I've looked at temps and it looks like we 're going to average 60 highs and 40 lows. I'm fulling expecting below freezing at least a night or two.

We have a couple of Warbonnet Blackbirds with no underquilts but we do have our sleeping pads. Exped and Thermarest I hope will work. Shifting pads in the night sucks I know but we'll have to deal with that. We have some somewhat low temp bags so I think that "should" be ok.

So .. What kind of clothing would you bring for this trip?

merino base layer(tops and bottoms), wool socks, polypro hat , fleece or wool shirt, wool or decent polypro jacket, heavier quickdry shirt and pants(or wool pants), rain gear, fleece or wool gloves. Layers, layers, layers. I think that about does it. Feel like I'm missing something, but not sure what it would be.

dogwoodgirl: "merino base layer(tops and bottoms), wool socks, polypro hat , fleece or wool shirt, wool or decent polypro jacket, heavier quickdry shirt and pants(or wool pants), rain gear, fleece or wool gloves. Layers, layers, layers. I think that about does it. Feel like I'm missing something, but not sure what it would be."

See? I didn't even consider gloves but YEAH. That's kind of a good idea!

Comment above is serious. Comment below is a complete joke.

So you are basically saying .. just load up on cotton and wing it. :)

Wool.
This time of year I make sure to pack my wool bibs, wool long sleeved shirt, wool hat and wool socks. After that, make sure any raingear can fit over your wool clothing. I was as snug as a bug in my wool layers with raingear over it one October when it was sleeting/raining the whole day I was canoeing.

Thanks .. unfortunately I'm a little lite on wool. I've got socks and long-johns but that's were it ends. I have a ton of polyester stuff for mid summer / rain. That might make a decent wind break at least. Obviously I live in MN so I have all the winter to spring gear. I just don't know what transfers and what doesn't?

It might be wise to invest in at least a wool long sleeve. The trick with this time of year is that when you’re paddling, you will sweat and unless you want to change clothes when you stop paddling, you’re going to get cold with a sweaty shirt on...unless it’s wool. Wool will hold heat and keep you warm even when wet. Anything over 60% wool content will do the trick for September. I bring two wool long sleeves and basically alternate them and I usually throw a puffer jacket over myself when it gets cool in the mornings or evenings. Lots of wool shirt options at a moderate cost. Well worth it imho. I hope you have a great trip!

Tony

Under Armour base layer top n bottom.

If lacking the wool clothing, polar fleece works very well too, though it often requires an additional wind barrier when using it.

Also, with the hammocks I'd think you'd want an additional wind barrier as well. Something like an underquilt protector. As I was transitioning from ground sleeping and before I had an underquilt, I used the footprint of a two person tent under my sleeping pad.

Layers is key and Dogwoodgirl’s layers list mirrors my shoulder season clothing.

Last year I swapped out my mid-layer fleece for a down puffy coat. Love it! Warmer, lighter, and more compact than a fleece. Downside is they are expensive but shop around and buying last year’s style at end-of-season helps. I got mine at an REI sale for about 50% off.

I have used an army poncho liner to create a cocoon around my hammock. The corner ties work very well over a ridgeline, obviously under and clear of the tarp, or in my case over the bug netting. It is also possible to use the poncho liner as an underquilt. Inexpensive, packs well and has multiple uses...long live the poncho liner.

Have to say, Dogwoodgirl pretty much described my packing list - with the emphasis on wool. Two things I’ll add that can help quite a bit are (1) a merino wool Buff - the extra warmth around the neck and face really helps, and I’ll also use it sometimes on my head as a cap or over a ball cap. And (2) if you happen to be using tall rubber boots, add a wool felt insole. Adds comfort and a great deal of warmth. If size is an issue, you could always stop by Fleet Farm ( or similar) and get some sized up one for about $20.

Down is great until it gets wet so I bring a Dacron polyester type fill which you can wring out and put back on if you take a spill. Its not as compact as down but it makes a fluffy pillow in a GG zip sack.

Whats a good brand name for a wool underlayer?

Peter999: "Whats a good brand name for a wool underlayer?"

I like the SmartWool Merino 250 top & bottoms.

Double post

Peter999: "Whats a good brand name for a wool underlayer?"

I like Minus 33 for a merino wool base layer

TipsyPaddler: "

Peter999: "Whats a good brand name for a wool underlayer?"

I like the SmartWool Merino 250 top & bottoms."

Me too. I’m sure there are other good brands, but I’ve had good luck with Smartwool and love the feel. It can often be found at pretty steep discounts online if you look around and are not color-fussy.

Just as temps were creeping down last week I was finishing my trip on the SHT, and slept in Hot Chillies thermal underwear bottoms, and 1/4 zip top. I had a 40 degree sleeping bag on an exped which was not sufficient, and hand warmers which barely held that ship together (I sacrificed warmth for weight).

Make sure have a 20-less sleeping bag top quilt, thermal underwear, hat, gloves, wool sox, and hand warmers. You can always add your puffer jacket (as I did) as an extra layer over your foot, or middle box.

During the day I'm really moving so my needs might be different than yours, but I also LOVE "Camptober" which is usually a more relaxing style trip. I pack thermals, or thermal tights if you're a lady... thick wool socks, layers up the wazoo, a thermal vest, a warmer coat, rain coat for sure... nothing will mess with you more than if you're wet and cold... and gloves. Just go buy a pack of finger gloves from Target for $1.49 or whatever they cost now-adays...

Grab yourself a neck gator or buff as well. Plus it doubles as a COVID mask.

Make sure to pack rain pants too.

Wet feet are not a lot of fun.

