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Ultra Budget Backpacking Gear List: The Cheapest Way to Thru-Hike

Much like most sites that post gear roundups and backpacking lists, I have not tested any of the gear I am going to mention below. But here is my attempt to sell the list to you: through a thorough aggregation of reviews, anecdotes, and customer experiences I have curated a gear list that keeps in mind both the meager budget of thru-hikers while also satisfying the most basic needs on the trail. How was that? Will you read on?

I thought it would be fun to see how cheaply I could assemble a kit for a potential thru-hike on a long distance trail. I tried to stay in the 3-season range because if I were only curating a list for a desert hike it would be too easy. So, if you happen to have a budget of $267.75 to completely outfit yourself for a thru-hike, here is the cheapest way you can put together a hiking gear list strictly from Amazon.

See the full list from Jeff Garmire on his website here.

LAST UPDATED

May 6, 2022

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Free Outside

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-Content Creator

-Athlete

-Author

-Outdoor Industry Marketer

-30,000 miles of backpacking

-Ultrarunner

-15 trail speed records (FKTs)

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Depending on where you travel, you may want to pack bug spray, too. In places like Florida and North Carolina, summers get buggy, and you’ll be happy to have packed a spray on nights when you want to sit on the porch or dine outdoors.

Madison Flager and Meaghan Kenny

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As a veteran of the Iraq War, I found myself struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder from which greatly impacted my mental health. In 2016, I came across the film “Wild,” an adaptation of Cheryl Strayed’s memoir about healing by hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).

LeAura Luciano

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Sawyer Permethrin Premium Insect Repellent is used on clothing, not skin, and it provides long-lasting protection against ticks.

Wirecutter
Media Mentions from Wirecutter