Published June 23, 2026 06:05AM
Thru-hikers have to weigh every gear choice they make carefully: If you’re going to carry something for weeks or months on end, it better be perfect for the job. That said, it can be tough to tell what you’ll actually need until you’re on the trail, especially if it’s your first thru-hike.
Now that we’re about halfway through the thru-hiking season for America’s longest trails, most hikers have made their final gear decisions. Most folks have dropped, changed, or added gear. They’ve also had time to seriously fall in love with their must-have pieces and make decisions about what they’ll gladly carry for the next 1,000 miles.
Here are 8 items that 2026 thru-hikers on long-distance trails are calling indispensable.
Ultralight Hiking Umbrellas
The umbrella is a widely debated piece of gear. While some hikers find umbrellas unwieldy, many others swear by them for both sun and rain protection.
One hiker named Lullaby (Colorado Trail ‘22 and currently on the Appalachian Trail) uses the Six Moons Silver Shadow Carbon Hiking Umbrella. A silvery coating reflects heat away from the user, and the material blocks UV rays. “The umbrella life is such a game-changer in the sun,” Lullaby says. Packed, it weighs just 6.8 oz.
Chopsticks (Pacific Crest Trail ‘25 and currently hiking multiple long-distance trails in the UK and Europe) agrees: “I have come to love an umbrella—specifically my 3F UL Gear Hiking Umbrella. It makes walking in the rain fun. It’s something I’ve ended up using a lot on my British walks, and it went from a novelty that I thought was relatively pointless … to something I will not leave behind.”
Enlightened Equipment Outerwear
In colder seasons and at higher altitudes, down outerwear such as puffy jackets and pants can be crucial for staying warm through the night. Vegas (Appalachian Trail ‘23, Pacific Crest Trail ‘25, and currently on the Tahoe Rim Trail) definitely agrees and recommends Enlightened Equipment gear for the best in lightweight warmth.
“I love all my Enlightened Equipment puffy stuff—the Torrid Jacket, Pants, and Booties,” Vegas says. He brought all three items on his current TRT attempt because, “You never know with the weather out there and what you might need!”
Enlightened Equipment also offers a Torrid Hood, Mitts, and a Pullover. The ultralight synthetic insulation used in these pieces isn’t just warm for its weight; it will also keep you warm even if it gets wet, unlike non-dry-treated down.
Filter-Compatible Reusable Bottles
Smartwater plastic bottles are popular among thru-hikers, but, given concerns about microplastics, they may not be safe to reuse for weeks and months on end. While reusable options are typically heavier than Smartwater bottles, they’re safer to use and generate less disposable plastic waste. Add a filter to one of these, and it’s a huge boon on the trail.
“The coolest brand I’ve seen is the Mazama Migo because it has a small and wide mouth option in one,” says Lullaby. It weighs 4.6 ounces empty, and the universal thread pattern fits a wide variety of filters. The CNOC Thru-Bottle is another great option.
Sleeping Pad Pumps
Air pumps are sometimes seen as luxury items, especially for hikers who don’t mind inflating their sleeping pads with lung power alone. However, manually blowing up your sleeping pad can lead to mold growing inside.
To avoid that and make camp setup easier, some thru-hikers swear by air pumps. Dried Baby Banana (Pacific Crest Trail ‘25 and currently hiking Italy’s Via Alpina Red) has been carrying the Alpenblow Classic Micro Inflator, which weighs just 8.5 grams.
“Even before they came out with the ultralight version, I had a Flextail pump that weighed about the same as an InReach (heavy), and I’d still never consider not bringing it,” Dried Baby Banana says. “The Alpenglow is so lightweight, there’s no reason to have to blow up my sleeping pad now.”
Sleeping Bag Liners
Sleeping bags and quilts are not the only elements of a complete sleep system. Some hikers love sleeping bag liners for either hygiene reasons or for the modularity they provide.
“I love my Cocoon Silk Liner,” says Dried Baby Banana. “I love being able to keep my quilt relatively clean and wash the liner. And it’s so warm but also perfect for hot nights [when used on its own].”
Other hikers prefer something a little more heavy-duty.
“It’s a bit unorthodox, but I have been a lover of the Big Agnes Alpha Direct Liner,” says Chopsticks. “On my warmer walks, I’ve been using that as a sleeping bag. It’s super comfy, and I don’t need to worry about getting a small tear and having $400 worth of down flying out.”
On cold nights, the Alpha Direct Liner allegedly adds up to 10 degrees of warmth to your existing sleep system.
Ultralight Single-Wall Tents
In thru-hiking, the most important items in your gear list are arguably your Big Three: Your tent, sleep system, and backpack. And hikers who love their tent systems are always ready to speak up.
Terp and Chippy (Pacific Crest Trail ‘25), who are currently backpacking across New Zealand, recommend the Gossamer Gear The Two Tent for two people. At just 1 pound, 11 ounces, it’s exceptionally lightweight and still boasts better ventilation than most single-wall tents.
Lullaby, on the other hand, swears by the Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo. It weighs 1 pound, 10 ounces, and offers significantly more headroom than most single-person shelters; at $260, it’s also pretty affordable. Both of these are single-wall tents, offering a lightweight and packable option. The Lunar Solo also only requires one hiking pole to set up, making it quick and easy to assemble.
Backcountry Bidets
Dried Baby Banana swears by the Holey Hiker Bidet she’s been using on Italy’s Via Alpina Red, where privies aren’t always easy to come by. The travel bidet—a glorified squeeze bottle with an attachable nozzle (pictured above)—is lightweight and easy to use. It keeps everything nice and tidy without the added inconvenience of having to pack out or bury toilet paper.
Fanny Packs
When thru-hikers are trying to stack miles or haul themselves up a steep climb, the last thing they want to do is to have to throw their pack down to hunt for their cell phone, snacks, or headphones. The fanny pack is often a godsend in this regard, and modern models are more spacious, voluminous, and customizable than you might expect.
Vegas is a big fan of the MountainBlaze Fanny Pack, a hiking-specific fanny pack made by a hiker in Maine. Bonus: Some MountainBlaze products can be customized with your trail name.
Honourable Mentions
This list is by no means exhaustive. Some other items hikers have adored and sworn by (and in many cases, made themselves!) include:
Buff headwear
Garmin fēnix 8 Pro watch
Liteload Towel
Correct Toes Original Toe Spacers
Nemo Switchback Ultralight Sleeping Pad
Sea to Summit Mosquito Head Net
