Just finished a PCT thru-hike this year.First pack: I started off with a Gregory Savant 58. Both straps snapped off. First hard-point failure was fixable by simply knotting the lower shoulder strap to the hip strap. Second failure was catastrophic. Top-right shoulder tore clean out. Second pack: Granite Gear AC Blaze 60. But then I was gifted my third pack...Third pack: ZPacks Arc Blast. There were a ton of ZPacks packs on the trail. The best thing about this company: They know thru-hikers. They guarantee every bag they sell for one thru-hike. They're quick to send you a replacement if something breaks. They'll even send you a loaner while they fix your pack.I liked the bigger, beefier bags for the desert and Sierras for the extra water and bear barrel, respectively.I found that 50L lightweight bag was perfect for NoCal to the border. I will say that I had to supplement the padding in the UL pack by the end. Weight loss made heavier loads a little rough on the bones.The moral of the story: Get the pack that's right for you, your gear, and the section.

I didn't thru-hike, but did about 600 miles of the middle section of the PCT. I started with a GoLite 50L. It was okay, difficult with a bear canister. Everything I had was stolen in Yosemite Valley in the backcountry. dulux backpack paintThat's a crazy story. mobile uplink backpackImagine walking away from your fully set-up tent for a morning walk and a pee, and coming back to find the whole shebang stolen. kokanee backpackAnyway, the nicest couple in the world loaned me a bunch of gear so I could finish my trip up to Whitney. bad boy backpack dek dThanks Keith and Donna! geneva 304 backpack

The backpack Donna loaned me was this one: ThruWay™ 50 (50L, duh) and it was perfect.Here is a run-down of all the popular backpacks on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Also included are a couple pack comparison charts for you, looking at a range of the most common and reasonable packs for normal people. backpack met rijstI hope this helps your selection. jarrell backpackPlease correct any mistakes or omissions in the comments below. Here is a list of packs that would fall in the expected range seen on average PCT thru-hikers. One sees these being carried happily and successfully on trail, every day. These are seen on trail, but they are worn by ultra-ultralight folks who carry a lot less and move faster. Be very careful selecting a frameless backpack unless you’re sure you know what you’re doing. The more space you have in your pack, the more you are tempted to carry.

With a few miles under your belt, you’ll realize that the subject is too broad, situation dependent and personal for there to be ‘best’ pieces of gear. We’ve outlined some timeless, Pacific Crest Trail proven guidelines. You should carry the Ten Essentials. The point of the Ten Essentials list (developed by The Mountaineers in the 1930s) has always been to help answer two basic questions: First, can you respond positively to an accident or emergency? Second, can you safely spend a night—or more—out? The list has evolved over time from a list of individual items to a list of functional systems; the updated Ten Essential Systems list is a great start for what you should carry when you travel outdoors. Always carry a detailed topographic map of the area you are visiting, and place it in a protective case or plastic covering. Always carry a compass. You may also choose to carry other navigational tools such as an altimeter or global positioning system (GPS) receiver;

other aids include route descriptions, trip reports smartphones and photos. Carry and use sunglasses, sunscreen for the lips and skin, and clothing for sun protection. How much extra clothing is necessary for an emergency? The garments used during the active portion of a trip on the PCT and considered to be the basic outfit include socks, footwear, underwear, pants, shirt, warm jacket, hat, mittens or gloves, and rain gear. The term “extra clothing” refers to additional layers that would be needed to survive bad storms. Even if your party plans to return to your cars before dark, it is essential to carry a headlamp or flashlight, just in case. In an emergency, you may be required to move at night. Often it’s too dark to do it without a headlamp. Batteries do not last forever, so carry spares at all times. Carry and know how to use a first aid kit, but do not let a first aid kit give you a false sense of security. The best course of action is to always take the steps necessary to avoid injury or sickness in the first place.

Carry the means to start and sustain an emergency fire. Most people carry a lighter or two, instead of matches in a waterproof container. Either must be absolutely reliable. Firestarters are indispensable for igniting wet wood quickly to make an emergency campfire. Where firewood is nonexistent, it is advisable to carry a stove as an additional emergency heat and water source. Knives are so useful in first aid, food preparation and repairs that every person should carry one. Other useful repair items are safety pins, needle and thread, duct tape, nylon fabric repair tape and cordage. If your shoe breaks apart or your backpack strap rips off, you should be adequately prepared to deal with the problem. For shorter trips, a one-day supply of extra food is a reasonable emergency stockpile in case foul weather, faulty navigation, injury, or other reasons delay the planned return. Shoulder seasons may require more. The food should require no cooking, and be easily digestible. Carry extra water and have the skills and tools required for obtaining and purifying additional water.

Always carry at least one water bottle or collapsible water sack. Daily water consumption varies greatly. Two quarts (liters) daily is a reasonable minimum; in hot weather or at high altitudes, 6 quarts may not be enough. In dry environments, carry additional water. Plan for enough water to accommodate additional requirements due to heat, cold, altitude, exertion, or emergency. If you are not carrying a shelter, carry some sort of solution for providing protection from rain and wind, such as a jumbo plastic trash bag. Another possibility is a reflective emergency blanket. It can be used in administering first aid to an injured or hypothermic person, or can double as a means of shelter. –This Ten Essentials information is adapted from Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills, published by Mountaineers Books. We’ve made no recommendations for specific pieces of equipment. If you’d like to learn what others are using, we recommend joining the conversation online or reading PCT trail journals.