The Best and Worst Gear from My 2021 AT Thru-Hike (Non-Ultralight and Petite-Friendly)

I am 5’1″, 100 pounds soaking wet, and definitely not an ultralighter.

I have nothing against ultralighters, but for my Appalachian Trail thru-hike this year, I was not among their ranks. The primary reasons were that I couldn’t afford the steep prices that typically accompany ultralight gear, and I was skeptical about the comfort/usability of ultralight options. So I spent months finding the gear that I thought would work best for me during my AT thru-hike.

My base weight was about 20 pounds, which was a very manageable weight for me, even on the hardest ascents of the Whites and Katahdin. And with only a few exceptions, I absolutely loved my gear.

In this post, I will cover the top pieces of non-ultralight gear I loved, the very few that I traded, and why. For my full gear list from my AT thru-hike, check me out on HikerLink.

Interested in checking out Ann Marie White's complete article? Find it here.

LAST UPDATED

October 28, 2024

Written by
Photo thumbnail Blog Author

The Trek

Media Mentions from the Trek

Appalachian Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and everything in between. We are dedicated to serving long distance backpackers.

We are All Things Long-Distance backpacking.

Appalachian Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and everything in between. We are dedicated to serving the thru-hiking and long distance backpacking community.

NOTE: Cordial debate is allowed and encouraged. If you're rude, however, your comment will be deleted. If you make personal attacks at another commenter or a Trek Blogger or Writer, you will be banned from this page.

Explore More Content

Media Mentions

For clothing and gear (but not skin), Sawyer Products’s permethrin repellent is as effective as similar formulas at repelling ticks and mosquitoes, and its trigger spray is easier to control.

Wirecutter Staff
Staff

Media Mentions

Top Bug Repellent - Sawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent

Wirecutter Staff
Staff

Media Mentions

There's nothing worse than running out of water mid-hike, but with the Sawyer Mini Water Filtration System, you can make any fresh water ready to drink in minutes. It filters out everything from sediment to bacteria from the water, and can be a real lifesaver in a pinch.

Popular Mechanics