View Full Version : Sweat and Wet Clothes
In prep to learn a thing or two as I plan for my possible 2016 thru-hike, I went out for a 2-day backpacking trip in my "nearby" (2-hours' drive) State Park a couple days ago. What has been said about cotton clothing is advice well-taken, but I must note that even my synthetic running jersey and running shorts were still damp the next morning after being hung up overnight (no wind to aid the drying process--though I'm glad I was able to shelter them from the RAIN that night!)
I have read that some thru-hikers carry only a couple sets of clothes...one worn, one packed to stay dry. Is it just an expectation that we're going to be wet and smelly on the A.T. during summer months? Clothes were immediately soaked in sweat again yesterday shortly after beginning the remainder of my hike.
Appreciate any advice. I can deal with being wet every day, just want to know if this is just kind of expected for summer A.T. hikers...
johnnybgood
07-04-2015, 13:40
Sleep in dry clothes and stick those damp clothes under your sleeping bag . Expect to have some residual dampness during hot humid conditions.
bigcranky
07-04-2015, 13:52
I set up a clothesline as soon as we get to camp, and hang our wet nasty hiking clothes up to air out and maybe even dry a bit. The next morning we put them back on and keep hiking. Even soaking wet it's not that bad (really!) especially since we use lightweight merino wool tops and socks. Just wring them out and put them on and start hiking.
You'll be wet and smelly all the time on the AT, not just in the summer months.
When you get to town, get a shower and put on your mostly-clean camp clothes, then do do laundry. If everything is nasty, put on your rain gear and do laundry. If you are really lucky, the hostel where you are staying will have clothes you can wear while you do laundry. :)
Thanks for the replies so far. I'm wondering if I should go with some other sort of technology for clothes, or if running clothes will work (I am a runner...) I've read about Railriders pants which are supposed to be quick drying and may also provide additional protection against poison ivy and ticks. And black flies. What do folks here think about hiking in long pants such as these?
https://www.railriders.com/men-eco-mesh-pant-with-insect-shield-p-837.html
I have numerous tick bites and a little poison ivy. Thinking that long, quick-drying pants would help alleviate these issues, and these are supposed to be cool. Running shorts are comfortable, but offer no protection from poison ivy and ticks.
Maui Rhino
07-04-2015, 15:16
When I get into camp, I'll wear my sweaty hiking clothes for an hour or so. Body heat is the engine that drives the moisture wicking process in technical fabrics, and they will soon dry. If I'm in camp for a bit, I'll air the shirt out in the sun to help control odor, and after washing, but it will dry faster if I wear it.
Walkintom
07-04-2015, 15:19
You're going to get damp and smelly a good portion of your time on the trail. It's part of the ambiance.
Try Sawyer's Picaridin lotion for repellent or better yet, treat clothing with permethrin.
Zip-off hiking pants are a nice option. I use OR Equinox zip-offs and am quite satisfied with them. I feel sorry for those who are allergic to poison ivy.
You're going to get damp and smelly a good portion of your time on the trail. It's part of the ambiance.
Try Sawyer's Picaridin lotion for repellent or better yet, treat clothing with permethrin.
Zip-off hiking pants are a nice option. I use OR Equinox zip-offs and am quite satisfied with them. I feel sorry for those who are allergic to poison ivy.
Thankfully, I think I've built up some immunity to poison ivy since my childhood. I get some little bubbles, but don't yet have any from this recent hike. LOTS of ticks, though, which is concerning. I'll check into the lotion you mentioned. Permethrin would work if I were wearing long clothes...but am in shorts for the time being.
CarlZ993
07-04-2015, 15:43
Very seldom did any of my clothing 'dry' on the AT. It sometimes became 'less wet.' Less humidity & some direct sunlight is what you need. You just don't get it very much on the AT. As previously mentioned, wearing your clothes to dry them helps (unless it is really cold & your body temps are plummeting).
I always kept dry clothes to sleep in every night (typically, long underwear tops & bottoms if it wasn't too hot & some dry socks). Cold, wet socks & shoes was a bit unpleasant to put on every morning in the beginning (Mar & Apr). I brought a waterproof stuff sack for my shoes & slept w/ them to keep them from freezing solid @ night. When it warmed up some, I mailed it home along w/ some other stuff.
With the rain that I experienced, I later added an additional pair of socks (3 total) & a spare wicking T-shirt (cheapest one & could buy in Hot Springs). I made sure that I kept one pair of my running shorts (my underwear) clean for town use while washing the remainder of my clothes.
If you are contemplating a 5-mo hike, you might check out my schedule that I kept. There is a link in the signature on my post. I kept pretty good records of when I started & stopped each day along w/ the mileage. I was 58 when I hiked. You are much younger so you may end up going faster if you want.
