Clothing and lightweight issue.

The main issue with clothing is not actually what

to bring but more or less what now to bring as this

is the area that most people either under pack

or over pack.  Both sides have there issues, if

you under pack you made freeze and if you over

pack you may not have enough room for food or

something else as important.  The main reason

however that you should go lighter is that every

pound on you back is four to five times that,

maybe more,  on your legs and feet.

Lets start with the bottom up approach here and go

with you feet.  Most hikers tend to start out with

hiking boots for the rough terrain, however most

of the terrain you travel over is just as rough as

stuff you go over every day.  So why then are

hiking boots so popular, I would say good

advertising and the fact most people want to

play it safe.  There are only a couple of spots on

the trail where boots are better than shoes and

they are few and far between.  I found this out

on my 2005 hike as I did just over 500 miles in

a pair of hiking boots and switched to a lighter

pair of hiking shoes.  The switch was not just for

the light weight factor but due mainly to the fact

the shoes dried faster that the boots and avoided

me getting foot fungus and the like.  You should

also bring along sandals, a pair that is light weight

and not to expense as you could lose them as you

tend to wear this around the shelters or your

camping site once you are done hiking for the day.

The next item is socks, one pair on you feet one pair

in your pack and that is it, no liners or other foot

gear like gaiters.  I have seen several people try to

use gaiters and they are more of a pain than they

are worth, in my opinion any way. 

Polypro under garments for a real cold snap on top

of the spare set of normal under garments you packed.

One set of rain gear and this is trick, my rain gear

packs small but a lot of rain gear sold does not, try

and find the lightest and smallest packing rain gear

that fits. Also make sure the rain gear is well ventilated

cause if its not, your own sweat will soak your body.

Then a set of fleece garments and one extra set of

shirt and shorts for hiking and that should be it.

Play with the clothing and check out Erik the Blacks

site which is Blackwoods Press as he shows you how

to mix and match clothing for the best effects.  Buy a

hat, Tilly or something similar for rain and sun, That is

it have a good week everyone.