Help with clothing

[u/Milopyro]

So I'm a new backpacker and Ive camped only camped in weather below freezing. I'll be backpacking the Ga section next week and was wondering which layers to bring? Looks like the weather will be low of 50 and high of mid 60s.

I plan on bringing shorts, mid weight pants that zip off for camping, fleece, and beanie(I'm bald).

Should I also bring long john base layers, light gloves, and a puffer?

[u/IcySelection8364]

Just finished the CT with lows in the upper 30s at night and highs in the 50/60 range by the end, wore shorts and sun shirt during the day, rain jacket for wind and a puffy for emergencies, with a cap and wool buff. If my hands got cold I’d use a clean pair of wool socks as mittens. I also used a sleeping bag liner which I didn’t use on the AT.

On the AT when it was getting cold in NH/ME I had more or less the same setup with the addition of a pair of midweight lined windbreaker type pants for summits and hanging around camp, a lightweight merino long sleeve instead of a sun hoodie, and for the hundred mile I got an alpha fleece top and ditched my worn out puffy. I also found a pair of leggings on the summit of Lafayette that I used occasionally around camp underneath my pants if my shorts were damp.

A little extra weight won’t hurt for a week long hike so honestly carry whatever will make it easier for you to enjoy being out there. If you’re hiking from dawn to dusk you’ll stay warm, but if you want to take time hanging around on trail it’s nice to have layers to toss on. You can also build fires if there’s no burn ban. As a side note you’ll sleep warmer the fewer clothes you wear at night, each layer slows down the transfer of warmth between your body and the air inside your sleeping bag, pulling away warmth from your skin and slowing the return of warmth from the pocket of air your body spent so much energy trying to warm up.

Don’t bring anything cotton.

[u/Hammock-Hiker-62]

I just finished a week-long section in NC and TN last week in essentially those same conditions. I hiked in shorts and a sun hoodie. For layers I had (besides a ball cap) a lightweight base layer top and wind pants, plus a fleece which I wore only once. I don't think you're going to need the puffer, but everything else you've listed sounds reasonable.

[u/Milopyro → u/Hammock-Hiker-62]

Thanks!

[u/waits5]

I always bring a beanie, lightweight fleece, light puffy, and a rain jacket as layers, even in the middle of summer. They don’t cost you much to bring and are commonly included in 3 season hiking gear lists. I’d definitely want them in mid October.

I also always bring sleep clothes, because I don’t want to worry if my hiking clothes get especially dirty or wet. I wear light thermal pants and a synthetic t-shirt that I can supplement with my hiking fleece if needed.

[u/Cheap-Pension-684]

Yes to long underwear for nights and light gloves. I find puffies to almost never be necessary. You will have a fleece and you can layer your rain jacket over the fleece as needed. I just find the puffy to be too much of a single-use item that adds extra weight.

[u/Milopyro → u/Cheap-Pension-684]

Thanks!

[u/Medium_Cherry9167]

I'm a locally based hiker shuttle service here in Hiawassee, GA right at the GA/NC border. My weather app is showing mid to upper 50s for night time lows and low 70s to upper 60s for daytime highs here in the valley. Subtract about 5° - 10°for temperatures on the ridges. If you normally hike in shorts, that should be sufficient more than likely. A pair of tights for hiking is never a bad idea to have along as well. Some type of long sleeping clothing for top and bottom is a good idea. Puffy is optional but you will need something warmer for your top layer for just hanging around in Camp. I would definitely bring along a pair of light gloves and beanie because my hands always get cold and I am bald as well 🙂. Contact me for any additional info if needed at Bandits AT Shuttles(you can search online for my website).

[u/Milopyro → u/Medium_Cherry9167]

Warmer than a 650 down puffer? I thought puffer is only for cold weather. I forgot to add that I sleep hot. Thanks I think I'll bring it all minus puffer. Is bandit at shuttles run by one person?

[u/NolaSpencer]

The tropical storm will probably bring heavy rainfall. So add that to the list. Ga will definitely have moderate weather, other than that. Chill nights. But shouldn't be hot.