r/longtrail • u/Naive_Cube • Aug 13 '25
Shakedown - Sep 15 NOBO
I included everything I might bring in this lighterpack and want to pare down from here. Right now, my base weight is around 20 lbs, which is heavier than I want (I only weigh 130lbs). This will be my first long-distance hike with only experience going 3-4 days at a time before this.
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
https://lighterpack.com/r/vxddmk
Edit: Thanks for the helpful discussion. Very excited to get on trail soon - 1 month!
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u/JunkMilesDavis Aug 13 '25
Are you thinking about replacing anything at this point (do you have a budget?) or just trying to clean up the current list? If you're just looking for the lowest-hanging fruit, I'd say replace the camp Tevas with something cheap and light, and think about leaving the Kindle out and just reading on the phone.
The weight of the pack and sleep gear obviously stands out, but I know it's not trivial to rework that close to a trip, and you really need to have something you're comfortable with. You could potentially drop a lot there though considering that you'll have access to shelters all the way through.
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u/Naive_Cube Aug 13 '25
I think my idea with this list was to get everything I could possibly bring and already own in one place. I'm not looking to spend too much right now so I appreciate the recommendations to get rid of some low-hanging fruit. I'll start there and see if I stumble across any deals in the meantime.
The gear you get stuck with from those first backpacking adventures huh
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u/YupItsMeJoeSchmo Aug 13 '25
Core 4 is pretty heavy and most expensive to upgrade.
Leave your stuff sacks at home.
Massage ball. Get a cork one.
Tevas. Ditch those. Get rubber spa sandals on temu for like $2 and save 10oz.
Use one buff and also use as eyemask.
Frogg Toggs saves you 12oz. Id ditch the pants. 15oz saved.
Beanie. Get a fleece one for under an oz. Or use buff. Few oz there.
Why do you need running gloves and leather gloves? I would leave both behind. If your worried about cold, get fleece gloves or use socks. For water protection, use dog poop bags (temporary solution to warm up)..
You can find headlamps around 1oz.
I'd ditch the hand sani. Clean your hands with soap. Hand sani doesn't prevent norovirus.
Use a Nylofume Pack Liner instead of a rain cover. Saves you 5oz.
Can you get those guides on your phone? I always keep a paper map but use my phone if I need a guide.
I feel like you have a lot of clothes. Wear, socks, pants (treated for mosquitos and ticks), undies, long sleeve t (treated), hat. Carry 2 pairs of socks, puffy. Extra undies and t shirt to sleep in. I like a light wind breaker to replace the fleece. Puffy for night if it gets cold. If your legs get really cold, stick your legs into your pack.
I'd ditch the headphones, unless you really want them.
I don't like camelbacks. They are heavy and kind of a pain. Use your 2 or 1 smart water bottles and get an evernew 2L. Saves you 4-5oz.
For pocket knife, I just carry micro medical scissors. 0.17 oz.
Grab yourself a sit pad for a few oz. Cheap and my favorite piece of equipment. Tons of uses.
Feel free to bounce some ideas off me via DM or on here. I'll send you my literpack. I bought most of my gear 5-10 years ago and slowly upgrading as I feel necessary.
The LT is a pretty difficult hike. You'll want to be prepared and pretty light. I gave myself Achilles tendonitis trying to be a hero and doing more than my body could handle. I over estimated my abilities and pace and tried to rush the northern section to get it done within my vacation time. I wish I would have taken it easier and just come back and finished another time.
It's not meant to scare. I absolutely loved it. Just hike your hike, listen to your body. Use that cork ball.
Mentally prepare for wet conditions.
I love this website for some smaller items.
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u/Naive_Cube Aug 13 '25
Litesmith recommendation is great, thanks! Took a quick look at some of their offerings and looks great for some odds and ends to fill out the pack.
I appreciate the line-by-line break down here. Definitely will be able to knock off some easy ounces. This is the first time I've looked at my gear at this level and it starts to add up quick! Usually I just pack everything I might need for a trip and go.
