With over 30 million participants nationwide, camping is one of America\’s favorite pastimes. Especially at a time when many people are struggling financially, families are looking for cost-effective ways of enjoying vacations, of which camping is one of the cheapest activities available. In addition to its inexpensiveness, camping provides families a great way to see the outdoors while getting some exercise at the same time.

However, it can get very complicated to adequately prepare for a camping trip, especially with all of the options available to campers today. One only needs to take a walk through their favorite camping store to become overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices when it comes to camping equipment.

Although many campers spend time evaluating tents and sleeping bags, one often overlooked area of equipment is clothing. Many campers do not give much thought to their choice of clothing when planning for a trip; however, this is a serious mistake that can have major consequences for your camping adventure. Not only can improper clothing make your trip very uncomfortable, it can even put your life in danger.

One of the key concepts with respect to camping clothes is layering. Hikers will produce a lot of heat when they are walking, even if they are in a cold environment. As such, it is important to have the ability to quickly add and remove layers of clothing as needed. This will ensure that you will not overheat while hiking or get cold when you stop.

A base layer is typically used to help wick away sweat. This layer is usually made of synthetic materials that dry quickly. However, be warned that synthetic fibers tend to retain smells, meaning that your shirt will start to smell bad pretty quickly if it is not washed. If this is a serious problem for you, consider using a natural fiber like silk for this layer.

On top of the base layer, you should use an insulating layer as your main piece of clothing. This layer is typically made of fleece or wool and is designed to help you retain heat. Many of these pieces of clothing will have zippers so that you can further regulate your internal body temperature during your hike. In addition, the clothing can be easily removed during an especially hot day.

In addition to these basic articles of clothing, it is important to have proper rain gear to protect you from the elements. The biggest danger when camping is the threat of rain, especially if it is a cold day. This could lead to the dangerous condition of hypothermia, which is deadly if not addressed quickly. Gore-tex is a popular material for rain protection, although it is heavy and not very breathable. For those willing to spend extra money on their gear, eVent fabrics are far more breathable, making wet-weather hiking more enjoyable.

If there is one thing that should be stressed with respect to camping clothes, it is that cotton should be avoided at all costs. Cotton becomes useless once it gets wet, whether from the rain or your own sweat. Even worse, cotton takes along time to dry once it does get wet. These are not good qualities in camping clothes.

With just a little bit of thought beforehand, campers can make smart decisions when choosing their clothes for a hiking trip, making their journey a safer and more comfortable vacation.

Trevor Richards writes for Accessoryo (www.accessoryo.com), UK retailers of outdoor clothing accessories.

Trevor Richards writes for Accessoryo (http://www.accessoryo.com), UK retailers of outdoor clothing accessories.

Author Bio: Trevor Richards writes for Accessoryo (www.accessoryo.com), UK retailers of outdoor clothing accessories.

Category: Advice
Keywords: clothing, shopping, outdoor, camping, holidays, climbing, walking, leisure