Part of this is changes in trails, other is improvement in gear or changes in the quality of gear.
Backpack, Tent, Tent Pegs, Sleeping Pad, Sleeping Bag
I started with a Gregory Baltero. An REI employee recommended it as award winning and perfect. It is a winter/expedition pack, and very much not the right pack for thru-hiking. Lots of options, multiple compartments, and heavy.
Baltero–>Osprey Exos–>Osprey Levity–>Hyperlight Windrider–>Durston Kakwa. The Exos was a solid pack, just threw my posture off a little. The Levity was too fragile. The Windrider worked out very well and is a great pack. The Kakwa is similar, just better, lighter and not worn out.
Half Dome–>[two different discontinued tents] Copper Spur–>Triplex–>XMid Pro 2p>Off-set Treo. The Half Dome is a great tent, just heavy. The discontinued tents were front entry, and both were a little small. The Copper Spur was nice, but after a thousand miles or so on the trail the size was too small. A 3 person version would have been better than a 2 person. The Triplex was larger, a palace, but finally started to wear out. The Durston was nice, but just a little small for two people. Will see how the Off-set Treo works out when we do another stint on the Pinhoti.
For tent pegs, on the AT I used titanium shepherd hooks with a couple titanium v-stakes. On the PCT, the earth was harder and I ended up moving to MSR Groundhogs. They are perfect for the PCT and probably for the CDT.
Thermarest Xlite–>Xtherm–>Xlite–>Xlite. The first Xlite was great. After many years and thousands of miles of backpacking, it finally started to have the baffles separate. The Xtherm I picked up at a garage sale and Win immediately claimed it. She has since moved on to a lighter Xlite. My second Xlite developed a very slow leak. I replaced it with a new one that does not seem to have that problem. So far, so good. We also own a Nemo, but we both like the Xlites better.
Sleeping bags and quilts –>Feathered Friends bags that zip together. We had some sleeping bags, old fashioned ones with 550 to 650 fill down or so. Also tried some quilts for warmer weather. We also have a couple Naturehike/ Aegismax summer bags. I also use them as quilts around the house. The Feathered Friends bags we picked up to start the Appalachian Trail for our March 2019 start and have been using them since. Great bags. We’ve been warm down to 17 degrees and for warmer weather we use them as quilts and stick a leg or arm out to cool down.
Clothing
Shirt, Shorts, Pants, Base Layers, Hoodies, Fleeces and Puffies. Socks.
I started with a long sleeve underarmor t-shirt, moved to short sleeve 100% merino wool t-shirts. Moved to blends with 10% to 15% nylon/spandex as 100% tend to wear out much too quickly. Then to a polyethylene shirt that wicked out moisture much better. For the PCT I moved to a silk weight base layer top, then to sun hoodie before I hit the trail. Mountain hardware became my preference. Tried a Tyr hoodie, which I enjoy off the trail, but that is a little too heavy, holds moisture a little too much. For the CDT I plan on Mountain Hardware again. Search on-line for the best price if you decide to buy one.
I used to really like Gerry Shorts. They are still good. My changing cell phone size has changed how they work with my body from perfect to merely good. In 2022 I ended up with a pair of shorts I picked up in a hiker box that I really liked then. Now I’m thinking just which shorts I will wear. I prefer only two pockets, that zip or otherwise are securely closed. I carry a wallet and a cell phone in my pockets.
For pants I bought REI Sahara pants. Note that those change up rather routinely, so last year’s model may be much different than this year. I ended up with White Sierra Convertible pants on the Appalachian Trail in Maine. That pair was eventually shrunk out of on the PCT and I replaced them with a pair of REI Sahara pants. The next year they wore out and I picked up a pair of Prana’s on the trail that worked well, though they are not really convertible pants.
For Base Layers I started with 32 Degree Poly ones, or similar ones. I then moved onto Merino. My wife bought me a Patagonia Capilene bottom. I hiked without a bottom after a flip and picked up a merino bottom on trail. Then I picked up military fabric silk weight base layers. For the PCT I ended up with the capilene bottoms and a merino top, a little warmer than the silk weight, though not as warm as the heavier merino I have. Guess in part it is packing my fears.
