clothing for a july CT – HELP!

[Jennifer Mitol]

Here is some background info:

On the move, I'm always REALLY hot. As in when I would run on the shore of Lake Michigan in January in 12 deg temps: off come the gloves, off comes the hat, unzip the light jacket, etc.

Static, I'm oh-so-very-cold if the temps dip into the 50s or so. Heaven forbid if there's a breeze…..

I am currently in the worst shape of my life, but I have a few months of running and strength training ahead of me so hopefully this won't be as big an issue as it is today.

Two years ago on the JMT I wore a Rail Riders adventure (read: dork) shirt and I don't remember being all that hot.
Last year on the JMT I wore a cap2 zip T, long sleeve, and was miserably hot all day long. I didn't even need a wind shirt at the passes.
I have no idea if it was actually hotter, or if I just didn't tolerate it well, or if it really was the dork shirt. I was in far worse physical shape last year than 2 years ago, and I didn't acclimate to the elevation very well throughout the trip.

I've never hiked in the rockies. we are planning on 5 weeks.

OK. Now to this year.

I plan on wearing:
Rail Riders adventure shirt
nylon running shorts with liner (i've worn running shorts for years to hike in – my favorite no matter what)
nike pro sports bra
wide-brimmed hat
atra lone-peak 2.0
coolmax short socks
DG gaiters
umbrella (trying for the first time)

Carrying:
arcteryx phase SL tights (4.3 oz)
montbell dynamo wind pants (2.6)
ZPacks rain skirt (2.0 oz)
marmot essence rain jacket (6.0 oz)
backcountry hadron pullover puffy (7.2)
cap 4 hoody (8.7 – YIKES)
ZPacks rain mitts (1.0)
rab cirrus windshirt (3.6)
black rock gear down hat (1.0)
Ran power stretch gloves (1.2) MAYBE….my hands aren't cold very often. but for early am hiking, or when the temps drop in the evening, setting up camp, etc – very nice to have

I like sleeping in the cap 4 hoody – but holy crap that's heavy. I'd rather not sleep in the RR shirt, but maybe just bring a long sleeve cap 2 or something? I'd like to have some sort of dry shirt to change into at night – yes the RR shirt dries quickly, but I do like dedicated sleeping clothes. I really don't like stopping at camp all sweaty and just put on my puffy over that. but maybe that's just what I should do??

And I'm also considering actually leaving the Rab Cirrus behind, or finding a different wind shirt. I rarely actually hike in it – I frequently overheat in wind shirts (even the hallowed pre-2012 Houdini I found uncomfortable to hike in) and really only used them for a stopping layer or for a few minutes of early morning hiking before I get warmed up. If I did that, couldn't I just use the Essence for those few minutes?? Or am I asking for trouble just to drop 4 oz??

Anyway – big questions:
stick with the dork shirt, or go all the way to a short-sleeved top (since I'll be carrying and using sunscreen anyway) to help manage my overheating-on-the-move? or stick with the cap2 zip t because last year was just weird?

cap4 hoody too much for a sleep/insulation/insurance layer? maybe just the hoodless version? something else entirely?

leave the wind shirt behind or find a different one?

any other system suggestions? I'm happy with my lower body stuff – that has worked really well for me the past few years. but oh not so sure about the rest….

Thanks!

[Jennifer Mitol]

i'm considering for my top layers do a thin short sleeve (cap1 ish) AND a long sleeve zip T (cap 2?) and mix-n-match for layering warmth, sun protection, sleeping, less overheating on the move, etc.

wear the short sleeve for most of the hiking so I don't overheat, but have the sleeves for those early morning hikes, or if i need extra sunburn protection; then wear the cap2 to bed?

certainly would be lighter….maybe that's my upper body solution???

[Steven Paris]

Jen,

Are you now posting and then immediately answering your own questions on BPL?!?

First the midlayer question: for me, a midlayer just always seems like a good idea; for me, right now that would be a 100wt fleece vest, a 100wt fleece top or a Cap4 Hoody. All things you can hike in and not need to get an insulation piece out until camp. I can imagine not using one if i was doing a long-distance trail like the PCT or CDT, hiking big-mile days, getting to camp, going to sleep and then getting going quickly in the morning, but it might still be sitting in my pack.

