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Proper layering is key to happy backpacking.
Proper layering is key to happy backpacking. (Photo: Ben Duke)
Gear Guy

How Do I Layer for a Backpacking Trip?

A one-stop guide on what to wear while hiking this spring and summer

Published: 
Good Morning Mist, Backpacking Bliss
(Photo: Ben Duke)

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I have a simple formula for what to wear during backpacking season (typically spring through fall): three layers up top, two on my legs, and one for my feet. This system regulates temperature extremely well and prepares me for just about any kind of weather I鈥檒l encounter. And while it might sound like a lot of gear, you鈥檒l appreciate the options on the trail.聽Here鈥檚 a list of my favorite pieces.


叠补蝉别听尝补测别谤蝉

(Patagonia)

This is your聽most important layer because聽it sits next聽to your聽skin. There鈥檚聽a dizzying number of options to choose from, but here鈥檚 what I consider when packing: thickness, wicking properties, comfort, and stink management.

I always go with the thinnest long-sleeve聽base聽layer I can find. That way, I can use it even during聽the hottest months to keep sun off, and it pulls double duty as a ski layer when snow starts to fall.聽

For the best moisture management on a weekend backpacking trip, I go with a top like .聽It pulls sweat off me faster than anything else I鈥檝e tested. If I鈥檓 really drenched, I can hang it on a tree branch, and it鈥檚 dry in minutes. This piece also includes Polygiene, a silver salt treatment that helps cut the stink.聽If I鈥檓 going on a longer trip,聽I always聽go with merino wool鈥攕omething like 鈥攂ecause I can wear it for days without having to wash it (truly). And while wool doesn鈥檛 pull moisture away from your skin as quickly as a synthetic, it鈥檚 still pretty damn good鈥攁nd a bit warmer to boot.聽

I hike in shorts like these from 聽or pants like , but I like to sleep in the , which add a lot of warmth despite their thin material. I also like having the option to throw on this聽base聽layer under my shorts or pants when temps drop.

We could write an entire聽article about backpacking socks, but to keep it short,聽I suggest a pair of merino hikers that ft聽well with your boots. Some people prefer some padding styles, while others like a thinner sock. There are a lot of great brands to choose from, but I鈥檝e found that聽 hold up better than others I鈥檝e tried. When it comes to comfort, the options from聽 are my favorites.聽

Finally, I always carry a lightweight聽face cover like the On cold days, I pull it over my ears and wear it under a trucker cap. On days when I鈥檓 in the high-alpine sun, it聽keeps my neck and ears from going tomato red.


Midlayers

(Arc'teryx)

I pull on a midlayer聽when I鈥檓 taking聽a break on the trail聽or hanging out at camp聽after dark. The most common choice here is between a traditional fleece and a puffy. Fleeces are usually less expensive, while聽puffies tend to be warmer.

I like the 聽fleece because it鈥檚 featherweight, made from Polartec Microfleece, and costs only聽$60. I do have to be careful with my fleece, however, because just like synthetic base聽layers, it will hold stink. I often hang this piece to let it air out聽once I get to camp.

For puffies, you鈥檒l need to choose between down or synthetic fill. You also need to decide how warm you want to go. I usually opt for a synthetic option聽like Patagonia Nano-Air聽when I鈥檓 hiking in a wet climate聽because it generates heat even when wet and dries in under an hour. Everywhere else, however, I like a down product like the 8.6-ounce聽.聽It鈥檚聽more compressible,聽taking聽up less space in my bag,聽and has a higher warmth-to-weight ratio. The down in聽this jacket is also treated so it鈥檚 water resistant and won鈥檛 lose loft if you spill your coffee on it.

Patagonia makes ,聽but they鈥檙e usually overkill unless you want something to lounge in聽around camp聽or if you鈥檙e backpacking in a really cold spot.


Outer Layers

(Dynafit)

This is the layer you throw on when it starts pouring聽or you鈥檙e on a windy ridge at 13,000 feet. The least expensive聽solution is a poncho聽from the Army surplus store. It will keep you dry around camp and will聽do just find on cold-weather hikes. But it聽tears easily and provides zero breathability in the heat.聽

If you want a basic rain shell聽that鈥檒l聽keep聽you bone dry from the outside and breath聽relatively well,聽I聽suggest the . It has niceties聽such as聽pit zips, plenty of pockets, and sealed seams, and costs just $100.

For those who live in places where you鈥檙e going to use your rain jacket a lot, I鈥檇 consider a more expensive option made from a material like Gore-Tex, NeoShell, or eVent. All three of these materials are totally waterproof but breathe better than what you鈥檒l find on the PreCip. I like the 聽jacket. Yes, it鈥檚 pricey, but the extra breathability and durability are worth it if you spend a lot of time outside.

Lead Photo: Ben Duke

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