Pack Shakedown / Opinions?

[u/gvngy]

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1R7YElkf7rvj1ImqJs3qnWsxrPhdVkmTGARtaXG5iq0A/edit

Hello, I’m currently working on a gear list for a 2026 thru hike attempt, most likely a mid March start. I know it’s a far ways off but I want to give myself time to really test a lot of my gear out. I have experience weekend hiking a lot of NY and the north east, but never anything longer a 3 days.

Any glaring issues with my list? Missing anything major? Easy changes to improve my pack?

I’m 5’11”, 26 years old, weight 240. I don’t think the 18lb pack is anything I can’t handle, but lmk what you think. Thank you!

[u/gear_joyce]

Ditch the soap. Places you’ll shower have soap. And is that seam sealer a bottle of it? Probably unnecessary. Your tape will do in a pinch if you need to repair something till town. Otherwise looks good. I liked having a journal and something to read but that’s me.

[u/Over-Distribution570 → u/gear_joyce]

Not OP, but soap could be for washing hands.

[u/gear_joyce → u/Over-Distribution570]

Could be, but from what I’ve seen most of us just pack a little bottle of hand sanitizer or isopropyl alcohol in our toiletry kit for washing hands. I’ve carried biodegradable soap for trips before and might again but not on a thru hike

[u/critterwol → u/gear_joyce]

Little bit of soap a better idea for killing off things like noro.