Topic
Separate sleeping clothes – yeah or nay
Forum Posting
A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!
Home › Forums › General Forums › Philosophy & Technique › Separate sleeping clothes – yeah or nay
- This topic is empty.
-
AuthorPosts
-
Mar 26, 2013 at 10:00 pm #1969996
In a prefect world, your sleep clothing should be a coordinated part of your insulation system and sleep system, available for use whenever needed. I would not carry clothing to be reserved only for sleep.
Depending on the weather, I would normally wear a long sleeve base layer and have a fleece mid-layer and puffy layer for camp. Unless it is full-on hot summer weather I would also have light to medium weight long johns that I would wear under rain gear and/or for sleep. If it is colder than my sleep system can deliver, I would wear everything to stay warm, including rain gear. That is rare.
As far as staying clean, sure, make the effort, but don't be afraid of a little dirt. I take a sponge bath at the end of the day whenever possible. If my base layer top is too sweaty, I can always wear my fleece mid layer for sleep. I do carry spare socks and would wear the driest, cleanest pair for sleep, or both if really cold. I wouldn't be adverse to wearing gloves and hat as well.
Mar 27, 2013 at 11:17 am #1970170I don't wear my outer layer to bed. That keeps most if not all of the dirt out.
Mar 27, 2013 at 12:23 pm #1970195Section hikes and winter, spring, and fall short UL trips I keep a pair of either merino wool or synth base layers (depending how cold it is) in a water resistant stuff sack (silnylon) which is carried inside of a seam sealed backpack. Put on the base layers before bed, and any other needed layers from clothing worn based on how cold it is. I will wear the base layers under my clothing worn in the morning and either change as I break camp/pack or on the trail as the day warms up.
Summer SUL/XUL overnight trips then no. Sleep in clothing worn if needed. I have only done overnight trips for SUL/XUL, so I have not been that dirty, thus no big deal.
In the future I might do a SUL section hike, though not sure if I would take base layer or not–it would depend on the conditions. With really warm conditions, I could get away with using just a fabric bag liner (I have a cotton and a nylon one) as a sleeping bag, in which case you can just wash it afterwards.
Never been on a thru hike, but plan on it one day–in which case I would most def take a base layer.
Mar 27, 2013 at 2:04 pm #1970228As part of my minimal clothing kit is a lightweight set of upper and lower base layers, for layering if things are chilly. I also tend to use them as (relatively) clean garments to wear in the sleeping bag to help keep down bag grunginess. Also lets me take a lighter weight bag and lighter weight sweater, etc.
Mar 27, 2013 at 4:22 pm #1970267I will bring an extra sleep layer for two types of conditions: lots of rain, where I know I can't stay dry during the day; and really humid conditions, which amount to the same thing in effect. In either situation a dry layer is well worth the extra weight.
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Forum Posting
A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!
Our Community Posts are Moderated
Backpacking Light community posts are moderated and here to foster helpful and positive discussions about lightweight backpacking. Please be mindful of our values and boundaries and review our Community Guidelines prior to posting.
Get the Newsletter
Gear Research & Discovery Tools
- Browse our curated Gear Shop
- See the latest Gear Deals and Sales
- Our Recommendations
- Search for Gear on Sale with the Gear Finder
- Used Gear Swap
- Member Gear Reviews and BPL Gear Review Articles
- Browse by Gear Type or Brand.