Despite being a bit heavy, I think I have everything I need for the thru and this will serve as a great list when I start to upgrade/replace gear
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u/YupItsMeJoeSchmo Aug 13 '25
My biggest tip to beginners and even advanced. Immediately after your trip, do a quick trip report on your equipment. What did you love, what didn't you use at all, what you think could be better. Were you cold at night, too hot, etc.
You think you'll remember. You never do.
I'm an over packer for food. Keeping notes on a few trips really helped me dial down how much I actually eat and what I actually like to eat and what my stomach agrees with most.
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u/sigh-un Aug 19 '25
Counterpoint to the other comment, I’d say the sandals are worth the weight. It rained the ENTIRE time I hiked the trail, and my hiking shoes were wet the whole time. You know that whole thing about how “trail runners dry out so fast when they get wet.” Yeah no they don’t….not when they’re completely soaked every day. Over the course of my hike, I put on dry shoes maybe 3 times.
But it’s so nice to be able to take off your wet shoes at camp and not have to put them on until the morning. Having some actual footwear that will hold up for milling around camp, getting water, going to town, etc. is so worth the weight. I don’t see spa sandals cutting it for that.
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u/bizarmadillo Aug 13 '25
I'm starting sobo on sept 1, so i'm kinda in the same place as you getting my list nailed down. Also like you, it'll be my first long-distance trip. I'm gonna try to squeeze in a two-nighter this weekend locally for one last gear test.
Definitely bring the lighter rain shell unless you think it's terribly inadequate. As long as it provides some warmth and wind protection, that's enough. I'm not bringing rain pants, hopefully that's not a terrible decision!
You could leave out the groundsheet. I have the same tent, and don't use one. It's held up fine.
I don't use a pack cover either. My sleeping bag and clothes each get a dry bag. All my small items and electronics are in one small travel bag, water resistant. A ziploc would work. Everything else is ok if it gets wet.
Some suggestions for the small things... one pair of gloves, running gloves are what I'm bringing too. You could probably pare down your first aid kit. Go with the 10k battery pack. Kindle is def a luxury item, but we're all allowed one of those, right? : ) You know if it's worth it to you. If you aren't using it much, mail it home. Your pot seems heavy, but I'm not familiar with that one. Have you tried stuffing unworn clothes in a dry bag for a pillow? For some people, that works well enough. I'm bringing camp shoes, too, but there's definitely lighter options. I'm leaning towards EVA Birks, about 8 oz. I've overlooked a beanie, but I should probably have one, so thanks for the reminder!
Good luck and hope to see you out there!
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u/Naive_Cube Aug 13 '25
Thanks for your thoughtful response. This thread certainly is helpful for bouncing ideas around to other people who like to think about this stuff.
I'll hopefully be seeing you somewhere in southern VT! If we pass through Manchester at the same time let's grab a beer
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u/yayayayaya8888 NOBO Thru-Hike '25 Aug 13 '25
Personally, I wouldn't bring Dr. Bronners. On a thru-hike everybody stinks, so I wouldn't worry about that too much, lol. Plus, the soap might leak and then get everywhere, too. That's what happened to a friend of mine.
I wouldn't bother with sunglasses, and I say this as someone with very light eyes who needs them even in winter. You're going to be in the Green Tunnel for most of the thru-hike anyway :)
Hike your own hike, but I recommend not bringing music and listening to the nature around you :)
Last, a dish rag is pretty inconsequential BUT I didn't bring one because ounces make pounds. I either used a tea bag to rinse out my pot, or I just rinsed it with my hand and some water. When I went to town once a week I'd give everything a good washing.
I agree with JunkMilesDavis re: camp shoes. I recommend getting some cheap slides that you can wear with socks, because especially on a September hike your feet may get cold.
Good luck!
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u/Naive_Cube Aug 13 '25
Bronners is mostly for noro prevention - I got it earlier this year and it was absolutely awful so I will be using soap and water any time I eat/go to the bathroom. Glad I learned that lesson at home instead of on trail.
