My Post-Trail Gear Review (AT ThruHike 2024)

[@westaylor5508]

Great gear review. And I agree with you completely about how much, and what gear you bring, is wholly the backpackers choice. Thanks again for taking time to share your journey with us.

[@DissiDan]

Totally agree on the Copper Spur, it's our tried and true workhorse. When we have to throw together a rushed impromptu trip and we're unsure about pitching, we take that without a second thought.

[@backpacker3421]

For the gaiters velcro patch: You can sew a couple stitches in and that will hold them in place. Either do it at home before you leave (best) or if necessary, you can do this in the field - either with your repair kit if it's properly put together, or just stop by a wal-mart or dollar store or whatever and grab a small sewing kit. One vertical stitch on the left and one on the right, centered from top to bottom and about half the height of the velcro. Easy to remove with snippers later to move to the next pair of shoes.

[@tomellis3218]

Jess will you consider doing a Live After AT Thru Hike conversation to answer subscribers questions. 1. Why did you decide to hike the whole AT? 2. What was your previous outdoor and/or hiking experience? 2. Was there an inner personal reason or life question you were hoping to find the answer to? 3. What did you learn about yourself or in general that you think will help you living back in the world? 5. Do you plan on attending Trail Days in 2025. 6. Would you consider a group chat with some of your Tramily to talk about your adventure. 7. How did you prep for your AT hike; conditioning regiment, pre trail food thoughts & then changes made in trail. 8. Flogging equipment, software, training suggestions for non floggers? 9. How did you arrive on selection of your trail Tramily? Similarities; age, hiking experience, hiking style… daily mileage & speed expectations. 10. Your impressions/thoughts on why people take on Thru Hike the distance of the AT. 11. Negative times on the trail and how you dealt with them and how you saw others deal with it. 12. I witnessed watch various Tramilies on separating for periods and I came away with a simple conclusion you just need time away at times and that is health. How do you deal with that on trail? Well you can see I have crazy questions but if I did not respect your thoughts on them I would not be asking you. You really are a Neat Cool and Very Impressive person. ❤😊

[@JessHikesTrails]

Hi Tom, thank you for the thoughtful comment. I’ll think about this

[@tomellis3218]

Jess, well done and very appreciated equipment review. I like your advice on not to over stress what you bring and emphasizing enjoy yourself. If the content of your blog and the look on your face and body motion, you enjoyed the hike. It was great to see you again. I actually missed you and I’ll look forward to some new adventures from you. How much weight did you loose on Trail because you were already a fit person. Are you having any of that postal depression that I’ve heard so many other people speak to and if so, how do you deal with it. Just a respectfully curious if you don’t want to answer or understand, but what kind of work do you do I’m just curious what nature of work draws this person? ❤😊 And Thank you.

[@EAANThe]

Thank you so much for this Gear Review! I have SO enjoyed watching your AT videos. Are you also thinking of making a video about how you created and edited your daily Vlogs? I would love to hear how you got these videos ready for youtube.

[@JessHikesTrails]

Yes! This is on my todo list

[@billybert3506]

Great post-trail review, Jess. Thank You! (:-)

[@ilenerothman6308]

This was excellent! And I loved following your AT journey! You mention your next thru hike and next journey. Can you share what you are planning?

[@mpalmernyc]

I would love to hear an after trail update vid. Perhaps consider scheduling a live vid for fan Q & A..

[@williamlepse7077]

Yes! I heard next through hike! Can't wait for more content.

[@Data_on_trail]

Thank you, especially for that last bit.

[@dougthebigdp314]

What a great recap of your equipment/gear. You are such a natural and the camera loves you as much as you love the camera. Loved the photo collage and mini AT bookshelf in the background too. Good job!

[@hhale]

Excellent review. Thanks for the gear list, very helpful!

[@BuppyWahm]

Thanks Jess for an honest, down to earth review of your gear. Congratulations on completing your thru-hike - a commendable accomplishment. I love your closing - Don't sweat the gear choices too much. All you need is food, water, and a good pair of legs and you can figure everything else out along the way. All the best in your next adventure.

