It isn’t too late to get in a couple last weekends of camping this season before fall sets in — especially if you have never been camping before. According to a recent survey, the most popular activities in 2012 were biking, fishing, hiking, and camping. It could be time for you to see what all the hype is about when it comes to camping and hiking.
The Basics: You’ll need to understand that every outdoor activity requires different outdoor clothing. For example, if you go fishing, you will need specific fishing gear.
Outdoor clothing isn’t hard to come by. Most clothing stores will offer some form of fabric that you will need to help you stay comfortable on your adventure. The Canadian clothing industry generates around $260 million in annual revenue — there are 4,137 women’s clothing stores alone in the country — which is a major clothing market.
There are plenty of companies out there that offer the warmest wool sweaters or the best waterproof camping shirt on the market, but as a beginner, all you need to worry about it making sure you pack the right camping gear and outdoor clothing.
How to Prepare: Make a list of camping gear to bring, food to pack, and clothes that you and your party plan on wearing during the trip. When it comes to outdoor clothing materials, mens clothing and womens clothing doesn’t vary in terms of what materials are used — just color preference and style.
After you’ve made a list of stuff to bring. Cross out anything you think is unnecessary. Many campers and packers these days are traveling light, so you may want to be minimalistic in your gear depending on what you plan on doing (example: don’t lug a cooler up a mountain).
The Clothing: After you’ve packed the toilet paper, flashlights, pocket knife, etc., it is time to the most bulky — yet most essential — stuff: the clothes.
- Pants and shorts. Don’t bring any form of jeans; the fabric does not stretch easily and is also very heavy and difficult to dry.
- Camping shirts. These should not be 100% cotton, if you can help it. Cotton is breathable, but it doesn’t dry quickly and it weights a lot if it gets wet.
- Underclothes. This is an important one. You also don’t want to have a lot of cotton underclothes. A moisture-wicking material is best.
- Socks. Wool socks are the best for hiking and camping. They dry quickly when wrung out, they are durable, and they don’t trap odors like cotton does. These thick socks will also prevent blisters.
- Waterproof outer shell. It is best to layer your outdoor clothing as much as possible, and this is the layer exposed to all the elements, so you’ll want it to be durable as well as breathable. Check for a waterproof (not water resistant) label when shopping.
Once you’ve packed all the clothes, all you have left to worry about is the camping gear, and that’s the best part of all.
