Walking clothes

[bushwalker zane]

Hi all,

I am intrigued to know what you all wear when you go walking? Do you buy certain brands etc. Personally I tend to like op-shops or army disposal places (like Allgoods). Today I bought a pair of football shorts for $1! I also know that a lot of people used to wear flannelette tops when bushwalking, seems like a good trend if you ask me!

[nq111]

Queensland: Light gaiters, quick dry shorts (e.g. nike), heatgear long sleeve skin tight top (not a good look but coolest design to wear).

Tassie: Heavy knee high gaiters, quick dry shorts (e.g. nike), polypro or micro fleece top.

If really cold I may have a skin tight short sleeve XGO shirt under the thermal and if really windy or wet a shell top and silnylon rainskirt. Never walked in anything heavier than even when snowing. But I get the insulation layers on the moment I stop .

I have walked in flannelettes - IMO an 8$ anaconda thermal top is that much better under a pack. I even used to wear cotton chesty bond shirts under the flannels - survived but can do better.

[Bluegum Mic]

Funnily enough I don't change too much about my outfit whether it's here in Qld or NSW or Tassie. Usually a quick drying collared hiking shirt, snowgums pants that zip off. Depending on the walk either my integral designs eVent shortie gaiters or my canvas TRG gaiters. If snowing/cold then I'll have a wilderness wear merino tshirt under my hiking shirt. Then for layers I use the outdoor research radiant jacket and then my OR goretex jacket (or OR helium jacket if packing light). I also carry a montane featherlite windshirt and patagonia down sweater if doing multiday stuff. Sleep- I wear my macpac merino LS top and light berghaus fleece leggings or a lot less if summer QLD

[nq111]

Funnily enough I don't change too much about my outfit whether it's here in Qld or NSW or Tassie.

I'm with you on that one - some minor differences but still remarkably similar. Hot weather hiking clothing and gear has not evolved anywhere like cold weather and I reckon there is much more progress to be made. Stuff like heatgear is only the start.

On the same philosophy - I am keen to know what the heck ninjapuppet intends to do with the full down suit he mentioned in another thread . I haven't worn much more than thermals, microfleece and shell to 15k feet.

[MartyGwynne]

Any quick dry shorts or zip on/of pants (synthetic undies so you can rinse them and dry easy for the next day)
I used to use Synthetic tee shirt but they get a bit too stinky after a day of sweating and they never really get clean again so now use the woollen merino thermal tee shirt types (they just dont seem to stink so much)
I have a long sleeved shirt with collar on it for sun protection during summer/sunny days walking - the best sunscreen in my opinion. I have it about one or two sizes to big so its loose and sort of cool.
Normally gaiters up to the knees mainly for the scrub and also for snakes.
Beanie if its cold or sun hat of sorts if its sunny/hot.

[Strider]

Boots
Merino socks
Canvas gaiters
Quick drying shorts (with thermals if cold)
Cooler weather - Polypro thermal top + 280 weight merino top.
Warmer weather - synthetic T-shirt.
Hardshell jacket as required.

[dannnnn]

asics cross training shoes
cotton socks
bunnings sock protectors
a pair of cotton shorts
a cotton tshirt
rain/warm jacket as required

[Mark F]

Head - Sun hat - warm or zpacks beanie - cold
Torso - base layer
150 merino zip neck long sleeve top (MacPac) for cool conditions (177g)
short sleeve coolmax button shirt (Kathmandu) for warmer conditions (149g)
Mid layer
100 weight Polartec 1/2 zip top (Kathmandu) for cold conditions (250g)
Outer layer
Mont Bell wind jacket (81g)

Legs
Ex Officio briefs
zip off pants (190g) as shorts + legs (90g) for scratchy/cold conditions
add polypro longjohns for cold conditions
As I don't do much off track I don't use gaiters but for Tassie mud or specific trips I do.
Feet
light nylon or coolmax socks
TNF Hedgehogs (low cut non Goretex) currently
light gaiters
Hands DIY mits and/or polypro gloves

For camp/sleep
Mont Bell Ex Lite down jacket (175g)

Rain
Either Marmot Mica (208g) or
Six Moons Gatewood Cape (330g) which also is used as my tarp

[bushwalker zane]

Wow Mark, that's quite an in depth list! Looks like you're set up for anything. Looks like I might have to go through my clothes and make a list to add in my 2 cents.

[Mark F]

My total list is only 16 items but it covers me for most 3 seasons conditions in southern Australia and has handled being snowed in for a day in Kossie. It works well as I can mix and match for expected conditions but it is very flexible for long distance walks. I have used it for the AAWT, HRP in the Pyrenees and the GR5 (200 day walking in total). For shorter local trips I just use a sub sets of it. It all dries very fast and has proved reasonably durable but I wouldn't bet it against heavy scrub. The whole lot without shoes is under 1.6kg so my maximum carried weight of clothing is usually about 1Kg.

