I've been kicking around an idea for some home-made hiker clothing, would like to see what others think or if it has been done before.

One thing I noticed on my recent hike of the AT is no matter how cold it got, I would always get a sweaty back, almost no matter what I was wearing or how cold it got (single digits sometimes). What i would like to do is take a cheap fleece sweater I have, cut off the back of it, and sew on a lighter weight cloth (synthetic). Think Big Agnes sleeping bag. The way I see it, you don't really need any insulation on your back since your backpack is there to keep you more than warm.

The fleece might have been nice in late November / December, but I think the concept would also work for a heavier weight hiking shirt. Does anyone make hiking shirts like this?

Thanks,
D-Wreck

Sounds like your problem is more of a lack of air circulation in the back area. A properly fitted and well designed pack should have an air space between it and your back, if you cannot reach behind you and slide your hand between the pack then something isn't adjusted right.

it's a neat idea! the only thing i've ever seen like this was a down jacket without a back covering. i don't remember the website, but i think it was some brand of hunting clothing or sumpin'?

i too sweat a ton even when it is cold. i usually end up just layering by putting a zip-up jacket(fleece or rain gear) on backwards so that only my baselayer shirt is covering my back.

good luck!

i actually have a softshell jacket from north face i like that is built like that. called teh zot windstopper...

it's got gore windstopper on teh front, shoulders, and top half of the arms. the back and under arms is like apex stuff w/ no insulation. i really like it for dayhikes and think your reasoning is sound

Best idea I've heard in years. Now that good external frame packs are almost extinct, I'll have to try that. Thank you.

ya know dwreck, nike makes some shirts like this (i believe the 'sparq' versions) - i wore one to the gym today. it's like under armour type shirt, but the back has lots of little holes on it. similar to your idea and may be worth checking out

Also try stripping down to just your tshirt before you get at all sweaty. I've careful of that and can pretty much keep sweat from happening on my back by keeping it from starting in the first place by sheddding layers as I get warmer. Maybe go shirtless? :) It is strange how you can feel so warm in the single digits with just a tshirt while backpacking.

your idea got me thinking, and what i think would be really neat would be a light fleece or wool sweater that has your pack cut out of the back. like, specifically your pack. you'd have to find some lightweight way to attach it to the pack and basically have a packsweater or sweaterpack. i don't know if that explains it clearly

This is a very common problem in cold weather, and several companies have come up with various approaches to address it. The best solution I've found by FAR is a vapor barrier. Read more here:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/00086.html

Very easy to make your own as well.

I think you can find a wind jacket like that at a bicycle store. Wind resistant in front and breathable in the back.