List thread spin-off - Clothing

“So Deathmarch replied to my question in the list thread, but I would like some more insight into the question. Given an average late spring to mid fall trip what clothing do you pack? I've always been a chronic over packer and would like to shed some pounds. What are your thoughts?”

“moderate temps.
on self:
-convertible nylon pants
-coolmax tshirt
-liner & wool socks

in pack:
-polypro/wool long underwear, top & bottoms
-fleece top
-rain shell top & bottom
-xtra liner & wool socks”

“That gives me 2 complete changes.
also hat and glooves and maybe fleece bottoms if I'm expecin colder weather”

“A good wool, acrylic or fleece hat is a great way to get warmth, versatility for not a whole lot of weight.

I've only carried more than 2 pair of underwear on a month long trip. I usually stick to just one. (ewwww!) You smell anyways, so it's not that big of a deal. (I have no clue when it comes to bras. Ask AmyG or somebody)

Socks are one place where weight is less of an issue. Feet are important. I usually have one pair of camp socks, two liners, and two (occasionally three - for month long trips again) oversocks (I like Smartwools personally)

ONE trail shirt. They'll all get funky anyways.

Shell clothing. I'd like to find a good hoodless jacket, cause I usually wear my hat in the rain instead of a hood. It also doubles as a sun hat when it's not too hot, but still sunny.

This one I was a little suprised by. Wind pants. I discovered them on NOLS last year, and they are great. They're more breathable than shell pants, and tough enough to stand abuse around camp.

Long underwear bottoms. These under wind pants usually do the trick for me. At high altitude (not in NC!) or during the shoulder seasons I'll bring fleece pants. Windstopper is a crock in my opinion. You're carrying a shell anyway. Throw it on.

Instead of a long underwear top, I like those new light-weight fleece pullovers. Arc'Teryx makes an awesome one: the Delta T or something. I dunno, but it's been great. Patagonia's R1 is awesome too. The Arc'Teryx was on sale, so that's what I went with. I'm sure there are other fantastic pieces out there too. Anyway, I like these things cause they're warmer than mid-weight tops, but much more breathable. If it's really chilly, layer. And if it's windy, a shell will do just fine. Duh.

In MN, I might even carry a down sweater for chilly mornins. I'm lookin into those for next year, when I'll be in Quebec (hey there Gremlin!).

I dunno how chilly your hands get, but I like to carry fleece mitts or gloves. I found these nifty things at a fishing shop that are mittens until you flip the top part down, then there are fingerless gloves underneath.

So, there's my clothing manifesto. . . hope it's useful in some way or another.”

“For late spring and earlier fall when the temps are more mild....

Heavily worn blended t-shirts. 3 max.
Old swim trunks with mesh lining
old dockers or old blended pants
wind/waterproof upper shell
wash and wear undies 2 max
2 pair of wooly socks and 3 liners for sure
fleece cap/baseball cap/beggers gloves
upper longjohn or fleece vest or jacket
maybe some bottoms

I know I may be missing something but I normally like to change out of sweating grimmy clothes once camp as been made. A cleaner set of dud's to wear around camp and sleep in on occasion.

I also take heed of the weather history and forecast for that given area for those times of the season. The forecast may not always play out true but knowing alittle about the area's weather history is something to look into. Also terrain and/or the environment will also weight in on what items are brought.”

“For hikes of 3 nights to 3 weeks:

1 T shirt, cool max or similar (on hot days I try to wash it off and put it back on many times a day).

1 warmer long sleeved top (fleece, cool max, or something windproof).

2 pair coolmax or other quick drying underwear (keep washing the dirty pair)

2 pair hiking socks, 2 pair liners

1 pair shorts

1 pair longer pants (possibly wind proof shell)

1 technical head band

Long light weight set of light weight thermals for bed only (but also available for emergency insulation if weather is much colder than anticipated)

If its not going to be cold, I don't wear anything to keep me dry. As long as all the long clothes I wear are quick drying and keep their wind resistence and insulating power when wet, rain doesn't bother me.”

“For a weekend with temps going down to 35

Wear running shorts and sports bra.

Bring:
1 set silk underwear

tops and bottoms for rain gear

a mid weight fleece or coolmax long sleeve shirt

1 pair of liners

If it goes below - I have a down vest that I throw in.

For a week trip I would add hiking socks, and another sports bra and shorts.”

“I see that everyone has liners listed. What are the benefits?”

“liners are easy to rinse out and dry easy. They help with preventing blisters.”

“I've recently lightened my clothing load by not taking a lot of extra clothing. Late spring to early fall when temps will be mild...

Wearing:
- liner socks
- outer hiking socks
- REI blended underwear
- REI convertible Sahara pants
- wicking short sleeve t-shirt with zipper from chest to neck

Carrying:
- extra liners and socks
- 1 lightweight Capilene top ZIP-T
- 1 lightweight Capilene long underwear bottom
- light microfleece top (EMS)
- Gore-Tex shell (L.L. Bean)
- OR Sombrero rainhat

That should cover me down to about 35 degrees. If it's forecast to rain a lot, I'll skip the long pants, just wear shorts and take a pair of Gore-Tex shell bottoms (TNF Mountain Light). They can be worn as camp pants when it gets cooler at night. I'll typically sleep in the long underwear.

If it's forecast to get colder, I'll take a fleece hat with ear flaps, fingerless fleece gloves and possibly a down vest. That would cover me down to about 20 degrees. I'll also switch out the lightweight Capilene stuff for mid-weight stuff.

That will cover me adequately for emergencies or colder than expected weather.”

“Wear:

Coolmax t-shirt
Zip-off leg pants (REI brand)
Wigwam merino wool sox
Danner boots or New Balance 804 trail runners
O.D. green boonie hat

In Pack:

Columbia 200 weight fleece coat
Hind hydrator long sleeve shirt
In cooler weather wool cap/gloves
Fleece pants or Hind running tights

I also have a down coat that is new and un-used as of yet.”

“I'm hiking at altitude most of the time and that can mean freezing or close to at night, especially if it's windy. I find I usually carry/wear the following:

2 pr sock liners;
2 pr wool socks;
2 pr synthetic briefs;
quick dry shorts;
synthetic t-shirt;
top and bottom mid weight Capilene;
mid-weight wool sweater;
nylon windproof/water resistant pants;
WP/B shell or lightweight poly-coated nylon shell;
fleece hat;
brimmed hat;
sunglasses;
gaiters;
and sometimes fingerless gloves.

If I know it's gonna be chilly or I'm gonna do some summiting, I'll throw in another fleece layer and/or a down vest and also WP/B mittens and liners.

Depending on the trip, maybe crampon compatible Danner's w/ crampons or my lighterweight and waaaayyy more comfortable Technica Finders.”

“For cool weather, I pack the exact same thing with the addition of thermal underwear. I also carry a slightly heavier fleece. If you are still cold, then layer your rain suit over everything else. They do provide a good deal of warmth. I am also known to carry polar fleece socks.”

“Thanks for the info everyone - I think I'll be packing fewerth clothes now.”

“BTW I forgot xtra socks in my pack and a thin rain shell which adds warmth in a pinch.”

“Oh yeah, I forgot that I wear gaiters on almost every hike.”

“in summer, i bring what i'm wearing and one spare pair of socks.”