Day hiking apparel

I'm a serious amateur landscape photographer who travels only for photography. I'm looking to get more serious about the clothing I wear on day hikes (5 mi around). Any suggestions? Lightweight and weather resistant to some extent are the main criteria.

Hi,

I found your Facebook page and see many of your pictures are in the Smokies. Rain is common there, so I suggest having good raingear. For the top, something like the Marmot Precip will work well. Any equivalent rain jacket will work. For the bottom, inexpensive rain pants will work well.

I gave up on hiking pants as they are too expensive and don't last long. I prefer cotton or a synthetic/cotton blend cargo pants. If I were in a situation where it rained often, I'd wear any lightweight synthetic pants that were inexpensive.

A fleece is comfortable for a wide range of temperatures. I have a North Face, but there is nothing special about it. Any similar fleece will work. The advantage to a fleece is they are still warm when they get damp. I haven't tried one soaking wet. They also dry quickly.

Any shirt will do. I prefer a cotton/synthetic blend or cotton. Synthetic shirts stink in hot weather. The disadvantage to cotton is it is cold when wet if it's the outer layer.

I also see you take many pictures in the cities. I often roadwalk. Recently, I got a Schinn Little Ranger pushcart. It is easier than carrying a pack with heavy gear. If you are on busy sidewalks, a baby jogger will work better as it's narrower. I recommend one with a rotating front wheel so it's easy to steer. You can use it to carry all your cameras and some extra clothes. You can usually find an inexpensive used baby jogger on Craigslist. Check the thrift stores, too.

There is no perfect answer to your question. I see people wearing all kinds of clothes in the Colorado mountains. For the distances you are hiking, I suggest wearing what you like and experimenting to see what works for you. The more experience you get, the less you will look like everyone else.

Thank you Gershon. I've been to the Smokies a few times but I've been to several other national parks as well. In fact, my question is in preparation of a photo trip to the Glacier NP.

For a park like Glacier, you should take a small backpack with you.

Wear a lightweight long-sleeved hiking shirt (covers you from the sun, keeps you more or less cool) and I like zip off pants that can change from shorts to long pants easily.

IN the pack, take a rain shell or poncho, and some kind of fleece that can keep you warmer.

And take a look at a good list of ten things to take on a day hike...make sure you have a really good reason to leave any of those things behind!

A big part of knowing what to wear is knowing what the weather will be like. I've found this to be the best site for weather forecasts.

Click on wundermaps in the upper right hand corner so you can see where the weather station is. In mountainous areas, it's usually in a nearby town at low altitude. I usually pack one layer more than I need for the expected temperature unless it's a short hike. Historical weather is also available on this site making it easy to plan trips in the future.

If you are going on anything but tourist trails, I suggest leaving a good itinerary with a friend. I use email for this. Include pictures of yourself wearing the clothes you will be wearing. Also include a picture of your car showing the license plate. I use email because it's easy to forward to search and rescue if needed.

Best way to stay equipped for whatever mother nature throws at you is:

1 - Wear moisture wicking clothing, especially base layers. Nothing says backwoods discomfort more than unwelcomed sweat. In cold weather, a sweaty day-hike can easily become an overnight survival situation. The last thing you want is wet clothes.

2 - Layers, Layers Layers. In the summertime, my wardrobe is usually 2 layers, 1 worn and 1 handy. In addition to this, I will have a rain shell. In spring, fall and winter, I am usually wearing 2, sometimes 3, layers with a fleece and a shell handy. With multiple layers, you have several combinations to switch between to find your comfort zone.

Plan for worst case scenario - on a day hike, if you rolled an ankle and were forced to spend the night in the woods, what is the bare minimum you would need to survive?

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail...happy trails!

The "Ten" Essentials, with explanations of why they are needed.

Which hikes in Glacier are you considering? I would highly recommend Hike 734 Day Hikers Map.

I don't see coffee on the list.

I'm starting to think I might not be civilized enough for this crowd.

