S05 (Mueller Creek OHV). About 3 miles prior to reaching 243, you will reach an access road to your right that will bring you to Mueller Creek.

Detour here for water and then return to 4S05. 4S05 will come out at 243. Cross 243 and turn left, pass a massive boulder, then go over a small embankment to 4S57. Turn right and you will find the Black Mountain TRAIL (Not Black Mountain Road).

Black Mountain Trail 2E35 will bring you out at Boulder Basin Campground in 4.5 miles. This is a strenuous climb, with more than 3,000 feet of gain.

It may require spikes on the last mile, but it isn’t much of a fall risk (there are no cliffs, only slopes).

At Boulder Basin Campground, turn right and than immediately left onto 4S01. This is the day use parking area and the only road that begins by gradually going down.

It is on the edge of the campground and NOT inside the campground and is flanked by short round wooden posts.

Follow this to 4S01C (Black Mountain road). Turn left and in three miles you will rejoin the PCT.

Alternative: https://sanjacjon.com/2025/03/30/snow-and-trail-update

Taking the Black Mountain Road alternate remains an excellent option for hikers less comfortable with the Fuller Ridge section for the next week or so.

A well established alternate from Idyllwild – avoiding Fuller Ridge – is to connect back to the PCT at about Mile 191 using Black Mountain Road. 

Black Mountain Road is clear of snow for the lower five miles, and then has only patchy snow cover for the upper three miles to the PCT but with an obvious track following the road through the snow patches. Mile 192 northward to Interstate 10 is clear of snow.

Gila

The desert section we have left from my pneumonia bout has been on my mind but I’ve been concerned about the Gila.

We really want to do it rather than the bypass and it looks promising.

Water flow is about 25% of last year and dropping. Instead of waist high and higher, it is shin high or lower.

We have protected parking arrangements made too.

The Bob

The snow has been melting faster than usual and the long term forecast is for warmer than usual weather.

That makes it promising for easy fording and good passes.

Push-Pull Caps and New Bottles

Since Platypus and Gossamer Gear have quit selling them I tried out some new ones. Long story short, I’m pleased.

They come with rings that need to be removed (would be ok for new manufacturing bottles). Once those are popped off they are perfect.

Also got a new Core water bottle. I use those because the caps are great scoops. It is good to have a scoop sometimes.

CDT Weather Forecasts

https://www.cdtweather.com/

Just like AT Weather. Good resource.

https://www.bmwf.org/trails

Bob Marshall trail reports (will start being updated for 2025 soon ?).

Going to be an interesting May and I’m hopeful of our June SOBO start.

East Glacier is 2895

MTB City at 2639

Mail Drops: accepted
2416 Wilder Ave. 59602
Helena, MT 59602

Contact Information
Email: mtbcity406@gmail.com
Website: http://www.mtbcity.net/

And

Benchmark Wilderness Ranch at 2763

Resupply:
Box size: 12″ X 12″ X 12″
Send $30 check for handling fee separately from box
Send box 2-3 weeks before you plan to arrive
Address:
Benchmark Wilderness Ranch
Darwin and Shellie Heckman
422 County Line Road
Fairfield, MT 59436

Butte is 2540.3

Hoping the snow stays around average and that “the Bob” is easy to do. Last year things were so good looking until we were on the trail and then the San Juans got swamped in May as we hiked.

https://www.bmwf.org/trip-planning —the planning guide for the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

Checking FarOut

572.5 has water. The post saying none did not actually go down in the canyon and the reported broken pipe was fixed.

From another hiker:

I made it into cuba Tuesday night. Water was good at 565.3 ojo de dado. 577.6 potentially a pool left by Cliff view after gate follow trail to the left to cliff edge. Red line goes right It was deep enough to fill from water bottle when I passed it Monday evening

584.3 reports spring/trough with water.

597 has a cache

599 reports the water pump is working.

613 reports water in the trough.

622 reports the windmill is pumping.

627 is Cuba.

Good news is that the spring at 572 has water if you go to the second canyon. Only the first ravine is “dry and hopeless.”

So water in under ten miles.

Then there is water every 14-15 miles until town.

This looks like four liters will do it.

On trail, try this

https://youtu.be/7nqy3zvR65c?si=Rogub2uFfNxBkWv7 (one simple exercise).

The idea is you look at your feet all day to avoid tripping on rocks or stepping on snakes. This is something you can do quickly every morning and every evening to balance that out.

At home, try these:

https://www.surreyphysio.co.uk/top-5/best-5-exercises-for-cervical-kyphosis/

On trail, you can use a subset:

Neck rotation overstretch 

Rotate your neck to its end of range. Place the palm of your hand on the side of your head, and gently push your neck into slightly more rotation. Hold the stretch for 15 seconds, and relax. Repeat three times. This is an excellent exercise to improve rotation and mobility in your neck.

