Advice for Potential Appalachian Trail Thru Hikers (and other Long Trails) | Viewer Requested Video

A viewer reached out to me via email asking if I would care to share some advice I would give to potential thru hikers. He suggested making a small series of videos. I made this kind of general advice video instead to start off. If people would like longer detailed videos on something please let me know. I have had many video ideas that I just decided not to make as they have been touched on so many times by other hikers but if I can add anything to the conversation I will be more than happy to as requested. Please leave a comment down below or shoot me an email and I will see what I can do.

Common gear seen on channel

Backpack White 40L https://bit.ly/3TZe9hH or https://bit.ly/3KqlDXB
Backpack Black 55L https://bit.ly/3M8RhKu or https://bit.ly/40YvucR
Backpack 60L (Some winter trips) https://bit.ly/3lU3Lv7 or https://amzn.to/40RnFWc
Backpack Shoulder Pocket https://bit.ly/3ZAPWzd
Shelter 1 https://zpacks.com/products/altaplex-...
Shelter 2 https://bit.ly/3KrBNA3 or https://amzn.to/40QgmOA
Shelter 3 https://durstongear.com/product/x-mid-2p
Shelter 4 (mostly retired)    • Zpacks Solplex Tent | Setup and Initial Im...  
Sleeping Pad Inflatable 3 Season Plus https://bit.ly/3KsYfcj or https://amzn.to/40W6lzi
Sleeping Pad Winter (Max version) https://bit.ly/3ZFIBON or https://amzn.to/3U2FejW
Sleeping Pad Foam https://bit.ly/3U4N90b or https://amzn.to/40xWjVb
Sleeping Pad Agressive https://www.gossamergear.com/products...
Sleeping Bag 20 Long Wide https://bit.ly/40QMmlE
Sleeping Bag Cold 0 long extra wide - https://bit.ly/3TZIdK1
Head Gear for Cold Bag https://bit.ly/3lYi8OX
Sleeping Bag Very Cold https://bit.ly/3MiwCDM or https://amzn.to/3ztCeDP
Inflatable Pillow https://bit.ly/3zoQKfR or https://amzn.to/3Uiawnf
Water Filter https://bit.ly/3K0iVH7 or https://amzn.to/3U16L5g
Cook Pot Titanium https://bit.ly/40BoTFt or https://amzn.to/3nDCNYW
Long Spoon https://bit.ly/3MsqCsz or https://amzn.to/3zoUlKT
Trekking Poles https://amzn.to/42X7Zm9
Headlamp https://amzn.to/3K4bK0D
Battery https://amzn.to/3nDKDSm
Trowel https://amzn.to/3m3B3rB or https://bit.ly/40rjDnH
Satellite Communicator https://bit.ly/40Mu6Ko or https://amzn.to/3ZC4C1c
Stove https://bit.ly/3nyE2bL or https://amzn.to/3MdVn47
Pack Cover https://dutchwaregear.com/product/wat...
Pack Liner https://www.gossamergear.com/products...
Stakes https://bit.ly/3MsqCsz or https://amzn.to/3zoUlKT

Clothing (typical 3 season carry)

Rain Skirt https://bit.ly/3zn9PPN
Wind Pants https://bit.ly/42WURNZ
Insulated Jacket https://bit.ly/3Mbpt8y
Sun Hat https://bit.ly/3K1HOSB or https://amzn.to/3nEYaJu
Head Cover http://amzn.to/2hSXv22
Sun Gloves http://bit.ly/2r1TGiy or https://amzn.to/376HPAq
Fleece Hoody https://bit.ly/40D4D6g or https://bit.ly/3KqZadb
Fleece Leggings https://bit.ly/3m0QVeu
Bug Head Net https://bit.ly/42T7OIF or https://amzn.to/40VWvxE
Hiking Shirt https://bit.ly/3KrZ0lS or https://amzn.to/40WXBsX
Shorts https://bit.ly/4307zeF
Pants https://bit.ly/40PJLch
Underwear https://amzn.to/3U4QBb9
Compression Socks https://amzn.to/3K5nVdj
Shoes https://bit.ly/3KshBhw or https://amzn.to/3U4wxFQ

Full disclosure - The links in this description are more than likely affiliate links. This means if you click on one of these links and make a purchase I make a commission from that sale. As much as I love money, I would highly suggest giving yourself at least 48 hours before any purchase decision and asking yourself “Do I really need this?”. I hope more times than not, you find yourself saying “I Definitely do NOT need this”. If you find yourself still in need, shop around and find the best deal for your money.

Please note that I am not recommending any of the gear seen in any of my videos. The gear I use is what I have found works best for me at the time period I am using it. I have come to these gear choices through vast levels of trial, error, and experimenting with gear out on trail.

Gear, clothing, footwear, etc. are not one style works for all. Do as much research as you can, try out things in person if able, and make the best informed purchase decision for YOU. Do not buy gear just because it worked for, was showcased by, or recommended by someone on YouTube

This video was recorded with:
Panasonic Lumix GH5 https://bhpho.to/40BSgax or https://amzn.to/3KpaPsY
Panasonic 12-35 f2.8 https://bhpho.to/3370k8w or https://amzn.to/2yFfXWU
K&F Concept ND Filters https://amzn.to/3ZF1nGa
Rode Video Micro https://bhpho.to/3zqO1mj or https://amzn.to/3K6MUx6
Manfrotto BeFree Live https://bhpho.to/3hHpLl1 or http://amzn.to/2AufoPr