Gear: what I recommend and what I use

What I use and what I recommend are sometimes different.

• The Lightheart Gear rain jacket. I’m using a Visp but the LG is more bulletproof. I used LG in the past, my wife just bought one and I’ll probably switch back when the Visp wears out.
• Consider rain pants or a rain kilt and gaiters. I recommend rain pants as lighter. I’m currently using https://lightheartgear.com/products/rain-pants. Don’t wash your rain pants, it will remove their DWR.

• One long sleeve t-shirt and one short sleeve t-shirt (merino wool, at least 10% nylon/spandex for improved wear). I shop mine by current price. Icebreaker. Merino Tech. So many other brands have all made me happy.  That mix is for the Appalachian Trail.
• For other trails either a sun hoodie from https://jollygear.com/ or Mountain Hardware. I used them both. When I have a hoodie I don’t carry a t-shirt of any type.

• One pair of zip-off pants. Maybe a pair of shorts too. I currently use hiking pants that don’t zip off. For longer hikes I choose which pants by then having deep pockets (so stuff doesn’t fall out) and being what currently fits me. My favorite brand went out of business.
• For shorts once I switched to a larger phone I just use the pair that weighs the least. I wear shorts for doing laundry (I sunburn easily so am often in pants) or for warmer days in the trees but when there aren’t ticks or mosquitoes.
• One base layer (for sleeping in) and a pair of sleep socks. https://www.32degrees.com/collections/mens-baselayers for example of inexpensive base layers. 
• I currently recommend Silkweight base layers. I use Capilene bottoms (same tech as Silkweight, and I already had them) and a Merino top that I like.
• Paradox is an alternative for baselayers.

• One backpack at two pounds or less (get one that fits your body). I like Hyperlite and Durston backpacks myself. The Crown 60 can often be found on sale for around $100. I currently use a Durston Kakwa. Happy6 uses a Hyperlite. Pick a pack that fits your body.
• Misc gear: hiking poles, headlamp, 10,000 mhA battery, wall charger, cell phone (practice using it as a camera). FarOut. Bic mini lighter. Your stove won’t light itself. If it does the built in stove lighter will eventually fail. 
• I currently use Nitecore batteries and headlamps. They are lighter, Anker and other battery brands cost less and are fine.
• I’ve used other headlamps. Nitecore is really my favorite by a large margin on trail.
• I prefer a polished long handled spoon. I think I got mine from REI. Aluminum ones weigh less. Titanium ones are smoother.

• Cascade Mountain Tech and Foxelli make great poles at a reasonable price. Especially at the end of the season at Costco. Cork handles are just better.
• Cat hole kit (bag, trowel, zip lock with toilet paper, hand sanitizer). 
• For a trowel, I use a Vargo. I got it for free. Happy6 uses a Deuce of Spades.

• Water treatment kit. Sawyer filter with connector for gravity filtering, one smart water bottle and two Evernew or Platypus water bags. One Core water bottle. Aqua Tabs. I’m using the tabs and a Happy6 uses Katadyn filer. It is faster than Sawyer though you have to replace them sooner.

• Buff, fleece (alpha direct), wind shirt and puffy (which is what people call a down jacket. Used as warmth when stopped not while hiking).
• Any brand of buff, or a free one will do for a buff. Buff brand is usually competitively priced and merino.
• Try a beanie for sleeping in and hiking. Some people love a beanie. Others are meh on beanies. I’m in the “meh” camp these days. I’ll note that my favorite beanie got lost somewhere.
• I use an Eos puffy and have used an REI puffy. Happy6 has a Montbell and a Ghost Whisperer (REI garage sale find) that she uses. All puffies also make great pillows. Your choice of a puffy with or without a hood.
• Montbell, Black Diamond, and Zpacks all make great wind shirts. You can just use your rain jacket but it will wear out early if you do. Spend the money and carry the 1.7 ounces. Don’t spend the extra money for a heavier wind shirt.
• For pillows I recommend the Trekology pillow with removable cover. I used pillows for years until I left it in a hiker box on the PCT and just use my clothing bag with my puffy in it instead. Many prefer having a pillow.

