Clothing and Backpacking

By Gabriel Troullier

•Backpacking and being out in the wild can be very enjoyable and very dangerous depending on how you prepare and plan your trip.

•One of the major things that can cause someone to loose their life or have a comfortable trip is the clothing that they bring.

•Rain, Wind, Snow, and Heat can be harmful elements if you are not properly clothed.

Introduction

•The Purpose of various items

•Different Types of Clothing

•Clothing Strategies

•Footwear

•Risks of Not being properly Clothed and how to avoid them

Things You Will Learn

Purpose

• Keeping you well insulated throughout your trip.

• Keeping you protected from the outdoor elements.

• Keeping you comfortable to enjoy the great outdoors.

• Preventing outdoor injuries

Different Clothing• Base layers – Long underwear, Thermals, Tops and

Bottoms• Insulation layers – Sweaters wool & synthetic• Outer layers – Element protection, breathable/water

resistant, semi breathable/waterproof, non breathable/waterproof. Tops and Bottoms

• Wool – lightweight, fast drying, warm• Synthetic fleeces– lighter than wool, faster drying than

wool, warm• Cotton – used in warm environments to repel heat

Clothing Strategy: Comfort

• Waterproof• Fast Drying• Breathable• Insulation• Durability• Lightweight• Freedom of

Movement

Characteristics

Clothing Strategy: Base Layer

• Staying Dry• Managing Moisture• Providing Warmth• Providing Comfort• Long or Short

Purpose

Clothing Strategy: Base Layer

• Synthetic Material• Light Weight • Polyester • Polypropylene• Fast Drying• Avoid Cotton – if

wishing to stay warm

Clothing Strategy: Thermal Layer

• Warmth• Retaining Heat• Wick Moisture• Synthetic Fleeces• Wool

Purpose

Clothing Strategy: Outer Layer

• Made to protect against Rain, Wind, Snow

• Varies on what your doing

• Either more breathable and less waterproof or less breathable and more waterproof

• Three different types

Purpose

Clothing Strategy: Outer Layer

• Wet environments. Rain, Snow

• Cant breath so activities must be minimal

• Typically a durable polyurethane coated nylon

Waterproof non breathable

Clothing Strategy: Outer Layer

• Keeps you cool during high activity

• Not for heavy rain

• Made of tightly woven polyester or activent

Breathable Water Resistant

Clothing Strategy: Outer Layer

• The best for heavy precipitation and high activity

• Must sacrifice a little breathability

Waterproof Little Breathability

Footwear

• Always Break in shoes before trip

• Three different styles

• - Above ankle – Heavy loads, rough terrain

• - Ankle – Moderate loads

• - Below ankle – Light loads, comfortable

• Many materials both natural & synthetic

Footwear

• Above Ankle At Ankle

Below Ankle

Footwear: Socks

• Quick drying

• Water repellant

• Warm

• Soft

• Always have extra dry socks

• Wool or Synthetic

Other

• Beanie

• Hat

• Gloves

Dangers

• Hypothermia

• Frostbite

• Foot Immersion

Hypothermia• Occurs bellow 95 degrees of body temp

• Most deaths occur 30 – 50 degrees

• Violent shivering

• Loss of coordination

• Loss of muscle strength

Hypothermia

• Stay Dry

• Wear proper clothing

• Stay hydrated

• Eat lots of little meals instead of few big ones

• Set a good pace

Avoiding

Hypothermia

• Do not cuddle or apply hot packs

• Consume fluids and food

• Evacuation

• Use two sleeping bags zipped together with two people breathing inside so victim can breath the warmer air

Frostbite

• Freezing of the tissue

• Outside temp below 32 degrees

• Skin temp must be 22 – 24 degrees

Frostbite

• Protect hands and face from wind and cold (gloves, ski mask)

• Keep dry

• Thick wool or fleece socks

Avoiding

Frostbite

• Thaw immediately

• If on hands put them into your coat against your body

• If on feet warm them against another person

• Run under hot water until finger tips or toes turn pink or red

Immersion Foot (Trench Foot)

• Prolonged exposure of feet to damp & cold conditions

• Mostly occurs between 68 & 32 degrees

• 1st stage – cold, swollen, waxy, with blue and reddish splotches

• 2nd stage – hot, swollen, red, blisters. Infection & gangrene are common problems

Immersion Foot (Trench Foot)• Pain can last

lifelong and tissue injury can be developed easily.

Immersion Foot (Trench Foot)

• Avoid non breathing footwear

• Dry feet

• Change socks when wet or sweaty

• Massage feet & elevate periodically

• Wear dry socks to bed or none at all

Avoiding

Immersion Foot (Trench Foot)

• Consume 650 mg of aspirin every 6 hours

• Consume 1 ½ ounces of hard liquor every hour & 2 every 2 hours during sleeping time

• Evacuation

Conclusion

• Keeps you comfortable

• Protects you

• Allows you to travel in conditions normal clothing wouldn’t allow

• Helps prevents dangerous injuries

The End

Work Cited

1. Forgey, William. Basic Essentials Wilderness First Aid. 3rd ed. Helena: Falcon, 2007. 58-60.

2. Schneider, Russ, and Bill Schneider. Backpacking Tips : Trail Tested Wisdom from Falconguide Authors. 2nd ed. Helena: Falcon, 2005. 15-18.

3. Tulin, Philip. "How to choose backpacking clothing." Outdoor Eyes. 2 Nov. 2008 <http://www.outdooreyes.com/choosecampingclothes.php3>.

4. Falk, Erik, comp. "Backpacking clothing for any type of weather." Wilderness backpacking. 2 Nov. 2008 <http://www.wilderness-backpacking.com/backpacking-clothing.html>.

5. "How to prevent hypothermia." EHow. 2 Nov. 2008 <http://www.ehow.com/how_6314_prevent-hypothermia.html>.

6. "Immersion Foot." Wikipedia. 2 Nov. 2008 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/immersion_foot>.