(Part 3) Reddit mentions: The best men hiking clothing

Go with the shoe that is most comfortable and more importantly that are broken in. Even if its just a pair of tennis shoes. I'm guessing since the La-Sportiva is in your closet you have used them before and know whether or not they keep your feet from having any hot spots. Yet you say your new to hiking, so I want to make sure you start wearing that shoe daily until your trip. This will get them adjusted to your feet.

Make sure what ever type of sock your going to wear hiking is what you use on your daily walk in these shoes. I actually believe your choice in socks is much more important than your shoes. They do everything from providing cushioning to keeping your feet dry. Go with a good wool or wool blend such as Smartwool socks.

I hope I don't sound preachy, I just want to make sure you enjoy your trip as much as possible. You don't want to be 20 miles in and get a blister.

I have hiked in many different types of sock configurations from my time in the military to now and have tried several different options.

There are those that swear by wearing a thin layer under a padded sock. In the military we would even try wearing ladies stockings (very sheer thin bottom layer) under typical military issue socks. I got blisters.

I tried wearing the "special" hiking socks with the thinner top and beefy padded soles. I got blisters.

Then I started wearing Smartwool PhD socks. In the past year of me wearing them, I have yet to get a blister and have been able to go for up to 3 days of hiking without removing them (an act I don't advise). I have yet to see any blisters, and can safely advocate them. They wick sweat away and are terribly comfortable.

There is indeed a steep initial investment on them, but the ROI (return on investment) is massive. In the past year I've put a little over 800 miles into these socks (the brand/style, not a single pair), and of all my pains - none of them is footwear related.

I can't speak to other similar style socks as I stopped looking after getting these, but Smartwool's PhD socks are definitely a winner. I own both the crew style and the mini style and they're definitely the best sock I've ever owned. I'll be hard pressed to purchase anything else, ever again.

Curious to see what others have to say, but it won't sway me one step.

oh and these are the pants.

They are my all time favorites. Stretchy, stylish cut, etc. I go from the office (engineer) to casual wear in these. Just a perfect all-arounder and they fit like a dream which is why I love them as a tall skinny dude who can never find good pants. I really like them. I got them on sale for $40.

Here are some other brands on Amazon that seem to have good reviews:

http://www.amazon.com/Wigwam-Below-Socks-Black-X-Large/dp/B0044BU7KY/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1418245309&sr=8-7&keywords=wigwam+boot

http://www.amazon.com/Pairs-Merino-Hiking-Socks-10-13/dp/B00MTVNJ9M/ref=pd_sim_a_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=0214TAD9FXHDCFHJTV73


http://www.amazon.com/Kirkland-Signature-Outdoor-Trail-Merino/dp/B009LB8CX6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1418245690&sr=8-4&keywords=merino+wool+mens+socks

http://www.amazon.com/Mens-Premium-Merino-Socks-6-pack/dp/B005YPQZAK/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1418245903&sr=8-16&keywords=merino+wool+men+socks


FYI, apparently the price listed on Extreme Outfitters must be a military discounted price for Under Armour as all other sites seem to show the same cold weather sock for around $14.

https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/search?q=cold+gear+boot+socks

Handwarmers seem to cost pretty much the same on most sites.

Hope that helps.

Day One I'll have about 35 lbs (15.45 kg) of weight. This is my first time so there are probably several items in there I'll never take with me again, but I'd like to try 'em out once; I also have a shit sleeping bag that desperately needs upgraded. If you want specs, just ask and I'll happily share my spreadsheet!

Edit: The List

The Gear

• Jansport Katahdin 50L
  
• Northstar Tactical Operations Sleeping Bag
  
• Hennessy Explorer Deluxe w/ Hex Fly, Snakeskin, HH2O
  
• New Balance Hiking Boots
  
• Vibram Spyridons
  
• Playpus Big Zip Bladder, 3L
  
• Sawyer 3-Way Inline Water Filter
  
• Rain Suit
  
• Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Soap
  
• All Terrain Herbal Armor Bug Spray
  
• Wigwam Merino Wool Socks x2 pair
  
• GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Pot/Cup
  
• Outdoor Products Dry Sacks
  
• Energizer 3-LED Headlamp
  
• Lifeline 85-Piece First Aid Kit
  
• 100', 550lb Paracord
  
• Extra Rope
  
• Heavy Duty Trash Bag (as liner; 2 extra)
  
