International Header

The Trek: The Evolution of My Gear Over 4000+ Miles on Three Continents

A review of how Jessica Guo's gear changed over the years as she hiked around the world.

The Trek: The Evolution of My Gear Over 4000+ Miles on Three Continents

Last updated:
April 21, 2025
|  5 min read

The Trek: The Evolution of My Gear Over 4000+ Miles on Three Continents

The Trek: The Evolution of My Gear Over 4000+ Miles on Three Continents

YouTube video highlight

A review of how Jessica Guo's gear changed over the years as she hiked around the world.

Read more about the project

The Trek: The Evolution of My Gear Over 4000+ Miles on Three Continents

No items found.

The Evolution of My Gear Over 4000+ Miles on Three Continents

One of my favorite aspects of backpacking is that you really can get outside with very little. You can start with cheap options and get more and more dialed, and you don’t need to break the bank to be able to move efficiently in the mountains.

Last year when I climbed 27 of Colorado’s 14ers while thru-hiking the Colorado Trail, I ran into a woman on the summit of La Plata Peak who was hiking in a pair of Hey Dudes and carrying a Jansport with a metal water bottle inside. She drives to Colorado from Kansas to get into the mountains for a day. She was a little slower descending on the slick steep sections, but had hiked all of the 14ers she’s done in these moccasin-like shoes.

So, while we all love to obsess and nerd out over gear, I think it’s important to acknowledge that getting outside in whatever way you can, with the gear that you have, is the most important thing.

Continue reading to learn more, written by Jessica Guo.

The Trek: The Evolution of My Gear Over 4000+ Miles on Three Continents

The Evolution of My Gear Over 4000+ Miles on Three Continents

One of my favorite aspects of backpacking is that you really can get outside with very little. You can start with cheap options and get more and more dialed, and you don’t need to break the bank to be able to move efficiently in the mountains.

Last year when I climbed 27 of Colorado’s 14ers while thru-hiking the Colorado Trail, I ran into a woman on the summit of La Plata Peak who was hiking in a pair of Hey Dudes and carrying a Jansport with a metal water bottle inside. She drives to Colorado from Kansas to get into the mountains for a day. She was a little slower descending on the slick steep sections, but had hiked all of the 14ers she’s done in these moccasin-like shoes.

So, while we all love to obsess and nerd out over gear, I think it’s important to acknowledge that getting outside in whatever way you can, with the gear that you have, is the most important thing.

Continue reading to learn more, written by Jessica Guo.

Photo thumbnail Blog Author
Writer
Jessica Guo
hi I'm stitches! I'm linking up the continental divide trail + great divide trail (CDT + GDT).
Media Mentions

The Trek: The Evolution of My Gear Over 4000+ Miles on Three Continents

The Evolution of My Gear Over 4000+ Miles on Three Continents

One of my favorite aspects of backpacking is that you really can get outside with very little. You can start with cheap options and get more and more dialed, and you don’t need to break the bank to be able to move efficiently in the mountains.

Last year when I climbed 27 of Colorado’s 14ers while thru-hiking the Colorado Trail, I ran into a woman on the summit of La Plata Peak who was hiking in a pair of Hey Dudes and carrying a Jansport with a metal water bottle inside. She drives to Colorado from Kansas to get into the mountains for a day. She was a little slower descending on the slick steep sections, but had hiked all of the 14ers she’s done in these moccasin-like shoes.

So, while we all love to obsess and nerd out over gear, I think it’s important to acknowledge that getting outside in whatever way you can, with the gear that you have, is the most important thing.

Continue reading to learn more, written by Jessica Guo.

Photo thumbnail Blog Author
Writer
Jessica Guo
hi I'm stitches! I'm linking up the continental divide trail + great divide trail (CDT + GDT).
Media Mentions
browse all articles
Here at Sawyer
February 3, 2026
6 Min
Treeline Review: PCT Southbound Gear List & Strategy 2026
Read More

Media Mentions

43.2% of hikers used the Sawyer Squeeze, the most common hollow membrane squeeze filter (and the most common water treatment overall).

Mac
Contributing Writer

Media Mentions

Randy Patton’s late father, Biff Patton, launched the water filter program in 2010.

Conner Beene
Writer

Media Mentions

The most significant being its positive impact on our health after using it, its capacity to reduce our expenses on water treatment and access to safe water, and the time it saves by eliminating the need for boiling or treating water.

Teburenga Geraldine Tabwebweiti
Communications and Engagement
<<  Previous Post
No previous post!
Check out our Directory
Next Post  >>
No next post!
Check out our Directory