Coolest New Gear from PCT Days 2025
Where Ultralight backpacking brands and cottage outdoor gear brands debut new and innovative gear
September 3rd, 2025
PCT Days has become the place for ultralight and cottage brands to announce their new gear. From brand-new brands that are debuting to the outdoor world to established brands making big announcements on new fabrics and designs, PCT Days is more than just a hiker festival: it’s an ultralight gear nerd’s dream.
Seven of Treeline Review’s writers and editors walked the booths, talking to every brand of the 114 brands (and a few non profits) that were exhibiting. From ultralight innovation to new fabrics, to better fitting apparel to new backpacking food, and all the faster and lighter accessories you could think of, here’s what caught our attention at PCT Days that should be on your radar, too!
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Table
| Gear | Gear Category | Writer |
|---|---|---|
| Powdered hot sauce by Wildfire Spice Co | Backpacking meals | Sara Kruglinski |
| Zenbivy Conversion Kit | Backpacking quilts | Sara Kruglinski |
| Pika Outdoors Pot Lid | Backpacking cookware | Sara Kruglinski |
| Hardside Hydration | Water filters | Sara Kruglinski |
| Zpacks Octa Mitts | Backpacking accessories | Sara Kruglinski |
Sara "Socks" Kruglinski's Take:
This was my first visit to PCT Days and it was an incredible display of ultralight hiking gear and new gadgets that solve tricky hiker problems, along with tasty snacks and meals that bring luxury into camp meals. It is impossible to just pick a few stand out products, but these were my favorites and some of them have already made it out with me on the Timberline Trail for a loop.
Wildfire Spice Co
Simply put, this is powdered hot sauce with two flavor options. Lighter than carrying a bottle of hot sauce on trail and less wasteful than carrying single use packets, add the powder to your meals before or after you add water for a spiced up meal. Ultralight and ultra packable, I will be adding one of these to every resupply I have on future hikes.
Cayenne Canyon
Summit Smolder
Zenbivy Conversion Kit
We reviewed the Zenbivy sleeping system, and the conversion kit is a great option for those who want to upgrade their existing backpacking sleeping quilt. I converted my old Zpacks 20-degree quilt at PCT Days and so far it has worked out really well–a few stickers on my old quilt and it clips into the Zenbivy half sheet with a down hood that wraps around my sleeping pad. It is a great way to try something new and get a little more warmth out of my old quilt and extend it into shoulder season without having to get a totally new quilt.
I was really excited about this snappy lid that clips onto the top of a backpacking cookpot so you can pour water without spilling. There is a handy slot to insert your long-handled spoon to create a handle for pouring so you don’t have to touch the pot and risk burns. When you are done cooking, your fuel canister snaps to the bottom of the lid and the lid snaps back onto your pot creating a nice storage system. The final detail is a measuring conversion chart printed right on the top of the lid so there is no more guesswork about how many ounces is in 400ml when you are tired and trying to make your freeze-dried meal at the end of the day.
Pika Outdoors Pot Lid
Hardside Hydration
Created by best friends who had one too many incidents with bladders leaking in backpacks who wanted an easy way to drink water on the go. Hardside Hydration is a new take on a straw and tube kit to fit standard smartwater bottles and wide-mouth Nalgenes. I always have a hard time grabbing my water bottle out of my side pockets without stopping and taking off a shoulder strap, so this is an exciting idea for me and worth the added weight to stay hydrated on trail.
Lightweight mittens that promise to be warm and breathable at the same time. It is true–I already tested them on the Timberline Trail and my hands were warm at night without getting sweaty. They are lightweight and soft on the inside.
Zpacks Octa Mitts
Harwek Hardworking Gear
Crossbody bag that holds a phone and essentials and goes from town to trail. This bag is unique with a vertical orientation so your phone can slide easily in and out. Lots of fun colors including “fry sauce” with well designed hardware elements for style for any hiker.