I also don't think there's a right answer between the Cap4 Hoody and a Cap2 shirt. The difference is only 3-4 ounces. That won't ruin your trip so I would just try to figure which one layers best with the other tops you are bringing. You could sleep in either, hike in either and layer either over a s/s or l/s top. Btw, I really like the Patagonia Fore Runner shirts, in either l/s or s/s. Light, trim but not as body-hugging as the ArcTeryx Phase stuff and polygiene (probably would still smell, though) and pair well with a midlayer.

For me, the hard thing is layering with a button-down style shirt (or "bug" shirt, as Skurka is calling it), like your RR shirt. Absent a very specific set of circumstances (like Alaska in June), I hesitate to grab that over a thin s/s or l/s top that layers more cleanly with a fleece vest or a windshell. I do think I would use a button-down shirt for the first desert-y parts of the CDT or PCT but I'm not sure. Maybe that's what's causing you to think about this?

[Brian B]

Re. "leave the wind shirt behind or find a different one?"

In my experience, the CT is a lot windier than the JMT — sustained, strong wind along all those open ridges. If you're taking an umbrella (which are awesome), rather than getting rid of the wind jacket, I might leave the Essence home and just refresh the DWR on my wind jacket. That's a leap of faith, I know, if you haven't used an umbrella before but considering you run hot, something (else) to consider.

[Jennifer Mitol]

hahahaha! yes steve, asking questions, answering questions – just more evidence of my incredible indecision here.

I think you're absolutely right – taking the nylon adventure shirt, while possibly cooler than the cap2 l/s zip, doesn't really fit into a layering system. thus it becomes a single-use item (only hiking during the day…) and then leaves me in a lurch for what I can change into that's dry at the end of the day.

Thanks for that point – that might be exactly what's tripping me up.

And Brian – thanks very much for the point on the wind on the CT – i'll bring the windshirt. It might fit better if I go with the s/s T + some l/s (cap 4 vs cap 2) combo anyway – more flexibility but no real weight penalty.

[ed hyatt]

I did the CT mid-July-mid August in 2013; I run hot when hiking too.

I used an Arc Motus LS T for the day – rolling sleeves up or down for heat management. Also quite often used a Montane Litespeed windshirt – especially early mornings. This worked really well.

Take a windshirt is my advice – even though I did not find the trail particularly windy.

To sleep in I've been using Rohan Ultra T for a few years – the LS version is only 80g…it feels like silk next to the skin.

http://www.rohan.co.uk/mens-travel-and-outdoor-base-layer-clothing-Ultra-Silver-T-LS?ocode=03904550

For insulation around camp I've been using a MB Ex Light Down jacket for years – works well for me, even for sleeping in. I take a Black Rock down beanie too – excellent piece.

The altitude kicked me around for quite a while (I live at 80m above sea-level in the UK)!

My trip account is here:

http://www.trek-lite.com/index.php?threads/sad-amongst-friends-the-colorado-trail.399/

[Valerie E]

I'm also a hot-while-moving, cold-when-still person.

I'm going to disagree with others here… I say:

– Take the dork shirt (much cooler for hiking, more sun protection) — you can still layer over it. Remember, there are several lower elevation, hot areas (esp. at the beginning).
– Leave the wind shirt (use the rain jkt for those rare occasions when you need wind protection)
– Take a lighter weight sleep shirt (because you can always sleep with your puffy if you need warmth)

And I have another option for you — if you're a merino-type-person, you could hike in a SS silk weight merino Tee, and add light merino arm warmers when needed (for either cool temps or too much sun). I did that last summer on the first half of the JMT, then changed into a dork shirt for the second half. Both approaches worked well.

I'll also mention that you might think about leaving the wind pants at home — you could always put on the tights and/or rain kilt for hiking in wind.

As you know, I'll be doing the CT around the same time (a bit later, and adding lots extra time for 14er day trips), and I still haven't decided on the SS Merino+arms vs. dork shirt.

