Help! First time thru-hiker gear help.

[tdowner311]

I'm hiking sobo with my wife in July. Here is the list of Gear we planned on taking. Please Help out with any suggestions such as things we need or dont need! Thanks!

Me

Backpack: Osprey Kestrel 38 http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/produc...specifications
Reg Underwear: 2 pair ExOfficio Give'N'Go http://www.exofficio.com/products/de...go-boxer-brief
Long Underwear: 1 pair Smartwool Long Johns http://www.smartwool.com/mens/m-ligh...ttom-6517.html
Shirt 1: Long Sleeve T with InsectShield http://haeleum.com/products/braedan-carbon
Shirt 2: Long sleeve Button up with roll up sleeves http://www.exofficio.com/products/de...g-sleeve-shirt
Pants : 2 pair 1 khaki, 1 grey http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/...?p=55029-0-176
Shoes: Vibram Five Finger Flow http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/pro...-Flow-Mens.htm
Water Purifier: Steripen Adventurer Opti http://www.steripen.com/adventurer-opti
Hooded Fleece: Mens R1 Hoody http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/...?p=40072-0-598
Rain jacket: Patagonia Rain Shadow Jacket http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/...?p=84475-0-176
Water Bottle: Infinity DukJug 1L http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-BPA-F...4843891&sr=1-2
Sleep Liner: Cocoon mummy sleeping bag liner Ripstop Silk http://www.cocoon.at/eng/show.php?do...&prod=10&fab=0
Sleep Bag: Jacks 'R' Better Sierra Stealth http://www.jacksrbetter.com/Wearable%20Quilts.htm
Hammock + Tree Straps: HammockBliss NoSeeUm No More Hammock + Tree Straps http://www.hammockbliss.com/No_See_Um_No_More.html
Tarp: Granite Gear White Lightning Ultralight http://www.amazon.com/Granite-Gear-W.../dp/B000XUJ206
Towel: Discovery Trekking Ultralight http://www.discoverytrekking.com/ult...kpacking-towel
Wash Kit: 2 Travel toothbrushes, Travel toothpaste, Baking Soda, 2 sticks deodorant, Wet ones biodegradable wipes, Brawny paper towel (toilet paper) Razor with interchangeable heads, nail clippers.
Med Kit: Ibuprofen, cold/flu caps, bismuth caps, tweezers
Multi-Tool: Leather man Skeletool
Food + Water
Netbook
Umbrella

The Wife

Backpack: Osprey Kestrel 38 http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/produc...specifications
Hooded Fleece: Mens R1 Hoody http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/...?p=40072-0-598
Water Bottle: Infinity DukJug 1L http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-BPA-F...4843891&sr=1-2
Sleep Liner: Cocoon mummy sleeping bag liner Ripstop Silk http://www.cocoon.at/eng/show.php?do...&prod=10&fab=0
Sleep Bag: Jacks 'R' Better Sierra Stealth http://www.jacksrbetter.com/Wearable%20Quilts.htm
Towel: Discovery Trekking Ultralight http://www.discoverytrekking.com/ult...kpacking-towel
Rain jacket: Patagonia Rain Shadow Jacket http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/...0-371&pcc=1128
Shoes: Vibram Five Finger Flow https://www.vibramfivefingers.com/pr...low-Womens.htm
Underwear: 6 Pairs Seamless Shorty's http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/pid1227985
Pant 1: Patagonia All Out Capri's http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/...?p=21223-0-920
Pant 2: Patagonia Simple Guide http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/...1#BVRRWidgetID
Shirts: 1 long sleeve 1 short T. http://haeleum.com/shop/womens
Bra: 2 UA Armour Bra http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/pid1233077
Multi-Tool: Leatherman Juice S2
Diva Cup
Go-Girl Feminine Urination Device
Food + water

[flemdawg1]

Seems like alot of clothes. Wife doesn't need 6 pairs of underwear, 2 max. If you can't wear them all at one time (except for socks) you have too much. I see no hat or gloves. No bottom insulation for sleeping (pad or UQ). Are you sharing the hammock? Add an Army surplus-style can opener, the one on the Leatherman is useless. Umbrella or rain coat, pick one. Leave netbook, mostly dead weight. Leave paper towels. Leave heavy water bottle and use a gatorade bottle, much lighter. Firestarter, headlamp, cookpot, stove?

[tdowner311]

She insists that she needs that much underwear. we are sharing the Hammock. The sleeping bags can double as and underquilt and a top quilt since they have loops on each corner. And we were toying around with the idea of going stoveless. If we leave the paper towels she wants to know what we are going to use for toilet paper.