For fleeces, I’ve written on that. For the AT I used a now discontinued full zip. Given the hours I put in with a fleece only half on, the full zip was a great idea. For the PCT I switched to a Timmermade Alpha Direct. I didn’t use it much, but it weighed only about 4 ounces. I’ve bought a different one for this year, as the Timmermade did not fit me quite right and they have huge lead times. I still recommend them. I’ll know how my Alpha 60 Hoodie by Senchi Designs works out in a week or so.
For a down jacket, I started with a 650 fill power REI that I was able to pick up for $49 on sale. Good, but I decided I wanted a hood. My wife bought me a Feathered Friends EOS. It has served very well. 950 fill power, a hood, and warm. Great at night when in camp. My wife had a Ghost Whisperer I picked up at REI, now has a replacement for that and a Montbell. She likes both.
With the socks, I’ve used Darn Toughs and liked them. I’ve also used Costco’s hiking socks, which I really like. I’ll probably hike in the Costco socks again, with the Darn Toughs as a back-up.
Rain Gear
Our first time on the AT I brought rain ponchos “just in case” and we ended up using them. I also bought a heavy rain jacket from one of the way stops. Tried a better quality poncho that also went over my back-pack. Ponchos left my arms exposed and I could never get comfortable with them.
I tried a number of rain jackets, had some rather bad luck. For the AT I used ThePacka.com. It is like a poncho with arms, huge pit zips and just about perfect. Not something I would use with a lot of wind. I started with a rain skirt and rain gaiters. Those work well, and vent well. But the Eastern Mountain Sport (EMS) full zip rain pants were actually lighter and handle brush and similar things well. I was very pleased with them for the AT.
On the PCT I changed to a Lightheart Gear rain jacket and Versalite rain pants. I expect to use the pants on the CDT. The rain jacket wore out. I replaced it on trail, and am probably going to hike on the CDT with an Enlightened Equipment Visp rain jacket.
Shoes
I’ve worn a number of shoes. Spent a lot of time in Northface 109s/110s. Merrell Moab 2s. Hoka Speedgoats and Hoka ATRs. Ultra-Raptors. Some others. I started section hikes with New Balance cross-trainers. Currently I’m working on Topo Ultraventure shoes.
I really think that shoes that work with your feet and that last a decent amount of trail are what are best. It is a personal choice.
My thought is that I will start the CDT in Ultraventures. Maybe paired with Topo Athletic Performance gaiters. Maybe not.
Other
I use a long handled spoon. I’ve tried other things, but the spoon works better. I’ve tried a .7 liter cup, but it was extra. Started with a Sawyer Mini, but it is inferior to the Sawyer Micro or a Sawyer. Currently using a Katadyn BeFree as it has faster flow.
Nitecore battery packs, Nitecore Headlamp. 30 watt charger, heavy duty cords. I may pick up shorter cords for the CDT, they work well for the AT, but longer ones are much better for the crowded charging locations on the PCT.
Smart water bottles with replacement lids. Tried a DCF pack liner, now use a Nylofume liner instead. Vargo trowel.
For the AT, hats and sun glasses were really redundant, except for less than a week for the hat. Never needed a beanie, I was always warm enough without one. For the PCT I went through a couple pairs of sunglasses, the last I found under a bush by the side of the trail. I’ve been through some hats, will probably use an orange base ball cap style hat for the CDT.
I’ve written about tarps. They really have a place on the AT. Dropped them for the PCT and don’t plan to change for the CDT.
Cooking
It does seem that we will try going stoveless for the CDT.
On the AT we started cooking breakfast and dinner. Quickly went to just cooking dinner. On the PCT we started having stoveless dinners a surprising amount of the time the longer we were on trail.
We started with an MSR Windburner with a 1.7 liter pot and added a pan. Eventually switched to a Stanco Greasepot and a pan. Switched to a Snow Peak and then later a GasOne stove. We were planning on dropping the pan, and for the start the stove and pot.
I tried a Light My Fire Spork (fork on one end, spoon at the other), and an aluminum spoon. But I’ve enjoyed a long handled polished titanium spoon.
Other
A simple microfiber towel/wash cloth. Buffs (two. I generally use them instead of a fleece in the morning until I warm up). Underwear. A belt. The knife stayed home. A small bic lighter. Altitude sickness medication and vitamin D.
DCF food bag and a bag for my clothes also used for a pillow. Bearikade Weekender for when a bear canister is required (after going through a Garcia and several BV 500s). A shoulder bag (where I keep a battery and my headlamp, sun glasses).
Dyneema wallet. A Spot GPS for the insurance. An iPhone.