Outfitting for a thru-hike from scratch — newbie on a budget

The local charity shop can always outfit me with a nice wool sweater and a fleece for under £10. Then put the spare money to the raingear.

Try your luck with a WTB (want to buy) ad on the gear swap forum.

Hmmm..

Base layers: Lotsa cheap options around. The important factor here comfort since he'll be wearing it all the time. ~$30-$60

Warmth: Check out M-65 field jacket liners. Cheap and a good amount of warmth. Add a generic fleece if needed or for versatility. ~$20-$40

Rain Gear: Poncho … they have durable ones at REI for cheap. Combined that with you extra driducks pants and call it good. ~$30

I sometimes find Nike Drifit (or whatever they're called) at Ross for about $6. I noticed the one by me has the Adidas equivalent stocked at the moment. You just can't be overly picky about what team's logo you'll be sporting.

There's a lot of guys out there who use milsurp ponchos as rain gear and shelter. While they aren't the lightest they do seem to hold up. You could couple that with a pair of chaps made from Driducks pants or pair the chaps with just a driducks poncho to save weight if the shelter isn't needed.

Thrift shops–should be able to find fleece jackets for insulation and very possibly hats and gloves

Military surplus stores

Big box stores such as Target, KMart, Costco, Walmart (in the athletic department, not the outdoors dept., for wicking layers and nylon shorts/track pants; may also have fleece although it's the wrong time of year) If you have a Big 5 Sporting Goods in your area, they often have various outdoor clothing on sale cheap.

For thrift/cheap fleece, look at the light through it before buying to make sure there are no holes/thin spots. I personally would not buy the pricey fleece found at outdoor stores when you can get it for a fraction of the cost from thrift stores.

I see no reason to ditch the Dri-Ducks. Just test them in the shower (might have to seal the placket seam). The pants are usually the first to go because they are more stressed in seat and inseam. It wouldn't hurt to take one of those emergency plastic ponchos as backup, but if you don't go crawling through brush, the Dri-Ducks should hold up just fine.

Costco (if you have access to a membership) has good merino wool socks.

Might be able to find an inexpensive nylon windbreaker in either thrift or big box stores to use as a windshirt, although you may have to cut out the cotton flannel lining. Put a DWR treatment on it to make it more windproof.

There have been several clothing ads the last few days on the BPL buy and sell forum, although I haven't looked to see what they are.

Sierra Trading Post always seems to have great base layer deals. And I'd second the WTB idea, this forum seems to be great when it comes to helping someone in need with an epic trip.

You can get a PU coated Stearns brand rain jacket at Walmart for about $30. Not breathable, but waterproof and very sturdy, if that's the concern.

I suggest checking places like TJ Maxx, Marshall's, Ross etc for fleece and baselayers. I regularly see Marmot, Patagonia, Columbia, and some of the more mainstream sports brand's Fleeces and baselayers, shirts and etc, there. They're probably already carrying stuff for the Fall season, and alot of that stuff is 50% or better off retail.

Also see heavier coats there.

Mont-bell has their UL Down inner snap vest on sale cheap

http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?cat_id=96&p_id=2301287

Prolite Gear has the Golite Wisp wind jacket on clearance

http://www.prolitegear.com/golite_wisp_wind_shirt.html

If we decide to go the way of fleece and find it in thrift stores (or on geartrade etc), how would I know if it is warm enough?

Does the Polartec # tell me something? Is Polartec 200 good enough?

Do common fleece jackets of everyday brands also fit on the Polartec scale?

PS: Thanks for the Wisp tip.. does seem interesting for me over DriDucks.

fyi on the wisp – not for your only raingear – the DWR coating on it can only withstand so much.

As far as fleece goes, what is important is how much loft is in it. If I find a fleece jacket at a thrift store with plenty of loft (not smooshed and worn out for years of use), and with little bailing on it, I may just buy it. In my experience, fleece jackets weigh on average of 16-20oz, and vests weight about 14-16oz.

Get a Taser, and wait around bends in the trail!

Can you recommend a lightweight taser? Would just a piece of rough rock / broken branch and a buzzing sound made by mouth work?

Re:
"If we decide to go the way of fleece and find it in thrift stores (or on geartrade etc), how would I know if it is warm enough?"

It has to do with the amount of fluff. Although fleece and wool isn't as warm as puffier, lighter materials, they also won't absorb much water and will dry fast. So in wet weather could prove to be lighter and warmer.

A wind shirt over sweater or fleece makes a big difference and can be good down to freezing, if you keep moving.

A cheap lightweight parka might be a good choice if hiking in cold weather, but for most three season hiking would be overkill.

Thought the taser would work well on the JMT. Just blame it on those afternoon thunderstorms/resupplies.

I also recommend thrift stores. I found a 10 oz. down vest there once for $6! I wasn't familiar with the brand but at the price,weight, and puff it had, I don't care.