Clothing

[Taurë-rana]

I'm sure there must be a post on this somewhere, but exactly what clothes do you take for a multi-day - 4 or more - walk in SW Tasmania, where you need to be prepared for rain the whole trip, blizzards, and stinking hot sun and scrub?

[pazzar]

Its really up to how much you are willing to take. I usually carry 2 or 3 pairs of thermals, a warm jumper, a spare set of dry clothes for camp, and depending on which part of the SW I am in, I may take snow pants. Plenty of socks is also handy. I guess its each to their own - I think I take too much sometimes, but better to be safe than sorry

[ollster]

Good question. I always take the something like the following:

Short sleeve lightweight merino thermals x2 or a short and a long sleeve
Long sleeve mid-weight merino thermal (may leave behind if weather looks great)
Tough, wicking, walking overtop
Second shirt or something for camp (usually a thin cotton tshirt or something)
Polypro gloves + riggers gloves
Polypro beanie and a sunhat (occasionally also a merino beanie for around camp)
Goretex jacket
Down jacket for around camp (alternates as pillow when stuffed into sleeping bag cover)
Pair of knee length shorts
Pair of zip off overtrousers or pair of overpants depending on expected weather (occasionally both and no shorts)
TIght cotton shorts underwear for walking x2
Pair of loose underwear for camp
Several pairs of awesome Ultimax/Wigwam socks for walking / merino socks for camp
Sandals or volleys

I pretty much take that basic kit and maybe add another baselayer thermal or occasionally a windproof jacket, but usually layering and my goretex will keep me warm. Oh, and I take too many socks...

Pretty sure that's about my usual.

[stu]

Recent trip through the Franklands I took the following (warranted the weather was stellar most of the 8 days).

Wear: Columbia l/s shirt (good in scrub & scorching sun, versatile with fold up sleeves, ventilated & wicking)
Macpac shorts
Outdoor Research Deluge bucket (sun & rain hat in 1)
Macpac Merino boxers
Icebreaker Merino socks
Mtn Hardware windstopper vest (ready in pack for stops / weather change)
Icebreaker l/s merino top (ready in pack for stops / weather change)
Icebreaker merino beannie
polypro gloves (+ riggers scrub gloves as discussed on another thread)

Rain: Macpac Aspiring jacket
Mont hydronaught over pants

Camp: Macpac crossover pants (very light & packable)
Macpac merino light l/s top
standard t-shirt (I can't get away from the comfort of cotton)
MD's merino long johns (for bed or under pants if very cold)
The North Face synthetic insulated jacket (awesome!)
Icebreaker light weight merino liner socks (for bed)
Icebreaker merino liner gloves (for bed)
Crocs type camp sandle thingos (even climbed a couple of small peaks in these)
Spare woolen beannie

Spare: Icebreaker Merino socks x 1 (ie. 2 pairs for the trip;
I carry anti-bacterial foot spray as well so the socks stay a little less manky, can't justify more than 2 pairs really)
Macpac merino boxers x 1 (ie. 2 pairs for the trip, again, can't justify more than 2 pairs)
Spare hankie x 2

Thats my standard kit as well, if it's getting into the colder months I'd usually throw in another merino / fleece top, heavier weight long johns & my Montbell Ultralight down vest.

Hope this helps out Rachael.
Cheers.
Stu.

[Son of a Beach]

I pack clothes according to the following (somewhat vague) layers:

• Underwear (undies & socks)
• Thermals (leggings and top)
• Cool Clothes (shorts & light shirt)
• Warm Clothes (eg, polar-fleece vest/jumper/jacket)
• Very Warm Clothes (thick polar-fleece trousers & jacket)
• Waterproofs (overpants & coat)

Most of these layers (apart from underwear & 'warm clothes') consists of one item for the top (eg, shirt, jumper), and one item for the bottom (eg, shorts, trousers). I will usually take a spare set of underwear in a zip lock bag, and for winter or very cold trips, I'll take a second set of thermals (also in the zip-lock bag), and an additional warm polar-fleece top.

I find that remembering these 6 basic categories makes it very easy to remember which clothes to pack.

PS. The zip-lock bag also contains my gloves and a spare hanky. I very rarely have to open the zip-lock bag, but it has come in very handy at times.

