A man hiking on a mountain with a backpack full of gear.
A man hiking on a mountain with a backpack full of gear.

PCT Southbound Gear List & Strategy 2025

Mike Unger is one of few people in the world to thru-hike the PCT northbound (NOBO) twice and once southbound (SOBO). Together, with input from editors Naomi Hudetz and Liz Thomas, this PCT gear list explains differences between northbound and southbound PCT thru-hikes and section-hikes, what gear to carry, and how to prepare for each section of a southbound PCT hike.

Our goal is to set you up for success on your hike from Canada to Mexico using what we’ve learned from our southbound thru-hikes, including 7 PCT thru-hikes, and more than 50,000 miles of trail experience.

Continue reading to learn more about hiking the PCT, written by Mike Unger & Liz Thomas & Naomi Hudetz.

दस्ते से

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

मीडिया मेंशन

Streams, waterfalls, and rivers can quench your thirst in the wild, but they may carry dirt and impurities.

Dinal Jain
लेखक

मीडिया मेंशन

The baby wrap method has been tested in only this one trial, but it cut malaria cases by a greater margin that the vaccines have in some studies.

Stephanie Nolen
लेखक

मीडिया मेंशन

In future, I’ll use gravity when I can, and squeeze when I have to.

Richard, aka "LowRange
यात्री