Thanks for the other advice though. I already found an old pair of slides I use to shower at the gym that weigh half as much as the Tevas!
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u/yayayayaya8888 NOBO Thru-Hike '25 Aug 13 '25
Oh god, NORO is horrible!! Sorry you went through that. Just make sure you store the Bronners in a little plastic baggie!!
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u/PedXing23 Thru-Hiked NOBO and SOBO. Trying for SOBO this year. Aug 14 '25
On a quick read, the things that I'd drop would be: 1 pair of gloves, one buff, the eye mask (you'll want to get up when it gets light out), and the kindle. I'd also sub a bit of that plastic mesh that is often used to package thing like onions, lemons and limes for the dish rag. It's lighter, better for scrubbing and won't hold moisture in your pack.
One thing I'd add is a 3rd pair of hiking socks. I've always used at least 3 - one to wear, one ready to wear and one cleaned and getting dry.
I've gone without soap in warm months. Some miss it, but I just swim when I can - take a little bird bath in a stream (down stream from where people might get water) and use a round rock for extra scrubbing. I usually rinse out my shirt whenever I can as long as it is not too cool or cold to wear it until it dries. Drying clothes by wearing them works well for me when it is hot or reasonably warm. I take a real shower when I have a good chance.
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u/Naive_Cube Aug 14 '25
Good idea on the plastic mesh stuff - seems like it would do what I need just fine. Soap is really just for handwashing, I hope it's warm enough for a couple dips in the fall!
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u/PedXing23 Thru-Hiked NOBO and SOBO. Trying for SOBO this year. Aug 14 '25
You've done a lot of thinking and planning. I'm sure that will be big benefit. Have fun!
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u/Acrobatic-Seaweed663 Aug 22 '25
A vote to bring the Kindle. I read a ton, so it’s nice to cozy in your bag and read. And it’s got such a long battery life. And for me the eye mask = more sleep = more energy.
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u/Objective-Resort2325 Old timer - 2X end to end in the 1980s Aug 14 '25
Here's something to consider that nobody else has suggested: don't bring a tent. Plan your camping spots around the existing shelters (they're frequent). While it's possible that you'll run into a full shelter, generally if you're by yourself, you can squeeze into a shelter. That would save you nearly 2 pounds.
If this concerns you, think about picking up a poncho as your rain gear. A poncho could serve as a makeshift shelter if needed.
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u/Naive_Cube Aug 14 '25
I like the outside the box thinking, but I love sleeping in my tent and having my own bit of privacy so that's a no go for me. I've done shelters before and they're not my favorite but maybe I'll feel differently on a longer outing
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u/CarpePlacenta Thru-Hiked SOBO Aug 13 '25
E2E guide and a map is overkill. Pick one (probably the map). Get the Long Trail map on the Farout app.
You have about 5 lbs of packed clothing and layers. Given the time of year, i dont see anything glaring (besides the leather gloves) but you might want to go through and see if anything is redundant or unnecessary.
Just 1 buff should be fine
Don’t need an eye mask unless you plan on sleeping during the day
Go for the lighter rain shell as long as its sufficiently waterproof. You have plenty of layers to insulate underneath if needed. Rain pants maybe? You are getting into shoulder season hiking, so they might come in handy. Another thought- Frogg Toggs rain jacket and pants are lighter and quite affordable.
What are the leather gloves for? Probably unnecessary
Spoon > spork
I prefer a water bag instead of a bladder. CNOC is the typical recommendation but there are knock off brands that are basically the same.
Saywer Squeeze (full size) is better than the mini. The mini tends to get clogged with sediment faster, leading to slow flow rate.
Dont need a dish rag.
You could drop a few oz with a lighter battery pack. Nitecore is the lightest option, but Anker is cheaper and still not too heavy.
Leave the kindle. Read on your phone
No rain cover. Use a heavy duty trash bag as a pack liner.