Tackling the Continental Divide Trail is a monumental undertaking that demands not just physical and mental fortitude, but also a meticulously curated kit. Every ounce counts when you’re covering thousands of miles through remote and rugged terrain, making ultralight gear non-negotiable for a successful and enjoyable thru-hike. The right equipment can mean the difference between a grueling slog and an epic adventure.
This 2025 gear list focuses on proven, lightweight solutions that prioritize functionality and durability without sacrificing performance. From your shelter and sleep system to the clothes on your back and the tools in your pocket, each item has been selected for its ability to withstand the unique challenges of the CDT. Let’s break down the essential gear that will help you travel lighter and move faster on America’s great divide.
Essential Ultralight Gear for Your CDT Thru-Hike
- Columbia Men’s Silver Ridge Utility Lite Long Sleeve
- Outdoor Research Men’s Ferrosi Shorts
- Evernew TI Stove DX Set
- Altra Trail Gaiter
- Sea to Summit Alpha Light Utensil, Spork
- Gerber Gear STL 2.0 Knife
- Southwest Backpack by Hyperlite Mountain Gear
- Western Mountaineering Ultralite Sleeping Bag
- Sawyer Products SP129 Squeeze Water Filtration System
- ZPacks Duplex Tent
Columbia Men’s Silver Ridge Utility Lite Long Sleeve
Sun protection is a critical defense on the exposed sections of the Continental Divide Trail. The Columbia Silver Ridge Utility Lite shirt is engineered for exactly these conditions with its integrated OMNI-SHADE technology, which blocks harmful UVA and UVB rays. This long-sleeve design provides comprehensive coverage without causing you to overheat, making it a smart alternative to constantly reapplying sunscreen.
Comfort during high-output activity is ensured by the OMNI-WICK fabric that pulls moisture away from your skin to accelerate evaporation. The mesh-lined back vents further enhance breathability, allowing for increased airflow to keep you dry and fresh even on the most demanding climbs. It’s a versatile piece that offers superior sun defense and next-to-skin comfort for long, sunny days on the trail.
Outdoor Research Men’s Ferrosi Shorts
For your lower body, you need a short that can handle scrambling over rocks, brushing past vegetation, and long hours of consistent movement. The Outdoor Research Ferrosi Shorts are built from a durable yet highly flexible soft-shell fabric that provides excellent freedom of motion and abrasion resistance. The 10-inch inseam offers a good balance of coverage and ventilation.
These shorts are designed for technical performance, with a fit that allows for a full range of motion during steep ascents and descents. They are lightweight and quick-drying, ensuring that a sudden stream crossing or an afternoon rain shower won’t leave you uncomfortable for long. The simple, functional design makes them a reliable and versatile choice for the varied conditions of the CDT.
Evernew TI Stove DX Set
An efficient and lightweight cooking system is a cornerstone of any ultralight backpacking kit. The Evernew TI Stove DX Set is a marvel of minimalist design, integrating an alcohol stove, pot stand, windscreen, and turbo plate into a single compact unit. Weighing a mere 3.0 ounces, it exemplifies the ultralight philosophy without compromising on the ability to boil water quickly.
The DX stand serves a dual purpose, acting as both a stable pot stand and an effective windscreen to maximize fuel efficiency—a crucial factor in long stretches between resupply points. Its simple design means there are no moving parts to fail, offering a reliable way to prepare meals and hot drinks after a long day on the trail. For those who value simplicity and absolute minimal weight, this stove set is a top contender.
Altra Trail Gaiter
Keeping debris out of your shoes is essential for preventing hot spots and blisters over 3,000 miles. The Altra Trail Gaiter features a clever strapless, pull-on design that attaches directly to Altra trail shoes via the built-in GaiterTrap, creating a seamless and effective seal. This design eliminates the need for fussy hooks or straps that can snap or collect mud.
Constructed from a highly breathable stretch material, these gaiters offer high abrasion resistance where it matters most. They are easy to put on and take off, and their lightweight nature means you’ll hardly notice them until you need them. For traversing sandy desert sections or dusty, gravel-filled trails, these gaiters are a simple and effective line of defense for your feet.