[jimmer ultralight]

Me, I am a simpleton – I like the silkweights,gridfleece,windshirt,pancho system with a puffy vest/ jacket for static insulation. I also am a closet Patagucci slut but refuse to be bent over the counter buying their overpriced insulation layers, so its $20 Terramar Cap1 and Cap4 knockoffs pour moi..;)

Having said that..

You run hot in windshirts and carry a rainjacket, so ditch the windshirt.
I feel that for someone wearing tights, you have too many peices of wind/rain gear for your legs..

This calls for a "radical gearectomy" ,IMHO.
Ditch all of it -the kilt,windpants and gaiters .Substitute a GOOD pair of Event rain pants. Zpacks Challengers in Black, they will look stunning on you…;)

Seriously, now you have saved about 6 ounces..And helped support the Florida economy.
But..it might be too radical..And expensive.

As to your active torso insulation, from what you have said about running hot constantly, I would get the lightest silkweight polypro or merino T short sleeve crew t-top. Maybe try a long sleeve out to see if it is too warm. If, not, it might be a better option,

TAKE the Cap4 hoody. At 8oz ,its not heavy for what it is. I think you should take off both your bra and your base T shirt at night to dry out/air out and put on the Cap 4 and your Puffy over that to sleep in. In the morning you have semi-fresh undergarments to put on.

As to your "Dork" RR shirt , where is it written in stone that a trail shirt had to be hot or dorky? Or made by Rail Riders?

Be a GIRL, DO SOME SHOPPING – go to REI or Cabelas or Old Navy,WHERE EVER and find something lightweight and tough that will work and looks good etc. Bring your scale and try stuff on and weigh it. No more Rail Riders frump for Jen!

[Jennifer Mitol]

ha! jimmer, that's awesome!

i guess my lower body DOES seems like a LOT of clothes. So maybe you're right – go just with the tights, shorts and some rain pants. I can wear the rain pants when I'm cold at camp (which is really the only time I wear the wind pants, honestly).

GREAT! someone telling me it's OK to wear a short sleeved shirt in the mountains! I'm just so hot in a long sleeved shirt….

I can ditch the wind shirt and just put the cap 4 over my short sleeve shirt when I'm cold in the am and just getting warmed up.

if the wind is REALLY cold, then the essence would probably work just fine since I'm hot no matter what (even in a wind shirt).

and honey, no one needs to tell me to go shopping. :)

[Eric Lundquist]

I find that a wind shirt is as sufficient against biting insects as a travel shirt/Rail Riders. I wear a long sleeve silkweight/lightweight merino top and push the sleeves up when if I get warm. I prefer the long sleeves to protect my arms against the sun instead of relying on reapplying sunscreen every few hours. A light color helps to reflect any additional heat.

My setup is
1. Longsleeve merino top (Icebreaker Tech-T)
2. Windshirt (Patagonia Houdini)
3. Midlayer* (Patagonia Cap4 Hoody OR Synthetic Vest OR ..)
*Changes based on expected conditions.
4. ZPacks Poncho.

Much more layer friendly in my opinion.

For your legs, if you're hiking in shorts in July i would not bring rain pants/kilt. Just let the legs get wet. Your shoes will be wet anyway and your legs will dry quickly enough. Rarely in July in Colorado will you see all day rain. Bring your shorts for day use and tights for at camp/night.

[jimmer ultralight]

I may be totally off base depriving your legs of proper warmth and rain protection. I.have legs like a Draft horse..If my torso is well insulated , I rarely wear abase layer on my legs since they stay pretty warm. So I guess I freaked out a bit over all the legwear.

My applogies to your gams.:)

Any special wardrobe changes for the Chuckster? Can't leave him out.. Does he ever wear a bandana or does he find them a bit passe for dogs? Has he upgraded to a Cuben pack yet?

[Ian]

"and honey, no one needs to tell me to go shopping. :)"

No doubt. Besides Doug, I think you're the only other person here who has a separate cuben fiber room in their house so those shelters don't have to commingle with lowly silnylon and other lesser fabrics.

