Choosing The Right Camping Outfit: Go For Function And Comfort

When it comes to planning a camping outfit, function and comfort usually come before fashion. So when you’re deciding on the clothes to pack for a camping trip, be sure to bring items that you feel most comfortable in and that will best protect you from the elements.

Here is a list of must-have clothing items for your camping outfit, separated into fair weather camping and cool climate camping clothes.

If you’re camping on fair weather, here are some essentials:

Light, cotton T-shirts

Choose shirts that are a bit loose instead of shirts that are form-fitting; the latter might leave you feeling uncomfortable when it starts sticking to your skin while you’re under the hot afternoon sun.

Shorts

Similar to the shirts, make sure to wear and pack “breezy shorts”, instead of ones that are too tight they cling to your body when you sweat and make you feel uneasy.

Socks

Always bring a few extra pairs of socks - you never know when you might step on a puddle or on ankle-high mud. They can also serve as your feet’s protection when it gets very cold at night.

A Hat, Cap or Visor and Sunglasses

At least once in a camping trip, you’ll be hiking under the very strong heat of the sun, and you would need something to cover your head and your face as well as protect your eyes from harmful, damaging rays.

Also, it is advisable to purchase sunglasses that have built-in UV protection to help further minimize your exposure to harmful light.

Rain Gear (A Rain Poncho or a Raincoat)

Although you’ll be hiking under presumably fair weather, a sudden rainstorm might hit and affect your camping trip. Hence it is always best to pack rain gear to protect your from the effects of unexpected weather patterns.

Along with the items above, here are some clothing pieces you should bring in case you’re camping in cold weather:

A Sweater
When hiking in a cool climate, it’s advisable to dress in layers – for instance, wearing a sweater over a shirt, that’s over another shirt – so that when it gets cool you can just take off the first layer of your outfit, and when it gets quite cold, you can just as easily put it back on.

Wool Pants

When camping in cold weather, you’ll need clothes that will provide insulation, and wool pants are a great alternative to expensive pants made out of synthetic fibers

Always remember that when preparing a camping outfit, function comes before fashion. Of course, a little style never hurt anyone, so don’t forget about that altogether either.