I just spent two and a half months out on trail hiking to some pretty cool places in California, Washington and Oregon and I’ve been getting asked A LOT of questions about the backpacking gear I used while I was out on trail this summer.

In this post, I’m going to share with you all of my favorite backpacking gear I used on trail this year along with all of the gear swaps I made along the way. I’ll talk about everything from the Big 3 including the tent I slept in, my sleep system and the pack I used to all of my other backpacking gear systems like my cooking system, packed clothes, water filtration system, repair/tool/toiletry kit, first aid kit, poop kit, the misc gear I brought with me, all of my electronics and the clothes I hiked in.

If you want more details about all of the backpacking gear mentioned in this blog post, CLICK HERE for my 2024 Backpacking Gear List which also includes links to where you can find each of these items online.

My Favorite Backpacking Gear

The Big 3: Tent, Sleep System & Pack

 My Tent

It’s official – No more freestanding tents for me this summer. I’m now a trekking pole tent user. The trekking pole tent I kept coming back to over and over again this summer was Gossamer Gear’s The One.

Here’s what I love about The One:

  • Thanks to its small footprint, I can literally set it up almost anywhere.
  • There’s a ton of headroom inside so I can sit up in the tent comfortably.
  • I can fit my wide sleeping pad inside and still have my pack sitting at my feet while I’m sleeping
  • It weighs less than 22 ounces, and it fits easily inside my pack

I also love the price point for this tent. As of this original posting, The One comes in at $255 making this an affordable piece of ultralight backpacking gear.

Gossamer Gear even states on their website that due to The One’s popularity, they’re able to offer it at a lower price through increased production.

 

Set up does require two trekking poles, but this wasn’t a big deal for me since I always carry two trekking poles on every backpacking trip I go on.

The One requires a minimum of 6 stakes for set up, but I use a total of 10 because I like to stake out the tent’s bathtub floor and maximize the footprint space inside the tent.

The only drawback to this tent is condensation. Since this is a single walled tent, you’re likely to experience some condensation if you’re set up in a wet, damp environment.

I did enjoy plenty of dry, condensation-free nights and mornings in The One this summer on all of my backpacking trips, even up at the higher elevations.

Unfortunately, every single walled trekking pole tent on the market is prone to condensation in wet and damp environments, not just The One so this wasn’t a deal breaker for me.

My Sleep System

I’m still using my beloved Enlightened Equipment Enigma Custom 10-degree quilt, but I did make a couple changes to my sleep system this year.

Sleeping Pad

For my sleeping pad, I swapped out my ThermaRest NeoAir Xtherm inflatable sleeping pad for the Nemo Tensor Extreme inflatable sleeping pad in the regular wide size.

Why did I make the switch?

  • I went from using a sleeping pad with a 6.9 R-Value to one with an 8.5 R-Value, making this a much warmer option for a cold sleeper like me
  • I went from using a mummy shaped pad to a wide rectangle shaped pad that gives me more surface area to sleep on. No more sore hips, arms falling asleep or cold legs and knees.

The Nemo Tensor Extreme did come with an additional 7 ounces to my base weight along with a $20 price increase, but it’s totally worth it to me for the comfort and warmth level of this sleeping pad.

I traded in using a pump sack to inflate my sleeping pad to a FlexTail Zero Pump that only weighs 2 ounces and inflates my sleeping pad in less than two minutes.

Pro Tip: If you use promo code “HungryHiker15” on the FlexTail website, you’ll get 15% off of your order during checkout!

Sleeping Bag Liner

I use a sleeping bag liner with my quilt to help keep both my quilt and sleeping pad cleaner when I’m out on trail. This year, I went from using a silk sleeping bag liner to the Sea to Summit Thermolite Reactor Sleeping Bag Liner.

I made the switch because:

  • The material of the Thermolite Reactor Sleeping Bag Liner feels so much more comfortable. It’s also breathable and lightweight
  • The material on the Thermolite Reactor is washing machine and dryer friendly. I was getting tired of ripping my expensive silk sleeping bag liners
  • And I like that it can add up to an additional 14 degrees of warmth to my already warm Enlightened Equipment quilt

Camp Pillow

 For my camp pillow, I tried the Nemo Fillo Elite Pillow as a recommendation from one of my students in The Confident Solo Female Backpacker System, but I’m not 100% sold on it.

