[pct-l] Clothing options

[Travis Bell]

This may be a little off-topic, but it's still a clothing question.

I prefer to buy stuff from the good old U.S. of A. whenever possible.
 Unfortunately, a lot of the brands I'm seeing are brands that make and/or
operate out of China, Vietnam, Taiwan, etc.  All my gear is from US
companies (Six Moon Designs, Z-Packs, etc) as well as the non-specialty
clothes like generic fleece, shirts, pants, etc.  But I'm having trouble
with quality lightweight shells.  Any brand recommendations?

- Travis



On Wed, Jul 25, 2012 at 3:05 PM, CHUCK CHELIN <steeleye at wildblue.net> wrote:

> Good afternoon,  Daniel,
>
> Except for occasional use in the southern deserts I wear synthetics almost
> exclusively.  Attributes I like are the way it rejects moisture which
> enhances its insulation value, and its wear resistance.
>
> Some synthetics – but mostly older varieties – get really funky, really
> quickly when exposed to the body.  Most modern fibers and fabrics are made
> and/or treated to control the smell, but you’ll have to try an item to know
> for sure.
>
> For cold mornings and evenings I carry a medium-weight fleece pull-over
> sweater (10.4 oz.). It’s about the same weight as a really nice ultralite
> down jacket, but I find the extra warmth of a down jacket is not necessary,
> and they are really expensive. I usually buy the no-name fleece sweaters
> cheap off the sale rack, or even cheaper second-hand from the thrift store.
> At night the fleece sweater is folded and stuffed in a sack for my pillow.
> My thin, ultralite, hooded, jacket -- called a “windshirt” -- can be worn
> alone or over the fleece sweater. I may use a Marmot Ion (5.1 oz.) that has
> a full zipper, or a pull-over GoLite Ether (3.0 oz.). Many hikers carry
> fleece-lined windbreaker jackets, but I like the ability to wear the
> windshirt, the fleece, or both as conditions dictate.
>
> I wear one – or possibly two – layers of polyester fleece under the rain
> top in a cold rain. Moisture is bound to collect under a waterproof item
> like a rain top, even those claiming to “breath”, and that moisture will be
> in almost constant contact with the top and back of my shoulders and my
> upper arms. It’s here that I find fleece preferable to a down coat. The
> fleece maintains its loft when wet, and it will dry itself with my body
> heat as I continue to wear it after the worst of the rain. I don’t find
> down to be nearly that adaptable and forgiving.
>
> Steel-Eye
>
> -Hiking the Pct since before it was the PCT – 1965
>
> http://www.trailjournals.com/steel-eye
>
> http://www.trailjournals.com/SteelEye09/
>
>
> On Wed, Jul 25, 2012 at 12:31 PM, Daniel Salazar <techtravel7 at gmail.com
> >wrote:
>
> > What are some good options for synthetic clothing for a well prepared
> thru
> > hiker? What weather condition is polypropylene for?
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