Hiking Gear I use

Down below, you can find out what hiking gear I use personally, a short review for each item, and also an affiliate (or a regular) link to it.

Backpacks

I’ve owned this pack since mid-2023. For a UL pack that’s this lightweight, It’s really comfortable. It can handle loads up to 15 kg (33 lbs) comfortably because it has a good internal frame. I also love the huge, stretchy front pocket. Overall, it’s a REALLY simple pack - with only the essentials that I, as a thru-hiker, might need. The only downsides for me are that it’s a bit expensive, white, and it doesn’t come with bottom straps for a foam pad, but I upgraded mine with an elastic cord to fix this.

760 g | 27 oz

Tents

I’ve owned this tent since mid-2023. First of all, it’s super lightweight and affordable. It’'s also roomy, has a small packed size, and is easy to set up. The only negative for me is that being 1.85m (6’1) tall, even though the footprint is quite large, my feet touch the walls quite a bit when sleeping because the walls are at a narrow angle. I’d say it has a medium amount of condensation buildup, as you would get with most other similar UL tents. If you sleep with both vestibules open, there’s usually no condensation. There are a lot of Silnylon tents in similar weight/price points, and I think this is a good contender to be one of the top choices.

978 g | 34.5 oz

I’ve owned this tent since 2020. It definitely isn’t a UL tent, but it also isn’t too heavy considering its affordable price point. I’m including it here because I usually recommend this tent to all beginners on a budget. In fact, it’s larger than the other ultralight OV tent that I have, it has much less condensation, and it’s easier to set up. The only downside is the weight and the larger packed size. It finally gave up only at the end of 2023, when I lent it to my brother and he tore the zipper on one of the vestibules (knowing him, he was probably drunk -.-). I wasn’t expecting much of this tent, but it ended up being super reliable.

2300 g | 82 oz

Sleeping Bags

I’ 've owned this quilt since mid-2023. I used it during the 2024 winter a lot, even in temperatures close to -10C (14F). and it still felt very warm. Even though the price is a bit high, for a quilt this lightweight and warm, it would still be considered fairly affordable. Overall, I really like it. The only negative is that sometimes, as I move during the night, I will get some drafts coming in from the top near my neck and shoulders. This is now my go-to quilt/bag for thru-hikes unless it’s going to be really warm in the nights.

880 g | 31 oz

I’ve been testing this Zenbivy system since early 2024. It’s definitely heavier than my other sleep system, but it also includes a pillow (pillow: 235g, quilt: 1080g, light sheet: 246g), and it’s much, much much more comfortable. There are no drafts coming through, it feels warmer than my -18C system, even though it’s rated for -12C, and I have good, uninterrupted sleep in it. However, it has some BIG downsides: the weight and price. I was lucky enough to receive this system for free - if I'd had to purchase it myself, I would consider getting it only if I’d struggle to sleep in other sleep systems (which I don’t, at least not a lot). This is now my go-to system on shorter 2-3 night hikes, especially when it’s really cold outside.

1561 g | 55 oz

Sleeping Pads

This is the now-outdated version of the Tensor, which I’ve owned since late 2023, but the new version is very similar, only with a better R-value of 5.2. What can I say here - everyone already owns this pad because it’s lightweight, comfortable, and has a small packed size. And I agree with everything. The only problem is that I ordered a size slightly too small for me, so I slide off it very easily during the night. If ordering again, I’d choose the long, wide, rectangular version, which weighs 580 g (20 oz).

471 g | 16.6 oz

I’ve been testing this pad since early 2024. Right off the bat, it feels more comfortable than my Nemo Tensor sleeping pad. And I think it would feel more comfortable even if the Nemo Tensor were appropriately sized for me. I think it feels so comfortable because of its baffle system. I own the Large version, and for a 185cm (6’1) long person, it feels perfectly sized. It also comes at a comparable packed size and weight to the Nemo Tensor pad, and I think that it’s really good alternative to it. The only problem that I see with it is that in Europe, it’s priced too high. In USA/Canada though, the pricing is pretty much identical to the Nemo Tensor.

