Hiking Clothes
Hiking Base Layers
Your hiking base layers work to wick sweat away from your skin, for the purposes of comfort and thermoregulation - both heat dissipation in warm weather, and warmth preservation in the cooler seasons.
Those that do this efficiently are usually made of polyester or polyester blends, and merino wool or merino wool blends.
Understanding Base Layer Hiking Clothing
What's up with the Flylow Garrett Shirt
With its light and breathable material, featuring a UPF 30+ sun protection rating, and silver ion treatment to keep it smelling fresh, this ultra stylish hiking base later has become one of my favorite pieces summer of hiking clothes.
Check out my review of the Flylow Garrett Shirt by clicking this link!
Merino Tech Merino Wool Long Sleeve Thermal Base Layer Shirt
The Merino Tech Long Sleeve Thermal Shirt is just as capable as a Smart Wool long sleeve base layer shirt when it comes to hiking and camping, at half the cost. It's soft, warm even when moist from sweat, and the merino wool fabric minimizes sweat related odors. It further works well a part of a cold weather layering system.
Check out my full review of the Merino Tech Long Sleeve Thermal Shirt for your camping and hiking comfort!
Hiking Mid Layers
Your hiking mid layer is generally an insulating layer that goes over your base layer, but under your shell and/or jacket. It too has some ability to wick sweat away from your base layer.
Polyester fleece is a common material for a mid layer. But there are also higher end wool options on the market.
What is a Hiking Mid Layer?
What's up with the Columbia Steens Mountain 2.0 Full Zip Fleece Jacket
Paired up with a long sleeve merino wool base layer and a high performance down jacket, the Columbia Men's Steens Mountain 2.0 Full Zip Fleece Jacket is the perfect mid layer to keep you warm down into the 20°F range when causally walking the trail, or hanging out at camp.
I've used this jacket sparingly on the trail during the winter seasons here in So Cal, but have had plenty of time with it while camping in the cooler altitudes at Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear Lake. It's also worked out well when visiting family on the east coast, and walking in their wooded property at temps below freezing (with my Merino Tech base layer, and Cotopaxi hooded down jacket, that is).
The review is coming!
What's up with the Patagonia Better Sweater Fleece Jacket
The Patagonia Better Sweater Fleece Jacket seems almost too nice to hike in. It's made of 100% polyester, so it can be used as a hiking mid layer. But I've always just used it for casual walking, and a bit of car camping, with a luxury REI Base Camp 4 tent.
The review is coming!
Insulated Jackets
Generally, unless you're hiking below freezing, and your base layer + mid layer + shell are not cutting it, you're probably not going to be wearing an insulated jacket, during high exertion hiking. In those cold conditions, the worst thing you could do is be too hot when exerting yourself, then have sweat saturate your insulating layers.
However I have seen folks wear their puffer jackets, with their other layers, when backpacking into a campground at well below freezing. And I've worn my puffer while moseying about in the woods in a casual fashion (see Cotopaxi article below) in the 20°F range.
With those caveats in mind, a credible jacket for hiking, backpacking, and camping is one that is light enough, and packs down small enough to fit in your pack nicely. Those with the best warmth to weight ratios are the down puffer (or puffy) jackets. Synthetic puffer jackets have become popular too, as unlike their down equivalents, they have the ability to retain heat, even when wet.
What's up with the Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Jacket?
The Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down Jacket is a popular backpacking and camping jacket, due to its warmth, weight, packability, and that it has some DWR water resistance that buys you a little time to find your rain shell, when the rain unexpectedly hits you.
Check out my long form review of the Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down Jacket by clicking here.
What's up with the L.L. Bean Men's Original Field Coat
This one's not really for hiking or backpacking due to its heavy weight, and bulky size, and lack of ability to dry when rained on. But it makes a great casual outdoor walking jacket, and a nice fall season casual car camping jacket.
It's one advantage over a puffer jacket, for casual camping, is that it holds up a lot better to a stray ember floating from your campfire than does your puffer. Just don't using it when the weather is bad.
The review is coming!
Hiking Pants
What's up with the Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible Hiking Pants?
The Columbia Men's Silver Ridge Convertible Hiking Pants are light enough (even in pants mode) to hike in the So Cal, 100°F+ summer weather, if that's what you're into. Their airy nylon material has a sunblock (UFP) rating of 50, keeping you protected from UV radiation. Still they're tough enough to walk through the region's grass and chaparral, and occasionally scrape up against some granite or sandstone, without creating any battle scars. And paired up with some base layer bottoms, they're ready for the colder seasons.
If you want to boost your comfort level on the trail, check out my review article of the Silver Ridge Convertibles, to see if they might work for you.
Thanks for checking out my hiking clothes and camping clothes page! I do more than just walk around outside wearing clothes! So check out my main page for hiking & camping info, and gear reviews.
See ya out there!