Outdoor clothing?

D

Dieselashi

Joined
Feb 12, 2010
Messages
98
Hey Everyone,

Hanging around my normal area (W&SS, of course), I've noticed that we have a good mix of survivalists, bushcrafters, casual hikers, and backcountry backpackers and I was curious to see what sorts of clothing everyone chose for their respective interests.

I myself am more of a long-distance backpacker type but despite the weight of a slightly heavier pack after miles and miles I still find myself split 50/50 between so-called "ultra lightweight" gear and more military-type gear.

In a temperate weather climate, what sorts of pants/shorts/shorts/etc. do you guys (and gals?) wear? I've been kicking around in a pair of military BDU pants mixed with a lightweight shirt for some time now but think it's time to change my fading, tearing, and wearing trousers.

Does anyone wear camouflage when they go for hikes or overnights or is it too "weird"? I find myself really interested in all types of military camouflage and uniforms but I'd like to hear from those who actually wear an ACU/BDU/whatever for "outside" clothing. On another note, how does 50/50 nylon-cotton compare to 65/35 poly-cotton for comfort, durability, etc? I like the NYCO stuff but it only seems to come in UCP, woodland, and tri-color desert. Any recommendations?
 
Good thread, I'll be interested to see everyones responses.

Personally, it depends on what I'm doing like you said.
For just fishing, car camping or day hikes, I'll wear bdu's or just jeans and cotton tshirts, and I've been wanting to get a nice wool pullover for an outer layer. Right now I just use whatever jacket I have.

For backpacking, it's all light weight and synthetic. When I'm days out in the wilderness I could care less about what I look like, I just want to be comfortable.

I wear the nylon convertible pants, you would be surprised how much turning them into shorts helps cool down your whole body while you're hiking.

I like a short sleeved full button synthetic shirt, so I can open it up, if I really start warming up. I also bring a long sleeved synthetic Tshirt to wear underneath for when it gets cooler, although I would like to get a wool one, but they are twice the price.

For a jacket, I use a primaloft insulation jacket, although I bet there are lighter jackets out there. I would also consider a down jacket, but it's hard to find one that's not too puffy.

I bring a wool beanie for when it gets cool, and a baseball cap, canvas full brim, or wool fedora for during the day while I'm hiking.

Always wool socks, and sometimes silk liners.
 
It's the balance of utility/practicality versus high performance/ultralight products. At what point does oilskin canvas break down and lose its waterproofness versus goretex? You can re-wax oilskin, but after 10-15 wash cycles your goretex ski jacket won't be so waterproof anymore. At what point will a heavy duty canvas, nylon or leather pack outlast an ultralight ripstop one?

That kind of mentality is the big rift in the differences in today's outdoor sporting world. I've been lucky in finding happy mediums as of late. This summer I wore Eddie Bauer's Bush Shirt three days out of the week. I've spent two summers in the high desert now and it's pretty obvious through everyday experience that high desert sun exposure will get to you way before the heat does. A midweight light colored long sleeve shirt can make a dry 90 degree day feel like a dry 70 degree day.

Wool is huge-people write it off as heavy, hard to maintain and impractical for everything but northwoods winters. Many companies have applied wool in so many different ways... this weekend for example, I wore a Helly Hansen Odin merino baselayer while floating the Salmon River. I was constantly wet, there were some harsh chilly gusts down in the canyon that made being wet and exposed uncomfortably cold, yet the merino wool held its insulation value even when soaked. Everyone else was wearing waterproof splash tops that don't breathe, and were wallowing in their sweat all day long. I'd rather be drenched with clean river water than drenched in stinky sweat any day.

The North Face and a few other companies are now producing high performance teeshirts and light summer wear from wool because they realize its durability combined with its breathability make for a very practical summer wear product. Places like Australia and the Andes Mountains, people have been wearing wool year round like this for ages. I mention wool in particular because it just makes so much sense... but it's just one material and there are a plethora out there that get the job done. Companies like Dale of Norway are combining both the technical high performance technologies with wool... Goretex Windstopper layers intertwined with wool layers in attempt to get the best of both worlds-and they do an awesome job of it.