623 g | 22 oz

I’ve had this mat since early 2021, and it’s still going strong. I prefer to sleep on foam mats during the summer because it means I’ll have more room inside the pack, I don’t need to worry about getting holes, and because I attach it to the exterior of my pack, I can unclip it and sit/sleep/stretch on it every time I take a quick pause. This one from Decathlon does the job just fine. I think you could maybe find something a bit lighter, but this one from Decathlon is cheap and it feels like it has a good-enough R-value for summer thru-hiking.

370 g | 13 oz

Trekking Poles

I’ve hiked with these poles since late 2021, soon after I broke my previous trekking poles. They’re the second-cheapest poles from Decathlon. They definitely aren’t the lightest poles out there but also aren’t too heavy, they don’t make a lot of sound, and the handle doesn’t sweat a lot. They do the job for now, but honestly, I would recommend getting something a bit better, maybe some kind of other aluminum poles that are a bit lighter and that have a cork handle with no sharp edges on the top. If you’re looking for something affordable though, these ones will do fine.

460 g | 16.2 oz

Socks

I’ve had a single pair of these since 2022 and they’re still going strong! Expensive, but no blisters, so worth it!

I’ve had these since 2023, and they feel pretty much identical to Darn Tough, so it doesn’t really matter which ones you get. Both seem to be really well-made and I feel like they’ll last a few years of hiking each.

I’ve had these since 2021, both the long and the short ankle version. The ankle version developed a small hole after 2 years, but they’re still useable and they aren’t causing any blisters. The crew version still doesn’t have any holes today. They’re a bit better than Darn Tough or Smartwool socks IMO, although a bit more expensive. They feel a bit thicker and stiffer, with better compression, they have more padding around the toes and the heel, they have silver threads in them, which improves odor resistance, and they’re also shaped for each foot individually, so there’s no extra overlapping fabric around your pinky. I would recommend these over Darn Tough and Smartwool, but honestly, any of the three will work! I used to have a discount code with them “hikemuch15“, but I don’t know if it still works, so try it and see if you get the discount.

Down Jackets

I’ve been using this down jacket since mid-2023. I wouldn’t say that you need something like this for thru-hiking, but for winter / late autumn / early spring, this jacket is really good! It’s really warm, it has a nice hood with no gaps in wind and thumb holes, it’s DWR-treated, and it comes with a few other bells and whistles. For a high-end down jacket, it isn’t even too expensive.

411 g | 14.5 oz

I’ve had this down jacket since early 2020. I usually recommend it to anyone who’s into thru-hiking because it’s super cheap, moderately warm, lightweight, and packs down really small. It’s very simple, with almost no extra features, but it does the job just fine! It’s a good 3-season down jacket, but if you’re ready to bring more layers underneath, it can even serve as a 4-season one if you’re on a budget.

270 g | 9.5 oz

Sun Hoodies

I think I have in total 3 of these. They’re cheap, look good, ventilate very well, are lightweight, and provide okay sun protection. They don’t have a UV rating, but they’re made from 100% polyester, and Decathlon states that they’re “Anti-UV“, so I'd like to think that they provide at least some kind of protection from the sun! Anyway, I love them and I’ll keep buying new ones when I have too many holes in them.

150 g | 5.3 oz

Shoes

I’ve gone through 2 pairs of these - they’re my favorite hiking trail running shoes so far. They’re cheap, have a wide toebox, and feel really comfortable overall, don’t cause blisters for me, have good traction, aren’t too heavy, and ventilate well. What else is there to ask for? They last about 1000 km of hiking for me.

340 g | 12 oz (single shoe)

Camping Stoves

I’ve used this cheap Amazon camping stove since early 2020, and it’s still going strong. Even the built-in lighter is still working! It isn’t the most efficient stove, but it’s cheap, robust, small, and lightweight. I haven’t felt the need to upgrade. I recommend it to anyone who is looking for a cheap camping stove.

100 g | 3.5 oz

Water Filters

I’ve used this filter since late 2023. I was a big believer of Sawyer filters first, but since switching over to Katadyn, I don’t like them anymore. The Katadyn filter has such a fast flowrate, it’s easier to clean, and it’s priced similarly, so I honestly don’t understand why I didn’t switch sooner!

59 g | 2.1 oz