Thru-Hiking Vermont's Long Trail: Backpacking Gear Essentials for an Epic Adventure

Liza Cannon
a hiker adjusting their backpack on the trail

Thru-Hiking Vermont's Long Trail: Backpacking Gear Essentials for an Epic Journey

OGExpert Liza Cannon shares her top gear picks for thru-hiking the Long Trail

So, I’ve decided to finally tackle Vermont’s Long Trail this September—a gorgeous thru-hike that’s been on my bucket list for over a decade. Spanning 273 miles, this journey will be my longest hike yet, taking approximately 20-30 days to complete. While I do not doubt that I can complete the hike, I am starting to hone in on some key gear items that will help make the journey more possible—and more comfortable. My actual packing list entails almost 100 distinct items if you count the different meals and snacks I’m planning to bring. Rather than detail each item here, I thought I’d share the most essential gear selections that I’ve given the most thought and research.

Carry the load:

First and foremost, to go backpacking, one must bring a backpack. For my trip, I’ll carry my load with my trusty Osprey Ariel 65 backpack. As a woman, finding a pack that fits well is crucial, and Osprey nails it with their adjustable torso length, hip, shoulder, and chest straps. The breathable mesh back panel keeps me cool while trekking through Vermont’s rugged terrain, but maintains a snug, close-to-body fit that’s crucial for steep terrain. Plus, the myriad pockets and compartments mean I can organize my gear efficiently, and the included rain cover ensures I’m ready for whatever unpredictable weather Vermont throws at me. I’m going with a 65 liter volume pack, but 50-55 liters would be acceptable, too. Weighing in at just 4.6 pounds, it strikes the perfect balance between durability and lightweight design.

Sleep tight:

Shelter arrangements are covered with my Big Agnes Fly Creek Bikepack Solution Dye Tent. Weighing a mere 2 pounds 4 ounces, this tent is still able to comfortably accommodate two people, making it ideal for sharing the trail experience—and for sharing a much lighter load. Big Agnes's innovative solution dye process reduces environmental impact, making this tent a more climate-friendly choice, while still being an attractive, golden color. Its compact size and bikepacking-friendly, 12" short pole design make it a breeze to fit into my pack, and to strap onto handlebars if I go bikepacking for my next quest. Despite its minimal weight, it has plenty of space inside, providing a cozy retreat amidst Vermont’s wilderness. To complete this hike, one has to hike an average of 9-13 miles a day. A good night’s sleep will give you the strength to keep hiking.

Eat well:

Fueling my adventures will be the Jetboil Flash Stove, a compact powerhouse that boils 1 liter of water in just 3 minutes and 20 seconds. Weighing only 13.1 ounces, this stove is designed for efficiency, it's easy to pack and efficient enough that I won’t need to carry extra fuel canisters, saving valuable pack space and weight. Although many long-distance thru-hikers opt to go stoveless, for this trip I’m willing to carry the weight if it grants me the luxury of a hot meal at the end of a challenging day, and hot drinks on chilly Vermont mornings.

  • Meals: Good to Go makes great, just-add-boiling-water dehydrated camp meals that are super lightweight, super easy to prepare, and super tasty.
  • Snacks: I like to snack on protein on the trail with Vermont Smoke and Cure meat sticks. Tasty, locally made, and humanely raised, these are delicious and nutritious.
  • Hydration: As I won’t be able to rely on potable water sources on the Long Trail, I’ll be sure to pack my Katadyn BeFree 1.0L Water Filter . This filter is a hiker a favorite—it's lightweight, popular, and super easy to use.

Stay safe:

Now, let’s talk bear safety. Green Mountain Club, a wonderful organization that builds, maintains, and protects the Long Trail, reminds hikers that protecting our food from bears is a requirement in many sections of the trail. I’ve selected a Ursack Bear Proof Bag instead of a traditional bear canister. Approved by GMC's current bear regulations, the Ursack Major XL is lighter weight at just 8.8 ounces, fits neatly in my pack, and provides the necessary protection against curious bears without the bulk of a hard-sided canister. It’s a practical choice that aligns with Leave No Trace principles while keeping my gear—and the adorable local black bear population—safe from interference.

  • Survival: Since you definitely need a first aid kit, you might as well bring one tailored for backpackers and backcountry first aid. I recommend AMK Mountain Series Backpacker Kit .
  • Navigation: The GMC Long Trail Map is THE map one should bring on the Long Trail.
  • Communication: As I am planning on being out for an extended time, won't have cellphone service much of the time, but want to meet up with friends at certain points of the trail, and also want to have peace of mind for the unexpected, I’m banking on my Garmin InReach GPS , which allows me to do exactly that.

Odds and ends:

While this has by no means been an exhaustive gear list, there are a few other essential gear recommendations I'm excited about.

  • Step with comfort: I am looking forward to each step in my Oboz Sawtooth X Low hiking shoes ; they're comfy, durable, grip well, and fit most feet perfectly. I elected for these ankle-height shoes without a waterproof liner for quicker drying.
  • Light up the trail: As for gadgets, my Biolite Headlamp is a must—it lasts forever on a charge, and the company, Biolite , supports good causes with each purchase.
  • Recharge: My Biolite Charge Powerbank battery pack will help me keep my headlamp and phone juiced up for emergencies and capturing those epic trail moments.

Happy Trails

Getting ready for Vermont's Long Trail has been quite the process. Each piece of gear I've packed was chosen to make this hike unforgettable and to handle whatever comes my way on this adventure. With all my gear packed and ready to go, I'm super excited for what lies ahead, from sweeping views, peaceful moments listening to hermit thrush songs, and sunlight peeking through trees, to spotting rare plants and snacking on wild blueberries. It's my escape from city life, but I'm bracing myself for mud, rain, cold nights, and mosquitoes, knowing each challenge will be matched by moments of triumph and the satisfaction of exploring rugged terrain. This journey will be all about pushing my limits while soaking up Vermont's rugged beauty.

Related Articles:

How to Choose The Right Tent How to Choose a Sleeping Bag How to Choose a Sleeping Pad What Volume Pack Do I Need?

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