Good luck in your planning.
bemental
07-04-2015, 16:06
All of the above are exactly the tips you need:
* wear the wet clothes for a bit in camp to dry them out
* sleep in dry clothes and place the now near-dry clothes under your sleeping bag to dry out (things like socks and undies can go IN the bottom of your bag to dry out
* put the now dry (practically dry, or at least warm/wet) clothes back on and hike in them the next day
Unless it's sunny, there's a good breeze, or the humidity is low, clotheslines don't usually work very well on a hiker's timeline other than to 'air out' clothes.
Finally, a great tip for colder weather, if you roll into camp and your clothes are damp, throw your semi-permeable rain/wind layer on. The heat it traps will dry out the layer underneath in no time at all (tried and true tip from military service).
Yes, running clothes are IMHO ideal. The key is to absolutely minimize the amount of clothing you wear in "wet conditions" These can be rain or just hot and sweaty conditions. By doing this there is less fabric to dry regardless of your dry method, be it body heat, clothes line etc.
MuddyWaters
07-04-2015, 16:52
Do not expect anything to dry overnight on the AT.
If you stop at ~430, and wear them for a few hrs, they may dry up mostly before bed, then dry the rest of the way overnight if you wear them.
If you take them off, expect them to still be wet in the morning.
aaronthebugbuffet
07-04-2015, 18:38
Like others have said you have to wear them dry.
Hanging them up will do very little unless you are in the sun.
Even if I'm soaked I will wring out my shirt and put it back on with a rain jacket or wind shirt over it.
Walkintom
07-04-2015, 19:05
Another thought: don't be afraid to give your clothes a good rinsing now and again between town visits. Synthetics can get pretty rank and salt encrusted when you sweat in them a lot.
I've found that I can haul some water up away a bit from a source and hand wash using some Dr. Bronner's and then dry my stuff about as well as if it were just damp. And it feels a lot better to wear when it's been washed.
fiddlehead
07-04-2015, 20:34
The AT has it's quirks.
Being dry is something that is a rarity on it.
If you want to hike and be dry, I suggest the PCT for you.
Either wear your wet clothes or put them under your sleeping bag.
Hanging them doesn't do much, except perhaps on tops of mountains.
Sleeping near water is the worst place to try drying.
The AT has it's quirks.
Being dry is something that is a rarity on it.
If you want to hike and be dry, I suggest the PCT for you.
Either wear your wet clothes or put them under your sleeping bag.
Hanging them doesn't do much, except perhaps on tops of mountains.
Sleeping near water is the worst place to try drying.
All, thank you for the replies. This sounds about as I had expected, and I have to chuckle. Sounds like being damp most of the time is just the way things are going to be. That is OK. I just wanted to know I can expect it. The main thing that bothers me is that socks aren't going to dry out...but after 2 days of hiking recently I came across no issues with my feet despite wet socks (Toesox plus a running sock over each).
Trail running shoes with a rock plate in the sole are THE BEST!!!
garlic08
07-05-2015, 09:03
Another thought: don't be afraid to give your clothes a good rinsing now and again between town visits. Synthetics can get pretty rank and salt encrusted when you sweat in them a lot.
I've found that I can haul some water up away a bit from a source and hand wash using some Dr. Bronner's and then dry my stuff about as well as if it were just damp. And it feels a lot better to wear when it's been washed.
Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one who does this. Nearly every afternoon I look for a good washing spot then put my clothes back on wet and wear them dry. By the time I camp, they're usually dry and clean enough, at least no worse than they were 24 hours earlier. It's a nice cool-down on hot afternoons, too. This method allows me to use only one set of clothing on thru hikes. "Camp clothes" are a luxury I reserve for shorter hikes.
I never try to line-dry clothing any more. It works maybe one night in a hundred, when relative humidity is low and there's a warm breeze. Putting wet items under my sleeping pad usually works best, even in winter conditions.
Wearing wet clothes is more of an aesthetically uncomfortable situation than a major problem with my wool base layers. They still insulate and perform as I need them to. One thing I really like (among many) about western trails is how rapidly clothing dries in the low humidity. I remember hiking in the Grand Canyon and washing out my clothes and they were dry literally fifteen minutes later on my clothesline.
daddytwosticks
07-05-2015, 09:54
Definitely be aware of skin issues when continuously wearing sweat-encrusted clothing. I'd rather wear freshly rinsed (wet) hiking clothing than almost dry salt-encrusted hiking clothing. Rashes and skin issues can wreck a hike or worse. :)
Mykneeshurt
07-05-2015, 16:16
I used RailRiders exclusively for my 2013 Flip Flop. Loved them.
Thanks for the replies so far. I'm wondering if I should go with some other sort of technology for clothes, or if running clothes will work (I am a runner...) I've read about Railriders pants which are supposed to be quick drying and may also provide additional protection against poison ivy and ticks.
Regarding long pants, I carry either zip-offs or just polypro or wool long underwear to wear under shorts if it's cool. Both long underwear and zip offs for winter. Most days if it is above 40 or 45 degrees, shorts.
