I recently thru-hiked the entire 70-mile Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail over six days, carrying a base pack weight of11.94 pounds.
The trail threw just about everything at me: two days of steady rain, rocky terrain that beat up my feet, muddy trails, and long mileage days. Overall, I couldn’t have been happier with this gear setup, and I’d happily carry almost every piece of it again.
Below is every piece of gear I carried, along with a quick verdict after 70 miles on trail. If you have any questions about my setup, feel free to leave a comment!
Looking for more info on hiking the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail? Check out my complete guide to this perfect mini- East Coast thru-hike, here.
Disclosure: This page may contain sponsored content or affiliate links, including Amazon links, where I earn a small commission from any purchase – at no extra cost to you. This commission helps keep Brooke In Boots up and running. As always, all opinions are 100% honest and my own!
⭐ Brooke’s Top LHHT 5 Gear Picks
🎒 Symbiosis Gear Aspen Pack
➡️ Shop the Symbiosis Gear Aspen Pack
😴 Enlightened Equipment Revelation 10° Quilt
➡️ Shop the Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt
🌧️ Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket
➡️ Shop the Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket
🩳 Janji Pace Running Shorts (thick-girl approved!)
Pack & Pack Accessories
The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail was the perfect opportunity to experiment with a lighter pack setup. With a base weight of 12 pounds thanks to the shelters, I was able to comfortably switch to a frameless backpack for the first time.
Backpack: Symbiosis Gear Aspen Pack
Weight: 25 oz
This was the first real backpacking trip for my new women’s fit Symbiosis Gear Aspen Pack, and it absolutely exceeded my expectations.
At just 25 ounces, this is a frameless ultralight pack that comfortably handled my 12-pound base weight and four days of food. The Aspen is a women’s specific fit design, the first that I’m aware of in the ultralight pack game. This pack felt wonderfully comfortable and like it actually moved with my body, instead of fighting against it. I’d compare it more to hiking with a daypack than with a traditional backpacking pack.
This is definitely not the pack I’d recommend for beginners carrying 30+ pound loads. But if you’ve dialed in a lightweight gear setup, the Aspen Pack is an incredible option.
Looking for a frame pack that is still ultralight? I still love my Durston Kakwa 55L that I took on the PCT that offers a little more room and support at only 4oz more.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ My new favorite lightweight backpack. I wish the front pocket was made out of a different material with a little more give, but that’s really my only complaint.
➡️ Shop the Symbiosis Gear Aspen Pack
Fanny Pack: Mudcat Designs 1.5L Fanny Pack
Weight: 4.6 oz
If you aren’t backpacking with a fanny pack, please try it out. Keeping snacks, my phone, sunscreen, lip balm, and headphones within easy reach meant I almost never had to stop and dig through my backpack during the day.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ One of my favorite backpacking accessories.
➡️ Shop the Mudcat Designs 1.5L Fanny Pack
Pack Liner: Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Bag (35L)
Weight: 2.6 oz
With rain in the forecast, I wanted a pack liner that was more robust and reliable than the nyloflume liner I previously used. After hiking through nearly 6 days of rain with this Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil dry bag, I never had to worry about my sleep system or extra clothes getting wet.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Kept my most important gear completely dry.
➡️ Shop the Sea to Summit 35L Dry Bag
REI Flash Carbon Trekking Poles
Weight: 13.6 oz (pair)
Trekking poles make a huge difference on the LHHT’s steep climbs and rocky descents, taking pressure off my knees and helping me stay balanced on slick, muddy trails. Whatever poles you use, I wouldn’t recommend hiking the LHHT without some!
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
➡️ Shop the REI Flash Carbon Trekking Poles
Sleep Setup & Shelter Gear
One of my favorite things about the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail is the incredible shelter system. Because I knew I’d be sleeping in the shelters every night, I was able to keep my sleep setup simple, lightweight, and comfortable.
Curious about the LHHT shelters? Read all about the experience in my LHHT Guide here.
Surprisingly, this was the best I’ve ever consistently slept on trail, and I think I have to thank the shelters (and especially those fireplaces) for that.
