Clothes and Layering

Most winter hikers carry several pairs of gloves on winter hiking and backpacking trips and switch between as their need for breathability, dexterity, wind resistance, waterproofing, or warmth changes during the day. No one pair of gloves can satisfy all of these needs, so it’s best to carry of collection …

ULA Equipment’s Rain Kilt is a lightweight and breathable alternative to rain pants that will keep your lower half dry in rain without overheating you. It’s great for use in the summertime when hiking on brushy trails with wet ferns, leafy shrubs, and tall grasses that would quickly soak a …

Arm warmers are usually sold as cycling gear, but many winter hikers also use them for insulation because they’re easy to take off when you warm up or put back on when you get cold. Frequent stopping, unpacking, and repacking isn’t good form when you’re hiking with others because no …

Hard shell jackets are a burly type of rain jacket designed for use in winter conditions as a windproof and waterproof clothing layer. They have a richer set of layering and storage features from warm weather rain jackets to help you avoid perspiration and carry extra gloves, hats, and navigation …

While there are thousands of outdoor rain jackets and hard shells available, most backpackers choose from a small set of common makes and models. If you’re in the market for a new backpacking rain jacket, here are the 10 most popular rain jackets that backpackers actually use today and recommend. …

I carry a separate set of clothes to sleep in on backpacking trips because it feels nice to put something on that’s clean after perspiring in my regular daytime hiking clothes. They also serve double duty as an extra baselayer in cold weather or if I need to change into …

The Montane Minimus Stretch Jacket is a waterproof/breathable jacket that can serve double duty as a rain jacket and a wind shirt. Weighing just 9.2 oz in a men’s XL, the Minimus Stretch jacket is so lightweight that it doesn’t feel at all like a hard shell jacket, even though …

The biggest dirty little secret in the outdoor industry is that rain gear won’t keep you dry. It doesn’t matter if you buy a high-end $450 Arcteryx Gore-tex Parka or wear your bathrobe, they’ll both Wet Out in continuous rain and leave you soaking wet. This happened to me (for …

Many backpackers carry camp shoes or water shoes with them on backpacking trips for relaxing and for stream crossings to keep their boots dry. But how do you choose between the most popular camp shoes available like Crocs, Sockwas, Vivobarefoot Ultras, or flip flops? Here are the most important features to consider. light …

Gaiters are an essential clothing and footwear item for hikers and backpackers that provide moisture protection, extra insulation, and protection for your ankles and lower legs. They’re available in a wide variety of heights and fabrics, with a multitude of different attachment options for use with hiking shoes, trail runners, …

Wind shirts and wind shells are thin lightweight jackets, pullovers, or anoraks weighing 2 to 4 ounces, that hikers wear as a vapor barrier to prevent winds from stripping away body heat. They’re usually made of highly breathable, water-resistant nylon that is insufficient protection for sustained rain, but can be …

If you’re used to thinking about layering in winter, forget what you know, because vapor barrier clothing helps you stay warm and dry in a radically different way than conventional layering approaches. Vapor barrier clothing is not breathable and is normally worn next to the skin or over a thin …

One of the biggest challenges faced by winter hikers is figuring out a clothing layering system that keeps them warm and dry across a wide variety of temperatures, wind chills, and exertion levels. It takes a lot of experimentation to dial in a system that works for you and it’s …

People are always surprised by the fact that I carry gloves on hikes and backpacking trips, even during the summer. I need them because I hike in all kinds of conditions, in rain and above treeline. I view hiking gloves them as an extension of my clothing layering system, with …