Learn about Pants and Shirts for Backpacking
Table of Contents
Pants
Pants for Hiking
Although you can buy pants designed for specific weather conditions, any pants will work that don’t contain cotton and are breathable, comfortable, and won’t rip. Save money by using whatever you already have. Polyester/spandex jogging pants do the job in mild weather as long as they are durable and won’t rip.
In cold weather, I recommend tough synthetic cargo pants. If you aren’t overly fashion-conscious, you can wear them at home, at work, and around town so you don’t have to spend extra for dedicated hiking pants.
If you’ll be hiking in hot weather in areas with poison ivy, stinging nettles, ticks, or mosquitoes, I recommend light, thin, breathable pants such as REI Coop Sahara Roll-up Pants. For protection against ticks, spray the pants with permethrin and let them dry before your hike.
Convertible pants allow you to unzip and detach the sections below the knees to convert the pants into shorts. Make sure the quality is reputable–you wouldn’t want the zippers to blow out and leave you with nothing but shorts.
Roll-up pants can be rolled up and held in place with snaps at the knees.
Convertible pants and roll-up pants are useful for creek crossings.
Pants for Sleeping in Cold Weather
If you already have polyester-spandex jogging pants or something similar, you can use them as your sleeping clothes to save money. Fleece pants are toasty although bulky and heavy.
You can also sleep in your base-layer bottoms. These are both warm and lightweight. Make sure they don’t contain cotton.
Shirt
Shirt for Hiking
Any shirt will work if it is breathable, comfortable, durable, and free of cotton. Again, save money by using what you already have.
If you wear a short-sleeved shirt, be sure to apply sun screen on your arms. Even in hot weather, it may be best to wear a thin and highly breathable long-sleeved shirt to protect you from the sun, poison ivy, mosquitoes, and ticks. Sun shirts are designed for this purpose. For protection against ticks, spray the shirt with permethrin and air-dry it before your hike.
If the weather isn’t cold, you can wear just a base-layer top without a shirt over it.
Shirt for Sleeping in Cold Weather
Anything that doesn’t contain cotton will work. The best option for sleeping is a synthetic or merino-wool base-layer top, but a shirt will also work.