Ultralight Backpacking Clothing & Rain Gear - CleverHiker.com

[@jonathantan2469]

I use a mil-surplus wool shirt for hiking trips in the cold. It works well, especially at night. It has two sets of buttons which helps in insulation. The good thing about wool is that it still keeps some warmth when damp, and is more fire resistant than synthetics. I could sit closer to the campfire, while my hiking mates had to keep a distance, because any stray embers could burn a small hole in their synthetics. If the wool shirt is scratchy, an inner long sleeved turtleneck will help as a barrier between your skin & the wool.

[@js5072]

I just bring two pairs of socks (where the clean ones for hiking), a light windbreaker, synthetic shirt, cheap gym shorts, dude leggings, two pairs of synthetic underwear, maybe a beanie, and a cowboy hat (my grandpa gave it to me so it's sentimental). I just bring a really warm mummy bag or quilt because I'd be cold all day because there's a fire I can stay warm with and I'd rather be warm all night

[@HighFlyer61488]

Short sweet simple helpful video. Love it

[@CleverHiker]

+Finn Wilson Thanks so much Finn!

[@mahony1312]

watched a few of your videos now and you have gained a subscriber your videos are the perfect mix of imformative and brief short enough and broken up into enough videos to keep interest thanks for your videos man I know they take time and effort to make stay safe out there man

[@CleverHiker]

+Hayden Mahony Thanks so much! I really appreciate the support.

[@thenightowldude]

Simple, no-nonsense guide. Just subscribed and working my way through your other videos now.

[@CleverHiker]

Thanks so much! I appreciate the kind words.

[@williamtalisker7337]

Thanks for your video. Over the years I pretty much arrived all the same conclusions you present. I opted for a down vest and fleece jacket combo. The fleece doubles as pillow stuffing in my Big Agnes bag. About 1/2 the time I wish I had the full down, and the other half I'm happy with my system. I have an REI rain jacket, but if Dry Ducks would have pit zips and pant zips, I would use them exclusively. I may just have to sew that in.

[@CleverHiker]

William Talisker Thanks for the great feedback and tips William!

[@Wheeets]

Dave really digging your channel

[@CleverHiker]

+Wheeets Thanks so much!

[@davisbarnett9474]

Wheeets it’s absolutely awesome.

[@GLXLR]

Waiting for updates!

[@jonne1762]

what rainjacket are you wearing? thanks for you video's!

[@highdivefreak]

First of all, your videos are a great help dave!! Do you also recommend your long johns to be synthetic? Or do you prefer other materials for sleeping? Greetings from Germany :)

[@CleverHiker]

Thanks Dominick! I use lightweight synthetic long johns for warmer trips and wool long johns on cold/winter trips. Hope that helps!

[@alexyap3659]

what about a fleece mid layer for colder temps?

[@CleverHiker]

Definitely a good idea for cold and wet trips. Fleece tends to perform much better than down when wet, so it fits into a backpacking system very well. Great question.

[@skeetnretreat432]

The lightest fleece with good warm i could find was the mountain hardware micro chill 2.0 at 8.5 ounces. The montbell chameece is also lightweight. If you're not restricted by budget, i would get a 100% merino wool sweater or possum down sweater.

[@oscar8398]

Hey Dave, thank you very much for the helpful video. In it you say that it is best not to pack several clothes that serve the same purpose but as I am going on a 2 week hike with friends I am worried for our hygiene. Is it best to pack 2 pairs of clothes and switch between them wearing one and drying the other? Thank you very much!

[@CleverHiker]

Nah, I wouldn't worry about bringing an extra set of clothes. That's just dead weight. If you use quick dry clothing you can always give it a rinse along the way. It will dry quickly and can even feel nice when wet on a hot sunny day. You're going to be smelly no matter what, even after day one, but you don't have to be unhygienic. I "shower" almost every day on the trail because I like feeling clean. Have a look at my hygiene video for some tips - kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZWtpImZnM5omcU

[@timb171]

Great channel, I've only just found you and subscribed I'm surprised you recommend synthetic socks, I thought light merino was the way to go with trail runners for lightweight/ultralight backpacking. I guess synthetic dry faster, but merino does tend to stay a bit warmer when it's damp. The main advantage of merino over synthetic is that it doesn't get so stinky. What are your thoughts on merino socks (I'm in the UK so it's wet pretty much year round here)

[@CleverHiker]

+timb171 Merino is definitely not a bad choice for socks. Keeping warm when damp is probably their biggest advantage for me, so if I'm going to be in really wet and cold conditions, merino is the way I go. I'm usually pretty stinky on the trail anyways, so that's not a huge factor for me. The biggest downside with wool products is they tend to wear out quickly. Especially socks and even more so if they're wet. I've put holes in really expensive wool socks in 2-3 weeks of hard hiking, which I view as unacceptable. They were socks from a well known and reputable brand that I liked too, which was a bummer. Synthetic socks will last A LOT longer and will dry quicker, which are both things I value quite a bit in backpacking socks. Just my two cents. Thanks for the great comment!

