Gaiters

I use the OR Verglas. A pretty light high gaiter. I've been using them for the past couple of years. Love 'em.

Mountain Laurel Design Light Snow Gaiters. Light, quality, What more is there to say.

This is off-topic, but I hope you realize that the Green Mountain Club (which maintains the trail) asks hikers to stay off the Long Trail until after Memorial Day. May is mud season up there, so not only will you need gaiters, but you’ll be damaging the trail by not giving things a chance to dry out. Parts of the LT on state land are officially closed by the state until Memorial Day.

I hiked the AT through Vermont in August, and the mud was still bad then. I couldn’t imagine how yuck it must be in May. You’ll probably have a better hike if you wait until summer.

Read more here.

Yeah, I know the time isn't ideal, but it's the only chance I have this summer. I'm not leaving until the 24th of May and I'm pretty sure it's only the areas around Camel's Hump and Mansfield that are officially closed before Memorial Day. Thanks though.

Memorial Day this year is the day after you start, which should solve the problem.

I am looking at the Mountain Laurel Designs short gaiters which are definitely lighter than the Integral Designs eVENT shortie gaiters I currently have. The MLD gaiters are a little longer and a little lighter. I've been delighted with the MLD rain mitts (also eVENT), so I may give their gaiters a try.

Sorry–didn't realize that you meant so late in May. I'm still kind of upset about how badly eroded and the AT was in New England, so I get defensive about how people use the trail.

As for gaiters, I'd suggest either getting something knee-high or just going with ankle-high gaiters to keep the mud out of your shoe. I went into ankle-deep mud in August on the AT/LT, so you're probably going to end up in much deeper muck. Good luck.

I actually work at the GMC, so I can definitely understand what you mean about muddy trails, Scott… it's something we (as well as the AMC, MATC, and all the trail clubs in New England) work on constantly. Most of the trails out here were built before big crowds and knowledge of proper erosion control, so it's a slow process to fortify existing trails, especially with rainy summers like this last one, and fluctuating levels of funding for our trail crews (these nonprofits have to rely on donations and some public money for the AT and such). I guess no trail is really perfect, so, as they say, YMMV. I say it's worth walking through the mud.

As for the gaiters, I assume you'll be wearing waterproof footwear? Gaiters won't help much with mesh trail-runners…

Even in mud I don't bother with gaiters, just gives the mud more chance to stick to you. If you're used to hiking without them, give it a go without them first, you might not miss them.