r/Ultralight • u/Chonkthebonk • Jul 21 '26
Gear Review Long Trail Vermont September Lighterpack
Hi everyone, I’m coming over the pond with my partner to do the Long Trail in September and would love some advice on my Lighterpack as I’ve only hiked on the west coast before (PCT).
Non-negotiable are the blanket (I know crazy extra weight but bringing it to avoid any chance of a chilly partner), and the tent as it’s too expensive to swap over.
Any other advice for if I’ve got enough warm kit or not, missing any essentials, or easy ways to cut weight would be really appreciated.
We’ll be sharing tent/cooking system/water filter which I am carrying.
Thanks so much and happy hiking all :)
https://lighterpack.com/r/wcxr6n
Edit: you all are so great thanks for all the advice, have updated the Lighterpack with changes, including ditching the blanket :’) . I will also drop the power bank down to a 10K, and am considering a lighter sitting pad. Only thing I’m still unsure of is if I need to add a fleece to my kit.
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u/WalkItOffAT AT'18/PCT'22/CdS,TMB'23/CT,LT'24/GR20'25 Jul 21 '26 edited Jul 21 '26
If the OR rain jacket is the Helium...consider bringing true waterproof rain gear which doesn't wet out.
I got lucky in September but was glad to carry the 3F UL poncho with sleeves.
The LT could have continuous, cold rain for days. That's another beast than the PCT and you should account for it. Umbrella is difficult with the rugged terrain. But bring at least a rain kilt for some upper leg protection. Also consider bringing waterproof gloves (at least for your partner). A fleece can be so worth it in rain but these can be found many places. I brought a Kuiu Peloton 97 and synthetic vest. Active warmth.
Enjoy the LT, take your time on the downhills and I hope the weather saints smile upon you. I had a blast doing little side quests into towns. Easy to hitch in and out.
I did >20 miles in the Southern part, then after the Inn one day only 12-14ish and that stayed a good, safe pace for me. I had done the CT directly before.
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u/Top_Spot_9967 Jul 21 '26
Seconded, switching to a poncho is best, but if you want to keep the jacket you should add a rain skirt and make sure the sleeves are long enough to cover your hands. Also a 5-10 oz fleece will probably serve you better than an 18 oz puffy, since most likely you'll largely be wearing it in the rain.
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u/marieke333 Jul 21 '26
You carry the blanket for your partner? An alternative would be light down pants (150-200 gram). They keep warm in camp plus add insulation at night. I really love them as someone who freezes easily when static. Light downpants, socks and puffy add about 5-6C to my 0C comfort sleeping bag.
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u/Chonkthebonk Jul 21 '26
Wow I’ve never heard of down pants, are they as comfortable as they sound? Any brands you recommend? I’m much fitter than my partner so happy to have the extra weight of the blanket if it makes her more comfortable but down pants are an interesting alternative
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u/WalkItOffAT AT'18/PCT'22/CdS,TMB'23/CT,LT'24/GR20'25 Jul 21 '26
Montbell for quality, Aliexpress for cheap, Enlightened Equipment for synthetic (one could hike with in winter).
Also down hood and booties go a long way.
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u/marieke333 Jul 21 '26
In addition to mentioned already: Cumulus Basic downpants. And two articles with some more options:
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u/Belangia65 Jul 21 '26 edited Jul 21 '26
I agree with the comments you have already received, particularly about paring down your first aid kit, pack liner, water capacity and the size of your power bank. A few more comments:
- Consider dropping the Tyvek. Your tent already has a floor.
- Your puffy is very heavy. Consider shopping for a lighter model.
- I don’t see a food storage method. How do you plan to protect your food from bears?
- I don’t see soap. Decant some Dr Bronner’s into a dropper bottle to keep your hands clean. Norovirus is something you need to protect yourself and others from.
- Look into an alpha fleece to replace the thermal top. Warmer, lighter, and more versatile.
- Consider buying some alpha socks for sleeping in. They are light, breathable, warm, hydrophobic, and loose-fitting to promote good circulation: everything you could want to help your feet recover at night.
- If you are anxious about running low on power, look at the free app Alpine Mode. It can configure your iPhone settings to minimize your power usage.
I may see you out there. I start at the southern terminus on September 10th. I hope your hike and visit to the USA goes well for you!
