Pants for starting in March

imported
#1

I know I’ve asked gear questions before, but I’ll be more specific this time because this will hopefully be by last gear question before I leave.

I’m so torn as to what to wear on my lower half when I start in March. When it gets warm I’m going to be wearing my kilt for the majority of the time, but what about the cold weather? Should I go with a base layer under the kilt? Will that be warm enough? Will I be fine with a baselayer/kilt and rain/wind pants (precips) when it gets cold? Should I go for some other hiking pants? What about another insulating layer? What about sleeping?

That’s a lot of questions, I realize this, but I’m getting mixed messages. I’ve been reading trailjournals gear lists and looking at photos from march starts of the past few years, unfortunately that just gave me more options and added to my indecisiveness.

Advice from past thru-hikers would be mucho mucho appreciated.

Wyatt

Wyatt (as yet trailneameless)

#2

when hot, wear kilt.

when cold, wear kilt.

when sleeping, remove kilt.

if you really need something else, get some tights like nike dryfit tights.

Bloody Cactus

#3

I would get some long tights and rainpants. No need for regular paints with this combo.
I usually hike in short tights and a mini skirt during the day but when it’s freezing I’ll wear the long tights and when it’s really cold and/or wet I put the rainpants over those. I like the long tights to sleep in during cold nights too (some of those March nights were really cold last year).

Remember, you can always send the stuff home if it turns out that you don’t need it.

Apple Pie (PCT03 CDT04 and will finish that AT sucker this year)

Apple Pie

#4

I’ve worn both tights and pants. I think the pants are warmer – maybe because of the layer of air trapped between the pants and my legs.

yogi

www.pcthandbook.com

yogi

#5

i just gave you one it Tombstone…so now you have one

bull

#6

I use hind drylete tights and montane featherlight pants in my layering system. They work well and are about ten ounces for both pairs I find tights and wind pants add more versatility than just a pair of heavy nylon pants.

Yo-YO

#7

i am partial to a pair of running shorts and lite weight patagonia bottoms. you can actually see rain beading on the longjohns. i added gators to the mix last week in the smokies and was always comfortable. i was thinking though, what if i made some fleece leg warmers, ya’ know? they wouldn’t add more than 3oz and would be welcome when it got REALLY nasty.

the matt