Episode 18 | Clothing Systems for Inclement Weather
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Summary
Three key questions:
- What are clothing systems and why is it important to consider clothing in the context of a system?
- What does it mean when we talk about inclement conditions or summer vs. 3-season or 4-season backpacking?
- 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
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Credits
- Backpacking Light – Executive Producer
- Ryan Jordan – Director and Host
- Andrew Marshall – Producer, Host, and Editor
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