Camping is the quintessential summer activity. However, it’s becoming a popular activity year-round because spring, fall and winter camping can be just as fun!
Depending on the region you’re visiting, the flora and fauna can be vastly different. The weather can also vary significantly. Days can be hot and humid, wet and cool or dry and frigid. Each season offers a unique variety of challenges and rewarding experiences.
Therefore, it is essential to pack and wear the right clothes. The right clothes will keep you protected from the elements so you can fully experience the joys of camping and the outdoors.
Camp Clothing Materials Explained
A fabric’s breathability, durability, insulation, water-resistance, and other properties are important factors to consider when selecting which clothing items to bring camping.
But, what ultimately dictates the characteristics of a piece of garment? The material, of course!
Below, I’ve listed some common camping clothing materials and how they compare to each other.
Since there is no single fabric that can do it all, it’s important to layer clothes to utilize multiple fabric properties.
| Material | Insulating | Durable | Breathable | Moisture-Wicking | Quick-Drying | Anti-Odor |
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Merino Wool |
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Goose Down |
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Polyester Fleece |
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Polyester |
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Nylon |
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Cotton |
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Silk |
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Linen |
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GORE-TEX |
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Why is Layering Clothes When Camping Important?
As I mentioned, there is no magic fabric that can do it all. Something that can wick away moisture when you’re sweating, keep you insulated when it’s cold and keep water at bay when it starts to rain.
This is why layering clothes is so beneficial. Layering clothes while camping allows you to utilize multiple fabric properties collectively. Layering clothes helps create a protective shield around your body that will help maintain your comfort level yet allow you to be active.
There are three primary layers of clothing to consider – base layer, middle layer, and outer layer.
What is a Base Layer?
The base layer, also known as underwear, consists of clothing that sits next to your skin. The primary and most important role of the base layer is to wick away moisture and sweat which helps keeps you dry and comfortable day and night.
Base layers can be made from natural materials like merino wool and silk or synthetic materials such as polyester or nylon. They have great moisture wicking properties and are (usually) non-irritating.
The added benefit of natural materials is that they have great anti-odour properties. On the other hand, synthetic materials are great for long term use since they are inherently more durable.
Pro-tip: Absolutely avoid using cotton in your base layer for cold weather camping. It absorbs moisture and doesn’t dry quickly which might leave you feeling chilled.
What is a Middle Layer?
The middle layer, also known as the insulating layer, consists of clothing that traps and retains body heat. Insulating fabrics are usually lofty or fluffy. At a microscopic level these materials trap tiny pockets of air.
- Trapped air is a great insulator and protects the body from the outside environment.
Middle layers can be made from natural materials like merino wool and goose down feathers which have excellent insulation properties. But, unlike wool which retains its thermal properties when wet, goose down must remain dry to preserve its superior properties.
New manufacturing processes and techniques have resulted in the creation of synthetic materials that have superb insulation characteristics. Polyester fleece and other synthetic blends are engineered to mimic down feather structures with the added benefit of being quick-drying.
Wearing multiple middle layers for added insulation is recommended for cold weather activities. That way, you can don or shed layers as needed depending on your level of activity.
Pro-tip: Down feathers have the highest insulation performance of any material. Its “warmth-to-weight” ratio is superior as well as its ability to be compressed. These two properties make it the most popular mid-layer option for the outdoors.
What is an Outer Layer?
The outer layer, or shell, consists of clothing that shields you from rain and wind. By design, the outer layer should have water-repellent properties and a tight fabric structure to block wind. Some fabrics are coated with a water-repelling spray to make them waterproof or water-resistant.
Breathability is also a key aspect to consider.
- The combination of moisture from perspiration and cold weather can leave you chilled if not properly ventilated.
Another important property of the outer layer is its durability.
- Abrasion from pack straps, hiking through rough terrain and general use can wear away fabric.
- A strong and resilient material is needed for long-lasting use.
Today, shells can be waterproof or water-resistant and breathable or non-breathable. Depending on your anticipated activity level and the local climate, you may consider one combination over the other. For example, for high levels of activity in a wet climate you would want something that is both breathable and waterproof.
Pro-tip: GORE-TEX is a synthetic fabric that is waterproof, breathable and durable. It keeps rain from coming in but also expels perspiration. Although inherently more expensive, shells made out of this material are the most sought after by outdoor enthusiasts because of these superior qualities.
3 Things to Consider Before Packing Camping Clothes
Before you start folding and loading your pack, it’s critical to review 3 important things:
1. What is the Weather Forecast?
Mother nature usually has a minds of its own. At times it can cooperate with beautiful blue skies and temperate weather. Other times it can whip up twister-like winds and monsoon levels of rain.
