Clothing and Footwear

You Don’t Have to Run Out and Buy a Bunch of Stuff

• Your scout will have most items needed for an overnight trip, and they can likely borrow most anything they don’t have

• Hand-me-downs (opportunity for adult volunteers to run clothing/boot exchange)

• If you do decide to buy, we’ll talk about shopping tips at the end

• Best items to invest in: 

  • Items touching skin - socks, underwear, base layer 

  • Footwear - Think car tires

• If you do want to buy an item - for this trip, for the holidays, in the future - we’ve included some good items in the budget to mid-range price categories if you are interested. (Prices may change in the future, of course.)

Factors to consider: Material

• Rule #1: “Cotton Kills”

  • Heavy, poor insulation to weight ratio, no insulating value if wet, slow to dry, holds smells

  • Inexpensive, readily available

• Synthetic fabrics - polyester, nylon, fleece, etc.

  • Look for moisture wicking, so called “performance fabrics”

  • Light, dries quickly

  • Wide range of cost, Not flame friendly

• Merino Wool

  • Great weight to warmth ratio, helps regulate temperature (insulates and breathes), Insulates if wet, resists odors, dries more quickly than cotton, low flammability

  • Often more expensive than cotton or synthetic

  • Alpaca serves well here as well, but is often expensive

Factors to consider: Moisture

• Top cause of moisture on trail? Sweat

  • Want clothes that breathe, wick moisture and insulate when wet

  • Manage layers throughout the day to minimize sweating

  • “Be bold, hike cold”

• Rain, sleet, snow

  • Effective rain layers

• Other factors to consider

• Weight

• Bulk

• Cost

• Features

• Sun protection

• Odor

• Durability

• (Not on list? Style.)

Socks

• The one thing I do recommend buying if you don’t already have - worthwhile investment in comfort and foot health

• Hiking socks are wicking moisture away from your feet, regulating temperature, and absorbing friction in your boot/shoe that would otherwise contribute to blisters

• Do not wear cotton socks (!)

• Thick wool socks (e.g. six pack from Costco) are better than cotton, but are going to give you sweaty feet

• Pop quiz: Are scout socks good to wear backpacking?

• You want a good pair of merino wool hiking socks, probably mid- or lightweight, that fit snugly without constricting or baggy areas

• Good options:

  • Best socks full stop are Darn Tough (lifetime warranty), merino wool, midweight “Hiker” socks, such as:

    • Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew

    • Darn Tough Hiker Crew Midweight

    • Also available from other retailers, including REI, Backcountry.com and Amazon

  • Other solid options:

    • Smartwool Hike Light Cushion Crew Socks

    • REI Merino Lightweight Crew Socks

Liner socks

• Use of thin synthetic or silk liner socks.

• Helps wick moisture, helps reduce rubbing against skin and blisters

• Personal preference

  • Some folks swear by them. Some folks say unnecessary if you dial in your regular sock and shoe fit.

• Dare to be bold? Bad look, great option: Toe socks!

• Good options:

  • Good liner sock option: REI Coolmax Ecomade Liner Crew

  • Best toe sock! Ininji Liner Crew Sock 

Underwear

• Do not wear cotton underwear (!)

• Styles - Briefs, Boxers, Boxer briefs - Personal choice (but consider fit with base layer)

• Synthetic or natural fibers

• Prioritize moisture wicking, insulation and (for longer trips) odor resistance

• Good options:

  • Fruit of the Loom Men’s Micro Mesh Boxer Briefs (Amazon) 

  • ExOfficio

    • Give-n-go 2.0 Boxer Brief  (REI)

    • Give-n-go 2.0 Brief (Amazon)

    • Give-n-go Boxer Shorts (Amazon)

  • Uniqlo AIRism Boxer Briefs (Uniqlo) 

  • Smartwool Boxer Brief (Backcountry)

Layering

• For hiking and cold weather camping, think about layers

  • Base layer - against your skin, wicks moisture outwards

  • Mid-layer - Insulation - often a hoodie/long pants

  • Warm-layer - Should be a puffy coat

  • Rain & Wind layer - Raincoat and rain pants

  • (Plus head, hands and neck)

• Good article: REI Layering Basics

Base Layer 

• Base layer sits against your skin. Often socks, underwear, shorts and shirt

• Cannot (!) be cotton - no cotton against your skin

• Can be short sleeve or long sleeve

• Managing heat throughout the day

  • Removing and adding layers to minimize sweating

  • “Be bold, start cold” 

  • Often you’ll go down to your base layer to hike

  • We very rarely go on trips in temps cold enough to hike in long underwear

• Every scout has a good short sleeve synthetic option - Class B shirt!