• Couple Books: The Tolkien Reader, J.R.R. Tolkien and Smith of Wootton Major and Farmer Giles of Ham, J.R.R. Tolkien
  
• Cell Phone
  
• Camera
  
• Flashlight
  
• Map
  
• Watertight, hard-shelled container (for electronics/map)
  
• Pocket Knife
  
• Fixed-Blade Knife
  
• Toilet Paper
  
• Stove & Fuel
  
• Hand Sanitizer
  
• Extra pair of underpants
  
• Extra shirt
  
• Several scattered lighters
  
• 2L of water (possibly less depending on availability of water)
  
• Plastic Water bottle (for mixes)
  
• Wash Cloth
  
  The Food
  
  
• Chocolate Chip and Coffee Biscotti (too delicious not to bring)
  
• Backpacker's Pantry, Beans and Rice
  
• Mountain House, Rice and Chicken
  
• Ramen Noodles
  
• Trail Mix
  
• Peanuts
  
• Country Time Lemonade Packets
  
• Snickers Bars
  
• Folgers Instant Coffee
  
• Chocolate Covered Raisins
  
• Tuna Packets
  
• Wraps
  
• Protein Bars
  
• Peanut Butter Crackers
  
• Gushers
  
• Mac & Cheese
  
• Summer Sausage
  
• Nutri-Grain Bars
  
• Hot Cocoa

Prices are shipped to the US, and will consider reasonable lower offers. Have pictures, but can't upload them right now.

• $30 10D Sorel 1964 Premium T Tobacco boots. Extremely similar to this in Tobacco, but the laces are far darker. Bought on clearance through J Crew, but sizing down a full size (as J Crew recommend, I'm normally an 11) is a touch too small for my massive big toes. Color is slightly different, and laces are black. Never worn out of my apartment, and I have the original box.
  
• $40 10D Clark's Bushacre II black suede desert boots. Amazon reference, though I don't know what is the difference between Bushacre and Bushacre 2. Slight scuffs on the bottom, but they haven't been worn more than a half-dozen times. Not sure what I was thinking with black suede, but they look nice in person. Have the original box if interested.
  
• $30 11D Generic Surplus blue suede wingtip sneakers. Zappos reference, only it's a dark-ish blue and the laces aren't contrasting. I really like these, but the blue doesn't go well with most of the pants I wear. Debating whether I want to sell them, or replace the laces to give them more contrast with jeans and whatnot.

So a loooong time ago - I worked in a outdoor supply store, and we sold Wigwam, Fox River, Columbia, duofold, ultimax, etc - all the sock brands for hiking and such (some no longer have socks). Thorlo were double the price of everyone else, but I have to say - they were great socks.

I have probably, 8 pair -- they are over 20 years old. worth it for the price, even more worth it as I got them wholesale. (I have 3 pair of just these - from 22 years ago - I wore a pair tonight for working out at the gym -- http://www.amazon.com/Thorlo-Coolmax-Hiker-Walnut-Heather/dp/B0009MZW0C/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1405478222&sr=8-5&keywords=thorlo+mens+crew+socks)

Here - I have 4 pair of these (Fox River Euro) -- they are also 20+ years old - 1 pair JUST last week got a hole in them. nice synthetic sock -- but back in the day - they only cost 5 dollars.

http://www.amazon.com/Euro-Hiking-Khaki-White-Large/dp/B0045DZF6C/ref=sr_1_13?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1405478013&sr=1-13

I've cycled a lot in craghoppers kiwi active trousers before. They've got some stretch to the material so you have plenty of freedom to move. Not very expensive. They're mainly for outdoors or hillwalking, but a pair in black looks perfectly respectable for the pub.

I hear ya. Yeah I love the Columbia hiking shirts, that's in my rotation as well. Looks a bit more business casual too.


Edit: These are good too, they have a vented back, so depends on if you like the style or not.

I picked up 4 pairs of THESE for Costa Rica and they were great, sink washed they took like 15 hours or so to dry so while I added 1 to the standard set of 3 (wear one, wash one, dry one) I didn't need it, I would have gotten off ok with 3.

I liked the Darn Tough merino wool socks, so I got 4 pairs of them, and the same thing applied.