[Andy F]

I would probably try to go with a thin long-sleeve shirt so that I wouldn't have to use sunscreen. I dislike getting my glasses, sunglasses, and everything I touch greasy with that stuff, and the health effects are questionable.

[Jennifer Mitol]

as far as sunscreen, i literally detest hiking in pants, so i'll have the sunscreen anyway for my legs and as pasty white as I am, I'm quite used to being slathered with the stuff all the time. Sunscreen doesn't bother me – it's the HOT that I can't stand.

If I could find a cool long sleeve shirt, I'd be all over it. Just haven't seemed to find one yet, except the DORK RR Adventure Shirt. Love that thing!

So maybe a short sleeved lightweight top for hiking.
A cap2 zip T for sleeping, extra layering, windshirt replacement.

Interesting about all the new wind shirt threads – I've been seriously considering just leaving mine at home this year and try layering and using my 2.5L lightweight Marmot Essence rain jacket for really windy/cold conditions.

So maybe my top mix-n-match Geranimals looks like this:

short sleeved shirt (hiking most days)
long sleeve cap2 zip T (layering in the am/pm/passes, sleep shirt)
backcountry hadron puffy (well, it's a puffy)
marmot essence rain jacket (6 oz)

And the bottom???
usually I use a mix-n-match combo of shorts/tights/windpants/rain kilt.
But I'm kind of liking the idea of:

shorts (hiking most days)
tights (sleeping, insulation in am/pm, sleeping, colder hiking)
challenger rain pants (camp chores in am/pm, sustained cold rain, cold days)

Certainly simplifies things, doesn't it.
I will have a black rock beanie, rain mitts, and maybe actual power dry gloves (my hands are usually pretty hot, but they're only 1.5 oz for the pair and are VERY nice to have when you really need them)

Anyone see any issues with this set up?? what am I missing???

[Paul Magnanti]

First, I will preface that by saying three things

1) I rarely get into the nitty gritty details of gear. My overall gear has not changed in the basics in ~15 yrs. So I tend to give generic gear advice. I am obviously using different brands/models of gear vs 2000, but the general type of gear has not really changed.

2) I tend to hike very warm esp in the legs

3) What may work me for me may not work for others

Here's what I take

Worn:

Nylon shorts
Long sleeve poly-cotton dress shirt
Bandanna
Boonie hat
some sort of running sock
Trail runners

Packed:

ON TRAIL: Frogg Toggs rain jacket
OFF TRAIL: GoLite Tumalo
Nylon wind pants
OR rain mitts
Surplus wool liner gloves
Polypro balaclava
Light weight thermal top
Lighter weight thermal bottoms
1 pr running socks
1 pr sleep socks (a luxury, but a nice one)

The only real change now vs then is since about 2010:

Lightweight hooded puffy jacket
100 wt fleece pullover

Over the past few years, I've really come to love the simple fleece pullover for its versatility. *For me*, I can wear it in very heavy wind because it is so breathable and even light precip. On particularly cold morning, it is rather nice as well. The 100wt fleece pullover is something I wear in all four seasons now. If I am too warm with a light fleece, the long sleeve thermal is generally more-than-fine.

The hooded puffy is for camp AND part of my quilt sleeping system at this point. I switched to a quilt in about 2010 as well.

YMMV

[Steven Paris]

I'm so embarrassed for you, Jen. It's Garanimals, not Geranimals.

Also, I'd still throw the wind shirt in that mix, but I can definitely see the opposing argument. I have an Essence, too, but I'd rather leave it (or a Driducks jacket) in the backpack until it's absolutely needed for sustained or hard rain.

I'd take liner gloves (I use DeFeet wool Duragloves) but my hands just seem to get colder than they used to.

[Jennifer Mitol]

oh my gosh! GARANIMALS. HOW could I have messed that up???

Too much thinking about long sleeve/short sleeve/windshirt crap.

[Andrew U]

Leave the windshirt at home.