37 Minutes
A new outdoor technical clothing brand for women sized 14-32. The clothes come in fun colors. For now there are pants, a short-sleeve shirt, and a long-sleeve shirt, and I am excited to see what else this brand creates in the future. The pants were a standout piece with snaps to convert them into ⅞ length for more style. We'll be looking at them for our best plus size outdoor apparel guide.
Kate Hoch's Take:
Cnoc ThruBottle
I was thrilled to finally get my hands on the long-awaited Cnoc ThruBottle (IYKYK).
This 1-liter reusable bottle has the same size and shape as the thru-hiker-favorite Smartwater bottle, but unlike the disposable bottle, the ThruBottle is made from HDPE and is BPA, BPS, and BPF free.
The ThruBottle weighs 90g, and the 28mm threading works with your Sawyer Squeeze filter. At just $12.99, I picked up 2 and am looking forward to trying them out on an upcoming backpacking trip in the Beartooths.
Cnoc ThruBottle
Naomi Hudetz's Take:
Mount to Coast T1 Trail Running Shoes
Trail running shoes are expensive, so when I hear a brand say that some of their athletes are getting 1,000 miles out of a pair of shoes…I'm interested. So I bought a pair of Mount to Coast T1 shoes to test out for myself:
They're incredibly lightweight, only 9 ounces per shoe.
They have Vibram Megagrip soles.
The outside toe area, where many shoes fail long before the soles or midsoles fail, is reinforced with Kevlar.
The uppers are not dyed – here's why.
Their dual lacing system was also intriguing to me, allowing you to really dial in the fit.
The 4mm drop is a little higher than I'm used to, but I'm willing to make the sacrifice in the name of research.
I'm looking forward to putting in my first thousand miles on a pair!
Mount to Coast T1 Trail Running Shoes
Men's
Women's
Whitney LaRuffa's take:
Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear Stitch-All
Possibly the most overlooked new item at PCT Days was the Stitch-All by CTUK. When I saw it, I was floored. I had carried a Safesport Expedition Sewing Kit for a decade before switching to curved canvas sail needles for field repairs, but they are not easy to get through layers of fabric at times. Here was a modern version of a time-tested Awl for sewing and gear repair. Weighing a mere 10g, this new repair item has found a permanent home in my field kit. I hope I don’t need to use it on my upcoming hike of the MRT this fall, but if a shoulder strap or other failure occurs, I feel confident in being able to repair it.
Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear Stitch-All
Astral Designs High Noon Hemp Hoodie
This natural fiber sun hoodie may not be the ideal piece to wear on your next hike, but it's the perfect sun hoodie for around town or a day at the beach. Utilizing a majority of organic natural fibers, the hoodie is not only extremely comfortable against the skin but also highly breathable. As a longtime “dirty hippie,” I really appreciate a brand willing to go the extra mile to source organic, natural fibers for their products. The fit of the hoodie is great and runs true to size, so no need to upsize when buying.
Astral Designs High Noon Hemp Hoodie
Men's
Women's
In 2016, while thru-hiking the CDT, I saw my first fuel transfer valve from a Korean manufacturer. My friend had one and was gathering all the half-empty fuel cans from the hiker box. I inquired what he was doing, and he explained to me that he had this valve and had not bought a canister on the entire Continental Divide Trail. I purchased the same valve after my hike and have used it for years, but I find it too heavy to carry on a hike. The new Aplenflow though has solved that issue.
Weighing just 2.4g, this valve will have a permanent home in my kit. The nicest thing is that the design is simple and easy to use, no threads to line up or mis-thread, no valve top tune, just line the cans up and push down for 5-10 seconds. R
Alpenglow Gear Alpenflow Fuel Transfer Valve
I have been a big fan of the Shokz line of headphones since I bought my first pair at Outdoor Retailer in 2017. Over the past 8 years I have had two of their bone-conducting headphones, and love how they allow for spatial awareness while on trail. I also have been using Apple Airpod Pros the past couple of years for daily activity and travel, but they fall out of my ears easily and can be a real issue when doing outdoor activity.
