Vermont has some of the best hiking, camping, backpacking, and winter recreation in the Northeast. The Long Trail runs 273 miles along the spine of the Green Mountains. The Lamoille Valley Rail Trail stretches across northern Vermont for cyclists and walkers. Smugglers' Notch, Stowe, and the surrounding backcountry offer four seasons of outdoor exploration. But enjoying any of it safely and comfortably depends on having the right gear.
At Johnson Hardware & Rental in Johnson, VT, our outdoor recreation department sits less than a mile from the Long Trail and right off the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail. That location is not a coincidence. We are a natural stop for hikers, backpackers, cyclists, and anyone heading into the mountains. Our outdoor recreation manager, Jon, brings genuine passion and expertise to helping customers find the right gear for their next adventure, whether that is a weekend car camping trip, a Long Trail thru-hike, or a snowshoe outing in January. This guide covers the essential gear categories for Vermont's outdoor seasons and how to make the most of your time on the trail.
Camping Gear: The Foundation of Every Vermont Adventure
A good camping setup is the difference between a trip you remember fondly and one you endure. Vermont's weather changes quickly, temperatures can drop significantly after sunset even in summer, and rain is always a possibility. Having reliable gear that keeps you dry, warm, and comfortable makes everything else about the trip more enjoyable.
Johnson Hardware & Rental's camping and backpacking department carries the gear you need to set up a comfortable camp in any season. Our inventory includes tents in a range of sizes and configurations, along with tent hardware and repair kits for fixing gear in the field. We stock sleeping bags rated for Vermont's temperature range, sleeping pads and mattresses for insulation and comfort, and camp furniture like chairs and tables for car camping setups.
Cooking supplies are another essential category. We carry camp stoves, fuel canisters, fire starters, cookware, and utensils for preparing meals on the trail or at the campsite. For backpackers who need to keep weight down, we stock freeze-dried backpacking meals and energy bars that pack maximum calories into minimum space.
Lighting and navigation round out the basics. Headlamps, lanterns, maps, trail guides, and informational resources help you stay safe and oriented whether you are navigating a well-marked trail or exploring less-traveled routes. We also carry coolers, sun block, and insect repellents for the warmer months when bugs and sun exposure are part of the equation.
Backpacking Gear: Lightweight and Trail-Ready
Backpacking demands a different approach than car camping. Every ounce matters when you are carrying your shelter, sleep system, food, water, and clothing on your back for miles at a time. The goal is to bring everything you need and nothing you do not.
Johnson Hardware & Rental stocks backpacks and hydration packs in multiple sizes and configurations for day hikes, overnight trips, and multi-day treks. Choosing the right pack starts with understanding your torso length, hip measurement, and the volume of gear you need to carry. Our outdoor recreation manager Jon can help you find the right fit and adjust the pack for your body, which makes a significant difference in comfort over long distances.
Your sleep system is the heaviest component of most backpacking kits. We carry lightweight sleeping bags, compact sleeping pads, and accessories that balance warmth, weight, and packability. For Vermont's three-season conditions, a sleeping bag rated to about 20 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit covers most situations from late spring through early fall. Winter backpacking and camping require lower-rated bags and additional insulation.
Hydration is critical on the trail. We stock water bottles, hydration reservoirs, and filtration options that let you refill from Vermont's streams and springs safely. Carrying enough water without overloading your pack is a balance that every backpacker learns to manage, and having the right hydration system makes it easier.
Hiking Gear and Footwear
Whether you are doing a quick day hike up Stowe Pinnacle or spending a week on the Long Trail, the right hiking gear starts from the ground up. Footwear is the single most important piece of equipment for any hiker, and getting it wrong can turn a great day into a painful one.
Johnson Hardware & Rental carries quality outdoor footwear suited to Vermont's varied terrain. Vermont trails are notoriously rocky, rooty, and muddy, which means your boots or trail shoes need solid traction, adequate ankle support for uneven surfaces, and waterproofing for the stream crossings and wet conditions that are part of nearly every hike in the state.
Beyond footwear, trekking poles are one of the most valuable and underused pieces of hiking gear. They reduce impact on your knees during descents, provide stability on uneven terrain, and help distribute your weight when carrying a heavy pack. Our trekking and snowshoeing department stocks adjustable trekking poles along with hiking packs, first aid kits, gaiters, and the other accessories that make trail time safer and more comfortable.
Long Trail Support: Resupply Packages, Charging, and the Hiker Swap Box
Johnson Hardware & Rental has a special relationship with Long Trail thru-hikers. Our store sits about one mile east of where the Long Trail intersects VT Route 15, making us one of the most convenient resupply stops on the entire trail.
We accept resupply packages for thru-hikers. If you are planning a Long Trail hike and want to ship supplies ahead, send your package with your name and estimated arrival date to Johnson Hardware & Rental, 1442 VT Route 15 W, Johnson, VT 05656. We will hold it until you arrive. Packages need to be picked up by November 1.
We also offer free charging stations so you can power up your phone, GPS, or other devices while you rest and resupply. The trail is long, and keeping your safety and communication devices charged is important. And if you packed something you do not need or need something you did not pack, our hiker swap box lets you take an item or leave an item for the next hiker who comes through.
These services are part of our commitment to supporting Vermont's outdoor community. We are proud sponsors of the Green Mountain Club, and we believe that making the trail more accessible and enjoyable for hikers is one of the best things we can do as a store that sits right on the trail's doorstep.
Outdoor Apparel: Dressing for Vermont's Four Seasons
Vermont weather changes constantly, and anyone who has spent time outdoors here knows that you can experience three seasons in a single day. A morning that starts at 45 degrees can climb to 80 by noon and drop back to 50 by evening, with a thunderstorm somewhere in between. Dressing for that kind of variability requires a layering system that adapts as conditions change.
