When it comes to backpacking the idea of “take less do more” is worth fully embracing, but it can take some time to get there. Since Justin and I started backpacking together ten years ago, our experience has evolved from short backpacking trips carrying huge backpacks filled to the top with “what ifs” and luxury clothes and gear, to long-distance backpacking trips carrying ultralight backpacks with just the necessities. The transition took time and a critical review of each trip: what did we actual use and wear? What wasn’t actually worth the weight? How could we do things differently? What’s required for safety versus just a luxury? A big part of downsizing our gear involved eliminating and lightening our clothing situation. Clothing is tricky because you want to be comfortable and prepared for changing weather, while also not wasting space and weight (if you want to go ultra lightweight) with that extra shirt that you’re just carrying so you don’t get so smelly. To help speed your journey to only packing the clothes you really need, we’ve compiled a list with honest reviews of what we take these days for high alpine summer backpacking trips, including our last two through hikes (400+ miles of hiking) of the John Muir Trail (JMT).
Outerwear
Justin has been wearing the Outdoor Research Transcendent Hoodie (the 800 fill version), which has now been replaced by the very similar Outdoor Research Helium Down Hoodie for our entire 10 years of backpacking. While it looks old and faded with some very small holes that have been patched, that’s really quite remarkable for something with such lightweight fabric that’s seriously been put through the ringer. This is hands down Justin’s favorite jacket as the 800 fill provides an awesome weight to warmth ratio and packs down super small (the whole jacket can be stuffed into it’s own pocket for compact storage). Other things he really likes about it is the fact that it has a hood and two extra large inner stash pockets, which are perfect for things like gloves. Justin will probably get this jacket switched out soon with Outdoor Research’s Infinite Guarantee - one of the many reasons we’ve been so impressed with their company over the years. The real take away here is that your best bet is to get a down jacket with 800 fill (fill power indicates the relative quality of the down, determined by how many cubic inches of loft one ounce of that down fill produces) to get the best mix of warmth to weight and size.
I (Betsy) use the Outdoor Research Women’s Helium Down Hoodie and like it for all the same reasons as Justin. Since mine is the newer version, some other features I appreciate are the the more durable but still lightweight Pertex® Quantum shell and waterproof fabric on the hood and shoulders. The down is responsibly sourced and the whole thing weighs in at just 15.4 oz. I’m cold pretty much all the time (we keep our house set to 73 degrees and I usually still need to be in a jacket to feel warm) so find that I’m chilly in this jacket sitting around camp when temps drop into the 30s, but for me that’s to be expected and I wouldn’t want to carry anything bulkier so it is what it is.
For rain and as an extra layer in cold windy weather, we both carry Frogg Toggs most basic waterproof jackets: the Men’s Ultra-Lite Jacket and the Women’s Ultra-Lite Jacket. If you follow ultralight backpacking you’ll have heard of Frogg Toggs for their incredible price and weight. At just $25 and 8.8 oz and 6.4 oz respectively, they’re a pretty fantastic option. There’s nothing fancy about them and they don’t look pretty, but they get the job done. We’ve only worn them for one season so can’t really speak to durability, but other reviews say they can last multiple years with some wear (some ripping around the drawcords seems common) but still functional. For that price though, replacing them occasionally isn’t an issue! We’ll post an update after we’ve used them for a few more seasons.
Justin in his Frogg Toggs
Shirts
Justin takes two Mountain Hardwear Canyon Long Sleeve Shirts which have also been his go-to for both backpacking and international travel for many years. Clothing that provides good sun coverage is so important while backpacking, especially at high elevation, and these shirts do just that. Carrying sunscreen adds both weight and hassle, so we prefer to just always wear long sleeved shirts even in hot weather. Justin feels that this shirt does a good job keeping him cool with its mesh venting across the back and zippered chest pockets that double as core vents. The fabric is super light, quick drying, and UPF-50. Justin has been wearing one of these shirts for 8 years and purchased it already used from a thrift shop and it’s still in great condition, so it’s clearly really durable. Definitely recommend it. We each only carry two shirts and simply wash one while wearing the other to keep the stench down a little. This is another reason quick dry fabric is a must.
