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When adventuring in
the outdoors it is important to take the right clothing with you. The
backcountry has incredibly changeable weather that can change from hot, still
conditions to storm conditions within a very short space of time. It is
important that you are prepared for any weather condition, even if the weather
forecast states it will be fine.
I remember camping with my Dad in the middle of February. Our
journey started with a sweltering hot day as we hiked to our destination and
that night after setting up camp it snowed!
Preparing Your Clothing
Layers are the key to comfort and survival when preparing your outdoor clothing. It is important to be prepared with:
Base Layer - Thermals, T-Shirt
Thermals are lightweight and compact and are an essential when
preparing for your outdoor trip.
They are the perfect base layer as they are very fitted to your
body which helps in trapping your natural body heat, keeping you warm. Thermals
aid in wicking moisture away from your body, leaving you dry, without the sticky
feeling. They dry incredibly fast, which makes them great for wearing when fishing or making river crossings. This is important when the temperature
drops as damp clothing cools your body temperature down dramatically.
Wearing them in your sleeping bag is a brilliant idea for those of us who get cold when we sleep. In fact most people who spend any amount of time outdoors treat thermals as a second skin!
They are great for wearing under jeans and tops in the winter as they fit nicely under clothing without making you look fat!
The 3 S's - Scratchies, Sandflies and Sun
Thermals are not just a Winter item. They are also effective
in Summertime especially if you are crossing rivers and streams which cross most
of our bush and mountain tracks. The
Mid
Layer - Merino, Wool, Fleece
The midlayer is great because it is so multipurpose. It can be
used for outdoor excursions or to wear around town as it is stylish and
comfortable.
Merino and
microfleece tops are perfect for midlayer as they add a great deal of extra
warmth to your base layer of thermals, but are still breathable. This means that
you will feel dry and comfortable. Microfleece is brilliant if you are caught in
a downpour as it dries quite quickly.
Try to stay away from most general synthetic fibres as they tend not to breathe very well which would leave you feeling damp and sticky. It is also best to stear away from cotton in general because even though it is breathable, it becomes very heavy when wet and takes a long time to dry.
Windproof / Waterproof Jackets (preferably breathable), Compact
Rainsuit (usually inexpensive in PVC), Waterproof / Windproof pants, Warm wooly
hat, Cap
There are many options available for the Outer Layer. Each suiting a slightly different purpose.
The down jackets here are top quality. They use premium goose or duck feathers that loft beautifully to keep you incredibly warm and feeling cosy. They are very "in" at the moment and are designed for very cold weather. They are suited for light rainfall and are fantastic to use when going for a walk or for wearing around town. You don't necessarily need to layer up when wearing this as it is very warm and great for wearing on your way to your indoor destination.
Perfect for wet weather and outdoor activity. They block wind and rain and are great for sports. They keep off the wind chill keeping you warmer and are suitable for extreme weather conditions including snow. This is the perfect jacket for layering clothes underneath as you can strip off mid layers if you are getting too hot. Designed for light to extreme activity, they are completely breathable to aid in ventilation while moving. Ideal for using out in the backcountry, skiing, hiking and sports.
These jackets are so fashionable and are suitable for wearing
while walking around town in cold weather or light outdoor activity. A true
multipurpose jacket that is waterproof and breathable. They are nicely fitted
and are suitable for layering. Great in cold weather.
Layering your clothing is the most efficient way to maintain optimum body temperature. It is also best from a comfort point of view as you can take off or add layers as the weather changes.
Rainsuits
Rainsuits are great to keep in the bottom of your pack if you are going on a day trip or to keep as emergency clothing. They are usually a PVC Jacket and pants that fit easily over your clothes if you are caught in a downpour. They aren’t breathable so it is always best to invest in good quality breathable waterproof outer clothing, but rainsuits are great for emergencies.
It is important to have comfortable pants that are breathable and allow easy movement. It is ideal if they are waterproof as you never know when the weather could change. Pants that can fit over your boots to be attached underneath (such as an inbuilt gaiter) are very useful to help prevent snow and mud from reaching your skin. If you are tramping in the middle of Summer then a fast drying pair of breathable shorts may be most comfortable, but carrying a pair of warm pants with you is advisable.
It is essential to take a warm hat with you as 70% of body heat is
lost through the head. It is very useful on a cold night or if you are caught
out in bad weather. A cap is also very important as it only takes a few minutes
to get very burnt in the
The footwear that
you take with you will make or break your trip. It is so important to be aware
of the type of terrain you will be trekking over and to match your footwear
accordingly. Proper, good quality walking shoes are adequate for most nature
walks and basic trekking. Boots are important when going above bushline,
crossing rivers or tramping accross very stoney or unlevel ground, where ankle
support is necessary.