Sea to Summit Alpha Light Utensil, Spork
Even the smallest items need to be scrutinized for weight on an ultralight thru-hike. The Sea to Summit Alpha Light Spork is a perfect example of a gear item that has been refined to do its job with maximum efficiency and minimum weight. This single utensil combines a spoon, fork, and serrated edge into one durable design.
Made from a reinforced polypropylene, it is strong enough to handle rehydrated meals and scraping the last bits from your pot without snapping. Its lightweight design ensures it won’t be a burden in your cook kit, and its compact size makes it easy to store. It’s a simple, reliable tool that performs multiple functions, which is exactly what you need on a long-distance hike.
Gerber Gear STL 2.0 Knife
A reliable knife is a multi-purpose tool on the trail, used for everything from repairing gear to preparing food. The Gerber STL 2.0 is a standout for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, weighing only one ounce. Its slim profile, no thicker than three quarters stacked together, makes it an ideal everyday carry item that disappears in your pocket or pack.
The drop point blade with a plain edge is versatile for a wide range of tasks, and the thumb hole allows for easy one-handed deployment. Half-arc grooves on the handle provide a secure grip for precise control. For the minimal weight penalty, it offers a great deal of utility and readiness for any small cutting job that arises during your hike.
Southwest Backpack by Hyperlite Mountain Gear
Your backpack is the backbone of your entire kit, and the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest is a favorite among ultralight thru-hikers for good reason. Constructed from lightweight yet incredibly tough Dyneema Composite Fabric, it is both waterproof and highly resistant to abrasion. This material choice ensures your pack can handle the rigors of the trail while protecting your gear from the elements.
The design is thoughtfully minimalist, featuring solid-fabric exterior pockets that are easy to access and secure. The inclusion of compression straps helps stabilize your load, and the D-shaped base is a small but significant feature that allows the pack to stand upright during loading and unloading. It’s a pack that offers simplicity, durability, and the weight savings that are critical for a long journey.
Western Mountaineering Ultralite Sleeping Bag
A reliable sleep system is non-negotiable for recovery on the CDT, where nights in the high Rockies can be bitterly cold. The Western Mountaineering Ultralite is a premium 20-degree bag filled with high-quality 850+ fill power goose down, offering an exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio. The 5 inches of loft provides ample insulation to keep you comfortable when temperatures drop.
The bag uses a 20-denier shell fabric that strikes a perfect balance between breathability, weather resistance, and weight. Features like the full-length draft tube behind the YKK zipper and the snug down collar are meticulously designed to eliminate cold spots and seal in warmth. This bag represents a top-tier investment in restful, warm nights throughout your journey.
Sawyer Products SP129 Squeeze Water Filtration System
Access to safe drinking water is a daily priority on the CDT. The Sawyer Squeeze is arguably the standard for lightweight water filtration on long trails, and for good reason. Its 0.1-micron absolute filter is highly effective, removing 99.99999% of all bacteria and 99.9999% of all protozoa, providing peace of mind from questionable water sources.
Weighing just 2 ounces, the filter is incredibly lightweight and versatile. It can be used in-line with a hydration bladder, as a simple squeeze filter with the included pouches, or even as a straw for drinking directly from a source. Its reliability, ease of use, and minimal weight make it an indispensable piece of gear for any thru-hiker.
ZPacks Duplex Tent
The ZPacks Duplex is a legendary shelter in the ultralight community, offering a spacious two-person interior at a trail-breaking low weight. Made from Dyneema Composite Fabric, it is not only extremely lightweight but also completely waterproof and does not absorb water, so it stays light even in wet conditions. Its freestanding design with trekking poles makes setup quick and simple.
This tent provides excellent livable space for one person and their gear, with two large doors and vestibules for easy access and ventilation. The weight savings achieved without sacrificing durability or weather protection make it a top-tier choice for a thru-hike where every ounce is critical. It’s a shelter designed for those who want maximum performance with minimum burden.