Be very careful counting on long pants to guard against poison ivy. The oils will get on the pants and spread it as you are putting them on or taking them off. Having poison ivy oils on you clothing can change a local, mild case of rash to a much more intense and widespread problem if you get my drift. The best way to avoid poison ivy problems is to learn to recognize and avoid the plant. Also, each exposure often is worse than the previous as you body becomes more sensitive to it.
If you must wear pants the Eco mesh are the best I have found. In lower humidity situation I went swimming in them (family area) and they were dry about 20 minutes later. The vents work. The fabric is light and tough. The elastic is just enough and the waist belt stays comfortable.
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aaronthebugbuffet
07-05-2015, 20:24
I have a couple of pair of rail riders. Pretty good quality.
May not be a problem for you but I got the smallest size they made and I still found them too baggy.
Offshore
07-06-2015, 07:42
Thanks for the replies so far. I'm wondering if I should go with some other sort of technology for clothes, or if running clothes will work (I am a runner...) I've read about Railriders pants which are supposed to be quick drying and may also provide additional protection against poison ivy and ticks. And black flies. What do folks here think about hiking in long pants such as these?
https://www.railriders.com/men-eco-mesh-pant-with-insect-shield-p-837.html
I have numerous tick bites and a little poison ivy. Thinking that long, quick-drying pants would help alleviate these issues, and these are supposed to be cool. Running shorts are comfortable, but offer no protection from poison ivy and ticks.
I have those pants - you won't be disappointed.
If you wear them to bed they will be dry in the morning. If you take them off they will be cold and damp...lots of fun putting that stuff back on isn't it? You will feel clean for about 5 minutes after you leave the shower/Laundromat. Your clothes will probably still stink even after you wash them. You'll get used to it.
Well, the wet/dry question has been answered pretty well so I will just add that the socks and underwear I wear are made of wool. You can get thin stuff. It is cool and drys quickly but the big thing is smell. For me, there is nothing that fights smell better than wool and it is a significant difference. On my last outing I had both wool socks and a blend material. After 5 days the blend was pretty ripe while the wool had almost no smell at all. Each person's chemistry is different and it may not work the same for you but I have found will to be worth the money.
bigcranky
07-07-2015, 06:26
+1 on wool for odor control. I can wear my 150-wt merino wool t-shirt for a week in the summer and it doesn't stink at all.
Studlintsean
07-07-2015, 08:06
Any recommendations for a pair of wool blend 5 inch running shorts? On my recent hike in PA it was hot / rainy (to be expected) for 4 days and the shorts I wore were 7 inch and tore my legs to pieces.
I don't think you absolutely have to be wet or damp ALL THE TIME on a AT hike. Weather patterns, clothes logistics, hiking style, apparel choices, and several other things play into this.
When it's wet and warmish(about 40*+) I'm wearing itsy bitsy running clothing with highly breathable designs that typically dry quickly whether that drying source is coming from me generating heat while wearing damp clothing and/or from the environment. I'll always have two sets of shorts, shirts, and socks altering from day to day keeping a sharp eye on the weather taking advantage to lay some damp clothing out or air out to dry at stops and/or safety pinning damp clothing to the outside of my backpack. Keep rotating wisely and taking the in camp apparel warming advice shared and the wearing of always wet clothing can be minimized.
I'm in agreement here too:
Definitely be aware of skin issues when continuously wearing sweat-encrusted clothing. I'd rather wear freshly rinsed (wet) hiking clothing than almost dry salt-encrusted hiking clothing. Rashes and skin issues can wreck a hike or worse. :). Better to wash the salt and grime out of clothing in camp at the end of the day while switching to dry(ish) in camp sleeping clothing.
I'm not a fan of bringing wet, and often dirty smelly undies and socks, into any sleeping bag ESPECIALLY being problematic if one has a down sleeping bag/quilt. In the morn switch out to wearing the damper clothing set, if all your clothing is damp, which if it's not raining often dries even on the AT, after about an hr of hiking IF wearing that type of running apparel described. If it's raining and relatively warmish in the morn and you know you'll be getting wet anyhow once hiking just man up and switch into the wet hiking apparel.
Every chance you get air out wet feet, footwear, and socks though IF all you have is wet that goes on your feet. In very wet hiking conditions and having a difficult time to often have a dry set of socks protect the skin on your feet from blisters that are caused by pruned skin. Here's one approach: http://andrewskurka.com/2012/minimizing-the-effects-and-aftermath-of-wet-feet/
For me, there's nothing that fights smell better than washing my arse and switching out to rinsed/washed clothing even if it is somewhat damp!
For some conditions I've been having very good results at odor control, body salt dispersal, increased drying times, and greater wear comfortability in hot humid conditions by wearing APPROPRIATE WEIGHT synthetic/wool blended T shirts on my top half. Also, during the hottest most humid weather don't forget some T shirt outdoor apparel companies have integrated 1/4-1/3 chest zips in their designs offering even grater breathability/venting options. Look for shirts with greater breathability that incorporate different side panels too. All these things play into how fast your apparel dries and the ultimate greater comfortabilty you experience.