General Lightweight Gear List:

Clothing:

• Synthetic or wool short sleeve t-shirt or tank top
• Midweight synthetic or wool or fleece long-sleeve top
• Wind or rain shell (not both, make this under 12 oz)
• Rainpants or rain kilt (optional)
• Lightweight synthetic trekking pants (optional – zip-offs preferred)
• Lightweight synthetic shorts (don’t take if you have pants)
• Down jacket (10 to 12 oz)
• Socks (three pairs, two for hiking and one for camp)
• Underwear (optional)
• Wool or fleece hat
• Lightweight synthetic or wool long underwear (optional)

Gear:

• Internal frame pack or frameless rucksack (3,000 cu. in or less, 2lbs or less)
• Down sleeping bag or quilt (preferably one for summer and another for colder months)
• Short sleeping pad (60” max)
• Tent/tarptent/tarp/hammock (keep it light!)
• Lightweight shoes with preferred insoles (trail runners are the best)
• Trekking poles
• Headlamp (with red light option and preferably waterproof)
• Water bladder or water bottles depending on personal preference
• Stove, fuel, and lighter
• Cook pot with lid (titanium or ultralight aluminum)
• Spork
• Water treatment drops and/or lightweight filter (Sawyer Squeeze is most popular)
• Single-blade knife or multitool
• Small first aid kit (see below)
• Map and compass or GPS depending on your preference
• Insect repellant
• Bear hang kit or bear canister if required
• Toiletries (remember ear plugs, leave behind deodorant and soap)
• Map/guidebook and compass (if you know how to use one, not important on AT)
• Sunscreen
• Small notebook and pen or electronics (remember your chargers)
• Camera or just use your phone!

Gear Repair Kit:

• Tenacious tape (good for fixing or patching any gear)
• Extra tent stake
• Extra lightweight guy line
• Thread

First Aid Kit:

• Antiseptic Wipes (2)
• Gauze Triple Antibiotic Cream (tiny tube)
• 3M Micropore Medical Tape
• Variety of bandaids
• Vitamin I (8)
• Sewing Needle
• Duct Tape
• Emergency Fire Starter (Cotton wool balls in Vaseline) (2)