Sleeping Pad: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT
Weight: 13 oz
The NeoAir XLite continues to be my favorite lightweight inflatable sleeping pad. It’s warm, comfortable, and plenty thick enough for side sleepers like me. Combined with the wooden floors inside the LHHT shelters, I genuinely slept great every night. After hundreds of miles, I did finally get a slow leak in this pad that I am in the process of repairing.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Still a great backpacking sleeping pad, but I gotta fix that leak.
➡️ Shop the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite
Quilt: Enlightened Equipment Revelation 10° Quilt
Weight: 27 oz
I’ve now used this quilt on the Pacific Crest Trail, car camping, the Rae Lakes Loop, and the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail, and it continues to be one of my favorite pieces of backpacking gear. It’s warm, comfortable, and incredibly versatile across a wide range of temperatures. If you’re a cold sleeper like me, I’d buy this quilt again in a heartbeat, and if you haven’t yet converted to the joy of quilts over sleeping bags, I’m begging you to make the change.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ One of the best backpacking purchases I’ve ever made.
➡️ Shop the Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt
Pillow: Enlightened Equipment Cloud 9 Pillow
Weight: 3.8 oz
The feature I love most is the built-in strap that keeps the pillow attached to my sleeping pad all night. No more waking up to find your pillow halfway across the shelter floor.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ A tiny luxury that’s worth every ounce, but there are comfier pillows out there.
➡️ Shop the Enlightened Equipment Cloud 9 Pillow
Sit Pad: Therm-a-Rest Z Seat
Weight: 2 oz
This little foam sit pad worked perfectly for lunch breaks, cooking dinner around camp, and giving me a dry place to sit while everything else was soaked.
That said, if I were packing for the LHHT again, I’d probably swap it for a longer Outdoor Vitals 1/8-inch Foam Pad or even my NEMO Switchback. Both double as a sit pad while also adding extra cushioning under your sleeping pad and protecting it from punctures.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ Worked well, but I’d bring a longer foam pad next time.
➡️ Shop the Therm-a-Rest Z Seat
Groundsheet: Tyvek Groundsheet
Weight: ~3 oz
In lieu of the heavier groundsheet that came with my tent (which I wasn’t carrying anyways) I carried a pre-cut Tyvek groundsheet primarily to keep my gear clean inside the shelters. It gave me a clean , waterproof place to spread out my backpack and sleeping gear, protected my sleeping pad from splinters and dirt, and packed down to almost nothing.
It’s a little noisy while you’re setting up camp, but once everything is in place, you’ll hardly notice it. I would recommend a large groundsheet similar to this one for these LHHT shelters or if you’re going to be doing a lot of cowboy camping.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Cheap, lightweight, and absolutely worth bringing.
➡️ Shop a Pre-Cut Tyvek Groundsheet on Garage Grown Gear
Need help packing for your backpacking trip? Get my favorite backpacking gear suggestions that I use and love on the trail, delivered right to your inbox! Plus a backpacking checklist so you always pack exactly what you need!
Cooking, Water & Food
Food Storage: Sea to Summit 8L Dry Bag
Thanks to bear hangs provided at each of the campsites, you can skip bringing the bear hang equipment and stick with a rolltop waterproof storage sack instead. I brought this bag from Sea to Summit (bring the 13L bag if you’re carrying more than 3 days at a time), but I am upgrading to the bear-resistant Adotec ultralight food locker in the future (which doesn’t require a bear hang).
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
➡️ Shop the Sea to Summit 8L Dry Bag
➡️ Shop the Adotec Ultralight Food Locker
Cooking Pot: TOAKS 750 mL Titanium Pot
Weight: 3 oz
This is my go-to backpacking pot. It’s the perfect size for boiling water for freeze-dried meals, and large enough for cooking oatmeal, coffee, or ramen, while still being small enough to nest my stove and lighter inside.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Insulation: TOAKS Pot Pocket
Weight: 0.7 oz
This might seem like an unnecessary luxury, but I use it on every backpacking trip. It keeps meals or beverages warm while they rehydrate, saving fuel, and lets me comfortably hold the pot without burning my hands.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Tiny weight penalty, big quality-of-life improvement.
