An adult and child on a trail.
An adult and child on a trail.

3 Pieces of Gear That (Surprisingly) Made My PCT Hike

In March of this year my partner and I and our then five year old son hiked out of Campo with the loose notion of thru hiking the PCT. Since we were unsure how far or how long we would be on trail we didn’t over think our gear selections, rather grabbing what we had already in the garage or what we could beg off of friends. Our “big 3” gear selection was quickly complete and we headed south for Campo.

Most gear lists for thru-hiking and backpacking focus almost exclusively on the “big 3” which makes sense as they make up the bulk of your weight. Backpack, shelter, and sleep systems are critical for a safe and enjoyable hike (which is why they get called the “big 3”). However, this list is going to ignore those three and instead focus on three pieces of gear that were total surprises and genuinely made my hike more successful (and way more enjoyable).

Continue reading to learn more about gear that helps with hiking, written for Purple Rain Adventure Skirts.

फोटो थंबनेल ब्लॉग लेखक
वेबसाइट
Purple Rain Adventure Skirts

THE STORY
Purple Rain Adventure Skirts was founded by Mandy ‘Purple Rain’ Bland in 2014.  During a 2012 thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail Mandy was inspired to try hiking in a skirt.   Unable to find what she wanted, she went about designing her own. Hacking up an old pair of convertible hiking pants, adding a comfortable waistband and some pockets, Mandy then headed back out on trail testing the design on the PCT that following summer.

That experiment became a movement.

The business began as a side hustle on a dining room table and has evolved to a full time career. The skirts are still proudly made in Oregon and Mandy handles all emails directly, providing an intimate customer/owner connection unrivaled by big box stores. Mandy continues to find inspiration for new designs while hiking and adventuring with her son.

Today, every Purple Rain Adventure Skirt, Dress, and Kilt is proudly sewn in Oregon — gear built for people who value comfort, durability, and the freedom to adventure their own way.

Purple Rain Adventure Skirts is dedicated to providing people with performance apparel that inspires the freedom of adventure without compromising style or function.  We believe that hiking gives us the strength to take on life's challenges.  The wilderness we trek through teaches us to find peace and perseverance in a hectic world.  Purple Rain Skirts encourages others to take comfort in the natural world, find their inner strength, and to simply live.

Now put it in your pocket, and let’s go hiking.

अधिक सामग्री का अन्वेषण करें

दस्ते से

हमारे समुदाय के साथ कैम्प फायर वार्तालाप, स्क्वाड सदस्यों और राजदूतों से लेकर ब्रांड पार्टनर्स और सॉयर टीम तक।

मीडिया मेंशन

Sawyer has partnered with Cnoc Outdoors to produce an updated system that is much easier to use.

Big Red
लेखक

मीडिया मेंशन

Sawyer Squeeze + Cnoc VectoX 2L is the number one filter-bladder combo on the PCT!

Alan Dixon and Jaeger Shaw
Writers

मीडिया मेंशन

If you regularly hike in tick territory, you may also be interested in Sawyer’s Insect Repellent Treatment, a spray-on that can be used on everything from clothing to tents.

Eve O'Neill
Managing Editor