For me, a day hike means I only carry a water bottle, poncho, and lunch. And clothes are whatever I have on at the time. Why carry a bunch of stuff I probably won't use and is sure to weigh me down?

The ten essentials are like insurance: you don't want to carry them; you hope you won't need them; but if things go off-plan, you're glad to have them.

You read these horror stories about hikers dying from exposure when unforeseen circumstances forced them to spend a night in the woods. The feel good stories of survival are usually a result of a combination of being prepared with bare essentials and a stroke of good luck. The sad stories are a result of poor preparation and/or bad luck.

Chance favors the prepared.

My basics, whether day-hiking or backpacking, are wicking tshirt and underwear, brush-resistant nylon pants with good DWR finish and adequate pockets, hat or cap. And I carry extra layers: warm LS wicking tshirt, lightweight wind shirt, insulated mid-layer (e.g., fiberfill jacket or vest), rain jacket. The combo will take me from sunny and warm to below freezing and snow. If rain is expected, a poncho will protect me and my pack.

IMHO it needn't be more complicated than that, and most trips the extra layers stay in the pack.

Cheers,

That "bunch of stuff" is basically insurance. It doesn't have to weigh a lot, either--mine is pretty minimal. As mentioned, when things go awry and you're stuck out overnight, having the "bunch of stuff" means all the difference between coming out alive (even if not comfortable) and becoming a major emergency.

I gotta admit that I do sometimes forget that not everybody is comfortable with primitive type skills and probably do need modern ways of dealing with the unexpected. Sorry if I insulted anyone.

I guess I've spent too many years of my life living out of a bag for my own good. It sure don't make me fit company for civilized folks.

Around 5 miles.....
I play a lot of disc golf, and also manage a nature preserve with about 6 mi. of trails. I walk a lot, rain or shine.
I tend to wear what is comfortable for the season. Jeans (gasp!) in cooler weather, especially when doing trail maintenance. Cotton cargo or synthetic athletic shorts in warmer weather. Even swimming trunks! Plain old cotton T-shirts or the coolmax knock-offs from Walmart ($7). Never anything exotic. Shoes are always trail runners unless boots are required for foot protection, usually when doing trail maintenance. I used to wear sandals but gave up on them because of sticks jabbing through.
If weather looks like rain, a simple lightweight poncho in the daypack is all I bring. In the hot Texas summer, nothing....getting wet is a blessing.
So, for the distances you mention, wear whatever you feel comfortable in for a walk around your neighborhood. I do, almost always, have a hiking pole....re-tasked ski pole or trekking pole. That will save twisted ankles.
The only time my attire becomes "semi-exotic" (i'm cheap) is when going overnight, long distances, or travelling. Then I go for light weight and multi-day wearability.

I firmly believe that knowing a certain level of bushcraft skills is a great set of tools in your emergency toolbox but think about it...it takes hours to make an adequate overnight shelter that will protect you from the elements. A tarp can be pitched in 10 minutes or less; especially with practice. Being able to make a fire with a bow drill or flint & steel is another admirable trait but they can still be time consuming. Having a good lighter, candle stub or other fire starter in your pack is just easier. In any type of emergency situation the more you can conserve your energy, the better off you'll be. Just my two cents. Take it for what it's worth.

That's all for now. Take care and until next time...Be well.

snapper

This is what I'm packing:

• Base: Mountain hardwear double wicked long sleeve T
• Jacket: Patagonia R1 full-zip fleece jacket
• Pants: Columbia silver ridge convertible pants
• Shirt: None
• Rain jacket and pants: Columbia. Looks like granny's old housecoat but who cares?
• Gloves: REI tech-compatible all-season gloves
• Shoes: Salomon Men's XT Wings 3 Trail Running Shoes
• Hat: REI Paddlers Hat
• Socks: SmartWool hiking ultra light mini socks
• Underwear: ExOfficio Give-N-Go mesh boxer brief
• Headlamp, whistle, compass/thermometer, first Aid, medicine, insect Repellent, bear spray

My "backpack" is a camera bag so whatever I'll not be wearing, I'll be hanging in a gym bag or something.