SPF Infinity: GUEST BLOGITORIAL: Brendan on Apparel

Brendan on Apparel

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.       Fabrics
2.       Items
3.       Brands

DISCLAIMER.
This is not an encouragement to go shopping for new expensive equipment… chances are you probably already own certain clothing items that while not intended for mountain climbing, will work just as well. The following items are based off of what I have worn during past climbs, results may differ depending on your personal comfort levels.

FABRICS

Certain fabrics just work better than others, the reality is that you will get wet, but the goal is to stay warm and have the ability to dry out quickly. So for the various layers you chose for battle with Vulcanus, consider these basics.

WOOL: breathes, keeps you warm wet or dry, heavy when wet and takes a long time to dry

COTTON: although the ads say “cotton the fabric of our lives” in the outdoors its: “cotton kills,” and “cotton, the kiss of death.” Breathes, lightweight, loses all its protective properties when wet, doesn’t dry quickly.

TECHNICAL FABRICS: This is any sort of modern sports fabric (dry-fit, nomex, etc.) breathes, lightweight, not the warmest, but moisture wicking and dries quickly when wet.

GORTEX: breathes, lightweight, water resistant for about 12 hrs… I say much less but it is the best of the water resistant fabrics, dries quickly.

LEATHER: breathes less than gortex, more than rubber, heavy when dry, water resistant for 2-3 hrs depending on waterproofing treatment. extremely heavy when wet, doesn’t dry out.

RUBBER: Doesn’t breath, water and wind proof, the elements won’t get to you but your sweat will.

VACUUM DEPOSITED ALUMMINIZED with or without ASBESTOS. Doesn’t breath, water, wind and fire retardant, currently man’s only armor for going up against lava.

ITEMS HEAD TO TOE

HEAD-HAT OR TURBAN: Ski cap or bandanna, can keep your head warm and prevent sunburn of the scalp. Note the Mt. Rainier Tamale photo, I’ve used my shirt to make a turban… I deemed my scalp more important than my lower epidermis.

FACE-SUNSCREEN OR ZINC CREAM: Sunny or partly cloudy you will need a high powered sun screen, for wind protection you may wish to use a Zinc Cream which is the white pasty stuff you see on mountain climbing dude’s faces.

EYES-SUNGLASSES: failure to comply results in snow blindness. Ski goggles are optional

NECK-GAITER OR SCARF/BANDANNA: optional, good for playing cowboys and Indians, I prefer to have enough survival weight to be double chinned.

TORSO-LAYERS: be prepared for weather ranging from the mid-70’s to the mid-20’s. first layer should be any sort of moisture wicking fabric for sweat… after that it is whatever is comfortable.

TORSO-SHELL: Gortex jacket or shell for wind and precipitation. A full winter coat will do, but it is better just to have one lightweight shell with optional liner so layers can be removed depending on conditions.

HANDS-GLOVES: Ski gloves will be the most relevant, smaller knit gloves for warmth are optional.

UNDERWEAR: IMPORTANT regular COTTON undies will absorb sweat and keep you cold and uncomfortable resulting in possible chafing. COMMANDO works but is better for ventilation than keeping in body heat. Best bet is a MOISTURE WICKING fabric that can be worn for days at a time.

LEGS-DURABLE PANTS: most prefer a lightweight canvas-like backpacking cargo pant convertible to shorts. A good pair is a costly for a pant but it is definitely worth the buy. If you don’t wish to buy, look deep within your closet because cargo pants were a fashion statement in the late 1990’s and for my first few climbs I used an old pair of zip off cargo pants left over from Jr. High. JEANS are discourage because they are mainly cotton and won’t do well when wet.

LEGS-OPTIONAL: LONG UNDERWEAR or SPANDEX will keep your legs warm, but can easily cause you to overheat. SNOW PANTS are useful when glissading down, but a good pair of climbing pants will do just as well but will need to dry.

CANKLES-GAITERS: useful for keeping snow/debris out of your shoes.

FEET-SOCKS: I prefer basic wool because it will keep your feet warm regardless of how wet they get. Keep the possibility of chafing in mind though when selecting what type you want to use.

FEET-BOOTS: For St. Helens or Adams something with a high ankle, water resistant yet breathable, and with good tread is all that is needed. Certain hiking boots you may already have might meet the criteria. Plastic hiking boots would be a bit over zealous at this time.

EXTRAS to CARRY on climb: Of course extra layers. If you wear pants and shirt layers that dry quickly, then the set you plan to wear is all you will need. Extra underwear is only needed if you are not confident in the moisture wicking ability or are easily frightened by things to include volcanoes. I would recommend extra

SOCKS because even a moisture wicking pair isn’t going to dry out in your boots.

EXTRAS left in CAR: I usually change a few pieces of wet clothing after a climb. However, if you aren’t afraid of having your car look like a gypsy wagon, bring whatever you like.

BRANDS

If you like shopping and you do want to buy all that is listed, may I offer some advice on brands? If you are new to mountain climbing and aren’t sure if it will become a hobby till death makes you part or it causes your death, then I recommend buying either CHEAP or MODERATE. You do want items that will endure the climbs, but there is no point of buying gear worthy of Everest just yet. If climbing is something you have done and want to do repeatedly, then buy QUALITY. You want items that will last for years, so spending over a hundred is within reason if it keeps you from buying the same item again for a decade or so. So…

CHEAP; HI-TEC, Generic BIG-5 Brands: On our first ascents, Blake and I were the self-proclaimed models for HI-TEC, a super cheap brand carried buy BIG-5. It got us there.

MODERATE; OUTDOOR Products, COLUMBIA: is pretty good stuff usually carried by most big box stores and Tri-State Outfitters

QUALITY (by now you are already at REI, Mountain Gear, or online)

MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR: a subsidiary of COLUMBIA, its gear that will last you several years and remains a true climbing brand despite its slight presence amongst trendy/fashion types.

REI BRAND: REI has gotten away from making much of their own gear but it always has been quality.

Um…NORTHFACE : I’m wearing a pair of their shoes as I write this. Unfortunately, this brand has been hijacked by douchebags/highschoolers in much of the same way that EDDIE BAUER use to make good hunting gear but now only appeals to trendy/fashion types. It is overpriced and is for people that want to wear something that says, “yeah, I went skiing… once.” Go to any college or mall and count how many people have the black NorthFace fleece jackets… you can’t count to infinity.