by Tom Claeys

Created on: March 02, 2009   Last Updated: March 04, 2009

The end result of being unprepared for a backpacking trip is the distinct potential for misery, or even worse. Often newcomers focus on food supplies, water sources, lighting, 1st aid kits, tents, sleeping bags and pads, and a host of other bits and pieces related to the trip. But one genre that is often ignored is clothing. Clothing should play a major part of any backpackers inventory. Not only are different layers important, but their materials and characteristics are as well.

A basic tenant of base layering, the clothing that contacts your skin, is that you want something that moves, or wicks, moisture (sweat) away from your body. This is crucially important in cooler weather as prolonged moisture against the skin can quicken the pace of hypothermia. This cannot be done with the popular cotton garmets. Cotton products help keep moisture against the skin, not away. Now I will state that in very hot weather, wet cotton may actually be advantageous as it can help cool body temperature. But, in cooler weather, the saying is that "Cotton Kills". Any assortment of synthetic base layers will usually do the trick of moving moisture away from your skin. The materials used are often subject to price, feel, fit, cut, and functionality. Popular base layer materials include silk, polypropylene, polyester, and other proprietary blends of materials. They all serve the same basic function, but differ in price, feel, and fit. And while it may take some experimentation, your olfactories may be surprised to find that some of these base layers tend to hold odors, yes like body odors, in the material. If you are worried about the nature of such materials, you may consult any number of consumer reviews of products on numerous websites.

After an important, but often overlooked, base layer the next layer would consist of something to keep you warm. Again materials are many, but I've found that fleece or even wool are good insulators. At times it might be considered if two insulating layers might be worth the effort versus just one. This way a layer might be shed should the activity dictate it. It should be noted here that wool will keep its insulating properties when wet, while synthetic garmets like fleece will not. The types of conditions you will be subject to will help you consider what type of material to wear. Keep in mind that hands, feet, and heads also need insulating and the considerations for material types will bleed over into these areas of the body as well. For instance

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