I think the best thing to do is try a few different products, use them extensively and compare the advantages and disadvantages of them. For example, I know I'll never opt for a polyester pullover again when there are so many practical, reasonably priced wool products out there, and that I'd take a linen buttonup longsleeve over a polyester moisture wicking teeshirt. When in doubt, watch what the locals are doing-for example, there's a reason at least a quarter of the people in downtown Boise are wearing Chaco's. For the lifestyle, it's practical.
 
If you want to wear camo go for it I say. Where I live, hike and hunt it is accepted. Not to mention a decent pair of ripstop pants is light enough in the summer to not be too hot but give your legs some protection. They can be rolled up if you want "shorts".

The poly cotton blend is tough and drys fast. In the winter you can layer them with long undies and throw an insulated layer over if need be... The more I think of it the more I like my BDUs.

Carhartt dungarees are not light and don't dry fast but they can be had cheap and last forever.

I'm not doing any multiweek hikes so my gear doesn't have to be too light. If I was I would still want my pack as bombproof as possible and opt for lighter stuff to put in it.

It is hot here during the summer and I love wearing wool socks year round. Obviously lighter weight in the summer.

I've got a Filson Outfitter coat with a wool liner and it is super tough and great for hiking but it doesn't lend itself to throwing a pack over. Just a little thick and too long I guess.

So, just do whatever works I guess!
 
I long distance hike and go on 5 day trips often. if it isn't light weight . it isn't going with me. as far as BDU's go. wear them if you like them. stingray always wears them. I lose him in the woods sometimes he blends in so good.
- midweight base layer made by smartwool. they resist smell, this way you do not smell as bad after hiking 5 days.
-socks I wear InGenius wool hikers. the padded ones. I found these reduce hot spots
-boots, I use Asolo all leather boots that are waterproof.
-nylon northface zipoff pant leg pants. this reduces carrying shorts and pants.
-shirts I bring a coolmax soccer jersey. they breath and dry fast. Also I wear a long sleve columbia tech shirt. you can roll the sleves up or down, it's lightweight and keeps the bugs off your arms.
-jackets I bring a prim-aloft mountain hardware jacket, (chugach)
the advantage to synthetic down opposed to down jackets is it dries out faster than down does.
-rain gear. I use northface rain gear. venture jacket 12.5 oz. and pants 7.8 oz
-beanie. smartwool.
-hat-BDU Boonie
-Shemagh for head and face wrap, blanket, sun shade.
-Oakley sun glasses
-military issue fingerless wool gloves.
 
Backpacking any distance is rare for me. I do a lot of dayhiking, occasional overnighters, and now am rock climbing at least once or twice a week. I use the same clothes for either.
Tan ripstop BDUs. Pants and shorts. Shorts are 65/35 cotton/polyester, but I accidentally bought cotton pants. 65/35 blend is technically better in most respects than pure cotton but I'm ok with both.

The stuff I really like, and have 2 pairs each of:
Marmot Scree softshell pants.
North Face Mt. Rainier shorts.

Need to get some new bushwhacking pants, though, and they'll probably be another pair of Carharrt canvas dungarees.
 
Hard to beat BDU type pants. I'd wear my cammie utility pants if it weren't outlawed by the Marine Corps. I do like the wicking tshirts/button up type shirts on top tho. Definitely beats utility blouses.

Thorlo socks are the only kind I'll wear in the field or on the trail.

I'll second Boomsticks recommendations of North Face rain gear and Oakleys.

The military issue gortex jackets have saved my skin more than once too, little on the heavy side tho.

Polartec beanies and fleece jackets or north face fleece have worked well for me also.
 
