Anonymous
Unregistered
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I'm really just getting into actual backpacking after doing more canoe tripping in the past, but almost everyone seems to use thermal underwear, something I am not accustomed to. Why is it? I does it prevent chaffing when hiking? Personally I have found that on the trail chaffing is the least of my worries (if it is one at all), usually I am troubled by mosquitos, sores and other random iratations.
Also, I don't really understand the practicality of those thermal underwear shirts in summer. It's under the gear list of this site, but it doesn't seem to make any sense. I'd rather get one of those nice light moisture-wicking shirts and wear it by itself then have an undershirt AND one of those nice shirts. Doesn't it get all hot and more sweaty than it would be otherwise?
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Hector
member
Reged: 12/20/04
Posts: 325
Loc: LA/ARK/TX corner
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It all depends on where you hike. Around here, I'd never wear thermals from May through September; I'd soak them in sweat in five minutes standing still in the shade at midday. I also don't take a sleeping bag from June - August, just a flimsy nylon bag liner. I'd never dream of sleeping without full bug protection from late March through early November, or I'd be bled dry. But this is in the deep South.
Hiking above 7,000 feet or in Alaska would be a different story, even in midsummer, of course. You have to use your judgment when viewing the hiking lists of others.
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midnightsun03
member
Reged: 08/06/03
Posts: 2538
Loc: AK
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All of the long underwear I use are also moisture wicking and quick drying. We're not talking the old cotton waffle-weave long johns. I like them because they are warm, light, do not restrict range of motion, and I do not over heat when wearing them. On th other hand, I have been known to overheat when wearing regular pants while hiking, and when I overheat, I lose energy fast. My favorites are the Duofold mid-weight bottoms with zip-T top. I wear these year round, but if it is above 60 and sunny, I wear as much bare skin as possible. Unless it is raining really hard, I usually don't even wear rain pants while hiking because the long johns move the moisture away from my body and keep me comfortable. I do sometimes wear a jacket, but more for wind resistence than staying dry. In the winter I wear the same LJs when I'm skiing, and they effectively keep me warm even though I tend to build quite a sweat when skiing (I have to wear an insulated jacket for the 10-15 minute lift ride back up, so I'm too warm when actually exercising). I love wearing LJs while hiking, and really can't imagine wearing anything else (oh, that's all I wear... I don't wear pants over top, but I do usually have a pair of bike-type shorts underneath in case I need to remove the LJs).
MNS (who hikes in Alaska)
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YMMV. Viewer discretion is advised.
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