With one month to go before my three day Grand Canyon hike, I have been putting a lot of thought and research into finalizing my gear list. By no means is this meant to be exhaustive. Depending on your trip length you will most likely add or remove a few things. I will be starting my hike on October 7th. My itinerary is as follows:
I am planning to carry 4L of water starting out my first day. Day two and three I will be filling up at the river. For my main meal courses (breakfast and dinner) I am packing a variety of Mountain House dehydrated meals. During the day I plan to snack continuously until I reach camp.
Day 1: South Kibab Trailhead to Cremation Creek.
Day 2: Cremation Creek to Phantom Ranch and back to Cremation Creek.
Day 3: Cremation Creek to Bright Angel Trailhead.
Check out and item by item breakdown in my detailed list and thoughts further down the page.
Pack & Shelter
Clothing
Trail Gear
Hydration
Cooking
Hygiene
Electronics
Detailed List & Thoughts
Osprey Exos 58
43 oz / 1,219 g
The Osprey Exos 58 is my first pack and I already have some thoughts about it after a few hikes. Firstly, I sweat through my shirts very quickly! My number one requirement was a pack that had maximum breathability. The Exos accomplishes this with its trampoline design and aluminum frame. The pack is extremely comfortable even when close to its max weight which is 40lbs. Learn more.
River Country Trekker 2.2
50 oz / 1,417 g
When you hear the words “cheap” and “light” in the same sentence your first reaction is probably to run the other direction as fast as you can. I heard really good things about this tent with the exception of issues with water-proofing. The company has acknowledged these issues and is developing a new batch with improvements. This is a gamble purchase but if they pull it off I think this could be a really good tent for the money. I will do a full write up and review when I get the new version. Learn more.
Outdoorsman Sleep System
72 oz / 2,041 g
I don’t have a whole lot to say about this sleep system yet. I’m trying something new for this trip. I read a lot of good reviews about it so figured I would give it a whirl. I’ve only slept in it in my backyard so haven’t been able to really put it through the ringer yet. I will post back after my trip with some more thoughts. Learn more.
Patagonia Capilene Cool Lightweight Shirt
2.6 oz / 74 g
I absolutely love this shirt. Patagonia lists it as 2.6oz and I often forget I’m wearing it. I am going to be hiking the Grand Canyon in October and expecting temperatures between 40F and 70F. I am planning to wear this as a baselayer. The polyester wicks moisture well and the shirt breathes great. Occasionally you can find some colors on sale for 50% off which in my opinion is an awesome deal. Learn more.
Patagonia Tropic Comfort Hoody II
8.3 oz / 235 g
When you think of hoodies the first thing that comes to mind is cold temperatures. This is not the case with this hoody! Weighing in at only 8.3oz this hoody is designed for hotter climates and designed to breathe well. Wear it standalone without a base layer or on top of a lightweight shirt. The hood is great for sun protection during the day. This will be my “go” shirt for the day on top of the Capilene. Learn more.
Patagonia Nano Puff
11.9 oz / 337 g
The Puff is my new favorite piece of clothing. Patagonia touts it as warm, windproof and water-resistant and I can attest it is all those things and more. With a weight just shy of 12 oz and the ability to fold into its inside pocket this jacket is a no brainer. I plan to wear this at the end of the day around camp when temperatures could drop down to 30F as the sun sets. I may also use it during the early morning since we anticipating starting out before sunrise. Learn more.
Patagonia Houdini Jacket
3.7 oz / 105 g
I love my Houdini. It’s super lightweight and maintains a decent level of breathability. It can become a decent rain jacket in a pinch but not something I would reach for if heavy rain is in the forecast. At 3.7 oz and fold into pocket abilities, I always have one stuffed away for windy days. I plan to use this heavily on the descent down into the Canyon. Learn more.
Patagonia Quandary Pants
3.7 oz / 105 g
Pants vs shorts seems to always be a point of contention in the hiking community. I myself am still not sure what I prefer. Weighing the pros and cons I currently lean more towards pants as my preferred choice of hiking bottoms. I really like these pants and even in moderate to hotter temperatures I find my legs still stay relatively cool and the pants breathe decently. Although I do not anticipate too much bushwhacking in the Canyon I have decided to bring these pants as my “go” bottoms. Learn more.
