Clothing question - newbie

imported
#1

I have a good idea of the type of clothing/layering that i need, but i’m curious as to how many changes most folk carry for long hikes. i’ve never been out more than a couple weeks, so i’ve never had to do laundry on the trail.

how many complete changes of clothes do you carry? how often to you go into town for laundry? (avoiding in-town business is one of my priorities, but so is weight) i’m obviously prepared to be dirty and smelly, but not to the point that hygiene becomes a health concern.

hikerjohnson

#2

Your mind and body will tell you when you are ready for a break from the routine of hiking everyday. One hiker put it this way,“My job for six months was to get up each morning and hike 14 miles.” It’s nice to get a break from our jobs from time to time.
One change of clothes is enough. But, for pants, I consider rain pants as my second pair. Converta pants give you long pants and shorts. The main reason for one change is to help you have something to wear that is dry. If you do not use not cotton material, your clothes will be fast drying. Put soap and water into a stuff bag and you have a washing machine. Pin wet clothes to the outside of your pack as your hike and they will soon be dry. To wash you might have to brave some cold water, but a dunk in a stream is refreshing.
If you carry three pairs of socks, rotate hiking in two pair, leave the other pair only to wear at camp, so you will have a nice dry pair to wear.
Try to plan your town stops in towns that are right on the trail. Some places are easier to hitch than others and sometimes you will just have to walk the extra miles. There are countless opportunities for easy access to towns and post offices all along the AT. Just have a guidebook. So, don’t be tempted to carry extra clothes. Remember the story of two guys from Maine. One had only one shirt, the other changed his shirt everyday. One ended up with 365 dirty shirts, the other guy only ended up with one.

rambler

#3

By one complete change I am not including a long sleeve shirt or any other outerwear like sweater or equivalent. I meant: two t-shirts, two underwear, 3 pr. socks. That’s it for extras.

rambler

#4

I’ve always made my long hikes with just the clothes I’m wearing, no extra except socks and underwear (optional for some). I’ll do laundry almost daily on the trail by rinsing the sweat and dust out at every opportunity, without soap. I wear the clothes wet and they air dry. That keeps me healthier (no infections, cysts, and rashes that plague some) and not too stinky. A good rainstorm is a free shower and laundry. I’ll look for a laundromat every week or so. While doing laundry in town I’ll wear my rain gear or drape myself in my tent. Townies are used to it.

Garlic

#5

Those were both helpful. I’m always a bit of a minimalist, so you’ve pretty much supported what I already had in mind. Thanks!

hikerjohnson

#6

I just make sure I have sufficient layers, nighttime can be incredibly rough! I have done a NoBo hike where nights went into the single digits.

Steve