Camping is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, however, what you bring and how you use your gear can make or break a camping trip. When choosing which clothes to bring, always consider the probability of your clothing getting wet. This is almost a guarantee on nearly any camping trip. Whether the cause is a rainstorm, crossing a river, or simply sweating, there are several things one can do.
Perhaps the most important thing to do is to wear clothes that will dry easily. Cotton is not a fabric that dries well; this also applies to blue jeans or denim. Although many inexperienced campers think cotton tee shirts are a good way to stay cool and that jeans are the best outdoor clothing, cotton holds water and chafes the skin. One motto that is often heard in the great outdoors is "Cotton Kills". The best fabrics to wear are polyester-based materials, which dry easily. As long as they are not dripping, they can dry while you wear them, especially if the wetness is from something minor, such as sweating. Under Armor is an excellent brand for this; it has been developed for athletes to keep them as dry as possible. Micro fleece is also a very good choice. Fleece doesn’t absorb water very well, it dries nicely, and it’s warm. These and other moisture wicking clothing are available at sporting goods stores and department stores, and they make all types of clothing: shirts, pants, jackets, underwear, hats and socks.
Since getting wet is something that is bound to happen even if you do bring the right clothing and are exceptionally careful, there are several easy methods for drying your wet clothes.
Socks are usually the first things to get wet, from either stepping in puddles or just plain sweating. If you’re backpacking, the best thing to do with a wet pair of socks is to tie them to the back of your backpack and allow them to dry while you move throughout the day. Never leave wet clothing in your pack, this could cause them to mildew. You should always have at least two pairs of socks which you can rotate each day by drying one pair while wearing the other.
For shirts and pants, the method of tying them to your backpack also works. However, to speed up the process you should untie them from your pack when you make stops, and if possible, lay them out on a rock in the sun to dry. When back at the campsite, hang your wet clothes over tree branches and let the sun and wind do its work. If your tent is set up in an open area, lying clothes on top of the tent is a great way for them to dry in the sun.
If your hiking boots get a good soaking from poorly navigating the stepping stones at a river crossing or simply stepping in a puddle, wearing them throughout the day while hiking will help them dry. But when you stop, you should immediately take off your boots, take out the insoles, and let them dry in the sun.
Camping can be a fun time for families and friends to enjoy nature and each other at the same time. By taking the proper precautions and planning ahead, the inevitability of getting wet won’t be such an inconvenience.
