Budget Clothes for Backpacking
Sweet Spot Recommendations
You don’t need to buy clothes that are marketed specifically for backpacking. Any clothing will do if it’s durable and meets the criteria listed below. You might not even need to buy backpacking clothes—you might already have all you need.
Stick to merino wool or breathable, moisture wicking synthetic fabrics. Avoid natural fibers other than wool. In particular, avoid cotton or blends containing cotton.
Cold Weather above Freezing
- Breathable, moisture-wicking synthetic underpants
- Base-layer top made of merino wool or breathable, moisture-wicking synthetic fabric
- Base-layer bottoms made of merino wool or breathable, moisture-wicking synthetic fabric
- Breathable synthetic pants
- Mid-weight (200-300 gsm) polyester fleece jacket
- Puffy jacket containing at least 650 fill-power down or lightweight synthetic insulation
- Rain poncho or breathable rain jacket and pants if rain is possible
- Wool or synthetic socks
Hot Weather
- Moisture-wicking, breathable synthetic underpants
- Thin, breathable, moisture-wicking synthetic shirt (short sleeves are cooler, long sleeves protect against the sun, ticks, and mosquitoes)
- Thin, breathable synthetic pants or shorts (shorts are cooler, pants protect against poison ivy, stinging nettles, the sun, ticks, and mosquitoes
- A rain poncho may be useful if rain is possible. If the temperature is high, it may be better to just let your clothes get wet.
- Thin merino wool or synthetic socks
