[pct-l] Clothing options

[CHUCK CHELIN]

Good afternoon,  Daniel,

Except for occasional use in the southern deserts I wear synthetics almost
exclusively.  Attributes I like are the way it rejects moisture which
enhances its insulation value, and its wear resistance.

Some synthetics – but mostly older varieties – get really funky, really
quickly when exposed to the body.  Most modern fibers and fabrics are made
and/or treated to control the smell, but you’ll have to try an item to know
for sure.

For cold mornings and evenings I carry a medium-weight fleece pull-over
sweater (10.4 oz.). It’s about the same weight as a really nice ultralite
down jacket, but I find the extra warmth of a down jacket is not necessary,
and they are really expensive. I usually buy the no-name fleece sweaters
cheap off the sale rack, or even cheaper second-hand from the thrift store.
At night the fleece sweater is folded and stuffed in a sack for my pillow.
My thin, ultralite, hooded, jacket -- called a “windshirt” -- can be worn
alone or over the fleece sweater. I may use a Marmot Ion (5.1 oz.) that has
a full zipper, or a pull-over GoLite Ether (3.0 oz.). Many hikers carry
fleece-lined windbreaker jackets, but I like the ability to wear the
windshirt, the fleece, or both as conditions dictate.

I wear one – or possibly two – layers of polyester fleece under the rain
top in a cold rain. Moisture is bound to collect under a waterproof item
like a rain top, even those claiming to “breath”, and that moisture will be
in almost constant contact with the top and back of my shoulders and my
upper arms. It’s here that I find fleece preferable to a down coat. The
fleece maintains its loft when wet, and it will dry itself with my body
heat as I continue to wear it after the worst of the rain. I don’t find
down to be nearly that adaptable and forgiving.

Steel-Eye

-Hiking the Pct since before it was the PCT – 1965

http://www.trailjournals.com/steel-eye

http://www.trailjournals.com/SteelEye09/


On Wed, Jul 25, 2012 at 12:31 PM, Daniel Salazar <techtravel7 at gmail.com>wrote:

> What are some good options for synthetic clothing for a well prepared thru
> hiker? What weather condition is polypropylene for?
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