[Feral Bill]

She insists that she needs that much underwear. we are sharing the Hammock. The sleeping bags can double as and underquilt and a top quilt since they have loops on each corner. And we were toying around with the idea of going stoveless. If we leave the paper towels she wants to know what we are going to use for toilet paper.

Toilet paper?

[Blissful]

I hope you both are used to your Vibram five finger in very tough, rugged, rocky conditions to start when you are not in shape. They would not be my choice for the ME and the WHites, but that's me.

All you need is simple plastic bottles for water. Nothing fancy and they can be replaced in towns.

I took three pair of underwear and one for sleep. Only one bra is needed. Only one pair of convertible pants. I did take a ultralight insulated jacket, you are going at high elevations, esp in August where it can sleet in the Whites.

Hope you have good winter gear for later (which I don't see yet), you'll need it. You'll hit snow with that late a start. Are you used to snow and cold in your hammock or do you have a tent for later?

Only need one multi tool for the both of you. Skip the nail clippers, deodorant. I wouldn't use paper towels for TP but that's me

Did I miss your cooking set up and bear bag?

I would not go with Steri pen, but you can try it. I'd take Aqua mira as a back up, esp if your batteries die

You're carrying a netbook? I wouldn't...

[Blissful]

She insists that she needs that much underwear. we are sharing the Hammock. The sleeping bags can double as and underquilt and a top quilt since they have loops on each corner. And we were toying around with the idea of going stoveless. If we leave the paper towels she wants to know what we are going to use for toilet paper.

Uh...use rolled toilet paper. (?)

She will not need six pair of underwear, She can carry a few panty liners instead which work fine. pack them out though

I would not go stoveless. There are too many extreme conditions that you may need warm fluids and food in bad conditions. I'd leave other weight at home, like the netbook, and take a stove.

[tdowner311]

Thanks for the help! I will post an updated packing list asap. Also we have decided to take a stove since just about EVERYONE has recommended that we do so.

[marty1983]

Bring something as a backup for the Steri-Pen like some iodine tabs or aqua-mira. I had nothing but trouble with mine and batteries are very expensive if I remember correctly. I ended up sending mine home. It was nice while it worked though. I have read mixed reviews for them and they are mainly negative. I also never used my camp towel. Wet wipes are a luxury that I used in the beginning but sent home because they are heavy. Deodorant was nice to have...I found travel size at Target. I started sending lots of stuff home not just because of weight but because it was so much easier and simpler to deal with less stuff. Packing up camp every morning was the worst part of the day and the less stuff you have, the better the experience. Enjoy your hike!

[ScottP]

I'm hiking sobo with my wife in July. Here is the list of Gear we planned on taking. Please Help out with any suggestions such as things we need or dont need! Thanks!

Me

Backpack: Osprey Kestrel 38 http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/produc...specifications
ULA CDT

Reg Underwear: 2 pair ExOfficio Give'N'Go http://www.exofficio.com/products/de...go-boxer-brief
Long Underwear: 1 pair Smartwool Long Johns http://www.smartwool.com/mens/m-ligh...ttom-6517.html

Leave underwear at home
Shirt 1: Long Sleeve T with InsectShield http://haeleum.com/products/braedan-carbon

Shirt 2: Long sleeve Button up with roll up sleeves http://www.exofficio.com/products/de...g-sleeve-shirt
Leave at home

Pants : 2 pair 1 khaki, 1 grey http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/...?p=55029-0-176
leave both at home and get some running shorts

Shoes: Vibram Five Finger Flow http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/pro...-Flow-Mens.htm
I'm a barefoot and minimalist runner. I wouldn't hike the AT in VFFs.

Water Purifier: Steripen Adventurer Opti http://www.steripen.com/adventurer-opti

Hooded Fleece: Mens R1 Hoody http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/...?p=40072-0-598
leave at home

Rain jacket: Patagonia Rain Shadow Jacket http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/...?p=84475-0-176

Water Bottle: Infinity DukJug 1L http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-BPA-F...4843891&sr=1-2
Use gatorade bottles. 3x 32 ounces.

