I carry a Marmot Precip jacket and Red Ledge pants.
The Precip jacket has pit zips and the pants have full side zippers that help with ventilation.

Typically, I won't hike in them unless it is cold (<50F, which is cold here in East Texas - similar to AL) because I'll sweat too much. Once I stop and make camp, I'll put on almost all my clothing. I carry a merino wool, 1/4 zip long sleeve top and plan on getting a short sleeve t-shirt soon. I like the wool over the synthetics.

It's all about the layers.

Good decision on when to bail. Better to hike another day.
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If you think you can, you can. If you think you can't, you can't. Either way, you're right.