  • First of all, it has a hefty price tag at $59.95
  • Comfort wise, it was okay

But I still think I prefer my Cocoon AirCore Camp Pillow because it’s a little taller, a little smaller and lighter and costs $30 less than the Fillo Elite pillow

 My Pack

After having some problems with how my Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 was fitting on my body in the Sierra while I was overloading my pack with heavy food carries and my BV500 hard sided bear canister, I decided to check out the REI Flash 55 once I got up to Washington this summer.

Here’s what I Love About the Flash 55:

  • It’s super comfortable and carries the weight of all my gear really well. Shoutout to the REI staff person who measured my torso in the store and sized up my Flash 55 pack to fit me perfectly!
  • The pack’s material is made with DWR (durable water repellent) so instead of wetting out right away, water and moisture will bead up on the surface of the pack.
  • I can pack the Flash similar to the Mariposa 60, but I use the brain on top of the Flash for quick and easy access to items like my water filtration system, poop kit and additional snacks.
  • The brain on the pack is removable. You can use it as a day hiking pack or leave it at home and save 7 ounces.
  • The roll-top lid makes it easy to adjust the pack’s body size for any internal load.
  • I don’t need to wear a water bottle sleeve on my shoulder because I have TWO exterior, forward positioned water bottle pockets, one on each side of the Flash. This is probably my most favorite feature on this pack.
  • The hipbelt pockets on the Flash are HUGE!
  • The price point – This pack was originally $199, but I scored it at 30% off during REI’s Labor Day sale.

Good News: You can still score this pack at REI for 30% off!

Bad News: It looks like REI is discontinuing this version of the Flash 55. My guess is that they’re going to come out with a newer, updated version of this pack. As of this posting, REI still has the Flash 55 in stock for 30% off, but with limited sizes and colors.

I give the REI Flash 55, 9 out of 10 stars. I deducted 1 star for two reasons:

The Back Exterior Pocket Mesh: This is where I like to stuff my day-of food, rain gear and microspikes. I know REI upgraded this pack with more durable and breathable fabric, but I would’ve liked the back exterior pocket to be stretchier like the Mariposa 60.

The Color: The yellow color made it easy for me to spot my pack, but it seems to attract a lot of bees. Of course I would’ve preferred this pack in my favorite color, purple.

The Flash 55 doesn’t come with a removable back pad. I had to buy an additional sit pad at REI so that I’d have something to sit on while I was out in the backcountry since I don’t use a camp chair.

And for my fanny pack where I store my camera, phone, sunglasses, chapstick, wallet and a couple small snacks, I’m still using my Thru Pack Summit Bum fanny pack, and I love it.

Cooking System

Everything in my Cooking System pretty much stayed the same this year. I’m still using my:

One thing I did swap out in my Cooking System this year was my DIY Backpacking Food Cozyto the Big Sky International insulated food pouch.

There was nothing wrong with my backpacking food cozy. I just love how easily the Big Sky insulated food pouch packs down in my food bag and does a great job rehydrating my food out on trail quickly.

Packed Clothes

The clothes I packed out on trail this year pretty much stayed the same. In my pack, I brought with me:

Something I decided to swap out this year was my underwear. Earlier this year I discovered the Branwyn bras and hipster underwear. I ended up loving these so much that I switched out all of my bras and underwear I wear on trail (and even in town) to Branwyn.

Essential Busty Bra: I’ve been using this super comfortable bra to sleep in. I love this bra so much that I got it in another color and wear it almost daily when I’m in town.

I also packed two extra pairs of the Essential Hipsters.

  • All of these Branwyn garments are made with merino wool, which means they help wick away sweat from my skin and dry fast
  • They’re also funk-free. I don’t know how Branwyn does it, but I’ve gone multiple days wearing my Branwyn undergarments in the backcountry and they don’t stink like other undergarments I’ve worn before do.
  • Probably my most favorite feature is that both the Branwyn bra and hipster underwear also make a great backcountry bikini for swimming in alpine lakes in!

Water Filtration System

Everything in my Water Filtration System pretty much stayed the same this year.

