Dress For Success, Get the Proper Camping Clothing
Packing is always a pain for me and camping clothing is the hardest to pack. When traveling I am told I "fill up the trunk" with my clothing. Maybe it's true, but when packing for camping I have a completely different attitude.
How you plan your camping clothing for your camping trip is one of the most important things you can prepare for. Once you pack and leave home, what you have in your bag or backpack is all you have. It has to be comfortable no matter what you are faced with.
Many places that you visit won't have a store for you to buy a jacket or a pair of shorts.
The trick is to keep your bags light but have everything you think you might need. Here are some tips to help you do that...
Weather
Weather should be your main concern when you are packing your camping cloths.
A good thing to do is watch the weather conditions in the area that you are planning to visit for at least a week.
The longer you watch the better you will understand what camping cloths to bring. If your computer has a weather tracking widget this should be easy to do.
Remember to check the weather at night as well as in the daytime. You will need to know how much the temperature differential is going to be.
Unless you are heading for known cold weather always layer rather than bringing real heavy coats. They take up a lot of room. You can always adjust the layers.
Summer
For backpacking or hiking, shorts or light clothing are good choices. If you are base camping, then bring the same as hiking for daytime. Other camping cloths considerations are:
- Water wicking materials are key no matter what the temperature.
- Bring a light sweater for the evening depending on the altitude and location.
- If you are in a part of the country where summer rain is not unusual add a light rain jacket to your list.
- If you know it will be to cold for shorts and don't have the room, leave them behind.
- Spring and fall weather is unpredictable so it is good to have a pair of pants even if it is hot where you are going.
- Going hiking? There might be a lot of thorny brush that you have to pass through or a real nasty sunburn might force you to cover up.
- My son likes to wear cargo pants/shorts because of the pockets that they have. He can carry a map and a compass in one and trail mix in the other.
- If you are backpacking, then weight becomes an issue. Plan for the median temperatures and either add or reduce your clothing layers as necessary.
Here is a checklist for backpacking.
Here is a checklist for base camping.
Hats
This is another great camping clothing item to have around (and not just to hide the bed head).
Getting bad sunburn on your face or head on day one will make the rest of your trip a disaster. They are a great way to keep your head warm in the winter and can help prevent heatstroke in the summer.
If it gets hot on the trail and the sweat from your brow is getting to you just soak your hat in a stream. It will bring your temperature down and rejuvenate you until break time.
Most people don't realize the amount of body heat you loose from your head.
Cover it up in the winter. Bring a knitted cap for sleeping in. it will keep you much warmer.
Winter
Depending on the altitude you are at, or if you are in snow country (yes, some people actually camp in the snow) will change the type of camping clothing that you will need.
- In the winter, cotton fabrics are always a poor choice. They tend to hold water then stick to your body. If it is cold enough, it will then turn stiff as a board.
- For shirts, again weather is going to have a big impact on your choice here but remember it is always good to get materials that wick water away from your skin
- Protection against the sun can be just as important as the cold. Sunglasses and hats can be huge.
- A good jacket is not necessarily the one that keeps you the warmest. Layers will keep you warm a jacket should keep you dry. Get something with a hood because you most likely won't be caring an umbrella!
It is important to know that there is a difference between water resistant and water proof.
- Water resistant means if it rains lightly you will be fine. If it rains hard and you are stuck out in it water will leak through the seams and make its way through the material when it gets saturated.
- Waterproof means that if you get stuck in that downpour you will be all right for a while. It is probably coated with Gortex and has sealed seams so the water can't get in where the thread holds the fabric together. Make sure it is breathable and lightweight.
- Things that are too "waterproof" and not breathable can cause you to sweat even in cold weather. Later as you cool down, you will become really cold then.
- Remember, Layers, Layers, Layers...
Spring and fall can throw your choice of camping clothing for a loop sometimes.
- The changing seasons (except for Southern California, perhaps) can have a wide range of temperatures from day to night.
- There is also the consideration of rain and perhaps some more extreme conditions that can come up quickly and unexpectedly.
- You should know your own area pretty well but remember to check the weather regularly before your trip.
- When you travel across the country to explore new places you should check more often and also buy books about the area. They will most likely talk about what the seasons are like from a camper's perspective...
Hiking Boots/Shoe's
Your shoes and/or boots are one of the most important items you have. A poor choice in footwear can ruin a trip.
When you go looking, a good pair of water resistant (not waterproof, they can't breathe) boots with medium ankle and good arch support is a must. When purchasing them bring two pairs of socks to the store for the fitting. See the section on socks below for the explanation.
For Just Hiking: Unless you need ankle support a pair of running shoes with decent soles will work well for warm and dry areas. However, they will kill your feet in cold or damp areas, so you might as well invest in some quality boots if you plan to be a regular hiker, backpacker or camper.
For Camping: If you are kicking around a lake and there are not many hills around the site you are staying at you will probably be fine with your sneakers and a pair of sandals.
Is weight and space an issue for you when camping? If not an extra pair of shoes would be the one thing I would always suggest you over pack on.
Backpacking: When hiking or backpacking, the last thing you want to have to deal with is a bad shoe choice (and I don't mean color). You will only have the pair you left with, so choose wisely.
A good set of hiking shoes should be the most critical item on your list. Your feet are very important and you don't want to create problems out in the field. Nothing is worse than blisters when you need to walk any distance.
- A trip to a good outdoor/camping supply center you should discover a wide variety to choose from.
- Quality usually equals price, but price does not always equal the best comfort for your particular feet.
- Let the local clerk recommend for you but base you judgment on comfort and need.
- I have seen $300.00 boots create a foot full of blisters and I have walked around for years in a pair that cost me about $80.00. There are much lighter weight boots than I am using now that are very comfortable.
Socks
Always consider the type of socks that you go out onto the trail in. Always wear two pair for extra comfort.
When you go out to buy your new hiking boots, be sure to fit them with both pair on.
All cotton socks are comfortable at first but tend to flatten out from being walked on. They will also retain moisture from sweat or if you step in water. This can make problems for your feet.
The pair closest to you skin should be wool or another type of hydrophobic (water wicking) material to keep your feet as dry as possible. The second pair can be cotton if you like but I try to stay away from cotton socks all together.
Under Garments
If the weather is going to be cold or if the change in temperature from early morning to afternoon is extreme than it is good to bring long underwear and long sleeve shirts.
It is more important to layer your cloths than to have a heavy jacket or thick pants. This way if you get to warm you can take layers off instead of being stuck with that heavy article of clothing. Those of you who live where the Nor'easters blow know that well.
It is always good to find a hydrophobic layer to wear next to your skin but it is not necessary.
There is nothing wrong with being prepared for the worst. Just don't go nuts with your camping clothing because if you can't fit it in your bag…. And don't fill up your trunk with unnecessary items. Your going camping, not to visit your relatives!