So dudes... I've said it before. Cotton is not the enemy. I am in the South US where it gets so hot and humid. Even so, I would rather have a totally soaked out t-shirt any day of the week over those polyester condoms that most backpackers and fishermen swear by. Bamboo, hemp, M. wool also great fibers. Breathability, and quick dry is what I go for 98% of the time. I get it... cold and wet is never good... but your gonna get cold and wet... the key is how quick can you get warm and dry. As y'all said... redundancy! Thanks for the work and info. Peace!
Great advice on all points, especially trip mods or bailing. After all, it's a recreational sport, weekends for most of us, not a life or death trek for survival (unless we turn it into one). I would also suggest not worrying about the ounces of extra weight to bring the next level of sleep warmth in marginal or unpredictable weather. An extra pound when compared to a night of hypothermia isn't even a consideration.
1. Be fit. You can hike faster and get out of the rain faster. 2. Drink a hot drink (hot chocolate). It warms your core and it hydrates you. Helps dry your clothes faster. 3. Nikwax your rain gear at least once a year. 2-3 times if you use it frequently. 4. Wring out all your wet clothes and then put them back on and let your body heat dry them out. (It’s a good time for a hot drink). It sucks but it works. You don’t have to dry them all at once and you can put a dry layer over the top of a wet shirt.
Something that I never hear on the videos. If you have the correct gear and you’re still cold especially your hands and feet. You’re probably dehydrated drink more water and some electrolytes.
Not exactly on point but if you have the option or haven't bought shelter yet and you're sleeping solo don't opt for a single person shelter. In bad weather it is so much easier to manage wet gear when you have extra space. Also whatever shelter you have, especially single walled stuff, make sure it's long enough so that your bag is not touching the tent. If bad weather is possible I almost always bring a tarp these days to either hang over my tent, or more beneficially perhaps is to put it up in camp to be able to have a covered common area so that you're not confined to your tent. Instead of being a gram wienie, just lose 5 pounds and take another pound or two to make things more comfortable!!
Pit zips on a hard shell is so key. Dries out the base & mid layers.
So dudes... I've said it before. Cotton is not the enemy. I am in the South US where it gets so hot and humid. Even so, I would rather have a totally soaked out t-shirt any day of the week over those polyester condoms that most backpackers and fishermen swear by. Bamboo, hemp, M. wool also great fibers. Breathability, and quick dry is what I go for 98% of the time. I get it... cold and wet is never good... but your gonna get cold and wet... the key is how quick can you get warm and dry. As y'all said... redundancy! Thanks for the work and info. Peace!
Great advice on all points, especially trip mods or bailing. After all, it's a recreational sport, weekends for most of us, not a life or death trek for survival (unless we turn it into one). I would also suggest not worrying about the ounces of extra weight to bring the next level of sleep warmth in marginal or unpredictable weather. An extra pound when compared to a night of hypothermia isn't even a consideration.
Living in Washington State all we have is bad weather, well, there is those 3 or 4 days we get in August that don't rain......
I hang my pack cover below my hammock for gear storage
How do you attach it to your hammock?
Miss ya guys
A light poncho is a good option in the open!
1. Be fit. You can hike faster and get out of the rain faster.
2. Drink a hot drink (hot chocolate). It warms your core and it hydrates you. Helps dry your clothes faster.
3. Nikwax your rain gear at least once a year. 2-3 times if you use it frequently.
4. Wring out all your wet clothes and then put them back on and let your body heat dry them out. (It’s a good time for a hot drink). It sucks but it works. You don’t have to dry them all at once and you can put a dry layer over the top of a wet shirt.
Gore Tex. Everywhere, head to toe! 50$ waterproof neoprene socks. Fresh clothes to change into once you get camp setup.
Something that I never hear on the videos. If you have the correct gear and you’re still cold especially your hands and feet. You’re probably dehydrated drink more water and some electrolytes.
Not exactly on point but if you have the option or haven't bought shelter yet and you're sleeping solo don't opt for a single person shelter. In bad weather it is so much easier to manage wet gear when you have extra space. Also whatever shelter you have, especially single walled stuff, make sure it's long enough so that your bag is not touching the tent.
If bad weather is possible I almost always bring a tarp these days to either hang over my tent, or more beneficially perhaps is to put it up in camp to be able to have a covered common area so that you're not confined to your tent.
Instead of being a gram wienie, just lose 5 pounds and take another pound or two to make things more comfortable!!
Your LiteAF packs wetted-out? Mostly out West, but neither of this author's LiteAF packs ever wetted-out.
Gor-tex is your friend...
Again don’t go
mistake number one is........hiking in bad weather