View Full Version : Lightweight Shirt and Shorts
Chance09
06-11-2008, 14:21
I was just wondering what everyone suggests for UL clothing as far as a shirt and shorts go? Theres so many things to choose from and maybe 1 in 20 webistes post the weight of their clothing.
Guess i could always hike naked to save a few ounces tho.:banana
take-a-knee
06-11-2008, 14:33
REI Sahara zip-off pants. Light quick-dry tee-shirts (underarmor, Visa endurance or nike) one each LS and short sleeve.
Incahiker
06-11-2008, 14:45
Go to walmart and get yourself some polyester sport shirts for 7$ a pop. They are quick drying and light weight, and cheap. +1 on the Sahara pants, those things are great. I usually keep them don't zip them off because of the sun and the bugs, but when I go fishing and am wading in the water, its great just to zip the bottoms off.
deeddawg
06-11-2008, 14:46
Check out running related clothing outlets. Not sure how many websites list actual weights, but you can get a good feel for such if you find a nearby running store. You can also find this stuff often at a local Kohls or Target or Walmart, though selections will vary.
HikerRanky
06-11-2008, 14:51
I'll second Walmart and also throw in Bass Pro Shops when they are having a sale.... I picked up some Columbia Zip Off Pants with SPF50 in the material for $25... Their knockoffs w/o the SPF were $14.... very lightweight...
bigmac_in
06-11-2008, 15:17
Guess I could always hike naked to save a few ounces tho.:banana
Isn't June 21st "hike naked day"? :rolleyes:
Cool AT Breeze
06-11-2008, 15:21
Columbia zip offs are awesome. Merino wool T shirts don,t stink like poly ones do but they do cost quite a bit more.
Chance09
06-11-2008, 15:27
Isn't June 21st "hike naked day"? :rolleyes:
No idea, guess i'd have to leave the city tho. Not sure how people would feel about me hiking to work naked :eek: lol
bigcranky
06-11-2008, 15:41
Any running shorts with a mesh brief will be light and dry quickly. Any short sleeved synthetic t-shirt should be good, too. I've had luck with both items at Target.
i love nike's dryfit stuff. all of it is super light and fast drying
Thing is you still need to carry enough for the cold damp weather. I think its better to optimize your system for the worst weather you might get, with enough flexibility to be able to peel yourself down for the nice days also. A good system for washing and drying your socks and underwear is important also, so you don't have to carry spares. If you need spares they are constantly wet and heavy, or you wouldn't need them. If you don't carry spares you can wear them until dry, which is faster. Of course a hot and dry climate would require a different approach. Don't know squat about that.
Incahiker
06-11-2008, 18:49
A good system for washing and drying your socks and underwear is important also, so you don't have to carry spares.
Could you please let me know the system you use? I don't want to take too many spares but would like to wash clothes every once and a while so that I won't feel completely nast! D
jak is strictly a wool wearer
For underwear I bring one pair of flannel boxers, and for socks I usually include 1 pair of synthetic liners, and those I wash by soaking them in boiling water from my Kelly Kettle, and then dry by wearing them as hat and mitts. Then I make soup.
The wool I just wait for rain, and wear until dry.
Cabin Fever
06-11-2008, 21:47
Factory seconds/closeout stores like TJ Maxx and Ross are awesome for athletic clothing. You can buy all kinds of dry fit, ultra wicking, etc. clothing for cheaper than you can find it on any web site and without shipping. I'll second Target too. You can get the new Champion stuff for next to nothing.
I just bought a bunch of North Face stuff at Dick's Sporting Goods. I think they are running a big sale right now.
Bulldawg
06-11-2008, 22:02
REI Sahara zip-off pants. Light quick-dry tee-shirts (underarmor, Visa endurance or nike) one each LS and short sleeve.
I've got the Wally World version of the under armor stuff. I gave about $6 each for LS and SS. But wally world doesn't do the underwear. The under armor long briefs underwear is great! If you wear it that is, I guess some don't.