Spork: Sea to Summit Frontier Ultralight Long Handle Spork
Weight: 0.4 oz
If you’re eating freeze-dried meals out of the bag, do yourself a favor and get the long-handled version. No more digging your hand into the bottom of a meal pouch trying to scrape out the last few bites and getting foot all over your hands.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The only backpacking utensil I use.
➡️ Shop the Sea to Summit Frontier Long Handle Spork
Cup: Sea to Summit Frontier Ultralight Collapsible Cup
Weight: 1.8 oz
I am absolutely unwilling to part with my morning coffee ritual. Plus, I love having a dedicated mug for tea, cider, or hot chocolate while my dinner is rehydrating. Sitting around the fireplace with a hot drink quickly became one of my favorite parts of each evening on trail.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ My favorite little luxury item.
➡️ Shop the Sea to Summit Collapsible Cup
Water Filter: Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter
Weight: 3 oz
The Sawyer Squeeze has earned its reputation for a reason. It’s lightweight, reliable, and incredibly easy to use. I paired mine with a CNOC Vecto bag and this coupling ring to create a gravity filter setup around camp, which meant I could filter water while cooking dinner instead of standing there squeezing bottles.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Still my favorite backpacking water filter.
CNOC 2L Vecto Water Container
Weight: 2.8 oz
The wide opening makes collecting water dramatically easier than trying to fill a bottle directly from a shallow stream.
Paired with the Sawyer Squeeze, it also doubles as a gravity filtration system around camp—a small convenience that feels surprisingly luxurious after a long day of hiking.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ One of the best upgrades I’ve made to my water setup.
Water Bottles: CNOC Thru Bottle & Smartwater Bottles
Weight: 2-3 oz each
Water Capacity: 3 Liters Total
I carried one CNOC Thru Bottle alongside two standard 1-liter Smartwater bottles, giving me a total carrying capacity of about 3 liters.
That proved to be the sweet spot for water carries for the LHHT. While the southern half of the trail has more frequent water sources, the northern miles can be surprisingly dry, so having a little extra capacity gave me peace of mind without adding much weight.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Bic Mini Lighter
Weight: 0.4 oz
One of the smallest but most important pieces of gear in my pack.
Not only is it a reliable backup if your stove’s igniter ever fails or gets wet, but it also made starting fires in the shelter fireplaces quick and easy after long, rainy days on trail.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Essential safety gear.
Duraflame Firestart Cubes
Weight: Consumable. Each cube weighs less than 1 oz.
All of the Shelters have fireplaces, and after hiking through cold rain all day, there was nothing better than getting a fire going to dry out my socks, warm up, and unwind before bed. I only needed one cube, plus some kindling to get even damp firewood burning. (Firewood is available at all campsites)
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Worth their weight in gold on rainy days.
➡️ Shop Duraflame Firestart Cubes
Want a taste of the LHHT? Check out my 2-part backpacking vlog of the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail on Youtube.
Clothing
I don’t overthink my backpacking clothing. My goal is simple: stay comfortable while hiking and have something warm and dry for camp. This setup handled six days of rocky trails, muddy conditions, and tons of Pennsylvania rain without any major complaints.
Shorts: Janji Pace Shorts
I’m thrilled to say I may have found the holy grail of backpacking shorts for thick-thighed girls.
These are biker-short style compression shorts that I originally purchased for my half marathon race. They’re incredibly comfortable, dry quickly after rain, have huge pockets that can fit a phone or snacks, and most importantly, never caused chafing, over all 70 miles.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Shirt: REI Flash Shade Hoodie
The REI Flash Shade Hoodie is lightweight, breathable, and extremely comfortable for long days on trail. It only minimally smelled after 6 wet humid and hot days, and the smell washed out very easy at home.
My only complaint is that the hood opening is too snug to comfortably fit over my sun hat, which meant I never used the hood.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ Comfortable and breathable, but the hood is a problem.
➡️ Shop the REI Flash Shade Hoodie
Bra: Branwyn Essential Racerback Sports Bra
The quest for the perfect backpacking sports bra for large chests continues. I had high hopes for this bra, and did find it to be naturally odor resistant thanks to the merino wool blend. However, after less than two days, the fabric stretched to the point that it lost all support for my 36G chest. The band also had a habit of rolling up, which is a problem I’ve had with other Branwyn Bras that I’ve tried before.