Source

And

Stand or sit up tall.  Focus on an object at eye level while slowly moving your head back over your shoulders and tuck your chin in. Gently guide the movement with your hand on your chin. Hold for 3 seconds then relax and return to the initial position. Repeat 5-10 times, 3 times per day. 

https://www.lifemark.ca/blog-post/banish-neck-hump-exercises-improve-pain-and-posture

Some good stretches

https://happytrailsandwanderlust.wordpress.com/2017/11/07/suggested-trail-stretches/

I have to admit that in the evenings on trail I’m too tired and in the mornings we are ready cut out any delays. But stretches can really be good.

And one older.

There are a lot of gear reviews and they often reflect gear that has a specific niche.

Other times they are more like catalog entries than reviews.

Now for my rambling notes.

Starting with tents

Start with this (very honest) example: https://thetrek.co/rei-half-dome-2-tent-review/?ref=slider. This reviews the half dome by someone who uses it for their outfitting business.

The Half Dome 2 is great for short overnight trips and would be perfect for car camping.

That captures my thoughts too.

However, this review also illustrates the weaknesses or limits of reviews. The tent at issue is great for many purposes—just not for long hikes or much beyond short trips.

(Which is how most tents are used).

I can say that about its use because I own one. I’ve used it on section hikes. But it went into the gear closet until I set it aside for my car camping daughter.

Now, rain jacket reviews

For comparison I give you the next review.

It is https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/best-rain-jacket. “Best” meaning “you pick a category and we have an affiliate marketing link.”

For example, I’m pretty unconstrained by budgets. I even own an Arc’tryx. So does my wife. We even sometimes wear them around town and have worn them on trail. Would I use one for backpacking now—no. They are too heavy.

Not surprisingly, none of the jackets in the review are ones I would recommend to a thru-hiker.

In case you wondered what people hiking the Appalachian Trail actually use—actual current use numbers for a trail with a lot of rain. (What gets used changes over time, 2018 choices aren’t the same as 2024).

Just for comparison, another review:

https://www.switchbacktravel.com/best-rain-jackets—this one at least includes the Visp. You can also see what it doesn’t include.

Compare those reviews to one with analysis

Now this is the type of review you used to be able to find (quoting from years past at that same source):

Quoting from:

https://sectionhiker.com/secti…

Top 10 Backpacking Rain Jackets

The most popular rain jacket purchased by the backpackers we surveyed is the Marmot Precip Jacket, perhaps the best known waterproof/breathable outdoor recreation jacket ever made. An astonishing 28.8% of our survey respondents own this rain jacket, far more than any other, as shown in the table below.
Rain Jacket

Brand%tage of hikers using
This jacket.PriceSatisfaction 1-5Marmot Precip Jacket28.8100.004.07Frogg Toggs UL Suit13.224.994.10Outdoor Research Helium II8.14159.004.04Patagonia Torrentshell2.7129.003.44The North Face Venture2.499.003.60Marmot Essence2.4199.953.43Columbia Watertight II1.490.004.00Mountain Hardwear Plasmic1.4139.953.80Columbia Pournation1.490.003.75Lightheart Gear Rain Jacket1.499.004.00

What do these results tell us?

…

First, slightly over 50% of our survey respondents purchased one of three rain jackets: the Marmot Precip, the Frogg Toggs UL Rain Suit, or the Outdoor Research Helium II rain jacket. Knowing backpackers, it’s incredible that so many would share such a strong consensus about these three items.

Second, none of the top 10 rain jackets are made with a Gore-tex or eVent waterproof/breathable membrane. It would seem that having a Gore-tex or eVent membrane is unimportant to most backpackers when purchasing a rain jacket. That’s an eye opener.

Third, the backpackers who own these jackets are fairly satisfied with them (on a scale of 1-5, where 5 is the highest level of satisfaction,) but most of the ratings fall between 3 and 4, not approaching a 5. If you were reading customer reviews on an online retailer’s web site, I doubt these ratings would have a big impact on your decision-making for or against a product. This tells me that cost is probably the most important criteria behind the purchase decision to buy one of these jackets, not performance or features. We see further evidence of this below.

You go to that link now and all the satisfaction and such data is gone. Just recommendations and links to buy.

Or backpacks

As for backpacks, you can Google reviews.

Then go to Halfway Anywhere.

CDT hikers tend to have a lot of experience. While they lag a little behind on trends (since they are often using gear they bought a year or two ago for other hikes) they reflect knowledgeable and experienced hikers.