There is not much in the way of heavy bushwhacking near me, so I am content to plow through most things with only a pair of Columbia ripstop nylon convertible pants. I rather like their Silver Ridge 2 models for the pockets. On short hikes where civilization is a short way away in any direction, I don't even carry a pack. Everything I need fits into the pockets and I carry a 48oz nalgene of water in one hand.

Shirt choices are similar. I wear either campmor's duofold t-shirts or Columbia's t-shirts. I wear mountaineering weight smartwool socks with liners year round, even if it's 100F out. I usually wear a baseball cap in hot weather, which helps shade my eyes.

For colder weather, I have some cheap, but effective thermals, a thin fleece (synthetic something or other), and a Marmot waterproof shell (cheap model) that works nicely as a windbreaker and rain gear in warmer weather. I also tend to wear a smartwool beanie (though my fat head stretches them out badly).
 
milsurp camo can be cheap if you visit thrift stores frequently and wear "average" sized, but then you're in competitionwith more people for the common sizes.

and camo tends to stick out a bit if you're wearing it around town... expecially if you';re wearing more than one piece.

so, personally i've quit buing any milsurp camo, except for the M65 field jacket that i keep in the truck as insulation from burning pavement in the summer, or as a loanger jacket if someone at the dog park has forgotten to bring something suitable. i also have a ECWCS parka that stays in the truck in colder weather.

for daily wear i rarely wear anything other than 5.11 cargo pants. they have the utility of BDUs, but with a heavier duty fabric and come in a size that fit my long legs that's hard to gind in heans... and the cargo pockets are great. they work well hiking or camping, and don't stand out in the office.

i'll wear a shemagh, but not around town. however a Carahart knit cap or a Buff work anywhere.

i know people who can disapear in the woods and have people walk past them... while wearing a blaze orange safety vest. sooo i don't buy into the "need" for high end camo. but my daily wear is usually solid earthtones which would work quite well if i want to walk into the desert and not be seen. however if i have advance notice of the need to do that i won't wear a black shirt.

here in the southwest desert... cotton does not kill. in the mountains however it would be a different story.
 
Over the years I have grown to like high-tech fabrics more and more and recognize their benefits. As much as I like BDU/ACU pants, they are not the great for extended outings. I know because I wear them a lot while at work. Nylon pants are superior because they are light, comfortable, and dry quickly. If you guy good quality nylon pants, they will last longer than ACUs. Railriders makes very high quality nylon pants that are guaranteed for a long time. I normally wearing North Face, Mountain Hardware, Columbia or the REI Sahara pants. I normally wear the convertible style.

Wool, just like Down, is a superior natural material. I prefer merino wool socks, and there is no manmade material that will insulate when wet, better than wool. I would like a nice wool anorak, but they aren't cheap.
 
I got to agree with some of the above posts. Merino wool for insulation layers is fantastic, as it keeps you warm when wet, and won't smell as much as synthetic materials. But a potential downisde is that its pretty expensive, but toatlly worth it, IMO
 
I do mainly day hiking and camping and sometimes go canoeing. So I don't focus on light weight clothing, but I want my clothing to be tough and functional.

Here in the Netherlands I mostly wear jeans, also on day hikes. I think most of the time, the temperature here is between 10 and 20 degrees Celcius. So I often wear a shirt and a fleece jacket. If it gets a bit colder, then a woolen sweater on top of the shirt. Brands for clothing don't interest me very much, except for hiking shoes. Clothing must be tough and functional, that's it actually.

I don't wear camo clothing, it is also very unusual here to wear camo clothing. Here it is mainly worn by the military and hunters. In my opinion it is not weird and I think there's nothing wrong with camo clothing of good quality.
 