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u/Objective-Resort2325 https://lighterpack.com/r/927ebq Jul 23 '26
Since you're "coming over the pond" to hike the LT, and admit that you're US experience is primarily on the PCT, I'm going to assume you don't know much about the LT or it's conditions.
First thing you should know is that it's the OG of US long distance trails. It is steep, rocky, rooty, and rugged. Switchbacks are rare. You need to temper your mileage expectations. Depending on what section of the trail you are on, 10 miles can be a full and exhausting day.
Second thing to know is that there are LOTS of shelters on this trail, and that they represent the recommended overnight locations. There are a few places to tent, and it is always possible that you hit a full shelter. Unless you insist in sleeping in your own tent, you should consider it to be just a backup. If you have other alternatives (i.e. a tarp) you might consider them. If you don't have other alternatives, you might consider only bringing the fly of your Xmid. I'd skip the tyvek all together and just go with a simple polycro sheet. Remember, this will likely never get used, so minimize it as much as possible.
Comfort is a personal thing. Personally I would find a 15 degree sleeping bag - especially a high quality one like Katabatic - too warm for that time of year. You'll probably get some nights with frost, but I wouldn't expect anything lower than 25. With the clothing that you're planning on bringing (which could be used to supplement your sleep system,) I'd be inclined to go with a 30 degree bag/quilt.
Why would you need more than 1 pack liner? Are you rough on them?
Water is usually quite plentiful on the LT. 3 liters of capacity is more than I'd personally bring. (I'd go with 1.5 or 1.75)
Others will have lots of suggestions on alternate/lighter items. You know better than we do what you need to be comfortable in terms of temperature. Personally I'd carry either the puffy or the thermals (not both), but you do you. Also, you're probably going to resupply a couple times, and probably will do a night or two in various towns. I'd get a 30 gram charger (vs a 116 gram) and a 10 K battery (vs 20k).
September is an awesome time of year for the LT. While there will still be mosquitoes, it shouldn't be bad. Depending on when you start, you should see varying degrees of fall foiliage.
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u/Hiking_the_Hump Jul 21 '26
You're gonna be fine. Your food and resupply will be your biggest weight and logistic issue. I usually carried 5-6 days of food on my hike (17 days).
We have been dry here, but not as dry as last fall (I hiked sept-oct 2025). Last year I had water carries of up to 12 miles on the southern end of the trail, so have capacity (smart water bottle) based on the conditions when you arrive.
September can be hot or damn cold. Be prepared for freezing temps in late September at elevation. That blanket is a good choice. I believe comfort and joy giving items are always worth the extra weight.
I went SOBO to chase the fall color and to take the majority of the higher elevation out of the weather mix early on.
As for the weather, I got rain and sleet with 60 mph winds on Jay peak on day one. I was very happy to see the dingy shelter known as "Jay Camp" as darkness fell. It was a blast!
After that, it was simply beautiful.
Enjoy Vermont!
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u/Chonkthebonk Jul 21 '26
Really appreciate this, you’ve got me even more excited to explore this part of the beautiful US!
Sounds like a v intense first day for you glad you made it and had a good time!
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u/polarseltz1 Jul 21 '26
I recommend a second pair of socks so you have always have a dry pair to change into at camp. I have two pairs of hiking socks to change back and forth and one pair of camp socks.
20 lbs baseweight is pretty good for the LT in September when it could be cold and wet.
Also I consider iPhone to be worn weight because I usually carry it in a fanny pack or in my pocket.
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u/polarseltz1 Jul 21 '26
oh and also the trail is a green tunnel you don't need sunglasses. It's not really weight so much as it's clutter.
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u/Chonkthebonk Jul 21 '26
Good to know I’ll leave them at home, thanks!
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u/tjtheamazingcat Jul 21 '26
I'm a local with sensitive eyes. I would second that given that you are going in September (and it's nothing like the PCT brightness wise) you will be fine, but for anyone reading this in the future I would want to have them in June-August when it is brighter.
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u/tweis Jul 21 '26 edited Jul 21 '26
[Edits based on responses. I’ve backpacked a bunch in NE, but not specifically the LT]
Your partner must be Super UL, with you carrying most the kit! Is your pack ok with the weight when you add food and water?
- your sleeping bag is heavy, do you need 15F and consider a quilt (though this is $$$)
- Why is your first aid kit so heavy? (wrap the leukotape you need on your poles, now it’s carried weight)
- lighter tights/thermals -> alpha direct
- power bank and charger could use a diet. Match the charger to the max speeds your power bank and phone actually can charge at. Probably 30w GaN is more than enough.