[Taurë-rana]

Thanks fellas, I'm trying to keep my weight down to a minimum (obviously) but take enough so I don't freeze so it's useful to know what people with a bit more practice take. I used to have a standard kit that I took when I walked 20 years ago but I can't remember what it was. Clothes have changed a bit anyway, thank goodness. I know I used to take heavy woollen army trousers.

[ollster]

I used to take an XL 300wt polar fleece jacket... it was enormous! I just use 1-4 layers now. Bit of insulation and/or windproofness is really all I need unless it's sub-zero.

[Nuts]

Feathers are your friends I used to use fleeces and more thermal layers, now just a down vest (or two, montbell, pack very small)(and a light synthetic insulated jacket) in colder months. Obviously 800+ fill will be the lightest and least bulky though even the cheaper (good quality) down is ok (weight for weight with other options)

[ollster]

Feathers are your friends I used to use fleeces and more thermal layers, now just a down vest (or two, montbell, pack very small)(and a light synthetic insulated jacket) in colder months. Obviously 800+ fill will be the lightest and least bulky though even the cheaper (good quality) down is ok (weight for weight with other options)

Weeeeeeell, they're OK for around the tent, but walking in them is horrid. I get far too hot in down when I'm actually doing anything, and obviously once you sweat a bit in them the down gets soaked, especially when wearing a pack. You don't find this?

[Nuts]

Yer, me too... I really only think of cold as in 'when stopped'. I cant wear more than a thermal or two while on the move (ie.. because i get sweaty... used to be cause i would go hard, now it seems to happen at any pace )

[ollster]

Yer, me too... I really only think of cold as in 'when stopped'. I cant wear more than a thermal or two while on the move (ie.. because i get sweaty... used to be cause i would go hard, now it seems to happen at any pace )

Ah ok. I thought you might have one of those bright orange full length mountaineering suits... Kinda like a Snuggie for walking in.

[Taurë-rana]

Yer, me too... I really only think of cold as in 'when stopped'.

That's my feeling too,although it takes me longer to warm up when moving these days, and I get very cold when stopped. My favourite temperature for general life is 27-28 degrees and humid. I l prefer to walk in long sleeve (roll-up) shirt and shorts, don't like walking in trousers at all so have gone with ILUVSWTAS's suggestion and got some cheap CF supports. They are actually calf supports as they didn't have knee ones, but they walk perfectly although might be a little warm in hot weather I reckon. The added bonus is that they provide my knees with... support!

Feathers are your friends

I like feathers too, just concerned about the rain. I've just picked up a Mountain Hardware 800 fill jacket for $150 which I'm pretty happy about. I have actually considered one of those bright orange full length mountaineering suits for camp... I really do get cold! Seems to me you could have one of those and do away with the sleeping bag!

[Ent]

Gradually working out what works for me and come up with a few rules of thumb.

1. Merino is great for base layer and boxer shorts are better for all but extreme cold conditions.
2. Full length thermals make great pyjamas and enable the silk liner to be binned and also gives the ability to better use the sleeping bag unzipped.
3. With Nuts on down jacket though could not walk in one it is great for around camp. Have the Mont with Hydronaut fabric and this is ok for shaking of some rain in a dash out and back but nut waterproof under any circumstances.
4. Nylon outer wear is a must as much as I like Merino it is just too fragile for walking in all but on wider tracks.
5. Montane pants with DWR coating have to be the best thing for any but the must extreme warm or wet and cold conditions. Great pick up Nuts.
6. Proper Mont shorts and the Montane pants is a great combination as zip of trouser while good for day walks are a bit too much of trying to do everything.
7. Goretex tough outer shell is something in jacket and pants I trust but yes I have ventured into the dark side with a Montane jacket and buying MD Repel photon pants. Time will tell if that is the right way to go. As usual with new rain gear, it has not rained so no on track reports yet.
8. Fresh socks is one of the small joys of bush walking and worth the weight and the smell, enough said
9. Mammut Gore-tex Windpro top is near perfect as light weight and works well. Not cheap though.
10 I pack all of the above (except rain gear) in a waterproof bag with a Therma-rest type valve so can squeeze air out for compact packing. Also makes great pillow.

