Most popular gear for AT Thruhike

[orthofingers]

What are your opinions based on posts here, YouTube videos, trail journals etc.

For instance, in my opinion, the Sawyer Squeeze (not the mini) is the most popular water treatment item. I know, some use Aqua Mira, some use bleach, some Potable Aqua and some use nothing but, again, I think the majority use the Sawyer.

What do you think is the most popular;

headlamp?
raingear?
stove? (Ugh! There's a million of 'em)
trekking poles?
tent?
hammock?
baselayers?
footwear?
cookpot?
sleeping bag?
puffy jacket?
anything I missed?

[colorado_rob]

My opinions are based not on YouTubes, forum posts or trail journals, but having hiked the entire AT in person.

I'll go with:

Osprey packs (I betcha maybe 50% of the packs on the AT are Osprey's)
Big Agnes tents (lots of other tents too, just seems like some form of BA tents are at least a plurality)

(two for two in CO companies!)

and Western Mountaineering sleeping bags.

Honorable mention to pretty much anything Zpacks makes, though because of their prices, this limits the amount of their items seen.

[orthofingers]

Good point . . . I should have added, "based on what you saw on the trail.".

[nsherry61]

This blog post (https://thetrek.co/appalachian-trail/the-top-backpacks-on-the-appalachian-trail-2016-at-thru-hiker-survey/)and several links there-in provide some interesting and useful insight.

Of course, every survey runs into the issue of what question is being asked.
- If Osprey packs are the most popular, is one Osprey model the most popular, or is one ULA pack the most popular, while that one ULA pack isn't as popular as the top 3 Osprey packs combined? . . . the above survey does address that issue.
- If a snowpeak 700 is the most popular pot, is it the snowpeak line of pots in their various sizes that is most important/popular, or is it the 700 ml size, or is it a titanium vs. aluminum question?
- Finally, and obviously, most popular doesn't mean most loved, most appreciated, or best for the purpose. It just means the most people have been either educated or suckered into using the product of note.

[Sarcasm the elf]

This question comes up periodically. While it's an interesting discussion, it is important to remember that a great many thru hikers have little to no experience prior to attempting their hike. The lists of what is popular with thru hikers is often merely a list of what the employees at REI recommended from their store shelves or what cottage gear that people on the Internet (like me! :rolleyes:) told them to buy sight unseen. It should not be mistaken as a list of what gear is necessarily "best."

That said, I will agree that Rob's estimation of 50% using osprey packs was fairly accurate in the last couple years.

[HooKooDooKu]

You left Back Pack of the list.

I've not thru hiked the AT, but I have thru hiked the JMT.
On that thru hike, the most popular name brand of back pack by far was Osprey. It's been a while, so I can't recall numbers, but it's possible that as many as half the back packs were Osprey.
On that thru hike, the most popular tent was the Big Agnes Copper Spur. Somewhere between 7%-15% of the tents on the trail were Copper Spurs.

Everything else seemed to vary so much, I couldn't even begin to estimate what was a common thing everyone was using (or they were out-of-site, like sleeping pads and sleeping bags).

[hyperslug]

This is from 2015 and not quite scientific in nature but will give you an ideal.

https://thetrek.co/backpacks-on-the-appalachian-trail-2015-thru-hikers/

I am a firm believer that the most popular is seldom the best. We are social animals and tend to often follow like sheep. But you should be safe with the most popular and it requires a lot less effort.

[Cheyou]

http://www.halfwayanywhere.com/trails/pacific-crest-trail/pacific-crest-trail-thru-hiker-survey-2016/

[Cheyou]

http://www.halfwayanywhere.com/trails/pacific-crest-trail/pacific-crest-trail-thru-hiker-survey-2016/

Thats is on on the left coast but lots of good info .

[nsherry61]

Since surveys have come out for both the PCT (http://www.halfway anywhere.com/trails/pacific-crest-trail/pct-2016-survey-gear-guide/) and the AT (https://thetrek.co/appalachian-trail/the-top-backpacks-on-the-appalachian-trail-2016-at-thru-hiker-survey/), it kinda fun to compare them.

