West Coast Trail (WCT) Gear Pack List | 15 lbs base weight |

This was the gear I brought on the West Coast Trail in 2018! Let me know what gear you want detailed reviews on in the comments below and subscribe to stay updated.
I have additional WCT information @ justinoutdoors.com
Here is my lighterpack gear/ packlist with names and weights of each piece of gear:
lighterpack.com/r/dnfx52
Marmot Tungsten UL 2P Tent Review - • Review: Marmot Tungste...
-- Gear from the Video --
Gregory Optic 58 - goo.gl/JatrX5
Marmot Tungsten UL 2P - geni.us/TungstenUL2P
Sawyer Squeeze Filter - geni.us/SawyerSqueeze
MEC Nano3D dry bags - geni.us/MECDryBags
MSR Pocket Rocket 2 - geni.us/PocketRocket2
Stanfields Air Boxer Briefs - amzn.to/2WiqhuV
Darn Tough Socks - amzn.to/2Wf21tE
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- MY FAVORITE GEAR -
Garmin InReach Mini: geni.us/inreach
Trekology 2.0 Pillow: geni.us/TrekologyPillow
REI Flash 55 Pack: geni.us/Flash55
Enlightened Equipment Enigma Quilt: geni.us/enigmadown
Garmin Fenix Watch: geni.us/FenixWatch
Lanshan 1 Tent: geni.us/Lanshan1Pro
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CONNECT WITH ME!
Website: justinoutdoors.com
Facebook: / justinoutdoors
Instagram: / justinoutdoors
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[@BackcountryForward]

Booked this! And looking forward to #wct2020 Thanks for the refresher Justin!

[@JustinOutdoors]

Can't wait to see the videos from your trip this year!

[@BackcountryForward]

Justin Outdoors me too! 😂

[@Beholderguitars]

Great video, thanks. I watched this very carefully a few times before I hiked the WCT with my family last week and I used it to plan our gear. Your list is spot on. We ended up with 3 days and nights of rain, however, and I really wished I brought a lightweight tarp to cook and eat under. Some folks had them and they fared much better than the rest of us soggy diners on those exposed beaches in the evenings. It was also my first time using poles, and for me, they made the inland sections safer and easier (endless km's of root tangles, slippery decaying boardwalks and log "bridges.") I would never do this trail without poles. I wore trail shoes and there were times I wish I had my boots (again, the inland sections) but I did fine with trail shoes and gators. A family of 4, we only used about 310g of fuel (MSR Pocket rocket deluxe). We brought two canisters of gas too many (ie your fuel recommendation was good-I won't make that mistake again). Thanks again-this list REALLY helped us out.

[@katycampbell7883]

Hi Justin! Fan and fellow Albertan here who is hoping to hike the WCT someday. I know you’ve evolved a lot as a hiker since 2018. It would be really interesting to see what your gear list would look like if you were to hike the WCT over again now. I would definitely like to watch 2022 Justin review this video 🙂

[@westcoastgear6621]

HI Justin, Great video. Lots of great Tips and gear

[@JustinOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@jeffm5808]

i hiked the WCT trail in the late 90's when Chez Monique was around . i did it from south to north . have a plan with a group of people to return to hike the trail in 2024 north to south.

[@scottross8606]

good list right there man! I still prefer trail runners though, had no problem with them on the WCT, JDF trail and many other hikes including all winter here on Vancouver Island!

[@JustinOutdoors]

Thanks Scott! Train runners are usually my go to as well. Such a tough call for the WCT.

[@SWTBlazers]

Great gear list. I've done the trail 10 times now and the trick is to lighten up and enjoy. You didn't include superfluous gear. One thing I've learned when schlepping through mud and sand is that gaitors and poles are essential kit.

[@JustinOutdoors]

10 times is amazing! It is a beautiful trail. After 10 times, you've probably seen a lot the trail can throw at you and I can definitely see how gaiters and trekking poles are essential under most conditions.

[@hS-nt6pr]

Agreed lighter is always better. Less comfort items stuffed In makes your pack fit better and your back will thank you while your moving along at an easier and quicker pace.

[@puzzlesjay]

Awesome tips Jason. I’ll b doing the WCT in September. Would b great to see what foods you freeze dried yourself.

[@JustinOutdoors]

I basically just take meals that I cook i my instantpot and then dehydrate them! I'll be doing some dehydrating later this winter and will see about doing some videos on it!

[@puzzlesjay]

@@JustinOutdoors I'd very much look forward to a video showing what your process is!

[@MrsStevenBrown]

Was that the only fuel canister? Trying to decide how much fuel to take, I’d make breakfast and dinner with flame 🔥, would that be enough? Thanks for the video! I’m WCT this August !

[@JustinOutdoors]

I shared cooking responsibilities with 2 other people (we each cooked 2 dinners). I used about half of a 100g cannister. We'd boil one pot of water for breakfast as well. Have fun on the WCT! Definitely an epic adventure.

[@BackcountryForward]

Wow! Those are some boots! I’m hoping to trail runner the WCT/JDF... but maybe I ought to rethink that decision...