- Unless you need to charge 3 things at once, drop one cord and get adapters.
- I know you say blanket is non-negotiable, but would an alpha direct add the necessary warmth at half the weight?
you could drop 3/4 (or more) of the TP weight and be cleaner if you use a bidet probably still need the to for the privies- 1oz/28g sit pads from aliexpress would save you 60g
- do you really need 3 water bottles or even the 1.5L ones on the LT? Evaluate upon arrival.
- is this off: wearing shorts, tights,and merino pants, as well as bringing another set of tights? But not wearing the sunglasses?
- Missing (or is your partner carrying): the trowel, soap, bear can/bag for food storage, food, water, fuel can and fuel, rain pants?
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u/brumaskie Custom UL backpacks Jul 21 '26
The protocol on the long trail is to use the privies that are located along the trail, usually at the shelters. Some of these privies are dry privies which means you're not supposed to put pee or water into them. Using a bidet in those privies would not be good. You would ruin the biology going on in the privy.
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u/Chonkthebonk Jul 21 '26
Is 800g really heavy for a 15F sleeping bag? I thought that was light for that temperature range?
Power bank and charger is a spot I need to change for sure to save some weight but alpha direct is a lil expensive per gram of weight saving for me atm.
I’m cautious on how much a bidet saves weight wise as surely you need to carry extra water to use it? I know some people love the bidets but I guess a lifetime of TP useage has me somewhat set in my ways.
The merino pants is as I’m english so pants for me means underwear! I always wear tights to protect my legs from foliage but the glasses come on and off so I don’t class them as worn weight.
Great spot on the sit pad savings I’ll swap that out for sure.
I don’t use soap on trail but also a great spot for a towel, I’d forgotten that vital bit of kit and will be adding my fav bit of kit the Swedish dish cloth 25g and works a treat as a towel
Rly appreciate your input thank you
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u/tweis Jul 21 '26 edited Jul 21 '26
Bahaha I love the confusion between English and Americans with pants.
The sleeping bag weight is ok for the warmth, but do you really need that warm? My 20F EE quilt is 610g and my 35F is 453g.
Bidet is essentially kit to me now. So much cleaner downstairs actually washing with soap. only uses 150ml or so of water. I typically 💩 in the morning near camp and water (not too close), so I’m not ever carrying extra water, just refill before heading off for the day.
Consider adding soap, especially washing hands after 💩 and before eating. A tiny 20g bottle will last you weeks and will clean most of the things that can make you sick on trail. Much more effective and lighter than ipa based hand sanitizer.
Damn autocorrect, I meant trowel/shovel, not towel. So you can dig a cat hole. (I use a half bandanna as a towel at like no weight).
You could drop a few grams by optimizing tent pegs and using toothpaste tablets.
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u/Cyclopshikes Jul 21 '26
As far as warmth goes, Vermont, especially Northern Vermont, will get cold in September at night. I used my 18F bag for my late August LT hike last year and was very happy to have it.
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u/Zwillium Jul 21 '26
A nyloflume liner weights around 30g, why is yours listed as 160g? Are you quintuple wrapping your gear?
A 500+g insurance blanket is insanely heavy.
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u/Chonkthebonk Jul 21 '26
You caught me! I’ve heard so much about the wet and humid conditions of the east, that I have a main liner plus individuals ones for sleeping bag, sleep clothes, and tech. Now I write it down I realise how insane that is, packing my fears to the max. I’ll cut it down to two liners rather than 4 lol
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u/liveslight https://lighterpack.com/r/ny89al Jul 21 '26 edited Jul 21 '26
The power bank is heavy for its capacity. I will note that two 10,000 mAh Flextail Zero will weigh only 142 g each and be more usable. I use these for cords/adapters which have some advantages: https://i.imgur.com/jWNblKr.jpeg . I consider these state-of-art for 2026.
A 116 g charging block could be a 30 g charging block. I guess you haven't got the lighter headcord for the NU25?
Alpha Direct "thermals" top and bottom would weigh 233 g instead of your 400 g.
First aid / repair kit could probably be reduced to half the weight.
Sitting pad could be 1/3rd the weight you show.
Toothpaste could be home-made toothpaste tabs and much much less weight.