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Outerwear

This is what stands between you and the elements ... bugs, rain, windchill, snow and the biting cold! As the seasons change, your selection of outerwear will change.

During summer, it comprises a small part of your pack's load. But as the temperatures drop, it becomes an increasing part of your gear.

Bug Barriers are the outerwear that keeps the insects out!

  • The mesh "bug jacket" is usually equipped with an integrated mesh hood. Make sure it has long enough sleeves and plenty of room to move about.

  • Mesh "bug pants" protect one's lower half. Full leg length is necessary to protect the ankle area.

  • Better versions of these items are constructed of fine mesh with elasticized waists and cuffs. These complete combinations are appropriate if bugs are particularly troublesome during hot weather, when your mid-layer of clothing is shorts and short sleeves.

  • If you are out in the early cooler bug season, you may find that your mid-layers' long sleeved shirt and slacks adequately protect your body from the bugs. In this case, you'll still need a "bug hood" to protect your head and neck. Select a version that's roomy enough to allow you to wear your brimmed hat underneath, keeping the mesh off your skin and thereby increasing protection.

Rainwear comes in a range of forms, depending on the temperature and your activity level.

  • If it's just a shower or the air is warm, you may choose to throw on an ultra-thin "disposable" clear plastic poncho. These handy little items are usually available at the local convenience or discount store for mere pocket change. They come folded up into a plastic pouch about the size of a thin pocket book. With abbreviated sleeves and a hood, they reach down to mid-thigh. Unless you're portaging through a briar patches, they can be used a number of times. However, it's a longshot you'll ever be able to fold one up so it goes back into its little pouch.

  • More substantial are ... the traditional soft vinyl poncho (in army green and reeking of its chemistry's "softening" component) ... and the nylon poncho (coated inside with a waterproof layer). These are good candidates for dealing with heavy summer downpours. Usually being longer and having more volume, they serve well for rainy visits to the "thunderbox". With help from a co-camper, you can even drape one over a backpack.

  • As the temperature drops, mid-layers can be added under your poncho. However, when the temperature drops to the point where your legs are getting cold, when mid-layers are too bulky under your poncho or when the wind starts to fling your poncho about, its time to consider changing into more substantial rainwear.

  • More substantial and costly rainwear is made from polyester and nylon fabric (coated inside with a waterproof layer) into jackets, raincoats and pants. Jackets feature shockcord-toggled hoods and waists, plus Velcro® secured cuffs and collars. Pants feature Velcro® secured cuffs and two-way zippered legs for "cooling-off". Being undercoated with a waterproof layer, this type of rainwear fails to "transpire" sweat.

  • "Breathable" rainwear has an outer shell of nylon or polyester, to the inner side of which is laminated a membrane of Gore-Tex® or Sympatex®, which is in turn protected by a laminated backing or sewn-in lining. These hi-tech membranes have microscopic pores which are so tiny that water droplets cannot enter, but which are large enough to allow water vapour (sweat) to "transpire". Being made from such a sophisticated fabric, this type of rainwear is priced expectedly high.

Windshells break the windchill effect, retaining your body's warmth.

  • Basic windbreaking shells are made from unlined nylon with limited water repellency. Typically, shell tops incorporate shockcord-toggled waists and elasticized cuffs. Shell pants usually include elasticized waists and cuffs, along with full-length leg zippers which allow you to put them on and take them off without removing your shoes.

  • For higher levels of activity and for colder wind situations, advanced windbreaking shells and pants incorporate hi-tech fabrics for "breathability" and features such as underarm zippers for "venting".

  • Should you be caught in a low activity situation without a windshell, don't forget your rain poncho. As long as you're not working up a big sweat and you don't mind it flapping about, your poncho will break the wind quite nicely!

Insulated Overwear is intended to keep in your warmth during early and late season drops in temperature.

  • When you're packing for your first cold weather camping trip, you'll probably throw in your old favourite winter town-coat. During your trip you'll probably realize that ... it's bulky and takes up a lot of pack space ... it has cold sleeves ... it lets the cold in from below ... it has a cold, limp collar ... and in general it's not all that warm.

  • If you intend to do repeated "late season" camping, you might consider investing in a "hi-tech" water-repelling, breathable, hooded and insulated jacket with a detachable liner. These jackets' detachable liners provide cooler temperatures during warm afternoon activities. Thus, they cover a wider range of temperatures. And, don't forget that a bulky long 100% wool sweater will provide still another optional layer of warmth.

  • Late season camping involves short days and long cold evenings. Insulated baggy "snow-pants" pull up over your regular pants, assuring that your lower half stays just as warm as your upper half. If your insulated jacket doesn't hang down very far, you may prefer that your insulated pants have a "high-rise" cut with supporting shoulder straps.

  • Late season gloves should be carried in two "strengths". For mild days and periods of high-activity, you'll want a pair of mildly-insulated thin gloves. However, for colder temperatures, you'll want to either slip over a pair of well-insulated larger "over-mits" .. or to switch entirely to a pair of well-insulated fingered gloves. Both warmth and dexterity are important issues.

  • If there's a chance of encountering substantial windchills, a balaclava or ski-mask will provide protection for your otherwise exposed face.