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Backcountry Clothing

Backcountry Essentials: The Details

 
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⎪TECHNICAL CLOTHING: THE ESSENTIALS

Notes:

Anything you purchase from a link on this website helps finance the continued publication of the Biggest Lines. ALL gear recommendations are based solely on quality and performance, and NOT on any affiliate agreement or vendor obligation. Consideration is given to environmental ethics and social justice. Thank you in advance for your support.



Layering is key. In the backcountry, it’s important to dress not just for the moment, but rather for what lies ahead and around the corner. Add layers if you expect to be cold, shed them if you expect to be warm. All clothing worn in the backcountry should be wool or synthetic—absolutely no cotton! See footnote.[1]

3. Base Layer (light to medium weight insulating layer—according to season and/or prevailing temps)

KEY FEATURES: light to medium weight synthetic or very light merino wool base layer; breathable. You might want to bring both a long and short-sleeved version of this (one can be used as a hut shirt; see below)

SUGGESTIONS (Men): PATAGONIA Capilene Midweight Zip-Neck; PATAGONIA Capilene Midweight Crew; Icebreaker 200 Oasis Crew Top;

SUGGESTIONS (Women): PATAGONIA Capilene Midweight Zip-Neck; PATAGONIA Capilene Midweight Crew; Icebreaker 200 Oasis Crew Top

4. Insulated ‘Puffy’ (Down or Synthetic Insulated Jacket)

KEY FEATURES: lightweight, warm, well-constructed, packable, hood preferred

SUGGESTIONS (Men): LIGHT AND FAST: ARC’TERYX Men’s Nuclei FL Jacket; COOL: PATAGONIA Men's Micro Puff Hoody; PATAGONIA Men’s Micro Puff Jacket; Montbell Alpine Light Down Jacket Men’s (NYTimes 2024 Wirecutter Favorite); COLD: ARC’TERYX Men’s Thorium AR Hoody; Men's Hometown Down Hooded Jacket (NYTimes 2024 Wirecutter Favorite)

SUGGESTIONS (Women): LIGHT AND FAST: ARC’TERYX Women’s Nuclei Fl Jacket; COOL: PATAGONIA Women's Down Sweater Jacket; PATAGONIA Women's Down Sweater Hoody; PATAGONIA Women's Micro Puff Hoody; PATAGONIA Women's Nano Puff Jacket; Montbell Alpine Light Down Jacket Women’s (NYTimes 2024 Wirecutter Favorite); COLD: ARC’TERYX Women’s Thorium AR Hoody

5. Ski Pants[2]

KEY FEATURES: warm, durable, lightweight, waterproof, breathable, reinforced seat/knees/cuffs, zippered vents/pockets.

SUGGESTIONS (Men): ARC'TERYX Men's Beta AR Pants; PATAGONIA Men’s PowSlayer Pants; PATAGONIA Men’s Insulated Powderbowl Pants

SUGGESTIONS (Women): ARC'TERYX Women's Beta AR Pants; PATAGONIA Women's PowSlayer Pants; MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR Women’s Superforma

6. Belt

KEY FEATURES: lightweight, nylon, friction buckle (can be used as a lash strap in a pinch!)
SUGGESTIONS (Unisex): PATAGONIA Tech Web Belt; PATAGONIA Friction Belt

7. Long Underwear Tops

(bring one extra top for multi-day tours; see Base Layer description)

8. Long Underwear Bottoms

KEY FEATURES: light to medium synthetic or very light merino wool base layer

SUGGESTIONS (Men): MODERATE TEMPS: PATAGONIA Capilene Midweight Bottoms; COLD TEMPS: PATAGONIA Capilene Thermal Weight Bottoms; Icebreaker 200 Zone Leggings

SUGGESTIONS (Women): MODERATE TEMPS: PATAGONIA Capilene Midweight Bottoms; COLD TEMPS: PATAGONIA Capilene Thermal Weight Bottoms; Icebreaker 150 Zone Legging

9. Ski/Snowboard Socks

KEY FEATURES: warm, over the calf, Merino wool blend is best

SUGGESTIONS (Unisex): Smartwool PhD Ski Medium Socks; Smartwool PhD Pro Freeski; ICEBREAKER Ski+ Medium OTC Socks

10. Hut Socks/Extra Socks

KEY FEATURES: Over the calf, Merino wool blend. Keep one fresh pair in the bottom of your backpack to sleep with every night. Dry out used/damp socks overnight.