Sleep Liner: Cocoon mummy sleeping bag liner Ripstop Silk http://www.cocoon.at/eng/show.php?do...&prod=10&fab=0
Leave at home

Sleep Bag: Jacks 'R' Better Sierra Stealth http://www.jacksrbetter.com/Wearable%20Quilts.htm

Hammock + Tree Straps: HammockBliss NoSeeUm No More Hammock + Tree Straps http://www.hammockbliss.com/No_See_Um_No_More.html

Tarp: Granite Gear White Lightning Ultralight http://www.amazon.com/Granite-Gear-W.../dp/B000XUJ206
Go with a cottage industry silnylon or cubin tarp. That granite gear thing is crappy--heavy and expensive

Towel: Discovery Trekking Ultralight http://www.discoverytrekking.com/ult...kpacking-towel
Leave at home

Wash Kit: 2 Travel toothbrushes, Travel toothpaste, Baking Soda, 2 sticks deodorant, Wet ones biodegradable wipes, Brawny paper towel (toilet paper) Razor with interchangeable heads, nail clippers.
Keep toothbrust+paste+nail clippers. Leave the rest at home

Med Kit: Ibuprofen, cold/flu caps, bismuth caps, tweezers
Multi-Tool: Leather man Skeletool
Useless, leave it at home

Food + Water
Netbook
Leave at home

Umbrella
Good in the desert. Not on the AT. leave it at home

The Wife
leave at home

Backpack: Osprey Kestrel 38 http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/produc...specifications
Hooded Fleece: Mens R1 Hoody http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/...?p=40072-0-598
Water Bottle: Infinity DukJug 1L http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-BPA-F...4843891&sr=1-2
Sleep Liner: Cocoon mummy sleeping bag liner Ripstop Silk http://www.cocoon.at/eng/show.php?do...&prod=10&fab=0
Sleep Bag: Jacks 'R' Better Sierra Stealth http://www.jacksrbetter.com/Wearable%20Quilts.htm
Towel: Discovery Trekking Ultralight http://www.discoverytrekking.com/ult...kpacking-towel
Rain jacket: Patagonia Rain Shadow Jacket http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/...0-371&pcc=1128
Shoes: Vibram Five Finger Flow https://www.vibramfivefingers.com/pr...low-Womens.htm
Underwear: 6 Pairs Seamless Shorty's http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/pid1227985
Pant 1: Patagonia All Out Capri's http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/...?p=21223-0-920
Pant 2: Patagonia Simple Guide http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/...1#BVRRWidgetID
Shirts: 1 long sleeve 1 short T. http://haeleum.com/shop/womens
Bra: 2 UA Armour Bra http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/pid1233077
Multi-Tool: Leatherman Juice S2
Diva Cup
Go-Girl Feminine Urination Device
Food + water

[Jeff_from_Va]

The list gives the appearance of not having personal experience with it as a whole or with some of the items individually. It's bad enough that your hike may be emperiled by it. A few things IMO -

A two person hammock is a very questionable decision. A small tent is more useful and safer.
Your footgear is far too light, your feet will get wet, and you will suffer.
Fleese jackets are overly bulky and not too warm. Someting like a nano-puff hoody is much better.
Bring gloves and a hat.
Bring a "real" water filter.
The multi-tool is a waste of weight.
Headlamp?
Rain pants?

[flemdawg1]

The list gives the appearance of not having personal experience with it as a whole or with some of the items individually. It's bad enough that your hike may be emperiled by it. A few things IMO -

A two person hammock is a very questionable decision. A small tent is more useful and safer.
Your footgear is far too light, your feet will get wet, and you will suffer.
Fleese jackets are overly bulky and not too warm. Someting like a nano-puff hoody is much better.
Bring gloves and a hat.
Bring a "real" water filter.
The multi-tool is a waste of weight.
Headlamp?
Rain pants?

The JRB quilts are wearable. Though the OP's wifey will not be very happy, if he's the early riser and takes away her blankey.
They have a usable tarp for ground sleeping if needed, however, no underneath padding. Tdowner, have you used this hammock setup before? I'm no hammock expert, I'm not certain how feasible all that really is.

Used Steripen for 4 years, very happy w/ it. Have a Classic, due to availability of rechargerable batts.

[tdowner311]

Ok after much more thought and research and advice from multiple sources we have decided to go with a tent instead of the hammock. I don't have time now, but I will post our updated gear list tomorrow morning. I have gone through everything we are taking and she will be taking the kestrel 36 and I will be taking the kestrel 38. Havent gotten an accurate measuring on our weights for the packs, but her gear + 8 days of food takes up roughly 34 liters. and my gear + 8 days of food takes up 35 liters.

[tdowner311]

Also I would once again appreciate you guys tearing our list to shreds after I can post it