[@jarinaakka7553]

These videos are very helpful. Such a shame this kind of information wasn't available when i first got into hiking. What is your opinion on zip-off pants like for example Fjällräven keb gaiters?

[@CleverHiker]

+Jari Naakka Thanks so much! Really happy you're finding it useful. I'm not a huge fan of zip-off pants, but mostly for their style. They are quite functional and they'll cut down on weight. So, if you don't mind the style, they're a good option. I don't like how the zippers look and feel mid-way down my pants. Also, the shorts look a little funny when the legs are zipped off, but not as bad as when they're in pants form. Just my obviously subjective oppinion. I've used them for thousands of trail miles, and they do work quite well.

[@Speakers154]

Some good suggestions but a few I'd disagree on. Long johns bottom and tops don't fall under ultra-light. A t-shirt and shorts would do just as well and can act as a spare set to hike in if the washed clothes take longer to dry than expected due to rain. A wooley hat and mittens are totally unnecessary for summer hiking: I wouldn't even put them as optional. A sun hat and bandana will keep the sun off and keep you warm, so no need to double up. Going commando is not a smart move either as shorts will stink in no time. A Merino wool-synthetic mix socks and tops would be a far better choice if you can afford them as they don't stink so easily as synthetics do.

[@mars4874]

What is that black jacket thing you're wearing. Im thinking about buying it

[@CleverHiker]

+Angel Rosales That's an Arc'teryx coat. All my fave jackets can be seen at www.cleverhiker.com under my gear section. Thanks!

[@reneelocke9618]

what tent is being used in this video?

[@CleverHiker]

Renee Locke At what point in the video is the tent? Have a look at my gear guide for my tent recommendations - www.cleverhiker.com/gear

[@bethratkewicz6062]

loved the vid

[@CleverHiker]

Thanks!

[@anaterechova4715]

yeah that man with this light clotihing this time of year in Norway survive no longer than 24 hours ;)

[@CleverHiker]

+ana t Lol, yeah, winter in Norway wasn't exactly my target market for this vid :) Good point though. These are 3-season recomendations. If the weather is going to below freezing, you're definitely going to want warmer gear.

[@gracekoob5805]

I gotta figure out where he got this theme song.

[@ChastyTheWitch]

what about a multilayer coat

[@CleverHiker]

I choose to use a layering system which gives me more flexibility. For example, I can just wear my rain shell for wind protection or when I'm getting hot while hiking in the rain.

[@TheSuburban15]

Was hoping you would suggest a brand and model of rain gear. There is a lot available. Some will be useless in heavy rain, some are not breathable, and some are just garbage.

[@CleverHiker]

TheSuburban15 Yup, have a look on my website for gear recommendations. Thanks! - www.cleverhiker.com/gear

[@jimtorrance9589]

Time to update....

[@philipbuckley759]

found out that rain gear does not keep one dry...sweating makes one wet...any other products that could work, like a wet suit....get wet and stay warm...

[@CleverHiker]

+Philip Buckley Yeah, it's a tricky system. You've got to keep from perspiring and get good rain gear. That will help.

[@laxisusous]

Leave the rain jacket at home. Instead use backpacking umbrellas from GoLite.

[@CleverHiker]

I'm definitely interested in trying out a lightweight backpacking umbrella. I know a few hikers that really love them, but I don't see them as much on the trail anymore. In a rainstorm, I think I'd still want a trusty rain shell for water protection and temperature control.

[@laxisusous]

I've used an umbrella, with no rain jacket, for years with no problem. Most of the time I am under canopy, which helps to prevent hard rain. In the very rare times that the rain is very severe you can always use your tarp or rainfly as a makeshift poncho. Or just rig a quick lean-to shelter with your tarp and sit it out for a while. The very heavy rain tends to pass the fastest.

[@CleverHiker]

Lyle Lange Good points Lyle. Thanks for the comments and thanks for your support! Good info.

[@travelinzac]

I disagree. My rain jacket weighs 0.7 ounces more than the umbrella, and I would much rather have the jacket

[@leatherworker]

Except when you are kayaking and have only two hands for the paddle....

[@bethratkewicz6062]

khakis

[@CleverHiker]

Happy to help!