Trail-Tested Gear: Plus, What’s New in My Pack This Year

Written By DANIEL SANTOS

The kit that carries me farther - now with a few upgrades

This is the gear I trust when I’m miles deep with no easy way out. Everything here is either earned its place the hard way-or is currently being tested to see if it deserves it. This list weighs in around 14 lbs. Check out this link LighterPack for more details on the items and my complete kit.

  • Trip Type: Quick weekend trip to 1 week long expeditions.

  • Conditions/Location: Pacific Northwest, variable weather, elevation gain

  • Style: Lightweight, but not at the expense of comfort

The Big Three (Where It Matters Most)

  • Pack:

    • ULA Circuit 50L (New Item)

  • Shelter:

    • Zpacks Plex Solo (New Item)

  • Sleep System:

    • Western Mountaineering MegaLite 30(New Item) + silk liner

    • Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite air matterss

Pro Tip: Silk liner isn’t just for warmth - it’s your first line of defense against stinky feet taking over your sleep system.

Clothing System

Worn:

  • Long sleeve, light weight breathable shirt

  • Prana Zion Stretch pants

  • Fits socks

  • Brooks Cascadia trail runners

  • Hat

Packed:

  • Smartwool mid weight top and bottom base layer

    • These are mostly used to sleep in

  • Enlightened Equipment Apex Torrid insulated jacket

  • Arc’teryx Beta AR rain jacket

  • Lightweight gloves

  • Buff

  • Extra pair of FITS socks

  • Snowboarding socks

    • Sleep socks only - game changer

Pro Tip: Dry sleep clothes are non-negotiable. Morale depends on it.

Kitchen / Food Setup

  • Stove: BRS 3000

  • Cook Kit: 750ml Toaks pot + Longs handle spork

  • Fuel: 4oz canister

  • Food Storage: Zpacks food bag + bear hang kit

Simple, lightweight, and efficient. After long miles, I’m not trying to be a chef.

Water System

  • 3 - 1L Smartwater bottles

  • 3L CNOC bladder

  • Sawyer Filter

Pro Tip: Reliable and easy to refill. The CNOC makes filtering way less of a hassle and double’s as another vessel to carry more water for those long dry stretches on trail.

Navigation & Safety

  • iPhone + charging cable

  • Aner 313 power bank 10,000

  • Garmin inReach Mini 2 + charging cable

  • Black Diamond Spot headlamp + backup batteries

  • Small first aid kit

    • Leuko tape, ibuprofen, scissors, band aides, sports tape, mole skin, Benadryl

Essentials / Small Gear

  • REI Flash Carbon Trekking Poles

  • Leatehrman Skeleton KB knife

  • Duct Tape

  • Ziplock bags

  • Rain proof pack cover

  • Therm-a-Rest Ass Pad

Small gear that make big difference! The little things that quietly make your life easier out there.

Comfort & Camp Extras

  • Inflatable Pillow

  • Small towel

  • Flip Flops

Not essential… but absolutely worth it.

Bug & Sun Protection

  • Deet

  • Mosquito head net

  • Sunblock

  • Chapstick

Nothing ruins a trip faster than bugs and sunburn.

Personal / Hygiene

  • Toothbrush + toothpaste

  • Contact case + solution

  • Eyeglasses

  • Trowel

  • Hand sanitizer

  • Small towel for cleaning dishes

  • Baby wipes

New Additions This Year

  • ULA Circuit 50L Pack

    • Testing if this becomes my go-to pack for loner trips. Early thoughts: promising balance of comfort and structure.

  • Zpacks Plex Solo

    • New shelter in the mix - aiming to cut weight without sacrificing protection. Will see how it performs in the wind and rain.

  • Western Mountaineering MegaLite 30

    • Sleep system upgrade focused on warmth packability, and overall comfort in cooler conditions.

Always refining. If it doesn’t earn its spot, it doesn’t stay.

Final Thoughts

Gear won’t carry you up the mountain - but the right setup makes the grind a whole lot better. Find what works, cut what doesn’t and earn the view.

DANIEL SANTOS
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Why the Best Trails Aren’t the Easiest Ones