A look at the clothing I brought.
What I wore.
Clockwise from top left:
Baleaf Men's 7" Running Shorts (6.3 oz) VERDICT: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved these shorts. Lightweight, dried quickly, with two front pockets and one small, zippered pocket in the back (perfect for ID, credit card, and $$$). Had a mesh liner which allowed me to leave the undies at home.
Patagonia Lightweight Capilene S/S shirt (3.2 oz)
VERDICT: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 Another winner. Patagonia is expensive stuff but it's quality. Lightweight, dried quickly, held up well. Get's a 1/2 star ding because it doesn't resist odor as well as merino wool. It wasn't a big issue though and I'd use this shirt again (after a good wash, of course).
Darn Tough Hike/Trek Micro Crew Socks (2.6 oz)
VERDICT: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Is there a better hiking sock out there? I don't think so. 280 miles and they show little signs of wear. And they're Vermont-made!
Brooks Cascadia 13 Trail-Running Shoes - Men's (24.6 oz)
VERDICT: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Very good shoe for me. Shoes are so specific to each individual that I felt fortunate to find one that worked well for me, but it took some trial and error. I tried at least three other brands before finding these. No blisters but my toes got pretty beat up. Lightweight, dried easily, and held up reasonably well. There were some tears in the mesh on the sides by the end and the rubber toe guard is ripped to shreds. But these shoes aren't really made to last more than 500-600 miles. I took off one star only because I'm not sure if a different type of hiking shoe, one with more heft in the sole for more protection, would have made sense. I think a heavier shoe would have had its own issues so overall I was very happy with these.
Dirty Girl Gaiters (1.4 oz)
VERDICT: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I got a lot of compliments on my hippie-style gaiters. They kept the inside of my shoes debris-free so I was pleased with these. I started getting stuff in my shoes through the tears in the mesh on the sides of the shoe but not much could be done about that.
Buff Original Multifunctional Headwear (1.2 oz) (not pictured here but is in a subsequent post) VERDICT: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I’ve had this versatile piece of gear for years and love it. I often look liken an idiot when I wear it but I used it as a hat when it was cold, a sweatband when it was hot, as a pillow cover, and an extra rag. Highly recommend!
My extra/packed clothes.
Top row (left to right):
Patagonia Lightweight Capilene L/S shirt (4.3 oz) VERDICT: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I used this as my sleep shirt. Same as my main blue hiking shirt but with long sleeves.
Montane Allez Micro Pull-On fleece (6.0 oz) VERDICT: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Surprisingly warm for such a thin, lightweight fleece. Wore every evening around camp and usually slept in it as well. If it was a chilly morning, I'd wear it on the first part of my hike out. All killer, no filler.
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Jacket (8.9 oz)
VERDICT: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Another winner. Very light but warm. Wore at least half the nights as the temps dipped and wore it two to three times while sleeping when it got really cold at night.
Middle row (left to right):
ExOfficio Give-N-Go Sport Mesh Briefs - (2.0 oz)
VERDICT: N/A Only wore these with my town shorts, which have no inner liner. Could probably have left them home.
Old pair of Brooks running shorts for sleep/town (4.0 oz) VERDICT: N/A Only wore these in town or for sleep when my regular shorts were wet/damp but I'm glad I had them. You gotta sleep and having wet shorts would not be your friend in that regard. I'd bring these again.
Darn Tough Hike/Trek Micro Crew Socks (2.7 oz) VERDICT: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Same as my main hiking socks but I only used them in camp or town. I wanted to ensure I had a dry pair of socks at all times so I'd never use these to hike unless it was a day I was heading into town.
Zpacks Vertice Rain Jacket (5.6 oz) VERDICT: ⭐️⭐️ I wasn't too happy with this piece of gear. The taped seams on the inside of one of the sleeve came apart and I got some chaffing from the pit zips. This was an expensive jacket and I wouldn't recommend it. Very disappointing. (I should have brought the burnt orange OR Helium rain jacket pictured above.) But this jacket and my original trekking poles were the only things that failed me. Not bad considering it was my first really long hike.
Zpacks Vertice Rain Pants (3.5 oz) VERDICT: N/A Only wore them once when it was brutally cold at the Sterling Pond Shelter on Day 6. Will likely go with a kilt next time but it depends on the hike and the conditions to faced. If it's an exposed ridge walk like the Pemi Loop, these could serve as wind pants if it's cold.
Bottom row (left to right):
Xero Z-Trail Sandals (11.3 oz) VERDICT: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Some in the ultralight crowd eschew camp shoes due to the extra weight but I'm so glad I brought these. Allowed my feet to dry out when my hiking shoes got wet with rain, mud, and/or sweat (which was often). Won't leave home without them now.
Hyperlite Pod - small (1.1 oz) VERDICT: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This was a perfect little suitcase in my backpack. Shaped like a D to fit well with the main body of the backpack, it layered perfectly on top of my sleeping quilt and is waterproof. I used it to store my extra clothes, electronics, spare TP, inflatable pillow, and repair kit. You have to be a stacker/layer for this to work for you but I absolutely loved it. It's surprisingly simple but useful piece of kit.
Marmot rain cap (1.9 oz) VERDICT: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I have had this baseball-style hat for years. It only came out when it rained to keep the raindrops off my glasses. Did its job.
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