I take two Eddie Bauer UPF 50 quick dry long sleeve shirts. I’ve had them for a few years and can’t for the life of me remember what the style name was. Unfortunately, the tags inside the shirt don’t say and I’ve scoured the internet trying to find it based off of the item number and appearance and haven’t found it yet. Here’s what the tag says though in case you can find it: Item#0052 from spring/summer of 2017. I’m not sure whether it’s just an older version of one of their current shirts, such as the Mountain Ripstop Long-Sleeve Shirt, but the things that I like about it more than what’s currently on offer is that the fabric is lightly textured (sort of crinkled) which makes not wearing a bra less obvious, and the fit is slimmer than any of their other quick dry shirts I’ve tried on in store. I’m quite petite and find most quick dry hiking shirts to be pretty voluminous, so like the fact that these ones fit me well. My one dislike is that the pockets have button closures, which I find less practical/secure than zip closures, but obviously not that big of a deal. At any rate, the take away is really just to get a couple of quick dry long-sleeve shirts (a UPF rating of 30+ would be good). A popular option these days that we’ll be trying next backpacking season is swap a traditional quick dry hiking shirt with a lightweight quick dry sun hoodie, which allows you to pull the hood up around a baseball type sun hat for excellent neck protection.
Doing laundry - the key to taking less! Just make sure to follow leave no trace principles. We personally don’t use soap.
Pants/Shorts
For pants, Justin takes a single pair of Outdoor Research quick dry pants. He’s been wearing the same pair for about eight years and the only real wear aside from stains is a hole near each pant cuff from where the cinch cord rubs. They’re still perfectly functional, which once again really speaks to the quality of this brand. We have no sponsorship or affiliation with Outdoor Research by the way - just have owned a lot of their gear over the years and think it’s pretty great. Aside from the awesome durability, Justin loves the super light comfy fabric that really does try extremely quickly, and over the years he’s appreciated the built in adjustable belt as weight is inevitably lost on long through hikes so it’s nice to be able to adjust the fit. Outdoor Research no longer makes this exact version of hiking pants, but I think the closest one would be their Ferrosi Pants.
For pants, I also take a single pair of Outdoor Research quick dry pants. Not sure if they are an older version of the women’s Ferrosi Pants but it’s not something they have in stock now and I think I’d like to replace them with the Ferrosi’s eventually. I’ve been wearing them backpacking for eight years and there’s no signs of wear yet, so I love the durability, plus, they’re super comfy, lightweight, and truly quick drying. However, they are quite long on me (I’m 5’1” for reference) with lots of annoying dragging and no draw cord at the hem for a quick fix. Last year I ended up hemming them but now they feel too short. The new Ferrosi’s have draw cord hems and also have an extra zip pocket on the leg that I think would be nicer, thus my thoughts about switching.
If we’re going to do summer backpacking at lower elevation, we sometimes opt for a single pair of shorts instead of pants, and Justin’s favorite pair is the KÜHL Renegade Short, which features a really comfy UPF 50 quick dry fabric with just enough stretch and a lot of clever pockets. Justin especially likes that they have two zip pockets, which are really handy for carrying things like trail permits that you want easy access to but don’t want to get lost. Something else great about these shorts is the really durable abrasion resistant fabric, which is always import in quick dry products as they can sometimes be really thin and end up getting damaged pretty easily. When you’re backpacking and regularly sit on rocks while cooking and resting, it’s also nice to know you’re not going to be getting abrasions and rips on your backside.
I also opt for KÜHL shorts and have been really happy with their Freeflex Shorts. They also feature a UPF 50 moisture wicking quick dry fabric with great stretch, and even better, good rebound so they keep their shape and don’t get weird and baggy over time. Other things I really like are the pull on style with a nice wide waistband and internal drawcord, which I find much more comfortable than buttons or zippers. They also didn’t skip pockets, which is much appreciated as that is so common on women’s clothing. These have two nice sized side zip pockets, which are once again great for things like permits, cash, lip balm etc. The leg holes are also the perfect size, which might sound like a strange thing to note, but I have a pair of cult favorite Patagonia Baggies and the leg holes are so wide that every time I sit down I have to check to make sure my underwear aren’t showing (they often are). These have enough space to move with ease while keeping private things private. You can get them in two lengths, but I opted for the 4” inseam and found that for me, it’s the perfect balance between too short and too long.