I visited with the Shokz folks at PCT Days and was able to try out all of the models. I wound up picking up a new pair of the Open Fit 2 headphones and I was impressed by how comfortable they were and then how well they stayed on my ears. The sound quality is fantastic, and I am really liking the physical buttons for control. It’s been over a week since PCT Days and I have just charged the case for the first time after a week of use. I am excited to get these out in the field this fall on a hike.
Learn more in our in-depth review of the original Shokz OpenFit Headphones and in our Best Bluetooth Headphones and Earbuds for Outdoor Activities guide. -Whitney LaRuffa, occasional writer and frequent model for Treeline Review
Shokz OpenFit 2 Headphones
Mike Unger's Take:
Nemo Dragonfly Bikepack OSMO 2P Tent
Although not a new product, NEMO had their Dragonfly Bikepack OSMO 2P tent set up at PCT Days, so we decided to check it out.
The NEMO Dragonfly tent meets the specific needs of bikepackers (like me). The tent packs down to a compact 6.5 x 14.5 inches, small enough to fit on my drop bars. The free-standing shelter has shorter pole segments to fit in the tent’s bag. There are two vestibules to store bike gear. Plus, there is a waterproof “Landing Zone storage area under the vestibule that is perfect for storing my helmet, bike shoes, and gloves.
The Dragonfly also has two small, but much-appreciated features: a gear loft on the tent’s ceiling and an Overhead Nightlight Pocket that turns your headlamp into a tent lantern. Weighing 3 pounds, the NEMO Dragonfly qualifies as a lightweight bikepacking tent.
Nemo Dragonfly Bikepack OSMO 2P Tent
The Lunar Orbiter is Six Moon Design’s (SMD) first freestanding tent. The Orbiter shares many features with the SMD’s Skyscape Trekker, my favorite one-person shelter. There are dual doors and vestibules. The roomy interior is tall enough (48 inches) and long enough (90 inches) to sit up or stretch out without touching the external walls. Additionally, the Orbiter features a gear loft, a small but greatly appreciated addition. The shelter and poles pack down to 15.5 inches, making it a great option for bikepacking as well. The large vestibules, ample bathtub floor, and freestanding design are able to handle challenging weather conditions. Check out our Best Ultralight Tents guide to learn more about our favorites.
Six Moons Design Lunar Orbiter Tent
Liz Thomas' take:
Alpine Fit Women's Fastpacker Alpha 90 Fleece
The tagline "Finally, an Alpha Hoodie for Women!" is fitting for this new top debuting at PCT Days. Alpine Fit is one of our favorite women-owned outdoor brands. Owner Jen Loofbourrow realized the need for a Polartec Alpha Direct hoodie designed by women and made by women. Alpha Direct has among the best warmth to weight ratios of any fabric with excellent breathability, but previously, Alpha hoodies have been designed by men for men's bodies. Jen spoke on our How to Build an Outdoor Brand panel on her desire to create functional clothes that fit women's bodies. With thumbhole loops and a modern fit, this 3.9 oz layer has a modern fit, fun colors, and unlike many other Alpha Hoodies, is designed for people with a chest and hips.
Alpine Fit Women's Fastpacker Alpha 90 Fleece
The SlingFin Cinder Cone Pyramid is a giant 4-person pyramid tarp—with a twist. The Cinder Cone has numerous circular closable vents on the side that allow it to operate like a chimney to reduce condensation. Tim from SlingFin used it on Tour Divide, the race version of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route from Banff, Canada to Mexico, and kept his bike inside every night. Most intriguing, we hung out in a prototype of a new ALUULA version ultralight set to come out next year.
SlingFin Cinder Cone Pyramid
Backwuds BakeEZ Ultralight Dutch Oven from Mountain Packer
A new brand debuting at PCT Days, this surprisingly affordable accessory turns your ultralight canister backpacking stove into an oven. It’s an ultralight Dutch oven system that adds 7 oz to your system and is capable of cooking frozen pizza or fresh fish you just caught.
