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HikerChick03 
Group: Members
Posts: 2
Joined: Mar. 2013
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Posted on: Mar. 16 2013, 3:59 am |
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So i want to do some late spring, summer, and early fall backpacking and was lost on what to buy for clothes. I know obviously maybe rain gear and convertible pants. But I'm lost as to what else. Like what kind of shirts and should i have some sort of jacket and or warmth layer. The backpacking will take place in Minnesota and will be mid may-mid september. Any help is greatly appreciated.
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| Post Number: 2
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WiscoHiker
Group: Members
Posts: 366
Joined: Aug. 2009
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Posted on: Mar. 16 2013, 10:05 am |
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My preference is to bring a base layer consisting of long "underwear" and a long sleeve undershirt -- synthetic and very light-weight. If the weather will be or could be cold, my base layer is heavier. The base layer doubles as sleepwear, too.
I take several pair of smartwool socks as well as a couple pair of short underwear.
Outerwear consists of convertible pants, long-sleeved button-down shirt, and short-sleeved t-shirts -- again, all synthetic.
I will bring a jacket, hoodie, or other heavier outerwear if the weather will dip into the 30s or lower.
Rain gear, of course, is essential on all backpacking trips.
I wear a ball cap and sunglasses, too.
My clothes are put in ziplock baggies (gallon, freezer type) with all the air sqeezed out.
This is how I decide what to take: I decide on an "outfit" to hike in depending on the weather, and it usually consists of smartwool socks, short undewear, short sleeved t-shirt, long sleeved button down shirt, convertible pants, and my ball cap (of course, my hiking boots! LOL). I figure it it's not raining and if I don't fall into a river or stream (!), this "outfit" should last the entire trip (my trips are usually only three or four days). The rest of my clothes are spares for when I get wet or cold.
I can't tell you how many times I come home with clothes that never get worn, but I'd rather have them than be sorry.
Finally, I take at least one spare set of clothes in case things get wet.
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| Post Number: 3
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QCHIKER
Group: Members
Posts: 1728
Joined: Oct. 2009
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Posted on: Mar. 16 2013, 2:31 pm |
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Avoid clothes that are blue or black as they tend to attract mosquitos and other biting insects. I reccommend you spray your clothes with permethrin to keep ticks away.
You can wear merino wool clothing which doesn't get as stinky as synthetics do.
Look at various short sleeve synthetic shirts like Mountain Hardwear Wicked Light or Patagonia Cap1 silk weight shirts.
For a insulation layer look at somehting like a Patagonia Down Sweater jacket. It's Lt. Wt and packs down very small. Or look at a Lt Wt fleece shirt like a Mountain Hardwear Microchill or a Patagonia R1 top.
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| Post Number: 4
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Tallgrass
Group: Members
Posts: 73
Joined: May 2012
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Posted on: Mar. 17 2013, 11:59 am |
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(WiscoHiker @ Mar. 16 2013, 9:05 am)
QUOTE My preference is to bring a base layer consisting of long "underwear" and a long sleeve undershirt -- synthetic and very light-weight. If the weather will be or could be cold, my base layer is heavier. The base layer doubles as sleepwear, too.
I take several pair of smartwool socks as well as a couple pair of short underwear.
Outerwear consists of convertible pants, long-sleeved button-down shirt, and short-sleeved t-shirts -- again, all synthetic.
I will bring a jacket, hoodie, or other heavier outerwear if the weather will dip into the 30s or lower.
Rain gear, of course, is essential on all backpacking trips.
I wear a ball cap and sunglasses, too.
My clothes are put in ziplock baggies (gallon, freezer type) with all the air sqeezed out.
This is how I decide what to take: I decide on an "outfit" to hike in depending on the weather, and it usually consists of smartwool socks, short undewear, short sleeved t-shirt, long sleeved button down shirt, convertible pants, and my ball cap (of course, my hiking boots! LOL). I figure it it's not raining and if I don't fall into a river or stream (!), this "outfit" should last the entire trip (my trips are usually only three or four days). The rest of my clothes are spares for when I get wet or cold.
I can't tell you how many times I come home with clothes that never get worn, but I'd rather have them than be sorry.
Finally, I take at least one spare set of clothes in case things get wet.
This seems like a good list. In MN, I'd have some lightweight long sleeve shirts for sure to help with mosquitoes. I've found the generic Target brand underarmor (I think it's C9 or something like that) works pretty well. Synthetic, can be fairly warm, yet cool, dries fast, light and quite durable.
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| Post Number: 5
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QCHIKER
Group: Members
Posts: 1728
Joined: Oct. 2009
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Posted on: Mar. 17 2013, 2:08 pm |
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If shopping for clothes look for deals at Sierratradingpost.com, steepandcheap.com or ebay.
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| Post Number: 6
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peeb
Let's see who's been naughty, and who's been naughty!
Group: Members
Posts: 4673
Joined: Jun. 2004
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Posted on: Mar. 18 2013, 10:38 am |
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Here in WI I've taken to wearing long sleeve shirts and long pants year round. Hiking pants should be mosquito proof but shirts are another matter - my wool or synthetic baselayers will stil get me bitten. I like a light yet ventilated shirt, SPF rated, when I know the bugs will be out (mine happens to be from a company called Sun Precautions, but many gear shops carry nylon shirts, usually button down, for hiking).
I do treat my clothing with permethrin. I haven't had a tick in years 
Also, I tuck a headnet in my pack all season long. Over a wide brimmed hat, it can save your sanity at times! It doesn't take up space in my pack when I don't need it, but I'm always happy to have it when I do.
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It's all so simple when you break it down scientifically - Nick Bakay
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| Post Number: 7
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WiscoHiker
Group: Members
Posts: 366
Joined: Aug. 2009
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Posted on: Mar. 18 2013, 4:22 pm |
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I do most of my backpacking in WI and the UP, permethrin and deet are my best friends! I treat all my boots, socks, pants, shorts, hat and shirts with permethrin and spray copious amounts of deet on my hat and over my clothes -- bugs fear me! LOL
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| Post Number: 8
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Hungry Jack
Group: Members
Posts: 1293
Joined: Nov. 2002
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Posted on: Mar. 25 2013, 11:05 am |
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All good advice. I try to do most of my Midwest backpacking when the cooler fall temps arrive and the bugs die down, or in early spring before they hatch.
I would only add that I would only bring two cotton items when packing:
1) a cotton t-shirt for sleeping--it soaks up your body oils that can damage your bag liner over the long term, and it is much comfortable than any synthetic fabric
2) a cotton bandanna for soaking up perspiration or as a head sun/bug protector.
Everything else should be a wicking/quick dry fabric.
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| Post Number: 9
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nogods
Group: Members
Posts: 5426
Joined: Sep. 2007
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Posted on: Mar. 25 2013, 10:20 pm |
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A picture says it all - cotton and cold wet conditions don't mix:
This was a hike lead by an experienced backpacker. I would have sent home the woman wearing the fashionable blue jeans and trail runners. the conditions were wet enough and slippery enough to require microspikes and gaiters.
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