4eyedbuzzard
06-11-2008, 22:11
Could you please let me know the system you use? I don't want to take too many spares but would like to wash clothes every once and a while so that I won't feel completely nast! D
Laundromats are a lot more convenient than the following but...If you need to wash clothes on the trail use a 1 gallon zip lock with a little camp suds(and water of course). Mash the clothes around in there and let 'em soak for a while like a washing machine. Empty and rinse the same way. Wring or mash the water out of them gently(be careful with wool) and hang to dry. A few big safety pins works or stick them in you packs mesh pockets while hiking. Obviously, do all the washing part well away from water sources.
take-a-knee
06-11-2008, 22:31
I've got the Wally World version of the under armor stuff. I gave about $6 each for LS and SS. But wally world doesn't do the underwear. The under armor long briefs underwear is great! If you wear it that is, I guess some don't.
I've not tried the Wally World tees but I'll give them a look. I bought some Visa Endurance "silk" t-shirts from Sierra Trading years ago and I like them better than underarmor, just as light and breathable and a lot more durable. The underarmor long briefs are indespensible if your inner thighs chafe.
Blissful
06-12-2008, 11:57
Don't forget to check out Goodwill and Salvation Army thrift stores. You can sometimes find good stuff there too. Also SAC online at times (esp merino wool items.
Blissful
06-12-2008, 12:02
Could you please let me know the system you use? I don't want to take too many spares but would like to wash clothes every once and a while so that I won't feel completely nast! D
Wash clothes when you get to town or a hostel, in all honesty. Towns are usually only four or five days away. I thought I would do stuff like that on the trail, just too tired and stuff never dries that well. The only time I washed out some stuff was in the Smokies in the restroom at Newfound Gap because I wasn't going to Gatlinburg. You get used to being smelly and grungy. Comes with the territory. You and the AT dirt are one. :)
deeddawg
06-12-2008, 12:44
The only time I washed out some stuff was in the Smokies in the restroom at Newfound Gap because I wasn't going to Gatlinburg.
Random comment: when I was there last week the men's restrooms at both Clingmans Dome and Newfound Gap have been switched to water conserving fixtures. The toilets flush but urinals are waterless. No sinks. Wall-mounted dispensers for waterless hand-cleaner. I didn't check, but assume the same is true for the ladies side as well. There is a water fountain at Newfound; the one at Clingmans is down at the parking lot.
boarstone
06-12-2008, 15:55
Isn't June 21st "hike naked day"? :rolleyes:
now I can be a walking ad for reasons NOT to hike! hehehehehee:banana
johnny quest
07-03-2008, 18:18
i have rei convertable pants and marine corps high tech tees, made by danskin, in ls and ss. im thinking of getting a ls nylon fishing shirt from academy
I broke out an unworn silk-weight Cool-Max 1/4 zip from Land's End today.
Junk.
Fabric wicks, just warm enough in the seabreeze, dries wicked quick, but
the zipper is short. I got spoiled by a long zipper that goes to the sternum.
Amazing what you get used to and value.
Ditto on the Target running shorts. I also like the Target shirt for day hikes, too.
For backpacking, though, my shirt of choice is along sleeve polyester dress shirt. Sun and bug protection. Dries quickly. Buttons up and down for ventilation. Pocket for my map. $4. I still wear the same one from the CDT!
I imagine a short sleeve one would work well, too.
Incahiker
07-03-2008, 21:41
Ditto on the Target running shorts. I also like the Target shirt for day hikes, too.
For backpacking, though, my shirt of choice is along sleeve polyester dress shirt. Sun and bug protection. Dries quickly. Buttons up and down for ventilation. Pocket for my map. $4. I still wear the same one from the CDT!
I imagine a short sleeve one would work well, too.
I just got some silk shirt from the good will for 4$ a pop. I heard the wick very well, and you can unbutton the shirt depending on how hot you are getting. I am going to use it tomorrow on the A.T. in Georgia, I will let you guys know how the silk shirt works out. It seems like it will be a little hot, but I am bringing a backup Wally world poly shirt in case it just doesn't work.
I've been using house-brand running shorts (http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/products/RRM907/) and cutoff T (http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/products/RRM904/) from Road Runner Sports (http://www.roadrunnersports.com/). Cool, supportive, dry fast, durable. Not even remotely stylish, which is just my style. They work really well for me. (I use them for my running every day, too.)