If you hike hot, then a fleece should suffice for windy conditions on the high passes unless it gets unseasonably cold. Then just use your rain jacket. At that point if it's windy then breathability shouldn't be an issue.

[Sam Riggle]

Often times when I go out I'll be wearing a short sleeve tee (Patagonia Fore Runner 3.2 oz). If that's the case, and I may need a long sleeve sun/bug protection shirt then I carry my Houdini. My only other tops are a Montane Minimus Smock and NanoPuff, so basically the Houdini is my only other "shirt". At least that's how I justify brining it. I find it comfortable enough to sleep in by itself if my main tee is wet. I have the hooded/full zip Houdini, but I've been thinking about getting the pullover version and simply carrying it as my long sleeve layer rather than the "jacket" version. It's a henley style shirt that cuts wind and weighs less the 3oz. (In my size at least) So that's just another option to think about. It works for me here in Georgia. YMMV

Edit: The cap 4 hoody is definitely worth carrying IMO. If I carry another top, it's always that one. Such a great piece. Oh, and the above is for warmer "3 season" weather.

[Katherine .]

how do you like the hadron anorak? (assuming that's the same as the puffy pullover)

i just got one, but haven't used it yet.

[Jennifer Mitol]

i haven't really had a chance to use it yet, either. But three people I hiked with on the JMT this past year had them and raved about them…thus my purchase.

it sure seems nice though, doesn't it?

[Katherine .]

it does! Of all the puffies I tried (Pat, MH, SD) it fit the best by far, the only one I would actually want to sleep in. I really like the lack of a zipper.

Wish it had a hood cinch and hydrophobic down. But oh well, cheap enough to start, then got it on sale, so the price was right!

[Vandweller Feller]

I'm planning on thru hiking the CT in July also and I've decided to go with my usual Kuhl s/s Konquer shirt and my 3" split shorts to hike in. I'm bringing my OR Helium rain jacket and leaving my Montbel windshirt at home. I'll be carrying a brolly also. Mostly for sun coverage. I'll have wind pants because they are lighter than my tights. I usually just sleep in my hiking clothes but I'll have a puffy for camp and use my rain jacket as another layer if it gets that cold. I'll have a warmer shirt on standby in the mail in case I start getting too cold. My hands will be covered in Smartwool liner gloves and old zpacks rain mitts.

I hope this helps. This is the system I'm most comfortable in.

[Nicholas Meadors]

Another July thru hiker here. Here's my gearlist: http://www.geargrams.com/list?id=6784

I'm still deciding my last piece of clothing as well. My main problem is that I switched from a down jacket to a down vest, so now I'm wondering what to sleep in that has sleeves. I really don't want to take my LS hiking shirt, and another LS for sleeping, AND my wind shirt, but my other LS is a microgrid fleece that doesn't break the wind at all. Haven't tried sleeping in my wind shirt yet though, so maybe I should give that a shot layered over my vest. I also went out with my driducks on as a windbreaker today and got pretty chilled. I would also like to limit the use of the driducks to rain only–durability concerns.

It's the difference between < 10 lbs and just over 10lbs for my basweight, but I think that's just tricking my brain into wanting to cut something. Just gotta go with what makes me comfortable. The difference between 9.5 and 10lbs probably shouldn't matter in the grand scheme of things.

[Jennifer Mitol]

Usually I hike in shorts (I really hate hiking in long pants) – so I bring along a pair of arcteryx tights and montbell dynamo wind pants as my lower body system. Works in decently-brief rain, cold, hot, bugs, sun, wind – nice and flexible system. I'll sleep in the tights every night, wear them under the shorts if it's cold, or raining….

Well now I'm considering leaving the tights behind and just going with the shorts and the dynamos – and sleep in the dynamos to keep my filthy, sticky legs off my pad and my quilt.

I'm a very hot hiker (oh yes I am!), but very cold once I stop.

Mistake to just rely on the dynamos as my only leg coverage? I am NOT bringing rain pants, but wavering anyway on the Zpacks rain kilt.

So maybe just the dynamos and the kilt, or use the tights and no kilt…or take all of it.

Any thoughts???

[Author]

Posts