AT: https://thetrek.co/appalachian-trail/the-top-backpacks-on-the-appalachian-trail-2016-at-thru-hiker-survey/
PCT: http://www.halfway anywhere.com/trails/pacific-crest-trail/pct-2016-survey-gear-guide/

In general, PCT hikers use smaller lighter packs and carry (or wish they carried) warmer sleeping gear.

[Gambit McCrae]

IMO

headlamp?Black Diamond
raingear?OR Helium ii
stove? Fanceefeest cat can alc stove
trekking poles? komperdell
tent? Tarptent/ zpacks
hammock? no-at least not for me, only for the experienced hanger
baselayers? smartwool running leggings/ wool longsleeve
footwear? altra lone peaks
cookpot? evernew pasta pot(1)
sleeping bag? Montbell 0-15* till summer, then a WM Highlight
puffy jacket? WM or OR down puffy

anything I missed- -
Pack- - ULA or Zpacks
filter - sawyer squeeze
bottles-smart water bottles
tent stakes - vargo needle stakes
utensil- campmor composite melt resistant for/spoon your choice
pad - Exped of your choice
beanie - black rock down beanie
gloves - OR running gloves, if heavier gloves are needed hestra mitts
ground sheet - tyvek cut to size
butt pad - 2 sections of a zlite pad
whiskey - Jack Daniels

[rocketsocks]

There's another reason the osprey pack and copper spurs are popular...ospreys are darn comfortable! And the copper spur is light weight and "free standing" often the simplest answer is the right one.

[Sarcasm the elf]

There's another reason the osprey pack and copper spurs are popular...ospreys are darn comfortable! And the copper spur is light weight and "free standing" often the simplest answer is the right one.

The Smaller Osprey packs and the BA copper spur are effectively the only UL tent and backpack options that are sold at REI and other nationwide retailers. It's all about their supply and distribution chains.

That's not to say anything bad about either, but the reason they are so popular is that in many areas they are the only game in town unless you're willing to buy something sight unseen off the internet.

[rocketsocks]

The Smaller Osprey packs and the BA copper spur are effectively the only UL tent and backpack options that are sold at REI and other nationwide retailers. It's all about their supply and distribution chains.

That's not to say anything bad about either, but the reason they are so popular is that in many areas they are the only game in town unless you're willing to buy something sight unseen off the internet.Yes, and then there's that...one might call it a monopoly, and still another might say, conspiracy...all would be correct.

[Slo-go'en]

Osprey packs definitely dominate the market. I'd say 8 out of 10 AT hikers have an Osprey. But for everything else, there is a wide variation between hikers. Clothes are all over the place with no specific brand. Large variation amongst types of tents and sleeping bags. Lots of NeoAir pads. There are only a couple of burners for canisters to choose from, so those are pretty much all alike. Jet boils are common, but not pervasive as they are expensive, bulky and a little heavy.

[colorado_rob]

There's another reason the osprey pack and copper spurs are popular...ospreys are darn comfortable! And the copper spur is light weight and "free standing" often the simplest answer is the right one. Yeah, that's a perfect example of "Occam's Razor".

Sure, folks "follow the herd" a bit, but if those packs and tents weren't excellent, the word would get out and so forth. I'm not saying all stuff at REI is excellent, far from it, but they do try to keep inventory of pretty decent stuff. They realize there is a niche market out there for the REALLY good stuff (zpacks, ULA, etc), but they do have a business model to attend to.

[bamboo bob]

I think most well know modern gear from out door stores or from "cottage makers" are fine these days. It really doesn't matter as much as it once did. I keep using my MLD pack and Lightheart tent and Montbell bag because I have them and don't much like shopping. I go stoveless on the AT. On the AT you are rarely far from resupply .

[nsherry61]

The Smaller Osprey packs and the BA copper spur are effectively the only UL tent and backpack options that are sold at REI and other nationwide retailers. It's all about their supply and distribution chains. . .
I beg to differ in part:
REI also sells sells Granite Gear's bags, some of which are lighter than the Ospreys. They also sell a few other brands that have less well-known light weight pack versions like maybe the Gregory Z-series, etc. But none have market share like Osprey. Partly due to marketing, partly due to Osprey's ability to give the market what it is asking for.