Interesting answers so far to the initial question of lightweight shorts and shirt. However, it would help to see how much these items weigh. For example, the shorts I use most often for summer lightweight hiking weigh 4.3 ounces. They are size Medium from (of all places) L.L. Bean. Lightweight, smooth nylon material and extremely durable.
I have a longsleeve golite windshirt. In XL, it weighs a mere 2.8 ounces. Great for windproofing, but of course it doesn't breathe well at all.
The shortsleeve summer shirt I use is the REI Sahara Tee (spun polyester). Size L tips the scale at a hefty 6.76 ounces.
http://www.rei.com/product/732432
This shirt is comfortable, AND it is a smooth material, not scratchy to the touch like so many of the wicking materials. But it would be nice to find a lighter weight, yet breathable shirt.
Anyone have weights in ounces for your lightweight summer hiking shirts?
The shortsleeve summer shirt I use is the REI Sahara Tee (spun polyester). Size L tips the scale at a hefty 6.76 ounces.
My shirt of choice is a men's large, long sleeve poly dress shirt - 6.125 oz
That's LESS than the REI brand SHORT SLEEVE quote in weight ..and much less money, too. :)
Call it ~4 oz (or less) for a men's poly SHORT sleeve shirt from the thrift store. Same weight for less money than comparable shirts from big name outfitters.
For western hiking, long sleeve is the way to go IMO however. When I do another long hike back East, I'll go with a short sleeve poly dress shirt or a super light weight scrub top (which I wore on the AT)
Why pay $$$$ for a simple shirt ????
I'll be wearing my cheap shorts, shirt (and hat) combo this weekend. ;)
All running shorts will naturally be less weight than so-called "hiking" shorts (less and thinner fabric, usually no pockets).
"My shirt of choice is a men's large, long sleeve poly dress shirt-6.125 oz"
Great idea. I'll try to remember to take a little scale next time I peruse their selection of attire!
Oh, the looks one gets when weighing store items - even at REI. I've suggested to REI that they keep a small scale for their ounce-conscious customers, but no response. Now, if I could just manage to shed that extra 10 pounds from my own body weight.....:-?
Mrs Baggins
07-04-2008, 07:35
I love my REI Sahara zip-offs. They're one of the few brands that come in Petite and are truly petite in length. Too many others are still too long. I have 4 pairs of them and they are the only pants I take on all of our overseas trips because of easily they wash and dry. Shirt-wise my favorites were the REI Tech-Tees but they don't make them anymore. :( I'm still searching for something like those - soft, cottony feeling (even though they are not cotton) and loose fitting. I don't like any kind of nylon or close fitting shirt. I can't wear any Under Armor product. They use silver nitrate to absorb the odors and I'm allergic to it. Makes my skin feel like it has a million little needles all over it. Same thing happens to my husband.
billyboy
07-04-2008, 07:59
:-? The "Synthetic" blends are excellent for weight and wicking and are quick-drying, ........... but they can hold odors that will make a buzzard puke :eek:
Is the smell worth it?
I was just wondering what everyone suggests for UL clothing as far as a shirt and shorts go? Theres so many things to choose from and maybe 1 in 20 webistes post the weight of their clothing.
Guess i could always hike naked to save a few ounces tho.:banana
RailRiders - The Toughest Clothes on the Planet
http://www.railriders.com/
Eco-mesh shirt: http://www.railriders.com/men-eco-mesh-shirt-p-963.html?cPath=90_96
Shorts (Almost imposible to wear out their sawtooth): http://www.railriders.com/men-shorts-c-104_112.html
Furlough
07-04-2008, 09:15
Check out Race Ready at http://raceready.com/ they have a good selection of runners clothing to include shorts they say are designed for long distance and trail running.
Furlough
Man its been hot and humid up here. Maybe not by your standards down there, but for what I'm used to its been pretty hot and humid, and that was only June. I hike along the Fundy Footpath mostly under cover of trees, which helps. It can still cool down considerably at night, especially on the shore as the Bay of Fundy is still only 45F or so end of June. Still, I would prefer to keep my shoulders covered from the sun, and it might be better also to keep my legs somewhat covered, from ticks. I think I am still going to give a very thin merino sweater a try, like I did last summer. If my sweat doesn't keep it cool enough I will soak it in water along the way. As for my legs, I'm going to stick with very light shorts and thin socks by day. If I get a tick I would rather get one where it might be easier to find, if that makes any sense. Hope to finish this thesis soon so I can hit that footpath, maybe even a trip to Mt.Carleton or Katahdn, or even one to the other??? If it's this hot on the shore though, it must be crazy inland. Not so much up high, but down low. Anyhow, the weather is seldom the real issue.