SUGGESTIONS (Unisex): Smartwool PhD Ski Medium Socks; Smartwool PhD Pro Freeski; ICEBREAKER Ski+ Medium OTC Socks; PATAGONIA Lightweight Merino Performance Knee Socks; Smartwool PhD Ski Ultra Light Socks (ultra light socks are for use in hut or as liner)

12. Light Gloves (for skinning up in bright sunshine, rope handling, and as an extra pair in case of emergency)

KEY FEATURES: warm, water resistant, wind resistant, breathable fabric

SUGGESTIONS: ARC'TERYX Men's Venta Gloves; OUTDOOR RESEARCH Women’s Stormtracker Sensor Gloves

14. Brimmed Hat, Visor, or Baseball Cap

SUGGESTIONS (Unisex): PATAGONIA Line Logo Ridge LoPro Trucker Hat; PATAGONIA Airshed Visor; Special mulit-sport option worth considering: PATAGONIA Men’s RO Hoody

15. Ear Plugs

Important for getting much needed sleep in the often cramped quarters of a hut or shared tent!


⎪ADDITIONAL CLOTHING/ACCESSORIES

Short-Sleeved Shirt (optional)

A light synthetic or very light merino wool breathable base layer for the hut and/or sleeping bag. See Base Layer section above for suggestions.

Camp/Hut Booties (optional)

SUGGESTIONS: CORDILLERA Men's Tent Booties; CORDILLERA Women's Tent Booties

Haul Bag

SUGGESTIONS: PATAGONIA Black Hole Duffel Bag; NORTH FACE Duffel Bags (the classic)

Ski Bag

SUGGESTIONS: PATAGONIA Black Hole Snow Roller; DAKINE High Roller Snowboard Bag




Important Gear Considerations:


Weight, Durability, Necessity, Applicability


Match your gear selection to the requirements of your objective.
Extra weight can not only hinder the completion of your objective, it can also compromise your safety.
Pack smart and pack light. But be conservative.

[1] COTTON KILLS

Cotton fabric does not breathe well and does not dry efficiently after it becomes wet. Perspiration and snowmelt can soak cotton clothing and contribute to rapid loss of body temperature, hypothermia, even death.

[2] A NOTE ON PANTS (as described by Kathy Cosley and Mark Houston, Cosley et Houston Alpine Guides):

There are two different strategies for pants: 1) woven stretch WATER-RESISTANT "soft-shell" or 2) WATER PROOF “hard shell” finish shell pants. Some soft shell options have insulating qualities that can replace the need for long underwear on day tours or spring temperatures. Hard Shell options tend to require additional insulation underneath, but also have zippered venting for uphill travel and warmer daytime temps.

Soft Shell Style
These pants are usually worn over bare legs, though long underwear can be added in unusually cold weather. They have a good hard finish for wind and water resistance, but are not waterproof. Long underwear bottoms (optional) complete a very warm combination for mid-winter or especially tough weather tours. For late season tours (think mid-March, April or even May) these soft shell pants are cooler and more breathable. Combine with waterproof shell pants in foul weather. Avoid pants with suspenders as they are much more complicated to get into "on the fly".

Hard Shell Style
With the advancement of fabric technology, hard shell clothing is more breathable, and has a softer, more comfortable feel. Many skiers are now touring in shell pants, especially in the early season when the weather is cool. Usually, these pants are worn with a very light under layer for warmth and comfort. Virtually all models have zip venting. Since the pants are essentially waterproof, no additional shell is needed (as may be with a soft shell pant).

CAUTION 

THE BIGGEST LINES IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR INJURY OR LOSS OF ANY KIND. ANYONE ATTEMPTING THE ROUTES LISTED HERE OR USING ANY OF THE SUGGESTED OR RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY.

BE PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY PREPARED. BE PROPERLY EQUIPPED. SEEK PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE AND/OR INSTRUCTION ON TECHNIQUE, METHODOLOGY, SAFETY PROTOCOL, AND PROPER EQUIPMENT USE.

MONITOR THE WEATHER. TRAVEL WITH A CAPABLE AND TRUSTED PARTNER. USE GOOD JUDGEMENT. BE READY TO TURN BACK IF THE OBJECTIVE BECOMES TOO CHALLENGING, OR IF CONDITIONS BECOME DANGEROUS. LIVE TO SKI ANOTHER DAY.