When Bill Irwin spoke at The Gathering of ALDHA in Hanover, NH last October he mentioned that he bounced some town clothing so that he could dress clean and well while in town. Does anyone else do this? Is it a common practice? Does the feel of Cotton satisfy some inner comfort zone? Can anyone make some comments on this practice?
Skylander
I have never seen a thru hiker bounce clean clothes. I dont see the need for it. I was satisfied with wearing the exact same clothes day in and day out. Would be nice, though, to have a change of clothes at the laundromat … i was forced to wear my rain jacket and a towel from the hotel while my clothes were tumbling on low heat … not that bad expect for the funny and ambigious looks fellow customers give you …
waldo
I agree that hardly anyone bounces clothes. I did on occasion go to a dollar store and a couple bucks for a tee shirt and shorts to wear while my stinky clothes were being washed. On other occasions I wore my rain gear which was very hot in the summer. I remember a hostel in Maine that provided some clothes to wear while you were washing yours. I can tell you that I did miss cotton and wool when I was hiking. I think they just feel better.
Big B
The idea has been rumbling around in my brain ever since I heard Bill Irwin’s talk. I am thinking that in selected towns such as Hanover, NH or Gatlingburg, TN or Hot Springs, NC and such would be a nice change from the synthetics. The little stops or the places where just a quick stop was necessary it wouldn’t be crucial. But it would be nice to be able to go out to a decent restaurant in some nice clothes with good shoes and so on. Perhaps even use some deoderant. Wow, like a civilized human! I need to interrupt my hike with three trips (social obligations) and so it would be good to have clothing that is useful for traveling.
Skylander
Bounced PJ bottoms, some t-shirts and underware. Works great, grab a shower put on your flops and some clean COTTON and stroll down to the DQ or pizza place while the funky duds are doin’. Send out the bouncer the next day. We never wore them longer enough to get them dirty. I think we did wash the set maybe three time in six months.
B+B
I don’t bounce my town clothes, but I do have them. Its just a cotton tee and bathing suit. I keep in a bag and only wear them while in town for the night or for laundry and resupply
Chef
Bill Irwin hiked in 1990. Some may have bounced clothes then, but I never knew of anyone doing it now. I suspect that most are like me. They tried to do laundry promptly while in town. I wear Frogg Toggs while doing laundry.
Peaks
i carry soccer shorts to be politicaly correct in laundrimats. not stylish. the idea of bouncing some funky duds is great, but when it came down to it i dont think i would bother.
milo