Camping mid-season usually means the weather is slightly more predictable. However, trips planned during shoulder season usually mean a higher probability of shifting weather conditions.
Ultimately, the weather can make or break any camping trip. But, with the right clothes and gear, you can enjoy the outdoors rain or shine.
Ask yourself the following questions regarding weather:
- What is the latest weather forecast?
- What are the daytime high and nighttime low temperatures including wind-chill?
- Is rain or snow in the forecast?
- Will there be light wind or strong gusts?
- What is the humidity level and UV index?
2. What is the Trip Itinerary?
Whether it’s an epic 15-day hike along the Appalachian trail or a weekend car camping getaway, terrain and trip duration influence what clothes you should bring camping.
Higher altitudes usually mean lower temperatures. Typically, it’s a 10oC change in temperature per 1000 meters in altitude. So, if you’re hiking up and down in elevation, make sure your clothing layers can keep you warm or cool.
Likewise, canyons, valleys, tunnels, and plateaus can have their own micro climates. Cooler air can linger in low lying areas and exposed rocky terrain can retain heat well after the sun sets.
Hiking along dusty trails or bushwhacking through dense forest requires different clothes to protect your skin too.
When traversing through changing environments, you can add or remove layers to regulate your body temperature and sweat level.
Some helpful questions you should ask yourself are:
- How long is this trip and how many change of clothes do I need?
- Are there significant changes in elevation anticipated?
- Will the ground and terrain be rough or clear?
- What is the proximity to natural features (e.g. glacier, large body of water, mountain pass, etc.)?
3. Are There any Travel Restrictions or Limits?
Travel restrictions might limit the amount of clothes you can bring on a trip. However, if you have the ability to wash clothes at your destination you might not need to pack as much.
And, although clothes usually don’t weight much, they do tend to take up a lot of space.
So, if your travel backpack is limited for space, make sure you bring essential items only. Otherwise, pack efficiently to optimize the space you do have.
Camping Clothing Checklist
The camping clothing checklist below is a handy reference guide when selecting the clothes you need to bring on your next camping trip for any season of camping.
| Summer | Spring / Fall | Winter | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Base Layer |
· Merino wool socks |
· Merino wool top · Merino wool socks |
· Merino wool top · Merino wool pants · Merino wool socks |
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Middle Layer |
· Cotton t-shirts · Convertible pants / shorts |
· Polyester long sleeve stop · Polyester fleece sweater · Soft shell pants |
· Merino wool sweater · Goose down jacket · Synthetic insulated pants |
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Outer Layer |
· Soft shell jacket |
· Waterproof shell jacket · Waterproof shell pants |
· Waterproof & insulated jacket · Waterproof & insulated pants |
Base Layer Clothing Options
The primary goal of any base layer is to keep your skin dry by wicking away moisture. Some added features you need to consider are breathability and anti-odor properties. Base layers made from Merino wool have the best performance in these categories.
Merino wool sock are a staple item all year round. They are the perfect blend of functionality and durability.
These socks will help thermally regulate your feet, keeping them war, dry and comfortable all day long.
A Merino wool top is the perfect base layer to wear when it starts to get cool.
They will help keep you warm at night and prevent you from feeling chilled as you sleep.
If temperatures are frigid, Merino wool bottoms are a great way to keep your body warm.
Acting like thermal underwear, they retain body heat well and keep moisture at bay.
Middle Layer Clothing Options
The role of a middle layer is to insulate your body from the environment. It is recommend that you bring additional middle layers depending on the temperature. This way you can add or remove layers if needed.
Convertible hiking pants are great for the summer. Long when you need to keep your skin shaded from the sun and short when you need to ventilate your nether regions.
The quick-dry and wicking fabric along with sun protection rating keep you performing your best.
As soon as the temperature starts to drop, a fleece sweater is the perfect solution.
Lightweight yet comfortable, a polyester fleece sweater keeps you insulated from the cold.
Since it has the best insulating properties, a down-filled jacket in winter will keep you warm and toasty in frigid conditions.
The warmth of a good pair of Nordic pants means you can enjoy more of the outdoors even during the winter months.
Outer Layer Clothing Options
The outer layer is your first line of defence against rain and wind. And, when combined with the two inner layers, your body remains protected from the harshest weather conditions.
A waterproof jacket will shield you from rain, snow and wind, keeping your core dry.
As an impenetrable yet breathable layer, a good jacket enhances the inner layers so they all work in unison to keep you warm and dry.
Waterproof, windproof, breathable and durable, these waterproof pants are ideal for hiking on the trail year-round.
The right clothes can elevate your camping experience and let you do more, more effectively, in any environment.
- What clothes do you end up taking camping?
- How do you ensure you are covered for different weather conditions?
Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
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