Cheers Brett

[abowen]

Like most, I carry and wear thermals for camp and sleeping. However, for bottoms I have taken to wearing Skins recovery tights. Find that they feel ok, are warm enough (have even worn them in snow conditions), and - if you believe the hype - help with muscle fatigue. Found that most days I don't wake up with really sore legs - like I use to . Now I can get moving without too much stiffness. They are tad expensive though, but there are lots of alternatives creeping into the same market which are not as expensive.
Cheers
Andrew

[stu]

8. Fresh socks is one of the small joys of bush walking and worth the weight and the smell, enough said

Yeah, thats ok on shorter walks Brett, but imagine a 10 day walk in the SW where every day each of those pairs of socks gets wet - thats a hell of a lot of weight / room in wet socks. Sometimes luxury gets forfeited for practicality on longer trips.
2-3 day trips I'd agree with you tho, no need for the discomfort then when you have so little weight.
Discomfort is one of those things we all have to deal with in our passion, cup cake (no offence intended)

[Son of a Beach]

8. Fresh socks is one of the small joys of bush walking and worth the weight and the smell, enough said

Yeah, thats ok on shorter walks Brett, but imagine a 10 day walk in the SW where every day each of those pairs of socks gets wet - thats a hell of a lot of weight / room in wet socks. Sometimes luxury gets forfeited for practicality on longer trips.
2-3 day trips I'd agree with you tho, no need for the discomfort then when you have so little weight.
Discomfort is one of those things we all have to deal with in our passion, cup cake (no offence intended)

I only take 2 pairs of socks, myself. 1 for walking (whether wet or not), and one for camping/evenings. The camp socks never get wet (so far). The (relatively) fresh socks in the afternoon at camp are a small joy. I suspect this may be what Brett meant.

[stu]

Yeah ok, sorry if I mis-interpreted, wasn't having a dig, just sounded over the top & some people definitely take too many changes of clothing.
I definitely have a routine with my feet & yes love a fesh pair of socks at camp.
Continuously wet feet can be a real danger, if anyone remembers the 'Mad Belgian' & his trench foot:

http://www.louis-philippe-loncke.com/3A ... nie-EN.htm

[Son of a Beach]

Yes, I do know of people that will take a new pair of socks for every day. That's seems a bit ridiculous to me. If clean socks is really important to somebody, then a couple of spares is OK I guess, but there's got to be a limit.

[ollster]

I once went on an 8 dayer and took 8 pairs of socks. I was just an OLT trip though, I probably had a cheese board or something too...

[photohiker]

I usually take 2 spares and rotate them.

With a bit of luck, the first pair is nearly dry by the time they are needed. Body heat is enough to dry quick drying socks over a couple of nights in my experience. Doesn't help a lot if the boots are wet though - haven't found a way of drying them apart from wearing them

The option that I haven't seen in Aus, is to get some gore oversocks. Not easy to track down, and usually expensive. MEC in Canada have some, but the freight is horrendous.

[Son of a Beach]

Agreed about drying stuff. The only reliable way to dry most stuff is to just keep wearing it. Same goes for tops and thermals.

[Ent]

Um? Must be my reputation as now it even extends to socks Nik is right with me it is having enough pairs so you can have a pair dry/fresh enough to use in a sleeping bag as cold feet is not pleasant and nor hot ones either so I tent to sleep more out of a bag than not and the socks provide a bit of protection from the cold and mosquitoes . Around three pairs (actually six as I use an inner stock) works well for me. Based on the glowing report from sthughes on the walk to Rufus I invested in a pair of Seal Skin socks for camp use as in winter time it is almost impossible to keep you feet dry around huts when getting water in our out So these might become my camp socks but at $99.00 they are items I would not like to wear out too quick.

Not sure what the previous reason was for locking the thread so it is with some caution that I mention my trialling of possum socks has indicated this is the way to go for me. As for inner socks yet again I climb onto my soap box and rant at poor longevity of Chinese made products as my Wilderness Wear Aussie made ones lasted a long time with the Mountain Design and Snowgum ones barely making three walks before becoming very holely. I will be buying more of the NZ made possum socks unless they go to China. Once they do that then this will be the end of that option as the last thing this world needs is another hollow marketer behind once was yet are great NZ brand.

I have a basic belief, if you can not walk then you are in trouble so taking care of the feet is a big thing for me as unlike the hobbits of the world plan B of been carried out by my companions is not an option for me

Cheers Brett

[photohiker]

Based on the glowing report from sthughes on the walk to Rufus I invested in a pair of Seal Skin socks for camp use as in winter time it is almost impossible to keep you feet dry around huts when getting water in our out So these might become my camp socks but at $99.00 they are items I would not like to wear out too quick.

99 dollars, you must be joking right?

