Pacific Crest Trail - PCT 2025 - Gear : Sun Umbrellas

Pacific Crest Trail - PCT 2025 - Gear - Sun Umbrellas
This video discusses why I think sun umbrellas are an essential piece of gear for all my PCT thru-hikes. Agree, or disagree, its definitely something hikers either love or hate to carry !!
As a regular section and thru-hiker of the PCT, I am already planning the next adventure for 2025.
Links to all the gear mentioned are available in the brilliant resource provided by the HalfwayAnywhere hiker Surveys.
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[@HuangXingQing]

I use mine precisely as you. I bought a kit but haven't even tried to use it. Saw two peeps using them, one in rain, all day in 20 years but a single afternoon made a believer out of me.

[@Saguache]

I'm going to use a big hat with a chin cord this year. This should allow me to use both trekking poles and not have to worry about wind. That's my intent, I may change my mind before I start.

[@lothar8194]

I sometimes have used a big brim hat as well, but also still used the umbrella as outlined in the video in the extreme parts of the day in the desert. It will also depend on when you start from Campo if an umbrella works well for you, and if you plan for Siestas in your day anyway. Whatever happens have a great hike !!

[@awalkingingmistake]

I've hiked the desert three times without an umbrella, but I'm very strongly considering bringing my umbrella this year. Thanks for helping with my (in)decision!

[@lothar8194]

Hope it works as well for you. Probably less of a benefit for March NOBO starts, but April and Definitely for May starts can give you more hike time. Have a great hike.

[@tiger2too18]

Any recommendations for sun umbrellas? Full size but a brand or two etc?

[@lothar8194]

Thanks for the that I should have mentioned some names in the video. There are several choices, the main thing is definitely go for a full length one as in the video. I’ve a VERY used old Six Moon designs, and I passed a couple of fellow hikers who seemed happy with their up Zpacks ones. A friend has an old EuroSchirm sun umbrella, and all seem to do the job. The full length silvered ones I’ve seen seem to have a stronger but similar light weight build, and thankfully not too expensive. There isn’t one that stands out substantially better than the others, but found my compact double fold one too fiddly to use and assessed it probably wouldn’t take being repeatedly double-folded open/closed and stuffed down the side of my pack.

[@snlwagoner]

Thanks for the sun umbrella review. I would be interested to know if you normally send your umbrella home from Kennedy Meadows South, and if you find it useful in the rain while hiking. I would also be interested to know if you find other benefits such as a wind screen inside your vestibule, or as a wind screen around your camp stove? Are you able to pull the umbrella out of the packs side pocket while hiking, and tuck it back in the side pocket while hiking without ever stopping to take off your pack?

[@lothar8194]

I usually do April/May starts and choose to keep it all the way to Canada. Its helpful in Norcal/OR, but certainly the greatest benefit is desert before KMS. I have used it for rain and even rode out a hail-storm and it survived. I store my umbrella in side water bottle pocket but also behind a loose strap at the high point, and can pull it out in one go without taking my pack off. When it needs to be put away I can return it to the side pocket, but use one of the shoulder straps to hold it at top, and put it under the aforementioned strap to properly store it when I do a stop. Hope that makes sense.

[@chuckburr517]

No

[@lothar8194]

lol…. like I said, not for everyone ;)