I will be heading in for four nights on the 20th. My clothing packing list will include a synthetic fleece for nights around the fire, Smartwool socks and base layers for during the day, and wool gloves.
At night, whenever I'm hammock camping I wear my army issue silk long underwear as it keeps me warm and keeps the hammock clean. When it get's into the 30's and below I add my army issue polypropylene long underwear as well. In addition I have thick wool socks on my feet and a Smartwool balaclava on my head. I top it off with a Black Rock Gear down hat. . Remember that it's cooler sleeping in a hammock than in a tent so you really need to supplement your sleep system. At some point you may want to invest in a 20 degree down underquilt. It will be worth it's weight in gold. I highly recommend the Hammock Gear Incubator.

Peter999: "Whats a good brand name for a wool underlayer?"

I'm amazed at how many 100% merino sweaters I find at the 2nd hand store in my dinky Iowa town. I've probably got 10 of them that I spent a total of $40 on. I buy them too small to use as underlayers and too big as overlayers. I am also tough on gear and don't care if I wreck a $2 sweater. Of course, the ribbing you'll take when you're wearing an arglye sweater with two sweater vests over it may diminish some of the joy.

Wool bottoms are much tougher to find. Santa had to bring me some brand new wool long-underwear bottoms.

okinaw55: "

dogwoodgirl: "merino base layer(tops and bottoms), wool socks, polypro hat , fleece or wool shirt, wool or decent polypro jacket, heavier quickdry shirt and pants(or wool pants), rain gear, fleece or wool gloves. Layers, layers, layers. I think that about does it. Feel like I'm missing something, but not sure what it would be."

See? I didn't even consider gloves but YEAH. That's kind of a good idea!


Comment above is serious. Comment below is a complete joke.


So you are basically saying .. just load up on cotton and wing it. :)
"

One other note is that skin gets pretty raw in the cold and wet of fall camping. I find a superthin pair of leather gloves (kidskin or similar) save your hands from lots of wear and tear. I try to put them on any time I'm handling wood and lots of other times.

Wow .. didn't expect this plethora of responses. I appreciate everyone's input immensely. A couple of years ago we went in early June and it was raining every day and we bounced between 60 and 40. It was in truth a miserable trip but one I will remember forever.

I'm not looking to repeat that experience but if it comes our way, we'll deal with it. I don't recall being cold on that trip at all, wet yes, but not cold. That could be because 40 felt a whole lot better than -40 but who knows. I think I have a grasp on the clothing based on your input and I think it will turn out to be a good trip. Thanks again bwca.com for coming through with the best knowledge and advice.

bhouse46: "I have used an army poncho liner to create a cocoon around my hammock. The corner ties work very well over a ridgeline, obviously under and clear of the tarp, or in my case over the bug netting. It is also possible to use the poncho liner as an underquilt. Inexpensive, packs well and has multiple uses...long live the poncho liner. "

bhouse thats epic! Nice use of extra gear.

We both have the xlc's with the optional silnylon top to replace the netting. I've already switched out our hammocks for this and won't bring the netting along. I hope this gives us about 10-15 degrees +. It will be our first time trying it so why not do it somewhere you're screwed if it doesn't work right? I'm kidding. As long as we don't swamp we'll be living the high life you would expect from a million dollar resort. If we do swamp, we will still make do as we always have.

Jaywalker: "

TipsyPaddler: "

Peter999: "Whats a good brand name for a wool underlayer?"

I like the SmartWool Merino 250 top & bottoms."

Me too. I’m sure there are other good brands, but I’ve had good luck with Smartwool and love the feel. It can often be found at pretty steep discounts online if you look around and are not color-fussy."

Yep, my top is gray and my bottoms are black. The camp chipmunks often roll their eyes at my lack of clothing color coordination as I have my first cup of coffee in the morning. Definitely shop around and leverage end-of-season sales.

I have wool, poly, and wool/poly blend baselayers. They all work...I like my wool, but some of my poly stuff is super nice as well. As long as you aren't rolling cotton, you're fine.

I was in the park Labor Day week when it was 50s/30s-I paddled all day in a LS polyester shirt, trail shorts, boots, and wool socks. Totally comfy. At night it was thermals, fleece pants and top, and a beanie for hanging out, just thermals in the hammock, using a homemade underquilt and my 20° bag opened and on top of me. I was beyond comfy. In the morning when it was coldest, I put the fleece getup back on and added a thin puffy and beanie till coffee time was over. Actually pretty perfect weather.

I just returned from a solo out of entry #47. Right before I left I had been reading this thread and decided at the last minute to purchase a merino wool underlayer (tops gray, bottom green, but who cares?) It dropped down into the 20's a couple of nights and I had a layer of ice in my water containers in the morning. I was so thankful for the wool underlayer!

Also (OT for this thread) my Silky Gomboy was a hero. I processed a ton of wood very quickly - even left a nice stack on a campsite on Horseshoe. I took some nice beaver wood, half submerged even, cut it into 1 foot pieces, and they burned nicely once the water boiled out.

Anyway, thanks to all for great advice on this thread - I was cozy and comfortable!

Dave

Look at Icebreaker brand in the wool. Some of our long johns and shirts are SmartWool and some are Icebreaker. I always bought what I could get on sale, and like others have said, no preference on color makes it easier to get woolen layers that way.

We have IceBreaker Tech Lite Merino t-shirts and they are wonderful. No sweat-, no smell, and incredibly soft--softer than cotton and no itch. They are a great layer over the base wool layer on a really cold day, or under other clothing when it isn't as cold. It was cold when we did our recent cabin week on the Gunflint and we wore them almost every day.

Heavy wool socks for sleeping and we take a set of silk underwear (long johns and long-sleeve shirt) for in the sleeping bag. Not worn during the day.