• Good options (Long-sleeve base layer tops)

  • (Great value!) Merino.tech Merino Wool Base Layer Thermal Shirt

  • REI Midweight Base Layer Half-Zip Top

  • Helly Hansen Lifa Cialis Stripe Crew Thermal Baselayer

  • Outdoor research Echo Hoodie

  • Arc-teryx Cormac Hoody

  • Smartwool Classic All-Season Merino Long-Sleeve Base Layer Top

Shorts

• Lightweight and probably synthetic

• Scout shorts are a good option if (1) synthetic(!) and (2) don’t need a belt to say up

• Athletic shorts a good option

• Personal preference - Brief-lined or no

• Personal preference - Convertible pants/shorts with zip off legs

• This may be the item you least need to buy for your scout

• Good options:

  • Nike Dri-FIT Challenger 7” Brief-lined Shorts

  • REI Active Pursuits 7” Shorts

  • Columbia Men’s Silver Ridge Cargo Shorts

  • North Face Wander Shorts

  • REI Sahara Cargo Shorts

  • Darwin on the Trail Top Shorts: Nike Dri Fit Distance 7" Lined Running Shorts (EBay)

Sleep clothes

• Second base layer just for sleeping

• During the day, your clothes pick up dust/dirt and salts from your sweat

  • Sleep better in fresh clothes

• For a one night trip, you can get up and wear your sleep clothes the next day

• For longer trips, important to change down to your skin each night and wear fresh clothes just for sleeping

• In cold weather, often sleep socks and long underwear (top and bottom) (plus hat)

• Good options (long underwear/base layer bottoms)

  • REI Midweight Base Layer Bottoms

  • Merino.tech Base Layer Bottom Pants Thermal Underwear

  • LL Bean Midweight Base Layer Pants

  • Minus33 Merino Wool Base Layer Pants Thermal Underwear

  • Smartwool Thermal Merino Base Layer Bottoms

Mid-layer: Top

• Hoodie, pullover, non-cotton sweatshirt, etc.

• Lots of options here at wide range of costs

  • Pullover, ¼ zip, full zipper, pockets, hood, etc. - personal preference

• Fit is relevant - snug better than baggy for insulation and weight

• “Performance fleece” are great, such as “microgrid fleece” and “Alpha 60”

• Good options:

  • Columbia Men’s Steens Mountain 2.0 Full Zip Fleece Jacket

  • REI Midweight Base Layer Half-Zip Top

  • Patagonia Micro D Fleece Pullover (or Hoody)

  • North Face Canyonlands Hooded Fleece Jacket

  • (Great value) Men’s Classic Squak - Grid Fleece Mid-Layer Hoodie

  • Lightheart Gear Men’s Fleece Hoodie

  • SkyGOAT Men’s CAMP Hoodie

  • Helly Hansen LIFA Merino Midweight Hoodie

  • Mr. Clouse Pick: (Often sold out) Senchi Designs A60 Hoodie

  • Patagonia Thermal Hoody

Mid-layer: Pants

• No cotton.

  • Do. Not. Wear. Jeans. On. Trail.

• Might wear mid-layer during the day if very cold

• Might put on during breaks or upon reaching camp

• Best are synthetic pants (wool are good for very cold, wet or snowy)

• Built in drawstring or light belt a plus

• Good options:

  • REI Trailmade Pants

  • Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants (and Ferrosi Transit Pants)

  • Patagonia Quandary Pant

  • prAna Stretch Zion Standard Pants

  • CONVERTIBLE

    • Columbia Silver Ridge Utility Convertible Hiking Pant

    • REI Sa hara Convertible Pants

Warm layer

• Best is a puffy coat - insane warmth to weight/bulk ratio

• Best is snug fit - not too big or baggy

• Down or synthetic - both good

  • Down has better warmth to weight ratio, but is generally more expensive and won’t insulate if wet

  • Recommend synthetic if your scout is still growing

• Good options: 

  • Amazon Essentials Men’s Packable Lightweight Water-Resitant Jacket

  • Outdoor Ventures Men’s Lightweight Packable Puffer Jacket

  • Wantdo Down Jacket Puffer 

  • REI 650 Down Jacket (warmer option REI 850 Down Hoodie)

  • (Through-hiker Favorite) Enlightened Equipment Torrid Jacket

  • Lots and lots of spendier options in this category

Rain & Wind

• Raincoat (with hood) & rainpants are best

• Poncho is possible, but cumbersome (and terrible in any kind of wind unless belted)

• Not an insulating layer - fit is less important here (can be a bit baggy)

• Check weight - some of these items are very heavy. Over a pound? Too heavy (but not the end of the world for a weekend hike)

• Check bulk - some of these items are big and don’t compress well

• Features - pit zips, pockets - personal preference

• Good options:

  • RAINCOAT

    • Frogg Toggs Ultra-lite2 Waterproof Breathable Rain Jacket

    • Columbia Watertight II Jacket

    • REI Rainier Rain Jacket

    • Marmot Men’s Precip Eco Waterproof Jacket

    • Helly-Hansen Mens Loke Jacket

    • (Holy cow some expensive options here. Don’t spend $500+on a rain jacket for your middle schooler!)

