Clothing and Footwear
Clothing and footwear are perhaps some of the most highly personal subjects. The choices are numerous. People have strong preferences (and strong opinions) regarding clothing and footwear. The best that I can do is speak a little bit about my personal preferences, share some very general links and information, and then let each person decide what works best for them (basically through "trial and error").
Links to Some General Articles About Outdoor Clothing and Footwear
- Here is a general article from REI Co-op. "What to Wear Backpacking"
- An article, from Clever Hiker regarding "Creating the Perfect Ultralight Clothing System"
- Click the Link: "The Ultimate Guide to Hiking Clothing"
- What to Wear Hiking, For All Seasons, Weather Forecasts & Destinations
- "What to Wear Kayaking" (From REI Co-op)
- What to Wear Kayaking: A Head to Toe Guide
- Backpacking Footwear Tips and Advice
- How to Choose Hiking Boots (Rei Co-op)
- Reviews of Best Hiking Shoes
- Trail Runners or Hiking Boots: The Great Debate (REI Co-op)
- Trail Runners vs. Hiking Boots: A 30 Year Perspective
- Hiking Boots vs. Trail Runners: Pros and Cons
- Hiking In Sandals
- Best Hiking Sandals
- Barefoot Hiking: Pros, Cons, and Dangers
- Barefoot Hiking
- How to Tie a Heel Lock Knot in Running Shoes and Hiking Shoes
- How to tie Heel Lock Knot in Hiking Boots
What I Tend to Wear
FOOTWEAR: I have very wide feet. So, I generally wear some trail runners from New Balance--or the Merrell Moab 2. I last used hiking boots on a long hike in 1994. (Other than when the Army had me do road marches in "Army Boots"). I have recently started using a pair of "Crocs" as a camp shoe (or a water or paddling shoe if canoeing). They are light. They dry off quickly. They are easy to slip on and off for a late light outhouse run. When canoeing, I step right out of the canoe and into the water--and the shoe will not stay wet for very long. Note: I sometimes don't bring spare shoes for use in camp.
PANTS: I tend to wear some form of quick-drying (convertible) hiking pants--with lots of pockets. I can zip off the bottoms of the pant legs and turn them into shorts--but I tend to wear long pants on Isle Royale. I wear one pair--and have another pair in my pack. If I am doing ultralight backpacking--I wear a pair--and then carry a VERY lightweight pair of shorts in the pack.
UNDERWEAR: Some form of breathable/wicking boxer briefs. I tend to wear a pair--and then have two pair in my pack (only one pair in the pack if going ultralight backpacking).
SHIRTS: Although they are heavier, I tend to wear wicking polo shirts (oftentimes golf shirts--even though I do not golf). I like how the collars give a bit more sun protection to my neck and the collars aid in keeping the shoulder straps from rubbing my shoulders and neck. I may also bring a wicking long sleeve t-shirt--maybe with a crew neck or even a "mock turtleneck" collar. If I am doing normal backpacking, I wear a polo shirt--and have a spare in the pack and a SUPER light t-shirt. If I am ultralight backpacking--I wear a polo and carry just the super light (wicking) t-shirt. (I may leave the long sleeve T-shirt home if going ultralight--unless lost of rainy and cold temps are forecast)
SOCKS: I tend to prefer "Darn Tough" crew length (low calf) Merino wool socks. My backup is similar socks by "Smart Wool". In the past year, I have also been wearing somewhat lightweight "toe socks" as "liners". They are made by Injinji and are crew length. The two layers of socks help reduce friction, hot spots, and blisters. The toe sock liners also help reduce rubbing and friction between the toes. (No matter what I do--my feet are prone to rubbing and blisters--and I am known to frequently hike 8-16 miles in a day. Last July I did a 34 mile day on Isle Royale. And, two days later, I did a 22 mile day. On that trip, I hiked across the Island on the Greenstone. Then hiked back on the Minong--all in five days. So, with all of my foot issues, I also tend to tape up my feet pretty heavily with the cloth Leukotape). On a normal hiking trip, I wear a pair of Darn Toughs and a pair of the Injinji toe sock liners.--and carry two pairs Darn Toughs and one pair of Injinji liners in the pack. On an ultralight trip--I probably will wear a pair of each and carry a pair of each.
