Anish Gear List, AT FKT 2015

That is quite light on insulation, just some thin fleece – which makes sense if she's moving so many hours a day.

Agreed. One of the perks of her late start – mild temperatures. Has she posted her SPOT track anywhere? I would like to see her daily splits. Ryan

agreed- a 100 wt fleece shirt seems a little light, but then again I don't know what expected temp ranges are on the AT; I wouldn't want to do that on the CDT w/o a puffy (and a 100 wt fleece)

"agreed- a 100 wt fleece shirt seems a little light, but then again I don't know what expected temp ranges are on the AT; I wouldn't want to do that on the CDT w/o a puffy (and a 100 wt fleece)". Her fleece seems very light, but perhaps it is a size thing also. Agree I would like a thin grid or 100wt fleece for under a wind shirt or hardshell (depending) when moving in cold wet conditions. I don't know the temps either though. But her set up to me does seem to make sense in light of her moving till real real late, and getting up real real early. Getting in her bag quickly after yet another double marathon hiking, having no need for a separate jacket for non moving (perhaps draping the quilt around you if necessary). Again, just her thin fleece under shell of some kind for when weather is bad.

I guess I figured 8-10 oz and pretty low volume would make for pretty good insurance :)

I've grown to like a 100wt fleece for situations where I'm pretty much always on the move or sleeping. It's all I took for the Bob Open this year. If there are situations I'm not moving and not in bed, then yeah something warmer is needed. If I was trying an AT FKT based on Anish's gear list, here's the changes I'd make: 1) Replace GG Gorilla (20oz) with 12oz frameless Xpac VX07 pack. 2) Nix pack cover (3.4oz) 3) Nix hand warmers (1.7oz) 4) Get laser eye surgery b/c dealing with contacts during a FKT sucks. 5) Replace torso pad (4.6oz) and Klymit pad (6oz) with NeoAir (12oz) (total + 1.4oz for better sleep) 6) Replace SolPlex with a proper mid (MLD DuoMid/LG Khufu) (no weight difference) 7) Replace groundsheet (1.6oz) with a proper inner (9oz) (+7.4oz but way quicker, better) 8) Replace Sawyer system (11oz) with AquaTabs chlorine pills and two 1L bottles (3oz) 9) Replace headlamp with Zebralight H52w Total: 12.3oz lighter + sleep way better and more protected on NeoAir in DuoMid w inner.

I like your list choices :) I'm too much of a boyscout; so I'll be bringing something in addition to the 100 wt, maybe just a vest though???

"6) Replace SolPlex with a proper mid (MLD DuoMid/LG Khufu) (no weight difference) 7) Replace groundsheet (1.6oz) with a proper inner (9oz) (+7.4oz but way quicker, better)" Agree with all your changes except this one. I would have kept the Solplex and its dual doors or used an 8×10 cuben tarp w/ no inner. Mids in the East = sweat lodge. I still use a Solomid XL in winter, however. Ryan

Fair enough. I hate dealing with finicky shelters on a FKT. Maybe I just need more practice but a flat tarp still takes me at least 2x what my mid does. The Solplex is okay but I'd rather have a regular mid with a sewn in floor. The extra design complexity doesn't add enough functionality IMO to make it worth the hassle. I'm sure one could get good at setting up the Solplex though, and the integrated inner is a nice compromise. I'd still rather have a silnylon floor than a cuben floor + poly grounsheet. Same weight and less fiddle.

4) is out if she's got astigmatism.

So, in light of the recent bivy discussion I have to ask: why not just a bivy? I don't run trails, but seems to me that if I was covering 2 marathons a day a bivy would be nice because I can just unroll it in less time it takes to pitch anything.

I agree and I think a bivy and small (small) tarp would be the way to roll for a shorter duration FKT type trip; however I think it would probably be nice on longer trips (thru trips) to have something where you could "sprawl out" just a little

Why not a bivy…65-70F nights with 85% relative humidity = bad combination. Ryan