  • RAIN PANTS

    • Frogg Toggs Classic Pro Action Rain Pant

    • Columbia Rebel Roamer Li Pant

    • (Charlie has and loves these - only 8 ounces) REI Trailmade Rain Pants

    • (Spendy but amazing - Consider these for a possible luxury item at the start of Philmont training) Zpacks Men’s Vertice Rain Pants

Head

• Perhaps second most important item after socks - Good warm hat

• Wool (or synthetic. But really wool or other natural fibers)

• Great for taking on and off to help regulate temperature

• One item to wear both during day and at night

• (Less of an issue for December, but in general consider a hat for sun protection)

• Maybe the second most likely item a scout already has

• Good options:

  • REI Logo Beanie

  • Minus33 Ridge Cuff Beanie

  • Outdoor Research Gradient Beanie

  • Outdoor Research Trail Mix Beanie

  • Alpha Drifter Cap by FarPointe Outdoor Gear

  • Mr. Sellar loves his alpaca hat! Arms of Andes Beanies

Neck

• A neck gaiter or “Buff” is a great, multiuse item on trail

• Helps regulate temperature

• Sun protection

• Good options:

  • The OG (synthetic): Buff Original Ecostretch Neckwear (lots of other colors/designs)

  • The OG (wool):  Buff Merino Lightweight Multifunctional Neckwear

  • Outdoor Research Echo Ubertube

  • REI Merino Wool Neck Gaiter

  • Minus33 Midweight Neck Gaiter

  • Smartwool Merino Neck Gaiter

Hands

• Light gloves or mittens

• Synthetic fabric, like fleece, cheap and effective for warmth

• Gloves that both insulate and protect from moisture are more expensive (optional upgrade)

• Try to avoid bulky, heavy ski gloves

• ‘Crazy Blue Hands’ - Showa gloves and liners from Andrew Skurka

• Good options:

  • Achiou Winter Gloves

  • Minus33 Lightweight Glove Liners

  • Outdoor Research Train Mix Gloves

  • REI Liner Gloves

  • (Shell to be worn over warm liner) Outdoor Research Helium Rain Mittens

  • Crazy Blue Hands Combo

    • (Any thin liner glove, but Mr. Sellar’s favorite:) Conductive Brushtail Possum Gloves

    • Showa 281 Temres Gloves (Little hard to order. Double check that you are getting the 281 (not insulated) and in the right size)

Footwear: Boots vs. Trail shoes

• Boots are sturdy, traditional, offer ankle support, can be more water resistant

• Trail shoes and runners are lighter, breathe better, arguably more comfortable, require minimal break-in periods and dry more quickly

• Highly recommend trying boots/shoes on in person, even if bought online

• Note: ‘Zero Rise’ or ‘Zero Drop’ trail runners take some getting used to

• Personal preference - Can hike successfully in either

• Boot materials - leather, synthetic

  • Be wary of “waterproof” boots, esp. Gore-tex - expensive, breathe poorly, and take forever to dry

• Good options

  • BOOTS

    • (Charlie has these) Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof (also at REI)

    • La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX Waterproof Hiking Boots (also at REI)

    • Timberland Mt. Maddsen Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots

  • HIKING SHOES

    • Columbia Men’s Crestwood Hiking Shoe

    • Merrell Moab 3 Hiking Shoe

  • TRAIL RUNNERS

    • (Through-hiker favorite) (Zero Drop) Altra Lone Peak 9 Train Running Shoes

    • Saucony Peregrine 15 Train Running Shoes

    • Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4 Trail-Running Shoes

Footwear: Fit

• #1 - Toe does not hit front of shoe

• #2 - No rubbing/chafing

• #3 - Ankle is fitted and doesn’t lift in shoe

• For longer hikes, your feet may swell. Err on the side of larger.

• Don’t wear new boots for the first time on our trip - Break them in

• When trying on, wear the socks you will be hiking in

Shopping Tips

• You don’t need to buy a bunch of stuff for our December trip, as we’ve said. Over the years, though, you will probably be buying items from time to time for your scout.

• Know what items you are looking for, and then wait for deals

• Sign up for retailer emails - REI, Backcountry.com, Dick’s, Garage Grown Gear, etc. - watch for sales and specials. 

  • Also first time buyer discounts for signing up for email.

  • REI membership is a good value - coupons, early access to outlet sales, annual in-store returns sale, annual dividend

• Outlet sites (including REI)

• Used items, esp. EBay

• Borrow items

• Last season’s colors, or end of season close-out

• Look at “generic” or house branded items from REI, Backcountry, Amazon, etc.

• Multi-packs for things like socks and underwear

• If you want tips for specific items, you can always ask us. And we have recommendations for good budget-to-moderate priced items for each category linked from the copy of the outline we’ll email out.