For shirts, I wore Under Armor compression shirts most of the time because i found that they dried a LOT faster than even my Merino Wool t shirts and they were comfortable.

I can't give you any suggestions for a jacket as I didn't bring one to Costa Rica.

Not to worry. I will wear them as boots, they will get dirty. I've survived last winter in my Iron Rangers, they have a similar sole. I just penguin walk on packed snow and ice, the rest is fine. I have great Solomon hiking boots for deep snow if it comes to that.

I'll avoid putting a new sole on them for now, them being brand new and all. When it comes time to change it up I'll probably get a nice commando sole for them.

I use these socks with my boots, they keep me warm in the winter and are just very comfortable in general.

I love my Keen boots. I think they are the Targhee II. http://goinggear.com/keen-targhee-ii-mid-men-s-boot.html

For socks I got icebreaker wool socks. http://www.amazon.com/Icebreaker-Mens-Nickel-Black-Large/dp/B002MIIABY/ref=sr_1_1?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1382663711&sr=1-1&keywords=icebreaker+socks

These two things I absolutely love. Btw what kind of area will you be in and what type of stove?

Thanks! I appreciate your feedback.

The pants are the Columbia PFG Blood & Guts III Convertibles. They have an amazing water/stain repellent coating that works fantastic. Only thing is that the crotch area could use some extra room. My waist and inseam are perfect but I'm in the process of taking apart another pair that were too big to make a gusset to fit in this pair. Just my 2 cents.
Here's a link for em: https://www.amazon.com/Columbia-Blood-Convertible-Pants-Fossil/dp/B00L2IURH0/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=columbia+pfg+blood+and+guts+pants+men&qid=1567098114&s=gateway&sprefix=columbia+pfg+blood+&sr=8-3

I recommend a 3 layer approach. I only typically vary my mid layer based on the temp and keep my base and outer layer the same all year.

Base: I prefer merino wool base layers. Something thin, breathable, and comfy. Smartwool and Icebreaker are solid brands for this.

Mid: Fleece or wool for this layer. Thin for warmer weather and thick for colder weather. Should be breathable. My preference is not to have a hood for this layer and to only have a hood on my outer layer. I have too many mid layers to list and I just bought a new one (Patagonia R1 pullover fleece) today.

Outer Layer: This should wind and rain proof and comfortably fit your mid and base layers. I prefer a hardshell like the Arc'tery Zeta LT.

Personally these are my favorite https://www.amazon.com/Wigwam-Mens-Cool-Lite-Hiker-Socks/dp/B000TF9OZS


Very comfortable, durable, I love em.

I highly recommend the Global Adventure Pants by Columbia Sportswear. They're extremely lightweight, breathable, and comfortable and look nice enough for everyday office wear (I even wore mine to a wedding once). I lived in West Africa for a year, where it gets VERY hot, and alternated a black pair and "kettle" (ie khaki) pair pretty much every day. They're not as breathable as shorts, obviously, but come pretty darn close.

https://www.amazon.com/Columbia-Mens-Global-Adventure-Pant/dp/B010NHRZ3E

Also on REI, Columbia site, etc

Yes! I have two pairs and they can easily be purchased from sites like Sierra Trading Post (during sales) or Steep and Cheap for well under $70. I think I paid $70 total for both pairs shipped if memory serves me correctly.

Also Adidas makes a decent pair of climbing pants which can be purchased off of Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/adidas-Outdoor-Edo-Climb-Pant/dp/B00DR95LL4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418228551&sr=8-1&keywords=adidas+climbing+pants

They stretch and have an elastic waste band but the feature I really like is the leg holes can be tightened so they don't get in the way. They don't stretch as much as the zion pants but they're a nice pair for cheaper.

Also shorts.

Oh wow, a bit pricey. I was hoping to stay under 30$. Think thats doable?

I guess maybe a better question would be what kind of material I should be looking for. I found these on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MYX0ETE/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A18VXALR45L3PZ

I know you said you tried a bunch of socks but I want to suggest these. The key is finding socks that don't contain cotton because cotton absorbs and holds moisture and is what gets stinky. These mostly wool socks are very plushy and comfortable and they wick moisture like high performance sports gear so they keep your feet almost totally dry. I can even wear the same pair of socks two or three days in a row with no smell.

I like Wigwam socks.