I’m still using my:

For my breakfast smoothies and electrolytes I consume when out on trail, I’ve been using a 16 ounce Nalgene bottle with a mini protein ball shaker. It’s compact enough to easily store in one of the exterior pockets on my pack and the wide mouth makes it easy to pour my smoothie powder in and to clean it out once I get back into town.

Repair/Tool/Toiletry Kit

I didn’t make any changes to my Repair/Tool/Toiletry Kit this year. Inside, I carry:

For my toiletries, I packed with me inside my kit:

Backcountry First Aid Kit

Overall, my backcountry first aid kit pretty much stayed the same this year. CLICK HERE to see everything I carry in my backcountry first aid kit.

My two favorite items in my first aid kit are these travel folding scissors and this travel medication organizer.

I did try carrying with me some Dr Bronner’s liquid soap in my kit this year inside two of these mini travel flip cap squeeze bottles, but one of them exploded inside my kit. So I swapped out the liquid soap for a small bottle of the Summit Suds Powdered Soap, which you can get on Garage Grown Gear.

With powdered soap, I don’t have to worry about it exploding in my pack. I also don’t have to use a lot of it for it to be effective, which means I can get away with carrying a small bottle like this.

To use, all you do is sprinkle a little bit of powdered soap into your hand, add a little bit of water and wa-lah! You’re now washing your hands with soap in the backcountry!

Poop Kit

My Poop Kit also pretty much stayed the same this year. I’ve got my:

Misc Backpacking Gear

For misc backpacking gear, I’ve included:

Electronics 

I didn’t make any changes to the electronics I brought out on trail with me this year. For electronics, I had my:

  • Garmin inReach Mini 2, which I used every day to track, check the weather and communicate with friends and family while I was out of cell and WiFi service
  • A lightweight power bank to keep all of my electronics charged while I was out on trail
  • On my phone, I used navigation apps like FarOut whenever I was on the PCT and onX Backcountry for whenever I was on all of the other trails I hiked this summer. Whichever navigation app you decide to use, make sure you download the map of the area you’ll be hiking in first before getting to the trailhead and losing cell and WiFi service.
  • Various charging cords
  • My GoPro with a small selfie stick and extra batteries
  • My iPhone
  • And to charge electronics whenever I got into town, I used a quick charge port with 4 USB ports and a GoPro Dual Battery Charger

Worn Clothes

And finally, the clothes I hiked in this year. The big change I made this year was switching from hiking in a pair of running shorts to hiking in a dress. I wore my Purple Rain Skirts Adventure Dress in Purple for every single backpacking trip I went on this summer and I LOVE IT!!!

Here’s why I love hiking in a dress:

  • It’s comfortable and doesn’t feel restrictive or too tight
  • A dress provides more airflow, which can lead to less chaffing
  • It’s versatile. Not only can I wear it out on trail, but I can also wear it in town
  • My most favorite reason is because I can pee without having to expose my backside!

In addition to my hiking dress, I also wore:

If you want more details about all of my favorite backpacking gear mentioned in this blog post, CLICK HERE for my 2024 Backpacking Gear List which also includes links to where you can find each of these items online.

Now that you’ve gotten some ideas on what type of backpacking gear to pack for your next trip, what about actually planning the trip?

I hear from people all the time how they think the trip planning process of any backpacking trip can be overwhelming and confusing.

  • Do you need help planning your next trip?
  • Are you not sure where to go?
  • Don’t quite understand how to use your navigation system?
  • You’re afraid of getting lost?
  • Maybe even after reading this blog post, you’re still not exactly sure what gear you should bring?

Good News! I’ve put together an online, self-paced Backpacking Trip Planning Masterclass, which includes my easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide on how to start planning your next trip.

Inside this masterclass, you’ll learn how to plan and prepare for your next trip with some cool resources I’ve created like:

  • How to use AllTrails to find trails near you
  • How to use Gaia GPS both on your desktop and on your phone
  • How to use the FarOut app if you want to plan a trip on a long-distance trail
  • A trip itinerary checklist
  • Gear packing lists for backpacking and day hiking trips
  • A meal planning spreadsheet
  • And so much more

CLICK HERE for more details on how you can access the Hungry Hiker Backpacking Trip Planning Masterclass to help you plan your next backpacking trip.

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