Darn Tough 1/4 Light Cushion Socks
1.8 oz / 51 g
Darn Tough socks have a special place in my pack. These are my absolute favorite socks for a variety of activities. I prefer a light cushion sock as they don’t absorb as much moisture as a full cushion and still provide a good amount of buffer between my feet and shoes. My feet stay cool and the socks dry fast in the right conditions. Sock height is a personal preference and I have always preferred the cut of their 1/4s over longer or shorter variants. I typically carry three pairs, one for “go”, one to hang from my pack to dry and one pair dedicated to camp / sleep. Learn more.
Altra Lone Peak 4.0 Trail Runners
21 oz / 596 g
What type of hiking shoes are the best? Unfortunately there is no right or wrong answer here. The best type of hiking shoes are the ones that are the most comfortable for you. Personally, I prefer to wear trail runners on all my hikes. I like a lightweight shoe preferably with some mesh built in for airflow to my hot sweaty feet! The way I see it, regardless of conditions if it rains or your feet swear profusely, water proof hiking shoes/boots are only going to trap water/moisture in and increase heat. I’d rather my feet just get wet and dry off over time. With that being said, I have a love hate relationship with my Altra Lone Peak 4.0s but they are the most comfortable shoe I’ve worn so I keep them around. Learn more.
SAXX Quest 2.0 Boxer Briefs
2.5 oz / 71 g
Underwear is another personal preference. I like underwear with good support and great breathability. I think I’ve finally found a pair with a great balance between the two. The inseam on the Quest 2.0s is long enough to assist with chaffing and the material is quite comfortable and breathable. I’m planning to bring two pairs with me. Learn more.
TrailBuddy Trekking Poles
20.25 oz / 574 g
These are the only trekking poles I have ever owned. I opted for an aluminum pole over carbon fiber for the added rigidity and durability. The difference in weight was practical negligible. The tips are tungsten carbide and come with four rubber tips, and two types of baskets one for snow and the other for sand/dirt. They are adjustable for people 4 feet to 6 feet 4 inches tall. Learn more.
Nitecore NU25 Headlamp
1.75 oz / 50 g
A headlamp is a must have for end of the day camping and late night trips to the outhouse. The Nitecore NU25 has both a white light output for lighting up an area as well as a red light so you don’t disturb your tent mates. It has four adjustable brightness settings. At the highest setting it has a light throw of approximately 88 yards which should be more than enough for most. The battery is rechargeable via a micro USB port on the side so you can charge on the go from an outlet or a battery bank. Learn more.
Shady Ray’s Signature Series
1 oz / 31 g
I’m just going to start out by saying I either lose every pair of sunglasses, or break them! For this reason alone I prefer to purchase Shady Ray’s. You just can’t beat their replacement warranty. If you lose them or break them they’ll replace them for free (minus shipping) up to three times total. They are also polarized and look great (at least I think they do). Learn more.
Gorilla Tape
3 oz / 85 g
DO NOT LEAVE HOME WITHOUT THIS! Depending on the length of your trip, you will encounter a use for this tape. Whether it’s a hole in a shoe, broken poles, ripped pack or food bag, you will need this. Seriously, you would be surprised all the way you can use Gorilla Tape. Bring it. Learn more.
Platypus Big Zip EVO 3L
8.8 oz / 250 g
For my 3 day hike of the Canyon I estimate I’ll need approximately three to four liters of water which will ensure I have enough to make it to a reliable source of water for refilling. The 3L Platypus is a great bladder with a larger diameter tube (5/16″ vs standard 1/4″) which makes for a faster flow and easier consumption. Best of all you don’t get that awful plastic taste like you do with other bladders. Note: if you’re expecting to use the Sawyer Fast Fill Adapters with this bladder you will need to make some adjustments. If you’re interested in combining the two, check out my post on Platypus Big Zip EVO with Sawyer Fast Fill System. If you don’t need or want the better flow Platypus has another version with a standard 1/4″ diameter hose. Learn more.
Sawyer Squeeze Filtration System
6.5 oz / 184 g
If you’re hiking the Grand Canyon for longer than a day you will most likely need to refill your water bladders and bottles. Water in the Grand Canyon must be treated before it is safe to drink. There are a variety of ways to do this (tablets, filters, boiling) but I prefer to filter my water with a Sawyer Squeeze. The Sawyer Squeeze makes it quick and easy to filter your water. You fill the “dirty bag” with untreated water and then squeeze the bag to push water through the filter into a bladder, bottle, or even drink it directly as it leaves the filter. If you get the full kit it comes with a hose which you can pair with a fast fill adapter kit to connect directly to your bladder hose. Learn more.