I should point out that much of this system is based on a careful picking though the many threads on BPL and other forums and I thank all those who contribute to them.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Quick drying, mostly Nylon shorts or longs and a Merino Top. Light Gaiter if need be.
Don't wear Cotton, Also wear Nylon or Merino Socks, again no cotton. Cotton get's to smelly and very clammy when wet.
Also own a pair of the Patagonia Capilene tops and Longs. Prefer the Merino myself. Found the Capilene tops to clammy, Sticks to you when wet, that's the impression I got. The Capilene is great to wear at night to keep warm. My Merino Top is also great to wear at night, I find my Merino Top is warmer to wear than the Capilene. Read lot's of great reviews on the Patagonia Capilene Tops, so I thought I should try them out, but been a bit disappointed with them. In my opinion there no where as good as reviews I've seen posted online.

[wayno]

i dont want to be associated with anything military, I stick to tramping gear from just about any of the establish brands of outdoor gear

[TerraMer]

I wear the same combination everyday out hiking, looks as though I never change but I like the Mont Adventure Light trousers and Columbia fishing shirts so much I have bought a heap of the same ones. The Mont trousers are very comfortable and fast drying and the Columbia fishing shirts are soft, vented and the Imperial Blue is one of my favourite colours.
Base layers for both summer and winter are mostly organic and/or natural fibre

[nq111]

Quick drying, mostly Nylon shorts or longs and a Merino Top. Light Gaiter if need be.
Read lot's of great reviews on the Patagonia Capilene Tops, so I thought I should try them out, but been a bit disappointed with them. In my opinion there no where as good as reviews I've seen posted online.

I agree. Though some of the Patagonia gear is very good - or was (15yrs since i bought anything for myself from them).

[north-north-west]

Why isn't FatCanyoner explaining all the joys of nude bushwalking here?

[nq111]

Why isn't FatCanyoner explaining all the joys of nude bushwalking here?

That might just be be the advances in hot and humid weather walking technology that I am interested in?

[Wolfix]

Even in cold weather I hate walking in long pants. Prefer shorts and gaiters or shorts and leggings and gaiters. I can see a lot of the gear choices on this forum are driven by budget more than anything so bear in mind I buy a lot of my gear at industry prices.

COLD:
200gsm merino beanie - MD
260gsm merino ls crew - Icebreaker
260gsm merino jacket - Icebreaker
Gore-Tex Paclite shell - MD (will replace with Gore-Tex Active shell soon)
Hip-clip suspenders instead of a belt - suspenders.com (these have changed my life!)
150gsm GT merino briefs - Icebreaker (also changed my life)
flyweight cargo shorts - Columbia
260gsm merino leggings - Icebreaker (only when very cold or windy)
full gaiters - MHW (longer walks only)
Boots and MD Vantage or Pursuit trek socks (longer walks only)
Vibram Fivefingers KSO Trek with Injinji socks (half day or up to medium day walks)

WARM:
Broad brimmed hat - Tilley
Lightweight long sleeve hiking shirt - Columbia
200gsm merino ls crew - Icebreaker (in case of cold snap)
suspenders designed to wear against the skin - suspenders.com
150gsm GT merino briefs - Icebreaker
Flyweight cargo shorts - Columbia (longer walks)
Board shorts - Columbia (short walks)
Vibram fivefingers KSO with no socks (shorter walks)
Boots and MD Vantage trek socks (longer walks)

I don't generally take a hard shell on warm weather hikes as I'd prefer to get wet and dry out than stay dry and sweat. No matter how breathable a shell is, it's only breathing at its optimal rate in cold, dry weather. If it's warm with a chance of a storm I take the Paclite. It has never been cold enough on a hike for my Gore-Tex Pro Shell.

[Wolfix]

As for nudity, I can't attempt that as I'll burn too harshly but I would love to progress to hiking without a bra. It's such a pain to have all these technical fabrics that are so comfortable and cool/warm/dry but have a bra made from low-tech materials that stays wet and cold or sweaty and chafing.

[north-north-west]

As for nudity, I can't attempt that as I'll burn too harshly but I would love to progress to hiking without a bra.

Bushwalking is the one time I rejoice in my decidedly non-Junoesque proportions. It's so much more comfortable to manage without underwear.

[Wolfix]

I think overcoming proportions is the main challenge but I don't think it's insurmountable. Many large-breasted women are convinced they need to wear bras but it's all just socialised. Not many of us jump about or run places on a regular basis so there's really not too much movement and add some firmer layers and a pack, everything stays fairly well in place.

[TerraMer]

As for nudity, I can't attempt that as I'll burn too harshly but I would love to progress to hiking without a bra. It's such a pain to have all these technical fabrics that are so comfortable and cool/warm/dry but have a bra made from low-tech materials that stays wet and cold or sweaty and chafing.

Amen Sister!
I've started spending a lot of money to get good quality, organic nicks and bras from Blessed Earth. It is worth it if you can afford it.

[walkinTas]

Google "moisture wicking sports bra", they make them. Surely, high end athletic clothing is far more high-tech than bushwalking gear. I doubt olympic athletes use the low tech approach. ....though the original olympians did try the naked approach, just didn't invite the ladies to compete!

PS: I'm a star-trek fan - "go boldly where no man has gone before", or something like that!

[Wolfix]

walkinTas, yes, but not for really buxom women. I know there are pretty buxom athletes (some black women for instance) but I don't know where they get their bras from. Not Australia! My bras are underwire only and they're pretty techy but chunky and don't insulate or breathe like merino does.

Freeboobin' is the way of the future, I reckon.