Buying Guide: Building Your 2025 CDT Ultralight Kit
Putting together a gear list for the Continental Divide Trail is a personal project. What works for one person might be a burden for another. My approach to an ultralight setup is about smart choices, not just the lightest item on the market. It’s a balance between weight, comfort, durability, and functionality across some of the most varied terrain in the country.
First, let’s talk about the Big Three: your backpack, shelter, and sleep system. These items have the biggest impact on your base weight. For a CDT thru-hike, I look for a backpack around 40-60 liters with a comfortable hipbelt, as I’ll be carrying food and water for long stretches. My shelter choice depends on the season; a single-wall tent or a trekking pole tent saves weight but requires good site selection to manage condensation. For my sleep system, a quilt is my go-to for weight savings and versatility. I pair it with an inflatable or closed-cell foam pad, considering the cold nights at high elevation.
Clothing is all about layers. I stick to a simple system: one set for hiking, one set for camp, and a robust rain shell. My hiking clothes are quick-drying synthetic or merino wool. My insulated jacket is a puffy, and my rain jacket is a reliable, lightweight model that can handle afternoon thunderstorms. Don’t forget sun protection, like a hat and sun gloves.
Other essentials round out the list. A water filtration system is non-negotiable; I prefer a quick filter like a squeeze or gravity system. My cooking setup is usually a simple canister stove and a single pot. I always carry a reliable headlamp, a first-aid kit, a repair kit with tenacious tape and a needle, and navigation tools. For the CDT, this means a GPS device or a phone with a good app, plus paper maps and a compass as a backup. Every single item is weighed and its necessity questioned. This careful curation is what makes a successful 10 Continental Divide Trail (CDT) Ultralight Gear List 2025.
FAQ
What is a realistic base weight for an ultralight CDT thru-hike?
A realistic and comfortable base weight for an ultralight CDT hike falls between 10 and 15 pounds. This is a great target that allows for a durable shelter, a warm sleep system, and enough safety gear without being overly spartan. Some hikers go lighter, but dipping below 10 pounds often requires sacrificing some comfort or safety margins that are valuable on a long, remote trail like the CDT.
Is a tent or a tarp better for the CDT?
This is a classic debate and really comes down to personal preference. A tent offers more protection from bugs and weather, which can be a huge relief in Montana’s mosquito season or during a windy night in Colorado. A tarp is lighter and more versatile, but requires more skill to pitch and may not be as comfortable when the bugs are bad. I used a single-person trekking pole tent and found it to be a good middle ground.
How do I handle the long water carries in New Mexico?
New Mexico is known for its dry stretches. My strategy involved carrying a higher water capacity. I used two 1-liter smartwater bottles and a 2-liter CNOC bladder as a dirty bag for my filter, which gave me a 4-liter carry capacity. I would often carry even more, up to 6 liters, between known sources. Careful planning using water reports and apps is absolutely essential here.
What kind of bear protection is required on the CDT?
Bear safety regulations change depending on the specific area you’re in. In some sections, a simple bear hang is sufficient. In others, like Glacier National Park or parts of Wyoming, a hard-sided bear canister is required. Many hikers use an Ursack as a lighter-weight alternative that is approved in some, but not all, areas. You must research each section and carry the appropriate, legally required protection.
Do I need an ice axe and microspikes for the CDT?
If you’re starting early or hitting the San Juan Mountains in Colorado before the snow melts, then yes, you will likely need both an ice axe and traction devices like microspikes. This is a critical safety consideration for traversing steep, snowy slopes. For most hikers on a standard schedule, these are “send yourself” items that you can have mailed to you for specific sections and then mail home afterward.
How important is a satellite communicator on the CDT?
I consider it one of the most important pieces of safety gear. Cell service is extremely sparse for vast portions of the trail. A device like a Garmin inReach or Zoleo allows for two-way texting, weather updates, and has an SOS button. It provides peace of mind for you and your family back home when you’re days away from the nearest town. It’s a weight worth carrying.