As for tents, REI sells other ultra-light and ultra-lighter BA tents (Scout series, Fly Creek series, etc) as well as the REI quarterdome series that is similar to the Copper Spur. Nemo and others also makes light tents sold by REI.

Both BA and Osprey have great reputations for being innovative, well designed and backed with great customer service. And, both are available in large enough quantities to meet industry demand.

What REI sells is what they can get in adequate quality and quantities to be reasonably reliable and to meet their rather substantial customer demand. It would be quite frustrating for REI customers to see listings of gear from cottage manufacturers, and then not be able to get the product because the supply was so limited. If REI started selling EE quilts, EE would be years behind in production or they would have to start manufacturing at significantly larger industrial levels and facilities, probably overseas. EE is probably finds their current business model adequate for their needs and that model does not work with large retail distribution like REI.

This is neither conspiratorial nor monopolistic. In fact, most of the outdoor industry seems to operation pretty effectively without heavy handed business practices. . . cheers to us!

[Mags]

Tis often merely a list of what the employees at REI recommended from their store shelves or what cottage gear that people on the Internet (like me! :rolleyes:) told them to buy sight unsee

No surprise that Rob's observations and The Trek poll both seems to have this as fact.

Most people shop at REI for their gear. BA and Osprey are two big items sold there.

I'd be curious as to what gear Triple Crowners used overall from 2012-present year. Bet there would be more cottage gear used. Not saying gear that triple crowners is used is better, just that is mainly optimized for thru-hiking on well-maintained trails. And cottage gear tends to be optimized for this niche versus more robust/heavier/over engineered (use your phrase of choice) gear from more mainstream manufacturers. This is a just a generalization, but a reasonably accurate one I think.

[rocketsocks]

I beg to differ in part:
REI also sells sells Granite Gear's bags, some of which are lighter than the Ospreys. They also sell a few other brands that have less well-known light weight pack versions like maybe the Gregory Z-series, etc. But none have market share like Osprey. Partly due to marketing, partly due to Osprey's ability to give the market what it is asking for.

As for tents, REI sells other ultra-light and ultra-lighter BA tents (Scout series, Fly Creek series, etc) as well as the REI quarterdome series that is similar to the Copper Spur. Nemo and others also makes light tents sold by REI.

Both BA and Osprey have great reputations for being innovative, well designed and backed with great customer service. And, both are available in large enough quantities to meet industry demand.

What REI sells is what they can get in adequate quality and quantities to be reasonably reliable and to meet their rather substantial customer demand. It would be quite frustrating for REI customers to see listings of gear from cottage manufacturers, and then not be able to get the product because the supply was so limited. If REI started selling EE quilts, EE would be years behind in production or they would have to start manufacturing at significantly larger industrial levels and facilities, probably overseas. EE is probably finds their current business model adequate for their needs and that model does not work with large retail distribution like REI.

This is neither conspiratorial nor monopolistic. In fact, most of the outdoor industry seems to operation pretty effectively without heavy handed business practices. . . cheers to us!now that makes sense, having enough inventory to supply...I'll buy that, pun intended.

[rocketsocks]

...and yet I still wonder it what Elf said dosent have some merit. Serious now, not being cheeky.

[josh_ATL]

This is what I mostly observed on my thru last year:

Headlamp:
Black Diamond was by far the most popular ("Spot" model and the older model "Volt") *I started with the older model Black Diamond "Volt" but got it pretty wet and it stopped working correctly (couldn't turn on white light or red light independently, batteries would only last an hour or so) Black Diamond's customer service was awesome! I explained the problem I was having, told them when and where I was planning on going into town and they sent me the brand new "Storm" to the P/O in Parisburg.
Raingear:
Outdoor Research Helium Jacket, Marmot Precip Jacket and Frog Toggs were the most populat jackets...not really sure about pants though. I think most people opted to send them home around Fraklin *I carried the OR "Helium II" rain shell and a used a black drawstring trash bag for a rain skirt
Stove:
MSR Pocket Rocket/Cat Can Alcohol *I started my thru hike with a Pocket Rocket, then switched to a cat can alcohol stove, then went completely stoveless after PA.
Trekking Poles:
I'd say its about 45% Leki, 45% Black Diamond & 10% other brands *I started with Black Diamond trail ergo cork, but left them in Damascus on accident and went without poles until NH where I bought a set of Black Diamond Alpine Ergo Cork I found on sale on Backcountry
Tent:
Big Agnes ("Copper Spur" & "Fly Creek") were definitely the most popular probably followed (surprisingly) by Z-Packs ("Duplex" being most popular) Also saw a lot of TarpTents (Protrail, Notch & Rainbow were all pretty popular) And more than a few MSR (Hubba & Hubba Hubba) *I started with a Big Agnes "Scout Plus," switched to my hammock when it warmed up, and just used my tarp on the ground when it was too cold to hang.
Hammock:
Hennessy/ENO, Lots of Warbonnets too. I'd say the ENO Doublenest was the most popular *I used my ENO Doublenest during the warmer months
Baselayers:
Smartwool/Ibex/Nike/Under Armour...not really sure what was the most popular...it's kinda hard to tell what brand of baselayer someone is wearing without them telling you. *I startes with a lightweight set of Terramar merino "Woolskins" and pretty much used those the whole way. I got a really nice set of Ibex expedition weight baselayers for my birthday in September and used them until I finished my hike. I was glad I got them because I had some super cold nights in October in Maine.
Footwear:
For trail runners the Salomon XA Pro3D & Altra Lone Peak 2.5 & 3.0 were definitely most popular. There were a lot of Merrells at the beginning, but I think most people ditched them pretty soon on their hike. I also saw a lot of Saucony and Hoka running shoes, but most people I talked to said they wore out super quick. As far as boots went, I saw a bunch of people wearing the Vasque and Keen mids, and the Salomon and Asolo full heights. Again, mostly saw boots at the beginning. I think most people eventually switched to trail runners. *I started in Altra Lone Peak 2.5s and finished in Altra Lone Peak 3.0s...4 pairs later.
Cookpot:
GSI Pinnacle Soloist 1.1L Aluminum cookpot was definitely the most popular, followed by various brands of 700ml-1500ml titanium pots. *I carried my GSI Pinnacle Soloist 1.1L until I ditched my stove.
Sleeping Bag:
Enlightened Equipment (Probably the "Revelation") was surprisingly the most common bag/quilt I saw. The Kelty Cosmic was probably the second most popular, followed by REI bags...not sure of the names. *I carried an EE Revelation my entire hike. I started off with the standard sized one, but soon figured out that its not really made for someone who's 6'2. I bought another EE Revelation, but this time I got the X-Long, X-Wide, and got 950 fill to help offset the weight of the larger bag.
Puffy Jacket:
Mountain Hardware "Ghost Whisperer" was by far the most popular. I saw lots of Patagonia and Montbell puffy jackets too. *I started with an Outdoor Research Transcendent down jacket, but switched to a Montbell Superior Hooded Parka, mainly because I wanted the hood. It wasn't until after I bought it that I realized that it weighed half of what my OR did.
Packs:
Osprey (Exos & Atmos) was definitely the most popular pack with ULA (Circuit), Z Packs (Arc), and Gossamer (Gorilla & Mariposa) all coming in a fairly close tie for second place. *I started with a Gregory Baltoro 65L pack which was super comfortable, but ended up being kinda heavy, and also had too much room. I won a Granite Gear Crown VC @ Trail Days, and switched to it for most of my hike. Along my hike, I was constantly dropping gear, and swapping out stuff for lighter options, so even the Crown became too big of a pack. I bought a Gossamer Gear Kumo online and had it shipped to me in White River Junction, VT and used it for the rest of my hike. I LOVE this pack. Frameless, weighs nothing, and super comfortable! I'm glad I made the switch, because the Crown didn't carry right unless it was full, and I got my Kumo right before the Whites!
Sleep Pad:
I'd say the Therm-A-Rest NeoAir XLite & Therm-A-Rest Sol ZLite were the most popular, tying for first place. Big Agnes pads were also pretty popular. *I started with an Exped SynCell pad, then switched to the Therm-A-Rest ZLite Sol. I've since upgraded to the Therm-A-Rest NeoAir X-Lite (Large Size)

[rafe]

I don't generally pay that much attention to brands or to gear. The last time I went on a major gear-shopping binge was ten years ago, when Granite Gear packs were all the rage and TarpTents were a relatively new notion.