What to wear camping
Picking the right clothes will have a huge impact on your trip, arriving unprepared will leave you feeling uncomfortable and affect how much you enjoy your time away. If you pack appropriately, manage your body temperature and stay dry, everything else will fall into place.
When thinking about what to wear during your camping trip you should pack separate outfits for daytime and evening. The main reason behind this is the temperature can change significantly in the evening and you don’t want to be wearing the same clothes that could be dirty, wet and sweaty. We’ll mention ‘wicking’ a few times, Wicking refers to a fabric’s ability to draw moisture and/or sweat away from your skin and move it to the fabric’s outer surface, where it can dry quickly.
If you’re planning on being a bit more adventurous, add one more to our option recommendations, it’s always better to have a back up and not need it.
We’ve set out our recommendations for a 2 night trip which you can scale up depending on the length of your stay.
Base Layer
Your base layer is the item of clothing closest to your skin, this should be made from soft, quick drying material with moisture-wicking properties.
- Merino Wool t-shirt- (our choice)
- Gym shirts
- Cotton t-shirt
(4 options - 2 night stay)
Primary Mid Layer
The primary mid layer sit on top of your base layer, these are the items you’ll wear the most during your trip so make sure they are durable and comfortable. Primary mid layers include:
- Shirt
- Long sleeve t-shirts
- Jumper
- Light Hoodie
(2 options - 2 night stay)
Secondary Mid Layer
The secondary mid-layer is the insulative layer that provides warmth, options include:
-
lightweight fleece
-
jacket
-
lightweight compressible animal friendly down jacket
(2 options - 2 night stay)
Waterproof Outer Layer
The weather can be unpredictable so having a waterproof outer layer close to hand is essential on any trip. Not only do they keep the wind and rain out, they also keep the warmth in if the temperature drops.
If your campsite allows fire pits, cheaper options are advised as you don’t want a flying ember putting a hole in your expensive new jacket!
Mac is a sac is a great option here
- Waterproof Jacket
(One rain jacket 2 night stay)
Lower Body
Your lower body clothing should be water resistant, quick drying, durable and allow full range of movement. Avoid jeans and tracksuit bottoms as they absorb moisture making them heavy and uncomfortable. Options include:
-
Hiking trousers
-
Cargo/Tactical trousers
-
Shorts for particularly hot days
-
If is really cold adding a base layer is a good option
(2 options 2 night stay)
Underwear/Socks
Bring enough for 2 changes a day, you want a day and night time pair. Hiking socks are highly recommended if you plan on going for long walks.
You’ll also want to change your socks twice a day. We recommend taking quick dry or wool socks.
(6 pairs - 2 night stay)
Footwear
A comfortable pair of shoes is extremely important, think about what you’ll be doing on your trip and plan appropriately. We highly recommend ankle high walking boots if you plan on hitting the trails.
- Walking boots
- Trainers
- Wellies
- Flip flops or Crocs - for lounging and showers
(2 options 2night stay)
What to sleep in
Our pick is a full body merino wool base layer, this option keeps you comfortable and warm during the evening, they also help manage your body temperature due to the wicking properties. Underwear and a t-shirt will also do the trick on warmer evenings.
- Merino wool - full body base layer
- Thermal base layer
- PJs
(1 option)
Things to remember
- Always sleep dry. Take off every layer. Strip down and put on a fresh pair of underwear and socks every night before going to bed
- Choose layers over large insulated items (but don't forget a warm coat during colder seasons)
- It’s better to have too many items than not enough
- Long sleeves protect you from the elements and nature.
⚠️ What to avoid :
- Expensive articles and jewellery
- Denim clothing
- Perfume and cologne
