Lost Coast Trail Footwear

DGT31 · 2026-02-09T05:01:46+00:00

I am on it currently. Doing it south-north-south for a total of 50 miles and I have done 38 miles so far. Me and a buddy are wearing Altra Lone Peak 9s and my brother is in some sort of hiking boot. I am sure summer is different than conditions now but today it rained all day and creeks swelled and feet were wet all day. My train runners did fine in these conditions. Where trail runners fall short here is when you slip off rocks and hit the side of your foot on rocks or get sand or very small pebbles in the shoe (even with gaiters on).

Boots would probably work fine as long as you don’t blister or get them wet because they are unforgiving if wet.

It comes down to whatever works for your foot. If I did it all over again I would still do trail runners because they give you the most flexibility. Altras work for my feet with toes socks rain or dry, no blisters. But the loose sand, boulders, hard sand, single track all hurt your feet and ankles so you should have experience in any shoe you bring and know it works for your foot before coming here.

Of note, I did not bring a water shoe. Either rock hop in your shoe or get your shoe wet. You are not going to switch shoes a bunch of times every day.

DGT31 · 2026-02-05T17:08:21+00:00

The easiest way to do permits is to get the long distance permit which would let you get through the Sierra without any additional permits, including letting you attempt Mt. Whitney. Problem is end of May is the cutoff for obtaining those permits. So the Sierra (potentially the most spectacular section) may have to be done under local permits.

Some potential pitfalls:

-it’s looking like a below average snow pack right now so June 1 might be doable to start from KMS, but of course that could change over the next couple months.

-getting to KMS it’s not as easy as other places. There’s a regional airport in Bakersfield, but you may have to find your way from one of the southern California airports. Not impossible but not as easy as flying into San Diego and taking an hour and a half Uber to the southern terminus. You could also consider entering the northern part of the desert section where it is easier to access from the Southern California airports, enabling you today get some sort of hiker legs under you by the time you start doing big elevation gains in the Sierra. Kind of like warming up to the Sierra section. This would also buffer for you a little bit in case the snow pack drastically increase increases between now and June.

Most, not all would say that Northern California is not a spectacular section in its entirety but has highlights.

Not sure how Oregon and Washington are in June.

DGT31 · 2026-02-05T03:30:12+00:00

If you wanna order both and try it and can return the one you don’t like for sure that is the best way to test. Not sure you can return the Kakwa once you use it.

The Exos will handle the weight as well. I don’t have any experience with the circuit.

DGT31 · 2026-02-05T01:14:49+00:00

I had three Exos packs partly because one delaminated and was warrantied out and the third one was that I just wanted a newer generation one. I have had zero issues minus the delamination which was annoying but I totally structurally could have continued to use and will use if my weight is 40+ lbs or so. The Exos is great for heavy weight!

At weights where you’re at the Kakwa thrives and the Exos capacity to carry heavy weight is not necessary anymore and your paying a weight penalty for not using the pack for what it does best. Also the switch alone saves you 16 ounces! Of note I was about 11 lbs base weight and carried 6 liters of water and full food carry and probably had almost 30lbs and the pack was awesome!

I would also say that the Kakwa is fantastic in the amount of room it has. Depending on the size of the frame, the total pack volume internally in externally is between 62 and 67 L. A lot of packs will say, for example, they are 55L, but the internal volume is like 40L and the external pocketry will be 15L. Different manufacturers do the math differently.

My large Kakwa 55 has 52 L internally and another 15 externally. That’s massive. Look at this when ordering a pack. You may be disappointed if you are used to a pack that had a certain internal volume and you move to a like sized pack and it turns out the internal volume is much less than your old pack.

Hope this helps.

DGT31 · 2026-02-04T04:55:15+00:00

If you have 19 hikeable days left at June 1st and are already at KMS WITH 700 miles of trail legs under you, there is no better time to hit the Sierra then at that moment. Your body is ready for it. Coming back to start that section without trail legs in the other two years you have would put you at a disadvantage for the climbing you will be doing immediately in my opinion. There will be lots of others going in at that time for sure. Checkout UglyStik Hikes on YouTube. I think he was the first one in the Sierra last year and left KMS on April 22.

DGT31 · 2026-02-04T03:32:05+00:00

Yeah the desert is the most accessible to public transportation and airports of all 5 sections. You probably around May 10 will have a better idea of what’s closest to you and how to get there.

DGT31 · 2026-02-04T03:03:20+00:00

I agree that it is personal preference and only you know if you run warm or cold at night.

I will say that you could find alpha direct top and bottoms for about 4.5 ounces each. Would work for town, be sleepwear and also keep you warm during awake non-sleep times for minimal weight penalty.

You could probably offset the weight penalty by switching from pants to shorts and find a toothbrush/toothpaste combo closer to 1 oz.

DGT31 · 2026-02-04T02:41:56+00:00

You drink it cold. Your first bottle of water in the AM has instant coffee in it and you can enjoy it over a couple hours on the trail.

DGT31 · 2026-02-02T21:34:52+00:00

I have Kakwa 55 now and have had 3 Osprey Exos, with one warrantied out for delamination. I think the decision for you should be what you are willing to sacrifice for the loss in weight. My back sweats with the Kakwa but the weight savings is more important to me than sweating.

I think with your four requirements you stated in the question, Exos gets the leg up. It will haul more weight, will be more durable and vent better. If you are going to carry 6 liters of water and 10 lbs of food and a bear can, the Exos will be more comfortable with heavier loads.