Verdict: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ If you’re a smaller chest looking for a good merino sports bra, this could be a good fit for you.
➡️ Shop the Branwyn Essential Racerback Sports Bra
Beanie: Smartwool Merino Beanie
Lightweight wool beanie for chilly nights and early mornings at camp.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ Light but not super warm, arguably unnecessary.
➡️ Shop the Smartwool Merino Beanie
Underwear: ExOfficio Give-N-Go Underwear & Branwyn Essential Hipster
I packed one pair to hike in and two clean pairs for camp and sleeping.
They’re lightweight, breathable, dry quickly after washing, and have been a staple in my backpacking kit for years. Unlike Branwyn’s bras, I have zero complaints about their undies!
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Tried and true.
Socks: Darn Tough Hiking Socks
Weight: 2.2 oz pair
I carried one hiking pair and one dedicated sleep pair. Halfway through the trip, I had my husband bring me an extra pair. Given how much rain you might experience on this trail, I’d suggest at least 3 pairs total for the entire trip.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Still the gold standard.
Rain Jacket: Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket
Weight: 6.9 oz
A rain jacket is nonnegotiable on trail. I love this one because it’s lightweight (the newest version of this jacket is even lighter), packs into its own pocket, and kept me dry during days of rain. Unfortunately they don’t make it in this adorable lavender color anymore.
You will get some minor condensation on the inside during long days and intense downpours, and it isn’t the most breathable jacket, but I’d rather carry a jacket that is super light and does a good enough job, than a super heavy jacket that does the job perfect, ya know what I mean?
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆.
➡️ Shop the Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket
Down Jacket: Enlightened Equipment Torrid Jacket
Weight: 7.2 oz
Made with synthetic ultralight insulation, this jacket is surprisingly windproof and the water repellant nylon fabric (but still, bring that rain jacket).
Word of warning: That nylon fabric cannot get ANYWHERE near an open flame or it will immediately melt the fabric! You’d be shocked – or maybe just I was shocked – how easy it is to do this while lighting and adjusting your camp stove. You’ve been warned. But its easily patchable with some tenacious tape, which you should absolutely carry with you anyways.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆.
➡️ Shop the Enlightened Equipment Torrid jacket, here.
Fleece: Sambob Alpha Direct Hoodie
Weight: 4.5 oz
This custom hoodie by SamBob is one of my favorite camp layers. It’s unbelievably warm for its weight, incredibly breathable, and perfect for cool evenings around the shelter fireplaces.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ One of the best warmth-to-weight pieces I own.
➡️ Shop Sambob Alpha Direct Hoodie
Sleep Pants: Sambob Alpha Direct Joggers
Weight: 4.5 oz
The matching set to my Alpha hoodie. If you’ve never worn alpha before, you might be a little shocked to realize how see-through alpha fabric can be, but since I was mostly camping alone and these are so comfy and weigh SO little, I couldn’t be bothered to care if my friends got a vague peak at my underwear before bed.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
➡️ Shop Sambob Alpha Direct Joggers
Brooks Cascadia 18 Trail Runners
Pennsylvania rocks are notoriously tough on footwear, and these handled them semi-well. I’ve worn these for about 250 miles before this trail, and these were already on the verge of falling apart before the LHHT.
If you’re prone to overpronation and want a lightweight stability trail runner with rock plate, this shoe has served me well. However, sources tell me that the newest version, the Cascadia 19 has a lower drop and less stability than it’s earlier counterpart, so I will be switching back to a Topo Ultraventure for the wide toebox after this.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Comfortable, but rocky trails really put them to the test, and do fall apart after less than 300 miles.
➡️ Shop Brooks Cascadia Trail Runners
Hat: Janji AFO Hyperlight Cap
A lightweight sun hat that also kept drizzle off my face during rainy stretches, plus, she cute.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
➡️ Shop Janji AFO Hyperlight Cap
Electronics
Phone/Camera/Map: iPhone 17 Pro
FYI, you’ll have service on most of the trail. This served as my camera, GPS (when paired with my AllTraisl App), journal, music and audiobook player, and weather app.
I downloaded the AllTrails offline map for this trail, including a custom route using the new AllTrails Peak subscription (though the regular map using AllTrails Plus is just fine too).
