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05/21/2022 06:29AM  
So I making my first trip to BWCA the last week of June with my two boys. Our clothing list is as follows:
Raincoat and pants
Pants
Swimsuit or convertible pants
Shirts
Underwear
Fleece pullover
Warm-ups
Base Layer
Neck gator/buff
Hat(s)
Beanie
Paddle shoes
Camp shoes

Do you see anything we are missing or shouldn't bring? Thanks!
 
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tumblehome
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05/21/2022 06:39AM  
Hi FindHim,

Socks.

You’re gonna get a ton of varied replies. Clothes planning can depend on wether but end of June is usually warm to hot.

Keep clothes to a minimum. Avoid cotton. While it is comfortable, it soaks water and is very hard to dry. Convertible pants serve as shorts/pants/swimsuit all in one.

Put your clean underwear and socks in 1 gallon zip locks and compress. Do same with shirts and other stuff. It saves space and keeps things dry. I’ll stop here because I could write a book. STAY ORGANIZED and maintain that throughout your trip.
Tom
 
05/21/2022 08:14AM  
Yeah, socks jumped out right away. Headnet. Might also want gloves - paddle and/or camp. Might want sun-protective, insect shield clothing or sunscreen/bug spray.
 
05/23/2022 04:32PM  
Bring a dedicated set of sleep clothes and socks, will keep your pad/bag much cleaner.
 
05/23/2022 04:50PM  
Bring a duffle bag to leave in your vehicle with shaving kit, clean set of clothes, cash, shoes, snack and water bottle, etc.
 
05/23/2022 05:10PM  
bobbernumber3: "Bring a duffle bag to leave in your vehicle with shaving kit, clean set of clothes, cash, shoes, snack and water bottle, etc."
Plus plus. Dry and clean clothes are a game changer and make for a very pleasant drive home. I like a Gatorade and a salty/crispy snack. Be sure the snack is in an airtight container to limit the potential invasion of mice.
 
05/24/2022 08:47AM  
Wool socks, not cotton to clarify.

With the hat, you might want to consider something that has a wide brim instead of a baseball cap. Being out in the sun all day can be rough and sun lotion only does so much.

I often use long underwear as PJ's. It works well at night when the ground is a little cold.

As previously mentioned, avoid cotton. Synthetics and wool are the go to. It's not uncommon for cotton to stay wet the entire trip, but light synthetics dry out quickly.

If you do get wet, hang clothing to dry. Don't put it on a rock and expect it to dry. You need a clothesline even if you don't see the point. You will use it.

Also, everything left uncovered at night will get wet with dew. Use a rain fly or put everything away.
 
Bjfinnegan
senior member (74)senior membersenior member
  
05/25/2022 09:25AM  
Get specific about quantities for number of days. Consider 2 days for each pair of socks, underwear, and shirts. Some may go longer, but saves weight. Pants can go the whole trip + something for in camp or sleeping. Probably the same pair of socks whenever wet-footing.

Materials - Already mentioned, but focus on wool or merino wool items and quick drying materials for shirts/pants. Same can be true for shorts where a quick drying pair can be used for swimming and general use. If you get a stretch of rain even hanging clothes under a tarp won't see them dry very quickly in the humid air.

Permethrin - Consider treating pants/shirts with permethrin spray prior to leaving for bugs.

Insulation Layer - Depending on time of year and forecast, you may want some sort of packable down shirt or coat. We've experienced 80's in late May, and wet and windy 40's in July.
 
cyclones30
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05/25/2022 11:14AM  
I second a permethrin treatment to outer layer of main clothes (long sleeve, pants, etc)
 
tumblehome
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05/25/2022 11:39AM  
Bjfinnegan: "Get specific about quantities for number of days. Consider 2 days for each pair of socks, underwear, and shirts. Some may go longer,"


I must have a thing for hygiene. New socks every day and sometimes more often if they get soaked or muddy. I hate dirty socks and love fresh socks. Something about them that makes everything OK.

