Episode 18 | Clothing Systems for Inclement Weather

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Summary

Three key questions:

1. What are clothing systems and why is it important to consider clothing in the context of a system?
2. What does it mean when we talk about inclement conditions or summer vs. 3-season or 4-season backpacking?
3. What pieces of clothing do we need to add or replace in our summer system in order to be better prepared for 3-season or inclement conditions?

Outline

Clothing System: TREKKING

description	summer inclement	3+/4 season inclement
underwear*	nylon compression shorts (anti-chafing) – 3 oz	merino boxers (warmth) – 3 oz
trekking shirt*	woven nylon l/s shirt (sun, insect protection, and evaporative cooling) – 5 oz	merino 150 l/s shirt (warmth and sweat dispersion) – 7 oz
trekking pants*	thin woven nylon (option 2) (sun, insect protection) – 8 oz	4-way stretch-woven softshell pant (warmth and wind protection, shedding snow) – 13 oz
gloves*	sun gloves (sun protection) – 1 oz	softshell glove (warmth, bushwhacking, rock scrambling, shedding snow and rain) – 3 oz
cap*	crushable nylon cap w/brim – 2 oz	crushable nylon cap w/brim – 2 oz

Clothing System: STORM

description	summer inclement	3+/4 season inclement
wind shirt*	thin, highly breathable hooded jacket – 4 oz	thin, highly breathable hooded jacket – 4 oz
rain jacket*	minimalist pullover, less breathable/durable (insurance layer) – 5 oz	full-zip hooded w/pockets, more breathable/durable (highly breathable, worn more often) – 8 oz
rain pants*	minimalist, pull-on – 4 oz	minimalist, pull-on – 4 oz
rain mitts	none	minimalist, short gauntlet, seam-taped, WPB (rain protection) – 2 oz
warm headgear*	merino 150 beanie – 1 oz	merino 150 beanie + merino 150 tube scarf (additional warmth, easy temperature control layer) – 3 oz
active insulation	active insulation vest – 6 oz	active insulation pullover hoody (light) or full zip jacket (warmer, light) or warmer full zip jacket (for colder conditions) – 10 oz to 14 oz

Clothing System: CAMP

description	summer inclement	3+/4 season inclement
long underwear*	lightweight merino/polyester – 4 oz	lightweight merino/polyester – 4 oz
insulated pants	none	synthetic or down insulated pants (pull-on) as temps get cold (for longer nights, worn in camp, sleep system insurance when very cold) – 7 oz
insulated jacket*	down hooded pullover (light) – 8 oz	down hooded pullover (midweight) or heavier jacket as temps get cold (warmth, more moisture protection on the outer shell) – 13 oz to 19 oz
sleep socks*	light trekking socks – 2 oz	heavy trekking socks or down socks as temps drop (warmth) – 3 oz to 5 oz

Clothing Weight Summary

Summer Fair Weather (*)	Summer Inclement	3-Season Inclement	3+/4-Season Inclement
47 oz (2.9 lb)	53 oz (3.3 lb)	79 oz (4.9 lb)	98 oz (6.1 lb)
Add:	active insulation torso layer

Resources

• Masterclass: Lightweight Backpacking in Inclement Conditions

Feedback, Questions, Tips?

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Credits

• Backpacking Light – Executive Producer
• Ryan Jordan – Director and Host
• Andrew Marshall – Producer, Host, and Editor

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