Love that wide stretchy waistband and zippered side pockets
Long Underwear
Justin carries one pair of merino wool long underwear pants for layering and sleeping in. He doesn’t get cold nearly as easily as me so opts not to carry a top and just wears one of his shirts to sleep in. The pants have held up well and provided plenty of warmth at night, around camp and when heading up Mt. Whitney at night for sunrise.
I carry a set (top and bottom) of Patagonia Capilene Midweight Long Underwear for both layering in colder conditions and sleeping in to help protect my sleeping bag from the grime of my hiking clothes. I’ve been wearing them for about eight years and the top is still in near perfect condition, but the seams around the crotch in the pants have started to come apart. They’re still very wearable and have served me well over the years, but when those pants do actually tear I’ll be replacing them with something different, most likely merino wool. Reason being I’d like something warmer, and while the fabric is soft and comfortable, it really isn't stretchy and tends to hang in a kind of loose baggy way around the legs which doesn’t feel great when layered. I also have found that the sleeves of the XS top are a little short even for me and tend to ride up since the fit is a bit loose and lacks that elasticity.
Underwear
Justin takes two pairs of ExOfficio Give-N-Go Boxer Briefs. While you might be tempted to take many days worth of underwear on the trail, they’re so easy to wash and dry that two pairs work great. Justin has been using these boxer briefs for many years and really loves them. They’re stretchy, breathable, super light, pack small, dry super fast, and are tight enough to keep chaffing at bay without being constrictive. They’re also great for swimming in. No reason to carry the extra weight of a swimsuit and what most people do on the trail. The elastic in the waistband has gotten loose after about four years of washing and wearing, but I think that’s to be expected and definitely worth replacing.
I also take two pairs of underwear, alternating and washing every other day. I took two different kinds this summer for the John Muir Trail: a pair of ExOfficio Give-N-Go Bikini Briefs and a pair of Icebreaker Merino Siren Bikini Briefs. I’ve been using the ExOfficio briefs for about eight years and love the slightly stretchy breathable fabric, antimicrobial treatment to reduce odor, and how incredibly fast they dry. My one complaint has been that they feel a bit oversized. I usually like a less full coverage cut, so I decided to try the Icebreaker bikini briefs as the cut is definitely slimmer. I was a bit worried they would be itchy as they are 83% merino wool and my skin is extremely sensitive to any kind of irritant, but I have had no issues with them whatsoever. Merino wool is naturally odor resistant, they still dry super fast (also a worry of mine because of the wool), and the cut is definitely cuter. However, after wearing both on the trail, I decided that the ExOfficio undies were my preference as I liked the way they felt better under my hiking pants - almost like wearing shorts versus the higher cut of the Icebreaker bikini that made me more aware that I was wearing underwear. Kind of the opposite of what I like in everyday life, which surprised me. That’s just a personal preference though as both were comfortable and stayed put, which is so important while hiking. ExOfficio also wins in the price department at $18 versus $35!
Socks
Justin carries two pairs of Darn Tough Hiker Quarter Midweight Socks and I carry two of the exact same thing, just in the women’s version. We’ve both hiked and backpacked in a lot of different socks, including Smartwool, and these are our favorites. Darn Tough socks are unconditionally guaranteed for life, so that gives you an idea of how much the makers (all made in Vermont by the way!) believe in the quality of the product. What we really like is the fact that they’re merino wool and can be purchased in a variety of weights depending on what temperatures you’re hiking in. We find the midweights to be perfect and really like that quarter height too - not too low to slip off or irritate the heel but not extending too far up the ankle which can feel tight and annoying. The achilles and forefoot cushioning feels just right and the toe is closed with their True Seamless Toe technology, which prevents any seam chaffing and blisters in that area. Justin has worn his two pairs on two JMT through hikes as well as around the house and they still look almost new (just some light peeling which I think is inevitable with wool) so the durability really is superb.