• I currently use a Senchi alpha direct fleece. A fleece is optional and can be used in place of a puffy. Or for doing laundry in.
• I recommend foam ear plugs, especially for shelters and hostels. I just take my hearing aids out instead but have carried them.

• Go to REI and try out their quiver of sleeping pads. See if closed cell foam is for you (works for 10% to 15% will be happy with that choice), otherwise you want a Nemo or Thermarest inflatable pad. But REI lets you try them out on the floor and you can decide. I’m using a Thermarest.
• Learn to use a pump sack with your pad. Thermarest pads come with one.
• Pick a sleeping bag or quilt. REI Magma on sale is a price/performance leader. Otherwise it is a rabbit hole of options.  I use a feathered friends bag. One it was custom fitted. Two, it cost a lot less when Happy6 bought it for me. Three, it zips to hers.
• Pick a tent. For the Appalachian Trail and one person a Durston XMid Pro or a ZPacks Pivot Solo look like great choices now. Taller hikers should look at an Altaplex. I used an Off-set Trio though I could never get it to handle bad weather. The Pivot Trio solves all the issues. But there are two of us. It has been discontinued and had lots of issues the replacement solves.

• Get a cook kit. For one person I recommend an IMUSA mug or a Stanco Greasepot with cozy, a BATCHSTOVEZ pot lid, a long handled titanium spoon (see above) and an isobutane stove by BRS or GasOne. 
• We use the GasOne stove and the Stanco Greasepot with a homemade cozy. We have tried so many things.
• Get trail runners or trail shoes that fit your feet and are comfortable for you. Shoes suitability really depends on your feet. With Vibram soles they all perform.
• You want two pairs of hiking socks to go with your shoes. Darn Toughs (lifetime replacement policy) and Kirkland hiking socks (more padding) are great choices and what I use for socks.
• Seriously consider gaiters. Most people are better off with them keeping debris out of their shoes.

https://www.litesmith.com/nylofume-pack-liner-bags/ and https://sectionhiker.com/5-backpack-liners-compared/

• Pack liner. Practice with a garbage sack or consider Nylofume. You can get clear Nylofume bags from multiple sources. They run about $5 for two and make great pack liners. I use Nylofume. Happy6 uses a trash sack.
• Tyvek for a ground cloth or polycro. Tyvek is great any hike where you may siesta and need something between you and the ground. Polycro is great for mud.
• Underwear. Ex Officio give and go, or nylon mesh. Two pair. 
• Medical kit. Vitamins. Ibuprofen and some lukotape. Toothpaste and toothbrush. Mosquito repellant (DEET, 30% or more).
• I have one stuff sack for my electronics+meds, one for my clothing, and one for water treatment gear. I use inexpensive nylon dry sacks for this or excess bags. You can just use zip lock bags or have all of these loose in your pack.

• A bear hang kit (food bag, cable and rock bag). I like Hilltop Packs bags for being able to get them individualized and LightAF for a great bag. There are so many choices. Dyneema is longer lasting and reliably waterproof.
• Personal items (like reading glasses if you need them). Maybe chapstick. Microfiber washcloth. Dollar General is a great source.
• FarOut. https://faroutguides.com/appalachian-trail-map/. One time there were other apps. Ones I even used. Now there is only one relevant app for the AT. On other trails the Garmin maps, OnX, CalTopo, Avenza, and CoTrex (free) can be very useful.

Usually if there is a difference between recommended and used it has to do with gear for couples or what I currently have that works and I can’t justify replacing until it wears out.

Often what I have is no longer sold.

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Some notes.

More and more I’m pretty sure you can make do with either a fleece or a puffy. I’ve hiked that way once or twice. But both are nice to have.

For tent stakes I use MSR groundhogs. They are made from DAC aluminum and handle all sorts of terrain. On the AT (only) titanium shepherds hooks from Amazon were great (different type of dirt from the other trails).

For some trails you need microspikes and ice axes. I like Black Diamond ice axes. I like the snow line microspikes.

I also own crampons but have been happy with these. https://www.trailspace.com/gear/snowline/chainsen-pro/ review.

Bear canisters — I recommend the BV 500. I’ve used it. I’ve owned several. I hike with something more expensive that was a gift. As for Ursacks, everyone I know who owned one was happy with them until it encountered a bear. Then they weren’t.