My main consideration in hiker clothing is weight. The second is flexibility. When I say flexibility, I mean that clothes can be layered with little redundancy. I don’t need two optional ways to stay warm – I don’t want to be able to make an either/or choice. Instead, each piece of clothing adds something that no other piece adds. More about that later. If you are just interested in the complete list go to my Lighterpack list.
Thru hike apparel
What am I wearing and what am I carrying for the entire length of the PCT?
The clothing on the top (mostly) of the photo is my worn clothing. My shorts are Patagonia Striders. I like them because the have a liner (delete one pair of underwear) and they don’t chafe. My hiking shirt is actually a fishing hoodie made by Columbia for high exposure to the sun. It is supposed to have some fancy technology that promotes cooling. Who knows for sure. I have not used it in extreme conditions yet. I like that aqua color though! Darn Tough mid-rise socks – check. The Dirty Girl gaiters are rockin! Not sure if I really need gaiters, but we are talkin’ fashion here. Lone Peaks to walk in. These are 4.X. The large toe box is clown-like, it’s true. But, I have had fewer injuries when my foot can move around a bit. The zero rise is what I really want. My running shoes are low rise, and I have been injury free since switching to them (knock on wood.) I have a wide-brim hat. On the positive side, it really keeps the sun off my head and neck. On the negative side, it cuts down on the view above a certain angle. I really love clouds and with a full pack I can only tilt my head back so far. I may just throw in a bandana (doo rag) for days when I want those unobstructed views.
Chickenflea: That shirt is a bad choice.
David: Why?
Chickenflea: The Columbia blew up.
David: You’re insane
I like to use trekking poles. My hands and arms tend to get jealous of my feet and legs. They want to be involved, too! Trekking poles can provide stability (downhills and stream crossings). Beyond that, they hold my tarp up. These are the only trekking poles I have ever owned, so I don’t have too many opinions about them. We get along well.
The pea green thing is my rain jacket. It’s an Outdoor Research something-or-other. I don’t normally wear rain gear. I actually like to get wet. Water keeps me cool and from sweating too much. In Florida, wet always means wet and warm. However, I hear that the trail can be wet and cold, so a rain jacket is in order. The rain jacket also functions as the outer shell in the coldest of situations. That black thing in the middle is a fleece. I never thought I would wear a fleece hiking until I did and I loved it. The navy blue (black really) thing in the lower left is my wool undershirt. It’s for sleeping, but it can be used as a base layer, too on really cold days in camp. The fancy thing next to the undershirt is underwear (Ex Officio). It’s for sleeping, too. On the lower right is my beanie – for camp and sleeping. The blue and brown shiny things above the cap are wind shirt and wind pants. They are so light, it almost makes no sense to NOT take them. In those exposed areas of the trail, a thin layer of protection is all you need for those early and late-hour hikes. I also hope the wind gear works as a bug barrier.
The gray thing on the bottom is my clothing bag. It doubles as my pillow at night. I fill it with stuff until it feels right. If I am wearing a lot of my clothes, I will stuff it with food, leaves, whatever.
Situational apparel
What clothes might I have to add under special conditions?
I am adding some items for cold-weather or snowy sections. The pink contraptions are little spikes that attach to your shoes to help you walk in snow. Sliding down the mountain might sound like fun (at least where I grew up). But your enthusiasm dampens when you hit a rock or tree on the way down. Not to mention shooting off the edge of a cliff. I have not decided about an ice axe yet. An ice axe can slow you down or stop you from sliding down a slope. Just dig it into the snow behind you as you slide. I will add the axe if there is a lot of snow in the mountains in Northern California in June.
The black thing is a pair of mid-weight wool pants (long johns, I guess). I would wear these in cold-weather sleeping or hiking. The name “Icebreaker” has me wondering though. What ice are we breaking with these, and am I wearing them during this operation? The squishy thing at the top is a thin pair of gloves.
What did not make the cut
I have hiking shirt and a puffy that did not make the cut. They are wonderful, but redundant. If I change my mind along the way, or if I tear up my fleece or hiking shirt, my wife can send them to me.
Chickenflea: You call yourself a naturist. You should hike naked.
David: I’m a naturalist – big difference.
Chickenflea: Whatever