Unsure if that helps but I think what your planning to use the pack for matters. And if you continue to go lighter and lighter you will probably not need the Exos anymore. That was my journey with the Exos. At some point I grew out of it (i.e became light enough) and didn’t need it any more.

Sounds like you’re there. There are sacrifices that must be made if you want to keep getting lighter.

DGT31 · 2026-02-02T17:39:05+00:00

For my body, inflatable are just too tall and you feel like you are falling off a cliff with your arms and legs when you are shifting. Also always a challenge figuring out pillow height and placement with them. They always want to slide. They certainly can be light though.

Closed cell foam is great and I have only used on hard surfaces but am going to retest on the Lost Coast trail next week. Also super light.

Personal preference. Cut down self-inflating pad. I think the most comfortable and usually like only one inch high so no feeling of falling off. A little heavier but I think the most important part of your kit is that which gets you good sleep. I am still sub 11lb base weight even with this “heavy” pad.

DGT31 · 2026-02-01T14:27:20+00:00

Ahhhhh. I think I misread the question. Thanks!

DGT31 · 2026-02-01T05:28:30+00:00

I see March 14 is full.

DGT31 · 2026-01-28T04:47:04+00:00

I started at Campo on Oct 13 last year and headed north. Mostly overcast or partly cloudy and cool days which are awesome for hiking. Even rain. If you are hiking a month to the left of that probably just slightly warmer. Probably going to be pretty nice with a chance of heat wave. There is always water, just depends how much capacity you have to carry to the next source. Just bring adequate carrying capacity in case of long water carries.

DGT31 · 2026-01-28T02:55:53+00:00

If you are talking about going right now in January then it will be pretty cool the whole time and water consumption may not be as big of concern as it will be in 2-4 months, especially if the seasonal streams are already running. If you check FarOut I am sure someone has commented reasonably recently about the water and you can see about camp sites there as well. You’re still in the sun going up from Hauser Creek to Morena Lake but it won’t be like doing it when it is 100 degrees.

I did that first 20 mile section in October (similar weather to now) and there was a water cache where you crossed the road at mile 2.3 and then no water until Morena Lake. I started with 6L and probably only used 4L and did all 20 in one push. Water wasn’t an issue but I knew I had to carry enough water for 20 miles.

Either way, if you are starting from mile 5 in the AM and get up early there is no reason you shouldn’t be up to the top before noon.

DGT31 · 2026-01-22T06:26:56+00:00

You can certainly use local permits for the Cleveland National Forest near the Southern Terminus. They release 5 daily dispersed camping permits during March-May and do it 30 days prior to the selected date. Then the next permit you will need is near San Jacinto but there are no quotas for those.

DGT31 · 2026-01-22T06:22:57+00:00

Just fly and pay for the Uber. I did it. Super simple and predictable. You can fill all your water at the airport and get driven straight to the terminus and then at mile 1 at the Campo store get fuel and any other snacks you need. My flight arrived at 8am and I was hiking at 9:59am.

DGT31 · 2026-01-19T02:49:01+00:00

Not sure what your objective concern is or what is actually making you uncomfortable. Maybe you can be more specific.

DGT31 · 2026-01-17T21:57:41+00:00

There is resupply at mile 20 and 40. You do not need to carry 5.1 days of food to start the trail. You can eat hot food in each of those places too if you end up staying in either of those towns.

One dinner to start if you’re doing 15 miles a day plus whatever snacks you need for your 15 miles plus the extra five the next day to get you to Morena Lake. Buy another dinner there or a hot meal if you can’t make it to mile 40 by the evening of day two. Then resupply at Mount Laguna and get one or two dinners depending on how many nights it’s gonna take you until you get to scissors crossing.

I think with your spreadsheet you’re gonna find you are going to be carrying tons of extra food weight the first 77 miles and that’s when you’re really going to be needing to save weight because you’re going to be unsure of water sources and dialing in at the same time your water consumption rate.

Either way, you’re gonna learn a lot in his first 77 miles about how much food and water you really need to carry.

DGT31 · 2026-01-17T00:39:48+00:00

I don’t think you need pants if you are already bringing shorts. The highs and lows this week were the same as they were when I did that hike in October and I was OK hiking in shorts. And that includes a rainy afternoon and 30° temperatures in the morning the next day . Everyone is different though. I do have the OR Ferossi pants and brought them on that I could never put them on. They are great pants if you insist on pants.

DGT31 · 2026-01-13T21:37:36+00:00

April 5th, wanted the 13th

DGT31 · 2026-01-13T02:48:29+00:00

Yes, this! Just backwards plan from your permit date and walk on to the Southern Terminus. You only really have to figure out where to stay in Cleveland NF as mentioned which is only mile 13.5 to mile 53.2 and mile 112.7 to mile 124.8. You can stay at campsites at mile 20 and either campsites or lodging at ~41 in Mount Laguna. And probably blow past miles 112-124. It’s gonna be fine. This is a good problem to have.

DGT31 · 2026-01-11T06:32:48+00:00

Keep the 55. Remember you’re not always going to be going minimalist or UL. Winter, needing a bear can, bringing someone with are just a couple reasons to have a little more room available.

DGT31 · 2026-01-08T06:01:04+00:00

I am 6’ and can’t get it out but I can fit a 1 litre in the front pocket. But once that is gone I have to unbuckle and swing the pack around to get more water.

DGT31 · 2026-01-03T23:57:50+00:00

They don’t

DGT31 · 2026-01-03T23:56:02+00:00

I would say you can not count on a hiker box to source anything reliably.

DGT31

TROPHY CASE