JACKET: A down "puffy" jacket by Eddie Bauer--and/or maybe a micro-fleece jacket. If going ultralight, I usually leave the fleece home.
"WOOL" CAP or "BEANY": A very light one that weighs just one ounce.
HIKING HAT: A "full-brimed Army "Boonie" hat.
RAIN GEAR: Either a large Army-style rain poncho OR my "Gatewood Cape" that can also double as my shelter. (Sometimes, I throw in one of those thin, plastic, extremely thin and light "emergency" rain ponchos--in case something happens to my primary rain gear). Link to the Gatewood Cape. (Click Here). Warning the Gatewood Cape is definitely not for everyone--it has some "pros" and several "cons"
PANTS: I tend to wear some form of quick-drying (convertible) hiking pants--with lots of pockets. I can zip off the bottoms of the pant legs and turn them into shorts--but I tend to wear long pants on Isle Royale. I wear one pair--and have another pair in my pack. If I am doing ultralight backpacking--I wear a pair--and then carry a VERY lightweight pair of shorts in the pack.
UNDERWEAR: Some form of breathable/wicking boxer briefs. I tend to wear a pair--and then have two pair in my pack (only one pair in the pack if going ultralight backpacking).
SHIRTS: Although they are heavier, I tend to wear wicking polo shirts (oftentimes golf shirts--even though I do not golf). I like how the collars give a bit more sun protection to my neck and the collars aid in keeping the shoulder straps from rubbing my shoulders and neck. I may also bring a wicking long sleeve t-shirt--maybe with a crew neck or even a "mock turtleneck" collar. If I am doing normal backpacking, I wear a polo shirt--and have a spare in the pack and a SUPER light t-shirt. If I am ultralight backpacking--I wear a polo and carry just the super light (wicking) t-shirt. (I may leave the long sleeve T-shirt home if going ultralight--unless lost of rainy and cold temps are forecast)
SOCKS: I tend to prefer "Darn Tough" crew length (low calf) Merino wool socks. My backup is similar socks by "Smart Wool". In the past year, I have also been wearing somewhat lightweight "toe socks" as "liners". They are made by Injinji and are crew length. The two layers of socks help reduce friction, hot spots, and blisters. The toe sock liners also help reduce rubbing and friction between the toes. (No matter what I do--my feet are prone to rubbing and blisters--and I am known to frequently hike 8-16 miles in a day. Last July I did a 34 mile day on Isle Royale. And, two days later, I did a 22 mile day. On that trip, I hiked across the Island on the Greenstone. Then hiked back on the Minong--all in five days. So, with all of my foot issues, I also tend to tape up my feet pretty heavily with the cloth Leukotape). On a normal hiking trip, I wear a pair of Darn Toughs and a pair of the Injinji toe sock liners.--and carry two pairs Darn Toughs and one pair of Injinji liners in the pack. On an ultralight trip--I probably will wear a pair of each and carry a pair of each.
JACKET: A down "puffy" jacket by Eddie Bauer--and/or maybe a micro-fleece jacket. If going ultralight, I usually leave the fleece home.
"WOOL" CAP or "BEANY": A very light one that weighs just one ounce.
HIKING HAT: A "full-brimed Army "Boonie" hat.
RAIN GEAR: Either a large Army-style rain poncho OR my "Gatewood Cape" that can also double as my shelter. (Sometimes, I throw in one of those thin, plastic, extremely thin and light "emergency" rain ponchos--in case something happens to my primary rain gear). Link to the Gatewood Cape. (Click Here). Warning the Gatewood Cape is definitely not for everyone--it has some "pros" and several "cons"