JCK said:
I got to agree with some of the above posts. Merino wool for insulation layers is fantastic, as it keeps you warm when wet, and won't smell as much as synthetic materials. But a potential downisde is that its pretty expensive, but toatlly worth it, IMO
Click to expand...

wool can be found easily and cheaply in thrift stores
esp lots of thinner stuff that works great for base layers
i personally dont even care if it has a moth hole or two
easily stitched up
or let it go esp if a base layer weight
buy almost all my wool stuff at the thrift store
you might be surprised just how much and how cheap it can be found
many of the wool manufactures have sales all the time too
i subscribed to ibex' newsletter online
they often have pieces of their gear on half price
if ya prefer going new
have had some ibex base layers and their heavier stuff for many yrs
washed and worn lots
got years of life left
wash all my wool just like the rest of my clothes(cold water of course)
but hang to dry
or yr pooch(or other youngens) will have lots of sweaters....
 
I have all sorts of clothing. Different fabrics, different colors......

I wear what is appropriate for conditions and comfort. I might look a bit weird to others, but then ....................oh well :D
 
I like camo clothing, but I wear it every day (ACU’s), so I’m usually wanting a lower profile when out for recreation.

During the warmer season backpacking trips, I’ll usually take a set of convertible nylon pants (Craghoppers, REI, LL Bean, Northface, etc.). I usually wear a synthetic t-shirt or tank top and bring along a synthetic long-sleeve button shirt (5.11, Columbia). I have done some hunting and woods-bumming with older BDU’s or even solid color ACU-styled pants. The poly-cotton blends are quite tough and the fit is good. When it’s colder, I’ll sometimes where the solid color ACU/cargo pants for day hikes.

Even if I’m hiking in my Chaco sandals, I still have a pair of wool socks in my bag. When it’s cooler in the evening/morning, I pack more layered items and usually have a light-weight wool hoodie or sweater. Next layer up is a micro-fleece and soft-shell jacket.

When I know temperatures vary widely, I always pack a silk-weight long-sleeve wool thermal shirt (Smartwool), Polartec long-underwear and of course a fleece watch cap and extra wool socks. I reserve these for sleeping and early AM layering before the chill lifts. If it’s really cold and wet, I’ll pack a pair of ECWCS Gore-Tex pants which I can wear as stand-alone, over my regular hiking pants, with the long-underwear or all three for maximum insulation; really gives me a lot of options for wide-ranging weather.

ROCK6
 
JCK said:
I got to agree with some of the above posts. Merino wool for insulation layers is fantastic, as it keeps you warm when wet, and won't smell as much as synthetic materials. But a potential downisde is that its pretty expensive, but toatlly worth it, IMO
Click to expand...

I haven't worn anything heavier than my Dale of Norway Storebjorn sweater since I bought it, and that includes a winter in McCall, Idaho... I see people spending 2-300 dollars on winter coats all the time-it's the norm, and this sweater costed half that. The North Face has their Fairfax and Diablo sweaters that are merino wool that run 40-50 dollars-most wool pullovers of good quality are going to cost you about the same as a fleece one. I got an Eddie Bauer Ragg Wool sweater for 20 bucks on their Fall Clearance last year. You just need to know what you're looking for and how to shop. I just got my Helly Hansen Odin for 54 bucks and retail is over 100...
 
I love wool.

I have a Pullover from G Fred Asbell that I love. Got it last spring so I havent had it out in super cold yet, but I think it will work just fine. Scored a Swanndri recently too that is inbound...

Mines the shadow plaid.
http://www.gfredasbell.com/gfa_wool_clothing.php

Other then that, Heavy boots, carhartt pants or other dungaree from REI, Columbia etc... and t shirt. Merino is awesome. I have lots of baselayer, and socks in Merino. Also love the capaline stuff from patagonia.

Outerwear...North Face Softshell, SAS smock, Carhartt coat....Wool beanie from smartwool, or other. I have a Quicksilver one that is near and dear to me.

Gloves- Wool Filson fingerless. Love em.

I sometimes wear shorts and Chaco sandalls too for canoe and other water activity.
 
I used to be a real techy nerd when it came to outdoor clothing, nowdays I still have some high tech gear but mostly just wear wool !
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top