[pct-l] trail clothing

[Paul Magnanti]

If
you read those glossy outdoor magazines, you'd think you need a $300
pack, a $300 shell and a $300 fleece. You do not need expensive gear to
enjoy backpacking. Often the brand name gear, besides being expensive,
is heavy, bulky and overkill for what is supposed to be for the simple
joy of walking. 
Though written for the Appalachian  Trail, the general concepts apply for quality gear on the cheap:
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?p=206678#post206678

Some additional information I will add is that you should invest in a
decent sleeping bag. The Campmor down bag is rated to 20F and is known
as a good budget bag.
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___40065

 
Need long underwear, hats, gloves, socks, etc? Check out Warm Stuff Distributing (aka The Underwear Guys) .
 Run, in part, by the well-know thru-hiker Fiddlehead, it features the
basics for very reasonable prices. It is mainly surplus, seconds and
irregulars. I find this type of clothing is not functionally different
from the Patagucci clothing, is sometimes lighter and it is always less
expensive!

If you are looking for a light, compressible and warm jacket check out an m-65 army liner jacket
(mentioned in the above article, but deserves to be emphasized) 

If you don't mind a bit of sewing, you can make a Montbell Thermawrap
clone for less than $20 with the above liner jacket. A men's large
comes in at 12oz!  Conidering a Montbell Thermawrap is $150 and weights
10oz, the cheap way is nice for those on a budget on who need something
warm, light and cheap!

Check it out:  http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=41034

For high altitude/desert hiking I suggest a long sleeve synthetic shirt for
the princely sum of $4 from many thrift stores. (Old uniform shirts,
acrylic shirts from Blair, rayon blends, heck,,.even the 65/35 blends
are fine!) I've used this type of shirt for literally several thousand
miles of backpacking.

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The true harvest of my life is intangible.... a little stardust 
caught, a portion of the rainbow I have clutched
--Thoreau
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