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June 24, 2009
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What should I wear while backpacking in the Grand Canyon?
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The Capilene 1 T-Shirt (courtesy, Patagonia)
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I'm going on a two-week backpacking trip in the Grand Canyon this summer, and I was wondering what kind of fabrics I would want to stick with as far as shorts and shirts go. The last thing I want is to be uncomfortable. Are there any fabrics that I should completely avoid? What would you recommend?
— Kristen
Grant Park, IL
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Wow, what a great trip! And kind of a clothing challenge. It’s apt to be hot—very hot—in places. During the summer months the rims top out at 80 or so, but down in the canyon it can reach 120 for daytime highs. And there’s a good chance of a thunderstorm or four or five.
So my kit would include things that are comfortable in hot weather and that dry fast (from either sweat or dunks on the Colorado or from thunderstorms). My first choice for a shirt is anything made with Patagonia Capilene 1, a very light, polyester-based fabric that is an ideal by-itself layer in hot weather, and a great base layer if it cools off. The women’s T is $36, and it comes in white, which could be handy.
Add to that an
Icebreaker Bodybit 150 L/S Atlas Zip ($65). It’s a merino wool piece, very comfortable across a wide temp range, perfect for a base layer on cooler evenings.
I might pack some cotton, but only to wear in the evening or when you’re done hiking for the day, otherwise it just gets too wet when sweaty, and doesn’t dry well.
For shorts, perhaps the Royal Robbins Backcountry Short ($45). They’re made with a light, fast-drying Supplex nylon, and are designed for hiking, with a gusset for extra mobility and pockets for small essentials. It depends on the look you want, but a pair of tights for under the shorts when gets cooler would be fine. Patagonia’s Capilene 1 bottoms are $36 and would make a nice match with the tops.
To sort of round out the basic clothing set, The North Face’s Salathe Jacket ($79) is a light fleece piece, trimly cut, that’s not too warm. For those occasional desert showers, the Isis Torrent Rain Jacket ($129) packs down well, has good breathability, and will keep you dry.
Good luck!
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