I do wash and dry socks often. And yes---- I go commando a lot so no underwear. Sorry. TMI
Tom
 
OMGitsKa
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05/25/2022 01:12PM  
Gloves!
 
papalambeau
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05/25/2022 02:51PM  
cyclones30: "I second a permethrin treatment to outer layer of main clothes (long sleeve, pants, etc) "


After 30 years of tripping we are doing the permethrin treatment on our outer layer. Thanks for the tips.
 
MossBack
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05/26/2022 09:09AM  
Could someone offer basic HOW TO with the Permethrin wash process? Spray, rinse, % of Permethrin?
 
05/26/2022 11:00AM  
MossBack: " Could someone offer basic HOW TO with the Permethrin wash process? Spray, rinse, % of Permethrin?"


Here's one way

Lots of other stuff if you search youtube.
 
05/26/2022 07:38PM  
Thanks for all the responses! We will definitely bring wool socks, gloves, and separate clothes for sleeping. Permethrin is also on the list to soak our clothes in, and spray on our tents/hammocks. Nice thing is, my wife and daughters will be waiting for us in a cabin as we return...so fresh clothes, showers, and food will greet us...THEN some hugs and kisses!
 
05/30/2022 04:35PM  
OMGitsKa: "Gloves! "

What kind of gloves exactly? Work? Paddling? Fishing?
 
OCDave
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05/30/2022 04:58PM  
FindHim: "So I making my first trip to BWCA the last week of June with my two boys. .......

Do you see anything we are missing or shouldn't bring? Thanks!"


How old are your boys? The younger they are the more attentive you will need to be to their sun protection. Columbia makes a series of light weight, long-sleeved UV blocking shirts. They are brightly colored and look great. They also dry rapidly so kids can swim in the shirt to maintain sun protection then air dry them while wearing. I bring 2 but wear just one for the entire trip.

Make sure the hats are wide brimmed to keep sun off face and neck.

Sun glasses.

Have a great trip
 
05/30/2022 06:25PM  
I usually do 2 beanie style hats - 1 to wear around camp when the sun is down and when in my bag, keeps my bald head warm overnight. The other is my ‘working beanie’ that I’ll wear if it’s cooler during the day and will inevitably get sweaty from paddling or chopping wood etc. just my preference to have warmth & be able to dirty one up but have another clean.

+1 on multiple socks of the wool variety, and also on the sleeping clothes - game changer and they always feel much cleaner at night.

 
05/30/2022 07:09PM  
OCDave: "
FindHim: "So I making my first trip to BWCA the last week of June with my two boys. .......


Do you see anything we are missing or shouldn't bring? Thanks!"



How old are your boys? The younger they are the more attentive you will need to be to their sun protection. Columbia makes a series of light weight, long-sleeved UV blocking shirts. They are brightly colored and look great. They also dry rapidly so kids can swim in the shirt to maintain sun protection then air dry them while wearing. I bring 2 but wear just one for the entire trip.

Make sure the hats are wide brimmed to keep sun off face and neck.


Sun glasses.


Have a great trip
"


Boys are 18 and 21...and yes, we will have long sleeve shirts, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses. Thanks for the advice!
 
05/31/2022 10:00AM  
Do the shirts that you are using have a SPF rating? That's one thing with thinner synthetic long sleeve shirts that you have to watch out for. Some are so thin that they let the light through.

Having a collar on the shirts helps with sun on the neck but a bandanna can do the trick too. Personally, I go with both because being sunburnt sucks. I don't leave too much skin exposed while paddling. Plus, I can wet my bandanna if I'm getting warm.

With the sunglasses, make sure they are polarized. It makes a huge difference on the water. One time I screwed up and brought ones that weren't and spotting rocks in the water was near impossible.
 
05/31/2022 10:42AM  
FindHim: "
OMGitsKa: "Gloves! "

What kind of gloves exactly? Work? Paddling? Fishing? "


Any and all that are appropriate. Paddling gloves prevent blisters and also provide sun protection.
 
05/31/2022 03:28PM  
Bandana and a bug net for the head.
 
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