Designing and Sewing All of Her CDT Gear with Eliza "Swerve" Sweeney (BPR #379)

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Eliza "Swerve" Sweeney, a textile design graduate who's taking on the CDT with an almost entirely homemade kit, including her backpack, tent, quilt, and even her underwear.

In this one, Eliza walks us through skipping her final physics exam to squeeze the PCT into her summer break, turning her senior design project into the gear she's now trusting to get her across the country, and learning to let herself take a damn zero after spending an entire thru-hike racing to get back to school.

We also cover the joys of stuffing a puffy jacket inside a tent at four in the morning while down feathers get in your hair and mouth, her innovative hiking pants design meant to remove friction at the hips, and her hiker bro quiz, which reveals that Sauce is twice the bro I am.

We wrap the show with Trek Propaganda on whether you actually like thru-hiking or just the party scene, how one couple hiked the PCT for roughly $12k (which is shocking- a budget thru-hike), a Question of the Day touching on the elusive triple deucer, and a Triple Crown of employees you're most annoyed to interact with.

Topo Athletic: Use code "Trek15Hike" for 15% off at topoathletic.com.

Gossamer Gear: Use code "BPR10" for 10% off shelters at gossamergear.com.

Darn Tough: Use code "BACKPACKER" for free shipping from darntough.com.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear: Use code "BPRADIO15" for 15% off at hyperlitemountaingear.com.

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Interview with Eliza "Swerve" Sweeney

• Eliza's Instagram

Time stamps & Questions

00:05:30 - Reminders: Take the 2026 AT Thru-Hiker Survey, apply to vlog or blog for the Trek, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!

00:08:55 - Introducing Eliza

00:13:20 - What's your trail name origin story?

00:14:20 - Did hiking the AT inspire your degree?

00:19:20 - Discussion about hiking the PCT in 100 days

00:23:00 - How has your CDT daily mileage compared to your earlier thru-hikes?

00:25:20 - Are you working in college to fund your thru-hikes?

00:28:00 - Discussion about fabrics

00:33:30 - What machinery did you use to create your pieces?

00:37:45 - What does the design process look like?

00:39:25 - Tell us about how you made your hiking underwear

00:42:00 - Were you nervous to start the trail with untested gear?

00:43:12 - How long did it take to make everything?

00:47:40 - Which gear item was the most time consuming and why?

00:51:00 - Discussion about quilt design and creation

00:53:15 - What was the biggest surprise pain in the ass?

00:56:45 - What fabric did you use for your tent?

00:59:30 - What are your career goals?

01:01:25 - How fast could you do the shorts if you made it more efficient?

01:02:20 - Tell us about making the fanny pack

01:04:50 - Tell us about making the down jacket

01:11:50 - Have you thought about what your dream job would be?

01:13:12 - How did you choose the fabric for your rain jacket?

01:15:30 - Discussion about shirt and pant fabrics

01:21:00 - Tell us about your overall baseweight

01:26:00 - What's your favorite luxury item?

01:29:27 - What is your hiker bro quiz?

01:46:49 - Peak Performance Question: What's your top performance enhancing or backpacking hack?

Segments

Trek Propaganda

• Do You Actually Like Thru Hiking, or Do You Just Like the Party Scene? By Peg Leg
• A Typical PCT Thru-Hike Cost $10,000 in 2025. Here's How We Did It for Just $6,000 Each by Anna McKinney Smith

QOTD: Do you know what a triple deucer is?

Triple Crown of employees you are the most annoyed to interact with

Mail Bag

5 Star Review

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