Rachel is an outdoor industry professional with over 15 years of experience — she started as a ski instructor in 2009 and hasn't really stopped moving since. She's completed a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, spent a year living and traveling full-time out of a van, and has logged years of sport climbing, bouldering, skiing, and backpacking across the U.S..

She writes about all of it here: gear that actually works, lessons that took miles to learn, and the kind of practical trail knowledge that doesn't talk down to you. This blog is built on the belief that getting outside is for everyone — not just the people who go hardest, fastest, or have the most expensive kit. You'll find AT journals, gear reviews, trip logs, and honest advice across all of it. No gatekeeping.

I have two sets of clothing for the trail. One set for sleeping and one for hiking. In addition I have a few pieces of outerwear. I personally will be bringing along a sundress for in town which I am not sure if I will be keeping in my bounce box or my pack...

Hiking:

In order of layering I will be wearing:

• EMS Techwick Hipkini
• Some people prefer ExOfficio or Patagonia. Both of them make great underwear, but these are much cheaper and comparable!
• My three priorities for my underwear were comfort, breatheability, and able to accommodate a sanitary pad (tampons are not comfortable if you have a UTI or yeast infection, both of which are very possible on the trail). The ExOfficio did not accommodate a sanitary pad as comfortably, even with wings. Patagonia's underwear just plain didn't fit over my butt. Just something to consider for the ladies! (apparently my life is a never ending TMI incident...)
• Nike Indy Bra (not pictured)
• Nike Miler

• Smartwool NTS 150 Baselayer Hooded Top
• NTS stands for Next To Skin (meaning it is soft)
• 150 is the 'weight'. It means the fabric weighs 150 grams per square meter. It is much lighter than its synthetic competitors for the same performance.
• 150 merino fabrics can be warm (under a shell) down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
• A reliable review can be found here.
• Smartwool NTS 150 Baselayer Tights
• EMS compass Pants
• EMS River Short
• For summer the pants will be sent home
• Fox River Wick Dry Alturas Liner Socks
• I am notorious for having holes in my liner socks. Since they will be ripped I went for the cheapest synthetic liner socks that felt comfortable to me.
• When looking for liner socks aim for something that is wicking and non-absorbent, light weight and thin, and a good synthetic or wool material.
• Avoid cotton and rayon. Aim for polyester/polypropylene, nylon, or silk. Most liner socks also contain spandex for stretch.
• Smartwool HIKE Light Mid Crew Socks
• Buff Original

I don't have exact weights for any of my clothing. But over all my clothing weighs about 30 ounces (around 2 pounds).

Sleeping

For sleeping I have:

• A t-shirt
• EMS Techwick Midweight Baselayer Top
• EMS Techwick Midweight Baselayer Tights
• Smartwool Women's Light Mid Crew Socks
• I have three pairs of these and two pairs of the ultralight version. I'm not totally sure how I will be rotating them just yet.

I chose to have synthetic items for sleeping for two reasons: a) they are much cheaper and b) synthetic layers at the end of the day will give my skin a break from wool, which often makes me itchy after 8 hours.

I don't have an exact weight but my sleeping clothes, including their stuff sack, weighs about 25 ounces (about 1.5 pounds).

Clothing Advisories

Depending on what time of year you choose to start your hike you may not need to bring as much clothing as I have here. Clothing is all about comfort. You have to wear these same two outfits day in and day out for five (plus) months while being active, in various weather conditions, and you won't have a backup. I am bringing with me my favorite pieces of clothing that I have worn in multiple different weather conditions on many occasions. Some things to consider include:

• Aim for synthetic or wool clothing, avoid cotton!
• Synthetic: (nylon, rayon, polyester, polypropylene, spandex)
• Pros: can be lightweight, usually softer, wicking, sometimes has bacterial maintenance built in, cheaper, sometimes stretchier, varying breathability, dries quickly.
• Cons: can be heavier than its wool counterparts, can smell worse than natural materials, many brands and styles to choose from.
• Wool:
• Pros: lightest weight for its warmth and wicking properties, dries fast, does not retain odors, has antibacterial qualities, regulates temperature naturally and efficiently, very breathable.
• Cons: can shrink or stretch more easily than synthetic, can be itchy, more expensive.
• This applies to everything except your camp/sleep clothing. I am bringing a cotton blend t-shirt because it is soft and comfortable and I want to give my skin a break from wool and synthetics while I sleep.
• You will not be actively sweating in your sleep unless it is VERY hot out, so try to prioritize comfort in your camp clothes. You can always hang it off your pack to dry the next day. (obviously I will be sending home my warmer camp clothes for ultralight sweatpants and a pair of shorts in the summer)
• DO NOT bring cotton or very heavy clothing for thru-hiking!
• Down is amazing, breathable, and adaptable. Just remember that if it gets wet it will not insulate well and can sometimes be worse than wearing nothing at all. If you take care of your down gear (sleeping bags and jackets) they can last a long time and maintain their loft well! In some situations (pouring rain) you'd be better off suffering in the cold for a bit than wearing your down puffy coat under your rain coat and risk it getting wet (it probably will!).
• Try to make your clothing as light weight as possible.
• This is not just for overall weight consideration...when you are layering, you don't want to have five thick layers. You want three or four lightweight layers and one thicker one (ideally a puffy coat, vest, or fleece).
• Just because fabric is light does not mean it isn't warm. Wool 150 weight, like I mentioned above, can be warmer than its heavier synthetic counterparts. If you end up having to carry your clothing or you want to layer it, having lightweight layers can make all the difference.
• Light fabrics also dry much faster than thicker, heavier ones! Whether you are sweating, snow or rain is falling, or it is humid, the lighter the fabric the faster the drying time.
• Chafe
• You will most likely experience chafing. But testing your clothes before you get out on the trail can make all the difference. Some things chafe less than others or cover spots that usually chafe if left bare.
• Bring chafe protection, but aim for clothes that chafe you the least! My shorts are long enough to cover my worst chafe zone and I might even pickup some spandex undershorts.
• Socks are very important considerations that I will discuss more in detail in my footwear post. For now I will say, make sure your sleeping socks don't have too much ventilation but can still be hiked in if you need them in an emergency!
• Waterproof
• You want to keep your clothes in a waterproof sack if possible (you can also put them in a 2 gallon freezer bag instead, if necessary!). The last thing you want is to land at camp on a rainy day and open up your pack to find your one dry change of clothes soaked, in some scenarios that can end in hypothermia.
• Buying waterproof clothing (rain gear especially) is not totally necessary.
• Consider this: If you are wearing a waterproof rain jacket in pouring rain and the jacket makes you sweat, then you are getting just as wet from sweat as you would have from the rain in the first place. The only thing your jacket is doing at this point is keeping out the wind.
• Bring an umbrella, it will change your life and weigh the same as a rain jacket of a comparable price!
• Waterproof shoes are awesome in the winter but after walking in the rain all day they won't dry within twelve hours. Because if the shoe keeps water out it will keep it in too!
• I recommend bringing a water resistant and windproof jacket and bringing water resistant/proof pants. With an umbrella and rain pants you should have enough ventilation on top to offset the stuffiness of your pants while staying as dry as possible. Just make sure you get a snug pack cover that does not direct water in between your back and your pack.
• Aim for versatility:
• The Buff is a perfect example of this. It can be used as a neck warmer or wicker, a sweat band, a headband, an ear covering (to prevent sunburns), a pillow case, pressure on a wound, and so much more.
• Another great example is my smartwool baselayer top, although I will be using it as a baselayer to start, it will be a perfect lightweight hoodie later on in my hike. The hood helps prevent ear and neck sunburns and keeps wind off of my neck.
• Belts: Make sure your pants fit! I cannot seem to find pants that fit properly in waist and leg so I got these pants to fit my leg and used an old belt I had from a different pair of pants. If you need a belt make sure you bring one or improvise with some rope!

Everything I bring with me is subject to change. Often on the trail hikers realize what works and what doesn't and must make adjustments. When I get back I will make a post about the things I changed during my hike.

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