Overland Clothing Selection: Post your favorites

[Scott Brady]

One thing I research and refine more than any other piece of kit is the clothes on my back. Why? You use it every hour of every day and high-quality, well engineered garments can greatly improve comfort and reduce frustration.

So I spent a few minutes compiling my typical adventure clothing lists for both the adventure moto and 4wd. I look forward to hearing about your favorites and why - I might want to add a few to my kit too!

My Checklist: Overland Clothing Checklist

 

[Tacovendor]

Ditto on the Mountain Khakis, I love clothing that is durable, well built and most of all is more comfortable the older it gets!

 

[Corey]

Railriders Extreme Adventure Pants

I own three pair now and have been wearing these at work and on weekends.
Tough as nails and very light weight, and plenty of pockets.
Also 30 SPF.

Railriders Equator-HT Top With Insect Shield

Also 30 SPF, and also it is suppose to keep bugs away entirely.
To cold here for skeeters or black flies, so I will not know until a few months from now how it works at keeping the bugs at bay.

Vasque Scree low hiking shoes

Have not worn these on a trip yet, but I have worn them around town and at work.
The Stealth rubber on the soles is the same as rock climbing shoes, so they are very sticky.
Perfect for the wet rocks one encounters here in the Pacific Northwest while out on trails.

Outback Trading Willis Breezer
Outback Trading Willis Breezer hat via Cabelas

I have two of these now, just picked up the new one a few weeks back.
First one I wear at work during raining weather like today
And also I wear it at work when it is sunny out to prevent sunburns to my naked head as all the hair comes off in May, (past Saturday for me) and I have also worn it camping.

The new one will be for around town and camping, the first one is getting grungy from work and tossed into the work rigs I drive.
I have both colors, but I like the Fieldtan color on the right better.

If any of these clothes here of mine can stand up to the rigors of my job (heavy equipment operator), being out on a camping trip is a breeze for them.

 

[Scott Brady]

Railriders Extreme Adventure Pants

Is that an elastic waistband?

 

[Corey]

Is that an elastic waistband?

Yes, it has elastic in it, plus you can use their belt or your own.

I like how you buy these too, by size and not by inches.
I guess that is where the elastic comes in.

 

[Scott Brady]

I have an aversion to elastic waistbands and convertible pants (the ones with the zip-off little leg bottoms).

Then again, I am a very particular dude. . .

 

[Corey]

I do not believe in convertible pants either.
They just look funny to me.
I would rather wear a pair of high quality Columbia shorts like I have.

The elastic I like very much in the waistband.
I also like the fact the Extreme Adventure pants are nylon, that means they dry quick if you have to wash them while camping, or if you get them wet in a stream or pouring down rain.

 

[toddz69]

I have an aversion to elastic waistbands and convertible pants (the ones with the zip-off little leg bottoms).

Then again, I am a very particular dude. . .

I have found I like the convertible pants for backpacking where minimalist packing is the order of the day. Otherwise, they sit in my closet too.

Todd Z.

 

[Beowulf]

For me it is pants 95% of the time. They have to be either Mtn Khakis or the new Vertx Pants.

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=54552&highlight=vertx

As for shirts I have yet to find the exact fit/material/style I am looking for.

When it comes to footwear it is either Limmer Boots, Chaco Sandals, or a technical canyoneering shoe. Whenever I need socks it has to be Smartwool.

 

[haven]

Agreed that convertible pants look funny. I do wear them in the tropics. It's great to be able to open the zippers part way to increase air circulation when it's 95*F and 95% humidity. In the field, I leave the legs attached and tucked into my socks to keep the chiggers and other crawly things at bay. Just remember to close the zippers when standing near an army ant swarm!

I do love my Tilley hat. I've owned my current T4 model for almost 20 years. It has served faithfully in all sorts of temperatures and weather conditions. I see the current Tilley catalog has models made from synthetics and from hemp. Mine is simple cotton duck.

 

[HopLite]

Cold Weather boots

http://www.schnees.com/product/2613/schnees-insulated-pac-boots

I've had mine for about 4 years. Made in Bozeman, MT. I have worn them elk hunting, horseback riding, hiking, and driving, and recovering friends from ditches in below zero temps. Waterproof (tested when I slid into a high altitude stream), though I keep mine coated with 'SnoSeal'. The replaceable liners are golden. Super comfortable. You will have to get used to the weight. The knobby sole does not load up with snow or mud and gives grip on slimey rock, stumps, etc. Also good during side-hill walking. If you wear them out, send them back to Schnees...they will take them apart and replace/rebuild whatever component has worn out. These are not your typical disposable boot...they are made for lifetime wear. Mine have been beat up and hardly show it. I lace them tight for travel and lace them loose for around camp/relaxing. I have teh 13" and the high calf allows you to either tuck in your pant leg or leave your leg over them and wear a gaitor.

