Why Your Toothbrush Matters on a Thru-Hike
When every ounce counts, your hygiene kit needs to be as lean as the rest of your gear. A full-size toothbrush and toothpaste tube add unnecessary bulk and weight. The Zpacks Ultralight Travel Toothbrush solves this by combining a compact brush, a protective case that doubles as a handle, and a mini toothpaste tube into one 3.63 USD item that weighs almost nothing.
What the Ultralight Travel Toothbrush Includes
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Ultralight Travel Toothbrush: This ultralight, compact toothbrush is integrated into a case designed to function as an extension handle and includes a mini toothpaste tube. The case serves double duty: it protects the brush head in your pack and extends to give you a full-length handle for comfortable brushing.
Ultralight Travel Toothbrush
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Ultralight Travel Toothbrush: The included toothpaste tube holds enough for a week or more if used sparingly. For a thru-hike, you can plan to refill the tube at resupply points rather than carrying a full-size tube between towns.
How to Refill the Mini Toothpaste Tube on Trail
When the mini tube runs out, you don't need to replace the whole kit. The tube is designed to be refilled from a standard toothpaste tube.
- Pinch the air out: Squeeze the empty mini tube to remove as much air as possible before refilling.
- Butt it up tight: Press the opening of the mini tube firmly against the nozzle of a regular toothpaste tube.
- Squeeze more in: Squeeze toothpaste from the full tube into the mini tube until it's filled. You can refill it repeatedly for the entire hike.
Packing Your Thru-Hike Toiletry Kit
Keep your hygiene setup simple: the Ultralight Travel Toothbrush plus a small bottle of biodegradable soap (for washing hands and dishes) is often enough. The toothbrush case protects the bristles from dirt and damage, so you can toss it in your pack's hip belt pocket or a shoulder pouch for easy access. Remember, once the packaging is opened, the toothbrush is not returnable unless defective, so inspect it before your trip.