I haven't heard much ib the way of good news about their longevity. Probably made in China hey Brett?

[Ent]

Hi Photohiker

I lie not about the price . Me think they are made in China but will check the packet on Monday. Sthughes on the climb to Rufus found that they actually breath really well and not overly hot and on other trips have found them totally waterproof. He has been experimenting with them and runners as an alternative to boots. I plan to use them more for wearing with Crocs around the camp site ones I track down a pair of XXXL Crocs as XXL are two small for my plates of meat. I always manage to find a small creek on the way to facilities so hopefully they will do the job.

Arh yes cheque! mental note for Monday. Sorry for delay changed jobs and lost week day access to the internet but have now got Dodo 3G at home so can get the details from the PM you sent me.

Cheers Brett

[Robbo]

a pair of XXXL Crocs as XXL are two small for my plates of meat.

Do they make pink/red crocs that size, Brett?

[Ent]

a pair of XXXL Crocs as XXL are two small for my plates of meat.

Do they make pink/red crocs that size, Brett?

O'boy the joys of buying what is cheap and being slightly colour blind. They are green are they not Joe? To fill you in Robbo up at February Plains I could not spot Joe's Vaude tent as it appeared to match the green background when looking at it a few kilometres away. So my Crocs are a pleasant shade of green, at least to me a kilometre away.

Cheers Brett

[Jellybean]

The option that I haven't seen in Aus, is to get some gore oversocks. Not easy to track down, and usually expensive. MEC in Canada have some, but the freight is horrendous.

Hi Michael,

I've been thinking about buying a pair of these too (for extended walks where your feet are likely to be sodden every day). From the quick research that I've done, the Rocky Goretex oversocks seem to be the gold standard - haven't seen any bad reviews about them in either North America or the UK. The Trek Amphibians were apparently also good but have recently been discontinued (they also had two shoe sizes per sock size, so unless you were at the larger foot end for that sock size - if that makes sense - you didn't get a good fit). The Rocky's have a sock size to match each shoe size so you should be able to get a good fit. ('Have seen mixed reviews about Seal Skinz, although only good on BWT).

I just found the Rocky Goretex oversocks at the following site for $60USD - http://www.team1newport.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ROC8011. They will ship to Sydney, minus the packaging, for $14USD. I might give them a try.

(I have never bothered looking into the MEC or REI sites because of having to become a member - just seems like too much hassle. If I want to buy something I just want to buy it, not jump through hoops in order to do so! There are plenty of online options out there!).

Cheers,

JB

[tas-man]

<SNIP> . . . . my trialling of possum socks has indicated this is the way to go for me. <snip> I will be buying more of the NZ made possum socks unless they go to China. Once they do that then this will be the end of that option as the last thing this world needs is another hollow marketer behind once was yet are great NZ brand.<nip>
Cheers Brett

I'll second that! I LOVE my NZ possum fur hikers socks. My feet lived in one "day" pair of these last SW Tassie 10 day trip. Just rinsed and wrung them out each morning. As for the wet boots, I am looking for a boot design that will "pump" out the water through a valve as you walk.

[bushrunner]

Non waterproof footware such as running shoes will expel water with each step. I have done long, wet winter runs in mesh running shoes and after a creek crossing or stepping in a knee deep puddle my shoes fill with water but are empty again after a couple of hundred meters. Wearing thin socks helps with this. Water is not the real problem. Clean water is fine but muddy or silty water tends to leave the mud and silt in your shoes while the water is expelled so you end up with reasonably dry feet but a sock full of irritating dirt.

[Robbo]

Non waterproof footware such as running shoes will expel water with each step

I will second that. I think Tony, when writing about walking light may have mentioned this as well. But from experience, 10 days ago while doing an overnighter on the Central Plateau, I stepped into one of those difficult to see holes that commonly occur between cushion plants, pineapple grass, ferns and scoparia, in the area and got a show full of water. If I had been wearing my boots they would have remained wet, inside and out, for the remainder of the walk. I was wearing gaiters. However, after half an hour my foot felt dry and by the time I took my shoes off at camp my sock was also almost dry. I was wearing some Columbia tagori, like those found here: http://www.columbia.com/on/demandware.s ... =1&start=4

I am not recommending these as particularly good, just making the comment that this is how I found these type of shoes to behave. They handled the rock hopping and walking up to Little Hugel a few days later without worry as well.

TR