Sawyer Fast Fill Adapters
1.5 oz / 43 g
The fast fill adapters by Sawyer pair well with the Sawyer Squeeze and any hydration bladder. They fit most 1/4″ diameter tubing and make it a lot easier to fill your bladders without having to remove them from your pack. If you have a larger diameter tubing, check out my post: Platypus Big Zip EVO with Sawyer Fast Fill System. Learn more.
BRS-3000T Stove
0.9 oz / 25 g
I absolutely love this stove. The BRS-3000T weighs under an ounce. ONE OUNCE! It’s also incredibly compact. You could pack this stove away in your pocket if you wanted. The foldable arms have teeth to help grip whatever pot you pair this stove with. It takes approximately two minutes to boil two cups of water. I calculated an approximate 13-18 two cup boils out of a 100g canister. BRS estimates approximately 36 minutes of boiling on a small 100g fuel canister. Learn more.
TOAKs 750ml Pot and TOAKs Long Handle Spoon
3.6 oz / 103 g
I’m not much of a coffee or tea drinker but I do love Mountain House dehydrated meals! I use my pot mostly for boiling water for those meals. I chose the 750ml version to provide enough volume to boil 2 cups of water without worrying about water spilling over the top. I love the lightweight titanium and it comes with a lid to keep your contents hot until ready. I paired this cup with TOAKs Long Handle Spoon because I like the uniformity and lightweight titanium. Also, because I got them both on sale! Learn more.
Ursack Allmitey Bear Bag
13 oz / 369 g
Let’s talk about food storage safety (for yourself and animals)! Fortunately there’s no need to worry about bears in the Grand Canyon. However, that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook for food storage. You’ll need protection from rodents and ravens. Three backcountry camps provide metal storage bins for food and mandate that hikers use them when camping there. Those sites are: Bright Angel, Indian Garden and Cottonwood campgrounds. I went with the Ursack Allmitey which is rated for both rodents and bears. I will be camping in Cremation Creek my first and second night which is camping at-large. I plan to tie the bag to a tree. Learn more.
OPSAK Odor Proof Bags
1 oz / 28 g
Even with a rodent or bear bag like the Ursack Allmitey, it’s always a good idea to double bag with an inside odor proof bag like the OPSAK. This further protects your food and helps eliminate smells so animals don’t find their way in. I like the OPSAK bags, they seem to hold up better than other brands and they’re relatively cheap when they do eventually tear. Learn more.
The Deuce #2 Trowel
0.6 oz / 17 g
Let’s talk about something nobody likes talking about! When nature calls.. there’s a couple different way you can handle the situation. Some people like leaves, some like wipes, others like bidets. Regardless of your weapon of choice, one thing is for certain, you’re probably digging a hole for deposits. I prefer the Deuce #2, it’s large enough to dig down a decent amount and it’s super lightweight and can store down into your pack or hang from a carabiner on the outside . Learn more.
CuloClean Personal Bidet
1.6 oz / 45 g
How you clean yourself after relieving yourself is totally personal preference. I like to adhere to the “leave no trace” mantra and I use a CuloClean bidet. It’s small, light and if done properly is really quick with hardly any clean up. The bidet itself screws into any standard water bottle and has a slit that squirts water out when you squeeze the bottle. You get the idea.. This definitely something you’ll need to experiment with to figure out if it’s right for you. Learn more.
Dr. Bronner’s Soap
3 oz / 85 g
I absolutely love this soap. It’s liquid and a little goes a LONG way. What’s more important is it doesn’t destroy the soil like most soaps or detergents. It contains organic ingredients and comes scented or unscented. I prefer the unscented (rodent and bear proof!). I like to pour it into a smaller container instead of taking the full 32oz with me. Learn more.
Lightload Microfiber Towels
0.5 oz / 14 g
Towels come in handy in a number of situations. However, they are not always the lightest to carry. These microfiber towels only weigh half an ounce. I like to carry two to three on longer trips. The towels are 12″ x 24″ which makes them large enough for wiping your face, hands, or even drying off after a swim or rainstorm. The microfiber material makes these super absorbent. Learn more.
I am not paid to promote any of these products. My reviews are solely mine and reflect my real-world experience with these products. The above links are affiliate links which pay me a small commission at no extra charge to you. I use such money to run this blog and help pay site costs.
Thanks for the useful tips!