AAppalachian Trail Days, an annual festival in Damascus, Virginia, brings together a large collection of the current class of AT hikers into one loud, smelly bubble.
Damaseku sits just 500 kilometers from the NOBO trail experience, meaning those who hike to the festival have a good number of miles under their belts and plenty of time to get some thoughts on their gear.
In between enjoying all the giveaways and free meals that come with the AT Trail Days experience, we asked 2,026 hikers what their favorite gear has been so far.
2026 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers’ Favorite Gear So Far
The answers we heard ranged from basic gear items to fun luxury items that bring fun to long, hot days. We’ve rounded up our favorite answers here.
Gossamer Gear LT5 Trekking Poles
Weighing in at 4.9 oz per pole, Gossamer Gear trekking poles were popular among the 2026 hiking crowd. Not only do many use these poles to set up their non-independent tents, but they also use them to help navigate the famous endless descent of the Appalachian Trail.
Especially downhill, walking poles absorb a large percentage of your body weight. On a trip of nearly 2,200 miles, that translates into tons of cumulative pressure being taken off your lower back, knees, and ankles. In the struggle to reach Katahdin as painlessly and injury-free as possible, the extra 9.8 oz sounds like a good trade-off.
One hiker described the poles well, “It’s terrible. It’s amazing. It’s huge.”
Trek contributor Owen Eigenbrot rocking old school LT5s c. 2020. Photo: Owen Eigenbrot
M!GO Water Bottle
Many hikers interviewed mentioned their water bottles. Historically, hikers have held an emotional attachment to Smartwater bottles, using these single-use plastic containers for thousands of miles. However, climbers are beginning to realize that sorting from, wrapping, and using these bottles for long periods of time can have very negative health effects. As a result, we’ve seen a shift to reusable bottles on the trail.
The most talked about bottle in our hiker chats is Mazama’s M!go water bottle. It weighs less than 5 oz and, as described by a 2026 hiker, the screw-off top has been a game changer. “The top comes off, I put a shaker bottle in there to make my shakes, it cleans, (again) up is the scoop if I need it.”
Darn Heavy Socks
Known for their lifetime warranty, Darn Tough’s booth at AT Trail Days had a steady stream of hikers stopping by to trade in their old, hole-filled, smelly socks for fresh, clean, new ones. It’s not hard to see why Darn Tough often has a cult-like following on long-distance hiking trails.
Obviously, the socks are cute, hold up well, and can withstand the rigors of packing. But, what makes them even more appealing is the lifetime guarantee that lets you swap out an old pair for a new one – free of charge, no strings attached. At least one hiker we spoke to was touched: “Not only did I find a new pattern that matches my shirt, but I’m finally wearing socks without holes… I can’t say my feet are happy, but the socks are no longer miserable.”
Photo: Kelly “Toddler Snacks” (not the quoted hiker) rocking the Darn Toughs on the CDT in 2025
AlpenBlow Micro Inflator Sleeping Pad Pump
Sleeping pad inflators seem to have taken over the hiking community in the last few years. And I fully bought into the idea that I could just carry an ounce or two to save myself from my least favorite camp chore: blowing up my bunk. One hiker, however, didn’t grab one before going on a hike, but ended up befriending someone with an AlpenBlow Micro Inflator.
“We met on the trail so I rely on it every night at camp,” he explained.
An Alpenblow inflator (bottom center) among other packable electronics. Photo: Jim Wilson
JetBoil Stove
“I know it’s heavier than other options,” a hiker told me about their JetBoil stove before going on to explain how it boils water very quickly and reliably every night.
Last year, in our 2025 AT Thru-Hiker survey, 40 respondents reported using a JetBoil stove. With The Stash stove weighing just 7 oz and boiling a half liter of water in just over 2 minutes, it’s easy to see why this is a fan favorite.
Especially on the Appalachian Trail, where the weather rarely cooperates and you often arrive at camp soaked and sad, it’s nice to have the promise of a hot meal waiting for you. The 2026 Section Hiker also sang his JetBoil, telling me “I want potatoes baked in two minute flats, and that’s exactly what this thing gives me”.
Trek contributor Katie Kommer reviews the Jetboil Stash in 2021. Photo: Katie Kommer
Sea to Summit Sleeping Pad
Any hiker can tell you that the quality of your sleep on the trail can make the difference between a good day and a bad one. Sea to Summit has taken advantage of the 2025 and 2026 hiking classes by moving away from traditional horizontal or vertical fins and relying on their Air Sprung cells.
Mirroring the construction of a pocket-sprung mattress, these pads should distribute body weight evenly and prevent you from rolling off the floor if you roll onto your side. One hiker told us that this pad works: “It’s my favorite thing… I’m warm and comfortable and happy!”
Trek contributor Lisa Slutsken reviews the Sea to Summit Ether Light XR in 2025. Photo: Lisa Slutsken
Platypus QuickDraw
Finding a water filter that strikes the perfect balance between flow rate, durability, and ease of use is no easy feat for AT. The Platypus QuickDraw has quickly become a favorite because it has a flow rate that allows you to easily filter three liters of water in less than a minute. One hiker told me, “The best part of Trail Days so far is finding a Platypus water filter”.
As an added benefit, the Quick Draw allows you to see if the filter’s integrity has been compromised by freezing and has a two-wire attachment system that allows you to use the clean and dirty containers of your choice.
Owen Eigenbrot tests the QuickDraw filter on the Sierra High Route in 2021. Photo: Owen Eigenbrot
SAMBOB Alpha 90 Hoodie
If you want to see the biggest trend among the hiking class of 2026, look no further than the vibrant, color-blocked custom wools roaming Damascus. SAMBOB has taken the trail by storm by using Polartec Alpha Direct 90, a functional insulation fabric designed for Special Forces. Weighing next to nothing and packing up to the size of a grapefruit, the Alpha 90 offers an unbeatable ratio of warmth to weight. The loose fabric sheds heat while you’re going uphill, but holds a pocket of warm air if you throw a non-breathable layer over it.
Because each piece is customized with whimsical, retro colored panels, it allows hikers to add serious whimsy to their trail styles. “Getting one is the reason I came to Trail Days,” one hiker told us minutes after leaving the Sambob booth with his new Alpha 90 fleece. “I’m out of my mind right now!”
Trek contributor Kate Richard explores Sambob fur in 2024. Photo: Kate Richard
Good luck to the Appalachian Trail class of 2026! If you’re out hiking this year as a hiker or hiker, don’t forget to sign up to take our year-end survey.