Anyhow. It's important to be comfortable, but it's false economy to have lightweight clothing on you body if it means carrying more weight in your pack for cooler weather and at night. It's the total system that matters. I choose my clothing/sleeping system for the worst conditions for a trip, but make sure it includes a subsystem appropriate for the hot and the muggy hiking days also. I like stuff I can keep clean indefinitely also.
sbennett
07-06-2008, 23:27
i like the Patagonia long haul runners...i cut out the liner and just use ex officio quick dry boxer briefs
my shirt is either a capilene 1 or whatever synthetic short sleeve i feel like wearing (anything with the dri-release fabric seems to work pretty well)...if it's colder i'll use a smartwool microweight zip top that i got for half off at the local outfitters
For warm-hot weather, I've been using Ex Officio Amphi convertible shorts, and EMS Techwick T-Shirts. The shorts are fantastic, and I use them for almost 100% of my hiking now, unless it gets really cold. In the fall, you just zip on the legs for a little extra warmth.
The EMS t-shirt works very well, but it does stink. It stinks bad. But it's the fastest drying t-shirt I've ever owned, and in hot weather it's been the most comfortable so far. I'm now experimenting with wool t-shirts for the cool-warm weather months, but haven't used them enough to make any judgements other than they don't seem to hold odor nearly as much.
gold bond
07-07-2008, 11:06
Columbia zip offs are awesome. Merino wool T shirts don,t stink like poly ones do but they do cost quite a bit more.
I like the "Titanium series" Columbia Brand Zip offs. I have never really been a fan of the zip offs untill I tried them.
gold bond
07-07-2008, 11:11
Laundromats are a lot more convenient than the following but...If you need to wash clothes on the trail use a 1 gallon zip lock with a little camp suds(and water of course). Mash the clothes around in there and let 'em soak for a while like a washing machine. Empty and rinse the same way. Wring or mash the water out of them gently(be careful with wool) and hang to dry. A few big safety pins works or stick them in you packs mesh pockets while hiking. Obviously, do all the washing part well away from water sources.
Are you a Philmont Veteran?;)
phenimore
07-11-2008, 14:24
i was at one of my local targets yesterday and saw that most of the C9 running gear was on clearance, running shorts, stretch cycling shorts, performance t's some good stuff at 50%, most of these stores drop their clearance at similar times for the region so I imagine the northeast and midwest are clearing these right now.
The only time I washed out some stuff was in the Smokies in the restroom at Newfound Gap because I wasn't going to Gatlinburg.
Random comment: when I was there last week the men's restrooms at both Clingmans Dome and Newfound Gap have been switched to water conserving fixtures. The toilets flush but urinals are waterless. No sinks. Wall-mounted dispensers for waterless hand-cleaner. I didn't check, but assume the same is true for the ladies side as well. There is a water fountain at Newfound; the one at Clingmans is down at the parking lot.
That's a bummer.
Laundromats are a lot more convenient than the following but...If you need to wash clothes on the trail use a 1 gallon zip lock with a little camp suds(and water of course). Mash the clothes around in there and let 'em soak for a while like a washing machine. Empty and rinse the same way. Wring or mash the water out of them gently(be careful with wool) and hang to dry. A few big safety pins works or stick them in you packs mesh pockets while hiking. Obviously, do all the washing part well away from water sources.
I do this a lot during the summer. I carry four small safety pins and a length of Spectra cord for make the drying process easier. Even if the clothes don't exactly dry overnight, they are cleaner and (I think) more comfortable when a lot of the grit and salt has been rinsed out.
The ultimate backcountry laundry device is a bear canister. If you're in an area that requires one anyway (JMT, for example), put your dirty clothes in there with about half a canister of water and a few drops of Dr. Bronner's, agitate, dump (away from water source, of course), and repeat with rinse water... It's da bomb. I love the way clothes actually dry in CA, too!