[@KenFernbach]

Hey Jess, so good to see you again. Thanks for the gear review and good advice. I was taking a break from getting on line for a little while, but was so glad to watch you do this, stay awesome! 🌿🙏

[@KC3YCU]

Looking forward to hearing about your PCT hike

[@aaronwolford6716]

Thanks Jess. I've loved watching your adventure. Looking to section hiking it. I would love to see a video about your food choices and meals prep.

[@richardgunther5697]

Great video, you always have great information

[@rogercurrier2444]

Thank you for six months of entertainment, enjoyed it all.

[@pikeshike]

One of the best gear reviewes I've seen 😊

[@marymiller5461]

This is one of the best gear review . Thank you

[@Lucitt13]

I just found your page from this video as a recommendation. I'm planning on doing the AT next year. I'll start binge watching your content. You can never get enough information. Thank you.

[@Svetpuh]

Да рюкзак надо хороший,правильно вы говорите👍

[@KyGirl747]

Great summary. Truly very nice.!!!!

[@BucksMom218]

Awesome review of your gear!! Great to see you again! What’s next? 😂🥾🥾⛺️🥰🍁🍂

[@marcstone7397]

Secret

[@BucksMom218]

@@marcstone7397 Ha!😂😏

[@itsherlocknosh]

I think your comments about your quilt temperature rating are spot on. The industry generally quotes the "safety" rating for sleeping bags. The actual "comfort" rating is usually at least 10°f higher. So your 20° quilt would be comfortable above about 30°. All the manufacturers do this.

[@garylindenmuth7468]

Congrats

[@AccordingToKaty]

Great Job

[@DarrellSampson-s9m]

Hi Jess/Sassafras. First, thank you for sharing your amazing journey of the AT and secondly for giving us such an honest gear review. Wishing you the best in your next adventure . Hopefully you will share that with all of us.

[@theantasist]

you rock. great video!

[@Goruckyourself68]

LOL. For some reason from all the vids and vids from Soap and Mel, everyone just seemed 6’ or taller. You saying you were 5’1” just cracked me the f up. Congratulations on your Gear Video. I mean completion of your thru hike. 😂. Way to Live

[@earlwoolery1424]

Thanks for your thoughts on your kit. I understand your comments on gear/height being 5'3" and a smaller size guy. Loved following your AT adventure! Waiting for your next advebture!

[@richardcairnes7912]

Hey Jess! I have been keeping up with your videos since day one! I am curious would you consider doing a video on how you went about planning out your trip and logistics? I haven't seen many people talk about how they actually planned out there thru hike or where the best place is to go for info.

[@jamesadams2334]

Great gear video Sass! Very informative and your knowledge and experience of different types of gear was clearly evident. I am attempting to get back out on trail, not only because I like it but also to try to build up my aerobic capacity and recover from all I lost while on a walker from the Lyme Disease. Most of my equipment was cutting edge in 2008 and it has improved greatly since then, so it was nice to see what is working for you. That said, my pack with a liter of water, 3 days of food and my warm gear, (TNF puffy and a 0* down bag, gloves and wool hat) and my luxury item, a liter of whiskey, was 32 lb. Without the puffy and gloves, wool hat and my 45* down bag it is 27 lbs. I know that I can go lighter, and I am going to try. 32 lbs is just too heavy with my Lyme destroyed knees. I also NEVER backpack in the summer unless I'm thru hiking, so my warmer gear is needed. Thank you so much for the gear reviews, it was very handy. I have not been able to hike since 2017. I was diagnosed with Lyme in 2017 when I was assessed as to why I could no longer walk. My knees progressively got worse until I was contemplating a wheelchair for the remainder of my life but fortunately, I am improving since working to get better. The Doc says that he has no idea how long I've had it but at least 20 years and it just started to surface in 2017. I can treat it, but I will never get rid of it. It has caused a condition known as Connective Tissue Disorder in my knees, which weren't that good to start with due to 50 years of motorcycle racing, close to 10,000 miles of backpacking, working as a white-water raft guide for 35 years and over 27,000 miles of white-water and wilderness canoeing in which I kneel in the canoe. They are simply worn out even without the Lyme. My main profession was a Paramedic for 45 years which didn't help climbing in and out of ambulances either. I am hoping to do some short hiking trips this winter and some wilderness canoeing this summer. I just can't stay away! Lastly, THANK YOU for making my summer so entertaining! I have been living vicariously through hiker videos each year and it helps and motivates greatly but last summer there was an incredible difference in the level of entertainment with the advent of BadBat. Her videos made me laugh and cry all summer. This year was even better with the quality of your content and your videos. You have no idea how much I miss the trail and how much you have helped me. Thank You again and please take care. Hike safe, Hike strong, Have fun! geek

