First up is my Icebreaker Pocket 200 red merino hat I have 2 of these one for the cooler months going to work and one for hiking. I use the hiking one when needed in conjunction with a Buff and when it gets cold then my BPL.com Merino hoody and cocoon pullover help to keep me warm. In summer there is a need for sun protection then it is my OR pocket bucket though I love my Radar Pocket Cap and often carry it as well (yeah I know extra weight but ...)
Gloves, I use walking poles and in the cooler months the hands get cold, I have tried IBEX merino liners (the best by far) and whilst they are very good, there life span is short when used with hiking poles. Recently I was able to obtain a pair of Extremities Velo gloves and they are great, partially because the manufacturer does not have the "one size fits all" mentality.
Socks, I have big feet (US 13 or 14, depending on brand) and have often had blisters especially between the toes but once I started using injini liner socks over 3 years ago I have had no problems. I find the Bamboo liner socks perfect, they dry overnight (do not smell like synthetic socks) and they are very robust.
Chafing, something that we all try to avoid by ensuring that we wash regularly on the trail as well as other tricks. For the past 4 years I have used Underarmour compression shorts along with appropriate personal hygiene has ensured that chafing is a thing of the past. Now I am exploring the use of merino underwear from Chocolate Fish.
4 hats that makes me feel better. I always wear a Columbia bush/giggle hat, carry a fleece beanie, and a thin merino beanie. I just love the merino beanie too much to leave behind, even though I look like a bank robber when I wear it!
ReplyDeleteHeadwear - my Arcteryx wool beanie is my only warm hat for this time of year. Hoods on my other tops and jackets add warmth if required. Another benefit of hoods is that you can never lose them! I'm still trying to find a full brimmed hat that I like, until then it's a simple baseball cap for me.
ReplyDeleteFinally, while I'll always take a Buff in winter I switch to a cotton bandanna this time of year that will multi-task as a neck covering, dish cloth, face-cloth, lens cleaner, scarf, etc, etc.
Handwear - I agree with you about thin liner gloves, nice and light but no good if you're using hiking poles. I shredded a pair of Arcteryx merino liners in a few short weekends.
I usually carry two pairs of gloves for '3 season' use - a pair of warm gloves, Rab Powerstretch Grip, (although I may switch to DeFeet merino for more 'warm when wet' performance) and a pair of waterproof mitts (currently a pair of stripped down Tuff Bags but MLD do a lighter pair).
Underwear - I'm a big fan of synthetic 'compression' shorts, currently Nike Pro's, but there is no denying merino's far superior hygiene and odour performance. Smartwools are my current favourites but the Chocolate Fish ones look good too.