Packing for a multi-day backpacking trip requires careful planning when it comes to layers. You need clothing that performs well in a multitude of conditions while also being highly packable and lightweight. Every square-inch and ounce of weight matters, and being deep in the backcountry means you need to be prepared for anything mother nature can (and will) throw at you.
Here’s our top 5 recommendations for must-have layers in the backcountry.
Nothing ruins a backpacking trip quicker than uncomfortable feet. While your footwear plays a huge role in this, a good pair of socks is essential for keeping your feet dry, blister-free, and comfortable.
Our flagship hiking socks are made from 100% Montana-grown Merino Wool, meaning they are naturally breathable, anti-microbial (stink-free), and pack just the right amount of cushion, meaning you can count on your feet feeling comfortable and fresh even after multiple days on the trail.
Sun-hoodys are all the rage right now–and for good reason. Hiking in a lightweight, breathable hoody keeps the bugs off your skin and protects your arms and neck from getting scorched by the sun during long days.
Our Vapor Hoody’s are made from our lightest fabric, meaning they dry quick, pack small, and will keep you protected without becoming too hot (they also make for great impromptu towels for backcountry swims).
When choosing a tee for hiking, there’s a few key things to look for. You want something that breathes well, dries quickly, and feels great against your skin (even with backpack straps cinching down on it).
Our Vapor tee's check all those boxes, and thanks to our proprietary Merino Wool blend, you get natural odor resistance and class-leading thermoregulation to go with it.
Whether you’re in the desert or the mountains, summer-nights can still become chilly. Having a packable, lightweight puffy is an essential piece to stay comfortable in the backcountry. If and when the weather turns, it can be a lifesaving (literally) piece of equipment. When the sun dips or the wind rolls in at altitude, this is what we pull out of the pack.
Our WoolCloud Jacket is our most groundbreaking piece of gear. Using a proprietary wool batting as the insulation layer underneath a water-resistent shell, it’s feather light and packable (similar to down), but will never lose its loft if it gets compressed or wet (NOT similar to down). It’s a 4-season MVP, and there truly isn’t another jacket like it on the market.
In addition to a weather-busting puffy that can be grabbed at a moments notice, a good fleece reserved for cozying up at camp is a must-have after a long day.
Our Powder layers are our best-selling products and for good reason. Buttery soft, warm, and boasting backcountry-worthy durability, they’re the perfect campsite companion when a little extra insulation is needed.
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Here’s where the backpacking magic happens–by combining just three pieces of Merino Wool clothing (Vapor Tee, Powdy Hoody, and WoolCloud Jacket), you can ensure you’re properly layered no matter if it’s 100 degrees with blue skies or 10 degrees and snowing sideways. The total weight of those three products is just over 36 ounces.
That’s about the same as a standard (32oz) Nalgene full of water. Need we say more?
As we said earlier, when you’re deep in the backcountry, every ounce counts—which means every layer must earn its place in your pack. Because out there, you don’t get to pack a backup plan—you pack what works.
See you on the trail.
