Clothing for a Weekend Trip

Always be prepared for the worst conditions you may encounter.

Essential Clothing

Good waterproof raincoat	PVC is good but must be rain proof not ‘shower proof’. Reflex, Gore-tex and similar fabrics are also OK, but more expensive.
Sturdy Boots	Ask your trip leader or the Chief Guide if you are unsure about whether your footwear will be appropriate.
Socks	Take a spare pair as well as the ones you will be wearing. Should be wool or polypropylene.
Hat / Balaclava	Keeps you warm. Preferably wool, polypropylene or polar fleece.
Gloves / Mittens	Keep you warm. Preferably wool, polypropylene or polar fleece.
Jersey / Jumper / Bushshirt	Carry at least one. Wool, polypropylene and polar fleece are best.
Shorts	Shorts should be nylon, not cotton, so they dry quickly. There is nothing worse than putting on wet shorts and t-shirts in the morning. DON’T take jeans.
Longjohns	Both top and bottom. Currently preferred material is polypropylene but wool also does the job well Take at least one pair if possible and preferably two.
Sunhat	Especially important during tops travel in clear conditions.
Sunglasses	Only essential for trips expecting to encounter snow.

Clothing not essential - but very nice

Gaiters	Not strictly necessary but they can make tramping in snow a lot more pleasant.
Overtrousers	Come into their own during winter travel in exposed, windy conditions. Very good at lowering wind chill.
Hut Clothes	Spare clothes for wandering around the hut in. Footwear is also quite handy as putting on wet boots to go outside is a bit of a chore. Remember however that you will have to carry these hut clothes, so make decisions on what to take accordingly.

Note that on winter trips - extra warm clothes may be necessary.