The less glamorous pieces of clothing are just as important as those we can all see, like jackets and boots, but they are just as important.

 

Most of the items discussed here will be required in inclement weather, in the summer we will probably get away with light clothing and the odd waterproof.

 

Our main clothing is dealt with elsewhere in this web site.

 

Underwear? What you wear underneath your waterproofs is important - and not to just make you feel sexy! A few loose layers are better than one or two thick ones and, when you get warmer or cooler as you walk, they can be put on or taken off as necessary.

Generally walkers and climbers will need three layers to keep warm but it is also important to avoid sweating because this will make you cold when you stop.

The material garments are made from is down to personal preference, ask advice off fellow walkers and question shop assistants too. Some modern clothing wicks moisture away from your body to keep you dry and also breathes to reduce overheating and sweating. Whether fabrics are natural or synthetic is down to personal choice.

When it is cold I wear a shirt, over that a thin fleece and over that a waterproof. Bottom half? Pants and fairly thin walking trousers. That’s it!

Hats. Hats – are very important. We all know that most body heat is lost through the top of the head and so we need to insulate it!

A lot of the time a simple baseball hat will be fine and it will also keep the sun out of our eyes but when the weather is cold a well insulated hat is great, anything from a woollen “pom-pom” hat to a proper thermal type with ear muffs, an elastic chin cord to keep it on in high winds and good insulating qualities.

Avoid hats with big brims because you will find that the wind will take it off your head very quickly and deposit it down a 1000 feet gully. A bit awkward when you’ve borrowed it!

I often carry two hats, thin and thick, for when the weather changes.

Big brims are good in hot weather though.

Some people have tried a shemagh, an Arab type head-dress, but whether it works or not I don’t know.

Gloves. Gloves or mitts are very important but make sure you buy them in a larger size than you need. When your hands and gloves are wet they can be very difficult to put on and larger sizes give you a bit of “slack”.

Some gloves are fitted with thin inner gloves, which also help but try to avoid loose linings that come out with your wet hand. In very cold weather is essential that you wear your gloves and to find that they will not go on can be dangerous.

If necessary in extreme weather carry a second or even a third pair.

Try to get gloves with draw-cords that fit around your wrist so that you can take them off without dropping and loosing them in the wind; if they haven’t got draw-cords then think about stitching some in. Also make sure they tighten across the back of the hand and at the wrist to assist with insulation.

Good overmitts are now available in Paclite, a Gore-Tex material that is completely waterproof. They offer little insulation but do help in keeping your hands and gloves dry. They are not cheap so make sure that you try them on before buying and, again, buy a generous size.

Snood.        A snood is a great but simple idea too.

A snood is like a scarf but it is a tube that fits around your neck and tucks into your jacket, it can be pulled up to cover your mouth and nose and there are no flapping ends to get in the way.

Some have a draw-cord to close the top and turn it into a hat.

A warm, simple alternative to a scarf.

 

Socks. It is important to buy walking socks of a good make.

 

Most have elasticated areas that keep the sock in place and firm up the foot in the correct places. They are padded to reduce rubbing between the foot and the boot and are usually made of materials that allow sweat to escape. Rubbing and sweat are both reasons why people get blisters.

 

I have always worn two socks and I have never had a blister but it is up to you to try different combinations. I generally wear a slightly thinner sock next to my foot and a slightly thicker one over that.

 

Make sure that, when you buy new boots, you take the socks with you that you will wear when walking.

 

Scrim. A scrim “scarf” is valuable in hot weather.

 

Scrim is an open weave cloth, usually green, that will be known to military types and used for disguise or camouflage!

 

When walking it is handy for two reasons, 1) for use as a scarf around the neck to control sweating and 2) to impregnate with insect repellent when biting insects are about.

 

They can usually be bought cheaply from army and navy type shops or from market stalls.

Glasses. In the cold wind our eyes can start to water, this might upset their focus causing you to trip or stumble. Wiping them makes the problem worse and there is always the possibility of getting something in the eye. Once started this just goes on and on!

 

The answer? Goggles or glasses.

 

The easiest and cheapest answer? Safety glasses.

 

I have a pair of clear safety glasses such as those worn in a factory. They have transparent panels on the arms and they work!

 

If you buy any then make sure that their vision is not distorted because they will be a nuisance. Check your vision of the ground at your feet as well as to infinity and beyond!.

 

Gaiters. Gaiters wrap around the lower leg and cover the tops of the boots to keep out water and mud, they also keep your trousers clean.

 

There are many designs and many materials and so it will pay you to shop around and see what is available.

 

Consider the stiffness of the material, if this is too soft then the gaiters may slide down the calf. How are they secured? Is there an easy zip up the front or is there a fiendish press-stud arrangement down the back?

 

Do they have a cord around the top to adjust them to your leg size?

 

Is the underfoot strap easily adjusted?

 

-oOo-

 

Remember – once you have joined the Ramblers your membership card will give you 10% or 15% off at various outdoor clothing stores. Sometimes even more!