Clothing Critique: AT Thru – 4/3/15 start

[Tyler Lego]

Would love some critiques on this clothing set-up for an AT thru next year. What would you change? I think my warm gear is pretty straight forward, but am I going overkill with cold clothing? I'm trying to have one of the lightest packs on the trail :)

Merino/capilene Silkweight s/s 3.6oz
REI Polartec Midweight l/s 8.9 (COLD)
Wind Shell (hooded) 1.95oz
UL down jacket 6.42oz (COLD)
rain jacket (hooded) 7.0oz

ExOfficio boxer briefs 3.0oz x2
merino leggings 200 weight 5.9oz (COLD)
UL running shorts 4.5oz
rain pants 4.0oz

merino running socks 1.0oz x2
merino crew socks camp/sleep 3.7oz (COLD)

UL ball cap 1.8oz
microfleece beanie 0.7oz (COLD)
Zpacks down hood 1.3oz (COLD)
wool buff 1.9oz
wool glove liners 3.3oz (COLD)
MLD eVENT rain mitts 1.2oz (COLD)

w/ cold weather gear
4lb 0.17oz

warm weather gear
2lb 0.75oz

Would like some thoughts on ditching the REI midlayer all-together vs ditching it as it warms up. Hiking in a down jacket wouldn't be ideal, but I imagine would only be needed for an hour or two max on the coldest days.

My sleep system includes a hoodless quilt and tarp set up, so the beanie and and buff are both necessary. The down hood will probably be overkill, but 1.3oz and the fact ill be carrying it no more than a month and a half max i dont have a problem bringing it.

any other thoughts on this clothing set-up for a NOBO AT thru starting 4/3/15 would be great. I don't carry any kind of camp shoes currently. may make some out of foam for when it warms up.

[Ben C]

I would probably leave the miss at home. I might leave the hood at home. I would leave the buff at home. You could use a Cap 4 on top inserted of fleece and lighter bottoms

[Tyler Lego]

im guessing this was an autocorrect, what is "the miss" supposed to be?

I think one of the hood or buff has to stay, just to help create a neck seal with the quilt. Hopefully I'll get to actually test some different systems out soon if my knee heals!

[Jake D]

I think he meant the Mitts.. you can always send a bunch of it home once you get a little ways through and figure out what you use. for an ounce they aren't a huge penalty. depending on your schedule you may need some of it back once you hit NH but that is what friends are for.

[Ben C]

*Mitts. But miss is funnier. April in southern Appalachia, I'm not to concerned about a neck seal, but take what makes you comfy. And have a great trip.

[Tyler Lego]

will definitely consider any and all suggestions…a lot of this is just thinking right now. ive experienced one off days during what should be mild times only to wish i had just a bit more. who knows.

[Bill Reynolds]

Tyler, I completed the AT last year. I THINK YOUR SYSTEm is pretty good. I would err on the side of caution as we can have some pretty nasty weather in April. Particularly in the Smokies. Good luck and enjoy your hike.

[Seth Brewer]

I did my NOBO thru in 2011 and would second the urge for erring on the side of caution. It is much better to be warm and sleep well then to shiver and wear yourself out before the weather changes.

I had temperatures down to 16* at nights (I started March 29th) and even an ice storm in the Smokies. The freezing rain / cold misty days can really take it out of you, and I had some of the craziest weather changes anywhere in the US (20* one night, 90* the next day, and then 50* the following night — it is always unpredictable). I used the MLD mitts and loved them, and used a light synthetic jacket for camp and to start hiking in on the cold mornings along with synthetic pants (Montbell Thermawrap Jacket and Pants). Not super light, but the envy of all those around me, and warm enough to be comfortable with my 35* WM Caribou and my MLD Superlight Bivy / SoloMid.

It is VERY easy to ship stuff home. It is not nearly as easy to get it sent from home when you need it NOW. You can even have a bounce box with some clothing / gear that you can send a few days ahead depending on the weather (if you really care that much).

I had a 12 lb base weight for the cold weather, and it dropped to less than 8 lbs by the time the weather warmed up. If you really have to have the lightest pack – then you may have to risk it (but remember that people won't care about your pack weight once you're a few weeks into the hike)

HYOH and enjoy the adventure ! Don't forget to take the side trails !

FYI: you can see my complete gear list here: http://peaksandvalleys.weebly.com/appalachian-trail-20111.html

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