Gloves
Justin doesn’t take gloves, but I take a pair of Outdoor Research Vigor Lightweight Sensor Gloves as I struggle so much with being cold. The fleece lining on these gloves is so comfy and snuggly and the clips to keep them paired are really handy without being bulky. I have an older version whose touch screen compatible finger coating wore off after about a year, but I see that the latest version has the entire finger tip sewn from a different fabric, so that will no longer be an issue. I’ve had no other issues with them.
Hats
Justin takes an Outdoor Research Papyrus Brim Sun Hat which provides pretty decent neck and face coverage and features UPF 50 protection on the brim. The paper straw fabric makes this hat nice and breathable for hot days, and the neck cord is super functional in windy weather. The once downside is that this hat isn’t as packable as some other sun hats since the paper straw fabric is stiff and the shape can be easily damaged if it gets crumpled or folded. That said, Justin has been wearing it for about six years and the condition is still pretty great.
Up until this last season I’ve also been using an Outdoor Research Oasis Sun Hat and have loved it for all the same reasons as Justin. The good coverage of face and neck, breathability, and neck cord. This hat is also more packable than Justin’s straw version. I couldn’t find it this last summer though right before heading out on the JMT, so ended up taking my Northface Horizon baseball cap and just turning up the collar on my shirt. I found the face coverage to be pretty good as long as I didn’t have my head tipped back and if I’d had a sun hoodie, the neck coverage would have been excellent. I like the packability and slim profile, so I think I’ll use it again next season with a sun hoodie and post an update then.
** I used to take an Outdoor Research down beanie before I got my Helium Down Hoodie, which you may have noted in the first picture. Since my jacket now has a hood, I don’t take anything else.
Sun Gloves
Justin tried out sun gloves for the first time on his most recent JMT hike and really enjoyed having them and only having to use a small amount of sunscreen on his fingertips for the first few days. While there are plenty of great, high quality brand name gloves out there he ended up getting a cheap pair of fishing gloves off of Amazon as he wasn’t sure he’d enjoy using sun gloves and wanted to start at the cheap end. They performed well and held up without issues for 200+ miles and he plans to continue using them moving forward.
Shoes
Justin hiked in different pairs of Salomon XA Pro Gore-tex shoes for years but ended up with a number of blisters the first time he did the JMT so wanted to try something different the second time around. He chose to use Altra Lone Peak 5’s and then ended up getting a 1/2 size smaller (than his normal shoe size) in the Lone Peak 6 as it seemed a better fit. While he likes the wide toe box, lighter feel and fewer hotspots/blisters, he doesn’t feel they provide enough support in the midfoot and his feet were sorer when wearing them compared to his Salomons. He’s talked with different friends and people he met on the trail about other Altras that provide the wide toe box but have more midfoot/shank support and may be looking to try the Altra Olympus or Timp versions.
I’ve hiked in so many different shoes from Salewas to Merrells and have lost toenails twice and had bruised toenails many other times. As such, I decided to try the women’s Altra Lone Peak 5’s when Justin made the switch. I absolutely love the feel of the extra wide toe box and light hiking shoes are a must for me (these are 9.2 oz), so they really ticked some important boxes. However, I have to agree with Justin about having more foot pain (bottom of the foot for me) compared to other shoes I’ve used, so more foot padding would be a plus. If I had to choose between blisters/and or losing toenails though, I’d pick sore feet and stick with the Altras. Hopefully we’ll find a perfect in between soon though (leave a comment if you think you’ve found it!) and post an update if we do.
Final Clothing Tally
Justin
Down jacket x1
Rain jacket x1
Long sleeved shirts x2
Pants or shorts x1
Long underwear pants x1
Underwear x2
Socks x2
Sunhat x1
Sungloves x1
Shoes x1
Betsy
Down jacket x1
Rain jacket x1
Long sleeved shirts x2
Pants or shorts x1
Long underwear top and bottom x1
Underwear x2
Socks x2
Sunhat x1
Shoes x1
If there’s good swimming I sometimes take a sports bra or bikini to pair with my underwear for swimming, but I don’t hike in a bra. If you need the support, taking two quick dry sports bras and alternating with washing just like the underwear and shirts would probably work great, but if you don’t need the support don’t bother! They just trap sweat and aren’t expected on the trail.