Johnson Hardware & Rental's outdoor apparel section is built around that reality. We carry rain gear, base layers, sweat-wicking shirts, UV-protective clothing, lightweight hiking pants, swimwear, winter outerwear, and seasonal accessories. Our outdoor apparel is selected to work across conditions, so a rain shell you buy for summer hiking still performs during fall foliage season.
Jon, our outdoor recreation manager, can help you build a layering system that works for your specific activity and the time of year. A thru-hiker spending two weeks on the Long Trail in July needs a different setup than a day hiker heading up Mansfield in October. Getting the layers right before you leave the store saves weight in your pack and keeps you comfortable regardless of what the weather does.
Trekking and Snowshoeing: Extending Your Season
Vermont's outdoor season does not end when the snow flies. Some of the best trail experiences happen in winter, when the forests are quiet, the crowds are gone, and the landscape transforms into something entirely different. Snowshoeing and winter trekking open up terrain that is inaccessible or overgrown during warmer months, and they provide a cardiovascular workout that rivals any summer hike.
Johnson Hardware & Rental's trekking and snowshoeing department carries snowshoes, crampons, microspikes, trekking poles, gaiters, and winter hiking boots. Snowshoes come in different sizes based on the user's weight (including gear weight) and the type of terrain they will be used on. Our team can help you choose the right size and style for your planned outings.
Microspikes and crampons are essential for Vermont's icy trail conditions during the transition seasons. A trail that is muddy in November can be a sheet of ice by December, and having traction devices that strap onto your boots makes the difference between a safe hike and a dangerous one. We keep these in stock throughout the fall and winter so you can gear up before the conditions arrive.
Fishing Gear for Vermont's Lakes, Rivers, and Streams
Vermont's waterways offer outstanding fishing opportunities across all seasons. Brook trout in mountain streams, bass and pike in lakes, and fly fishing on rivers like the Lamoille and Winooski draw anglers from across the region. Johnson Hardware & Rental's fishing department carries the essential gear to get you on the water.
Our fishing inventory includes fishing poles, fishing line, bobbers, tackle boxes, lures, nets, coolers, and buckets. We stock gear for casual family fishing outings and for more serious anglers who want quality equipment at a fair price. If you are visiting the area from Stowe, Smugglers' Notch, or Burlington and want to spend a day on the water, we are a convenient stop for picking up gear and local knowledge on where to fish.
Outdoor Family Games
Not every outdoor adventure requires a trail or a tent. Johnson Hardware & Rental carries a fun selection of outdoor family games that bring families and friends together in the backyard, at the campsite, or at the park. Our inventory includes cornhole, bocce, pickleball sets, and lawn game sets that work for all ages and skill levels.
These are the kind of games that make a camping trip memorable beyond the hike itself, and they are popular gifts for families who spend their summers outdoors. Stop in and check out what we have, especially if you are looking for something active that gets everyone off their screens and into the fresh air.
Building a Gear Kit for Vermont's Conditions
Putting together a complete outdoor gear kit for Vermont requires thinking about the specific conditions this state throws at you. Here are the key considerations for building a kit that works across seasons.
Waterproofing is non-negotiable. Vermont trails are wet. Stream crossings, muddy sections, and afternoon rain showers are standard, not exceptions. Your tent, rain gear, pack cover, and footwear all need to handle moisture without compromising performance.
Temperature range matters. Even in summer, Vermont nights can dip into the 40s at higher elevations. Your sleep system and layering plan need to account for that range. In spring and fall, the temperature swings are even wider, and hypothermia is a real risk if you get wet and cold without adequate insulation.
Weight and packability are important for backpackers. Every piece of gear should earn its place in your pack. If you can achieve the same function with a lighter or more compact item, make the switch. Our team can help you evaluate your gear list and identify places to save weight without sacrificing safety or comfort.
Durability saves money in the long run. Vermont's rocky, rooty terrain is hard on gear. Cheap tents, thin sleeping pads, and flimsy footwear wear out fast and leave you exposed at the worst possible time. Investing in quality gear that can handle the abuse pays for itself over multiple seasons.
Why Vermont Adventurers Choose Johnson Hardware & Rental
There are outdoor stores with bigger inventories and flashier showrooms, but there are very few that sit less than a mile from the Long Trail, accept thru-hiker resupply packages, sponsor the Green Mountain Club, and are staffed by people who actually spend their free time on the same trails you are heading to.
Johnson Hardware & Rental is that store. Our outdoor recreation manager Jon (reach him at extension 119) has a genuine passion for outdoor gear and Vermont's trail systems, and he brings that knowledge to every customer interaction. Whether you are a first-time camper looking for a tent recommendation, a seasoned backpacker dialing in your kit, or a Long Trail thru-hiker who just needs fuel, a headlamp, and a charged phone, Jon and our team are here to help.
We are also more than an outdoor store. While you are picking up hiking gear, you can browse our Milwaukee tools, building supplies, workwear, pet supplies, gardening supplies, and homesteading essentials. It is 25,000 square feet of inventory under one roof, located 25 minutes from Stowe, 15 minutes from Smugglers' Notch, and about an hour from Burlington.
Start Your Next Vermont Adventure at Johnson Hardware & Rental
Whether you are gearing up for a Long Trail thru-hike, planning a family camping weekend, snowshoeing through the Green Mountains, or just need a last-minute rain shell on the way to Smugglers' Notch, Johnson Hardware & Rental in Johnson, VT has the outdoor gear, the expert advice, and the trail-side location to get you ready.
Stop by our store at 1442 VT Route 15 in Johnson, VT, give us a call at 802-635-7282 (ask for Jon at extension 119 for outdoor recreation questions), or browse our outdoor recreation department online.