[@DavidBhikestheAT]

Thanks for sharing the gear you used on your recent thru hike. I enjoyed watching yours, Soap’s and Gadget’s videos documenting this hike. I am a recently retired elementary school teacher from Northern California. I will be starting my NOBO thru hike next March 1. I plan to blog my hike through KZbin primarily to share with my prior students, my friends, and my family. I will be using my IPhone 15 Pro as my video camera. Did you use a cell phone for your videos, or did you use a different device? Thanks, Dave

[@aadmonk]

So glad to see you again. I really enjoyed following your vlog this year. I aspire to do a thru hike one day. Tell me what books you had on the shelf behind you? I recognized " A Walk in the Woods" and "AOL on the Appalachian Trail".

[@MrEllio7]

Thanks for sharing your experience with each piece of gear

[@KevinVensel]

Excellent gear review. Will definitely watch your AT vids. Best of luck on your next adventure.

[@keithhenrickson-zt9fw]

😮❤ Hi its the BEAR ,i meet MEL and SOAP zeroing back in Dunncanon PA .On Main Street ,they hanging at the Doyle ,this back and Late May .IT was nice to meet them ,i was Flip Flop ,this year .THE BEAR 😊

[@juliamarple3785]

Oh wow. I didn't follow your journey, but I'm a sucker for women's gear reviews. My old REI Flash 45 backpack weighs 2 lbs, 9 oz.

[@robertsanders8866]

Cool

[@timmonahanjustoutforawalk7331]

Thank u for this video. What was the actual date that you summited.

[@sheilabishop-cn6ey]

I spoke too soon, you have another hike coming up,

[@jimhenderson387]

Thank you for the great information, and I look forward to your next hike, if you decide to film it. I especially appreciated your attitude. For the most part, you seemed to be enjoying what you were doing and it shone through your face. Perhaps you should formalize a plan that you could sell to all the gloomy people and be a millionaire. Or not.

[@BigByrd-gy8qk]

great list!!

[@BigByrd-gy8qk]

Also, you pointed out to me that my BA tent CAN be set up Fly and floor first, and netting second. I just hadn't put in the thought needed to understand that.

[@1519Spring]

I've tried the Dirty Girl gaiters and I much prefer my Simblissity Levagaiters. They don’t require sticking velcro to your shoes or any sort of undershoe cord to work well.

[@nightelfbane12]

BASED

[@HeidiEliason-d5z]

Did you find any parts of the trail hard to navigate due to your height? You mentioned you were 5”1. I only ask because I am only 4’10 and was curious as it is hard to tell on videos I watch.

[@JessHikesTrails]

Nothing I couldn’t manage! Katahdin is honestly the only hike where I was leaping for hand holds, but I was alone on the climb

[@dannynye1731]

So a shorter belt with a cheater strap would be nice?

[@sheilabishop-cn6ey]

What other adventures are you planning ( hint hint) ❤

[@CindyFaye-mn2vh]

She doesn't plan, she schemes so I don't nag her not to do what she wants. I swear she doesn't want me to sleep at night. She misses being on trail and is sure to be out there again very soon I'm afraid.

[@jamesbailey9838]

How many hikers did you see hauling a guitar 🎸?

[@denniswolfe3574]

Excellent gear review. Thank you for all of this valuable advice.