Not surprisingly, their choices somehow do not match reviewers.

So many packs in the reviews aren’t even used by a single backpacker.

Bottom line

Hikers, especially on the Appalachian Trail, may not always be the best source of reviews and suggestions.

That is because sse often reflects popularity, especially for people on their first long trail.

However, what people are using will tell you if gear is sufficient, since the statistics are mostly for finishers. It will also tell you how real hikers responded to reviews.

Then you get to trails that are generally hiked by people who have completed more than one prior trail. Their use will also give you an idea of what successful and repeat hikers as a group have decided on and use.

The wisdom of crowds is not always right, but it is definitely worth considering. You can also use the surveys to reality check reviewers.

For surveys start with https://www.halfwayanywhere.com/trails/continental-divide-trail/cdt-gear-guide-2024/

It is also useful look at past years to compare shifts over time. Looking at changes from 2019 to 2024 can often tell you something.

It will also let you appreciate reviews by a serious hiker like P Mags. https://pmags.com/topics/gear

It can also give you some perspective on my recommendations and gear choices. Wish you luck.

Camp shoes

When I started, I started carrying crocs since they are a thru-hiker staple. https://adrr.com/d20/2023/03/19/gear-camp-shoes/ I made some changes through the years.

Camp shoes are most important for hostels that don’t allow shoes and for (often public) hiker showers which can be quite gross.

The ones on top were super light. I hiked up to 9-10 miles in them once at Front Royal. Lost them on the PCT, recovered one but hiker boxed it when the other stayed lost.

The ones at the bottom of the picture work well for water crossings but I find they take too much time to put on and off and I just use my shoes and walk until they are dry.

These days I just carry flip flops for the rare times I need them.

Others just use their trail runners and go barefoot where they aren’t allowed.

Sun Hoodies

On the Appalachian Trail sun hoodies were not what I needed. I burn easily but the green tunnel protected me.

That changed for the PCT. It has so much exposed sun. I started with a Black Diamond Alpenglow Pro. Highly rated, etc. It wore out.

I had a Rab replacement I hiker boxed instead of sending home because I didn’t like the snarls. Someone grabbed it immediately.

I tried a long sleeve shirt and a hat with a bandana instead of a sun hoodie for a while. It was not great for me with the wind. Others make it work so I gave it a try.

I tried and liked the Mountain Hardware hoodies much better than Black Diamond or some off brand ones.

Mine got chewed up by thorn bushes so I tried TYR as a replacement. Pretty but the fabric is too heavy for the trail. Great for around town.

Currently I’m using Jolly Gear’s Sun hoodie which is just neat. Seems everyone sells a sun hoodie now. Happy6 got one first and then I followed.

Of course I had to get a different look since she is adamant about not being twins.

I was turned off by the super bright styles but like the more subdued ones.

I’ll admit I’ve tried a lot of different ones. Some I really like, just not on trail. Funny how that has worked out.

Socks

I started with Smartwool. Moved to Darn Tough for the lifetime warranty. Moved Writesock for the blister protection. They really didn’t handle dirt well for me. Went to Kirkland for the cushion.

I also have worn the Kirkland ones for daily use. Still do.

I am currently using REI on trail because they don’t have compression. I’m still thinking. Merino Tech are similar (I got a pair for free with my baselayer top).I like them too.

Socks currently in day to day rotation for my wife and I.

I like the heavier cushion. I just need to decide about compression. Do I love it or want to avoid it or both?!?

Obviously I’m still thinking. I’ll probably go through everything that has InsectShield protection and decide.

Bottom line

Some gear is situational. I’d use it for one trail but not another.

Some gear is pretty optional.

Some gear is great off trail (that TYR hoodie) and some looks a lot like trail gear (heavier rain jackets). Some is an almost (Patagonia’s sun hoodie).

So over the years my choices have migrated and changed. Many times there is not one right answer. Other times “it just depends.”

Big Sky/Super Butte Alternative

I’m of course looking at that again while making plans for New Mexico next month.

We have reservations at https://lavaflowhostel.com/ and a shuttle to where we got off at 563 for my pneumonia.

We go from there to Cuba at 627.9. About 65 miles. That means about five pre-trail legs days going NOBO.

The notes aren’t always updated from last year, but many are. It was just fun to realize there had not been a note at that point since May of last year.

It also was a good benchmark since we were in the same area last year.

I’m also watching the snow levels. So far they look manageable but last year had some unfortunate weather late in the year so I’m nervous.

Otherwise it is just a matter of mailing out a resupply for the Bob, already have arrangements for our car in the Gila and we have permits for the last PCT section.

Video from the PCT.

CDT SOBO video. Over an hour long.