Need a map? Don’t forget to download your map and save it to your phone or GPS device before your hike! Get AllTrails Plus or AllTrails Peak (the most used trail app on my phone!) to download all your trail maps for offline use. Use my promo code brookeinboots30 to get 30% off your annual AllTrails subscription!
Nitecore NB10000 Power Bank
Weight: 5.3 oz
My backup battery bank that I used for the last 2 days on trail. You can get about 1.5 full phone charges off this bank.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Lightweight, but I do find it isn’t as efficient at charging as my Anker bank.
Anker 20000mAh Powerbank
Weight: 12.5 oz
Most people would find it excessive to carry 30K mAh for 6 days, but since I film for my youtube channel, plus my social media videos AND like the luxury of listening to music, podcasts, and falling asleep to some music at night, well, this much battery is necessary. If you aren’t doing all of the above and plan on using your phone much less, than just 20,000 mAh would be more than enough for the LHHT.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Dependable workhorse.
➡️ Shop the Anker 20000mAh Powerbank
Tripod: Joby GorillaPod + Phone Clamp
Weight: 8.5 oz
Absolutely not necessary, but incredibly useful for taking great photos and footage of my hike. You can probably skip if you aren’t a creator or blogger and looking to shave weight, but there’s no better way to capture your trip, especially when you’re hiking solo!
Nitecore NU25 UL Headlamp
Weight: 1.6 oz
A solid ultralight headlamp if you’re looking to cut some ounces: bright, rechargeable, dependable, and lasted the entire trip with battery to spare.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
➡️ Shop the Nitecore NU25 Headlamp
Garmin inReach Mini 2
As a safety tool, I always always carry an additional GPS / Personal Locator Beacon in addition to my phone while backpacking. An inReach allows me to send messages via satellite even when I don’t have cell service, as well as tracking my location in 10 minute intervals (which my trusted family and friends can track from home).
If I were buying today, I’d upgrade to the Mini 3 Plus for photo and voice messaging. That said, the Mini 2 (now Mini 3) was rock solid for GPS tracking, basic texts and SOS.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
➡️ Shop the Garmin inReach Mini 3
Flextail Zero Pump
Inflates my sleeping pad in under a minute and saves me from getting lightheaded after a long day on trail. If I was purchasing again, I might consider the even lighter Alpenblow Micro Inflator that draws power directly from your power bank and coming in at a nearly nonexistant 0.3 oz (9 grams).
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
➡️ Shop the Flextail Zero Pump
First Aid & Hygiene
DIY First Aid Kit / Adventure Medical Kit .5 Ultralight Medical Kit
Years ago I purchased the Adventure Medical Kit .5 Ultralight Medical Kit. It has everything you need to get started.
Over time I’ve modified and streamlined the kit to exactly what I like: ibuprofin, benedryl, Prilosec (heartburn), Immodium (diarrhea), band aids, antibiotic ointment packets, tweezers, small scissors, Leukotape, and my personal medications. It’s lighter, cheaper, and tailored to what I actually use.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
➡️ Shop the Adventure Medical Kit .5 Ultralight Kit
DIY Toiletries Kit
I leave most of my skincare at home and stick to the basics on trail: travel toothbrush, toothpaste tabs, mini hairbrush, hair ties, sunscreen, bug spray and hand sanitizer.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Everything I need, nothing I don’t.
Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes
For daily wipe downs at the end of the day, and the rare instances when the bottle cap bidet just won’t cut it. Thankfully, there are pit toilets with toilet paper and hand sanitizer at every campsite on this trail.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kula Cloth & DirtSaw Deuce Trowel
Pee cloth for anyone that has to squat when they pee. Love it and never hike without it. I never needed the trowel thanks to the pit toilets at every campsite, but it’s essential to carry just in case!
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pepper Spray
I carried pepper spray primarily as a personal safety item while hiking solo. Thankfully, I never came close to needing it, and I hope it stays that way.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Better to have it than wish you did.
Overall, I was thrilled with how this gear performed on the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail. After 70 miles of rocky terrain, muddy trails, and two days of steady rain, there isn’t much I would change.
If you’re planning your own LHHT thru-hike, I hope this gear list gives you a helpful starting point!