[@JustinOutdoors]

2 guys in my group used trail runners and were fine, but we had no rain and a week of dry beforehand. I recently asked both what they'd change for their WCT gear and both said they'd bring waterproof boots!

[@BackcountryForward]

Justin Outdoors that’s some valuable info right there!

[@planesandbikes7353]

@@JustinOutdoors I just used waterproof trail runners and shorty gaitors. No way would I wear boots on the WCT. My feet stayed dry.

[@scottross8606]

100% go with gore tex trail runners. We did it that way on the WCT and many times on the JDF, no wet feet and obviously could move a little faster with less fatigue than with boots. Boots make my feet too hot and thus more prone to blisters. I am not so sure about using non-waterproof trail runners though.

[@seymore96]

Hey Justin! I’m doing the west coast trail the first week of July and am curious - if you were to do it again this year with the experience you have today would you opt for boots again? I have always backpacked in hiking shoes or trail runners but having a hard time deciding for this trip. (Will have Gaiters for sure!) Love the videos you’ve been a great resource over the years :)

[@JustinOutdoors]

I AM doing the WCT again this year! haha. Starting next Monday. I'm still on the fence on whether I will wear trail runners or boots. If I wear trail runners, I'll leave the gaiters at home. If I wear boots, I'll wear gaiters. It will depend on the weather and conditions (super wet and rainy = trail runners; super dry = trail runners; lots of rain the week before and muddy = boots and gaiters). Because of the weather I am seeing for this week and next week, I'm leaning towards boots/gaiters right now.

[@organicwife]

If you used the dehydrated food packs did you find that one package was enough for 2 adults?

[@JustinOutdoors]

I dehydrated my own meals. If you're getting the freeze dried meals from a store like MEC (e.g. Mountain House), then I'd make sure to take a look at the calories per serving and serving # for each pack. The freeze dried meals can be anywhere from 300 to 800+ calories, so it really depends on which one you get. It will also depend on the individuals. After a day of hiking, I can easily eat 800 calories myself for dinner but I have friends that only eat 400-500 calories for dinner. I aim for about 3000 calories a day between breakfast, snacks, and dinner. I find it useful to plan out each day and the calories in all my food to make sure I am going to have enough but not too much.

[@HazieRox]

did you split weight with the people you were travelling with? Or was that all of your gear including all your food?

[@JustinOutdoors]

Good Question! I shared the tent, cook system, and water filter with one other person. I carried the tent and water filter and she carried the cookset and fuel. Her pack weight ended up being around 28 lbs while mine was 33-35 lbs (with food and water). The only other shared items were a tarp and bocce ball set, which were carried by another group member.

[@wanderingaloudwithmark3057]

For pillows, you really need to try this one. Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow Premium Large. 've used the mec pillow and it just doesn't do the job. The Aeros pillow is inflatable and packs down small.

[@JustinOutdoors]

Hey Mark! I've tried the Aeros premium large and found it too bouncy for me. I like to have my pillows slightly deflated, and have found the Thermarest Airhead and Trekology pillows to be the best in this regard. I actually recently made my own pillow where I combined the foam topping from the MEC Deluxe with the Trekology pillow and it is SUPER comfortable. TBD on how it holds up. I'll be released my 2019 Gear List within the next month as there have been a number of changes from last year (e.g. entirely new sleep system, pack, etc.)

[@wanderingaloudwithmark3057]

@@JustinOutdoors I guess it boils down to preference. I did buy the thermarest compressible and found it too mushy.

[@JustinOutdoors]

Definitely so much personal preference with sleeping systems! I have a friend who is fine on a 1/4inch foam pad with no pillow. He sleeps like a baby. I think he's crazy! haha. The Air Head is actually a new thermarest inflatable that has a foam topping on it; it's quite comfortable. I'm in the same boat as you when it comes to compressible pillows, too squishy - inflatables are the way to go.

[@louissix4822]

Can I ask when you went on the Trail? Was it around June 9-14, 2018? I think I met you?

[@JustinOutdoors]

I went early July!

[@wangharry7175]

what is the R value of your sleeping pad? and does 8oz cannister enough for a 7-day trip?

[@JustinOutdoors]

On this trip, the r-value of my pad was 3.2 and I was plenty warm with it. Whether an 8oz can is enough for a 7 day trip is very dependent on what and how much you're cooking. For me, it is; but that is because I eat cold breakfasts and lunches and use minimal boiled water during dinner. If you're having hot breakfasts, coffee, tea, etc, then 8oz wouldn't cut it.

[@wangharry7175]

@@JustinOutdoors Thanks so much for your info!

[@puzzlesjay]

Oops, I called you Jason...sorry!

[@JustinOutdoors]

I actually get that a lot :P

[@Jake-bt3fc]

That first aid kit is laughably small, lol.

[@adraedin]

My first aid kit for the trail included 8 standard bandaids, 5 knuckle bandaids, 2 sheets of moleskin, and some polysporin. Just barely lasted the week.