Note: If the temps are above freezing, these are too warm.

 

[Paladin]

I have an aversion to elastic waistbands and convertible pants (the ones with the zip-off little leg bottoms).

I agree, I don't like them, and generally don't wear them. But they have their uses. For canoeing, one pair can serve from the cool morning air, to the warm afternoon. Not to mention, if the portage doesn't have a nice beach and you have to stand in the water, zip the legs off.

Otherwise, just having the zipper in the leg bugs the crap out of me.

For boots, these are the ultimate:

http://www.sorelfootwear.ca/on/dema...T-Site/default/Product-Show?pid=803298416283#

But they're almost impossible to drive in so you need something smaller for in the truck. You can do it, but you're likely to end up with a bootful of Unintended Acceleration.

 

[Scott Brady]

You can do it, but you're likely to end up with a bootful of Unintended Acceleration.

I had that happen once - nearly hit someone in the drive through line.

Some good suggestions here, especially on the footwear side. I have gone away from such technical footwear to more simple, leather units. A personal preference I suppose.

Copied from the article, this is my kit list:
KTM950 Adventure

[#]Sidi Discovery Boots[/#]
[#]Salomon Adventure Racing Shoes (good with water and are bomber)[/#]
[#]Aerostich Darien Light Jacket[/#]
[#]Aerostich Darien Light Pants[/#]
[#](3) pair Saxx Pro Elite Boxer Briefs[/#]
[#](3) Smartwool socks (one thick, two thin, all long)[/#]
[#](3) Exo Dry T-Shirts[/#]
[#](1) Pair Triple Aught Design Amphibious Cargo Pant or Mountain Khakis Granite Creek.* (Note: Granite Creek is thicker and more durable, Amphibious is lighter)[/#]
[#]Aerostich Last Chance Belt[/#]
[#](1) Exofficio GeoTrek’r Synthetic Shirt[/#]
[#](1) Triple Aught Designs Watch Cap[/#]
[#] Overland Journal Baseball cap[/#]



I lay out the pants first, folded at the crotch.* I then lay the shirts and undergarments down and folded over.* I start rolling the pant legs up and then add the shoes.* Everything becomes a compact roll that gets stuffed into a compression sack (waterproof).* No additional jackets.



4wd Vehicle

[#]Born Leather Shoes (dress up or down and are still comfortable to drive in)[/#]
[#]Zamberlan Civetta Leather Boots (I have had only two pairs in nearly 15 years)[/#]
[#]Flip Flops (usually [/#]
[#]Triple Aught Designs Ranger Hoodie Jacket[/#]
[#](1) Triple Aught Design Overland Shirt[/#]
[#](3) Exofficio GeoTrek’r Synthetic Shirts, Long Sleeve[/#]
[#](4) ExO Dry T-Shirts[/#]
[#](1) Cotton T-Shirt[/#]
[#](5) Pair Saxx Pro Elite Boxer Briefs[/#]
[#](5) Smartwool socks, all thin[/#]
[#](2) Pair Mountain Khakis Alpine Utility Pant[/#]
[#] (2) Pair Triple Aught Design Force10 Cargo Pant[/#]
[#] (1) Pair of swim/casual synthetic shorts[/#]
[#] (1) Pair Banana Republic Denim Jeans[/#]
[#] (1) Triple Aught Design Watch Cap[/#]
[#] (1) Overland Journal Baseball Cap[/#]



Extreme Cold / Weather

[#]66 North Down compressible jacket and Glymur Pants[/#]
[#]-35 Boots (I purchased North Face, but they have proven to be a disappointment.* Looking for a replacement)[/#]
[#]Down Booties[/#]

 

[Paladin]

I had that happen once - nearly hit someone in the drive through line.

I learned the hard way that, much to my surprise, my truck has more power in low range than the brakes. My instinct was to push harder on brake, but the truck just went faster. Luckily the only thing in front of me was a snowbank.

I now have "city" type winter boots for driving and keep the mukluks only for use outside.